Method and apparatus for analysis of torque applied to a joint
AssigneeSalvesen Drilling Limited
InventorWilliam Skene
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for continuously monitoring the making-up a joint between two mutually-engageable threaded members (12,13,14,22,23), the threaded members having co-operating shoulder seal elements (18,19,20,21). The invention involves the application of torque to the mutually-engaging members and detecting when a shoulder-engaging position has been reached. A predetermined additional torque is then applied if a good joint is indicated as being achievable. If a good joint is indicated as not being achievable, the application of additional torque is terminated.
Claims16
A method of making up a joint between two mutually-engageable threaded members which have a shoulder seal incorporated therein, said method comprising continuously monitoring the torque applied to rotate a first of said members relative to the second member;
- continuously monitoring the engaging relationship of the first and second members between a first position and a second position;
- detecting torque applied adjacent the location at which shoulder engagement takes place;
- comparing said shoulder torque in relation to a predetermined optimum torque and predetermined maximum torque;
- and either applying further torque amounting to a proportion of said optimum torque if the addition of said proportion of the optimum torque to the shoulder torque does not exceed the maximum torque and thereby effecting a good joint or ceasing to apply further torque if the torque comparison indicates that a good joint cannot be achieved.
Apparatus for making up a joint between two mutually engageable threaded tubular members which have a shoulder seal incorporated therein, said apparatus comprising monitoring means for continuously measuring the torque applied to rotate a first of said members relative to the second member, monitoring means for continuously measuring the engaging relationship of the first and second members between a first position and a second position characterised in that there is provided means for detecting torque applied at the location adjacent which shoulder engagement takes place;
- comparison means for comparing said shoulder torque in relation to a predetermined optimum torque and predetermined maximum torque;
- and control means for either applying further torque amounting to a proportion of said optimum torque if the addition of said proportion of the optimum torque to the shoulder torque does not exceed the maximum torque and thereby effecting a good joint or ceasing to apply further torque if the torque comparison indicates that a good joint cannot be achieved.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.