Band with rfid chip holder and identifying components

Abstract

An apparatus is adapted to be coupled to a component of a system associated with a wellhead. The apparatus includes a band adapted to be coupled to the component; a holder coupled to the band; an electronic identifying device attached to the holder and adapted to identify the component; and an identifying component coupled to the band. The identifying component visually conveys information about at least one of: the electronic identifying device, and the component to which the band is adapted to be coupled. The system associated with the wellhead is a system for pumping fluid to the wellhead. In one embodiment, the electronic identifying device is, or includes, an RFID chip.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a band adapted to be coupled to a component of a system associated with a wellhead, the band comprising a first end and a second end;   a holder coupled to the band at a fixed distance from at least one of the first end and the second end;   an electronic identifying device attached to the holder and adapted to identify the component to which the band is adapted to be coupled.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic identifying device comprises an RFID chip; and
 wherein the holder comprises a block to which the electronic identifying device is fixedly attached, and a recess formed in the block and in which at least a portion of the RFID chip is disposed.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a fastener coupled to the band and located proximate the first end, the fastened positioned along a length of the band between the first end and the holder. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an identifying component visually conveying information about at least one of the electronic identifying device and the component to which the band is adapted to be coupled. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the identifying component is positioned on the band and the fastener is positioned along a length of the band between the first end and the identifying component. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the holder is adapted to be positioned proximate to the first end so that the holder is adapted to be positioned along the length of the band between the first end and the identifying component. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the holder is movably coupled to the band and is permitted to move along a length of the band to be positioned between the first end and the identifying component. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the identifying component comprises indicia positioned on the band, the indicia visually communicating information about at least one of the electronic identifying device and the component to which the band is adapted to be coupled. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising the component, wherein the band is coupled to the component and the component is at least one of a section of pipe, a fitting, a valve, a frac or well service pump component, a fluid line, a manifold, or a fluid connection. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus comprising a band adapted to be coupled to a component of a system associated with a wellhead;
 wherein the band is an endless band;   wherein the band is adapted to be mechanically coupled to an electronic identifying device.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a holder secured to the band, wherein the holder is adapted to support the electronic identifying device. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the holder is at least one of welded to the band or attached to the band with adhesive. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising an identifying component positioned on the band. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising the component;
 wherein the band is coupled to the component; and   wherein the component is a section of pipe, a fitting, a valve, a frac or well service pump component, a fluid line, a manifold, or a fluid connection.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising indicia visually communicating information about at least one of the electronic identifying component or the component to which the band is adapted to be coupled. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the band is formed from an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a band adapted to be coupled to a component of a system associated with a wellhead, the band comprising a first end and a second end;   a holder coupled to the band and positioned or adapted to be positioned proximate the first end; and   an electronic identifying device coupled to the holder and adapted to identify the component to which the band is adapted to be coupled.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the holder comprises a block to which the electronic identifying device is fixedly attached and a recess formed in the block in which at least a portion of the electronic identifying device is disposed. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the electronic identifying device comprises an RFID chip. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising indicia positioned on the band and visually communicating information about at least one of the electronic identifying device and the component to which the band is adapted to be coupled.