Abstract: A power tool is provided. The tool has a housing containing an internal drive system that drives an output member that engages a workpiece and exerts mechanical force thereupon. A force sensor and a positional sensor are operatively connected to the drive system to sense characteristic variables of the drive system during engagement of the workpiece. A light unit is positioned on a front end and a top portion of the housing so as to be able to direct light of various colors onto the workpiece. A control unit is operatively connected to the drive system and the light unit so as to control the light unit based on the characteristic variables of the drive system measured by the sensors. The light unit may illuminate a colored light on the workpiece depending on whether or not the workpiece was determined to be fastened according to predetermined specifications.

Abstract: There is provided a tightening operation analysis apparatus configured to analyze a tightening operation performed by a worker using a tightening tool. The tightening tool includes a head configured to be able to engage with a tightened member, and a main body configured to pivotally engage with the head and turn when a tightening torque for tightening the tightened member reaches a preset torque value. The tightening operation analysis apparatus includes a motion information acquisition unit configured to acquire motion information indicating a turning motion of the main body, from the tightening tool, and an analysis unit configured to output a result of analysis of a load condition of the tightened member during the tightening operation, based on the motion information acquired by the motion information acquisition unit.

Abstract: A torque calibrating system that includes a power tong, a load cell assembly, and a torque arm having first and second ends, wherein the first end is adapted to impose a load on the load cell assembly when the power tong is actuated to impose a torque on the second end. The system also includes a hydraulic system that is adapted to actuate the power tong, wherein the hydraulic system includes a pressure gage that is adapted to measure a hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic system when the power tong is actuated, the measured hydraulic pressure corresponding to the load imposed on the load cell assembly and to the torque imposed on the second end of the torque arm.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a tong assembly for making up and breaking out a tubular connection such as a connection between two tubulars in a tubular string. The tong assembly includes a power tong, a backup tong and a load transfer assembly connected between the power tong and the backup tong. The load transfer assembly comprises a torque bar and one or more sensors to measure a torque exerted on the torque bar. The torque measurements of the torque bar may be used to monitor the torque exerted on the tubular string by the tong assembly.

Abstract: A self-aligning piston is configured to selectively engage and disengage a pipe segment to permit a top drive output shaft to be coupled to the pipe segment. In one embodiment, the self-aligning piston includes a piston body configured to rotate between a first position and a second position, at least one resilient, energy-storing member coupled to the piston body, a roller assembly coupled to the piston body, and a cam disposed between the at least one resilient, energy-storing member and the roller assembly. The resilient, energy-storing member is configured to bias the piston body into the first position by rotating the roller assembly along the cam.

Abstract: An electrical pressure sensor is provided with a method for measuring pressure applied to a sensor surface. The method provides an electrical pressure sensor including a sealed chamber with a top surface, first electrode, second electrode, an elastic polymer medium, and metallic nanoparticles distributed in the elastic polymer medium. When the top surface of the sensor is deformed in response to an applied pressure, the elastic polymer medium is compressed. In response to decreasing the metallic nanoparticle-to-metallic nanoparticle mean distance between metallic nanoparticles, the electrical resistance is decreased between the first and second electrodes through the elastic polymer medium.

Abstract: A method of accurately measuring applied torque in a hydraulic breakout machine involves using at least one sensor to measure reactive torque, and using the reactive torque measurement as an accurate indication of applied torque.

Abstract: A method for evaluating rod quality and wellbore dynamics includes receiving information about the rod size and tong type for a rod pulling operation. Expected breakout pressures can be determined based on the rod size and/or tong type and can be input into an evaluation system. Upper and lower limits for acceptable rod breakout pressures can be calculated based on the expected breakout pressure and/or rod size. Actual rod breakout pressures can be evaluated while pulling rods from a well and compared to the upper and lower limits. Rod breakout pressures below the lower limit or above the upper limit can generate an alarm notifying a rig operator to evaluate the condition of the rod to determine if the rod can be reused. The rod breakout pressures can be recorded as breakout pressure data for further evaluation, including determinations of improper rod make-up and poor well conditions.

Abstract: A make-up assembly and process provides a true power-tight connection between a first and second tubular segment. Each of the segments has an externally threaded male member at one end and an internally threaded female member at the other end. The male member of the first segment is inserted into the female member of the second segment. A primary torque component is applied to the first segment to engage the external threads of the first segment with the internal threads of the second segment and to advance the male member of the first segment into the female member of the second segment. The value of the primary torque component is monitored. An impulse energy component is then superimposed on the primary torque component when a predetermined onset threshold has been reached. Application of one or both of the primary and impulse energy components is discontinued when a predetermined maximum threshold has been reached.

Abstract: An insertable strain gauge spanner which comprises a spanner body having a rod body and a driving head insertable into the rod body; the rod body having a handle and an inserting opening at one end thereof; the inserting opening can be received the driving head; the rod body being installed with a strain gauge; a lower end of the rod body being formed as an inserting opening; the inserting opening being in contact with the strain gauge; thereby the twisting force from the driving head can be transferred to a sensing end of the strain gauge; the twisting force being displayed in a window of the strain gauge; and the driving head having an inserting end with a shape corresponding to that of the inserting opening; and the orientation of the driving head with respect to the rod body is adjustable.

Abstract: A make-up assembly and process provides a true power-tight connection between a first and second tubular segment. Each of the segments has an externally threaded male member at one end and an internally threaded female member at the other end. The male member of the first segment is inserted into the female member of the second segment. A primary torque component is applied to the first segment to engage the external threads of the first segment with the internal threads of the second segment and to advance the male member of the first segment into the female member of the second segment. The value of the primary torque component is monitored. An impulse energy component is then superimposed on the primary torque component when a predetermined onset threshold has been reached. Application of one or both of the primary and impulse energy components is discontinued when a predetermined maximum threshold has been reached.

Abstract: Method of fixedly connecting together externally and internally threaded tubes by tight engagement of externally and internally threaded portions of the tubes, wherein a wrenching operation is performed to rotate the externally and internally threaded tubes relative to each other with the externally and internally threaded portions engaging each other while an axial force is applied between the tubes. A physical quantity relating to a coefficient of friction between said tubes is obtained on the basis of a detected wrenching torque applied to rotate the tubes relative to each other and the axial force, and a terminating condition for terminating the wrenching operation is determined on the basis of the obtained physical quantity. The wrenching operation is terminated when the terminating condition has been satisfied. Apparatus for practicing the method and recording medium storing a control program for the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tong wrench having gripping jaws for gripping tubular members and a handle adapted thereto for applying an actuating force in a manner so as to effect pivotal movement of the handle and create a tactile and audible indication to an operator when a predetermined but selectively variable torque is applied to the handle to generate the actuating force.

Abstract: A sucker rod tool system for oil wells monitors both torque and angular displacement of a three-element sucker rod connection. The tool system engages two sucker rods that are at least partially screwed into opposite ends of a sucker rod coupling. The system, however, does not engage the coupling adjoining both rods. The system determines whether a connection has been properly tightened by sensing the torque and angular displacement of the connection as it is being tightened, and comparing the data to a stored reference set of data or curves. In some embodiments, a properly tightened connection is based upon the number of straight lines that are needed to adequately approximate a plotted curve of the sensed torque versus angular displacement. Tightness of each connection of a string of sucker rods is recorded with reference to each connection's depth within a well to later serve as an aide in diagnosing connection failures. In some cases, the energy required to unscrew a connection is also recorded.