METHODS OF CALIBRATING BORE GAUGES, SETTING PLATES FOR CALIBRATING BORE GAUGES, AND KITS INCLUDING A BORE GAUGE AND A SETTING PLATE

Abstract

A method of calibrating a bore gauge comprises inserting two or more radially extendable elements of a bore gauge into a selected calibrated setting bore or groove in a setting plate comprising a plurality of calibrated setting bores or grooves, each calibrated setting bore or groove of the plurality having a different calibrated nominal diameter. A micrometer of the bore gauge is adjusted so as to cause a measured diameter of the selected calibrated setting bore or groove to match a specified nominal diameter of the selected calibrated setting bore or groove. A setting plate for calibrating a bore gauge includes a plurality of calibrated setting bores or grooves, each calibrated setting bore or groove of the plurality having a different calibrated nominal diameter.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to methods and tools for measuring the inner diameter of bores machined or otherwise formed in industrial or commercial equipment and parts, and for calibrating bore gauges used for obtaining such measurements.

BACKGROUND

Many industrial and commercial components have internal cylindrical bores that must be fabricated to predetermined diameters with tight dimensional tolerances. To ensure that such bores conform with the specified dimensions, bore gauges are commercially available for obtaining such measurements.

For example, bore gauges are commercially available that have a main body with an internal analogue or digital micrometer. A bore head is attached to the main housing that has three radially extending elements distributed uniformly circumferentially (i.e., at 120° intervals) around the bore head. The bore head may be inserted into a cylindrical bore. A lever or dial on the main housing is then used to cause the elements to move outwardly until each of the three elements engages the inner wall of the component being measured within the bore. The micrometer within the main housing converts the movement of mechanical components within the main housing as the lever is pulled or pressed, or as the dial is rotated, to the full extent possible (i.e., until each of the three elements engages the inner wall of the component being measured) into a corresponding measurement of the diameter of the bore.

The stroke of the radially extending elements of a bore gauge is limited. Thus, different sizes of bore heads may be configured for measuring different ranges of bore diameters. For example, kits are commercially available that include a single main housing with an internal micrometer, and, for example, three bore heads each configured for measuring bore gauge diameters within differing ranges of diameters.

Other configurations of bore gauges are also known. For example, so called “inside” caliper bore gauges are known. These caliper bore gauges similarly include a main housing with an internal analogue or digital micrometer from which extend two caliper arms. A lever may be attached to the main housing that, when pulled or pressed, causes the caliper arms to move away from one another. The caliper arms may be inserted into an internal bore within a component, and the lever may be pressed or pressed until the distal ends of both caliper arms engage the inner walls of the component within the bore. The micrometer converts the movement of the caliper arms into a corresponding measurement of the diameter of the bore.

Such bore gauges must be calibrated to ensure that they provide and continue to provide accurate bore gauge measurements. So called “setting rings” are used to facilitate the calibration. Setting rings are also commonly referred to in the industry as “ring gauges.” A setting ring is an annular ring having an internal diameter that is manufactured to a specified diameter with exceedingly tight dimensional tolerances. By way of example, a setting ring having a nominal bore diameter of 75 mm may have a tolerance of ±0.0015 mm. To calibrate a bore gauge using such a setting ring, the bore gauge is used to measure the bore of the setting ring. If the micrometer does not measure the diameter of the bore of the setting ring to be that specified by the setting ring, the micrometer is adjusted until the measured bore gauge diameter matches the specified diameter of the setting ring.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In some embodiments, the present disclosure includes a method of calibrating a bore gauge. In accordance with such methods, two or more radially extendable elements of a bore gauge are inserted into a selected calibrated setting bore or groove in a setting plate comprising a plurality of calibrated setting bores or grooves, each calibrated setting bore or groove of the plurality having a different calibrated nominal diameter. A micrometer of the bore gauge is then adjusted so as to cause a measured diameter of the selected calibrated setting bore or groove to match a specified nominal diameter of the selected calibrated setting bore or groove.

In additional embodiments, the present disclosure includes a setting plate for calibrating a bore gauge that includes a plurality of calibrated setting bores or grooves, each calibrated setting bore or groove of the plurality having a different calibrated nominal diameter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a detailed understanding of the present disclosure, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements have generally been designated with like numerals, and wherein:

FIG. 1A is a plan view of a first embodiment of a setting plate of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a side view of the setting plate of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a table identifying the locations, diameters, and tolerances for calibrated setting bores formed in the setting plate of FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 3 illustrates a bore gauge that may be calibrated using the setting plate of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4 illustrates an inside caliper bore gauge that may be calibrated using the setting plate of FIGS. 1A and 1B or the setting plate of FIGS. 5A and 5B;

FIG. 5A is a plan view of a second embodiment of a setting plate of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5B is a side view of a the setting plate of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A illustrates an earth-boring tool in the form of an earth-boring rotary drill bit having internal bores that may be measured using bore gauges calibrated using setting plates as described herein;

FIG. 6B is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the drill bit of FIG. 6A including a fluid passageway comprising an internal bore that may be measured using bore gauges calibrated using setting plates as described herein; and

FIG. 6C is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the drill bit of FIGS. 6A and 6B including a fluid pressure compensation feature comprising an internal bore that may be measured using bore gauges calibrated using setting plates as described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustrations presented herein are not actual views of any bore gauge or tool for calibrating a bore gauge, but are merely idealized representations that are employed to describe embodiments of the present invention.

As used herein, the singular forms following “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

As used herein, the term “may” with respect to a material, structure, feature, or method act indicates that such is contemplated for use in implementation of an embodiment of the disclosure, and such term is used in preference to the more restrictive term “is” so as to avoid any implication that other compatible materials, structures, features, and methods usable in combination therewith should or must be excluded.

As used herein, any relational term, such as “first,” “second,” etc., is used for clarity and convenience in understanding the disclosure and accompanying drawings, and does not connote or depend on any specific preference or order, except where the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, these terms may refer to an orientation of elements of bore gauges or calibration tools when disposed as illustrated in the drawings.

As used herein, the term “substantially” in reference to a given parameter, property, or condition means and includes to a degree that one skilled in the art would understand that the given parameter, property, or condition is met with a small degree of variance, such as within acceptable manufacturing tolerances. By way of example, depending on the particular parameter, property, or condition that is substantially met, the parameter, property, or condition may be at least 90.0% met, at least 95.0% met, at least 99.0% met, or even at least 99.9% met.

As used herein, the term “about” used in reference to a given parameter is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the given parameter, as well as variations resulting from manufacturing tolerances, etc.).

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an example embodiment of a setting plate 100 in accordance with the present disclosure. The setting plate 100 may be used for calibrating bore gauges, as discussed in further detail herein below. The setting plate 100 includes a plurality of calibrated setting bores 102. Each of the calibrated setting bores 102 has a different calibrated nominal diameter.

The setting plate 100 may comprise a relatively wear-resistant material so as to avoid wear and prevent the diameters of the calibrated setting bores 102 from changing over time with use. In some embodiments, the setting plate 100 may comprise a metal or metal alloy, such as steel. As a non-limiting example, the setting plate 100 may comprise 8620 steel alloy that has been subjected to one or more thermal treatments to harden exterior surfaces of the setting plate 100. For example, the exterior surfaces of the setting plate 100 may be carburized to increase the hardness of the exterior regions of the setting plate 100. The carburized region of the setting plate 100 may extend from the exterior surfaces of the setting plate 100 to an interior depth of at least 0.025 inches, or even at least 0.050 inches (e.g., at least 0.055 inches). Furthermore, in some embodiments, the plate may be coated with chrome or a chrome alloy using, for example, a flash chrome plating process or a hard chrome plating process. As a non-limiting example, the chrome or chrome alloy may have a layer thickness of, for example, from 0.05 microns to 0.5 microns when applied using a flash chrome plating process. The chrome or chrome alloy may have a layer thickness of, for example, from 20.0 microns to 100.0 microns (e.g., about 40.0 microns) when applied using a hard chrome plating process. After plating, the calibrated setting bores 102 may be ground and lapped to fulfill the dimensional tolerances of each calibrated setting bore 102.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the setting plate 100 may be generally rectangular in shape, and may have a length X, a width Y, and a thickness Z. The setting plate 100 may have a different shape, such as circular or triangular, in other embodiments. The length X and width Y of the setting plate 100 may vary depending on the size and number of the calibrated setting bores 102 formed therein. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the setting plate 100 includes twenty-one (21) calibrated setting bores 102, and the setting plate 100 has a length X of about twenty (20) inches and a width Y of about ten (10.0) inches. In other embodiments, the setting plate 100 may include any number more than one (i.e., two or more) of calibrated setting bores 102, and the length X and width Y may be selected as needed to accommodate the desired number of calibrated setting bores 102 and the desired layout of the calibrated setting bores 102. The thickness Z of the setting plate 100 may be, for example, between about 0.25 inches about 2.0 inches or more (e.g., about 0.75 inches). The setting plate 100 is generally flat with planar exterior surfaces in the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B, but this is not required, and the exterior surfaces may be non-planar.

The calibrated setting bores 102 are cylindrical and defined by cylindrical surfaces 104 formed in the setting plate 100. As mentioned, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the setting plate 100 includes twenty-one (21) calibrated setting bores 102. The calibrated setting bores 102 are numbered from #1 to #21 in FIG. 1A. FIG. 2 is a table identifying the X- and Y-coordinates of each of the twenty-one (21) calibrated setting bores 102, and also identifies their nominal diameter (HOLE Ø) and the dimensional tolerances (CLASS Z TOL) for each respective calibrated setting bore 102. In some embodiments, each calibrated setting bore 102 may have Class Z dimensional tolerances or better. Class Z dimensional tolerances have an allowed deviation of 0.0001 inches or less, and an Ra surface roughness of 8 μ-inch or less. In other embodiments, the calibrated setting bores 102 may have Class ZZ dimensional tolerances (i.e., an allowed deviation of 0.0002 inches or less, and an Ra surface roughness of 10 μ-inch or less), Class X dimensional tolerances (i.e., an allowed deviation of 0.00004 inches or less, and an Ra surface roughness of 4 μ-inch or less), or even Class XX dimensional tolerances (i.e., an allowed deviation of 0.00002 inches or less, and an Ra surface roughness of 2 μ-inch or less).

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 2, the calibrated setting bores 102 have different calibrated nominal diameters. In the illustrated embodiment, the nominal diameters of the twenty-one calibrated setting bores 102 range from 0.375 inches to 5.0 inches.

In some embodiments, the plurality of calibrated setting bores 102 of the setting plate 100 comprises a first calibrated setting bore 102 having a first specified nominal diameter, a second calibrated setting bore 102 having a second specified nominal diameter that is at least five (5) times, at least eight (8) times, or even at least ten (10) times larger than the first specified nominal diameter. The plurality of calibrated setting bores 102 of the setting plate 100 may further include at least three additional setting bores 102 each having a different specified nominal diameter between the nominal diameters of the first and second calibrated setting bores 102. This allows the setting plate 100 to be used for calibration of a wide range of diameters using a single setting plate 100. To this end, the setting plate 100 optionally may comprise at least twenty (20) calibrated setting bores 102 each having a different specified nominal diameter.

For example, in some embodiments, the plurality of calibrated setting bores 102 of the setting plate 100 comprises a first calibrated setting bore 102 having a specified nominal diameter of 0.5 inches or less, a second calibrated setting bore 102 having a specified nominal diameter of 4.0 inches or more, and at least three additional setting bores 102 each having a different specified nominal diameter between the nominal diameters of the first and second calibrated setting bores 102. For example, the at least three additional setting bores 102 may comprise a third calibrated setting bore 102 having a specified nominal diameter of 1.0 inches, a fourth calibrated setting bore 102 having a specified nominal diameter of 2.0 inches, and a fifth calibrated setting bore 102 having a specified nominal diameter of 3.0 inches.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the calibrated setting bores 102 extend entirely through the setting plate 100. In other embodiments, the calibrated setting bores 102 may be blind bores that extend only partially through the setting plate 100.

In some embodiments, each calibrated setting bore 102 of the setting plate 100 may be labeled with its nominal diameter, as shown in FIG. 1A. The respective nominal diameters may be machined or etched into the setting plate adjacent their respective calibrated setting bores 102.

FIG. 3 illustrates a non-limiting example embodiment of a bore gauge 106 that may be calibrated using the setting plate 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B. The bore gauge 106 includes a main housing 108 in the form of a pistol grip. The main housing 108 includes a digital micrometer 110, although the micrometer may be an analogue micrometer in additional embodiments. A bore head 112 is attached to the main housing 108 and includes three radially extendable elements 114. The main housing 108 of the bore gauge 106 may have a lever 116, movement of which causes the at least three radially extendable elements 114 to move radially outward from the bore head 112. The bore head 112 may be detachable from the main housing 108 of the bore gauge 106. As the stroke of the lever 116 is limited, the degree to which the radially extendable elements 114 may be extended radially outward from the bore head 112 is also limited, and bore heads 112 of different diameters may be employed in conjunction with the main housing 108 to enable measurement of bores in components having widely ranging diameters.

Other types of bore gauges are also known in the art, any of which may be calibrated using the setting plate 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B. For example, FIG. 4 illustrates a bore gauge 120 in the form of an “inside caliper” bore gauge. Like the bore gauge 106 of FIG. 3, the bore gauge 120 includes a main housing 122. The main housing 122 includes an analogue micrometer 124, although the micrometer may be a digital micrometer in additional embodiments. Two radially extendable elements 126 in the form of caliper arms extend from the main housing 122. The main housing 122 of the bore gauge 120 may have a lever 116, movement of which causes the radially extendable elements 126 to move radially outward away from one another so as to contact the cylindrical surface of a bore of a component to be measured.

Rather than a lever 116, 128, other embodiments of bore gauges that may be employed with setting plates of the present disclosure may include other mechanical components, such as a dial, for causing the radially extendable elements 114, 126 to move radially outward from one another so as to contact the cylindrical surface of a bore of a component to be measured.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate another embodiment of a setting plate 130 in accordance with the present disclosure. The setting plate 130 may be substantially the same as the setting plate 100 as described of FIGS. 1A and 1B, but rather than including the calibrated setting bores 102 of the setting plate 100, the setting plate 130 may include calibrated setting grooves 132. Calibrated setting grooves 132 may be employed when the bore gauge(s) to be used in conjunction with a setting plate includes only two radially extendable elements, like the two radially extendable elements 126 of the bore gauge 120 of FIG. 4. The setting grooves 132 occupy less area of the setting plate 130 (relative to calibrated setting bores 102 like those of the setting plate 100).

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the setting grooves 132 may be defined by internal surfaces 134 formed in the setting plate 130 by machining. The “diameter” of a setting groove 132 is defined herein as the diameter of a circle intersecting the two most distant points on the internal surfaces 134 of the setting grooves 132 (at the longitudinal ends of the setting grooves) when the two most distant points are diametrically opposite one another on the circle. In other words, the diameter of a setting groove 132 is the measured diameter when a bore gauge 120 (FIG. 4) having only two radially extendable elements 126 is inserted into the setting groove 132 and the radially extendable elements 126 are caused to contact the two most distant points on the internal surfaces 134 of the setting grooves 132.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the distal ends of the setting grooves 132 may be rounded or arcuate to improve the probability of the radially extendable elements 126 of the bore gauge 120 contacting the two most distant points on the internal surfaces 134 of the setting grooves 132 during calibration of the bore gauge 120. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5B, in some embodiments, a recess 135 may be formed in the interior surface 134 of the setting plate 130 within the setting grooves 132, and the diameter of the setting groove 132 may be the diameter of the setting groove 132 when measured while contacting the radially extendable elements 126 against the back walls within the recess 135. The recess 135 may ensure that the radially extendable elements 126 are substantially in the same vertical plane while calibrating the bore gauge 120 so as to improve the accuracy of the calibration process.

