US3791564A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for centralizing horizontally-moving pipe sections
Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp
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Filing: 1972-08-17
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1992-08-17
Abstract
Abstract As a preferred embodiment of the present invention disclosed herein for centralizing elongated members, such as joints of oilfield tubing or pipe and the like, being transported by a conveyor along a selected horizontal axis, an opposed pair of intercoupled centralizing rollers are spaced on opposite sides of the axis and cooperatively arranged to normally remain immediately adjacent to the surfaces of a pipe joint being transported by the conveyor. Upon passage of an enlarged portion or bent section of the pipe between the two rollers, control means are provided for selectively separating the rollers in unison as well as imposing selectively-increased opposing forces on the rollers as necessary for retaining the pipe in alignment with the axis.
Inventors
- 👤 G Hugonin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:59
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B19/00; F; F16; F16L; F16L3/00; F16L3/16; F16L3/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
Apparatus adapted for maintaining an axially-moving pipe member in coincidental alignment with a selected horizontal axis and comprising: conveyor means arranged along said axis and adapted for normally supporting a pipe moving along said axis in coincidental alignment therewith; first and second pipe-centralizing members movably arranged on opposite sides of said axis and respectively adapted for movement between a normal position adjacent to said axis and an extended more-distant position; means cooperatively intercoupling said pipe-centralizing members and adapted to move said pipe-centralizing members in unison with one another; piston-actuating means coupled to at least one of said pipecentralizing members and adapted for applying force thereon for returning said pipe-centralizing members respectively to their said normal positions; and control means coupled to said piston-actuating means for normally retaining said pipe-centralizing members in their said normal positions and operable only upon movement of said pipecentralizing members toward their said extended positions in response to engagement of a laterally-shifting pipe on said conveyor means against one of said pipe-centralizing members for operating said piston-actuating means to urge said one pipe-centralizing member against the pipe with a uniform force of a predetermined magnitude to realign it with said axis as said pipe-centralizing members are respectively restored to their said normal positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
Apparatus adapted for maintaining an axially-moving pipe member in coincidental alignment with a selected horizontal axis and comprising: conveyor means arranged along said axis and adapted for normally supporting a pipe moving along said axis in coincidental alignment therewith; first and second pipe-centralizing members movably arranged on opposite sides of said axis and respectively adapted for movement between a normal position adjacent to said axis and an extended more-distant position; means cooperatively intercoupling said pipe-centralizing members and adapted to move said pipe-centralizing members in unison with one another; piston-actuating means coupled to at least one of said pipecentralizing members and adapted for applying force thereon for returning said pipe-centralizing members respectively to their said normal positions; and control means coupled to said piston-actuating means for normally retaining said pipe-centralizing members in their said normal positions and operable only upon movement of said pipecentralizing members toward their said extended positions in response to engagement of a laterally-shifting pipe on said conveyor means against one of said pipe-centralizing members for operating said piston-actuating means to urge said one pipe-centralizing member against the pipe with a uniform force of a predetermined magnitude to realign it with said axis as said pipe-centralizing members are respectively restored to their said normal positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pipe-centralizing members are respectively comprised of an elongated roller having frusto-conical diverging end portions respectively adapted to engage circumferentially-spaced surfaces of a pipe moving along said conveyor means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein there are two of said rollers diametrically opposed to one another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
111 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said intercoupling means include: at least one pair of sprocket wheels respectively journalled on opposite sides of said axis, at least one endless drive chain cooperatively arranged on said sprocket wheels for movement back and forth thereon, means cooperatively coupling said first pipe-centralizing member to one half of said drive chain for carrying said first pipe-centralizing member in the direction of movement of said one half of said drive chain, and means cooperatively coupling said second pipe-centralizing member to the other half of said drive chain for carryiNg said second pipe-centralizing member in the direction of movement of said other half of said drive chain.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
218 words
