US3795138A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of stage internal pressure testing connections between tubular members
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-03-25
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Granted: 1974-03-05
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Expires: 1991-03-25
Abstract
Abstract Connections between tubular bodies or members are tested by making the connection up to a desired or predetermined amount, the connection is sealed off by positioning seal means internally of the tubular members, and a suitable fluid medium is positioned between the seal means at an initial pressure substantially below the pressure which the connection will encounter during use, and any decay or falloff in pressure from this amount is noted or measured as an indication of a leak or other malfunction in the connection. In another embodiment, after the connection has been only partially made up a predetermined amount until a primary or initial seal is established in the connection, internal pressure then is initially applied in an amount less than that at which movement of the connection and tubular members occurs (generally, this pressure is substantially below the pressure which the connection will encounter during use), and any falloff or decay in pressure from this amount is determined as an indication of a leak or malfunction in the connection. If the connection does not leak at this pressure, it is increased in sequential amounts or increments to at least or greater than the pressure to which the connection will be subjected in use. In another embodiment, the connection is made up to the recommended full makeup torque; the connection is sealed off internal of the tubular member; and internally pressure is applied in sequential increments as above described to test the connection. In another embodiment, the connection may be backed off from its fully made up position, but retained in a relationship which should establish the primary or initial seal therein, and while in this partially made up position, the connection is again subjected to internal pressure testing in sequential increments as above described. The above tests may be conducted while the connection is not in tension; they may be conducted with the connection in tension; or they may be conducted when the connection is out of tension and then placed in tension.
Inventors
- 👤 M Hasha
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:21
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/26; G01M3/28; G01M3/2853; E; E21; E21B; E21B47/00; E21B47/10; E21B47/117
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of testing a threaded connection between tubular members comprising the steps of: a. making up the connection to effect a seal between the connection and tubular members; b. positioning seal means to seal off the tubular members internally on each side of the connection; c. internally pressurizing the connection between the seal meAns with fluid to a pressure which is less than the pressure to which the connection is subjected during use; and d. determining any pressure decay from such pressure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of testing a threaded connection between tubular members comprising the steps of: a. making up the connection to effect a seal between the connection and tubular members; b. positioning seal means to seal off the tubular members internally on each side of the connection; c. internally pressurizing the connection between the seal meAns with fluid to a pressure which is less than the pressure to which the connection is subjected during use; and d. determining any pressure decay from such pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 including the additional steps of increasing the internal pressure at least one increment between the seal means and determining any pressure decay at any increment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein such test is conducted with substantially no tension in the connection and tubular bodies.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein such test is conducted while a tension is applied to the connection.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of testing a threaded connection between tubular members wherein the connection has multiple seals including at least one inner seal and an external seal comprising the steps of: a. making up the connection between the tubular members in the range of about 5 percent to about 50 percent of the recommended full make up torque for the connection to engage at least one inner seal without engaging the external seal of the connection; b. positioning seal means to seal off the tubular members internally on each side of the connection; c. internally pressurizing the connection between the seal means with fluid to a pressure which is less than the pressure to which the connection is subjected during use; and d. determining any pressure decay from such pressure.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of testing a threaded connection between tubular members wherein the connection has multiple seals including at least one inner seal and an external seal comprising the steps of: a. making up the connection between the tubular members in the range of about 5 percent to about 50 percent of the recommended full make up torque for the connection to engage at least one inner seal without engaging the external seal of the connection; b. positioning seal means to seal off the tubular members internally on each side of the connection; c. internally pressurizing the connection between the seal means with fluid to a pressure which is less than the pressure to which the connection is subjected during use; and d. determining any pressure decay from such pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 5 including the additional steps of increasing the internal pressure at least one increment between the seal means and determining any pressure decay at any increment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method of claim 6 including the additional steps of thereafter making up the connection between the tubular members to substantially recommended full makeup torque and testing the connection internally by internally pressurizing between the seal means in increments from a pressure which is less than the pressure to which the connection may be subjected during use up to at least the pressure to which the connection may be subjected during use, and determining any pressure decay at any increment.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of testing a threaded connection between tubular members wherein the connection has multiple seals including at least one inner seal and an external seal comprising the steps of: a making up the connection between the tubular members to engage at least one inner seal without engaging the external seal of the connection; b. positioning seal means to seal off the tubular members internally on each side of the connection; c. internally pressurizing the connection between the seal means with fluid to a pressure which is less than the pressure to which the connection is subjected during use; and d. determining any pressure decay from such pressure.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of testing a threaded connection between tubular members wherein the connection has multiple seals including at least one inner seal and an external seal comprising the steps of: a making up the connection between the tubular members to engage at least one inner seal without engaging the external seal of the connection; b. positioning seal means to seal off the tubular members internally on each side of the connection; c. internally pressurizing the connection between the seal means with fluid to a pressure which is less than the pressure to which the connection is subjected during use; and d. determining any pressure decay from such pressure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 8 including the additional steps of increasing the internal pressure at least one increment between the seal means and determining any pressure decay at any increment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method of claim 9 including the additional steps of thereafter making up the connection between the tubular members to substantially recommended full makeup torque and testing the connection internally by internally pressurizing between the seal means in increments from a pressure which is less than the pressure to which the connection may be subjected during use up to at least the pressure to which the connection may be subjected during use, and determining any pressure decay at any increment.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of testing a threaded connection between tubular members wherein the connection has multiple seals including at least one inner seal and an external seal comprising the steps of: a. making up the connection between the tubular members until the tubular members are in spaced shoulder to shoulder relation by a predetermined amount to engage at least one inner seal without engaging the external seal of the connection; b. positioning seal means to seal off the tubular members internally on each side of the connEction; c. internally pressurizing the connection between the seal means with fluid to a pressure which is less than the pressure to which the connection is subjected during use; and d. determining any pressure decay from such pressure.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of testing a threaded connection between tubular members wherein the connection has multiple seals including at least one inner seal and an external seal comprising the steps of: a. making up the connection between the tubular members until the tubular members are in spaced shoulder to shoulder relation by a predetermined amount to engage at least one inner seal without engaging the external seal of the connection; b. positioning seal means to seal off the tubular members internally on each side of the connEction; c. internally pressurizing the connection between the seal means with fluid to a pressure which is less than the pressure to which the connection is subjected during use; and d. determining any pressure decay from such pressure.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 11 including the additional steps of increasing the internal pressure at least one increment between the seal means and determining any pressure decay at any increment.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method of claim 12 including the additional steps of thereafter making up the connection between the tubular members to substantially recommended full makeup torque and testing the connection internally by internally pressurizing between the seal means in increments from a pressure which is less than the pressure to which the connection may be subjected during use up to at least the pressure to which the connection may be subjected during use, and determining any pressure decay at any increment.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-04 | 1977-09-03 | 1978-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-04 | 1981-09-03 | 1982-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-04 | 1985-09-03 | 1986-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |