Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVE~TION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to improvements in dispenser
carrying apparatus and more particularly to impr~vements in
apparatuses for circumnavigating a dispenser about a pipe or
the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In many instances, it is desirable to provide pro-
tective coatings for pipe sections, tanks, or other cylindrical
objects buried in the ground or otherwise exposed to the
environment or deleterious influences. Whtle a variety of
methods and apparatus have been devised to accomplish an
objective of coating the outer surface of a pipe or tank,
there remains a need for an apparatus, particularly a powered
apparatus, useable in the field, directed toward achieving
a uniform coating on the pipe particularly adjacent the ex-
posed interface or joint between two adjacent pipe or tank
sections after welding or other joining and sealing processes.
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This need is particularly significant in the absence heretofore
of any apparatus for uniformly dispensing a powder coating such
as powdered epoxy resin about the outer surface of the tank or
pipe section of interest.
This need can be more fully appreciated, for example, ~-
from an understanding of a typical installation procedure used
in fabricating a pipeline. Commonly, the pipe sections are
pre-coated along their length with a protective coating, such
as epoxy or other material resistant to the elements to which
the pipe will be exposed. However, to facilitate fastening
adjoining pipe sections, especially sections to be but welded
together, an area adjacent t~e ends of each pipe sections us-
ually are left uncoated, so that the coating material pre-coat-
ed on the pipe will not interfere with the welding processes.
Then, after the weld has been effected, the areas adjacent the
joint as well as the weld itself are coated, so that the en-
tire length of the pipe formed is covered with a continuous
protective coating.
In the past, the coating has been achieved simply
by manually painting or spraying the coating material on the
sections, and often, after the coating material is applied,
it is heated, by such as induction heaters to cure the coating
material or to enhance its durability and quality.
However, in such manual spraying or coating, it is
particularly difficult, as well as time consuming, to achieve
a suitable coat of uniform thickness for maximum protection.
Furthermore, although the particular type of coating material
used depends upon the particular installation of interest,
-it has been found that in many applications if the coating
material is applied in powder form and subsequently cured, such
as by heating, a particularly high quality coating can be
achieved. Such powder application in the field or in remote
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regions where the actual welding takes place, however, presents
additional problems in handling the material, depositing it up-
on the pipe, and, in general, in achieving a coat around the
pipe of uniform thickness and quality.
As hereinafter set forth, the prior art fails to -
suggest any apparatus suitable for this need, especially with-
out necessitating extensive handling and movement of the pipe
sections prior and subsequent to the coating operation. Even
where extensive handling and movement of the pipe or tank
sections to be coated has not been necessary, the prior art
devices are primarily directed to use with particular struc-
tures, such as the vertical tank as shown in U.S. Patent No.
2,476,299. This patent discloses a relatively complex vertical
tank or standpipe coating device, having a coating machine
adjacent to the outer tank periphery, suspended by a cable
hanging from a carriage mounted on top of the tank. To ensure
contact between the coating machine and the periphery of the
tank, a cable is passed around the tank with both ends secured
by a clamp mounted on the coating machine. The device is
primarily intended for use with tanks having substantial dia-
meters; and its use is specifically directed to use with
vertically positioned tanks.
Other pipe coating or painting devices have been
disclosed; for example, U.S. Patent No. 3,674,546, shows a
coating device including a track carried vehicle for carrying
a pipe to be coated past a stationary coating applicator lo-
cated adjacent the tracks. The disclosure clearly provides
that the entire length of pipe, including its junctions, be
moved past the stationary coating applicator. A similar device,
shown in U.S. Patent No. 2,470,994, presents a relatively
complex paint sprayer for a flag pole, which rides the long-
itudinal length of the implaced pole.
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In view of the above, it is evident that the prior
art fails to make any showing or suggestion of any apparatus
specifically directed toward
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coating the interface between two adjacent pipe-like
sections or of uniformly dispensing a powder about their
peripheries.
SUMI~A~Y OF THE INVE~TION
In light of the above, it is an object of the invention
to present an apparatus for circumnavigating a dispenser
about a pipe or the like.
It is a further object of the invention to present
an adjustable clamp to removably secure, to a pipe or the
like, an apparatus for circumnavigating a dispenser thereabout. ~-
It is another object of the invention to present a
powered means for circumnavigating a dispenser about a pipe
or the like.
It is yet another object of the invention to present
a dispenser driven by a pair of endless belts about a pipe
or the like.
