RU2755414C1 - Method for fixing the radio frequency identification mark on the tubing pipe - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: RFID technology.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a method for attaching a radio frequency identification mark to a tubing pipe. The method includes placing a radio frequency identification mark in a recess on the outer surface of the annular metal holder, its sealed coating with a radio-transparent compound, fixing the annular metal holder on the tubing pipe by pressing two metal ring wedges into the gap, which are placed on the tubing pipe one from each end of the ring holder before pressing. The annular holder is made with the possibility of free movement relative to the tubing pipe, the peripheral sections of its inner surface, mated during pressing with annular wedges, are made tapering. The annular wedges are made with longitudinal slots and the possibility of free movement relative to the tubing pipe.

EFFECT: increased strength of the attachment of the radio frequency mark on the tubing pipe, while eliminating the weakening of the pipe body and its plastic deformation and eliminating direct contact of the surface of the installed radio frequency mark with the external environment.

6 cl, 5 dwg

Description

Technology area

The invention relates to a method for attaching a radio frequency identification tag on a tubing used in the oil industry.

State of the art

The problem of identifying and tracing a tubing at all stages of its life cycle has existed for a long time. The life cycle of tubular products, which begins at the manufacturing plant and ends with their disposal, may also include repeated trips into the well and pipe repairs after a period of operation.

Traditional methods of identifying pipe products, such as marking the pipe surface with paint, laser, or impact dot method, are unacceptable for the pipe operating environment in the oil industry. Such marking of pipes is not very informative, while there is no possibility of adding and rewriting information during their operation. The search and recognition of traditional pipe markings are difficult or even impossible due to its low resistance to pipe operating conditions.

The solution to this problem is tubing identification and tracking using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, which places an RFID tag on the pipe.

Typical initial information entered into the radio frequency identification tag is the date of manufacture and manufacturer's name, heat number, batch and pipe itself, strength group, date of shipment and other information. Subsequently, using RFID terminals, the information entered in the tag can be corrected and supplemented by the pipe movement route, the position of the pipe in the tubing string, information on the number of trips and pipe repairs, its operating time at a particular well, and a decision on its rejection and disposal.

Requirements for the RFID system of tubing pipes, except for the smallest possible size and the ability to rewrite information (class RW), are its operability at temperatures from -50 to + 150 ° C, resistance to atmospheric precipitation, oil products, drilling fluids and other aggressive environments, resistance to shock and shear mechanical stress during the tripping process.

Known methods for attaching a radio frequency identification tag in the body of an oil field pipe (see RF patent No. 2514870, publ. 05/10/2014/05; RF patent No. 2724855, publ. 06/25/2020; US patent No. 8463664, publ. 06/11/2013; publication of the international application WO 2011/109631, publ. 09.09.2011; Chinese patent No. 204371113, publ. 03.06.2015).

The main reason that impedes the achievement of the following technical result when using the known methods is that in the known methods the radio frequency identification tag is placed in a recess made in the pipe body, which reduces its strength characteristics. These known methods are unacceptable for tubing due to their thinness.

Known methods for attaching a radio frequency identification tag on the surface of an oil field pipe (see RF patent No. 166171, publ. 20.11.2016; RF patent No. 194449, publ. 12/11/2019).

The main reason that impedes the achievement of the following technical result when using these known methods is that during their implementation, the attachment of the radio frequency identification tag on the pipe surface is carried out by means of a short-lived polymer clamp and heat-shrinkable material. Mechanical impacts on the tubing during tripping, especially in wells with a high rate of borehole curvature gain, will lead to the stripping of such a tag attachment system and its failure after the destruction of the protection.

Known methods of attaching a radio frequency identification tag on an oil field pipe, in which the tag is placed in a separate annular holder, which is installed on the pipe and fixed on it (see publication of the international application WO 2011/059342, publ. 19.05.2011; RF patent No. 2706950, publ. . 22.11.2019).

The main reason that prevents the achievement of the following technical result when using the known method disclosed in the publication of the international application WO 2011/059342 (publ. 19.05.2011) is that this method involves fixing the annular tag holder on the pipe by compressing it. Mechanical impact on the tag holder during its attachment to the pipe leads to plastic deformation of the pipe body, which is unacceptable for tubing. In addition, this known method does not provide for the protection of the tag from the effects of corrosive media typical of oil production wells.

