U.S. patent application number 13/223235 was filed with the patent office on 2013-02-28 for pipeline crossing bridge.
The applicant listed for this patent is Marc Breault. Invention is credited to Marc Breault.
Application Number | 20130047351 13/223235 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47741528 |
Filed Date | 2013-02-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130047351 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Breault; Marc |
February 28, 2013 |
PIPELINE CROSSING BRIDGE
Abstract
A bridge comprising a first ground contacting pad and a second
ground contacting pad spaced apart from one another, three or more
ribs with lateral stabilizing elements extending between adjacent
ribs of the three or more ribs, and an upper crossing surface
supported by the three or more ribs. Each rib of the three or more
ribs is supported on the first and second ground contacting pads.
Each of the first and second ground contacting pads extends
underneath each rib of the three or more ribs. The ribs
collectively form an arch extending between the first and second
ground contacting pads.
Inventors: |
Breault; Marc; (Sturgeon,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Breault; Marc |
Sturgeon |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
47741528 |
Appl. No.: |
13/223235 |
Filed: |
August 31, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
14/24 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01C 9/083 20130101;
E02D 17/10 20130101; E01D 15/133 20130101; E01D 4/00 20130101; E01D
15/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
14/24 |
International
Class: |
E01D 4/00 20060101
E01D004/00 |
Claims
1. A pipeline crossing bridge for vehicles comprising: a first
ground contacting pad and a second ground contacting pad spaced
apart from one another; plural ribs with lateral stabilizing
elements extending between adjacent ribs of the plural ribs, in
which each rib of the plural ribs is supported on the first ground
contacting pad and the second ground contacting pad and the ribs
collectively form a raised arch extending between the first ground
contacting pad and the second ground contacting pad, and in which
each of the first ground contacting pad and the second ground
contacting pad extends underneath each rib of the plural ribs; an
upper crossing surface supported by the plural ribs; and one or
more lateral alignment elements on each side of the pipeline
crossing bridge for interlocking with one or more lateral alignment
elements of one or more adjacent pipeline crossing bridges.
2. The pipeline crossing bridge of claim 1 positioned over a
pipeline, in which the pipeline has a diameter and the first ground
contacting pad and the second ground contacting pad are spaced
apart wider than the diameter of the pipeline.
3-4. (canceled)
5. The pipeline crossing bridge of claim 1 in which the pipeline
crossing bridge has a lateral width of twelve feet six inches or
less.
6. The pipeline crossing bridge of claim 1 further comprising a
lower apron secured under the ribs, over the arch and between the
ground contacting pads.
7. The pipeline crossing bridge of claim 1 in which the upper
crossing surface has a first longitudinal radius of curvature, the
raised arch has a second longitudinal radius of curvature, and the
first longitudinal radius of curvature is larger than the second
longitudinal radius of curvature.
8. The pipeline crossing bridge of claim 1 in which the bridge has
a lateral width sufficiently narrow to allow horizontal
transportation without the use of a pilot vehicle.
9. The pipeline crossing bridge of claim 8 in which the bridge has
a lateral width of twelve feet six inches or less.
10. The pipeline crossing bridge of claim 1 further comprising a
plurality of lateral supports positioned between the plural ribs
and the upper crossing surface.
11. The pipeline crossing bridge of claim 1 formed as an arcuate
mat.
12. The pipeline crossing bridge of claim 1 in which the raised
arch is a segmental arch.
13. The pipeline crossing bridge of claim 6 in which the lower
apron and upper crossing surface define a hollow interior
containing the plural ribs and lateral stabilizing elements.
14. The pipeline crossing bridge of claim 1 in which the plural
ribs comprise three or more ribs.
15. A method comprising placing the pipeline crossing bridge of
claim 1 over a buried pipeline.
16. A method comprising placing the pipeline crossing bridge of
claim 1 over a ground surface lacking a foundation.
17. A pipeline crossing bridge for vehicles comprising: a first
ground contacting pad and a second ground contacting pad spaced
apart from one another; plural ribs with lateral stabilizing
elements extending between adjacent ribs of the plural ribs, in
which each rib of the plural ribs is supported on the first ground
contacting pad and the second ground contacting pad and the ribs
collectively form a raised arch extending between the first ground
contacting pad and the second ground contacting pad, and in which
each of the first ground contacting pad and the second ground
contacting pad extends underneath each rib of the plural ribs; an
upper crossing surface supported by the plural ribs, the upper
crossing surface being arcuate and having a maximum slope of twenty
degrees relative to a ground surface; one or more lateral alignment
elements on each side of the pipeline crossing bridge for
interlocking with one or more lateral alignment elements of one or
more adjacent pipeline crossing bridges; a lower apron secured
under the ribs, over the arch and between the ground contacting
pads; and the pipeline crossing bridge being formed as an arcuate
mat having a range of vertical thicknesses, from a first end of the
pipeline crossing bridge to a second end of the pipeline crossing
bridge, with ten inches or less deviation from a mean vertical
thickness.
18. The pipeline crossing bridge of claim 17 in which the upper
crossing surface has a first longitudinal radius of curvature from
the first pipeline crossing bridge end to the second pipeline
crossing bridge end, the raised arch has a second longitudinal
radius of curvature, and the first longitudinal radius of curvature
is larger than the second longitudinal radius of curvature.
19. The pipeline crossing bridge of claim 17 in which the pipeline
crossing bridge is positioned over a pipeline, in which the
pipeline has a diameter, and the first ground contacting pad and
the second ground contacting pad are spaced apart wider than the
diameter of the pipeline.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This document relates to pipeline crossing bridges.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Bridges or roads are used to cross pipelines.
SUMMARY
[0003] A pipeline crossing bridge comprising: first and second
ground contacting pads spaced apart from one another; plural ribs
with lateral stabilizing elements between adjacent ribs of the
plural ribs, each rib of the plural ribs being supported on both
the first and second ground contacting pads and the ribs
collectively forming an arch extending between the first and second
ground contacting pads; and an upper crossing surface supported by
the plural ribs.
[0004] These and other aspects of the device and method are set out
in the claims, which are incorporated here by reference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0005] Embodiments will now be described with reference to the
figures, in which like reference characters denote like elements,
by way of example, and in which:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the top of a pipeline
crossing bridge with the apron removed.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the top of the pipeline
crossing bridge of FIG. 1 with the apron in place.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bottom of the pipeline
crossing bridge of FIG. 1 with the lower apron removed.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bottom of the pipeline
crossing bridge of FIG. 1 with the lower apron in place.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the pipeline crossing bridge of
FIG. 1 in position over a buried pipeline.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the pipeline crossing
bridge of FIG. 1
[0012] FIG. 7 is a top plan view illustrating the lateral
interconnection of adjacent mats, with the portion of the male
member that is inserted within the female member of the adjacent
mat shown in dashed lines. The support tubes that form the female
member within the adjacent mat are also shown in dashed lines.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Immaterial modifications may be made to the embodiments
described here without departing from what is covered by the
claims.
[0014] Pipelines are used across North America and the rest of the
world to transport fluids such as petroleum products a distance
from source to sink. Pipelines may be buried underneath, laid upon,
or supported in a raised position above terrain. Because of the
distances travelled by such pipelines, and other factors, it is
often necessary for a road or passage to cross a pipeline. For
raised pipelines and pipelines lying on the ground, it may be
possible to provide a road overtop of the pipeline, for example
using a bridge. In some cases the road may be provided underneath
the pipeline.
[0015] For buried pipelines, the crossing passes over the pipeline,
for example directly or indirectly above fill material above the
pipeline. Regulations may determine the minimum depth of fill
required between the pipeline and the road in some cases.
Regardless, vibration and compression from multiple crossings over
time may lead to damage and eventual failure of the buried
pipeline. In some cases a thick layer of clay or other dampening
material may be provided above the fill material. However, such
layers may be expensive to construct, and may still transfer
vibrational and compressional energy to the pipeline, ultimately
leading to pipeline damage.
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a pipeline crossing bridge 10 is
provided comprising first and second ground contacting pads 12 and
14, respectively (FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 6), plural ribs 16 (FIGS. 1 and
3), and an upper crossing surface, such as an apron 18 (FIGS. 2, 4,
5, 6). The first and second ground contacting pads 12, 14, are
spaced apart from one another, and may be planar in shape to
transfer load across a sufficiently wide ground area.
[0017] The plural ribs 16 have lateral stabilizing elements 20,
such as one or more truss alignment bars 22 (FIGS. 1 and 3),
between adjacent ribs 16 of the plural ribs 16. Elements 20 may
extend between two or more of the plural ribs 16. In the example
shown, the truss alignment bar 22 spans all of the plural ribs 16.
Other components such as support tubes 24 may form lateral
stabilizing elements 20, for example by passing laterally through
the entire set of plural ribs 16 for strength. Lateral stabilizing
elements 20 prevent plural ribs 16 from folding under loading
during use. Ribs 16 and stabilizing elements 20 may collectively
form a skeleton or frame 21, which may include other elements such
as end plates 23 and side plates 25, which may have the same shape
as ribs 16.
[0018] Each rib 16 of the plural ribs 16 is supported on both the
first and second ground contacting pads 12, 14. Ribs 16 may be
spaced a suitable distance apart, for example one foot or less
apart. Ribs 16 may run parallel to one another in the longitudinal
direction as shown. In the example shown, pads 12 and 14, which
each may include one or more feet (not shown), are provided by
support plates 26, 28, respectively, connected to the plural
longitudinal ribs 16. Pads 12 and 14 may be positioned on a
foundation (not shown) or on a ground surface 57 (FIG. 6). The ribs
16 collectively form an arch 30 extending between the first and
second ground contacting pads 12, 14. The bridge 10 may have an
arcuate middle portion 32 as shown that in use is raised above
ground 34 that is desired to be crossed, such as ground 34 that is
directly above a buried pipeline 36 (FIG. 6). The throat or arch
30, which may be segmental as shown, may be wider than a diameter
51 of the pipeline 36 as shown (FIG. 6). A segmental arch may be
used over a semi-circular arch to reduce the maximum vertical
height of bridge 10 while increasing the arch 30 span distance
between the pads 12, 14. By positioning bridge 10 over pipeline 36
so that the arcuate middle portion 32 is spaced above the ground
34, bridge loading is transferred away from ground 34 directly
above the pipeline 36, thus reducing or eliminating damage to
pipeline 36 that may otherwise occur over multiple crossings. In
addition, arcuate middle portion 32 provides a convenient location
for bridge 10 to be gripped and lifted during loading and unloading
with suitable loading equipment such as a backhoe, crane, loader,
or excavator.
[0019] The upper crossing surface or apron 18 (FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5,
and 6) may be positioned at least partially over the ribs 16 and is
supported directly or indirectly by the plural ribs 16. Lateral
supports such as cross beams 39 (FIGS. 1 and 3) may be positioned
between ribs 16 and apron 18. The combination of ribs 16 with
lateral stabilizer elements 20 may be easier to manufacture and
more resistant to folding under loading than the longitudinal
corrugations (not shown) used in existing bridges. The apron 18 may
be adapted to increase traction, for example by use of one or more
traction bars 38. Other suitable methods may be used to increase
traction, for example using a textured or divoted upper surface
(not shown). A lower apron 40 (FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 6) may be secured at
least partially under the plural ribs 16, for example under the
ribs 16, over the arch 30 and between the ground contacting pads
12, 14. In some cases, pipeline crossing bridge 10 is entirely
enclosed to prevent unwanted incursion into the bridge interior by
dirt, contaminants, animals, plants, or other undesired elements.
In other cases, bridge 10 may have plural holes 42 (FIGS. 2, 5) in
apron 18 to allow air pressure equalization during loading, reduce
bridge weight, allow evaporation of standing water or fluids within
bridge 10, and increase traction on apron 18.
[0020] In the oil and gas industry, it is sometimes necessary to
provide ground cover mats with sufficient strength to support heavy
equipment and transport trucks over wet or disturbed ground. Oil
field exploration and drilling operations are often undertaken in
geographic areas that are, in their natural state, inaccessible to
vehicles and equipment necessary for such exploration. These areas
include swamps, marshlands, riverbeds, snow covered regions, and
areas with soft or sandy soil. In order to explore for oil in such
areas, it is necessary to locate heavy drilling rigs, vehicles and
other equipment for some period of time on or adjacent to the
location where the well is to be drilled. In order to transport
this heavy equipment to the site and to support the equipment at
the site, the industry has used for many years temporary roads
leading to and from the site and flooring systems or pads at the
particular site.
[0021] Existing flooring systems may involve a series of
prefabricated mats. Mats are currently used for temporary road and
access track in many other industries as well. Such mats may be
generally used as alternatives to asphalt and concrete road paving,
or for temporary storage pads for supplies and equipment. In
contrast with traditional surfaces made with asphalt, gravel, or
concrete, temporary road mats: may cause less of a negative
environmental impact, may be quicker and easier to set up, and may
be easier to obtain required building permits for.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 6, bridge 10 may form part of a ground
cover mat system (not shown). For example, bridge 10 may interlock
longitudinally with one or more ground cover mats (not shown) to
form a temporary roadway for rig equipment. In other embodiments,
bridge 10 may be used as a standalone unit. Apron 18 may have a
smooth and continuous tapered or arcuate shape as shown across the
entire longitudinal length of the apron 18, terminating at opposed
ramp ends 41. Ramp ends 41 may be sloped toward the ground or may
terminate at an end height 43 sufficiently low to allow vehicular
traffic to drive onto the apron 18 from the adjacent ground 57 or
from an adjacent mat (not shown). In one example, the end height 43
may be five inches or less off the ground, thus lower than or equal
to a standard curb height. The apron 18 may be designed to reduce
or minimize disturbance to vehicular traffic over mat 10, for
example by ensuring that apron 18 has a maximum slope of 20 degrees
or less relative to ground level.
[0023] Bridge 10 may be formed as an arcuate mat as shown. A mat is
understood to have a relatively constant vertical thickness, for
example within 0-10 inches deviation from a mean vertical
thickness, along the longitudinal length of the mat. Mat form
allows bridge 10 to be effectively vertically stacked for example
on a trailer bed, rail bed or other suitable cargo bed. After
unloading, bridge 10 may be positioned directly upon ground surface
57 without burying bridge 10 fully or partially with fill (FIG. 6).
In some cases a radius of curvature 46 of the apron 18 is larger
than a radius of curvature 48 of the arch 30, for example so that a
minimum vertical arch height 49 is present at the longitudinal
center of the arch 30 as shown. The apron 18 may thus have a
shallower slope than the arch 30, thus reducing disturbance to
traffic passing over bridge 10 while ensuring sufficient vertical
spacing from ground 34 under arch 30. If the arch 30 or apron 18
shapes have a degree of eccentricity, then the average radii of
curvature should be used.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 7, the bridge 10 may be separable into two
or more longitudinal portions 50A, 50B that interlock together with
lateral alignment elements 52, 54 in the longitudinal portions 50A,
50B, respectively. In the example shown, alignment elements 52 are
male members 53 that extend laterally into female members 55 such
as support tubes 24. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, cutouts 56 may be
provided in apron 18 to allow a user vertical access to holes 58
for securing male members 53 and thus portions 50A, 50B together in
place with screws or bolts (not shown) for example. By providing
bridge 10 in two or more separable longitudinal portions 50A and
50B, a bridge of a suitable width wider than a single longitudinal
portion 50 may be conveniently assembled on site but transported to
the site in separate, narrower, pieces. In addition, in some
embodiments longitudinal portions 50A, 50B, or bridge 10 may be
provided with a lateral width 60 (FIG. 5) sufficiently narrow, for
example twelve feet six inches or less, so as to allow horizontal
transportation, for example on a truck bed (not shown), without the
use of a pilot vehicle, thus saving on transportation costs. Widths
of eight feet or less may also be used.
[0025] Although described above for use in spanning buried
pipelines, in some cases bridge 10 may be used to span a gap
defined by a river, gullet', or other uneven terrain to provide
safe travel by heavy duty equipment or vehicles over the gap. Other
natural or manmade formations such as above ground pipelines or
partially buried drainage culverts may be spanned by bridge 10. In
some cases the upper crossing surface may be planar, for example
horizontally planar.
[0026] Bridge 10 may be rated to support loads of 60 000 pounds or
more. In some embodiments bridge 10 is adapted to facilitate the
passage of heavy duty equipment and vehicles over wet or disturbed
ground. All dimensions are exemplary and other dimensions may be
used, for example dimensions greater or smaller than the exemplary
dimensional ranges provided. In addition, the use of directional
language such as vertical and horizontal in this document
illustrate directions that are relative to a ground surface 57
(FIG. 6) that bridge 10 is placed upon. Although not illustrated in
the Figures, supports that are angled relative to the longitudinal,
vertical, and lateral directions may be used in the construction of
bridge 10.
[0027] In the claims, the word "comprising" is used in its
inclusive sense and does not exclude other elements being present.
The indefinite article "a" before a claim feature does not exclude
more than one of the feature being present. Each one of the
individual features described here may be used in one or more
embodiments and is not, by virtue only of being described here, to
be construed as essential to all embodiments as defined by the
claims.
* * * * *