Anti-dogleg electronic measurement device
A method and electronic measurement device are provided for putting multiple bends in a conduit while controlling the angular relationship of the bends relative to each other about the longitudinal axis of the conduit. The device includes an electronic component configured to generate a first signal that varies based on an angle of rotation of the component about an x-axis, and a housing carrying the electronic component and having a conduit mount structure configured to mount the housing on a conduit with the x-axis in parallel alignment with the longitudinal axis of the conduit.
1. A method for putting multiple bends lying in the same plane in an elongate conduit extending along a longitudinal axis, the method comprising the steps of:
a) mounting an electronic measuring device to the conduit, the device capable of measuring an angle of rotation of the conduit about the longitudinal axis and providing an output alert to a user indicating when the angle of rotation equals 180 degrees;
b) forming a first bend in an elongate conduit;
c) zeroing the electronic measuring device to set the angle of rotation to zero;
d) after step c), rotating the conduit about the longitudinal axis until the electronic measuring device provides the user output alert indicating that the angle of rotation equals 180 degrees; and
e) after step d), forming another bend in the conduit while the user output signal indicates that the angle of rotation equals 180 degrees.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein step a) is performed before step b).
3. The method of claim 1 wherein step b) is performed before step a).
4. The method of claim 1 wherein step c) is performed before step b).
5. The method of claim 1 wherein step b) is performed before step c).
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising repeating steps d) through e) to form at least one additional bend.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the output alert comprises a visual display showing the number 180.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the output alert comprises an audible alert.
9. A method for putting multiple bends in an elongate conduit extending along a longitudinal axis, the method comprising the steps of:
a) mounting an electronic measuring device to the conduit, the device capable of measuring an angle of rotation of the conduit about the longitudinal axis and providing an output alert to a user indicating when the angle of rotation equals a first desired angle of rotation;
b) forming a first bend in an elongate conduit;
c) zeroing the electronic measuring device to set the angle of rotation to zero;
d) after step c), rotating the conduit about the longitudinal axis until the electronic measuring device provides the user output alert indicating that the angle of rotation equals the first desired angle of rotation; and
e) after step d), forming a second bend in the conduit while the user output signal indicates that the angle of rotation equals the first desired angle of rotation.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein step a) is performed before step b).
11. The method of claim 9 wherein step b) is performed before step a).
12. The method of claim 9 wherein step c) is performed before step b).
13. The method of claim 9 wherein step b) is performed before step c).
14. The method of claim 9 further comprising repeating steps d) through e) to form at least one additional bend.
15. The method of claim 9 further comprising:
f) after step e) zeroing the electronic measuring device to set the angle of rotation to zero;
g) after step f), rotating the conduit about the longitudinal axis until the electronic measuring device provides the user output signal indicating that the angle of rotation equals a second desired angle of rotation; and
h) after step g), forming a third bend in the conduit while the user output alert indicates that the angle of rotation equals the second desired angle of rotation.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein at least one of the first and second desired angles of rotation equals 180 degrees.
17. The method of claim 15 wherein the first and second bends are greater than 0 degrees and are less than 71 degrees.