# US 9,752,398 B2 · Apparatus and method for servicing pipes > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,752,398 B2 - Document ID: US9752398B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/061,537 - Filed: 2013-10-23 - Published: 2014-04-24 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-10-23 - Assignees: National Oilwell Varco, L.P. - Applicants: National Oilwell Varco, L.P. - Inventors: Jaroslav Belik - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9752398B2 ## CPC - E21B 19/20: Combined feeding from rack and connecting, e.g. automatically - B05D 7/222: {of pipes} - B08B 9/023: Cleaning the external surfaces {(B08B9/021 takes precedence)} - B24C 3/325: {for internal surfaces, e.g. of tubes} - E21B 17/006: {Accessories for drilling pipes, e.g. cleaners (wear protectors E21B17/10; handling drilling pipes E21B19/00; thread protectors B65D59/00)} - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - B05D: PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL (conveying articles or workpieces through baths of liquid B65G, e.g. B65G49/02) - B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL - B24C: ABRASIVE OR RELATED BLASTING WITH PARTICULATE MATERIAL ## Abstract An apparatus for servicing pipes includes a pipe holder having a frame configured to support the pipe and a movement assembly coupled to the frame and configured to rotate the pipe about a longitudinal axis of the pipe, and a first pipe servicing tool disposed proximate to an end of the pipe holder, where the first pipe servicing tool is configured to operably engage an end of the pipe when the pipe is rotated by the movement assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for servicing pipes, comprising: a pipe holder comprising: a frame configured to support the pipe; and a movement assembly coupled to the frame and configured to rotate the pipe about a longitudinal axis of the pipe; a first pipe servicing tool comprising a container disposed proximate to an end of the pipe holder, wherein the first pipe servicing tool is configured to operably engage an end of the pipe with the end of the pipe received within a chamber of the container when the pipe is rotated by the movement assembly; a first actuator coupled to the pipe holder and configured to selectively move the pipe holder between a horizontal position and an inclined position, and hold the pipe holder in the inclined position as the first pipe servicing tool operably engages the end of the pipe with the end of the pipe received within the chamber of the container; and a second actuator coupled to the pipe holder and configured to selectively move the pipe along a longitudinal axis of the pipe into operable engagement with the first pipe servicing tool. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first pipe servicing tool comprises a cleaning tool configured to deliver a cleaning fluid to an end of the pipe. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cleaning tool comprises: a nozzle coupled to an end of a retractable arm, wherein the nozzle is configured to apply a fluid to a surface of the pipe; and a third actuator coupled to the arm and configured to extend and retract the arm. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first pipe servicing tool comprises a lubrication tool configured to deliver lubricant to an end of the pipe. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first pipe servicing tool comprises a conductivity tester configured to test the conductivity of a conductor of the pipe. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the conductivity tester comprises: a third actuator coupled to a retractable shaft and configured to extend and retract the shaft; a conductor coupled to an end of the shaft and configured to engage a conductor of the pipe; and a shield configured to protect the conductivity tester from a collision with the pipe. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the shield is rotatable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the shield is arranged to contact the pipe and wherein in the second position the shield is arranged to allow the conductor to engage the pipe. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first pipe servicing tool comprises a combination tool configured to lubricate the pipe and test the conductivity of a conductor of the pipe. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the combination tool comprises: a rotary actuator coupled to a first end of a shaft, wherein the rotary actuator is configured to rotate the shaft; a conductor coupled to a second end of the shaft, wherein the conductor is configured to contact a conductor of the pipe; and an electrical lead connected to the annular conductor and extending through the conduit of the shaft. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second pipe servicing tool disposed proximal to the opposite end of the pipe from the first pipe servicing tool. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second pipe servicing tool is selected from the group consisting of a cleaning tool, a lubrication tool and a combination tool. ### Claim 12 An apparatus for servicing pipes, comprising: a pipe holder comprising: a frame configured to support the pipe; and a movement assembly coupled to the frame configured to manipulate the pipe; a first pipe servicing tool disposed proximate to an end of the pipe holder and configured to operably engage an end of the pipe; wherein the first pipe servicing tool and the movement assembly are configured to provide relative movement between the first pipe servicing tool and the pipe; a first actuator coupled to the pipe holder and configured to selectively move the pipe holder between a horizontal position and an inclined position, and hold the pipe holder in the inclined position as the first pipe servicing tool operably engages the end of the pipe; and a second actuator coupled to the pipe holder and configured to selectively move the pipe along a longitudinal axis of the pipe into operable engagement with the first pipe servicing tool. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first pipe servicing tool and the movement assembly are configured to provide relative rotational movement between the first pipe servicing tool and the pipe. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first pipe servicing tool and the movement assembly are configured to provide relative axial movement between the first pipe servicing tool and the pipe. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the cleaning tool comprises: a nozzle coupled to an end of a retractable arm, wherein the nozzle is configured to apply a fluid to a surface of the pipe; and a third actuator coupled to the arm and configured to extend and retract the arm. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first pipe servicing tool comprises a conductivity tester configured to test the conductivity of a conductor of the pipe. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the conductivity tester comprises: a third actuator coupled to a retractable shaft and configured to extend and retract the shaft; a conductor coupled to an end of the shaft and configured to engage a conductor of the pipe; and a shield configured to protect the conductivity tester from a collision with the pipe. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the shield is rotatable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the shield is arranged to contact the pipe and wherein in the second position the shield is arranged to allow the conductor to engage the pipe. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first pipe servicing tool comprises a combination tool configured to lubricate the pipe and test the conductivity of a conductor of the pipe. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the combination tool comprises: a rotary actuator coupled to a first end of a shaft, wherein the rotary actuator is configured to rotate the shaft; a conductor coupled to a second end of the shaft, wherein the conductor is configured to contact a conductor of the pipe; and an electrical lead connected to the annular conductor and extending through the conduit of the shaft. ### Claim 21 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second actuator is configured to move the pipe along its longitudinal axis while the pipe holder is disposed in the inclined position. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) A method of using the apparatus of claim 1 for servicing pipes, comprising: supporting a pipe in one of a horizontal position and an inclined position; moving the pipe between the horizontal and inclined positions; disposing a pipe servicing tool proximal to an end of the pipe; moving the pipe along a longitudinal axis of the pipe into operable engagement with the pipe servicing tool; operating the pipe servicing tool to perform a servicing at an end of the pipe, the servicing being selected from the group consisting of delivering a fluid to the end of the pipe and testing the conductivity of a conductor of the pipe; and holding the pipe in the inclined position as the pipe servicing tool performs the servicing at the end of the pipe. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22, further comprising transferring a pipe from a pipe storage system to a roller assembly via pivoting the pipe storage system relative to the roller assembly.