US3710628A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable automatic pipe testing machine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-05-25
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Granted: 1973-01-16
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Expires: 1991-05-25
Abstract
Abstract A portable automatic pipe testing machine comprising a longitudinally disposed main frame having pipe engaging spaced apart arms attached thereto. Each arm has a claw located at one extremity thereof and the remaining end portion of each arm is pivotally attached to the frame. Spaced apart rotating heads are adapted to move towards and away from each other, longitudinally of the frame, to permit engagement with the terminal ends of the longitudinally disposed pipe which is to be tested. A source of pressurized fluid is adapted to flow into and out of at least one of the heads so as to hydrostatically test the interior of the pipe. The arms are arranged with respect to spaced apart pipe racks so as to enable the claw to be moved by the arm in a manner to engage a pipe on one rack, and to transfer the pipe into a location respective to the machine which enables each of the heads to be attached thereto. After the pipe has been tested, the heads are unfastened from the terminal ends of the pipe, and the claw then releases the pipe, where it moves by gravity onto the other pipe rack.
Inventors
- 👤 H Horton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 03:55
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/26; G01M3/28; G01M3/2846
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
Apparatus for testing pipe, comprising: a longitudinaLly extending main frame, spaced apart arms laterally arranged respective of said frame for engaging and supporting pipe, said arms having a pipe engaging end and a pivotal end, means by which said pivotal end is journaled to said main frame; spaced apart heads for engaging the terminal ends of a pipe to be tested, a supply of non-compressible fluid, means for increasing the fluid pressure to a value which is less than the designed bursting strength of the pipe to be tested; means mounting said heads to said main frame, means for rotating one said head; flow conduit means for conducting flow from the supply of fluid to one head and into a pipe when the ends of a pipe are attached to the heads; means for moving each head towards and away from one another so as to enable the heads to be engaged and disengaged from the ends of the pipe; one said head includes a plurality of spaced apart check valve means attached thereto; said check valve means being in communication with the head and the interior of a pipe when a pipe is attached to the head; said Check valve means including a valve seat, a valve element, said valve element adapted to be moved away from said seat by gravity and towards said seat by a non-compressible fluid, whereby, one check valve is always upwardly disposed so as to exhaust compressible fluid from the pipe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
Apparatus for testing pipe, comprising: a longitudinaLly extending main frame, spaced apart arms laterally arranged respective of said frame for engaging and supporting pipe, said arms having a pipe engaging end and a pivotal end, means by which said pivotal end is journaled to said main frame; spaced apart heads for engaging the terminal ends of a pipe to be tested, a supply of non-compressible fluid, means for increasing the fluid pressure to a value which is less than the designed bursting strength of the pipe to be tested; means mounting said heads to said main frame, means for rotating one said head; flow conduit means for conducting flow from the supply of fluid to one head and into a pipe when the ends of a pipe are attached to the heads; means for moving each head towards and away from one another so as to enable the heads to be engaged and disengaged from the ends of the pipe; one said head includes a plurality of spaced apart check valve means attached thereto; said check valve means being in communication with the head and the interior of a pipe when a pipe is attached to the head; said Check valve means including a valve seat, a valve element, said valve element adapted to be moved away from said seat by gravity and towards said seat by a non-compressible fluid, whereby, one check valve is always upwardly disposed so as to exhaust compressible fluid from the pipe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
80 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pipe engaging end of at least one of said arms includes a claw; said claw having fixed fingers attached to said arm and movable fingers journaled to said arm, whereby: the movable fingers of the claw can be moved towards the fixed finger and into engagement with the outer peripheral surface of the pipe so as to engage the pipe and enable it to be lifted into alignment with the spaced apart heads.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improvement of claim 2 and further including means by which the pipe can be moved from said heads to another location respective thereto when the claw is released from the pipe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for moving each head towards one another includes a telescoping member adapted to be received within said main frame, means for moving said telescoping member longitudinally of said main frame; one said head being affixed to a depending end of said telescoping member; and means slidably mounting the remaining said head to said main frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
213 words
Apparatus for testing pipe, comprising: a longitudinally extending main frame, spaced apart arms laterally arranged respective of said frame for engaging and supporting pipe, said arms having a pipe engaging end and a pivotal end, means by which said pivotal end is journaled to said main frame; spaced apart heads for engaging the terminal ends of a pipe to be tested, a supply of non-compressible fluid, means for increasing the fluid pressure to a value which is less than the designed bursting strength of the pipe to be tested; means mounting said heads to said main frame, means for rotating one said head; flow conduit means for conducting flow from the supply of fluid to one head and into a pipe when the ends of a pipe are attached to the heads; means for moving each head towards and away from one another so as to enable the heads to be engaged and disengaged from the ends of the pipe; said main frame includes a top, bottom, and side walls; said means for moving each head towards each other includes one head being movably mounted to said main frame; and, a spar means to which the second one of said heads is attached; said spar means being telescopingly received within said main frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
213 words
Apparatus for testing pipe, comprising: a longitudinally extending main frame, spaced apart arms laterally arranged respective of said frame for engaging and supporting pipe, said arms having a pipe engaging end and a pivotal end, means by which said pivotal end is journaled to said main frame; spaced apart heads for engaging the terminal ends of a pipe to be tested, a supply of non-compressible fluid, means for increasing the fluid pressure to a value which is less than the designed bursting strength of the pipe to be tested; means mounting said heads to said main frame, means for rotating one said head; flow conduit means for conducting flow from the supply of fluid to one head and into a pipe when the ends of a pipe are attached to the heads; means for moving each head towards and away from one another so as to enable the heads to be engaged and disengaged from the ends of the pipe; said main frame includes a top, bottom, and side walls; said means for moving each head towards each other includes one head being movably mounted to said main frame; and, a spar means to which the second one of said heads is attached; said spar means being telescopingly received within said main frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
80 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said pipe engaging end of at least one of said arms includes a claw; said claw having fixed fingers attached to said arm and movable fingers journaled to said arm, whereby: the movable fingers of the claw can be moved towards the fixed finger and into engagement with the outer peripheral surface of the pipe so as to engage the pipe and enable it to be lifted into alignment with the spaced apart heads.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 5, and further including means by which the pipe can be moved from said heads to another location respective thereto when the claw is released from the pipe.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-16 | 1976-07-17 | 1977-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-16 | 1980-07-17 | 1981-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-16 | 1984-07-17 | 1985-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |