Systems and methods for deploying tubular conduits and tubing

Abstract

A system is disclosed for deploying tubing disposed on a spool. In an embodiment, the system includes a tubing support trailer that further includes a towing hookup assembly configured to couple the system to a vehicle, a spool support frame coupled to the towing hookup assembly, and a tubing spool rotatably coupled to the spool support frame. In addition, the system includes a tubing straightener trailer pivotally coupled to the tubing support trailer. The tubing straightening trailer includes a cart having a longitudinal cart axis and including a plurality of wheels, and a tubing straightening assembly coupled to the cart. The tubing straightening assembly is configured to move laterally relative to the cart and the cart axis. The tubing straightening assembly includes a plurality of rollers configured to engage and reduce the curvature of the tubing paid out from the spool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for deploying tubing disposed on a spool, the system comprising:
 a tubing support trailer including:
 a towing hookup assembly configured to couple the system to a vehicle; 
 a spool support frame coupled to the towing hookup assembly; and 
 a tubing spool rotatably coupled to the spool support frame; 
   a tubing straightener trailer pivotally coupled to the tubing support trailer, wherein the tubing straightening trailer includes:
 a cart having a longitudinal cart axis and including a plurality of wheels; 
 a tubing straightening assembly coupled to the cart; 
 wherein the tubing straightening assembly is configured to move laterally relative to the cart and the cart axis; 
 wherein the tubing straightening assembly includes a plurality of rollers configured to engage and reduce the curvature of the tubing paid out from the spool. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cart includes a plurality of laterally extending transfer bars, wherein the tubing straightening assembly includes a deck having a plurality of roller coupling assemblies, and wherein each of the roller coupling assemblies includes a plurality of rollers configured to engage with one of the plurality of transfer bars to facilitate lateral movement of the tubing straightening assembly relative to cart. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cart includes a support surface and a base frame mounted to the support surface;
 wherein the tubing straightener assembly further comprises a roller support frame movably mounted to the to the base frame;   wherein the tubing straightening assembly further comprises a traversing cart coupled to each of the roller support frame and the traversing bar; and   wherein the traversing car includes one or more roller assemblies that each include a roller that engages with the traversing bar to allow the traversing cart to move laterally along the traversing bar.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tubing straightening assembly further comprises:
 a roller support frame including a first end and a second end opposite the first end of the roller support frame; and   a pre-bend roller assembly coupled to the first end of the roller support frame;   wherein the pre-bend roller assembly comprises:
 a first linkage including a first roller; and 
 a second linkage including a second roller; 
 wherein the first linkage an the second linkage are each coupled to a linear actuator; and 
 wherein actuation of the linear actuator is configured to move the first roller and the second roller toward one another or to move the first roller and the second roller apart from one another. 
   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 ,
 wherein the first linkage of the pre-bend roller assembly comprises:
 a first link including a first end and a second end; and 
 a second link including a first end and a second end; 
 wherein the first roller is disposed at the first end of the first link and the second end of the first link is pivotably coupled to the roller support frame; 
 wherein the first end of the second link is pivotably coupled to the first link at a point between the first end of the first link and the second end of the first link and the second end of the second link is pivotably coupled to an end of the linear actuator; 
   wherein the second linkage of the pre-bend assembly comprises:
 a third link including a first end and a second end; 
 wherein the first end of the third link is pivotably coupled to the end of the linear actuator; 
 wherein the second end of the third link is pivotably coupled to the roller support frame; and 
 wherein the second roller is disposed at the second end of the third link. 
   
     
     
         6 . A tubing straightener trailer for straightening tubing paid out from a spool, the tubing straightener trailer comprising:
 a cart having a longitudinal cart axis and including a plurality of wheels;   a tubing straightening assembly coupled to the cart;   wherein the tubing straightening assembly is configured to move laterally relative to the cart and the cart axis;   wherein the tubing straightening assembly includes a plurality of rollers configured to engage and reduce the curvature of the tubing paid out from the spool.   
     
     
         7 . The tubing straightener trailer of  claim 6 , wherein the cart includes a plurality of laterally extending transfer bars, wherein the tubing straightening assembly includes a deck having a plurality of roller coupling assemblies, and wherein each of the roller coupling assemblies includes a plurality of rollers configured to engage with one of the plurality of transfer bars to facilitate lateral movement of the tubing straightening assembly relative to cart. 
     
     
         8 . The tubing straightener trailer of  claim 6 ,
 wherein the cart includes a support surface and a base frame mounted to the support surface; and   wherein the tubing straightener assembly further comprises a roller support frame movably mounted to the to the base frame;   wherein the roller support frame is configured to move laterally relative to the base frame.   
     
