Apparatus, work station and method for applying protective sheeting of polymer material to a pipeline, and computer program for implementing the method
AssigneeSaipem S.P.A.
InventorsMomtchil Kaltchev, Walter Marinozzi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus configured to apply protective sheeting of polymer material around a cutback on a pipeline has a frame located close to a pipeline extending along a longitudinal axis; a manipulator fitted to the frame and having a guide system movable between a rest position at a distance from the pipeline, and a work position in which the guide system is fitted around the pipeline; and an extrusion die movable selectively along the guide system and around the pipeline to supply and apply protective sheeting around the cutback on the pipeline.
Claims25
-23. (canceled)
A pipeline protective sheeting application apparatus comprising:
- a frame locatable a designated distance from a pipeline extending along a longitudinal axis;
- a manipulator fittable to the frame and including a guide system movable between a rest position a first distance from the pipeline, and a work position a second distance from the pipeline, wherein in the work position, the guide system is fittable around the pipeline;
- and
- an extrusion die selectively movable:
- (i) along the guide system, and
- (ii) around the pipeline to supply and apply a protective sheeting around a cutback on the pipeline.
A pipeline protective sheeting application work station comprising:
- a pipeline protective sheeting application apparatus configured to apply a protective sheeting around a cutback on a pipeline and including:
- a frame locatable a designated distance from a pipeline extending along a longitudinal axis,
- a manipulator fittable to the frame and including a guide system movable between a rest position a first distance from the pipeline, and a work position a second distance from the pipeline, wherein in the work position, the guide system is fittable around the pipeline, and
- an extrusion die selectively movable:
- (i) along the guide system, and
- (ii) around the pipeline to supply and apply a protective sheeting around a cutback on the pipeline;
- and
- at least one apparatus configured to perform preliminary operations before application of the protective sheeting, such that the at least one apparatus and the pipeline protective sheeting application apparatus are successively fittable about the cutback.
A method of applying protective sheeting of polymer material around a cutback on a pipeline, the method comprising:
- selectively setting a guide system by a manipulator fittable to a frame to a work position from a rest position in which the guide system is a designated distance from a pipeline, wherein in the work position, the guide system is fittable around the pipeline which extends along a longitudinal axis, and
- moving an extrusion die, guided by the guide system, around the pipeline to supply and apply a protective sheeting around the cutback on the pipeline.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.