Protection system and associated method

The double-envelope protection system addresses the inefficiencies of existing conduit network protection systems by using flexible sheets and a spacer member to create sealed enclosures for protective agents, achieving effective corrosion protection and simplified installation.

FR3157509A1Active Publication Date: 2025-06-27PCH
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Patent Information

Application Number
FR2023014777
Authority / Receiving Office
FR · FR
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-12-21
Publication Date
2025-06-27
Estimated Expiration
2043-12-21

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing protection systems for conduit networks, such as fluid, electrical, or information networks, face challenges in efficiently protecting areas like connections, junctions, and damaged sections. These systems often require significant time, effort, and resources for installation, and can lead to issues like bulging under pressure, excessive use of filling fluids, and potential damage from fluid concentration.

Method used

A double-envelope protection system comprising a flexible protective sheet and a flexible containment sheet, with a spacer member to maintain a gap between the sheet and the conduit. The system forms a first closed enclosure for a protective agent and a second closed enclosure for an expansion agent, ensuring sealed protection and limiting expansion to prevent bulging.

Benefits of technology

The system provides effective protection against corrosion and mechanical stress, minimizes the use of protective agents, and simplifies installation by using flexible sheets that adapt to complex conduit shapes. It also prevents bulging and fluid concentration issues, ensuring a durable and efficient protection solution.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a protection system (1) intended to be mounted on at least one conduit (C) for protecting an area to be protected of said at least one conduit (C), the protection system (1) comprising a flexible protective sheet (10) configured to form, in the mounted state, a first closed enclosure (13) which encompasses the area to be protected and into which a protective agent (11) can be introduced; and a flexible containment sheet (30) configured to form, with an external surface (se10) of the protective sheet (10) and in the mounted state, a second closed enclosure (33) which at least partially encompasses the protective sheet (10) at the area to be protected, and into which the expansion agent (31) can be introduced. The invention also relates to a method for protecting an area to be protected of at least one conduit (C) by such a protection system (1). Figure 1
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Description

Title of the invention: Protection system and associated method Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a system for protecting an area to be protected from at least one conduit. In general, the invention applies to fluid networks, such as gas or water networks, but can also apply to electrical networks or information networks comprising conduits.

[0002] The invention also relates to a method for protecting such an area to be protected of a conduit. State of the art

[0003] In the field of conduit networks, and more particularly fluid conduits, it is frequently necessary to carry out operations to join at least two conduits together, for example at a junction or a connection, or simply to locally repair a damaged conduit. Such operations may in particular concern cables or pipes located under, or above the ground surface.

[0004] In practice, certain areas of these networks are more vulnerable to external attacks and must therefore be protected. This concerns, for example, a damaged area of ​​a conduit, or a connection area between two or more conduits, typically forming a connection or a branch. After the intervention, the area concerned must again be protected, in terms of sealing, electrical insulation, or even against corrosion or mechanical shocks. Indeed, it is not uncommon for the area concerned to be subjected to an impact or to be welded during installation or maintenance operations. In this case, certain parts of the material constituting the conduit may be weakened.

[0005] To solve this problem, it is known from the state of the art to place a flexible wall around the area to be protected and to introduce a filling fluid therein to fill the space between the sheet and the area to be protected. Such a filling fluid generally has the function of ensuring mechanical rigidity and providing sealing, in particular to avoid short circuits, leaks or corrosion.

[0006] In order to improve the quality of the assembly, it is generally provided to carry out an appropriate circumferential tightening of the protective wall around the area to be protected. For this, different solutions have been proposed, such as carrying out a tightening by means of straps with which an operator comes to surround and locally tighten the wall. Alternatively, it is sometimes proposed to provide a rigid shell of a shape adapted to the area to be protected and then to introduce the filling fluid therein.

[0007] Although these solutions are satisfactory in that they allow said areas to be protected, these clamping solutions have a certain number of drawbacks, in terms of the time required for installation, the effort required, availability, and cost.

[0008] Indeed, the use of a rigid shell requires the user to have a specific wall for each area to be protected. In the case of flexible walls, this problem arises less, however in the case of large areas, under the pressure of the filling fluid, bulges generally appear between two adjacent tightening straps. This leads to the use of an unnecessarily high volume of filling fluid, which is expensive. In addition, such bulges, in addition to the degraded appearance that they give to the protection system and which is detrimental to the impression of the overall quality, can generate localized stresses in the wall, likely to weaken the protection system over time.Finally, in the case of a large area, the filling fluid introduced can concentrate by gravity at the bottom of the protection system, and form a large volume of fluid which can damage the wall, in particular by its weight, or by heating.

[0009] Object of the invention

[0010] The present invention aims to propose a solution which responds to all or part of the aforementioned problems.

[0011] This aim can be achieved by implementing a protection system intended to be mounted on at least one conduit to protect an area to be protected from said at least one conduit, the protection system comprising: - a flexible protective sheet, comprising a material impervious to a protective agent of the protection system, said protective sheet being configured to form, in the assembled state, a first closed enclosure which encompasses the area to be protected and into which the protective agent can be introduced; - a spacer member arranged, in the mounted state, in the first closed enclosure of the protective sheet, said spacer member being configured to prevent direct contact between the protective sheet and the conduit at the area to be protected; - a flexible containment sheet, arranged on the side opposite the spacer member relative to the protective sheet, said containment sheet comprising a material impervious to an expansion agent of the protection system, said containment sheet being configured to form, with an external surface of the protective sheet and in the assembled state, a second closed enclosure which at least partially encompasses the protective sheet at the level of the area to be protected, and into which can be introduced the blowing agent.

[0012] The arrangements described above make it possible to propose a double-envelope protection system, the first envelope being formed by the protective sheet, and the second envelope being formed by the containment sheet. The protective sheet can then provide sealed protection of the area to be protected by means of the protective agent, and the containment sheet can limit the expansion of the protective sheet when the second enclosure is filled with the expansion agent. The protection system is therefore effective in combating possible corrosion of the fluid conduit.

[0013] Advantageously, the use of a flexible protective sheet and a flexible containment sheet makes it possible to adapt the protection system to any type of conduit, in particular to connections having complex shapes or large dimensions.

[0014] It is therefore well understood that the spacing member is configured to move the protective sheet away from the area to be protected, in particular when the spacing member is compressed by the protective sheet towards the area to be protected. Thus, the spacing member makes it possible to guarantee the presence of a space between the protective sheet and the conduit.

[0015] The protection system may further have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0016] Generally, the conduit is a fluid conduit.

[0017] By conduits to be protected, we generally mean conduit connections or junctions.

[0018] By "mounted state" is meant a configuration in which the protection system is installed on the conduit at the area to be protected.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the protective agent comprises a filling fluid.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the spacer member comprises a compressible layer permeable to the protective agent.

[0021] In this way, the spacing member allows both the protective sheet to be moved away from the area to be protected, while allowing the introduction of the protective agent into the first enclosure, so as to ensure effective protection of the area to be protected.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the layer of the spacing member forms a lining of the first closed enclosure, and has a thickness making it possible to guarantee a non-zero minimum spacing between the protective sheet and the conduit at any point in the area to be protected.

[0023] Thus, the layer makes it possible to guarantee a thickness between the conduit and the sheet of protection when the spacer member is compressed by the protective sheet towards the area to be protected.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the spacer member layer comprises an open-cell foam, a honeycomb material, or a mesh.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the spacing member comprises at least one return element such as a spring configured to spread the sheet

[0026] According to one embodiment, the protective agent comprises a filling fluid configured to form, with the spacer member, a rigid protective layer, when said filling fluid is introduced into the first enclosure.

[0027] Thus, the combination of the protective agent and the spacer member makes it possible to form a protective layer, and possibly a waterproof layer at the area to be protected. By "rigid", we mean that the protective layer has a hardness greater than or equal, to within 10%, to that of the conduit.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the protective agent comprises a resin configured to harden.

[0029] Thus, it is possible to introduce the protective agent into the first enclosure when the resin is in a fluid state, and to harden the resin thus introduced to form a rigid protective layer around the area to be protected.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the resin is a thermosetting resin.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the resin is configured to harden by reaction chemical, for example by reaction with a hardening agent.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the resin is an epoxy resin.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the expansion agent comprises an expandable foam.

[0034] Thus, it is possible to introduce the expanding foam into the second enclosure, and to let it expand so that it completely fills, or at least 90% of, the volume of the second enclosure.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the expansion agent comprises a fluid placed under pressure in the second enclosure. In this case, it is advantageous to provide that the protective sheet and the confinement sheet are both impervious to the expansion agent.

[0036] According to one embodiment, in the assembled state, the containment sheet is integral with the protection sheet.

[0037] Thus, the installation of the protection system is faster and simpler.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the protection system further comprises introduction channels making it possible to introduce the protection agent into the first enclosure and / or to introduce the expansion agent into the second enclosure.

[0039] Thus, the introduction of the protective agent into the first enclosure and / or the introduction of the expansion agent into the second enclosure is facilitated.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the introduction channels comprise valves.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the protection system comprises vents configured to allow the evacuation of any air contained in the first enclosure during the introduction of the protective agent.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the introduction channels form the vents.

[0043] According to one embodiment, at least one sheet chosen from the sheet of protection and the containment sheet comprises a closing device configured to vary said at least one sheet between an opening configuration, in which the first enclosure and / or the second enclosure is open, and a closing configuration, in which said at least one sheet encompasses the area to be protected.

[0044] In this way, the sheets can be in the opening configuration to install them around the area to be protected, and can be closed by the user to put them in the mounted state in the closing configuration, and thus form the first enclosure and / or the second enclosure.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the closing device comprises a zipper, snap fasteners, Velcro, or any other equivalent system.

[0046] The aim of the invention can also be achieved by implementing a method for protecting an area to be protected of at least one conduit, the protection method comprising: - a step of providing a protection system as described previously; - a phase of setting up the protection system including: • a first installation step in which the spacer member is placed around the area to be protected; • a second installation step, in which the protective sheet is installed around the spacer member, so as to form the first enclosure in which the spacer member is contained; • a third installation step, in which the containment sheet is installed around the protective sheet, so as to form the second enclosure; - an expansion step, in which the expansion agent is introduced into the second enclosure, and expands in the second enclosure, so as to form a containment wall in which the first enclosure is contained; - a protection step, in which the protection agent is introduced into the first enclosure by being confined in the first enclosure by compression between the containment wall and the area of ​​the conduit to be protected, the agent protective layer forming, with the spacing member, a protective layer for the area to be protected.

[0047] The arrangements described above make it possible to propose a protection method in which the quantity of protective agent to be used is minimal and sufficient to protect the area to be protected from the fluid conduit. Furthermore, the use of flexible sheets makes it easier to put the protection system in place before introducing the expansion agent and the protective agent.

[0048] The protection method may further have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0049] Generally, the protective layer is fluid-tight.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the second installation step and the third installation step are implemented simultaneously.

[0051] Thus, the implementation of the protection system is simpler and faster.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the protection step further comprises a hard release of the protective agent following its introduction into the first enclosure.

[0053] In this way, it is possible to form a rigid protective layer around the area to be protected, which makes it possible to ensure both good protection against corrosion while ensuring mechanical reinforcement of the protective layer.

[0054] Brief description of the drawings

[0055] Other aspects, aims, advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear better on reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0056] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a schematic perspective view of a protection system according to a particular embodiment of the invention, mounted on a conduit.

[0057] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic sectional view of the protection system of the [Fig.l], mounted on a conduit.

[0058] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective view of a protection system according to another particular embodiment of the invention, mounted on a conduit.

[0059] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic view of the different stages of the process of protection according to a particular embodiment of the invention. Detailed description

[0060] In the figures and in the remainder of the description, the same references represent identical or similar elements. In addition, the different elements are not shown to scale so as to enhance the clarity of the figures. Furthermore, the different embodiments and variants are not mutually exclusive and can be combined with each other.

[0061] As can be seen in Figures 1 to 3, the invention relates to a protection system 1 intended to be mounted on at least one conduit denoted "C" to protect an area to be protected of said at least one conduit C. Generally, the conduit C is a conduit C of fluids, such as a conduit C of liquids or gases. It is however well understood that such an application is not limiting and that the invention can be adapted to any other type of conduit C which would be appropriate to protect. By conduits C to be protected, we generally mean connections or junctions of conduits C, which are potentially more fragile elements of a conduit.

[0062] The protection system 1 firstly comprises a flexible protective sheet 10. By “flexible” is meant that the protective sheet 10 has the ability to be shaped around the conduit C to be protected by a modification of its shape by a user of the protective sheet 10, without excessive effort, and without requiring any particular tooling. The protective sheet 10 therefore has greater flexibility than that of the conduit C to be protected. The protective sheet 10 comprises a material impervious to a protective agent 11 of the protection system 1. In other words, the material of the protective sheet 10 is such that it prevents the protective agent 11 from passing through a thickness of the protective sheet 10. For example, the material of the protective sheet 10 may be a synthetic fabric such as polyurethane-coated nylon.

[0063] As can be seen in the figures, the protective sheet 10 is configured to form, in the assembled state, a first closed enclosure 13 which encompasses the area to be protected and into which the protective agent 11 can be introduced. By "assembled state" is meant a configuration in which the protection system 1 is installed on the conduit C at the area to be protected. Advantageously, the use of a flexible protective sheet 10 makes it possible to adapt the protection system 1 to any type of conduit C, in particular to connections having complex shapes, or large dimensions.

[0064] The protection system 1 also comprises a spacing member 20 arranged, in the mounted state, in the first closed enclosure 13 of the protective sheet 10. It is therefore clearly understood that the spacing member 20 is arranged on the conduit C to be protected, and that the protective sheet 10 covers, in the mounted state, the spacing member 20. Thus the spacing member 20 is configured to prevent direct contact between the protective sheet 10 and the conduit C at the area to be protected. In other words, the spacing member 20 is configured to move the protective sheet 10 away from the area to be protected, in particular when the spacing member 20 is compressed by the protective sheet 10 towards the area to be protected. Thus, the spacing member 20 makes it possible to guarantee the presence of a space, or a thickness between the protective sheet 10 and the conduit C.

[0065] Generally, the spacer member 20 comprises a compressible layer permeable to the protective agent 11, such as an open-cell foam, a cellular material, or a mesh. In this way, the spacer member 20 allows both the protective sheet 10 to be moved away from the area to be protected, while allowing the introduction of the protective agent 11 into the first enclosure 13, so as to ensure effective protection of the area to be protected. The layer of the spacer member 20 can advantageously form a lining of the first closed enclosure 13, and can have a thickness making it possible to guarantee a non-zero minimum spacing between the protective sheet 10 and the conduit C at any point in the area to be protected. Thus, the layer makes it possible to guarantee a thickness between the conduit C and the protective sheet 10 when the spacer member 20 is compressed by the protective sheet 10 towards the area to be protected.

[0066] According to another variant not shown, it is possible for the spacing member 20 to comprise at least one return element, such as a spring, configured to separate the protective sheet 10 from the conduit C.

[0067] The protection system 1 further comprises a flexible containment sheet 30, arranged on the side opposite the spacer member 20 relative to the protection sheet 10. By "flexible" is meant that the containment sheet 30 has a capacity to be shaped around the conduit C to be protected by a modification of its shape by a user of the containment sheet 30, without excessive effort, and without requiring special tools. The containment sheet 30 therefore has greater flexibility than that of the conduit C to be protected. It is therefore clearly understood that in the assembled state, the protection system 1 comprises from the protection conduit: the spacer member 20, then the protection sheet 10, then the containment sheet 30, which is radially furthest from the conduit C.

[0068] The containment sheet 30 comprises a material impervious to an expansion agent 31 of the protection system 1. In other words, the material of the containment sheet 30 is such that it prevents passage of the containment agent 31 through a thickness of the containment sheet 30. For example, the material of the containment sheet 30 may be a synthetic fabric such as polyurethane-coated nylon. Advantageously, the use of a flexible containment sheet 30 makes it possible to adapt the protection system 1 to any type of conduit C, in particular to fittings having complex shapes or large dimensions.

[0069] The confinement sheet 30 being configured to form, with an external surface selO of the protective sheet 10 and in the mounted state, a second closed enclosure 33 which at least partially encompasses the protective sheet 10 at the level of the zone to be protected, and into which the expansion agent 31 can be introduced.

[0070] Although this is not limiting, it is advantageous to provide that in the mounted state or no, the containment sheet 30 is integral with the protection sheet 10. Thus, the installation of the protection system 1 is faster and simpler.

[0071] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, one or both of the protective sheet 10 and the containment sheet 30 comprises a closing device 17, 37. The closing device 17, 37 is configured to vary said at least one sheet between an open configuration, in which the first enclosure 13 and / or the second enclosure 33 is open, and a closed configuration, in which said at least one sheet encompasses the area to be protected. The closing devices 17, 37 are particularly advantageous for placing the protection system 1 in the state mounted on the conduit C, in particular when the protective sheet 10 and the containment sheet 30 are integral. Indeed, the protective sheet 10 can be arranged around the conduit C when the closing device 17 of the protective sheet 10 is open, thus opening the first enclosure 13 in which the area to be protected is arranged.The closing device 17 of the protective sheet 10 can then be closed to close the first enclosure 13, and thus place the protective sheet 10 in the assembled state, around the area to be protected of the conduit C.

[0072] The same operation can be applied to the containment sheet 30, and to the closing device 37 of the containment sheet 30 to place it around the area to be protected and thus close the second enclosure 33. In other words, the sheets 10, 30 can be in the open configuration to install them around the area to be protected, and can be closed by the user to put them in the mounted state in the closed configuration, and thus form the first enclosure 13 and / or the second enclosure 33.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the closing device 17, 37 comprises a zipper, press studs, Velcro, or any other equivalent system.

[0074] According to the non-limiting variant illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the protection system 1 may further comprise introduction channels 15, 35 for introducing the protection agent 11 into the first enclosure 13 and / or for introducing the expansion agent 31 into the second enclosure 33. Thus, the introduction of the protection agent 11 into the first enclosure 13 and / or the introduction of the expansion agent 31 into the second enclosure 33 is facilitated. For example, the introduction channels 15, 35 comprise valves. Furthermore, the protection system 1 may comprise vents configured to allow the evacuation of any air contained in the first enclosure 13 during the introduction of the protection agent 11. It is also possible for the introduction channels 15, 35 to form the vents.

[0075] More particularly, the confinement layer 30 may comprise channels 35 for introducing the expansion agent 31 into the second enclosure 33. The agent expansion 31 may for example comprise an expandable foam which can be introduced into the second enclosure 33 via the introduction channels 35. The expansion agent 31 can then expand to completely fill, or at least to 90%, the volume of the second enclosure 33. Thus, the confinement sheet 30 is pushed radially on the side opposite the conduit C, and the external surface selO of the protective sheet 10 is pushed radially towards the spacing member 20 during the expansion of the expansion agent 31. The spacing member 20 then makes it possible to maintain a first enclosure 13 having a non-zero volume by keeping the protective sheet 10 spaced away from the area to be protected. Alternatively, it is possible for the expansion agent 31 to comprise a fluid placed under pressure in the second enclosure 33. In this case, it is advantageous to provide that the protective sheet 10 and the confinement sheet 30 are both impervious to the expansion agent 31.The displacement resulting from the introduction of said fluid under pressure is therefore the same when using an expanding foam.

