Patent Application
20190128447
The present invention relates to lifting devices in general, and in particular to a lifting device for lifting a pipeline away from a supporting structure.
Industrial plants, such as chemical processing plants, oil refineries, etc., typically include long pipelines for transferring various types of liquid or gas. These long pipelines are commonly resting on supporting steel beams.
One common problem with the above-mentioned pipeline systems is that pipelines tend to expand and contract as a result of temperature fluctuations. Such temperature changes can caused by weather conditions, the difference in temperature between night and day, and/or simply a change of temperature of the liquid or gas in pipelines. The expansion and contraction of pipelines cause certain sections of the pipeline to undergo a movement with respect to the fixed steel beams, which generally generates an enormous amount of friction and can cause the pipelines to wear out. Corrosion and/or erosion due to fluid leaks from the pipelines are problems that occur very frequently.
Considerable effort is expended to prevent the above-mentioned problems. One effective strategy is to periodically lift the pipeline at each supporting beam and inspect for damages. If minor damage is detected, a typical remedy is to sandblast the corroded area and then to apply a protective coating. More extensive mechanical repair may be required if the wear or corrosion is severe.
In order to accomplish this kind of inspection and repair, a pipeline must be lifted by approximately six inches at each pipe-to-beam interface and temporarily suspended in that position while the work is performed. A crane and heavy equipment operator are usually employed to lift pipelines, and this method can be very costly. Alternatively, chain fails or other rigging equipment can be used on lower levels of a pipe rack to raise a pipeline, but this method can also be costly due to manpower and scaffolding requirements.
Consequently, it would be desirable to provide an improved apparatus for lifting a pipeline away from a supporting structure.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a lifting device includes a first device body having a first gripper for gripping one flange of a supporting beam, a second device body having a second gripper for gripping an opposite flange of the supporting beam to allow the first and second device body to be suspended from the supporting beam, a first lifting means coupled to the first device body, and a second lifting means coupled to the second device body. The first and second lifting means together can lift a pipeline away from the supporting beam.
All features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed written description.
The invention itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objects, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring now to the drawings and in particular to
With reference now to
Grippers 12a-12b include brake screws 23a-23b, respectively. Each of brake lit screws 23a-23b can be affixed to one of flanges of the support structure (such as support structure 30 in
Lifting means 13a preferably includes a hydraulic jack capable of raising and/or lowing a jack rod 24a and a V-shaped head 25a attached to jack rod 24a. Lifting means 13a also includes a pair of rollers 26. On the other hand, lifting means 13b preferably includes a rod 24b and a V-shaped head 25b attached to rod 24b. The position of rod 24b with respect to the base of lifting means 13b can be manually adjusted accordingly, and the position can be locked via a locking pin 27. Although a hydraulic jack is only implemented in lifting means 13a in the present embodiment, it is understood by those skilled in the art that a hydraulic jack can also be implemented in lifting means 13b as well.
Referring now to
Lifting, device 10 can be rapidly mounted on support structure 30 by inserting locking pins 21, 22 through appropriate holes on first device body 11a and second device body 11b. Rollers 26 located on lifting means 13a allow lifting device 10 to traverse smoothly along the flanges of support structure 30. Lifting device 10 can be rapidly dismounted from support structure 30 by removing locking pins 21, 22 through appropriate holes on first device body 11a and second device body 11b.
As has been described, the present invention provides an improved lifting device for lifting a pipeline with respect to a supporting structure.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e)(1) to provisional application No. 62/492,749 filed on May 1, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62492749 | May 2017 | US |
