Installing pipeline segments within a conduit

A lifting mechanism for lifting a pipe segment of a pipeline in a conduit, the lifting mechanism comprising:

• a lifting assembly configured to maintain an alignment between a main axis of the pipe segment and a main axis of the pipeline, the lifting assembly comprising:
• a chain sling, the chain sling comprising:
• a main hook;
• a plurality of connecting hooks releasably connected to an inner surface of the pipe segment;
• and
• a plurality of chains interconnecting the plurality of connecting hooks and the main hook;
• and
• a cylindrical frame coaxially disposed within the pipe segment, the lifting assembly configured to maintain a first gap between an outer surface of the cylindrical frame and the inner surface of the pipe segment constant by extending a plurality of retractable wheels between an outer surface of the cylindrical frame and an inner surface of the pipe segment, each retractable wheel of the plurality of retractable wheels comprising:
• a retractable arm pivotally coupled to the outer surface of the cylindrical frame from a first end of the retractable arm;
• and
• a wheel rotatably coupled to a second opposing end of the retractable arm, the plurality of retractable wheels configured to be extended between the outer surface of the cylindrical frame and the inner surface of the second pipe segment by pivotally rotating the retractable arm from a retracted position to an extended position, a main axis of the retractable arm parallel to a main axis of the cylindrical frame in the retracted position, the main axis of the retractable arm perpendicular to the main axis of the cylindrical frame in the extended position, wherein the plurality of retractable wheels are equally spaced apart around a periphery of the outer surface of the cylindrical frame;
• and
• a winch coupled to the main hook utilizing a main cable, the winch and the main cable configured to lift the pipe segment responsive to winding the main cable onto the winch.