IP Library Granted Patent US 9,089,902
Granted Patent B2
US 9,089,902 · App. 12/580,151 · Granted Jul 28, 2015

Hole drilling apparatus and process for edge mounted RFID tag

Inventor: Ian Rex Binmore (Houston, TX)
Assignee: Vallourec Oil and Gas France, S.A.S.
B23B47/28B23B49/02B23B2247/12B23B2260/004B23B2265/12
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,089,902
App. No.
12/580,151
Granted
Jul 28, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A drilling template and a method for utilizing the drilling template to drill a hole in an object. The drilling template may include a through-bolt assembly to pivotally couple the drilling template to the object. The drilling template may further include a cam assembly configured to rotate the drilling template about the through-bolt assembly until it is locked into a fixed position using a guide pin coupled to the drilling template. The drilling template may be particularly useful in retrofitting heavy equipment in field use with RFID tags, and more specifically, with edge-mounted RFID tags.

Claims (41)

1. A drilling template, comprising:

a first hole configured to receive a through-bolt assembly;

a second hole configured to receive a cam assembly;

a third hole configured to receive a guide pin;

a through-bolt assembly disposed through the first hole and configured to anchor the drilling template to an underlying material, such that the drilling template is rotatable about the through-bolt assembly; and

a cam assembly disposed through the second hole and configured to rotate the drilling template about the through-bolt.

2. The drilling template, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the drilling template is configured to be matably coupled to a flange, and wherein the drilling template is configured to be used in drilling a hole in the edge of a flange.

3. The drilling template, as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the hole is a tag pocket configured to receive an RFID tag.

4. The drilling template, as set forth in claim 1 , comprising a guide pin configured to limit the rotation of the drilling template.

5. The drilling template, as set forth in claim 4 , wherein the guide pin is configured to abut a side of the material to lock the drilling template in a fixed position using the cam assembly.

6. The drilling template, as set forth in claim 1 , comprising a through-bolt assembly disposed through the first hole and configured to position the drilling template to rotate about the through-bolt and an underlying material.

7. The drilling template, as set forth in claim 1 , comprising a fourth hole configured to receive a base of a drill.

8. The drilling template, as set forth in claim 7 , wherein the fourth hole is configured to receive a magnetic carrier base of a drill.

9. The drilling template, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the first hole and the second hole are configured to align with holes in a flange.

10. A drilling template, comprising:

a through-bolt assembly disposed through the drilling template and configured to anchor the drilling template to an underlying material, such that the drilling template is rotatable about the through-bolt assembly;

a cam assembly disposed through the drilling template and configured to rotate the drilling template about the through-bolt; and

a guide pin configured to stop the rotation of the drilling template.

11. The drilling template, as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the guide pin is coupled to the backside of the drilling template.

12. The drilling template, as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the cam assembly is configured to rotate the drilling template above the material, and into a locking position, wherein the guide pin is brought into contact with an edge of the material.

13. The drilling template, as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the through-bolt assembly comprises;

a through-bolt shaft configured to extend through the drilling template and an opening in the material; and

a lock nut configured to engage the through-bolt shaft within the opening in the material to lock the through-bolt shaft in place with reference to the material.

14. The drilling template, as set forth in claim 10 , comprising a plurality of stand-off caps, configured to provide a spacing between the drilling template and the material, and configured to provide planarity of the drilling template with regard to the material.

15. The drilling template, as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the drilling template is configured to hold a drill to drill into the material.

16. A method of drilling a hole in an object, comprising;

coupling a drilling template to a drilling surface of an object, using a through-hole assembly;

rotating the drilling template about the through-hole assembly;

locking the drilling template into a drilling position

coupling a drill to the drilling template; and

drilling a hole in an object;

wherein rotating the drilling template comprises rotating the drilling template using a cam assembly coupled to the drilling plate.

17. The method, as set forth in claim 16 , wherein coupling the drilling template to the drilling surface comprises, disposing a shaft through a hole in the drilling template and through a hole in the object, and locking the shaft into a position relative to the drilling template and the object, such that only rotational movement within the holes is allowed.

18. The method, as set forth in claim 16 , wherein rotating the drilling template comprises rotating the cam assembly such that an eccentric disc of the cam assembly rotates against an inner surface of a hole in the object, thereby moving the drilling template.

19. The method, as set forth in claim 16 , wherein locking comprises rotating the drilling template until the drilling template is fixedly positioned with a guide pin abuting an edge of the object.

20. The method, as set forth in claim 16 , wherein coupling a drill comprises coupling a magnetic drill to the drilling template.

21. The method, as set forth in claim 16 , wherein coupling the drill comprises mechanically coupling a drill to the drilling template.

22. The method, as set forth in claim 16 , wherein drilling the hole comprises, drilling a hole in an edge of the object.

23. The method, as set forth in claim 16 , wherein drilling the hole comprises drilling the hole in an edge of a flange.

24. The method, as set forth in claim 16 , wherein drilling the hole comprises drilling a pocket configured to receive an RFID tag.

25. The method, as set forth in claim 16 , wherein drilling the hole comprises drilling the hole using a drill positioned in a horizontal direction.

Assignments (5)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 2, 2014
From: AXON TUBULAR PRODUCTS, INC.
To: VALLOUREC OIL AND GAS FRANCE, S.A.S.
Reel/Frame 033870/0367 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 5, 2014
From: MAIN STREET CAPITAL CORPORATION
To: MERRICK SYSTEMS, INC.; MERRICK INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Reel/Frame 033691/0548 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 26, 2013
From: MERRICK SYSTEMS, INC.
To: AXON TUBULAR PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 029878/0015 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 20, 2010
From: MERRICK SYSTEMS, INC.; MERRICK INTERNATIONAL, LLC
To: MAIN STREET CAPITAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 024413/0588 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 15, 2009
From: BINMORE, IAN REX
To: MERRICK SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023380/0809 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61106085 · Oct 16, 2008
Related Publication 20100098507A1 · Apr 22, 2010