US3745820A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Leak proof threaded connections
Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
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Filing: 1970-11-02
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Granted: 1973-07-17
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Expires: 1990-11-02
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for obtaining leak-proof threaded pipe connections for either double-end makeup or single-end makeup. In each instance, one pipe section is rotated and the torque required for such rotation is measured and the number of turns of the rotated pipe section are counted. The number of turns of the coupling are also counted in double-end makeup. Signals indicative of such torques and turns are fed to apparatus for control of connection makeup.
Inventors
- 👤 P Weiner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 03:50
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L15/00; E; E21; E21B; E21B19/00; E21B19/16; E21B19/165; E21B19/166
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
459 words
Apparatus for use in making up threaded pipe sections comprising means for rotating one of said pipe sections; torque measuring means for producing an output signal indicative of the torque exerted on said one pipe section; means for producing an output signal indicative of the amount of rotation of said one pipe section; and control means responsive to the output signal from said torque measuring means indicative of said torque and to the output signal indicative of the amount of rotation of said one pipe section for controlling makeup of said pipe sections, said control means including indicator means for indicating satisfactory or unsatisfactory makeup of said pipe sections, said control means also including means for transmitting a reference torque signal of a predetermined magnitude to said indicator means and means for transmitting a minimum torque signal of a predetermined magnitude larger than said reference torque signal to said indicator means and means for transmitting a maximum torque signal of a predetermined magnitude larger than said minimum torque signal to said indicator means, said control means additionally including means for transmitting a signal indicative of a predetermined number of low turns and for transmitting a signal indicative of a predetermined intermediate number of turns, greater than said low number of turns and for transmitting a signal indicative of a predetermined maximum number of turns greater than said intermediate number of turns to said indicator means, said turns signals being transmitted to said indicator means only upon transmission of said reference torque signal to said indicator means, whereby unsatifactory makeup of said pipe sections is indicated upon occurrence of one of the following: a. Transmission of said signal indicating a maximum number of turns to said indicator means before said minimum torque signal is transmitted to said indicator means; or b. Transmission of said maximum torque signal to said indicator means before said signal indicative of said predetermined intermediate number of turns is transmitted to said indicator means; or c. Transmission of said minimum torque signal to said indicator means before said signal indicative of said low number of turns is transmitted to said indicator means; and satisfactory makeup of said pipe sections is indicated upon occurrence of one of the following: d. Transmission of said minimum torque signal to said indicator means when or after said signal indicative of said intermediate number of turns is transmitted to said indicator means but befOre said signal indicative of said maximum number of turns is transmitted to said indicator means; or e. Transmission of said signal indicative of said intermediate number of turns to said indicator means when or after said minimum torque signal is transmitted to said indicator means but before said maximum torque signal is transmitted to said indicator means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
459 words
Apparatus for use in making up threaded pipe sections comprising means for rotating one of said pipe sections; torque measuring means for producing an output signal indicative of the torque exerted on said one pipe section; means for producing an output signal indicative of the amount of rotation of said one pipe section; and control means responsive to the output signal from said torque measuring means indicative of said torque and to the output signal indicative of the amount of rotation of said one pipe section for controlling makeup of said pipe sections, said control means including indicator means for indicating satisfactory or unsatisfactory makeup of said pipe sections, said control means also including means for transmitting a reference torque signal of a predetermined magnitude to said indicator means and means for transmitting a minimum torque signal of a predetermined magnitude larger than said reference torque signal to said indicator means and means for transmitting a maximum torque signal of a predetermined magnitude larger than said minimum torque signal to said indicator means, said control means additionally including means for transmitting a signal indicative of a predetermined number of low turns and for transmitting a signal indicative of a predetermined intermediate number of turns, greater than said low number of turns and for transmitting a signal indicative of a predetermined maximum number of turns greater than said intermediate number of turns to said indicator means, said turns signals being transmitted to said indicator means only upon transmission of said reference torque signal to said indicator means, whereby unsatifactory makeup of said pipe sections is indicated upon occurrence of one of the following: a. Transmission of said signal indicating a maximum number of turns to said indicator means before said minimum torque signal is transmitted to said indicator means; or b. Transmission of said maximum torque signal to said indicator means before said signal indicative of said predetermined intermediate number of turns is transmitted to said indicator means; or c. Transmission of said minimum torque signal to said indicator means before said signal indicative of said low number of turns is transmitted to said indicator means; and satisfactory makeup of said pipe sections is indicated upon occurrence of one of the following: d. Transmission of said minimum torque signal to said indicator means when or after said signal indicative of said intermediate number of turns is transmitted to said indicator means but befOre said signal indicative of said maximum number of turns is transmitted to said indicator means; or e. Transmission of said signal indicative of said intermediate number of turns to said indicator means when or after said minimum torque signal is transmitted to said indicator means but before said maximum torque signal is transmitted to said indicator means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 in which said pipe sections are well pipe sections.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
459 words
Apparatus for making up threaded pipe sections to a threaded coupling comprising: means for rotating one of said pipe sections; torque measuring means for producing an output signal indicative of the torque exerted on said one pipe section; means for producing an output signal indicative of the amount of rotation of said one pipe section; means for producing an output signal indicative of the amount of rotation of said coupling; and control means responsive to the output signal from said torque measuring means indicative of said torque and to the output signal indicative of the amount of rotation of said one pipe section and to the output signal indicative of the amount of rotation of said coupling for controlling makeup of said pipe sections to said coupling, said control means indicating unsatisfactory makeup upon occurrence of one of the following: a. Attainment of a predetermined maximum number of turns of said one pipe section before a predetermined minimum torque, greater than a predetermined reference torque, is reached; or b. Attainment of a predetermined maximum number of turns of said coupling before a predetermined minimum torque, greater than said reference torque, is reached; or c. Attainment of said minimum torque before a predetermined number of low turns of said one pipe section, less than a predetermined intermediate number of turns of said one pipe section is reached; or d. Attainment of said minimum torque before a predetermined number of low turns of said coupling, less than a predetermined intermediate number of turns of said coupling, is reached; or e. Attainment of a predetermined maximum torque greater than said minimum torque before a predetermined intermediate number of turns of said one pipe section, less than said maximum number of turns of said one pipe section, is reached; or f. Attainment of a predetermined maximum torque greater than said minimum torque before a predetermined intermediate number of turns of said coupling, less than said maximum number of turns of said coupling, is reached; and said control means indicating satisfactory makeup upon occurrence of one of the following: g. Attainment of said intermediate number of turns of said one pipe section on or after said minimum torque is reached but before said maximum torque is reached; or h. Attainment of said intermediate number of turns of said coupling on or after said minimum torque is reached but before said maximum torque is reached; or i. Attainment of said minimum torque on or after said intermediate number of turns is reached but before said maximum number of turns of said one pipe section is reached; or j. Attainment of said minimum torque on or after said intermediate number of turns is reached but before said maximum number of turns of said coupling is reached.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
459 words
Apparatus for making up threaded pipe sections to a threaded coupling comprising: means for rotating one of said pipe sections; torque measuring means for producing an output signal indicative of the torque exerted on said one pipe section; means for producing an output signal indicative of the amount of rotation of said one pipe section; means for producing an output signal indicative of the amount of rotation of said coupling; and control means responsive to the output signal from said torque measuring means indicative of said torque and to the output signal indicative of the amount of rotation of said one pipe section and to the output signal indicative of the amount of rotation of said coupling for controlling makeup of said pipe sections to said coupling, said control means indicating unsatisfactory makeup upon occurrence of one of the following: a. Attainment of a predetermined maximum number of turns of said one pipe section before a predetermined minimum torque, greater than a predetermined reference torque, is reached; or b. Attainment of a predetermined maximum number of turns of said coupling before a predetermined minimum torque, greater than said reference torque, is reached; or c. Attainment of said minimum torque before a predetermined number of low turns of said one pipe section, less than a predetermined intermediate number of turns of said one pipe section is reached; or d. Attainment of said minimum torque before a predetermined number of low turns of said coupling, less than a predetermined intermediate number of turns of said coupling, is reached; or e. Attainment of a predetermined maximum torque greater than said minimum torque before a predetermined intermediate number of turns of said one pipe section, less than said maximum number of turns of said one pipe section, is reached; or f. Attainment of a predetermined maximum torque greater than said minimum torque before a predetermined intermediate number of turns of said coupling, less than said maximum number of turns of said coupling, is reached; and said control means indicating satisfactory makeup upon occurrence of one of the following: g. Attainment of said intermediate number of turns of said one pipe section on or after said minimum torque is reached but before said maximum torque is reached; or h. Attainment of said intermediate number of turns of said coupling on or after said minimum torque is reached but before said maximum torque is reached; or i. Attainment of said minimum torque on or after said intermediate number of turns is reached but before said maximum number of turns of said one pipe section is reached; or j. Attainment of said minimum torque on or after said intermediate number of turns is reached but before said maximum number of turns of said coupling is reached.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for use in making up threaded pipe sections comprising: means for rotating one of said pipe sections; torque measuring means for producing an output signal indicative of the torque exerted on said one pipe section; means for producing an output signal indicative of the amount of rotation of said one pipe section; means for producing an output signal indicative of the amount of rotation of said other pipe section; and control means responsive to the output signal from said torque measuring means indicative of said torque and to the output signal indicative of the amount of rotation of said one pipe section and to thE output signal indicative of the amount of rotation of said other pipe section for controlling makeup of said pipe sections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for use in making up threaded pipe sections comprising: means for rotating one of said pipe sections; torque measuring means for producing an output signal indicative of the torque exerted on said one pipe section; means for producing an output signal indicative of the amount of rotation of said one pipe section; means for producing an output signal indicative of the amount of rotation of said other pipe section; and control means responsive to the output signal from said torque measuring means indicative of said torque and to the output signal indicative of the amount of rotation of said one pipe section and to thE output signal indicative of the amount of rotation of said other pipe section for controlling makeup of said pipe sections.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 4 including switch means for connecting said means for producing an output signal indicative of the amount of rotation of said other pipe section to said control means and when so connected said control means being also responsive to the output signal indicative of the amount of rotation of said other pipe section in controlling makeup of said pipe sections where said other pipe section is a coupling connected to a third pipe section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |