Filling of galleryed pipe cartridges

Abstract

Operating device 6 for section 3 of flexible ventilation duct, comprising a collection element 8 for section of flexible duct comprising a base 13 and a beam 12 cantilevered from the base 13, a circular wall for the passage of a ventilation airflow being provided through the base 13 and the beam 12, the beam 12 comprising around at least one circular wall, a first activatable sealing joint 9 being disposed around said wall opposite the base 13, a second activatable sealing joint 10 being connected to the first sealing joint 9 by a sealing sleeve 11 and supported by a movable arm 16 between a retracted position and a deployed position,The first sealing joint 9 is configured to be activated and sealed with the flexible conduit section 3 during a deployment phase of the mobile arm 16, and the second sealing joint 10 is configured to be activated and sealed with the flexible conduit section 3 during a retraction phase of the mobile arm 16. The flexible conduit section 3 is looped onto the collection element 8.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the field of flexible ventilation ducts of the type used particularly during tunnel excavation. It also relates to ventilation duct implementation components.

[0002] When excavating a tunnel, a mine shaft or any other underground gallery, fresh air must be brought near the excavation face.

[0003] To achieve this, a ventilation duct, also called a ventilation shaft in the technique, is generally used, leading from outside the excavation area to the excavation face. Fresh air can then be blown into this duct from a fan located either outside or inside.

[0004] Of course, the ventilation duct must be lengthened as the excavation front advances.

[0005] Ventilation ducts are constructed by deploying a long, thin, flexible tube, most often made of textile material. Such a tube is generally called a "Ventule" in the technical field. See FR 3 033 590.

[0006] A device that could be described as a distributor is then used. The distributor consists of a cylindrical part or core onto which a longitudinal section of flexible tubing is threaded and looped. The core is held securely within the hollow interior of a frame. A truncated conical piece, sometimes called a "distribution cone," connects coaxially to the core, flaring out as it moves away from it.

[0007] To form a section of ventilation duct, the distributor is advanced as the excavation progresses: by tension effect, a portion of pipe whose length corresponds to the advance of the distributor is withdrawn from the core, brought to its nominal diameter by passing around the distribution cone, and finally deployed.

[0008] For most applications, however, the length of pipe section that the dispenser can hold, generally on the order of one or two hundred meters, is insufficient to complete the excavation. When the dispenser is empty, it is removed from the excavation and refilled with a new section of pipe.

[0009] Before being mounted on the core, the hose is folded back on itself into a strip, meaning its cross-section has a flattened appearance. This allows for the storage of significant lengths of hose in a compact form, for example on a reel, like the hoses commonly used by firefighters, or in a bundle, where the strip is folded back and forth and stacked.

[0010] To refill the dispenser, the stored hose must be unfolded, threaded, and looped onto the core by hand. This operation proves tedious and difficult, especially when the hose must be inserted into the annular space between the outside of the core and the wall of the hollow inner chamber. Refilling most often involves positioning the dispenser so that its core extends vertically and setting up a dedicated work area, where a safety tower is erected for the operators: the core extends several meters in length (generally around three meters) and in diameter (generally around two meters). These operators then use long poles to push the hose inside the dispenser, between the core and the wall of the hollow inner chamber, which makes the operation rather imprecise.In practice, it is not uncommon for four operators to need a full workday to refill the dispenser. Refilling a dispenser is therefore a lengthy and costly operation that also requires taking the dispenser out of service for the entire duration of the operation.

[0011] French patent FR2960617 proposed a method for installing a ventilation duct in which a pipe folded into a strip is deployed using a distributor to form a portion of the duct, said distributor comprising a frame having a hollow interior space in which a support is fixed onto which a section of pipe has been threaded and looped, the support being extended by a deployment cone, said method comprising, at the end of the deployment of the section of pipe, a reloading phase comprising the steps of detaching the deployment cone from the frame; installing a new section of pipe on the support in the deployment position; reattaching the deployment cone to the frame; and connecting the new section of pipe to a portion of the duct.

[0012] To facilitate the charging / recharging of the cartridge, the Applicant has developed a device according to patent FR3060644.

[0013] Upon further investigation, the Applicant realized that there was a need to vary the length of the ventilation duct while maintaining ventilation service. Repairing an existing tunnel can create such a need. Concreting the excavated wall of a tunnel under construction may also require clearing a certain length of tunnel behind the excavation equipment. Dismantling the ventilation duct at the end of the work is another example.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the flexible ventilation duct section control device comprises a flexible duct section collection element consisting of a base, a circular wall, and a beam cantilevered from the base. An opening for the passage of a ventilation airflow is provided through the base and the circular wall. A first activatable seal is disposed around said circular wall opposite the base. A second activatable seal is connected to the first seal by a sealing sleeve and supported by a movable arm between a retracted and a deployed position. The first seal is configured to be activated and sealed with the flexible duct section during a retraction phase of the movable arm, and the second seal is configured to be activated and sealed with the flexible duct section during a deployment phase of the movable arm.The flexible duct section can be lengthened or shortened while air is being blown through it. Ventilation interruptions are minimized. The flexible duct section can be operated during off-peak hours.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first and second activatable seals are inflatable. These seals can be inflated with air, for example, from a compressed air source. Deactivation of the activatable seals is rapid.

[0016] In one embodiment, the first activatable seal and the second activatable seal are annular. Friction is reduced.

[0017] In one embodiment, the mobile arm is telescopic. The overall size is reduced.

[0018] In one embodiment, the movable arm includes a actuating element such as an electric or pneumatic cylinder. The construction is simple.

[0019] In one embodiment, the device includes a mobile gantry supporting said collection unit. Operators can work on the gantry.

[0020] In one embodiment, the mobile gantry has an upper part that supports said collection unit. Construction equipment can pass under the gantry.

[0021] In one embodiment, the sleeve comprises an open rigid tube with a surface roughness compatible with the flexible duct section. The sleeve may be made of galvanized steel. The sleeve may have a roughness adapted to the flexible duct. The flexible duct section is preserved.

[0022] In one embodiment, the device includes a compression gantry movable in translation relative to the flexible conduit section collection element, mounted around the circular wall and equipped with crimping actuators for crimping said flexible conduit section.

[0023] The invention proposes a method for varying the length of a flexible ventilation duct during operation. The method for operating a section of the flexible ventilation duct employs a duct collection device comprising a base, a circular wall, and a beam cantilevered from the base. An opening for the passage of a ventilation airflow is provided through the base and the circular wall. A first sealing gasket is positioned around the circular wall opposite the base. A second sealing gasket is connected to the first sealing gasket by a sealing sleeve and supported by a movable arm.The method comprises activating the first sealing joint, making it watertight with the flexible duct section (the second sealing joint being inactive), then deploying the movable arm, then activating the second sealing joint, making it watertight with the flexible duct section (the first sealing joint being inactive), and finally retracting the movable arm from the collection device. As the flexible duct shortens, the method allows the movable arm to move while the portion of the flexible duct section located between the sealing joints experiences an internal pressure equal to the external pressure.

[0024] In one embodiment, simultaneously with the retraction of the moving arm, the collecting element is moved in the opposite direction and at a speed of equal magnitude, the moving arm thus being stationary relative to the flexible conduit section.

[0025] In one embodiment, with the first sealing joint active, a compression gantry mounted around the circular wall is driven in translation relative to the conduit section collection element in the same direction as the retraction of the moving arm, and crimping actuators come into contact with said flexible conduit section to push it away from the first sealing joint and thus crimp it.

[0026] In one embodiment, the steps of activating the first sealing joint and then activating the second sealing joint are repeated until a desired length of the ventilation duct is drawn through, then the ventilation is stopped and the section of ventilation duct is detached from the ventilation line and the collection element carrying the section of ventilation duct is replaced with an empty collection element.

[0027] The present invention will be better understood upon reading the detailed description of an embodiment taken by way of non-limiting example and illustrated in the attached drawings: [ Fig. 1 ] is a side view of a ventilation device according to one aspect of the invention. Fig. 2 [ ] is a side view of a device for operating a section of flexible ventilation duct according to one aspect of the invention. Fig. 3 ] is a side view of a flexible ventilation duct section control device according to one aspect of the invention in a semi-deployed position. Fig. 4 ] is a side view of a flexible ventilation duct section operating device according to one aspect of the invention in a deployed position. Fig. 5 ] is a side view of a flexible ventilation duct section operating device according to one aspect of the invention in a semi-retracted position. Fig. 6 ] is a side view of a device for maneuvering a section of flexible ventilation duct according to one aspect of the invention towards a retracted position. Fig. 7 ] is a side view of a flexible ventilation duct section handling device according to one aspect of the invention in a tucking position with a compression gantry. Fig. 8 ] is a side view of a flexible ventilation duct section operating device according to an aspect of the invention in an exit position of the structure with cartridge.

[0028] As illustrated in the figures, a work area 1 is equipped with a flexible ventilation duct 2 made up of sections 3. The work area 1 can be a service shaft, an underground structure, for example, a tunnel. Generally, a supply of fresh air is required in the work area 1 to allow operators to work in good conditions. The ventilation duct section 3 is flexible and / or can be rolled onto a drum after being laid flat. The ventilation duct section 3 can be axially twisted to form corrugations while maintaining a central opening to allow airflow. Thus, the length of a ventilation duct section 3 can be adjusted between a twisted state corresponding to a minimum length, an extended state corresponding to a maximum length, and intermediate states depending on the desired length.

[0029] A fan 20 is generally installed at the entrance of the work zone 1 and supplies fresh air to the ventilation duct 2. The ventilation duct 2 comprises a number of sections 3 that increase as the work zone 1 progresses. Thus, the bottom of the work zone 1 moves further away from the entrance as excavation progresses. The sections 3 are supported by brackets 5 in a high position within the work zone to leave a working space below. Operators and machines can move within this working space.

[0030] In work zone 1, the ventilation duct section 3 is brought in and stored, coiled, inside a cartridge. The ventilation duct section 3 is a long, thin, flexible tube, typically made of textile material. The cartridge is inserted into a distributor 4. An example of a distributor 4 is described in FR2960617. The distributor 4 is located on the downstream side of the ventilation duct 2, opposite the fan 20. The deployed or partially deployed ventilation duct section 3 is supported by brackets 5. The brackets 5 may include hooks, shackles, clips, or other fasteners. The brackets 5 may be suspended from rings embedded in an upper wall of work zone 1. The ventilation duct section 3, supported by the brackets 5, is fixed in work zone 1.

[0031] In the embodiment illustrated on the figure 1 At least one first section 3 of ventilation duct is deployed and a second section 3 of ventilation duct is partially inserted into a distributor 4. The first section 3 of ventilation duct is supplied by the fan 20 installed upstream. The second section 3 of ventilation duct, partially stored in the distributor 4, is brought close to the work area. The terms upstream and downstream are defined with reference to the direction of ventilation airflow, illustrated by an arrow pointing towards the fan 20 on the figure 1 .

[0032] The upstream end of the second section 3 of the ventilation duct is connected to the downstream end of the first section 3 of the ventilation duct. The connection between the upstream end of the second section 3 of the ventilation duct and the downstream end of the first section 3 of the ventilation duct is sufficiently airtight. The connection operation can be carried out during a short shutdown of the fan 20. This connection can be made using eyelets and rings, a zipper, etc.

[0033] In certain cases, a section 3 of the ventilation duct must be removed from the ventilation duct 2 while maintaining air supply. For this purpose, the section 3 of the ventilation duct is reconditioned using an operating device 6 onto which a longitudinal portion of the section 3 of the ventilation duct is threaded and looped, cf. figures 2 à 8 The said operating device 6 is mounted on a mobile gantry 7 moving downstream, i.e., towards the excavation work zone. When the collection device is placed on the mobile gantry 7, the ventilation will be stopped for a brief period of a few minutes.

[0034] The operating device 6 includes a collection element 8 for a section 3 of flexible duct. The collection element 8 has a circular wall in its center for the passage of the ventilation airflow. The circular wall forms an opening through the collection element 8. The operating device 6 has a first activatable sealing joint 9 located on the upstream side, a second activatable sealing joint 10 located on the downstream side, and a sealing sleeve 11 connecting the first activatable sealing joint 9 and the second activatable sealing joint 10. The first sealing joint 9 is configured to be activated and sealed with the section 3 of flexible duct during a deployment phase of the operating device 6. The second sealing joint 10 is configured to be activated and sealed with the section 3 of flexible duct during a movement phase of the operating device 6.

[0035] The operating device 6 comprises a base 13 and a beam 12. The beam 12 cantilevers over the base 13. The opening formed by the circular wall for the passage of the ventilation airflow passes through the base 13. The beam 12 is inside the circular wall. The first activatable sealing gasket 9 is arranged around said circular wall and is opposite the base 13. The second activatable sealing gasket 10 is connected to the first sealing gasket 9 by a sealing sleeve 11. The second activatable sealing gasket 10 is supported by a movable arm 16 between a retracted and a deployed position. The sealing sleeve 11 is supported by the movable arm 16 between a retracted and a deployed position.The second sealing joint 10 is configured to be activated and sealed with the flexible conduit section 3 during a retraction phase of the mobile arm 16 and the first sealing joint 9 is configured to be activated and sealed with the flexible conduit section 3 during a deployment phase of the mobile arm 16. The mobile arm 16 can be telescopic.

[0036] In the embodiment shown, the base 13 includes a foot 14 and a flange 15 supporting the beam 12. The operating device 6 rests on a mobile gantry 7 that can be moved longitudinally, particularly in the working area 1.

[0037] The first sealing gasket 9, in its inactive or deflated state, allows relative freedom of movement to the flexible duct section 3. The collection element 8 can then be moved downstream while maintaining ventilation through the ventilation duct 2. The second sealing gasket 10, in its inactive or deflated state, allows relative freedom of movement to the flexible duct section 3. The movable arm 16 and the second sealing gasket 10 can then be moved downstream while maintaining ventilation through the ventilation duct 2. Inflation of the first sealing gasket 9 can be carried out while maintaining ventilation through the ventilation duct 2. Inflation of the second sealing gasket 10 can be carried out while maintaining ventilation through the ventilation duct 2.The deflation of the second sealing gasket 10 can be carried out while maintaining ventilation through the ventilation duct 2. Thus, a section 3 of the ventilation duct can be punctured while the pressure in the ventilation duct 2 is a working pressure higher than the ambient pressure. In a steady state of the operating device 6, the first sealing gasket 9 and the second sealing gasket 10 can be active.

[0038] With the first sealing joint 9 activated and the second sealing joint 10 inactive, the movable arm 16 can move between a retracted and an extended position, both in the direction of retraction and in the direction of extension. The collection element 8 is then stationary. The portion of the ventilation duct section 3 located between the first sealing joint 9 and the second sealing joint 10 is subjected to the pressure of the air blown into the ventilation duct 2, which is several hundred Pa higher than the ambient pressure. With the second sealing joint 10 activated and the first sealing joint 9 inactive, the collection element 8 can move downstream as indicated by the arrows. figures 5 à 8 The movable arm 16 can then move relative to the collection element 8. The portion of the ventilation duct section 3 located between the first sealing joint 9 and the second sealing joint 10 is subjected to ambient pressure. This portion of the ventilation duct section 3 can then be manipulated, in particular by bending it.

[0039] In other words, the movable arm 16 and the second sealing gasket 10 are located inside the ventilation duct section 3 and extend fully forward in the direction of the ventilation flow. The sealing sleeve 11 connects the first sealing gasket 9 and the second sealing gasket 10 and ensures a seal between the ventilation airflow and the ambient pressure.

[0040] During the installation of the operating device 6 on the mobile gantry 7, the ventilation will be briefly stopped and then restarted, cf. figure 3 One downstream end of section 3 of flexible duct is penetrated by the second deflated sealing gasket 10 and the movable arm 16. Then the first sealing gasket 9 passes into section 3 of flexible duct. Next, the collection element 8 enters section 3 of flexible duct. The second sealing gasket 10 is inflated, and the ventilation can be put back into operation.

[0041] In the state illustrated on the figure 4 The first sealing joint 9 is activated and the second sealing joint 10 is inactive. The movable arm 16 and the second sealing joint 10 are moving downstream in the direction of the arrow. The movable arm 16 is fully extended forward in the direction of the ventilation flow and under the ventilation flow.

[0042] In the deployed position of the mobile arm 16, see figure 5 The second sealing gasket 10 is activated by inflation, and then the first sealing gasket 9 is deactivated by deflation. This releases the stresses in the threading and folding area. The portion of the ventilation duct section 3 located between the first sealing gasket 9 and the second sealing gasket 10 is subjected to ambient pressure. This portion of the ventilation duct section 3 can be folded by an operator. This portion of the ventilation duct section 3 is stored by folding it into annular corrugations.Said portion of section 3 of ventilation duct occupies, in the folded state, an annular space having a length much less than the length of the portion of section 3 of ventilation duct in the operating state, an inner diameter less than the inner diameter of section 3 of ventilation duct in the operating state, and an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of section 3 of ventilation duct in the operating state.

[0043] Then, the mobile gantry 7 is advanced downstream and simultaneously, at the same speed, the mobile arm 16 is retracted, cf. figure 6 This is compatible with the temporary joining of the second sealing joint 10 and the section 3 of the ventilation duct.

[0044] Once the telescopic arm is fully retracted (see) figure 7 The first sealing gasket 9 is inflated to take over from the second sealing gasket 10. Then, the second sealing gasket 10 is deactivated by deflation. The portion of the ventilation duct section 3 located between the first sealing gasket 9 and the second sealing gasket 10 is subjected to pressure within the ventilation duct.

[0045] We can then proceed to detach a support 5 from section 3 of the ventilation duct to allow the previous operations to be repeated.

[0046] The operating device 6 further includes a compression gantry 17 that is movable in translation relative to the flexible duct section collection element 8. The compression gantry is arranged around the circular wall. The compression gantry 17 is supported by rails that are part of the operating device 6 or the movable gantry 7. The compression gantry is driven by a rack and pinion mechanism. The compression gantry moves around the flexible duct section. The compression gantry includes carriages 18 equipped with lifting actuators 19 for lifting the flexible duct section. The lifting actuators 19 may include cylinders oriented obliquely upstream and towards the flexible duct section from the compression gantry. The actuation of the cylinders pushes the flexible duct section upstream. The flexible duct section is compressed towards the flange 15.The flexible conduit section loses its tubular shape and deforms into folds, giving it a reduced axial bulk, i.e., it is crimped.

[0047] Thus, with the first sealing gasket 9 inflated, the compression gantry is moved translationally relative to the collection element 8 of the duct section towards the flange 15 of the base 13. The movement of the compression gantry is upstream. The movement of the compression gantry is in the same direction as the retraction of the movable arm 16. Simultaneously with this movement of the compression gantry, the lifting actuators extend and come into contact with the flexible duct section to push it towards the flange 15, opposite the first sealing gasket 9, thus lifting it. After lifting, the lifting actuators retract and the compression gantry is returned downstream.

[0048] Then, with the first sealing ring 9 remaining inflated, the movable arm 16 is brought from its retracted position to its deployed position by extending downstream within the flexible conduit section. If necessary, supports 5 are detached. The second sealing ring 10 is then inflated, and the first sealing ring 9 is deflated. The movable gantry 7 is advanced downstream, and simultaneously, at the same speed, the movable arm 16 is retracted. The flexible conduit section passes around the first sealing ring 9 and inside the compression gantry 17.

[0049] Once the movable arm 16 is in the retracted position, the first seal 9 is inflated, then the second seal 10 is deflated. The compression gantry 17 is moved again as previously explained.

[0050] The cycle is repeated as many times as necessary until the entire length of section 3 of the ventilation duct has been covered. Then the ventilation is stopped, cf. figure 8 and section 3 of the ventilation duct is disconnected from the ventilation line formed by the fan 20 and, where applicable, at least one other section 3 of ventilation duct. The collection element 8 carrying section 3 of ventilation duct is replaced by an empty collection element 8.

Claims

1. Operating device (6) for a section (3) of flexible ventilation duct, comprising a collection element (8) for a section of flexible duct comprising a base (13), a circular wall and a beam (12) cantilevered from the base (13), an opening for the passage of a ventilation airflow being provided through the base (13) and the circular wall, a first activatable sealing joint (9) being disposed around said circular wall opposite the base (13), a second activatable sealing joint (10) being connected to the first sealing joint (9) by a sealing sleeve (11) and supported by a movable arm (16) between a retracted position and a deployed position,the first sealing joint (9) being configured to be activated and sealed with the section (3) of flexible conduit during a retraction phase of the movable arm (16) and the second sealing joint (10) being configured to be activated and sealed with the section (3) of flexible conduit during a deployment phase of the movable arm (16).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the first activatable sealing joint (9) and the second activatable sealing joint (10) are inflatable.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the first activatable sealing joint (9) and the second activatable sealing joint (10) are annular.

4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable arm (16) is telescopic.

5. Device according to claim 4, wherein the movable arm (16) includes an operating member such as an electric or pneumatic cylinder.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a movable gantry (7) supporting said collection member (8).

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the movable gantry (7) has an upper part for supporting said collection member (8).

8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve comprises an open rigid tube having a roughness surface compatible with said section (3) of flexible conduit.

9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a compression gantry movable in translation relative to the collection member (8) of flexible conduit section, mounted around the circular wall and equipped with crimping actuators for crimping said flexible conduit section.

10. Method for operating a section (3) of flexible ventilation duct, employing a flexible duct section collection device (8) comprising a base (13), a circular wall and a beam (12) cantilevered from the base (13), an opening for the passage of a ventilation airflow being provided through the base (13) and the circular wall, a first sealing gasket (9) being disposed around said circular wall opposite the base (13), a second sealing gasket (10) being connected to the first sealing gasket (9) by a sealing sleeve (11) and supported by a movable arm (16), said method comprising activating the first sealing gasket (9) making it sealed with the flexible duct section (3), the second sealing gasket (10) being inactive, then deploying the movable arm (16), then activating the second sealing gasket (10) making it sealed with the flexible duct section (3),the first sealing joint (9) being inactive, then the retraction of the movable arm (16) relative to the collecting element (8).

11. Method according to claim 10, wherein, simultaneously with the retraction of the movable arm (16), the collecting member (8) is moved in the opposite direction and at a speed of equal magnitude, the movable arm (16) thus being stationary relative to the flexible conduit section.

12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the first sealing joint (9) being active, a compression gantry mounted around the circular wall is driven in translation relative to the conduit section collection member (8) in the same direction as the retraction of the movable arm (16), and crimping actuators come into contact with said flexible conduit section to push it away from the first sealing joint (9) and thus crimp it.

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein the steps of activating the first sealing joint (9) and then activating the second sealing joint (10) are repeated until a desired length of the ventilation duct is drilled, then the ventilation is stopped and the section (3) of ventilation duct is detached from the ventilation line and the collection member (8) carrying the section (3) of ventilation duct is replaced by an empty collection member (8).

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