Non-interrupted flow method

Abstract

To provide a non-interrupted flow method that is easy to implement.SOLUTION: A non-interrupted flow method comprises: a lower housing arrangement step of constituting a housing 310 that can be separated into upper and lower parts for a fluid pipe 2 constituting a flow path, and arranging a lower housing 330 to which a branch pipe 3 branching off from the fluid pipe 2 can be connected using jacks 304, 404 having a height adjustment function and a load support function; a connection step of installing an upper housing 320 constituting the housing 310 on the lower housing 330 and connecting them; a position adjustment step of aligning the mutually connected lower housing 330 and upper housing 320 with respect to the fluid pipe, using position adjustment means; and a sealing step of sealing a gap between the housing 310 and the fluid pipe 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a continuous flow method involving the excision of a fluid pipe.

Background Art

[0002] In existing flow paths through which water, gas, etc. flow, when a part of an existing fluid pipe is updated to a new fluid pipe or connected to another flow path in order to address aging deterioration or form a new branch path, etc., a continuous flow method is known that involves excising at least a part of the fluid pipe.

[0003] For example, the continuous flow method shown in Patent Document 1 is performed when installing a shut-off valve in the middle of a fluid pipe in an existing flow path. A housing composed of an upper housing and a lower housing is externally fitted to the fluid pipe in a sealed manner, and while maintaining the sealed state, a part of the fluid pipe is excised through the opening of the housing. While maintaining the sealed state, a shut-off valve is inserted and installed between one end and the other end of the fluid pipe cut inside the housing, and the opening of the housing is sealed with the lid of the shut-off valve. As a result, since the housing can be used as a flow path component that functions as a part of the flow path, the shut-off valve can be installed simply.

[0004] In addition, in the continuous flow method as described above, for example, a T-shaped housing is adopted, and a housing composed of an upper housing and a lower housing is externally fitted to the fluid pipe constituting the existing flow path in a sealed manner, a branch pipe is connected to the housing, and by excising the fluid pipe and sealing the opening of the housing as described above, a continuous flow method for connecting a branch pipe to the existing flow path is also known. Thus, the configuration of the housing used as a flow path component is appropriately changed according to the continuous flow method to be implemented.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In such a continuous flow method of Patent Document 1, alignment between the fluid pipe and the housing is performed, and a sealing member is press-fitted between them, so that stable sealing can be achieved over the circumferential direction.

[0007] Regarding the alignment between the fluid pipe and the housing, specifically, with the lower housing placed on the H-shaped steel, alignment with respect to the fluid pipe is performed together with the upper housing temporarily fixed to the lower housing. For example, when the height of the H-shaped steel is lower than the suitable position, a wedge-shaped member or the like is driven between the H-shaped steel and the lower housing, or a corner member, a plate, etc. are laid under the H-shaped steel to raise the position of the lower housing. However, when the height of the H-shaped steel is higher than the suitable position, since it is necessary to replace the H-shaped steel with a shorter one, the temporary fixing of the upper housing and the lower housing has to be released once, and these have to be removed, which has been a factor increasing the man-hours of work.

[0008] The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a continuous flow method with simple construction.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the continuous flow method of the present invention includes a lower housing arranging step of arranging a lower housing constituting a housing that can be divided vertically with respect to a fluid pipe constituting a flow path, using a jack having a height adjusting function and a load supporting function; a connecting step of placing and connecting an upper housing constituting the housing on the lower housing; an alignment step of aligning the lower housing and the upper housing connected to each other with respect to the fluid pipe using alignment means; a sealing step of sealing between the housing and the fluid pipe, and is characterized by including these steps. According to this feature, the connected lower housing and upper housing can be arranged while ensuring the movement allowance for the fluid pipe. Thereby, the alignment of the housing with respect to the fluid pipe can be surely performed, so that the construction can be simplified.

[0010] In the lower housing arrangement step, the lower housing in a state of being in contact with the fluid pipe is supported by the jack, which is a feature. According to this feature, the lower housing can be safely held.

[0011] In the position adjustment step, after suspending and supporting the upper housing and the lower housing connected by a crane, the jack is separated from the lower housing, which is a feature. According to this feature, the movement allowance can be ensured safely and easily.

[0012] In the position adjustment step, position adjustment is performed using the adjustment bolts provided on the housing, which is the position adjustment means, and a crane, which is a feature. According to this feature, by supporting the housing with a crane, the fine alignment of the connected upper housing and lower housing with respect to the fluid pipe can be easily performed.

[0013] The adjustment bolts are provided on the upper housing and the lower housing, which is a feature. According to this feature, the adjustment bolts can be provided with a simple configuration.

[0014] A plurality of the jacks are arranged at intervals in the axial direction of the fluid pipe, which is a feature. According to this feature, even when the fluid pipe is inclined, it can be positioned according to the inclination.

[0015] At least one of the jacks is arranged at a position separated from the axis of the fluid pipe, which is a feature. According to this feature, it is possible to prevent the housing from rotating around the axial direction of the fluid pipe.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 19

Figure 20

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] The mode for carrying out the continuous flow method according to the present invention will be described below based on examples.

Examples

[0018] As a continuous flow method according to Example 1, a continuous flow method for installing a butterfly valve 14 in a fluid pipe 2 constituting an existing flow path will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12.

[0019] As the continuous flow method of the present example, a series of flows from cutting a predetermined portion of the fluid pipe 2 constituting an existing flow path buried in the ground inside the housing 10 to installing a butterfly valve 14 as a fluid control body at the cut portion will be described. Note that the fluid in the fluid pipe is tap water in this example, but it is not limited to this, and for example, industrial water, agricultural water, sewage, etc., or a gas or a gas-liquid mixture of a gas and a liquid may be used.

[0020] The fluid pipe according to the present invention is a ductile cast iron pipe, which is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape in cross-section. Note that the fluid pipe according to the present invention may be made of other metals such as cast iron and steel, or may be made of concrete, vinyl chloride, polyethylene, polyolefin, etc. Furthermore, the inner peripheral surface of the fluid pipe may be coated with an epoxy resin layer, mortar, plating, etc., or may be coated with an appropriate material on the inner peripheral surface of the fluid pipe by powder coating.

[0021] First, a preparation process for preparing the work site is performed. Referring to FIG. 1, in the preparation process, the area around the fluid pipe 2 buried in the ground is excavated, and concrete is placed at the bottom of the hole to form a foundation F. The upper surface of the foundation F is spaced apart vertically from the bottom of the exposed fluid pipe 2. Note that the foundation may be a paving iron plate or the like as long as it can support the lower housing 30 of the housing 10.

[0022] Next, a lower housing placement process for placing the lower housing 30 is performed. In the lower housing placement process, first, the lower housing 30 suspended by a hanger H and a wire W having a hook suspended by a crane (not shown) is externally fitted to the lower part of the fluid pipe 2, and two jacks 4, 4 (see FIG. 2(b)) having a load support function and a height adjustment function are arranged between the lower housing 30 and the foundation F. Hereinafter, the lower housing placement process will be described in detail.

[0023] The lower housing 30 is formed in a T-shape in front view, including a body portion 31 that extends downward and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and curved plate-shaped half arms 32, 33 that extend laterally substantially orthogonally to the body portion 31 and are curved in a semi-circular arc shape when viewed from the axial direction of the fluid pipe 2.

[0024] As shown in the blowout in FIG. 1, an adjusting bolt 10C is screwed into a female screw formed to penetrate radially in a split arm portion 33 of a lower housing 30, and an operation portion at the rear end of the adjusting bolt 10C is exposed outside the split arm portion 33. Thus, by rotating the operation portion of the adjusting bolt 10C with a jig or the like, it is possible to move forward and backward in the radial direction. When the adjusting bolt 10C is not in use, the operation portion is protected by a detachable cap 10p or the like. Further, the adjusting bolts 10C are equally arranged in a plurality in the circumferential direction in the split arm portion 33 (two equal arrangements in this embodiment). The same applies to the split arm portion 32 side. Note that outside the blowout in FIG. 1 and the like, the adjusting bolt 10C is simply indicated by a cross mark.

[0025] By arranging the adjusting bolts 10C, 10C,... in the split arm portions 32 and 33 so as to be movable forward and backward in this way, the adjusting bolts 10C, 10C,... can be provided with a simpler configuration as compared with a configuration in which a member for holding the adjusting bolt 10C separately is provided.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2(a), the bottom wall 31a of the body portion 31 has its structural strength enhanced by an X-shaped rib 31b protruding downward at its lower end. Further, the outer bottom surface of the bottom wall 31a is partitioned by the rib 31b into four flat surfaces 31c, 31c,... and each flat surface 31c is substantially fan-shaped.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2(b), the jack 4 is a so-called mechanical jack in which a bolt 4b is screwed into a female screw formed in a bottomed cylindrical base 4a having a pedestal. Further, a flat disk-shaped plate 4c is placed on the upper end 4d of the bolt 4b.

