# US 10,480,291 B2 · Control system for hydrocarbon recovery tools > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,480,291 B2 - Document ID: US10480291B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/804,690 - Filed: 2017-11-06 - Published: 2019-05-09 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2017-11-06 - Assignees: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC - Applicants: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC - Inventors: Michael Wiedecke; Bjoern Thiemann; Carlo Hoelterling; Frank Wern - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480291B2 ## CPC - E21B 19/165: {Control or monitoring arrangements therefor} - E21B 19/00: Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables - E21B 19/161: {using a wrench or a spinner adapted to engage a circular section of pipe (E21B19/168 takes precedence)} - E21B 41/00: Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00 - E21B 44/00: Automatic control systems specially adapted for drilling operations, i.e. self-operating systems which function to carry out or modify a drilling operation without intervention of a human operator, e.g. computer-controlled drilling systems; Systems specially adapted for monitoring a plurality of drilling variables or conditions - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract Methods and systems for controlling a set of tools for hydrocarbon recovery are presented. One example system generally includes a first tool and a first control device mounted on the first tool and configured to operate the first tool. The first control device includes an explosion-proof housing and a processor disposed in the housing. The system further includes a second tool and a second control device mounted on the second tool and configured to operate the second tool. The second control device includes an explosion-proof housing and a processor disposed in the housing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tubular handling system, comprising: a first tool; and a first control device mounted on the first tool and configured to operate the first tool, the first control device comprising: an explosion-proof housing, the housing further comprising: a first chamber, wherein the first chamber contains a granular material; and a second chamber; and a processor disposed in the housing. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tubular handling system of claim 1, the first control device further comprising a wireless antenna connected to the housing, the wireless antenna configured to communicate with a remote controller. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The tubular handling system of claim 1, the first control device further comprises a status indicator configured to indicate an operation condition of the first control device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The tubular handling system of claim 1, wherein the second chamber contains a desiccant configured to remove moisture from the second chamber. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The tubular handling system of claim 1, wherein the first control device further includes a breathing gland disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber and configured to permit air flow between the first chamber and the second chamber. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The tubular handling system of claim 1, the first control device further comprising a plurality of cable connections configured to provide at least one of fluid communication, data, and signals between the first control device and the first tool. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The tubular handling system of claim 1, the housing further comprising cooling segments configured to transfer heat away from the housing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The tubular handling system of claim 1, wherein the processor is mounted on a heat sink. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The tubular handling system of claim 1, wherein the housing is a flameproof housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The tubular handling system of claim 1, wherein the first tool is a tong. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The tubular handling system of claim 1, wherein the second chamber comprises a removable front panel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The tubular handling system of claim 1, wherein the first chamber is configured to be unopenable. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The tubular handling system of claim 1, further comprising: a second tool; and a second control device mounted on the second tool and configured to operate the second tool, the second control device comprising: an explosion-proof housing; and a processor disposed in the housing. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The tubular handling system of claim 13, the second control device further comprising a plurality of cable connections configured to provide at least one of fluid communication, data, and signals between the second control device and the second tool. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The tubular handling system of claim 13, wherein: the first tool is a tong; and the second tool is a positioning arm connected to the tong. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The tubular handling system of claim 13, the second control device further comprising a wireless antenna connected to the housing, the wireless antenna configured to communicate with a remote controller. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The tubular handling system of claim 16, wherein the wireless antenna is configured to communicate with the first control device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The tubular handling system of claim 1, the first control device further comprising a circuit board disposed in the housing and extending through the first chamber and the second chamber. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The tubular handling system of claim 18, the first control device further comprising a plurality of seals configured to engage and seal against the circuit board. ### Claim 20 A tubular handling system, comprising: a first tool; and a first control device mounted on the first tool and configured to operate the first tool, the first control device comprising: an explosion-proof housing; a processor disposed in the housing; and a plurality of cable connections configured to provide at least one of fluid communication, data, and signals between the first control device and the first tool. ### Claim 21 A tubular handling system, comprising: a first tool; and a first control device mounted on the first tool and configured to operate the first tool, the first control device comprising: an explosion-proof housing, the housing further comprising cooling segments configured to transfer heat away from the housing; and a processor disposed in the housing. ### Claim 22 A tubular handling system, comprising: a first tool; and a first control device mounted on the first tool and configured to operate the first tool, the first control device comprising: an explosion-proof housing, wherein the housing is a flameproof housing; and a processor disposed in the housing.