Undulating Pipe Manufacture

Abstract

A method for creating lengthwise extending lengths of pipe having an undulating or helical configuration symmetrically formed about a centerline of the pipe includes the steps of heating a sheet of material, feeding the sheet progressively to a succession of stamping stations at which an undulating shape is progressively imparted to the material until at the final station the desired final configuration is achieved in a lengthwise extending half section of the finished pipe, and securing one half section of pipe to another half section of pipe along lengthwise extending edges thereof to form the finished pipe. The undulating pipe of helical configuration finds particular use in the formation of pipelines intended to convey slurries of material such as bituminous material mined from oilsands. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.

Description

[0001]This application claims convention priority on Canadian Patent Application No. 2,554,338 filed on Jul. 27, 2006.[0002]The present invention relates in general to the manufacture of elongated lengths of pipe and in particular to the manufacture of undulating pipe used for the transport of solids in a liquid, such as a slurry.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Elongated lengths of pipe, connected together to form a pipeline, are used for the transportation of liquids or fluids, such as oil or natural gas from a well to a processing plant and from the processing plant to distribution centers for distribution to consumers. Oil can be extracted from the earth as a liquid, as from a well drilled into the earth. Oil can also be extracted from the earth in processes other than from wells, as for example from the oilsands of northern Alberta. A multitude of different processes have been proposed for extraction of the valuable oil deposits from the oilsands and, once extracted, for the tr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]If there is any foreseeable need to separate the upper and lower sections at a later point in time, whether for inspection, repair or replacement, then welding would not be the preferred connection method. Use could then be made of the laterally outwardly extending flanges along the seam line of the upper and lower sections, with bolts being used to secure those flanges together, and with a suitable gasket material positioned between the flanges to prevent leakage from the seam. Other connection means available to anyone skilled in the art could be utilized to achieve a separable joint between the upper and lower sections.

Problems solved by technology

It is very difficult to form such a pipe from a length of existing straight pipe.

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