[0028] The upper end 4d of the bolt 4b is formed in a conical shape. At the radial center of the lower surface of the plate 4c, a recess 4e is formed which is recessed in a conical shape in cross-section and penetrates in the thickness direction of the plate 4c, that is, in the vertical direction. The upper end 4d of the bolt 4b and the recess 4e of the plate 4c are formed to be fitted together. Thereby, the plate 4c is detachable from the bolt 4b and can be restricted from rotating together with the rotation of the bolt 4b. Further, when placing the plate 4c on the bolt 4b, positioning is easy. It is preferable that the conical angle of the recess 4e of the plate 4c is made gentler than the conical angle of the upper end 4d of the bolt 4b. By doing so, the plate 4c can be slightly inclined with respect to the bolt 4b.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 2(a), when placing the jacks 4, 4 on the foundation F, they are arranged at positions spaced apart toward the outer diameter side with the center of the body portion 31 as a reference and at positions spaced apart in the orthogonal direction in a bottom view with respect to the fluid pipe 2 (refer to the plates 4c, 4c of the jacks 4, 4 shown by the two-dot chain line).

[0030] On these plates 4c, 4c, the flat surfaces 31c, 31c of the lower housing 30 are placed. At this time, by bringing the upper end surface of the plate 4c of the jack 4 into surface contact with the flat surface 31c of the lower housing 30, the load of the lower housing 30 can be dispersed and supported.

[0031] Specifically, when externally fitting the lower housing 30 to the fluid pipe 2, the lower housing 30 being suspended by a crane is externally fitted to the lower part of the fluid pipe 2, and as shown in the blowout in Fig. 1, it is lifted so that the inner peripheral surface of the lower housing 30 contacts the outer peripheral surface 2a of the fluid pipe 2. At this time, a rubber sheet or the like may be sandwiched at the contact portion between the inner peripheral surface of the lower housing 30 and the outer peripheral surface 2a of the fluid pipe 2 in order to prevent damage. Then, the lengths of the jacks 4, 4 are adjusted according to the separation dimension between the flat surface 31c of the lower housing 30 and the foundation F, and the jacks 4, 4 are arranged between the flat surface 31c and the foundation F.

[0032] As a result, the state where the inner peripheral surface of the lower housing 30 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface 2a of the fluid pipe 2 is maintained. In other words, since the lower housing 30 is clamped in the vertical direction by the fluid pipe 2 and the jacks 4, 4 and becomes a stable state, the lifting tool H and the wire W can be removed from the lower housing 30.

[0033] Next, a connecting step of sealingly connecting the upper housing 20 of the housing 10 to the lower housing 30 is performed. As shown in FIG. 3, in the connecting step, first, the upper housing 20 is suspended by a crane via the lifting tool H and the wire W, and while the upper housing 20 is externally fitted to the fluid pipe 2, the split surface 20a of the upper housing 20 is brought into contact with and placed on the split surface 30a of the lower housing 30.

[0034] The upper housing 20 is formed in an inverted T shape in a front view, including a neck portion 21 that extends upward and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and half-arm portions 22, 23 that extend laterally substantially orthogonally to the neck portion 21 and are formed in a semi-circular arc-shaped curved plate shape when viewed from the axial direction of the fluid pipe 2.

[0035] The adjustment bolts 10C are provided on the half-arm portions 22, 23 of the upper housing 20 in the same manner as the lower housing 30 and are equally spaced in the circumferential direction. Also, the adjustment bolts 10C provided on the half-arm portion 22 of the upper housing 20 and the half-arm portion 32 of the lower housing 30 are arranged at substantially the same position in the pipe axis direction and are arranged at the positions of 2 o'clock, 4 o'clock, 8 o'clock, and 10 o'clock in the circumferential direction. The same applies to the adjustment bolts 10C provided on the half-arm portion 23 of the upper housing 20 and the half-arm portion 33 of the lower housing 30.

[0036] Further, rectangular plate-shaped flanges 24, 34 that are substantially parallel to the respective split surfaces 20a, 30a and protrude outward are formed on the half-arm portions 22, 23 of the upper housing 20 and the half-arm portions 32, 33 of the lower housing 30. By fastening these flanges 24, 34 with bolts B1 and nuts N1, the upper housing 20 and the lower housing 30 can be temporarily fixed.

[0037] Then, the housing 10 is formed by sealingly welding the cut surfaces 20a and 30a of the upper housing 20 and the lower housing 30 together. Along with this, cylindrical arms 10A (see Fig. 7) of the housing 10 are formed by the half-cut arms 22 and 32, and cylindrical arms 10B (see Fig. 7) of the housing 10 are formed by the half-cut arms 23 and 33.

[0038] Next, a position adjustment process is performed to align the housing 10 with respect to the fluid pipe 2 using the adjustment bolts 10C, 10C, …. Note that in Figs. 4 to 6 referred to in the description of this process, the illustration is exaggerated to clearly show the change in the position of the housing 10 with respect to the fluid pipe 2.

[0039] In the position adjustment process, a movement allowance M of the housing 10 with respect to the fluid pipe 2 is secured in advance by the jacks 4, 4. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4(a), from the position of the plate 4c of the jack 4 when the inner peripheral surface of the lower housing 30 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface 2a of the fluid pipe 2, as shown in Fig. 4(b), the plate 4c can be retracted in the direction away from the fluid pipe 2 by the movement allowance M.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 3, in the position adjustment process, first, the housing 10 is slightly lifted by a crane, the jacks 4, 4 are removed once and slightly contracted, and then repositioned. At this time, the jacks 4, 4 may be simply contracted while being arranged. Next, the crane is operated to roughly align the axes of the arms 10A and 10B of the housing 10 with respect to the axis of the fluid pipe 2.

[0041] Then, while the housing 10 is being suspended by the crane which is a position adjustment means and a holding means, fine position adjustment is performed by the adjustment bolts 10C, 10C, …. Specifically, when moving the housing 10 downward with respect to the fluid pipe 2, as shifting from Fig. 5(b) to Fig. 5(a), the adjustment bolts 10C, 10C of the upper housing 20 are retracted to the outer diameter side, and as shifting from Fig. 6(a) to Fig. 6(b), the adjustment bolts 10C, 10C of the lower housing 30 are advanced to the inner diameter side.

[0042] Conversely, when moving the housing 10 upward with respect to the fluid pipe 2, as shifting from FIG. 5(a) to FIG. 5(b), the adjustment bolts 10C, 10C of the upper housing 20 are advanced toward the inner diameter side, and as shifting from FIG. 6(b) to FIG. 6(a), the adjustment bolts 10C, 10C of the lower housing 30 are retracted toward the outer diameter side.

[0043] Although not shown, when moving the housing 10 in the 3 o'clock direction with respect to the fluid pipe 2 as viewed in the axial direction of the fluid pipe 2 of the arm portion 10B, the adjustment bolts 10C, 10C located on the 3 o'clock side (2 o'clock and 4 o'clock) are advanced toward the inner diameter side, and the adjustment bolts 10C, 10C located on the 9 o'clock side (8 o'clock and 10 o'clock) are retracted toward the outer diameter side.

[0044] Similarly, when moving the housing 10 in the 9 o'clock direction with respect to the fluid pipe 2, the adjustment bolts 10C, 10C located on the 9 o'clock side (8 o'clock and 10 o'clock) are advanced toward the inner diameter side, and the adjustment bolts 10C, 10C located on the 3 o'clock side (2 o'clock and 4 o'clock) are retracted toward the outer diameter side.

[0045] At this time, when aligning the housing 10 with respect to the fluid pipe 2, since the housing 10 is suspended by a crane, it is possible to prevent most of the weight of the housing 10 from directly acting on the fluid pipe 2.

[0046] In addition, due to the weight of the housing 10, each of the adjustment bolts 10C, 10C,... on the upper housing 20 side is pressed against the outer peripheral surface 2a of the fluid pipe 2, and it is possible to prevent an excessive load from being applied to the outer peripheral surface 2a. As a result, the rotation operation of each of the adjustment bolts 10C, 10C,... becomes easy, and thus fine adjustment can be easily performed.

[0047] In addition, since the housing 10 is suspended by a crane, fine adjustment is also facilitated because resistance such as friction is less likely to occur compared to the case where the above-described position adjustment is performed in a state where the housing 10 is placed on, for example, the plate 4c of the jack 4.

[0048] When the centers of the wrist portions 10A and 10B substantially coincide with the tube axis of the fluid pipe 2, while maintaining this state with a crane, advance each adjusting bolt 10C, 10C,... inward in the inner diameter direction to bite into the fluid pipe 2. Thereby, the state where the centers of the wrist portions 10A and 10B are aligned with the tube axis of the fluid pipe 2 can be maintained.

[0049] Furthermore, adjust the lengths of the jacks 4, 4 according to the separation dimension between the flat surface 31c of the lower housing 30 and the foundation F, and arrange the jacks 4, 4 between the flat surface 31c and the foundation F. Thereby, since the load of the housing 10 is supported by the jacks 4, 4, the lifting tool H and the wire W can be removed from the housing 10.

[0050] Next, perform a sealing process for sealing between the housing 10 and the fluid pipe 2. As shown in FIG. 7, in the sealing process, first, arrange the seal ring 12 over the outer peripheral surface 2a of the fluid pipe 2 in the circumferential direction, externally fit and connect the split press rings 13 to the fluid pipe 2 respectively, and fasten the flange of the wrist portion 10B and the press ring 13 with the T-head bolt B2 and the nut N2.

[0051] At this time, since the center of the wrist portion 10B is aligned with the tube axis of the fluid pipe 2, an annular gap with a substantially constant width is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the wrist portion 10B and the outer peripheral surface 2a of the fluid pipe 2 in the circumferential direction. Thereby, not only is it easy to press-fit the seal ring 12 axially between the wrist portion 10B and the fluid pipe 2, but also the press-fitted seal ring 12 can be pressure-bonded to the inner peripheral surface of the wrist portion 10B and the outer peripheral surface 2a of the fluid pipe 2 with a uniform force in the circumferential direction to seal.

[0052] Furthermore, use the bolts 13A, 13A,... equally arranged in the circumferential direction to press the claw members 13B arranged on the inner diameter side of the press ring 13 against the outer peripheral surface 2a of the fluid pipe 2. Note that the description of the wrist portion 10A side is the same as that of the wrist portion 10B side, so the description thereof is omitted.

[0053] As described above, when fitting the housing 10 over the fluid pipe 2, the housing 10 can be arranged while ensuring a movement allowance M (see Fig. 4) with respect to the fluid pipe 2. Thereby, alignment of the housing 10 with respect to the fluid pipe 2 can be reliably performed, facilitating construction.

[0054] Also, in the lower housing installation step, since the lower housing 30 can be clamped by the fluid pipe 2 and the jacks 4, 4, the upper housing 20 can be transported and the housing 10 can be lifted using the same crane.

[0055] Next, although not shown directly, a flange lid for a hydraulic test is attached to the flange 21a of the housing 10, and a hydraulic pressure substantially equal to that inside the fluid pipe 2 is applied to the sealed gap between the inner peripheral surface of the housing 10 and the outer peripheral surface 2a of the fluid pipe 2 for testing. At this time, although the housing 10 is filled with water and the total weight increases, since the housing 10 is supported by the jacks 4, 4, it is possible to prevent most of the total weight of the housing 10 from directly acting on the fluid pipe 2. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the fluid pipe 2 before being cut from bending.

[0056] Also, although the fluid pipe 2 passes through the housing 10, in a top view, the jacks 4, 4 are arranged opposite to a position separated from the axis of the fluid pipe 2 toward the outer diameter side and along a direction orthogonal to the same axis. Therefore, the housing 10 is prevented from rotating around the pipe axis with the fluid pipe 2 as the axis.

[0057] After completion of the hydraulic test, the flange lid is removed, and a placing step of placing the concrete C1 between the fluid pipe 2 and the housing 10 and the foundation F is performed. As shown in Fig. 8, in the placing step, the concrete C1 indicated by the dotted pattern is placed so as to integrate the arm portion 10A, the exposed portion of the fluid pipe 2 on the arm portion 10A side, and the foundation F. The same applies to the arm portion 10B and the exposed portion of the fluid pipe 2 on the arm portion 10B side. In this placing step, since the above-described jacks 4, 4 support the load of the housing 10 and the like from below, the position of the housing 10 can be continuously held until the concrete C1 hardens.

[0058] Next, an excision step of excising the fluid pipe 2 is performed. As shown in FIG. 9, in the excision step, first, the flange 21a of the neck portion 21 and the valve box 5a of the working valve 5 are fastened with bolts and nuts (not shown). Needless to say, a gasket is provided between the flange 21a of the neck portion 21 and the valve box 5a for sealing.

[0059] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 10, the flange of the valve box 5a (see FIG. 9) and the lower flange of the mounting flange cylinder 6 are connected with bolts and nuts (not shown), and the upper flange of the mounting flange cylinder 6 and the excision device 7 are connected with bolts and nuts (not shown). Needless to say, gaskets are provided between the flange of the valve box 5a and the lower flange of the mounting flange cylinder 6, and between the upper flange of the mounting flange cylinder 6 and the excision device 7 for sealing.

[0060] In this way, even if the weights of the working valve 5, the mounting flange cylinder 6, and the excision device 7 are added and the total weight of the housing 10 increases, since the housing 10 is supported by the jacks 4, 4 and the concrete C1, C1, it is possible to prevent most of the total weight of the housing 10 from directly acting on the fluid pipe 2. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the fluid pipe 2 before being cut from bending.

[0061] Further, since the housing 10 is prevented from rotating around the pipe axis of the fluid pipe 2 by the jacks 4, 4 and the concrete C1, C1, there is no risk of the working valve 5, the mounting flange cylinder 6, and the excision device 7, which are integrally erected above the housing 10 and have a high center of gravity, from falling over.

[0062] Also, the arm portion 10A and the exposed portion of the fluid pipe 2 on the arm portion 10A side are integrated with and supported by the foundation F by the concrete C1, and the arm portion 10B and the exposed portion of the fluid pipe 2 on the arm portion 10B side are integrated with and supported by the foundation F by the concrete C1. Therefore, it is possible to prevent most of the total weight of the housing 10 from acting on the fluid pipe 2. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the fluid pipe 2 before being cut from bending.

[0063] Then, a valve body (not shown) is retracted from within the valve box 5a of the working valve 5 to an open state, and a part of the fluid pipe 2 is cut in a non-stop-flow state by the cutter 8 of the cutting device 7. As a result, the in-pipe fluid flows into the housing 10.

[0064] At this time, since the housing 10 is connected to the fluid pipe 2 by the adjustment bolts 10C, 10C,... and the pressing wheels 13, 13 are connected to the end portions 2H, 2T of the fluid pipe 2 by the bolts 13A, 13A,..., even if a sudden change in flow or the like occurs when cutting the fluid pipe 2 and the fluid pipe 2 jumps up, it is possible to prevent the fluid pipe 2 from coming out of the housing 10 and the pressing wheels 13, 13.

[0065] Also, even if the inside of the housing 10 is filled with make-up water and the total weight of the housing 10 further increases, since the housing 10 is supported by the jacks 4, 4 and the concrete C1, C1, it is possible to prevent most of the total weight of the housing 10 from directly acting on the end portions 2H, 2T of the cut fluid pipe 2.

[0066] As a result, it is possible to prevent the end portion 2H from tilting, so that not only can it be prevented that an unintended load is applied to the flow path connected to the end portion 2H, but also the opening area necessary for extracting the cutter 8 after cutting the fluid pipe 2 can be secured. Therefore, the cutter 8 can be easily extracted.

[0067] Also, since the housing 10 is prevented from rotating around the pipe axis of the fluid pipe 2 by the jacks 4, 4 and the concrete C1, C1, the housing 10 is stably supported even if the total weight of the housing 10 further increases.

[0068] Also, since the arm portion 10A and the end portion 2H including the exposed portion on the arm portion 10A side of the fluid pipe 2 are integrated with and supported by the foundation F by the concrete C1, the state aligned with the arm portion 10A is maintained. The same applies to the arm portion 10B and the end portion 2T including the exposed portion on the arm portion 10B side.

[0069] Note that since the bottom wall 31a of the housing 10 is provided at a position sufficiently spaced apart from the fluid pipe 2, it is difficult for the cylindrical member 8a and the center drill 8b of the cutter 8 to come into contact when cutting the fluid pipe 2.

[0070] Also, when connecting the fluid pipe 2, by connecting the drain pipe D to the flange cylinder provided below the bottom wall 31a, the chips generated when cutting the fluid pipe 2 with the cutter 8 can be discharged to the outside together with the fluid.

[0071] Thereafter, although not shown directly, the cutter 8 is pulled up together with the section of the fluid pipe 2, and the valve body of the working valve 5 is advanced into the valve box 5a to be in a closed state. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the leakage of the upstream water and remove the cutting device 7 and the mounting flange cylinder 6 from the working valve 5 while maintaining the non-stop flow state.

[0072] Next, a step of installing a butterfly valve 14 as a control fluid in the housing 10 is performed. As shown in FIG. 11, in the step of installing the control fluid, first, the flange of the valve box 5a and the housing 9a of the insertion device 9 are connected. Subsequently, the working valve 5 is opened, and the drive mechanism 9b of the insertion device 9 is operated to place the butterfly valve 14 in the open state into the housing 10. Needless to say, a gasket is provided between the flange of the valve box 5a and the housing 9a for sealing.

[0073] In this way, even if the weights of the working valve 5, the insertion device 9, and the butterfly valve 14 are added and the total weight of the housing 10 increases, since the housing 10 is supported by the jacks 4, 4 and the concrete C1, C1, it is possible to prevent most of the total weight of the housing 10 from directly acting on the ends 2H, 2T of the fluid pipe 2. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the ends 2H, 2T of the fluid pipe 2 from tilting, so that the butterfly valve 14 can be inserted stably.

[0074] In particular, when installing the butterfly valve 14, the insertion device 9 temporarily presses the butterfly valve 14 downward toward the inner bottom surface of the housing 10 to apply a load, but the jacks 4, 4 and the concrete C1, C1 can support against the weights of the working valve 5, the insertion device 9, etc. and the downward load.

[0075] Also, since the end portions 2H in the arm portion 10A and the fluid pipe 2 are integrated with and supported by the foundation F by the concrete C1 together with the arm portion 10A, the aligned state with the arm portion 10A is maintained even if the weight of the housing 10 changes. This is the same for the arm portion 10B and the end portion 2T.

[0076] Then, the butterfly valve 14 is inserted into the housing 10 and arranged in a state where the packings 40, 41 are crimped to the seating surface formed in the housing 10. Here, the packing 40 is fixed over both side surfaces and the bottom surface of the partition wall 43 for partitioning between the end portions 2H, 2T of the fluid pipe 2 together with the valve body 42. The packing 41 is fixed over the outer periphery of the disk-shaped lid portion 44 for closing the neck portion 21 of the housing 10. These packings 40, 41 are connected so as to be continuous.

[0077] Furthermore, referring to FIG. 12, a plurality of pressing bolts 25 arranged in the circumferential direction of the neck portion 21 are advanced to the inner diameter side of the neck portion 21. Specifically, the pressing bolts 25 penetrate the peripheral wall of the neck portion 21 and are screwed into the female screw of the through portion formed in this peripheral wall. Since the pressing bolts 25 advance to the inner diameter side of the neck portion 21 by rotating in a predetermined direction, the lid portion 44 of the butterfly valve 14 can be abutted to prevent the lid portion 44 from coming off. Note that the pressing means such as the pressing bolts 25 may be such that an advancing member screwed into the female screw of the through portion and a contacting member that contacts the fluid control body following the advancing member are separate bodies, and may be appropriately changed including the number and arrangement thereof. Also, a recess may be provided on the inner surface of the peripheral wall, and a plate or the like may be fitted and fixed.

[0078] After that, the insertion device 9 and the working valve 5 are removed from the housing 10. After placing the packing 46 between the inner peripheral surface of the neck portion 21 and the ring 45 externally fitted to the lid portion 44, the flange 21a of the neck portion 21 and the lid 11 are fastened with bolts and nuts (not shown). Thereby, the space between the inner peripheral surface of the neck portion 21 and the lid portion 44 is sealed. Needless to say, a gasket may be provided between the flange 21a of the neck portion 21 and the lid 11 for sealing.

[0079] As described above, the non-stop flow method of this embodiment in which the butterfly valve 14 is installed at a predetermined position of the fluid pipe 2 while maintaining a non-stop flow state can be performed.

[0080] As described above, after the lid 11 is attached to the housing 10, the jacks 4, 4 may be removed, and by collecting the jacks 4, 4, they can be reused in other construction work.

[0081] In addition, although a crane has been described as an example of the holding means of the housing 10, the present invention is not limited to this, and the jacks 4, 4 may be used as the holding means. That is, while the housing 10 is placed on the jacks 4, 4, approximate alignment may be performed by expanding and contracting the jacks 4, 4.

[0082] In addition, although the fluid control valve has been described as the butterfly valve 14, the present invention is not limited to this, and other types of valves such as a gate valve and a ball valve may be used, or not limited to these valves, a partition plate, a plug, etc. may be used, and may be appropriately changed.

Example

[0083] Next, the non-stop flow method according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. The same components as those shown in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 13, the non-stop flow method of this embodiment installs a housing 110 capable of branching the same flow path and a switching valve 114 for switching the flow path in the fluid pipe 2 constituting the existing flow path.

[0085] The housing 110 is formed in a T-shape when viewed from above, and includes a connection portion 10D (see FIG. 14) that extends in a direction orthogonal to the fluid pipe 2. Further, the housing 110 is composed of a pair of upper and lower housings 120 and 130. As shown in FIG. 13, since the connection portion 10D is blocked by the flange lid 15 (see FIG. 13), the fluid inside the pipe is prevented from flowing out.