Apparatus adapted for maintaining an axially-moving pipe member in coincidental alignment with a selected horizontal axis and comprising: conveyor means arranged along said axis and adapted for normally supporting a pipe moving along said axis in coincidental alignment therewith; first and second pipe-centralizing rollers movably arranged on opposite sides of said conveyor means for movement laterally in relation to said axis; means cooperatively intercoupling said rollers to one another for travel in unison and in opposite directions for alternately moving said rollers together and apart in response to corresponding movements of at least one of said rollers; piston-actuating means cooperatively arranged for moving said rollers in unison and including a relatively-movable piston cylinder and piston defining separated fluid chambers in said piston cylinder on opposite sides of said piston; and control means operable upon pressure changes in one of said fluid chambers resulting from relative movement in one direction of said piston cylinder and piston in response to separation of said rollers by engagement of a misaligned pipe moving along said conveyor means with one of said rollers for selectively changing the pressure in the other of said fluid chambers to relatively move said piston cylinder and piston in the opposite direction for bringing said rollers together with sufficient force to realign the misaligned pipe with said axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
218 words
Apparatus adapted for maintaining an axially-moving pipe member in coincidental alignment with a selected horizontal axis and comprising: conveyor means arranged along said axis and adapted for normally supporting a pipe moving along said axis in coincidental alignment therewith; first and second pipe-centralizing rollers movably arranged on opposite sides of said conveyor means for movement laterally in relation to said axis; means cooperatively intercoupling said rollers to one another for travel in unison and in opposite directions for alternately moving said rollers together and apart in response to corresponding movements of at least one of said rollers; piston-actuating means cooperatively arranged for moving said rollers in unison and including a relatively-movable piston cylinder and piston defining separated fluid chambers in said piston cylinder on opposite sides of said piston; and control means operable upon pressure changes in one of said fluid chambers resulting from relative movement in one direction of said piston cylinder and piston in response to separation of said rollers by engagement of a misaligned pipe moving along said conveyor means with one of said rollers for selectively changing the pressure in the other of said fluid chambers to relatively move said piston cylinder and piston in the opposite direction for bringing said rollers together with sufficient force to realign the misaligned pipe with said axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further including: means selectively operable for regulating the fluid pressure in said one fluid chamber to normally position said rollers at selected spacings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said control means include: valve means coupled to said other fluid chamber and adapted for selectively supplying a pressured fluid thereto; and valve-actuating means coupled to said one fluid chamber and adapted for operating said valve means in response to a predetermined pressure change in said one fluid chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
99 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said control means include: valve means coupled to said other fluid chamber and adapted for selective movement between a normal operating position to supply a pressured fluid of one selected pressure to said other fluid chamber and another operating position to supply a pressured fluid of a higher selected pressure to said other fluid chamber; and valve-actuating means coupled to said one fluid chamber and adapted for moving said valve means from said normal operating position to said other operating position in response to a predetermined pressure change in said one fluid chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 8 further including: means selectively operable for regulating the fluid pressure in said one fluid chamber to normally position said rollers at selected spacings.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
133 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said rollers are disposed horizontally above and below said conveyor means and said intercoupling means include: at least one pair of sprocket wheels above and below said rollers and respectively journalled for rotation in a common vertical plane to one side of said axis, at least one endless drive chain cooperatively arranged on said sprocket wheels for vertical movement back and forth thereon, means cooperatively coupling said first roller to one half of said drive chain for carrying said first roller in the direction of movement of said one half of said drive chain, and means cooperatively coupling said second roller to the other half of said drive chain for carrying said second roller in the direction of movement of said other half of said drive chain.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
125 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said control means include: a first source of pressured fluid of a selected first pressure; a second source of pressured fluid of a selected second pressure greater than said First pressure; valve means coupled between said other fluid chamber and said first and second sources of pressured fluids and cooperatively arranged for selective movement between a normal operating position communicating said first source with said other fluid chamber and another operating position communicating said second source with said other fluid chamber; and valve-actuating means coupled to said one fluid chamber and adapted for moving said valve means from said normal operating position to said other operating position in response to a predetermined pressure change in said one fluid chamber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further including: means selectively operable for regulating the fluid pressure in said one fluid chamber to normally position said rollers at selected spacings above and below said axis.
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) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |