Methods and apparatus for threading a pipe
First Claim
1. A system for handling joints of pipe of various diameters in a pipe threading operation including pipe rotating means, comprising:
- a plurality of plates rotatable in synchronization for properly positioning individual joints of pipe within said system,drive means for rotating a common drive shaft,a plurality of gear boxes each containing a plurality of gears interconnecting said drive shaft with a respective one of said plurality of plates and providing substantially all the rotational speed reduction between said drive means and said plates,a plurality of powered V-rollers for pre-positioning said pipe in an axial direction within said system,a powered cart for grasping a section of pipe and axially transporting said pipe a preselected distance for proper positioning with respect to said pipe rotating means, anda plurality of steady rest assemblies for supporting a pipe being rotated by said pipe rotating means, each including (a) a steady rest base, (b) a cradle pivotable about said steady rest base and having extending shafts for engagement with said steady rest base, (c) a pair of arms pivotable about said cradle, (d) at least three tires supported by said pair of arms and adapted for rotational engagement with said pipe, and (e) adjustment means for altering the position of one tire supported by one of said arms with respect to another tire supported by the same arm for properly supporting pipe of various diameters.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for handling and threading tubular products, including tubing, pipe, and casing for the petroleum production industry. In one embodiment of the present invention, an improved pipe handling system is utilized to transfer segments of pipe sequentially to a press, a threading machine, and quality control stations. The pipe handling system may include a plurality of plates driven by a common motor for raising and positioning the pipe, V-rollers for supporting and pre-positioning the pipe, a powered cart for transporting the pipe to the threading machine, and a plurality of steady rest assemblies for supporting a joint of rotating pipe during the threading operation.
52 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A system for handling joints of pipe of various diameters in a pipe threading operation including pipe rotating means, comprising:
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a plurality of plates rotatable in synchronization for properly positioning individual joints of pipe within said system, drive means for rotating a common drive shaft, a plurality of gear boxes each containing a plurality of gears interconnecting said drive shaft with a respective one of said plurality of plates and providing substantially all the rotational speed reduction between said drive means and said plates, a plurality of powered V-rollers for pre-positioning said pipe in an axial direction within said system, a powered cart for grasping a section of pipe and axially transporting said pipe a preselected distance for proper positioning with respect to said pipe rotating means, and a plurality of steady rest assemblies for supporting a pipe being rotated by said pipe rotating means, each including (a) a steady rest base, (b) a cradle pivotable about said steady rest base and having extending shafts for engagement with said steady rest base, (c) a pair of arms pivotable about said cradle, (d) at least three tires supported by said pair of arms and adapted for rotational engagement with said pipe, and (e) adjustment means for altering the position of one tire supported by one of said arms with respect to another tire supported by the same arm for properly supporting pipe of various diameters. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 27)
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18. A system for handling joints of pipe of various diameters in a pipe threading operation including pipe rotating means, comprising:
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a plurality of plates rotatable in synchronization for properly positioning individual joints of pipe within said system, a plurality of powered gear boxes each containing a plurality of gears interconnected with a respective one of said plurality of plates, a plurality of powered V-rollers for pre-positioning said pipe in an axial direction within said system, and a plurality of steady rest assemblies for supporting a pipe being rotated by said pipe rotating means, each including (a) a steady rest base, (b) a cradle pivotable about said steady rest base and having extending shafts for engagement with said steady rest base, (c) a pair of arms pivotable about said cradle, (d) at least three tires supported by said pair of arms and adapted for rotational engagement with said pipe, and (e) adjustment means for altering the position of one tire supported by one of said arms with respect to another tire supported by the same arm for properly supporting pipe of various diameters. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification