AU2013201834A1 - Locator system for persons and assets on oil and gas rigs - Google Patents

Abstract

C:\NRPortb]\DCC\CAB\5009671_I.DOC-22/03/20l3 The invention relates to a locator system which is able in real-time and in 3 dimensional co-ordinates (x, y, z) to locate, monitor, track, survey and map the position of persons and assets. The system utilises various electromagnetic wave technologies (such as Very Low Frequency Magnetic Field, Received Signal Strength Indicator, Radio Frequency Identification) and air pressure/gas/temperature sensors and uses statistical methods to cross-correlate data from diverse ranging technologies for increased accuracy and resolution. A magnetic emitter unit array with automatic closed-loop tracking enables position tracking and mapping through the structures. Uses ranging from multiple locator points to resolve an actual multi-dimensional position of locators relative to each other and software used to map the 2D/3D location of objects. Designed, built and approved to operate in possible explosive atmospheres with oil and gas industries for tracking, area control, proximity detection, surveying and mapping of persons and assets. The invention allows in the case of an emergency evacuation for a quick account of persons at the muster station and to locate in real-time missing persons to guide rescue efforts. C:\NRPortbl\DCC\CAB\5009671_l.DOC-22/03/2013 Figure 1: 4 Coded magnetic bubble 6 Embedded coded magnetic bubble Magnetic bubble controller Slentee-bubble wireless communications 9 Inter-bubble winng 1 Detection and tracking level 1 Mobile tag Computer Virtualisation Bubble axis Mems reference air pressure sensor Bubble vertical axis Emitter unit (optional)

Description

C:\NRPortb]\DCC\CAB\5009671_I.DOC-22/03/20l3 LOCATOR SYSTEM FOR PERSONS AND ASSETS ON OIL AND GAS RIGS FIELD OF INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to a locator system which is able in real-time and in 3 dimensional co-ordinates (x, y, z) to locate, monitor, track, survey and map to position of persons and assets in possible explosive atmospheres in rough operation conditions with oil and gas industries, factories and warehouses for tracking, area control, proximity detection, surveying and mapping. DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART [0002] Oil and gas rigs are massive structures with several decks and many areas. In the case of an emergency it is necessary to evacuate and muster all personnel within minutes. [0003] Mustering procedures are commonly defined in collaboration with Health, Safety, Security and Environment work groups to build the most effective and safest ways to evacuate persons from a facility during an accident like a fire or a gas emission. [0004] Performing headcounts on different mustering stations during an emergency can lead to misleading information. [0005] Coordinating between mustering stations to locate missing persons or sending rescue teams to recover missing persons can potentially be plagued with misinformation of the location of these individuals.

C:\NRPortb]\DCC\CAB\5009671_.DOC-22/03/20l3 -2 [0006] If persons are missing or maybe trapped in an area because of damage, fire or other reasons it is important for the rescue teams to know in real time who is where in the oil and gas rig structure. [0007] Therefore various systems to track and locate persons on board an oil and gas rig have been developed. [0008] Systems using the global positioning system (GPS) are in use, but are limited to areas where there is satellite communication - which is on the outside of such oil and gas rigs when not obstructed by the drill tower or cranes or other "radio" obstacles. [0009] Systems using conventional radio frequency identification technologies (RFID) are limited in range by the steel structures creating radio shadows and need many ID points. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0010] It is the objective of the present invention to provide a locator system with a low frequency electro-magnetic field which is able in real-time and in 3 dimensional co-ordinates (x, y, z) to locate, monitor, track, survey and map to position of persons and assets in possible explosive atmospheres in rough operation conditions with oil and gas industries. [0011] It is an embodiment of the present invention to use very low frequency electro-magnetic field to create a coded magnetic bubble (4) in which the position of a person with a mobile tag (11) attached can be tracked in the structure.

C:\NRPortb]\DCC\CAB\5009671_I.DOC-22/03/20l3 -3 [0012] It is an embodiment of the invention that the coded magnetic bubble (4) goes through several walls and structures of the oil and gas rig. [0013] It is an embodiment of the invention that there is one or an array of coded magnetic bubbles (4) over one or more detection and tracking levels. [0014] It is an embodiment of the invention that a group of MEMS reference air pressure sensors on different detection and tracking levels (10) are used to collect additional differentiation data. [0015] It is an embodiment of the invention that different sensors for temperature, gas, gravity and air pressure can be included for additional information collection in the magnetic bubble driver and detector (1). [0016] It is an embodiment of the invention to use a through-structure electromagnetic theodolite (25) array (multiple units) with rotating magnetic emitter with automatic closed-loop tracking to real-time position and mapping around the corner, out-of-line-of-sight, through the structure walls of the oil and gas rig buildings. [0017] It is an embodiment of the invention that there is a special arrangement of the said emitter unit (17) containing the pitch mechanical assembly (19) and yaw/rotation mechanical assembly (20) holding the coded magnetic field generator (18). [0018] It is an embodiment of the invention to track the position of persons or assets in real time, create a virtual map of all tracked positions in the structure and show the position at control rooms or muster stations. [0019] It is an embodiment of the invention that in case the tracking system is damaged or disabled in certain areas the last position of the persons or assets in the area before the event is still memorized and can be retrieved by a rescue team.

C:\NRPortb]\DCC\CAB\5009671_I.DOC-22/03/20l3 -4 [0020] The system of the invention is characterized in that it is designed, built, tested, documented and approved to operate in the possible explosive environment of the oil and gas industry. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0021] The invention will be described in more detail in the attached drawings, wherein: [0022] Figure 1 is a schematic view as an example of several deck levels of an oil/gas rig structure and each deck level is shown as a detection and tracking level (10). Each detection and tracking level (10) is covered by an array of coded magnetic bubbles (4) which are interlinked by inter-bubble wireless communications (8) to a magnetic bubble controller (7). It is important to recognise that one detection and tracking level (10) can cover several or just one deck level depending on the set-up and size of the structure. [0023] Figure 2 is a schematic view of the magnetic bubble driver and detector (1) with the magnetic loop antenna(s) (2) and the wireless antenna(s) (5). The magnetic bubble driver and detector (1) consists of microprocessor electronics, coded field generator, power supply, MEMS air pressure sensor, wireless data interface, wireless tag interface, wired data interface and magnetic loop antenna(s) (2) with I.S. Barriers. [0024] Figure 3 shows a block diagram of the reference unit (22) and the emitter unit (17) and the interaction and communication between the two units. It gives details of the emitter unit (17), which contains an electromagnetic theodolite (25), and the electronics (21). It also details the reference unit (22). [0025] Figure 4 shows the geometrical properties of an electromagnetic theodolite (25).

C:\NRPortb]\DCC\CAB\5009671_.DOC-22/03/20l3 -5 [0026] In the figures, the invention is shown in a simplified manner. In the figures some parts are designated by reference numerals for identification in the description. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0027] Figure 1 shows an example of several deck levels of an oil/gas rig structure and corresponding detection and tracking level (10). Each detection and tracking level (10) is covered by an array of coded magnetic bubbles (4) which are interlinked by inter-bubble wireless communications (8) to a magnetic bubble controller (7). It is important to recognise that one detection and tracking level (10) can cover several or just one deck level depending on the set-up and size of the structure. [0028] The electro-magnetic field of the so called coded magnetic bubbles (4) is able to go through several walls/structures of the oil and gas rig/building. The size of such a coded magnetic bubble (4) can be up to 10000 m 2 in the x-,y-axis (horizontal) in one corresponding detection and tracking level (10). One coded magnetic bubble (4) can cover multiple detection and tracking levels (10) in the z-axis (vertical). To track positions between different detection and tracking levels (10) MEMS air pressure sensors (15) for z-axis position detection are used in each magnetic bubble driver and detector (1). [0029] A temperature sensor is included in the magnetic bubble driver and detector (1) to use the system network to have information about the temperature at the location in case of a fire. [0030] Mobile tags attached to persons are tracked in real-time in their position by in the monitored coded magnetic bubbles (4). RF tag communication is linked to the activating coded magnetic bubble (4).

C:\NRPortb]\DCC\CAB\5009671_I.DOC-22/03/20l3 -6 [0031] The system uses peak signal strength to find the most direct angle to the reference unit. The ranging signal is uniquely encoded to identify the correct signal source. [0032] The backhaul communications from the magnetic bubble driver and detector (1) can be either wireless communication (8) or wiring (9) or a combination of the two in case of embedded bubbles. [0033] The collected data is processed by the system computer (12) to monitor and track the position of the mobile tags (11), a virtual tracking map is created in real time and the position shown in 2D/3D process pictures. All the movements and positions are stored and in case of damage or loss of parts of the monitoring and tracking system due to a failure or an accident the last position of persons in the affected area can be retrieved. [0034] The monitoring and tracking system is able to account for persons with attached mobile tag (11) in the emergency muster station at the oil and gas rig. [0035] Interface to other existing systems like GPS based is an option. [0036] Figure 2 shows the magnetic bubble driver and detector (1) with the magnetic loop antenna(s) (2) and the wireless antenna(s) (5). The magnetic bubble driver and detector (1) consists of microprocessor electronics, coded field generator, power supply, MEMS air pressure sensor, wireless data interface, wireless tag interface, wired data interface and magnetic loop antenna(s) (2) with I.S. Barriers for explosion protection. [0037] Figure 3 shows the signal interaction between the emitter unit (17) and the reference unit (22).

C:\NRPortb]\DCC\CAB\5009671_I.DOC-22/03/20l3 -7 [0038] The person or asset position tracking and mapping system uses low frequency magnetic ranging. [0039] The emitter unit (17) consists of the magnetic coded field generator, the microprocessor and electronics, the pitch interface driver, the yaw interface driver, the wireless interface, the wireless and the housing. [0040] The emitter unit (17) sends two variables relative to the reference unit (22), which are yaw and pitch. The pitch mechanical assembly (19) and yaw/rotation mechanical assembly (20) holding the coded electromagnetic field generator (18). Closed loop tracking is used. The reference unit (22) detects the range and returns this signal to the emitter unit (17) via wireless radio link (23). [0041] The system uses peak signal strength to find most the direct angle to the reference unit. The ranging signal is uniquely encoded to identify the correct signal source. [0042] A solid-state gravity sensor (MEMS) based pitch and roll detection for the compensation of external movements/tilt of the oil and gas rig to that the emitter is mounted to. [0043] The angular magnetic emitter, rotating similar like a RADAR antenna, detects range for a given emitter angle. [0044] Figure 4 shows the geometric properties of this emitter part, called electromagnetic theodolite (25).

Claims (17)

1. A method for a locator system which is able in real-time and in 3 dimensional co-ordinates (x, y, z) to locate, monitor, track, survey and map the position of persons and assets within the structure of an oil and gas rig or building utilising the ranging of coded low frequency magnetic field(s) within the structure.

2. A method of claim 1, wherein the ranging signal is uniquely encoded to identify the correct signal source device.

3. A method of claim 1, wherein various electromagnetic waves technologies (such as Very Low Frequency Magnetic Field, Received Signal Strength Indicator, Radio Frequency Identification) and MEMS air pressure sensors and statistical methods to cross-correlate data from diverse ranging technologies for increased accuracy and resolution are applied.

4. A method of claim 1, wherein the real-time position tracking is used to create a movement history/mapping of the monitored tags.

5. A method of claim 1, wherein by technical means of data storage and conserving the last valid status the position of persons in the oil and gas rig in the moment before an accident is stored and preserved and immediate accessible to the rescue team in case the locator system is damaged or has lost some areas due to the accident.

6. A apparatus for a locator system which is able in real-time and in 3 dimensional co-ordinates (x, y, z) to locate, monitor, track, survey and map the position of persons and assets within the structure of an oil and gas rig or building, comprising: magnetic bubble driver and detector(s), magnetic bubble controller(s), inter bubble controller wireless and/or wired communication, mobile tag(s), computer and MEMS reference air pressure sensors. C:\NRPortb]\DCC\CAB\5009671_I.DOC-22/03/20l3 -9

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein all the hardware is designed, built, tested, documented and approved to operate in the possible explosive environment of the oil and gas industry.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the magnetic bubble driver and detector consists of the microprocessor electronic, a coded field generator, a power supply, a wireless data interface, a wireless tag interface, a wired data interface, a MEMS air pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, gas sensors and the magnetic loop antenna(s) with the I.S. barriers.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the MEMS reference air pressure sensors are used for z-axis resolving in the structure of the oil and gas rig.

10. Apparatus for person or asset position tracking and mapping, comprising: reference units with the targets in the oil and gas building, an array of emitter units in the oil and gas rig building utilizing through-structure low frequency magnetic ranging.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the said emitter unit sends two variables relative to the reference units, which are yaw and pitch.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the said emitter unit contains the pitch mechanical assembly and yaw/rotation mechanical assembly holding the coded electromagnetic field generator.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the angular magnetic emitter, rotating similar like a RADAR antenna, detects range for a given emitter angle.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a coded magnetic field is utilized between the field generator and the field detector. C:\NRPortb]\DCC\CAB\5009671_I.DOC-22/03/20l3 -10

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a closed loop tracking is used, the reference unit detects the range from the emitter unit using signal strength, and returns this to the emitter unit via wireless radio link to close the loop.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a solid-state gravity sensor (MEMS) based pitch and roll detection for the compensation of external movement of the oil and gas rig on that the emitter unit is mounted to.

17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein all the hardware is designed, built, tested, documented and approved to operate in the possible explosive environment of the oil and gas industry.