As with the setting plate 100, the setting plate 130 may include regions 136 in which each calibrated setting groove 132 of the setting plate 130 may be labeled with its nominal diameter, as shown in FIG. 5A. The respective nominal diameters may be machined or etched into the setting plate 130 adjacent their respective calibrated setting grooves 132.

To calibrate a bore gauge 106, 120 to a selected nominal diameter using a setting plate 100, 130, the radially extendable elements 114, 126 of the bore gauge 106, 120 are inserted into a selected calibrated setting bore or groove 102, 132 in the setting plate 100, 130 having a nominal diameter equal or close to the diameter to be measured, and the diameter of that selected calibrated setting bore or groove 102, 132 in the setting plate 100, 130 is measured. If the measured diameter does not match the nominal diameter of the selected calibrated setting bore or groove 102, 132, the micrometer 110, 124 of the bore gauge 106, 120 is adjusted so as to cause the measured diameter of the selected calibrated setting bore or groove 102, 132 to match the specified nominal diameter of the selected calibrated setting bore or groove 102, 132.

In the fabrication of industrial components, it may be necessary to measure the diameters of a wide range of different sized bores. Historically, a single, individual calibrated setting ring was used to calibrate a bore gauge for measurement of each bore diameter. This can result in the necessity to purchase, store, and maintain hundreds or even thousands of calibrated setting rings, each of which must be periodically checked and recalibrated to ensure that the nominal diameter of each setting ring remains as originally fabricated.

For example, in the oil and gas industry, earth-boring tools of various sizes are fabricated for use within wellbores of different sizes. FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an earth-boring tool in the form of a rotary drill bit 150. The drill bit 150, depicted as a roller cone bit, includes a bit body 152 having three legs 154 depending from the body 152. A roller cone 156 is rotatably mounted to a respective bearing pin formed on each of the legs 154. Each roller cone 156 may comprise a plurality of cutting elements 158, which may comprise teeth machined on the outer surfaces of the cones 156 as shown, or they may comprise separately formed inserts that are attached to the cones 156. The drill bit 150 includes a threaded section 160 at its upper end for connection a drill string (not shown).

The diameter of such drill bits 150 may vary from about four (4) inches to about twenty-four (24) inches or more.

Furthermore, as known to those in the industry, such drill bits 150 have several interior bores that must be formed to specified diameters within relatively tight dimensional tolerances. For example, referring to FIG. 6B, as known to those in the industry, such drill bits 150 include interior fluid passageways 166 through which drilling fluid flows while drilling a wellbore with the drill bit 150. A nozzle (not shown) may be separately formed and secured within each respective fluid passageway 166. The nozzle may be secured within the fluid passageway 166 using a snap ring (not shown) that is secured within a snap ring recess 168 in the wall of the bit body 152 within the fluid passageway 166. Similarly, an O-ring fluid seal may be provided between the bit body 152 and the nozzle within an O-ring recess 170 also formed in the wall of the bit body 152 within the fluid passageway 166. The diameters of the fluid passageway 166, the snap ring recess 168, and the O-ring recess 170 are critical dimensions which must be formed to specified diameters within relatively tight dimensional tolerances. The sizes of these diameters vary widely depending upon the size of the drill bit 150 and the particular design of the drill bit 150.

Additionally, as is also known to those in the industry, such drill bits 150 include a pressure compensator, which is a device that allows pressure within fluid cavities within the drill bit to be equalized with fluid pressures in the wellbore outside the drill bit 150 during drilling. For example, referring to FIG. 6C, as known to those in the industry, such drill bits 150 include a first bore 174 (Bore 1) and a second bore 176 (Bore 2) in which a pressure compensator (not shown) may be seated. The pressure compensator may be secured within the bores 174, 176 using a snap ring (not shown) that is secured within a snap ring recess 178 in the inner wall of the bit body 152. Similarly, an O-ring fluid seal may be provided between the bit body 152 and the pressure compensator within an O-ring recess 180 also formed in the inner wall of the bit body 152. The diameters of the first bore 174, the second bore 176, the snap ring recess 178, and the O-ring recess 180 are also critical dimensions which must be formed to specified diameters within relatively tight dimensional tolerances. The sizes of these diameters also vary widely depending upon the size of the drill bit 150 and the particular design of the drill bit 150.