[0076] The protective sheet 10 may comprise introduction channels 15 for the protective agent 11. For example, the protective agent 11 comprises a filling fluid. More specifically, the protective agent 11 comprises a resin configured to harden, such as a thermosetting resin, a resin configured to harden by chemical reaction, for example by reaction with a hardening agent, or an epoxy resin. Thus, it is possible to introduce the protective agent 11 into the first enclosure 13 when the resin is in a fluid state, and to harden the resin thus introduced to form a rigid protective layer around the area to be protected.

[0077] Whatever the filling fluid used as protective agent 11, it can be configured to form, with the spacer member 20, a rigid protective layer, when said filling fluid is introduced into the first enclosure 13. Thus, the combination of the protective agent 11 and the spacer member 20 makes it possible to form a protective layer, and possibly a leaktight layer at the area to be protected. By "rigid", it is meant that the protective layer has a hardness greater than or equal, to within 10%, to that of the conduit C.

[0078] The arrangements described above make it possible to propose a double-envelope protection system 1, the first envelope being formed by the protection sheet 10, and the second envelope being formed by the confinement sheet 30. The protection sheet 10 can then ensure sealed protection of the area to be protected by means of the protection agent 11, and the confinement sheet 30 can limit the expansion of the protection sheet 10 when the second enclosure 33 is filled with the expansion agent 31. The protection system 1 is therefore effective in combating possible corrosion of the fluid conduit C.

[0079] Referring now to [Fig.4], the invention also relates to a method of protecting an area to be protected of at least one conduit C.

[0080] The protection method firstly comprises a step E1 of providing a protection system 1 as described previously.

[0081] An installation phase P2 of the protection system 1 can then be put in place and firstly comprises a first installation step E21 in which the spacer member 20 is arranged around the area to be protected. As can be seen in [Fig.4], it is possible for the spacer member 20 to be held by ties, or elastic bands around the area to be protected.

[0082] The installation phase P2 then comprises a second installation step E22, in which the protective sheet 10 is installed around the spacer member 20, so as to form the first enclosure 13 in which the spacer member 20 is contained. As indicated previously, this step can be facilitated by the use of a closing device 17 for the protective sheet 10. Simultaneously or successively, the installation phase P2 comprises a third installation step E23, in which the confinement sheet 30 is installed around the protective sheet 10, so as to form the second enclosure 33. In the same way as for the protective sheet 10, this step is facilitated by the use of a closing device 37 for the confinement sheet 30. Thus, the installation of the protection system 1 is simpler and faster.

[0083] Then, the protection method comprises an expansion step E3, in which the expansion agent 31 is introduced into the second enclosure 33, and extends into the second enclosure 33, so as to form a containment wall in which the first enclosure 13 is contained. For example, the expansion step is implemented by the introduction of the expansion agent 31 at the level of the introduction channels 35 of the containment sheet 30. The action of the expansion agent 31 in the second enclosure 33 causes the increase in the volume delimited by the second enclosure 33. This increase is limited on the one hand by the containment sheet 30 and on the other hand, by the external surface se 10 of the protection sheet 10.

[0084] The protection method finally comprises a protection step E4, in which the protective agent 11 is introduced into the first enclosure 13 while being confined in the first enclosure 13 by compression between the confinement wall and the area to be protected of the conduit C, the protective agent 11 forming with the spacing member, a layer of protection of the area to be protected. According to a non-limiting variant, the protection step E4 may comprise a hardening of the protective agent 11 following its introduction into the first enclosure 13. In this way, it is possible to form a rigid protective layer around the area to be protected, which makes it possible to ensure both good protection against corrosion while ensuring a mechanical forcing of the protective layer.

