Device for detecting the possibility of a pipe rupture.
A device for detecting pipe wall deformations using displacement sensors and pressure application addresses the challenge of monitoring inaccessible pipes, ensuring timely maintenance and preventing ruptures.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- INFRANEO
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-03
AI Technical Summary
Existing pipes, particularly those in hostile or hard-to-access environments, are difficult to monitor for wall wear and rupture potential due to accessibility issues and the inability to quantitatively assess inner surface conditions, leading to potential adverse consequences such as fluid supply disruptions.
A device is developed to detect pipe wall deformations, including elastic or plastic changes, using displacement sensors like mechanical or laser calipers to measure bending variations between specific points on the pipe, with optional hydraulic cylinders applying pressure to identify potential weaknesses.
Enables early detection of pipe wall weaknesses, allowing timely maintenance to prevent ruptures and maintain fluid supply integrity.
Smart Images
Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Device for detecting the possibility of a pipe rupture.
[0001] The present invention relates to devices for detecting the possibility of a rupture of a pipe, more particularly a pipe located in a hostile environment or a pipe that is very difficult to access, for example in a sewer or the like.
[0002] Indeed, many pipes carry fluids of all kinds, including liquids. The lifespan of most of these pipes is very difficult to monitor, at least visually, because, on the one hand, they are located in environments that make them difficult to access, such as tunnels or galleries, and, on the other hand, it is almost impossible to quantitatively check the wear on their walls, particularly on the inner surface of these walls.
[0003] However, the inability to detect possibilities of rupture of such pipes can lead to adverse consequences for the users of the fluids they transport: for example, a suppression of the supply of drinking water, of water for cooling production units of all types, etc.
[0004] Also, the present invention aims to provide a device to help detect the possibility of rupture of a fluid pipe or the like, which is simple and inexpensive to make.
[0005] More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for detecting the possibilities of rupture of a fluid pipe, characterized in that it includes means for detecting, on at least a portion of said pipe, a deformation of the wall of said portion of pipe.
[0006] According to another feature of the device, the means for detecting a deformation of the wall of said portion of pipe, said pipe being defined along substantially a longitudinal axis, comprise means for detecting variations in bending deformation of the wall of said portion of pipe between two third points of said pipe, said third points axially framing said portion of pipe.
[0007] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are by way of illustration but in no way limiting, in which:
[0008] The single [Fig.1] represents a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention for detecting the possibilities of rupture of a fluid conduit.
[0009] It is specified that, when, according to the definition of the invention, the object of the invention comprises “at least one” element having a given function, the described embodiment may comprise several of these elements. Conversely, if the embodiment of the object according to the invention as illustrated comprises several elements with identical functions and if, in the description, it is not specified that the object according to this invention must necessarily comprise a particular number of these elements, the object of the invention may be defined as comprising “at least one” of these elements.
[0010] It is specified that when, in the present description, an expression defines by itself, without any particular specific mention concerning it, a set of structural characteristics, these characteristics may be taken, for the definition of the object of the protection sought, when this is technically possible, either separately, or in total and / or partial combination.
[0011] It is further specified that, in the present description, if the adverb "sensiblement" is associated with a qualifier of a given means, this qualifier must be understood in the strict or approximate sense.
[0012] The present invention relates to a device for detecting the possibilities, or risks, of rupture of a fluid pipe 1.
[0013] According to a feature of the invention, the device for detecting the possibilities of rupture of a fluid pipe 1 comprises means for detecting, on at least a portion 2 of the pipe 1, a deformation of the wall of the portion of the pipe 2, whether elastic or plastic deformation.
[0014] Such a deformation can be interpreted as a failure of the wall, that is to say a weakening due to a decrease in its thickness, in particular because of a deterioration of the material constituting this wall under the action of any effect whatsoever, aging of the material, decomposition, abrasion, etc.
[0015] Such weakening could lead, in the short or long term, to a rupture of the wall, and therefore of the pipe, as soon as it is detected, the maintenance services can intervene to restore the pipe to good condition.
