Method for weight coating pipe segments

Abstract

The method includes the steps of cleaning, priming, and coating pipe segments with a bituminous composition. The coated pipe segments are wrapped and carefully handled so as not to disturb the bituminous coating. Wire reinforcing cages are formed around the pipe segments and the individual pipe segments are then loaded into individual mold cars positioned end-to-end upon a first railway track assembly. The cars are then translated onto a first transfer car, which rides on a second track means, and are conveyed to a third railway track assembly comprising a plurality of parallel sets of rails. The mold cars are transferred abreast from the transfer car onto the third railway track assembly, filled with a cementitious weight coating material and fed into a drying kiln whereby the cementitious weight coating cures at least until the cement becomes self-supporting. The cars are then translated abreast onto a second transfer car, riding upon a fourth track assembly, positioned at the other end of the third railway means. The molds are opened and the weight coated pipe segments are removed. The empty mold cars are then transferred to the other end of the first railway track assembly where the individual mold cars are sequentially aligned with the other end of the first railway track means and translated onto the first track means in an end-to-end relationship, thus closing the handling loop.