US3871209A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of externally testing connections between tubular members
Assignee: BBVA USA
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Filing: 1971-03-25
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Granted: 1975-03-18
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Expires: 1991-03-25
Abstract
Abstract Connections between tubular bodies or members are tested by making the connection up a desired or predetermined amount, surrounding the connection externally to seal it off, and a suitable fluid medium is supplied externally to the surrounded connection or test the connection. In one embodiment, the connection between the tubular members is only partially made up to a predetermined condition at which a primary or initial seal should be established in the connection, unless there is some defect, foreign matter, or imperfection in the connection or tubular members. The connection is then surrounded externally to seal it off, and suitable fluid pressure is supplied externally to the surrounded, partially made up connection in an amount up to approximately the collapse pressure rating of the tubular bodies; however, in most instances, the fluid pressure will be applied to the partially made up connection at a predetermined amount less than the collapse pressure rating of the tubular bodies. While the pressure is maintained on the partially made up connection, any pressure decay from the maintained amount is noted or determined as an indication of a leak in the connection, which in turn indicates a defect, foreign matter, or imperfection in the connection. In another embodiment, the connection may be fully made up after it has been tested in the partially made up position, and it may then be tested by applying an external fluid pressure to the surrounded connection in an amount up to approximately the collapse pressure rating of the tubular members, and while such pressure is maintained, any pressure falloff or decay from the maintained amount of pressure is noted or determined as an indication of a leak or failure of the connection when fully made up. In still another embodiment, the connection is 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 condition, the connection is again subjected to the external pressure test as above described to determine if it leaks. 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
- 👤 Malvern M Hasha
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 00:46
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/26; G01M3/28; G01M3/2853; G01M3/2861
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of testing a substantially full made up connection between tubular members comprising the steps of: a. surrounding the connection externally to seal it off; b. applying an external pressure to the surrrounded connection within the range of approximately 60 percent to approximately 90 percent of the collapse pressure rating of the tubular bodies; and c. while maintaining such pressure, determining any pressure decay as an indication of the integrity of the connection between the tubular bodies.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of testing a substantially full made up connection between tubular members comprising the steps of: a. surrounding the connection externally to seal it off; b. applying an external pressure to the surrrounded connection within the range of approximately 60 percent to approximately 90 percent of the collapse pressure rating of the tubular bodies; and c. while maintaining such pressure, determining any pressure decay as an indication of the integrity of the connection between the tubular bodies.
Claim 3
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 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein such test is conducted while a tension is applied to the connection.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of testing a connection between tubular members 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 makeup torque for the connection; b. surrounding the connection externally to seal it off; c. applying an external pressure to the surrounded connection in an amount not greater than the collapse pressure rating of the tubular bodies; and d. determining any pressure decay from such amount.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of testing a connection between tubular members 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 makeup torque for the connection; b. surrounding the connection externally to seal it off; c. applying an external pressure to the surrounded connection in an amount not greater than the collapse pressure rating of the tubular bodies; and d. determining any pressure decay from such amount.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein such test is conducted with substantially no tension in the connection and tubular bodies.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 5 including the additional steps of: supplying additional torque to the connection to make it up in its final position; surrounding the connection externally to seal it off; applying an external pressure to the surrounded connection in an amount not greater than the collapse pressure rating of the tubular bodies; and determining any pressure decay from such amount.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein the test on the connection when it is made up to between 5 percent and 50 percent of the recommended full makeup torque is conducted with substantially no tension in the connection and wherein the test on the connection in its final position is made while tension is applied to the connection.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein the test on the connection when it is made up to between 5 percent and 50 percent of the recommended full makeup torque is conducted with substantially no tension in the connection and wherein the test on the connection in its final position is made while substantially no tension is applied to the connection.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 6 including the additional steps of: backing off the made up connection a predetermined amount; surrounding the connection externally to seal it off; applying an external pressure to the surrounded connection in an amount not greater than the collapse pressure rating of the tubular bodies; and determining any pressure decay from such amount.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of testing a connection between tubular members comprising the steps of: a. making up the connection between the tubular members to a predetermined amount of torque to effect a seaL in the connection at less than the recommended full makeup torque for the connection; b. surrounding the connection externally to seal it off; c. applying an external pressure to the surrounded connection in an amount not greater than the collapse pressure rating of the tubular bodies; and d. determining any pressure decay from such amount.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of testing a connection between tubular members comprising the steps of: a. making up the connection between the tubular members to a predetermined amount of torque to effect a seaL in the connection at less than the recommended full makeup torque for the connection; b. surrounding the connection externally to seal it off; c. applying an external pressure to the surrounded connection in an amount not greater than the collapse pressure rating of the tubular bodies; and d. determining any pressure decay from such amount.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 10 including the additional steps of: supplying additional torque to the connection to make it up in its final position; surrounding the connection externally to seal it off; applying an external pressure to the surrounded connection in an amount not greater than the collapse pressure rating of the tubular bodies; and determining any pressure decay from such amount.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein the test on the connection when it is made up at less than the recommended full makeup torque is conducted with substantially no tension in the connection and wherein the test on the connection in its final position is made while tension is applied to the connection.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein the test on the connection when it is made up at less than the recommended full makeup torque is conducted with substantially no tension in the connection and wherein the test on the connection in its final position is made while substantially no tension is applied to the connection.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 11 including the additional steps of: backing off the made up connection a predetermined amount; surrounding the connection externally to seal it off; applying an external pressure to the surrounded connection in an amount not greater than the collapse pressure rating of the tubular bodies; and determining any pressure decay from such amount.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of testing a connection between tubular members 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 effect an initial seal in the connection; b. surrounding the connection externally to seal it off; c. applying an external pressure to the surrounded connection in an amount not greater than the collapse pressure rating of the tubular bodies; and d. determining any pressure decay from such amount.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of testing a connection between tubular members 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 effect an initial seal in the connection; b. surrounding the connection externally to seal it off; c. applying an external pressure to the surrounded connection in an amount not greater than the collapse pressure rating of the tubular bodies; and d. determining any pressure decay from such amount.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 15 including the additional steps of: supplying additional torque to the connection to make it up in its final position; surrounding the connection externally to seal it off; applying an external pressure to the surrounded connection in an amount not greater than the collapse pressure rating of the tubular bodies; and determining any pressure decay from such amount.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
81 words
A process for leak testing a thread-connected, multiple-seal pipe joint having at least one inner seal and an external seal comprising: a. connecting the joint to a limited extent that engages at least one inner seal without engaging the external seal; b. surrounding the joint externally to seal it off; c. increasing fluid pressure externally of the joint to selected pressure significantly greater than the internal pressure; and d. detecting any resultant inflow into the joint of the pressurized external fluid.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
81 words
A process for leak testing a thread-connected, multiple-seal pipe joint having at least one inner seal and an external seal comprising: a. connecting the joint to a limited extent that engages at least one inner seal without engaging the external seal; b. surrounding the joint externally to seal it off; c. increasing fluid pressure externally of the joint to selected pressure significantly greater than the internal pressure; and d. detecting any resultant inflow into the joint of the pressurized external fluid.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
The process of claim 17 in which the amounts of torque applied in connecting the threads of the pipe joint and external fluid pressurization are significantly less than those corresponding to full tool joint connection torque and full rated pressure resistance of the tool joint.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 17 in which the pipe joint connecting and testing is conducted at a use location on pipe joints which are being quality control tested in a pipe string.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 17 wherein such test is conducted with substantially no tension in the joint.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 17 wherein such test is conducted whle tension is applied to the joint.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
56 words
The methoD of claim 17 including the additional steps of: a. connecting the joint to its final position; b. surrounding the joint externally to seal it off; c. increasing the fluid pressure externally to selected pressure significantly greater than the internal pressure; and d. detecting any resultant inflow into the joint of the pressurized external fluid.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
48 words
The invention of claim 22 wherein the test on the joint when it is connected only a limited extent is conducted with substantially no tension in the joint and wherein the test on the joint in its final position is made while tension is applied to the joint.
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) | 1978-03-17 | 1978-09-16 | 1979-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-17 | 1982-09-16 | 1983-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-17 | 1986-09-16 | 1987-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |