Earth Cavity Or Tube Patents (Class 33/544)
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Patent number: 5629480Abstract: An extensometer for use in a borehole comprises a combination of linear motion transducers located with daisy wheel anchors, which may be attached together if desired with extension bars. Linkages are used to connect the transducers to the daisy wheel anchors. The transducers are set up to measure distance changes both axially along the hole or radially. The extensometer includes at least one axially measuring transducer, and at least two radially measuring transducers. The transducers change in value according to changes in borehole dimensions; the transducer values are monitored electrically.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1995Date of Patent: May 13, 1997Assignee: Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Natural ResourcesInventor: Gerhard Herget
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Patent number: 5585555Abstract: A recoverable, multiple position borehole strainmeter is provided. The strainmeter includes at least two anchors having pistons for releasably engaging the borehole whereby to mount the strainmeter in the borehole. A pneumatic actuator for controllably, independently actuating the pistons to engage the borehole is provided. A biasing mechanism prevents the pistons from engaging the borehole when the pistons are not being actuated by the actuator, and a relative displacement sensor senses changes in relative displacement between adjacent anchors whereby to monitor relative mass displacement axially along the borehole between the anchors.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 1995Date of Patent: December 17, 1996Assignee: Geokon, Inc.Inventor: John B. McRae
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Patent number: 5565624Abstract: Method of determining variations in the morphology of a borehole. It consists in measuring, as a function of the depth of the borehole, the dip and the azimuth (a.sub.1) of the borehole, the inside diameters of the borehole in two perpendicular directions, and the azimuth (a.sub.2) of a reference caliper and it is characterized in that consists in determining the eccentricity (e.sub.m), together with an eccentricity error (.DELTA.e.sub.m), the azimuth (a.sub.3) of the second caliper from the azimuth (a.sub.2), and the rotation speed (V.sub.R) of the reference caliper, and then comparing (.DELTA.e.sub.m) to a threshold value (.DELTA.e.sub.s) and (V.sub.R) to a threshold value (V.sub.S ) to determine the type of ovalization of the borehole.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1995Date of Patent: October 15, 1996Assignee: Elf Aquitaine ProductionInventors: Renaud Deboaisne, Pascal Bauer
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Patent number: 5548900Abstract: In a downhole measuring caliper for oil well casings, comprising a circumferential array of radially extensible sensing fingers (30) between upper and lower sets of centralizing arms, the fingers are actuated through integral pre-stressed spring arms (34) engaged with an actuating member on the axis of the instrument; relative axial movement between the array of fingers and the actuating member causes the fingers to pivot into measuring contact with the tube wall. The number of sensing fingers is maximized and maintenance is simplified.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1994Date of Patent: August 27, 1996Inventor: Robert H. Hunt-Grubbe
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Patent number: 5299359Abstract: A caliper logging sonde is provided having a plurality of sensing fingers each of which is pivotally mounted to the sonde and movable with respect to the sonde in response to variations in the internal dimensions of a wellbore tube through which the sonde passes. An electrical signal which is proportional to variations in the internal dimensions of a wellbore tube is determined at regular time intervals at a series of points around the circumference of the wellbore tube. A maximum and minimum dimension for each point around the circumference of the wellbore tube during a selected time interval is temporarily stored and thereafter transmitted to the surface at regular intervals. A high density array of sensors is provided by utilizing a transducer plate having a large number of cylindrical apertures disposed around the circumference thereof.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1993Date of Patent: April 5, 1994Assignee: Computalog Research, Inc.Inventors: James D. Estes, Bruce E. Dennis
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Patent number: 5224274Abstract: A contact gage having a pair of elongated, pivotal gaging levers mounted in laterally spaced, side-by-side association and having lateral gaging contacts at the forward ends thereof. A V-shaped motion translation reed is mounted on and symmetrically between the rear ends of the gaging levers and has a central contact which moves linearly, perpendicular to the arc of relative pivotal movement of the gaging levers, to translate the relative pivotal movement of the gaging levers into linear movement of the central contact. The central contact is engaged by a linear pickup to detect the position of the contact and thereby detect the lateral distance between the gaging contacts.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1992Date of Patent: July 6, 1993Assignee: The Edmunds Manufacturing CompanyInventor: William J. Blaiklock
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Patent number: 5205048Abstract: A pipeline bend detector pig for measuring a bend in pipeline is disclosed, the pig having an elongated flexible body for transposition through the pipeline. The body has an imaginary central axis that substantially remains coaxial with the pipeline cylindrical axis as the body transverses the interior of the pipeline. First and second length-measuring cables are supported to the body, each in a radial plane of and spaced from the body central axis and spaced angularly from each other. Each length-measuring cable has one end affixed to the body and a free end. Each cable has spring tension applied to the free end thereof to keep the cable taunt. A variable electrical resistance element is actuated by the free end of each cable as the free ends of the cables are moved by bends in the pipeline. An odometer for measuring the distance of travel of the pig is provided. A solid state memory records the distance traveled and the occurrence of bends in the pipeline.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1991Date of Patent: April 27, 1993Assignee: TDW Delaware, Inc.Inventors: Danny D. Toomey, Gene R. Ralls, Johnny M. Manley
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Patent number: 5193289Abstract: A long arm bears a probe at its end and is arranged in such a way that it can swivel by small angular amounts. This low-mass and slowly movable system is protected by a protective device from which it emerges only partly during the measuring operation. A lowering device which both decouples and entrains, interacts with a damping element. An article to be measured is pushed onto the protective device, an actuating device is pressed and the probe slowly emerges from the protective device and ultimately rests in a defined manner and with adequately low force on a layer of the article.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1992Date of Patent: March 16, 1993Inventor: Helmut Fischer
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Patent number: 5157845Abstract: Device comprising a support (21-23) with a seat (27, 27') housing a measuring cell (24, 24') having a feeler (6, 6') adapted to contact the part to be checked and with a strain gauge transducer (12-17) for detecting the feeler position. In order to obtain a device with very small overall dimensions and high accuracy and repeatability, the measuring cell (24, 24') comprises an integral element (1) having a support portion (2) fixed in the seat (27, 27'), a free portion (4, 4') carrying the feeler (6, 6') and an intermediate resiliently deformable portion (3, 3'), whereto there is fixed a strain gauge (13) of the transducer (12-17).Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 1990Date of Patent: October 27, 1992Assignee: Marposs Societa' Per AzioniInventors: Mario Possati, Carlo Dall'Aglio
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Patent number: 5155920Abstract: The detection device comprises a support to be introduced concentrically into the tube, a feeler mounted on the support for movement between a position of rest in which it projects radially beyond the inner wall of the sleeve, and a position retracted inwards in relation to the wall, the feeler being resiliently biased towards its position of rest, and a sensor of the position of the feeler. The invention is used for fitting a tube of a steam generator of a pressurized-water nuclear reactor with a sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1991Date of Patent: October 20, 1992Assignee: FramatomeInventor: Claude Jarrige-Lemas
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Patent number: 5092056Abstract: A caliper tool mechanism is set forth. In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, a pair of opposing caliper arms are pivotally mounted on a elongate body and are recessed in elongate slots in said body. The caliper arms are retracted to a parallel position. The arms extend parallel to the elongate body and cover an elongate leaf spring. The spring has a fastened lower end affixed to the lower end of the body, and upper ends joined through moveable lengths to said caliper arms.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 1989Date of Patent: March 3, 1992Assignee: Halliburton Logging Services, Inc.Inventor: John G. Deaton
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Patent number: 5038600Abstract: An X-control gage for measuring the X-dimension of hydraulic tube fittings comprises a pin slidably engaged in a body part. In use, a lowermost end of the pin makes contact with the tube stop of the fitting port while the body part makes contact with the inner taper of the fitting along a circle having a specified "B"-diameter. An upper end of the pin extends beyond an upper end of the body part, and measurement of the distance of extension is simply related to the X-dimension of the fitting using a calibrated overall length of the pin and a calibrated dimension of the body part. Methods of calibrating and using the X-control gage are presented, as well as a method of connecting two hydraulic tubes so that there is no loss of hydraulic liquid or pressure at the connection.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1989Date of Patent: August 13, 1991Assignee: Military Standards CorporationInventor: Peter M. Friedman
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Patent number: 4982505Abstract: A gauge for measuring both the depth and the diameter of a bore hole comprises a member having a first longitudinal slot therethrough and a surface perpendicular to the slot to engage the face of the bore hole; a first arrangement slidably engaging the slot adjacent one end thereof having a first protrusion extending below the surface; a second arrangement slidably engaging the member adjacent the other end of the slot having first and second arms thereon each disposed at a given angle with respect to and on opposite sides of the member, each of the first and second arms having a second protrusion extending below the surface; the first protrusion and second protrusions engaging a selected one of an inner surface of the bore hole and an outer surface concentric with the inner surface of the bore hole to cooperate in aligning the member with the center line and the diameter of the bore hole; a third arrangement slidably engaging the first slot and the member to measure the depth of the bore hole; and a fourth aType: GrantFiled: April 16, 1990Date of Patent: January 8, 1991Inventor: Silvano Pocci
