GB2297431A

GB2297431A - Explosion-proof computing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2297431A
Application number: GB9501597A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sietse Jelle Koopmans
Original assignee: Asep BV
Current assignee: Asep BV
Priority date: 1995-01-27
Filing date: 1995-01-27
Publication date: 1996-07-31
Also published as: GB9501597D0

Description

BXPLOSION-PROOF COMPUTING APPARATUS FIELD OF TBE INVENTION The present invention relates to explosion-proof computing apparatus, and in particular, but not exclusively, to explosion proof system control apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided computing apparatus comprising an explosion-proof casing containing a central processing unit (CPU), input/output means, data acquisition means, and including an explosion proof screen and explosion proof operator controls.

The invention provides a single explosion-proof control unit suitable for use in difficult and hazardous environments. It is thus possible for a single person to both operate and monitor the apparatus on site, avoiding the requirement for other computer operating personnel located in off-site accommodation, or the requirement for the person to move from the worksite to a separate, explosion-protected computer station.

Preferably, the screen provides both digital and analogue type readouts. The unit may receive a plurality of digital or analogue inputs from, for example, analogue sensors, which inputs may be converted to digital form for processing, storage and the like, and which may be displayed in analogue type or digital form. Most preferably, a process or operation monitoring screen comprises a combination of digital and analogue type displays. The analogue type display feature may be particularly useful where an operation or process includes a key parameter having, for example, a predetermined maximum safe value. This value may be input and the parameter then displayed as a proportion or a fraction of that value in the from of, for example, a part of a circumference of a circle.Further, an analogue type display may provide a readily comprehensible readout of a parameter which varies from a set-point.

Preferably also, the explosion proof controls are in the form of explosion-proof push buttons. Such controls are relatively easy to operate while wearing protective gloves. The buttons may be arranged in any suitable configuration, but preferably include four buttons in a North-South-East-West configuration for, in selected modes, moving a cursor across the screen. Most preferably, the buttons require positive operation, to minimise the possibility of an operator wearing heavy gloves inadvertently moving the cursor further than intended. In preferred embodiments, the buttons may be utilised to move the cursor within displayed menus. For parameter setting, the East and West buttons may be used to select parameters to be modified, while the North and South buttons may be utilised to raise and lower the selected parameters.Most preferably, a further two buttons are provided to provide further function control.

Preferably also, the apparatus is menu driven, thus simplifying operation, and facilitating use by non-computer literate operators. The menus may be arranged and selected for particular applications.

The apparatus may include information recordal means, and the information stored therein may be displayed on the screen as desired or downloaded to a remote location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TIE DRAWINGS This and other embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 and 2 are plan and end views of an explosion proof computer in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view from above of the computer of Figure 1; and Figure 5 is a view of an exemplary screen display of the computer of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Reference is first made to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, which illustrate an explosion proof computer 10, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The computer is contained within an explosion proof (EExd) casing 12. The upper face of the casing is provided with a screen 14 and operator controls in the form of a group of explosion-proof buttons 16. The side and rear faces of the casing are provided with ports 18 suitable for receiving power supply cables, network links, sensor inputs and control outputs and the like.

The casing contains all the components necessary for a selected operation or system control, including inputs for up to eight analog sensors or other devices, a CPU, a serial connector, an encoder register, an A/D convertor, and facilities for post acquisition programmable filtering.

This particular example features an INTEL 386 40MHz CPU, RS-232 serial connectors, 28 bit encoder register, and 20 bit A/D conversion.

The computer is normally powered by a suitable external supply (90 to 265 V AC, 47 to 63 Hz or 9 to 40 V DC), but includes a programmable uninterruptable power supply (UPS) providing emergency supply.

The screen 14 is protected by a suitable thickness of protective glass 20 and, in this particular example, is a LCD high resolution factor 18 self-lit black and white 640 x 480 pixel screen and is 200 x 154 mm.

The operating buttons 16 are in the form of six explosion proof push buttons, with the four main control buttons in a North-South-East-West configuration. The control software is menu driven and is designed to be easily operated using the buttons, within each menu or screen the main control buttons being utilised to, for example, move a screen cursor, change displayed parameters or control a selected operation. Certain screens include digital displays of operating parameters and, when the cursor is located within a selected parameter, the North and South buttons may be utilised to raise or lower the parameter value.

Reference is now made to Figure 5 of the drawings, which illustrates an exemplary screen display for the computer being utilised for wireline operations control.

Wireline is utilised in the oil and gas exploration and extraction industries to position tools, sensors, valves and the like in well bore. The wireline is deployed from winch apparatus which includes sensors for measuring wireline tension, length of wireline deployed, and wireline deployment speed. The outputs of these sensors are connected to the computer 10 and the acquired information suitably processed for display and/or storage. The illustrated screen illustrates a downhole operation, using a wireline. The critical user information of the outputs of the sensors are displayed in larger format in a main display, and other previously entered operating parameters and information are featured in a less prominent manner.

If the detected parameters rise above certain critical values an alarm may be activated. These values may be automatically calculated (for example, variables related to crane safety) or input by the operator (for example depth of wireline) for a particular operation. The screen also includes any operator required displays which, in this example, are the number of wireline runs, the number of jars that have been applied by the wireline and the time.

The operation is controlled by the operator by manipulating the explosion proof buttons 16, the particular function of each button being variable depending on, for example, the selected screen display.

The provision of the self-contained explosion proof computer 10 permits an operator to monitor and control all aspects of a selected operation on-site. Further, the computer 10 is compact, in the particular embodiment described above this being achieved, at least in part, by the use of an LCD display and a six-button control arrangement, rather than a conventional computer screen and keyboard. The explosion proof push buttons are also more easily and reliably operated when wearing protective gloves. It will also be apparent that the computer 10 may be used in hostile environments, for example outdoors in wet of cold weather or where the computer may be exposed to working fluids, such as oil or drilling mud.

Other embodiments of the invention may include a wide range of facilities including customised information displays, low voltage (12 to 24V) DC power supplies, encoder or time driven data recording, header file recording with selected defined parameters, recorded file automated display scaling, recorded file plotting, EExd LAN provision utilising fibre optic, Ethernet and the like links, multiple 4-20 mA or voltage sensor inputs, and programmable shut-down and control functions.

The invention has wide application in the oil and gas industry, including a workover driller's console, coiled tubing information and control, mud logging, cementing/stimulation information and control, casing and tubing joint make-up analyzer, drill stem and flow testing, flow valve field testing and refinery process and control.

Of course the apparatus has application in other industries, including any hazardous gas and vapour environment, paint manufacture, chemical process measurement and control, sub-surface mining and food processing.

Claims

1. A computing apparatus comprising an explosion proof casing containing a central processing unit (CPU), input/output means, data acquisition means, and including an explosion proof screen and explosion proof operator controls.

2. The computing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the explosion proof screen comprises an LCD display.

3. The computing apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the screen provides both digital and analogue type read outs.

4. The computing apparatus of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the input\output means is adapted to receive a plurality of inputs.

5. The computing apparatus of claim 4 wherein the inputs, suitably processed, may be displayed in analogue type or digital form.

6. The computing apparatus of claim 5 wherein critical inputs may be displayed on the screen in relatively large format in a main display, and other inputs displayed in a subsidiary display.

7. The computing apparatus of any of the preceding claims wherein the explosion proof controls are in the form of explosion proof push buttons.

8. The computing apparatus of claim 7 wherein the explosion proof controls include four buttons in a northsouth-east-west configuration.

9. The computing apparatus of claim 7 or 8 wherein the functions of the explosion proof push buttons may be varied.

10. The computing apparatus of any of the preceding claims wherein the apparatus is menu driven.

11. The computing apparatus of any of the preceding claims wherein the apparatus includes information recordal means, which information may be displayed on the screen and\or downloaded to a remote location.

12. The computing apparatus substantially as described herein and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.