EP0188598A1 - Procede et dispositif utilisant un appareil de telemetrie a laser pour la mesure de la longueur de sections de conduites - Google Patents

Procede et dispositif utilisant un appareil de telemetrie a laser pour la mesure de la longueur de sections de conduites

Info

Publication number
EP0188598A1
EP0188598A1 EP19850903904 EP85903904A EP0188598A1 EP 0188598 A1 EP0188598 A1 EP 0188598A1 EP 19850903904 EP19850903904 EP 19850903904 EP 85903904 A EP85903904 A EP 85903904A EP 0188598 A1 EP0188598 A1 EP 0188598A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pipe section
ranging device
laser ranging
accordance
laser
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP19850903904
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Paul A. 2020 Southwest Freeway CLOUTIER
Delbert R. 2020 Southwest Freeway OEHME
John L. Benson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Innovatum Inc
Original Assignee
Innovatum Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Innovatum Inc filed Critical Innovatum Inc
Publication of EP0188598A1 publication Critical patent/EP0188598A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S17/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. lidar systems
    • G01S17/88—Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
    • G01B11/00—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques
    • G01B11/02—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring length, width or thickness

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the measurement of the length of pipe sections, more particularly well pipe sections of varying length stacked horizontally. ,
  • Pipe or tubing such as production tubing, hollow drill strings, and liners employed in the oil well industry, is provided in sections or units of varying length (hereinafter referred to simply as "pipe sections") that are joined end-to-end and extended into a well or bore hole.
  • Pipe sections are usually stored horizontally in racks, and it is common practice to intermix pipe sections of different lengths, and even of different diameters and types.
  • the present invention solves the foregoing problems by a method and an apparatus using laser ranging in the measurement of the length of pipe sections.
  • the invention resides in a method of measuring the length of pipe sections, that comprises coupling a laser ranging device to one end of a pipe section with the laser beam axis approximately aligned with the axis of the pipe section, coupling a reflector to the opposite end of the pipe section with the reflector disposed to reflect a laser beam from the laser ranging device back to the laser ranging device, and operating the laser ranging device to transmit a beam of laser light from said one end to said reflector at said opposite end and to determine the length of the pipe section from the transmitted beam reflected by said reflector.
  • the invention resides in an apparatus for measuring the length of pipe sections, comprising, in combination, a laser ranging device having means for coupling the same to one end of a pipe section with the device oriented to transmit a laser light beam along the axis of the pipe section to the opposite end of the pipe section, and a reflector having means for coupling the same to said opposite end with the reflector disposed to reflect the light beam back to the ranging device.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the use of the invention in measuring the length of pipe sections stored horizontally in a stack;
  • Fig. 2 is an elevation view illustrating in greater detail the apparatus of the invention
  • Fig. 3 is an exploded elevation view illustrating a laser ranging device having an extension tube in accordance with the invention
  • Fig. 4 is an end view of the laser ranging device of Fig. 3;
  • Fig. 5 is an opposite end view of the laser ranging device
  • Fig. 6 is an elevation view of another extension ' tube that may be employed with the laser ranging device, particularly for pipe sections of large diameter;
  • Figs. 7 and 8 are elevation views of reflector apparatus comprising reflectors and handles employed in the invention.
  • Fig. 9 is an end view of a modification
  • Fig. 10 is an exploded longitudinal sectional view of the modification
  • Fig. 11 is a block diagram of an electrical system that may be employed in the invention.
  • the invention may be employed in the measurement of the length of pipe sections 10 that may be stored horizontally in a stack.
  • a suitable rack or frame normally employed to hold the stack has been omitted from Fig. 1 for simplicity of illustra ⁇ tion.
  • the pipe sections in the stack are of varying length and that the ends of the pipe sections are not flush at the ends of the stack.
  • certain pipe sections have ends that are recessed in the stack and that are difficult to reach.
  • conventional techniques for measuring the length of pipe sections, employing tape measures, for example are extremely difficult to implement with any degree of accuracy.
  • the present invention provides excep ⁇ tionally accurate length measurements.
  • a first worker Wl couples a laser ranging device L to one end of a pipe section and a second worker W2 couples a reflector R to the opposite end of that pipe section.
  • the coupling of laser ranging device and reflector with a pipe section is shown more clearly in Fig. 2.
  • the laser ranging device L comprises a housing 12 having a handle 14 and having an output tube l ⁇ provided with an apertured plate 18 adapted to abut an end of the pipe section. Plate 18 is perpendicular to the axis of tube 16. As shown in Fig. 5, plate 18 has a central aperture 20, the center of which is aligned with the beam of laser light produced by the laser ranging device.
  • the reflector R may comprise a metal disc 22 supported on an end of an elongated handle 24 (perpendicular to the length thereof) and adapted to abut an associated end of a pipe section opposite to the end associated with the laser ranging device L.
