Pipe Consolidation Apparatus and Method

Abstract

An apparatus and method for consolidating a pipe that has been wrapped with reinforcing tape, is provided. The apparatus comprises two or more pipe consolidation devices, each having a first end, a second end, and comprising: first and second support members arranged at the first end and having a gap therebetween; and an optional third support member at the second end. Each device further comprises a peripheral band that extends around the first, second, and optionally the third support members and is substantially unsupported in the gap between the first and second support members. The apparatus additionally comprises a mounting plate having a central aperture, and two or more of the devices mounted on the mounting plate such that the first end of each device is arranged bearing against a pipe extending through the central aperture. A method of manufacturing reinforced pipe is also provided.

Claims

1.-12. (canceled)

13. An apparatus for consolidating a pipe, comprising: a mounting plate having a central aperture; and two or more pipe consolidation devices, each pipe consolidation device having a first end and a second end and comprising a first support member and a second support member arranged at the first end of the device and having a gap therebetween, and a peripheral band for applying pressure to a pipe formed as a substantially continuous loop, wherein the peripheral band extends around the first, and second support members and is substantially unsupported in the gap between the first support member and the second support member, each pipe consolidation device is mounted on the mounting plate such that the first end of the pipe consolidation device is arranged such that it bears against a pipe extending through the central aperture, and the two or more pipe consolidation devices are equally spaced around the central aperture.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, having exactly three pipe consolidation devices.

15. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the, or each, pipe consolidation device is adjustably mounted on the mounting plate such that its position in relation to the central aperture can be adjusted.

16. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the mounting plate is rotatable.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising driving means for rotating the mounting plate.

18. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein each pipe consolidation device further comprises a third support member arranged at the second end of the device, and the peripheral band extends around the pipe consolidation device supported by the first, second, and third support members.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein a length of each pipe consolidation device from its respective first end to its respective second end can be adjusted to adjust the tension on the peripheral band.

20. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the first support member and the second support member of each pipe consolidation device are rotatable rollers.

21. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the peripheral band of each pipe consolidation device is a formed of a polymer.

22. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein one or both of the first support member and the second support member of each pipe consolidation device is spring mounted.

23. A method of manufacturing reinforced pipe, comprising the steps of: wrapping a pipe in reinforcing tape; heating the pipe; and then passing the pipe through the central aperture of the apparatus according to claim 13 such that the two or more pipe consolidation devices of the apparatus apply an external compressive force to the reinforcing tape.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the pipe is rotated relative to the apparatus as the pipe passes through the central aperture.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0041] FIG. 1 shows a pipe consolidation device of an apparatus according to the present invention;

[0042] FIG. 2 shows the pipe consolidation device according to FIG. 1 in use smoothing a pipe; and

[0043] FIG. 3 shows an apparatus according to the present invention.

[0044] A pipe consolidation device 1 of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. The device 1 has a first support member 2 and a second support member 3 arranged at a first end of the device. There is a gap 4 between the first support member 2 and the second support member 3. A third support member 5 is arranged at a second end of the device 1. The first, second, and third support members 2, 3, and 5 are each rollers that are mounted on the device 1 such that are able to freely rotate. A peripheral band 6 formed of a continuous band of polymeric material is mounted around the device on the first, second, and third support members 2, 3, 5 and is substantially unsupported in the gap 4. The peripheral band 6 is only supported by the first, second, and third support members 2, 3, 5 and, as such, can be rotated about the device 1.

[0045] The device 1 has a central mounting portion 7 formed between the first end and the second end that allows it to be bolted to other components. The mounting portion 7 has two slots 8 formed therein to allow the device 1 to be adjustably mounted. In particular, the device 1 can be slidably mounted to another component by means of a bolt located through each of the slots 8. By loosening the bolts, sliding the device 1, and then retightening the bolts the positioning of the device 1 relative to the other component can be varied.

[0046] The use of the device 1 of FIG. 1 to consolidate a wrapped pipe 20 is shown in FIG. 2. The device 1 is positioned to bear against a pipe 20 that has been wrapped in a reinforcing tape (not shown). In particular, the device 1 is positioned such that the peripheral band 6 presses against an outer surface of the pipe 20 at the gap 4 of the device. This provides an even pressure over the portion of the surface of the pipe 20 against which the peripheral band 6 is in contact. The pressure of the peripheral band 6 against the pipe 20 is sufficient to consolidate the tape wrapped around an outer surface of the pipe. The pipe 20 may then be rotated and/or moved axially relative to the device 1 such that a substantial portion of the outer surface of the pipe is consolidated. This is may be achieved by rotating the pipe 20 and/or rotating the device 1.

[0047] An apparatus 10 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 3. The apparatus 10 is shown in use consolidating the outer surface of a pipe 20 that has been wrapped in reinforcing tape (not shown). The apparatus 10 consists of a circular mounting plate 11 having a circular central aperture 12 and three pipe consolidation devices 1 as shown in FIG. 1. The devices 1 are each mounted to a first planar face of the mounting plate 11 and are arranged such that their first ends extend over the central aperture 12. The devices 1 are evenly spaced about the central aperture 12. Each device 1 is slidably mounted to the mounting plate 11 by means of a pair of bolts mounted through the slots 8 formed in the mounting portion 7. This allows the precise position of the devices 1 to be varied in a simple manner, as discussed above.

[0048] When the apparatus 10 is in use a pipe 20 wrapped in reinforcing tape (not shown) is positioned through the central aperture 12 and the devices 1 are arranged such that they bear against an outer surface of the pipe. In particular, each device 1 is positioned such that the peripheral band 6 presses against an outer surface of the pipe 20 at the gap 4 of the device, this provides an even pressure on a contacting portion of the outer surface of the pipe. The pipe 20 is then rotated relative to the mounting plate 11 and the devices 1. This can be achieved by rotating the mounting plate 11 and/or rotating the pipe 20. The pipe 20 is then moved axially through the central aperture 12 whilst continuing the relative rotation of the pipe 20 and the mounting plate 11. In this manner, substantially the entire outside portion of the pipe 20 can be consolidated by the action of the devices 1.

[0049] The relative rotation of the pipe 20 and the mounting plate 11 can act to cause the rotation of each peripheral band 6 about each device 1. This prevents excessive wear to any particular portion of a peripheral band 6 and helps provide an even pressure across the outer surface of the pipe 20 to provide an even consolidation effect.

[0050] It is to be understood that the embodiments shown in the Figures are illustrative only and are shown to aid understanding of the invention.