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Patent number: 4957374Abstract: A tunnel furnace height detector used for detecting ceiling heights of a tunnel furnace. The detector includes a plurality of detecting units arranged on a trolley traveling in the tunnel furnace in a manner such that their heights are progressively lowered by predetermined distances. Each of the detecting units includes a support base, and a solid piece pivotally connected to the support base automatically returnable from a pivotally moved position forced by an external force to an original position. The solid piece has one end in contact with a lowered ceiling and the other end closing and opening a measuring circuit system forming a closed circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1989Date of Patent: September 18, 1990Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.Inventors: Keiji Yasuda, Tetsuo Kamijyo, Kazuhiro Miyahara
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Patent number: 4953412Abstract: An improved pipeline caliper pig for providing a record of the deviations of the interior wall of a pipeline including a pig body assembly having a longitudinal axis and support members so that the pig body assembly is supported within a pipeline, the support members impeding the flow of fluid therepast so that the pig body is propelled by fluid flow along the pipeline interior, an integrator plate carried by the pig body assembly, arms extending from the pig body assembly for responding to deviations in the interior wall of the pipeline and coupling members to transfer the deviations to the integrator plate, a plurality of axially positionable shafts affixed at one end to the integrator plate, and electrical transducers at the other end of each shaft so that movement of the integrator plate relative to the pig body is transmitted into electrical signals, an orientation detection member and a signal receiver and recorder to record the electrical signals of the transducers and the orientation detection memberType: GrantFiled: January 17, 1986Date of Patent: September 4, 1990Assignee: T. D. Williamson, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey S. Rosenberg, Kevin W. Lockyear
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Patent number: 4914826Abstract: In the preferred embodiment of the well tool disclosed herein, a main body adapted to be suspended in a borehole includes a pivoted tool-decentralizing arm which is movable between a retracted position along the rear of the body and an extended position where the free end of the arm is biased into sliding engagement with a wall of a borehole for urging the forward face of the body into sliding engagement with the opposite borehole wall. A second body is pivotally coupled on the mid-point of the decentralizing arm for maintaining the second body in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the borehole as the free end of the decentralizing arm moves along the borehole wall. Caliper arms are pivotally mounted on each side of the second body for moving in unison between retracted positions and extended positions where the outward ends of the caliper arms are respectively engaged on opposite sides of the borehole.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1989Date of Patent: April 10, 1990Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Raymond V. Nold, III
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Patent number: 4910877Abstract: The present invention is directed to a probe and method for measuring the radius of curvature of a bend in a section of tubing. The probe includes a member with a pair of guide means, one located at each end of the member. A strain gauge is operatively connected to the member for detecting bending stress exrted on the member as the probe is drawn through and in engagement with the inner surface of a section of tubing having a bend. The method of the present invention includes steps utilizing a probe, like the aforementioned probe, which can be made to detect bends only in a single plane when having a fixed orientation relative the section of tubing to determine the maximum radius of curvature of the bend.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 1988Date of Patent: March 27, 1990Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventor: George J. Sokol
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Patent number: 4872269Abstract: An automatic cylinder profiling gage system comprises a measuring head adapted to fit into a cylinder and including a number of transducers associated therewith, each transducer generating a positional signal corresponding to the distance from the head to the interior wall. The gage further includes a processor adapted to receive the signals, compare them with stored data indicative of the profile of an ideal cylinder so as to determine deviation therefrom. The system is further adapted to provide a visual display of data relating to cylinder profile. The gage system may further include calibration means as well as particular computer programs for processing information generated thereby to provide statistical or other information.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1988Date of Patent: October 10, 1989Inventor: Karl Sattmann