The closest method for the same purpose to the claimed invention in terms of a combination of features is a method of attaching a radio frequency identification tag on a tubing, in which the tag is placed in a recess made on the outer diameter of the ring, which is fixed on the pipe (see RF patent No. 2706950, publ. . 11/22/2019, taken as a prototype).

The reasons that impede the achievement of the technical result indicated below when using the known method, taken as a prototype, is that it provides for threading on the inner diameter of the ring and on the outer diameter of the pipe by means of which they are connected. Threading the tubing body leads to the appearance of an additional stress concentrator and a decrease in its strength. In addition, the implementation of the known method, taken as a prototype, does not provide protection of the tag from the effects of corrosive media typical of oil producing wells.

Disclosure of invention

The problem to be solved by the present invention is multifaceted and consists in:

- ensuring a fixed position of the radio frequency identification tag on the surface of the tubing during its operation;

- ensuring the protection of the used radio-frequency tag from the impact on it of corrosive environments typical for oil-producing wells;

- elimination of the disadvantages inherent in the analogs of the proposed method, mentioned above.

The technical result of the proposed invention is to increase the strength of the attachment of the radio frequency tag on the tubing while eliminating the weakening of the pipe body and its plastic deformation, as well as eliminating direct contact of the surface of the installed radio frequency tag with the external environment.

The specified technical result in the implementation of the invention is achieved in that in the method of attaching the radio frequency identification tag to the tubing, including the placement of the radio frequency identification tag in the recess made on the outer surface of the annular metal holder, fixing the annular metal holder on the tubing, fix the annular holder on the tubing by pressing into the gap formed by the inner surface of the annular holder and the outer surface of the tubing, two metal annular wedges, which are placed on the tubing before pressing, one at each end of the annular holder, and the annular holder is made with the possibility of free movement relative to the tubing, while the peripheral sections of its inner surface, mated when pressing with annular wedges, is Are filled with tapering, and the annular wedges are made with longitudinal slots and the possibility of free movement relative to the tubing, and the radio frequency identification mark located in the recess of the annular holder is hermetically covered with a radio transparent compound.

In addition, there are specific options for implementing the method, according to which:

- using annular wedges, the inner surface of which is cylindrical, and their outer surface, mating with the ring holder, is made conical, while using an annular holder, in which the inner surface mating with the ring wedges is made conical;

- use an annular holder and annular wedges made with a slope angle of the mating conical surfaces in the range of 1 ÷ 6 °;

- using annular wedges made with longitudinal slots evenly spaced along their contour;

- before coating the radio frequency identification tag with a radio transparent compound, it is additionally attached to the ring holder with at least one fastening element;

- using a ring holder and ring wedges made of metal, while the difference between the standard electrode potentials of the tubing metal and the metal of which the ring holder and ring wedges are made does not exceed 0.15 V.

Pressing ring-shaped metal wedges on both sides of the ring-shaped metal holder into the tapering gaps formed by the inner surface of this holder and the outer surface of the tubing makes it possible to form a tight interface of metal-to-metal surfaces between the ring holder and the ring wedges, between the ring wedges and tubing. In this case, the elements are coupled along the entire perimeter of their contact, which ensures high strength of the formed joint.

The use of annular wedges made with longitudinal slots ensures their uniform deformation during the pressing process and high-quality coupling of structural elements.

The use of an annular holder and annular wedges, made with the possibility of their free movement relative to the tubing, ensures that there is no unacceptable mechanical effect on this pipe during their installation.

The hermetic coating of the radio frequency tag installed in a recess made on the outer surface of the ring holder with a compound excludes direct contact of its surface with the external environment, thereby protecting the tag from exposure to aggressive media typical of oil wells. At the same time, the use of a radio-transparent compound does not adversely affect the performance of the radio-frequency identification tag.

The applicant's analysis of the state of the art, including a search for patent and scientific and technical sources of information, and the identification of sources containing information about analogues of the claimed invention, made it possible to establish that the applicant did not find a source characterized by features identical to all essential features of the claimed invention. Determination from the list of identified analogs of the prototype, as the closest analogue in terms of a set of features, made it possible to establish a set of distinctive features in the claimed method, which are significant in relation to the technical result perceived by the applicant, set forth in the claims.

Therefore, the claimed invention meets the "novelty" condition.

