Header delivery system

A method of accessing a process tube extending from a header pipe, using a header delivery system, the header delivery system including:

• a launcher pipe having a first pipe end forming a first pipe opening and a second pipe end forming a second pipe opening;
• a frame assembly connected to the launcher pipe;
• a tube coupler connected to the launcher pipe at the second pipe end;
• a bumper connected to the launcher pipe;
• and
• a jack apparatus comprising:
• a tube coupler mount connected to the launcher pipe at the second pipe end and connected to the tube coupler,
• a wedge assembly connected to the launcher pipe and having a first actuating wedge and a first extension wedge disposed adjacent one another in a wedge configuration, and
• a linear actuator assembly having a first linear actuator connected to the first actuating wedge and configured to move the first actuation wedge in a first linear direction and to move the first extension wedge and the tube coupler mount apart from one another in response to the movement of the first actuation wedge in the first linear direction, and wherein the tube coupler and the bumper move from a retracted position to an extended position as the first extension wedge and the tube coupler mount move apart from one another;
• and
• the method comprising:
• inserting the header delivery system in the header pipe with the tube coupler in a retracted position;
• aligning the header delivery system in the header pipe with the process tube in an alignment position and with the tube coupler and the bumper in a retracted position;
• and
• after aligning the header delivery system, actuating the first linear actuator to move the first actuation wedge in the first linear direction to position the tube coupler and the bumper from the retracted position to an extended position to form a seal between the tube coupler and the process tube;
• and
• performing a first service operation on the process tube with the tube coupler and the bumper in the extended position using the launcher pipe to access the process tube.

A header delivery system for a header pipe having a process tube extending from the header pipe, comprising:

• a launcher pipe;
• a tube coupler connected to the launcher pipe at the second pipe end;
• a bumper connected to the launcher pipe;
• and
• a jack apparatus comprising:
• a tube coupler mount connected to the launcher pipe at the second pipe end and connected to the tube coupler,
• a wedge assembly connected to the launcher pipe and having a first actuating wedge and a first extension wedge disposed adjacent one another in a first wedge configuration and a second actuating wedge and a second extension wedge disposed adjacent one another in a second wedge configuration,
• a linear actuator assembly having a first linear actuator connected to the first actuating wedge and a second linear actuator connected to the second actuating wedge, and the linear actuator assembly configured to move the first actuation wedge and the second actuator wedge in a first linear direction and to move the first extension wedge and the second extension wedge apart from the tube coupler mount in response to the movement of the first actuation wedge and the second actuation wedge in the first linear direction, and wherein the tube coupler and the bumper move from a retracted position to an extended position as the first extension wedge and the tube coupler mount move apart from one another.