Pipe placement and support system

US5785457A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Horner & Shifrin, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Thomas G. Thompson · Belleville, US
• Albert Becker · Straßenhaus, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 24, 1996
• Grant date: Jul 28, 1998
• Expiry date: Oct 24, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16L1/201
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A placement and support system for installing long lengths of connected pipe sections and method of using the same are provided having a series of pairs of spaced apart piles that are installed at predetermined sites by pile-driving into the floor of an expanse and, in particular, a body of water. Each pile has a bent seat at lower end and the piles are driven until the seats are positioned at the desired distance above the floor. The sections of pipe are preconnected on land or on a barge to a desired length. A prefabricated pipe saddle assembly is installed between each pair of piles and positioned above the water line by wedging or a hydraulic jack to form a series of pipe saddle assemblies. Each pipe saddle assembly has a transverse support beam. There is a pipe sleeve at each end of the support beam dimensioned to slide over the piles. A generally U-shaped pipe saddle is affixed to the transverse beam. The long pipe is positioned on the pipe saddles by crane or other appropriate tools or machinery and secured to each pipe saddle by a pair of U-bolts. The wedges or jacks are removed and the pipe slowly filled with water. The pipe sleeves slide down the piles until they abut the…