Installation trailer for coiled flexible pipe and method of utilizing same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11643000-B2
Application number	US-202117374341-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 13, 2021
Priority date	Oct 12, 2018
Publication date	May 9, 2023
Grant date	May 9, 2023

Abstract

A system includes a collapsible trailer frame and a lifting mechanism coupled to the collapsible trailer frame. The lifting mechanism is configured to raise or lower a coil of pipe or a reel of pipe. The system also includes a braking mechanism.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system, comprising:
a collapsible trailer frame comprising two portions configured to telescope toward or away from one another such that a collapsed system width is less than an expanded system width;
a lifting mechanism coupled to the collapsible trailer frame, wherein the lifting mechanism is configured to raise or lower a coil of pipe disposed on an expandable drum assembly, wherein the lifting mechanism comprises:
one or more hooks configured to engage the expandable drum assembly;
one or more hydraulic cylinders coupled to the one or more hooks, wherein the one or more hooks are configured to engage the expandable drum assembly such that the expandable drum assembly is removable from the trailer frame and is movable in a vertical direction with respect to the trailer frame; and
one or more vertical stops configured to block the expandable drum assembly from disengaging from the one or more hooks;

a braking mechanism;
at least two wheel assemblies coupled to the collapsible trailer frame, wherein each of the wheel assemblies comprises:
a wheel frame;
at least two wheels coupled to the wheel frame; and
a pivot coupled to the collapsible trailer frame, wherein the pivot enables the wheel assembly to pivot up and down with respect to the collapsible trailer frame; and

at least one stop plate coupled to the collapsible trailer frame and configured to block movement of the wheel frame about the pivot beyond a desired amount.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the expandable drum assembly comprises:
a support bar;
a plurality of expandable spokes coupled to the support bar;
one or more mechanical actuators configured to move the expandable spokes between retracted and extended positions; and
a plurality of drum segments coupled to the expandable spokes, wherein each of the plurality of drum segments extends parallel to the support bar.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the expandable drum assembly comprises a containment flange coupled to the support bar such that the containment flange rotates together with the expandable drum assembly.

4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the support bar comprises a hub disposed at an end of the support bar, and wherein the hub comprises a shape configured to match a keyed opening of a brake shaft of the braking mechanism.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more hydraulic cylinders is coupled to a sheave or a pulley via a tension bearing member.

6. A system, comprising:
a collapsible trailer frame comprising two portions configured to telescope toward or away from one another such that a collapsed system width is less than an expanded system width;
a lifting mechanism coupled to the collapsible trailer frame, wherein the lifting mechanism is configured to raise or lower a coil of pipe or a reel of pipe, wherein the lifting mechanism comprises:
one or more hooks configured to engage the coil of pipe or the reel of pipe;
one or more hydraulic cylinders coupled to the one or more hooks, wherein the one or more hooks are configured to engage the coil of pipe or the reel of pipe such that the coil of pipe or the reel of pipe is removable from the trailer frame and is movable in a vertical direction with respect to the trailer frame, and wherein each of the one or more hydraulic cylinders is coupled to a sheave or a pulley via a tension bearing member; and
one or more vertical stops configured to block the coil of pipe or the reel of pipe from disengaging from the one or more hooks;

a braking mechanism;
at least two wheel assemblies coupled to the collapsible trailer frame, wherein each of the wheel assemblies comprises:
a wheel frame;
at least two wheels coupled to the wheel frame; and
a pivot coupled to the collapsible trailer frame, wherein the pivot enables the wheel assembly to pivot up and down with respect to the collapsible trailer frame; and

at least one stop plate coupled to the collapsible trailer frame and configured to block movement of the wheel frame about the pivot beyond a desired amount.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the tension bearing member comprises a belt, rope, wire, cable, or chain.

8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the tension bearing member is configured to provide mechanical advantage to the hydraulic cylinder.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein a ratio of the mechanical advantage is greater than 2:1.

10. The system of claim 6 , wherein the one or more hooks are coupled to the tension bearing member via a trolley disposed in a track of the lifting mechanism, and wherein the trolley comprises one or more wheels or low-friction surfaces.

11. The system of claim 6 , comprising an expandable drum assembly configured to manipulate the coil of pipe.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the braking mechanism comprises a brake shaft with a keyed opening configured to engage with a shaft of the expandable drum assembly.

13. A system, comprising:
a collapsible trailer frame comprising two portions configured to telescope toward or away from one another such that a collapsed system width is less than an expanded system width;
a lifting mechanism coupled to the collapsible trailer frame, wherein the lifting mechanism is configured to raise or lower a coil of pipe or a reel of pipe, wherein the lifting mechanism comprises:
one or more hooks configured to engage the coil of pipe or the reel of pipe;
one or more hydraulic cylinders coupled to the one or more hooks, wherein the one or more hooks are configured to engage the coil of pipe or the reel of pipe such that the coil of pipe or the reel of pipe is removable from the trailer frame and is movable in a vertical direction with respect to the trailer frame; and
one or more vertical stops configured to block the coil of pipe or the reel of pipe from disengaging from the one or more hooks; and

a braking mechanism, wherein the braking mechanism comprises a brake shaft with a keyed opening configured to engage with a shaft of a drum assembly configured to manipulate the coil of pipe.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein both the shaft of the drum assembly and the keyed opening comprise one or more flat sides to block rotation of the shaft within the keyed opening.

15. The system of claim 13 , wherein the keyed opening enables the drum assembly to rotate together with the brake shaft.

16. The system of claim 13 , wherein the keyed opening enables the shaft of the drum assembly to be inserted into the brake shaft without movement of the brake shaft inwardly or outwardly with respect to the shaft.

17. The system of claim 13 , comprising an expandable drum assembly configured to manipulate the coil of pipe.

18. The system of claim 13 , wherein each of the one or more hydraulic cylinders is coupled to a sheave or a pulley via a tension bearing member.

19. The system of claim 13 , comprising a mechanical lockout configured to mechanically lock the lifting mechanism into a raised position, wherein the mechanical lockout comprises:
a plunger configured to be inserted into an opening of one of the hooks;
a lever coupled to the plunger and a pivot;
a handle coupled to the pivot; and
a proximity switch configured to indicate that the plunger is engaged with the opening.

Assignees

• Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings Llc

Inventors

• Leger John P
• Parker Peter A
• Tabor Kraig
• Thethy Jagtar
• Winn Alexander Lee

Classifications

• B65H75/425

  attached to, or forming part of a vehicle, e.g. truck, trailer, vessel · CPC title

• B65H49/321

  characterised by features enabling their folding or dismantling · CPC title

• B60T7/20

  specially for trailers, e.g. in case of uncoupling of {or overrunning by} trailer (inertia-actuated overrun brakes B60T13/08) · CPC title

• B60P3/035 Primary

  for transporting reel units · CPC title

• B65H2701/33

  Hollow or hose-like material · CPC title