Stationary Camera Drill String Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for adjusting handling devices on drilling rigs, such as tong systems, require manual intervention and often rely on costly and certified laser pointers or motors, which are not suitable for potentially explosive atmospheres, and lack efficient automation for precise positioning in deep drilling operations.
Innovation Solution
A semi-automatic adjustment method using a stationary camera to record and display images of the drill string, allowing an operator to mark and confirm the connection point, which is then converted into movement data for automated positioning of the handling device, eliminating the need for laser pointers and reducing maintenance and certification costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a laser pointer is used as a position-indicating device, then the alignment and positioning of the handling device can be improved, but the device becomes unsuitable for potentially explosive atmospheres due to certification requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the laser pointer with a camera that captures images of the drill string and connection points. Instead of using a laser beam to indicate position, the system creates a visual copy (image) of the target area, allowing operators to see and mark connection points remotely from a control station, thus avoiding explosive atmosphere certification requirements while maintaining positioning accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the optical laser-based indicating system with an electronic image capture and display system. The camera captures images electronically, and the control station processes and displays these images on a screen, replacing the mechanical/optical laser pointer mechanism with an electronic imaging and processing system that is safe for use in potentially explosive environments
2Productivity
If manual adjustment of the tong system is performed, then no special certification is needed, but the positioning efficiency and speed are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables semi-automatic operation where the camera automatically captures images of the drill string and connection points, and the control station automatically processes these images and provides positioning information. This reduces the need for manual intervention while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated image capture and processing functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control station as an intermediary between the camera system and the handling device. The control station receives images from the camera, processes them to identify connection points, and provides positioning information to operators or the handling device, thereby automating the positioning process while keeping the system complexity manageable through a centralized control interface
3Measurement precision
If a camera is moved along a vertical guide to capture images, then positioning can be achieved, but the device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the camera along a vertical guide to achieve positioning, the patent inverts the approach by keeping the camera stationary and moving the handling device to the positioned location based on images captured by the stationary camera. This eliminates the need for complex camera positioning mechanisms while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the functions of image capture and positioning execution. The stationary camera captures images of the drill string and connection points, while the control station processes these images to determine positioning information, and the handling device executes the positioning based on this information. This segmentation eliminates the need for a movable camera mechanism while maintaining positioning accuracy
Data Source
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AI summary
The method involves detecting a position of a drill string (10) using a camera (20). The image captured from the camera is displayed on a screen (26). The junction (14) between the two link elements (12) of the drill string is selected from the captured image. A position of the mark in the captured image is converted to motion data for positioning of the handling device by adjusting the link element with respect to the upper portion of the drill string. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) a device for semi-automatic adjustment of handling device to drill string; (2) a computer program product storing program for semi-automatic adjustment of handling device to drill string; and (3) a drilling rig.