Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for measuring defects in ferromagnetic elements

US4710712A · kind A · utility

30Cited by
38References
67Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 11, 1984
Grant dateDec 1, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 11, 2004

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B47/006
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus for determining the extent of defects in ferromagnetic tubular elements comprising a continuous string for use in an oil or gas well is disclosed. The tubing trip tool measures tubing average wall thickness, local defects, such as corrosion pitting, and axial defects, such as sucker rod wear during removal of the tubing from the well. Tubing velocity is also measured, and couplings between tubing sections are detected and counted, in order to specify the axial location of defects on each tube, and also provide a profile of the condition of the overall string. A saturating magnetic field and a fluctuating magnetic field are applied to the tubing and the magnitude of the induced fields and the changes are measured to quantify defects in the tubing.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.