It is still yet a ~urther object of the invention
to present a dispenser carried on a power driving apparatus
supported by at least one endless belt rotatably actuated
by the power driving apparatus and thereby providing for
circumnavigation of the dispenser about the periphery of
a pipe or the like.
These and other objects, features and advantages of
the inventiDn will become apparent to those skilled in the
art from the following detailed description when read in
light bf the attached drawing and appended claims.
In general terms, the present invention provides --
in one aspect thereof an apparatus for carrying a dispenser
circumferentially around a cylindrical object comprising,
two frames hinged together to be moveable to a configuration
surrounding more than one-half of the circumference of said
object, said dispenser being carried upon one of said two
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frames in dispensing relationship with said object, a lock
means connected between said two frames to secure them in
surroundin~ position, a plurality of wheels mounted on said
two frames to ride upon said object in said surrounding
position, a motor carried on one of said two frames and
operably connected to two of said wheels to propel said
frames circum~erentially about said object, and a pair of
flexible belts engaging said pipe in said surrounding
position, each mounted between one of said motor connected
wheels and another wheel to propel said two frames.
In another aspect, the present invention provides
an apparatus for depositing a powder onto the circumference
of a pipe, comprising, a dispenser head assembly, including,
a base, a powder dispenser carried upon said base, two
pair of pulleys, each pair located on an opposite side of
said base, a pair of flexible belts, each mounted b~tween
a respective pair of said two pair of pulleys, and motor
means carried by said base in rotation transmitting
connection with at least one pair of said two pair of wheels
to rotate said at least Dne pair of wheels; a frame assembly,
includin~, a pair of semi-circular frame members, a plurality
of rods interconnecting and spacing apart said pair of
frame members, and a pair of wheels mounted at one end o~
said semicircular frame members; means hingedly connecting
said head assembly to another end of said frame assembly,
whereby when said frame assembly and head assembly are located
upon the pipe, said head assembly .is moveable to a position
wherein said two endless belts and said pair of wheels at
said one end of said semi-circular frame members engage the
pipe, and the angular distance said head assembly and said
frame assembly extend around said pipe, is larger than 180;
and a loc~ assembly between said head assembly and said
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frame assembly to maintain said endless belt engaging position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The invention is illustrated in the accompanying
drawing, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the dispenser
carrying apparatus, in accordance with the invention, operably
secured to a pipe.
Fig. 2 is a side elevational view, partially cut
away, of the driver head of the apparatus of Fig. 1 in a
"closed" or secured position.
Fig. 3 is a side elevational view, partially cut
away, of the driver head of Fig. 2 in an "open" or unsecured
position.
Fig. 4 is a plan view of the driver head of Fig. 2
in the closed position, with the dispensing means removed.
Fig. 5 is a rear elevational view of the driver
head of Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view partially cut-away of
the dispenser mounted on the driver head.
Fig. 7 is a side elevational view, partly cut-away,
of an alternative embodiment of the dispenser carrying appara-
tus, in accordance with the invention, operably secured to a
pipe .
And Fig. 8 is a bottom elevation of the apparatus
of Fig. 7.
In the various figures of the drawing, like refer- -
ence numerals are used to denote like parts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
An apparatus for moving a dispenser for applying
a coatîng, such as a powder or the like, about the periphery
of a pipe, in accordance with the invention, is illustrated
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in Fig. 1 and is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.
The apparatus has two main assemblies, a driver head assembly
15 and a clamping frame 18 to which the driver head assembly
15 is hinged by a rod 22.
The dispenser 11 is carried upon the driver head
assembly 15 and is shown and herein described as a powder
dispenser, although well known liquid spraying or other liquid
or fluid applicator devices can be used, as desired. The
driver head assembly 15, shown particularly in Figs. 2-5,
includes, mounted on a base 12, a motor 13 for supplying the
maving power through a gearbox 14 to a pair of flexible end-
less belts 24 and 25. The endless belts 24 and 25 are located
on support pulleys or wheels 16, 17, 26 and 28, the pulleys
16 and 17 being mounted on the ends of a rod 21 transversly
disposed through a forward portion of the sides 52 and 53 of
the base 12, and the pulleys 26 and 28 being mounted on the
ends of the hinge rod 22 through a rearward portion of the ~ -
sides 52 and 53 of the base 12. Thus, the endless belts 24
and 25 are rotatably disposed about the pulleys 16 and 26
and pulleys 17 and 28, respectively. For convenience in
locating the endless belts around their respective pulleys,
the pulleys can be fabricated, as shown, each to present a
belt receiving notch or groove around its circumference.
