Threaded Tubular Coupling Quality Checks via Torque-Turn Shape Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for evaluating the quality of connections between tubular components with threaded portions are inadequate, leading to a high probability of unsatisfactory evaluations and potential safety and environmental risks, as they rely on limited parameters and require additional human supervision, which can slow down operations.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves obtaining a torque/turns curve during connection, comparing its parameters with reference curves in a database using an algorithm driven by automatic learning, and evaluating the connection quality based on shape and linearity analysis, including Principal Component Analysis and data partitioning techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods with limited parameters are used for evaluating connection quality, then the evaluation process is simple, but the reliability of the evaluation is low leading to high probability of unsatisfactory evaluations
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluation method is segmented into multiple distinct phases: initial engagement phase, sealing phase, and final tightening phase. Each phase has specific parameter ranges and evaluation criteria. This segmentation allows for more reliable evaluation by assessing different aspects of the connection process separately, rather than using a single limited parameter set.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds multiple dimensions to the evaluation by considering both torque values and number of turns simultaneously, creating a two-dimensional evaluation space. Furthermore, it introduces temporal dimension by evaluating different phases of the tightening process separately. This multi-dimensional approach significantly improves evaluation reliability compared to conventional single-parameter methods.
2Measurement precision
If additional human supervision is added to verify connection quality, then the evaluation accuracy improves, but the productivity decreases due to slower operations
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluation system performs self-assessment by automatically analyzing the torque/turns curve data and comparing it against predefined phase criteria. The system independently determines whether each phase was properly executed and provides an overall connection quality assessment without requiring human intervention, thus maintaining high accuracy while preserving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate feedback on connection quality by continuously monitoring torque and turns during the tightening process and comparing real-time data against the expected phase characteristics. This automated feedback loop ensures accurate assessment while maintaining fast operation speed, eliminating the need for slow manual verification.
3Measurement precision
If more parameters are considered in the evaluation, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different parameters are applied locally to different phases of the tightening process. For example, the initial engagement phase focuses on specific torque ranges, while the sealing phase emphasizes turn counts and torque stability. This localized parameter application improves measurement precision for each specific phase without requiring all parameters to be considered simultaneously, thus managing system complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for coupling a first tubular component (1) including a threaded portion (3) with a second tubular component (2) including a threaded portion (4), which comprises: engaging (11) the first tubular component (1) on the second tubular component (2); rotating (12) the first tubular component (1) relative to the second tubular component (2) in order to screw the threaded portions (3, 4) together; obtaining (13) a set of points constituting a curve that represents the torque applied during the screwing of the first tubular component (1) until an end position as a function of the number of turns performed by the first tubular component (1) relative to the second tubular component (2); comparing (20) one or more parameters of the curve obtained with one or more reference curve(s) of a database in which each reference curve is associated with an assessment of the quality of the coupling of first and second reference tubular components; and assessing (21) the quality of the coupling of the first and second tubular components (1, 2) according to the step of comparing (20) the curve obtained with the reference curves. Moreover, the comparing step (20) includes comparing the shape of at least one portion of the curve obtained.