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Patent number: 4858329Abstract: A surveying and mapping implement indicates the level differences of the ground over which it travels, in relation to the distance travelled. It comprises a carriage consisting of a swivelling front wheel, two center wheels attached to the outside of a U-shaped vertical frame, and two rear wheels connected to the U-shaped frame by means of a thill and a universal joint positioned co-extensive with the axis of the center wheels. The universal joint permits the rear wheels to move up and down and sideways, as well as to twist in relation to the center wheels. The wheel base between the center wheels and the front wheel is identical with that between the center wheels and the rear wheels, in order to facilitate calculations.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1988Date of Patent: August 22, 1989Assignee: Technion Research & Development Foundation Ltd.Inventor: Gedalyahu Manor
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Patent number: 4852262Abstract: A gauge for measuring in situ the diameter of a borehole in salt or other ft creeping rock types is provided so that changes in borehole structure can be detected. The gauge comprises a cylindrical body insertable lengthwise into a borehole and having an internal channel wherein sensors can be displaced outwardly when air is directed into the gauge, two air displacement sensors located in the channel having slotted keyways at their inner ends which form an orifice proportional to the distance between the sensors, a pneumatic device capable of providing a stream of air into the gauge body, and a flow meter for measuring air flow through the gauge body. The borehole diameter is determined by directing a stream of air into the gauge body and measuring the air flow which will be proportional to the distance between the sensors when displaced outwardly against the borehole walls. The gauge is advantageous in that it does not itself create artificial stresses or deformations in the borehole walls.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1988Date of Patent: August 1, 1989Assignee: United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the InteriorInventors: Clarence O. Babcock, George J. Schneider
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Patent number: 4843722Abstract: A self-centering bore hole gage includes a pair of centering points disposed on a guide block and a contact point and transducer disposed on a support block. The blocks are maintained in a biased apart relationship. The combination of biased apart blocks, points and transducer effectively self-center the gage in a bore hole so as to permit diameter and/or eccentricity measurements to be readily made by the transducer. The self-centering bore hole gage may include a plurality of measuring heads to simultaneously measure various ranges of diameter.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1987Date of Patent: July 4, 1989Inventor: Karl Sattman
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Patent number: 4747317Abstract: A pipeline survey pig including an onboard inertial reference unit and signal processing units for receiving acceleration and angular velocity signals generated by the inertial reference unit, calculating resultant values of angular velocity and accelerations and averaging the calculated values to provide recordable signals related to the position of the pig and changes in curvature of the pipe. The pig is supported by a plurality of resilient cup shaped support members which have a stiffness characteristic whereby the natural frequency of vibration which may cause lateral excursions of the pig is less than the signal generating rate yet greater than the frequency of the signal to be measured. The center of stiffness and the center of gravity of the pig are disposed along the central axis of the pig and the pipeline section being measured and are preferably coincident with each other.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1986Date of Patent: May 31, 1988Assignee: Atlantic Richfield CompanyInventor: Pedro F. Lara
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Patent number: 4715128Abstract: Probe and method for determining the curvature of an elongated opening such as a borehole in the earth. The probe includes an axially extending flexible shaft and two pairs of sensing wires arranged in quadrature about the shaft for axial movement relative to each other upon bending of the probe. The relative axial positions of the sensing wires on opposite sides of the flexible shaft are monitored to determine the curvature of the borehole.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1985Date of Patent: December 29, 1987Assignees: Ben Wade Oakes Dickinson III, Robert Wayne DickinsonInventors: Richard E. Cummings, Charles S. Mackey, Robert W. Dickinson, Ben W. O. Dickinson, III, Merle D. Larsen
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Patent number: 4702010Abstract: The internal geometry of tubes or pipes are tested by a measuring mandrel normally held in an adapter sleeve provided for end to end abutment with the tube or pipe to be tested; pressurized air is applied to the adapter sleeve to obtain the propelling of the measuring mandrel out of the adapter sleeve sleeve and into and through that tube or pipe; a tape, cable or rope is fastened to the mandrel and also wound on a drum to be unreeled therefrom as the mandrel is propelled through the tube or pipe to be tested; the drum is driven by a reversible drive operated for break operation tending to retard the mandrel and further provided for reversing permitting retraction of the mandrel back into the adapter sleeve after the pressure has been removed.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 1986Date of Patent: October 27, 1987Assignee: Mannesmann AGInventor: Kurt Elbracht
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Patent number: 4694585Abstract: Device for measuring clearance around a pin for centering the upper internal equipment of a pressurized water nuclear reactor comprising a carrier (b) fixed integrally to a pedestal (7) which makes it possible to fix on the upper plate of the reactor core (1) two travellers (15) which are parallel to the plate (1), two slides mounted to move on the travellers, resilient means (22) for returning the slides and a marking assembly carried by the carrier. Each slide comprises a sensing finger (30) projecting downwards relative to the bearing face of the pedestal (7) and a planar marking plate (31). The marking assembly comprises two styli (33), each directed towards a marking plate (31). A control system (34) makes it possible to compress springs (36) whose force is applied to the styli (33). The clearance measurement can be carried out from a distance and under water.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1986Date of Patent: September 22, 1987Assignee: FramatomeInventors: Alain Frizot, Gerard Cadaureille, Jean-Christophe Lalere, Jean-Yves Machuron
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Patent number: 4651437Abstract: Mounted on a carriage movable through a pipeline is a shaft which carries a wheel held against the inner surface of the pipeline. The shaft is arranged so that it can reciprocate transversely of the pipeline as the diameter of the latter varies, and a pen mounted on the shaft marks a line on a recording sheet which is secured to a drum mounted on the carriage and arranged to rotate as the latter travels through the pipeline.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 1986Date of Patent: March 24, 1987Inventor: Jaser O. Al-Khouly
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Patent number: 4628613Abstract: A bend detector for use on a pipeline pig assembly comprising a front pig element and a rear pig element pivotally connected to the front pig element by the bend detector; the front pig element having a longitudinally disposed housing with a forward drive cup for driving the assembly by the flow of a fluid through a pipeline system, the rear pig element having a longitudinally disposed housing axially supported in the pipeline, a plurality of odometer wheels radially affixed to the housing of the rear pig element for determining the distance traversed by the assembly through the pipeline system; the bend detector comprising a universal joint having a pair of yoke members pivotally connected to a central member about a pair of mutually perpendicular axes, each of the yoke members having a yoke and a collar, mounting plates for attaching the collars to the front pig element and the rear pig element, respectively, the central member being bored out for receiving a longitudinal hollow sleeve and a central openingType: GrantFiled: January 13, 1986Date of Patent: December 16, 1986Assignee: Electronic Diggins Systems, Inc.Inventors: Dwane O. Laymon, James M. Berry
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Patent number: 4627170Abstract: A conveyance guide alignment measuring device adapted to track along conveyance guides in a shaft, such as a lift shaft, comprises a substantially rigid frame, roller assemblies at either end of the frame and a sub-frame movably suspended from the frame. A pair of opposed roller assemblies are mounted in the sub-frame. The roller assemblies include a fixed assembly which engages a reference guide in the shaft and an outwardly biased assembly which engages an opposed conveyance guide. The sub-frame, being freely suspended, follows any misalignment in the guides and motion sensors are mounted to detect and measure relative motion of the frame, the sub-frame and the roller assemblies mounted on the sub-frame whereby predetermined alignment parameters of the conveyance guides may be determined.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1985Date of Patent: December 9, 1986Assignee: Vaal Reefs Exploration and Mining Co.Inventor: Ronald M. K. McKechnie
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Patent number: 4571848Abstract: The telescoping parts of a rotary measuring arm mounted on an axis between wo centering devices enable the outer part of the measuring arm, which is equipped with a scanning roller, to be let out or pushed in by the contour of the bore as the arm is swung around by a remote control drive. During such a scan of the bore wall, an inductive or capacitive transducer provides signals representative of the radius measured to a remote location. The three legs of each centering device can be retracted or extended together by the same amount when the measuring device is removed from or set into place in the bore. A drive is also provided for retracting the measuring arm when the apparatus is being moved in the bore.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 1985Date of Patent: February 25, 1986Assignee: Kernforschungsanlage Julich Gesellschaft mit beschrankter HaftungInventors: Ferdinand Krutz, Jurgen Keck, Johann Bolingen, Herbert Wetzler
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Patent number: 4517745Abstract: A gauge device has an insert portion having means for aligning the insert portion along a longitudinal axis of an oil drill pipe so that the squareness of a joint shoulder and shoulder available for grinding at a box end of an oil drill pipe can be determined. The insert portion has indicia formed thereon calibrated to read the shoulder available at the box end of said drill pipe. An indicator portion of the gauge device is slideable along the insert portion and has a radially directed annular flange extending perpendicular thereto and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the oil drill pipe upon insertion of the insert portion within the box end of said oil drill pipe. The squareness of the outer shoulder of the oil drill pipe can be directly visualized by reference to the annular flange of the indicator portion. Field grinding can then be performed on the box end of the oil drill pipe until a square shoulder is obtained.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 1983Date of Patent: May 21, 1985Assignee: Bruce L. Hare, Jr.Inventor: Bruce L. Hare