Pipe laying assembly
First Claim
1. An apparatus for laying and assembling segments of pipe to form a pipeline, the pipe segments being asymmetrical and having a makeup end and an insert end, the apparatus comprising:
- pipe storage means for storing a plurality of segments of pipe, the pipe storage means comprising a pipe delivery means for biasing the pipe segments toward a queuing position;
pipe removal means for removing each individual pipe segment from the pipe storage means, the pipe removal means comprising;
an inclined pipe support ramp; and
restraining means for selectively restraining the pipe segments and for permitting a single pipe segment in the queuing position to slide onto the inclined pipe support ramp;
means for supporting and aligning the pipe segment coextensive to the pipeline, comprising;
pipe elevator means receiving a pipe segment from the inclined pipe ramp for lowering and aligning the queued pipe segment in longitudinal alignment with the longitudinal axis of the pipeline;
means for coupling the aligned pipe segment to the end segment of the pipeline;
means for orienting the individual pipe segment so that the insert end of such pipe segment is oriented in a predetermined position;
driving means for driving the apparatus along a selected path as the length of the pipeline increases;
sag control means for supporting an end of the pipeline and for lowering the pipeline to a desired position as the driving means drives the apparatus along the selected path; and
wherein the pipe storage means comprises a frame supported by the driving means; and
wherein the pipe elevator means comprises;
an inclined conveyor disposed in substantial alignment with the pipeline;
a pipe elevator pivotally supported by the frame and pivotable between an upper position and a lower position, the lower position being substantially adjacent the inclined conveyor;
pipe transfer means for effecting transfer of the pipe segment from the pipe elevator to the inclined conveyor when the pipe elevator is moved to the lower position; and
means for selectively moving the pipe elevator between its upper and lower positions.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pipe laying apparatus for assembling segments of pipe into a pipeline, the pipe laying apparatus having a pipe storage assembly supported by a driving assembly. A pipe removing assembly removes individual pipe segments to a queuing area. A pipe orienting assembly orients the pipe axially, if required, and a supporting and aligning assembly lowers the oriented pipe segment to axial alignment with the pipeline being constructed, while a pipe coupling device installs the aligned pipe segment with the pipeline end. A sag control assembly provides support for the pipeline and lowers same to a desired location as the pipe laying assembly is driven along a selected pipeline construction route.
35 Citations
13 Claims
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1. An apparatus for laying and assembling segments of pipe to form a pipeline, the pipe segments being asymmetrical and having a makeup end and an insert end, the apparatus comprising:
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pipe storage means for storing a plurality of segments of pipe, the pipe storage means comprising a pipe delivery means for biasing the pipe segments toward a queuing position; pipe removal means for removing each individual pipe segment from the pipe storage means, the pipe removal means comprising; an inclined pipe support ramp; and restraining means for selectively restraining the pipe segments and for permitting a single pipe segment in the queuing position to slide onto the inclined pipe support ramp; means for supporting and aligning the pipe segment coextensive to the pipeline, comprising; pipe elevator means receiving a pipe segment from the inclined pipe ramp for lowering and aligning the queued pipe segment in longitudinal alignment with the longitudinal axis of the pipeline; means for coupling the aligned pipe segment to the end segment of the pipeline; means for orienting the individual pipe segment so that the insert end of such pipe segment is oriented in a predetermined position; driving means for driving the apparatus along a selected path as the length of the pipeline increases; sag control means for supporting an end of the pipeline and for lowering the pipeline to a desired position as the driving means drives the apparatus along the selected path; and wherein the pipe storage means comprises a frame supported by the driving means; and wherein the pipe elevator means comprises; an inclined conveyor disposed in substantial alignment with the pipeline; a pipe elevator pivotally supported by the frame and pivotable between an upper position and a lower position, the lower position being substantially adjacent the inclined conveyor; pipe transfer means for effecting transfer of the pipe segment from the pipe elevator to the inclined conveyor when the pipe elevator is moved to the lower position; and means for selectively moving the pipe elevator between its upper and lower positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An apparatus for laying and assembling segments of pipe to form a pipeline, comprising:
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pipe storage means for storing a plurality of segments of pipe, and comprising a pipe delivery means for biasing the pipe segments toward a queuing position; pipe removal means for removing each individual pipe segment from the pipe storage means, the pipe removal means comprising; an inclined pipe support ramp; and restraining means for selectively restraining the pipe segments and for permitting a single pipe segment in the queuing position to slide onto the inclined pipe support ramp; means for supporting and aligning the pipe segment coextensive to the pipeline and comprising; pipe elevator means receiving a pipe segment from the inclined pipe ram for lowering and aligning the queued pipe segment in longitudinal alignment with the longitudinal axis of the pipeline; and means for coupling the aligned pipe segment to the end segment of the pipeline; driving means for driving the apparatus along a selected path as the length of the pipeline increases; and sag control means for supporting an end of the pipeline and for lowering the pipeline to a desired position as the driving means drives the apparatus along the selected path; wherein the pipe storage means comprises a frame supported by the driving means; and wherein the pipe elevator means comprises; an inclined conveyor disposed in substantial alignment with the pipeline; a pipe elevator pivotally supported by the frame and pivotable between an upper position and a lower position, the lower position being substantially adjacent the inclined conveyor; pipe transfer means for effecting transfer of the pipe segment from the pipe elevator to the inclined conveyor when the pipe elevator is moved to the lower position; and means for selectively moving the pipe elevator between its upper and lower positions. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for laying and assembling segments of pipe to form a pipeline, comprising:
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pipe storage means for storing a plurality of segments of pipe, the pipe storage means comprising a pipe delivery means for biasing the pipe segments toward a queuing position; pipe removal means for removing each individual pipe segment from the pipe storage means, the pipe removal means comprising; an inclined pipe support ramp; and restraining means for selectively restraining the pipe'"'"'segments and for permitting a single pipe segment in the queuing position to slide onto the inclined pipe support ramp; means for supporting and aligning the pipe segment coextensive to the pipeline, the supporting and aligning means comprising; pipe elevator means receiving a pipe segment from the inclined pipe ramp for lowering and aligning the queued pipe segment in longitudinal alignment with the longitudinal axis of the pipeline; means for coupling the aligned pipe segment to the end segment of the pipeline; sag control means for supporting an end of the pipeline and for lowering the pipeline to a desired position as the driving means drives the apparatus along the selected path; wherein the storage means comprises a frame supported by the driving means; and wherein the pipe elevator means comprises; an inclined conveyor disposed in substantial alignment with the pipeline; a pipe elevator pivotally supported by the frame and pivotable between an upper position and a lower position, the lower position being substantially adjacent the inclined conveyor; pipe transfer means for effecting transfer of the pipe segment from the pipe elevator to the inclined conveyor when the pipe elevator is moved to the lower position; and means for selectively moving the pipe elevator between its upper and lower positions. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. An apparatus for laying and assembling segments of pipe of the type having a bell end and a smooth end, the assembled pipe segments forming a pipeline, the apparatus comprising:
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a frame; means for driving the frame; pipe storage means, supported by the frame, for storing a plurality of segments of pipe; means for removing an individual pipe segment from the pipe storage means; means for orienting the individual pipe segment after removal from the pipe storage means such that the bell end of the individual pipe segment is oriented in a predetermined direction; means for supporting and aligning the oriented pipe segment such that the longitudinal axis of the oriented pipe segment is coextensive with the pipeline; means for coupling the aligned pipe segment to the end segment of the pipeline whereby the smooth end of one of the two pipe segments is seated in the bell end of the other segment; means for supporting and lowering the pipeline so that the pipeline is supported and lowered to a desired location as the driving means drives the apparatus; wherein the pipe storage means comprises a frame supported by the driving means; and wherein the pipe elevator means comprises; an inclined conveyor disposed in substantial alignment with the pipeline; a pipe elevator pivotally supported by the frame and pivotable between an upper position and a lower position, the lower position being substantially adjacent the inclined conveyor; pipe transfer means for effecting transfer of the pipe segment from the pipe elevator to the inclined conveyor when the pipe elevator is moved to the lower position; and means for selectively moving the pipe elevator between its upper and lower positions. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification