U.S. patent application number 09/838460 was filed with the patent office on 2002-02-21 for line up of pipes or pipe components.
This patent application is currently assigned to Heerema Marine Contractors Nederland B. V.. Invention is credited to Frijns, Tom Laurent Hubert.
Application Number | 20020021943 09/838460 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 19771252 |
Filed Date | 2002-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020021943 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Frijns, Tom Laurent Hubert |
February 21, 2002 |
Line up of pipes or pipe components
Abstract
A line up and connection installation comrises an elongated pipe
receiving structure, a line up device for ligning up double-walled
pipes or pipe components and a connection station for connecting
the lined up pipes or pipe components. The line up device has at
least two gripper means. The gripper means are each movable in
translation in a plane which lies substantially perpendicular to
the axial direction of the pipe receiving structure. At least one
of the gripper means is movable in the axial direction of the pipe
receiving structure. The line up device positions a first pipe or
component in such a manner with respect to a second pipe or
component that they can be connected to one another at their ends
in a connection station.
Inventors: |
Frijns, Tom Laurent Hubert;
(Den Haag, NL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FULWIDER PATTON LEE & UTECHT, LLP
200 OCEANGATE, SUITE 1550
LONG BEACH
CA
90802
US
|
Assignee: |
Heerema Marine Contractors
Nederland B. V.
|
Family ID: |
19771252 |
Appl. No.: |
09/838460 |
Filed: |
April 18, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
405/170 ;
405/166 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 1/207 20130101;
F16L 39/00 20130101; F16L 1/19 20130101; Y10S 414/123 20130101;
B23K 37/0533 20130101; B23K 2101/10 20180801 |
Class at
Publication: |
405/170 ;
405/166 |
International
Class: |
F16L 001/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 20, 2000 |
NL |
1014998 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A line up and connection installation comrising an elongated
pipe receiving structure, a line up device for ligning up pipes or
pipe components and a connection station for connecting the lined
up pipes or pipe components, the line up device comprising at least
two gripper means which lie at a distance from one another in the
axial direction of the pipe receiving structure, for the purpose of
securely gripping a pipe or pipe component, the gripper means each
being movable in translation in a plane which lies substantially
perpendicular to the axial direction of the pipe receiving
structure, and at least one of the gripper means being movable in
the axial direction of the pipe receiving structure, the line up
device positioning a first pipe or component in such a manner with
respect to a second pipe or component that they can be connected to
one another at their ends in a connection station, wherein at least
one of the gripper means which can be displaced in the axial
direction of the pipe is designed to alternately grip an inner pipe
and an outer pipe of a double-walled pipe.
2. The installation according to claim 1, wherein the gripper means
has moveable clamping jaws, being equipped with adjustable sets of
shoes for securely gripping pipes of different diameters.
3. The installation according to claim 1, wherein the gripper means
has moveable clamping jaws, being designed to be equipped with
different sets of shoes for securely gripping pipes of different
diameters.
4. The installation according to claim 2, wherein a set of shoes
comprises at least two separate shoes, between which pipes having a
diameter which lies between a predetermined minimum diameter and a
predetermined maximum diameter can be clamped.
5. The installation according to claim 3, wherein a set of shoes
comprises at least two separate shoes, between which pipes having a
diameter which lies between a predetermined minimum diameter and a
predetermined maximum diameter can be clamped.
6. The installation according to claim 1, wherein the gripper means
are arranged movably on a line up frame which is connected to a
main frame of the pipe receiving structure.
7. The installation according to claim 6, wherein the line up frame
can be moved in at least one direction with respect to the main
frame, by means of actuators.
8. The installation according to claim 1, wherein the gripper means
are arranged movably on a main frame of the pipe receiving
structure.
9. The installation according to claim 1, provided with a tilting
device for transporting a pipe to the pipe receiving structure,
which tilting device is provided with a pipe stop assembly which
supports one end of both the inner pipe and the outer pipe in a
position other than the horizontal position, for the purpose of
fixing the pipe during transport.
10. A pipe laying vessel provided with an installation according to
claim 1.
