Abstract: A method for controlling a peripheral drilling operation involves obtaining a first property of a first drilling operation component associated with the peripheral drilling operation, via a wireless network, obtaining a second property of a second drilling operation component associated with the peripheral drilling operation, generating a control signal for the first drilling operation component, based on the first property and the second property, and communicating the control signal to the first drilling operation component, via the wireless network, where the first drilling operation component is adjusted, based on the control signal, to control the peripheral drilling operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a failure protection apparatus including an air source providing air having an air pressure, a first valve in fluid communication with the air source permitting fluid communication of a control fluid between a first fluid port and a second fluid port when the air pressure is at least a minimum air pressure and preventing fluid communication of the control fluid between the first fluid port and the second fluid port when the air pressure is below the minimum air pressure, a second valve in fluid communication with the air source preventing communication of air between an air inlet and an air outlet when the air pressure is at least the minimum air pressure and permitting communication of air between the air inlet and the air outlet when the air pressure is below the minimum air pressure, a third valve in fluid communication with the air source permitting communication of air to a third valve outlet when the air pressure is at least the minimum air pressure and preventing communic

Abstract: An intrinsically safe data acquisition system is disclosed for use in hazardous locations. The system includes a driller's console that itself is intrinsically safe and includes a large LCD monitor, keypad and local CPU. The system further includes satellite data acquisition and processing boxes that are also intrinsically safe and that are located within the hazardous area. Each satellite box includes its own CPU and acquires and locally processes signals received from a number of field sensors. The satellite box converts the signals into digital form, and transmits the data via a fiber optic communication channel to a master CPU box located in an unclassified area. A high current intrinsically safe barrier distributes power from the master CPU box to the satellite box for powering all the sensors supported by that satellite box. Another such barrier distributes all the power required by the driller's console.