process of sealing a pipe

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for sealing a pipe, and in particular a pipe in which a fluid is likely to circulate. More particularly, the present invention relates to a sealing method for which the insertion of a plug is controlled by the use of an adjustment wedge. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: method for sealing a pipe FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to the field of fluid conduits, and in particular pressurized fluid conduits.

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of fluid distribution networks, and more particularly domestic gas.

[0003] The present invention relates more particularly to the field of maintenance of these fluid distribution networks.

[0004] In this regard, the present invention relates to a method for sealing a pipeline under load, in particular for maintenance purposes. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Fluid distribution networks, and in particular pressurized fluid distribution networks, are regularly subject to inspection and / or maintenance operations.

[0006] Among these, we can notably cite the installation of a bypass or the installation of a tap.

[0007] However, in order to limit the unavailability of a distribution network, it is generally considered to intervene on the latter under load, in particular by closing off the section(s) requiring intervention.

[0008] Thus, a method of sealing a pipe known from the state of the art comprises:

[0009] 1) a step of drilling two zones of the pipe called, respectively, zone upper access area and lower access area, and diametrically opposite each other;

[0010] 2) a step of inserting an inflatable plug into the pipe through the zone upper access, the insertion of the shutter being carried out by means of an insertion tool which comprises a main section inside which is formed a bore which extends, in a main direction, from a stop end towards a coupling end, an insertion pole provided with a shaft in sliding or pivot connection sliding with the bore, and which extends in the main direction from a handling end towards an insertion end, the shaft comprising a shaft stop arranged between the arranged handling end and the stop end, the shutter being arranged in the extension of the insertion end downstream of the coupling end in the main direction;

[0011] 3) a step of inflating the inflatable shutter, thus making it possible to close the conduct.

[0012] However, the installation of the inflatable plug in the pipe requires a degree of precision which, if not respected, can lead to a leaky plug.

[0013] Thus, it is generally provided to have visual markers on the shaft making it possible to check the insertion of the shutter into the pipe.

[0014] This solution nevertheless has drawbacks. In particular, the identification of the shaft travel can be distorted by a reading parallax effect, a reading error.

[0015] Furthermore, light and weather conditions, when unfavorable, can also be a source of error.

[0016] Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for sealing a pipe which makes it possible to precisely control the insertion of the seal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The object of the present invention is achieved by a method of sealing a pipe, of a predetermined external diameter, the sealing method comprising the execution of the following steps:

[0018] a) a step of drilling two zones of the pipe called, respectively, upper access zone and lower access zone, and diametrically opposite one another;

[0019] b) a step of inserting an inflatable plug into the pipe via the upper access zone, the insertion of the plug being carried out by means of an insertion tool which comprises a main section inside which is formed a bore which extends, in a main direction, from a stop end towards a coupling end, an insertion pole provided with a shaft in sliding or pivot connection sliding with the bore, and which extends in the main direction from a handling end towards an insertion end, the shaft comprising a shaft stop arranged between the handling end and the stop end, the plug being arranged in the extension of the insertion end downstream of the coupling end in the main direction, the insertion tool also comprises a set of shims, each shim, having a height H which is specific to it,is configured to be interposed between the shaft stop and the stop end so as to define an insertion depth of the shutter, step b) comprising determining an insertion depth of the shutter and choosing a shim from the set of shims to be placed against the shaft between the shaft stop and the stop end.

[0020] According to one embodiment, each shim among the set of shims comprises a profile having a “U” or “C” section, and forming a housing, step b) comprising the arrangement of the shaft in the housing, one of the ends of the profile bearing against the stop end.

[0021] According to one embodiment, step c) comprises sliding the shaft in the bore.

[0022] According to one embodiment, said method also comprises a step a0), carried out before step a), of placing an adapter on the pipe, the adapter comprising two sections called respectively, upper section and lower section, each section comprising a base and a cylindrical portion surmounting said base, the base comprising a curved plate conformably matching the pipe, the cylindrical portion of the lower section being hermetically sealed by its free end, step a0) comprising the arrangement of one and the other of the upper section and the lower section on the pipe in diametrically opposite positions.

[0023] According to one embodiment, said method also comprises a step a1) of coupling an airlock with the free end of the cylindrical portion of the upper section.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the execution of step b) comprises the coupling of the coupling end with the airlock.

[0025] According to one embodiment, step b) is followed by a step of inflating the shutter arranged in the pipe.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the shutter comprises an inflatable sheath of cylindrical shape and closed at each of its ends by a straight cap.

[0027] The invention also relates to a pipe sealing kit, said kit comprising:

[0028] - a sealing tool which comprises a main section within which a bore is formed which extends, in a main direction, from a stop end towards a coupling end, an insertion pole provided with a shaft in pivot or sliding pivot connection with the bore, and which extends in the main direction from a handling end towards an insertion end, the shaft comprising a shaft stop arranged between the arranged handling end and the stop end, a shutter being arranged in the extension of the insertion end downstream of the coupling end in the main direction;

[0029] - a set of shims having, each shim, having a height H which is specific, is configured to be interposed between the shaft stop and the stop end so as to define an insertion depth of the shutter. Brief description of the drawings

[0030] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description which follows with reference to the appended figures in which:

[0031] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a schematic representation of the installation of an adapter and an airlock on a pipe with a view to drilling and then sealing said pipe according to the principles set out in the present invention;

[0032] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of a drilling means implemented for carrying out step a) of drilling the pipe;

[0033] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic representation of a shutter capable of being implemented within the framework of the present invention;

[0034] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic representation of an insertion means implemented within the framework of the present invention;

[0035] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a photograph of a set of shims which may be considered within the scope of the present invention;

[0036] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a partial representation of a pipe according to a longitudinal sectional plane and in which a shutter is inserted, said shutter having its inflatable sheath inflated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] The invention relates to a method for sealing a pipe, and in particular a pipe in which a fluid is likely to circulate.

[0038] More particularly, the present invention relates to a sealing method for which the insertion of a seal is controlled by the use of an adjustment shim.

[0039] In particular, the present invention relates to a method for sealing a pipe, of a predetermined external diameter, the sealing method comprising the execution of the following steps:

[0040] a) a step of drilling two zones of the pipe called, respectively, upper access zone and lower access zone, and diametrically opposite one another;

[0041] b) a step of inserting an inflatable plug into the pipe through the upper access zone, the insertion of the plug being carried out by means of an insertion tool which comprises a main section inside which is formed a bore which extends, in a main direction, from a stop end towards a coupling end, an insertion pole provided with a shaft in sliding or pivot connection sliding with the bore, and which extends in the main direction from a handling end towards an insertion end, the shaft comprising a shaft stop arranged between the handling end and the stop end, the plug being arranged in the extension of the insertion end downstream of the coupling end in the main direction, the insertion tool also comprises a set of shims, each shim, having a height H which is specific to it, is configured to be interposed between the shaft stop and the stop end so as to define an insertion depth of the shutter, step b) comprising determining an insertion depth of the shutter and choosing a shim from the set of shims to be placed against the shaft between the shaft stop and the stop end.

[0042] It is understood that the pipe has a cylindrical shape.

[0043] It is also understood that the upper access zone and the lower access zone, to the extent that they are the result of drilling by means of a drill bit and / or a hole saw, are each circular.

[0044] The method for sealing a pipe 10 (of cylindrical shape) may comprise a step a0), carried out before step a), of placing an adapter on the pipe 10. In particular, and as illustrated in [Fig. 1], the adapter 20 comprises two sections called, respectively, upper section 21 and lower section 22. Each section 21 and 22 comprises a base 21a, 22a and a cylindrical portion 21b, 22b. In this regard, the base 21a, 22a may comprise a curved plate configured to fit, by an internal face and in a conforming manner, the external surface of the pipe 10. Furthermore, for each of the sections 21, 22, the cylindrical portion 21b, 22b surmounts the base 21a, 22a by an external face of said base and opposite the internal face.

[0045] The installation of the adapter 20 thus comprises the installation of each of the sections 21, 22 by the internal face of their respective base against the external surface of the pipe. More particularly, the two sections are arranged in a diametrically opposite manner relative to the pipe. In other words, the cylindrical portion 21b of the upper section 21 and the cylindrical portion 22b of the lower section 22 share the same axis of revolution.

[0046] The cylindrical portion 21a of the upper section 21 defines, by its free end 50, an access to the conduit 10, while the free end of the cylindrical portion 22a is blocked.

[0047] An adhesive substance, in particular a glue, may be inserted between the internal face of each of the bases and the pipe in order to guarantee a seal between the base in question and the pipe.

