Plugging device used in hydrostatic test pipeline and using method thereof

By designing a sealing device with pressure control components and a power mechanism, the problems of easy failure under high pressure and unstable positioning of pipeline sealing devices in existing technologies during hydrostatic testing are solved, achieving efficient and safe pipeline sealing effect, and suitable for the installation and maintenance of pipelines under hydrostatic testing.

CN121828537APending Publication Date: 2026-04-10CHINA NUCLEAR IND FIFTH CONSTR CO LTD
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
CHINA NUCLEAR IND FIFTH CONSTR CO LTD
Filing Date
2026-03-16
Publication Date
2026-04-10

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing pipeline plugging devices suffer from problems such as easy failure under high pressure, unstable positioning, and low pressure control accuracy during hydrostatic testing. In particular, the airbag plugging method is prone to slippage under high water pressure or requires additional equipment, leading to complex construction and safety hazards.

Method used

The sealing device employs a pressure control assembly, a front-end fixing ring, a rear-end support ring, and a power mechanism. Reliable sealing is achieved by pushing the front-end fixing ring with a hydraulic or electric jack, and precise pressure control is achieved in conjunction with a sealing gasket and a pressure gauge.

Benefits of technology

It achieves effective sealing within pipelines, improves construction efficiency and safety, reduces manpower consumption, shortens the construction cycle, and reduces safety hazards, making it suitable for installation and maintenance.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention provides a plugging device used in a hydrostatic test pipeline and a using method thereof.The plugging device comprises a pressure control assembly, a front end fixing ring, a rear end supporting ring and a power mechanism, and the front end fixing ring and the pressure control assembly are connected through a water inlet pipe; the power mechanism is installed between the front-end fixing ring and the rear-end supporting ring, the front-end fixing ring is placed at a plugging opening, and the power mechanism is fixed to the rear-end supporting ring and pushes the front-end fixing ring to move to plug the plugging opening. Effective plugging in the pipeline can be achieved, the device is suitable for the two working conditions of installation and overhaul, construction human input is effectively reduced, the construction efficiency is improved, the device is detachable, reusable, safe and reliable, potential safety hazards are reduced, and human errors are avoided. The overall construction period is shortened, potential safety hazards are reduced, consumption of manpower, materials and machines is reduced, and the requirements for low investment and high return are met.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of engineering installation technology, and in particular to a sealing device for use in hydraulic test pipelines and its application method. Background Technology

[0002] In existing technologies, after pipeline construction is completed, the hydrostatic test is a crucial step in verifying the pipeline's sealing performance and structural strength. Therefore, the reliability of the sealing device inside the pipeline directly determines the accuracy and safety of the hydrostatic test. Currently, welded blind flanges or airbag sealing are commonly used as the test pressure boundary.

[0003] The blind flange is made of steel plate and cut using a flame cutting machine. After processing, it needs to be ground, which takes a long time. After the blind flange is manufactured, it is welded to the steel pipe. Only after passing non-destructive testing can a hydrostatic test be carried out. After the hydrostatic test, the blind flange is cut and ground to remove it. This method consumes a lot of manpower and resources, takes a long time to construct, and the removal of the welded blind flange can easily cause damage to the main structure.

[0004] Based on the above, the airbag sealing method is widely used due to its convenient construction and efficient disassembly and assembly. The core principle of the airbag sealing method is to inflate a rubber airbag with air, causing it to adhere to the inner wall of the pipe, and using friction to achieve sealing.

[0005] However, existing airbag occlusion technologies have significant drawbacks: First, the sealing airbag without a flow guide hole is prone to sliding under the pressure inside the pipe, which leads to sealing failure and cannot meet the long-term testing requirements of pressurized pipelines.

[0006] Second, although the sealing airbag with drainage holes can prevent slippage by draining and reducing pressure, it will cause the pipe section pressure to fail to meet the test standards. Additional drainage treatment equipment is required, which increases the complexity and cost of the test.