To check the compliance of the claimed invention with the condition "inventive step", the applicant conducted an additional search for known solutions in order to identify features that coincide with the distinguishing features of the prototype of the claimed method. The search results have shown that the claimed invention does not follow explicitly for a specialist from the prior art, since the prior art determined by the applicant has not revealed the influence of the transformations envisaged by the essential features of the claimed invention on the achievement of the above technical result.

Therefore, the claimed invention meets the condition "inventive step".

Brief Description of Drawings

The essence of the invention is illustrated by drawings, where:

- in Fig. 1 shows a general view of a section of a tubing with a radio frequency identification tag attached to it;

- in Fig. 2 shows a general view of the structural elements of the RFID tag attachment;

- in Fig. 3 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a tubing with an RFID tag attachment structure mounted thereon;

- in Fig. 4 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of an annular holder with an RFID tag placed therein;

- in Fig. 5 shows a general view of a small-sized horizontal hydraulic press.

Reference numbers in the drawings indicate:

1 - ring holder;

2 - annular wedge;

3 - radio frequency identification tag;

4 - tubing;

5 - screw;

6 - compound;

7 - punch;

8 - hydraulic cylinder mounting plate;

9 - base plate;

10 - movable plate.

Implementation of the invention

The present invention is disclosed by means of examples of specific implementation, which are purely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the claims of the present invention, defined only by the attached claims in view of equivalents.

As shown in FIG. 1-3, the attachment of the radio frequency identification tag 3 to the tubing 4 is provided through the use of an annular metal holder 1 and two annular metal wedges 2, while the mark 3 is placed in a recess made on the outer surface of the annular holder 1.

The used ring holder 1 and ring wedges 2 can be made of any suitable metal, the choice of which is clear to specialists. In particular, the holder 1 and the wedges 2 can be made of carbon steel. When choosing the material of the ring holder 1 and ring wedges 2, it is preferable to ensure that the condition is satisfied that the difference between the standard electrode potentials of the metal of the tubing 4 and the metal of which the ring holder 1 and ring wedges 2 are made does not exceed 0.15 V. In this case, the electrochemical compatibility of the pipe material 4, the ring holder 1 and the ring wedges 2 is taken into account, which excludes the possibility of their intense contact corrosion.

The peripheral sections of the inner surface of the used ring holder 1, mated during pressing with the ring wedges 2, are made tapering towards its middle part, and the minimum size of the hole of the ring holder 1 in the middle part is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the tubing 4. These characteristics of the inner the surfaces of the used annular holder 1 provide the possibility of its free movement relative to the tubing 4 when installed on it.

The minimum opening size of the annular wedges 2 used is also made slightly larger than the outer diameter of the tubing 4, which makes it possible for them to move freely relative to the tubing 4 when installed on it. It is preferable to use annular wedges 2, the inner surface of which is cylindrical. In this case, their closer contact with the tubing 4 is ensured.

In accordance with the claimed method, circular wedges 2 made with longitudinal slots are used. It is preferable to use wedges 2 made with longitudinal slots evenly spaced along their contour. In this case, their more uniform deformation is ensured during the pressing process.

It is preferable to use annular wedges 2, the outer surface of which, mated during pressing with the annular holder 1, is made conical, and the annular holder 1, in which the inner surface mating with the annular wedges 2 is also made conical. In this case, a more complete contact of the surfaces of the wedges 2 and the holder 1, mated during pressing, is ensured. In this case, it is preferable to use an annular holder 1 and annular wedges 2 made with a slope angle of the mating conical surfaces in the range of 1 ÷ 6 °. In this case, a high density of their connection is ensured.

The ring holder 1 used has a recess in which the RFID tag 3 is placed. The dimensions and shape of the recess depend on the size and shape of the selected RFID tag 3, suitable for operation under the given conditions. After installing the radio-frequency identification mark 3 in the recess, it is hermetically covered with a radio-transparent compound 6, while filling the existing voids with the compound 6 (the volume between the mark 3 and the walls of the recess of the ring holder 1), and also providing the covering of the mark 3 with the compound 6 from its outer side.

Radiotransparent compound 6, after its curing, serves as an attachment of the mark 3 in the recess of the ring holder 1 and protects it from abrasive wear, as well as from the effects of corrosive media characteristic of oil-producing wells, while its presence does not reduce the readability parameters of the mark 3.

