Movable factory for simultaneous mobile field manufacturing and installation of non-metallic pipe

• US 9,453,606 B2
• Filed: 05/08/2012
• Issued: 09/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smart Pipe Company, Inc
• Original Assignee: Smart Pipe Company, Inc
• Inventors: Mandich, Ivan C., Ekelund, Aron Robert, Catha, Stephen Crockett, Charboneau, Kenneth Ray, Reed, Justin Michael, Stringfellow, William D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bryant, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Salone, Bayan
• Application Number:
  US13/506,687
• Publication Number:
  US 20120285575A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,603 Days
• Field of Search: 294/29, 297/00, 297/11, 297/12, 156/143, 156/173, 156/175, 156/195, 405/154.1, 405/155, 405/156, 405/158, 405/184, 405/184.1, 405/184.2
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 53/58 helically
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 63/105 continuously
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/20 with direct contact, e.g. using "mirror"
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1142 Single butt to butt joints
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/5221 for forming coaxial connections, i.e. the tubular articles to be joined forming a zero angle relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 23/001 Pipes; Pipe joints pleated hoses B29D23/18
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/06 PE, i.e. polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/065 HDPE, i.e. high density polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/0675 HMWPE, i.e. high molecular weight polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/0691 PEX, i.e. crosslinked polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/083 EVA, i.e. ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/086 EVOH, i.e. ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/0079 Liquid crystals
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2023/006 Flexible liners
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 1/038 the pipes being made in situ
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 11/12 with arrangements for particular purposes, e.g. specially profiled, with protecting layer, heated, electrically conducting F16L11/11 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/1656 materials for flexible liners hoses in general F16L11/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/17 Surface bonding means and/or assemblymeans with work feeding or handling means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49828 Progressively advancing of work assembly station or assembled portion of work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53 : Means to assemble or disassemble
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53048 : Multiple station assembly or disassembly apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53052 : including position sensor

Abstract

Movable systems and methods for making pipe, e.g., non-metallic pipe, either for stand-alone use as produced or for use as a pipe liner, the pipe made at a site at which it is to be used; and, in certain aspects, a transportable factory for simultaneous mobile field manufacturing and installation for making pipe, e.g., reinforced thermoplastic composite pipe, either for stand-alone use or for use as a pipe liner, the pipe made, in one aspect, at a site of use of the pipe. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).

Claims

1. A system for making pipe, the system comprising

a plurality of apparatuses for making a nonmetallic reinforced pipe, the pipe made by the system comprising a base pipe with at least one additional component applied thereto, the base pipe having a first end, a second end, and an unobstructed flow channel therethrough,

each apparatus of the plurality of apparatuses connected to another of the apparatuses or between two apparatuses,

each apparatus connected with a connector that permits relative motion between connected apparatuses, and

the system comprising a movable system, and

the plurality of apparatuses comprising handling apparatus and application apparatus,

the handling apparatus for receiving the base pipe, and

the application apparatus for applying the at least one additional component onto the base pipe, the base pipe'"'"'s flow channel unobstructed during said application.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the system is mobile and further comprises

a prime mover,

a first apparatus connected to the prime mover and to another of the apparatuses, and

the first apparatus connected to the prime mover with a connector that permits relative motion of the first apparatus with respect to the prime mover.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein each apparatus is articulable with respect to each apparatus connected thereto to facilitate movement of the system over varying surfaces.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the system is transportable at a site that is a site of use of the pipe that is made by the system.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the pipe is reinforced thermoplastic composite pipe.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the pipe includes

the base pipe comprising a core pipe made of temperature-resistant corrosion-resistant material,

at least one strengthening wrap around the pipe,

a plurality of spaced-apart pulling tapes positioned longitudinally on the pipe,

at least one sensor on the pipe,

a protective outer cover on the pipe,

the pipe comprising a stand-alone pipe,

the at least one strengthening wrap, the plurality of spaced-apart pulling tapes, the at least one sensor, and the protective outer cover comprising additional components,

the system comprising application apparatuses for applying the additional components to the base pipe with the base pipe'"'"'s flow channel unobstructed during said applications.

7. The system of claim 6 further comprising

the plurality of apparatuses including

an apparatus for positioning the pipe,

an apparatus for applying the at least one strengthening layer on the pipe,

an apparatus for applying the spaced-apart pulling tapes on the pipe,

an apparatus for applying the at least one sensor on the pipe, and

an apparatus for applying the protective outer cover on the pipe.

8. The system of claim 7 further comprising

a control system for controlling the plurality of apparatuses.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising

a plurality of enclosures for protecting the apparatuses, personnel, and a control system.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the system is movable as the system produces the pipe, the system leaving pipe made by the system behind as the system moves on producing pipe.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising

apparatus for applying to the pipe a barrier to inhibit fluid permeation with respect to the pipe.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the pipe comprises a stand-alone pipe for lining an existing pipe.

13. A system for making a pipe, the system comprising

apparatus for removing an existing pipe from a trench,

apparatus for introducing a pipe made by the system back into the trench, the pipe made by the system including the existing pipe,

apparatus for applying at least one additional component to the existing pipe following removal of the existing pipe from the trench,

each apparatus connected to another of the apparatuses or between two apparatuses,

each apparatus connected with a connector that permits relative motion between connected apparatuses, and

the system comprising a movable system,

a prime mover,

an apparatus connected to the prime mover and to another of the apparatuses, and

the apparatus connected to the prime mover connected with a connector that permits relative motion of said apparatus with respect to the prime mover.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the at least one additional component comprises one of tape, wrap, treatment material, cover and instrumentation.

15. The system of claim 13 further comprising

an apparatus for positioning the pipe,

an apparatus for applying the at least one strengthening layer on the pipe,

an apparatus for applying the spaced-apart pulling tapes on the pipe,

an apparatus for applying the at least one sensor on the pipe, an apparatus for applying the protective outer cover on the pipe.

16. The system of claim 13 comprising a plurality of trailers and wherein each apparatus is on a movable trailer.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the trailers are connected and articulable with respect to each other.

18. The system of claim 13 further comprising movement apparatus for moving the pipe through the other apparatuses.

19. The system of claim 13 further comprising a prime mover for moving the apparatuses.