Processes for Preparing, Forming and Assembling Pipe Sections in a Pipeline Using Mechanical Press Fit Pipe Joints
OwnerLarry W. Vincent, Darrell L. Vincentinventors
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Abstract
Processes and systems for preparing pipe for machine processing to form pin and box ends for assembly into pipelines using mechanical press-fit pipe joints that are fully measured and documented during both manufacturing and assembly. Installed pipelines include pipeline data monitoring systems coupled to a pipeline data management center for receiving, archiving, and analysis of the data records to aid in administration, operation and management, and troubleshooting of pipelines.
Claims28
A process for preparing sections of pipeline pipe for forming first and second ends of the pipe sections into pin and box configurations to enable formation of mechanical press-fit pipe joints in a pipeline, comprising the steps of:
- inspecting raw pipe sections for acceptance into pre-preparation processing;
- beveling, to a predetermined angle, an inside edge to an outward profile of an end of a pipe section to be formed with a pin end configuration;
- bypassing the previous step if the end of the pipe section is to be formed with a box end configuration;
- cleaning the inner and outer surfaces of the first and second ends of the pipe section such that average surface roughness Ra does not exceed 1 to 3 mil;
- applying a corrosion inhibitor to the cleaned inner and outer surfaces of the pipe section;
- marking each respective end of the pipe with a permanent readable imprint code having data positions for hydraulic pressure P data and displacement length L data;
- and
- transferring the prepared pipe section to a storage location or to an end-forming location.
A process, carried out on a bench having a stationary pipe clamp on a first end and a hydraulic ram for operating a movable tooling support on a second opposite end, for preparing pipe sections for assembly in a pipeline using mechanical press-fit pipe joints to join the pipe sections, comprising the steps of:
- performing a pre-preparation process for each section of raw pipe;
- forming respective pin and box ends of each section of pipe for joining using the mechanical press-fit pipe joints;
- measuring and storing parameters for hydraulic pressure P and displacement length L associated with forming the pin and box ends of the pipe sections using a process monitoring computer system, wherein a data record of the at least two parameters of the formation of each pin and box end is created and stored;
- marking each pin and box end of each pipe section with a permanent encoded data panel recording identification and end preparation data for the associated pin or box end;
- coating the formed pipe sections according to specifications applicable to the expected use of the pipe sections in a pipeline;
- and
- installing a pipeline data monitoring bus on each section of pipe.
A process for assembling a pipeline from pipe sections connected together using mechanical press-fit pipe joints, comprising the steps of:
- operating a hydraulically powered assembly machine equipped with a hydraulic pressure sensor and a displacement length sensor to assemble the pipe sections via the mechanical press-fit pipe joints to form the pipeline;
- monitoring hydraulic pressure P and displacement length L data, provided by the respective sensors installed on the assembly machine, during the operation of the assembly machine and storing the data in a database coupled to a process monitoring computer;
- installing pipeline sensor circuit modules and connect them to a pipeline data monitoring bus;
- and
- testing the completed pipeline system for integrity and operation.
In a process for forming or assembling pipe section ends for an oil and gas pipeline to be joined by mechanical press-fit joints on a bench having a fixed stock at a first end configured with a clamp to secure therein a first end of a pipe section having respectively an unformed or formed end, and a movable stock slidingly supported on a second end of the bench, the movable stock coupled to a source of hydraulic pressure for sliding toward the fixed stock and configured with a clamp to secure a tooling die for forming an end of a pipe section or to secure a first formed end of a pipe section for assembly to a corresponding second formed end of a pipe section, the improvement comprising the steps of:
- initializing first and second sensors including a first sensor coupled to the source of hydraulic pressure for measuring a hydraulic pressure P and a second sensor coupled between a fixed reference on the bench and the movable stock for measuring a displacement length L;
- configuring on a display screen operated by a processor a graph for plotting P=hydraulic pressure versus L=displacement length during real time while pipe section pin and box ends are being respectively formed or assembled;
- operating the bench to form a pin end or a box end of a pipe section or to assemble a pin end and a box end;
- and
- measuring and displaying on the display screen the parameters P and L as the respective pin end and box end are formed or assembled to ensure the parameters P and L associated with toy forming or assembling the respective ends are each met within a predetermined tolerance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.