US3744259A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pipe-laying machine
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
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Filing: 1971-03-19
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Granted: 1973-07-10
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Expires: 1991-03-19
Abstract
Abstract This machine is designed for laying large-diameter pipe over rough terrain in extreme climates. For example, it was designed to lay 48'''' steel pipe from the Alaskan North Slope across the mountains to the Gulf of Alaska. An enclosed, elongated vehicle or house straddles the ditch in which (or piers on which) the pipe is to be laid. The house is supported at each of the corners by pillars in order to maintain the house level. The pipe is supported through the house on carriages which are free to float from side to side and up and down. Therefore, the pipe is constructed with all its bends and crooks over the support position and the house follows the ditch, providing a warm environment for the workmen. A deck section follows the carriages up and down so the workers have a platform which is always maintained at a fixed position relative to the pipe. As the vehicle moves forward out from under the pipe, the pipe is lowered by a series of trailing roller jacks. A sleeve surrounds the pipe as it leaves the vehicle so the temperature of the pipe is gradually changed from the relatively warm temperature to the frigid arctic temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 A Wagley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 06:45
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02D; E02D29/00; E02D29/063; E02D29/067; F; F16; F16L; F16L1/00; F16L1/024; F16L1/0243; F16L1/0246; F16L1/026; F16L1/028; F16L1/032; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49828; Y10T29/49831
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A machine to lay large diameter pipe along a predetermined path in rough terrain comprising: a. an elongated vehicle having a longitudinal axis generally alighed with the path along which the pipe is to be laid, b. ground engaging and propulsion means for moving the vehicle along the path the pipe is to be laid, c. a plurality of carriages in the vehicle supporting said pipe to be laid, d. each carriage mounted to the vehicle for free horizontal lateral movement, e. each carriage mounted to the vehicle for vertical movement, and f. float means connecting each of the carriages to the vehicle for urging the carrige up by an amount equal the weight of pipe supported by the carriage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A machine to lay large diameter pipe along a predetermined path in rough terrain comprising: a. an elongated vehicle having a longitudinal axis generally alighed with the path along which the pipe is to be laid, b. ground engaging and propulsion means for moving the vehicle along the path the pipe is to be laid, c. a plurality of carriages in the vehicle supporting said pipe to be laid, d. each carriage mounted to the vehicle for free horizontal lateral movement, e. each carriage mounted to the vehicle for vertical movement, and f. float means connecting each of the carriages to the vehicle for urging the carrige up by an amount equal the weight of pipe supported by the carriage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 with the additional limitations of g. pillars connected to said ground engaging and propulsion means, and h. level means connecting said pillars to said vehicle for maintaining the vehicle laterally level and at the desired elevation irrespective of the terrain traversed by the vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 with the additional limitation of g. a deck section between carriages attached thereto, h. each of said deck sections mounted for vertical movement with the carriage, and j. each of said deck sections mounted so that said carriages can move laterally without moving the deck section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 with the additional limitations of g. said vehicle being enclosed to form a house, and h. a heater in the house.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention as defined in claim 4 with the additional limitations of j. a sleeve attached to the rear of the house, k. said pipe to be laid extending from the house through the sleeve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention as defined in claim 4 with the additional limitation of j. a deck section between carriages attached thereto, k. each of said deck sections mounted for vertical movement with the carriage, and m. each of said deck sections mounted so that said carriages can move laterally without moving the deck section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The invention as defined in claim 6 with the additional limitations of n. pillars connected to said ground engaging and propulsion means, and o. level means connecting said pillars tO said vehicle for maintaining the vehicle laterally level and at the desired elevation irrespective of the terrain traversed by the vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention as defined in claim 7 with the additional limitations of p. a sleeve attached to the rear of the house, q. said pipe to be laid extending from the house through the sleeve.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
109 words
The method of laying a large diameter crooked pipeline along a predetermined, crooked, support path in rough terrain comprising the steps of: a. preparing the support path for the finished line, b. fabricating the pipeline vertically above the prepared support path so each element of the fabricated line is vertically above its finished support position; c. supporting the fabricated pipe on carriages in a movable structure above its finished support position; d. progressively moving the movable structure along the predetermined path; e. laterally moving the carriages in the movable structure to maintain the fabricated pipe in position, and f. progressively lowering the fabricated line to its finished supported position.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
109 words
The method of laying a large diameter crooked pipeline along a predetermined, crooked, support path in rough terrain comprising the steps of: a. preparing the support path for the finished line, b. fabricating the pipeline vertically above the prepared support path so each element of the fabricated line is vertically above its finished support position; c. supporting the fabricated pipe on carriages in a movable structure above its finished support position; d. progressively moving the movable structure along the predetermined path; e. laterally moving the carriages in the movable structure to maintain the fabricated pipe in position, and f. progressively lowering the fabricated line to its finished supported position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention as defined in claim 9 with the additional limitation of g. raising and lowering ground engaging elements on the movable structure to maintain the movable structure laterally level and at the desired elevation as it moves.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention as defined in claim 9 with the additional limitations of g. enclosing the movable structure, and h. heating the enclosed support structure for the comfort of workmen.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as defined in claim 11 with the additional limitation of n. maintaining the movable structure laterally level and at the desired height as it moves.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention as defined in claim 12 with the additional limitation of o. gradually cooling the fabricated pipeline after the line has left the enclosed movable structure and is being lowered to the prepared finish support position.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
144 words
