Pipe transportation system and method for delivering a pipe

Abstract

To provide a transport system that can transport a pipe of any length and with the required quality to the location of the use of the pipe.SOLUTION: Provided is a pipe transport system, including: a transport platform (3); a receptacle (14) for the pipe (18) which is configured to allow the pipe to be received coiled on the receptacle; a drive (20) which is configured to allow the pipe to be conveyed by the drive in a transport direction; and a straightening device (24) which is configured to allow the pipe to be straightened with the straightening device, wherein the receptacle, the drive, and the straightening device are arranged on the transport platform in such a manner that the pipe may be drawn automatically from the receptacle and fed to the straightening device by the drive.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a pipe transportation system and a method for transporting pipes.

[0002] Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a method for delivering pipes.

Background Art

[0003] It is difficult to subject a plurality of pipes, particularly cold-formed pipes made of stainless steel, to further processing without changing the material properties of the pipes after their original manufacture. Here, as an example, a high-pressure pipe made of stainless steel for guiding liquid hydrogen, such as is required to connect a storage tank to a fuel dispenser at a hydrogen filling station, is considered. This type of pipe is delivered to each construction site as pipe sections, where they are connected to each other using pipe screw connections (joints). At that time, the pipes are delivered at the maximum length such that they can be transported by truck in an extended state. Thus, the typical maximum length of the individual pipe sections to be delivered is about 12 m. However, at construction sites, it is often the case that significantly longer pipes are laid. Since welding a work-hardened pipe causes a material change in the area of the weld, only screwing the pipes together is considered worthwhile. However, after the completion of the construction site, the screw connections are often underground, and it is costly or impossible to maintain each screw connection.

[0004] Based on one aspect of the present disclosure, it is necessary to create a transportation system that enables pipes of any length with the required quality to be transported to the location where the pipes are to be used.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] Accordingly, there is proposed a transport system for pipes, comprising a transport platform, a storage unit for pipes, which is configured such that pipes can be stored in a coiled state in the storage unit, a drive unit, which is configured such that the drive unit can transport the pipes in a transport direction, and a correction device, which is configured such that the pipes can be corrected by the correction device, wherein the storage unit, the drive unit, and the correction device are arranged on the transport platform such that the drive unit can automatically pull the pipes out of the storage unit and supply them to the correction device.

[0006] The concept underlying this transport system is to provide a transport system for coiled pipes of substantially any length, which is only limited by the volume of the coil. However, coiled pipes typically do not meet the customer's requirements, at least from the perspective of their linearity. Thus, the transport system enables the automatic final processing of the pipes at the site where they are used, i.e., at the customer's site. This makes it possible for the pipe manufacturer to provide the transport system for the pipes. In this case, the pipe manufacturer, for example, takes responsibility for the final processing at the customer's site, and the customer only has to take out the finished pipe sections of the desired length and quality from the transport platform. In one embodiment, the final processing is carried out completely automatically.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the transport system further comprises a cutting device, which is configured and arranged such that the pipes can be cut by the cutting device, whereby pipe sections can be manufactured in selectable lengths, and the storage unit, the drive unit, the correction device, and the cutting device are arranged on the transport platform such that the drive unit can automatically pull the pipes out of the storage unit and supply them to the correction device and the cutting device.

[0008] The transport platform is a support with sufficient stability for accommodating further elements of the transport system, and such stability is provided even, for example, during transport from one location to another by a truck.

[0009] Importantly, in one embodiment, the transport platform is itself liftable and / or transportable, or is connected to a device that is itself liftable or transportable, such as the bottom of a roll-off container or a transport container. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the transport platform is transportable, for example, by a floor conveyor or a container handling device, and is accommodatable in a means of transportation such as a truck or a railway vehicle. In one embodiment, the transport platform, or a device connected to the transport platform, has a device necessary for lift movement or transportation. In one embodiment, the transport platform, or a device connected to the transport platform, has a lifting eye for fixing a lifting device and / or a recess for accommodating the forks of a floor conveyor.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the transport system further has four side walls and a roof. Here, in one embodiment, the four side walls and the roof are joined to the transport platform to together form a transport container, and the transport platform forms the bottom of the transport container. In yet another further embodiment, the transport container is formed by four side walls, a roof, and an additional bottom, where the transport platform is accommodated on the bottom inside the transport container and is preferably joined to the bottom. The above side walls and roof enable the protection and transportation of the pipes from environmental influences. Similarly, the side walls and the roof also protect the remaining devices of the transport platform.

[0011] These solutions also make it possible to completely protect the coiled pipe and the devices inside the transport container from customer intervention. In one scenario, the pipe manufacturer delivers the coiled pipe in a sealed transport container of the transport system according to the present disclosure, and the customer automatically removes the coiled pipe from the transport container and, in one embodiment, automatically removes each required length of pipe section.

[0012] In one embodiment, one of the side walls or the roof is provided with a closable loading opening for inserting the coiled pipe into the transport system.

[0013] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, one of the side walls or the roof is provided with a closable outlet, whereby a pipe or pipe section can be removed from the transport system through the outlet, and the storage unit, the drive unit, the correction device, and optionally the cutting device are arranged such that the pipe or pipe section can be discharged through the outlet. Needless to say, the outlet is arranged behind the last device on the transport platform in the conveying direction of the pipe.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the transport system includes a roll-off container for accommodating on a truck, the transport platform is the bottom of the roll-off container, or the transport platform is accommodated on the bottom of the roll-off container. Such roll-off containers are known, for example, as components of the coupling systems of rescue agencies such as fire trucks and technical support teams, are easily transported by the corresponding trucks, and are basically installed accurately. In one embodiment, the roll-off container has holes for gripping the roll-off container and, optionally, at least one roller below the bottom of the roll-off container.

[0015] In an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the transport system has a transport container, for example a 40-foot container, in particular a 40-foot ISO container, where the transport platform is the bottom of the transport container or the transport platform is accommodated on the bottom of the transport container. It should be understood that in one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to further provide a roll-off pedestal (Abrolluntersatz) below the bottom of the transport container. The roll-off pedestal enables a conventional transport container to be transported, installed or accommodated as a roll-off container by a correspondingly equipped truck. Further, in one embodiment, the roll-off pedestal has holes for gripping the roll-off container and, optionally, at least one roller below the bottom of the roll-off container.

[0016] A coiled pipe or a coil-shaped pipe means, in the sense of this application, a wound pipe, i.e., a substantially arc-shaped pipe bent by one or more windings.

[0017] In one embodiment, the storage for such a coiled pipe can be configured such that, for example, a wooden drum can be accommodated on the storage, where the pipe itself is wound around the drum. Pipes of substantially any length can be wound around the drum.

[0018] Regarding a cold-formed stainless steel pipe, the length of the pipe is initially limited by the length and mass of the ruppe (raw material for cold-forming processes such as cold Pilger rolling or cold drawing), which is the basis for manufacturing. However, in the transport system according to the present disclosure, in one embodiment, it is possible to provide lengths that can no longer be manufactured as single members by cold-forming.

[0019] Thus, in one embodiment, before being wound onto a drum, a plurality of pipes manufactured by cold forming are connected to each other to form a single long pipe. This has the advantage that the pipe material can be supplied continuously without interruption to the devices on the transport platform, in particular the drive unit, the straightening device, and optionally the cutting device, without the need for user intervention.

[0020] Thus, the transport system has, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, a coiled pipe, where the coiled pipe is accommodated in a storage unit. In one embodiment, the pipe consists of a plurality of cold-formed stainless steel pipe sections, the end faces of which are joined to each other. In this way, a coiled pipe with a length of up to 17,000 m is delivered, and this coiled pipe is then cut at the site into pipe sections of the required length. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the drum on which the pipe is wound is part of the transport system.

[0021] In this case, connecting the end faces of the plurality of pipes to form one long pipe and then winding it into a coil can be done in various ways. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the individual pipes are joined to each other by orbital welding. By welding the individual cold-formed pipe sections, the properties of the pipe in the region of the weld change, but this weld is removed when the pipe section is taken out of the transport system and can be reused as a cut end. Alternatively, the ends of two pipes joined to each other can be crimped together.

[0022] In one embodiment according to the present disclosure, the transport system includes a weld seam detection device that is sometimes arranged in front of the cutting device in the flow direction of the material. In this case, the weld seam detection device is configured and arranged to detect the weld seam between two pipe parts welded to each other. Such detection of the weld seam can be performed, for example, using a camera and appropriate image evaluation software, or using an eddy current sensor. In one embodiment, a control unit is connected to the weld seam detection device and is configured to control the cutting device so that the cutting device cuts out the weld seam from the pipe.

[0023] In an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing for the pipe includes a reel capable of accommodating a pipe loosely wound without a core or drum. Such a pipe wound in a coil without a core or drum is also referred to as a "Loose Coil". Such a loose coil can be newly arranged on the reel many times, for example, by a customer when the material is used up.

[0024] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing for the pipe, in addition to the reel for arranging the loose coil, includes an adjustment device that enables the pipe to be pulled out from the reel at the height of the entrance to the remaining devices of the transport system. In addition to such a height adjustment part, the housing may also have a turning device that enables the winding axis of the reel to be turned. Here, in a preferred embodiment, the winding axis is substantially horizontal for the user to arrange the coiled pipe and substantially vertical for pulling out the coiled pipe.

[0025] The transportation system according to the present disclosure is basically suitable for all forms of pipes. In one embodiment, the pipe is a metal pipe, preferably a steel pipe, particularly a stainless steel pipe. In one embodiment, the pipe has or is composed of cold-formed, i.e., work-hardened, stainless steel. In yet another further embodiment, the pipe is a work-hardened pipe that has not been heat-treated after cold forming. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the pipe is a stainless steel pipe for high pressure, and the wall thickness of the pipe is at least twice the inner diameter of the pipe. Needless to say, in one embodiment of the present invention, the pipe is part of the transportation system.

[0026] The drive unit in the sense of the present disclosure may be a drive unit that provides the necessary forward movement of the pipe incorporated into one of the other elements, particularly the receiving unit, the correction device, or the cutting device, or may be a separate driver provided to provide the forward movement.

[0027] Here, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the correction device, particularly the correction set, can be designed to be actively driven to provide the forward movement necessary for supplying individual devices and, further, to pull the pipe out of the receiving unit.

[0028] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the drive unit is part of the receiving unit, in which case the drive unit removes the pipe from the receiving unit and supplies it to yet another separate device.

[0029] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the driver is a roller conveyor. Here, the pipe being conveyed is guided between at least two rollers, and at this time the rollers are automatically driven and frictionally engaged with the pipe, whereby the rotation of the rollers causes the pipe to move forward.

[0030] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the correction device includes a correction set including at least two profile rollers or an inclined roll type corrector.

[0031] The straightening device serves to return the coiled pipe back to a straight, extended shape with the required linearity.

[0032] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the cutting device comprises a saw or a cutting head that enables the cutting of the pipe. In this way, the customer can remove pipe sections of almost any length from the transport system.

[0033] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the cutting device has a cooling section for cooling the cut surface of the pipe with CO 2 This kind of cooling section is for advantageously providing a high-quality cut surface.

[0034] Needless to say, the transport system may have any further additional devices for processing or treating the pipe, in addition to the necessary devices, namely the drive section, the straightening device, and optionally the cutting device.

[0035] Thus, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the transport system has a marking device, such as a printer, disposed on the transport platform for marking the pipe section. In this way, it is possible to uniquely mark the pipe section taken out from the transport system. The assumed information that can be attached to the pipe section is, for example, the material and length of the pipe.

[0036] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the transport system has a bending device disposed on the transport platform for bending the pipe section in a predetermined manner. The bending device enables the straightened and short-cut pipe section to be shaped into the required shape for further processing. This type of bending device is advantageous, for example, when the pipe section taken out from the transport system is used in aircraft manufacturing, in which case the pipe section needs to have a bent shape with a predetermined radius of curvature before being incorporated.

[0037] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the transport system has a plug shooting device (Stopfenschussanlage) arranged on the transport platform, and this plug shooting device is configured and arranged such that the inner wall of the pipe part cut short can be cleaned by a plug fired through the pipe part by the plug shooting device. In this way, it is possible to remove the residue of pipe cutting from the inner wall of the pipe part.

[0038] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the transport system has a degreasing device arranged on the transport platform for degreasing the pipe. In this way, it is possible to remove oil residues typically resulting from the preceding manufacturing process of the pipe.

[0039] In yet another further embodiment, the transport system comprises a polishing device, and this polishing device is configured and arranged such that a part of the pipe, in particular the end face or the cylindrical outer surface, can be polished by the polishing device.

[0040] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the transport system comprises a device for deburring the end of the pipe cut by a cutting device.

[0041] In yet another further embodiment, the transport system has an assembly device, and this assembly device is configured and arranged such that at least one end of the pipe part can be completed by the assembly device so that the pipe part can be connected to other pipe parts. For example, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the transport system has an assembly device, and this assembly device is configured and arranged such that a cut-ring joint can be attached to at least one end of the pipe part by the assembly device.

[0042] The transport system according to the present disclosure has the advantage for the customer of the pipe that the customer can take out a corrected pipe part of a predetermined length from the transport system. Here, the customer does not need to worry about the transportation or the final manufacturing processes such as correction and cutting in one embodiment.

[0043] For pipe manufacturers, the transportation system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure has the advantage that the manufacturer can incorporate final manufacturing processes such as straightening and cutting into the customer's manufacturing process.

[0044] In one embodiment of the transportation system, the transportation system has an electronic control unit operably connected to a storage unit and / or a drive unit and / or a cutting device. The control unit is configured to receive data from the storage unit and / or the drive unit and / or the cutting device and / or output control commands to the storage unit and / or the drive unit and / or the cutting device during operation of the transportation system. Needless to say, the electronic control unit has a processor, particularly a computing device, in one embodiment.

[0045] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit has a communication interface connectable to a data network. This communication interface is configured such that data can be transmitted from the transportation system to the server and / or from the server to the transportation system through the communication interface. It should be understood that in one embodiment, the data network is the Internet.

[0046] With the transportation system according to the present disclosure, pipe manufacturers are, in some cases, directly connected to their customers' manufacturing processes. Using the control unit, data is collected from the individual devices of the transportation system and also from the pipes housed within the transportation system and supplied to the pipe manufacturer's manufacturing process and the customer's manufacturing process via the communication interface.

[0047] In one embodiment, the control unit detects how much length of the coiled pipe housed in the storage unit has been removed from the transportation system by the customer. As soon as it is determined that the pipe housed on the storage unit has been used up, the control unit triggers a reorder via the interface.

[0048] Furthermore, by using the control unit and the communication interface, it is possible to calculate the amount of pipe taken out by the customer from the transportation system and trigger the settlement.

[0049] On the other hand, the customer can transmit to the control unit, via the communication interface, for example, the length of the next pipe section to be provided, and thereby the transportation system prepares and discharges a pipe section of the desired length. Furthermore, it is possible to directly transmit to the customer, via the control unit and the communication interface, a certificate or authorization regarding the quality and grade of the pipe section taken out from the transportation system, whereby the customer can automatically create its own document regarding the used pipe section.

[0050] Thereby, the transportation system according to the present disclosure enables a direct interconnection between the manufacturing by the pipe manufacturer and the further processing of the pipe by the customer.

[0051] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, it should be understood that the communication interface is a network interface for connecting to a LAN or a wireless LAN. In particular, the communication interface is, in one embodiment, a mobile wireless interface based on, for example, the LTE standard.

[0052] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit has an electronic reader for non-contact reading of a data carrier.

[0053] In the meaning of the present application, the concept of "data carrier" is widely understood. Examples of such non-contact readable data carriers are RFID tags or also barcodes. In one embodiment, such an electronic reader enables automatic detection of the pipe material accommodated on the accommodating part.

[0054] For this purpose, in one embodiment, the transport system has a drum for a coiled pipe, in particular a drum on which the pipe is coiled, where the drum is accommodated on a storage unit and the drum is provided with a non-contact-readable data carrier that is readable by a reading device of the control unit. After a transport system equipped with a drum, preferably a transport system having a drum on which the pipe is coiled, is sent, the control unit automatically has information available regarding what types of pipes the transport system can offer to the customer.

[0055] In yet another further embodiment of the present disclosure, the transport system has a coiled pipe, where the pipe is accommodated in a storage unit and the pipe is provided with a non-contact-readable data carrier that is readable by a reading device. In such an embodiment, the determination of the types of pipes that can be offered to the customer accommodated within the transport system is possible directly, not indirectly or not limited to indirectly, via a drum for the coiled pipe, but rather via attaching an imprint to the pipe itself. It should be understood that the non-contact-readable data carrier can be incorporated into the pipe, for example. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the non-contact-readable data carrier is attached on an external jacket of the pipe. When the attachment of the non-contact-readable data carrier is performed at the end portion of the pipe, this end portion is cut at the start, whereby the data carrier does not interfere with further processing.

[0056] A method for delivering a pipe, comprising the step of coiling the pipe, the step of accommodating the pipe in a storage unit arranged on a transport platform, the step of transporting the transport platform from a first location to a second location, and the step of conveying the pipe in a transport direction by a drive unit arranged on the transport platform, whereby the pipe is automatically pulled out from the storage unit and supplied to a straightening device, the step of conveying the pipe in the transport direction is proposed.

[0057] In one embodiment, the step of conveying the pipe further includes the step of supplying it to a cutting device, and the method further has the step of cutting the pipe in a cutting device arranged on a transport platform such that a pipe portion of a selected length is manufactured.

[0058] As long as the aspects of the present disclosure described above and below relate to a transport system, they apply to the corresponding method for delivering a pipe, and vice versa. As long as the method is implemented using the transport system according to the present disclosure, the method has a corresponding device therefor. In particular, embodiments of the transport system are suitable for implementing the method.

[0059] Note that the processing steps listed above do not necessarily have to be executed in the order shown. Thus, it is conceivable that the transport platform is transported first, and then the coiled pipe is accommodated on the accommodating portion. However, it is equally possible to first accommodate the coiled pipe on the accommodating portion and then transport the transport platform together with the pipe.

[0060] Furthermore, in one embodiment, when a particularly short pipe portion is manufactured, the straightening step and the cutting step can be exchanged.

[0061] In one embodiment, the conveying step, the straightening step, and optionally the cutting step are controlled by a common control unit, the control unit collects data serving as a measure of the length of the pipe drawn out from the accommodating portion, and the control unit transmits this data to a server via a communication interface and a data network.

[0062] Further advantages, features, and usability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments and the corresponding drawings. The above-sketched description and the following detailed description of the embodiments can be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodiments shown are not limited to exact arrangements and means.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0063]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0064] In the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0065] All of the transportation systems 1, 1', 1'' in FIGS. 1 to 4 are based on a 40-foot ISO marine container 2, as shown partially in perspective in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0066] Each container 2 has a transport platform in the form of the bottom 3 of the container 2, four side walls 4, 5, 6, 7, and a roof 8. A door 37 for closing the loading opening 9 is provided on one of the longitudinal walls 4. Further, the end wall 5 is configured in the form of a two-leaf door, as is common in marine containers. The end wall 5 is further provided with an outlet 10 through which the pipe portion 11 can be taken out of the container 2. Needless to say, the outlet 10 can be closed by a cover in order to completely protect the interior of the container 2 from environmental influences during transportation.

[0067] In the illustrated embodiment, since the container is further housed in a roll-off adapter, the container can be transported and precisely installed using a truck 12 equipped for this purpose, for example as shown in FIG. 3. Such a roll-off adapter has the same receiving hooks 13 and rollers (not shown) as those known for roll-off containers.

[0068] In addition to the container 2, the transport systems 1, 1', 1'' each have a device inside the container 2. The base for the transport or delivery of the pipe 18 is a receiving part 14 or 14' for a coiled pipe. The variants in FIGS. 1 and 2 differ in the configuration of the receiving parts 14, 14' for the coiled pipe.

[0069] In the transport system 1 of FIG. 1, the receiving part 14 is a reel 15 for arranging a so-called loose coil, i.e., a coiled pipe wound without a core. The reel 15 is a component of the receiving part 14 and is not typically replaced even during the reload of the pipe material. The receiving part 14 further includes a swivel device 16 that enables calibration of both the height of the reel 15 and the orientation of the rotation axis 17. The height of the reel 15 is adjusted to the height of the inlet for the pipe 18 to other devices of the transport system 1. In order to place the loose coil on the reel 15, the rotation axis 17 is swiveling so that the rotation axis 17 is oriented substantially horizontally (not shown) so that the user can easily hang the loose coil on the reel. After this, the reel is swiveled so that its rotation axis 17 becomes substantially vertical (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4).

[0070] The receiving part 14' for the coiled pipe in the variant of FIG. 2 has a two-part receiving bobbin 27 for a drum 19 around which the pipe 18 is coiled. In such a variant including such a drum 19, almost any pipe length can be provided to the customer by the transport system 1'. The length of the pipe is ultimately limited only by the volume of the drum 19.

[0071] The illustrated variants of the transport systems 1, 1' are each a transport system for pipes made of stainless steel produced by cold forming. The long pipe lengths on the drums 19 are formed by orbital welding of the end faces of a plurality of pipes. However, due to the welding, the material properties of the work-hardened pipe change unfavorably around the weld. Therefore, this part needs to be cut off from the pipe 18 before the pipe part is discharged for the customer and becomes a cut-off end for reuse.

[0072] The pipe 18 is introduced into the driver 20 as a drive unit in the sense of the present disclosure in both variants of FIGS. 1 and 2. In particular, when the pipe length is long as provided on the drum 19 in FIG. 2, the pipe end of the pipe 18 is already introduced into the driver 20 when the transport systems 1, 1' are delivered to the customer. The finishing of the pipe part 11 can be started immediately. In the illustrated variant, the driver 20 is a roller driver driven by a motor and having two rollers 21, 22 that frictionally engage the pipe 18, whereby the pipe 18 is propelled towards the outlet 10 during operation.

[0073] Behind the driver 20 in the forward direction, a correcting device is provided in the form of correcting sets 23, 24 including a plurality of profile rollers. Here, the correcting set has two sets of rollers 23, 24, and the rotation axis of the first set of rollers 23 is orthogonal to the rotation axis of the second set of rollers 24. The correcting device 24 serves to impart the necessary straightness to the pipe 18 whose surface is curved by coiled winding.

[0074] Behind the correcting devices 23, 24 in the transport direction, there is a cutting device in the form of a punching head (Abstechkopf) driven by a motor and rotating around the pipe 18 to cut it. After punching with the cutting device 25, it is possible to remove a pipe part 11 of a desired length with the desired straightness from the transport systems 1, 1'.

[0075] Figure 4 shows yet another alternative embodiment of the device inside the container 2, with the container 2 not shown in Figure 4 for simplicity. Similar to the embodiment of Figure 1, the transport system of Figure 4 also has a housing for a coiled pipe in the form of a loose coil. In addition to the driver 20, the straightening sets 23, 24, and the cutting-off device 25, the alternative embodiment of the device of the transport system 1'' in Figure 4 has a bending device 26, which bends the individual pipe sections after cutting with the cutting device 25 so that the pipe sections can be further processed immediately thereafter, i.e., for example, inserted into industrial machinery.

[0076] Here, the operation of the transport system 1 will be briefly described using the alternative embodiment of the transport system 1 in Figure 2. In the production of a pipe manufacturer, the container 2 is loaded with a pipe 18 wound in a coil on a drum 19. Next, the sealed container 2 is transported to the customer of the pipe 18. The truck 12 in Figure 3 can be used for transportation, but the container 2 can also be loaded onto a railway or a ship. The container 2 is unloaded at the customer's production site, which can be a manufacturing plant or a construction site, and the final delivery process can start immediately. At that time, the driver 21 pulls out from the drum 19 only as much of the pipe 18 as is necessary for the pipe section 11 to be taken out from time to time. The customer receives the pipe section 11 having the length and quality according to their specifications.

[0077] Figure 5 shows in a schematic diagram how the transport system 1' bridges the gap between the production of a pipe manufacturer and further processing by the customer. For this purpose, the transport system 1' has a control unit 34 including a computing device 28. The computing device 28 (not shown in Figures 1 - 3) is connected via corresponding data lines 29 to the individual devices of the container 2, namely the housing 14', the driver 21, and the cutting head 25. Here, the computing device 28 performs the control of all further delivery processes until the pipe section 11 can be taken out of the container 2 through the outlet 10 after being cut.

[0078] Furthermore, the computing device 28 also acquires information regarding the operating states of the individual devices 21, 24, and 25 via the data line 29. From the above information regarding the operating states, the computing device 28 can derive how many meters of the pipe 18 have already been drawn out from the drum 19 and taken out of the container 2 in a cut form. In addition to the computing device 28, the control unit also has a mobile wireless interface 30 connected to the computing device 28, so the computing device 28 can communicate with the server 32 of the pipe manufacturer via the Internet 31. The server 32 itself is connected to the customer's computing device 33 via the Internet. In this way, the server 32 of the pipe manufacturer can automatically create an invoice for the length of the pipe 18 taken out of the container 2. Furthermore, it is possible to automatically transmit a certificate for each individual pipe section 11 to the customer. If the computing device 28 confirms that the entire length of the pipe 18 accommodated on the drum 19 will be drawn out within a specific time, the computing device 28 triggers a reorder of the same type of pipe 18 via the communication interface 30, the Internet 31, and the server 32 of the pipe manufacturer. Subsequently, the reordered pipe is delivered to the customer within the time limit in a new container 2. The delivery truck 12 can then exchange the empty container for a full container at the customer's place.

[0079] Furthermore, the computing device 28 of the control unit 34 is connected to an electronic reading device in the form of a non-contact RFID reader 35. The RFID reader 35 serves to read the RFID tag 36 arranged on the drum 19. In this way, the transport system 1' can automatically detect the type of the pipe 18 prepared on the drum 19. The corresponding information is stored in the RFID tag 36.

[0080] For the purposes of the present disclosure, all features, even if they are only specifically described in relation to certain other features, are, as will be apparent to a person skilled in the art from the description of the present specification, the drawings and the claims, individually and in any combination with others, not explicitly excluded or not made impossible or ineffective by technical conditions, combinable with other features or groups of features disclosed herein. An exhaustive and explicit presentation of all possible combinations of features is not made here for reasons of brevity and readability of the description.

[0081] Although the present disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, the above illustrations and descriptions are merely exemplary and are not considered to limit the scope of protection defined by the claims. The present disclosure is not limited to the illustrated embodiments.

[0082] Modifications of the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to a person skilled in the art from the drawings, the description of the present specification and the appended claims. In the claims, the term "aufweisen" does not exclude other components or steps, and the indefinite article "eine" or "ein" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain features are claimed in different claims does not exclude their combination. The reference signs in the claims are not intended to limit the scope of protection.

Explanation of reference signs

[0083] 1, 1', 1'' Transport system 2 Container 3 Bottom of container 2 4, 5, 6, 7 Side walls of container 2 8 Roof 9 Loading port 10 Unloading port 11 Pipe section 12 Truck 13 Hook 14, 14' Accommodation for coiled pipes 15 Reel 16 Swivel device 17 Rotation axis 18 Pipe 19 Drum 20 Driver 21, 22 Rollers of driver 20 23 Correction set of the first part 24 Correction set of the second part 25 Cutting device 26 Bending device 27 Storage bobbin 28 Computing device 29 Data line 30 Mobile wireless interface 31 Internet 32 Server of the pipe manufacturer 33 Customer's computing device 34 Control unit 35 RFID reader 36 RFID tag 37 Door

Claims

1. A transport system (1, 1', 1'') for a pipe (18), comprising: a transport platform (3); a receiving portion (14, 14') for the pipe (18), configured such that the pipe (18) can be received in a coiled state in the receiving portion (14, 14'); a driving portion (20), configured such that the pipe (18) can be transported in a transfer direction by the driving portion (20); a straightening device (24), configured such that the pipe (18) can be straightened by the straightening device (24); wherein the receiving portion (14, 14'), the driving portion (20), and the straightening device (24) are arranged on the transport platform (3) such that the pipe (18) can be automatically pulled out from the receiving portion (14, 14') by the driving portion (20) and supplied to the straightening device (24); the transport system (1, 1', 1'') is configured such that the straightened pipe (18) can be sent out of the transport system (1, 1', 1'') beyond the transport platform (3); the transport system (1, 1', 1'') has a cutting device (25) for cutting the pipe (18), and the cutting device (25) has a cooling portion for cooling the cutting surface of the pipe (18); A transport system (1, 1', 1'') for a pipe (18).

2. The transport system (1, 1', 1'') according to claim 1, wherein the transport platform (3) is at least liftable or transportable, or the transport platform (3) is connected to another device that is at least liftable or transportable. **Claim 3**: The cutting device (25) is configured and arranged such that the pipe (18) can be cut by the cutting device (25), whereby the pipe portion (11) can be manufactured with a selectable length, and the storage part (14, 14'), the drive part (20), the straightening device (24), and the cutting device (25) are arranged on the transport platform (3) such that the pipe (18) can be automatically pulled out from the storage part (14, 14') by the drive part (20) and supplied to the straightening device (24) and the cutting device (25). The transport system (1, 1', 1'') according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that. **Claim 4** The transport system (1, 1', 1'') has an electronic control unit (34) operably connected to at least the storage part (14, 14'), the drive part (20), or the cutting device (25), and the control unit (34) is configured such that, during operation of the transport system (1, 1', 1''), the control unit (34) receives data from and / or outputs control commands to at least the storage part (14, 14'), the drive part (20), or the cutting device (25). The transport system (1, 1', 1'') according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that. **Claim 5** The control unit (34) includes a communication interface (30), and the communication interface (30) is configured such that data can be transmitted from the transport system (1, 1', 1'') to a server (32) via a data network (31) by the communication interface (30). The transport system (1, 1', 1'') according to claim 4, characterized in that. **Claim 6** The control unit has an electronic reading device (35) for non-contact reading of a data carrier (36). The transport system (1, 1', 1'') according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that. **Claim 7** The transport system (1, 1', 1'') has a drum (19) for the coiled pipe (18), the drum (19) being accommodated in the accommodation part (14, 14'), and the drum (19) being provided with a non-contact readable data carrier (36), the data carrier (36) being readable by the reading device (35), the transport system (1, 1', 1'') according to claim 6.

8. The transport system (1, 1', 1'') has a coiled pipe (18), the pipe (18) being accommodated in the accommodation part (14, 14'), and the pipe (18) being provided with a non-contact readable data carrier, the data carrier being readable by the reading device, the transport system (1, 1', 1'') according to claim 6 or 7.

9. The transport system (1, 1', 1'') has a coiled pipe (18), the pipe (18) being accommodated in the accommodation part (14, 14'), the pipe (18) consisting of a plurality of cold-formed stainless steel pipe parts, the end faces of which are joined to each other, the transport system (1, 1', 1'') according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The transport system (1, 1', 1'') has four side walls (4, 5, 6, 7) and a roof (8), and a closable outlet (10) is provided in one of the side walls (4, 5, 6, 7) or in the roof (8), whereby a pipe part (11) can be taken out of the transport system (1, 1', 1'') through the outlet (10), and the accommodation part (14, 14'), the drive part (20), the correction device (24), and the cutting device (25) are arranged such that the pipe part (11) can be discharged through the outlet (10), the transport system (1, 1', 1'') according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The transport system (1, 1', 1'') comprises a transport container. The transport platform (3) is the bottom of the transport container, or the transport platform (3) is accommodated on the bottom of the transport container, and the transport system (1, 1', 1'') according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is characterized thereby.

12. The transport system (1, 1', 1'') has a marking device for marking a pipe portion (11), which is arranged on the transport platform (3), and the transport system (1, 1', 1'') according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is characterized thereby.

13. The transport system (1, 1', 1'') has a bending device (26) for bending a pipe portion (11) in a predetermined manner, which is arranged on the transport platform (3), and the transport system (1, 1', 1'') according to any one of claims 1 to 12 is characterized thereby.

14. The transport system (1, 1', 1'') has a degreasing device for degreasing the pipe, which is arranged on the transport platform (3), and the transport system (1, 1', 1'') according to any one of claims 1 to 13 is characterized thereby.

15. The transport system (1, 1', 1'') has an assembling device arranged on the transport platform (3), and the assembling device is configured and arranged such that a cutting ring joint can be attached to at least one end of a pipe portion by the assembling device, and the transport system (1, 1', 1'') according to any one of claims 1 to 14 is characterized thereby.

16. A method for delivering a pipe (18), comprising the step of winding the pipe (18) into a coil; the step of accommodating the pipe (18) in accommodating portions (14, 14') arranged on a transport platform (3); the step of transporting the transport platform (3) from a first location to a second location; the step of transporting the pipe (18) in a transport direction by a driving unit (20) arranged on the transport platform (3), whereby the pipe (18) is automatically pulled out from the accommodating portions (14, 14') and supplied to a correcting device (24); the step of correcting the pipe (18) by a correcting device (24) arranged on the transport platform (3). feeding out the corrected pipe (18) beyond the transport platform (3); cutting the pipe (18) by a cutting device (25) disposed on the transport platform (3), and cooling a cut surface of the pipe (18) by a cooling part of the cutting device (25); A method for delivering a pipe (18), comprising: [

17. ] The method according to claim 16, wherein the conveying, the straightening, and the cutting are controlled by a common control unit, the control unit collects data serving as a measure of the length of the pipe (18) drawn out from the storage part (14, 14'), and the control unit transmits the data to a server via a communication interface and a data network.

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