Device for detecting the possibility of a pipe rupture.

Abstract

The present invention relates to devices for detecting the possibility of rupture in a fluid pipe 1. The device according to the invention comprises means for detecting, on at least a portion 2 of the pipe 1, a deformation of the wall of that portion of the pipe. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for detecting the possibility of a pipe rupture.

[0001] The present invention relates to devices for detecting the possibility of a rupture of a pipe, more particularly a pipe located in a hostile or very difficult-to-access environment, for example a sewer or the like.

[0002] Indeed, there are many pipes that carry fluids of all kinds, particularly liquids. The lifespan of these pipes is very difficult to determine and the condition of their walls is difficult to visually inspect because, on the one hand, they are sometimes located in environments that make them difficult to access and, on the other hand, whatever the environment in which they are located, it is almost impossible to quantitatively verify the wear of the inner surface of their walls.

[0003] However, the inability to detect the possibility of a rupture of such a pipeline can lead to adverse consequences for users of the fluid it carries, for example a suppression of the supply of drinking water, of water used for cooling production units of any type, etc.

[0004] Also, the present invention aims to provide a device to help detect a possible rupture of a fluid pipe, which is simple and inexpensive to make.

[0005] More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for detecting the possibility of a rupture of a fluid pipe, characterized in that it includes means for detecting, on at least a portion of said pipe, a deformation of the wall of said portion of pipe.

[0006] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are by way of illustration but in no way limiting, in which:

[0007] Figure [1] shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention for detecting the possibility of rupture of a fluid pipe,

[0008] Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention for detecting the possibility of rupture of a fluid pipe, and

[0009] Fig. 3 represents a schematic axial longitudinal cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a device according to the invention for detecting the possibility of rupture of a fluid conduit.

[0010] It is specified that, when, according to the definition of the invention, the object of the invention comprises “at least one” element having a given function, the described embodiment may comprise several of these elements. Conversely, if the embodiment of the object according to the invention as illustrated comprises several elements with identical functions and if, in the description, it is not specified that the object according to this invention must necessarily comprise a particular number of these elements, the object of the invention may be defined as comprising “at least one” of these elements.

[0011] It is specified that when, in the present description, an expression defines by itself, without any particular specific mention concerning it, a set of structural characteristics, these characteristics may be taken, for the definition of the object of the protection sought, when this is technically possible, either separately, or in total and / or partial combination.

[0012] It is further specified that, in the present description, if the adverb "sensiblement" is associated with a qualifier of a given means, this qualifier must be understood in the strict or approximate sense.

[0013] The present invention relates to a device for detecting the possibility, or the risk, of a rupture of a fluid pipe 1.

[0014] According to an essential feature of the device according to the invention, it includes means for detecting, on at least a portion 2 of the pipe 1, a deformation of the wall of this portion of the pipe, whether elastic or plastic.

[0015] Such a deformation can easily be interpreted as a failure, which may occur in the short or long term, of the wall of this portion of the pipe and there is a high probability that it is the result of a weakening of this wall due to a decrease in its thickness, by a deterioration of the quantity of material constituting this wall, by any effect whatsoever: aging of the material, decomposition, abrasion, erosion, etc.

[0016] According to a first embodiment of the device according to the invention, [Fig.1], the means for detecting a deformation of the wall of the portion of pipe 2 are constituted by means for detecting variations in the value of the length of the outer perimeter of a cross section of this portion of pipe.

[0017] Preferably, these means for detecting variations in the length of the outer perimeter of the cross-section of the pipe portion 2 comprise a band 10 open at two ends 11, 12 spaced apart, this band being arranged to be able to be in contact with the outer surface of the wall of the pipe portion, means 13 for determining the value of the distance between these two ends 11, 12 and delivering a signal corresponding to the value of this distance, and means to create an alarm signal in 14 when the delivered signal undergoes a variation.

[0018] The means 13 for determining the value of the distance between the two ends 11, 12 are within the domain of a person skilled in the art, for example such as those of the type mechanical or electronic "caliper", or of the type with laser light beam or similar.

[0019] Even more preferably, to ensure the detection of a variation in the signal, the device further comprises means 15 for applying a substantially constant support force between the two ends 11, 12 of the band 10. Such means are, for example, a hydraulic cylinder or similar known in itself, capable of exerting, via its output rod, a constant and possibly adjustable pressure force.

[0020] The device according to [Fig. 1] operates very simply: if the distance between the two ends 11, 12 decreases, this variation is interpreted as a decrease in the perimeter of the pipe section 2 and a certain amount of the material constituting the wall of this pipe section has been destroyed. The maintenance services, thus alerted, can intervene to carry out the operations necessary to restore the pipe section to good condition.

[0021] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates another embodiment of the device according to the invention which can be used in certain cases of particular shapes of pipe portions 2.

[0022] According to the second embodiment schematically illustrated in [Fig.2], the means for detecting a deformation of the wall of a portion of pipe 2 comprise means for detecting variations in the distance between two first substantially opposite points 31, 32 of the outer surface of this wall.

[0023] Preferably, according to this second embodiment, the means for detecting a deformation of the wall of the portion of the pipe 2 further comprise means for applying a substantially constant pressure force between two substantially opposite second points 33, 34 of the outer surface of the wall, the lines defined respectively by the first and second points not being coincident, these lines being optionally advantageously orthogonal.

[0024] The operation of the device according to this second embodiment can be deduced without difficulty from that described above for the embodiment according to [Fig.1].

[0025] Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a third embodiment of the device according to the invention, which can be used in certain cases of pipe portion shapes 2.

[0026] In this third embodiment, the means for detecting a deformation of the wall of the pipe section 2, the pipe being defined along substantially a longitudinal axis 40, comprise means for detecting variations in bending deformation of the wall of the pipe section between two third points 41, 42 of the pipe, these two third points axially framing the portion of pipe 2, so that these two third points 41, 42 are located in a longitudinal section along the axis 40 and respectively quite far from the ends of the portion of pipe 2 (represented in dashed lines on this [Fig.3]).

[0027] In this embodiment, according to an advantageous feature of the invention, the means for detecting a deformation of the wall of the portion of the pipe 2 further comprise means 44 for applying a substantially constant pressure force at a point of application 43 located on the outer surface of the wall of the portion of the pipe, this force making a non-zero angle with the longitudinal axis 40. These means are of the same type as those described opposite Figures 1 and 2, for example a jack.

[0028] The jack applies a constant force on the pipe section 2 and, when a variation in distance is detected between a sensor 45 and the point 46 located on the outer surface of the wall of the pipe section, substantially opposite the point of application 43, this variation is interpreted as the fact that the pipe section 2 has flexed, that its wall has therefore weakened and that it is necessary to decide on maintenance interventions.

[0029] Devices according to the invention can be used on different sections of pipeline for monitoring the pipeline over its entire length.

[0030] It is also well understood by those skilled in the art that, for the implementation of the devices according to the invention, they will be calibrated on a new pipe, in particular to determine the value of the pressure which will be exerted by the cylinder.

Claims

Demands

1. Device for detecting the possibilities of rupture of a fluid conduit (1), characterized in that it comprises means for detecting, on at least a portion (2) of said conduit (1), a deformation of the wall of said portion of conduit.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said means for detecting, on at least a portion of said pipe, a deformation of the wall of said portion of pipe, are constituted by means for detecting at least one of the following deformations: elastic deformation, plastic deformation.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the means for detecting a deformation of the wall of said portion of pipe (2) are constituted by means for detecting variations in the value of the length of the outer perimeter of a cross section of said portion of pipe.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the means for detecting variations in the length of the outer perimeter of said cross-section comprise: • a band (10) open at two ends (11, 12) spaced apart, this band being arranged to be able to be in contact with the outer surface of the wall of said portion of pipe (2), • means (13) for determining the value of the distance between the two said ends (11, 12) and delivering a signal corresponding to the value of this distance, and • means for creating an alarm signal when said delivered signal undergoes a variation.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that it further comprises means (15) for applying a substantially constant support force between the two said ends (11, 12).

6. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the means for detecting a deformation of the wall of said portion of pipe (2) comprise means for detecting variations in the distance between two first substantially opposite points (31, 32) of the outer surface of said wall.

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the means for detecting a deformation of the wall of said portion of conduction (2) further include means for applying a substantially constant pressure force between two substantially opposite second points (33, 34) of the outer surface of said wall, the lines defined respectively by the first and second points not being coincident, said lines being optionally orthogonal.

8. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the means for detecting a deformation of the wall of said portion of pipe (2), said pipe being defined along substantially a longitudinal axis (40), comprise means for detecting variations in bending deformation of the wall of said portion of pipe between two third points (41, 42) of said pipe, said two third points axially framing said portion of pipe (2).

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the means for detecting a deformation of the wall of said portion of pipe (2) further comprise means (44) for applying a substantially constant pressure force at a point of application (43) located on the outer surface of the wall of said portion of pipe (2), said force making a non-zero angle with the longitudinal axis (40).

Images