Rotating internal support apparatus and method for large hollow structures

An internal support for a hollow, generally cylindrical structure that has at least one open end, comprising:

• a truss having a longitudinal centerline;
• a plurality of annular disks aligned along a central axis that is parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the truss, each of the annular disks including an inner circumference and an outer circumference;
• and
• a plurality of support arms fixedly attached to the truss and coupled to the annular disks to attach the annular disks to the truss;
• wherein the annular disks are configured to rotate about the central axis.

An internal support for a hollow, generally cylindrical structure that has at least one open end, comprising:

• a truss having a longitudinal centerline;
• a plurality of annular disks aligned along a central axis that is parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the truss, each of the annular disks including an inner circumference and an outer circumference;
• and
• a plurality of support arms fixedly attached to the truss and coupled to the annular disks to attach the annular disks to the truss;
• wherein at least one of the support arms is configured to extend or retract in order to compensate for a deflection of the truss.

An internal support for a hollow, generally cylindrical structure that has at least one open end, comprising:

• a truss having a longitudinal centerline;
• a plurality of annular disks aligned along a central axis that is parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the truss, each of the annular disks including an inner circumference and an outer circumference;
• a plurality of support arms fixedly attached to the truss and coupled to the annular disks to attach the annular disks to the truss;
• and
• a drive motor that is coupled to the truss and linked to at least one of the annular disks, the drive motor being configured to rotate the at least one of the annular disks.

An internal support for a hollow, generally cylindrical structure that has at least one open end, comprising:

• a truss having a longitudinal centerline;
• a plurality of annular disks aligned along a central axis that is parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the truss, each of the annular disks including an inner circumference and an outer circumference;
• a plurality of support arms fixedly attached to the truss and coupled to the annular disks to attach the annular disks to the truss;
• and
• a plurality of retractable radial support rods attached at circumferential intervals around each of the annular disks and configured to radially extend beyond the outer circumference of the annular disks to contact an inner surface of the structure at a multiplicity of contact points in order to support the structure.

An internal support for a hollow, generally cylindrical structure that has at least one open end, comprising:

• a truss having a longitudinal centerline;
• a plurality of annular disks aligned alone a central axis that is parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the truss, each of the annular disks including an inner circumference and an outer circumference;
• and
• a plurality of support arms fixedly attached to the truss and coupled to the annular disks to attach the annular disks to the truss;
• wherein the truss includes a plurality of support interfaces configured to engage a plurality of fixed-height or adjustable jacks, whereby the internal support can securely rest on the plurality of jacks.

An internal support for a hollow, generally cylindrical structure that has at least one open end, comprising:

• a truss having a longitudinal centerline;
• a plurality of annular disks aligned along a central axis that is parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the truss, each of the annular disks including an inner circumference and an outer circumference;
• and
• a plurality of support arms fixedly attached to the truss and coupled to the annular disks to attach the annular disks to the truss;
• wherein:
• the truss includes a platform surface on an upper side of the truss;
• the truss is configured with support interfaces to attach an extended lateral platform.

An internal support for a hollow, generally cylindrical structure that has at least one open end, comprising:

• a truss having a longitudinal centerline;
• a plurality of annular disks aligned along a central axis that is parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the truss, each of the annular disks including an inner circumference and an outer circumference;
• and
• a plurality of support arms fixedly attached to the truss and coupled to the annular disks to attach the annular disks to the truss;
• wherein:
• the truss includes a platform surface on an upper side of the truss;
• the truss is configured with an extended lateral platform.

An internal support for a hollow, generally cylindrical structure that has at least one open end, comprising:

• a truss having a longitudinal centerline;
• a plurality of annular disks aligned along a central axis that is parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the truss, each of the annular disks including an inner circumference and an outer circumference;
• and
• a plurality of support arms fixedly attached to the truss and coupled to the annular disks to attach the annular disks to the truss;
• wherein the truss includes at least one longitudinal rail to support a hanging cart.

An internal support for a hollow, generally cylindrical structure that has at least one open end, comprising:

• retractable means for circumferentially supporting an internal surface of the structure at a multiplicity of contact points around a circumference of the structure;
• rotatable means for retaining the retractable means for supporting;
• central means for rigidly supporting the rotatable means for retaining;
• and
• vertically adjustable means for attaching the rotatable means for retaining to the central means for rigidly supporting, the vertically adjustable means being adapted to move the rotatable means relative to the central means.

A method for internally supporting a hollow, generally cylindrical structure that has at least one open end, comprising the steps of:

• rotatably attaching a plurality of annular disks at a plurality of axial locations along a central axis that is parallel to a longitudinal centerline of a substantially rigid central truss;
• adjusting a vertical distance from the central truss to at least one of the annular disks;
• retaining a plurality of radial support rods at circumferential intervals around each of the annular disks;
• and
• extending the support rods to contact an inner surface of the structure at a multiplicity of contact points in order to support the structure.