Rig control system

Abstract

Systems and methods for controlling a drilling rig. The system includes a first layer including a plurality of subsystem controllers coupled with a plurality of rig subsystems, the plurality of subsystem controllers being configured to control operating parameters of the plurality of rig subsystems. The system also includes a second layer configured to receive information from the first layer based on an operation of the plurality of rig subsystems, and to provide control of the plurality of rig subsystems. The system further includes a third layer configured to execute one or more process applications and to provide a task-based command to the second layer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for controlling a drilling rig, comprising:
 a first layer including a plurality of subsystem controllers coupled with a plurality of rig subsystems, the plurality of subsystem controllers being configured to control operating parameters of the plurality of rig subsystems;   a second layer configured to receive information from the first layer based on an operation of the plurality of rig subsystems, and to provide control of the plurality of rig subsystems; and   a third layer configured to execute one or more process applications and to provide a task-based command to the second layer.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer is configured to execute operations of a first complexity, the second layer is configured to execute operations of a second complexity, and the third layer is configured to execute operations of a third complexity, the first complexity being lower than the second complexity, and the second complexity being lower than the third complexity. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a human-machine interface is coupled to the second layer to operate and control one or more of the plurality of rig subsystems. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein a first of the plurality of rig subsystems is modifiable without requalifying others of the plurality of rig subsystems. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the second layer and the first layer interact via one or more supervisor controllers, and wherein the one or more supervisor controllers communicate with the first layer using a deterministic field bus protocol, and with the second layer through a data centric publisher-subscriber mode. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of subsystem controllers are each configured to execute a parameter-based command, fast-loop feedback, a safety feedback loop, or a combination thereof using the respective plurality of rig subsystems. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second layer is further configured to:
 determine one or more parameter-based commands based on the task-based command; and   transmit the one or more parameter-based commands to the first layer for execution.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second layer is configured to execute coordinated controls of the plurality of subsystems, to execute a model based controller to provide parameter-based commands to the first layer, to coordinate safety interlocks among subsystems, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of subsystem controllers are configured to receive sensor data from the plurality of rig subsystems, and wherein the second layer is configured to aggregate the sensor data from the plurality of subsystem controllers. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the second layer is configured to compare redundant sensor data of the sensor data and select a subset of the redundant sensor data based on an accuracy thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first layer or the second layer is configured to provide a clock, wherein the clock provides a uniform timestamp for the sensor data from the plurality of rig subsystems. 
     
     
         12 . A system for controlling a drilling rig, comprising:
 a plurality of first controllers each configured to control an operating parameter of a respective rig subsystem of a plurality of rig subsystems of the drilling rig and to receive sensor data therefrom, wherein the plurality of first controllers are configured to provide a feedback loop for executing a command related to the operating parameter; and   a second controller configured to receive sensor data from the plurality of first controllers and to coordinate control of the plurality of rig subsystems.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of first controllers is configured to independently control a safety parameter of the respective rig subsystems. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of first controllers are adjustable to control different types of rig subsystems, and wherein the second controller is configured to execute software that is adjustable based on the different types of rig subsystems. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a plurality of third controllers each coupled with a respective one of the plurality of first controllers, wherein the plurality of third controllers are configured to determine exposable data from the sensor data. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the second controller is configured to cause a uniform timestamp to be applied to the sensor data from the plurality of rig subsystems. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the second controller is configured to provide a uniform user interface for controlling the plurality of rig subsystems. 
     
     
         18 . A method for controlling a drilling rig, comprising:
 controlling operating parameters of a plurality of rig subsystems using a plurality of subsystem controllers in a first layer, wherein each of the plurality of subsystem controllers controls one of the plurality of rig subsystems independently of the others of the plurality of subsystem controllers;   generating feedback information using the first layer, based on the operation of the plurality of rig subsystems;   receiving the feedback information from the first layer, at a second layer; and   coordinating operation of the plurality of rig subsystems using the second layer.