RU2395748C2 - Pipeline shut-off device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: machine building.

SUBSTANCE: device includes cylindrical housing equipped with elastic inflatable sealant (of chamber type). Locking device is made in the form of power hydraulic cylinders with pistons. Cups are made from elastic material. Device is equipped with pressurised compartment with equipment of control, performance of process operations, which is located inside it, and includes the following: electric current source, receiving unit of external signals and transmission of executive commands, electromagnetic distributor, electric and hydraulic lines, electrically-driven pump, electric-contact pressure gauge and filter. Central bypass element is made in the form of inflatable elastic cover mounted on pressurised compartment. Inner cavities of sealant and cylinders are filled with pumped medium. Device is equipped on both edges with a bumper with the semi-ring providing safe execution of process operations, convenience of loading and excavation. Device moves inside pipeline owing to flow energy of pumped flow.

EFFECT: simplifying and improving reliability of the design.

4 cl, 2 dwg

Description

The invention relates to the field of pipeline transport and is intended to block the pipeline for subsequent repair, testing, production of inserts for various purposes, etc.

A device for shutting off a pipeline is known, comprising a hollow cylindrical body and cuffs located at its ends and movably mounted cuffs with pressing springs acting from ring stops, lever clamps installed between the cuffs and stops, pistons behind the stops, also containing a locking member with a drive; the device works if there are four pipes with valves and overlapping radial holes in the casing (see SU 1024652 A, IPC F16L 55/18, 1983).

The technical disadvantage of the known device for blocking the pipeline: limited functionality due to the use in a given place of a pre-equipped pipeline; lack of reliability (the proposed cuffs are guaranteed not to provide sealing devices, the clamps on the body and the valves on the nozzles acting due to the differential pressure can work under strictly defined conditions).

A device for blocking a pipeline is known, comprising a housing with elastic inflatable sealants, locking shoes with a lever system, a central bypass element, power cylinders for the shoes and bypass element, an electric current source, an external signal receiving and transmitting unit for executive commands, compressed gas sources, screw blades , electromagnetic distributors, electric and pneumatic lines (SU 1328634 A1, IPC F16L 55/18, 1987 with the additional invention SU 1560888 A2, IPC F16L 55/8, 1990; prize listed Aki selected from formulas and descriptions of inventions).

The technical disadvantage of this device: insufficient functionality (sound signals due to the blows of the fists - driven by screw blades - are not an accurate means to determine the installation location in the pipeline); insufficiently high reliability (due to the leakage of the central bypass element, the absence of duplicate sealants, the movement of the device with a one-sided gap in the pipe and with sliding friction of the guides on the pipe walls, the lack of the possibility of replenishing the energy carrier - compressed gas, the operation of power cylinders from compressed gas, which turns the cylinders into elastic unstable operating elements).

A device is known for blocking a pipeline containing an inflatable balloon enclosed in protective nets and a cuff with a groove in which a transparent tube is installed (RU 2105299 C1, IPC ⁶ F16L 55/132, 1998), containing a sealed cylindrical chamber with rubber walls and a power frame, cord-reinforced end walls with pipe fitting (RU 2131078 C1, IPC ⁶ F16L 55/128, 1999).

The technical drawback of such devices: limited functionality, lack of means of reliable retention in a given place of the pipeline, the need to empty the pipeline during work and lack of reliability, including due to the possibility of pipe breakage during the demolition of the device.

A device for shutting off a pipeline is known, including a tubular body, on the surface of which an annular receiver, elastic inflatable sealing units and a locking unit, actuated by pneumatic cylinders, and placed inside the damper body are mounted (RU 2117851 C1, IPC ⁷ F16L 55/18, 1998).

The technical disadvantage of the known device: limited functionality due to the production of taps in the pipeline only at a distance between the sealing nodes, provided that the device is accurately installed in a given place; insufficient reliability due to leaks in the valves of the primitive design, lack of means for regulating the air pressure at the outlet of the receiver, the impossibility of restoring the energy consumption of the receiver and the friction of the "delicate" elements on the body against the inner surface of the pipeline when moving the device.

A device for repairing pipelines is known, including a rubber-cord casing connected by a hose to a gas pressure source, a pressure gauge, a three-way valve, a hose section connected to the casing (RU 2240466 C2, IPC ⁷ F16L 55/12, 2002).

The technical drawback of such devices: limited functionality, lack of means of reliable fixation and sealing, the need to empty the pipeline during work.

A device for blocking a pipeline is known, including a hollow cylindrical body with an elastic inflatable sealant, locking means, a central bypass element, a source of compressed gas, screw blades along the axis of the body, an electric power source, a control unit and distribution equipment (RU 2245482 C2, IPC ⁷ F16L 55 / 12, 2003).

A technical disadvantage of the known device: limited functionality due to an unreliable system of fixation and sealing of the device, it is possible to break the shell on the fittings located inside the pipelines, lack of control over the retained medium.

A device is known for blocking an existing pipeline, including a housing with elastic inflatable sealants, locking shoes, a central bypass element, compressed gas sources, locking shoes with a lever system, a central bypass element, power cylinders for the shoes and bypass element (RU 2220362 C1, IPC ⁷ F16L 55/18, 2002).

The technical disadvantage of the known device: limited functionality due to an unreliable system of fixation and sealing of the device, the lack of control over the retained medium, high energy consumption of the device.

The device (RU 2220362 C1, IPC ⁷ F16L 55/18, 2002) is selected as a prototype.

Technical task: expanding functionality, simplifying and improving the reliability of the design, achieving reusable use of the device, which reduces the cost of the work on sealing the internal cavity of the pipeline.

Like the prototype, a device for shutting off a pipeline, comprising a housing equipped with an elastic inflatable sealant (chamber type), locking means, cuffs of elastic material, a central bypass element, monitoring equipment, and execution of technological operations, including: an electric current source, an external receiving unit signals and transmission of executive commands, electromagnetic distributor, electric and hydraulic lines, electric drive pump, electrical contact pressure gauge. Unlike the prototype, the body is made in the form of a cylinder, the locking means is made in the form of power hydraulic cylinders with pistons, the outer surface of which is made under the generatrix of the pipeline and coated with antifriction material, the hardness of which is less than the hardness of the material of the wall of the pipeline, in addition, the device is equipped with a sealed compartment with inside the control equipment, execution of technological operations, the central bypass element is made in the form of an inflatable elastic shell mounted on the sealed compartment, the internal cavity of the sealants and cylinders are filled with the pumped medium, from both ends the device is equipped with a bumper with a half ring, which ensures safe carrying out of technological operations, convenience of storage and extraction, the contactless pressure gauge is connected to the electromagnetic distributor, the cuffs are made of elastic material, installed coaxially with the body, serve as the supports of the sealant and are spaced apart from each other by a distance greater than the width of the wedge space of the pipe gate wires.

Figure 1 shows a General view of the device for blocking the pipeline, combined with a longitudinal section; figure 2 - schematic electro-hydraulic circuit of the device.

The device for blocking the pipeline includes a cylindrical body 1, on the outer surface of which cuffs 2, 3, 4, 5 are mounted. Closer to the central part of the body, between the cuffs 4 and 5, there is an inflatable sealant (chamber type) made of elastic material 6. On both sides between the cuffs 3, 4 and 5, 2, power cylinders 7 are fixed, consisting of a cylinder 8 and a piston 9 mounted on the coupling 10. The number of cylinders on one side, as shown in Figs. 1, 8. It is possible that another number can be installed cylinders, head Pressure retention. Bumpers 11, 12 with half rings 13, 14 are attached to both sides of the housing 1. In the inner part of the housing 1 there is a sealed cylindrical compartment 15 attached to the housing 1 by holders 16, on the outer surface of which, closer to the middle, a central bypass element 17 is mounted. Bypass the element is made in the form of a sealant (chamber type) of elastic material. To control the sealants 6, 17 and power cylinders 7, as well as to receive external signals and activate electric consumers, there are provided (Fig. 2) a low-power hydraulic pump 18 with a drive from the corresponding electric motor 19, a block for receiving and transmitting executive commands 20, an electric current source 21, for example DC electric accumulator, electromagnetic distributor 22, fluid lines 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32. The valve is equipped with an electrocontact pressure gauge 33, filter 34 is located on line 24.

The electric motor 19, the electric elements of the pressure gauge 33, the electromagnetic distributor 22 are connected by electric lines 35, 36, 37 with the block receiving and transmitting executive commands 20, and through it with a source of electric current 21 using the electric line 38.

A device for blocking the pipeline is as follows.

The device is introduced into the pipeline through the start chamber of the treatment device. The initial position when entering the device into the pipeline: the central bypass element 17 is locked - are under the action of the working pressure of the pumped medium (p ₀ = p _t + Δp, where p _t is the calculated pressure of the transported product in the pipeline; Δp = 0.3-0.5 MPa), the sealant 6 is empty; the surface of the power pistons 7 are not in contact with the inner surface of the pipeline; the electric current source 21 is electrically charged at full power.

To the point of overlap, the device moves with the flow of the transported product, due to the pressure drop before and after the device. Possible dents, sagging and various reinforcement (not more than 15% of DN) are overcome due to the deformation of the elastic cuffs. The cuffs prevent abrasion and possible damage to the seal 6, since its diameter is less than the diameter of the cuff, and the cuffs take on some of the functions of the scrapers and increase the effective transverse area of the pipeline. Since the cuffs are at a distance greater than the width of the wedge-shaped space of the pipeline valve, therefore, jamming of the device is excluded.

When approaching the stopping place of the device in the pipeline — upon receiving the first external signal from the antenna located on the pipeline at the stopping point of the device perceived by unit 20, the device is preliminarily braked and its travel speed decreases due to emptying of the sealant 17. To do this, according to the corresponding pulse of the unit 20 voltage is supplied from an electric current source 21 via an electric line 37 to an electromagnetic distributor 22, which opens lines 26 and 27, the liquid will move from the sealant RA 17 to the power cylinders 7 through line 26, the magnetic distributor 22, lines 27, 29, 30, 31 due to the pressure in the seal 17, which occurs due to the dynamic action of the bypass flow and due to the elastic properties of the material of the bypass element 17, after the pressure in the bypass element and in the cylinders are equal, determined by the electric contact pressure gauge 33, the bypass element 17 is cleaned with an electric pump 18 driven by an electric motor 19. As a result, the pumped medium flows freely inside the housing and 1 through the resulting annular gap (effective transverse area decreases), thus the speed of movement of the device is reduced.

When the device approaches the stopping place, upon receipt of subsequent external signals received by the unit 20, the device stops, fixes and seals against the pipeline. To do this, the pulses of the block 20 through the electric line 37 are supplied with voltage to the electromagnetic distributor 22. The electromagnetic distributor 22 allows access to the working cylinders 7 of the working fluid, which is pumped through the lines 27, 29, 30, 31 under pressure from the pump 18. As a result, the pistons 9 s a certain force is pressed against the inner surface of the pipe and, being under the influence of the pressure of the working medium in the cylinders 8, fix the device in a given place of the pipeline.

Following this, the electromagnetic distributor 22 allows access to the working medium, which through the lines 23, 24, the filter 34, passing the electromagnetic distributor 22, then through the hydraulic lines 26 and 28 enters the cavity of the sealants 6 and 17, they are filled and seal the cavity of the pipeline. Upon completion of the sealing process of the device, the electromagnetic distributor 22 is closed, and the working fluid in the lines 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 and in the cavities of the sealants 6, 17, as well as in the cylinders 8, are locked.

The flow of the pumped medium into the device is ensured by hydraulic lines 23, 24, a filter 34 and a multi-section electromagnetic distributor 22, which allows for a certain sequence of operation of the electromagnetic valves to pump and direct the fluid flow in different directions.

During the work, the electrical contact pressure gauge 33 monitors the pressure change in all cavities, and also, after the pipeline is completely sealed, measures the pressure of the medium being retained, which increases the device’s functionality. When lowering the pressure in any cavity, the electrical contact pressure gauge 33 sends a signal to the block 20, which includes the pump motor, thus ensuring the reliability of the overlap.

The technology of work may include the sequential entry into the pipeline of two or more devices with a distance between them. In this case, after fixing in a given place, sealing the devices relative to the pipe and stopping the pumping of the product, the specified section is cut off from the rest of the pipeline. After this, it becomes possible in a known manner to pump out the transported product located between the devices without emptying the pipeline at a great distance. This is facilitated by the reliable sealing ability of the devices.

After completion of work on the pipeline, depressurization of the bypass element 17 first occurs, then pumping of the product is started, the space between the devices is filled. After that, in one device closest to the receiving chamber of the treatment devices, the housing 1 is depressurized relative to the pipe and the housing is locked in the pipe. To this end, by means of the block 20 and the source of electric current 21, the electromagnetic distributor 22 is transferred to the liquid discharge position. The latter under the action of pressure in the seal 6, 17 and the pump 18 is discharged into the pipeline.

Under the action of the flow of the transported product, the device moves through the pipeline into the receiving chamber of the treatment devices. Similarly, work is performed on another device that also moves through the pipeline.

Distance control and reception - transmission of executive commands to each device is provided by the communication system between the device and the AWP operator. Information processing and decision making about stopping and subsequent sealing of devices can be automated using computers, which will exclude the influence of the human factor on the sealing process.

Thus, due to the fact that the body of the device is made in the form of a cylinder, the locking means is made in the form of power hydraulic cylinders with pistons, the outer surface of which is made under the generatrix of the pipeline and coated with antifriction material, the hardness of which is less than the hardness of the material of the wall of the pipeline, the device is equipped with a sealed compartment with control equipment located inside, execution of technological operations, the central bypass element is made in the form of an inflatable elastic shell, mounted with an aerial in the pressurized compartment, the internal cavities of the sealants and cylinders are filled with the pumped medium, from both ends the device is equipped with a bumper with a half ring, which ensures safe carrying out of technological operations, convenience of storage and extraction, the contactless pressure gauge is connected to the electromagnetic distributor, the cuffs are made of elastic material, installed coaxially with case, perform the role of the support of the sealant and are spaced apart from each other by a distance greater than the width of the wedge space and pipeline execution of said structural systems and elements in the proposed apparatus for closing a pipeline is achieved:

1) reliable pipeline sealing;

2) simplification of the design and control algorithm of the braking and locking process;

3) improving the reliability and durability of the device;

4) tightness of electrical and hydraulic elements;

5) safety and environmental friendliness as a result of the use of the pumped product;

6) sparing operating conditions and repeated use of an elastic shell;

7) continuous monitoring of the pressure of the pumped medium held by the device.

Claims (4)

1. A device for blocking the pipeline, comprising a housing provided with an elastic inflatable sealant (chamber type), locking means, cuffs of elastic material, a central bypass element, monitoring equipment, execution of technological operations, including: an electric current source, an external signal receiving unit, and executive command transmissions, electromagnetic distributor, electric and hydraulic lines, electric drive pump, electric contact pressure gauge, filter, characterized in that the locking means is made in the form of power hydraulic cylinders with pistons, the outer surface of which is made under the generatrix of the pipeline and coated with antifriction material, the hardness of which is less than the hardness of the material of the wall of the pipeline, in addition, the device is equipped with a sealed compartment with control equipment for performing technological operations, a central bypass the element is made in the form of an inflatable elastic shell mounted on a sealed compartment, from both ends the device is equipped with Empire have been invaded with a semicircle, ensuring safe performance of technological operations and convenience reeving recesses electric contact manometer connected to the solenoid valves. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing is made in the form of a cylinder. 3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the internal cavity of the sealants and cylinders are filled with a pumped medium. 4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cuffs are made of elastic material, installed coaxially with the body, act as supports for the sealant and are spaced apart from each other by a distance greater than the width of the wedge-shaped space of the pipeline valve.

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