RFID Tag Assembly With Threaded Mounting And Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional RFID tags are not durable enough for harsh environments like those found in the oil and gas industry, where they are exposed to temperature extremes, corrosive fluids, and vibrations, leading to degradation and loss of coupling with the asset they are intended to identify.
Innovation Solution
An RFID tag assembly featuring an annular housing with static seals and a mounting member that securely couples the tag to the asset, providing a 360° fluid-tight and air-tight seal, and optionally including a resonant tuning member for enhanced transmission, and allowing for direct visualization through a transparent housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional RFID tags are simply attached to objects with adhesive or sticker, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability and durability in harsh environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID tag system is segmented into multiple functional components: a housing structure, sealing elements, mounting members, and the RFID tag itself. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall reliability in harsh environments.
Solution Approach 2:
A housing structure serves as an intermediary between the RFID tag and the harsh environment. This housing protects the tag from temperature extremes, corrosive fluids, and mechanical damage, while still allowing the tag to function and be read by RFID readers.
2Device complexity
If conventional RFID tags are exposed to harsh environments without protection, then the device complexity is minimized, but the durability and resistance to environmental factors deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A housing structure with sealing elements (gaskets or O-rings) creates a protective barrier around the RFID tag. This shell-like structure prevents corrosive fluids and moisture from reaching the tag while maintaining a relatively simple overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing and sealing elements are made from materials specifically selected for their resistance to harsh environmental factors such as temperature extremes and corrosive fluids. This use of environmentally resistant materials provides durability without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If conventional RFID tags are attached directly to assets, then the coupling strength is reduced and ease of installation is improved, but the stability under vibrations and impact loads deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure is pre-assembled with sealing elements and mounting members in a controlled manner before being attached to the asset. This preliminary assembly ensures proper positioning and secure attachment, preventing the tag from becoming dislodged under vibrations or impact loads while maintaining ease of installation through modular construction.
4Reliability
If conventional RFID tags are made invisible to the naked eye, then the focus is on electronic identification, but the ability to visually identify the object in the field without RFID reader deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure incorporates visual indicators such as color coding or visible markings that can be observed by the naked eye. These visual features provide immediate identification capability in the field without requiring an RFID reader, while the underlying RFID technology remains intact for electronic identification.
Data Source
AI summary
An RFID tag assembly for tagging an asset comprises a housing including an inner cavity and a through bore. In addition, the assembly comprises an RFID tag disposed in the inner cavity. Further, the assembly comprises a mounting member coaxially disposed in the bore. The mounting member includes a threaded portion that extends from the lower surface of the housing and is adapted to threadingly coupled the housing to the asset.