Abstract:
A method allows an H2S alarm system installed at a remote wellsite to be monitored and configured from a distant location. Alert-signals from the alarm system to the distant location and configuration settings from the distant location to the alarm system can be transmitted using the text-messaging feature of a conventional cell phone. The cell phone, for example, can send the H2S alarm system a text message that sets the H2S concentration threshold at which the alarm system triggers an alert. When the H2S concentration reaches the threshold or a fault occurs with the alarm system, the system can send the cell phone a text message that describes the problem, identifies the location of the wellsite, and lists the names and telephone numbers of those that should be notified.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The subject invention generally pertains to hydrogen sulfide gas alarm systems and more specifically to a method of communicating and remotely configuring such a system.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     Hydrogen sulfide, H2S, is a toxic gas that often accompanies the production of gas, oil and water. H2S can usually be contained, but if it escapes, an H2S monitor can be used for alerting personnel in the area. In response to sensing about 10 to 20 ppm of H2S, typical H2S monitors will sound an alarm that warns of the danger. Once the alarm sounds, personnel often have sufficient time to vacate the area. In some cases, however, someone or everyone in the area may be overcome by the gas and fall to the ground. Since H2S is heavier than air, an unconscious person lying on the ground may continue breathing the toxic gas. If outside help is not quickly summoned to the area, eventually those continuing to breath the gas may die.  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,252,510 and 6,670,887 and U.S. patent application US-2004/0056771-A1 disclose an H2S system that provides a remote alarm signal upon sensing an excessive amount of H2S at a distant location. The system appears to be designed for an established chemical plant where the H2S monitor is at a fixed, known location. Such a system may be fine for monitoring hydrogen sulfide gas at a particular location, but it may be inadequate in cases where the conditions or location of the H2S monitored area changes from one day to the next.  
         [0006]     In the oil and gas industry, for example, on one day, H2S may be monitored at first well site; and on another day, another well site at a completely different location may be monitored. As the location of the worksite changes, other things may also change, such as the expected H2S concentration in the area, the allowable H2S concentration limit for triggering an alarm, parties responsible for the equipment and personnel at the worksite, parties responsible for the worksite itself, the exact location where rescue workers should be sent, etc. Such changes can lead to havoc when an H2S alarm goes off, as there may be little time to react with an appropriate plan of action for the immediate conditions at the site.  
         [0007]     Consequently, a need exists for a method of providing a quick and appropriate response to an H2S emergency at remote, spaced-apart worksites where the conditions and location of the worksites may change.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     It is an object of some embodiments to provide a method of configuring and monitoring an H2S alarm system.  
         [0009]     It is an object of some embodiments to use the text-messaging feature of a cell phone to remotely communicate with an H2S alarm system.  
         [0010]     It is an object of some embodiments is to use the text-messaging feature of a cell phone to remotely configure various settings of an alarm system.  
         [0011]     In some embodiments, the H2S alarm setting identifies a service company that is at the worksite.  
         [0012]     In some embodiments, the H2S alarm setting identifies a piece of machinery that is at the worksite.  
         [0013]     In some embodiments, the H2S alarm setting identifies the name and telephone number of a person representing a service company that is working at the worksite.  
         [0014]     In some embodiments, the H2S alarm setting identifies the name of a production company that owns, leases or otherwise possesses the worksite.  
         [0015]     In some embodiments, the H2S alarm setting identifies the name and telephone number of a person representing the production company that possesses the worksite.  
         [0016]     In some embodiments, the H2S alarm setting includes a series of telephone numbers and an order of sequence for calling those numbers to report a problem that may have occurred at the worksite.  
         [0017]     In some embodiments, the H2S alarm setting identifies an H2S concentration threshold for triggering an alert (i.e., either a local alert and/or a call out).  
         [0018]     In some embodiments, the H2S alarm setting identifies a voltage limit for a power supply that powers at least part of the H2S alarm system.  
         [0019]     In some embodiments, the H2S alarm setting identifies a variable for determining whether the GPS unit is functioning properly.  
         [0020]     It is an object of some embodiments is to use the text messaging feature of a cell phone to remotely receive an alert from an H2S alarm system.  
         [0021]     In some embodiments, the text message provides information about a problem that has occurred at the worksite.  
         [0022]     In some embodiments, the text message identifies a problem with a GPS unit that is associated with the H2S alarm system.  
         [0023]     In some embodiments, the text message provides information about a problem pertaining to a power supply that powers at least part of the H2S alarm system.  
         [0024]     In some embodiments, the text message identifies the name of a service company that operates machinery at the worksite.  
