RFID SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING EQUIPMENT AND POSITIONING AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES IN AN UNDERWATER ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

This disclosure relates to embodiments of a radio frequency identification (RFID) system. An embodiment includes a reader/recorder (active element) in autonomous robotic underwater vehicles (AUVs) and an identifying TAG (RFID) (passive element) with memory for recording an ID (identification/code). The ID is read by the reader/recorder and immediately updates its position and identification of the equipment, system, or underwater pipeline for inspection by AUVs. TAGs are placed on equipment, pipelines, and existing underwater materials in the oil field area by the AUVs themselves, or onshore. For positioning and inspections, the codes of these RFID TAGs are linked to their location in the underwater oil field at its facility.

Claims

1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) system for identifying equipment and positioning autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) in underwater environment, the method comprising: two separate devices, the first device being an active equipment, reader/recorder integrated into one or more AUVs, and the second device being one or more passive equipment RFID tags (TAGs) positioned to be associated with one or more items of equipment when positioned underwater, wherein identification information associated with the one or more TAGS includes stored characteristics, equipment, and material codes, which are linked to a digital positioning map for AUV inspections in underwater areas.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the identifying TAGs are placed by AUVs when underwater, or onshore prior to positioning the equipment underwater, in each item of equipment and underwater material existing in the area of a given oil field in 2,000 meters to 3,000 meters deep underwater.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system allows the reading of information from the one or more identifying TAGs in a submerged area on the seabed to be carried out 60 centimeters (cm) to 120 cm away from the equipment, without contact or collision of the one or more AUVs on the structure to read an identification (ID) from the one or more identification TAGS.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the first reader/recorder equipment transmits a specific protocol in radio frequency, in the range of 100 kilohertz (KHz) to 300 KHz, for the one or more TAGs.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein each of the one or more TAGs is energized by an electromagnetic field received and returned, through transmission by means of a protocol also in radio frequency, its identification and code corresponding to the one or more AUVs reader/recorder.

6. A system according to claim 4, wherein each of the one or more TAGs is energized by an electromagnetic field received and returned, through transmission by means of a protocol also in radio frequency, its identification and code corresponding to the one or more AUVs reader/recorder, and wherein the one or more items of equipment includes one or more pipelines.

7. A radio frequency identification (RFID) system for identifying equipment and positioning autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) in underwater environment, the method comprising: two devices, the first device being an active equipment, reader/recorder integrated into one or more AUVs, and the second device being one or more passive equipment RFID tags (TAGs) positioned to be associated with one or more items of equipment when positioned underwater, wherein each of the one or more TAGS is configured to be read at a low radio frequency when positioned underwater, and wherein identification information associated with the one or more TAGS includes stored characteristics, equipment, and material codes, which are linked to a digital positioning map for AUV inspections in underwater areas.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the first reader/recorder equipment transmits a specific protocol in radio frequency, in a low radio frequency range of 100 kilohertz (KHz) to 300 KHz, for the one or more TAGs, and wherein the one or more items of equipment are positioned in an underwater depth in a range of 2000 meters to 3000 meters.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the system allows the reading of information from the one or more identifying TAGs in a submerged area on the seabed to be carried out 60 centimeters (cm) to 120 cm away from the equipment, without contact or collision of the one or more AUVs on the structure to read an identification (ID) from the one or more TAGS, and wherein the AUV follows a selected route along the map for locating and reading/recording the one or more TAGS.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein each of the one or more TAGs is energized by an electromagnetic field received and returned, through transmission by means of a protocol also in radio frequency, its identification and code corresponding to the one or more AUVs reader/recorder, and wherein the one or more items of equipment includes one or more pipelines.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] In order to complement this description and to obtain a better understanding of the features of this disclosure, and according to an embodiment of which, in annex, is presented a set of figures in which, in an exemplifying way, although not limiting, represents its preferred embodiment.

[0027] In FIG. 1 there is a representation of the RFID for equipment identification and positioning of autonomous robotic vehicles in an underwater environment, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] In FIG. 2 there is the request from identification of the TAG performed by the active device, RFID reader integrated into the AUV, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] In FIG. 3, there is the receipt of the identification of the TAG conducted by the passive device, the TAG label, attached to an underwater asset, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] In FIG. 4 there is the digital map of the AUV showing the code connection of each RFID TAG to its positioning within the underwater oil field, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0031] Specifically, the system of the present disclosure is applied to AUVs, which are underwater autonomous robotic systems, and do the job without human interference, have no communication cables and, therefore, the need for reference points, with RFID TAGs to find its positioning from 2,000 to 3,000 meters deep. The equipment and systems that can be identified with TAGs on the surface or installed in the field allow a positioning principle of these equipment in the oil exploration field for the AUV.

[0032] Specifically, the RFID system of the present disclosure consists of an active reader/recorder, which is used connected to the AUV to access passive TAGs installed for identification, which are equipment where the system equipment or pipeline identification or code is recorded. The active reader/recorder is in the autonomous robotic vehicle and transmits the positioning of these TAGs, inserted into the map of the oil exploration field or area to be searched that have these TAGs.

[0033] The use of the RFID system in identification of various underwater items of equipment, including pipelines, equipment and systems as will be understood by those skilled in the art enables reference points (RFID) in the area for the autonomous robotic vehicle to carry out an inspection of equipment, said vehicle goes directly to the equipment and confirms, by identification of the RFID code, whether it is really the equipment to be inspected. If there is an event that the AUV leaves the route, it can search, through the reading equipment, any nearest RFID identification and position itself digitally with its area map and go to the required location for inspection. In addition to making these inspections more agile saving time, the system can be programmed for several inspections, optimizing the shortest route, and saving operation time/cost through the use of RFID TAGs as positioning indicators in the inspection area.

[0034] In this way, the system is used in underwater autonomous robotics vehicles, AUVs, or anything else that need to position itself in an area where submerged systems, equipment and pipelines identified with TAGs are routine inspection targets of these vehicles.

[0035] Therefore, RFID technology, which is already used for stock control, identification of people to entry into restricted areas, equipment, and systems, was improved and is being used in the system of the disclosure to be used at greater depths of up to 3,000 meters for positioning autonomous robotic vehicles in underwater areas with equipment with RFID TAG. An area with multiple RFID TAGs on an underwater map, with the positioning of each relative to that of the autonomous robotic vehicle, guarantees the positioning of this vehicle wherever there is a TAG (FIG. 4).