WO2011001183A1

WO2011001183A1 - Pipe dispensing apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2011001183A1
Application number: PCT/GB2010/051090
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Richard Vines
Original assignee: Balfour Beatty Plc
Priority date: 2009-07-01
Filing date: 2010-07-01
Publication date: 2011-01-06
Also published as: GB2471488A; GB0911351D0

Abstract

There is disclosed an apparatus for storing a coil of pipe (3) and for dispensing the pipe. The apparatus comprises a frame (11) which defines an interior volume for receiving the pipe coil. The frame is provided with a dispensing arm (17) pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis to extend outwardly from the frame. The dispensing arm is provided with a pipe restraining means for restricting movement of the pipe in directions transverse to the pipe while allowing dispensation of the pipe in the longitudinal direction of the pipe. The apparatus may be carried by a powered or unpowered vehicle. Also disclosed is a method of dispensing a pipe from the apparatus.

Description

Pipe Dispensing Apparatus

Field of the invention

This invention relates to an apparatus for storing a coil of pipe and for dispensing the pipe. The apparatus is particularly suitable for use with coils of pipe of the type typically used for transporting mains services underground. The invention also relates to a trailer comprising the apparatus which is suitable for transporting coils of pipe and a method of using the apparatus.

Background to the Invention

Underground pipes are frequently installed to deliver services to residential and commercial properties, for example mains water and gas. Underground pipes can also serve as conduits for electrical cables and communication links. Such pipes are typically manufactured as flexible, thin walled structures formed of plastics materials, for example polyethylene (PE).

As well as the laying of new service pipes, there in an increasing need for old and damaged pipes to be replaced in an effort to reduce leaks. Projects to replace existing service pipes typically need to be carried out in built up areas for which it is difficult to control site access.

For projects involving the laying of new pipes or the replacement of existing pipes there is a need to transport the new or replacement pipe to the installation site. For thin walled pipes having all but the largest diameters (for example, diameters in the range 63mm to 180mm) it is convenient to transport the pipe as a coil having multiple turns. In this way, relatively long lengths of the pipe can be transported in a compact arrangement, typically on a purpose designed trailer for a road vehicle.

A problem associated with the storage and transportation of pipe coils is that the forming of the pipe into a coil induces significant bending stresses in the pipe. The magnitude of the stresses depends on the wall thickness of the pipe and the diameter of the coil. The bending stresses are stored in the coil as potential energy and the pipe is typically prevented from relaxing during transportation by straps which are tightened around the turns of the coil at multiple locations.

When the straps are removed from the pipe after transportation, the energy stored in the pipe coil can be released suddenly and the pipe has a tendency to straighten out in an uncontrolled manner and with great force. This is most often observed as an end of the pipe "flicking out", thereby creating a risk of injury to personnel involved in the operation and potentially also to other people in the vicinity of the installation site.

Another problem relates to the dispensation of pipe from the coi! after it has been transported to the installation site, in general, the pipe is passed directly from the coil into an excavation for installation. The directing of the pipe downwards into an excavation typically involves the further bending of the pipe and, again, significant bending stresses are induced which may create a risk of injury is appropriate safety measures are not taken.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for storing a coil of pipe and for dispensing the pipe, the apparatus comprising a frame which defines an interior volume for receiving the coil, the frame being provided with a dispensing arm pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis to extend outwardly from the frame, wherein the dispensing arm is provided with a pipe restraining means for restricting movement of the pipe in directions transverse to the pipe while allowing dispensation of the pipe in the longitudinal direction of the pipe.

The invention thus provides a pivotally mounted dispensing arm having a pipe restraining means. In this way, an end of the coil of pipe stored in the frame can be received in the pipe restraining means and then, by varying the angular position of the dispensing arm, the pipe can be directed to the installation site as required. Since the pipe is securely restrained by the pipe restraining means, bending stresses can be safely induced as the pipe is dispensed. The pipe may, for example, be dispensed directly into an excavation in a downwards direction.

The frame is typically formed of a plurality of elongate members defining uprights, side members and cross members, as is known in the art. The dispensing arm is typically installed in the vicinity of a rear end of the frame and may be pivotally mounted to the frame (for example at a level corresponding substantially to the lowest point of a coil received in the frame). The apparatus may further include means for locking the dispensing arm in any of a plurality of angular positions with respect to the frame. In this way, a pipe received in the pipe restraining means can be dispensed in various different directions. The means for locking the dispensing arm may, for example, comprise a hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic actuator may also serve to vary the angular position of the dispensing arm. A hydraulic circuit may be provided for operating the hydraulic actuator.

The dispensing arm may comprise a pair of parallel side members, the side members being joined by cross members. The pipe restraining means may then be carried by at least one of the cross members. The pipe restraining means may be slidably mounted to the cross member. In this way, the position of the pipe restraining means can be laterally adjusted to correspond to the location of an end of the pipe. The at least one cross member may be rotatably mounted to the side members, so that the pipe restraining means can be pivoted. For example, pairs of the cross members may be coupled together in a fixed, parallel relationship by plate-like end brackets, and the brackets pivotally mounted to the side members. Alternatively, the pipe restraining means may simply be pivotally mounted to the at least one cross member. The pipe restraining means may define a plurality of deflecting surfaces for at least partly surrounding the pipe, which may for example be rolling surfaces or sliding surfaces. The pipe restraining means may comprise a pair of rollers arranged to face each other in the lateral direction. The rollers may have profiled surfaces so that, when a pipe is threaded between the rollers its movement in transverse directions (that is to say directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the pipe) is restricted or even prevented. A spacing between the rollers may be adjustable so that pipes having different outer diameters can be accommodated by the pipe restraining means.

The dispensing arm may be provided with a second pipe restraining means. In this case the pipe restraining means described above is a first pipe restraining means and the second pipe restraining means is spaced from the first pipe restraining means in the longitudinal direction of the pipe. The first and second pipe restraining means may be carried by different cross members of the dispensing arm.

The second pipe restraining means may be essentially the same as the first pipe restraining means and may therefore have one or more of the features of the first pipe restraining means described above.

The provision of a pair of longitudinally spaced apart pipe restraining means enables a pipe to be independently restrained at two locations. In this way, a dispensed portion of the pipe can be separated from the coil by cutting it between the two locations, such that the potentially dangerous release of bending stresses is avoided. Another aspect of the invention relates to the handling of the coil of pipe in the apparatus. In particular, at least one coil restraining means may be provided for bearing on an inner face of the coil while allowing it to rotate. A coil restraining means of this type may prevent the coil from being pulled through the apparatus and may enable the coil to rotate as the pipe is dispensed. Thus, the need for a conventional carousel can be avoided. Multiple coil restraining means may also serve to prevent the diameter of the coil becoming smaller as the pipe is dispensed.

Each coil restraining means may be arranged such that it can be moved into and out of the interior volume of the frame. In this way, a coil of pipe can be conveniently received into the interior volume before the coil restraining means is moved into place. The position of the coil restraining means within the interior volume of the frame may be adjustable in the radial direction of the coil.

Each coil restraining means may comprise a roller carried on an arm. The arm may be pivotally mounted to one side of the frame. Pairs of rollers may be coupled together and carried by a yoke arrangement.

The invention also provides a powered or unpowered vehicle comprising the apparatus described above. The vehicle may, for example, be an unpowered trailer for a road vehicle. The trailer may have an open chassis for carrying the apparatus.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of dispensing pipe from the apparatus described above, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a coil of pipe into the interior volume of the frame;

pivoting the dispensing arm to move the pipe restraining means towards an end of the coil of pipe; receiving the end of the pipe into the pipe restraining means and adjusting the pipe restraining means to restrict movement of the pipe in directions transverse to the pipe;

pivoting the dispensing arm to direct the end of the pipe in a dispensing direction; and

dispensing the pipe from the apparatus by pulϋng the pipe through the pipe restraining means.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment.

Brief description of the drawings

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an unpowered trailer according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a subassembly of the trailer shown in Figure 1 ; and

Figures 3a to 3e are perspective views of the trailer in various configurations for use in describing a method of using the trailer.

Detailed description

The invention provides an apparatus, which may be carried by a vehicle, for storing a coil of pipe and for dispensing the pipe. The apparatus comprises a frame which defines an interior volume for receiving the coil. According to the invention, the frame is provided with a dispensing arm pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis to extend outwardly from the frame. The dispensing arm is provided with a pipe restraining means for restricting movement of the pipe in directions transverse to the pipe while allowing dispensation of the pipe in the longitudinal direction of the pipe. Figure 1 shows an unpowered trailer 1 according to the invention. The trailer 1 carries an apparatus for storing a coil of pipe 3 and for dispensing the pipe. The trailer 1 comprises an open chassis 5 mounted on twin braked axles 7. The trailer is provided with a conventional coupling 9 for towing the trailer 1 with a road vehicle (not shown).

The apparatus for storing a coil of pipe comprises an open frame 11. The frame 1 1 defines an interior volume into which the coil 3 can be received. The frame 1 1 is arranged such that the coil 3 is received in an upright orientation with its axis extending in a substantially horizontal direction. The frame 3 is a welded structure formed of uprights, side members and cross members, as well as diagonal bracing members.

The frame 11 carries two sets of base rollers 13. The base rollers 13 extend in substantially horizontal directions for supporting the coil of pipe 3. Each set of base rollers 13 comprises a pair of rollers carried by a pivotally mounted yoke arrangement. The pivotal mounting enables the base rollers 13 to adapt to support coils having different outer diameters. The frame is also provided with a coil restraining means for preventing the coil 3 from being pulled through the frame 11. The coil restraining means comprises two sets of internal anti-pull through (IAPT) rollers 15 arranged to bear on the inside face of the coil 3. The IAPT rollers 15 have a similar structure to the base rollers 13. Thus, the IAPT rollers 15 extend in substantially horizontal directions and each set comprises a pair of rollers carried by a pivotally mounted yoke arrangement. The position of the pivotal mounting in the radial direction of the coil 3 can be adjusted so that coils 3 having different inner diameters can be accommodated. The sets of IAPT rollers 15 are mounted so that they can be moved into and out of the interior volume of the frame 11 which receives the coil 3. This functionality enables a coil of pipe 3 to be received into the frame 11 without obstruction, after which the IAPT rollers 15 can be manoeuvred into place, adjusted and locked. The IAPT rollers 15 avoid the need for a conventional carousel arrangement and, when properly adjusted, prevent the diameter of the coil 3 reducing as the pipe is dispensed.

According to the invention, the frame 11 of the apparatus is also provided with a pivotally mounted dispensing arm 17 mounted at the rear of the frame 11. The dispensing arm 17 is shown in greater detail in Figure 2. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the dispensing arm 17 comprises a pair of side members 19 and a plurality of cross members 21a, 21 b connecting the side members 19 to form a ladder frame. A first end of each side member 19 is provided with a pivotal connecting means 23 for coupling the dispensing arm 17 to the frame 11. A second end of each side member 19 is provided with retractable stabilising legs 25 for spacing the dispensing arm 17, in use, from the ground.

Pairs of the cross members 21 b carry pipe restraining means in the form of roller assemblies 27. These cross members 21b are arranged in pairs and connected at their ends by plate-like brackets 29 pivotally mounted to the side members 19. In this way, the roller assemblies 27 are able to pivot. One of the cross members 21 a is rigidly joined to the side members 19 by welded joints. The roller assemblies 27 each comprise a pair of rotatably mounted nylon rollers. The rotational axes of the rollers extend in directions perpendicular to the cross members 21 b. The rollers are slidably mounted to the cross members 21 b so that their lateral position can be adjusted to match that of the end of the pipe coil 3. The slidable mounting of the rollers is independent, so that the rollers can also be separated from each other to receive the pipe end and then pushed together to effectively clamp the pipe 3. Each roller assembly 27 is provided with a clamping mechanism 29 for this purpose. The clamping mechanisms 29 maintain a fixed spacing between the rollers.

The rollers of the roller assemblies 27 are profiled so that, when an end of the pipe 3 is placed between them and they are pushed together, movement of the pipe in transverse directions is prevented. That is, the rollers effectively captivate the pipe 3. The profiling of the rollers is essentially arcuate. The rollers are configured for the maximum size of pipe with which the apparatus is intended to be used, but is suitable for used with a wide range of pipe sizes (for example pipes having outer diameters of 63mm to

180mm).

The dispensing arm 17 is mounted by the pivotal connecting means 23 to the rear of the frame 11 , at a height roughly corresponding to the height of the base rollers 13 which support the pipe coil 3. The dispensing arm 17 is mounted to the frame 11 such that it can be pivoted from a vertical storage position through 90 degrees or more to a dispensing position (as shown in the Figures). Movement of the dispensing arm 17 with respect to the frame 11 is effected through a conventional linear hydraulic actuator 33 (shown in Figure 3c). The hydraulic actuator also serves to lock the desired position of the dispensing arm 17. A hydraulic circuit and manual hydraulic pump 35 are provided for operating the hydraulic actuator 33.

The frame 11 of the apparatus is also provided with hingedly mounted rear gates 31. With the dispensing arm 17 in the vertical storage position, the rear gates 31 can be closed to provide additional safety protection. The rear gates 31 are provided with guarding as an additional safety measure and can be locked in the open and closed positions. When the gates 31 are opened to receive a pipe coil 3 or to dispense the pipe (as shown in Figure 1) the gates 31 serve to indicate a danger area and may be painted red and/or provided with appropriate signage.

Use of the trailer 1 will now be described with specific reference to Figures 3a to 3e.

In preparation for receiving a coil of pipe 3, the rear gates 31 of the trailer 1 are locked open and the dispensing arm 17 is lowered to a horizontal position. The IAPT rollers 15 are also withdrawn from the interior volume of the frame 11 by disconnecting them at one end and then swinging them out of the interior volume. The IAPT rollers 15 are locked in the withdrawn position.

The coil of pipe 3, which is maintained as a coil by straps at several circumferential positions, is then lifted off the ground using conventional lifting equipment and the trailer 1 is reversed into the coil 3 so that the coil 3 is received into the interior volume of the frame 11. The coil 3 is then lowered until it rests on the base rollers 13, and the coil 3 is detached from the lifting equipment. The loaded coil 3 is shown in Figure 3a. It will be seen that the coil 3 is loaded so that the outer end of the pipe extends rearwards from the base of the coil 3.

After the coil 3 has been loaded into the interior volume of the frame 11 , the IAPT rollers 15 are unlocked and swung back into the interior volume. The positions of the IAPT rollers 15 in the radial direction of the coil 3 are adjusted so that the rollers 15 bear on the inside face of the coil 3. The IAPT rollers 15 are then locked in position, as shown in Figure 3b, for example using ratchet straps. Once the IAPT rollers 15 have been installed, the dispensing arm 17 is raised to the vertical position by the hydraulic actuator, as shown in Figure 3c. Prior to raising the dispensing arm 17, the rollers of the second of the two roller assemblies 27 (furthest from the pivotal connecting means 23) are separated in preparation for receiving the end of the pipe. With the dispensing arm in the vertical position, the rollers of the roller assembly 27 are pushed together to surround the end of the pipe, as shown in the Figure. The rollers are then clamped in position using the clamping mechanism 29 (see Figure 2). The roller assembly 27 prevents movement of the pipe in transverse directions while allowing the pipe to be pulled in the longitudinal direction. It will be seen that approximately 600mm of the pipe protrudes from the roller assembly 27 in Figure 3c.

With the dispensing arm 17 raised and the rear gates 31 locked in the closed position, the trailer 1 can be towed to an installation site, for example with a road vehicle. At the installation site the straps around the coil 3 are first cut, for example using a long handled cutting tool. This releases some of the bending stresses in the coil, but the basic shape of the coil is maintained by the base rollers 13 and the IAPT rollers 15 acting on the coil 3. The end of the pipe is maintained in position by the roller assembly 27.

