Tubular Thread Inspection Device With Deformable Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inspection devices for hydrocarbon well tubular components are not versatile and often provide inaccurate, limited measurements for various threading profiles, as they are designed for specific types of threadings and struggle with precise measurement of thread roots and crests.
Innovation Solution
A device with two arms connected by a deformable portion allowing angular displacement, equipped with contact elements that can bear on thread crests or roots, and sensors to measure angular displacement, enabling precise measurement of thread root width across different threading profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional gauges are used for inspection, then the device structure is simple, but the measurement precision is insufficient and the device lacks versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection device employs two arms connected by a deformable portion that allows angular displacement between the arms. This dynamic structure enables the device to adapt to different threading profiles while maintaining measurement precision through the angular displacement measurement system.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed with contact elements that can bear on thread crests or roots and a deformable connection allowing angular displacement, enabling it to inspect various threading profiles (including self-locking and tapered profiles) with a single universal device rather than requiring multiple specialized gauges.
2Adaptability or versatility
If specialized gauges for specific threading types are used, then the measurement is accurate for that specific type, but the adaptability to different threading profiles is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable portion connecting the two arms enables angular displacement, allowing the device to accommodate different threading profiles dynamically while maintaining precise measurement capability through the angular displacement measurement system.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes its geometric parameters (angular displacement between arms) to adapt to different threading profiles. The measurement system detects these parameter changes to calculate thread root width accurately for various threading types including self-locking and tapered profiles.
3Productivity
If traditional inspection methods are used, then the measurement process is simple, but the inspection time is excessive and productivity is low
Solution Approach 1:
The device replaces complex manual makeup simulation operations with a mechanical measurement system that directly measures angular displacement between contact elements. This substitution eliminates time-consuming manual operations while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a device (9) for inspecting the width of the thread roots (3; 4) of a tubular component for the exploration or working of hydrocarbon wells, comprising two arms (91, 92) each provided with a first (912, 922) and a second (910, 920) end, the first ends (912, 922) being connected together by means of a deformable portion (95) allowing an angular displacement (e) between the second ends (910, 920), the second ends (910, 920) each carrying a contact element (930, 940) and the inspection device further comprising means (90) for determining the angular displacement (e). The invention also concerns a method for inspecting said threading.