Installation method and device for pipeline components

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11400568-B2
Application number	US-201916565866-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 10, 2019
Priority date	Sep 19, 2018
Publication date	Aug 2, 2022
Grant date	Aug 2, 2022

Abstract

Method and device for tightening a threaded connection, preferably for connecting pipeline components, wherein the threaded connection to be tightened comprises a connecting element unit having an external thread, a connecting element unit having an internal thread, and a seal element arranged therebetween.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for tightening a threaded connection between a first pipe and a second pipe, the threaded connection including a first connecting element unit having an external thread, a second connecting element unit having an internal thread, and a seal element arranged therebetween, the method comprising:
inserting the first pipe into the first connecting element unit and inserting the second pipe into the second connecting element unit;
turning the second connecting element unit toward the first connecting element unit with essentially no torque being applied, wherein a slope of a curve in a torque-rotational angle diagram extends nearly infinitely steeply and/or approximately parallel to a rotational angle axis in a y direction;
detecting when an ascertained ratio rotational angle (DW)/roque (DM) differs by at least +/−10% in relation to a preceding measurement thereby indicating a starting point of compression of the seal element;
thereafter, tightening the first connecting element unit and the second connecting element unit together while continuing to detect when the ascertained ratio rotational angle (DW)/torque (DM) differs by at least +/−10% in relation to a preceding measurement, wherein the ratio between rotational angle and torque or the slope of the cure in the torque-rotational angle diagram extends approximately linearly from the starting point of the compression of the seal element; and
continuing to detect when the ascertained ratio rotational angle (DW)/torque (DM) differs by at least +/−10% in relation to another preceding measurement and stopping further tightening when a threshold value is reached as indicated by a decrease of the slope of said curve, the threshold value being reached when a first end face of the first connecting element unit abuts against a second end face of the second connecting element unit.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the ratio between rotational angle and torque is ascertained by an algorithm.

Assignees

• Fischer G Rohrleitungssysteme Ag

Inventors

• Ebauer Alexander
• Reiz Robert

Classifications

• B25B13/08

  of open jaw type · CPC title

• B25B23/1425 Primary

  by electrical means · CPC title

• G01B21/02

  for measuring length, width, or thickness (G01B21/10 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F16L19/0212 Primary

  using specially adapted sealing means · CPC title

• F16L15/008

  with sealing rings · CPC title