11. A method for ligning up a first double-walled pipe and a second
double-walled pipe with respect to one another and connecting them,
each double-walled pipe comprising an inner pipe and an outer pipe,
use being made of a line up and connection installation comrising
an elongated pipe receiving structure, a line up device for ligning
up pipes or pipe components and a connection station for connecting
the lined up pipes or pipe components, the line up device
comprising at least two gripper means, at least the following steps
being executed: 1) the outer pipe of the first double-walled pipe
is gripped securely by a first gripper means; 2) the inner pipe of
the first double-walled pipe is gripped securely by a second
gripper means; 3) the second gripper means together with the inner
pipe of the first double-walled pipe is displaced towards the
connection station and one end of the said inner pipe is ligned up
with one end of an inner pipe of the second double-walled pipe,
which is situated in the connection station; 4) the ends of the
inner pipes of the first and second double-walled pipes are
connected to one another; 5) the inner pipe of the first
double-walled pipe is released by the second gripper means; 6) the
second gripper means is displaced towards the first gripper means;
7) the outer pipe of the first double-walled pipe is gripped
securely by the second gripper means; 8) the said outer pipe is
released by the first gripper means; 9) the second gripper means
together with the said outer pipe is displaced towards the
connection installation; 10) the said outer pipe is gripped
securely by the first gripper means; 11) one end of the said outer
pipe is ligned up with one end of an outer pipe of the second
double-walled pipe, which is situated in the connection station;
12) the ends of the outer pipes of the first and second
double-walled pipes are connected to one another.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an installation provided
with a device for ligning up pipes or pipe components, such as for
example T-pieces and the like. The line up device ensures that one
end of a pipe or component is positioned in such a manner with
respect to a free end of a fixed pipe or component that these ends
can then be connected to one another by means of a welded joint, a
bolt connection or other mechanical connection, for example.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Line up devices of the mentioned type are used in the
construction of pipelines which are employed to transport petroleum
or natural gas and for water injection.
[0003] A known application area is the laying of pipelines at sea
from a vessel. Known methods for this purpose include the J-lay,
S-lay and the Reel-lay methods, which are described in GB 2 335 722
A. The vessel is provided with an installation which comprises one
or more connection stations, such as welding stations, for
connecting various pipes or pipe components. The installation is
also provided with a line up device in order to bring the pipes
into line with one another.
[0004] A known line up device comprises two gripper means each
having two movable clamping jaws which are arranged on a frame.
These gripper means are positioned at a distance from one another
in the axial direction of a pipe.
[0005] At the same time, the gripper means can be moved along a
pipe receiving structure in the axial direction of the clamped
pipe, in order to securely grip the pipe and to transport an end of
this pipe to a short distance from the free end of a second,
fixedly held pipe, so that a gap remains between the two ends or
the ends touch one another.
[0006] In order then to line up the end of the fixedly held pipe
and the first pipe with respect to one another, the clamped end of
the first pipe can be moved in a plane which is perpendicular to
the axial direction of the first pipe.
[0007] In a subsequent step, the clamped end of the first pipe is
positioned against the end of the fixed pipe by moving the two
gripper means simultaneously over a short distance in the axial
direction towards the fixed pipe. Then, the two ends are welded
together or are connected in some other way.
[0008] The installation which has been described is suitable for
ligning up and connecting single-walled pipes and pipe components.
In many cases, however, it is desirable to construct double-walled
pipes, i.e. "pipe-in-pipe" pipes. The inner pipe of the
double-walled pipe is in many cases in the offshore industry used
to transport a liquid, such as oil, or a gas or a mixture thereof.
The outer pipe serves as a protective pipe against external water
pressure, inter alia. A thermal insulation means may be arranged
between the inner pipe and the outer pipe, in order to ensure that
the medium in the inner pipe is not cooled excessively by external
conditions.
[0009] The object of the invention is to provide an installation as
described in the preamble which is suitable for ligning up double
walled pipes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] This object is achieved by at least one of the gripper means
being designed to alternately securely grip an inner pipe and an
outer pipe of a double-walled pipe.
[0011] In this way, the following method can be carried out.