Referring again to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a setting plate 130 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may be provided with sections corresponding to separate components of similar tools of differing sizes to be manufactured. For example, a drill bit manufacturer manufacturing drill bits like the drill bit 150 of FIGS. 6A-6C may be provided with a setting plate 130 including a nozzle region and a compensator region, as shown in FIG. 5A. The nozzle region may include a plurality of sub-regions corresponding to different bore features associated with the nozzle region, such as an O-ring recess 170 region, a snap ring recess 168 region, and a fluid passageway 166 bore region, as shown in FIG. 5A. Each of the sub-regions may include a plurality of calibrated setting grooves 132 (or calibrated setting bores 102 as shown in FIG. 1A) associated with different sized bores for those respective features in different sized drill bits 150 or different drill bit designs of a given size. The pressure compensator region may include a plurality of sub-regions corresponding to different bore features associated with the pressure compensator region, such as an O-ring recess 180 region, a snap ring recess 178 region, a first bore 174 region (Bore 1), and a second bore 176 region (Bore 2), as shown in FIG. 5A. Each of the sub-regions may include a plurality of calibrated setting grooves 132 (or calibrated setting bores 102 as shown in FIG. 1A) associated with different sized bores for those respective features in different sized drill bits 150 or different drill bit designs of a given size.

By employing embodiments of setting plates in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, manufacturers of components, such as drill bits and other earth-boring tools, may dispense with the need to purchase, store, and maintain hundreds or even thousands of calibrating setting rings, each of which must be periodically checked and recalibrated to ensure that the nominal diameter of the setting ring remains as originally fabricated, which reduces cost and wasted time storing, finding, cataloging, and maintaining separate setting rings.

In some embodiments, a kit may be manufactured and sold that include a bore gauge 106, 120 and a setting ring 100, 130 as described herein. If the bore gauge comprises a bore gauge 106 as described herein, the kit may include one bore head 112 or a plurality of bore heads 112 of different sizes. Such kits have historically optionally included one or two individual calibrated setting rings for use therewith. By including a setting plate 100, 130 as described herein including three or more calibrated setting bores 102 or calibrated setting grooves 132, a larger number of diameters are provided to which the bore gauge 106 may be calibrated, which may improve the accuracy of bore measurements obtained using the bore gauge 106.

Additional non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure are set forth below.

Embodiment 1: A method of calibrating a bore gauge, comprising: inserting two or more radially extendable elements of the bore gauge into a selected calibrated setting bore or groove in a setting plate comprising a plurality of calibrated setting bores or grooves, each calibrated setting bore or groove of the plurality having a different calibrated nominal diameter; and adjusting a micrometer of the bore gauge so as to cause a measured diameter of the selected calibrated setting bore or groove to match a specified nominal diameter of the selected calibrated setting bore or groove.

Embodiment 2: The method of Embodiment 1, further comprising: inserting the two or more radially extendable elements of the bore gauge into another selected calibrated setting bore or groove in the setting plate comprising the plurality of calibrated setting bores or grooves; and adjusting the micrometer of the bore gauge so as to cause a measured diameter of the another selected calibrated setting bore or groove to match a specified nominal diameter of the another selected calibrated setting bore or groove.

Embodiment 3: The method of Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2, wherein the plurality of calibrated setting bores or grooves of the setting plate comprises a first calibrated setting bore or groove having a first specified nominal diameter, a second calibrated setting bore or groove having a second specified nominal diameter that is at least five times larger than the first calibrated setting bore or groove, and at least three additional setting bores or grooves each having a different specified nominal diameter between the respective first and second specified nominal diameters of the first and second calibrated setting bores or grooves.

Embodiment 4: The method of any one of Embodiments 1 through 3, wherein the setting plate comprises a plurality of calibrated setting bores each having a cylindrical shape.

Embodiment 5: The method of Embodiment 4, wherein the bore gauge comprises a main housing and a bore head coupled to the main housing, the bore head including at least three radially extendable elements.

