Pipe rotator assembly
AssigneeMilwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
InventorsWalter A. Onushko, Michael J. Tuma, Joseph J. Fulop, Daniel R. White, Kevin R. Gee
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pipe rotator assembly includes a frame upon which a cylindrical pipe is supportable, and a wheel rotatably coupled to the frame and engageable with the pipe for imparting rotation thereto in response to rotation of the wheel. The pipe rotator assembly additionally includes a drive shaft coupled to the wheel for transferring torque thereto, causing the wheel to rotate, and a drive unit for providing torque to the drive shaft. The drive unit includes an electric motor and an onboard power source for powering the motor.
Claims20
A pipe rotator assembly comprising:
- a frame upon which a cylindrical pipe is supportable;
- a wheel rotatably coupled to the frame and engageable with the pipe for imparting rotation thereto in response to rotation of the wheel;
- a drive shaft coupled to the wheel for transferring torque thereto, causing the wheel to rotate;
- and
- a drive unit for providing torque to the drive shaft, wherein the drive unit includes an electric motor and an onboard power source for powering the motor.
A pipe rotator assembly comprising:
- a frame upon which a cylindrical pipe is supportable;
- a first wheel and a second wheel rotatably coupled to the frame and engageable with the pipe for imparting rotation thereto in response to rotation of the first and second wheels;
- a gearbox including an input shaft and an output shaft, wherein the output shaft is coupled to the first wheel for transferring torque thereto, causing the first wheel to rotate;
- and
- a drive unit for providing torque to the output shaft, wherein the drive unit includes an electric motor and an onboard power source for powering the motor;
- wherein the drive unit provides a first rotational speed to the input shaft and the gearbox provides a second rotational speed to the output shaft, and wherein the first rotational speed is greater than the second rotational speed.
A method of supporting a pipe during a pipe beveling operation, the method comprising:
- positioning a first end of the pipe within a cradle of a pipe rotator assembly;
- and
- activating a drive unit, thereby causing the drive unit to impart torque to a wheel on the cradle upon which the pipe is supported, thereby causing the wheel and the pipe to rotate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.