Piping body having an RFID tag

Abstract

A piping is provided with an RFID tag for identifying the piping, wherein the piping comprises a first end section for being coupled to a second piping and a second end section for being coupled to a third piping. The piping further comprises a mid-section in between the end sections. The RFID tag is provided in an elongate recess that is formed in the piping and that extends in a tangential direction parallel to a surface of the mid-section of the piping.

Claims

1. A piping for use in an oil or gas environment, the piping having a central axis and comprising: a first end section, a second end section axially opposite the first end section, a mid-section extending axially from the first end section to the second end section, wherein the first section has a radially outer surface comprising a thread extending about the first end section, wherein the thread includes a thread crest and defines a thread root disposed between adjacent turns of the thread; an RFID tag seated in an elongate recess extending radially inward from the thread crest or the thread root of the thread, wherein the elongate recess has a longitudinal axis oriented parallel to the corresponding thread crest or thread root.

2. The piping according to claim 1, wherein the recess has been formed as a shallow elongate recess.

3. The piping according to claim 1, wherein the recess is formed in the thread crest.

4. The piping according to claim 1, wherein the recess is formed in the thread root.

5. A piping for use in an oil or gas environment, comprising: an elongate tubular member having a central axis, a threaded end section, and a non-threaded section axially adjacent to the threaded end section, wherein the threaded end section has a radially outer surface comprising a thread extending about the threaded section, wherein the thread includes a thread crest and defines a thread root is disposed between adjacent turns of the thread; an RFID tag for identifying the tubular member; and an elongate recess extending radially inward from the thread crest or the thread root of the thread, wherein the elongate recess has a longitudinal axis oriented parallel to the corresponding thread crest or thread root, wherein the RFID tag is retained in the elongate recess.

6. The piping according to claim 5, wherein the elongate recess is disposed in a thread crest.

7. The piping according to claim 5, wherein the elongate recess is disposed in the thread root.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a connection of two pipings for use in the oil or gas industry;

(3) FIGS. 2a-2c illustrate a first embodiment of a piping in accordance with principles described herein;

(4) FIGS. 3a-3c illustrate a second embodiment of a piping in accordance with principles described herein;

(5) FIG. 4a illustrates the possibility of a possible further embodiment in accordance with principles described herein;

(6) FIG. 4b shows an enlarged view of FIG. 4a;

(7) FIG. 4c shows an enlarged view of FIG. 4b;

(8) FIG. 5a illustrates a third embodiment of a piping in accordance with principles described herein, and

(9) FIG. 5b shows an enlarged view of FIG. 5a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

(10) The embodiments discussed above and described hereinafter illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb comprise and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article a or an preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

(11) FIG. 1 shows a connection of two pipings for use in the oil or gas industry. The figure shows a first piping 10 that is connected with a second or further piping 10. In this embodiment this is done by means of a separate coupling joint 20. However, the coupling joint 20 may also be integrated with one of said pipings 10, 10. In this embodiment the first piping 10 has a mid-section 10-1 and two end sections 10-2 (of which only one is visible). Likewise, the second piping 10 has a mid-section 10-1 and two end sections 10-2. The respective end sections 10-2 of the first piping 10 have threaded portions 11, which are matching with threaded portions in said coupling joint 20. Likewise, the respective end sections 10-2 of the second piping 10 have threaded portions 11, which are matching with threaded portions in said coupling joint 20.

(12) It must be noted that in the example of FIG. 1 the pipings have two male end portions, while the coupling joint has two female end portions. However, the principles disclosed herein are applicable also to male-female configurations without separate coupling joints, or pipings with two female ends with male coupling joints.

(13) FIGS. 2a-2c illustrate a first embodiment of a piping in accordance with principles disclosed herein. In this embodiment a shallow elongate recess 50 (FIG. 2b) is formed which is elongated in a tangential direction DT with regards to an outer surface S of the mid-section of the piping 10 as illustrated in FIG. 2c. An RFID tag 99 is provided in the recess 50 as also illustrated in FIG. 2c. The RFID tag 99 can be mounted in the recess 50 in various ways, for instance by moulding or gluing. Alternatively, the mounting can be done in a mechanical way using threads, slots and the like. It is considered to fall within the normal expertise of a person skilled in the art how to mount or fix the RFID tag in the recess, such that it remains there in operational use of the piping.

(14) FIGS. 3a-3c illustrate a second embodiment of a piping in accordance with principles disclosed herein. In this embodiment a shallow elongate recess 50 is formed in the end section 10-2 of the piping 10, more particularly in the threaded section 11 of the end section 10-2. A small-size RFID tag 99 is placed in the shallow elongate recess 50. When the RFID tag 99 is placed in the threaded section 11 there is two advantageous options, which have been jointly illustrated in FIG. 3c. The first option is to place the RFID tag 99 in a recess 50 in a thread crest 11-1, and the second option is to place the RFID tag 99 in a recess 50 in between respective thread crests 11-1.

(15) FIG. 4a illustrates the possibility of a possible further embodiment. The figure shows the same piping connection as FIG. 1. FIG. 4b shows an enlarged view of FIG. 4a. FIG. 4c shows an enlarged view of FIG. 4b. In FIG. 4c there is visible natural cavities 51 in between the respective threads of the coupling joint and the piping 10. These natural cavities 51 are also suitable for placing an RFID tag. This means that no cavity or a smaller cavity may be used to place the RFID tag in. Expressed differently, the RFID tag may protrude a little bit from the threaded surface.

(16) FIG. 5a illustrates a third embodiment of a piping in accordance with principles disclosed herein, and FIG. 5b shows an enlarged view of FIG. 5a. The main idea of this embodiment is to place the RFID tag 99 in a deep elongate recess 50 (or hole) in the rim of a piping 10 as best illustrated in FIG. 5b.

(17) It must be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited only to pipings that transport oil or gas. Such pipings may also be drill string sections, risers, or pipings for transporting drill cuttings, water or other substances.