[0048] The adapter 20 may be designed to receive, after execution of the method according to the present invention, a valve and / or a bypass pipe.

[0049] The sealing method according to the present invention may also comprise the implementation of an airlock 60 (step a1)). In particular, and as illustrated in [Fig.l], the airlock 60 is fixed on the free end 50 of the cylindrical portion 21a of the upper section 21. The airlock 60 allows sealed access into the cylindrical portion 21a of the upper section 21.

[0050] The method according to the present invention also comprises the execution of a step a) of drilling the pipe 10. The drilling can then be carried out by means of a drilling tool 70. In particular, the drilling tool 70 ([Fig.2]) comprises a coupling section 80 by which said tool 70 can be coupled to the airlock 60, said coupling section 80 being extended by a drill bit 90. In particular, this coupling makes it possible to carry out drilling, in particular right through the pipe 10. More particularly, the drilling tool, once coupled to the airlock 70, makes it possible to form an upper access zone and a lower access zone in the pipe, and diametrically opposite one another. The upper access zone corresponds to a drilling of an area of ​​the pipe delimited by the cylindrical portion 21a of the upper section 21, while the lower access zone corresponds to a drilling of an area of ​​the pipe delimited by the cylindrical portion 22a of the lower section 22. It is understood that the step of drilling the pipe 10 is also accompanied by a drilling of the base 21a and the base 22a.It is also understood that the coupons resulting from the drillings are extracted from the pipe after drilling.

[0051] Step a) is followed by the execution of a step b). In particular, step b) comprises the insertion of a shutter 90 through the upper access zone. In this regard, [Fig. 3] is a schematic illustration of a shutter capable of being implemented within the framework of the present invention. The shutter 90 may comprise an inflatable sheath 91 of cylindrical shape and closed at each of its ends by a straight cap 92, 93. The insertion of the shutter 90 into the pipe 10 through the upper access zone may be carried out by means of an insertion tool 100 ([Fig. 4]).

[0052] The insertion tool 100 comprises a main section 110 inside which is formed a bore which extends, in a main direction “u”, from a stop end 111 towards a coupling end 112. The insertion tool 100 also comprises an insertion pole 120 provided with a shaft 121 in sliding or sliding pivot connection with the bore, and which extends in the main direction from a handling end 122 towards an insertion end 123. The shaft 110 comprises a shaft stop 124 arranged between the handling end 122 arranged and the stop end 111. The shutter is arranged in the extension of the insertion end 120 downstream of the coupling end 112 in the main direction.

[0053] The insertion tool 100 also comprises a set of shims 71a, 71b, 71c and 71d, each shim, having a height H specific to it, is configured to be interposed between the shaft stop and the stop end so as to define an insertion depth of the shutter. Step b) comprises determining an insertion depth of the shutter and choosing a shim from the set of shims to be placed against the shaft between the shaft stop and the stop end.

[0054] The implementation of a shim thus makes it possible to limit the travel of the shutter in a controlled manner. In particular, the latter reaches the desired position in the pipe as soon as the shaft stop abuts against the shim in the main direction.

[0055] Each shim among the set of shims may comprise a profile 72 having a “U” or “C” section, and forming a housing. Thus, step b) may comprise the arrangement of the shaft in the housing, one of the ends of the profile bearing against the stop end.

[0056] In this regard, the shutter 90 can be made integral with the insertion end by the straight plug 92. The latter is notably configured to be coupled to a conduit formed in the insertion pole 120 allowing the inflatable sheath to be inflated when the shutter is arranged in the conduit.

[0057] It is understood that the distance between the right plug 92 and the right plug 93 is a function of the internal diameter of the pipe 10. In particular, this distance is greater than the internal diameter of the pipe. Thus, the implementation of the wedge allows precise positioning of the shutter 90. More particularly, the wedge makes it possible to ensure that the right plugs 92 and 93 are properly arranged respectively in the cylindrical portion 21a and the cylindrical portion 22a. This configuration allows inflation of the inflatable sheath 91 in direct contact with the upper access zone and the lower access zone.

[0058] The inflation of the shutter 90 can in particular be carried out by injecting pressurized air into the conduit formed in the insertion pole 120. More particularly, the handling end can comprise a connection valve allowing the injection of pressurized air into the conduit in question.

[0059] In this regard, [Fig.6] shows an inflated shutter in a pipe 10.

[0060] The drilling method thus makes it possible to drill a pipe from of a generator of said pipe and perpendicular to the axis of revolution of the pipe. The consideration of a set of shims makes it possible to adapt the process to pipes of different diameters, and / or different drilling depths.

[0061] The invention also relates to a pipe drilling kit, said kit comprising:

[0062] - a sealing tool which comprises a main section within which a bore is formed which extends, in a main direction, from a stop end towards a coupling end, an insertion pole provided with a shaft in pivot or sliding pivot connection with the bore, and which extends in the main direction from a handling end towards an insertion end, the shaft comprising a shaft stop arranged between the arranged handling end and the stop end, a shutter being arranged in the extension of the insertion end downstream of the coupling end in the main direction;

[0063] - a set of shims having, each shim, having a height H which is specific, is configured to be interposed between the shaft stop and the stop end so as to define an insertion depth of the shutter.

[0064] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and variant embodiments can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for sealing a pipe (10), of a predetermined external diameter, the sealing method comprising the execution of the following steps: a) a step of piercing two zones of the pipe (10) called, respectively, upper access zone and lower access zone, and diametrically opposite one another; b) a step of inserting an inflatable plug (90) into the pipe (10) via the upper access zone, the insertion of the plug (90) being carried out by means of an insertion tool (100) which comprises a main section inside which is formed a bore which extends, in a main direction, from a stop end (111) towards a coupling end (112), an insertion pole (120) provided with a shaft (121) in sliding or sliding pivot connection with the bore, and which extends in the main direction from a handling end (122) towards an insertion end (123),the shaft (121) comprising a shaft stop (124) arranged between the handling end (122) and the stop end, the shutter (90) being arranged in the extension of the insertion end (123) downstream of the coupling end (112) in the main direction, the insertion tool (100) also comprises a set of shims (71a, 71b, 71c and 71d), each shim, having a height H which is specific to it, is configured to be interposed between the shaft stop (124) and the stop end (111) so as to define an insertion depth of the shutter (90), step b) comprising the determination of an insertion depth of the shutter (90) and the choice of a shim from the set of shims (71a, 71b, 71c and 71d) to be arranged against the shaft (121) between the shaft stop (124) and the stop end (111).,

2. A sealing method according to claim 1, wherein each wedge among the set of wedges (71a, 71b, 71c and 71d) comprises a profile having a “U” or “C” section, and forming a housing, step b) comprising the arrangement of the shaft (121) in the housing, one of the ends of the profile bearing against the stop end.

3. A sealing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein step c) comprises sliding the shaft (121) in the bore.

4. A method of sealing according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said method also comprises a step a0), carried out before step a), of placing an adapter (20) on the pipe (10), the adapter comprising two sections called respectively, upper section (21) and lower section (22), each section comprising a base (21a, 22a) and a cylindrical portion (21b, 22b) surmounting said base (21a, 22a), the base (21a, 22a) comprising a curved plate conformably matching the pipe (10), the cylindrical portion (22b) of the lower section (22) being hermetically sealed by its free end, step a0) comprising the arrangement of both the upper section (21) and the lower section (22) on the pipe (10) in diametrically opposite positions.

5. A sealing method according to claim 4, wherein said method also comprises a step al) of coupling an airlock (60) with the free end (50) of the cylindrical portion (21b) of the upper section (21).

6. A sealing method according to claim 5, wherein performing step b) comprises coupling the coupling end (112) with the airlock (60).

7. A sealing method according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which step b) is followed by a step of inflating the seal (90) arranged in the pipe (10).

8. A sealing method according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which the seal (90) comprises an inflatable sheath (91) of cylindrical shape and closed at each of its ends by a straight cap (92, 93).

9. A pipe sealing kit (10), said kit comprising: - a sealing tool which comprises a main section inside which is formed a bore which extends, in a main direction, from a stop end (111) towards a coupling end (112), an insertion pole (120) provided with a shaft (121) in sliding pivot connection with the bore, and which extends in the main direction from a handling end (122) towards an insertion end (123), the shaft (121) comprising a shaft stop (124) arranged between the handling end (122) arranged and the stop end, a shutter (90) being arranged in the extension of the insertion end (123) downstream of the coupling end (112) in the main direction; - a set of shims (71a, 71b, 71c and 71d) having, each shim, having a height H which is specific to it, is configured to be interposed between the shaft stop (124) and the stop end (111) so as to define an insertion depth of the shutter (90).

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