PIPE

Abstract: A pipe, preferably manufactured from a substantially nonflexible and rigid material, which as a continuous pipe length includes portions having a substantially smooth surface (1, 1', 2, 2'), divided from each other by means of intermediately located and from the pipe length shaped portions (3, 3', 3''), which are arranged to take up axially directed displacement movements for adjacently located smooth portions (1, 1', 2, 2') and/or changes in angular orientation for said adjacently located smooth portions (1, 1', 2, 2'). The intermediately located portions (3, 3', 3'') are advantageously arranged as waveshaped or creased portions, partly surrounding the pipe length, alternatively as spaced but adjacently located waves or creases having an annular extension, or also as adjacently located waves or creases having a joined and helical line of extension. The intermediately located portions may also be arranged as embossments, spaced from each other and displaced in relation to each other in adjacently located turns. Each intermediately located portions (3, 3', 3'') includes at least one substantially smooth surface, extending in longitudinal direction of the pipe.

Description: P pe The present invention relates to a pipe, which can be manufactured from a substantially nonflexible material, having properties with regard to manufacture, handling and use that are considerably improved in relatio to previously known types of pipes- Pipes manufactured from a substantially nonflexible material such as steel, stainless steel and also other metallic materials, are normally manufactured and supplied in lengths, suitable for storage, transport and handling when used. A general restriction in this respect is the length of the vehicles used for transport of the pipes. In use, considerably longer lengths of pipe are often required, and the pipes are therefore joined by means of welding, pipe couplings or similar, to required pipe length. For those applications in which the pipes should have a varied longitudinal direction of extension, special pipe bending tools are usually required. For applications, in which the pipes are located below the ground surface, there are also problems caused by settlements in the ground layers, based on changes in ground water level, temperature or other reasons. As a result, the pipes often burst and, for example with regard to pipes carrying water or gas, result in considerable inconvenience. Such bursts can also occur due to changes i the length caused by temperature variations. Changes in the length extension have previously been compensated for by attachment of movemen equalizing compensators at spaced locations along the total extension o a pipe line. The object of the present invention is to disclose a pipe, which can be manufactured and supplied in considerably longer lengths than previousl practically possible, and thus eliminates, or considerably reduces, the number of joints along the total extension of a pipe line. It is furthe possible to store and transport extremely long lengths of pipe with a considerably reduced space requirement than what has previously been regarded as possible. A reduction in the number of joints also result in improved resistance against corrosion and bursts, and the resistance against burst caused by changes in length extension is also considerably improved, without attachment of compensators. Furthermore, the pipe according to the present invention offers the possibility of an improved OM N £*N flow characteristics in relation to previously used types of pipes, and other advantages are also disclosed in the following descriptive part o the specification with examples of embodiments. The present invention is mainly characterised in that it comprises of a continous pipe length with portions having a substantially smooth wall surface, separated from each other by means of intermediately located and from the pipe length shaped portions, arranged to take up axially directed displacement movements with regard to the location of adjacent smooth portions in relation to each other and/or changes in angular extension between said portions. A number of embodiments of pipes according to the present invention, intended to serve as examples of embodiments within the scope of the invention, are more fully described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a pipe length according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the pipe shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a perspective view corresponding to Fig. 1, but with the pipe length slightly modified; Fig. 4 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the pipe shown. in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a further modified length of pipe according to the present invention; Fig. 6 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the pipe shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 7 shows by way of example how a pipe according to the present invention, when located on an irregular surface, adjusts to the extension of the surface, and Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of a pipe length wound into a number of adjacently located windings. With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, said figures illustrate a first embodiment of a pipe according to the present invention, comprising a number of successive and preferably cylindrical tubular portions 1, 1 ' separated from each other and from cylindrical end portions 2, 2 ' by means of bellow-shaped portions 3, 3 ' , 3". Said bellow-shaped portions 3, 3 " , 3" comprise adjacently located and surrounding hobbings or stampings, forming a substantially waveshaped section, as shown in Fig. 2. The pipe length shown in Figs. 1 and 2 may include any desired numb of bellow-shaped portions 3, 3 " , 3", separated from each other by mean of intermediately located cylindrical portions 1, 1 " . The bellow-shape portions 3, 3 " , 3", the length extension of which in relation to intermediately located cylindrical portions 1, 1 " obviously can be different from what is shown, facilitate that the pipe length can be changed, both with regard to total length, as well as with regard to direction of extension. The described embodiment will thus permit two adjacently located cylindrical portions 1, 1 ' to be located in from each other different angular direction of extension, and the intermediately located bellow- shaped portion 3 ' takes up this change as compression of the portion receiving a smaller radius, and as expansion of the opposed side. However, to arrange the bellow-shaped portions 3, 3 ' , 3" as a number of surrounding and adjacently located annular folds or waves results in a disadvantage, since turbulence can occur in the medium flowing through the pipe length when passing the bellow-shaped portions 3, 3 ' , 3". This problem can substantially be avoided by a modification with regard to the shape of the bellow-shaped portions 3, 3 ' , 3", and an example of such a modification is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The centrally located bellow-shaped portion 3" has been modified into a surrounding fold or wave having an helical line of extension, the entrance and exit preferably being arranged successively increasing/decreasing with regar to the height of the fold or wave. By selecting a suitable pitch for such a helical portion 3 ' , based on the flow rate for the medium intended to flow through the pipe, a most desirable effect can be achieved, since the flowing medium thereby is guided into a rotary flow movement, which causes the medium to follow ^ NA the complete internal surface of the pipe. As a result, existing contaminating substances that could cause corrosion are moved away, and when transporting a liquid medium, it is also avoided that existing air or gas within the pipe only contacts a restricted part of the pipe, usually the internal and upper surface, which for e.g. water pipes results in a risk for corrosion in the intermediate zone between air/water. When the pipe is used for transport of a gaseous medium, the previously mentioned rotary flow movement also causes condensed water o similar to be moved away with the gas stream. The embodiment shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is arranged with both circularly and helically extending bellow-shaped portions 3, 3 ' , 3", but only one of these types, such as the helically extending portion 3~, can obviously be used for a pipe length. Furthermore, each helically extending portion 3 " may also be formed by means of a number of each other adjacently located helical folds or waves, having a substantially corresponding pitch, and individual entrances and exits. It is also possible to further modify the pipe according to the present invention, and examples of such further modifications are shown in Figs 5 and 6. Said figures include a first alternative embodiment, according to which the previously mentioned bellow-shaped portions 3, 3 ' , 3" are arranged semi-surrounding the pipe, whereby said portions 3, 3 " , 3" include a part having a smooth internal surface. The reason for this is to remove the problems previously discussed with reference to the embodiment of Figs. 3 and 4, i.e. that pipes used for transport of a liquid, e.g. water, often receive damage by corrosion in the intermediate zone between air/water with regard to the upper portion of a horizontally extending pipe, as well as that pipes used for transport of gas often receive liquid deposits by the lower and internal bottom portion of the pipe. In order to move e.g. a liquid deposit located at the lower internal portion of a pipe used for gas transport, said internal surface shoul preferably be completely smooth. The present invention caters for this desired feature by locating the smooth part o the bellow-shaped portion 3, 3 " , 3" as lower portions when installing a pipe. With regard to pipes used for transport of liquid, said smooth part is advantageously located as an upper portion, in order to cause transport of existing air or gaseous medium together with the flowing liquid medium. There is thus no risk for formation of gas or air pocket at the internal upper portion. The above disclosed semi-surrounding bellow-shaped portions 3, 3 ' , 3" are preferably arranged surrounding at least 50% of the total peripher circumference of the pipe, in order to facilitate acceptance of change in the length extension of the pipe. Furthermore, the semi-surrounding bellow-shaped portions 3, 3 " , 3" may advantageously be arranged as two portions, internally separated by means of smooth parts. When installe the separated bellow-shaped portions 3, 3 ' , 3" are advantageously located on the left respectively right hand side of the pipe, whereby both the bottom portion and the top portion of the pipe comprises of smooth surfaces, which separate the two parts of the bellow-shaped portions 3, 3 ' , 3". The bellow-shaped portions 3, 3 ' , 3" may further be arranged either as ringshaped parts located adjacent to each other, or as helically extending members, basically comparable with the previous disclosure with reference to Figs. 3 and 4. In the latter case, there is a further advantage, since a medium flowing through the pipe receives a rotary flow, whereby the previously discussed advantageous flow characteristic is achieved in combination with the smooth parts, and hereby it is further avoided that nondesirable deposits of liquid or gas will remain within the pipe. The fact that one or two portions of the peripheral part of the pipe ar not arranged as a bellow-shaped portion 3, 3 " , 3" results substantially only in advantages, since large flexibility is maintained, which, when installed below the ground surface, results in extremely good propertie with regard to settlements in surrounding ground layers, which result i pipe bursts for a conventional pipe line. In all embodiments of the invention, this flexibility is of utmost importance, in combination wit the fact that the pipe can be manufactured and supplied in substantiall desired lengths, which results in the possibility to install long pipe lines without any joints. Figs. 5 and 6 also show a further alternative embodiment, including substantially surrounding and from each other separated embossments, which result in shapeadaptable portions, designated 4, 4', 4". With ^SN regard to adjacently located turns, the embossments are displaced in relation to each other, thus forming, in combination with intermediatel located parts, deformable portions 4, 4 ' , 4" having a function corresponding to the embodiments already disclosed. It should be noted, that the modifications shown in Figs. 5 and 6 not necessarily must be arranged combined as shown, but they can be used individually or in combination with other types of shaped portions. Previously discussed helical shape can obviously also be used with regard to the mod fications shown in Figs. 5 and 6, in order to guide the medium flowing through the pipe. Fig. 7 shows by way of example how a pipe according to the present invention can be installed adjusted to the line of extension for the support, and this adjustment is carried out continously to the supporting structure. As a result, extremely good adjustment is achieve with regard to settlements or slides in ground layer, and since no conventional pipe joints exist, extremely good safety against pipe bursts is achieved. This is a significant advantage within areas where earth quakes occur, and where settlements in the ground layers often result in interruptions within the distribution network for water, gas and similar. A further and not unimportant advantage is illustrated in Fig. 8, which is intended to illustrate how a pipe can be wound with adjacently located windings, thus forming a unit which is easily stored, transported and handled. Furthermore, a connection 5 is shown extending from the pipe, established by means of a pipe coupling 6. Since the pip according to the present invention comprises of a continous length of pipe, formed by means of alternatively smooth and substantially cylindrical portions 1, 1 " and deformable non-smooth portions 3, 3 " , 3" respectively 4, 4 " , 4", said first mentioned smooth portions 1, 1 " can be utilized for establishing pipe connections with conventional prior art techniques, e.g. by means of a pipe coupling of the type disclosed in SE, A, 7317194-4, which facilitates establishment of connection against a pipe without dividing the pipe. A further not unimportant aspect is also, that the present invention O N makes it possible to use pipes with considerably reduced wall thicknes for a large number of applications. The wall thickness of a pipe is no decided purely on basis of the internal pressure imposed by a medium flowing through the pipe, but a factor deciding wall thickness is ofte also the method used for joining and connection. For many applications, the wall thickness of a pipe is choosen to facilitate establishment of screw thread at the connection points, or to facilitate joining by mean of welding. Since the pipe according to the present invention can be manufactured as a continous pipe length without any pipe joints, and since it includes portions which facilitate connection of an embracing coupling housing forming a part of pipe couplings for establishment of connection against other pipes without cutting the original main pipe, previous considerations relating to methods of connection are eliminate when the wall thickness of a pipe is decided. If for example the pipe according to the present invention is manufactured from stainless steel or any other corrosion resistant material, a pipe having smaller wall thickness than previously used types of pipes can be used for most applications. This advantage results in major profits, both with regard to weight as well as the cost for a pipe line. The shape deformable portions 3, 3 " , 3", respectively 4, 4 " , 4", in the pipe according to th present invention will, as previously discussed, take up changes in th length, changes in angular direction of extension, but also serve as strengthening sections in relation to radial forces applied against the pipe, which further strengthens same and facilitates a reduction of the wall thickness. Described and shown embodiments of pipes according to the present invention are only intended to serve as examples of embodiments within the scope of the inventive thought and the following claims, and should in no way be regarded as restrictive for the invention. Accordingly, th deformable portions 3, 3 " , 3" respectively 4, 4 " , 4" can obviously be further varied with regard to specific fields of use, as well as combined in a number of different ways. The advantages of the invention are obvious for all types of pipes manufactured from a substantially rigid and non-flexible material, in which group both metallic and non-metallic materials are included. An important characteristic featur of the present invention is, that the pipe comprises alternatively located sections of substantially smooth portions 1, 1" and portions 3, 3 " , 3" respectively 4, 4 " , 4" facilitating changes in length and/or direction of extension for the pipe. A pipe length according to the present invention can also during manufacture be adapted to suit a specific application, i.e. after a predetermined distance be arranged to accept a large angular change in direction of extension during installation, as well as be arranged to accept changes in length at predetermined spaced locations. This means, that pipe lengths, adapted for specific applications, can be supplied.

Claims: Claims 1. A pipe, comprising, as a continous length of pipe, portions having a substantially smooth wall surface (1, 1 " , 2, 2 " ), separated from each other by means of intermediately located waveshaped or creas portions (3, 3 " , 3"; 4, 4 " , 4") shaped from the pipe length, charac¬ terised in that said waveshaped or creased portions (3, 3 " , 3"; 4, 4 " , 4") are arranged only partly surrounding the circumference of the pipe length, thereby forming at least one substantially smooth surface extending in longitudinal direction of the pipe length. 2. A pipe according to claim 1, characterised in that the inter¬ mediately located and the pipe length partly surrounding waveshaped or creased portions (3, 3 " , 3"; 4, 4 " , 4" ) are arranged separated into tw parts by means of two intermediately located and in longitudinal direction of the pipe length extending substantially smooth surfaces, preferably arranged located in an opposed relationship to each other. 3. A pipe according to claim 1, characterised in that the inter¬ mediately located and the pipe length partly surrounding waveshaped or creased portions (3, 3 " , 3"; 4, 4 " , 4" ) are arranged separated into at least three parts by means of intermediately located and in longitudina direction of the pipe length extending substantially smooth surfaces. 4. A pipe according to any one of claims 1 - 3, characterised in that the intermediately located and the pipe length partly surrounding waveshaped or creased portions (3, 3 " , 3"; 4, 4 " , 4" ) are arranged having adjacently located waves or creases, separated from each other and having a substantially annular extension. 5. A pipe according to any one of claims 1 - 3, characterised in that the intermediately located and the pipe length partly surrounding waveshaped or creased portions (3, 3 " , 3"; 4, 4 " , 4" ) are arranged having adjacently located waves or creases extending helically. 6. A pipe according to any one of claims 1 - 3, characterised in that the intermediately located and the pipe length partly surrounding waveshaped or creased portions (3, 3 ' , 3"; 4, 4 " , 4" ) are arranged as at least two waveshaped or creased portions, partly surrounding the pip length, having adjacently located waves or creases extending helically with a substantially equal pitch, and having inedependent entrances and exits. 7. A pipe according to any one of claims 1 - 6, characterised in that the intermediately located and the pipe length partly surrounding waveshaped or creased portions (3, 3", 3"; 4, 4 " , 4" ) comprises of fro each other separated embossments, displaced in relation to each other with regard to adjacently located turns. 8. A pipe according to any one of claims 1 - 7, characterised in that a pipe length includes a number of substantially equally spaced intermediately located and the pipe length partly surrounding waveshape or creased portions (3, 3 " , 3"; 4, 4", 4" ), and that said portions (3, 3 " , 3"; 4, 4 " , 4" ) are arranged similar, or nonsimilar, in relation to each other. 9. A pipe according to any one of claims 1 - 7-, characterised in that a pipe length includes a number of nonequally spaced intermediatel located and the pipe length partly surrounding waveshaped or creased portions (3, 3 " , 3"; 4, 4 " , 4" ), and that said portions (3, 3 " , 3"; 4, 4 " , 4" ) are arranged similar, or nonsimilar, in relation to each other 10. A pipe according to any one of claims 1 - 9, characterised in that the pipe before use is arranged bent in the region of the intermediately located and the pipe partly surrounding waveshaped or creased portions (3, 3 " , 3"; 4, 4 " , 4" ) into a substantially circular configuration having adjacently located winding turns. OMPI ^*tfAT.

Inventors: GEBELIUS SVEN RUNO VILHELM, GEBELIUS, SVEN, RUNO, VILHELM
Applicants: GEBELIUS SVEN RUNO VILHELM, GEBELIUS, SVEN, RUNO, VILHELM
Application year: 1984
Main classification: F16L9
IPC codes: F16L9