Flexible pipe handling system and method of using same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11059693-B2
Application number	US-202016793695-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 18, 2020
Priority date	Feb 15, 2019
Publication date	Jul 13, 2021
Grant date	Jul 13, 2021

Abstract

A system includes a drum assembly that includes a support bar having a first end and a second end, and a plurality of drum segments coupled to the support bar. The drum segments are movable between retracted and extended positions, and the drum assembly is configured to be disposed within an interior region of a coil of flexible pipe when the plurality of drum segments are in the retracted position. The system also includes a first containment flange coupled to the drum assembly at the first end, a second containment flange coupled to the drum assembly at the second end, a first coupling device configured to removably couple the first containment flange to the drum assembly, and a second coupling device configured to removably couple the second containment flange to the drum assembly. The first and second containment flanges are configured to contain the flexible pipe.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system, comprising: a drum assembly comprising:
a support bar having a first end and a second end; and
a plurality of drum segments coupled to the support bar, wherein the plurality of drum segments are movable between a retracted position and an extended position, and the drum assembly is configured to be disposed within an interior region of a coil of flexible pipe when the plurality of drum segments are in the retracted position;
a first containment flange coupled to the drum assembly at the first end;
a second containment flange coupled to the drum assembly at the second end, wherein the first and second containment flanges are configured to contain the flexible pipe disposed on the drum assembly between the first and second containment flanges;
a first coupling device configured to removably couple the first containment flange to the drum assembly;
a second coupling device configured to removably couple the second containment flange to the drum assembly, wherein each of the first and second coupling devices comprises a latch coupled to the drum assembly and configured to engage with a catch formed in the respective first and second containment flanges; and comprising a jackscrew configured to disengage the latch from the catch.

2. The system of claim 1 , comprising a spring mechanism configured to retain the latch engaged with the catch.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the drum assembly comprises a first drum support ring at the first end and a second drum support ring at the second end, the first containment flange comprises a first flange support ring, and the second containment flange comprises a second flange support ring, wherein the first drum support ring is configured to engage with the first flange support ring, and the second drum support ring is configured to engage with the second flange support ring.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the drum assembly comprises a braking surface configured to engage with a braking mechanism.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second containment flanges comprises an open framework.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second containment flanges comprises a support leg configured to maintain the first and second containment flanges in an upright position when not coupled to the drum assembly.

7. The system of claim 1 , comprising an installation trailer or an A-frame configured to engage with and support the support bar.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the installation trailer or the A-frame comprises a braking mechanism configured to slow or stop rotation of the drum assembly when the braking mechanism engages with a braking surface of the drum assembly.

9. The system of claim 1 , comprising a mechanical actuator or a hydraulic cylinder configured to move the plurality of drum segments between the retracted position and the extended position.

10. The system of claim 1 , comprising:
a first plurality of expandable spokes coupled to the first end of the support bar and the plurality of drum segments; and
a second plurality of expandable spokes coupled to the second end of the support bar and the plurality of drum segments.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein each catch comprises a plate disposed orthogonal to the first or second containment flange and comprising an opening therein, and wherein each latch comprises a duck head-shaped portion configured to engage with the opening of the catch.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the duck head-shaped portion comprises an angled surface and a tip.

13. A method of engaging a drum assembly with a coil of flexible pipe, comprising:
disposing the drum assembly within an interior region of the coil of flexible pipe, the drum assembly comprising:
a support bar having a first end and a second end; and
a plurality of drum segments coupled to the support bar, wherein the plurality of drum segments are movable between a retracted position and an extended position, and the drum assembly is configured to be disposed within an interior region of a coil of flexible pipe when the plurality of drum segments are in the retracted position;
moving the plurality of drum segments from the retracted position to the extended position;
removably coupling a first containment flange to the drum assembly at the first end via a first coupling device by engaging a first latch coupled to the drum assembly with a first catch formed in the first containment flange;
removably coupling a second containment flange to the drum assembly at the second end via a second coupling device by engaging a second latch coupled to the drum assembly with a second catch formed in the second containment flange;
containing the flexible pipe disposed on the drum assembly between the first and second containment flanges;
disengaging the first latch from the first catch via a first jackscrew;
uncoupling the first containment flange from the drum assembly;
disengaging the second latch from the second catch via a second jackscrew; and
uncoupling the second containment flange from the drum assembly.

14. The method of claim 13 , comprising retaining the first latch engaged with the first catch via a first spring mechanism, and retaining the second latch engaged with the second catch via a second spring mechanism.

15. The method of claim 13 , comprising:
blocking relative movement of the first containment flange with respect to the drum assembly via a first drum support ring of the drum assembly that engages with a first flange support ring of the first containment flange; and
blocking relative movement of the second containment flange with respect to the drum assembly via a second drum support ring of the drum assembly that engages with a second flange support ring of the second containment flange.

16. The method of claim 13 , comprising slowing or stopping rotation of the drum assembly via engaging a braking mechanism with a braking surface of the drum assembly.

17. The method of claim 13 , comprising:
maintaining the first containment flange in an upright position when not coupled to the drum assembly via a first support leg of the first containment flange; and
maintaining the second containment flange in an upright position when not coupled to the drum assembly via a second support leg of the second containment flange.

18. The method of claim 13 , comprising moving the plurality of drum segments between the retracted position and the extended position via a mechanical actuator or a hydraulic cylinder.

Assignees

• Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings Llc

Inventors

• Garcia Ricardo
• Guerrero Jonathan
• Hegler Matthew Allen
• Leger John
• Lousteau Matthew
• Moreno Juan
• Thethy Jagtar
• Winn Alexander Lee

Classifications

• B65H75/242

  Expansible spindles, mandrels or chucks, e.g. for securing or releasing cores, holders or packages · CPC title

• B65H75/2245 Primary

  connecting flange to hub · CPC title

• B65H75/14

  with two end flanges · CPC title

• B65H59/04

  by devices acting on package or support · CPC title

• B65H49/38

  Skips, cages, racks, or containers, adapted solely for the transport or storage of bobbins, cops, or the like · CPC title