Portable UWB Rig Positioning for Real-Time Equipment Interlocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collision avoidance systems in the oil and gas industry face challenges such as obstructed camera views, extreme weather conditions, low resolution GPS, and RFID limitations, which hinder accurate detection of equipment and personnel positions, leading to potential collisions and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A portable local positioning system using ultra-wide band (UWB) tags and anchors to track the real-time 3D coordinates of rig equipment and personnel, enabling precise monitoring and automatic control to prevent collisions by associating tags with equipment and personnel, determining interlock rules, and disabling equipment operation when safety violations occur.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If camera-based systems are used to monitor position, then real-time tracking capability is provided, but detection accuracy deteriorates when views are obstructed or in extreme weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical camera-based detection systems with UWB (Ultra-Wideband) radio frequency technology. This substitution eliminates dependence on line-of-sight visual detection, allowing accurate position tracking through walls, equipment, and in all weather conditions without being blocked by physical obstructions or environmental factors like rain, fog, or snow.
2Area of stationary object
If GPS systems are used for position tracking, then wide coverage is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates to tens of meters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental measurement parameters from GPS satellite signal triangulation (which provides meter-level accuracy over wide areas) to UWB time-of-flight measurement between nearby anchors and tags. This parameter change enables centimeter-level precision (10 cm or better) while maintaining site-wide coverage through strategic anchor placement, transforming the trade-off between coverage area and measurement precision.
3Ease of manufacture
If RFID tags are used for position monitoring, then simple implementation is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates to tens of meters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces RFID's magnetic field-based detection (which only indicates proximity to gates) with UWB radio frequency time-of-flight measurement. This substitution enables precise 3D position calculation by measuring the time it takes for radio signals to travel between anchors and tags, achieving centimeter-level accuracy while maintaining the simplicity of tag attachment and system deployment.
4Stability of the object's composition
If permanently installed rig equipment is used, then system stability is provided, but adaptability deteriorates when temporary equipment needs to be added or removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic, modular positioning system where UWB anchors are permanently installed to provide stable reference points, while UWB tags can be freely attached to and removed from any equipment or personnel. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt to changing rig conditions, temporary equipment additions, and personnel movements without compromising the stability of the positioning infrastructure or requiring system reconfiguration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides accurate and reliable real-time tracking with up to 10 cm precision, effectively preventing collisions and enhancing safety on the rig floor by automatically controlling equipment movement based on defined interlock rules.
Implementation Method 1
A portable local positioning system uses ultra-wide band (UWB) tags and anchors to track the real-time 3D coordinates of rig equipment and personnel
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for mitigating collision occurrences on a drilling rig, of which an example of the method includes associating ultra wide band (UWB) tags with pieces of rig equipment and rig personnel. The tags are configured to communicate with one or more anchors. The method also includes determining interlock rules associated with each of the pieces of rig equipment, monitoring positions of the pieces of rig equipment and the rig personnel using the tags, in real-time, determining that one or more of the interlock rules are violated by a position of one or more of the pieces of rig equipment, rig personnel, or both, and, in response to determining that the one or more of the interlock rules are violated, at least partially disabling operation of one or more of the pieces of rig equipment.