Thread Protector Asset Tracker for Downhole Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Downhole drilling equipment often suffers mechanical and environmental damage during transportation and usage, making it difficult to track its location and usage history effectively, which affects its operability and utilization efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus involving a reporting device with dynamic sensors, a satellite sensor, an optional ID reader, and a wireless transmitter that mechanically couples to the equipment to monitor and transmit data on shock, vibration, temperature, humidity, and strain, allowing for real-time and historical data tracking and assessment of equipment usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thread protectors are used to protect equipment during transportation, then equipment protection is improved, but equipment damage still occurs due to insufficient tracking and monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
A thread protector is used as an intermediary device that not only protects the equipment mechanically but also serves as a carrier for a tracking device. The tracking device monitors and records equipment location, environmental conditions, and usage history, thereby addressing the information loss problem while maintaining the protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking device automatically monitors and records equipment data without requiring external intervention. It self-services by continuously tracking location, temperature, humidity, and usage conditions, and stores this information for later retrieval, eliminating the need for manual tracking and documentation.
2Device complexity
If equipment is shipped without comprehensive tracking, then shipping cost and complexity are reduced, but equipment usability assessment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking device is pre-installed on the equipment before shipping, and data collection begins immediately. This preliminary action ensures that all relevant data about equipment location, environmental conditions, and usage is captured from the moment shipping starts, enabling accurate usability assessment without adding complexity to the shipping process.
3Reliability
If detailed monitoring of equipment conditions is implemented, then equipment usability and maintenance scheduling are improved, but data collection and management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple monitoring functions (location tracking, temperature sensing, humidity sensing, usage hour counting, and shock detection) are merged into a single integrated tracking device. This combination eliminates the need for separate monitoring systems, reducing overall data collection complexity while providing comprehensive equipment condition data for accurate usability assessment and maintenance scheduling.
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
Enables accurate monitoring and tracking of equipment conditions and usage, optimizing its utilization and extending its operational life by providing comprehensive data on mechanical and environmental history, thus improving asset management and maintenance schedules.
Implementation Method 1
a satellite sensor generating location data
Implementation Method 2
transmitting the at least one of sensed data and location data using the transmitter
Data Source
AI summary
A method for monitoring a piece of equipment during transport comprises a) applying a reporting device to the equipment, b) transporting the piece of equipment, c) transmitting sensed or location data using the transmitter, d) storing sensed or location in a memory device, e) retrieving the stored data from the memory device and d) using the retrieved data to assess the usability of the piece of equipment for an intended purpose. The reporting device may comprise a body adapted to mechanically couple to the end of the piece of equipment and a sensor package. The sensor package may comprise at least one dynamic sensor, the sensor generating sensed data corresponding to a sensed value, a satellite sensor generating location data, an optional ID reader, a cellular network transmitter, and a memory device adapted to receive, store, and report the sensed or location data.