     
         9 . The tubing straightener trailer of  claim 8 , wherein the base frame includes a traversing bar extending laterally with respect to the cart axis;
 wherein the tubing straightening assembly further comprises a traversing cart coupled to each of the roller support frame and the traversing bar;   wherein the traversing car includes one or more roller assemblies that each include a roller that engages with the traversing bar to allow the traversing cart to move laterally along the traversing bar.   
     
     
         10 . The tubing straightener trailer of  claim 6 , wherein a position of at least some of the plurality of rollers of the tubing straightening assembly are adjustable relative to the tubing straightening assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The tubing straightener trailer of  claim 6 , wherein the tubing straightening assembly further comprises:
 a roller support frame including a first end and a second end opposite the first end of the roller support frame; and   a pre-bend roller assembly coupled to the first end of the roller support frame;   wherein the pre-bend roller assembly comprises:
 a first linkage including a first roller; and 
 a second linkage including a second roller; 
 wherein the first linkage an the second linkage are each coupled to a linear actuator; and 
 wherein actuation of the linear actuator is configured to move the first roller and the second roller toward one another or to move the first roller and the second roller apart from one another. 
   
     
     
         12 . The tubing straightener trailer of  claim 11 ,
 wherein the first linkage of the pre-bend roller assembly comprises:
 a first link including a first end and a second end; and 
 a second link including a first end and a second end; 
 wherein the first roller is disposed at the first end of the first link and the second end of the first link is pivotably coupled to the roller support frame; 
 wherein the first end of the second link is pivotably coupled to the first link at a point between the first end of the first link and the second end of the first link and the second end of the second link is pivotably coupled to an end of the linear actuator; 
   wherein the second linkage of the pre-bend assembly comprises:
 a third link including a first end and a second end; 
 wherein the first end of the third link is pivotably coupled to the end of the linear actuator; 
 wherein the second end of the third link is pivotably coupled to the roller support frame; and 
 wherein the second roller is disposed at the second end of the third link. 
   
     
     
         13 . The tubing straightener trailer of  claim 6 , wherein the tubing straightening assembly further comprises:
 a roller support frame including a central frame axis, a front end, and a rear end opposite the front end of the roller support frame;   a front roller assembly disposed proximate the front end of the roller support frame;   a rear roller assembly disposed proximate the rear end of the roller support frame; and   a mid-roller assembly disposed axially between the front roller assembly and the rear roller assembly with respect to the frame axis;   wherein a position of the mid-roller assembly is adjustable relative to the roller support frame.   
     
     
         14 . The tubing straightener trailer of  claim 13 ,
 wherein plurality of rollers comprises a pair of rollers disposed within the mid-roller assembly;   wherein the mid-roller assembly further comprises:
 a rocker arm assembly pivotably supporting the pair of rollers of the plurality of rollers; 
 a pivoting arm including a first end and a second end; and 
 a linear actuator; 
 wherein the first end of the pivoting arm is pivotably coupled to the rocker arm assembly and the second end of the pivoting arm is pivotably coupled to the roller support frame; and 
 wherein the linear actuator is pivotably coupled to the rocker arm assembly and the roller support frame; 
 wherein actuation of the linear actuator causes rocker assembly to move along an arcuate path. 
   
     
     
         15 . The tubing straightener trailer of  claim 13 , wherein the tubing straightening assembly further comprises:
 an outfeed alignment assembly pivotably coupled to the rear end of the roller support frame;   wherein the outfeed alignment assembly comprises:
 a pair of guide rollers that are pivotably mounted to the roller support frame and are configured to pivot about a pivot axis that is disposed within a plane that extends perpendicularly to the frame axis of the roller support frame; and 
 a linear actuator configured to adjust a rotational position of the guide rollers about the pivot axis. 
   
     
     
         16 . A method for deploying tubing disposed on a spool, the method comprising:
 (a) feeding the tubing through a tubing straightening assembly, wherein the tubing straightening assembly is moveably coupled to a cart having a longitudinal cart axis;   (b) engaging the tubing with a plurality of rollers mounted within the tubing straightening assembly during (a);   (c) reducing a curvature of the tubing with the tubing straightening assembly during (b) as the tubing is paid out from the spool and fed through the tubing straightening assembly; and   (d) moving the tubing straightening assembly laterally with respect to the cart axis relative to the cart during (b) and (c).   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 (e) adjusting a position of one or more of the plurality of rollers relative to the tubing straightening assembly.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein (e) comprises actuating a linear actuator. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 coupling a leading end of the tubing to a winch cable extending from a winch coupled to the tubing straightening assembly; and   actuating the winch to pull the leading end of the tubing through the tubing straightening assembly.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 (e) coupling the cart to a tubing support trailer that includes a spool support frame;   (f) rotatably supporting the spool on the spool support frame;   (g) coupling the tubing support trailer to a vehicle;   (h) towing the tubing support trailer and the cart after (g); and   (i) feeding tubing from the spool through the tubing straightening assembly during (h);   wherein the moving in (b) is performed during (h) and (i).