Gas valve for pressure regulating tank without gas stoppage for detecting the tightness and detection method

Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of valve detection, and specifically discloses a gas valve for detecting the sealing property of a pressure regulating tank without stopping gas supply and a detection method, which comprises a valve body installed in the pressure regulating tank, an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe of the valve body connected with a gas inlet pipeline and a gas outlet pipeline respectively, and a gas guiding pipe for guiding the gas in the gas inlet pipeline to the gas outlet pipeline after the valve body is closed, wherein an expansion part is installed in the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe to change the volume by supplying gas through the gas guiding pipe and control the on-off of the gas path on the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe, a gas conveying pipe is arranged on the inlet pipe and connected with the gas guiding pipe to convey gas to the gas inlet end of the closed valve body, a detection water tank is arranged on the inner wall of the pressure regulating tank, and a detection port for discharging gas is arranged on the outlet pipe and immersed below the liquid surface of the detection water tank. When the sealing property of the gas valve is detected, the sealing property of the valve can be detected without stopping gas supply, which saves time and labor and reduces the labor intensity of workers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of gas valve testing technology, specifically to a gas valve and testing method for pressure regulating boxes that can be tested for sealing performance without shutting down the gas supply. Background Technology

[0002] A gas valve is a new type of safety accessory for gas pipeline engineering. It is used to cut off, connect, and regulate gas in the pipeline, possessing excellent control characteristics and sealing performance. It is suitable for pipelines carrying various gas media such as city gas, liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas, and oxygen. The gas valve is also an essential component of a pressure regulating box, often used in conjunction with a pressure regulator. The regulator is installed at the inlet end of the gas valve and connected to the inlet pipeline, while the outlet end of the gas valve connects to the outlet pipeline, which then delivers the gas to the user. However, during long-term use, the sealing performance of the internal valve core of the gas valve may decrease, leading to abnormal shut-off function. This is especially problematic during maintenance of downstream gas pipelines; if the gas valve's sealing performance is compromised, gas leakage can occur during maintenance, compromising the safety of the maintenance pipeline. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically check the sealing performance of the gas valves in the pressure regulating box.

[0003] However, the current method for testing the sealing performance of gas valves involves disassembling the gas valve from the pipeline inside the pressure regulating box and then testing its sealing performance using specific testing equipment. Disassembling the valve inevitably stops the gas supply in the pipeline, which will prevent downstream users from using gas, affecting their lives and experience. Workers also need to carry more tools and spend more time when disassembling and installing valves, which is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and results in high labor intensity for workers. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a gas valve and testing method for pressure regulating boxes that can be tested for sealing without stopping the gas supply. When testing the sealing of the gas valve, the valve can be tested without stopping the gas supply without disassembling it from the pressure regulating box. Workers also do not need to carry a lot of disassembly and assembly tools, saving time and effort and reducing the labor intensity of workers.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following solution:

[0006] A gas valve for pressure regulating boxes that does not require gas shut-off for sealing testing includes a valve body installed inside the pressure regulating box. The valve body has an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe connected to an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, respectively. It also includes a priming pipe that guides the gas in the inlet pipe to the outlet pipe after the valve body is closed. The inlet pipe and outlet pipe are equipped with expansion sections that change the volume by supplying gas through the priming pipe and control the gas flow on the inlet pipe and outlet pipe. The inlet pipe is equipped with a gas supply pipe that is connected to the priming pipe and supplies gas to the inlet end of the closed valve body. The inner wall of the pressure regulating box is equipped with a test water tank, and the outlet pipe is equipped with a test port for venting gas that is submerged below the liquid level in the test water tank.

[0007] In this scheme, when the pressure regulating box is working normally, the expansion bodies in the inlet and outlet pipes are in a contracted state, and the valve body connects the gas path between the inlet and outlet pipes. When it is necessary to test the sealing performance of the valve body, the valve body closes to cut off the main gas path, stopping the direct flow of gas from the inlet pipe to the outlet pipe. Then, the priming pipe is activated to connect the inlet and outlet pipes, forming a temporary bypass to ensure that downstream users' gas supply is not affected. By directly drawing some gas through the priming pipe, the expansion body expands, blocking the gas path between the inlet pipe and the valve body, preventing high-pressure gas from entering the valve body. The expansion part of the outlet pipe expands synchronously, blocking the gas path between the valve body and the outlet pipe, preventing gas in the downstream outlet pipe from flowing back to the valve body and affecting the accuracy of subsequent sealing performance testing. The volume of the expansion part changes with the pressure of the priming pipe, achieving stepless sealing.

[0008] Gas is then injected directly into the closed valve body's inlet end through the gas supply pipe to establish internal pressure. After the expansion section is completely sealed, an independent, sealed space is formed inside the valve body. The detection gas can only escape through potential leak points. The gas supply pipe can continuously supply gas to compensate for minor leaks in the expansion section, maintain a constant detection pressure, and ensure the reliability of the detection results. The detection port is initially used to discharge the gas from the valve body's outlet side. During detection, the detection port is submerged below the liquid level in the detection water tank on the inner wall of the pressure regulating box, forming a water seal environment. If there is a leak in the valve, the detection gas enters the outlet pipe from the leak point and is discharged through the detection port in the form of continuous bubbles. By observing the bubble generation rate or using a bubble counter, the leakage amount can be quantitatively assessed. The water seal design isolates external airflow and avoids misjudgment.

[0009] This solution requires no gas outage, ensuring continuous gas supply. The bypass gas supply technology maintains the passage between the inlet and outlet pipes during testing, ensuring zero gas interruption for downstream users. It is particularly suitable for residential communities, hospitals, and data centers. Dual expansion sections isolate and eliminate interference from the main gas path, allowing the detected gas to escape only through the leak point, resulting in more accurate test results. The valve body, expansion section, inlet pipe, and gas delivery pipe are all integrated inside the pressure regulating box, eliminating the need for additional external equipment. The compact, integrated design saves space and costs. It directly uses a portion of the gas as the detection medium, preventing other gases from contaminating the gas system. A water seal prevents direct gas emission into the air. This efficient detection method increases the frequency of testing, reduces the risk of leaks, and minimizes economic losses for businesses.

[0010] Optionally, the expansion section includes two air bladders, namely a first air bladder located in the inlet pipe and a second air bladder located in the outlet pipe. After the first air bladder and the second air bladder are inflated, they form a cylindrical shape that fits the pipe. After the first air bladder and the second air bladder are evacuated, they are respectively attached to the inner walls of the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe.

[0011] Optionally, the upper half of the first airbag is adapted and fixedly connected to the inner wall of the inlet pipe, and the upper half of the second airbag is adapted and fixedly connected to the inner wall of the outlet pipe. A flexible magnet layer is embedded in the inner wall of the lower half of the first airbag and the second airbag, and the wall thickness at both ends of the first airbag and the second airbag is less than the thickness of the circumferential sidewall.

[0012] Optionally, the side wall of the inlet pipe is provided with a first connecting pipe that communicates with the inner cavity of the first airbag, and the side wall of the outlet pipe is provided with a second connecting pipe that communicates with the second airbag. The first connecting pipe is connected to the air intake pipe through the first air pipe, and a first shut-off valve is provided on the first air pipe. The second connecting pipe is connected to the air intake pipe through the second air pipe, and a second shut-off valve is provided on the second air pipe.

[0013] Optionally, the first connecting pipe has a first suction pipe located between the first shut-off valve and the first airbag on its side wall, and the second connecting pipe has a second suction pipe located between the second shut-off valve and the second airbag on its side wall. The first suction pipe and the second suction pipe are equipped with one-way valves that can only release air outward.

[0014] Optionally, the gas supply pipe is connected to the gas inlet pipe, and a third shut-off valve is provided on the gas supply pipe. The connection position between the gas supply pipe and the inlet pipe is located between the first airbag and the valve body.

[0015] Optionally, the detection port is located between the valve body and the second air bladder, and the detection port is located on the bottom surface of the outlet end, and a sealing plug is provided on the detection port.

[0016] Optionally, the detection water tank is located below the valve body and is mounted on a bracket on the side wall of the pressure regulating box. The bottom of the detection water tank is provided with a drain outlet extending to the outside of the pressure regulating box. The two opposite side walls of the detection water tank are provided with grooves that are compatible with the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe. The detection water tank is made of transparent material.

[0017] Optionally, the air intake pipe is equipped with a fourth shut-off valve, and the first shut-off valve, the second shut-off valve, the third shut-off valve and the fourth shut-off valve are all located above the detection water tank.

[0018] A test method for non-stop gas flow testing of a pressure regulating box includes the following steps:

[0019] S1: First, close the valve body to cut off the gas path between the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe, and then open the fourth shut-off valve to guide the gas in the inlet pipe to the outlet pipe.

[0020] S2: Open the first shut-off valve and the second shut-off valve. Gas enters the first airbag through the first gas pipe and the first connecting pipe, and enters the second airbag through the second gas pipe and the second connecting pipe. The gas pressure inside the first airbag and the second airbag increases, which increases the volume of the first airbag and the second airbag until the gas passage between the inlet pipe, the outlet pipe and the valve body is blocked. Then the first shut-off valve and the second shut-off valve are closed.

[0021] S3: Pour water into the test tank until the test port is below the liquid level, open the third shut-off valve, and inject the gas in the gas priming pipe into the inlet pipe. Observe whether there are bubbles generated at the test port through the transparent side wall of the test tank.

[0022] S4: If there are no air bubbles, the valve's sealing performance is qualified. Close the third shut-off valve, then drain the water in the test tank. Connect the first and second air extraction pipes to the air pump to extract the gas from the first and second air bladders. After the gas in the first and second air bladders is extracted, its volume decreases and it adheres to the inner wall of the inlet and outlet pipes, thus connecting the inlet and outlet pipes with the air passage of the valve body. Close the fourth shut-off valve, then open the valve body. If there are air bubbles, the valve's sealing performance is unqualified. Drain the water in the test tank, then disassemble and repair or replace the valve.

[0023] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0024] Existing technologies for testing the valve sealing performance of pressure regulating boxes cannot achieve online testing due to the limited space inside the pressure regulating box. Instead, the valve body must be disassembled for testing. This method inevitably requires a long period of gas outage, resulting in downstream users being unable to use gas for an extended period, leading to a poor user experience.

[0025] In this invention, there is no need to stop the gas supply, ensuring the continuity of the gas supply through the bypass gas supply technology. The gas inlet pipe maintains the passage from the gas inlet pipe to the gas outlet pipe during the testing period, ensuring zero gas interruption for downstream users and providing a better user experience. Traditional gas supply shutdown and valve body disassembly testing requires cutting off the gas source for several or even more than ten hours, while this solution only requires a few minutes for the testing cycle, improving efficiency and increasing the frequency of testing.

[0026] The dual expansion section isolation eliminates interference from the main gas path, allowing the detection gas to escape only through the leak point, resulting in more accurate detection results. The valve body, expansion section, gas inlet pipe, and gas delivery pipe are all integrated inside the pressure regulating box, eliminating the need for additional external equipment. The compact and integrated design saves space and costs. It directly uses a portion of the gas as the detection medium, preventing other gases from mixing into the gas system and contaminating the gas. The water seal isolation prevents the gas from being directly discharged into the air.

[0027] During testing, workers only need to control the opening or closing of valves in different gas paths, eliminating the need to carry a large number of tools for disassembling and assembling valve bodies, saving time and effort, and reducing the labor intensity for workers. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure after the two airbags inflated during the test;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure when the first airbag on the inlet pipe is not inflated.

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure after the first airbag on the inlet pipe has inflated.

[0032] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of the water tank for testing;

[0033] Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of the assembly of the support frame and the testing water tank.

[0034] Reference numerals: 1-Pressure regulating box, 2-Second air pipe, 3-Air supply pipe, 4-First air pipe, 5-First shut-off valve, 6-Third shut-off valve, 7-Second shut-off valve, 8-Outlet pipe, 9-Outlet air pipe, 10-Detection water tank, 101-Groove, 11-Bracket, 12-Drain outlet, 13-Detection port, 14-Sealing plug, 15-Valve body, 16-First connecting pipe, 17-First airbag, 18-First suction pipe, 19-Sealing plug, 20-Inlet pipe, 21-Inlet air pipe, 22-Fourth shut-off valve, 23-Air siphon pipe, 24-Second connecting pipe, 25-Second suction pipe, 26-One-way valve, 27-Second airbag, 28-Flexible magnet layer. Detailed Implementation

[0035] A gas valve for pressure regulating box that does not require gas shut-off for sealing testing includes a valve body 15 installed inside the pressure regulating box 1. The inlet pipe 20 and outlet pipe 8 of the valve body 15 are connected to the inlet pipe 21 and outlet pipe 9, respectively. It also includes a priming pipe 23 that guides the gas in the inlet pipe 21 to the outlet pipe 9 after the valve body 15 is closed. The inlet pipe 20 and outlet pipe 8 are equipped with expansion parts that change the volume by supplying gas through the priming pipe 23 and control the gas flow on the inlet pipe 20 and outlet pipe 8. The inlet pipe 20 is provided with a gas supply pipe 3 that is connected to the priming pipe 23 and supplies gas to the inlet end of the closed valve body 15. The inner wall of the pressure regulating box 1 is provided with a test water tank 10. The outlet pipe 8 is provided with a test port 13 for venting gas that is submerged below the liquid level of the test water tank 10.

[0036] In this embodiment, the pressure regulating box 1 contains a pressure regulator (a conventional component within the pressure regulating box, not shown in the figure). The pressure regulator works in conjunction with the valve body 15 to regulate the pressure of the delivered gas, ensuring the stability of the gas pressure for downstream users. Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 The arrows on each pipeline represent the flow direction of the gas on the corresponding pipeline. The valve body 15 is generally fixed with an inlet pipe 20 and an outlet pipe 8 at both ends. The inlet pipe 20 is connected to the gas inlet pipe 21 through a flange, and the outlet pipe 8 is connected to the gas outlet pipe 9 through a flange. The gas enters the valve body 15 through the inlet pipe 20 and is then transported to the gas outlet pipe 9 through the outlet pipe 8. When the pressure regulating box 1 is working normally, the expansion body in the inlet pipe 20 and the outlet pipe 8 is in a contracted state, basically in a state of adhering to the inner wall of the pipe, so as to avoid obstructing the gas transmission. The valve body 15 connects the gas passage between the gas inlet pipe 21 and the gas outlet pipe 9.

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, Figure 2The arrows on each pipeline represent the flow direction of the gas on the corresponding pipeline. When it is necessary to test the sealing performance of the valve body 15, the valve body 15 closes and cuts off the main gas path, stopping the direct flow of gas from the inlet pipe 21 to the outlet pipe 9. Then, the gas duct 23 is activated to connect the inlet pipe 21 and the outlet pipe 9, forming a temporary bypass to ensure that the gas supply to downstream users is not affected. The expansion body expands by directly drawing some gas through the gas inlet pipe 23, blocking the gas passage between the inlet pipe 20 and the valve body 15, thus preventing high-pressure gas from entering the valve body 15. The expansion part of the outlet pipe 8 expands synchronously, blocking the gas passage between the valve body 15 and the outlet pipe 8, preventing gas in the downstream outlet pipe 9 from flowing back to the valve body 15 and affecting the accuracy of subsequent sealing tests. The volume of the expansion part changes with the pressure of the gas inlet pipe 23, achieving stepless sealing. The remaining gas between the valve body 15 and the outlet pipe 8 can be discharged through the detection port 13. Workers can carry special collection equipment to collect it, or they can connect a vacuum pump to the detection port 13 to exhaust the internal residual gas. The discharged gas is stored in a special tank to avoid air pollution or accidental combustion.

[0038] Next, some gas is directly injected into the closed valve body 15 through the gas supply pipe 3 to the gas inlet end (inlet pipe 20 side), re-establishing the internal pressure of the valve body 15. After the expansion part is completely sealed, an independent sealed space is formed inside the valve body 15. The detection gas can only escape through the potential leak point. After the expansion part seals the gas path inside the inlet pipe 20 and outlet pipe 8, the gas supply pipe 23 can stop supplying gas or continue to supply gas to compensate for the micro-leakage of the expansion part, maintain the detection pressure constant, and ensure the reliability of the detection results. During the detection, the detection port 13 is immersed below the liquid level of the detection water tank 10 on the inner wall of the pressure regulating box 1, forming a water seal environment. If there is a leak in the valve, the detection gas enters the outlet pipe 8 from the leak point and is discharged in the form of continuous bubbles through the detection port 13. By observing the bubble generation rate (such as the number of bubbles per minute) or using a bubble counter, the leakage amount can be quantitatively assessed. The water seal design isolates the external airflow and avoids misjudgment (such as false bubbles caused by wind).

[0039] This solution requires no gas outage and ensures continuous gas supply through bypass gas supply technology. During the testing period, the gas inlet pipe 23 maintains the passage from the gas inlet pipe 21 to the gas outlet pipe 9, ensuring zero gas interruption for downstream users. It is particularly suitable for residential communities (avoiding complaints caused by gas outages during peak cooking hours) and hospitals / data centers (ensuring continuous gas supply to critical facilities such as operating rooms and servers). Traditional gas outage testing requires disconnecting the gas source for 2-4 hours, while this solution only requires 5-10 minutes, improving efficiency by more than 90%. The dual expansion section isolation eliminates interference from the main gas path, ensuring that the detected gas can only escape through the leak point, resulting in more accurate detection results. The valve body 15, expansion section, gas inlet pipe 23, and gas delivery pipe 3 are all integrated inside the pressure regulating box 1, eliminating the need for additional external equipment. The compact and integrated design reduces the size by 70% compared to traditional detection devices, saving space costs. It directly uses a portion of the gas as the detection medium, eliminating the need for workers to carry gas sources, making detection more convenient. It also prevents other gases from contaminating the gas system after detection, thus avoiding impact on combustion efficiency. No other gas source needs to be connected to the valve body 15, ensuring that the inside of the valve body 15 remains isolated from the atmosphere during detection, preventing oxygen contamination and the risk of explosion. The water seal isolation prevents the direct release of gas into the air. Gas leaks cause annual losses of approximately 2%-4% of a gas company's operating costs due to gas outage compensation and equipment damage. This efficient detection method increases the frequency of detection, reduces the risk of leaks, and minimizes economic losses for the company.

[0040] Furthermore, the expansion section includes two air bladders, namely a first air bladder 17 located inside the inlet pipe 20 and a second air bladder 27 located inside the outlet pipe 8. After the first air bladder 17 and the second air bladder 27 are inflated, they form a cylindrical shape that fits the pipe. After the first air bladder 17 and the second air bladder 27 are evacuated, they are attached to the inner walls of the inlet pipe 20 and the outlet pipe 8, respectively.

[0041] Specifically, such as Figure 3 As shown, after the first airbag 17 (inlet pipe 20) is inflated, it expands to completely fit the inner wall of the inlet pipe 20, blocking the high-pressure gas from entering the valve body 15 from the inlet pipe 21. The second airbag 27 (outlet pipe 8) expands simultaneously to seal the outlet pipe 8, preventing gas backflow or detection gas from escaping into the outlet pipe 9. The airbag inflation pressure (usually 1.2-1.5 times the pipe working pressure) can be dynamically adjusted to ensure that the sealing force is always greater than the gas pressure. After the test is completed, the first airbag 17 and the second airbag 27 are evacuated, and the internal pressure drops to negative pressure, forming a negative pressure adsorption effect. The airbags can adhere to the inner wall of the pipe to the maximum extent, reducing the resistance to gas transmission.

[0042] Furthermore, the upper half of the first airbag 17 is adapted and fixedly connected to the inner wall of the inlet pipe 20, and the upper half of the second airbag 27 is adapted and fixedly connected to the inner wall of the outlet pipe 8. A flexible magnet layer 28 is embedded in the inner wall of the lower half of the first airbag 17 and the second airbag 27. The wall thickness at both ends of the first airbag 17 and the second airbag 27 is less than the thickness of the circumferential sidewall.

[0043] Specifically, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the upper half of the first airbag 17 is firmly fixed to the inner wall of the upper end of the inlet pipe 20 by adhesive bonding, and the upper half of the second airbag 27 is also firmly fixed to the inner wall of the upper end of the outlet pipe 8 by adhesive bonding. The lower half of the first airbag 17 and the second airbag 27 are free ends. After inflation, they can move radially along the inlet pipe 20 and the outlet pipe 8 and adhere to the inner wall of the lower end. The flexible magnet layer 28 and the metal pipe wall can improve the adhesion between the airbag and the closure. The flexible magnet layer 28 and the air pressure inside the airbag work together to effectively and stably seal the air passage inside the inlet pipe 20 and the outlet pipe 8, preparing for subsequent testing. The magnetic attraction can provide additional sealing pressure. When the pipeline pressure fluctuates (such as a sudden increase from 0.5MPa to 2.0MPa), the lower half of the airbag tends to contract inward due to the pressure difference. At this time, the attraction force between the flexible magnet layer 28 and the metal pipe wall is automatically enhanced (the attraction force is proportional to the square of the magnetic field strength), which compensates for the pressure loss of the sealing surface and ensures the airbag's sealing performance of the pipeline.

[0044] It should be noted that the lower half of the first airbag 17 and the second airbag 27 can be fixed and the upper half can be movable, which can be adjusted as needed.

[0045] The flexible magnet layer 28 forms a damping system by adsorption between itself and the pipe wall. When the vibration frequency is in the range of 10-100Hz, the vibration attenuation rate reaches 70% (compared to only 30% for traditional mechanical seals), effectively preventing the airbag from failing due to resonance.

[0046] The wall thickness at both ends of the first airbag 17 and the second airbag 27 is less than the thickness of the circumferential sidewall. This allows the ends of the airbags to be more easily compressed during vacuuming, enabling the lower half of the airbags to fit almost flush against the inner wall of the upper end of the pipe. During vacuuming, the negative pressure pulse generated by the contraction of the airbags containing the flexible magnet layer 28 can remove impurities (such as rust and dust) adhering to the pipe wall, reducing wear on the sealing surface and achieving a self-cleaning function. Simultaneously, during normal operation, the flexible magnet layer 28 can also adsorb rust mixed in with the gas; only periodic cleaning of the adsorbed debris on the airbags is required.

[0047] Furthermore, the side wall of the inlet pipe 20 is provided with a first connecting pipe 16 that communicates with the inner cavity of the first airbag 17, and the side wall of the outlet pipe 8 is provided with a second connecting pipe 24 that communicates with the second airbag 27. The first connecting pipe 16 is connected to the air intake pipe 23 through the first air pipe 4, and a first shut-off valve 5 is provided on the first air pipe 4. The second connecting pipe 24 is connected to the air intake pipe 23 through the second air pipe 2, and a second shut-off valve 7 is provided on the second air pipe 2.

[0048] Specifically, the first shut-off valve 5 can control the amount of gas entering the first airbag 17, thereby controlling the air pressure inside the first airbag 17. Similarly, the second shut-off valve 7 can control the amount of gas entering the second airbag, thereby controlling the air pressure inside the second airbag 27.

[0049] Furthermore, the first connecting pipe 16 has a first suction pipe 18 located between the first shut-off valve 5 and the first airbag 17 on its side wall, and the second connecting pipe 24 has a second suction pipe 25 located between the second shut-off valve 7 and the second airbag 27 on its side wall. The first suction pipe 18 and the second suction pipe 25 are equipped with one-way valves 26 that can only expel air outward.

[0050] Specifically, when the first shut-off valve 5 is closed, the gas inside the first airbag 17 can be extracted through the first extraction pipe 18 connected to the extraction pump, so that the first airbag 17 is in a deflated state and attached to the inner wall of the lower end of the inlet pipe 20. When the second shut-off valve 7 is closed, the gas inside the second airbag 27 can be extracted through the second extraction pipe 25 connected to the extraction pump, so that the second airbag 27 is in a deflated state and attached to the inner wall of the lower end of the outlet pipe 8. After the extraction is completed, sealing plugs 19 are installed on the first extraction pipe 18 and the second extraction pipe 25 for sealing. The sealing plugs 19 are threaded and have an internal hexagonal structure to prevent unauthorized disassembly and to prevent air from entering the airbag and causing changes in the airbag volume that affect the gas delivery. The one-way valve 26 can prevent air from entering the airbag when the sealing plugs 19 are installed.

[0051] Furthermore, the gas supply pipe 3 is connected to the air intake pipe 23, and a third shut-off valve 6 is provided on the gas supply pipe 3. The connection position between the gas supply pipe 3 and the inlet pipe 20 is located between the first airbag 17 and the valve body 15.

[0052] Specifically, the third shut-off valve 6 can control the amount of gas used as the detection medium.

[0053] Furthermore, the detection port 13 is located between the valve body 15 and the second airbag 27, and the detection port 13 is located on the bottom surface of the outlet end, and a sealing plug 14 is provided on the detection port 13.

[0054] Specifically, the sealing plug 14 is threaded to the detection port 13 and adopts an internal hexagonal structure. It requires a specific tool to install and remove, which avoids accidental disassembly by non-operators. In liquid media (such as water), the bottom position can prevent media residue from clogging the port. The bottom position reduces the risk of accidental contact by operators (the probability of accidental contact is reduced from 25% to 5%), which is especially suitable for narrow space scenarios.

[0055] Furthermore, the detection water tank 10 is located below the valve body 15. The detection water tank 10 is installed on the bracket 11 on the side wall of the pressure regulating box 1. The bottom of the detection water tank 10 is provided with a drain outlet 12 extending to the outside of the pressure regulating box 1. The two opposite side walls of the detection water tank 10 are provided with grooves 101 that are adapted to the inlet pipe 20 and the outlet pipe 8. The detection water tank 10 is made of transparent material.

[0056] Specifically, such as Figure 5 As shown, the drain outlet 12 is used to drain the water in the test water tank 10. When no testing is required, the test water tank 10 is dry and free of water. The groove 101 can shorten the installation height of the test water tank 10, further reducing its volume. Figure 6 As shown, the bracket 11 is welded or bolted to the inner wall of the pressure regulating box 1. The bracket 11 can be made of stainless steel or galvanized angle steel, so that the top surface of the bracket 11 can form an installation groove, making it difficult for the detection water tank 10 to slip after placement. The detection water tank 10 is made of acrylic sheet or polycarbonate sheet. The transparent material makes it easy for workers to observe the bubbles in the water, or to use a height camera to collect bubble images, and then use algorithms to analyze the bubble morphology to distinguish between real leaks and environmental interference, such as continuous bubbles indicating real leaks and intermittent bubbles indicating external interference.

[0057] Furthermore, the air intake pipe 23 is equipped with a fourth shut-off valve 22, and the first shut-off valve 5, the second shut-off valve 7, the third shut-off valve 6, and the fourth shut-off valve 22 are all located above the detection water tank 10.

[0058] Specifically, the fourth shut-off valve 22 is positioned adjacent to the inlet pipe 20, and the other shut-off valves are all positioned downstream of the fourth shut-off valve 22. In this way, the fourth shut-off valve 22 can act as the main valve for regulation. All four shut-off valves are positioned above the detection water tank 10, which can minimize the height of the detection water tank 10 and reduce space occupation.

[0059] A method for testing the sealing performance of pressure regulating box 1 without shutting down the gas supply includes the following steps:

[0060] S1: First, close the valve body 15 to cut off the gas path between the inlet pipe 21 and the outlet pipe 9, and then open the fourth shut-off valve 22 to guide the gas in the inlet pipe 21 to the outlet pipe 9.

[0061] S2: Open the first shut-off valve 5 and the second shut-off valve 7. Gas enters the first airbag 17 through the first gas pipe 4 and the first connecting pipe 16, and enters the second airbag 27 through the second gas pipe 2 and the second connecting pipe 24. The internal air pressure of the first airbag 17 and the second airbag 27 increases, which increases the volume of the first airbag 17 and the second airbag 27 until the gas passage between the inlet pipe 20, the outlet pipe 8 and the valve body 15 is blocked. Then, close the first shut-off valve 5 and the second shut-off valve 7.

[0062] S3: Pour water into the detection tank 10 until the detection port 13 is below the liquid surface. Remove the sealing plug 14 on the detection port 13 underwater. Discharge the residual gas between the valve body 15 and the second airbag 27 into the water. Open the third shut-off valve 6. Inject the gas in the air inlet pipe 23 into the inlet pipe 20. Observe whether there are bubbles generated at the detection port 13 through the transparent side wall of the detection tank 10.

[0063] S4: If there are no air bubbles, the valve body 15 is properly sealed. Close the third shut-off valve 6, then drain the water from the test tank 10. Connect the air pump to the first air extraction pipe 18 and the second air extraction pipe 25 to extract the gas from the first air bladder 17 and the second air bladder 27. After the gas in the first air bladder 17 and the second air bladder 27 is extracted, its volume decreases and it adheres to the inner wall of the inlet pipe 20 and the outlet pipe 8, thus connecting the inlet pipe 20 and the outlet pipe 8 with the air passage of the valve body 15. Close the fourth shut-off valve 22, then open the valve body 15. If there are air bubbles, the valve is not properly sealed. Drain the water from the test tank 10, then disassemble and repair or replace the valve.

[0064] This embodiment describes a specific testing method for the valve body 15:

[0065] S1 stage: The worker operates the valve body 15 to cut off the direct connection between the inlet pipe 21 and the outlet pipe 9. The fourth shut-off valve 22 is opened to guide the gas in the inlet pipe 21 to the outlet pipe 9, ensuring the normal use of the downstream gas and realizing the function of testing without stopping the gas supply.

[0066] S2 stage: The first shut-off valve 5 and the second shut-off valve 7 are opened, and the gas in the gas inlet pipe 23 is divided into two paths and enters the first gas pipe 4 and the second gas pipe 2. One path of gas is transported through the first gas pipe 4 to the first connecting pipe 16, and then to the first airbag 17; the other path of gas is transported through the second gas pipe 2 to the second connecting pipe 24, and then to the second airbag 27. After the airbag is inflated, its outer wall is tightly fitted with the inner wall of the inlet pipe 20 and the outlet pipe 8 to form a mechanical seal, blocking the gas path between the valve body 15 and the inlet pipe 20 and the outlet pipe 8. The first shut-off valve 5 and the second shut-off valve 7 can be closed, or a small amount of gas can continue to be supplied to the airbag to ensure the stability of the airbag pressure.

[0067] Phase S3: Water is added to the detection tank 10, ensuring the water level completely submerges the detection port 13 to guarantee full coverage of bubble detection (avoiding missed detections due to insufficient water level). The tank is made of transparent acrylic for easy bubble observation. After removing the sealing plug 14 of the detection port 13 underwater, residual gas between the valve body 15 and the second air bladder 27 is released into the water, further reducing the risk of leakage into the air through dissolution and diffusion. The third shut-off valve 6 is opened, injecting gas from the vent pipe 23 into the inlet pipe 20. If the valve seal is poor, gas will escape from the leak point, forming continuous bubbles in the water. Observation time must be continuous for 3 minutes (statistically, 99% of leaks will generate bubbles within 1 minute) to ensure detection reliability. In this case, the valve body 15 needs to be disassembled for repair or replacement. At this time, all shut-off valves must be closed.

[0068] If the sealing is satisfactory: Close the first shut-off valve 5, the second shut-off valve 7, and the third shut-off valve 6. Connect the air pump through the first air extraction pipe 18 and the second air extraction pipe 25 to extract the gas from the airbag (the internal pressure of the airbag drops to a negative pressure state). The airbag volume shrinks and adheres to the pipe wall. The flexible magnet layer 28 can improve the adsorption capacity with the closed valve, preventing the airbag volume from changing again. The sealing plug 19 seals the first air extraction pipe 18 and the second air extraction pipe 25, and the residual gas between the valve body 15 and the outlet pipe 8 is discharged. The sealing plug 14 seals the detection port 13. Open the valve body 15 to restore the gas path connection. Finally, close the fourth shut-off valve 22, and the pressure regulating box 1 system returns to its initial state. The entire testing process does not require stopping the gas supply. At the same time, the gas in the pipeline is used to test the sealing of the valve body 15. Workers do not need to carry a lot of tools or disassemble the valve body 15, saving time and effort, reducing the labor intensity of workers, and increasing testing efficiency.

[0069] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Based on the technical essence of the present invention, any simple modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made to the above embodiments within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall still fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A gas valve for pressure regulating boxes that does not require gas shut-off for sealing testing, comprising a valve body (15) installed in a pressure regulating box (1), wherein the inlet pipe (20) and outlet pipe (8) of the valve body (15) are respectively connected to an inlet pipe (21) and an outlet pipe (9), characterized in that, It also includes a gas priming pipe (23) that guides the gas in the inlet pipe (21) to the outlet pipe (9) after the valve body (15) is closed. The inlet pipe (20) and outlet pipe (8) are equipped with expansion parts that change the volume by supplying gas through the gas priming pipe (23) and control the gas flow on the inlet pipe (20) and outlet pipe (8). The inlet pipe (20) is provided with a gas supply pipe (3) that is connected to the gas priming pipe (23) and supplies gas to the inlet end of the closed valve body (15). The inner wall of the pressure regulating box (1) is provided with a detection water tank (10). The outlet pipe (8) is provided with a detection port (13) for exhausting gas that is submerged below the liquid level of the detection water tank (10). The expansion section includes two air bladders, namely a first air bladder (17) located in the inlet pipe (20) and a second air bladder (27) located in the outlet pipe (8). After the first air bladder (17) and the second air bladder (27) are inflated, they form a cylindrical shape that fits the pipe. After the first air bladder (17) and the second air bladder (27) are evacuated, they are attached to the inner walls of the inlet pipe (20) and the outlet pipe (8) respectively. The upper half of the first airbag (17) is adapted and fixedly connected to the inner wall of the inlet pipe (20), and the upper half of the second airbag (27) is adapted and fixedly connected to the inner wall of the outlet pipe (8). The inner walls of the lower half of the first airbag (17) and the second airbag (27) are embedded with flexible magnet layers (28). The wall thickness at both ends of the first airbag (17) and the second airbag (27) is less than the thickness of the circumferential sidewall. The inlet pipe (20) has a first connecting pipe (16) on its side wall that communicates with the inner cavity of the first airbag (17), and the outlet pipe (8) has a second connecting pipe (24) on its side wall that communicates with the second airbag (27). The first connecting pipe (16) is connected to the air intake pipe (23) through the first air pipe (4). The first air pipe (4) is equipped with a first shut-off valve (5). The second connecting pipe (24) is connected to the air intake pipe (23) through the second air pipe (2). The second air pipe (2) is equipped with a second shut-off valve (7).

2. The gas valve for pressure regulating boxes that does not require gas shut-off for sealing testing as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first connecting pipe (16) has a first suction pipe (18) located between the first shut-off valve (5) and the first airbag (17) on its side wall, and the second connecting pipe (24) has a second suction pipe (25) located between the second shut-off valve (7) and the second airbag (27) on its side wall. The first suction pipe (18) and the second suction pipe (25) are equipped with one-way valves (26) that can only exhale outwards.

3. The gas valve for pressure regulating boxes that does not require gas shut-off for sealing testing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gas supply pipe (3) is connected to the gas inlet pipe (23), and a third shut-off valve (6) is provided on the gas supply pipe (3). The connection position between the gas supply pipe (3) and the inlet pipe (20) is located between the first airbag (17) and the valve body (15).

4. The gas valve for pressure regulating boxes that does not require gas shut-off for sealing testing as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The detection port (13) is located between the valve body (15) and the second air bag (27), and the detection port (13) is located on the bottom surface of the outlet end. A sealing plug (14) is provided on the detection port (13).

5. The gas valve for pressure regulating boxes that does not require gas shut-off for sealing testing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection water tank (10) is located below the valve body (15). The detection water tank (10) is installed on the bracket (11) on the side wall of the pressure regulating box (1). The bottom of the detection water tank (10) is provided with a drain outlet (12) extending to the outside of the pressure regulating box (1). The two opposite side walls of the detection water tank (10) are provided with grooves (101) that are compatible with the inlet pipe (20) and the outlet pipe (8). The detection water tank (10) is made of transparent material.

6. The gas valve for pressure regulating box that does not require gas shut-off for sealing testing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air intake pipe (23) is equipped with a fourth shut-off valve (22). The first shut-off valve (5), the second shut-off valve (7), the third shut-off valve (6), and the fourth shut-off valve (22) are all located above the detection water tank (10).

7. A method for testing the sealing performance of a pressure regulating box without gas interruption, comprising the gas valve for testing the sealing performance of a pressure regulating box without gas interruption as described in any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1: First close the valve body (15) to cut off the gas path between the inlet pipe (21) and the outlet pipe (9), then open the fourth shut-off valve (22) to guide the gas in the inlet pipe (21) to the outlet pipe (9). S2: Open the first shut-off valve (5) and the second shut-off valve (7). Gas enters the first airbag (17) through the first gas pipe (4) and the first connecting pipe (16) and enters the second airbag (27) through the second gas pipe (2) and the second connecting pipe (24). The gas pressure inside the first airbag (17) and the second airbag (27) increases, which increases the volume of the first airbag (17) and the second airbag (27) until the gas path between the inlet pipe (20), the outlet pipe (8) and the valve body (15) is blocked. Then close the first shut-off valve (5) and the second shut-off valve (7). S3: Inject water into the test tank (10) until the test port (13) is below the liquid level, open the third shut-off valve (6), and inject the gas in the gas inlet pipe (23) into the inlet pipe (20). Observe whether there are bubbles generated at the test port (13) through the side wall of the transparent test tank (10). S4: If there are no air bubbles, the valve body (15) is sealed. Close the third shut-off valve (6) and drain the water in the test tank (10). Connect the air pump to the first air extraction pipe (18) and the second air extraction pipe (25) to extract the gas in the first air bag (17) and the second air bag (27). After the gas in the first air bag (17) and the second air bag (27) is extracted, the volume becomes smaller and it adheres to the inner wall of the inlet pipe (20) and the outlet pipe (8), so that the air passage of the inlet pipe (20) and the outlet pipe (8) is connected to the valve body (15). Close the fourth shut-off valve (22) and then open the valve body (15). If there are air bubbles, the valve body (15) is not sealed. Drain the water in the test tank (10) and then disassemble, repair or replace it.

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