Embodiment 6: The method of Embodiment 5, wherein the main housing of the bore gauge comprises a pistol grip comprising a lever, movement of the lever causing the at least three radially extendable elements to move radially outward from the bore head.

Embodiment 7: The method of any one of Embodiments 1 through 3, wherein the setting plate comprises a plurality of calibrated setting grooves each having a shape elongated in a direction parallel to a plane of the setting plate.

Embodiment 8: The method of Embodiment 7, wherein the bore gauge comprises an inside caliper bore gauge, and wherein the two or more radially extendable elements comprise caliper arms extending from a main housing of the inside caliper bore gauge.

Embodiment 9: The method of any one of Embodiments 1 through 8, further comprising measuring a diameter of an internal bore within a component using the bore gauge after calibrating the bore gauge.

Embodiment 10: The method of Embodiment 9, wherein the component comprises an earth-boring tool.

Embodiment 11: The method of Embodiment 10, wherein the earth-boring tool comprises an earth-boring rotary drill bit.

Embodiment 12: A setting plate for calibrating a bore gauge, comprising a plurality of calibrated setting bores or grooves, each calibrated setting bore or groove of the plurality having a different calibrated nominal diameter.

Embodiment 13: The setting plate of Embodiment 12, wherein the plurality of calibrated setting bores or grooves of the setting plate comprises a first calibrated setting bore or groove having a first specified nominal diameter, a second calibrated setting bore or groove having a second specified nominal diameter at least five times larger than the first specified nominal diameter, and at least three additional setting bores or grooves each having a different specified nominal diameter between the respective first and second specified nominal diameters of the first and second calibrated setting bores or grooves.

Embodiment 14: The setting plate of Embodiment 13, wherein the first specified nominal diameter is 0.5 inches or less, the second specified nominal diameter is 4.0 inches or more, and the at least three additional setting bores or grooves comprise a third calibrated setting bore or groove having a specified nominal diameter of 1.0 inches, a fourth calibrated setting bore or groove having a specified nominal diameter of 2.0 inches, and a fifth calibrated setting bore or groove having a specified nominal diameter of 3.0 inches.

Embodiment 15: The setting plate of any one of Embodiments 12 through 14, wherein the plurality of calibrated setting bores or grooves of the setting plate comprises at least twenty (20) calibrated setting bores or grooves each having a different specified nominal diameter.

Embodiment 16: A kit of parts, comprising: a bore gauge; and a setting plate for calibrating the bore gauge, the setting plate having a plurality of calibrated setting bores or grooves, each calibrated setting bore or groove of the plurality having a different calibrated nominal diameter.

Embodiment 17: The kit of parts of Embodiment 16, wherein the bore gauge comprises an inside caliper bore gauge having two radially extendable members.

Embodiment 18: The kit of parts of Embodiment 16, wherein the bore gauge comprises at least one detachable bore head having three or more radially extendable members.

Embodiment 19: The kit of parts of Embodiment 18, wherein the at least one detachable bore head comprises a plurality of different sized bore heads.

Embodiment 20: The kit of parts of any one of Embodiments 16 through 19, wherein the plurality of calibrated setting bores or grooves of the setting plate comprises a first calibrated setting bore or groove having a first specified nominal diameter, a second calibrated setting bore or groove having a second specified nominal diameter that is at least five times larger than the first calibrated setting bore or groove, and at least three additional setting bores or grooves each having a different specified nominal diameter between the respective first and second specified nominal diameters of the first and second calibrated setting bores or grooves.

The embodiments of the disclosure described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings do not limit the scope of the disclosure, which is encompassed by the scope of the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Any equivalent embodiments are within the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, various modifications of the disclosure, in addition to those shown and described herein, such as alternative useful combinations of the elements described, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. Such modifications and embodiments also fall within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents.

