Abstract:
The invention is a placing boom comprising a plurality of boom sections connected together in an articulated arrangement. A pipeline is carried by the boom sections, wherein the pipeline is disposed inside at least one of the boom sections.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application Nos. 60/271,095 filed Feb. 23, 2001 for “Conveying Pipeline Mounted Inside A Boom” by T. Anderson, L. Schmidt, D. Bissen, B. Spencer and L. Willner; 60/271,094 filed Feb. 23, 2001 for “Boom Stiffening System” by T. Anderson, L. Schmidt, D. Bissen, B. Spencer, R. Grover and L. Willner; 60/278,798 filed Mar. 26, 2001 for “Composite Material Piping System” by D. Bissen, L. Schmidt, B. Spencer and L. Willner; 60/278,132 filed Mar. 23, 2001 for “Boom Utilizing Composite Material Construction” by T. Anderson, D. Bissen, L. Schmidt, R. Atherton, B. Spencer, L. Willner and R. Grover, all of which are incorporated by reference herein.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a conveying boom system. In particular, the present invention relates to a system for supporting a conveying pipe system on the interior of a boom section.  
           [0003]    Boom systems offer a safe, cost effective and efficient method of lifting a load and placing it in a distanced elevated position. Boom systems can be mounted on portable platforms such as trucks. Truck mounted boom systems are used as portable lifting and moving mechanisms, as well as to support piping for pumping liquids or semi-liquids. These boom systems typically have more than one boom section which makes up the overall boom system. Each boom section has a corresponding actuator assembly which moves the boom section (for example by articulating or telescoping the section).  
           [0004]    Booms are commonly used in hazardous environments and must be articulated with precision to allow proper positioning of the boom. Boom systems known in prior art commonly support a conveying pipeline by attaching brackets to the exterior of the boom sections. The pipelines are used to direct liquids or semi-liquids, such as water or concrete. During positioning of the boom, inadvertent contact with external objects can occur. If contact occurs, it may result in undesirable damage to the boom and its exposed conveying pipeline. Using an externally mounted pipeline also causes clearance problems which occur when the boom is folded and deployed. The boom sections must be articulated in such a manner that the various sections of the pipeline do not contact each other (or the boom sections) during folding and deployment operation. Again, contact of the pipeline with the boom sections can result in damage to the externally attached pipeline.  
           [0005]    While it is important to protect the conveying pipeline attached to the boom system, it is equally important that each boom section has as little weight as is reasonably possible. The weight of a boom at an outer section must be supported by the lower boom sections. Since each boom acts as a cantilever, the greater the weight of the boom and the load supported by the boom, the greater the moment generated by the boom with respect to the support system. If the boom is extended horizontally, the weight of the boom is moved farther away from the center of the gravity of the boom and support system, creating a large moment about the support system (i. e. the truck). The large moment causes an increased likelihood that the boom and support system may enter an unstable condition and tip over.  
           [0006]    Mounting the pipeline externally along the boom sections introduces fatigue problems to the pipe support system. The eccentric loading of the boom sections can produce stresses at the connection point between the pipe supports and the pipeline. Additionally, when the liquid or semi-liquid is pumped through the pipeline, the pumping action can cause transverse and longitudinal forces to be imposed on the attached boom section. These forces are typically cyclical (particularly when a piston pump is being used as the pumping means) causing fatigue of the pipe supports due to the stresses induced by the eccentric loading. When piston type pumps are being used, a line shock occurs with each stroke of the piston. The force of the line shock causes the fluid to push longitudinally against the boom, thereby producing a force parallel but eccentric to the longitudinal axis of the boom. Again, this can fatigue the pipeline brackets, causing them to weaken and break so that the pipeline becomes unattached from the boom. To overcome problems with the strength of the support, the brackets necessarily must be larger, adding weight to the boom system and decreasing stability of the boom system at the boom support. Thus, there is a need in the art for a system for protecting conveying pipeline from damage caused by contact of a boom section with an external object and for mounting the pipeline along the axis of the boom sections, without significantly increasing the weight of the boom.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The invention is a placing boom comprising a plurality of boom sections connected together in an articulated arrangement. A pipeline is carried by the boom sections, wherein the pipeline is disposed inside at least one of the boom sections. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a boom system mounted on a truck.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2A is a partial side view of the boom system shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2B is a partial top view of the boom system shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is an alternate embodiment of the boom system shown in FIG. 2B.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a boom section having an internally mounted pipe section.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4A is a partial cross-sectional view showing an alternate embodiment of the strap securing assembly.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4B is a partial cross-sectional view showing an alternate embodiment of the strap securing assembly.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a boom section having an internally mounted pipe section.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5A is a partial side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of truck mounted boom system  10 , including boom system  12 . The boom system  12  is mounted to a boom support of base  14  and includes a turret  15 , a base boom section  16 A, a middle boom section  16 B, an end boom section  16 C, a first actuator assembly  18 A, a second actuator assembly  18 B, and a third actuator assembly  18 C. A pipeline  19  is attached to the boom system  12 .  
         [0018]    The base  14  of the boom system  12  is mounted on a truck  20  to support the turret  15  and the boom sections  16 A,  16 B, and  16 C. Mounting the boom system  12  on the truck  20  provides a mobile platform for the boom system  12 . The boom system  12  can be mounted to a variety of mobile platforms, including a ship, or a train or alternatively a variety of non-mobile ground mounted support systems. A proximal end  22 A of the base boom section  16 A is pivotally connected to the turret  15 . A distal end  22 B of the base boom section  16 A is pivotally connected to a proximal end  24 A of the middle boom section  16 B. Likewise, a distal end  24 B of the middle boom section  16 B is pivotally connected to a proximal end  26 A of the end boom section  16 C. The distal end  26 B of the end boom section  16 C is unfixed. Although in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the boom system  12  has three boom sections  16 A,  16 B and  16 C, in other embodiments the boom system  12  can include any number of boom sections. Additionally, please note that in the following description of FIGS.  1 - 5 A, specific examples of elements of the boom system such as “base boom section  16 A” are referred to with a reference number that includes an appended letter, in this case the letter “A.” On the other hand, when the elements are referred to generally, no letter is appended (e.g. “boom section  16 ”) which refers generally to all of the boom sections in the inventive embodiment.  
         [0019]    The first actuator assembly  18 A is connected between the turret  15  and the base boom section  16 A for moving the base boom section  16 A relative to the turret  15 . The second actuator assembly  18 B is connected between the base boom section  16 A and the middle boom section  16 B and is used to move the middle boom section  16 B relative to the base boom section  16 A. The third actuator assembly  18 C is connected between the middle boom section  16 B and the end boom section  16 C and is used to move the end boom section  16 C relative to the middle boom section  16 B.  
         [0020]    In the illustrated embodiment, the boom system  12  is hydraulically actuated and the actuator assemblies  18 A,  18 B, and  18 C are hydraulic pistons/cylinder assemblies. It should be noted, however, that the actuator assemblies  18 A,  18 B and  18 C can be any other type of actuator assembly capable of producing mechanical energy to rotate the boom sections  16 A,  16 B and  16 C with respect to each other. The actuator assemblies  18 A,  18 B, and  18 C can be a type of hydraulic actuator other than a piston/cylinder assembly. For example,  18 A,  18 B, and  18 C can be pneumonic, electrical, or any other type of actuator known to a person skilled in the art. The actuators  18 A,  18 B, and  18 C are controlled by the operator to direct the distal end  26 B of the end section  16 C in the desired position. Typically, the turret  15  (and thus the entire boom system  10 ) can be rotated with respect to the base  14  about a vertical axis.  
         [0021]    The pipeline  19  is secured to the boom system  12  as well as the truck  20 . The pipeline  19  includes a feed pipe section  32 A, a first pipe section  32 B, a second pipe section  32 C, a third pipe section  32 D, and a placement hose (or placement pipe) section  32 E. The pipeline  19  is used to direct material (e.g. concrete) forced though the pipeline  19  by a piston pump  40  (although other types of pumps are contemplated by the invention). Thus, the operator can position the distal end  26 B of the end boom section  16 C (and the placement hose  32 E) so as to direct concrete pumped through the pipeline  19 . A typical use of the piping system  19  is to pump concrete into concrete forms at construction sites.  
         [0022]    A proximal end  42 A of the feed pipe section  32 A is connected to the output of the pump  40 , and extends to the turret  15  where a distal end  42 B of the feed pipe section  32 A is pivotally connected to aproximal end  44 A of the first pipe section  32 B. The first pipe section  32 B is attached to the base boom section  16 A. Typically, the first pipe section  32 B is mounted using brackets to the outside of the base boom section  16 A, as is known in the art, and extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base boom section  16 A. A distal end  44 B of the first pipe section  32 B is pivotally connected to the proximal end  46 A of the second pipe section  32 C. The second pipe section  32 C is mounted using brackets as known in the art, to the outside of the middle boom section  16 B and extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the middle boom section  16 B. A distal end  46 B of the second pipe section  32 C is pivotally connected to a proximal end  48 A of the third pipe section  32 D.  
