Apparatus, work station and method for applying protective sheeting of polymer material to a pipeline, and computer program for implementing the method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10836097-B2
Application number	US-201415039787-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 28, 2014
Priority date	Nov 29, 2013
Publication date	Nov 17, 2020
Grant date	Nov 17, 2020

Abstract

An apparatus configured to apply protective sheeting of polymer material around a cutback on a pipeline has a frame located close to a pipeline extending along a longitudinal axis; a manipulator fitted to the frame and having a guide system movable between a rest position at a distance from the pipeline, and a work position in which the guide system is fitted around the pipeline; and an extrusion die movable selectively along the guide system and around the pipeline to supply and apply protective sheeting around the cutback on the pipeline.

First claim

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A pipeline protective sheeting application apparatus comprising:
a frame locatable a designated distance from a pipeline extending along a longitudinal axis transverse to a bed of a body of water;
a manipulator fittable to the frame and movable with respect to the frame, the manipulator including a guide system separately movable between a rest position a first distance from the pipeline, and a work position a second distance from the pipeline, wherein in the work position, the guide system is fittable around the pipeline; and
an extrusion die comprising an extrusion outlet defining a cross section corresponding in size and shape to a cross section of a protective sheeting, the extrusion die selectively movable:
(i) along the guide system via a carriage of the guide system which supports the extrusion die and is selectively moveable along a guide of the guide system, and
(ii) around the pipeline to supply and apply the protective sheeting around a cutback on the pipeline.

2. The pipeline protective sheeting application apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the guide system includes a plurality of spacers which, in the work position, are positionable in contact with the pipeline to center the guide system around the pipeline by permitting axial movement of the guide system with respect to the pipeline.

3. The pipeline protective sheeting application apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the spacers are divided into two axially spaced groups, each including at least three spacers arranged around the longitudinal axis.

4. The pipeline protective sheeting application apparatus of claim 2 , wherein each spacer includes a roller configured to contact the pipeline and assist in the axial movement between the guide system and the pipeline.

5. The pipeline protective sheeting application apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the manipulator is selectively movable with respect to the frame to axially adjust a position of the guide system with respect to the cutback on the pipeline.

6. The pipeline protective sheeting application apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the guide system includes at least one sensor configured to determine an axial position of the guide system with respect to the cutback.

7. The pipeline protective sheeting application apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the manipulator includes:
an articulated system configured to move the guide system between the work position and the rest position, and
a universal joint to connect the articulated system to the guide system and permit angular movement of the guide system with respect to the articulated system when the guide system is fittable around the pipeline.

8. The pipeline protective sheeting application apparatus of claim 1 , which includes an extrusion device which is fittable to the guide system and is connectable, by a hose, to the extrusion die to permit relative movement between the extrusion die and the extrusion device.

9. The pipeline protective sheeting application apparatus of claim 8 , which includes a winder configured to wind and unwind the hose according to a position of the extrusion die.

10. The pipeline protective sheeting application apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the winder includes a reel rotatable about a rotation axis to wind and unwind the hose according to the position of the extrusion die with respect to the guide system.

11. The pipeline protective sheeting application apparatus of claim 10 , which includes a rotary hydraulic joint having:
a rotating portion that is rotatable about a rotation axis and is connectable to the hose, and
a fixed portion rigidly connected to the extrusion outlet of the extrusion device.

12. The pipeline protective sheeting application apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the reel and the rotating portion of the rotary hydraulic joint are powered to rotate both directions about the rotation axis.

13. The pipeline protective sheeting application apparatus of claim 8 , which includes:
a plastifying device; and
a further hose configured to connect the plastifying device to the extrusion device to enable relative movement between the plastifying device and the extrusion device.

14. The pipeline protective sheeting application apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the plastifying device is mounted on an articulated system.

15. The pipeline protective sheeting application apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the protective sheeting includes a protective sheeting of a polymer material.

16. A pipeline protective sheeting application work station comprising:
a pipeline protective sheeting application apparatus configured to apply a protective sheeting around a cutback on a pipeline and including:
a frame locatable a designated distance from the pipeline extending along a longitudinal axis transverse to a bed of a body of water,
a manipulator fittable to the frame and movable with respect to the frame, the manipulator including a guide system separately movable between a rest position a first distance from the pipeline, and a work position a second distance from the pipeline, wherein in the work position, the guide system is fittable around the pipeline, and
an extrusion die comprising an extrusion outlet defining a cross section corresponding in size and shape to a cross section of the protective sheeting, the extrusion die selectively movable:
(i) along the guide system via a carriage of the guide system which supports the extrusion die and is selectively moveable along a guide of the guide system, and
(ii) around the pipeline to supply and apply the protective sheeting around a cutback on the pipeline.

Assignees

• Saipem Spa

Inventors

• Kaltchev Momtchil
• Marinozzi Walter

Classifications

• B29C63/06 Primary

  around tubular articles · CPC title

• F16L58/181

  for non-disconnectable pipe joints · CPC title

• F16L13/0272

  having an external coating · CPC title

• F16L1/207

  Pipe handling apparatus · CPC title

• B29C63/024 Primary

  the sheet or web-like material being supported by a moving carriage · CPC title