Claims

1. A method of calibrating a bore gauge, comprising:

inserting two or more radially extendable elements of the bore gauge into a selected calibrated setting bore or groove in a setting plate comprising a plurality of calibrated setting bores or grooves, each calibrated setting bore or groove of the plurality having a different calibrated nominal diameter; and

adjusting a micrometer of the bore gauge so as to cause a measured diameter of the selected calibrated setting bore or groove to match a specified nominal diameter of the selected calibrated setting bore or groove.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

inserting the two or more radially extendable elements of the bore gauge into another selected calibrated setting bore or groove in the setting plate comprising the plurality of calibrated setting bores or grooves; and

adjusting the micrometer of the bore gauge so as to cause a measured diameter of the another selected calibrated setting bore or groove to match a specified nominal diameter of the another selected calibrated setting bore or groove.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of calibrated setting bores or grooves of the setting plate comprises a first calibrated setting bore or groove having a first specified nominal diameter, a second calibrated setting bore or groove having a second specified nominal diameter that is at least five times larger than the first calibrated setting bore or groove, and at least three additional setting bores or grooves each having a different specified nominal diameter between the respective first and second specified nominal diameters of the first and second calibrated setting bores or grooves.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the setting plate comprises a plurality of calibrated setting bores each having a cylindrical shape.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the bore gauge comprises a main housing and a bore head coupled to the main housing, the bore head including at least three radially extendable elements.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the main housing of the bore gauge comprises a pistol grip comprising a lever, movement of the lever causing the at least three radially extendable elements to move radially outward from the bore head.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the setting plate comprises a plurality of calibrated setting grooves each having a shape elongated in a direction parallel to a plane of the setting plate.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the bore gauge comprises an inside caliper bore gauge, and wherein the two or more radially extendable elements comprise caliper arms extending from a main housing of the inside caliper bore gauge.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising measuring a diameter of an internal bore within a component using the bore gauge after calibrating the bore gauge.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the component comprises an earth-boring tool.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the earth-boring tool comprises an earth-boring rotary drill bit.

12. A setting plate for calibrating a bore gauge, comprising a plurality of calibrated setting bores or grooves, each calibrated setting bore or groove of the plurality having a different calibrated nominal diameter.

13. The setting plate of claim 12, wherein the plurality of calibrated setting bores or grooves of the setting plate comprises a first calibrated setting bore or groove having a first specified nominal diameter, a second calibrated setting bore or groove having a second specified nominal diameter that is at least five times larger than the first calibrated setting bore or groove, and at least three additional setting bores or grooves each having a different specified nominal diameter between the respective first and second specified nominal diameters of the first and second calibrated setting bores or grooves.

14. The setting plate of claim 13, wherein the first specified nominal diameter is 0.5 inches or less, the second specified nominal diameter is 4.0 inches or more, and the at least three additional setting bores or grooves comprise a third calibrated setting bore or groove having a specified nominal diameter of 1.0 inches, a fourth calibrated setting bore or groove having a specified nominal diameter of 2.0 inches, and a fifth calibrated setting bore or groove having a specified nominal diameter of 3.0 inches.

15. The setting plate of claim 12, wherein the plurality of calibrated setting bores or grooves of the setting plate comprises at least twenty (20) calibrated setting bores or grooves each having a different specified nominal diameter.

16. A kit of parts, comprising:

a bore gauge; and

a setting plate for calibrating the bore gauge, the setting plate having a plurality of calibrated setting bores or grooves, each calibrated setting bore or groove of the plurality having a different calibrated nominal diameter.

17. The kit of parts of claim 16, wherein the bore gauge comprises an inside caliper bore gauge having two radially extendable members.

18. The kit of parts of claim 16, wherein the bore gauge comprises at least one detachable bore head having three or more radially extendable members.

19. The kit of parts of claim 18, wherein the at least one detachable bore head comprises a plurality of different sized bore heads.

20. The kit of parts of claims 16, wherein the plurality of calibrated setting bores or grooves of the setting plate comprises a first calibrated setting bore or groove having a first specified nominal diameter, a second calibrated setting bore or groove having a second specified nominal diameter that is at least five times larger than the first calibrated setting bore or groove, and at least three additional setting bores or grooves each having a different specified nominal diameter between the respective first and second specified nominal diameters of the first and second calibrated setting bores or grooves.