IP Library Granted Patent US 10,760,987
Granted Patent B2
US 10,760,987 · App. 16/552,489 · Granted Sep 1, 2020

Automated load cell identification

Inventors: Rainer Ruehmann (Hannover, DE); Enrico Schleske (Hannover, DE)
Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
G01L5/24E21B19/165E21B19/166E21B47/007
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,760,987
App. No.
16/552,489
Granted
Sep 1, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to automated load cell identification. One example method generally includes sending, from a load cell to a remote processing system, identification information associated with the load cell; and determining whether the load cell is valid for use during makeup of a threaded connection of a first threaded tubular to a second threaded tubular based on the identification information associated with the load cell. The load cell identification information may include a measurement range of torque values supported. The method can include comparing the measurement range of torque values to a job-defined range of torque values associated with the makeup of the threaded connection; and determining that the load cell is valid for use based on the comparison. The identification information can be used to detect the load cell type, range, and calibration data before tubular makeup to ensure data quality and safety at work.

Claims (65)

1. A method of automated load cell identification comprising: sending, from a load cell to a remote processing system, identification information associated with the load cell, the identification information including a measurement range of torque values supported by the load cell; and using the identification information associated with the load cell during makeup of a threaded connection of a first threaded tubular to a second threaded tubular.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein

using the identification information associated with the load cell during the makeup of the threaded connection comprises:

comparing the measurement range of torque values to a job-defined range of torque values associated with the makeup of the threaded connection; and

determining that the load cell is valid for use based on the comparison.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the makeup of the threaded connection includes:

engaging threads of the first threaded tubular to threads of the second threaded tubular; and

rotating the first threaded tubular relative to the second threaded tubular, thereby making up the threaded connection; and

using the identification information associated with the load cell during the makeup of the threaded connection comprises:

measuring force data applied to the threaded connection using the load cell; and

sending, from the load cell to the remote processing system, the measured force data;

calculating, at the remote processing system, torque applied to the threaded connection based on the force data and the identification information associated with the load cell; and

evaluating the threaded connection based, at least in part, on the calculated torque.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein:

sending the measured force data comprises sending the measured force data via a first interface between the load cell and the remote processing system; and

sending the identification information comprises sending the identification information via a second interface between the load cell and the remote processing system.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein:

the first interface comprises a 4 . . . 20 mA interface; and

the second interface comprises a serial interface.

6. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

sending the force data and the identification information to a client of the remote processing system, wherein the evaluating is performed by the client.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving, at the load cell, a request from the remote processing system for the identification information, wherein the identification information is sent in response to the request.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the identification information further comprises at least one of: an identification of the load cell, a type of the load cell, a force measurement range of the load cell, a measurement accuracy of the load cell, a manufacturing date of the load cell, a serial number of the load cell, or calibration information associated with the load cell.

9. A load cell comprising:

a transducer configured to measure force data;

a first interface configured to send identification information associated with the load cell to a remote processing system; and

a second interface configured to send the measured force data to the remote processing system;

wherein the identification information comprises at least one of: an identification of the load cell, a type of the load cell, a force measurement range of the load cell, a measurement accuracy of the load cell, a manufacturing date of the load cell, a serial number of the load cell, or calibration information associated with the load cell.

10. The load cell of claim 9 , wherein the identification information includes a measurement range of torque values supported by the load cell.

11. The load cell of claim 9 , wherein:

the first interface comprises a 4 . . . 20 mA interface; and

the second interface comprises a serial interface.

12. The load cell of claim 9 , wherein the first interface is configured to:

receive a request from the remote processing system for the identification information; and

send the identification information in response to the request.

13. A tubular makeup system comprising:

a load cell; and

a remote processing system in communication with the load cell, wherein:

the load cell is configured to send identification information associated with the load cell to the remote processing system, the identification information including a measurement range of torque values supported by the load cell; and

the remote processing system is configured to use the identification information associated with the load cell during makeup of a threaded connection of a first threaded tubular to a second threaded tubular.

14. The tubular makeup system of claim 13 , wherein

the remote processing system is configured to:

compare the measurement range of torque values to a job-defined range of torque values associated with the makeup of the threaded connection; and

determine that the load cell is valid for use based on the comparison.

15. The tubular makeup system of claim 13 , further comprising:

a power drive operable to rotate the first threaded tubular relative to the second threaded tubular thereby making up the threaded connection, wherein:

the load cell is configured to, during the makeup of the threaded connection:

measure force data applied to the threaded connection; and

send, to the remote processing system, the measured force data; and

the remote processing system is further configured to:

calculate torque applied to the threaded connection based on the measured force data and the identification information associated with the load cell; and

evaluate the threaded connection based, at least in part, on the calculated torque.

16. The tubular makeup system of claim 15 , further comprising:

a first interface and a second interface between the load cell and the remote processing system, wherein the load cell is configured to:

send the measured force data via the first interface; and

send the identification information via the second interface.

17. The tubular makeup system of claim 16 , wherein:

the first interface comprises a 4 . . . 20 mA interface; and

the second interface comprises a serial interface.

18. The tubular makeup system of claim 13 , wherein the load cell is further configured to:

receive a request from the remote processing system for the identification information; and

send the identification information in response to the request.

19. The tubular makeup system of claim 13 , wherein the identification information further comprises at least one of: an identification of the load cell, a type of the load cell, a force measurement range of the load cell, a measurement accuracy of the load cell, a manufacturing date of the load cell, a serial number of the load cell, or calibration information associated with the load cell.

Assignments (8)
PATENT SECURITY INTEREST ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 26, 2023
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 063470/0629 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 1, 2021
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 057683/0706 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 1, 2021
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
Reel/Frame 057683/0423 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 28, 2020
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 054288/0302 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 28, 2020
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
Reel/Frame 053838/0323 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 26, 2019
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 051419/0140 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 18, 2019
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
To: WELLS FARGO BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 051891/0089 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 27, 2019
From: RUEHMANN, RAINER; SCHLESKE, ENRICO
To: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 050183/0927 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 15337148 · Oct 28, 2016
Related Publication 20190383682A1 · Dec 19, 2019