CA2638335A1

CA2638335A1 - Mobile autonomous communications system

Info

Publication number: CA2638335A1
Application number: CA 2638335
Authority: CA
Inventors: John Castanias
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-07-21
Filing date: 2008-07-21
Publication date: 2010-01-21

Abstract

A mobile autonomous communications system comprises a mast, a solar panel, a mobile communications signal booster, and electrical storage system. A solar panel controller is connected via respective cables to control the solar panel(s) and the electrical storage system and to power the mobile communications signal booster. A first antenna is connected to the mobile communications signal booster to transfer cellular communications signals between the mobile communications signal booster and a cell site of a cellular telephone system provider. The mobile communications signal booster is connected to communicate with a local terminal. The mobile communications signal booster, solar panel and electrical storage system is installed in one or more weatherproof enclosures.

Description

MOBILE AUTONOMOUS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This relates to the technical field of mobile autonomous communication systems.
BACKGROUND

[0002] Due to topography or distance from an existing cell tower many remote areas have poor or no cellular reception. On oil rigs, both drilling and service types, communication equipment is often mounted directly on a rig. This creates hazards for personnel mounting the equipment and increases power demands for the communication equipment from the rig's available electricity. Moreover, in many oil and gas remote sites the majority of the available electricity may be needed for the operation of monitoring equipment, such as RTUs and SCADA shacks, and not available to possible communication towers.

[0003] Current communications systems are often hazardous, expensive and difficult to set up. During emergency situations, such as civil uprisings, earthquakes, fires or floods, or other natural disasters that compromise power and communication systems, for example due to the loss of a local station or tower, it may not be practical to set up a traditional communication system. Tradition communication systems may require more time or resources to set up than is available during emergencies. For example, traditional communication systems may require set-up equipment such as a picker truck, external electricity, and a crane to set up.

[0004] Other existing communication services, such as satellite phones are expensive to use and may be unreliable due to changing satellite orbits or failing satellites.

SUMMARY

[0005] In an embodiment there is provided a mobile autonomous communications system, comprising a mast and a mobile communications signal booster. A power controller is connected via a cable to power the mobile communications signal booster. A
first antenna is connected to the mobile communications signal booster to transfer cellular communications signals between the mobile communications signal booster and a cell site of I

a cellular telephone system provider. The mobile communications signal booster is connected to communicate with a local terminal. The mobile communications signal booster and the power controller are installed in one or more weatherproof enclosures.

[0006] These and other aspects of the device and method are set out in the claims, which are incorporated here by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0007] Embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures, in which like reference characters denote like elements, by way of example, and in which:

[0008] Fig. I is a side view of a mobile autonomous communication system with a solar panel;

[0009] Fig. 2 is a plan view of a booster, solar controller and a battery in a weatherproof enclosure.

[0010] Fig. 3 is a side view of a mobile autonomous communications system; and

[0011] Fig. 4 is a plan view of a signal booster and power controller in a weatherproof enclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Immaterial modifications may be made to the embodiments described here without departing from what is covered by the claims.

[0013] In Figs. I and 2, there is shown a mobile autonomous communication system 10, having a mast 12, a solar panel 14, and a weatherproof enclosure 24, containing a mobile communications signal booster 16 (Fig 2), an electric storage system 18 and a power controller 20. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the power controller 20 is a solar panel controller. As shown in Fig. 2, the solar panel controller 20 is connected by cable 38 to control the solar panel 14 and by cable 28 to electrical storage system 18.
The solar panel controller 20 is also connected by cable 40 to power the mobile communications signal booster 16. An antenna 22 (Fig. 1) is connected to the mobile communications signal booster 16 by cable 34 to transfer cellular communications signals between the mobile communications signal booster 16 and a cell site of a cellular telephone system provider 46 (Fig. 1).

[0014] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the solar panel 14 is connected to the mast 12.
In other embodiments the solar panel 14 may be on the ground or on a separate support structure depending on the availability of sunlight at different locations.
The weatherproof enclosure 24 may also be placed on a separate structure or on the ground. The mobile communications signal booster 16 (Fig. 2) and the power controller 20 may lie in separate weatherproof enclosures. The electrical storage system 18 may lie in the same weatherproof enclosure as the signal booster 16 or the power controller 20 or may be lie in a completely separate weatherproof container. The mast 12 may be a pneumatic telescoping mast. For example, the mast 12 may be made from aluminum or carbon fiber in ten-foot sections.
Depending on the application, other types of masts may be used and in some embodiments the mast 12 may be a non-telescoping mast. A telescoping mast may be used for ease of transportation of the mobile autonomous communications system 10 and may be mounted on a trailer deck.