         [0025]     In some embodiments, the text message identifies a particular piece of equipment operating at the worksite.  
         [0026]     In some embodiments, the text message identifies the name and telephone number of a person representing a service company that is working at the worksite.  
         [0027]     In some embodiments, the text message identifies the name of a production company that owns, leases or otherwise possesses the worksite.  
         [0028]     In some embodiments, the text message identifies the name and telephone number of a person representing the production company that possesses the worksite.  
         [0029]     In some embodiments, the text message identifies the H2S level that triggered the alert.  
         [0030]     In some embodiments, the text message identifies the GPS coordinates of the worksite. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0031]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram that illustrates a method of remotely configuring and communicating with an H2S alarm system installed at a remote worksite.  
         [0032]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a cell phone displaying the first portion of a text message generated by a setting-signal or a confirmation signal.  
         [0033]      FIG. 3  is a front view of a cell phone displaying the second portion of a text message generated by a setting-signal or a confirmation signal.  
         [0034]      FIG. 4  is a front view of a cell phone displaying the first portion of a text message generated by an alarm-signal.  
         [0035]      FIG. 5  is a front view of a cell phone displaying the second portion of a text message generated by an alarm-signal.  
         [0036]      FIG. 6  is a front view of a cell phone whose display indicates that the cell phone has received a text message. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0037]      FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a method of remotely configuring and communicating with an H2S alarm system  10  used at a worksite. The invention is particularly suited for the oil and gas industry where the worksite is a remote, wide-open outdoor area such as a wellsite  12  that includes a well bore  14 . The location of the worksite and the H2S alarm may change from one day to the next. The worksite, for example, may be at one well bore a first day, and the worksite may be at a different well bore at a different remote location on another day.  
         [0038]      FIG. 1  shows a pair of broken lines  16  and  18  whose space therebetween schematically represents a distance of at least five miles to help emphasize the remoteness of wellsite  12 . At wellsite  12 , or below line  18 , there is shown well bore  14 , a machine  20  for drilling or servicing the well bore, a worker  22  with an optional personal H2S sensor  24 , and H2S alarm system  10 . Also shown is a service company  26  that operates machine  20 ; a person  28  representing service company  26 ; a production company  30  that owns, leases, operates or otherwise possesses wellsite  14 ; and a person  32  that represents production company  30 . Although companies  26  and  30  and persons  28  and  32  are shown below line  18 , broken lines  17  and  19  mean that they are not necessarily physically at wellsite  12 .  
         [0039]     Several communication units  34  (including units  36 ,  38 ,  40 , and  42 ) are shown above line  16 , thus units  34  can be, but are not necessarily, at least five miles away from wellsite  12 . For illustration purposes, in this particular example, unit  36  is a computer with a modem  44 , and units  38 ,  40  and  42  are portable phones with text messaging capability (i.e., they can send and receive text messages). The term, “portable phone” refers to a handheld unit that includes a small keyboard for directing phone calls and a headset for sending and receiving voice messages. Examples of a portable phone include, but are not limited to, cell phones and satellite phones. Block  46  schematically represents a telephone or communications company that enables units  34  to communicate with alarm system  10  via a wireless communication link  48  made possible by cell phone technology, satellite, radio signals, etc.  
         [0040]     Alarm system  10  comprises a programmable controller  50  (e.g., computer, microprocessor, embedded chip, etc.), a conventional H2S sensor cell  52  that senses the concentration of an H2S gas  54  and provides a signal  56  in proportion thereto, a conventional signal amplifier  58  for converting signal  56  to a level that is appropriate for controller  50 , a GPS receiver  60  for providing controller  50  with a signal  62  that indicates the global coordinates of wellsite  12 , an optional personal H2S monitor receiver  64  (to be explained later), a set of user interfaces  66  (e.g., GPS indicator light  68 , alarm status light  70 , call-out light  72 , confirmation light  74 , alarm reset button  76 , etc.), a local H2S alarm  78  (e.g., flashing red light and/or audible alarm), a modem  80  for placing controller  50  in communication with remote communication units  34 , and a power supply  82  (e.g., one or more batteries for powering items  66 ,  60 ,  50 ,  80  and/or  52 ).  
         [0041]     In operation, production company  30  may request that service company  26  send worker  22  and machine  20  to drill, repair or otherwise service wellsite  12 . To protect the safety of worker  22  and others in the area, alarm system  10  is moved to wellsite  12 . Alarm system  10  can be reconfigured to suit the situation at any particular wellsite, and this can be done remotely by using computer  36  or portable phones  38 ,  40  or  42 .  
         [0042]     One or more settings  84 , for instance, can be entered into computer  36 , wherein the settings define information relevant to worksite  12  settings  84  may include contact-related information and/or function-related information. Contact-related information helps identify or helps lead to someone that should be informed or may be able to help should a problem occur at worksite  12 . Examples of settings  84  with contact-related information include, but are not limited to, the name of service company  26  (e.g., Drilling Inc.), the name of machine  20  (e.g., Rig 518), the name of person  28  (e.g., J. Adams), that person&#39;s telephone number (e.g., 8885551111), the name of company  30  (e.g., Wellsite Inc.), the name of person  32  (e.g., M. Smith), that person&#39;s telephone number (e.g., 8885552222), the modem telephone number of computer modem  44  (e.g., 8885557771), the telephone number of cell phone  38  (e.g., 8885557772), the telephone number of cell phone  40  (e.g., 8885557773), and the telephone number of cell phone  42  (e.g., 8885557774).  
         [0043]     Function-related information, on the other hand, helps identify or pertains to the operation of alarm system  10 . Examples of settings  84  with function-related information include, but are not limited to, an H2S concentration threshold (e.g., 25 ppm) at which point alarm system  10  responds by triggering alarm  78  or calling units  34 , one or more allowable voltage limits of power supply  82  (e.g., 9.8v to 13.1v or 7.9v to 9.8v), and a variable for determining whether GPS unit  60  is operational (e.g., the variable could be 15 minutes, wherein a GPS reading would be expected at least once every 15 minutes from a properly operating GPS unit).  
         [0044]     Modem  44  can transmit settings  84  from computer  36  to modem  80  of controller  50 . Settings  84  are conveyed over wireless communication link  48  and are conveyed as a data stream or a setting-signal depicted by arrow  86 .  
         [0045]     Alternatively, settings  84  can be entered into portable phone  38 ,  40  or  42  as a text message  88   a  and  88   b  ( 88   a  and  88   b  are actually a single text message that may need one or more pages to display due to the limited size of the phone&#39;s display area). Phone  38 , for example, can then call modem  84  to deliver text message  88   a  and  88   b  (setting-signal  86 ) to modem  80  of controller  50 .  
         [0046]     Upon receiving setting-signal  86 , in some embodiments, controller  50  and modem  80  may return a confirmation-signal  90  to the sender of setting-signal  86 , whereby confirmation-signal  90  confirms that alarm system  10  has actually received setting-signal  86 . Confirmation-signal  86  may simply be another text message that resembles text message  88   a / 88   b  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 .  
         [0047]     Settings  84  are stored on a memory associated with controller  50 . Some items of settings  84  determine how alarm system  10  responds to problems pertaining to wellsite  12  or problems with alarm system  10  itself, and other items of settings  84  provide valuable information that can assist others in responding to such problems.  
         [0048]     Examples of problems that may trigger alarm system  10  to call for help (i.e., send an alarm-signal  108  include, but are not limited to, the concentration H2S exceeding 25 ppm or some other threshold defined by settings  84 , the supply voltage of controller  50  going beyond 9.8-13.1v or some other voltage range defined by settings  84 , the supply voltage of H2S sensor cell  52  going beyond 7.9-9.8v or some other voltage range defined by settings  84 , and/or GPS unit  60  failing to provide a global coordinates reading at least once every 15 minutes or some other period defined by settings  84 .  
         [0049]     Upon detecting such problems, controller  50  uses modem  80  to notify units  34  by calling them simultaneously or sequentially (e.g., minutes apart). The order in which they are called may be the same order of sequence that the various phone numbers are listed in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . Mouse-clicking on an acknowledge button  92  enables computer  36  to respond to the problem by sending an acknowledgement signal  94  to controller  50 , which in turn illuminates confirmation indicator light  74  for those at the wellsite to see. Acknowledge button  92  terminates the repeated sequential calling of units  34 .  
         [0050]     In calling out, controller  50  and modem  80  provide units  34  with a text message such as text message  96  of  FIG. 1  or text message  98   a  and  98   b  of  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Text message  98   a / 98   b  is sent via alarm-signal  108  that wireless communication link  48  transmits from modem  80  to modem  44  and/or to cell phones  38 ,  40  and/or  42 . Before actually being able to view the text message, the cell phones may first display a notice  100 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , that a text message has been sent. Text message  98   a  and  98   b  are actually a single text message that may need one or more pages to display due to the limited size of the cell phone&#39;s display area.  
         [0051]     The text message  96  or  98   a / 98   b  provides an “Alarm ID” that indicates the nature of the problem, such as an H2S triggered alarm, GPS failure, supply voltage problem, etc. In addition, text message  96  or  98   a / 98   b  may also provide helpful information such as the name of service company  26  (e.g., Drilling Inc.), the name of machine  20  (e.g., Rig 518), the name of person  28  (e.g., J. Adams), that person&#39;s telephone number (e.g., 8885551111), the name of company  30  (e.g., Wellsite Inc.), the name of person  32  (e.g., M. Smith), that person&#39;s telephone number (e.g., 8885552222), the current time of day (e.g., 14:30 or 2:30 p.m.), the current date (e.g., 02152004 or Feb. 15, 2004), an H2S concentration value that triggered the callout, the wellsite&#39;s GPS coordinates (e.g., 3200.874-North, 10206.761-West).  
         [0052]     In some embodiments, alarm  82  of system  10  may be triggered by H2S sensor cell  52  and/or by the optional personal H2S sensor  24  that is carried or worn by worker  22 . H2S sensor cell  52  may be contained or mounted to an enclosure  102  that houses controller  50  and/or other components of alarm system  10 . In response to H2S sensor  52 , controller  50  may activate the local alarm  78  when the concentration of H2S reaches a first threshold, such as 10 ppm, and may further callout an alarm alert when the concentration reaches a higher predefined threshold, such as 25 ppm.  
         [0053]     Alternatively, or in addition to H2S sensor  52 , personal H2S monitor receiver  24  may notify controller  50  that an excessive H2S concentration exists as sensed by personal H2S alarm  24  (which also includes an H2S sensor cell). Upon sensing an unacceptable concentration of H2S, personal H2S alarm  24  transmits an alarm signal  104  to receiver  64  via a wireless communication link  106 .  
         [0054]     In some embodiments, the local alarm  78  provides various audible and/or visual alarm signals  99  that are distinguishable from one another to communicate different messages to the workers at worksite  12 . Alarm signals  99  may be distinguishable by some sound characteristic such as the pitch, volume, and/or pattern of the sound (pulsating, wave shape, etc.).  
         [0055]     In same cases, a first alarm signal  99   a  may be an early warning red light that shines when the H2S concentration reaches a first threshold of e.g., 15 ppm, and a second alarm signal  99   b  may be an audible alarm that sounds when the concentration reaches a second threshold of e.g., 20 ppm. Second alarm signal  99   b  may also be a warning that H2S alarm system  10  is about make one or more phone calls to summon help from one or more locations that are remote relative to worksite  12  (e.g., summon help from someone tending one of units  34 ). Second alarm signal  99   b  may sound for a predetermined period (e.g., one minute) to give worker  22  time to manually reset alarm system  10  via reset button  76 , whereby reset button  76  terminates second alarm  108   b  and prevents alarm system  10  from sending alarm-signal  108 .  
         [0056]     If alarm system  10  is not reset within the allowable period, then a third alarm signal  99   c  may sound, which could notify worker  22  and others at worksite  12  that alarm system  10  is calling for outside help. A fourth alarm signal  99   d  may sound in response to acknowledgement signal  94 , thereby notifying the workers at worksite  12  that someone remote relative to worksite  12  has acknowledged receiving alarm-signal  108 .  
         [0057]     Using distinguishable alarm signals  99  for communicating different messages to worker  22  and others at worksite  12  can be quite valuable. If there are only four workers at the worksite, for instance, and two are unconscious for having been overcome by H2S gas, alarm signals  99  notify the other two conscious workers that alarm system  10  will summon additional help. This allows both conscious workers to “air-up” (put on an air tank) so that one conscious worker can enter the H2S contaminated area to rescue the two unconscious workers while the other conscious worker oversees the rescue. Without alarm signals  99 , one of the conscious workers would need to call for outside help, which would make it unsafe for the other conscious worker to make an unsupervised rescue attempt alone.  
         [0058]     In some embodiments, GPS unit  60  is a GARMIN Mini 25-HVS; modem  80  is a Data Remote CD9020 Globalstar Qualcomm GSP1620; controller  4  is a PK2500 controller provided by Z-World, Inc. of Davis, Calif.; and H2S sensor cell  52  is an Electro-Chem H2S sensor cell. Personal H2S alarm  24  and receiver  64  may include conventional transmitter/receiver circuitry for placing the two in wireless communication with each other.  
         [0059]     Although the invention is described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that other variations are well within the scope of the invention. The Internet, for example, may be used to facilitate the communication of signal  86 ,  90 ,  94 , and/or  108  between alarm system  10  and communication units  34 . Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be determined by reference to the following claims.