Material management apparatus, systems, and methods

In some embodiments, an apparatus that can be used to contain radiation sources, explosives, and other material transported as cargo may include layers of lead, tungsten, plastic, paraffin, armor, and heat absorbing material to surround an interior portion, as well as a lockable port to provide access to the interior portion. In some embodiments, activities may include detecting various conditions associated with the layers or cargo, and impeding access to the interior portion responsive to detecting the conditions.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments described herein relate to managing material, including locating, tracking, and regulating access to such material transported as cargo.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Radiation sources and explosives can be used in various ways to support many different types of industrial operations, including those conducted in the oil field industry. During transport, these sources and explosives may be misplaced or stolen. This problem also presents itself during the transport of other material. Thus, there is a need to enhance the ability to manage such material, including the provision of apparatus, systems, and methods used to monitor and track material (e.g., sources, explosives) during transport, as well as to control access to and use of the material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The challenges described above may be addressed by providing a container, including an armored container, for various types of material, including radiation sources and explosives that are transported from one location to another. In some embodiments, the container may include singly, or in combination, layers of lead, tungsten, plastic, and paraffin. The container may be augmented by radio-frequency identification and geolocation devices attached to the layer(s), as well as a lockable port to provide access to the interior portion. Such containers may be used to hold and transport various types of material as cargo, including explosives and radioactive sources, depending on the combination of layers used to construct the container. In some embodiments, the container may include two or more layers of armor, as well as one or more insulating layers disposed between them. Various features, including geolocation tracking, tamper-resistant switches, environmental sensors, alarming capability, and other elements may be added to the container to monitor the cargo location, and to render unauthorized access to the cargo exceedingly difficult.

FIG. 1is a block diagram of apparatus100and systems110according to various embodiments of the invention, each of which may operate in the manner previously described. For example, an apparatus100, such as a container, may comprise one or more layers114, including a material selected from lead, tungsten, plastic, paraffin, steel, vanadium, and composite materials fabricated from nanoparticles, either singly or in combination, to substantially surround an interior portion118of the container. For more information regarding such nanoparticles, including single-wall carbon nanotubes with nanometer-scale coatings of another material that can include polymers and metals, see the announcement by Carbon Nanotechnologies, Inc. at http://www-cnanotech-com/pages/resources_and_news/press_release_archive/press_story_enabling_IP-html (to avoid inadvertent hyperlinks, the periods in the referenced URL have been replaced by dashes), as well as the content of U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,756,026; 6,756,025; 6,752,977; 6,749,827; 6,692,717; 6,683,783; 6,645,455; 6,183,714; 5,591,312; 5,556,517; 5,300,203; 5,227,038 incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The apparatus100may comprise a radiation source transport pig, a well logging radioactive source pig, a drum, or any other container that can be used to transport material, including explosives and radiation sources, such as radioactive waste.

In some embodiments, the apparatus100may include one or more radio-frequency identification devices (RFIDs)122, and one or more geolocation devices126(e.g., global positioning system (GPS) receivers; transmitters, receivers, transceivers using triangulation; etc.) attached to at least one of the layers114. Various types of cargo130, such as explosive devices (e.g., perforating caps), radioactive sources (e.g., Cesium-137, Americium-Beryllium, and Californium), and other material may be transported using the apparatus100. Thus, the geolocation device126may be capable of providing location coordinates (absolute or relative) associated with the interior portion118and/or the cargo130.

In some embodiments, various mechanisms may be employed to control access to the cargo130. For example, the apparatus100may also include a lockable port134to provide access to the interior portion118via the layer114.

Various types of sensors138may be used in conjunction with the apparatus100. For example, the apparatus100may include one or more of a vibration sensor to indicate a level of vibration experienced by the layer114, a temperature sensor to indicate a temperature experienced by the layer114, and/or a shock sensor to indicate a level of shock experienced by the layer114, among others. Strain sensors, among others, may be used to measure the level of shock.

The apparatus100may also include a heat-activated, human-toxic material142substantially surrounded by the layer114. An example of such a material142is one that comprises a phenolic compound (e.g., phenolic plastic that emits phosgene gas when heated).

The apparatus100may also include one or more tamper-resistant switches146, perhaps connected so as to respond to an open condition of the lockable port134. Thus, for example, if the tamper-resistant switch146enters a closed condition upon the lockable port134being opened, a signal136, such as an alarm signal, might be generated in response.

