Methods and apparatus for laying fluid distribution lines
US5820066A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 16, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 13, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 16, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/6954
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for laying fluid distribution lines along a surface are disclosed. An overhead support cable is secured between a plurality of anchoring devices spaced along the surface. A rotatable installation reel is then coupled to the overhead support cable and a coil of fluid distribution line is loaded on the installation reel. Fluid distribution line is laid along the surface by moving the installation reel along the overhead support cable so as to rotate the installation reel to pay out the fluid distribution line along the surface. Subsequent fluid distribution lines may be laid at substantially equal lateral spacings by moving each anchoring device or a portion of each anchoring device prior to laying each subsequent fluid distribution line.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.