Abstract:
An apparatus for straightening a coiled tubing has an injector that receives the coiled tubing, a straighter that straightens the coiled tubing from the injector, and a shear that cuts the straightened coiled tubing. The straightener has a frame having a first section rotatably connected to a second section, an actuator connected to the second section, and a straightening wheel connected to the actuator. The injector has a first drive chain and a second drive chain. The first and second drive chains each have semi-circular members forming circular channels that grab an outer surface of the coiled tubing. The shear has a trolley, a clamp, a tubing cutter, a return mechanism, and an automated controller. The automated controller actuates the clamp and the tubing cutter while the trolley translates along rails from a first position to a second position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIALS SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to metal pipe used in the oil and gas industry. More particularly, the present invention relates to metal pipe that is bendable, called coiled tubing. More particularly, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods for straightening coiled tubing. 
     2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98. 
     Coiled tubing is a term referred to metal piping that is used in the oil and gas drilling industry. Coiled tubing is a metal pipe that usually comes in small sizes, varying from less than one inch to several inches in outer diameter. Because of its small size, coiled tubing is bendable. This is contrast to conventional drilling tubulars which are larger in outer diameter and not flexible. Because it is bendable, coiled tubing is stored on a spool prior to and after its use. A spool can typically hold great lengths of coiled tubing, with some lengths of reaching even over a mile of coiled tubing on one single spool. On advantage of coiled tubing over traditional drilling tubulars is that the entire length stored on a spool is continuous. This is contrast to traditional drilling tubular that come in sixty to ninety foot increments and must be patched end-to-end while drilling. 
     Coiled tubing has many uses. Coiled tubing can be used to circulate fluid within a wellbore. It may also be used to pump a fluid to a specific location in a well for purposes such as cementing perforations in a wellbore or performing chemical washes of downhole components. Coiled tubing can also be used for drilling a well. A drillbit can be attached to an end of the coiled tubing and the coiled tubing is pushed into the ground so as to drill a wellbore for a well. 
     As a result of the many uses of coiled tubing, it is used frequently within the oil and gas well drilling industry. One problem associated with the use of coiled tubing in the oil and gas industry is that disposal of used coiled tubing. Normally, used coiled tubing is wound back around a spool. The spool is then taken to a disposal location, the spool is simply left at that location. Thus, after disposal there is normally no further utilization of coiled tubing. Because used coiled tubing is almost never utilized once it is used, it because a worthless scrap metal. Scrap coiled tubing becomes a financial burden on oil and gas drilling companies because not only is the scrap coiled tubing worthless, it is useless and requires additional costs for its disposal. 
     One such possible use for scrap coiled tubing is in the cattle and ranching industries. Scrap coiled tubing is the perfect size for the tubing need to build continuous fences and cattle guards in the cattle and ranching industries. If there were a way to straighten the scrap coiled tubing, then oil and gas companies would not have to dispose of the scrap coiled tubing, could sell the scrap coiled tubing, and cattle and ranching products could be made from straightened coiled tubing. Thus, there is a need to straighten scrap coiled tubing. 
     Various patents have been issued relating to the straightening of tubing such as coiled tubing. For example, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0107756, published on Jun. 10, 2004 to Foster, discloses a tubing straightening system having two orthogonally positioned sets of rollers for straightening tubing in a first plane and a second plane. Each set of rollers includes two pairs of opposing and corresponding rollers wherein the position of the two pairs of opposing rollers with respect to the corresponding pair yields tubing passing through the set of rollers in two directions to produce a straightened tube in either of the first or second planes, respectively. The tube straightening system is particularly effective in straightening tubing for downhole torsional applications. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,663,955, issued on May 12, 1987 to Redman, discloses an apparatus for straightening tubing that has a mount for mounting a helically wound coil of tubing for free rotation about the axis of the coil, a first series of tubing straightening roller operable to draw tubing from a helically wound coil of tubing through the first rollers and to approximately straighten the tubing as the tubing is advanced through the first rollers, a severing device for receiving the tubing from the first rollers and cyclically severing a length of approximately straightened tubing from the tubing advanced to the severing device by the first rollers, a conveyer for receiving a length of tubing severed by the severing device and axially advancing the length of tubing, a thrower that receives a length of tubing from the conveyer and throws the tubing axially, a second series of tubing straightening rollers that have an inlet and operable to accurately straighten a severed length of approximately straightened tubing, and a tube guide extending from the throwing means to the inlet of the second rollers for guiding a severed length of tubing thrown by the thrower into the inlet of the second roller. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,724,733, issued on Feb. 16, 1988 to Suarez et al., discloses an apparatus for cutting an elongated workpiece of indefinite length into articles of predetermined length that has drive rollers to feed the workpiece, horizontal and vertical straightener rollers, and a movable carriage assembly which moves in parallel with the workpiece. The free end of the workpiece contacts the carriage assembly and imparts movement to the assembly. The carriage assembly includes a cutter assembly for severing the workpiece, a stripper assembly for breaking the article from the workpiece, and a kick-out for sending the article to a storage bin. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,444,716, issued on May 20, 1968 to Martin, discloses a device for bending, coiling, or straightening tubing that has a rigid grooved roll associated with the second roll at least a periphery of which is formed of yieldable resilient material. Preferably, the yieldable resilient material is a ring received in a peripheral channel formed in a rigid circular support body. The rolls are adjustable towards and away from each other to vary the amount of curvature imparted to or removed from tubing. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,785,587, issued on Jan. 15, 1974 to Meyfarth et al., discloses a coil made of a continuous piece of elongated material, such as tubing, pre-bent into pancake-like spirals called radial layers, each radial layer made up of several concentric and coplanar convolutions, with several radial layers stacked axially. The material is bent prior to coiling at predetermined bending radii which are different for different convolutions within a radial layer. One or more of the convolutions within each radial layer may be bent at a constant bending radius. The rest may be bent at gradually changing radii. The bending radius is controlled by an electric and hydraulic network employing both timed and feedback controls. The coil may be built either upwardly, with the most recently made radial layer always at the bottom of the coil, or it can be built downwardly, with the most recently made radial layer always on the top of the coil. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,828,602, issued on Aug. 13, 1974 to Leithiser, discloses an assemblage for forming and straightening elongated articles in which the primary forming and straightening force is exerted through an elongated articulated member defining a relatively elongated segment engageable with a portion of the elongated article, such segment extending axially of the elongated article engaged thereby and being selectively generative from a linear configuration and through various arcuate configurations from one having an infinite radius to one forming a tangent arc at the apex of engagement thereof with the elongated article. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,668, issued on Sep. 10, 1996 to Council et al., discloses a twin carriage coiled tubing injector apparatus for use in inserting coiled tubing into a well, temporarily suspending the coiled tubing, and removing the tubing from the well. The apparatus includes a superstructure with a pair of spaced carriages disposed therein. The carriages each have a gripper chain drive system rotatably mounted thereon and movable therewith. An actuation and linkage system allows the carriage to be moved toward and away from one another in a transverse direction with respect to the superstructure. This movement allows gripper chain systems to be engaged or disengaged from tubing extending through the apparatus. A roller chain system is disposed in each of the carriages and is adapted for engagement and support of the gripper chain systems as the gripper chain systems are engaged with the tubing. A timing gear system may optionally be provided to insure that the rotational speed of the gripper chain systems are substantially constant. 
     It is an object of the present invention to convert scrap, or used, coiled tubing into straightened pipe. 
     It is another object of the present invention to straighten coiled tubing for use in the cattle industry. 
     It is another object of the present invention to straighten coiled tubing for use in the ranching industry. 
     It is a another object of the present invention to cut straightened coiled tubing in predetermined lengths. 
     It is another object of the present invention to automate the straightening of coiled tubing. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to straighten coiled tubing from any angle around the perimeter of the outer surface of the coiled tubing. 
     It is another object of the present invention to straighten coiled tubing of any diameter. 
     It is another object of the present invention to enhance the value of scrap coiled tubing. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an apparatus for straightening a coiled tubing comprising an injecting means for receiving a coiled tubing, a straightening means downstream of the injecting means for straightening the coiled tubing delivered from the injecting means, and a shearing means downstream of the straightening means for cutting predetermined lengths of said coiled tubing straightened by the straightening means. 
     The straightening means has a frame having a first section and a second section, an actuator connected to the second section, and a straightening wheel connected to the actuator. The second section of the frame is rotatably connected to the first section. The straightening means also has a first pair of rolling wheels adjacent an end of the frame, and a second pair of rolling wheels adjacent an opposite end of the frame. The straightening wheel has a channel along a perimeter thereof for receiving an outer surface of the coiled tubing. The straightening wheel has an axle that is connected to the actuator. The actuator has a rod connected to the axle of the straightening wheel. The rod causes the channel of the straightening wheel to urge against the outer surface of the coiled tubing so as to straighten the coiled tubing. The first and second sections of the frame have holes formed therein for receiving the coiled tubing. The first section of the frame is fixed to a base. 
     The injecting means has a first drive chain and a second drive chain. The first drive chain has a plurality of semi-circular members attached to a center thereof. The second drive chain has a plurality of semi-circular members attached to a center thereof. The plurality of semi-circular members of the first drive chain faces the plurality of semi-circular members of the second drive chain so as to form a plurality of circular channels for grabbing an outer surface of the coiled tubing. The plurality of circular channels are aligned with the straightening means. The plurality of circular channels has an inner diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the coiled tubing. The injecting means also has a plurality of alignment wheels connected to an alignment housing. The plurality of alignment wheels are in spaced relation to the first and second drive chains. The plurality of alignment wheels feeds the coiled tubing to the first and second drive chains. The injecting means is driven by a hydraulic fluid. 
     The shearing means has a trolley translatable along a plurality of rails from a first position to a second position, a clamp mounted to the trolley, a tubing cutter mounted to the trolley, a returning means for returning the trolley from the second position to the first position, and an automated controlling means for actuating the clamp and the tubing cutter so as to cut the predetermined length of the coiled tubing. The trolley has wheels translating along the plurality of rails. The automated controlling means comprises a sensor means for sensing the predetermined length of the coiled tubing, an electronic controller electrically connected to the sensor means, and a first actuating device connected to the electronic controller. The actuating device is also connected to the tubing cutter. The first actuating device opens and closes a hydraulic fluid line so as to cause the tubing cutter to cut the coiled tubing. The automated controlling means also has a second actuating device connected to the electronic controller and to the clamp. The second actuating device opens and closes a hydraulic fluid line so as to cause the clamp to grab an outer surface of the coiled tubing. 
     The method for straightening coiled tubing includes grabbing coiled tubing from a spool, feeding coiled tubing to an injecting means, delivering coiled tubing from the injecting means to a straightening means, rotating a second section of a frame of the straightening means relative to a first section of the frame of the straightening means, moving an actuator of the straightening means so as to urge a straightening wheel against an outer surface of the coiled tubing, sensing a predetermined length of coiled tubing, clamping the outer surface of the coiled tubing, and cutting the coiled tubing to the predetermined length. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows an elevational view of the apparatus of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows an isolated elevational view of the injecting means of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a close-up end view of the drive chains of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows an isolated elevational view of the straightening means of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows a close-up end view of the straightening wheel and actuator of the straightening means. 
         FIG. 6  shows a close-up end view of the actuator and straightening wheel of the straightening means, with the straightening wheel and actuator rotated at an angle relative to the frame. 
         FIG. 7  shows a close-up end view of the straightening wheel and actuator of the straightening means, with the straightening wheel and actuator rotated at another angle relative to the frame. 
         FIG. 8  shows an isolated elevational view of the shearing means of the present invention in the first position. 
         FIG. 9  shows an isolated elevational view of the shearing means of the present invention in the second position. 
         FIG. 10  shows an elevational view of the apparatus of the present invention, with the automated controlling means and hydraulic fluid pump. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an elevational view of the present invention. A spool  101  holds coiled tubing  100 . Coiled tubing  100  is shown in  FIG. 1  as a broken line. Coiled tubing  100  is delivered from the spool  101  into the injecting means  12 . From the injecting means  12 , the coiled tubing  100  is delivered to the straightening means  30 . From the straightening means  30 , coiled tubing  100  is delivered to the shearing means  50 . Thus, coiled tubing  100  passes from the spool  101 , into the injecting means  12 , through the straightening means  30 , and into the shearing means  50  so as to achieve of the goal of the present invention, which is to straighten the coiled tubing  100  and cut predetermined lengths thereof. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown an isolated elevational view of the injecting means  12  of the present invention. A first drive chain  14  is located above a second drive chain  16 . The first drive chain  14  has semi-circular members  15  attached to a center thereof. The first drive chain  14  is a closed-chain loop. The first drive chain  14  is driven by a motor  24 . The semi-circular members  15  of the first drive chain  14  rotate counter-clockwise so as to grab coiled tubing  100  at the bottom of the first drive chain  14  and pull the coiled tubing  100  from one end of the first drive chain  14  to the other. The second drive chain  16  has semi-circular members  17 . The semi-circular members  17  travel clockwise so as to grab coiled tubing  100  at the top of the second drive chain  16 . The second drive chain  16  is driven by a motor  25 . The semi-circular members  15  of the first drive chain  14  and the semi-circular members  17  of the second drive chain  16  together form a circular channel that grabs the outer surface of the coiled tubing  100 . The coiled tubing  100  is grabbed in the space between the first drive chain  14  and the second drive chain  16 . 
     Prior to being grabbed by the first drive chain  14  and the second drive chain  16  of the injecting means  12 , the coiled tubing  100  travels into the alignment housing  23  of the injecting means  12 . The alignment housing  23  has a number of alignment wheels  19  that align the coiled tubing  100  so as to properly enter between the first drive chain  14  and the second drive chain  16  of the injecting means  12 . Two of the alignment wheels  19  are connected by a belt  70  to a motor  20 . The motor  20  rotates the alignment wheels  19  that are connected to the motor  20  by belt  70 . The other alignment wheels  19  in the alignment housing  23  rotate with the coiled tubing  100  as the coiled tubing  100  passes through the alignment housing  23 . The alignment wheels  19  that are not connected to the belt  70  can be adjusted within the alignment housing  23  so as to properly align the coiled tubing  100  with the first drive chain  14  and the second drive chain  16  of the injecting means  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a close-up end view of the first drive chain  14  having semi-circular members  15  thereon and the second drive chain  16  having a semi-circular members  17  thereon. Each of the first drive chain  14  and second drive chain  16  have links  71  that form a continuous-loop chain for each of the first drive chain  14  and second drive chain  16 . The first drive chain  14  and the second drive chain  16  are wider than the semi-circular members  15  and  17 , respectively. The semi-circular members  15  of the first drive chain  14  and the semi-circular members  17  of the second drive chain  16  are located in the middle of the first drive chain  14  and the second drive chain  16 , respectively. The first drive chain  14  and second drive chain  16  rotate so that the semi-circular members  15  and  17  form a circular channel  18  that is located between the first drive chain  14  and the second drive chain  16 . In the space between the first drive chain  14  and the second drive chain  16  where the circular channel  18  is formed, the semi-circular member  15  and semi-circular member  17  are slightly spaced apart. This is because the circular channel  18  formed by the semi-circular members  15  and  17  has slightly smaller diameter than the outer diameter of the coiled tubing  100  that passes between the semi-circular members  15  and  17 . Because the diameter of the circular channel  18  is slightly smaller than the coiled tubing  100 , the semi-circular members  15  and  17  adequately grab the outer surface  103  of the coiled tubing  100  so as to push it from one end to the other of the first drive chain  14  and second drive chain  16 . 
     As stated above, the semi-circular members  15  and  17  form a circular channel  18  that has a slightly smaller diameter than the outer diameter of the coiled tubing  100 . Thus, the semi-circular members  15  and  17  not only grab the coiled tubing  100 , they also slightly compress the tubing so as to begin straightening the coiled tubing  100  before it enters the straightening means. The relationship between the diameter of the circular channel  18  and the diameter of the coiled tubing  100  acts as a primer for the straightening means. That is, portions of the scrap coiled tubing  100  passing through the semi-circular members  15  and  17  that have any non-circular cross sections, such as an oval cross-section, are initially compressed by the semi-circular members  15  and  17  so as to make the scrap coiled tubing  100  have more of a circular cross-section. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown an isolated elevational view of the straightening means  30  of the present invention. The straightening means  30  has a frame  31  and an end  37  and an opposite end  39 . The frame  31  also has a first section  32  and a second section  33 . The second section  33  rotates relative to the first section  32 . The first section  32  is fixed to the base of the apparatus  10 . The actuator  34  is attached to the second section  33  of the frame  31 . The actuator  34  has a rod  43  that is connected to the axle  42  of the straightening wheel  35 . A channel (not shown) is formed along the perimeter  41  of the straightening wheel  35 . The rod  43  of the actuator  34  moves up and down so as to move the axle  42  and the straightening wheel  35  up and down. Thus, the rod  43  can push the straightening wheel  35  downward onto the outer surface of the coiled tubing  100 . Pressing downward on the outer surface of the coiled tubing  100  allows the straightening wheel  35  to press any upward kinks out of the coiled tubing  100 . The straightening wheel  35  rotates on axle  42  as the coiled tubing  100  passes along the perimeter  41  of the straightening wheel  35 . A first pair of rolling wheels  36  is located adjacent the end  37  of the frame  31 . A second pair of rolling wheels  38  is located adjacent the opposite end  39  of the frame  31 . The first pair of rolling wheels  36  and the second pair of rolling wheels  38  act to support the coiled tubing  100  before and after it travels past the straightening wheel  35 . The coiled tubing  100  passes between the wheels of the first pair of rolling wheels  36  and between the wheels of the second pair of rolling wheels  38 . The wheels of the first pair of rolling wheels  36  and the second pair of rolling wheels rotate as the coiled tubing  100  passes between the first pair of rolling wheels  36  and the second pair of rolling wheels  38 . The first pair of rolling wheels  36  can be adjusted so as to press against the outer surface of the coiled tubing  100  passing therebetween. Likewise, the second pair of rolling wheels  38  can be adjusted so as to grasp the outer surface of the coiled tubing  100  traveling therebetween. Thus, the first pair of rolling wheels  36  and the second pair of rolling wheels  38  also act as straightening wheels in the straightening means  30 . Similar to the straightening wheel  35 , the wheels of the first pair of rolling wheels  36  and second pair of rolling wheels  38  have a channel (not shown) formed along a perimeter thereof. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a close-up end elevational view of the straightening wheel  35  and actuator  34  of the straightening means  30  of the present invention. The opposite end of the first section  32  of the frame  31  is removed so as to clearly see the straightening wheel  35 . The rods  43  of the actuator  34  have positioned the straightening wheel  35  so that channel  40  formed along the perimeter  41  of the straightening wheel  35  abuts the outer surface  103  of the coiled tubing  100 . The straightening wheel  35  rotates on axle  42 . The rods  43  are secured to the second section  33  of the frame  31 . The rods  43  are adjustable up and down so as to increase or decrease the pressure of the channel  40  of the straightening wheel  35  against the outer surface  103  of the coiled tubing  100 . The channel  40  of the straightening wheel  35  presses against the outer surface  103  of the top of the coiled tubing  100 . Thus, the straightening wheel  35  presses the top of the outer surface  103  of the coiled tubing  100  in a downward direction, as indicated by the arrow in  FIG. 5 . The coiled tubing  100  travels through the frame  31  and through the hole  44  in the first section  32 . The second section  33  can rotate clockwise and counterclockwise at any angle relative to the first section  32  of the frame  31 . When rotated, the second section  33  is configured so as to keep the channel  41  of the straightening wheel  35  abutted against the outer surface  33  of the coiled tubing  100 . 
     Contrary to normal expectation, curvature of scrap coiled tubing  100  is largely inconsistent for any given length of coiled tubing  100 . Thus, a coiled tubing straightening machine should have a straightening wheel  35  that presses against the outer surface  103  of the coiled tubing  100  at any angle around the outer surface  103  of the coiled tubing  100 .  FIGS. 6 and 7  show that the present invention is further unique in that the second section  33  of the frame  31  can be rotated relative to the first section  32  of the frame  31  at any angle around the longitudinal axis of the coiled tubing  100 . For example, the second section  33  in  FIG. 6  has been rotated clockwise relative to the first section  32  of the frame  31 . Thus, the channel  40  of the straightening wheel  35  presses against the outer surface  103  of the coiled tubing in the direction indicated by the arrow in  FIG. 6 . In  FIG. 7 , the second section  33  of the frame  31  is rotated counter-clockwise relative to the first section  32  of the frame  31 . Thus, the channel  40  of the straightening wheel  35  presses against the outer surface  103  of the coiled tubing at an angle indicated by the arrow in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIGS. 5 through 7  are representative of only three angles at which the channel  40  of the straightening wheel  35  can exert forces against the outer surface  103  of the coiled tubing  100 . It is contemplated by the present invention that the second section  33  of the frame  31  can be rotated at any angle relative to the first section  32  of the frame  31  so that any portion of the outer surface  103  of the coiled tubing  100  can be straightened in any direction. The curvature of coiled tubing  100  varies and is inconsistent along the length of the coiled tubing that is included on the spool. Moreover, the coiled tubing between spools can be largely inconsistent in curvature. Thus, the rotating capability of the second section  33  relative to the first section  32  of the frame  31  is unique and also necessary so as to properly straighten scrap coiled tubing  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , there is shown an isolated elevational view of the shearing means  50  of the present invention in a first position. The shearing means  50  has a trolley  51 . The trolley  51  has a clamp  52  and a tubing cutter  53  attached thereto. The trolley  51  is attached to a returning means  54 . The returning means  54  has a chain  55  and a spring return  56 . The chain  55  connects the trolley  51  with the spring return  56 . The trolley  51  has wheels  58  that travel on rails  65 . The trolley  51  remains in this first position until a predetermined length of coiled tubing  100  passes thereby. The clamp  52  is then actuated. Once the clamp  52  is actuated, it grabs the outer surface of the coiled tubing  100  and sets the trolley  51  in motion along the rails  65 . After the clamp  52  clamps the outer surface of the coiled tubing  100 , the tubing cutter  53  cuts a predetermined length of the coiled tubing  100 . When the coiled tubing  100  is cut by the tubing cutter  53 , the trolley  51  is in a second position on the rail  65 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , there is shown an isolated elevational view of the shearing means  50  of the present invention in the second position. It should be noted that the trolley  51  is at the end of the rail  65 . The clamp  52  is clamped against the outer surface of the coiled tubing  100 , and the tubing cutter  53  has cut a predetermined length of coiled tubing  100 . The chain  55  of the returning means is extended between the trolley  51  and the spring return  56 . Once the coiled tubing is cut by the tubing cutter  53 , the tubing cutter  53  moves upward away from the coiled tubing  100  and the clamp  52  releases its grasp on the outer surface of the coiled tubing  100 . The spring return  56  of the returning means  54  then pulls the chain  55  and the trolley  51  back to the first position on the rail  65 . This is first position that is shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , there is shown the apparatus  10  of the present invention with a hydraulic fluid pump  102  and the automated controlling means  57 . Pressurized hydraulic fluid is supplied by the hydraulic fluid pump  102  to the hydraulic motor  20  for the alignment wheels to hydraulic fluid line  21 . Actuating device  22  controls the hydraulic fluid that travels between the hydraulic fluid pump  102  and the motor  20 . The motor  20 , in turn, turns the alignment wheels  19  connected to the motor  20  by belt  70 . The hydraulic fluid pump  102  is also connected to motor  24  by hydraulic fluid line  26 . The flow of hydraulic fluid in line  26  is controlled by actuating device  28 . Pressurized hydraulic fluid in line  26  turns motor  24  so as to turn the first drive chain  14 . The hydraulic fluid pump  102  is connected to motor  25  by hydraulic fluid line  27 . The flow of hydraulic fluid in line  27  is controlled by actuating device  29 . Pressurized hydraulic fluid turns motor  25  so as to turn the second drive chain  16 . Hydraulic fluid pump  102  is also connected to the clamp  52  of the shearing means  50  by line  61 . The flow of hydraulic fluid between the hydraulic fluid pump  102  and the clamp  52  is controlled by actuating device  60 . When line  61  is pressurized by hydraulic fluid upon actuation of actuation device  60 , the clamp  52  grabs the outer surface of the coiled tubing  100  so as to begin the cutting of the coiled tubing  100  with the tubing cutter  53 , as described above. Hydraulic fluid pump  102  is connected to the tubing cutter  53  by line  64 . The flow of hydraulic fluid in line  64  is controlled by actuation device  63 . After line  61  has been pressurized with hydraulic fluid so as to clamp the outer surface of the coiled tubing  100  with clamp  52 , line  64  is pressurized with hydraulic fluid so that the tubing cutter  53  cuts a predetermined length of coiled tubing  100 . 
     The sensor means  58  has a first sensor  65  and a second sensor  66 . The first sensor  65  is mounted on the second drive chain  16 . The second sensor  66  is mounted on the alignment housing  23 . The first sensor  65  and second sensor  66  of the sensor means  58  are configured so as to sense the length of coiled tubing  100  passing thereby. Once a predetermined length of coiled tubing  100  passes by the sensor means  58 , the sensor means  58  sends a signal to the electronic controller  59  of the automated controlling means  57 . The electric controller  59  then actuates the actuation devices  22 ,  28 ,  29 ,  60  and  63  so as to operate the apparatus  10  of the present invention. 
     Because of the continuous nature of the apparatus  10  of the present invention, it is important that the coiled tubing  100  continuously move therethrough. Thus, the trolley design of the shearing means  50  is important and unique because if the trolley  51  were simply stationary, then the apparatus  10  would have to be started and stopped each time at predetermined length of coiled tubing  100  were cut. This starting and stopping would inevitably be detrimental to the straightening of coiled tubing  100 . 
     The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction can be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.