# US 10,309,168 B2 · Method for checking a screwing state of a tubular threaded seal > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,309,168 B2 - Document ID: US10309168B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/649,028 - Filed: 2013-12-16 - Published: 2015-10-29 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-18 - Assignees: Vallourec Oil and Gas France - Applicants: Vallourec Oil and Gas France - Inventors: Nicolas Breziat; Sebastien Colin; Alastair Brodie; Sébastien Petit; Hanae Qozam - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309168B2 ## CPC - E21B 19/165: {Control or monitoring arrangements therefor} - G01N 29/07: by measuring propagation velocity or propagation time of acoustic waves - F16L 15/00: Screw-threaded joints; Forms of screw-threads for such joints - F16L 15/001: {with conical threads} - G01N 2291/011: Velocity or travel time - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein to measure the dimensional characteristic, the ultrasound signal is emitted into a body of the element and a round trip propagation time of the emitted ultrasound signal is analyzed in the pre-defined direction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dimensional characteristic represents a thickness in a substantially radial pre-defined direction or a length in a substantially axial pre-defined direction of the threaded element. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dimensional characteristic is measured in a portion of the threaded element including a sealing surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the variation in the dimensional characteristic corresponds to elongations and/or contractions of the element in the pre-defined direction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising managing stopping of makeup of the connection as a function of the measurement of the dimensional characteristic. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A method for connecting a connection, in which a female element and a male element are connected by makeup, employing the monitoring method as claimed in claim 1. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, a male threaded tubular element and a female threaded tubular element are configured to contact along a sealing surface, the measuring further comprising measuring a thickness of the female threaded element in a direction radial to the sealing surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one zone with a change of slope is identified in a profile of the variation in the dimensional characteristic and a correspondence is established between the zone and a makeup state of the threaded connection. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein, to establish the correspondence, the profile of the variation is modelled using a mathematical method or a finite element method, and a measured profile of the variation is compared with the model profile. ### Claim 11 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. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the circuitry is further configured to manage stopping of the makeup of the connection as a function of the measurement of the dimensional characteristic. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein a male threaded tubular element and a female threaded tubular element are configured to contact along a sealing surface, the device further comprising a third ultrasonic transducer arranged in the gripping head to measure a thickness of the female threaded element in a direction radial to the sealing surface.