Pipeline monorail system

A pipeline monorail comprising a pipeline provided with at least one outwardly extending flange extending the length of the pipeline; two carriages, longitudinally spaced on the pipeline, each carriage having wheels operable to frictionally engage the flange of the pipeline for guidance, the wheels of at least one of the carriages being driven by a power source for propelling the carriages which carry and are connected by a load carrier, preferably including a boom. The boom is adapted to carry pipe sections and is longitudinally moveable relative to the carriages for suspending the pipe sections forwardly of the existing end of the pipeline and is operable to lower or raise the pipe section for attachment to the existing pipeline for construction of the pipeline. Each section so attached is also provided with a flange. Pedestals are used to support the pipeline where required. In this manner, a complete pipeline can be installed with a minimum of environmental damage and without the usual necessity of roads, return lines, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates, in general, to conveyor systems and, in particular 
to pipeline monorail systems for use in the construction and maintenance 
of pipelines. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
It is highly desirable in the construction and maintenance of a pipeline 
that minimal damage be done to the environment. Cost efficiency is also a 
major consideration. In conventional pipeline construction an access road 
is required and clearing of trees, burning or hauling of the debris, 
leveling, grading, and hauling of soil and gravel results. Additionally, 
for maintenance of the pipeline a degree of maintenance of the roads is 
also required. The swath of vegetation destroyed as well as the road and 
the pipeline, itself, may be destructive to the fauna and flora of the 
area and a significant unwanted impact on the environment of the region 
results. 
While there are no known inventions directed to this particular problem of 
pipeline construction, several relevant inventions relate to using a 
pipeline for machinery and equipment conveyance. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,175,224 issued to E. F. Sims discloses apparatus for 
transporting heavy equipment on a pipeline. Sims utilizes pneumatic tires 
for traction on a smooth surfaced pipeline and steerable wheels for 
guidance. Sensors are used for controlling the steering. U.S. Pat. Nos. 
3,861,319 and 3,776,141 issued to Gelhard et al show a transportation 
system for hostile environments. Gelhard et al utilizes two conduits 
vertically connected, each conduit having a trackway within and having 
rails for a suspension train on the outside. U.S. Pat. No. 3,575,274 
issued to S. E. Ewing discloses an inspection vehicle for a conveyor belt. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention comprises, generally, a pipeline monorail system 
having a pipeline with one or more radially extending flanges extending 
substantially the full length of the pipeline; a pair of carriages 
utilizing the flange for guidance, for propulsion, and in some cases, for 
support; a power source; and a load carrier including a boom operable to 
carry and vertically raise or lower a pipe section to be added in the 
construction of the pipeline. The flange or flanges of the pipeline 
preferably include or consist of a roller chain engagable by drive 
sprockets of the carriage for positive traction. The carriage, in the 
preferred embodiment, includes wheels engaging opposing bottom sides of 
the pipeline for stabilization. Additionally, a portion of the load 
carrier may be used for carrying cargo or personnel. A more comprehensive 
definition of the system may be found in the appended claims. 
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a 
pipeline monorail system having a pair of carriages operable to carry a 
boom which, in turn, is operable to carry a pipeline section and to raise 
or lower the pipeline section for addition to the pipeline during 
construction with minimum effect on the ecology of the area. 
It is also an important object of the present invention to provide a 
pipeline including at least one radially and outwardly extending flange 
for engagement by drive and guidance wheels of the carriages. 
These and many additional objects and advantages will become apparent and a 
more thorough and comprehensive understanding may be had from the 
following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings 
forming a part of this specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly, to FIG. 1, an 
embodiment to be preferred of a pipeline monorail system 10, made 
according to the present invention is disclosed. Pipeline monorail system 
10 includes a pipeline 1, means for supporting the pipeline designated 
generally by the numeral 7, at least two carriages designated by the 
numerals 20 and 40 respectively, a load carrier 80, and power source means 
50, preferably carried by one of the carriages 40. 
In the first preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown to advantage 
in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, pipeline 1 includes a single flange 3, 
identified specifically as 3A in FIG. 2, vertically projecting from the 
outer surface of the pipeline, radial to the longitudinal axis of the 
pipeline section to which it is affixed. The flange extends along the 
pipeline for its entire length. 
The pipeline may be made of any suitable material and be of any suitable 
diameter, it only being necessary that the strength of the pipeline be 
sufficient to support the carriages under load. Conventional cylindrical 
steel pipe is contemplated for the carrying of water, oil, slurry, or the 
like. 
