IP Library Granted Patent US 11,643,000
Granted Patent B2
US 11,643,000 · App. 17/374,341 · Granted May 9, 2023

Installation trailer for coiled flexible pipe and method of utilizing same

Inventors: John P. Leger (Baytown, TX); Peter A. Parker (Beech Creek, PA); Kraig Tabor (Houston, TX); Jagtar Thethy (Houston, TX); Alexander Lee Winn (Houston, TX)
Assignee: Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC
B60P3/035B65H75/425B60T7/20B60T11/107B65H49/32B65H2701/33E21B19/22
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,643,000
App. No.
17/374,341
Granted
May 9, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system includes a collapsible trailer frame and a lifting mechanism coupled to the collapsible trailer frame. The lifting mechanism is configured to raise or lower a coil of pipe or a reel of pipe. The system also includes a braking mechanism.

Claims (55)

1. A system, comprising:

a collapsible trailer frame comprising two portions configured to telescope toward or away from one another such that a collapsed system width is less than an expanded system width;

a lifting mechanism coupled to the collapsible trailer frame, wherein the lifting mechanism is configured to raise or lower a coil of pipe disposed on an expandable drum assembly, wherein the lifting mechanism comprises:

one or more hooks configured to engage the expandable drum assembly;

one or more hydraulic cylinders coupled to the one or more hooks, wherein the one or more hooks are configured to engage the expandable drum assembly such that the expandable drum assembly is removable from the trailer frame and is movable in a vertical direction with respect to the trailer frame; and

one or more vertical stops configured to block the expandable drum assembly from disengaging from the one or more hooks;

a braking mechanism;

at least two wheel assemblies coupled to the collapsible trailer frame, wherein each of the wheel assemblies comprises:

a wheel frame;

at least two wheels coupled to the wheel frame; and

a pivot coupled to the collapsible trailer frame, wherein the pivot enables the wheel assembly to pivot up and down with respect to the collapsible trailer frame; and

at least one stop plate coupled to the collapsible trailer frame and configured to block movement of the wheel frame about the pivot beyond a desired amount.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the expandable drum assembly comprises:

a support bar;

a plurality of expandable spokes coupled to the support bar;

one or more mechanical actuators configured to move the expandable spokes between retracted and extended positions; and

a plurality of drum segments coupled to the expandable spokes, wherein each of the plurality of drum segments extends parallel to the support bar.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the expandable drum assembly comprises a containment flange coupled to the support bar such that the containment flange rotates together with the expandable drum assembly.

4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the support bar comprises a hub disposed at an end of the support bar, and wherein the hub comprises a shape configured to match a keyed opening of a brake shaft of the braking mechanism.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more hydraulic cylinders is coupled to a sheave or a pulley via a tension bearing member.

6. A system, comprising:

a collapsible trailer frame comprising two portions configured to telescope toward or away from one another such that a collapsed system width is less than an expanded system width;

a lifting mechanism coupled to the collapsible trailer frame, wherein the lifting mechanism is configured to raise or lower a coil of pipe or a reel of pipe, wherein the lifting mechanism comprises:

one or more hooks configured to engage the coil of pipe or the reel of pipe;

one or more hydraulic cylinders coupled to the one or more hooks, wherein the one or more hooks are configured to engage the coil of pipe or the reel of pipe such that the coil of pipe or the reel of pipe is removable from the trailer frame and is movable in a vertical direction with respect to the trailer frame, and wherein each of the one or more hydraulic cylinders is coupled to a sheave or a pulley via a tension bearing member; and

one or more vertical stops configured to block the coil of pipe or the reel of pipe from disengaging from the one or more hooks;

a braking mechanism;

at least two wheel assemblies coupled to the collapsible trailer frame, wherein each of the wheel assemblies comprises:

a wheel frame;

at least two wheels coupled to the wheel frame; and

a pivot coupled to the collapsible trailer frame, wherein the pivot enables the wheel assembly to pivot up and down with respect to the collapsible trailer frame; and

at least one stop plate coupled to the collapsible trailer frame and configured to block movement of the wheel frame about the pivot beyond a desired amount.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the tension bearing member comprises a belt, rope, wire, cable, or chain.

8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the tension bearing member is configured to provide mechanical advantage to the hydraulic cylinder.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein a ratio of the mechanical advantage is greater than 2:1.

10. The system of claim 6 , wherein the one or more hooks are coupled to the tension bearing member via a trolley disposed in a track of the lifting mechanism, and wherein the trolley comprises one or more wheels or low-friction surfaces.

11. The system of claim 6 , comprising an expandable drum assembly configured to manipulate the coil of pipe.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the braking mechanism comprises a brake shaft with a keyed opening configured to engage with a shaft of the expandable drum assembly.

13. A system, comprising:

a collapsible trailer frame comprising two portions configured to telescope toward or away from one another such that a collapsed system width is less than an expanded system width;

a lifting mechanism coupled to the collapsible trailer frame, wherein the lifting mechanism is configured to raise or lower a coil of pipe or a reel of pipe, wherein the lifting mechanism comprises:

one or more hooks configured to engage the coil of pipe or the reel of pipe;

one or more hydraulic cylinders coupled to the one or more hooks, wherein the one or more hooks are configured to engage the coil of pipe or the reel of pipe such that the coil of pipe or the reel of pipe is removable from the trailer frame and is movable in a vertical direction with respect to the trailer frame; and

one or more vertical stops configured to block the coil of pipe or the reel of pipe from disengaging from the one or more hooks; and

a braking mechanism, wherein the braking mechanism comprises a brake shaft with a keyed opening configured to engage with a shaft of a drum assembly configured to manipulate the coil of pipe.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein both the shaft of the drum assembly and the keyed opening comprise one or more flat sides to block rotation of the shaft within the keyed opening.

15. The system of claim 13 , wherein the keyed opening enables the drum assembly to rotate together with the brake shaft.

16. The system of claim 13 , wherein the keyed opening enables the shaft of the drum assembly to be inserted into the brake shaft without movement of the brake shaft inwardly or outwardly with respect to the shaft.

17. The system of claim 13 , comprising an expandable drum assembly configured to manipulate the coil of pipe.

18. The system of claim 13 , wherein each of the one or more hydraulic cylinders is coupled to a sheave or a pulley via a tension bearing member.

19. The system of claim 13 , comprising a mechanical lockout configured to mechanically lock the lifting mechanism into a raised position, wherein the mechanical lockout comprises:

a plunger configured to be inserted into an opening of one of the hooks;

a lever coupled to the plunger and a pivot;

a handle coupled to the pivot; and

a proximity switch configured to indicate that the plunger is engaged with the opening.

Assignments (5)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 2, 2025
From: CACTUS WELLHEAD, LLC; FLEXSTEEL USA, LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 073804/0497 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 21, 2025
From: FLEXSTEEL PIPELINE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
To: FLEXSTEEL USA, LLC
Reel/Frame 069964/0367 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2024
From: TRINITY BAY EQUIPMENT HOLDINGS, LLC
To: FLEXSTEEL PIPELINE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 068326/0846 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2024
From: TRINITY BAY EQUIPMENT HOLDINGS, LLC
To: FLEXSTEEL PIPELINE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 068327/0863 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 16, 2022
From: LEGER, JOHN P; PARKER, PETER ANDREW; TABOR, KRAIG; THETHY, JAGTAR; WINN, ALEXANDER LEE
To: TRINITY BAY EQUIPMENT HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 061120/0296 →