         [0023]    The third pipe section  32 D is mounted inside the end boom section  16 C (as indicated by dashed lines). Mounting the third pipe section  32 D in this manner prevents the pipe from being damaged by external objects when the boom system  12  is rotated and articulated. The third pipe section  32 D extends substantially along the longitudinal axis of the end boom section  16 C, which acts to stiffen and strengthen the boom section  16 C without adding eccentric load to the end boom section  16 C.  
         [0024]    A distal end  48 B of the third pipe section  32 D extends out of the distal end  26 B of the third boom section  16 C and is pivotally connected to a proximal end  50 A of the placement hose  32 E. Typically, the placement hose  32 E is not mounted to a support structure. Instead, it is allowed to pivot freely from the third pipe section  32 D, and typically will pivot so that a distal end of the placement hose  32 E points downward. While this is the typical connection between the placement hose  32 E and the third pipe section  32 D, other connections are known in the art and do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention. Typically, the entire pipeline  19  excluding the placement hose  32 E is steel. The placement hose  32 E is typically rubber. It should be noted, however, that other piping materials may be used for all or part of the pipeline  19 , including rubber hose, composite materials, or other non-steel pipe.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 2A shows a partial elevational view of the joint connection of the distal end  24 B of the middle boom section  16 B to the proximal end  26 A of the end boom section  16 C. The distal end  46 B of the second pipe section  32 C is connected to the proximal end  48 A of the third pipe section  32 D via transitional piping  54 . The transitional piping  54  extends inwardly (with respect to the page) or transversely (with respect to the middle boom section  16 B) from the second pipe section  32 C, then upwardly as shown by arrow  56 , and to the right, as shown by arrow  58 . Thus, the transitional piping  54  is disposed to allow liquid to be pumped from the second pipe section  32 C attached to the outside of the middle boom section  16 B, to the third pipe section  32 D disposed inside the end boom section  16 C.  
         [0026]    A foot section  59 , typically integral to the end boom section  16 C, is rotatably coupled to the middle boom section  16 B as known in the art. The third actuator assembly  18 C includes a positioning arm  60 , a hydraulic piston  62 , and a support strut  64 . The positioning arm  60  is rotatably coupled to the end boom section  16 C at pin  72 A and rotatably coupled to the hydraulic piston at pin  72 B. The hydraulic piston  62  is rotatably coupled to the middle boom section  16 B at pin  72 C. The support strut  64  is rotatably coupled between the middle boom section  16 B and the positioning arm  60  at pins  72 D and  72 E, respectively. This configuration is known in the art. Extending the hydraulic piston  62  rotates the end boom section  16 C counterclockwise relative to the middle boom section  16 B as indicated by arrow  66 . Retracting the hydraulic piston  62  rotates the end boom section  16 C clockwise relative to the middle boom section  16 B as indicated by arrow  68 .  
         [0027]    The pipe sections  32  and the boom sections  16  are able to rotate relative to each other due to a pipe coupling  74  and a pinned joint  76  as best shown in FIG. 2B. FIG. 2B shows a partial top view of the joint connection between the middle boom section  16 B and the end boom section  16 C. The pipe coupling  74  allows for the rotation of a first pipe end  78 A with respect to a second pipe end  78 B. A person skilled in the art would realize that any pipe coupling may be used which allows the first pipe end  78 A to rotate with respect to the second pipe end  78 B while still allowing passage of the piped material (e.g., concrete). In this view the transitional piping  54  directs the material transversely (arrow  80 ), upwardly (out of the page) and to the right (arrow  58 ) to join with the third pipe section  32 D. The third pipe section  32 D is disposed inside the end boom section  16 C.  
         [0028]    The pinned joint  76  includes a pin  82 , two end boom flanges  84  extending from the proximal end  26 A of the end boom  16 C, and two middle boom flanges  86  extending from the distal end  24 B of the middle boom  16 B. The pin  82  extends through the middle boom flanges  86  and the end boom flanges  84  transverse to the longitudinal axes of the middle and end boom sections  16 B and  16 C. Thus, the pin  82  defines an axis of rotation  88  around which the proximal end  26 A of the end boom section  16 C pivots with respect to the proximal end  24 B of the middle boom section  16 B. The pipe coupling  74  also lies along the axis of rotation  88 , so that the articulation of the boom sections  16  does not cause bending or breakage of the rigid pipeline  19 . Therefore, the transitional piping  54  contains the pipe coupling  74  along the section that runs transversely (arrow  80 ). The coupling  74  is disposed so that the axis of rotation  88  defined by the pin  82  runs through the center of the coupling  74 .  
