Roy Thayer Lee

US Patent:

43970540, Aug 9, 1983

Filed:

Apr 24, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/257185

Inventors:

Roy Lee - Houston TX

International Classification:

B23G 122
B23G 152
B23G 1100

US Classification:

10107PH

Abstract:

An apparatus for handling pipe to effect high speed machining operations is disclosed that includes means for moving the pipe from a pipe rack onto a conveyor, moving the pipe longitudinally into the chuck of a threading machine or the like, clamping the pipe in the chuck, transferring the pipe from the conveyor to one or more steady rests, and supporting the steady rests on flexible wall air cylinders that will allow the steady rest to move as required to support the pipe which, because it is not straight, will whip and move laterally as it is rotated at the speeds required for high speed machining.

US Patent:

44832249, Nov 20, 1984

Filed:

Jun 8, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/502152

Inventors:

Roy Lee - Houston TX

International Classification:

B23B 2500

US Classification:

82 39

Abstract:

A stabilizer for a steady rest is disclosed for supporting rotating cylindrical members during machining operations and the like that includes idler wheels supported by air jacks that allow limited lateral movement of idler wheels to accommodate at least some of the lateral movement of the rotating member that results when the member is crooked. Shock absorbers are positioned to dampen the lateral movement of the idler wheels to reduce the vibrations such lateral movement of the rotating member may produce at the surface being machined.

US Patent:

45305072, Jul 23, 1985

Filed:

Aug 1, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/519241

Inventors:

Roy Lee - Houston TX

International Classification:

B23B 3110
B23B 3116

US Classification:

279 1Q

Abstract:

An apparatus is disclosed for a chuck with a guide roller assembly useful in automatic and semi-automatic machining operations. This apparatus provides for a chuck with a guide roller assembly that will prevent the end of the pipe from striking the jaws of the chuck as the pipe is moved into position to be gripped by the chuck and that will exert a vibration dampening force on the pipe while the pipe. Also disclosed is a plurality of rollers that are mounted on the jaws of the chuck on the side of the jaws toward which the workpiece travels as it is moved into position to be gripped by the chuck and that are made of an elastomeric material and positioned to engage the workpiece ahead of the jaws of the chuck so that the rollers will be compressed as the jaws of the chuck move into engagement with the workpiece to provide a vibration dampening force on the pipe on the side of the chuck away from the machining operations.

US Patent:

45122806, Apr 23, 1985

Filed:

Oct 21, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/435726

Inventors:

Roy Lee - Houston TX

International Classification:

B05C 309

US Classification:

118426

Abstract:

Pipe conveying apparatus is disclosed that moves pipe in steps in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipe. The apparatus includes a plurality of spaced, parallel, fixed rails that have notches on their upper surface that are transversely aligned in rows. Each pipe joint extends across the fixed rails and engages a row of notches which hold the pipe joint from lateral movement along the rails. A plurality of movable rails are located parallel to the fixed rails. The movable rails also have notches on their upper surface that are transversely aligned in rows for supporting the pipe. The rows of notches on the movable rails are positioned to move the pipe joints resting at the bottom of the rows of notches on the fixed rail to the next adjacent row of notches when the movable rails are moved upwardly transferring the pipe to the movable rails where the notches are located to cause the pipe to move along the rails into position to be transferred to the next row of notches on the fixed rail when the movable rails are moved downwardly transferring the pipe back to the fixed rails. One section of the apparatus tilts the pipe to dip the ends of the pipe into a series of chemical baths to inhibit rust on the newly machined threads. A special design of the apparatus is used to transfer the pipe from the conveyor to a pipe storage rack at the desired height for the storage rack.

US Patent:

45704856, Feb 18, 1986

Filed:

Mar 7, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/472717

Inventors:

Roy Lee - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01M 328

US Classification:

73 495

Abstract:

A method of and apparatus for hydrostatically testing threaded pipe is disclosed that moves the pipe into position to have a first end cap made up on one end, moves the pipe into position to have a second end cap made up on the other end, and lowers a shield onto the pipe before it is tested. The apparatus includes a mandrel that is attached to the first end cap. The mandrel is supported and rotated by a socket but can move out of the socket to travel with the pipe as the pipe is moved to receive the second end cap.

US Patent:

46931058, Sep 15, 1987

Filed:

Feb 7, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/699041

Inventors:

Roy Lee - Houston TX

International Classification:

B21D 302

US Classification:

72 84

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for swaging pipe, straightening hooked end pipe, and expanding undersized pipe for threading is disclosed in which the pipe is gripped adjacent the end to be swaged by a chuck that also rotates the pipe and a swaging tool engages the end of the pipe and forces the pipe to rotate around the common axis of the chuck and the swaging tool. The distance between the chuck and the swaging tool is such that the bending stress produced in the pipe exceeds the yield point of the pipe to thereby straighten the pipe sufficiently for threads to be cut on the pipe.

US Patent:

44173636, Nov 29, 1983

Filed:

Dec 9, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/448395

Inventors:

Roy Lee - Houston TX

International Classification:

B23G 122

US Classification:

10107PH

Abstract:

A method of machining pipe at high speeds is disclosed that includes the steps of moving the pipe from a pipe rack onto a conveyor, moving the pipe longitudinally into the chuck of a threading machine or the like, clamping the pipe in the chuck, transferring the pipe from the conveyor to one or more steady rests, and supporting the steady rests on flexible wall air cylinders that will allow the steady rest to move as required to support the pipe which, because it is not straight, will whip and move laterally as it is rotated at the speeds required for high speed machining.