[0007] In addition, existing airbag sealing devices lack an effective positioning and fixing structure, relying solely on traction ropes for fixation. Under high water pressure, they are prone to positional displacement, and pressure monitoring depends on manual periodic checks, posing a risk of missed pressure leaks.

[0008] Therefore, the inventors of this application have designed a sealing device and its usage method for use in water pressure test pipelines, in order to overcome the above-mentioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the defects of existing pipeline sealing devices in hydrostatic testing, such as easy failure under high pressure, unstable positioning and low pressure control accuracy, and to provide a sealing device for use in pipelines for hydrostatic testing and its usage method.

[0010] The present invention solves the above-mentioned technical problems through the following technical solution: A sealing device for use in a hydrostatic test pipeline is characterized in that the sealing device includes a pressure control component, a front fixing ring, a rear support ring, and a power mechanism. The front fixing ring and the pressure control component are connected through a water inlet pipe. The power mechanism is installed between the front fixing ring and the rear support ring. The front fixing ring is placed at the sealing port. The power mechanism is fixed to the rear support ring and pushes the front fixing ring to move to seal the sealing port.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, two mounting holes are provided on the end face of the front fixing ring facing the rear support ring. The mounting holes are arranged vertically and are respectively connected to the pressure control component.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the pressure control assembly includes a pressure testing pump and a pressure gauge. The upper mounting hole is connected to the pressure gauge through a first piping, and the lower mounting hole is connected to a water inlet pipe through a second piping. The water inlet pipe is connected to the pressure testing pump.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the pressure gauge is threadedly connected to the first piping, the water inlet pipe is threadedly connected to the second piping, and the pressure testing pump is threadedly connected to the water inlet pipe.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the power mechanism is a hydraulic jack or an electric jack.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the rear support ring forms a support point for the power mechanism.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the end face of the front fixing ring is provided with a sealing surface, and a groove is provided on the sealing surface, and a sealing gasket is installed in the groove.

[0017] The present invention also provides a method for using a sealing device in a hydrostatic test pipeline, characterized in that the method is used for the sealing device described above for use in a hydrostatic test pipeline, and the method includes the following steps: S1. Determine the sealing location based on the pipe diameter, material, and pipe network distribution of the test pipe section, and formulate a water outage and water blocking plan; S2. Determine the orientation of the front-end fixing ring and slowly insert the front-end fixing ring into the predetermined sealing position in the pipeline; S3. The slow lifting power mechanism lifts the front fixing ring to a preset position; S4. After the sealing device is installed, connect the test medium and increase the pressure to the test pressure; S5. After the test, slowly remove the sealing device, wipe it clean and store it for future use.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, step S3 includes: during the jacking process, the jacking power mechanism observes whether the pipeline or online components are deformed, whether the sealing device is adapted, and makes timely adjustments according to the site conditions.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, after step S4, the method further includes: during the hydrostatic test, recording the pressure changes in the pipeline in real time and monitoring the status of the sealing device.

[0020] The positive and progressive effects of this invention are as follows: This invention relates to a sealing device and its usage method for water pressure testing pipelines. It can effectively seal the pipeline and is suitable for both installation and maintenance. It effectively reduces the manpower input for construction, improves construction efficiency, and the device is detachable and reusable, safe and reliable, reduces safety hazards, and avoids human error.

[0021] The sealing device and its usage method used in the water pressure test pipeline shorten the overall construction cycle, reduce safety hazards, and save manpower, materials, and machinery consumption, thus achieving low investment and high returns. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The above and other features, properties and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments, in which the same reference numerals always denote the same features, wherein: Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the sealing device of the present invention used in a hydraulic test pipeline.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the front-end fixing ring in the sealing device used in the hydraulic test pipeline of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the pipeline structure in the sealing device used in the hydraulic test pipeline of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the usage state of the sealing device in the water pressure test pipeline of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] Embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail, examples of which are shown in the drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used in all the drawings to denote the same or similar parts.

[0028] Furthermore, although the terminology used in this invention is selected from commonly known and used terms, some terms mentioned in this specification may have been selected by the applicant in his or her judgment, and their detailed meanings are explained in the relevant sections of the description herein.

[0029] Furthermore, the invention should be understood not only through the actual terminology used, but also through the meaning implied by each term.

[0030] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this invention discloses a sealing device for a hydrostatic test pipeline, comprising a pressure control component 10, a front fixing ring 20, a rear support ring 30, and a power mechanism 40. The front fixing ring 20 and the pressure control component 10 are connected via an inlet pipe 50. The power mechanism 40 is installed between the front fixing ring 20 and the rear support ring 30, and the front fixing ring 20 is placed at the sealing opening 110 of the pipeline 100. The power mechanism 40 is fixed to the rear support ring 30 and pushes the front fixing ring 20 to seal the sealing opening 110. The rear support ring 30 serves as a support point for the power mechanism 40. After the power mechanism 40 is in place, it lifts the front fixing ring 20 to achieve a temporary sealing effect.

[0031] When the sealing device is used, the front fixing ring 20 can be placed in the sealing port 110 first, and then the rear support ring 30 and the power mechanism 40 can be inserted in sequence. The power mechanism 40 is driven to lift the front fixing ring 20 and slowly seal it. Then, the pressure control component 10 is connected in sequence. The components work together to achieve reliable sealing and precise pressure control.

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown, the front fixing ring 20 is preferably made of steel plate and steel pipe, and is processed according to the test pressure boundary and the outer dimensions of the sealing component. Two mounting holes 21 are opened on the end face of the front fixing ring 20 facing the rear support ring 30. The mounting holes 21 are arranged vertically and connected to the pressure control component 10 respectively.

[0033] The end face of the front fixing ring 20 is provided with a sealing surface, and a groove 22 is provided on the sealing surface. A sealing gasket 23 is installed in the groove 22. The sealing is achieved by installing the sealing gasket 23 (preferably a rubber gasket) to prevent water leakage and pressure loss during the pressure test.

[0034] The pressure control assembly 10 preferably includes a pressure test pump 11 and a pressure gauge 12. The upper mounting hole 21 is connected to the pressure gauge 12 through a first piping 24, and the lower mounting hole 21 is connected to the water inlet pipe 50 through a second piping 25, so that the water inlet pipe 50 is connected to the pressure test pump 11.

[0035] Pressure gauge 12 is threaded to the first piping 24, water inlet pipe 50 is threaded to the second piping 25, and pressure test pump 11 is threaded to the water inlet pipe 50. The threaded connection facilitates the connection between the front retaining ring 20 and the pressure control assembly 10. The test medium is delivered through pressure test pump 11, and the pressure in the test pipeline is read by pressure gauge 12.

[0036] The rear support ring 30 is preferably made of steel plate and steel pipe, and is processed according to the sealing part, serving as the support point of the power mechanism 40 (e.g., jack).

[0037] Preferably, the power mechanism 40 in this application can be a hydraulic jack or an electric jack. A hydraulic jack requires manual operation of the hydraulic pump, with the hydraulic oil pushing the piston; this method is labor-saving, provides a large lifting force, and is stable. An electric jack mainly relies on a motor and hydraulic or screw operation, enabling one-button lifting; the choice depends on the usage requirements. In this embodiment, the rear support ring 30 forms a support point for the power mechanism 40. The support point of the power mechanism 40 is placed on the rear support ring 30, positioned between the front fixing ring 20 and the rear support ring 30.

[0038] like Figure 4 As shown, the present invention also provides a method for using a sealing device in a hydrostatic test pipeline, which is used in the sealing device for hydrostatic test pipelines as described above. The method of use includes the following steps: Step S1: Determine the sealing location based on the pipe diameter, material, and network distribution of the test pipe section, and formulate a water shut-off and sealing plan. The sealing location here is determined based on the minimum test pressure boundary.

[0039] Design the sealing structure according to the sealing location, prepare a construction plan, and process the sealing device according to the contact surface. Design the sealing surface according to the shape and dimensions of the components at the sealing location. For example, if the sealing location is inside a valve chamber, the corresponding dimensions need to be measured and processed according to the valve type and its sealing surface.

[0040] The main components of the sealing device are fabricated based on the pipeline or online components at the sealing location. Appropriate inlet pipes and pressure gauges are selected according to the test pressure. For example, the material of the inlet pipe must be selected based on the material of the test pipeline to prevent ferrite contamination. The wall thickness of the test pipeline and the range of the pressure gauge must be determined based on the test pressure.

[0041] Step S2: Transport the processed sealing device to the work site for assembly. Determine the orientation of the front fixing ring 20 and slowly insert it into the predetermined sealing position inside the pipeline. Because the front fixing ring is made of steel plate and steel pipe, it is relatively heavy and difficult to adjust inside the component; therefore, its orientation must be determined in advance before insertion. Place the rear support ring 30 in the corresponding position to ensure that the support point is firm and reliable and will not damage the component.

[0042] During installation of the sealing device, the front fixing ring and the rear support ring are slowly placed into the component, and the pressure gauge, lifting device, and pressure testing pump are installed.

[0043] Step S3: Slowly lift the power mechanism 40 to gently lift the front fixing ring 20 to the preset position.

[0044] Preferably, step S3 includes: during the lifting process, the lifting power mechanism observes whether the pipeline or online components are deformed, whether the sealing device is adapted, and makes timely adjustments according to the site conditions.

[0045] Step S4: After the sealing device is installed, connect the test medium (the test medium is determined based on the medium transported in the test pipeline and its properties; generally, demineralized water is selected), and increase the pressure to the test pressure. Observe the sealing device and test pipeline during the experiment, and adjust them in a timely manner according to the actual situation on site. During the pressurization process, observe whether the sealing device is secure, and adjust and modify it in a timely manner according to the actual situation.

[0046] More preferably, after step S4, the method further includes: recording pressure changes in the pipeline in real time during the hydrostatic test and monitoring the status of the sealing device (e.g., assigning a dedicated person to monitor it). This ensures smooth communication.

[0047] Step S5: After the test, slowly remove the sealing device, wipe it clean, and store it for future use.

[0048] After the test is completed, first open the flow control valve of the guide pipe to release pressure. After the pressure in the pipe section drops below atmospheric pressure, remove the sealing main assembly, positioning assembly, and pressure control assembly. Clean the surface of the device and store it for later use. Here, the guide pipe refers to the drain outlet connection pipe in the pressure test circuit, which is generally set at the branch valve of the pressure test pipeline or connected to a temporary pipeline for drainage.

[0049] Based on the above structural and method description, the sealing device for hydrostatic testing pipelines of the present invention features a reasonable structural design, high sealing reliability, and simple operation, and is adaptable to hydrostatic testing pipelines of different diameters. The sealing device for hydrostatic testing pipelines can achieve partial sealing of the testing pipeline, as well as sealing within pipeline components. Its overall structure is simple and can be quickly assembled and disassembled.

[0050] In summary, the sealing device and its usage method for water pressure testing pipelines of the present invention can effectively seal the pipeline, are applicable to both installation and maintenance conditions, effectively reduce the input of construction manpower, improve construction efficiency, and the device is detachable and reusable, safe and reliable, reduces safety hazards, and avoids human error.

[0051] The sealing device and its usage method used in the water pressure test pipeline shorten the overall construction cycle, reduce safety hazards, and save manpower, materials, and machinery consumption, thus achieving low investment and high returns.

[0052] For those skilled in the art, the above disclosure is merely illustrative and does not constitute a limitation of this application. Although not explicitly stated herein, those skilled in the art may make various modifications, improvements, and corrections to this application. Such modifications, improvements, and corrections are suggested in this application and therefore remain within the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments of this application.

[0053] Furthermore, this application uses specific terms to describe embodiments of the application. For example, "an embodiment," "one embodiment," and / or "some embodiments" refer to a particular feature, structure, or characteristic related to at least one embodiment of the application. Therefore, it should be emphasized and noted that "an embodiment," "one embodiment," or "an alternative embodiment" mentioned twice or more in different locations in this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, certain features, structures, or characteristics in one or more embodiments of the application can be appropriately combined.

[0054] Similarly, it should be noted that, in order to simplify the description of the embodiments disclosed in this application and thus aid in the understanding of one or more embodiments of the invention, the foregoing description of the embodiments of this application sometimes combines multiple features into a single embodiment, drawing, or description thereof. However, this disclosure method does not imply that the subject matter of this application requires more features than those mentioned in the claims. In fact, the embodiments have fewer features than all the features of a single embodiment disclosed above. Some embodiments use numbers describing the number of components or attributes; it should be understood that such numbers used in the description of embodiments are modified in some examples by the terms "approximately," "about," or "generally."

[0055] While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, those skilled in the art should understand that these are merely illustrative examples, and the scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. Those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications to these embodiments without departing from the principles and essence of the present invention, but all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A plug for use in hydrostatic testing lines, comprising: The plugging device for water pressure test pipeline comprises a pressure control assembly, a front end fixing ring, a rear end supporting ring and a power mechanism, the front end fixing ring and the pressure control assembly are connected through a water inlet pipe, the power mechanism is installed between the front end fixing ring and the rear end supporting ring, the front end fixing ring is placed at a plugging opening, and the power mechanism is fixed with the rear end supporting ring and pushes the front end fixing ring to move to plug the plugging opening.

2. An occluding device for use in a hydrotest line as defined in claim 1, wherein, Two mounting holes are formed in the end face of the front end fixing ring towards the end face of the rear end supporting ring, the mounting holes are arranged in up and down directions, and the mounting holes are respectively connected with the pressure control assembly.

3. The plugging device for water pressure test pipeline according to claim 2, characterized in that, The pressure control assembly comprises a pressure test pump and a pressure gauge, the mounting hole located at the upper portion is connected with the pressure gauge through a first pipe, the mounting hole located at the lower portion is connected with the water inlet pipe through a second pipe, and the water inlet pipe is connected with the pressure test pump.

4. An occluding device for use in a hydrotest line as defined in claim 3, wherein, The pressure gauge and the first pipe are threadedly connected, the water inlet pipe and the second pipe are threadedly connected, and the pressure test pump and the water inlet pipe are threadedly connected.

5. An occluding device for use in a hydrotest line as defined in claim 1, wherein, The power mechanism is a hydraulic jack or an electric jack.

6. An occluding device for use in a hydrotest line as defined in claim 5, wherein, The rear end supporting ring forms a supporting point for the power mechanism.

7. An occluding device for use in a hydrotest line as defined in claim 1, wherein, An end face of the front end fixing ring is provided with a sealing surface, a groove is arranged on the sealing surface, and a sealing gasket is arranged in the groove.

8. A method of using a plug within a hydrotest line, comprising: The use method is used for the plugging device for water pressure test pipeline according to any one of claims 1-7, and the use method comprises the following steps: S1. According to the pipe diameter, material and pipe network distribution of the test pipe section, the plugging position is determined, and the water stopping and plugging scheme is formulated; S2. The front end fixing ring is slowly sent into the predetermined plugging position in the pipeline according to the direction of the front end fixing ring; S3. The power mechanism is slowly jacked up to jack up the front end fixing ring to the preset position; S4. After the plugging device is installed, the test medium is connected, the pressure is increased to the test pressure, and then the plugging device is slowly removed after the test is completed, and the plugging device is stored after being wiped for next use. In the step S3, whether the pipeline or the online component is deformed, whether the plugging device is suitable, and whether the on-site situation is adjusted in time are observed during the jacking process of the jacking power mechanism.

9. The method of using a plug for a hydrotest line as defined in claim 8, wherein, After the step S4, the pressure change in the pipeline is recorded in real time during the water pressure test, and the state of the plugging device is monitored.

10. The method of using a plug in a hydrotest line as defined in claim 8, wherein, ​