  • the reflective surface of the disc may be constituted by reflective tape with a large backscatter angle.
  • Other types of reflectors such as a corner reflector or corner reflecting prism, may also be used.
  • each tube has at one end an apertured plate 18' or 18" adapted to abut an end of a pipe section and has at the opposite end another apertured plate 18a or 18b that may be attached to plate 18, as by thumb screws 26 threaded into corresponding threaded openings in plate 18 through openings in plate 18a or 18b.
  • the axis of the extension tube will then be aligned with the axis of output tube 16, and plate 18' or 18" will be parallel to plate 18.
  • Plates 18' and 18" may have a diameter appropriate to the diameter of the pipe section to be measured.
  • additional reflectors 22' and 22" may be provided attached to handles 24' and 24" of different lengths to accommodate different amounts of recess of the associated pipe section ends.
  • the reflectors may have diameters appropriate to the diameters of the pipe sections.
  • the laser ranging device L shown in Figs. 3-5 may be about 12 inches long and approximately 5 inches high and 5 inches wide.
  • Tube 16 may have an inner diameter of 2 inches and plate 18 may have a diameter of 3.3 inches (the same as plate 18'). Plate 18" (appropriate for a 6-inch pipe) may have a diameter of about 6 inches.
  • Reflectors 22' and 22" may have the same diameters as plates 18' and 18", respectively.
  • Plates, such as 18", of different diameters may be attached interchangeably directly to plate 18 to accommodate corresponding pipe section diameters, and discs, such as 22", of different diameters may be attached interchangeably to the same handle to accommo ⁇ date corresponding pipe section diameters.
  • Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate a modification of the invention.
  • a cruciform apertured plate 18A may be used, rather than an annular plate, to abut an end of a pipe section for coupling the laser ranging device thereto.
  • the ends of pipe sections are covered by end protectors that become scuffed or gouged.
  • the arms may be oriented about the axis of a pipe section to avoid contact with burrs or other protru ⁇ sions (or recesses) of the end protector that might misalign the laser beam with the axis of the pipe section.
  • the elimination of some of the material of an annular plate also reduces the weight of the apparatus.
  • a further advantage of multi-arm plates, such as 18A, is that the arms of the plate can be made some ⁇ what flexible, so that the alignment of the laser beam relative to the axis of a pipe section can be adjusted while the plate 18A remains fixed against an end of the pipe section.
  • the laser ranging device may be provided with a signal strength meter and may be deflected in different lateral directions until the signal strength is maximized. At that time a measurement can be made with assurance that the laser beam is substantially aligned with the axis of the pipe section.
  • a compressible gasket 27 may be interposed between plate 18A and flange 29 at the end of an extension tube 25a (or the output tube 16) . Screws or bolts 26 (Fig.
  • Fig. 11 illustrates an electrical system that may be employed in the invention.
  • the laser ranging device L may comprise a Red-Mini Laser Ranger (infrared pulse) , a Z8 control computer, MC7806 voltage regula ⁇ tor, MC7805 voltage regulator, and RS232C power supply (all so-designated) all of which may be contained in the housing 12 and associated electronics box 12 ' illustrated in Figs. 2-5.
  • the apparatus is energized by the closing of a power switch S ⁇ and a length measurement is performed by depressing a pushbutton 8 switch S 2 . Completion of a measurement may be indi- . cated by the sounding of a miniature horn H.
  • a signal strength monitoring circuit "SIG. STR.” (includ ⁇ ing rectifier, filter, and meter) may be connected to the Red-Mini Laser Ranger as shown.
  • the apparatus in housing 12 may be coup ⁇ led to one end of a 4-conductor cable (so-designated) by a connector pair Jl, J3.
  • a further connector pair J4 has conductors appropriately connected to a car battery, a DC/AC inverter, and a micro-computer (all so-designated) , the computer being connected to J5 by a further connector J6.
  • the computer may receive its AC power from the inverter as shown.
  • the apparatus enclosed in dash-line rectangle A may be situated remotely from the laser ranging device per se, in a van, for example.
  • the Z8 control computer may- initiate the laser distance measurement sequence, convert a parallel BCD output of the laser ranger to ASCII serial output, and actuate an audio tone end-of- sequence signal (via horn H) to notify the operator that the measurement is good.
  • the HP-85 micro-computer may read the serial ASCII output of the Z8 control computer, test the distance data for logical limits, log the test data point on cassette tape for later processing and report formulation (by means of a more sophisticated computer and a printer) , log the cumula ⁇ tive measurement total, transmit the end-of-sequence control data to notify the operator of measurement completion, and transmit an end-of-sequence tape message and other housekeeping data.
  • a compensation factor may be entered into the computer employed in the laser ranging device so as to compen ⁇ sate ' automatically for the length of any extension sleeve (e.g., 25a or 25b) attached to the laser ranging device.
  • Successive pipe section length measurements may be transmitted to the micro-computer and may be summed to provide a readout of the total length of pipe comprising all the pipe sections in the stack.
  • Different types of pipe sections may be segregated in the micro-computer by well known programming tech ⁇ niques.

Abstract

Un appareil de télémétrie à laser (L) est associé à un réflecteur (R) pour mesurer la longueur de sections de conduites (10). L'accès aux extrémités des sections de conduites en retrait dans une pile est obtenu grâce à un prolongement (25a, 24b) relié à l'appareil de télémétrie à laser (L) et grâce à un manche allongé (24) relié au réflecteur (R).
EP19850903904 1984-07-23 1985-07-15 Procede et dispositif utilisant un appareil de telemetrie a laser pour la mesure de la longueur de sections de conduites Withdrawn EP0188598A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US63340484A 1984-07-23 1984-07-23
US633404 1990-12-21

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0188598A1 true EP0188598A1 (fr) 1986-07-30

Family

ID=24539503

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19850903904 Withdrawn EP0188598A1 (fr) 1984-07-23 1985-07-15 Procede et dispositif utilisant un appareil de telemetrie a laser pour la mesure de la longueur de sections de conduites

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0188598A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1986000981A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN110542382A (zh) * 2019-08-20 2019-12-06 广州海狮软件科技有限公司 一种利用激光对射测量管材长度的方法及装置
RU2713280C1 (ru) * 2019-09-30 2020-02-04 Публичное акционерное общество «Татнефть» имени В.Д. Шашина Способ измерения длины колонны труб при спускоподъёмных операциях

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB9019331D0 (en) * 1990-09-05 1990-10-17 Caddle Westerham Limited Device for use in golf
DE19804051B4 (de) * 1998-02-03 2004-10-28 Robert Bosch Gmbh Entfernungsmeßgerät
US9212897B2 (en) * 2012-02-08 2015-12-15 Thermo Finnigan Llc Chromatography column amenable to accurate length determination and laser adapter

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4241430A (en) * 1979-01-08 1980-12-23 Douglas J. Kayem Method and apparatus for determining the length of tubular members
US4468959A (en) * 1982-05-10 1984-09-04 Roberts Royce Glen Method and apparatus for tallying pipe
GB2121641B (en) * 1982-06-07 1986-03-26 Royce Glen Roberts Measuring pipe lengths
JP3205046B2 (ja) * 1992-05-19 2001-09-04 愛知時計電機株式会社 電子式メータ用受信器

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO8600981A1 *

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN110542382A (zh) * 2019-08-20 2019-12-06 广州海狮软件科技有限公司 一种利用激光对射测量管材长度的方法及装置
RU2713280C1 (ru) * 2019-09-30 2020-02-04 Публичное акционерное общество «Татнефть» имени В.Д. Шашина Способ измерения длины колонны труб при спускоподъёмных операциях

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1986000981A1 (fr) 1986-02-13

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Inventor name: OEHME, DELBERT, R.2020 SOUTHWEST FREEWAY

Inventor name: BENSON, JOHN, L.

Inventor name: CLOUTIER, PAUL, A.2020 SOUTHWEST FREEWAY