Firstly, the outer pipe of a first double-walled pipe is gripped by
a first gripper means. Then, an end of the inner pipe of the first
double-walled pipe which is projecting out of the outer pipe is
gripped by a second gripper means. This second gripper means is
then moved, bringing the inner pipe with it, in the axial direction
towards the end of an inner pipe of a fixed, second double-walled
pipe. In the process, the inner pipe and the outer pipe of the
first double-walled pipe are displaced with respect to one
another.
[0012] After the end of the inner pipe of the first double-walled
pipe has been brought to a short distance from the end of the fixed
inner pipe of the second double-walled pipe, the end of the inner
pipe of the first double-walled pipe is ligned up by independent
movement of at least one of the gripper means in a plane which is
perpendicular to the axial direction of the pipes. When the inner
pipes have been oriented in such a manner with respect to one
another that they can be connected, the two gripper means are
simultaneously moved in the axial direction, so that the inner
pipes of the first and second double-walled pipes are positioned
with their ends against each other. They are then connected to one
another.
[0013] Next, the second gripper means releases the inner pipe of
the first double-walled pipe and is displaced towards the first
gripper means. If appropriate, an insulation means can then be
arranged around the inner pipe.
[0014] Then, the outer pipe of the first double-walled pipe is
gripped by the second gripper means and the first gripper means
releases the outer pipe. The end of the outer pipe is then
displaced, by means of the second gripper means, until it is close
to the end of the fixed outer pipe of the second double-walled
pipe.
[0015] Then, the outer pipe of the first double-walled pipe is in
turn gripped by the first gripper means, after which the end of the
outer pipe can be ligned up with the fixed outer pipe of the second
pipe by moving the gripper means as described above. Next, the
outer pipes are placed against one another as a result of the two
gripper means being moved simultaneously towards second pipe by
moving the gripper means as described above. Next, the outer pipes
are placed against one another as a result of the two gripper means
being moved simultaneously towards the second pipe, after which the
ends of the outer pipes can be connected to one another.
[0016] The second gripper means is able to grip both an inner pipe
and an outer pipe without it being necessary to adapt the second
gripper means in order to enable pipes of different diameters to be
gripped. This can be achieved by designing the gripper means as a
clamp with a plurality of sets of shoes, it being possible to use
one set of shoes to grip pipe diameters which lie between a
specific minimum diameter and a specific maximum diameter.
[0017] In one embodiment, the gripper means may be arranged on a
line up frame, in which case they can advance along the line up
frame and the line up frame is attached to the main frame of the
installation. The line up frame can be moved in the desired
direction with respect to the main frame by means of actuators.
[0018] In another embodiment, the gripper means are arranged
directly on the main frame and can move along it.
[0019] The present invention will be explained in more detail in
the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of an
installation according to the invention and with reference to the
drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a vessel for laying pipelines using the J-lay
method;
[0021] FIG. 2 shows an installation for constructing pipelines on a
vessel as shown in FIG. 1, a pipe being raised by means of a
tilting device;
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a line up device;
[0023] FIG. 4a diagrammatically depicts a first stage of a line up
cycle;
[0024] FIG. 4b diagrammatically depicts a second stage of a line up
cycle;
[0025] FIG. 4c diagrammatically depicts a third stage of a line up
cycle;
[0026] FIG. 4d diagrammatically depicts a fourth stage of a line up
cycle;
[0027] FIG. 4e diagrammatically depicts a fifth stage of a line up
cycle;
[0028] FIG. 4f diagrammatically depicts a sixth stage of a line up
cycle;
[0029] FIG. 5a shows a plan view of an embodiment of a second
gripper means of the line up device in an open position;
[0030] FIG. 5b shows a plan view of the gripper means shown in FIG.
