Modular pipe rack system
AssigneeConXtech, Inc.
InventorsAdam Leighton Browne, John S. Boyd, Brian Hood
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for supporting one or more pipes is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first tower, a second tower, and each tower includes four vertical columns, and a first set of horizontal beams. Each beam is configured to span and connect two of the vertical columns via biaxial moment connecting collars. The towers are aligned to support a first pipe on beams from both towers along a primary pipe support axis, and none of the columns in the first tower is connected to a column of the second tower by a biaxial moment connecting collar.
Claims19
A modular pipe rack system, comprising:
- a set of self-supporting tower modules aligned along a fluid transport path, each tower module including:
- (a) exactly four vertical columns, and
- (b) four I-beams connected to the vertical columns by biaxial moment connection collars forming a first pipe support tier, wherein each of the biaxial moment connection collars connects exactly two I-beams to one of the four vertical columns;
- a strut beam extending between first and second adjacent tower modules of the set, the strut beam being connected to one of the four vertical columns of each of the first and second tower modules by a shear connection.
An apparatus for supporting one or more pipes, comprising:
- a first tower and a second tower, wherein:
- each tower includes four vertical columns and a first set of horizontal beams, each beam spanning and connecting two of the vertical columns via biaxial moment connecting collars,
- none of the columns in the first tower is connected to a column of the second tower by a biaxial moment connecting collar,
- the towers are aligned to support a first pipe on beams from both towers along a primary pipe support axis, and
- an auxiliary horizontal beam spanning one of the four vertical columns of the first tower and one of the four vertical columns of the second tower, wherein the auxiliary horizontal beam is connected to the vertical columns by gravity catch devices.
A method of constructing a modular pipe rack system, comprising:
- transporting a plurality of columns and beams to a construction site, each column and beam including a pre-joined collar component,
- constructing a plurality of self-supporting tower modules, including:
- erecting four columns,
- lowering a beam between each pair of adjacent columns, to connect the pre-joined collar components of the beam and each of the pair of adjacent columns and form a gravity-locked, full-moment condition,
- supporting a first pipe between two constructed tower modules,
- installing an auxiliary horizontal beam between two constructed tower modules via gravity connections, and
- supporting a turnout of the first pipe on the auxiliary horizontal beam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.