Pipes and tubular conduits – Repairing – Patches
Patent
1992-04-06
1994-05-24
Bryant, III, James E.
Pipes and tubular conduits
Repairing
Patches
138 97, 138178, 414782, 29237, 269156, F16L 5516
Patent
active
053139860
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to methods and apparatus for positioning components.
According to the invention, a method of positioning particular components against a cylindrical member using a carriage which can execute traversing movements about the member, said carriage being driven during said traversing movements by sprockets engaging stationary chain means encircling said member, comprises effecting support of a first component upon the carriage, moving the carriage and the first component about the member and placing a second component in the position previously occupied by the first component.
According to the invention apparatus for positioning particular components against a cylindrical member comprises a carriage which can traverse around said member, chain means which encircle the member and are engaged by sprockets on the carriage and first releasable means on the carriage by which a first component can be supported.
The method and apparatus for performing it will now be describe by way of example with reference to the following drawings in which -
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus showing a first component supported about a cylindrical member; and
FIG. 2 is an end view of the apparatus (partly in vertical section) 180 degrees in relation to the position shown in FIG. 1 and showing a second component (in chain outline) supported by the cylindrical member.
FIG. 1 shows a cylindrical member 10 such as a pipeline or cylindrical tubular member of a drilling platform or rig. It is required to position two semi-cylindrical components (or half shells) about the cylindrical member 10 to clamp the cylindrical member 10. For example, the half-shells may be the half-shells or a repair clamp.
One of the components 12 is shown in FIG. 1 and the other 14 is shown in FIG. 2 in chain outline.
The apparatus for positioning the components 12, 14 comprises a carriage 16 and two endless chains 18 which encircle the member 10. The carriage 16 can traverse around the member 10 by engagement with the chains 18.
Each half of the carriage 16 comprises a beam 20 having adjacent each end a tube 22, connected to a pair of triangular plates 24 carrying pairs of wheels 26 engaging the outer surface of the member 10. Each pair of wheels 26 is fast with a sprocket 28 arranged between the wheels 26 and engaging a chain 18.
Each chain 18 is engaged by further sprockets 30, 32. The two sprockets 30 are inter-connected by a drive shaft 33 driven by a gearbox 34. The sprockets 32 are idler sprockets and they are not interconnected. The chains 18 are tensioned by a further sprocket (not shown) at 40 (FIG. 2) positioned by a bolt 42. The ends of the pairs of triangular plates 24 remote from the beams 20 are interconnected by a strap 44 and ratchet fastener device 46 (FIG. 2).
The two halves of the carriage 16 are interconnected by two bars 50 which enter holes in the plates 24. Pivoted on each bar 50 are two brackets 52. Each bracket 52 has a cantilever end piece 54. The end piece 54 has a through-hole with its axis parallel to the length of the bracket 54. A stud 56 extending through the hole affords support for the first component 12, together with nuts 58, 60, 62, 64 (FIG. 2). One of the studs 56 is omitted from FIG. 2. The studs 56 enter the end holes of a series of three holes in each flange of the first component 12. The middle hole of the three is just visible in FIG. 1 at 66.
To position the carriage 16 and the chains 18 the following procedure is adopted The two half-carriages, each consisting of a beam 20 and wheeled assemblies at the ends of the tubes 22 are lifted and set onto the pipe or other cylindrical member 10 about the area desired to be repaired or clamped for other reasons. The beams 20 are located relative to one another by temporary spacers (not shown). Both half-carriages remain attached to the crane point at this stage. In each half-carriage, the left-hand tube 22 (as seen in FIG. 2) is hinged to its respective beam 20 to facilitate fitting of the wheel assemblies around the member 10. The hinge incorpo
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British Gas plc
Bryant III James E.
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