The rear gates 31 are then opened and locked in the open position and the dispensing arm 17 is lowered until the extended stabilising feet 25 contact the ground, as shown in Figure 3d. The dispensing arm 17 is locked in this position, for example by shutting hydraulic valves to lock the hydraulic circuit and the hydraulic actuator 33. In this position the dispensing arm 17 defines an angle of around 20 degrees to the horizontal. Since the end of the pipe 3 is enclosed by the roller assembly 27, bending stresses in the end of the pipe are released slowly as the dispensing arm 17 is lowered. Before the pipe 3 is dispensed, the second of the two roller assemblies 27 is clamped around the pipe, as shown in Figure 3e. The second roller assembly 27 is operated in the same way as the first roller assembly described above.

The pipe may then be dispensed from the trailer by pulling or drawing it through the roller assemblies 27. For example, an attachment may be mounted on the end of the pipe 3 to enable the pipe to be winched. The pipe 3 may be dispensed in a downwards direction, for example directly into an excavation. As the pipe 3 is dispensed, reverse bending stresses are induced as the pipe passes from the coil to the dispensing arm 17. These reverse stresses assist in destressing the pipe 3 as it is dispensed.

In the event that the pipe 3 requires cutting, this operation can be performed at a position between the two roller assemblies 27. In this way, after cutting, the two free ends of the pipe adjacent the cut are held by a respective roller assembly 27. The hazardous release of bending stresses is thereby avoided. In the event that the entire coil of pipe 3 is not dispensed from the trailer 1 at the installation site, the remaining coil of pipe can be transported away. In this case, the pipe is released from the second of the two roller assemblies 27, the dispensing arm 17 is returned to the vertical position, and the rear gates 31 are locked in the closed position, before the trailer 1 is towed away as required.

A specific example of the invention has been described above. Various changes within the scope of the invention will be apparent. For example, a trailer has been described. However, the apparatus for storing and dispensing a coil of pipe could be arranged on the deck of a powered vehicle. Sn the example described above, the position of the dispensing arm is adjusted and locked by hydraulic means. However, other means could be provided, such as a chain drive for adjusting the position and locking pins for locking the position.

Claims

1. An apparatus for storing a coil of pipe and for dispensing the pipe, the apparatus comprising a frame which defines an interior volume for receiving the coil, the frame being provided with a dispensing arm pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis to extend outwardly from the frame, wherein the dispensing arm is provided with a pipe restraining means for restricting movement of the pipe in directions transverse to the pipe while allowing dispensation of the pipe in the longitudinal direction of the pipe.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising means for locking the dispensing arm in a plurality of angular positions with respect to the frame.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the means for locking the dispensing arm comprises a hydraulic actuator.

4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim , wherein the dispensing arm comprises a pair of parallel side members, the side members being joined by cross members, and wherein the pipe restraining means is carried by at least one of the cross members.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the pipe restraining means is slidably mounted to the at least one cross member.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the at least one cross member is rotatably mounted to the side members.

7. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the pipe restraining means defines a plurality of deflecting surfaces for at least partly surrounding the pipe.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the pipe restraining means comprises a pair of rollers arranged to face each other.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the rollers have profiled surfaces.

10. An apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein a spacing between the rollers is adjustable.

11. An apparatus according to any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the pipe restraining means is a first pipe restraining means, and wherein the dispensing arm is provided with a second pipe restraining means spaced from the first pipe restraining means, the second pipe restraining means defining a plurality of deflecting surfaces for at least partly surrounding the pipe.

12. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising at least one coil restraining means for bearing on the inner face of the coil of pipe while allowing it to rotate, each coil restraining means being pivotally mounted to a side of the trailer and arranged to swing into and out of the interior volume of the frame.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein each coil restraining means comprises a roller carried on an arm.

14. A powered or unpowered vehicle comprising the apparatus according to any preceding claim.

15. A method of dispensing pipe from an apparatus according to any preceding claim, the method comprising:

receiving a coil of pipe into the interior volume of the frame; pivoting the dispensing arm to move the pipe restraining means towards an end of the coil of pipe;

receiving the end of the pipe into the pipe restraining means and adjusting the pipe restraining means to restrict movement of the pipe in directions transverse to the pipe;

dispensing the pipe from the apparatus by pulling the pipe through the pipe restraining means.