Automated Drilling Controller Including Safety Logic

Abstract

An automated drilling rig control system in which one or more intelligent algorithms are in two-way communication with a rig control system and are configured to provide continuous external control over the a rig control system includes a safety logic module deployed between the intelligent algorithms and the rig control system. The safety logic module is configured to automatically close a communication pathway between the intelligent algorithms and the rig control system thereby preventing the intelligent algorithms from controlling the rig control system when an unsafe condition is detected.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An automated drilling rig control system comprising:
 a rig control system configured to control operation of a drilling rig;   one or more intelligent algorithms in two-way communication with the rig control system across a communication pathway, the intelligent algorithms configured to provide continuous external control over the rig control system; and   a safety logic module deployed between and in communication with the intelligent algorithms and the rig control system, the safety logic module configured to automatically disconnect the intelligent algorithms from the rig control system thereby preventing the intelligent algorithms from controlling the operation of the drilling rig when an unsafe condition is detected.   
     
     
         2 . The automated system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 connecting the intelligent algorithms with the rig control system through the communication pathway enables the intelligent algorithms to control the operation of the drilling rig; and   disconnecting the intelligent algorithms from the rig control system prevents the intelligent algorithms from controlling the operation of the drilling rig.   
     
     
         3 . The automated system of  claim 1 , wherein the safety logic module comprises:
 an algorithm side logic module in communication with the intelligent algorithms;   a rig side logic module in communication with the rig control system; and   a control switch configured to selectively connect and disconnect the intelligent algorithms and the rig control system from one another.   
     
     
         4 . The automated system of  claim 3 , wherein the algorithm side logic module is configured to communicate with the intelligent algorithm at a predetermined time interval. 
     
     
         5 . The automated system of  claim 4 , wherein the algorithm side logic module is configured to open the control switch when communication is broken between the intelligent algorithms and the algorithm side logic module thereby disconnecting the intelligent algorithms from the rig control system, said opening of the control switch operative to prevent the intelligent algorithms from controlling the operation of the drilling rig. 
     
     
         6 . The automated system of  claim 3 , wherein the rig side logic module is configured to communicate with the rig control system at a predetermined time interval. 
     
     
         7 . The automated system of  claim 6 , wherein the rig side logic module is configured to open the control switch when communication is broken between the rig control system and the rig side logic module thereby disconnecting the intelligent algorithms from the rig control system, said opening of the control switch operative to prevent the intelligent algorithms from controlling the operation of the drilling rig. 
     
     
         8 . The automated system of  claim 3 , wherein the rig side logic module is configured to open the control switch, thereby disconnecting the intelligent algorithms from the rig control system, when instructions are received from a drilling operator. 
     
     
         9 . The automated system of  claim 2 , wherein manual intervention is required to close the control switch, thereby connecting the intelligent algorithms with the rig control system and turning control of the drilling rig over to the intelligent algorithms. 
     
     
         10 . In an automated drilling rig control system in which one or more intelligent algorithms are in two-way communication with a rig control system and are configured to provide continuous external control over the a rig control system, the automated drilling rig control system comprising a safety logic module deployed between the intelligent algorithms and the rig control system, the safety logic module configured to automatically disconnect the intelligent algorithms from the rig control system when an unsafe condition is detected, thereby preventing the intelligent algorithms from controlling the rig control system. 
     
     
         11 . The automated system of  claim 10 , wherein the safety logic module comprises:
 an algorithm side logic module in communication with the intelligent algorithms;   a rig side logic module in communication with the rig control system; and   a control switch configured to selectively connect and disconnect the intelligent algorithms and the rig control system from one another.   
     
     
         12 . The automated system of  claim 11 , wherein the algorithm side logic module is configured to:
 communicate with the intelligent algorithm at a predetermined time interval; and   open the control switch when communication is broken between the intelligent algorithms and the algorithm side logic module thereby disconnecting the intelligent algorithms from the rig control system, said opening of the control switch operative to prevent the intelligent algorithms from controlling the rig control system.   
     
     
         13 . The automated system of  claim 11 , wherein the rig side logic module is configured to:
 communicate with the rig control system at a predetermined time interval; and   open the control switch when communication is broken between the rig control system and the rig side logic module thereby disconnecting the intelligent algorithms from the rig control system, said opening of the control switch operative to prevent the intelligent algorithms from controlling the rig control system.   
     
     
         14 . The automated system of  claim 11 , wherein manual intervention is required to close the control switch, thereby connecting the intelligent algorithms with the rig control system and turning control of the drilling rig over to the intelligent algorithms.