Weatherford/lamb, Inc.

Charles W Calhoun

Peter D Weiner

Gary L Mee

Jerry A Collins

An apparatus for measuring and controlling a force such as torque, pull or weight. One example is an apparatus for making up two members having mating threaded connections, such as pipe joints, head bolts and all types of threaded fasteners for insuring that a specified torque has been applied. A comparator compares the measured torque with a desired torque value and disengages the making up of the joint when the measured torque exceeds the selected torque. A testing circuit is provided for applying a test value for testing the operation of the apparatus in the absence of actual measured torque. An adjustment circuit adjusts the output to conform with a known test value. An adjustment is provided to compensate for the length of the torque arm at which the torque measurement is made.

Apparatus for measuring and controlling a force

A method of and apparatus for making up two members having mating threaded connections, such as pipe joints or bolts, for insuring that a specified number of threads have been engaged and a specific torque has been applied. The mating threaded connections are threadably engaged while measurements are made of the torque required to turn one of the members relative to the other, and measurements are made of the number of turns of the members relative to each other. In order to insure that a bad joint is not made up, the measurements of torque and turns must remain within specified parameters or the threaded interconnection is discontinued. The method and apparatus further includes avoiding erroneous turn measurements that may occur such as due to bending or swaying of one of the members during makeup.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

Charles W Calhoun