Title of Invention

AUTOMATIC THREADED PIPE CONNECTING SYSTEM.

Abstract Automatic Threaded Pipe Connecting System, mainly for automatically connecting pipes of different diameter by threaded pipe connectors. This system constitutes of pipe storing garages 13), pipe handling & centralizing assembly (1,2,5,6,7,17) and pipe connecting assembly (18,19,21,22). A pipe storing garage keeps storing the pipes of different diameter near the pipe handling assembly system and provides the ready supply of pipes of different diameter and length. The pipe handling assembly transports the pipes from garage (13) to the pipe connecting assembly (18,19,21,22) and also makes the centre of pipe co-linear in vertical direction. Now as the pipe handling assembly centralizes pipes with each other and delivers this connected pipe structure vertically downward. This system consists of an embedded system which controls and synchronizes the motions of the different motors of the system. The embedded system comprises of a microcontroller unit, along with driver circuits. These driver circuits controls the rotation of motor as programmed.
Full Text AUTOMATIC THREADED PIPE CONNECTING SYSTEM
This invention relates to the development in the automatic systems for threaded pipe
connecting and handling, to build desired linear piping structure as per piping plan.
The present invention relates to a system specifically used for making threaded
pipe connections, with the help of threaded connectors or elements according
to given or desired piping plan, mainly for oil and gas drilling, fire prevention systems
and domestic water supply systems etc.
The present invention Automatic threaded pipe connecting system describes a system
which comprises of a pipe garage which actually acts input , Jaw block, rotating spinner
plate and two rollers constitutes processing unit which connects the threaded pipes . The
connected pipes structure are delivered vertically downwards . The embedded system
constitutes feed back mechanism which controls the whole system.
As per previous arts of assembling a lengthy string of pipes like that are used in oil
drilling wells, a long series of pipe sections that are screwed and usually connected by
means of power tonges. In conventional power tonges having jaws with serrated faces
That are designed to bite into pipe surfaces and they were cam operated, there closing
forces were roughly proportional to tonges torque. But these arrangements were
unsuitable for the tubing whose surfaces are specially designed with special materials and
which cannot sustain such a high pressure of biting that those are required by these
conventional jaws to hold and rotate the pipe.
New approaches taken were to provide jaws actuated by hydraulic pressure so that jaw
pressure on pipe can be accurately controlled. Hydraulic biased jaws on power tonges as
in prior arts as for example in us patent 379648, 3921473,4402293 etc. None of these
provided independently controlling the jaw forces thus another improvement came and
was explained in us patent 4712284 with an objective of not to bite on surface of the pipe
and able to provide the sufficient torque to the pipe. Although this system has proven to
be quite successful, it never the less, difficult to use with small tonge . It was not
successful in case where multiple size of pipes have to be connected as it suffered from
complex hydraulic procedure for tighting and also had large bulky reservoir and pump
which mounted on the head may prevent the tonge from getting between the string.
So the objective of the present invention is to simplify the process of holding and tighting
the pipe with a pressure suitable not to bite but also rotate with certain torque.
On the other hand various technique have developed for connecting threaded pipe in form
of pipe string those are used in fire prevention systems and domestic water supply
system. For many years making or breaking these threaded pipe connection was a
laborious job. And it become more tedious were a lengthy pipe structure has to build up,
the complexity arises further when pipes of different sizes (diameter and length) have to
be connected according to given to piping structure or piping plan. There are number of


quick assembly system present in market which reduces time to connect and also labour
cost by providing mechanical engagement devices.
Although these systems are very simple and quicker but most of them suffer from
problem like miss alignment or they are equipped with heavy expensive, specialized tools
something which work for specific sizes of pipe and required time to switch each time a
different gauge of pipe is encountered. These mechanical engagements have to be fitted
on pipes modifies the shape of pipe at connecting joint. They are also not automated most
of the time that causes lack in precision in case of forming complex and lengthy piping
structure. Thus the objective of present invention is to describe a complete reliable,
automated and time saving system which do not suffer from the problems of aforesaid
systems, programmable to handle efficiently lengthy piping structures without any
mechanical linkages as per desired piping plan.
The basic objective of this complete automatic system is to overcome the problems of the
above said systems described as prior arts for connecting threaded pipes. Present
invention comprises of a circular platform mounted on top by a rack guide and coupled
on a motor at bottom. Rack guide, housed and supported by two fixed equidistant
supports from centre of platform, at one end is connected to a block containing jaw. Jaw
is capable of holding a pipe of any cross section without biting on their surfaces. Platform
surrounded by number of pipe garages whose openings are at constant distance from the
centre of the platform. These garages are nothing but store place pf pipes and pipe
connector of different diameter, length and always provide a ready supply of pipes and
connectors. Pipes in garages are stored vertically at kept a safe distance inside from the
opening. Jaw moves in and out through the provided passages in the garage and grab the
pipe. This in and out movement of jaw is achieved by guide and pinion arrangement. Jaw
can move from one garage to another by controlled angular rotation of the platform.
In present invention pipe assembling is done at fixed reference point, so that whenever
jaw grabs the pipe from any garage, platform takes certain angular rotation to make the
vertical central axis of pipe co-axial with the vertical axis passing through the fixed
reference point. A pair of roller are fitted a relatively lower level capable to hold and
slide any diameter of pipe as per piping plan. The central axis of the roller is pre-aligned
with fixed reference axis. Rotating friction plate is provided at relatively higher level
contains number of groves designed according to the cross section of the pipes used in
the piping plan. These friction plate can be rotated by a motor and can move up and down
co-axially with fixed reference axis by guide and pinion mechanism.
The synchronous motion of roller and rotating friction plate is used for assembling pipes.
This system is controlled by an embedded system which comprises of a microcontroller
unit, along with driver circuits which controls the motion of different parts and brings in
the desired synchronization. The precise rotation of motors is achieved by this embedded
system.


Brief description of the drawing:
Fig 1 Elevation view of the complete system consisting of rotating platform, rack guide,
jaw block, pipe garage, spinner friction plate and roller assembly embodying the
invention.
Fig 2 Top view of the rotating platform along with rack guide with its pinion
arrangement, jaw block and pipe garage all around the periphery.
Fig3 Top view of the roller assembly showing spring loaded specially designed material
coated rollers.
Fig 4 View of the surface of the spinner friction plate showing concentric grooves.
Detailed description of the preferred embodiments:
The present invention Automatic threaded pipe connecting system describes a system
which comprises of a pipe garage which actually acts input , Jaw block, rotating spinner
plate and two rollers constitutes processing unit which connects the threaded pipes . The
connected pipes structure are delivered vertically downwards . The embedded system
constitutes feed back mechanism which controls the whole system.
With reference to detailed description of the described drawings, the overall system
which is indicated in its entry figure 1, by reference character 1 which includes rotating
platform 1 which is fitted on top by a rack guide 2 which is again supported by two
housings 3 at either side of the centre of platform 1 along its horizontal axis. There is a
rack guide pinion 11, connected with rack guide motor 10, provided to slide the rack
guide 2 in housing 3. Rack guide 2 is fixed at its end with jaw block 4 which consists a
fixed and movable jaw 7, 6. Movable jaw 6 moves towards and away direction w.r.t.
fixed jaw 7 by a small jaw pinion 8 coupled with jaw motor 9. As shown is fig 2 rack
guide motor rotates the guide pinion 11 so that rack guide 2 along with complete jaw
block 4 slides in and out through the passages 14 provided on pipe garage 13. No ofpipes
P are stored in this pipe garage 13 in vertical condition. These pipes P are constantly
being pushed by a spring 16 fixed at the back portion of the garage 13 and these pipes P
are always kept ready at a fixed point inside the passage 14 which is provided with no of
stoppers 15 fitted on the side walls of garage 13. Jaw block 4 moves in passage 14 and
reaches at the point where pipes P are stopped by stopper 15. Then the jaw motor 9
rotates the jaw pinion 8 so that the movable jaw 6 from its open position starts getting
closed and grabs the pipe P from the point of supply. Then the jaw block 4 grabbing pipe
P slides out by guide rack 2 , its pinion and motor 11, 10 so that it just clears of the
opening of the garage wall 13. Now platform motor 5 starts rotating the platform 1 along
with rack guide 2, jaw block 4 and pipe P through an angle which brings the central axis
pipe P to get aligned to reference axis 17.


As the pipe P gets aligned with reference axis 17 the movable jaw 6 open a little with
help of controlled rotation of programmable jaw motor 9. At this point pipe P slides
slowly vertically down because of its own weight and sits in the curvature of specially
designed rollers 22 which are rotating by roller motors 21 separately as shown in figure 3.
As the pipe P starts sliding in between the rollers it is gripped effectively with the help of
roller curvature, adjusting material 24 and spring 23. Now jaw block 4 removes from pipe
P and goes back to the another garage 13 and brings pipe connecting element, with the
same process as described above back to the reference axis 17. Rollers 22 starts sliding
the pipe P in upward direction so that the top end of pipe P make contact with the bottom
end of connecting element. As shown in figure 1 the Spinner friction plate 18 starts
coming down from guide and pinion mechanism (not actually shown in figure) and sits
on top end of connecting element.
As shown in figure 4 the appropriate groove size 20 fits on the top end of connecting
element. At this movement the spinner motor 19 starts rotating and at the same time the
jaw motor 9 losses the grip little bit and roller motor 21 starts sliding the pipe P vertically
upward. Pipe connecting element gripped perfectly inside the groove 20 starts rotating
about the axis 17 and with these relative movement of element and pipe P connects the
threads provided on the element and the pipe and that is how a threaded joint is achieved.
Now this element and pipe will be considered as the single pipe section. Jaw block 4 will
again be rotated by platform 5 back to garage 13 storing a different diameter section of
pipes p'(not shown in figure) and bring back the pipe to the reference axis 17 by above
described process as in case of pipe P. Again mis pipe P' will be held on its top end by
Spinner friction plate 18 and will be rotated as in the case of connecting element, now
the former pipe section P will be moved up by rollers 22 and again relative motion
between the rotating pipe section P' and pipe P will result in achieving of threaded
connection.
Now this whole assembly will be slided down and in the same manner other section of
pipe will be connected.


We claim,
1. Automatic Threaded Pipe Connecting System comprising -
a circular horizontal platform coupled at the centre with motor at the bottom and
mounted by a rack guide placed along the horizontal central axis;
at least two bearings housing and supporting the said rack guide fixed at either
side of the said centre of the said platform along the said horizontal axis;
a jaw piece fixed at the back with said rack guide at its one end;
a number of pipe storing garages storing different diameter of pipes and respective
required connectors, where in used said pipe garages are placed such that the
opening of each remains equidistant from the said centre of the said horizontal
platform all around its periphery;
two rollers coupled with separate motors placed at relatively lower than the plane
level of said horizontal circular platform, both the said rollers being tensioned by
springs; and
a spinner friction plate rotates in horizontal plane at relatively higher level than
the said the circular platform level, a spinner motor connected on top at centre
rotates the said spinner friction plate in horizontal plane, guide rod connected at
the said spinner motor on top runs vertically up down with the help of pinion and
motor arrangement.
2. Automatic Threaded Pipe Connecting System as claimed in claim 1 comprising
each said pipe garages with a passage sufficient to accommodate said jaw for its
free in and out movement and support.
3. Automatic Threaded Pipe Connecting System as claimed in claim 1 & 2
comprising a fixed supply point in each said garage, a spring, fixed at the last end
of said pipe garage, keep pushing the pipes. No of stoppers fixed on said pipe
garage passage as in claim 2.near the said supply point.
4. Automatic Threaded Pipe Connecting System as claimed in claim 1 comprising
jaw where in the fixed and movable jaw covered with soft gripping and adjustable
material and the said movable jaw coupled with a jaw motor by guide pinion
mechanism and moves in perpendicular axis to the said rack guide.
5. Automatic Threaded Pipe Connecting System as claimed in claim 1 comprising
rollers which are coupled with motor where in said rollers are given specially
designed curvatures around the periphery and lined with soft adjustable and
gripping material.


6. Automatic Threaded Pipe Connecting System as claimed in claim 1 comprising a
spinner friction plate where in the said plate have number of different diameter
and concentric groves on its bottom surface and these said groves are of
appropriate width to accommodate any diameter of pipe or pipe connecting
element and also these said groves are lined with good frictional material.
7. An automatic threaded pipe connecting system, as herein described with reference
to the accompanying drawings .

Automatic Threaded Pipe Connecting System, mainly for automatically connecting pipes
of different diameter by threaded pipe connectors. This system constitutes of pipe storing
garages 13), pipe handling & centralizing assembly (1,2,5,6,7,17) and pipe connecting
assembly (18,19,21,22). A pipe storing garage keeps storing the pipes of different
diameter near the pipe handling assembly system and provides the ready supply of pipes
of different diameter and length. The pipe handling assembly transports the pipes from
garage (13) to the pipe connecting assembly (18,19,21,22) and also makes the centre of
pipe co-linear in vertical direction. Now as the pipe handling assembly centralizes pipes
with each other and delivers this connected pipe structure vertically downward. This
system consists of an embedded system which controls and synchronizes the motions of
the different motors of the system. The embedded system comprises of a microcontroller
unit, along with driver circuits. These driver circuits controls the rotation of motor as
programmed.

Documents:

00710-kol-2007-abstract.pdf

00710-kol-2007-claims.pdf

00710-kol-2007-description complete.pdf

00710-kol-2007-drawings.pdf

00710-kol-2007-form 1.pdf

00710-kol-2007-form 2.pdf

00710-kol-2007-form 3.pdf

00710-kol-2007-form 5.pdf

00710-kol-2007-form-9.pdf

710-KOL-2007-ABSTRACT 1.1.pdf

710-kol-2007-cancelled pages.pdf

710-KOL-2007-CLAIMS 1.1.pdf

710-KOL-2007-CORRESPONDENCE 1.1.pdf

710-KOL-2007-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

710-KOL-2007-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE) 1.1.pdf

710-KOL-2007-DRAWINGS 1.1.pdf

710-KOL-2007-FORM 1 1.1.pdf

710-KOL-2007-FORM 13.pdf

710-KOL-2007-FORM 2 1.1.pdf

710-KOL-2007-FORM 3 1.1.pdf

710-KOL-2007-PA.pdf

abstract-00710-kol-2007 fig 1.jpg

abstract-00710-kol-2007 fig 2.jpg


Patent Number 245269
Indian Patent Application Number 710/KOL/2007
PG Journal Number 02/2011
Publication Date 14-Jan-2011
Grant Date 11-Jan-2011
Date of Filing 07-May-2007
Name of Patentee PUSKAR KUMAR VERMA
Applicant Address 137-HARDER SAHAY GHAGABAD-201001 (U.P)
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 PUSKAR KUMAR VERMA 137-HARDER SAHAY GHAGABAD-201001 (U.P)
2 SHAILENDRA SINGH KATHAUT 36/A, AJABPUR KALA, NEAR MATA-MANDIR, DEHRADUN 248121, (UTTARAKHAND)
PCT International Classification Number E21B17/042; F16L57/00
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 NA