5a in a closed position, with a pipe being gripped by the gripper
means;
[0031] FIG. 5c shows a plan view of a second embodiment of a line
up device;
[0032] FIG. 6 diagrammatically depicts another embodiment of a
gripper means of the line up device;
[0033] FIGS. 7 and 8 respectively show a plan view and a side view
of a first embodiment of a pipe stop; and
[0034] FIGS. 9 and 10 respectively show a plan view and a side view
of a second embodiment of a pipe stop.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0035] FIG. 1 shows a vessel 1 which is laying a pipeline 2 on a
seabed (not shown). The vessel 1 is provided with a pipe line up
and connection installation 4 in which double-walled pipes 3, 7 are
connected to the double-walled pipeline 2 hanging from the vessel
1. The installation 4 comprises a tilting device 5 and a pipe
receiving strcture which is embodied here as a tower structure 6 of
the J-lay type.
[0036] FIG. 2 illustrates how a double-walled pipe 7 which is fixed
in supports 5a is tilted off the deck of the vessel towards the
J-lay tower 6 by means of the tilting device 5 and rests with its
bottom end on a pipe stop 8.
[0037] On the J-lay tower 6 there is a double-walled pipe 3 which
is to be connected to the pipeline 2. The pipeline 2 is being held
by tensioners (not shown), so that the end of the pipeline 2 is
held in a welding station 10. Above the welding station 10 there is
a line up device 11 which is provided with two gripper means or
clamps 12, 13. Furthermore, the double-walled pipe 3 is resting in
roller clamps 15 which are arranged on the J-lay tower 6 and
through which the double-walled pipe 3 can be moved in the axial
direction and rotated about the axial axis.
[0038] The way in which the line up device 11 operates will be
explained with reference to a preferred embodiment which is shown
in FIGS. 3, 5a and 5b and with reference to a diagrammatic
illustration of various steps in a line up cycle as shown in FIGS.
4a to 4f. In this specific embodiment, the device 11 comprises
first and second gripper means 12, 13 which each have a separate
frame 16. The frame 16 is arranged directly on the main frame 17 of
the J-lay tower 6. At least second gripper means 13 can move with
respect to the main frame 17 in the axial direction of the first
pipe, by moving the frame 16, by means of actuators (not shown), in
the longitudinal direction of the main frame 17 along guides 20.
First gripper means 12 may be designed to be fixed on the main
frame, but if appropriate may also be designed to be movable in the
axial direction of the first pipe with respect to the main frame
17. The gripper means 12, 13 can be moved in translation in the
lateral direction of the first pipe (as indicated by a double arrow
in FIGS. 5a and 5b) by means of linear actuators 50. In this case,
the gripper means 12, 13 are moved along guides 51 (cf. FIG. 3).
The gripper means 12, 13 can be rotated about an axis which is
parallel to the guides 51 by means of rotary actuators 52 which are
securely attached to the actuators 50 by means of attachment
brackets 53.
[0039] A head 55 of each of the gripper means 12, 13 can be moved
in the lateral direction of the first double-walled pipe by means
of actuators 54.
[0040] The gripper means 12, 13 each have one or more pairs of
clamping jaws. The second gripper means 13 is equipped with a set
of shoes (cf. FIGS. 5a and 5b) comprising four shoes 21, 22 which
are suitable for gripping pipes of different diameters, with the
result that the inner pipe 18 and the outer pipe 19 can be
alternately gripped by the gripper means 13, without the shoes
having to be changed. The clamping jaws of the gripper means 12, 13
can be moved between an open position (FIG. 5a) and a closed
position (FIG. 5b) with the aid of actuators 56 and 57. In the
embodiment shown, an inner or outer pipe of a double-walled pipe
which has been gripped by the gripper means 12, 13 can rotate about
the axial axis of this pipe 3, as indicated by the circular double
arrow in FIG. 5b, since each of the shoes comprises a plurality of
rollers 59 which can rotate freely about their axial axes.
[0041] The in the example shown gripper means 12, 13 are each
provided with one or more wheels 61 driven by a motor not shown. By
means of the wheel 61 the pipe gripped by the gripper means 12, 13
can be rotated via frictional contact. A specific angular position
of the pipe can be fixed by blocking the wheel 61. This is relevant
if the pipe has a non circular cross-section.
[0042] In an alternative embodiment which is shown in FIG. 6, the
gripper means 13 is equipped with three shoes 23 which are
V-shaped. There may also be a different number of shoes, in which
case a set of shoes comprises at least two shoes. The shape of the
shoes may also differ from the embodiments shown here.
[0043] As illustrated by FIGS. 4a-4f, a double-walled pipe 3 has
been conveyed by the tilting device 5 to the tower 6. The pipe 3
has an inner pipe 18 and an outer pipe 19. The inner and outer
pipes 18, 19 are supported by a pipe stop 8. Then, the following
steps are carried out:
[0044] 1) the outer pipe 19 of a first pipe 3 is gripped securely
by the first gripper means 12;
[0045] 2) the inner pipe 18 of the first pipe 3 is gripped securely
by the second gripper means 13, after which the tilting device 5
can be tilted away from the tower, resulting in the situation shown
in FIG. 4a;
[0046] 3) the second gripper means 13 with the inner pipe 18
clamped in it is displaced towards the connection station 10, and
the end of the inner pipe 18 is ligned up with the end of an inner
pipe of the suspended pipeline 2 which is situated in the
connection station 10;
[0047] 4) the ends of the inner pipes of the first pipe 3 and the
pipeline 2 are connected to one another (cf. FIG. 4b), after which,
if appropriate, an insulating layer can be arranged around the
inner pipes around the area of the connection;
[0048] 5) the inner pipe 18 is released by the second gripper means
13 (cf. FIG. 4c);
[0049] 6) the second gripper means 13 is displaced towards the
first gripper means 12 (cf. FIG. 4b);
[0050] 7) the outer pipe 19 is gripped securely by the second
gripper means 13;
[0051] 8) the outer pipe 19 is released by the first gripper means
12, resulting in the situation as shown in FIG. 4e;
[0052] 9) the second gripper means 13 together with the outer pipe
19 is displaced towards the connection station 10;
[0053] 10) the outer pipe 19 is gripped securely by the first
gripper means 12, resulting in the situation shown in FIG. 4f;
[0054] 11) the end of the outer pipe 19 is ligned up with the end
of an outer pipe of the suspended pipeline 2 which is situated in
the connection station 10;
[0055] 12) the ends of the outer pipes of the first pipe 3 and the
suspended pipeline 2 are connected to one another.
[0056] In the embodiment shown (cf. FIG. 3), at least the second
gripper means 13 can move along the main frame 17 via a guide 20.
However, in another embodiment (cf. FIG. 5c), it is also possible
for the gripper means 12, 13 to be arranged on a line up frame 17a
which is arranged on the main frame 17 of the tower 6. On account
of the view shown, only the second gripper means 13 can be seen in
FIG. 5c, but the first gripper means 12 is arranged in a similar
way on the line up frame 17a, axially above the second gripper
means 13. The line up frame 17a can be moved with respect to the
main frame 17 in the axial and transverse directions of the first
pipe 3 by means of actuators 60. At least the second gripper means
13 can be moved in the axial direction of the first pipe, along
guides, with respect to the line up frame 17a, in a similar manner
to that illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0057] FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show a pipe stop assembly 8 as shown in
FIG. 2. It can be seen from these figures that the inner pipe 18 is
supported on a stop 26. The outer pipe 19 is resting on a stop
which comprises two stop halves 24, 25 which can be moved away from
one another in order to allow the pipe stop assembly 8 to move away
from the pipe when the gripper means 12, 13 of the line up device
have securely clamped the outer pipe 19 and the inner pipe 18. The
stop assembly 8 can be rotated away, about pivot point 27, in a
plane which is perpendicular to the axial direction of the pipe,
after the pipe has been gripped securely by the gripper means 12,
13.
[0058] Another embodiment of a pipe stop assembly is shown in FIG.
9 and FIG. 10. The inner pipe 18 is supported by stop 28. The outer
pipe 19 is supported by a stop which is formed by two parallel
limbs 29, 30. The stops 28, 29, 30 can be rotated away towards the
axial direction of the pipe with the aid of piston-cylinder units
40, 41 after the gripper means have gripped the pipe securely, as
indicated in FIG. 10.
[0059] The line up device described above is suitable for ligning
up double-walled pipes, but it will be clear that the device is
also suitable for ligning up single pipes and pipe components.
* * * * *