         [0029]    Although the inventive boom system configuration has been described with respect to three boom sections  16  it would be understood by a person skilled in the art that additional boom sections  16  can be added to the boom system  12  without departing from the scope of the invention. Additionally, the pipeline  19  can be run internally through any of the boom sections  16  using the configuration described with respect to FIGS. 2A and 2B, it may be desirable to run the pipeline internally through the first or second boom sections ( 16 A or  16 B) or alternatively through fourth or fifth boom sections (not shown).  
         [0030]    Additionally, the pipeline  19  may be run internally through multiple boom sections  16 . An alternate embodiment of the inventive boom system  12  is shown in FIG. 3 illustrating how the pipeline  19  is run through multiple boom sections  16  while still placing the coupling  74  along the axis of rotation  88 . To accomplish the placement of the pipeline  19  in this fashion, the second pipe section  32 C is run internally through the middle boom section  16 B substantially along a longitudinal axis  91  of the middle boom section  16 B. The second pipe section  32 C does not extend completely to the distal end  24 B of the middle boom section  16 B. Instead, it is directed transversely outward from the longitudinal axis  91  of the middle boom section  16 B and positioned so as to allow the connection of the distal end  46 B of the second pipe section  32 C to connecting piping  94 . The connecting piping  94  extends transversely through the second boom section  16 B, so as to be disposed outside the boom section  16 B. The connecting piping  94  then extends parallel to the longitudinal axis  91  of the second boom section  16 B to the transitional piping  54 . The connecting piping  94  is coupled at  94 A to the transitional piping  54 . Extending the connecting piping  94  out of the middle boom section  16 B in this manner disposes the rigid piping  19  along the axis of rotation  88  between the middle and end boom sections  16 B and  16 C. The rotatable pipe coupling couples the first pipe end  78 A to the second pipe end  78 B and the piping  19  is directed into the end boom section  16 C as described previously. Again, the configuration described with respect to FIG. 3 is representative, and a person skilled in the art would realize that this configuration of piping  19  can be used between any of the boom sections  16  making up the boom system  12  (for example, between the base boom section  16 A and the middle boom section  16 B), as well as used in a boom system including any number of boom sections  16 . Alternatively, other piping configurations which transition the piping  19  out of the middle boom section  16 B, through the axis of rotation  88  and into the end boom section  16 C may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of boom section  16 . In this view, the pipe section  32  is disposed inside the boom section  16 . Although in the embodiment described with respect to FIGS.  1 - 2 B the pipe would only be disposed inside the boom system in the end boom section  16 C, in alternate embodiments (such as shown in FIG. 3) this pipe mounting system can be utilized inside any of the boom sections included in the boom system. Typically, the boom section  16  is comprised of a first, second, third, and fourth steel plate  100 - 103 , fillet welded together so that the cross-section of the boom section  16  is substantially rectangular. Other cross-sectional shapes (such as circular, elliptical and hexagonal) and other materials (such as aluminum or composites) may be used for the boom section  16  as long as it is able to internally accommodate the pipe section  32 . As is best exemplifiedusing aboom section having a circular cross-section (not shown), the piping inserted may alternatively be referred to as a “liner”, and be in contiguous engagement with an inner surface of the boom section  16 .  
         [0032]    The pipe section  32  typically has a substantially circular cross-section. One method of mounting the pipe section  32  into the boom section  16  is to dispose an external wall  106  of the pipe section into a support bracket  108  (typically steel) inside the boom section  16 . The support bracket  108  includes an annular top face  110  having a radius of curvature substantially similar to the radius of curvature of the external wall  106  so that the support bracket  108  contiguously engages a portion of the external wall  106 . Two side flanges  112 A and  112 B are secured to the second steel plate  101 , securing the bracket  108  in place. The annular top face  110  provides a support for the pipe section  32 , stabilizing it from moving transversely inside the boom section  16 . Although only one bracket  108  is shown in FIG. 4, multiple brackets may be used to provide support to the pipe section  32 . For example, brackets can be mounted on each of the steel plates  100 - 103  to hold the pipe  32  in place. Alternatively, the bracket  108  may be made of molded composite materials.  