Preferably, before coating the RFID tag 3 with a radio-transparent compound 6, it is additionally attached to the ring holder 1 with at least one fastening element, for example, a screw 5. In this case, the reliability of the fixing of the label 3 to the ring holder 1 is increased. FIG. 4 shows a variant in which the body of the radio frequency identification tag 3 is screwed with two screws 5 to the ring holder 1 through the threaded fastening holes made in the recess, and is covered with a radio-transparent compound 6.

As a radio-transparent compound 6, various non-metal-filled compositions can be used, the choice of which is clear for a specialist, including epoxy or adhesives, one-component or multicomponent compositions, thermoset or air-cured, having high adhesion to the material of the ring holder 1 and abrasion resistance ...

The annular holder 1 is placed on the tubing 4 and fixed on it by pressing into the gap formed by the inner surface of the holder 1 and the outer surface of the pipe 4, two annular wedges 2, which, before pressing, are placed on the tubing 4, one from each ring holder end 1.

It should be noted that it is possible to either install an annular holder 1 on the tubing 4, after which a radio frequency identification tag 3 is placed in the recess of the holder 1 and cover it with a compound 6, as well as an option in which, first, in the recess of the annular holder 1, place the RFID tag 3, cover it with compound 6, after which the holder 1 is installed on the tubing 4.

Pressing of the annular wedges 2 is carried out to a pre-calculated depth and a pre-calculated pressing force. It is preferable to carry out preliminary mathematical modeling of the pressing process with the calculation of the values of stresses and strains in the body of the pipe 4, the ring holder 1 and the ring wedges 2.

The pressing of the annular wedges 2 on both sides of the annular holder 1 can be realized using two hydraulic cylinders through the punches 7, for example using a small-sized horizontal press (see Fig. 5).

In this case, the tubing 4, with a structure placed on its body, consisting of an annular holder 1 and two annular wedges 2, is installed in the press cradle. The force from the hydraulic cylinders is transmitted through a movable plate 10 fixed on their rods. Punches 7 are installed in the base plate 9 and in the movable plate 10, with the help of which the force is transmitted to the ends of the ring wedges 2. By extending the hydraulic cylinder rods, the fastening structure is pressed in.

The research and mathematical modeling of the pressing process carried out by the applicant, carried out using the Ansys Mechanical software package, showed that the theoretical axial shear force, at which the pressed structure is pulled out of place, is more than 7 tons. At the same time, no plastic deformations are observed in the tubing.

Thus, the stated information testifies to the fulfillment of the following set of conditions when using the claimed method:

- the object obtained during the implementation of the claimed method is intended for use in industry, namely in the oil industry,

- for the claimed method in the form as it is described in the independent claim, the possibility of its implementation is confirmed using the means and methods described in the application or known before the priority date.

Therefore, the claimed invention meets the condition of "industrial applicability".

Claims (10)

1. A method of attaching a radio frequency identification tag to a tubing, including placing a radio frequency identification tag in a recess made on the outer surface of an annular metal holder, fixing an annular metal holder on a tubing, characterized in that fix the annular holder on the tubing by pressing into the gap formed by the inner surface of the annular holder and the outer surface of the tubing, two metal annular wedges, which, before pressing, are placed on the said tubing, one at each end of the said ring holder , moreover, the said annular holder is made with the possibility of free movement relative to the said tubing, while the peripheral sections of its inner surface, mated during pressing with the said annular wedges, are made tapering, moreover, said annular wedges are made with longitudinal slots and the possibility of free movement relative to said tubing, and said radio-frequency identification mark, located in the recess of the ring holder, is hermetically coated with a radio-transparent compound. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the said annular wedges are used, the inner surface of which is cylindrical, and their outer surface, mating with the said annular holder, is made conical; with the mentioned annular wedges, it is made conical. 3. The method according to claim. 2, characterized in that the said ring holder and ring wedges are used, made with a slope angle of the mating conical surfaces in the range of 1 ÷ 6 °. 4. A method according to any one of claims. 1-3, characterized in that the mentioned annular wedges are used, made with longitudinal slots spaced evenly along their contour. 5. The method according to any one of claims. 1-4, characterized in that before covering said radio-frequency identification tag with a radio-transparent compound, it is additionally attached to said annular holder with at least one fastening element. 6. The method according to any one of claims. 1-5, characterized in that the said ring holder and ring wedges made of metal are used, while the difference in the standard electrode potentials of the metal of the said tubing and the metal of which the said ring holder and ring wedges are made does not exceed 0.15 V.

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