Torque Calibrating System for Power Tongs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power tongs lack an efficient and cost-effective method for accurately calibrating the torque applied during make-up and break-out operations of threaded joints in tubular products, often relying on expensive and cumbersome measurement tools or operator experience, leading to potential over-torquing and damage.

Innovation Solution

A torque calibrating system comprising a power tong, a load cell assembly, and a hydraulic system with a pressure gage, where the load cell assembly senses the torque applied and transmits data to a sensor indicator, allowing for calibration of the power tong to establish safe operating torque ranges without the need for continuous measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If expensive and cumbersome measurement tools are used to measure torque, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorque measurement precisionVSAvoidmeasurement tool complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical torque measurement tools with a hydraulic pressure-based measurement system. The load cell assembly converts torque directly into hydraulic pressure signals that can be read on standard pressure gauges, eliminating the need for specialized mechanical torque measurement equipment while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses hydraulic fluid and pressure to transmit torque measurement information. The load cell assembly utilizes hydraulic pressure generated by the torque applied to the power tong, and this pressure is transmitted through hydraulic lines to standard pressure gauges for reading, converting a mechanical measurement problem into a hydraulic one.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Ease of operation

If operator experience is relied upon to estimate torque, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorque estimation easeVSAvoidtorque estimation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows operators to calibrate the power tong themselves using the load cell assembly and pressure gauge. The calibration process enables the power tong to display torque information directly on its own pressure gauge, eliminating the need for external measurement tools or reliance on operator experience and estimation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If torque calibration is not performed, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to over-torquing and damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidtorque application safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a calibration process that is performed beforehand to establish the relationship between hydraulic pressure and torque values. During normal operation, the calibrated power tong can directly display accurate torque information on the pressure gauge without requiring real-time calculation or estimation, ensuring reliable torque application while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient and safe power tong operations by calibrating the minimum and maximum torque values, reducing the reliance on expensive measurement tools and operator experience, thereby preventing over-torquing and ensuring accurate torque application.

Implementation Method 1

a load cell assembly that is adapted to sense the torque that is applied when the power tong is actuated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLoad cell sensing:

Implementation Method 2

a hydraulic system that is adapted to actuate the power tong, wherein the hydraulic system includes a pressure gage that is adapted to measure a hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic system when the power tong is actuated, and the measured hydraulic pressure corresponds to the load that is imposed on the load cell assembly and to the torque that is imposed on the second end of the torque arm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentUS10451513B2Torque calibrating system

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 NAT OILWELL VARCO LP

AI summary

A torque calibrating system that includes a power tong, a load cell assembly, and a torque arm having first and second ends, wherein the first end is adapted to impose a load on the load cell assembly when the power tong is actuated to impose a torque on the second end. The system also includes a hydraulic system that is adapted to actuate the power tong, wherein the hydraulic system includes a pressure gage that is adapted to measure a hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic system when the power tong is actuated, the measured hydraulic pressure corresponding to the load imposed on the load cell assembly and to the torque imposed on the second end of the torque arm.