In some embodiments, the apparatus100may comprise a lock150included in the lockable port134, perhaps responsive to an indication of a condition associated with the layer(s)114exceeding a selected level. For example, if a sensor138provided an indication that a level of vibration observed at the surface of the layer114exceeded a given level, or a level of shock on the layer114exceeded a preselected amount, or if a temperature on the surface of the layer114exceeded a permitted level, then the lock150might activate. It should be noted that the lock150may be embedded in the apparatus100, so as not to be directly accessible from the exterior of the apparatus100. In some embodiments, the lock150may be designed such that an external power supply (not shown) is required to open/close (e.g., by deactivating/activating the lock150). Thus, after the external supply is coupled to the lock150, the lock150may be activated. Additional and more conventional locks154, perhaps accessible from the exterior of the apparatus100, may be included in the lockable port134.

In some embodiments, the apparatus100may include a cargo-immobilizing mechanism158. This mechanism158may also be responsive to an indication associated with a condition of the layer(s)114exceeding a selected level. Thus, for example, if a sensor138provided an indication of an exceptionally-high temperature at the surface of the layer114, or large levels of shock, or vibrations above a selected level for more than a selected amount of time, the cargo-immobilizing mechanism158might release an expanding foam, polymer, and/or epoxy solution to substantially surround the cargo130. Such activity may operate to render the cargo130substantially immobile, as well as very difficult to extract from the interior portion118.

Other features may be included in the apparatus100. In some embodiments, the apparatus100may include a radiation detection device162coupled to the lockable port134(either directly, or perhaps indirectly, via a controller—see element182below). Thus, if the cargo130comprises a radioactive source, and the radiation detection device162indicates that no source is present, then a signal136, such as an alarm signal, might be generated. Sources of radiation carried as cargo130and detected by the radiation detection device162may be selected from a number of possibilities, in addition to the examples given above, including one or more of natural (e.g., chemical) gamma ray emitters, natural x-ray emitters, natural neutron emitters, natural alpha particle emitters, natural electron emitters, natural position emitters, and natural proton emitters. In some embodiments, the radiation source transported as cargo130may be capable of providing radiation at a rate of greater than about 2·108particles per second through a surface surrounding the source, such as a substantially spherical surface, including the layers114.

The apparatus100may include various elements to assist in communicating with local and/or remote control stations (see discussion respectingFIG. 2, below). For example, the apparatus100may include one or more communications transceivers166coupled to the lockable port134and/or the geolocation device126(either directly, or perhaps indirectly, via a controller—see element182below). Receipt by the transceiver166of a signal136to activate the lock150is then possible. Further, the transceiver166may operate to transmit the location of the apparatus100, including the cargo130, as provided by the geolocation device126. Additional or alternative mechanisms for communication may include a communications interface168coupled to the lockable port (either directly, or perhaps indirectly, via a controller—see element182below). Such interfaces168may include wired interfaces (e.g., a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface), and wireless interfaces (e.g., Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 802.11 interface, Bluetooth, etc.).

For more information regarding the USB interface, see the related standards: Universal Serial Bus 1.0 and later versions at www-usb-org (to avoid inadvertent hyperlinks, the periods in the previous URL have been replaced by dashes). For more information regarding the mentioned wireless interfaces, please refer to For more information regarding some of the formatting mechanisms mentioned above, please refer to “IEEE Standards for Information Technology—Telecommunications and Information Exchange between Systems—Local and Metropolitan Area Network—Specific Requirements—Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY), ISO/IEC 8802-11: 1999” and “Bluetooth System Specification, Bluetooth Special Interest Group, Ver. 1.1, March 2001”, and related amendments.

Other features may be incorporated to control access to the cargo130. For example, the apparatus100may include a power-interrupting device170(e.g., a resettable circuit breaker, a one-time, current-sensitive fuse, etc.) coupled to the power supply PS of an electric lock150included in the lockable port134. Thus, in some embodiments, the transceiver166may receive a signal136to command the lock150to lock the lockable port134, and then to leave the lock150in a locked state by disabling power supplied to the lock150via the power supply PS (e.g., by activating the power-interrupting device170). In some embodiments, the power-interrupting device170may be operated so as to re-enable the supply of power from the power supply PS to the lock150, perhaps upon receiving an assurance code (e.g., in the signal136) from a local control station, or a remote control station. As noted previously, the power supply PS may be located external to the apparatus100.

More elaborate scenarios may be envisioned. For example, the apparatus100may include a multiple-stage permission mechanism174, such as a two-stage permission mechanism, coupled to a lock150included in the lockable port134(either directly, or perhaps indirectly, via a controller—see element182below). For the purposes of this document, a “two-stage permission mechanism” means a mechanism that may be activated or deactivated by a combination of two entities. For example, a local control station may provide a first permission code, and a remote control station may provide a second permission code. The combination of two permission codes received within a selected time interval may operate to either activate or deactivate the two-stage permission mechanism, depending on the desires of the designer of the apparatus100. More stages, and thus, higher levels of permission, may be added.

The permission mechanism174may be used in a number of ways. For example, a two-stage permission mechanism may operate to activate the power-interrupting device170coupled to the electric lock150upon correctly receiving two codes. This may occur, for example, responsive to receiving, in addition to another code, a hostile code (e.g., in a signal136) from a local control station or a remote control station. A “hostile code” means any code that is selected to indicate a situation where the cargo130may be in danger of loss or theft. As noted above, the power-interrupting device170may also operate to enable the supply of power to the lock150. Thus, the permission mechanism may be used to deactivate the power-interrupting device coupled to an electric lock in the lockable port responsive to receiving a permission code from a remote control station. Other embodiments may be realized.

For example, the apparatus100may include multiple layers of armor176,178, such as a first layer of armor176and a second layer of armor178. The apparatus100may also include one or more heat absorbing layers180substantially surrounded by the first layer of armor176, and substantially surrounding the second layer of armor178. The layers of armor176,178may comprise singly, or in combination, metals, ceramics, aramid fibers, shear-thickening fluid, and polyethylenes. In this case, the lockable port134may be used to provide access to the interior portion118via the first and second layers of armor176,178. The heat absorbing layer180may comprise silica (e.g., various types of aerogels available from Aspen Aerogels, Inc. of Northborough, Mass.), fiberglass, fluids, etc. Many other embodiments may be realized.

For example, in some embodiments, a system110may comprise one or more apparatus, similar to or identical to the apparatus100, as well as one or more sensors138to sense an indication of a condition of the layers114, including the layers of armor176,178. In some embodiments, the system110may include a controller182coupled to the sensor(s)138. As noted above, the sensor(s)138may be selected from one or more of a vibration sensor, a temperature sensor, and a shock sensor, among others. In addition, the system110may include a heat-activated, human-toxic material (e.g., a phenolic compound) substantially surrounded by the layer114, including the first layer of armor176, for example. The controller182may comprise a logic integrated circuit, a microprocessor, a computer, and a portable computing device, among others.

The addition of a controller182can add a great deal of flexibility to various embodiments of the system110. For example, the controller182may be used to operate a lock150included in the lockable port134, perhaps responsive to the indication of a condition associated with one or more of the layers114exceeding a selected level, as sensed by one or more of the sensors138. The controller182may also be coupled to many other elements in the system110, such as the communications interface168, the geolocation device126, the radiation detection device162, the communications transceiver166, the tamper-resistant switch146, and/or the power-interrupting device170. The controller182may also be used to activate the cargo-immobilizing mechanism158described above, perhaps responsive to an indication of a sensed condition of one or more of the layers114exceeding a selected level. Many other embodiments may be realized.

For example,FIG. 2is a block diagram of additional example embodiments of the invention. As shown, an apparatus200and system210may be similar to or identical to the apparatus100and system210described above and shown inFIG. 1. Thus the apparatus200and system210may include a lockable port234, an internal lock250, and one or more external locks254.

In some embodiments, the system210may include a local control station284and/or a remote control station286. Communications with the apparatus200may be accomplished via wireless signals236, a local or global network288, such as the Internet, and/or via wires290. Satellites292and other mechanisms may also be used to effect communication between the local control station284, the remote control station286, and the apparatus200.

In some embodiments, the local control station284, and/or the remote control station may send a query code to the controller (see controller182inFIG. 1) coupled to receive an indication of the condition of one or more layers (e.g., layers114shown inFIG. 1) for the purpose of ascertaining the condition of the apparatus200. The query code may be sent on a periodic basis, such as every five minutes. If no response (e.g., an assurance code) is received from the apparatus200, a power-interrupting device (see device170inFIG. 1) coupled to the lock250providing access to the interior portion218may be activated, so as to lock the lockable port234, and to disable access to the interior portion218.

The apparatus100,200; systems110,210; layers114; interior portion118; RFIDs122; geolocation devices126; cargo130; lockable ports134,234; sensors138; human-toxic material142; tamper-resistant switches146; locks150,154,250,254; cargo-immobilizing mechanism158; radiation detection device162; communications transceivers166; communications interface168; power-interrupting device170; multiple-stage permission mechanism174; layers of armor176,178; heat absorbing layers180; controller182; local control station284; remote control station286; network288; wires290; and satellites292may all be characterized as “modules” herein. Such modules may include hardware circuitry, and/or a processor and/or memory circuits, software program modules and objects, and/or firmware, and combinations thereof, as desired by the architect of the apparatus100,200and systems110,210, and as appropriate for particular implementations of various embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, such modules may be included in an apparatus and/or system operation simulation package, such as a software electrical signal simulation package, a power usage and distribution simulation package, a radiation detection simulation package, an explosive device management and tracking package, and/or a combination of software and hardware used to simulate the operation of various potential embodiments.

It should also be understood that the apparatus and systems of various embodiments can be used in applications other than for transporting radioactive sources and explosives, and thus, various embodiments are not to be so limited. The illustrations of apparatus100,200and systems110,210are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments, and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use of the structures described herein. Applications that may include the novel apparatus and systems of various embodiments may be included as sub-components within a variety of electronic and mechanical systems, such as land/sea/air vehicles, oil well platforms, cargo containers, and others. Further embodiments include a number of methods.

For example,FIG. 3is a flow diagram illustrating several methods311according to various embodiments of the invention. Thus, it can be seen that a method311may (optionally) begin at block321with inserting cargo, such as a radiation source or explosive devices, into the interior portion of a container. Such a container may include an apparatus and/or system, similar to or identical to the apparatus100and systems110shown inFIG. 1and described above.

The method311may include detecting a condition of one of the container layers at block325. For example, the layers may include a first layer of armor substantially surrounding a heat absorbing layer and a second layer of armor including the interior portion. The method311may continue with receiving an indication of the condition of one or more of the layers at block329, and activating an alarm responsive to the indication at block331. The method311may also include transmitting a location associated with the interior portion and/or cargo responsive to the indication at block335.

Many conditions may be sensed and indicated. For example, the indicated condition may be a temperature, a level of shock, and/or a vibration that exceeds a preselected level with respect to the container layers. The length of time over which the condition is indicated may also be used to selectively activate an alarm and/or transmit a location. In some embodiments, the method311may include detecting an open condition of a lockable port providing access to the interior portion via the layers, such as the first and the second layers of armor, and/or detecting a state of a tamper-resistant switch coupled to the lockable port at block339. If a container includes a controller, the controller may in turn be coupled to receive an indication of the condition of one or more of the layers of the container, as well as the other indications described herein.

The method311may include impeding access to the interior portion responsive to detecting the condition at block341. For example, impeding access to the interior portion may comprise one or more of: (1) locking a lockable port providing access to the interior portion via the layers, such as the first and second layers of armor, (2) interrupting power to a lock included in the lockable port providing access to the interior portion, (3) substantially filling the interior portion with a cargo-immobilizing substance, and (4) requesting a permission code from a local control station and a remote control station, perhaps prior to permitting access to the interior portion via the lockable port and a two-stage permission mechanism. Thus, the method311may include receiving a request for a permission code to grant access to the interior portion at block345, and comparing an identification code associated with the first layer of armor (and/or the cargo) to a plurality of identification codes included in a file comprising identification codes of missing containers and/or cargo before transmitting the permission code.

In some embodiments, the method311may include receiving an indication of a state of cargo presence in the interior portion at block351. Such an indication may be a simple binary indication, such as CARGO PRESENT and CARGO NOT PRESENT. Thus, the method311may include activating an alarm responsive to the indication of the state of the cargo, such as a radiation source or explosives, being NOT PRESENT in the interior portion at block355.

Many other indications may be presented, received, and used to provoke various responses. For example, the method311may include receiving an indication of a state of the power supply coupled to a controller or to an electric lock included in the lockable port at block359. Such an indication may represent the presence of a low battery, or that the voltage of the power supply is below a specified value. An alarm responsive to the indication of the state of the power supply may be activated at block361.

As noted previously, a local control station and/or a remote control station may operate to send a query code to the container, perhaps including a controller, for the purpose of ascertaining the condition of the container, its layers, and/or the transported cargo at block365. If no response (e.g., an assurance code) is received, or a hostile code is received at block369, a power-interrupting device coupled to a lock providing access to the interior portion of the container may be activated (so as to lock the lockable port and to disable access to the interior portion). The hostile code received at block369may be received in response to the query code asserted at block365, or independent of such a query code transmission.

It should be noted that the methods described herein do not have to be executed in the order described, or in any particular order. Moreover, various activities described with respect to the methods identified herein can be executed in repetitive, serial, or parallel fashion. Information, including parameters, commands, operands, and other data, can be sent and received in the form of one or more carrier waves.

Upon reading and comprehending the content of this disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand the manner in which a software program can be launched from a computer-readable medium in a computer-based system to execute the functions defined in the software program, such as the activities included in the methods outlined above. One of ordinary skill in the art will further understand the various programming languages that may be employed to create one or more software programs designed to implement and perform the methods disclosed herein. The programs may be structured in an object-orientated format using an object-oriented language such as Java or C++. Alternatively, the programs can be structured in a procedure-orientated format using a procedural language, such as assembly or C. The software components may communicate using any of a number of mechanisms well known to those skilled in the art, such as application program interfaces or interprocess communication techniques, including remote procedure calls. The teachings of various embodiments are not limited to any particular programming language or environment.

Additional capability to manage the transport of material, including radioactive sources and explosives may result from implementing the apparatus, systems, and methods disclosed herein. Some embodiments may also operate to assist in regulating access to such material in a wide range of industrial situations, including those present in the oil well drilling environment.