US3728883A

US3728883A - Support apparatus for large diameter thin-wall metal cylinders

Info

Publication number: US3728883A
Application number: US00115011A
Authority: US
Inventors: H Lamborn; P Gallup; P Kao
Original assignee: United Concrete Pipe Corp
Current assignee: United Concrete Pipe Corp
Priority date: 1971-02-12
Filing date: 1971-02-12
Publication date: 1973-04-24
Anticipated expiration: 1990-04-24
Also published as: ZA716491B; DE2154423A1; DE2154423B2; CA948002A; DE2154423C3

Abstract

A support assembly is disclosed for providing internal support during fabrication of thin-walled large diameter metal cylinders such as those used as membranes in concrete pipe. Such cylinders are usually 5 feet and larger in diameter. The support assembly comprises a plurality of internally mounted wheel assemblies attached to a common frame.

Description

United States Patent 1 Lamborn et al.

SUPPORT APPARATUS FOR LARGE DIAMETER THIN-WALL METAL CYLINDERS lsa'tasiiismfe' Lassa; Glenda;

Palmer C. Gallup, Monrovia; Paul W. Kao, Covina, all of Calif.

Assignee: United Concrete Pipe Corporation,

Baldwin Park, Calif.

Filed: Feb. 15,1571 7 Appl. No.: 1 15,011

US. Cl ..72/l42, 269/48.l Int. Cl. ..B21f 3/04 Field of Search ..72/49, 135, 142;

in 3,728,883 51 Apr. 24,1973

Primary ExaminerCharles W. Lanham Assistant Examiner--Robert M. Rogers Attorney-Lyon & Lyon [5 7] ABSTRACT A support assembly is disclosed for providing internal 1 support during fabrication of thin-walled large diameter metal cylinders such as those used as membranes in concrete pipe. Such cylinders are usually 5 feet and larger in diameter. The support assembly comprises a plurality of internally mounted wheel assemblies attached to a common frame.

18 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures SUPPORT APPARATUS FOR LARGE DIAMETER THIN-WALL METAL CYLINDERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to support apparatus for preventing the collapse or excessive deformation of thin-walled metal cylinders of large diameter. Such support means may be located adjacent to the forming device which is used to helically form a cylinder from a length of flat metal strip. When such cylinders are used in concrete pipe, their primary purpose is to form a waterproof barrier rather than to add substantial structural strength to the pipe. Such cylinders are typically subsequently coated both internally and externally with concrete, and the external concrete may later be wrapped with steel wire or cable and further coated with concrete to form a length of prestressed concrete pipe.

Several methods have been used to prevent the collapse or excessive deformation of large diameter helically formed cylinders. A common approach is to form the cylinder from a material which has a thickness sufficient to provide structural strength against collapse or excessive deformation of the cylinder. For example, in the case of steel cylinders of approximately 80 inches in diameter, a minimum thickness of 14 gage (0.0747 inch) generally is necessary for prevention of excessive deformation during forming thereof. In as much as the steel cylinder performs the function of a waterproof membrane, rather than contributing significant structural strength, it is apparent that a cost savings can be achieved by the use of thinner steel.

One method of preventing collapse or excessive deformation of large diameter thin-walled helically formed cylinders is to form the cylinder on a mandrel such as that disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,432,914. There, a mandrel is wrapped during the formation stage of the process. This approach requires costly equip ment, and employs a particular size mandrel for forming each different size cylinder. Furthermore, this mandreltype approach precludes a continuous forming operation.

SUMMARY It is an object of the present invention to provide a new apparatus for preventing significant deformation of thin-walled helically formed cylinders.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new apparatus for providing support of continuously formed thin-walled meta] cylinders.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for preventing excessive deformation or collapse of large diameter thin-walled cylinders formed horizontally and helically from metal strip.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an assembly for providing internal support for thin-walled cylinders, which assembly does not require cantilever action for horizontal support.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an assembly which will provide internal support for a length of thin-walled cylinder after it has been severed from the adjacent length of cylinder being formed.

It has been discovered that the collapse or significant deformation of horizontal large diameter cylinders may be prevented by providing a plurality of wheel assemblies attached to a common frame member which is positioned inside the cylinder. For example, it has been found that steel cylinders as thin as 18 gage (0.0478 inch) may be formed helically and horizontally with a diameter as large as approximately 10 feet or larger.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a diagrammatic plan view of a forming device and cylinder being continuously and helically formed from metal strip.

FIG. 2A is an elevation view from the end of the cylinder taken for example along line 2A-2A of FIGS. 1 or 3 showing a support assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a similar view of the support assembly from the end of a severed length of cylinder, taken for example, along a line 28-28 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view, partially cut away, showing the support assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of one of the wheel assemblies of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic elevation view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3 showing exemplary wheel locations of the support assembly of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows the formation of a steel cylinder 10 which is continuously being formed from a roll of steel strip of skelp l 1. The strip is continuously shaped in the forming apparatus 12 into a cylinder and is continuously welded by conventional apparatus not shown. The forming apparatus 12 may be any of the various types which employ rollers or the like for originally forming the strip into a cylindrical shape.

As the steel strip 11 enters the forming apparatus 12 forming devices thereof urge the flat strip in a helical fashion into a cylindrical shape which then is welded to form a continuous cylinder. I

A mounting plate 13 may be attachedto the frame, or other structural supporting members, of the forming apparatus 12. A plurality of wheel assemblies as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are attached to an axial tube or shaft 25 which in turn may be attached to mounting plate 13. Alternatively, the axial member 25 can be attached to other suitable means, such as a floor mounted pedestal. As an example, six sets of internal wheel assemblies 15 through 20 and two sets of external wheels 21 and 22 are shown in FIGS. 2A and 3. Several wheel assemblies in each set are shown in'FIG. 2A before the length of cylinder is cut off, and the individual exemplary wheel locations thereof may be determined by reference to FIG. 5 which will be discussed in more detail subsequently. Rollers such as 23 and 24 at the bottom of the cylinder are conventional and function toprovide additional vertical support. The tube 25 functions as a mounting member or frame for the wheel assemblies.

As shown in FIG. 3, the portion of the cylinder within the forming apparatus 12 may be supported internally by wheels 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b, 15a and 17c, although in some types of forming apparatus wheel assemblies may not be necessary until the cylinder leaves the forming apparatus. Also as seen in FIG. 3, at a short distance from the forming apparatus, the cylinder is supported by wheels 15b, 16b and 17d.

The axial tube 25 is given primary vertical support, rather than relying on cantilever action, by the lower wheel assemblies which in turn are supported by the cylinder. The cylinder is supported in turn by lower external wheels and rollers. As shown in FIG. 3, tube 25 is given upward support by

wheel assemblies

19a and 200 which are located inside of the cylinder. External wheel 21a is mounted to ride at the same point of the cylinder as internal wheel 19a. There is an external wheel 22a (seen in FIG. 2A, but not seen in FIG. 3) which is mounted externally and located so as to mate with internal wheel 20a. This combination of external and internal wheels provides vertical support for tube 25. Wheel assembly 17e, of course, provides further internal vertical support for the thin-walled cylinder 10.

At a predetermined location, a completed length of cylinder 26 (such as 20 feet long) is cut as indicated at 27 in FIG. 3 from the cylinder being formed. This is accomplished by conventional apparatus not shown. After .the length of cylinder 26 has been severed, it nonetheless requires internal support while it remains in a horizontal position. This internal support is provided by similar wheel assemblies mounted on the axial tube 25 as best seen in FIGS. 2B and 3. These are shown mounted in sets of five wheels. As shown in FIG. 3, the set closest to the forming apparatus 12 includes

internal wheels

15c, 16c, 17f, 19c and 20b. Internal wheels 19c and 20b have external wheels 21c and,22c (not shown) mounted externally to provide support both for the cylinder 26 and for the internal set of wheel assemblies. Identical sets of five internal wheels and two external wheels are located further along tube 25. The wheels are caster mounted to permit them to swivel to the direction shown in FIG. 2B and the lower part of FIG. 3 in order to facilitate the horizontal removal of the severed cylinder 26.

The individual wheel assemblies may be of any suitable construction. FIG. 4 illustrates in detail a preferred construction. A U-bolt 30 is bolted to a saddle 31 around the axial tube 25. Pipe 32 is threaded into saddle 31 and a hex nut 33 is welded at its other end. A threaded rod 34 is screwed into hex nut 33 and a second hex nut 37 is used to secure threaded rod 34 in hex nut 33. This arrangement permits the adjustment of the length of the arm of the wheel assembly. The swivel caster assembly 35 is screwed and welded to threaded rod 34. Swivel caster 35 has a pneumatic tire 36 rotatably mounted thereon.

An example of preferred wheel locations for the sup port of an approximately 80 inch diameter cylinder 10 of 16 gage (0.0598 inch) steel prior to the cut-off point 27 is shown in FIG. 5 for exemplary apparatus where the strip 11 enters as shown in FIG. 2A, although other locations may be used in various applications. The radial locations are described through the axis of rotation of the wheels. The horizontal location of each wheel will be described starting from the mounting plate 13 and working outwardly. The angles are described in degrees of a 360 circle starting at vertical line 39 and proceeding clockwise (that is, from wheel 40 which is at zero degrees). The first wheel 17a (that wheel closest to mounting plate 13) is in the position of wheel 47 shown in FIG. 5 and is 10 inches from the plate 13 and at an angle of 315. The second wheel 18a is in the position of wheel 46 in FIG. 5. This is located 19 inches from the plate and at an angle of 270. The third wheel 17b is also at angular position 47 and is 35 inches from the plate and at an angle of 315. The fourth wheel 18b is at the angular position of wheel 46. This is about 43 inches from the plate and at an angle of 270. The fifth wheel 15a is in the position of wheel 42 of FIG. 5. That is about 50 inches from the plate and at an angle of 45. The sixth wheel 16a is in the position of wheel 40 which is at zero degrees and is about 5 8 inches from the plate. The seventh wheel 17c is in the angular position of wheel 47 and is 68 inches from the plate. The eighth wheel 15b is in the position of wheel 48 of FIG. 5. This is 72 inches from the plate and at an angle of The ninth wheel 16b is in the position of wheel 49 and is about 78 inches from the plate. This is at an angle of 30. The tenth wheel 17d is in the position of wheel 50, and is about 89 inches from the plate and at an angle of about 350. The eleventh wheel 19a is in the position of wheel 45. This wheel is 102 inches from the plate and at an angle of 225. The twelfth wheel 20a is in the position of wheel 44 in FIG. 5. This is 109 inches from the plate and at an angle of about 152. The last wheel 17e is in position 49, and is inches from the plate 13 and at an angle of 30. It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that these are example locations and that others may be used depending on the length of cylinder to the cut-off point, cylinder diameter, gage of metal and so forth.

While the dimensions of the axial tube or central frame are not critical, it has been found that for steel cylinders in the 5 to 10 foot diameter range fabricated from 14 to 16 gage steel that a 6 inch, schedule 40 pipe gives sufficient strength. For the same size range of cylinders it has been found that a wheel assembly arm pipe 32 of 2 inch schedule 40 black iron pipe is satisfactory. A wheel assembly rod 34 made from 1 if; inch stainless steel has been used. A swivel caster 35 having a 4.l0/3.50-4, 4ply pneumatic tire 36 gives sufficient support. It is also possible to utilize solid rubber, plastic or steel wheels in place of pneumatic tires. Pneumatic tires do, however, have the advantage of creating some flexibility, in inflation thereof thus making the arm adjustment less critical.

The attachment of the central frame is readily accomplished by welding the tube 25 to a 1 inch thick flange which is then bolted to the mounting platel3. The use of a U-bolt 30 or other adjustable means of mounting to the central frame or tube 25 permits the angular and axial adjustment of wheel location dependent upon the point where the maximum support against deformation or collapse is desired. It has been found beneficial to locate the lower internal wheels at a point mating to the external wheels. It is not, however, necessary that each lower internal wheel have a mating external wheel and it is possible to use an external wheel only with alternate lower internal wheels. The use of external wheels with mating internal wheels permits the lower portion of the cylinder to support the upper portion of the cylinder since the lower wheels provide the lateral and vertical support for the central frame or tube 25. Thus, the axial tube 25 may be of any desiredlength since support thereof does not rely on cantilever action.

It has also been found desirable to provide greater lateral restraint on the side of the cylinder represented by wheel assemblies 19a (wheel position 45 in FIG. 5) and 21a as compared to the other side. This results from the rotation of the cylinder being formed and consequent increased force toward wheel assembly 210. Further downstream from the mounting plate 13, as after the cut-off point 27, the internal and external support preferably is symmetrical about the vertical axis as seen in FIG. 23. However, before and after cut-off a single internal wheel mating with a single external vertical wheel (at 180 as viewed in FlG. 5), along with external wheels at approximately the locations of

rollers

23 and 24 of FIG. 2A or external positions corresponding to

positions

44 and 45 of FIG. 5, may be used.

As the cylinder is removed from the last set of internal and external support wheel assemblies, it is necessary that internal support be provided until the cylinder can be placed in an upright position or otherwise supported by a coating of concrete or the like. This internal support may be provided by expandable light weight metal rings placed inside the cylinder, or other suitable means may be used.

The length of cylinder which can be supported by the support assembly of this invention is practically unlimited. Since the frame or axial tube 25 does not rely on cantilever action for vertical support, the only limitation on length is related to resistance to twisting or torque transmitted by the wheel assemblies. Additional torque resistance may be obtained by either the use of a larger diameter central frame or a different central frame configuration.

With the axial tube sizes described above, it has been found possible to make steel cylinders as long as 24 feet. Longer cylinders can be made by the use of this invention since additional torque resistance may be readily provided.

The present embodiments of this invention are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims therefore are intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

1. A support assembly for providing internal support for a horizontal, large diameter cylinder having a wall thickness such that said cylinder is likely to significantly deform or collapse if without support comprising a plurality of circumferentially and axially spaced wheel assemblies attached to a frame member for allowing continuous rotation and axial motion of said cylinder with respect to said wheel assemblies, each wheel of said wheel assemblies being positioned for contacting a different portion of the inner surface of said cylinder, and

support means fixed with respect to said frame member for contacting the lower external surface of said cylinder for allowing continuous rotation and axial motion of said cylinder with respect to said support means.

2. A support assembly for providing internal support for a horizontal, large diameter cylinder having a wall thickness such that said cylinder is likely to significantly deform or collapse if without support, said support assembly being held in a fixed relationship with respect to a forming apparatus, said assembly comprising a frame stationarily supported with respect to said forming apparatus to prevent rotational movement of said frame and axial movement thereof in the direction of the axis of said cylinder, plurality of circumferentially and axially spaced wheel assemblies attached to said frame for allowing continuous rotation and axial motion of said cylinder with respect to said wheel assemblies, each of said wheel assemblies having at least one wheel, each wheel being substantially equidistant from the axis of said cylinder and spaced from said axis for contacting a different portion of the inner surface of said cylinder, and

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said wheel assemblies each comprise a caster mounted to said frame by an arm.

4. A support assembly for providing internal support for a horizontal, large diameter cylinder having a wall thickness such that said cylinder is likely to significantly deform or collapse if without support comprising a plurality of wheel assemblies attached to a frame member, each wheel of said wheel assemblies comprising a pneumatic wheel and being positioned so that it contacts the inner surface of said cylinder, and

means rotatably contacting the lower external surface of said cylinder.

5. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said frame is an axially mounted rod attached to said forming apparatus.

6. The assembly of claim 3 wherein said arm is adjustable in length.

7. A support assembly for providing internal support for preventing excessive deformation or collapse of large diameter thin-walled cylinders formed horizontally and helically from metal strip, said assembly comprising a frame stationarily supported with respect to said forming apparatus to prevent rotational movement of said frame and axial movement thereof in the direction of the axis of said cylinder,

a plurality of circumferentially and axially spaced wheel assemblies attached to said frame for allowing continuous rotation and axial motion of said cylinder with respect to said wheel assemblies, each of said wheel assemblies having at least one wheel, each wheel being substantially equidistant from the axis of said cylinder and spaced from said axis for contacting a different portion of the inner surface of said cylinder,

8. A support assembly for providing internal support for a horizontal, large diameter cylinder having a wall thickness such that said cylinder is likely to deform or collapse if without support, said support assembly being held in a fixed relationship with respect to a forming apparatus, said assembly comprising at least two external support wheel assemblies mounted below the horizontal mid-point of said cylinder on different sides of the vertical mid-point of said cylinder,

a frame fixedly attached with respect to said forming apparatus to prevent movement of said frame in the direction of the axis of said cylinder and to prevent rotation of the frame with respect to said forming apparatus, and

a plurality of internal wheel assemblies attached to said frame, at least two of said internal wheel assemblies being, located adjacent said external wheel assemblies and further having at least one additional wheel assembly mounted above the horizontal mid-point of said cylinder.

9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said internal wheel assemblies each comprise a caster mounted to said frame by an arm.

10. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said internal wheel assemblies each includes pneumatic wheels.

1 l. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said frame is an axially mounted shaft affixed to said forming apparatus.

12. A support assembly for providing internal support for a horizontal, large diameter cylinder having a wall thickness such that said cylinder is likely to deform or collapse if without support, said support assembly being held in a fixed relationship with respect to a forming apparatus, said assembly comprising at least one external support wheel assembly mounted below the horizontal mid-point of said cylinder at substantially the vertical mid-point of said cylinder,

a plurality of external rotary support means mounted to contact the lower exterior of said cylinder on different sides of the vertical mid-point of said cylinder,

a plurality of internal wheel assemblies attached to said frame, at least one of said internal wheel assemblies being located adjacent the inner surface of said cylinder opposite said external wheel assembly, and at least two of said internal wheel assemblies extending above the mid-point of said cylinder and contacting the upper interior surface of said cylinder.

13. A support assembly for providing support for a length of horizontal, large diameter cylinder having a wall thickness such that said cylinder is likely to deform or collapse if in a horizontal position without support, said support assembly being positioned away from a forming apparatus to support said length of cylinder after it has been cut from a cylinder being formed by said apparatus, said assembly comprising at least one external support wheel assembly mounted below the horizontal mid-point of said cylinder at substantially the vertical mid-point of said cylinder,

a plurality of external rotary support means mounted to contact the lower exterior of said cylinder on different sides of the vertical mid-point of said cylinder, a frame, and a plurality of internal wheel assemblies attached to said frame, at least one of said internal wheel assemblies being located adjacent the inner surface of said cylinder opposite said external wheel assembly, and at least two of said internal wheel assemblies extending above the mid-point of said cylinder and contacting the upper interior surface of said cylinder.

14. A support assembly for providing support for a length of horizontal, large diameter cylinder having a wall thickness such that said cylinder is likely to deform or collapse if in a horizontal position without support, said support assembly being positioned away from a forming apparatus to support said length of cylinder after it has been cut from a cylinder being formed by said apparatus, said assembly comprising at least two external support wheel assemblies mounted below the horizontal mid-point of said cylinder, each of said assemblies being spaced from the vertical mid-point of said cylinder, and

a plurality of internal wheel assemblies attached to a frame, said frame being affixed so as to prevent axial and rotational movement of said frame with respect to said forming apparatus, a portion of said wheel assemblies being positioned to contact the interior of said cylinder substantially at the area of contact of each of said external wheel assemblies, and the other of said internal wheel assemblies extending. above said horizontal axis of said cylinder and contacting the upper interior surface of said cylinder.

15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein internal wheel assemblies within a plane normal to the axis of the cylinder are substantially symmetricylinder.

16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein each of the sets of wheel assemblies within said plane has two wheel assemblies below the horizontal axis of said cylinder and three wheel assemblies above this horizontal axis.

17. A support assembly for providing internal support for a horizontal, large diameter cylinder having a wall thickness such that said cylinder is likely to significantly deform or collapse if without support comprising a plurality of circumferentially and axially spaced wheel assemblies attached to a frame member for allowing continuous rotation and axial motion of said cylinder with respect to said wheel assemblies,

each wheel of said wheel assemblies being positioned for contacting a different portion of the inner surface of said cylinder, and

support means disposed beneath said wheel assemblies for contacting the lower external surface of cal about a vertical axis through the axis of thedifferent portion of the inner surface of said cylinder, and

exterior support means fixed with respect to said frame member for contacting the lower external surface of said cylinder for allowing rotation and axial motion of said cylinder with respect to said support means.

Claims

1. A support assembly for providing internal support for a horizontal, large diameter cylinder having a wall thickness such that said cylinder is likely to significantly deform or collapse if without support comprising a plurality of circumferentially and axially spaced wheel assemblies attached to a frame member for allowing continuous rotation and axial motion of said cylinder with respect to said wheel assemblies, each wheel of said wheel assemblies being positioned for contacting a different portion of the inner surface of said cylinder, and support means fixed with respect to said frame member for contacting the lower external surface of said cylinder for allowing continuous rotation and axial motion of said cylinder with respect to said support means.

2. A support assembly for providing internal support for a horizontal, large diameter cylinder having a wall thickness such that said cylinder is likely to significantly deform or collapse if without support, said support assembly being held in a fixed relationship with respect to a forming apparatus, said assembly comprising a frame stationarily supported with respect to said forming apparatus to prevent rotational movement of said frame and axial movement thereof in the direction of the axis of said cylinder, a plurality of circumferentially and axially spaced wheel assemblies attached to said frame for allowing continuous rotation and axial motion of said cylinder with respect to said wheel assemblies, each of said wheel assemblies having at least one wheel, each wheel being substantially equidistant from the axis of said cylinder and spaced from said axis for contacting a different portion of the inner surface of said cylinder, and support means fixed with respect to said frame member for contacting the lower external surface of said cylinder for allowing continuous rotation and axial motion of said cylinder with respect to said support means.

4. A support assembly for providing internal support for a horizontal, large diameter cylinder having a wall thickness such that said cylinder is likely to significantly deform or collapse if without support comprising a plurality of wheel assemblies attached to a frame member, each wheel of said wheel assemblies comprising a pneumatic wheel and being positioned so that it contacts the inner surface of said cylinder, and means rotatably contacting the lower external surface of said cylinder.

6. The assembly of claim 3 wherein said arm is adjustable in length.

7. A support assembly for providing internal support for preventing excessive deformation or collapse of large diameter thin-walled cylinders formed horizontally and helically from metal strip, saiD assembly comprising a frame stationarily supported with respect to said forming apparatus to prevent rotational movement of said frame and axial movement thereof in the direction of the axis of said cylinder, a plurality of circumferentially and axially spaced wheel assemblies attached to said frame for allowing continuous rotation and axial motion of said cylinder with respect to said wheel assemblies, each of said wheel assemblies having at least one wheel, each wheel being substantially equidistant from the axis of said cylinder and spaced from said axis for contacting a different portion of the inner surface of said cylinder, support means fixed with respect to said frame member for contacting the lower external surface of said cylinder for allowing continuous rotation and axial motion of said cylinder with respect to said support means.

8. A support assembly for providing internal support for a horizontal, large diameter cylinder having a wall thickness such that said cylinder is likely to deform or collapse if without support, said support assembly being held in a fixed relationship with respect to a forming apparatus, said assembly comprising at least two external support wheel assemblies mounted below the horizontal mid-point of said cylinder on different sides of the vertical mid-point of said cylinder, a frame fixedly attached with respect to said forming apparatus to prevent movement of said frame in the direction of the axis of said cylinder and to prevent rotation of the frame with respect to said forming apparatus, and a plurality of internal wheel assemblies attached to said frame, at least two of said internal wheel assemblies being located adjacent said external wheel assemblies and further having at least one additional wheel assembly mounted above the horizontal mid-point of said cylinder.

11. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said frame is an axially mounted shaft affixed to said forming apparatus.

12. A support assembly for providing internal support for a horizontal, large diameter cylinder having a wall thickness such that said cylinder is likely to deform or collapse if without support, said support assembly being held in a fixed relationship with respect to a forming apparatus, said assembly comprising at least one external support wheel assembly mounted below the horizontal mid-point of said cylinder at substantially the vertical mid-point of said cylinder, a plurality of external rotary support means mounted to contact the lower exterior of said cylinder on different sides of the vertical mid-point of said cylinder, a frame fixedly attached with respect to said forming apparatus to prevent movement of said frame in the direction of the axis of said cylinder and to prevent rotation of the frame with respect to said forming apparatus, and a plurality of internal wheel assemblies attached to said frame, at least one of said internal wheel assemblies being located adjacent the inner surface of said cylinder opposite said external wheel assembly, and at least two of said internal wheel assemblies extending above the mid-point of said cylinder and contacting the upper interior surface of said cylinder.

13. A support assembly for providing support for a length of horizontal, large diameter cylinder having a wall thickness such that said cylinder is likely to deform or collapse if in a horizontal position without support, said support assembly being positioned away from a forming apparatus to support said length of cylinder after it has been cut from a cylinder being formed by said apparatus, said assembly comprising at least one external support wheel assembly mounted below the horizontal mid-point of said cylinder at substantially the vertical Mid-point of said cylinder, a plurality of external rotary support means mounted to contact the lower exterior of said cylinder on different sides of the vertical mid-point of said cylinder, a frame, and a plurality of internal wheel assemblies attached to said frame, at least one of said internal wheel assemblies being located adjacent the inner surface of said cylinder opposite said external wheel assembly, and at least two of said internal wheel assemblies extending above the mid-point of said cylinder and contacting the upper interior surface of said cylinder.

14. A support assembly for providing support for a length of horizontal, large diameter cylinder having a wall thickness such that said cylinder is likely to deform or collapse if in a horizontal position without support, said support assembly being positioned away from a forming apparatus to support said length of cylinder after it has been cut from a cylinder being formed by said apparatus, said assembly comprising at least two external support wheel assemblies mounted below the horizontal mid-point of said cylinder, each of said assemblies being spaced from the vertical mid-point of said cylinder, and a plurality of internal wheel assemblies attached to a frame, said frame being affixed so as to prevent axial and rotational movement of said frame with respect to said forming apparatus, a portion of said wheel assemblies being positioned to contact the interior of said cylinder substantially at the area of contact of each of said external wheel assemblies, and the other of said internal wheel assemblies extending above said horizontal axis of said cylinder and contacting the upper interior surface of said cylinder.

15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein internal wheel assemblies within a plane normal to the axis of the cylinder are substantially symmetrical about a vertical axis through the axis of the cylinder.

17. A support assembly for providing internal support for a horizontal, large diameter cylinder having a wall thickness such that said cylinder is likely to significantly deform or collapse if without support comprising a plurality of circumferentially and axially spaced wheel assemblies attached to a frame member for allowing continuous rotation and axial motion of said cylinder with respect to said wheel assemblies, each wheel of said wheel assemblies being positioned for contacting a different portion of the inner surface of said cylinder, and support means disposed beneath said wheel assemblies for contacting the lower external surface of said cylinder for allowing continuous rotation and axial motion of said cylinder with respect to said support means.

18. A support assembly for providing internal support for a horizontal, large diameter cylinder having a wall thickness such that said cylinder is likely to significantly deform or collapse if without support, comprising a plurality of wheel assembly means for supporting said cylinder while allowing continuous rotation and axial movement of said cylinder with respect to said wheel assembly means, said wheel assembly means being attached to a frame member and comprising a plurality of circumferentially and axially spaced wheel assemblies, each wheel of said wheel assemblies being positioned for contacting a different portion of the inner surface of said cylinder, and exterior support means fixed with respect to said frame member for contacting the lower external surface of said cylinder for allowing rotation and axial motion of said cylinder with respect to said support means.