Rig Pipe Tracking Antenna Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for tracking pipe activity on a rig face challenges due to limited vertical free air space and electromagnetic interference, which affect the communication between reader antennas and ID tags, especially under the rotary table and bell nipple.
Innovation Solution
A system with multiple scanning zones and reader antennas, including articulated and clam-shell types, strategically positioned to improve signal-to-noise ratio and reading accuracy, using long wavelength ID tags like RuBee for reliable communication across the rig.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single reader antenna is placed under the rotary table, then the system structure is simple, but the communication reliability with ID tags is insufficient due to limited vertical free air space and electromagnetic interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the single antenna function into multiple reader antennas positioned at different locations (under the rotary table and at the bell nipple). Each antenna serves as an independent scanning zone, increasing the probability of successful communication with ID tags while maintaining relatively simple individual antenna structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-point antenna placement to a distributed spatial arrangement of multiple antennas. By adding the vertical dimension (under rotary table) and horizontal dimension (at bell nipple), the system creates multiple scanning zones that collectively cover the pipe handling space, improving communication reliability without requiring each antenna to be overly complex.
2Measurement precision
If multiple reader antennas are deployed at different positions, then the signal-to-noise ratio and reading accuracy improve, but the system complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each reader antenna is positioned in a specific location (under rotary table or at bell nipple) where it can optimally detect ID tags in its local scanning zone. The system assigns different functional characteristics to different antennas based on their locations, with each antenna optimized for its specific scanning environment rather than requiring all antennas to be identical complex units.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple reader antennas use the same basic detection technology and can perform the same ID tag reading function. This universal approach allows the system to achieve improved measurement precision through redundancy and spatial distribution while keeping each antenna unit relatively simple and standardized, reducing overall system complexity.
3Area of stationary object
If the reader antenna is placed close to the pipe handling apparatus, then the scanning coverage is improved, but electromagnetic interference from the apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the scanning function across multiple locations, placing reader antennas at both the rotary table area and the bell nipple area. This segmentation allows each antenna to cover a specific zone while being positioned at a sufficient distance from major electromagnetic interference sources, balancing scanning coverage with interference avoidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vertical space and structural elements of the rig as intermediaries to position reader antennas in locations that provide good scanning coverage while being shielded from or distant from electromagnetic interference sources. The bell nipple and rotary table structure itself serve as natural positioning intermediaries that optimize both coverage and interference avoidance.
4Reliability
If the vertical free air space is increased to improve antenna-tag communication, then the reading reliability improves, but the rig structure must be modified which increases complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing vertical free air space by modifying the rig structure, the system utilizes the existing vertical dimension by placing reader antennas at different vertical levels (under the rotary table and at the bell nipple). This approach achieves improved reading reliability through spatial distribution without requiring structural modifications to increase overall vertical clearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the communication function across multiple vertical levels using existing structural spaces. Rather than requiring a single large vertical clearance, the system divides the communication task into multiple scanning zones at different heights, utilizing the existing rig structure as-is while achieving reliable reading through distributed antenna placement.
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
Enhances the reliability and efficiency of tracking pipe activity by ensuring consistent communication with ID tags, reducing interference, and providing accurate asset composition records, even in environments with limited space and electromagnetic noise.
Implementation Method 1
As the drill string moves through the rotary table and bell nipple and past the reader antenna, each ID tag receives an electromagnetic (EM) signal from the reader antenna
Implementation Method 2
The energy received from the reader transmission by the ID tag is sufficient to enable the ID tag to retransmit a uniquely-coded binary signal back to the reader
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~7
AI summary
A system for tracking pipe activity on a rig includes a plurality of pipes, each pipe having an asset ID tag containing a code unique to the pipe. A pipe handling space for assembling and disassembling the pipes contains at least one pipe handling apparatus. A first scanning zone located at a first position in the pipe handling space contains a first reader antenna. A second scanning zone located at a second position in the pipe handling space contains a second reader antenna. At least one reader is provided for scanning the asset ID tags in the pipe handling space through at least one of the first reader antenna and the second reader antenna.