Flange 3 of the first preferred embodiment consists of a roller chain 3A 
engaged by drive means, designated generally by the numeral 65, including 
horizontally disposed drive sprockets 64 and 66 operable to engage and 
mesh with the roller chain, also shown to advantage in FIG. 8. While 
flange 3 is preferably in the form of a roller chain, it is also 
contemplated that the flange may be constructed of a rail 3B, provided 
with opposing planar surfaces and engaged by compression rollers for 
drive, as shown in FIG. 7; or a rail 3D in the form of a rack engaged by a 
drive pinion, as shown in FIG. 9; or include a roller chain affixed to a 
rail, the chain being engaged by a drive sprocket, in a manner used 
elsewhere in the invention as will hereinafter be explained. 
Pipeline support means, preferably in the form of pedestals 7, support the 
pipeline at various heights above ground level, depending upon the 
pipeline grade and the topography of the area involved. As shown in FIG. 
5, pedestal 7 is connected to pipeline 1 by means of a holding bracket 8 
pivotally fixed for a selected grade. Bracket 8 may be welded or otherwise 
attached to the pipeline. 
Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the carriages 20 and 40 of the present 
invention are shown. While more than two carriages may be used, it is 
contemplated that two carriages are all that is required. As will 
hereinafter be explained, it is essential that only one of the carriages 
be driven by a power source in that the carriages are connected by load 
carrier 80. The term "drive means", therefore, as used herein and in the 
appended claims is used in a broad sense and includes non-driven guidance 
rollers or sprockets and their engagement with one or more flanges 3. 
One of the carriages, carriage 20, is provided with a cab 22 for the 
operator and for carriage controls, not shown. The other carriage, 
carriage 40, is provided with power source means, designated generally by 
the numeral 50, for providing all necessary power to the controls as well 
as the drive means. Power source 50 is preferably in the form of an 
engine-gasoline or diesel-but may be in the form of a motor driven by 
batteries or by electricity from an external source. In other respects, 
carriages 20 and 40 are substantially identical and therefore a 
description of one of the carriages, carriage 40, will suffice. Each 
carriage includes a lower chassis 60 and an upper chassis 70. Lower 
chassis 60 includes a housing 96, which may be constructed of steel 
tubing; drive means, designated generally by the numeral 65; and, to 
provide lateral stability to the carriage and for holding the carriage 
securely to the pipeline during travel, a pair of stabilizing wheels 69 
supported by arms 68 depending from the housing framework 96. The 
stabilizing wheels are operable to engage pipeline 1 on the opposing 
bottom outer surfaces of the pipeline. Drive means 65 includes a pair of 
drive sprockets 64 and 66 operable to engage and mesh with the roller 
chains, flange 3A. As before explained, the drive means may include 
compression rollers, or drive pinions, depending upon the type of flange 
used. Drive sprockets 64 and 66 are driven by power source means 50, which 
provides all power to the carriages for propelling the carriages as well 
as power to operate other mechanical and electric devices which are or may 
be made a part of the system. In the preferred embodiment, a gasoline 
engine operating a hydraulic pump, both carried by carriage 40, is the 
power source. Two hydraulic motors 63 and 67, energized by the power 
supply, drive sprockets 64 and 66, respectively, for propelling the 
carriage. Carriage 20 is provided with an operator cab 22 with seat and 
controls and hydraulic hoses, not shown, extend between the carriages for 
conveying power for operation of the system. 
Upper chassis 70 includes a lower frame member 71 connected to the top of 
frame 96 of the lower chassis by pivot bolt 99 permitting horizontal 
rotation of the upper chassis relative to the lower chassis. Pivotally 
connected by pivot bolts 72 to lower frame member 71 is an inverted 
U-shaped top member support frame 78 supporting a pair of hydraulic drive 
motors 73 and 77 provided with drive sprockets 74 and 76, respectively. 
Support member 78 also carries a pair of idler wheels 75 and 79 rotatably 
engagable with the top surface of side rails 83 and 85 of load carrier 80 
for longitudinal movement of the load carrier relative to the framework of 
each carriage, as will hereinafter be explained. Motors 73 and 77 are 
energized by power source 50. It is necessary that only one of the 
carriages be provided with drive motors for extension of the load carrier. 
Load carrier 80 may be in the form of a boom 88 for carrying pipe sections, 
as shown in FIG. 3; may be a cargo and personnel carrier; or may, as 
preferred, include a boom 88 and a cargo carrier 87 as shown in FIGS. 1 
and 6. Cargo-personnel carrier 87, referred to as the cargo carrier 
hereinafter, may be detachable from the boom for use alone with the 
carriages for maintenance or inspection purposes. Likewise, the boom may 
be used alone for pipeline construction, if so desired. Pipeline monorail 
system 10 also includes load carrier extension means for longitudinal 
movement of the load carrier 80 relative to one or more of the carriages. 
