THIN MOUNT RFID TAGGING SYSTEMS
A tag, such as an RFID tag, a system including the RFID tag and techniques for installing the RFID tag onto the surface of a tool. The RFID tag is coupled to an outer surface of a tool via an adhesive and/or coating that acts to retain the tag. The RFID tag is coated with a thin protective coating or casing material that may be disposed about a circumference of the RFID tag.
1 . A system comprising:
a tool;
an identification tag coupled to an outer surface of the tool; and
a protective casing material disposed over the identification tag, wherein a thickness of the protective casing material is less than 200 mil.
2 . The system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the tool comprises an oil country tubular good (OCTG).
3 . The system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the tool comprises a pipe or tube.
4 . The system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the identification tag comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.
5 . The system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the identification tag comprises a flexible substrate configured to conform to the outer surface of the tool.
6 . The system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the identification tag comprises a thickness in the range of approximately 10-120 mil.
7 . The system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the protective casing material comprises urethane.
8 . The system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the protective casing material is configured to be applied to the outer surface of the tool via a spray process.
9 . The system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the protective casing material is disposed about an entire circumference of the tool.
10 . The system, as set forth in claim 9 , wherein a thickness of the protective casing material is approximately the same, at any point about a single linear circumference about the tool, compared to any other point about the single linear circumference.
11 . The system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the protective casing material is greatest directly over the identification tag.
12 . The system, as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the thickness of the protective casing material gradually diminishes from the identification tag outward along a length of the tool.
13 . The system, as set forth in claim 1 , comprising a reader configured to receive and/or transmit information to and from the identification tag.
14 . The system, as set forth in claim 1 , comprising a second identification tag coupled to the outer surface of the tool.
15 . The system, as set forth in claim 15 , wherein the tool comprises a pipe or tube having a circumference, and wherein each of the identification tag and the second identification tag is coupled to the tool at a different point about the circumference.
16 . A method, comprising:
coupling a conformal identification tag to an outer surface of a tool; and
disposing a protective casing material to encase the identification tag against the tool, wherein the protective casing material comprises an elastomer or thermoplastic material.
17 . The method, as set forth in claim 16 , wherein coupling comprises coupling the conformal identification tag to the outer surface of the tool via an adhesive.
18 . The method, as set forth in claim 17 , wherein coupling comprises:
applying the adhesive to the outer surface of the tool or a backside of the conformal identification tag; and
applying pressure to a front side of the conformal identification tag to secure the conformal identification tag to the outer surface of the tool, via the adhesive.
19 . The method, as set forth in claim 16 , wherein coupling the conformal identification tag comprises coupling a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.
20 . The method, as set forth in claim 16 , wherein coupling comprises coupling the conformal identification tag to an outer surface of a pipe.
21 . The method, as set forth in claim 16 , wherein disposing the protective casing material comprises disposing urethane.
22 . The method, as set forth in claim 16 , wherein disposing comprises spraying the protective casing material over the conformal identification tag and the outer surface of the tool.
23 . The method, as set forth in claim 16 , wherein disposing comprises forming an annular ring of protective casing material about a circumference of the tool.
24 . The method, as set forth in claim 16 , wherein disposing comprises disposing the protective casing material at a thickness of less than or equal to approximately 120 mil.
25 . The method, as set forth in claim 16 , comprising preparing the outer surface of the tool before coupling the conformal identification tag.
26 . The method, as set forth in claim 25 , wherein preparing comprises cleaning the outer surface of the tool.
27 . The method, as set forth in claim 25 , wherein preparing comprises applying an adhesion promoter to the outer surface of the tool.
28 . A method, comprising:
obtaining a tool having a conformal identification tag coupled to an outer surface of the tool, wherein the conformal identification tag is coated with a protective casing material, wherein the protective casing material comprises an elastomer or thermoplastic material; and
receiving, at a reader, a signal from the conformal identification tag.
29 . The method, as set forth in claim 28 , wherein a total thickness of the conformal identification tag and the protective casing material coated thereon is less than approximately 200 mil.
30 . The method, as set forth in claim 28 , wherein obtaining the tool comprises receiving the tool at a warehouse.
31 . The method, as set forth in claim 28 , wherein obtaining the tool comprises obtaining a pipe.
32 . The method, as set forth in claim 28 , wherein receiving the signal comprises receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal.
33 . The method, as set forth in claim 28 , wherein receiving the signal comprises receiving information identifying the conformal identification tag.
34 . The method, as set forth in claim 33 , wherein the information comprises a serial number.