Apparatus, system and method for accessing a pressurised pipe

Abstract

2020281121 03 F i g u r e 1 . 1 / 3 1 2 3 0 1 6 3 2 4 0 1 0 3 6 1 2 8 1 4 20 20 28 11 21 0 3 D ec 2 02 0 10 40 12 30 32 8 36

Description

APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACCESSING A PRESSURISED PIPE TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates broadly to the general field of locating of underground pipe and conduit for maintenance and installation purposes, and more specifically to apparatus, a system and associated method for accessing a pressurised pipe. BACKGROUND ART

[0002] The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

[0003] Safe excavation relies on the accurate locating of buried utilities. Failure to accurately identify the presence of utilities, such as undergrounds cables and pipes, may result in damage to such pipes and cables which, in turn, can lead to utility outages, costly repairs and project delays. In some instances, even personal injuries can result. In other instances where new utilities are to be installed, it is equally important to locate the existing utilities to enable connection and installation of such new utilities, as well as disconnection of old services.

[0004] To assist with locating underground utilities, radio detection tools have been developed. Such tools generally include radio transceivers used to locate a comprehensive set of active frequencies to support the detection and tracing of different cable types in varied environmental conditions. Higher frequencies of 131kHz or 65kHz can be used to find well insulated utilities such as twisted-pair telecom cables or insulated pipe joints. For long range locating of lower resistance cables, such as power lines, lower frequency options are available.

[0005] For non-metallic underground pipes and conduits, such as polyethylene pipes including high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), it can be more difficult to locate them accurately. Specifically, in underground water and gas pipes, other means are typically used to track and locate such underground utilities.

[0006] For example, sondes are often used to locate buried plastic water pipes, gas pipes or other non-magnetic utilities. Such sondes are generally self-contained transmitters that are used with radio detection tools, but can also be passive devices detectable via active detectors.

[0007] Sondes are typically attached to a flexible rod which is then pushed along a pipe or conduit and the position of the sonde detected from above ground using radio detection tools. Such flexible rods are generally a glass fibre rod in a polypropylene sleeve. In some example, the flexible rod may have a metallic core which acts as passive sonde. The rod is wound onto a spool and attached to the spool using a brass end collar and a spring coupling. The spool often has a manual brake to help the user maintain control of the rod.

[0008] However, in order to access underground pipes and conduits with a sonde attached to a flexible rod, it is generally necessary to interrupt the utility by shutting the service in the pipe or conduit off to remove fluid pressure in order to safely access the pipe. This shutting down of the utility is inconvenient and disruptive. In addition, in instances where only a service side of a utility connection is known and / or accessible, it may not be possible to disconnect the utility at all.

[0009] The current invention was conceived with this shortcoming in mind. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The skilled addressee 1s to appreciate that reference herein to a pipe includes reference to any suitable conduit used for the conveyance of a fluid, such as water, gas, steam, petroleum, etc. A pressurised pipe 1s to be understood as referring to a pipe used to convey a fluid under pressure. An underground pipe may also include reference to a hidden pipe, such as that installed in a wall cavity or similarly hidden from ready access. In addition, reference herein to a sonde generally includes reference to any instrument or probe that allows remote tracking via a suitable radio detection device and may include an active transmitter, an inactive detectable probe, a flexible or tracer rod, or the like.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for accessing a pressurised pipe with a flexible rod, said apparatus comprising: a body defining a rod inlet, a rod outlet and a rod passage arranging said inlet and outlet in communication, said inlet having an inlet seal and a lubricating chamber operatively containing a lubricating fluid, the outlet having an outlet seal configured to allow passage of said rod whilst opposing pressurised fluid entering the body; and a valved ferrule configured to couple the outlet to the pressurised pipe and with a valve operable to allow the rod to slidably enter or exit the pipe.

[0012] Typically, the body comprises a tubular body manufactured from a resilient material, such as aluminium, or the like.

[0013] Typically, the body defines knurling on an outer surface thereof to facilitate manual handling thereof.

[0014] Typically, the inlet seal comprises an O-ring and / or wiper seal to wipe lubricating fluid from the rod as said rod slides from the inlet.

[0015] Typically, the lubricating chamber is defined proximate the rod inlet so that the rod passes through the lubricating fluid within said chamber as the rod slides through the inlet.

[0016] Typically, the lubricating chamber comprises a charging nipple on an exterior of the body whereby the lubricating chamber is chargeable with lubricating fluid.

[0017] Typically, the lubricating fluid comprises a food- grade lubricant.

[0018] Typically, the outlet seal comprises a lip or cup seal configured to increase sealing about the rod with increasing pressure within the pipe.

[0019] Typically, the valved ferrule is configured to couple the outlet to the pipe by means of a threaded connection.

[0020] In an embodiment, the valved ferrule comprises a tubular member with a threaded connector at either end, one for threadedly connecting to the body and the other for connecting to the pipe, a valve between said threaded connectors.

[0021] Typically, the valve comprises a gate, ball or butterfly valve.

[0022] Typically, the valved ferrule defines a sonde chamber wherein a sonde attached to an end of the rod is able to be rested without interfering with operation of the valve.

[0023] In an embodiment, the body includes a rod guide proximate the rod inlet to facilitate guiding of the rod into the body.

[0024] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a system for accessing a pressurised pipe, said system comprising: apparatus comprising a body defining a rod inlet, a rod outlet and a rod passage arranging said inlet and outlet in communication, said inlet having an inlet seal and a lubricating chamber operatively containing a lubricating fluid, the outlet having an outlet seal configured to allow passage of said rod whilst opposing pressurised fluid entering the body, the apparatus having a valved ferrule configured to couple the outlet to the pressurised pipe and with a valve operable to allow the rod to slidably enter or exit the pipe; a flexible rod for operatively passing through said apparatus; and a detector configured to detect the flexible rod within the pipe.

[0025] Typically, the flexible rod includes a sonde attached to an end thereof, the detector configured to detect the sonde.

[0026] Typically, the detector comprises a radio detector configured to detect the flexible rod and / or sonde by means of radio detection principles.

[0027] According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method for accessing a pressurised pipe, said method comprising the steps of: providing apparatus comprising a body defining a rod inlet, a rod outlet and a rod passage arranging said inlet and outlet in communication, said inlet having an inlet seal and a lubricating chamber operatively containing a lubricating fluid, the outlet having an outlet seal configured to allow passage of said rod whilst opposing pressurised fluid entering the body, the apparatus having a valved ferrule configured to couple the outlet to the pressurised pipe and with a valve operable to allow the rod to slidably enter or exit the pipe; coupling the apparatus to the pipe via the valved ferrule; and operating the valved ferrule so that the rod is able to enter the pipe.

[0028] Typically, the method includes the step of tracking the rod, or a sonde attached to said rod, by means of a detector.

[0029] According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for accessing a pressurised pipe, a system for accessing a pressurised pipe and a method for accessing a pressurised pipe, substantially are herein described and / or illustrated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure is a diagrammatic perspective-view representation of one embodiment of apparatus for accessing a pressurised pipe with a flexible rod, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic side-sectional representation of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is diagrammatic side-view representation of the apparatus of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a diagrammatic side-view representation of a system for accessing a pressurised pipe, in accordance with as aspect of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non- limiting embodiments thereof. This description 1s included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention to the skilled addressee. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. In the figures, incorporated to illustrate features of the example embodiment or embodiments, like reference numerals are used to identify like parts throughout.

[0031] With reference now to the accompanying figures, there 1s shown embodiments of apparatus 10 for accessing a pressurised pipe 8 with a flexible rod 12. As described above, such pipe 8 may include any suitable conduit used for the conveyance of a fluid, such as water, gas, steam, petroleum, etc. Generally, pipe 8 is pressurised with, or at includes, fluid, such as water or gas, and apparatus 10 finds particular application in accessing such pipe 8 with rod 12 in order to track same whilst the fluid within the pipe 8 is under pressure, i.e. the utility does not require switching-off.

[0032] It is to be appreciated that pipe 8 may include an underground pipe, as shown in Figure 3, or any similar pipe that’s generally hidden from easy view and / or access, such as pipe or conduit that’s installed in a wall cavity or similarly hidden from ready access.

[0033] In general, apparatus 10 comprises a body 14 defining a rod inlet 16, a rod outlet 18 and a rod passage 20, as shown. Rod passage 20 typically arranges the inlet 16 and the outlet 18 in communication, so that the rod 12 can pass from the inlet 16 to the outlet 18. The rod inlet 16 generally has an inlet seal 22 and a lubricating chamber 24 which is operatively filled with a lubricating fluid 26.

[0034] In the exemplified embodiment, the body 14 comprises a tubular body manufactured from a resilient material, such as aluminium, or the like. The body 14 typically defines knurling on an outer surface thereof to facilitate manual handling thereof, generally being of handheld size and configuration.

[0035] The inlet seal 22 comprises an O-ring and / or wiper seal to wipe lubricating fluid 26 from the rod 12 as the rod 12 slides from the inlet 16. As shown, the lubricating chamber 24 is defined proximate the rod inlet 16 so that the rod 12 passes through the lubricating fluid 26 within the chamber 24 as the rod 12 slides through the inlet 16.

[0036] The lubricating chamber 24 generally comprises a charging nipple 34 on an exterior of the body 14, as shown, whereby the lubricating chamber 24 is chargeable with lubricating fluid 26. The lubricating fluid 26 typically comprises a food-grade lubricant, such as silicone grease, or the like.

[0037] Similarly, the outlet 18 has an outlet seal 28 which is configured to allow passage of the rod 12 whilst opposing pressurised fluid from the pipe 8 entering the body 14 of apparatus 10. The outlet seal 28 typically comprises a lip or cup seal configured to increase sealing about the rod 12 with increasing pressure within the pipe 8, but variations hereon are possible and within the scope of the present invention.

[0038] Apparatus 10 further includes a valved ferrule 30 which is generally configured to couple the outlet 18 to the pressurised pipe 8. The valved ferrule 30 includes a valve 32 which is generally operable to allow the rod 12 to slidably enter or exit the pipe 8, via apparatus 10.

[0039] In the exemplified embodiment, the valved ferrule 30 is configured to couple the outlet 18 to the pipe 8 by means of a threaded connection. As shown, the valved ferrule 30 comprises a tubular member with a threaded connector at either end, one for threadedly connecting to the body 14 and the other for connecting to the pipe 8, a valve 32 between said threaded connectors. The valve 32 may comprises a gate, ball or butterfly valve, but variations hereon are possible. In one embodiment, the valved ferrule 30 defines a sonde chamber 38 wherein a sonde 36 attached to an end of the rod 12 is able to be rested without interfering with operation of the valve 32.

[0040] In one embodiment, the body 14 also includes a rod guide 40 proximate the rod inlet 16, as shown, to facilitate guiding of the rod 12 into the body 14.

[0041] The present invention also includes an associated system as shown in Figure 4, for accessing the pressurised pipe 8. Such a system generally comprises apparatus 10, flexible rod 12 for operatively passing through said apparatus 10, and a detector 42 which is configured to detect the flexible rod 12 and / or the sonde 36 within the pipe 8. As is known in the art, the detector 42 typically comprises a radio detector configured to detect the flexible rod 12 and / or sonde 36 by means of radio detection principles.

[0042] Similarly, the present invention also includes an associated method for accessing pressurised pipe 8. Such a method generally comprises the steps of providing apparatus 10, coupling the apparatus 10 to the pipe 8 via the valved ferrule 30, and operating the valved ferrule 30 so that the rod 12 is able to enter the pipe 8. Typically, the method includes the step of tracking the rod 12, or sonde 36 attached to the rod 12, by means of detector 42.

[0043] In use, in one example, the pipe 8 is exposed on a so-called service side thereof, and is then crimped off in a suitable manner, before the valved ferrule 30 is connected. Apparatus 10 is then attached or coupled to the valved ferrule 30 and the crimped pipe 8 is uncrimped or released. When valve 32 is opened, rod 12 can be pushed into and through the pipe 8, with detector 42 used to track the rod 12 from the surface.

[0044] Applicant believes it particularly advantageous that the present invention provides for apparatus 10 whereby a pressurised pipe, such as a gas or water main, can be accessed via flexible rod 12 to allow tracking of the pipe without disconnecting, deactivating or interrupting the supply of fluid within the pipe. This allows tracking of the pipe without interfering with the relevant utility.

[0045] Optional embodiments of the present invention may also be said to broadly consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated herein, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of the parts, elements or features, and wherein specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. In the example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail, as such will be readily understood by the skilled addressee.

[0046] The use of the terms "a", "an", "said", "the", and / or similar referents in the context of describing various embodiments (especially in the context of the claimed subject matter) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open- ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed subject matter as essential to the practice of the claimed subject matter.

[0047] Spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "outer," "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0048] It is to be appreciated that reference to "one example" or "an example" of the invention, or similar exemplary language (e.g., "such as") herein, is not made in an exclusive sense. Various substantially and specifically practical and useful exemplary embodiments of the claimed subject matter are described herein, textually and / or graphically, for carrying out the claimed subject matter.

[0049] Accordingly, one example may exemplify certain aspects of the invention, whilst other aspects are exemplified in a different example. These examples are intended to assist the skilled person in performing the invention and are not intended to limit the overall scope of the invention in any way unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Variations (e.g. modifications and / or enhancements) of one or more embodiments described herein might become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this application. The inventor (s) expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor(s) intends for the claimed subject matter to be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

[0050] Any method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

Claims

CLAIMS Ls Apparatus for accessing a pressurised pipe with a flexible rod, said apparatus comprising: a body defining a rod inlet, a rod outlet and a rod passage arranging said inlet and outlet in communication, said inlet having an inlet seal and a lubricating chamber operatively containing a lubricating fluid, the outlet having an outlet seal configured to allow passage of said rod whilst opposing pressurised fluid entering the body; and a valved ferrule configured to couple the outlet to the pressurised pipe and with a valve operable to allow the rod to slidably enter or exit the pipe.

2. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a tubular body manufactured from a resilient material, such as aluminium, or the like.

3. Apparatus of either of claims . or 2, wherein the body defines knurling on an outer surface thereof to facilitate manual handling thereof.

4. Apparatus of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inlet seal comprises an O-ring and / or wiper seal to wipe lubricating fluid from the rod as said rod slides from the inlet. 5; Apparatus of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lubricating chamber is defined proximate the rod inlet so that the rod passes through the lubricating fluid within said chamber as the rod slides through the inlet.

6. Apparatus of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lubricating chamber comprises a charging nipple on an exterior of the body whereby the lubricating chamber is chargeable with lubricating fluid.

7. Apparatus of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the lubricating fluid comprises a food-grade lubricant.

8. Apparatus of any of claims to 7, wherein the outlet seal comprises a lip or cup seal configured to increase sealing about the rod with increasing pressure within the pipe.

9. Apparatus of any of claims | to 8, wherein the valved ferrule is configured to couple the outlet to the pipe by means of a threaded connection.

10. Apparatus of any of claims to 9, wherein the valved ferrule comprises a tubular member with a threaded connector at either end, one for threadedly connecting to the body and the other for connecting to the pipe, the valve arranged between said threaded connectors.

11. Apparatus of any of claims to 10, wherein the valve comprises a gate, ball or butterfly valve.

12. Apparatus of any of claims ! to 11, wherein the valved ferrule defines a sonde chamber wherein a sonde attached to an end of the rod is able to be rested without interfering with operation of the valve.

13. Apparatus of any of claims to 12, wherein the body includes a rod guide proximate the rod inlet to facilitate guiding of the rod into the body.

14. A system for accessing a pressurised pipe, said system comprising: apparatus comprising a body defining a rod inlet, a rod outlet and a rod passage arranging said inlet and outlet in communication, said inlet having an inlet seal and a lubricating chamber operatively containing a lubricating fluid, the outlet having an outlet seal configured to allow passage of said rod whilst opposing pressurised fluid entering the body, the apparatus having a valved ferrule configured to couple the outlet to the pressurised pipe and with a valve operable to allow the rod to slidably enter or exit the pipe; a flexible rod for operatively passing through said apparatus; and a detector configured to detect the flexible rod within the pipe.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the flexible rod includes a sonde attached to an end thereof, the detector configured to detect the sonde.

16. The system of either of claims 14 or 15, wherein the detector comprises a radio detector configured to detect the flexible rod and / or sonde by means of radio detection principles.

17. A method for accessing a pressurised pipe, said method comprising the steps of: providing apparatus comprising a body defining a rod inlet, a rod outlet and a rod passage arranging said inlet and outlet in communication, said inlet having an inlet seal and a lubricating chamber operatively containing a lubricating fluid, the outlet having an outlet seal configured to allow passage of said rod whilst opposing pressurised fluid entering the body, the apparatus having a valved ferrule configured to couple the outlet to the pressurised pipe and with a valve operable to allow the rod to slidably enter or exit the pipe; coupling the apparatus to the pipe via the valved ferrule; and operating the valved ferrule so that the rod is able to enter the pipe.

18. The method of claim 17, which includes the step of tracking the rod, or a sonde attached to said rod, by means of a detector.

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