[0085] The arrangements described above make it possible to propose a protection method in which the quantity of protection agent 11 to be used is minimal and sufficient to protect the area to be protected of the fluid conduit C. Furthermore, the use of flexible sheets makes it easier to put the protection system 1 in place before introducing the expansion agent 31 and the protection agent 11.

Claims

Claims

1. Protection system (1) intended to be mounted on at least one conduit (C) to protect an area to be protected of said at least one conduit (C), the protection system (1) comprising: • a flexible protective sheet (10), comprising a material impervious to a protective agent (11) of the protection system (1), said protective sheet (10) being configured to form, in the mounted state, a first closed enclosure (13) which encompasses the area to be protected and into which the protective agent (11) can be introduced; • a spacer member (20) arranged, in the mounted state, in the first closed enclosure (13) of the protective sheet (10), said spacer member (20) being configured to prevent direct contact between the protective sheet (10) and the conduit (C) at the area to be protected;• a flexible containment sheet (30), arranged on the side opposite the spacer member (20) relative to the protective sheet (10), said containment sheet (30) comprising a material impervious to an expansion agent (31) of the protection system (1), said containment sheet (30) being configured to form, with an external surface (selO) of the protective sheet (10) and in the mounted state, a second closed enclosure (33) which at least partially encompasses the protective sheet (10) at the level of the zone to be protected, and into which the expansion agent (31) can be introduced.;

2. A protection system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the spacer member (20) comprises a compressible layer permeable to the protection agent (11).

3. Protection system (1) according to claim 2, in which the layer of the spacer member (20) forms a lining of the first closed enclosure (13), and has a thickness making it possible to guarantee a non-zero minimum spacing between the protection sheet (10) and the conduit (C) at any point in the area to be protected.

4. A protection system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the protection agent (11) comprises a replenishing fluid pleating configured to form, with the spacer member (20), a rigid protective layer, when said filling fluid is introduced into the first enclosure (13).

5. A protection system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the protection agent (11) comprises a resin configured to harden.

6. A protection system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the expansion agent (31) comprises an expandable foam.

7. Protection system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which, in the mounted state, the containment sheet (30) is integral with the protection sheet (10).

8. Protection system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising introduction channels (15, 35) for introducing the protection agent (11) into the first enclosure (13) and / or for introducing the expansion agent (31) into the second enclosure (33).

9. Protection system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one sheet selected from the protection sheet (10) and the containment sheet (30) comprises a closing device (17, 37) configured to vary said at least one sheet between an opening configuration, in which the first enclosure (13) and / or the second enclosure (33) is open, and a closing configuration, in which said at least one sheet encompasses the area to be protected.

10. Method for protecting an area to be protected of at least one conduit (C), the protection method comprising: • a step of providing (El) a protection system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9; • a phase of setting up (P2) the protection system (1) comprising: • a first installation step (E21) in which the spacer member (20) is arranged around the area to be protected; • a second installation step (E22), in which the protection sheet (10) is installed around the spacer member (20), so as to form the first enclosure (13) in which the spacer member (20) is contained; • a third installation step (E23), in which the containment sheet (30) is installed around the protective sheet (10), so as to form the second enclosure (33); • an expansion step (E3), in which the expansion agent (31) is introduced into the second enclosure (33), and extends into the second enclosure (33), so as to form a containment wall in which the first enclosure (13) is contained; • a protection step (E4), in which the protective agent (11) is introduced into the first enclosure (13) while being confined in the first enclosure (13) by compression between the containment wall and the area to be protected of the conduit (C), the protective agent (11) forming with the spacing member, a layer of protection of the area to be protected.

11. The protection method of claim 10, wherein the second installation step (E22) and the third installation step (E23) are carried out simultaneously.

12. Protection method according to any one of claims 10 or 11, in which the protection step (E4) further comprises hardening of the protection agent (11) following its introduction into the first enclosure (13).

Citation Information

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