Method and apparatus for removing or reinstalling riser pipes of a riser bundle
AssigneeCoastal Cargo Company, L.L.C.
InventorDon M. Zemo, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of servicing a pipe bundle or riser bundle employs a specially configured hoist having a rail that supports multiple lifts. A selected satellite pipe/conduit of the pipe bundle is both lifted and pulled horizontally in order to remove it from a plurality of supports that hold the satellite pipes together in spaced apart positions. During removal of a satellite pipe, the lifts elevate, then travel with and hold the pipe as it moves horizontally away from the bundle.
Claims20
A method of removing a satellite pipe from a pipe bundle that includes multiple satellite pipes supported by a plurality of spaced apart supports that include end supports and intermediate supports, comprising the steps of;
- a) supporting the pipe bundle;
- b) providing a hoisting apparatus that includes a rail, said rail extending along the pipe bundle;
- c) attaching a plurality of lifts to the selected satellite pipe, each lift having a carriage and being supported by a carriage, enabling the lift to travel along the rail;
- d) separating the satellite pipe from the intermediate supports and at least one of the end supports;
- e) elevating the selected satellite pipe with the lifts of step “c”, each lift being able to change the elevation of the pipe independently of the other lifts;
- and
- f) moving the pipe toward one of the end supports, wherein the lifts move simultaneously with the satellite pipe, each lift carriage also moves with the pipe.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.