[0016] According to a feature of the invention, the means for detecting a deformation of the wall of the portion of the pipe 2, the pipe being defined along substantially a longitudinal axis 40, comprise means for detecting variations in bending deformation of the wall of this portion, at a detection point 46 of the pipe located between two third points 41, 42 of the pipe, these third points 41, 42 being located directly or indirectly on the pipe 1, for example via hoops or the like, so as to frame the portion of the pipe 2 along the axis 40.
[0017] These means for detecting, at detection point 46, variations in bending deformation of the wall of the pipe portion 2 with respect to points 41, 42 are consisting for example of a displacement sensor 45. Such a sensor is in the domain of a person skilled in the art, for example as a mechanical or electronic "caliper" type, or of the laser light beam type or similar.
[0018] This displacement sensor 45 is arranged to measure a displacement of the detection point 46 relative to an axis defined, for example, by the two points 41, 42.
[0019] This displacement sensor is capable of delivering, at output, a signal corresponding to the value of this displacement of the detection point 46. A variation of this signal can constitute an alarm signal.
[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the means for detecting a deformation of the wall of the portion of the pipe 2 further comprise means 44 for applying a substantially constant pressure force at an application point 43 located on the outer surface of the wall of the portion of the pipe 2, the force making a non-zero angle with the longitudinal axis 40, optionally a right angle.
[0021] Point 43 is advantageously located on the portion of pipe 2 diametrically opposite point 46 on which the measurement of a possible displacement is carried out.
[0022] Such means for applying a substantially constant pressure force are for example constituted by a hydraulic cylinder 44 or similar, known in itself, capable of exerting, via its output rod, a constant and possibly adjustable pressure force, this cylinder being positioned for example in a stirrup whose two ends are in solid support on the portion of wall 2 for example respectively at the two points 41, 42 quite far from the point 43.
[0023] The device according to [Fig.1] works in the following way: if a variation in bending at point 46 is detected, it can only be interpreted as meaning that the wall of the portion of pipe 2 has weakened and that, in the short or long term, the pipe could break.
[0024] It is therefore time to decide on an intervention by the maintenance services to restore the pipeline to good condition.
[0025] Devices according to the invention can be used on different sections of pipeline for monitoring the pipeline over its entire length.
[0026] It is also well understood by those skilled in the art that, for the implementation of the devices according to the invention, they will be calibrated on a new pipe in particular to determine the value of the pressure which will be exerted by the cylinder.
Claims
Demands
1. Device for detecting the possibilities of rupture of a fluid conduit (1), characterized in that it comprises means for detecting, on at least a portion (2) of said conduit (1), a deformation of the wall of said portion of conduit.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for detecting a deformation of the wall of said portion of pipe (2), said pipe being defined along substantially a longitudinal axis (40), comprise means for detecting variations in bending deformation of the wall of said portion of pipe between two third points (41, 42) of said pipe, said third points axially framing said portion of pipe (2).
3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the means for detecting variations in bending deformation of the wall of said portion of pipe (2) between two third points (41, 42) of said pipe, said third points axially framing said portion of pipe (2), comprise a displacement sensor (45) arranged to measure a displacement at a detection point (46) of said portion of pipe (2) with respect to an axis linked to said two third points (41, 42), this displacement sensor (45) being capable of delivering, at output, a signal corresponding to the value of this displacement of the detection point (46).
4. Device according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the means for detecting a deformation of the wall of said portion of pipe (2) further comprise means (44) for applying a substantially constant pressure force at a point of application (43) located on the outer surface of the wall of said portion of pipe (2), said force making a non-zero angle with the longitudinal axis (40).
5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the means (44) for applying a substantially constant pressure force at a point of application (43) located on the outer surface of the wall of said portion of pipe (2), said force making a non-zero angle with the longitudinal axis (40), comprise a hydraulic cylinder (44) capable of exerting a constant pressure force, said jack being positioned in a stirrup whose two ends are in solid support on the portion of wall (2) at the two third points (41, 42).