US 9,248,976 B2Granted

Enhanced methods for handling tubulars useful during cleaning and inspection operations

AssigneeThomas Engineering Solutions & Consulting, LLC

InventorsWilliam C. Thomas, William J. Thomas, III, Perry J. DeCuir, Jr., Kenny Perry, Jr.

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Abstract

Enhanced methods are disclosed for handling cylindrical tubulars, advantageously in association with cleaning, inspection and other operations on the tubular. The tubular is held stationary while it is rotated. During rotation of the tubular, internal and external cleaning systems, and data acquisition systems, pass up and down the length of the rotating tubular. In preferred embodiments, a first tubular is loaded onto the handling machine, whereupon it is indexed and then rotated. Cleaning, inspection and other operations may be performed during rotation. Once operations are complete, the handling system ejects the first tubular while queuing up a second tubular to be loaded. The handling machine comprises a plurality of user-positional pods. Each pod includes scissor mechanisms, index machines and a roller machine to perform the handling methods. Sensors on drive rollers in the handling machine generate vibrational response data of the tubular while it rotates.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A method for handling cylindrical tubulars in a handling machine, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) queuing first and second tubulars in load-side storage;
(b) extending a plurality of load-side cantilevers from the handling machine to the load-side storage;
(c) releasing the first tubular from the load-side storage to roll over the load-side cantilevers and onto the handling machine;
(d) retracting the load-side cantilevers;
(e) lowering the first tubular onto a plurality of indexing rollers;
(f) indexing the first tubular;
(g) lowering the first tubular further onto a plurality of drive rollers;
(h) securing the first tubular onto the drive rollers with a plurality of pressure rollers;
(i) selectably rotating the first tubular with the drive rollers;
(j) discontinuing step (i);
(k) releasing the pressure rollers from the first tubular;
(l) raising the first tubular off the drive rollers;
(m) extending a plurality of unload-side cantilevers from the handling machine to unload-side storage;
(n) ejecting the first tubular from the handling machine by causing the first tubular to roll over the unload-side cantilevers onto the unload-side storage;
(o) re-extending the load-side cantilevers from the handling machine to the load-side storage;
and
(p) releasing the second tubular from the load-side storage to roll over the load-side cantilevers and onto the handling machine;
wherein steps (h), (i), (j) and (k) are performed by a plurality of cooperating roller machines deployed on the handling machine;
and
wherein further each roller machine further comprises a plurality of pairs of sets of drive rollers and pressure roller assemblies, each set in a pair thereof comprising one drive roller opposing one pressure roller assembly.

17 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 14/041,116Filed 30 Sep 2013 · us provisional application
Priority: 28 Sep 2012
Published: US 2014/0093348 A13 Apr 2014
Granted: 2 Feb 2016
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification24 codes

B65G 47/14
From disorderly-arranged article piles or from loose assemblages of articles: arranging or orientating the articles by mechanical or pneumatic…
B08B 9/02
Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto: cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
B08B 9/023
Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes: cleaning the external surfaces
B08B 9/0321
By the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing: using pressurised, pulsating or purging fluid