         [0033]    A strap  114  extends through an aperture  116 A in the first plate  100 , and contiguously engages the pipe section  32  along an arc  115  of the external wall  106  of the pipe  32  and then extends through an aperture  116 B in the third plate  102 . A first end  117  of the strap  114  is fixedly secured to a mounting block  118  on the first plate, typically by pinning the strap  114  to the block  118 , although other mounting methods are known in the art (welding, tying, etc.). A second end  120  of the strap  114  is wrapped around a roller  122  mounted to the third plate  102 . The roller  122  is free to rotate in a first direction (arrow  124 ), and is prevented from rotating in a second opposite direction (arrow  126 ), for example by a cam or ratchet system (not shown). The second end  120  of the strap  114  is disposed around the roller  122  so as to be disposed between the roller  122  and the third steel plate  102 . By disposing the roller  122  proximate to the plate  102 , the strap  114  is frictionally engaged by the roller  122  and the plate  102 . Rotating the roller in the first direction pulls on the strap  114  and forces the pipe section  32  transversely with respect to the boom section  16  onto the bracket  108 . The strap  114  is maintained on the roller  122  due to the frictional engagement between the roller  122  and the third plate  102 . To release the tension on the system, the roller  122  is released (for example by releasing the camming system) and the roller is rotated in the second direction  126 . Adding tension to the strap maintains the pipe section  32  in engagement with the top face  110  of the bracket  108 . Multiple straps  114  and brackets  108  can be placed longitudinally along the boom section  16  to maintain the position of the pipe section  32  along the length of the boom section  16 . The strap  114  can be manufactured from a variety of materials including nylon and wire rope.  
         [0034]    An alternate method of applying and releasing tension to the strap  114  is shown in FIG. 4A. A bushing  124  is mounted (i.e. by welding) on the external side of the third plate  102  circumscribing the aperture  116 B. The strap  114  is a wire rope and the second end  120  (which extends through the aperture  116 B) is threaded. A nut  126  is threadably engaged with the second end  120  of the strap  114 . Increasing the tension of the strap  114  is accomplished by rotating the nut  126  in one direction. To release the tension of the strap  114 , the nut  126  is rotated in the opposite direction. The bushing  124  prevents wearing of the aperture  116 B by the rotation of the nut  126 .  
         [0035]    Another alternate method for applying and releasing tension to the strap  114  is shown in FIG. 4B. An L shaped member  130  is pivotally mounted to the steel plate  102 . The strap  114  is fixed to a first leg  132  of the L shaped member  130  for example, by a pin  133 . Rotating the member  130  in the direction shown by arrow  134  pulls the attached second end  120  of the strap taught. The member  130  is secured in place by a latch  136 , maintaining the tension on the strap  114 . Releasing the latch  136  is accomplished by first pivoting the member  130  in the direction of arrow  134  and then pivoting the latch  136  out of the way (again, in the direction of arrow  134 ). The member  130  is then allowed to pivot in the direction of arrow  138  to provide slack to the strap  114 .  
         [0036]    An alternate embodiment for securing the pipe section  32  in place within the boom section  16  is shown in FIG. 5. The pipe section  32  is disposed on the support bracket  108  as described previously. To secure the pipe section  32  in place, a rigid bar  140  is extended transversely through the boom section  16 . An inner face  142  of the bar  140  is disposed against the external wall  106  of the pipe section  32 , by sliding the bar  140  in the direction of arrow  144 . A bolt and nut fastener  146  (or other type fastener known in the art) is used to lock the bar  140  in place. Releasing the fastener  146 , allows the bar  140  to be moved in the direction of arrow  148 , and the pipe section  32  can be adjusted inside the boom section  16 .  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 5A shows a side view of the boom section using the bar  140  to secure the pipe section  32  (shown in dashed lines). The bar  140  is disposed through a slot  150  in steel plates  100  and  102 . The bolt and nut  146  are disposed through the slot and tightened so that the bar  140  is locked in place.  
         [0038]    Placing the pipeline  19  inside the boom sections  16  and securing them in place prevents damage caused by external objects striking the pipeline. Folding and clearance problems associated with articulating the boom sections are minimized. Additionally, the boom system  12  is stabilized by directing the concrete along the longitudinal axes of the boom sections  16 . The pipeline acts to stiffen the boom sections along the longitudinal axis, while minimizing eccentric loading. Heavy bracketing is eliminated, decreasing the weight of each boom system. The result is an increase in the allowable length and performance of the boom system  12 .  
         [0039]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.