OPENTECHNICAL PUBLICATION
OT-2026-000003205

Pipe laying robot apparatus and method for installing pipe

Published: 2026-09-15T19:49:01.107950Z
Permanent URL: https://opentechnical.org/p/OT-2026-000003205
Categories: Lifting, Positioning & Manipulation > Hoists and Cranes

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ABSTRACT

A pipe laying robot for manipulating an elongated workpiece such as a pipe
section. The robot is a grasping apparatus particularly adapted for placing
pipe in a trench. The apparatus is designed to be suspended from a lifting
device such as a backhoe, and is adapted to grasp and manipulate the workpiece
for lifting, moving, or setting the workpiece. The apparatus has a first
frame, and a second frame rotatably secured to the first frame for angular
rotation of the second frame about a normally vertical axis of rotation with
respect to the first frame. Two or more grapplers are connected to the second
frame in opposing juxtaposition and are moveable between (i) an open position
wherein the grasping apparatus is lowered to a position so the the grapplers
straddle the workpiece, and (ii) a closed position wherein the grapplers
engage and securely grasp the workpiece. A pitch actuator is provided to
displace the second frame with respect to the first frame in an up or down
pitching movement to thereby pitch the elongated workpiece up or down as
desired. A linear displacement actuator is provided to displace the second
frame with respect to the first frame and thereby displace the elongated
workpiece in a linear direction substantially along its centerline. An
efficient method for laying underground pipelines, such as sewer, gas pipe, or
water pipelines, via use of the pipe laying robot, is also disclosed.

1. Drawings

[0001] Sheet 1.

[0002] Sheet 2.

[0003] Sheet 3.

[0004] Sheet 4.

[0005] Sheet 5.

[0006] Sheet 6.

[0007] Sheet 7.

[0008] Sheet 8.

[0009] Sheet 9.

[0010] Sheet 10.

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OpenTechnical publication OT-2026-000003205
Published 2026-09-15T19:49:01.107950Z
https://opentechnical.org/p/OT-2026-000003205