RFID-Tagged Piping Recess Layout for Wear-Resistant Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing RFID tag placement methods on piping in oil or gas environments are prone to wear and damage due to their positioning, which affects signal range and reliability, and can compromise the structural integrity of the piping.

Innovation Solution

The RFID tag is positioned in a shallow elongate recess extending in a tangential or axial direction, preserving the piping's strength and integrity, with options to mount it in a thread crest or between crests within the threaded sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the RFID tag is mounted on the outside of the pipes near the connecting means, then the ID tags can be read when passing an antenna, but the ID tags are subjected to wear during the moving of the pipe in the borehole and to damage from power tongs during make-up and break-out operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereadability of ID tagVSAvoiddurability of ID tag
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The RFID tag is nested within a recess in the piping surface, with the tag embedded in the recess and covered by a cover layer. This nesting approach protects the tag from external damage while maintaining its functionality, resolving the contradiction between readability and durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

A cover layer is introduced as an intermediary between the RFID tag and the external environment. This cover layer protects the tag from wear and damage during pipe movement and assembly operations, while still allowing the tag to be read by an antenna.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If a recess is made orthogonal to the surface for mounting the RFID tag, then the tag can be positioned on the piping, but the strength of the piping is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting of RFID tagVSAvoidstructural integrity of piping
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making a deep orthogonal recess that compromises structural integrity, the invention uses a shallow elongate recess that extends in a tangential or axial direction. This dimensional change allows the tag to be mounted while preserving the piping's strength, as the recess does not penetrate deeply into the pipe wall.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Strength

If the RFID tag is positioned in a shallow elongate recess extending in a tangential or axial direction, then the strength of the piping is preserved, but the tag may still be exposed to pressure variations in the well

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrity of pipingVSAvoidpressure variations affecting tag
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cover layer serves as a protective intermediary that seals the RFID tag within the recess, isolating it from pressure variations and other harmful environmental factors in the well while maintaining the structural integrity of the piping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3204590B1A piping body having an RFID tag
Publication Date: 2021.11.03 TUBOSCOPE NORGE AS
  • EP3204590B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3204590B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~3c
  • EP3204590B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4c

AI summary

The invention relates to a piping (10) for use in an oil or gas environment, wherein the piping (10) is provided with an RFID tag (99,99',99'') for identifying said piping (10), wherein said piping (10) comprises a first end section (10-2) for being coupled to a second piping (10') and a second end section (10-2) for being coupled to a third piping, wherein said piping (10) further comprises a mid-section (10-1) in between said end sections (10-2). The RFID tag (99,99',99'') is provided in an elongate recess (50,50',50'') that is formed in the piping (10) and wherein said recess (50,50',50'') extends in a tangential direction (DT) parallel to a surface (S) of the mid-section (10- 1) of the piping (10).