Patent US4287090A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0214841A2
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Apparatus for movably mounting a work head on a structure of circular cross-section
Assignee: WALTON MOLE Co (GT BRITAIN) Ltd
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Filing: 1986-09-03
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2006-09-03
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for movably mounting a work head (ll,l2) on a structure.of circular cross-section. The apparatus comprises an annulus defined by two or more members (l,2,3) which are engagable co-operably and movable between an open position which allows the annulus to be fitted onto the structure and a closed position in which the annulus surrounds the structure. The apparatus is located on the structure by locating means (6) comprising three or more support legs (6) mounted on the annulus at spaced circumferential locations. At least some of its legs (6) are movable in a radial direction relative to the annulus by actuating means to locate the annulus on the structure. Each supporting leg (6) is provided with drive means (8) which are controllable independently for moving the annulus along the structure in a plane normal to the axial centre line of the structure. The work head (ll,l2) is mounted on the annulus for circumferential movement with respect to the structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas Walton
- 👤 David Thompson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 00:47
CPC Classifications
B; B08; B08B; B08B9/00; B08B9/02; B08B9/023; E; E02; E02B; E02B17/00; E02B17/0034
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
An apparatus for movably mounting a work head (ll,l2) on a structure of circular cross-section, comprising an annulus defined by two or more members (l,2,3) which are engagable co-operably and movable between an open position which allows the annulus to be fitted onto the structure, and a closed position in which the annulus surrounds the structure, means (6) for locating the annulus on the structure and for moving it axially along the length thereof, said means (6) comprising three or more support legs (6) mounted on the annulus at spaced circumferential locations with at least some of said legs (6) being movable in a radial direction relative to the annulus by actuating means to locate the annulus on the structure, characterised in that each supporting leg (6) is provided with drive means (8) which are controllable independently for moving the annulus along the structure in a plane normal to the axial centre line of the structure, the work head (ll,l2) being mounted on the annulus for circumferential movement with respect to the structure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
173 words
An apparatus for movably mounting a work head (ll,l2) on a structure of circular cross-section, comprising an annulus defined by two or more members (l,2,3) which are engagable co-operably and movable between an open position which allows the annulus to be fitted onto the structure, and a closed position in which the annulus surrounds the structure, means (6) for locating the annulus on the structure and for moving it axially along the length thereof, said means (6) comprising three or more support legs (6) mounted on the annulus at spaced circumferential locations with at least some of said legs (6) being movable in a radial direction relative to the annulus by actuating means to locate the annulus on the structure, characterised in that each supporting leg (6) is provided with drive means (8) which are controllable independently for moving the annulus along the structure in a plane normal to the axial centre line of the structure, the work head (ll,l2) being mounted on the annulus for circumferential movement with respect to the structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim l, characterised in that the annulus is defined by three arcuate members (l,2,3) with two of said members (l,2) being pivotally secured to the third (3).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to claim l, characterised in that actuating means is provided for moving said two members (l,2) pivotally with respect to the third (3) to open and close the annulus to allow it to be fitted onto and removed from the structure of circular cross-section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that actuating means is provided to lock the free ends of the two members (l,2) together in the closed position by means of an overthrow clamp or the like.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 and 5, characterised in that said actuating means and the lock actuating means each comprise hydraulic rams
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that each support leg (6) comprises two axially spaced wheels or rollers (8) which engage the exterior surface of the structure and one or both of the wheels or rollers (8) may be driven.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that each support leg (6) is movable radially by actuating means to centralise the annulus on said structure and the radial movement is actuated hydraulically by means of an equal flow system which ensures that the annulus is positioned centrally.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, characterised in that a mechanical locking mechanism is provided to lock the support legs (6) in position on said structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, 7 or 8, characterised in the a spring mounting system is employed on each support leg (6) to compensate for small variations in the diameter of the structure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
l0. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that two work heads are provided which are mounted diametrically opposite one another on a circumferentially reciprocable mounting plate carried by the annulus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim l0, characterised in that the third arcuate member (3) of the annulus is at least l80° of arc and its axial end is defined by the mounting plate which carries the two work heads (ll,l2).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus according to claim ll, characterised in that a drive mechanism is disposed within the third member (3) and comprises an endless chain entrained around sprockets and carrying a pin which is co-operable with a slot in a carriage on which is mounted one of the two work heads (ll,l2) and to which the mounting plate is secured.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim l2, characterised in that the carriage runs on rails (9,l0) within said third member (3) and rotation of the chain causes the carriage to be reciprocated through an arc of some l80°.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus according to claim l3, characterised in that a second carriage on which is mounted the other work head (ll,l2) is provided diametrically opposite the first and is connected thereto by means of the mounting plate such that the second carriage thus moves in synchronism with the first on rails (9,l0) formed in the other two arcuate members (l,2) of the annulus.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to any preceding claim, charactetised in that the work heads (ll,l2) incorporate nozzles by means of which a high pressure water jet or other abrasive material can be trained onto the surface of the structure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim l5, characterised in that each nozzle (ll,l2) is mounted for rotation in a housing so as to describe a circular path.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that each work head (ll,l2) comprises a combined camera and lighting system which is mounted so as to be able to view the work done and the work ahead of the apparatus.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the annulus comprises a plurality of bouyancy chambers (l8) to increase the displacement of the apparatus in relation to its weight to give it a predetermined neutral bouyancy.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that thrusters (l20,l24,l26) are connected to the apparatus to allow it to operate as a self-propelled remotely operated vehicle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim l9, characterised in that the thrusters (l20,l24,l26) are incorporated in the annulus, one in each of the members (l,2,3).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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