Above-ground pipeline support

Abstract

A pipeline support has a base plate, a cradle, and a sidewall, wherein a ratio of a base plate width to a base plate length is at least 0.5:1. A ratio of a depth to an opening width of the cradle is at least 0.1:1. A trough of the cradle has an altitude vertically above the base plate of at least 0.25 m. The pipeline support is useful for supporting a pipeline above a ground surface, which may be adjacent to a trench in which the pipeline is to be lowered, at an elevation appropriate for performance of work on the pipeline by workers onsite.

Description

ABOVE-GROUND PIPELINE SUPPORTFIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to supports for pipelines, and particularly to supports for pipelines above ground.BACKGROUND

[0002] Pipelines, such as pipelines for fluids, such as oil, natural gas, or water, are commonly buried in the ground to provide protection for the pipeline over time. For this purpose, it is common to dig a trench, lower the pipeline into the trench, and then backfill the trench containing the pipeline with aggregate material (typically the material removed to form the trench), thereby burying it in the ground.

[0003] It is commonly beneficial to provide support beneath the pipeline in the trench before the trench is backfilled and throughout the period that the pipeline is buried. In particular, it is commonly advantageous to provide such in-trench pipeline support to protect the pipeline when the trench bottom is rocky or is otherwise constituted in such a way to risk damage to the pipeline either during installation or during the period that it is buried. Sometimes in-trench pipeline supports take the form of compacted sand, sand bags, or foam pillows placed in the trench before installation of the pipeline. Other forms of in-trench pipeline support include modular pipeline supports, such as the pipeline supports disclosed in WIPO International Publication No. WO 2012 / 012898 A1 published February 2, 2012 by PipeSak Inc. Further examples of such pipeline supports include the PipePillo® pipeline support produced and provided by PipeSak Inc. which is currently available at https: / / pipesak.com / product / pipepillo / (most recent Internet Archive link at: https: / / web.archive.Org / web / 20231001221939 / https: / / pipesak.com / product / pipepillo / ).

[0004] It is often necessary or advantageous to perform operations on a pipeline before it is lowered into a trench to be buried. For example, it is often necessary or advantageous to weld or otherwise fasten together sections of a pipeline on-location and above ground beside the trench. It is also often necessaryor advantageous to apply a coating or other protectant materials to surfaces of a pipeline before it is lowered into the trench. It is typically necessary or advantageous to support the pipeline in an elevated position while performing such operations on it, both to facilitate the performance of such operations, and also to reduce safety risks to workers.

[0005] For this purpose, it is common to transport to the installation site and to use hardwood skids to elevate and support the pipeline to enable operations to be performed on it above-ground and beside the trench. It is common for workers to select and stack a number of such hardwood skids at a number of locations along the pipeline to elevate it to a convenient and safe elevation for the operations to be performed. The common use of hardwood skids to support and elevate a pipeline to perform operations on it above ground and beside a trench suffers from numerous disadvantages, however. It is common for hardwood skids to wear and deteriorate over time and with use, with the result that their structural integrity and ability to support a pipeline at elevation is compromised, thereby giving rise to safety risks. Moreover, given that hardwood skids provide relatively flat upper surfaces, a pipeline supported by a stack of hardwood skids is relatively unsupported with respect to lateral motion, and therefore supporting a pipeline in this way gives rise to risks of the pipeline shifting or rolling off of an upper surface of the topmost skid in the stack, thereby giving rising to safety risks.

[0006] There thus remains an ongoing need for improved techniques for supporting pipelines above ground to enable the performance of work on them.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures.

[0008] FIG. 1 shows a pipeline support system.

[0009] FIG. 2A shows an overside perspective view of a pipeline support.

[0010] FIG. 2B is an underside perspective view of the pipeline support ofFIG. 2A.

[0011] FIG. 2C is a side elevation view of the pipeline support of FIG. 2A.

[0012] FIG. 2D is a top plan view of the pipeline support of FIG. 2A.

[0013] FIG. 3A shows an overside perspective view of another embodiment of a pipeline support.

[0014] FIG. 3B is an underside perspective view of the pipeline support of FIG. 3A.

[0015] FIG. 3C is a side elevation view of the pipeline support of FIG. 3A.

[0016] FIG. 3D is a top plan view of the pipeline support of FIG. 3A.

[0017] FIG. 3E is a side elevation view of the pipeline support of FIG. 3A, perpendicular to the view of FIG. 3C.

[0018] FIG. 4 shows a pipeline support system using multiple instances of the pipe support of FIG. 3A.

[0019] Throughout the drawings, sometimes only one or fewer than all of the instances of an element visible in the view are designated by a lead line and reference character, for the sake only of simplicity and to avoid obfuscation. It will be understood, however, that in such cases, in accordance with the corresponding description, that all other instances are likewise designated and encompassed by the corresponding description.

[0020] In the drawings and this description, the use of a brace (‘{‘ or '}’) between reference characters designates a genus and species relationship, such that “A { B” indicates that ‘B’ is a species of a broader genus ‘A’. A numerical reference character suffixed by a letter (e.g. “800A”, “900B”) designates a separate instance of the element designated by the numerical reference character (e.g. “800A”, “800B” are each separate instances of the element designated by “800”).DESCRIPTION

[0021] The systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein may address at least some of the disadvantages of previous solutions, and may provide yet further advantages, with respect to supporting a pipeline above a surface for the purpose of performing operations on it. The surface may be an above-ground surface, and the operations may be operations performed on the pipeline before it is lowered into a trench for the purpose of being buried in the trench.

[0022] A pipeline support system 100 is shown in FIG. 1. The pipeline support system 100 includes a number of pipeline supports 200 for supporting a pipeline 110. The pipeline 110 is supported by the pipeline supports 200 in an elevated position above a ground surface 120 to facilitate the performance of operations on the pipeline 110, which may be operations performed on the pipeline 110 on-location before instalment of the pipeline 110 in, for example, a trench 130. Such operations may include, without limitation, to weld or otherwise fasten together sections of the pipeline 110, or to apply a coating or other protectant materials to the pipeline 110. The pipeline supports 200 may be spaced apart at any suitable intervals to provide the required support.

[0023] An embodiment of the pipeline support 200 is shown in FIG’s 2A-2D. The pipeline support 200 has a base plate 210, a cradle 230, and a sidewall 220. The pipeline support 200 has, as best shown in FIG’s 2C & 2D, an upper end 240, a lower end 250, a vertical axis V extending between the upper end 240 and the lower end 250, a longitudinal axis L perpendicular to the vertical axis V, and a transverse axis T perpendicular to both the vertical axis Kand the longitudinal axis L. The pipeline support 200 has a horizontal plane PLT (being the plane of the drawings page containing FIG. 2D) defined by the longitudinal axis L and the transverse axis T, and a vertical plane PVT (being the plane of the drawings page containing FIG. 2C) defined by the vertical axis Kand the transverse axis T.

[0024] The base plate 210 forms a flange 260 which extends out from the sidewall 220 in the horizontal plane PLT, as best shown in FIG’s 2B & 2D. In the embodiment shown, the base plate 210 has an oval cross-section in the horizontal plane PLT although other embodiments having a base plate 210 with cross-sections of other shapes are possible and contemplated. The base plate 210 has a base plate length lBand a base plate width wB, in the longitudinal axis L and transverse axis T, respectively. The base plate width wBand the base plate length lBmay be any suitable dimensions to provide suitable support to the pipeline support 200 against lateral movement of the pipeline 110. In different embodiments, the base plate length lBis at least about 0.3 m, or about 0.3 m to about 1 .6 m, or about 0.8m. In different embodiments, the base plate width is at least about 0.3 m, or about 0.3 m to about 2.0 m, or about 1.0 m. The pipeline support 200 may have any suitable ratio of the base plate width w to the base plate length tB. In different embodiments, the ratio of the base plate width wBto the base plate length tBis at least about 0.5:1 , or about 0.5:1 to about 1.5:1 , or about 1.2:1.

[0025] The sidewall 220 extends between the base plate 210 along the vertical axis V to the upper end 240. The upper end 240 has an upper end widthTand an upper end length tT. The sidewall 220 tapers from the lower end 250 to the upper end 240, such that dimensions of the lower end 250, namely, the base plate width wBand the base plate lengthare greater than the dimensions of the upper end 240, namely the upper end widthBand the upper end length IT. In different embodiments, the upper end length tTis at least about 0.25 m, or about 0.25 m to about 1 .3 m, or about 0.7 m. In different embodiments, the upper end widthBis at least about 0.25 m, or about 0.25 m to about 1 .5 m, or about 0.75 m. The pipeline support 200 may have any suitable ratio of the upper end widthTto the upper end length IT. In different embodiments, the ratio of the upper end width w to the upper end length tTis at least about 0.5:1 , or about 0.5:1 to about 1.5:1 , or about 1.1 :1.

[0026] Ratios of the respective dimensions of the upper end 240 and the lower end 250 may be selected to provide strength and stability to the pipeline support 200, along with additional functions (e.g., ability to stack). In different embodiments, a ratio of the base plate width wBto the upper end widthTis at least about 1 :1 , or about 1 :1 to about 1.75:1 , or about 1.3:1. In different embodiments, a ratio of the base plate length tBto the upper end length tTis at least about 1 :1 , or about 1 :1 to about 1.75:1 , or about 1.2:1. The base plate 210 and the sidewall 220 may have other structural features which provide strength and stability of the pipeline support 200 (e.g., sidewall ribbing, support members). In some embodiments, the pipeline support 200 has a set of handholds 270 located in the sidewall 220 at opposing sides of the upper end 240. Each of the handholds 270 may be of any shape that will effectively allow the pipeline support 200 to be carried.

[0027] The cradle 230 is sized and shaped to conform to the pipeline 110. In some embodiments, the cradle 230, as best shown in FIG. 2C, has a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis having an at least partial circular shape. The cross-section of the cradle 230, may be of any shape operative to prevent or resist lateral movement of the pipeline 110, that is movement along the transverse axis T. In particular, in some embodiments, the shape is a semi-circle. In other embodiments, the shape is an obround. The cradle 230 extends longitudinally and has a cradle depth dcextending vertically between a trough 255 and a peak 265 of the cradle 230, and a transverse cradle opening width wcat an upper opening of the cradle 230. A cradle depth ratio of the cradle depth dc to the cradle opening width wcmay be any suitable dimension so as to prevent or resist lateral movement of the pipeline 110 along the transverse axis 7' to prevent the pipeline 110 from shifting or rolling off of the pipeline support 200. In different embodiments, the cradle depth ratio is at least about 0.1 :1 , or about 0.1 :1 to about 0.75:1 , or about 0.5:1. The trough 255 of the cradle 230 has a cradle trough altitude acvertically above the base plate 210. The cradle trough altitude ac may be any suitable dimension to provide stability to the pipeline support 200, and to support the pipeline 110 at an altitude above the ground surface 120 suitable to enable operations to be performed by workers on the pipeline 110. In different embodiments, the cradle trough altitude acis at least about 0.25 m, or about 0.25 m to about 1 .0 m, or about 0.5 m. The cradle 230 may also have additional features to provide strength, stability, allow for drainage under the pipeline, and facilitate transportation of the pipeline support 200 to a worksite.

[0028] As shown in FIG’S 2A & 2B, an inner surface 225 of the sidewall 220 and a underside 235 of the cradle 230 define a cavity 280 of the pipeline support 200. The pipeline support 200 may have a pillar 290 depending from the underside 235 of the cradle 230 and extending into the cavity 280 of the pipeline support 200. In some embodiments, the pillar 290 extends to the lower end 250 of the pipeline support 200, is contiguous or monolithic with the cradle 230, and is positioned to support the cradle 230 from below. The pillar 290 may taper from the underside 235 of the cradle 230 to the lower end 250 of the pipeline support 200, such that thecross-sectional area of the pillar 290, in the horizontal plane PLT, is greater towards the underside 235 of the cradle 230, and lesser at the lower end 250 of the pipeline support 200.

[0029] In some embodiments a pillar channel 295 extends vertically through the pillar 290 from an opening 296 at the trough 255 of the cradle 230, wherein the pillar channel 295 is sized and shaped to match an outer surface of the pillar 290 to enable stacking of multiple pipeline supports 200, with the pillar 290 of an upper pipeline support 200 being nestingly received in the pillar channel 295 of a lower pipeline support 200.

[0030] An alternative pipeline support 300 is shown in FIG’S 3A-3E. The pipeline support 300 is substantially similar to pipeline support 200, with the following similarities and differences. The pipeline support 300 has a base plate 310, a primary cradle 330, a set of secondary cradles 315 and a sidewall 320. The pipeline support 300 has an upper end 340, a lower end 350, a vertical axis V extending between the upper end 340 and the lower end 350, a longitudinal axis L' perpendicular to the vertical axis V, as best shown in FIG. 3C, and a transverse axis T' perpendicular to both the vertical axis K' and the longitudinal axis Z', as best shown in FIG. 3D. The pipeline support 300 has a horizontal plane P'LT (being the plane of the drawings page containing FIG. 3D) defined by the longitudinal axis L' and the transverse axis T', and a vertical plane P'vr (being the plane of the drawings page containing FIG. 3C) defined by the vertical axis K' and the transverse axis T'.

[0031] The base plate 310, forms a flange 360 which extends out from the sidewall 320 in the horizontal plane P'LT, as best shown in FIG’s 3B & 3D. The base plate 310 has an oval cross-section in the horizontal plane P'LT although other embodiments having a base plate 310 with cross-sections of other shapes are possible and contemplated. The base plate 310 has a base plate length l'Band a base plate width w'Bin the longitudinal axis L' and transverse axis T', respectively. The base plate width w'Band the base plate length l'Bmay be any suitable dimensions to provide suitable support to the pipeline support 300 against lateral movement of the pipeline 110. In different embodiments, the base plate length l'Bis at least about 0.3 m, or about 0.3 m to about 1 .7 m, or about 0.8 m. In different embodiments, the base plate width w'Bis at least about 0.3 m, or about 0.3 m to about 2.0 m, or about 1 .0 m. The pipeline support 300 may have any suitable ratio of the base plate width w'Bto the base plate length 'B. In different embodiments, the ratio of the base plate width w'Bto the base plate length £'Bis at least 0.5:1 , or about 0.5:1 to about 1.5:1 , or about 1.2:1. The sidewall 320 extends between the base plate 310 along the vertical axis V to the upper end 340. The upper end has an upper end width w'Tand an upper end length t'T. The sidewall 320 tapers from the lower end 350 to the upper end 340, such that dimensions of the lower end 350, namely, the base plate width w'Band the base plate length t'Bare greater than the dimensions of the upper end 340, namely the upper end width W 'T and the upper end length t'T. In different embodiments, the upper end length t'Tis at least about 0.25 m, or about 0.25 m to about 1 .3 m or about 0.65 m. In different embodiments, the upper end width w'Tis at least about 0.25 m, or about 0.25 m to about 1 .5 m, or about 0.75 m. The pipeline support 300 may have any suitable ratio of the upper end width w'Tto the upper end length t'T. In different embodiments, the ratio of the upper end width w'Tto the upper end length t'Tis at least about 0.5:1 , or about 0.5:1 to about 1 .5: 1 , or about 1.2:1. Ratios of the respective dimensions of the upper end 340 and the lower end 350 may be selected to to provide strength and stability to the pipeline support 300, along with additional functions (e.g., ability to stack). In different embodiments, a ratio of the base plate width w'Bto the upper end width w'Tis at least about 1 :1 , or about 1 :1 to about 1.75:1 , or about 1.3:1. In different embodiments, a ratio of the base plate length t'Bto the upper end length - is at least about 1 :1 , or about 1 :1 to about 1.75:1 , or about 1.3:1. The base plate 310 and the sidewall 320 may have other structural features which provide strength and stability of the pipeline support 300 (e.g., sidewall ribbing, support members). In some embodiments, the pipeline support 300 has a set of handholds 370 in the sidewall 320 at opposing sides of the upper end 340. Each of the handholds 370 may be of any shape that will effectively allow the pipeline support 300 to be carried.

[0032] The primary cradle 330 is sized and shaped to conform to the pipeline 110, in substantially the same way as the cradle 230. In some embodiments, the primary cradle 330, as best shown in FIG. 3C, has a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Z' having an at least partial circular shape. The cross-section of the primary cradle 330 may be of any shape operative to prevent or resist lateral movement of the pipeline 110, that is movement along the transverse axis T'. In particular, in some embodiments, the shape is a semi-circle. In other embodiments, the shape is an obround. The primary cradle 330 extends longitudinally and has a cradle depth d'ci extending vertically between a trough 355 and a peak 365 of the primary cradle 330, and a transverse cradle opening width w'ci at an upper opening of the primary cradle 330. A cradle depth ratio of the cradle depth d'ci to the cradle opening width w'ci may be any suitable dimension so as to prevent or resist lateral movement of the pipeline 110 along the transverse axis T' to prevent the pipeline 110 from shifting or rolling off of the pipeline support 300. In different embodiments, the cradle depth ratio is at least about 0.1 : 1 , or about 0.1 :1 to about 0.75: 1 , or about 0.5:1. The trough 355 of the primary cradle 330 has a cradle trough altitude a'ci vertically above the base plate 310. The cradle trough altitude a'ci may be any suitable dimension to provide stability to the pipeline support 300, and to support the pipeline 110 at an altitude above the ground surface 120 suitable to enable operations to be performed by workers on the pipeline 110. In different embodiments, the cradle trough altitude a'ci is at least about 0.25 m, or about 0.25 m to about 1 .0 m, or about 0.5 m. The primary cradle 330 may also have additional features to provide strength, stability, allow for drainage under the pipeline, and facilitate transportation of the pipeline support 300 to a worksite.

[0033] The pipeline support 300 also has a set of secondary cradles 315 sized and shaped to conform to a pipeline 410, as shown in FIG. 4, with a radius smaller than the pipeline 110. In some embodiments, the set of secondary cradles 315, as best shown in FIG. 3E, have cross-sections in the plane P'Lv of the longitudinal axis L' and the vertical axis V having an at least partial circular shape. The cross-section of each of the secondary cradles 315, may be of any shape operative to prevent or resist lateral movement of the pipeline 410, that is movementalong the longitudinal axis Z'. In particular, in some embodiments, the shape is a semi-circle. In other embodiments, the shape is an obround.

[0034] The set of secondary cradles 315 extend along the transverse axis T and have a cradle depth d'C2 extending vertically between a trough 375 and a peak 385 of each of the secondary cradles 315, and a longitudinal cradle opening width w'c2 at an upper opening of each of the secondary cradles 315. A cradle depth ratio of the cradle depth d'c2 to the cradle opening width w'c2 may be any suitable dimension so as to prevent or resist lateral movement of the pipeline 410 along the longitudinal axis L' to prevent the pipeline 410 from shifting or rolling off of the pipeline support 300. In different embodiments, the cradle depth ratio is at least about 0.1 :1 , or about 0.1 :1 to about 0.75: 1 , or about 0.3:1. The trough 375 of each of the secondary cradles 315 has a cradle trough altitude a'C2 vertically above the base plate 310. The cradle trough altitude a'c2 may be any suitable dimension to provide stability to the pipeline support 300, and to support the pipeline 410 at an altitude above the ground surface 120 suitable to enable operations to be performed by workers on the pipeline 410. In different embodiments, the cradle trough altitude a'c2 is at least about 0.3 m, or about 0.3 m to about 1 .5 m, or about 0.8 m.

[0035] In some embodiments, the pipeline support 300 has a slot 345 provided in each of the secondary cradles 315 proximal the trough 375 of the secondary cradles 315. These slots 345 may be of any shape for passage of a fastening device, such as a strap, cable, or wire, to secure the pipeline 110 in place in the primary cradle 330.

[0036] The inner surface 325 of the sidewall 320 and a underside 335 of the primary cradle 330 define a cavity 380 of the pipeline support 300. The pipeline support 300 may have a pillar 390 depending from the underside 335 of the primary cradle 330 and extending into the cavity 380 of the pipeline support 300. In some embodiments, the pillar 390 extends to the lower end 350 of the pipeline support 300, is contiguous or monolithic with the primary cradle 330, and is positioned to support the primary cradle 330 from below. The pillar 390 may taper from the underside 335 of the primary cradle 330 to the lower end 350 of the pipeline support 300, such that the cross-sectional area of the pillar 390, in the horizontal plane P'LT,is greater towards the underside 335 of the cradle 330, and lesser at the lower end 350 of the pipeline support 300.

[0037] In some embodiments a pillar channel 395 extends vertically through the pillar 390 from an opening 396 at the trough 355 of the primary cradle 330, wherein the pillar channel 395 is sized and shaped to match an outer surface of the pillar 390 to enable stacking of multiple pipeline supports 300, with the pillar 390 of an upper pipeline support 300 being nestingly received in the pillar channel 395 of an lower pipeline support 300.

[0038] An alternative pipeline support system 400 is shown in FIG. 4. The pipeline support system 400 includes a number of pipeline supports 300 for supporting a pipeline 410. The pipeline 410 is supported by the pipeline supports 300 in an elevated position above a ground surface 420 to facilitate the performance of operations on the pipeline 410, which may be operations performed on the pipeline 410 on-location before instalment of the pipeline 410 in, for example, a trench 430. Such operations may include, without limitation, to weld or otherwise fasten together sections of the pipeline 410, or to apply a coating or other protectant materials to the pipeline 410. The pipeline supports 300 may be spaced apart at any suitable intervals to provide the required support. As such, pipeline supports 300 may be used to support a pipeline 110 with a first diameter, substantially as shown in FIG. 1 as with pipeline supports 200, and alternatively a pipeline 410 with a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, as shown in FIG. 4, simply by rotating each of the pipeline supports 300 about its vertical axis V. In this way, pipeline supports 300 enable the performance work on multiple pipelines of different sizes on-site without requiring the replacement with or use of different pipeline supports.

[0039] The embodiments of pipeline supports disclosed herein may be formed by any suitable manufacturing techniques and methods, which in some embodiments is a rotational or injection molding process. The embodiments disclosed herein may be comprised of any suitable materials, which may include high density plastics, which are recommended for their relatively high strength and light weight, for example a polypropylene, a polyethylene, and other types of bio ornon-biodegradable plastics. The material may be designed for extended ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure. By forming the pipeline supports with high density plastics the pipeline supports may be provided with desired physical or chemical properties such as strength, durability, flexibility, corrosion resistance, and weight, while at the same time enabling, facilitating, or improving the ease of their transportation to and use on location.

[0040] The embodiments of pipeline supports disclosed herein may provide numerous advantages over those provided by previous and conventional solutions. Use of some embodiments may facilitate the operations that may be performed on pipelines before they are lowered into a trench for the purpose of being buried in the trench. As compared to the conventional method of using hardwood skids to elevate and support the pipelines above the ground, some embodiments may provide superior stability and restraint to the pipelines when they are in an elevated position above the ground surface, specifically with respect to the lateral motion of the pipeline. The features, such as the primary cradle, the secondary cradles and the slots for passage of a fastening device, such as a strap, cable, or wire, provide a means to secure the pipeline in place, as compared to the flat surfaces of the hardwood skids. By providing pipeline supports that are stackable, they can be easily transported and positioned on-location.

[0041] The pipeline supports 200 and 300 may be formed by any suitable manufacturing method, which in different embodiments may include a rotational or injection molding process. The pipeline supports 200 and 300 may be formed of any suitable materials, which in different embodiments may include high density plastics, for example a polypropylene, a polyethylene, and other types of bio or non- biodegradable plastics. The material may be selected for resilience against extended ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure. By forming the pipeline supports with high density plastics, the pipeline supports 200 and 300 may be provided with desired physical or chemical properties such as strength, durability, flexibility, corrosion resistance, and weight, while at the same time enabling, facilitating, or improving the ease of their transportation to and use on location.

[0042] Embodiments of the pipeline supports 200 and 300 may provide numerous advantages over those provided by previous and conventional solutions. As compared to the conventional method of using hardwood skids to elevate and support the pipelines above the ground, some embodiments may allow for lessened time and effort to set up and adjust the pipeline at a convenient and safe elevation above the ground. By providing pipeline supports that are stackable, they can be easily transported and positioned on-location.

[0043] So that the present disclosure may be more readily understood, certain terms are defined. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which embodiments of the invention pertain. While many methods and materials similar, modified, or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice of the embodiments of the present invention without undue experimentation, the preferred materials and methods are described herein.

[0044] All terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting in any manner or scope. For example, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" can include plural referents unless the content clearly indicates otherwise.

[0045] Numeric ranges recited within the specification are inclusive of the numbers defining the range and include each integer within the defined range. Throughout this disclosure, various aspects of this invention are presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible sub-ranges, fractions, and individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed sub-ranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6, etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, and6, and decimals and fractions, for example, 1.2, 3.8, 11 , and 4%. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

[0046] The terms “about” or “approximately” as used herein refer to variation in the numerical quantity that can occur, for example, through typical measuring techniques and equipment, with respect to any quantifiable variable, including, but not limited to, mass, volume, time, distance, voltage, and current. Further, given solid and liquid handling procedures used in the real world, there is certain inadvertent error and variation that is likely through differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of the ingredients used to make the compositions or carry out the methods and the like. The terms “about” and “approximately” also encompass these variations. Expressions which combine the terms “about” or “approximately” with one or more bounds of a range refer to a union of the bound modified by the term “about” or “approximately” as described above, and the range having the unmodified bound. Thus, for example, the expression “at least about X” means the union of “at least X” and “about X”. Similarly, “at most about Y” means the union of “at most Y” and “about Y”.

[0047] The phrase "and / or," as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean "either or both" of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with "and / or" should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., "one or more" of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the "and / or" clause whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to "A and / or B", when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as "comprising" can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

[0048] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, "or" should be understood to have the same meaning as "and / or" as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, "or" or "and / or" shall be interpreted as beinginclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as "only one of” or "exactly one of", or when used in the claims, "consisting of" will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term "or" as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. "one or the other but not both") when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as "either", "one of", "only one of", or "exactly one of". "Consisting essentially of", when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

[0049] Embodiments of the disclosed subject-matter are described herein using the auxiliary verb “may”. When used herein, unless required otherwise by the context of usage, the auxiliary verb “may” designates an embodiment of the disclosed subject-matter which possesses the addressed object without requiring necessarily that any other embodiment of the disclosed subject-matter possesses the addressed object. Thus, a statement such as “X may include Y” indicates that the disclosed subject-matter includes embodiments where X includes Y, without requiring that all disclosed embodiments include Y, and without excluding any other embodiments which do not include Y.

[0050] While the disclosed subject-matter may be embodied in many different forms, there are described in detail herein specific embodiments. The present disclosure is an exemplification of the principles of the disclosed subjectmatter and is not intended to limit the disclosed subject-matter to the particular embodiments illustrated. Furthermore, the disclosed subject-matter encompasses any possible combination of some or all of the various embodiments mentioned herein. In addition the disclosed subject-matter encompasses any possible combination that also specifically excludes any one or some of the various embodiments mentioned herein.

[0051] In the preceding description, for purposes of explanation, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required. In particular, it will be appreciated that the variousadditional features shown in the drawings are generally optional unless specifically identified herein as required. The above-described embodiments are intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations can be effected to the particular embodiments by those of skill in the art. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the particular embodiments set forth herein, but should be construed in a manner consistent with the specification as a whole.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A pipeline support having mutually perpendicular vertical, longitudinal, and transverse axes, the pipeline support comprising: a base plate at a lower end of the pipeline support, a cradle at an upper end of the pipeline support, and a sidewall extending between the upper end and the lower end, wherein: the base plate has a transverse base plate width and a longitudinal base plate length, wherein a base plate ratio of the base plate width to the base plate length is at least 0.5:1 ; the cradle extends longitudinally and has a cradle depth extending vertically between a trough and a peak of the cradle, and a transverse cradle opening width at an upper opening of the cradle, wherein a cradle depth ratio of the cradle depth to the cradle opening width is at least 0.1 :1 ; and the trough of the cradle has a cradle trough altitude vertically above the base plate is at least 0.25 m2. The pipeline support of claim 1 , wherein: the cradle trough altitude of about 0.5 m.

3. The pipeline support of claim 1 or 2, wherein: the cradle depth ratio is at least 0.1 :1.

4. The pipeline support of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: the base plate ratio is about 1.2:1.

5. The pipeline support of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: a cross-section of the cradle in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis has a shape of a circular arc.

6. The pipeline support of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: the base plate has a shape of an oval, the base plate width is a major axis of the oval, and the base plate length is a minor axis of the oval.

7. The pipeline support of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: the sidewall tapers from the lower end to the upper end of the pipeline support.

8. The pipeline support of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: the sidewall and an underside of the cradle together define a cavity extending between the upper end and the lower end of the pipeline support; and the pipeline support further comprises a pillar extending vertically within the cavity between the lower end of the pipeline support and the underside of the cradle.

9. The pipeline support of claim 8, wherein: the pillar tapers from the underside of the cradle to the lower end of the pipeline support.

10. The pipeline support of claim 8 or 9, further comprising: a pillar channel extending downwardly within the pillar from a pillar channel opening at the trough of the cradle, wherein the pillar channel is sized and shaped to match an outer surface of the pillar channel.11 . The pipeline support of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: the pipeline support is stackable with other identical pipeline supports.

12. The pipeline support of any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein: the cradle has a pair of transversely opposed cradle walls; each of the cradle walls has at respective upper ends thereof matching secondary cradles aligned and extending transversely, the secondary cradleshaving a secondary cradle depth less than the cradle depth and a secondary cradle width less than the cradle width.

13. The pipeline support of claim 12, wherein: a cross-section of the secondary cradles in a plane perpendicular to the transverse axis has a shape of a circular arc.

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