The clamping frame 18 includes a pair of bars or
frames 33 and 34, each of approximately semi-circular config-
ura~tion, interconnected by one or more rods (not shown), held
in place by bolts 19, to space the frames apart. The two
frames 33 and 34 illustrated provide a degree of stability to
the overall apparatus, and enable the apparatus to be operated
without the frames interfering with the powder dispensed or
deposited onto the pipes, the powder (not shown), for instance,
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being disposed from the dispenser 11 onto the pipe in an area
lying betwe~n the frames 33 and 34. It should be noted, how-
ever, that depending upon the use of the apparatus, the mate-
rial deposited, and other such factors, the clamping frame 18
can be fabricated with only a single frame member, such as the
frame member 33. It should be noted that since the frame mem-
bers 33 and 34 are of semi-circular configuration adapted to
be placed to encircle the pipe 60, the apparatus 10 is
principally useable on pipes having approximately the same or
slightly smaller outside radius as the radius of the frames
33 and 34, as continued by the dispenser head 15, although some
degree of variance is permitted by virtue of the wheels 35 and
37 of the degree of play in the rotation of the dispenser head
15, and of the amount of flexibility presented by the flexible
belts 24 and 25. By appropriate modification of the con-
figuration of the clamping frame 18, it can be seen that an
apparatus can be achieved which can accommodate other or var-
ious sided pipes, tanks, or other cylindrical objects.
To enable the apparatus 10 to be secureable to the
pipe 60, the driver head assembly 15 is moveable between the
"open" position, shown in Fig. 3 and the "closed" position
shown in Fig. 4 by virtue of its hinged connection to the
clamping frame 18. Because the clamping frame 18 is approxi-
mately semi-circular, surrounding an angle 2 and of approxi-
mately 180 (see Fig. 1) it can be easily located upon the
pipe 60. When the driver frame 15 is moved from the open
position shown in Fig. 3 to the closed position shown in Figs.
1 and 2, the effective angular length of the apparatus is
increased by the angle B (see Fig. 1) contributed by the driver
head 15. Thus, the total angular length is greater than 180
and the apparatus can be locked onto the pipe 60. The appara-
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tus thereby provides for engagement and positioning of the
dispenser 11 on the pipe 60 while enabling movement of the
dispenser 11 about its periphery during coating operations.
It should be particularly noted that no additional external
support mechanism is required for operation of the device.
The locked position of the dispenser head 15 is
maintained by a clamp assembly 38 shown particularly in Figs.
2-5. A pair of linkages 40 and 41 are each pivotally secured
to the hinge rod 22 at one end and at the other end to a cross
member 42 secured between the lateral sides 52 and 53 of the
base 12 to stabilize the dispenser head 15 and lend strength
to the overall structure. Between the linkages 40 and 41,
and outstanding from the cross member 42 is a rigidly secured
outstanding linkage post 44. A clamp-actuating, locking-yoke
lever 46 is pivotally secured by a pin 47 at its yoke end to
a base 48, which is rigidly secured to a pair of transverse
rods 49 and 50 between the lateral sides 52 and 53, at a
position longitudinally corresponding to the linkage post 44.
A connecting yoke 45, enclosed at its yoke end, is located
about the linkage post 44 and extends between the yoke of
the locking lever 46 from the linkage post 44 to the plat-
form 48. The enclosed yoke 45 is rotatably connected to the
platform 48 by a pin 61, as shown in Fig. 4, and the enclosed
yoke end is constrained against vertical movement upon the
linkage post 44. ~The upper linkage collar 66 has been omitted
in Fig. 4 to show the interrelationship between the enclosed
yoke 45 and the linkage post 44). The enclosed yoke 45 is
located within the bifurcation of the yoke lever 46 so that
the yoke lever 46 engages the connecting yoke 45 to prevent
upward movement of the connecting yoke 45 when the yoke lever
46 is in an upright position, as shown in Fig. 2. On the
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other hand, when the yoke lever 46 is moved to a rearward
position, as shown in Fig. 3, the connecting yoke 45 does
not engage the lever yoke 46, w~ich is then free to more
upwardly. The dispenser head 15 is therefore positioned
and secured by rotating the locking lever 46 toward the
dispenser 11 to maintain the pulleys 16, 17, 26 and 28, and
the belts 24 and 25 in engagement with the pipe 60.
To enable the frame assembly 18 to freely travel
on the pipe 60, the frames 33 and 34 have a transverse rod
37 rigidly secured at their ends away from the dispenser
head 15. A pair of wheels, (wheel 36 shown in Fig. 1), are
rotatably secured to the transverse rod 37, and a similar
pair of wheels (wheel 35 shown) is also rotatably secured to
the frames 33 and 34. The pairs of wheels 35 and 36 enable
the frames 33 and 34 to engage and secure the apparatus to the
pipe 60, the wheels rollably engaging the periphery of the -
pipe and supporting the frames above the surface of the pipe,
thereby facilitating movement of the apparatus about its
peripheral surface.
As hereinbefore set out, a power source to simul- `
taneously rotate the belts 24 and 25 when the apparatus is
secured to the pipe 60 to propel the apparatus thereabout.
As particularly illustrated by the structure shown in Figs.
4 and 5, the apparatus includes a power source such as the
electric motor 13, which receives its electric power by a
cable 78 connectable to an electric power generator (not
shown) or other source of electric power. In use in field
operations, typically electric generators are conveniently
available, being used, for instance in other pipeline in-
stallation operations, such as the activation of heaters for
pre-and-post stressing the pipe metal for welding, and so
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forth. The electric motor 13 imparts its rotational force
via the gearbox 14 to a shaft 29 through a pulley and chain
or belt 56. The rotational motion of the shaft 29 is, in
turn, imparted to the wheels 16 and 17 by pulleys and chains
or belts 30 and 54 to drive the belts 24 and 25 and move the
apparatus about the pipe.
Finally, the powder dispenser 11, as shown in Fig.
6, is a box 72 open at one end 73 to enable the powder to be
dispensed. A tube or pipe 70 communicates to within the box
72 to conduct the powder from a powder source ~not shown) --
thereto. The powder dispenser 11 can then be ~ounted in a
central position of the dispenser head 15 by braces or brackets
(not shown) at a forward location illustrated in Fig. 1. The
open end 73 is located, therefore, to enable the dispensed
powder 75 to be deposited directly onto the surface of the
pipe 60.
In operation, the apparatus 10 is located upon the
pipe 60 and secured in the position shown in Fig. 1 by
moving the yoke lever 56 of the locking assembly to the
locked position, as shown in Fig. 2. The powder to be de-
posited which is suspended within a carrier medium, such as
air or other gas, is then conducted within the pipe 70 from
a source (not shown) and introduced to within the dispenser
11. The powder is thereafter expelled from the open side 73,
as shown by the lines 75 in Fig. 1, to be deposited upon the
pipe 60.
The motor 13 is simultaneously activated to drive
the apparatus 10 around the pipe, thereby enabling the dispen-
ser 11 to deposit the powder entirely around the circumfer-
ence of the pipe 60. The apparatus 10 is then removed from
the pipe and relocated at the next location at which the
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powder is to be deposited. The area at which the powder has
been dispensed can then be treated or cured, if desired, as
necessary.
An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown
in Figs. 7 and 8. In the alternative embodiment shown, two
semicircular frames 80 and 81 are rotatably attached to a
driving head 84, which is of similar construction to the
driving head lS above described with reference to Figs. 1-3.
More specifically, the frames 80 and 81 each include semi-
circular members 86 and 87, and 90 and 91, respectively. The
semicircular members 86, 87, 90 and 91 are connected in pairs -~
by rod members 94 held in place by bolts 95 to form the semi-
circular frame shown. One of the rods 94 at one end of the
semicircular frame 80 serves as an axle 97 of the powder
dispensing head 84. Likewise, one of the rods 94 at one of
the ends of the semicircular frame 81 serves as an axle 98
at another portion of the driving head 84. Thus, the semi-
circular frame 80, the driving head 84, and the semicircular
frame 81, are locatable to completely encircle the pipe 60
onto which material from the powder dispensing head 84 is to
be deposited.
- To securely hold or lock the semicircular frames
80 and 81 in their encircling relationship, a lock mechanism
100 is provided. The lock mechanism 100 is rotatably attached
to a rod 101 extending between the semicircular members of
one of the semicircular frames 80 or 81, such as between the
members 86 and 87 of the semicircular frame 80, as shown.
The rotatable connection to the rod 101 is effected by a
bearing member 104 having a hole through which the rod 101
extends. The rotational location of the bearing 104 is
controlled by a handle or rod 105 attached at one end of the
bearing 104. A second bearing 108 is carried upon the bearing
104, upon a shaft 109 in a hole off-set from the hole through
which the rod 101 passes. The second bearing 108 carries a
rod 111 securely therein. A hooked portion 112 is provided on
the opposite end of the rod 111 which serves to engage one
of the interconnecting rods 94 of the other semicircular
frame, such as the semicircular frame 81 shown particularly
in Fig. 8. Thus, as the handle 105 is rotated, because the
shaft 109 is off-set from the axis of the rod 101, the rod
111 will be pulled or pushed in the direction of rotation.
Thus, the hook 112 upon the rod 111 can be located upon one
of the separating rods 94, and the handle 105 rotated to the
position shown in Figs. 7 and 8, to draw the semicircular
frames 80 and 81 together to maintain their spaced relation-
ship encircling the pipe 60. If desired, the rod 111 can
be threaded at one end to receive nuts 113 and 114 to enable
the length of the ~od 111 to be adjusted. This may be nec-
essary, for example, to accomodate pipes of slightly different
diameter, although, it should be appreciated, that in the
utilization of the device in accordance with the alternative
embodiment of the invention, the range of diameters of pipes
with which the apparatus can be used is relatively fixed.
To assist the apparatus in circumnavigating the
pipe 60, one or more pairs of wheels, such as wheels 115,
116, 117, and 118 can be provided on shafts at the ends o~
the semicircular frames 80 and 81 opposite the powder dis-
pensing head 84. As shown, wheels 115 and 116 are rotatably
mounted upon the rod 101 in the semicircular frame 80, and
wheels 117 and 118 are rotatably mounted on a second rod
12~, in the semicircular frame 81.
Another feature shown in the alternative embodiment
of Fig. 6 is means for adjusting the tension of the driving
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belt 130 of the dispensing head 84. This adjustment is
realized by a rod or shaft 131 which carries a pulley at
each end, pulley 132 being shown. The shaft is located in
a slot 135 in the base 136 of the powder dispensing head
84 to be moveable up and down, thereby to adjustably re-
move the slack in the driving belt 130. In the embodiment
shown, the remainder of the parts or components of the
powder dispensing head 84 are of similar construction to
those of the powder dispensing head 15 above described with
reference to Fig. 1. It should be noted that although in
the alternative embodiment illustrated in Figs. 7-8, the
locking mechanism 100 is shown joining the free ends of
the semi-circular frames 80 and 81 away from the dispersing
head 84, if desired, the mechanism can be located at another
joint in the apparatus. For example, the locking mechanism
100 can be employed in place of the rotational connection
between either of the semi-circular frames 80 and 81 the
embodiment of Figs. 7-8 replaced by a rotational connection.
The operation of the apparatus, in accordance with
the alternative embodiment of the invention above described,
is essentially the same as that of the apparatus described
with reference to Figs. 1-6. The apparatus is located on the
pipe with semicircular frames 80 and 81 around the pipe with
the flexible endless belts 130 of the driving head 84 resting
upon the outer circumference of the pipe, thereby completely
encircling it. The loc~ing mechanism 100 is actuated by
rotating the handle 105, to secure the semicircular frames
80 and 81 in the encircling relationship, with the hook 112
engaging one of the interconnecting rods 94 with a shaft lOl,
or other interconnecting rod of the semicircular frame 80.
The apparatus is then energized, and drive~ around the cir-
cumference of the pipe, while concurrently applying material
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from the dispenser 140 to the pipe.
It should also be noted that in the operation of
the apparatus of either Figs. 1-6 or 7-8, to ease the logisti-
cal problems encountered in carrying the powder carrying
tubes, electrical power to the motor of the driving unit,
and other connecting lines, after the apparatus is located
on the pipe 60, it can be driven, for example, 360 in one
direction, then reversed, and driven 360 in the other
direction, bringing the dispenser head, and the associated
pipes and lines, back to its original starting position.
Although the invention has been described and
illustrated with a certain degree of particularity, it is
understood that the present disclosure has been made only
by way of example and that numerous changes in the details
of construction and combination and agreement of parts may
be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
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