Expandable drum assembly for deploying coiled pipe and method of using same

A method of engaging a drum assembly with a coil of flexible pipe, comprising:

• disposing the drum assembly within an interior region of the coil of flexible pipe, the drum assembly comprising:
• a support bar having a first end and a second end;
• a first plurality of expandable spokes extending away from the first end of the support bar, wherein a distal end of each of the first plurality of expandable spokes is movable between a retracted position and an extended position;
• a second plurality of expandable spokes extending away from the second end of the support bar, wherein a distal end of each of the second plurality of expandable spokes is movable between a retracted position and an extended position;
• a plurality of drum segments each mounted to the distal end of one of the first plurality of expandable spokes and the distal end of one of the second plurality of expandable spokes, wherein each of the plurality of drum segments extends parallel to the support bar;
• a first support bracket disposed about the support bar proximate the first end of the support bar and configured to slide over an outer surface of the support bar along a first longitudinal section of the support bar;
• a second support bracket disposed about the support bar proximate the second end of the support bar and configured to slide over the outer surface of the support bar along a second longitudinal section of the support bar;
• a primary mechanical actuator coupled to the first support bracket and the second support bracket, wherein the primary mechanical actuator is capable of moving at least one of the first support bracket, the second support bracket, or both;
• a first plurality of secondary mechanical actuators each extending between the first support bracket and one of the first plurality of expandable spokes or one of the plurality of drum segments, wherein the first plurality of secondary mechanical actuators are capable of moving the location of the first plurality of expandable spokes between the retracted and extended positions;
• a second plurality of secondary mechanical actuators each extending between the second support bracket and one of the second plurality of expandable spokes or one of the plurality of drum segments, wherein the second plurality of secondary mechanical actuators is capable of moving the location of the second plurality of expandable spokes between the retracted and extended positions, and wherein the primary and secondary mechanical actuators comprise hydraulic cylinders;
• and
• a flow distributor configured to distribute flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinders;
• and
• moving the first plurality of expandable spokes and the second plurality of expandable spokes from the retracted position to the extended position using at least one of the primary mechanical actuator, the first plurality of secondary mechanical actuators, the second plurality of secondary mechanical actuators, or any combination thereof;
• and
• contacting the coil of flexible pipe with at least two of the plurality of drum segments such that the drum assembly is secured within the interior region of the coil of flexible pipe.