Loading Devices and Methods of Loading Pipe Fusion Machines

• US 20170023152A1
• Filed: 10/04/2016
• Published: 01/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fast Fusion LLC
• Original Assignee: Fast Fusion LLC
• Inventors: McKinley, Richard S.
• Granted Patent: US 10,641,413 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/7841 Holding or clamping means for handling purposes clamping means for the purpose of applying pressure on the parts to be joined, in the area to be joined B29C66/81; work holders in general B25B; devices for holding or positioning work for welding metal B23K37/04
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 65/02 Loading or unloading machines comprising essentially a conveyor for moving the loads associated with a device for picking-up the loads
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 1/06 Accessories therefor, e.g. anchors
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 1/09 for bringing two tubular members closer to each other
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 1/10 for aligning

Abstract

A loading device for lifting an elongated object having an elongate axis includes a frame having a first fulcrum surface and a second fulcrum surface, a first effector arm that pivots about the first fulcrum surface, a second effector arm that pivots about the second fulcrum surface, and an actuator moving the first effector arm and the second effector arm between a retracted position and a deployed position.

Claims

1. A method of loading a pipe having an elongate axis into a pipe fusion machine, the method comprising:

a. positioning a loading device coupled to the pipe fusion machine proximate the pipe, the loading device comprising a front boom, a first effector arm and a second effector arm;

b. positioning a first end effector coupled to the first effector arm and a second end effector coupled to the second effector arm along opposite sides of the pipe;

c. pivoting a first effector arm about a first fulcrum surface of the loading device towards the pipe and the second effector arm about a second fulcrum surface of the loading device towards the pipe;

d. contacting the pipe with the first end effector and the second end effector to apply a lifting force to the pipe at a location below the elongate axis; and

e. causing the pipe to traverse the front boom into the pipe fusion machine.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising translating the loading device towards the pipe.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising sliding the pipe along a plurality of roller elements of the loading device, each roller element having a roller element axis transverse to the elongate axis of the pipe.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first effector arm has a central longitudinal axis and is pivotally coupled with the first fulcrum surface, and the second effector arm has a central longitudinal axis and is pivotally coupled with the second fulcrum surface.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein

a. the first end effector has a lifting surface and a first end effector axis about which the first end effector rotates, the first end effector being coupled to the first effector arm such that the first end effector axis is perpendicular to and intersects with the central longitudinal axis of the first effector arm, and wherein the first end effector extends laterally relative to the central longitudinal axis of the first effector arm such that the central longitudinal axis of the first effector arm does not intersect with the lifting surface of the first end effector;

and

b. the second end effector has a lifting surface and a second end effector axis about which the second end effector rotates, the second end effector being coupled to the second effector arm such that the second end effector axis is perpendicular to and intersects with the central longitudinal axis of the second effector arm, and wherein the second end effector extends laterally relative to the central longitudinal axis of the second effector arm such that the central longitudinal axis of the second effector arm does not intersect with the lifting surface of the second end effector.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the loading device further comprises an actuator moving the first effector arm and the second effector arm between a retracted position and a deployed position, wherein the first and second effector arms move in opposing direction as the first and second effector arms are moved by the actuator to the deployed position.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein each of the first end effector and the second end effector comprise a conical drum.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein when the loading device lifts the pipe, the first effector arm and the second effector arm are located in the deployed position and the first end effector axis and the second end effector axis are transverse to the elongate axis of the pipe.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein the first end effector comprises a first body tapered longitudinally along the first end effector axis.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein when the loading device lifts the pipe, the first end effector and the second end effector contact the pipe below the elongate axis.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the loading device further comprises a plurality of roller elements, each roller element having a roller element axis, wherein when the loading device lifts the pipe, each of the roller element axes are transverse to the elongate axis of the pipe.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first effector arm comprises a first arm adjuster plate assembly allowing the first end effector to pivot about the central axis of the first effector arm.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the loading device further comprises a first upright arm coupled to a first receiver located at a distal end of the first effector arm

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first upright arm comprises a power intake wheel.

15. A method of loading a pipe having an elongate axis into a pipe fusion machine, the method comprising:

a. positioning a loading device coupled to the pipe fusion machine proximate the pipe, the loading device comprising a front boom and a plurality of effector arms;

b. positioning a plurality of effectors along opposite sides of the pipe, each effector coupled to one of the effector arms;

c. pivoting the effector arms about a corresponding fulcrum surface of the loading device towards the pipe;

d. contacting the pipe with the effectors to apply a lifting force to the pipe at a location below the elongate axis; and

e. causing the pipe to traverse the front boom into the pipe fusion machine.