METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MULTIDIRECTIONAL PIPE RUNNERS

Abstract

A multidirectional runner assembly for positioning a carrier pipe within a surrounding casing pipe. Each multidirectional runner assembly has at least one ball transfer assembly at least partially protruding from the runner assembly, in order to contact an inner surface of a surrounding casing pipe. The ball transfer assemblies reduce static and/or kinetic friction forces during installation of a carrier pipe within the central bore of a casing pipe, permit multidirectional orientation of the runners within the casing pipe, and provide greater load support.

Claims

1. A friction-reducing runner apparatus for carrier pipe comprising: a) an elongated body section configured for attachment to said carrier pipe, wherein said body section comprises at least one outer surface having at least one bore disposed therein; and b) a multidirectional bearing assembly received within said at least one bore, wherein the position of said multidirectional bearing assembly can be adjusted to extend a predetermined distance beyond said at least one outer surface of said body section.

2. The friction-reducing runner apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a band member attached to said elongated body section.

3. The friction-reducing runner apparatus of claim 2, wherein said band member is configured for attachment to an external surface of said carrier pipe.

4. The friction-reducing runner apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elongated body section is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of said carrier pipe.

5. The friction-reducing runner apparatus of claim 1, wherein said multi-directional bearing assembly comprises a ball transfer assembly.

6. The friction-reducing runner apparatus of claim 5, wherein said ball transfer assembly is at least partially constructed of a polymer.

7. The friction-reducing runner apparatus of claim 2, wherein said band member is at least partially constructed of metal or polyethylene.

8. A friction-reducing runner apparatus for carrier pipe comprising: a) an elongated body section configured for attachment to said carrier pipe, wherein said body section comprises at least one outer surface having at least one bore disposed therein; b) a band member attached to said elongated body section; and c) a multidirectional bearing assembly received within said at least one bore, wherein the position of said multidirectional bearing assembly can be adjusted to extend a predetermined distance beyond said at least one outer surface.

9. The friction-reducing runner apparatus of claim 8, wherein said band member is configured for attachment to an external surface of said carrier pipe.

10. The friction-reducing runner apparatus of claim 8, wherein said elongated body section is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of said carrier pipe.

11. The friction-reducing runner apparatus of claim 8, wherein said multi-directional bearing assembly comprises a ball transfer assembly.

12. The friction-reducing runner apparatus of claim 11, wherein said ball transfer assembly is at least partially constructed of a polymer.

13. The friction-reducing runner apparatus of claim 8, wherein said band member is at least partially constructed of metal or polyethylene.

14. A method of installing a carrier pipe into a pipeline comprising: a) installing a friction-reducing runner apparatus on said carrier pipe, wherein said friction-reducing runner apparatus comprises: i) an elongated body section configured for attachment to said carrier pipe, wherein said body section comprises at least one outer surface having at least one bore disposed therein; ii) a multidirectional bearing assembly received within said at least one bore, wherein the position of said multidirectional bearing assembly can be adjusted to extend a predetermined distance beyond said at least one outer surface; and b) inserting said carrier pipe and said at least one friction-reducing runner apparatus into said pipeline.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said friction-reducing runner apparatus further comprises a band member attached to said elongated body section.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said elongated body section is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of said carrier pipe.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said multi-directional bearing assembly comprises a ball transfer assembly.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said ball transfer assembly is at least partially constructed of a polymer.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein said band member is at least partially constructed of metal or polyethylene.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS/FIGURES

[0011] The foregoing summary, as well as any detailed description of the preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the drawings and figures contained herein. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings and figures show certain preferred embodiments. It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific methods and devices disclosed in such drawings or figures.

[0012] FIG. 1 depicts an exploded end view of a first embodiment of a multidirectional runner assembly of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 2 an exploded end view of a second embodiment of a multidirectional runner assembly of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of multidirectional roller assembly of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 4 depicts an overhead view of a partially disassembled multidirectional roller assembly of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 5 depicts a side sectional view of multidirectional roller assembly of the present invention along line A-A of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] FIG. 1 depicts an exploded end view of a first embodiment of a multidirectional runner assembly 100 of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, said multidirectional runner assembly comprises a band assembly that can be installed around the outer circumferential surface of a length of a pipe (such as, for example, a carrier pipe to be installed within a casing pipe).

[0018] Although other configurations can be envisioned without departing from the scope of the present invention, in a preferred embodiment said band assembly comprises first substantially semi-circular band member 110 having outwardly extending connection flanges 112, and second substantially semi-circular band member 111 having outwardly extending connection flanges 113. Said first band member 110 and second band member 111 can be constructed of metal, and can be joined together with flanges 112 and 113 disposed in opposing relationship. In a preferred embodiment, said first band member 110 and second band member 111 are joined together using mating threaded bolts 120 disposed through aligned apertures in said flanges 112 and 113, and threaded nuts 121 (although other known fastening means such as, for example, band clamps or other mechanical fasteners can also be used to secure said first and second band members together).

[0019] At least one optional riser member 115 can be attached to first band member 110 or second band member 111. Said riser members 115 generally comprise support platforms that extend radially outward from the outer surface of said band members 110 and/or 111. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, two riser members 115 are disposed on the outer surface of second band member 111; however, it is to be observed that the specific number, placement and configuration of said riser members 115 can be adjusted to meet particular operational or job parameters. Threaded studs or bolts 116 can extend radially outward from riser members 115, or directly from the outer surface of a band member (such as first band member 110, as depicted in FIG. 1).

[0020] Multidirectional runner body members 140 have at least one bore 141 for receiving a ball transfer assembly 130. Said runner body members 140 can be attached to band members 110 and/or 111 using threaded bolts 116 and mating threaded nuts; said multidirectional runner body members 140 can be attached to riser members 115, or directly to the outer surface of a band member (such as first band member 110, as depicted in FIG. 1). It is to be observed that the specific number, placement and configuration of said runner body members 140 can be adjusted to meet particular operational or other job parameters. In a preferred embodiment, said runner body members have an elongate wedge shape having tapered sides; said shape can also comprise a rectangular prism or a truncated triangular prism. Each of said ball transfer assemblies 130 generally comprises at least one ball bearing 132 rotatably disposed within a housing 131.

[0021] FIG. 2 depicts an exploded end view of a second embodiment of a multidirectional runner assembly 200 of the present invention. Although other configurations can be envisioned without departing from the scope of the present invention, in a preferred embodiment said band assembly comprises first substantially semi-circular band member 210 having outwardly extending connection flanges 212, and second substantially semi-circular band member 211 having outwardly extending connection flanges 213. Said first band member 210 and second band member 211 can be constructed of polyethylene and/or other synthetic material, and can be joined together with flanges 212 and 213 disposed in opposing relationship. In a preferred embodiment, said first band member 210 and second band member 211 are joined together using mating threaded bolts 220 disposed through aligned apertures in said flanges 212 and 213, and threaded nuts 221 (although other known fastening means such as, for example, band clamps or other mechanical fasteners can also be used to secure said first and second band members together).

[0022] At least one optional radial protrusion 215 can be attached to first band member 210 or second band member 211. Said radial protrusions 215 generally comprise protrusions or members that extend radially outward from the outer surface of said band members 210 and/or 211. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, two radial protrusions 215 are disposed on the outer surface of second band member 211; however, it is to be observed that the specific number, placement and configuration of said radial protrusions 215 can be adjusted to meet particular operational or job parameters, and can be selectively disposed on one or both band members.

[0023] Multidirectional runner body members 240 have at least one bore 241 for receiving a ball transfer assembly 230. Said runner body members 240 can be attached to band members 210 and/or 211 using vulcanized welding to radial protrusions 215, adhesive(s), mechanical fastener(s) and/or combinations thereof. It is to be observed that the specific number, placement and configuration of said runner body members 240 can be adjusted to meet particular operational or other job parameters. Said ball transfer assemblies 230 generally comprise at least one ball bearing 232 rotatably disposed within a housing 231.

[0024] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of multidirectional runner body member 140 of the present invention with a plurality of ball transfer assemblies 130 received and installed within bores 141, not visible in FIG. 3. It is to be observed that the specific number, placement and configuration of said ball transfer assemblies 130 can be adjusted to meet particular operational or other job parameters. Ball bearings 132 extend outward from runner body member 140 and protrude a desired distance beyond upper outer surface 143, thereby permitting said ball bearings 132 to contact the inner surface of a surrounding casing pipe. The height of runner body member 140 (depicted as dimension “H” in FIG. 3), the number and spacing of ball transfer assemblies 130, as well as the distance that ball bearings 132 protrude beyond upper outer surface 143, may be adjusted to meet particular operational and/or job parameters. As depicted in FIG. 3, multiple ball transfer assemblies 130 are disposed in axial alignment along the length of runner body member 140.

[0025] FIG. 4 depicts an overhead view of a partially disassembled multidirectional runner body member 140 of the present invention with a plurality of bores 141, and a single ball transfer assembly 130 received and installed within one of said bores 141. Ball bearing 132 of ball transfer assembly 131 extends outward from runner body member 140 and protrudes a desired distance beyond upper outer surface 143. As depicted in FIG. 4, a through bore 146 extends through the base of bore 141, while a countersunk recessed area 145 surrounds said bore 146.

[0026] FIG. 5 depicts a side sectional view of said partially disassembled multidirectional runner body member 140 along line A-A of FIG. 4. The multidirectional runner body member 140 contains a ball transfer assembly 130, which can be secured in place within a bore 141 via frictional press fit, adhesive(s), over-molding, mechanical fastener(s) and/or combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, a through bore 146 extends through the base of at least one bore 141, while a countersunk recessed area 145 surrounds said bore(s) 146. Said countersunk recessed area 145 provides clearance to receive a drive socket of a socket or other tool used to turn a nut or other mechanical fastener disposed within said countersunk recessed area.

[0027] Ball transfer assemblies 130 and/or components thereof (such as, for example, ball bearing 132) can be formed from various materials including, without limitation, polymers and alloys, in order to accommodate particular operational and/or job parameters. Said ball transfer assemblies 130 can be numbered and/or spaced on said runner body member 140, and said runner body members 140 in turn can be numbered and/or spaced along the outer surface of a pipe, in order to maximize weight and/or load capacity.

[0028] The multidirectional runners of the present invention can comprise multiple ball transfers assemblies affixed to a single runner. Said ball transfer assemblies can be used on runners having different geometric structures, dimensions and/or configurations, while permitting various methods of mounting.

[0029] The above-described invention has a number of particular features that should preferably be employed in combination, although each is useful separately without departure from the scope of the invention. While the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and described herein, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than herein specifically illustrated or described, and that certain changes in form and arrangement of parts and the specific manner of practicing the invention may be made within the underlying idea or principles of the invention.