HK1171804B - Work implementation without stopping flow - Google Patents

Description

Continuous flow process

Technical Field

The invention relates to a continuous flow device and a continuous flow process.

Background

A process of forming a hole without stopping the flow of a fluid in an existing pipe and inserting a valve body into a line of the existing pipe is known (see patent documents 1 and 2).

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication 2000-179779 (abstract)

Patent document 2: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2004-69059 (abstract)

In the conventional split case disclosed in patent documents 1 and 2, the existing pipe is provided with: a first flange of a cutting tool such as a cutter is attached, and a second flange of a valve cover for housing a valve body is attached.

The inside of the division box is sealed, after the existing pipe is perforated by the cutter, the division box is moved by a predetermined amount in the pipe axis direction of the existing pipe, and then the valve body is inserted into the perforated hole.

In the conventional division box, the first flange to which the cutter is attached and the second flange to which the valve cover is attached are connected to each other through the inside of the division box, so that when the existing pipe is perforated by the cutter, the water pressure in the existing pipe acts on the entire inside of the box including the valve cover.

Therefore, an operation valve for detaching the cutter blade needs to be provided.

The box is required to be provided with a mounting part for the cutter and a mounting part for the valve cover, which makes the structure complicated and the miniaturization difficult.

Disclosure of Invention

Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a non-stop device which is simple and easy to operate and can be miniaturized.

In order to achieve the above object, a non-stop device according to the present invention is a non-stop device that is equipped with a piercing machine having a cutter (cutting tool) for forming a hole in a pipe wall of an existing pipe so as to pierce a part of the pipe wall, and that is removed after the hole is formed, the non-stop device including:

a closed box having a plurality of divided boxes divided in a circumferential direction of the existing pipe and surrounding a part of the existing pipe, and a branch pipe part formed on a first divided box among the plurality of divided boxes and having a branch hole extending in a radial direction of the existing pipe; and

a rubber packing for sealing between the hermetic case and the existing pipe,

a flange for mounting and dismounting the puncher is arranged on the branch pipe part of the first dividing box,

the airtight box is movable to and fro in the pipe axis direction of the existing pipe,

and a first seal region and a second seal region formed of the rubber packing, the first seal region surrounding a portion of the closed box where the branch hole is provided and sealing between the closed box and the existing pipe around the branch hole, the second seal region being adjacent to the first seal region and sealed with respect to the first seal region, the second seal region being displaced from the first seal region in the pipe axial direction and temporarily blocking the opening formed by piercing with the cutter.

In the present invention, the non-stop device further includes a partition valve body for preventing the fluid in the existing pipe from entering the existing pipe through the opening formed in the pipe wall, and a bonnet for accommodating the partition valve body and being coupled to the first header through the flange instead of the piercing machine.

In the present invention, first and second seal regions that are not communicated with each other are provided. That is, the first seal region and the second seal region are sealed to each other in a manner not communicating with each other. Therefore, when the existing pipe is perforated with the cutter, the water pressure in the pipe passage of the existing pipe acts on the first seal area, but does not act on the second seal area. On the other hand, when the present device is moved in the tube axis direction, the water pressure in the tube acts on the second seal region, but not on the first seal region.

By blocking the opening of the through hole in the second seal region, an additional operation valve is not required, and the cost can be significantly reduced.

Various devices such as a piercing machine and a valve cover, or a branch pipe may be attached to the flange provided in the first header tank. Therefore, unlike the related art, it is not necessary to provide two flanges, so the configuration becomes simple, and miniaturization of the device can be achieved.

Further, when the present apparatus is used for an existing pipe having a small diameter of about 40 to 75, the nominal diameter of the bolt for fixing the flange to the piercing machine or the bonnet is increased relative to the present apparatus. However, unlike the prior art, it is not necessary to assemble bolts to both flanges, and only a single flange may be used. Therefore, by bringing the adjacent bolts close to each other, there is no concern that assembly becomes complicated.

However, when the present device is used for a water pipe, durability per 50 years to 100 years is required. Therefore, it is necessary to use expensive stainless steel bolts and nuts. In this device, a bolt or a nut may be attached to only a single flange. Therefore, unlike the prior art, the number of bolts is reduced. As a result, a significant cost reduction can be achieved.