The extension means include a pair of horizontally projecting side rails 
83 and 85 disposed on opposing lateral sides of the carrier and 
longitudinally extending the substantial length of the carrier and carrier 
drive means in the form of drive sprockets 74 and 76 rotatingly engaging 
the side rails. As with the flange or flanges 3 of the pipeline system, 
the side rails may have planar opposing surfaces; may include or consist 
of roller chains 84 as is preferred and shown to advantage in FIG. 2, or 
it may be in the form of a rack. Similarly, appropriate drive means such 
as compression rollers, drive sprockets or drive pinions may be employed 
depending upon the type of flange or flanges used. Drive sprockets 74 and 
76 when driven by hydraulic motors 73 and 77, respectively cause 
longitudinal displacement of the load carrier relative to one or more of 
the carriages as determined by the operator. 
Boom 88 has, as its primary function, a carrying capacity for pipeline 
sections 1' and, for this reason has an inverted U-shaped construction, as 
shown in FIG. 2. The pipeline section is suspended from boom 88 by 
suspension means, designated generally by the numeral 12, as shown in FIG. 
6, for raising or lowering the pipeline relative to the supporting boom. 
Suspension means 12 may include one or more cradles 14, depending by means 
of a rope or cable 13 from a winch 15, powered by power source means 50. 
The winch is controlled by the operator from cab 22 of carriage 20. Cargo 
carrier 87, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, is U-shaped in cross section and is 
provided with a floor, two side walls, and two end walls to provide an 
open top receptacle for carrying cargo or personnel. The cargo carry is 
detachably connected to boom 88 by conventional connectors, not shown. 
Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a second preferred embodiment of the 
present invention is disclosed. The pipeline monorail system shown in 
FIGS. 3 and 4, differs from the first embodiment shown only in the 
pipeline itself and the drive means of the lower chassis of each carriage. 
Pipeline 101 is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed, horizontally 
projecting flanges 103 extending radially from the longitudinal axis of 
the pipeline for the length of the pipeline. Each of the flanges include a 
roller chain 104 affixed to the undersurface of the flange, running the 
length of the flange. Drive means 165 including drive sprockets 164 and 
166 rotatingly mesh with the rollers of the chain and may be powered by 
hydraulic motors 163 and 167 respectively. Support wheels 168 and 169, 
rotatably mounted to lower frame 196, ride upon planar upper surfaces of 
flanges 103 to support the carriage. It is obvious that flanges 103 may 
have planar opposing surfaces engagable by compression rollers or may be 
of other shape engagable by other drive means, as before stated. 
In construction of a pipeline, and utilizing the first embodiment of the 
invention as shown in FIG. 6, one or more sections of the pipeline are 
first mounted to a pedestal 7 at a selected grade and fixed in place to 
begin the pipeline. Carriages 20 and 40 are then placed upon the pipeline 
with drive sprockets 64 and 66 of each carriage engaging roller chain 3A 
and with stabilizing wheels 69 engaging the underside of the pipeline. The 
drive sprockets of at least one of the carriages are driven by hydraulic 
motors 63 and 67 which obtain their power from the gasoline engine, power 
source 50. 
A pipe section 1' is then loaded into boom 88 of load carrier 80 with 
cradle 12 supporting the pipe section. Winch 15 is used to draw the pipe 
section within the inverted U-shaped confines of the boom. Winch 15 may be 
supported directly by the boom or may be placed within cargo carrier 87 to 
raise the pipe section by means of a pulley system, not shown. The 
operator, sitting in cab 22 of carriage 20 then, by controls contained 
within the cab, causes the drive motors to be energized to propel the 
carriages, connected by load carrier 80 to the end of the pipeline, as 
shown in FIG. 6. The operator then energizes drive motors 73 and 77 of the 
upper chassis 70 of one or both carriages to extend the boom out over the 
end portion of pipeline 1. Winch 15 is then energized to lower the pipe 
section 1' into place for welding to the existing pipeline and perhaps for 
placement on the next pedestal. The empty cradle is then retracted by the 
winch and the carriage propelled in the opposite direction to reload with 
another pipe section and the process is repeated until the pipeline is 
completed. 
For maintenance, the boom is simply detached from cargo carrier 87 and the 
cargo carrier is held in position between the carriages as the carriages 
are propelled along the pipeline. It is to be noted that where adjacent 
pipe sections are placed at different grades or where curved pipeline is 
employed, upper frame 78 of upper chassis 70 of each carriage pivot upon 
pivot bolts 72 and 99 to allow the carriages to travel unimpaired and 
without structural damage to the system. It is also to be noted that to 
carry the pipe sections through troughs in the pipeline, each carriage may 
be moved adjacent the ends of the load carrier and to carry the pipe 
sections over peaks in the pipeline, the carriages may be moved to a 
position of close apposition adjacent the middle of the load carrier. 
Having thus described in detail the preferred selection of embodiments of 
the present invention, it is to be appreciated and will be apparent to 
those skilled in the art that many physical changes could be made in the 
apparatus without altering the inventive concepts and principles embodied 
therein. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all 
respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention 
being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing 
description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of 
equivalency of the claims are therefore to be embraced therein.