[0015] In some embodiments the mobile communications signal booster 16 may have a power rating of 3 Watts or less. In other embodiments, the booster may have a much higher power rating, such as up to 100 Watts or more. The mast may have a stabilization control, such as guy wires. As shown in Fig. 1, the stabilization control includes an aluminum collar 42, supports 32 and anchors 44. In some embodiments, the supports 32 may be, for example, tether straps or braided steel wire. Additionally, the mast 12 may be partially inserted into the ground 26 for additional stability as shown in Fig. 1. In other embodiments, the mast 12 may be attached to the side or roof of a building. The antenna 22 may be unidirectional.
Additional antennas, such as antenna 30 may be connected to the mobile communications signal booster 16, for example by cable 36. The antenna 30 transmits the cellular signal to a local terminal 48 in the area. The local terminal 48 may be, for example, a cellular phone or a computer with air card cellular internet service. The antenna 30 may boost the signal for ground coverage. In one embodiment, the solar panel 14 may have a rating in the 10 - 160 Watt range. The size of the solar panel and the strength of the battery may depend on the number of calls or the number of internet sessions required at a site per day.
In some embodiments, a larger solar panel and battery may be used where a large number of calls per day are anticipated. In some embodiments, the mobile communications signal booster 16 may connect directly to a local terminal 48, such as a cell phone.

[0016] The mobile autonomous communication system 10 may be applicable for cell phones, internet and other communication systems. Research suggests that in some embodiments the mobile autonomous communications system may establish a useable link to the nearest cell tower at distances of more than 30 kilometers. In an embodiment, the mobile autonomous communication system 10 provides more than a 35-meter radius of service surrounding the mobile autonomous communication system 10 for cell or internet service. The radius of service may vary depending on the vegetation and topology of the area surrounding the system 10 and may be reduced in areas with dense trees or shrubs or with numerous buildings.

[0017] The mobile autonomous communications system 10 may be used to improve service and maintenance of remote oilfield sites by providing improved cellular and internet coverage. The system 10 enables field personnel to relay and receive information from offices and other field personnel pertaining to the complex monitoring sites.
If a specialist or coaching for a particular repair or procedure is needed, information may be relayed using the system 10 without requiring the specialist to travel to the remote site from a head office or a specialist office.

[0018] By providing communication equipment that is not mounted directly on a rig, safety at the rig site is increased. The system 10 may be assembled by connecting all the equipment to the mast 12 before the mast 12 is raised. The system 10 may be powered independently from the rig site. The mast 12 and the associated equipment are raised after the equipment is secured, therefore reducing the hazard of rig climbing to personnel. The independent power source for the system 10 means that power is not drained from available electricity at remote sites that may be required for other uses, such as for monitoring equipment. The system 10 operates without requiring the use of electrical outlets, which are often of limited availability in oilfield applications. In actual operation, the system 10 may only be used several times during the year, for example during emergency situations where outside communication is necessary. The system 10 may be used in any weather conditions or light conditions, such as during the night, and the electrical storage system 18 may hold charge for hours even when the system 10 is in use. In emergency situations, traditional electricity may not be available due to blackout conditions and therefore having an independent energy source may be highly advantageous. The system 10 provides continuous communication with renewable battery power.

[0019] In an emergency, even if the system 10 is not permanently installed, the system 10 enables the restoration of communications by accessing a tower outside the normal range from the emergency zone within the short amount of time required to erect the system 10. In some embodiments, two people can assemble the system 10 in under an hour. The location and extent of coverage of the system 10 may vary due to the topography of the area.

[0020] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the power controller 20 may be connected to a power source 54, such as, for example, a generator or standard electrical power source rather than a solar panel power source, depending on the application. A generator may be used in areas where there are equipment and personnel readily available, such as for example forest fire equipment and forest fire personnel. The power controller 20 may also use standard electrical power in areas where standard electrical power is available and unlimited, for example at remote farms or campgrounds. At these locations the power controller 20 may include an inverter to convert the power from AC to DC. The power source 54 may also be an electric cigarette lighter in a vehicle. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the mobile communications signal booster 16 may be connected directly to a local terminal 48 through a cable 50. A cable 52 connects the power controller 20 to the power source 54.
A video camera 56 may be installed onto the mast 12, which may be connected to the local terminal 48 to transmit data to an offsite location. The video camera 56 may be used to provide surveillance or to provide images of the worksite for personnel who may be communicating with onsite workers through the system 10. The video camera 56 may receive power from the power controller 20.

[0021] Applications for the system 10 include, for example, commercial applications, such as businesses in forestry, fishing, mining or seismic sites, where personnel are working far from established communities or head offices, recreation sites, such as remote fishing lodges or campgrounds with poor communication access, and internationally, where only cities have cellular access and where boosting may increase the coverage to a larger surrounding area, for example, in Africa where few landlines may be available.

[0022] In other embodiments, the mast 12 (Fig. 1) may be a pole or a tower depending on the terrain, the weather conditions and the desired length of time the system is in operation,.
In one embodiment, the mast may be divided into 10 foot sections and may be joined together by threaded cuffs or by nuts, bolts, washers and spring washers. In some embodiments, the mast may be partially sunk into the ground or may be anchored to a piling, or may be partially sunk into the ground and anchored. The mast may be made from any of a number of materials, such as, for example, aluminum, steel, composite or alloy.

[0023] In some embodiments, the antenna 22 (Fig. 1) may be a Yagi, Log or an Omni directional antenna. In some embodiments, the antenna 30 may be a Yagi or an Omni directional antenna. The antennas may use a co-axial cable to transmit and receive the signals. In other embodiments, other wiring or wireless links may be used. In an embodiment, the solar panel 14 may be a 10 - 80 Watt, or multiples thereof, solar panel. The system 10 may have more than one solar panel. In some embodiments, the electrical storage system 18 may be a sealed lead acid 12-volt 4.5-100 ampere-hour battery. In some embodiments, the solar panel controller 20 may be a 12-volt 6-amp solar controller. The solar panel controller 20 may have higher amperage depending on the number of solar panels. The cable 38 may be a 3/12 wire. In some embodiments, the mobile communications signal booster 16 may be a 3-Watt booster.

[0024] In some embodiments, the weatherproof enclosure 24 may be metal and the enclosure design may be different depending on the particular needs of the user. Internal connections may vary depending the component shapes and sizes. In some embodiments, water resistant grease may be applied to all connections throughout the system and the antennas and solar panel may affix to the mast or weatherproof enclosure using metal components. Internal component ratings may be different depending on the particular needs of the user.

[0025] In some embodiments, the system 10 may be mounted on a vehicle or trailer for added mobility.

[0026] In the claims, the word "comprising" is used in its inclusive sense and does not exclude other elements being present. The indefinite article "a" before a claim feature does not exclude more than one of the feature being present. Each one of the individual features described here may be used in one or more embodiments and is not, by virtue only of being described here, to be construed as essential to all embodiments as defined by the claims.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A mobile autonomous communications system, comprising:
a mast;
a mobile communications signal booster;
a power controller connected via a cable to power the mobile communications signal booster;
a first antenna connected to the mobile communications signal booster to transfer cellular communications signals between the mobile communications signal booster and a cell site of a cellular telephone system provider;
the mobile communications signal booster being connected to communicate with a local terminal; and the mobile communications signal booster and the power controller being installed in one or more weatherproof enclosures.

2. The mobile autonomous communications system of claim 1 further comprising a solar panel and an electrical storage system, and in which the power controller is a solar panel power controller connected via respective cables to the solar panel and the electrical storage system.

3. The mobile autonomous communications system of claim 2 in which the electrical storage system is installed in the one or more weatherproof enclosures.

4. The mobile autonomous communications system of any one of claims 1-3 further comprising a second antenna connected to the mobile communications signal booster to provide a communication connection between the mobile communications signal booster and the local terminal

5. The mobile autonomous communications system of any one of claims 2 - 4 in which the solar panel is installed on the mast.

6. The mobile autonomous communications system of any one of claims 1 - 5 in which the mast is a pneumatic telescoping mast.

7. The mobile autonomous communications system of any one of claims 1 - 6 in which the mobile communications signal booster has a power rating of 3 Watts or less.

8. The mobile autonomous communications system of any one of claims 1 - 7 in which the mast has stabilization control.

9. The mobile autonomous communications system of any one of claims 1 - 8 in which the first antenna is a directional antenna.

10. The mobile autonomous communications system of any one of claims 1 - 9 further comprising one or more additional antennas each connected to the mobile communications signal booster.

11. The mobile autonomous communications system of any one of claims 1 - 10 in which the mast is installed with a portion of the mast inserted into the ground.

12. The mobile autonomous communication system of claim 1 in which the power controller is an inverter for converting electrical energy from a generator or a standard electrical power source.