The method of laying a large diameter crooked pipeline along a predetermined, crooked, support path in rough terrain comprising the steps of: a. preparing the support path for the finished line, b. fabricating the pipeline vertically above the prepared support path so each element of the fabricated line is vertically above its finished support position; c. supporting the fabricated pipe with movable structure above its finished supported position; d. progressively moving the movable structure along the predetermined path; e. permitting relative lateral movement of the fabricated line to the movable structure, and f. progressively lowering the fabricated line to its finished supported position, g. said supporting step performed by a plurality of carriages with deck sections between, h. moving said deck sections vertically responsive to the height of the carriages which will be related to the height of the fabricated line at that point.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
144 words
The method of laying a large diameter crooked pipeline along a predetermined, crooked, support path in rough terrain comprising the steps of: a. preparing the support path for the finished line, b. fabricating the pipeline vertically above the prepared support path so each element of the fabricated line is vertically above its finished support position; c. supporting the fabricated pipe with movable structure above its finished supported position; d. progressively moving the movable structure along the predetermined path; e. permitting relative lateral movement of the fabricated line to the movable structure, and f. progressively lowering the fabricated line to its finished supported position, g. said supporting step performed by a plurality of carriages with deck sections between, h. moving said deck sections vertically responsive to the height of the carriages which will be related to the height of the fabricated line at that point.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention as defined in claim 14 with the additional limitation of j. enclosing the movable structure, and k. heating the enclosed structure for the comfort of the workmen.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
145 words
The method of laying a large diameter crooked pipeline along a predetermined, crooked, support path in rough terrain comprising the steps of: a. preparing the support path for the finished line, b. fabricating the pipeline vertically above the prepared support path so each element of the fabricated line is vertically above its finished support position; c. supporting the fabricated pipe with movable structure above its finished supported position; d. progressively moving the movable structure along the predetermined path; e. permitting relative lateral movement of the fabricated line to the movable structure, and f. progressively lowering the fabricated line to its finished supported position, g. enclosing the movable structure, and h. heating the enclosed support structure for the comfort of workmen, j. graduaLly cooling the fabricated pipeline after the line has left the enclosed movable structure and is being lowered to the prepared finished support position.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
145 words
The method of laying a large diameter crooked pipeline along a predetermined, crooked, support path in rough terrain comprising the steps of: a. preparing the support path for the finished line, b. fabricating the pipeline vertically above the prepared support path so each element of the fabricated line is vertically above its finished support position; c. supporting the fabricated pipe with movable structure above its finished supported position; d. progressively moving the movable structure along the predetermined path; e. permitting relative lateral movement of the fabricated line to the movable structure, and f. progressively lowering the fabricated line to its finished supported position, g. enclosing the movable structure, and h. heating the enclosed support structure for the comfort of workmen, j. graduaLly cooling the fabricated pipeline after the line has left the enclosed movable structure and is being lowered to the prepared finished support position.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
80 words
The method of fabricating and laying a pipeline along a predetermined path in a frigid climate comprising the steps of: a. fabricating the pipeline within a house, b. heating the house, c. moving the house along the predetermined path as the pipeline is fabricated, and d. discharging the fabricated finished pipeline from the rear of the house through a sleeve, e. regulating the temperature in the sleeve, thus gradually cooling the pipeline as it is discharged from the heated house.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
80 words
The method of fabricating and laying a pipeline along a predetermined path in a frigid climate comprising the steps of: a. fabricating the pipeline within a house, b. heating the house, c. moving the house along the predetermined path as the pipeline is fabricated, and d. discharging the fabricated finished pipeline from the rear of the house through a sleeve, e. regulating the temperature in the sleeve, thus gradually cooling the pipeline as it is discharged from the heated house.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention as defined in claim 17 with the additional limitation of f. raising and lowering ground engaging elements on the movable structure to maintain the movable structure laterally level and at the desired elevation as it moves.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
79 words
The method of fabricating and laying a pipeline along a predetermined path in frigid climate comprising the steps of: a. fabricating the pipeline within a house, b. heating the house, c. moving the house along a predetermined path as the pipeline is fabricated, d. discharging the fabricated finished pipeline from the rear of the house, and e. raising and lowering ground engaging elements on the house to maintain the house level and at a desired elevation as it moves.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
79 words
The method of fabricating and laying a pipeline along a predetermined path in frigid climate comprising the steps of: a. fabricating the pipeline within a house, b. heating the house, c. moving the house along a predetermined path as the pipeline is fabricated, d. discharging the fabricated finished pipeline from the rear of the house, and e. raising and lowering ground engaging elements on the house to maintain the house level and at a desired elevation as it moves.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
125 words
A machine to fabricate and lay pipe along a predetermined path in a frigid climate comprising: a. an elongated closed house, b. a heater in the house, c. ground engaging and propulsion means on the house for supporting and moving the house over the predetermined path, d. carriage means in the house for supporting fabricated pipe to be laid, e. an opening in the rear of the house for discharging the fabricated pipe along the prepared path, f. pillars connected to said ground engaging and propulsion means, and g. level means connecting said pillars to said house for maintaining the house laterally level, h. said level means also functioning for elevating the house at the desired elevation irrespective of the terrain traversed by the house.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
125 words
A machine to fabricate and lay pipe along a predetermined path in a frigid climate comprising: a. an elongated closed house, b. a heater in the house, c. ground engaging and propulsion means on the house for supporting and moving the house over the predetermined path, d. carriage means in the house for supporting fabricated pipe to be laid, e. an opening in the rear of the house for discharging the fabricated pipe along the prepared path, f. pillars connected to said ground engaging and propulsion means, and g. level means connecting said pillars to said house for maintaining the house laterally level, h. said level means also functioning for elevating the house at the desired elevation irrespective of the terrain traversed by the house.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention as defined in claim 20 with the additional limitations of h. a flexible sleeve attached to the rear of the house, j. said pipe to be laid extending from the house through the flexible sleeve.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-09 | 1977-01-08 | 1977-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-09 | 1981-01-08 | 1981-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-09 | 1985-01-08 | 1985-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |