Patent ID: 7845881
Filing Date: 2010-12-07
Classification: F16L,G01M

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for lifting a pipeline to allow for maintenance of the pipeline, the apparatus comprising: a) at least one lifting frame, the lifting frame having telescopic legs and a transverse top beam connecting the legs; b) telescopic lifting arms supported by said top beam; c) flexible means connected to said lifting arms for engaging the bottom of the pipeline, the lifting arms being retractable to lift the pipeline at a location where the flexible means engages the bottom of the pipeline; d) first hydraulic means for telescopically extending and retracting said legs of the lifting frame, wherein the first hydraulic means has insufficient power to extend said legs to lift the pipeline; e) second hydraulic means independent from the first hydraulic means for telescopically extending and retracting said lifting arms to lower and lift the pipeline; and f) a support in contact with the pipeline at the corresponding lifting location, the support including a plurality of stackable elements including a concave element for engaging the bottom of the pipeline wherein the concave element has a substantially similar curvature as that of the pipeline to conform to the surface of the pipeline and at least one parallelepipedal element under the concave element.