In the continuous flow process according to the present invention, the continuous flow process includes an assembling step of surrounding a part of an existing pipe in an airtight state by the airtight box and attaching the piercing machine to the flange of the first split box without providing an operation valve, a piercing step of passing the cutter through the branch hole and forming the open hole in the part of the existing pipe, a first moving step of moving the airtight box in a first direction in the pipe axial direction after the piercing step so that the first sealing region does not cover the open hole and the second sealing region surrounds the open hole, and a second moving step of detaching the piercing machine from the flange together with the cutter after the first moving step, in the second moving step, the sealed casing is moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction to a position where the partition valve body can enter the opening after the replacement step.

According to the above-described non-stop process, the open hole perforated by the cutter can be closed by the second sealing region by moving the sealing box in the first direction in the first moving step. Therefore, in the replacement process, the piercing machine having the cutter can be removed, and the valve cover for housing the valve body can be attached in place of the piercing machine.

Thereafter, in a second moving step, the sealed box is moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and the partition valve body can be inserted into the existing pipe from the opening.

Therefore, the insertion of the partition valve body having the aforementioned advantages can be performed as compared with the case where the operation valve is additionally used.

Drawings

In fig. 1, fig. 1A is a schematic vertical sectional view showing a state where a piercing machine is attached to a flange in a non-stop apparatus according to embodiment 1 of the present invention, and fig. 1B is a transverse sectional view thereof;

in fig. 2, fig. 2A is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which a valve cover is attached to the same flange in the non-stop device, and fig. 2B is a transverse sectional view thereof;

in fig. 3, fig. 3A is a schematic plan view showing a state where a sealed tank is attached to an existing pipe, and fig. 3B is an exploded perspective view showing a first divided tank and a rubber packing partially cut away;

in fig. 4, fig. 4A is a schematic bottom view of the first split case, fig. 4B is a schematic bottom view of the rubber packing, and fig. 4C is a schematic side view of the rubber packing;

in fig. 5, fig. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E and 5F are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a non-stop process, respectively;

in fig. 6, fig. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D are schematic cross-sectional views each showing a continuous flow process;

in fig. 7, fig. 7A is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a state where a valve cover is attached to a no-flow device according to embodiment 2 of the present invention, and fig. 7B is a schematic bottom view of a rubber packing;

fig. 8A and 8B are schematic cross-sectional views each showing a moving method of the non-stop device.

Detailed Description

In the present invention, it is preferable that a first portion of the rubber packing forming the first seal region is formed in a lattice shape having through holes through which the cutter passes, and a second portion of the rubber packing forming the second seal region is formed in a cylindrical shape covering the entire surface of a portion of the existing pipe corresponding to the second seal region and the entire opening.

According to this aspect, when the sealed casing is moved in the tube axis direction, the packing of the second portion spans the opening, but the second portion connected in the tube axis direction of the cylindrical shape is caught in the opening, and it is difficult for the "rolling" to occur.

In the present invention, the second portion of the rubber filler preferably includes: a pair of protrusions that protrude toward the existing pipe from an inner circumferential surface facing an outer circumferential surface of the existing pipe and extend in a circumferential direction of the existing pipe; and a connecting portion connecting the pair of protruding strip portions, the inner diameter of the connecting portion being larger than that of the protruding strip portions.

According to the present aspect, the second portion is formed in a lattice biscuit shape (lattice biscuit pattern) having a pair of protruding portions. Therefore, the contact pressure between the connecting portion and the existing pipe is small. Therefore, the movement in the tube axis direction becomes easy.

Example 1

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

Fig. 1A to 6D show example 1.

First, the overall structure of the present apparatus will be explained.

Non-cutoff device 2:

the present apparatus 2 shown in fig. 1 and 2 surrounds the existing pipe 1 in a state where a fluid (for example, water or the like) flows in the pipe of the existing pipe 1, and performs continuous flow piercing, insertion/removal of a valve element, and the like by moving in the pipe axis direction L as shown in fig. 5A to 6D.

Division boxes 21, 22:

as shown in fig. 1B, the present apparatus 2 includes a closed casing 20. The closed casing 20 is composed of two divided casings 21 and 22 surrounding a part of the existing pipe 1.

The first and second divided cases 21 and 22 are divided along an imaginary plane substantially perpendicular to the axis X of the branch pipe portion 27. The pair of split cases 21 and 22 are externally fitted to the existing pipe 1 from above and below in the pipe diameter direction C of the existing pipe 1, and are assembled by fastening the coupling portions 25 to each other with the assembly bolts 29a and the assembly nuts 29 b.

As shown in fig. 1A, each of the divided tanks 21 and 22 has an inner peripheral surface 29 that is curved substantially along the outer peripheral surface 13 of the existing pipe 1.

Among the plurality of divided cases 21 and 22 shown in fig. 1B, the branch pipe portion 27 is integrally formed in the first case 21, and the branch pipe portion 27 has a branch-shaped branch hole 23 projecting and extending in the radial direction C of the existing pipe 1.

The branch pipe portion 27:

a flange 28 such as a plate-like flange is integrally formed on the branch pipe portion 27, and the piercing machine 3 shown in fig. 1B or the valve cover 5 shown in fig. 2B is attached to the flange 28.

Rubber filler 30:

in fig. 3A, a part corresponding to the existing tube 1 is applied with fine dots. In FIG. 4A, coarse dots are applied to the packing attachment portions 41 to 44 of the division boxes 21 and 22. In fig. 4B and 4C, fine dots are applied to the rubber filler 30.

As shown in fig. 4A, the packing attachment portions 41 to 44 formed of lattice-shaped grooves are formed on the inner surface of the divided cases 21 and 22. The rubber packing 30 shown in fig. 3B is attached to the packing attaching portions 41 to 44, and as shown in fig. 1A, the rubber packing 30 seals the space between the existing pipe 1 and the closed casing 20.

As shown in fig. 3B and 4B, the rubber packing 30 includes first to third seal rings 31 to 33 that are split in a half-open manner and two linear portions 35 and 35 that are linear.

As shown in fig. 4A, the divided cases 21 and 22 are formed with first to third concave portions 41 to 43 and fourth concave portions 44 and 44 into which the first to third seal rings 31 to 33 and the linear portions 35 and 35 are fitted, respectively.

As shown in fig. 4C and 3B, the inner circumferential surfaces 34 of the first to third seal rings 31 to 33 are formed in a semicircular shape so as to be in close contact with the outer circumferential surface 13 of the existing pipe 1. The fourth recessed portion is formed linearly so that the linear portions 35 are fitted into the fourth recessed portion, and the linear portions 35 are brought into close contact with each other when the split case 21(22) is attached to the existing pipe 1.

First seal region S1:

as shown in fig. 1A, the first seal ring 31 and the second seal ring 32 are disposed on both sides of the branch hole 23 in the pipe axis direction L. Therefore, a first seal (sealing) area S1 that encloses and seals the portion of the sealing box 20 where the branch hole 23 is provided is formed between the first seal ring 31 and the second seal ring 32. That is, the first seal region S1 that blocks the branch hole 23 is formed in a portion corresponding to the branch hole 23.

Second seal region S2:

as shown in fig. 4B, a second seal area S2 is formed between the second seal ring 32 and the third seal ring 33. That is, as shown in fig. 1A, a second sealing (hermetic) region S2 is adjacent to the first sealing region S1 and sealed with respect to the first sealing region S1. The second seal region S2 is formed to be displaced from the first seal region S1 in the tube axial direction L and has a size capable of closing the hole 1A perforated by the cutter 3a (fig. 1A) shown in fig. 5E.

The sealing regions S1 and S2 are sealed spaces, and the sealing regions S1 and S2 are not communicated with each other.

As shown in fig. 1B, the straight portions 35 and 35 are provided so as to face each other between the joint portion 25 of the first divided box 21 and the joint portion 25 of the second divided box 22.

The non-stop process comprises the following steps:

assembling;

first, as shown in fig. 1A and 1B, a part of the existing pipe 1 is enclosed in an airtight state by the airtight box 20, and the piercing machine 3 is attached to the first divided box 21 via the flange 28.

That is, when the first and second divided cases 21 and 22 surround the existing pipe 1 so as to sandwich the existing pipe 1 from top to bottom, the inner circumferential surfaces 34 of the first to third seal rings 31 to 33 of the rubber packing 30 contact the pipe wall 12 (outer circumferential surface 13) of the existing pipe 1, and as shown in fig. 1A, the first seal region S1 and the second seal region S2 are formed.

Then, a bolt 29a is inserted into the joint 25 of the two divided cases 21 and 22 shown in fig. 1B, and a nut 29B is screwed to the bolt 29a, whereby a part of the existing pipe 1 is enclosed in an airtight state by the airtight case 20.

A punching process;

thereafter, as shown in fig. 5A and 5B, the piercing machine 3 is moved (lowered) toward the center of the existing pipe 1, a part of the pipe wall 12 of the existing pipe 1 is pierced by the cutter 3a of the piercing machine 3, and the entire apparatus 2 is rotated in the circumferential direction R while the cutter 3a of the piercing machine 3 is rotated, whereby the part of the existing pipe 1 shown in fig. 5C and 5D is pierced to form the opening 1a extending over substantially half of the circumference.

A first moving step;

thereafter, the piercing machine 3 is returned to the original position, and the airtight box 20 is slid in the first direction L1 to the position shown by the two-dot chain line in fig. 5C. That is, as shown in fig. 5E, the hermetic container 20 is moved such that the first sealing area S1 does not cover the opening 1a and the second sealing area S2 surrounds the opening 1 a.

A replacement process;

as shown in fig. 5E and 5F, after the first movement step, the piercing machine 3 and the cutter 3a are removed from the closed casing 20.

Here, the opening 1a is sealed by the second sealing region S2 through the first moving process. Therefore, there is no possibility that water flowing in the pipe line of the existing pipe 1 may be ejected from the opening 1 a.

After the piercing machine 3 is removed, as shown in fig. 6A and 6B, the valve cover 5 is attached to the flange 28 of the first divided box 21. The valve cover 5 has a valve body 5a built therein, which can intrude into the existing pipe 1.

A second moving step;

thereafter, as shown by the two-dot chain line in fig. 6A, the airtight box 20 is slidably moved in a second direction L2 opposite to the first direction L1. In the second moving step, as shown in fig. 6C and 6D, the sealed casing 20 is moved to a position where the partition valve body 5a can enter the existing pipe 1 through the opening 1 a.

A water stopping process;

thereafter, when the operation portion 51 of the bonnet 5 is rotated, the partition valve body 5a is lowered, and as shown in fig. 2A and 2B, the pipe line of the existing pipe 1 is closed to stop water. After this water stop, the operation is performed on the downstream side of the existing pipe 1.

Thereafter, when the operation portion 51 of the bonnet 5 is rotated in the reverse direction, the partition valve body 5a is lifted as shown in fig. 6C and 6D.

When the bonnet 5 and the partition valve body 5a are not necessary, the partition valve body 5a is raised, and then the sealed box 20 is slid again in the first direction L1.

By the movement, as shown in fig. 6A and 6B, the first sealing region S1 does not cover the opening 1a, and the second sealing region S2 surrounds the opening 1 a.

After the movement, the bonnet 5 is removed from the closed casing 20 together with the partition valve body 5 a.

Example 2

Fig. 7A and 8B show embodiment 2.

As shown in fig. 7B, the first portion 61 of the rubber packing 30 forming the first seal region S1 is formed in a lattice shape having through holes 61a through which the cutter blade 3a (fig. 1) or the partition valve body 5a (fig. 7A) passes.

As shown in fig. 7A and 7B, the second portion 62 of the rubber packing 30 forming the second seal region S2 is formed in a cylindrical shape covering the entire circumference of the portion of the existing pipe 1 corresponding to the second seal region S2.

Second portion 62:

in the second portion 62 of the rubber packing 30, the second projecting portion 32 and the third projecting portion 33 are formed with ridge portions 64 and 65, respectively. Of the protrusions 64 and 65, the inner peripheral surface facing the outer peripheral surface 13 of the existing pipe 1 protrudes toward the existing pipe 1.

A connecting portion 66 is integrally formed between the second projecting portion 32 and the third projecting portion 33 of the rubber packing 30, and the connecting portion 66 connects the pair of protrusions 64 and 65 and has an inner diameter larger than the protrusions 64 and 65.

Therefore, as shown in fig. 7B, the second portion 62 is formed in a lattice-biscuit shape (lattice-biscuit pattern) including the pair of protruding portions 64, 65 and the pair of linear portions 35, 35.

As shown in fig. 7A, the closed casing 20 of the present embodiment 2 is provided with a fastening ring 70 that contacts the outer peripheral surface 13 of the existing pipe 1.

In the above-described configuration, as shown in fig. 8A, when a part of the existing pipe 1 is enclosed in an airtight state by the airtight box 20, the first to third convex portions 31 to 33 are deformed to be in close contact with the outer peripheral surface 13 of the existing pipe 1, and the inner peripheral surface 63 of the connecting portion 66 is in contact with or close to the outer peripheral surface 13 of the existing pipe 1.

After the piercing process by the cutter 3a shown in fig. 8A, when the sealed casing 20 is slid in the first direction L1, the link 66 functions as a backup ring, so that the second convex portion 32 does not fall down in the opening 1 a. Therefore, the second convex portion 32 is caught by the opening 1a, and a phenomenon such as "rolling" is less likely to occur.

By this movement, as shown in fig. 8B, the closed casing 20 is moved in the first direction L1 so that the second convex portion 32 and the third convex portion 33 straddle the opening 1a, and the opening 1a of the existing pipe 1 is covered with the second portion 62.

When the sealed casing 20 is moved in the second direction L2, the second convex portion 32 is connected to the third convex portion 33 via the connecting portion 66, thereby preventing the second convex portion 32 from falling down in the opening 1 a. Therefore, the second projection 32 easily passes over the opening 1 a.

In the other configurations, the same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals as in embodiment 1, and the description thereof is omitted.

In example 2, the second portion 62 forming the second seal region S2 may be formed in a cylindrical shape by combining two semi-cylindrical rubber packings not having the convex portions 32 and 33. At this time, the entire inner peripheral surface of the second portion 62 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the existing pipe.

As described above, although the preferred embodiments have been described with reference to the drawings, it is apparent that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention by those skilled in the art who have the present specification.

In the above-described embodiment, the sealed tank surrounding the existing pipe is divided into two, i.e., the first and second divided tanks, but may be divided into three or more parts.

In addition, the box surrounding the existing pipe may be a cast part, or may be formed of a steel plate. When the first and second divided cases are formed of a steel plate, the two divided cases can be integrated by welding in a temporarily assembled state.

The shape of the perforated hole is not limited to the circular arc shape, and may be circular. It should be noted that the circular hole may be formed by a known hole saw.

Therefore, the above-described changes and modifications should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention as inferred from the claims.

Industrial applicability

The uninterrupted flow device and the uninterrupted flow process of the present invention can be used for inserting a partition valve body in a pipeline of an existing pipe such as a tap water pipe or a gas, and the flow of fluid is prevented by the inserted partition valve body.

Description of the symbols

1: existing pipe

2: non-cutoff device

3 a: cutting knife

12: pipe wall

20: enclosed box

21: first division box

23: branch hole

28: flange

30: rubber filler

L: direction of pipe axis

L1: a first direction

L2: second direction

R: in the circumferential direction

S1: first sealing area

S2: second sealing area

Claims (1)

1. A continuous flow process using a continuous flow device equipped with a piercing machine having a cutter for piercing a part of a pipe wall of an existing pipe to form a hole in the pipe wall, wherein the piercing machine is detached after the hole is formed,

the non-flow-blocking device is provided with:

a closed box having a plurality of divided boxes divided in a circumferential direction of the existing pipe and surrounding a part of the existing pipe, and a branch pipe part formed on a first divided box among the plurality of divided boxes and having a branch hole extending in a radial direction of the existing pipe; and

a rubber packing for sealing between the hermetic case and the existing pipe,

a flange for mounting and dismounting the puncher is arranged on the branch pipe part of the first dividing box,

the airtight box is movable to and fro in the pipe axis direction of the existing pipe,

forming a first seal region and a second seal region from the rubber packing, the first seal region surrounding a portion of the sealing box where the branch hole is provided and sealing between the sealing box and the existing pipe around the branch hole, the second seal region being adjacent to the first seal region and sealed with respect to the first seal region, the second seal region being displaced from the first seal region in the pipe axial direction and temporarily blocking the opening formed by piercing with the cutter,

the non-cutoff device is also provided with a separation valve body and a valve cover,

the partition valve body is used for preventing the fluid in the existing pipe from flowing from the opening formed on the pipe wall to invade the interior of the existing pipe,

the valve cover receives the partition valve body and is combined with the first dividing box through the flange in a mode of replacing the perforating machine,

the non-stop process comprises an assembling procedure, a perforating procedure, a first moving procedure, a replacing procedure and a second moving procedure,

in the assembling step, the existing pipe is partially surrounded by the airtight box, and the piercing machine is attached to the flange of the first divided box without providing an operation valve,

in the piercing step, the cutter passes through the branch hole and forms the open hole in a part of the existing pipe,

in the first moving step, the sealed casing is moved in a first direction in the pipe axis direction after the piercing step so that the first sealing region does not cover the opening and the second sealing region surrounds the opening,

in the replacement step, the piercing machine is removed from the flange together with the cutting blade after the first movement step, and a bonnet that houses the partition valve body is attached to the flange in place of the piercing machine,

in the second moving step, after the replacement step, the sealed tank is moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction to a position where the partition valve body can enter the opening.