Abstract:
An apparatus for lifting pipes in a pipe rack for the purpose of inspecting the point of contact with the supporting beam, and to remedy any damage caused by corrosion and wear and tear.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority from provisional patent application No. 61/659,170, filed on Jun. 13, 2012. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The subject invention relates to devices for lifting pipe. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In a typical chemical processing plant or oil refinery, literally miles of horizontal pipe lines of various sizes are supported in pipe racks on structural steel beams. The same is true for power plants, food processing facilities, and many other industries. 
         [0004]    A common problem in piping systems of this type is corrosion of the pipe at the point of contact with the supporting beam. Moisture and corrosive products trapped at this interface can be the cause of severe damage and, ultimately, leaks which may be harmful to personnel or the environment and, depending on the product conveyed in the pipe, can result in major property loss due to a fire or explosion. 
         [0005]    In a well maintained facility, considerable effort is expended to prevent the types of problems just described. One effective strategy is to periodically lift the pipe line at each supporting beam and inspect for damage. If minor damage is detected, a typical remedy is to sandblast the corroded area and then to apply a protective coating. More extensive mechanical repair may be required if the wear or corrosion is severe. 
         [0006]    To accomplish this kind of inspection and repair, the pipe line must be lifted by approximately six inches at each pipe-to-beam interface and temporarily suspended in that position while the work is performed. A crane and heavy equipment operator are usually employed to lift the pipe lines and this can be very costly. Alternatively, chain falls or other rigging equipment can be used on lower levels of a pipe rack to raise the pipe but these can be costly due to manpower and scaffolding requirements. 
         [0007]    The present invention will replace conventional pipe lifting equipment and will result in enhanced safety and significantly lower manpower costs. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The accompanying drawings are provided for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention. The drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a support arm. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a support arm, showing a box shim. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of a support arm mounted on an I-beam. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of two support arms mounted on an I-beam. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the lifting cradle/riser assembly. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the lifting cradle/riser assembly mounted in two support arms. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is an isometric view of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is an isometric view of a jack retaining pin. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is an isometric view of a vee retaining pin. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is an isometric view of a vee for small diameter pipe. 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is an isometric view of a vee for large diameter pipe. 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is an isometric view of a jack. 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is an isometric view of a box shim. 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  is an isometric view of a portion of a support arm. 
           [0025]      FIG. 17  is an isometric view of a shim retaining pin. 
           [0026]      FIG. 18  is an isometric view of a shear pin. 
           [0027]      FIG. 19  is an isometric view of a beam adapter. 
           [0028]      FIG. 20  is an isometric view of a beam adapter. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    While the present invention will be described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-20 , operation of the present invention is described in the following paragraphs. 
         [0031]    Before using the present invention, the user should position a work platform (scaffold or manlift) approximately five feet to six feet below a pipe  5  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 9 ) to be lifted. The user should make certain that the area below the platform is kept clear of personnel. 
         [0032]    Next, place the individual parts of the present invention on the platform. 
         [0033]    Next, check the thickness of the top flange  12  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 4 ) of the pipe rack support beam  6  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 4 ) for structural integrity. If top flange  12  is sound and is less than ½ inch thick, install a Box Shim  2  (FIGS.  1 , 3 , &amp;  15 ) on the Hook  3  (FIGS.  1 , 2 , &amp;  16 ) of each Support Arm  1 R, 1 L ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 ) and secure in place with the Shim Retaining Pin  4  ( FIG. 1 ,  3 ,  17 ). It should be noted that if beam flange  12  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 4 ) is ½ inch thick or greater, the user should not use the Box Shims  2 R,  2  ( FIGS. 1 ,  3 , &amp;  15 ). 
         [0034]    At a point next to pipe  5  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 9 ) to be lifted, place one Support Arm ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 ) across the top of the pipe rack support beam  6  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 4 ) and pull forward to fully engage the Support Arm Hook  3  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 , &amp;  16 ) on the far side of the pipe rack support beam  6  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 4 ). Swing the Pivoting Brace  7 R ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 ) of the Support Arm  1 R ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 ) up and seat the Adjustable Screw  8  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 ) in the corner  9  ( FIGS. 1 &amp;4 ) formed by the beam web  10  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 4 ) and the bottom flange  11  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 4 ) of the pipe rack support beam  6  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 4 ). Adjust the length of the Adjustable Screw  8 R ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 ) as required to cause the Support Arm  1 R ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 ) to rest flat across the top flange  12  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 4 ) of the pipe rack support beam  6  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 4 ). 
         [0035]    Place the remaining Support Arm IL ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 ) across the top of the pipe rack support beam  6  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 4 ) on the opposite side of pipe  5  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 9 ) to be lifted, leaving at least 12½ inches between the two Support Arms  1 R &amp;  1 L ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 ). Secure and adjust the Adjustable Screw  8 L ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 ) as required to cause Support Arms  1 L ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 ) to lie flat across top flange  12  ( FIGS. 1&amp;4 ) of the pipe rack support beam  6  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 4 ). 
         [0036]    Next, pick up the Lifting Cradle/Riser Assembly  13  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 6 ) and hang it in the two Vertical Slots  14  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 5 ) of the Support Arms  1 R &amp;  1 L ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 ). Place the Hydraulic Jack  15  ( FIGS. 1 ,  8 , &amp;  14 ) in the Lifting Cradle  16  ( FIGS. 1 &amp;6 ) and lift the Riser  17  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 6 ) about two inches by pushing up on a Riser Pipe  18 R or  18 L ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 6 ) to allow the top of the Hydraulic Jack  15  ( FIGS. 1 ,  8 , &amp;  14 ) to be fitted into the Jack Receiver Socket  19  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 6 ) of the Riser  17  ( FIGS. 1 &amp;6 ). 
         [0037]    Next, insert the Jack Retaining Pin  20  ( FIGS. 1 ,  8 , &amp;  10 ) through the hole  21  ( FIG. 8 ) in the base of the Hydraulic Jack  15  ( FIGS. 1 ,  8 , &amp;  14 ) and the matching hole  22  ( FIG. 6 ) of the base of the Lifting Cradle  16  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 6 ) and close the Jack Retaining Pin  20  ( FIGS. 1 ,  8 , &amp;  10 ). 
         [0038]    If pipe  5  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 9 ) is ten inches in diameter or smaller, slide the base of the small Vee  23  ( FIGS. 1 ,  9 , &amp;  12 ) into the slot  24  ( FIG. 6 ) at the top of the Riser ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 6 ) and secure with the Vee Retaining Pin  25  ( FIGS. 1 ,  9 , &amp;  11 ). For a pipe ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 9 ) larger than 10″, install the larger Vee  31  ( FIG. 13 ) and secure with the Vee Retaining Pin  25  ( FIGS. 1 ,  9 , &amp;  11 ). 
         [0039]    Next, align the Lifting Cradle/Riser Assembly  13  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 6 ) so that the center of Vee  23  ( FIGS. 1 ,  9 , &amp;  12 ) or  31  ( FIG. 13 ) (depending on which one is selected) is directly below the centerline of pipe  5  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 9 ) to be lifted. With the slotted end of Jack handle  26  ( FIGS. 1 ,  8 , &amp;  14 ), close the valve ( FIGS. 1 ,  8  &amp; 14 ) at the base of Hydraulic Jack  15  ( FIGS. 1 ,  8 , &amp;  14 ) and begin stroking Jack  15  ( FIGS. 1 ,  8 , &amp;  14 ) until Vee  23  ( FIGS. 1 ,  9 , &amp;  12 ) or  31  ( FIG. 13 ) engages pipe  5  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 9 ). Continue stroking Hydraulic Jack  15  ( FIGS. 1 ,  8 , &amp;  14 ) until pipe  5  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 9 ) is raised to the desired height above the pipe rack support beam  6  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 4 ). Then, slightly adjust Hydraulic Jack  15  ( FIGS. 1 ,  8 , &amp;  14 ) so that the holes in the Guide Sleeves  28 R,  28 L ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 6 ) of the Lifting Cradle  16  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 6 ) align with a pair of holes in the Riser Pipes  18 R,  18 L of the Riser  17  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 6 ). Lift the Guide Sleeve Spring Rings  30 R,  30 L ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 6 ) and insert the Shear Pins  29 R,  29 L ( FIGS. 1 ,  6 , &amp;  18 ) through the Guide Sleeves  28 R,  28 L ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 6 ) and the one inch Riser Pipes  18 R,  18 L ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 6 ). Snap the Guide Sleeve Spring Rings  30 R,  30 L ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 6 ) down to keep the Shear Pins  29 R,  29 L ( FIGS. 1 ,  6  &amp;  18 ) in place. Both Shear Pins  29 R,  29 L ( FIGS. 1 ,  6 , &amp;  18 ) MUST be inserted. This is a critical step and must be done to employ the fail-safe feature of the present invention. 
         [0040]    Next, proceed with the inspection and maintenance of elevated pipe  5  ( FIGS. 1 &amp;9 ). When the desired inspection or maintenance activity on raised pipe  5  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 9 ) has been completed, the present invention can be removed by following the steps described in the paragraphs below. 
         [0041]    Remove both Shear Pins  29 R,  291 , (FIGS.  1 , 6 , &amp;  18 ) (It may be necessary to slightly adjust the position of the Hydraulic Jack  15  ( FIGS. 1 ,  8 , &amp;  14 ) using the Jack Handle  26  ( FIGS. 1 ,  8 , &amp;  14 ) and Jack Valve  27  ( FIGS. 1 ,  8 , &amp; 14 ) to release pressure on the Shear Pins  29 R,  29 L ( FIGS. 1 ,  6 , &amp;.  18 ). Using the slotted end of the Jack Handle  26  ( FIGS. 1 ,  8 , &amp;  14 ), slowly turn Jack Valve  27  ( FIGS. 1 ,  8 , &amp;  14 ) counter-clockwise and allow raised pipe  5  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 9 ) to return to rest on the Pipe Rack Support Beam  6  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 4 ). Depress Hydraulic Jack  15  ( FIGS. 1 ,  8 , &amp;  14 ) to minimum height by pulling down on the Riser  17  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 6 ). Remove the Vee Retaining Pin  25  ( FIGS. 1 ,  9 , &amp;  11 ) and slide the Vee  23  ( FIGS. 1 ,  9 , &amp;  12 ) or  31  ( FIG. 13 ) off the top of the Riser  17  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 6 ) and set it aside. Remove the Jack Retaining Pin  20  ( FIGS. 1 ,  8 , &amp;  10 ) that secures the Hydraulic Jack  15  ( FIGS. 1 ,  8 , &amp;  14 ) to the Lifting Cradle  16  ( FIGS. 1  &amp;.  6 ). Lift Riser  17  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 6 ) about 2 inches, remove the Hydraulic Jack ( FIGS. 1 ,  8 , &amp;  14 ) from the Lifting Cradle  16  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 6 ) and place it on the work platform. 
         [0042]    Slide the Lifting Cradle/Riser Assembly  13  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 6 ) up and out of the vertical slots  14  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 , &amp;  5 ) of the Support Arms  1 R,  1 L ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 ) and place it on the working platform. Remove both Support Arms  1 R,  1 L ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 ) and place on the working platform. The present invention is now ready to be moved to the next location. 
         [0043]    For situations where pipe  5  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 9 ) rests on a square tube support beam  32  ( FIG. 19 ), a pair of Beam Adapters  33  ( FIGS. 19 &amp; 20 )) must be installed, as discussed in more detail below. 
         [0044]    First, the user should identify the size of the square tube support beam  32  ( FIG. 19 ) (typically 4″, 6″, 8″, 10″). Then the user should select a Beam Adapter  33  ( FIGS. 19 &amp; 20 ) that corresponds to the size of the square tube support beam  32  ( FIG. 19 ). 
         [0045]    Holding the Beam Adapter  33  ( FIGS. 19 &amp; 20 ) such that the Guide Channel  34  ( FIG. 19 ) is located at the top of the Beam Adapter  33  ( FIGS. 19 &amp; 20 ), remove the Latch Pin  35  ( FIG. 19 ) and allow the Swing Arm  36  ( FIGS. 19 &amp; 20 ) to hang vertically. Lift the Beam Adapter  33  ( FIGS. 19 &amp; 20 ) above the square tube support beam  32  ( FIG. 19 ) and, at a point alongside pipe  5  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 9 ), lower the Beam Adapter  33  ( FIGS. 19 &amp; 20 ) so that Seating Arm  37  ( FIGS. 19 &amp; 20 ) and Hinge Arm  38  ( FIGS. 19 &amp; 20 ) fit snugly against the sides of the square tube support beam  32  ( FIG. 19 ). Rotate Swing Arm  36  ( FIGS. 19 &amp; 20 ) upward until the hole  39  ( FIG. 20 ) of the Swing Arm  36  ( FIGS. 19 &amp; 20 ) is in line with the holes  40  ( FIG. 20 ) of the Seating Arm  37  ( FIGS. 19 &amp; 20 ). 
         [0046]    Insert Latch Pin  35  ( FIG. 19 ) through hole  39  ( FIG. 20 ) and hole  40  ( FIG. 20 ) to secure the Swing Arm  36  ( FIGS. 19 &amp; 20 ) in a horizontal position. On the opposite side of pipe  5  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 9 ), install a second Beam Adapter  33  ( FIGS. 19 &amp; 20 ) as described above. Note that the Seating Aim  37  ( FIGS. 19 &amp; 20 ) of each Beam Adapter  33  ( FIGS. 19 &amp; 20 ) must be on the same side of the square tube support beam  32  ( FIG. 19 ). The square tube support beam  32  ( FIG. 19 ) is now prepared to receive Support Arms  1 R,  1 L ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 ). 
         [0047]    Place one Support Arm  1 R or  1 L ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 ) in the Channel  34  ( FIG. 19 ) of one Beam Adapter  33  ( FIGS. 19 &amp; 20 ) and pull back so that the Hook  3  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 , &amp;  16 ) engages the Flange  41  ( FIGS. 19 &amp; 20 ) of the Beam Adapter  33  ( FIGS. 19 &amp; 20 ). Lift Support Arm  1 R or IL ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 ) and swing Adjustable Screw  8 R or  8 L ( FIGS. 1&amp; 2 ) up to place it in the Seating Arm Socket  42  ( FIGS. 19 &amp; 20 ). Repeat this step for the remaining Support Arm  1 R or  1 L ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 ). 
         [0048]    The Lifting Cradle/Riser Assembly  13  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 6 ) can now be placed in the Support Arms  1 R,  1 L ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 ) as described above.