Method for checking a screwing state of a tubular threaded seal
AssigneeVallourec Oil and Gas France
InventorsNicolas Breziat, Sebastien Colin, Alastair Brodie, Sébastien Petit, Hanae Qozam
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Abstract
A method for monitoring a makeup state of a threaded connection including a male threaded tubular element and a female threaded tubular element. In the method, during makeup of the male threaded element into the female threaded element, a variation with time of a dimensional characteristic of at least one of the elements is measured in a pre-defined direction. Next, the variation with time of the characteristic is analyzed to determine a makeup state for the threaded connection.
Claims13
A method for monitoring a makeup state of a threaded tubular connection, the threaded connection including a male threaded tubular element and a female threaded tubular element configured to contact along an abutment surface, the method comprising:
- during makeup of the male threaded element into the female threaded element, measuring a variation over time of at least one dimensional characteristic of at least one of the elements in a pre-defined direction, the measuring comprising:
- measuring a length of the female threaded element in an axial direction in a portion between the abutment surface and an end of the female threaded element near the abutment surface;
- and
- measuring a thickness of the female threaded element in a direction radial to the abutment surface, and
- analyzing the variation with time of the characteristic to determine a makeup state for the threaded connection,
- wherein the dimensional characteristic is deformation of at least one of the elements and is measured by a propagation time of an ultrasound signal.
A device for monitoring a makeup state of a threaded tubular connection, the threaded connection including a male threaded tubular element and a female threaded tubular element configured to contact at an abutment surface, the device comprising:
- circuitry configured to measure a variation over time of at least one dimensional characteristic of at least one of the elements in a pre-defined direction, the dimensional characteristic being deformation of at least one of the elements and analyze the variation over time of the characteristic to determine a makeup state of the threaded connection;
- a gripping head configured to grip the male threaded element and the female threaded element;
- a first ultrasonic transducer arranged in the gripping head to measure a length of the female threaded element in an axial direction in a portion between the abutment surface and an end of the female threaded element near the abutment surface;
- and
- a second ultrasonic transducer arranged in the gripping head to measure a thickness of the female threaded element in a direction radial to the abutment surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.