PIPE SECURING SYSTEM FOR HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES AND METHOD FOR STORING A PIPE ON A HEAVY DUTY VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a pipe securing system for heavy goods vehicles according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for storing a pipe on a heavy goods vehicle according to the preamble of claim 11.

[0002] Large-diameter pipes, particularly those made of longitudinally and circumferentially welded steel plates, are used, for example, in the foundation construction of offshore installations, especially wind turbines. For large-diameter pipes used in offshore applications, such as monopiles or tripods, diameters greater than 6 m and now even greater than 9 m are no longer uncommon. These large-diameter pipes have a high dead weight of several thousand tons and are very thin-walled relative to their diameter.

[0003] The transport vehicles for such large pipes must therefore have sufficient load-bearing capacity to carry the very large, long, and heavy pipes. The pipes are typically transported on land using modular heavy-duty vehicles, known as SPMTs (Self-Propelled Modular Transporters). When transporting large pipes, several of these modular heavy-duty vehicles are often positioned side by side and connected to each other. Load distribution is achieved, for example, by means of crossbeams on which the pipe is placed. Figure 1Figure 1 shows a modular heavy-duty vehicle 30 with several crossbeams 2. A crossbeam 2 is mounted on top of the modular heavy-duty vehicle 30, thus reducing the clearance between the crossbeam 2 and the pipe wall 41. The pipe, which is often also reduced in wall thickness, especially in the area of ​​support (i.e., in the middle section of the pipe), requires support to prevent plastic deformation or warping under its own weight. This presents challenges in positioning the necessary support structure under the pipe and on the crossbeams, particularly during transport from the manufacturing plant or when the pipe is placed on the support blocks.

[0004] A common method involves using centrally divided bearing blocks, which are positioned laterally under the pipe on the crossbeams using forklifts. This requires considerable space and sufficient accessibility to transport these bearing blocks by forklift. This space is often lacking, especially in manufacturing environments. Furthermore, accessibility is also limited, as the space in the pipe's shadow is restricted for positioning the bearing blocks on the crossbeams with forklifts.

[0005] US 2005 / 0286985 A1 describes a system for supporting a cylindrical object, such as a tank. The supports are designed as lateral bearing blocks, each having a curved section adjacent to the cylindrical object and a base section. Due to the independence of the supports and their adjustability relative to the base, they are suitable for use with tanks of various sizes. However, sufficient space must be available next to the cylindrical object to allow the supports to be positioned underneath it.

[0006] From EP 3 342 637 A1, a support system for transporting tower sections of a wind turbine is known. The support system comprises a retaining clamp with several arc-shaped slots spaced apart from one another. The slots are shaped to correspond to a flange provided on the pipe sections. Insert plates, shaped to correspond to the holes in the flange, are placed in the slots. The retaining clamps are fastened to the pipe with screws and nuts. A variety of clamps can be used to allow the pipes to be stacked during transport. The retaining clamps offer a high degree of safety but are complex to assemble and are only suitable for flanged pipes; they are not designed for short-term use, e.g., during transport on the manufacturing site.

[0007] US 2019 / 285057 A1 discloses a generic pipe securing system for heavy-duty vehicles.

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide a pipe securing system for heavy-duty vehicles and a method for securing a pipe with the pipe securing system, which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages and is particularly suitable for pipes with large diameters of at least 6 m, can be used in confined spaces and for short-term use such as transport or storage on the production site, and enables safe and damage-free storage of the pipe.

[0009] The problem is solved according to the invention by a pipe securing system for heavy goods vehicles according to claim 1 and a method for storing a pipe on a heavy goods vehicle according to claim 11.

[0010] Further embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims or are described below.

[0011] The pipe securing system according to the invention for heavy-duty vehicles comprises at least one support beam and at least one bearing device. The support beam is at least partially plate-shaped or cuboid and has an overall width adapted to the overall width of a modular heavy-duty vehicle. The support beam has a load-bearing capacity of at least 500 t. The support beam is preferably made of metal, particularly preferably of steel, and is equipped with a locking mechanism to prevent slippage. For transport, the support beam can be equipped with lifting devices, such as lifting eyes. The bearing device is arranged on the support beam during operation. The bearing device is a bearing shell. The bearing shell has a bottom and a top surface and two narrow transverse sides.The narrow transverse sides connect the underside and the top side, with the underside of the bearing shell forming a base and the top side having a channel-shaped recess to accommodate a horizontal pipe. The channel-shaped recess extends at least partially between the two longitudinal sides of the bearing shell, and its longitudinal axis runs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bearing shell. The bearing shell is made at least partially of wood. On each of its transverse sides, the bearing shell has at least one lateral load-bearing device, arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bearing shell and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of any pipe placed on it. In its resting state, the bearing shell is positioned next to the support beam. A load-bearing device is a component not belonging to the lifting device that enables the gripping of a load.The lateral load-bearing devices are preferably designed as metal profiles that are attached laterally to the storage device.

[0012] The pipe is, for example, a tower element, such as a monopile, for a wind turbine and is cylindrical or conical in shape, or has cylindrical and conical sections. The pipe support system is designed to accommodate pipes and pipe sections with a diameter of at least 6 m, preferably 8 to 10 m. It is also conceivable to accommodate pipes with larger diameters, e.g., 11.5 to 12 m.

[0013] The bearing shell has a surface on its upper side for receiving a pipe, this surface being curved to accommodate a pipe lying horizontally. The curvature of the surface forms a groove, the curvature being adapted to the curvature of the pipe resting on it. A groove corresponds to a cut-open pipe or a cylindrical segment, with the curved portion of the surface extending towards the bottom of the bearing shell and the cut surface lying in a plane with the upper surface of the bearing shell. The groove-shaped recess is preferably located in the center of the bearing shell so that the distance from the lowest point of the groove to both transverse sides is the same. The area of ​​the bearing shell containing the groove-shaped recess is continuous, i.e., the surface of the groove-shaped recess is formed from a single piece.

[0014] The curved surfaces ensure support for the pipe across a significant portion of its width. By using multiple bearing shells along the length of the pipe, arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal axis, a uniform force distribution is achieved across both the pipe's width and length. This uniform force distribution minimizes the risk of mechanical damage or denting during loading, unloading, or transport.

[0015] The bearing shell preferably has a continuous surface that is formed monolithically from a single piece. Preferably, the bearing shell consists of solid material, at least in the area below the channel-shaped recess. In a preferred embodiment, the bearing shell is made of wood, preferably laminated timber. The bearing shell can also be made of plastic, e.g., polyurethane plastic, or hybrid materials of wood and polyurethane plastic. The central web of the bearing shell is selected such that the bearing shell has sufficient stability when lifted externally with the lifting device, but does not occupy too much clearance under the pipe. In the area of ​​the curved surface, the bearing shell has a diameter that results in a permissible stress on the pipe, preventing permanent plastic deformation during transport.For pipes with different diameters, different bearing shells are preferably used, whose channel-shaped recesses have different diameters.

[0016] The bearing device preferably has the same height as the support beam or is higher than the support beam depending on the space under the pipe, i.e., depending on the height of the clearance between the pipe wall and the top of the support beam.

[0017] The pipe securing device is used on a modular heavy-duty vehicle, a so-called SPMT (Self-Propelled Modular Transporter). These modular heavy-duty vehicles are self-propelled, i.e., self-driving, multi-axle modular vehicles.

[0018] In one embodiment, the pipe securing system includes a lifting device. The lifting device has a receptacle for the load-bearing element, enabling the lifting device to raise the load-bearing element or allowing the load-bearing element to be connected to the lifting device. The receptacle can be, for example, a plate or a lifting sling. The lifting device is preferably electric, mechanical, or hydraulic, and particularly preferably an electric, mechanical, or hydraulic jack. The lifting device can be arranged on the transverse side of the loading device and on the transverse side of the support beam next to the support beam. When designed as a jack, the lifting device preferably has rollers.

[0019] The pipe support system has an unused state in which it is not in use and no pipe rests on it, and an operating state in which a pipe rests on the pipe support system and is secured by it. In the operating state, the bearing shell is preferably arranged centrally on the support beam and preferably has the same distance to both transverse sides and both longitudinal sides of the support beam. The bearing shell rests fully on the support beam, i.e., it is completely supported by the crossbeam without lateral overhangs to improve stability and force transmission.

[0020] In one embodiment, the support carrier has position markers on its upper side for the correct positioning of the bearing shell on the support carrier.

[0021] Steel pipes, preferably structural steel, with large diameters of at least 6 m, and often even 8–10 m, are quite heavy. Because the pipes have relatively thin walls compared to their large diameters and high mass, they possess low radial stiffness. This reduced wall thickness necessitates proper support to prevent the pipe from deforming plastically under its own weight. Improper support can lead to dents or bulges. Furthermore, when supporting the pipes on a modular heavy-duty vehicle, the permissible axle load per vehicle must not be exceeded. Our own calculations have shown that the bearing shells provide as many support points as possible to ensure that both the pipe's weight and the vehicle's permissible axle load are not exceeded. In addition, the bearing shells result in improved and more homogeneous load distribution within the heavy-duty vehicle structure.

[0022] The inventive method for storing a pipe on a modular heavy-duty vehicle comprises the following steps: a. Deploying at least one pipe support system on a modular heavy-duty vehicle, wherein the pipe support system comprises at least one support beam, at least one bearing shell per support beam, and at least two lifting devices per bearing shell; b. Positioning at least one bearing shell laterally next to each support beam on the heavy-duty vehicle; c. Driving the heavy-duty vehicle under a pipe with a pipe diameter of at least 6 m; d. Lifting the bearing shell using the lifting device; e. Moving the lifting devices and the bearing shell longitudinally along the pipe towards the support beam; f. Positioning the bearing shell above the support beam and lowering it onto the support beam; g. Repeating steps a. to g. for all support points; and h. Lowering the pipe onto the bearing shells or performing a lifting movement of the modular heavy-duty vehicle so that the pipe is completely within the bearing shells and evenly supported.

[0023] A load-bearing device, preferably made of metal profiles, is attached to the bearing shells, which are preferably made primarily of laminated timber. The lifting device is positioned at an outer edge of the heavy-load vehicle next to the bearing shell, relative to the load-bearing device. The bearing shells, which are positioned next to the support beams before transport, can be lifted for use with the lifting device and slid onto the crossbeams by laterally shifting the lifting device. The bearing shell is then lowered into the correct position, e.g., using position markers at the correct center point. After these steps have been completed for all bearing points, the pipe is lowered, or the heavy-load vehicle performs a lifting movement, so that the pipe is completely seated in the bearing shells and evenly supported.

[0024] The support beams are mounted on top of the heavy-duty vehicle, thus reducing the clearance between the crossbeam and the pipe wall. This presents challenges in positioning the necessary support structure under the pipe and on the crossbeams, particularly during transport from production and when the pipe has been placed on the support blocks. Despite the reduced clearance under the pipe and the limited accessibility in production, the pipe securing system and the inventive method enable a space-saving system that requires no external lifting equipment such as forklifts or cranes and can be used both indoors and outdoors.

[0025] The height of a support beam is typically at least 300 mm, resulting in limited clearance below the pipe. A bearing shell is placed laterally next to a support beam on the loading platform of a heavy-duty vehicle before the vehicle drives under the pipe. The bearing shell, preferably of a similar height to the support beam or higher depending on the space between the support beam and the pipe wall, is lifted using a lifting device, such as a jack. Using this device, the shell is then moved transversely along the length of the pipe on rollers and positioned onto the support beam. The rollers are preferably designed to allow for smooth, manual movement. This eliminates the need for heavy equipment such as forklifts or cranes.

[0026] The invention is further explained using the figures. They show: Fig. 1 a modular heavy-duty vehicle with pipe in a side view, Fig. 2 a sectional view of Fig. 1 Fig. 3 a perspective view of two pipe securing systems on the loading platform of a heavy goods vehicle, Fig. 4 a semi-oblique view of two pipe securing systems on the loading platform of a heavy goods vehicle, Fig. 5 a semi-oblique view of two pipe securing systems with a pipe in place, Fig. 6 a side view of two pipe securing systems with and without a lifting device with a pipe in place, Fig. 7 a rear view of a heavy goods vehicle with a pipe securing system and Fig. 8 a rear view of a heavy goods vehicle with a pipe securing system and a pipe in place.

[0027] Figure 1Figure 40 shows a pipe 40 for a wind turbine, also known as a monopile, made of several pipe sections 44 welded together. The pipe 40 rests on two rotating devices 42, each positioned near the pipe ends. A modular heavy-duty vehicle 30 is positioned beneath the central section of the pipe 40. Several support beams 2 are arranged on the loading platform 31. According to the prior art, after the pipe is lowered or the loading platform of the heavy-duty vehicle is raised, the pipe is placed onto the support beam and stored.

[0028] Figure 2 shows a sectional view of Figure 1along the section line AA. The pipe wall 41 rests on two rollers 43 of the rotating device 42. A support beam 2 is arranged on the loading platform of the modular heavy-duty vehicle 30. A clearance F can be seen between the pipe wall 41 and the top of the support beam 2. The heavy-duty vehicle 30 is multi-axle and has multiple tires 32.

[0029] Figure 3Figure 1 shows a section of a loading platform 31 of a modular heavy-duty vehicle 30. The heavy-duty vehicle is composed of several modules 30a. Two pipe securing systems 1 are positioned on the loading platform 31. The left pipe securing system 1 is in its empty state, and the right pipe securing system 1 is in its operating state. In its empty state, a bearing tray 3a is positioned next to a crossbeam 2a. The bearing tray 3a has a base 4 on its underside, which rests on the loading platform 31. On its upper side, the bearing tray has a recess 5 whose curvature corresponds to the curvature of the pipe wall in order to accommodate the pipe. A load-handling device 7 in the form of a metal profile is attached to each of the two transverse sides 6 of the bearing tray. A lifting device 8 is arranged below each load-handling device 7. In the center, the lifting device has a receptacle 9 for the load-handling device 7 in the form of a plate.The lifting device 8, here a jack, has rollers 10 at its four corners. The right-hand pipe securing system is shown in its operating state. A bearing shell 3b is arranged on the support beam 2b. The base 4 of the bearing shell 3b rests on the support beam 2b. The lateral load-bearing elements 7 each rest on the two lifting devices 8, which have been rolled alongside the support beam 2b.

[0030] Figure 4Figure 1 shows a semi-oblique view of two pipe securing systems on the loading platform 31 of a modular heavy-duty vehicle 30. The lifting devices are not shown for either pipe securing system. The left pipe securing system 1 is in its empty state, and the right pipe securing system 1 is in its operating state. In the empty state, a bearing shell 3 is positioned next to the crossbeam 2 of the right pipe securing system. The bearing shell 3 has a recess 5 on its upper surface. The higher side sections of the bearing shell 11 next to the recess are the same height as the support beam 2. A load-bearing device 7 in the form of a metal profile is attached to each of the two transverse sides 6 of the bearing shell, the upper surface of which also corresponds to the upper surface of the non-recessed side sections 11. The right pipe securing system is shown in its operating state. The bearing shell 3 rests on the support beam 2.The base 4 of the bearing shell 3 rests on the support beam 2.

[0031] Figure 5 shows the two pipe safety systems from Figure 4 The same perspective, but with a pipe. The right-hand pipe securing system, in its operating state, supports the pipe, which lies in the recess 5 of the bearing shell 3. In the left-hand pipe securing system, in its empty state, the free space F between the pipe wall and the support beam 2 is visible.

[0032] In Figures 6a and 6b A side view of two pipe safety systems in operating and empty states is shown. Figure 6aThe pipe securing systems are shown without a lifting device. In the left-hand pipe securing system, the bearing shell 3 is positioned next to the support beam 2 on the loading platform 31. The bearing shell has the same height as the support beam. In the right-hand pipe securing system in its operating state, the bearing shell 3 is on the support beam 2, and the pipe 40 rests within the bearing shell. Only a partial view of the pipe 40 is shown here. Figure 6b Pipe 40 is only partially shown. Additionally, in Figure 6b The lifting devices 8 are shown. In the left pipe securing system, the lifting device 8 is folded up next to the bearing shell 3. In the right pipe securing system, the lifting device 8 is positioned next to the crossbeam 2 and the load-bearing element 7 of the bearing shell is still resting on the lifting device 8.

[0033] Figure 7Figure 1 shows a pipe securing system in a rear view without a pipe in place. The bearing shell 3 rests on the support beam 2, which in turn rests on the loading platform 31 of the heavy-duty vehicle. The bearing shell 3 has a recess 5 in its central area, while the two side areas 11 are raised. The load-bearing devices 7 are attached to the transverse sides. Figure 8 shows the same view as Figure 7 , in which a section of a tube 40 is also shown, which lies in the bearing shell 3. Due to the curvature of the bearing shell in the area of ​​the recess, the tube is secured against both rolling away and mechanical damage.

[0034] Both from Figure 5 as well as from the Figure 6 and 7It is evident that the clearance between the support beam and the pipe is very small, making it difficult to place a securing device for the pipe underneath or in the pipe's shadow. This problem is solved by the bearing shell, which can be moved within the confined space using the lifting device and slid onto the support beam under the pipe.

[0035] The invention is not limited to one of the embodiments described above, but can be modified in many ways. Reference symbol list

[0036] 1 Pipe securing system 2 Support beam 3 Bearing device 4 Base surface 5 Recess 6 Transverse side 7 Side load-bearing device 8 Lifting device 9 Mounting for the load-bearing device 10 Roller 11 Side area of ​​bearing shell 30 Modular heavy-duty vehicle 31 Loading platform 32 Tire 40 Pipe 41 Pipe wall 42 Rotating device 43 Roller of rotating device 44 Pipe sections F Clearance

Claims

1. Pipe securing system (1) for heavy-duty vehicles, comprising - at least one support member (2), wherein the support member (2) is at least partially platelike or cuboid, - at least one bearing device (3) which is arranged on the support member (2) in the bearing state, wherein the support member (2) has a carrying load of at least 500 t, characterized in that - the bearing device (3) is a bearing shell, - the bearing shell (3) has a bottom side and a top side and two narrow transverse sides (6) which connect the bottom side and the top side, wherein the bottom side of the bearing shell (3) forms a standing surface (4) and the top side of the bearing shell (3) has a trough-like recess (5) in order to receive a horizontal pipe (40), - the bearing shell (3) at least partially consists of timber, and - the bearing device (3) comprises, on both transverse sides (6), at least one respective lateral load receiving means (7) which is arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bearing shell (3) and transverse to the longitudinal axis of a placed-on pipe (40).

2. Pipe securing system (1) according to Patent Claim 1, characterized in that the pipe securing system (1) comprises a lifting device (8) and the lifting device (8) comprises a receptacle (9) for the load receiving means (7), such that the lifting device can raise the load receiving means or the load receiving means (7) is connectable to the lifting device (8).

3. Pipe securing system (1) according to Patent Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bearing shell (3) has a continuous surface and preferably consists of solid material at least in the region below the trough-like recess (5).

4. Pipe securing system (1) according to Patent Claim 3, characterized in that the bearing shell (3) consists of timber, preferably of glued laminated timber.

5. Pipe securing system (1) according to one of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that the bearing device (3) has the same height as or is higher than the support member (2).

6. Pipe securing system (1) according to one of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that the lateral load receiving means (7) are embodied as metal profiles which are laterally fastened to the bearing device (3).

7. Pipe securing system (1) according to one of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that the lifting device (8) is electrical, mechanical or hydraulic, preferably an electrical, mechanical or hydraulic jack.

8. Pipe securing system (1) according to one of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that the lifting device (8) is arranged at the transverse side (6) of the bearing shell next to the bearing shell (3) and preferably comprises rollers (10).

9. Pipe securing system (1) according to one of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that the bearing shell (3) is arranged centrally on the support member (2) in the operating state and is preferably at the same distance from both transverse sides (6) of the support member and the two longitudinal sides of the support member and rests or stands on the support member (2) in a full-area manner.

10. Pipe securing system (1) according to one of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that the support member (2) has, on its top side, position markers for the correct position of the bearing shell (3) on the support member (2).

11. Method for supporting a pipe (40) on a modular heavy-duty vehicle (30), comprising the steps: a. providing at least one pipe securing system (1) according to one of Patent Claims 1 to 10 on a modular heavy-duty vehicle (30) below a pipe (40) having a pipe diameter of at least 6 m, wherein the pipe securing system (1) comprises at least one support member (2), at least one bearing shell (3) per support member, and at least two lifting devices (8) per bearing shell (3), b. positioning in each case at least one bearing shell (3) laterally next to a support member (2) on the heavy-duty vehicle (30), c. driving the heavy-duty vehicle (30) under a pipe (40) having a pipe diameter of at least 6 m, d. raising the bearing shell (3) by means of the lifting device (8), e. displacing the lifting devices (8) and the bearing shell (3) in a pipe longitudinal direction towards the support member (2), f. positioning the bearing shell (3) above the support member (2) and unloading it onto the support member (2), g. repeating steps a. to g. for all bearing points, and h. unloading the pipe (40) onto the bearing shells (3) or carrying out a lifting movement of the modular heavy-duty vehicle (30), such that the pipe (40) lies completely in the bearing shells (3) and is uniformly supported.