[0086] The switching valve 114 is installed inside the housing 110, and is for branching the city water that has flowed into the housing 110 from the end 2H of the fluid pipe 2 to the end 2T of the fluid pipe 2 and the connection portion 10D respectively, and adjusting the respective flow rates. Therefore, it is also possible to block the end 2T side of the fluid pipe 2 and the connection portion 10D side.

[0087] In the continuous flow construction method of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, it is carried out in the maintenance process, the lower housing arrangement process, the connection process, the position adjustment process, the sealing process, the placing process, the cutting process, and the control fluid installation process. In this embodiment, mainly the lower housing arrangement process and the placing process different from the first embodiment will be described, and the descriptions of the other processes are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment, so the descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 14, in the lower housing arrangement process of this embodiment, with the center of the body portion 131 as a reference, one jack 4 is arranged at a position along the axis of the fluid pipe 2, and the other jack 4 is arranged on the side opposite to the connection portion 10D. This is the same in the subsequent processes.

[0089] Thereby, it is possible to avoid the cross-shaped ribs 131b protruding downward at the lower end of the body portion 131 and the drain pipe D connected to the lower portion of the body portion 131, and place the flat surfaces 31c, 31c on the plate 4c of the jack 4.

[0090] Further, the jack 4 arranged on the side opposite to the connection portion 10D can prevent the housing 110 from rotating around the pipe axis of the fluid pipe 2.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 13, in the placing process of this embodiment, the concrete C2 indicated by the dot pattern is placed at a position that completely covers the boundary between the upper housing 120 and the lower housing 130, more specifically, until the welding bead is completely hidden. Since the jacks 4, 4 are embedded by the concrete C2, the position of the housing 110 can be continuously maintained until the concrete C2 hardens.

[0092] Regarding the connection of the branch pipe, the connection part 10D side can be closed by the switching valve 114, and after removing the flange cover 15, the branch pipe can be connected while maintaining a non-stop flow state. Further, instead of the flange cover 15, the branch pipe may be directly connected to the connection part 10D to perform the cutting process. With such a configuration, it is preferable to arrange any valve between the middle of the branch pipe or the connection part 10D to prevent the in-pipe fluid flowing into the housing 110 from flowing out due to the cutting of the fluid pipe 2.

[0093] As described above, the non-stop flow method of this embodiment in which the housing 110 and the switching valve 114 capable of branching the flow path while maintaining a non-stop flow state are installed at a predetermined position of the fluid pipe 2 can be performed.

Embodiment

[0094] Next, the non-stop flow method according to Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. Note that the same components as those shown in the above Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 15, the non-stop flow method of this embodiment installs a soft seal valve 214 as a control fluid in the fluid pipe 2 that constitutes an existing flow path.

[0096] For the housing 210 for installing the soft seal valve 214, a seal member 212 is fitted inside the inner peripheral surfaces of the arm portions 210A and 210B respectively. Further, the housing 210 is composed of a pair of upper and lower housings 220 and 230. Accordingly, the seal member 212 is also split in half like the housing 210, and the split seal members are respectively fitted inside the upper housing 220 and the lower housing 230.

[0097] In the non-stop flow method of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, it is carried out in the maintenance process, the lower housing arrangement process, the connection process, the position adjustment process, the sealing process, the cutting process, and the control fluid installation process. In this embodiment, the maintenance process, the lower housing arrangement process, the connection process, the position adjustment process, and the sealing process different from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and since the other processes are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 15, in the maintenance process of this embodiment, a paving iron plate P is arranged at the bottom of the excavated hole.

[0099] In the lower housing arrangement process of this embodiment, when placing the jacks 204, 204 on the paving iron plate P, they are arranged at a position separated toward the outer diameter side with reference to the center of the body portion 231 (see FIG. 16) formed to bulge downward from the arm portions 210A and 210B and at a position separated in the orthogonal direction in a top view with respect to the fluid pipe 2.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 16(a), mounting portions 231c, 231c for mounting the heads 204c, 204c of the jacks 204, 204 are formed on the body portion 231. A flat surface substantially parallel to the axial direction of the fluid pipe 2 is formed on the mounting portion 231c.

[0101] The jack 204 is a so-called mechanical jack in which a hexagonal bolt 204b is screwed into a female screw formed on a base 204a. Further, the mounting portion 231c of the lower housing 230 is placed on the head 204c of the hexagonal bolt 204b. In this way, the jack 204 is configured more simply compared to the jack 4 having a separate plate 4c.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 16(a), in the connecting step of this embodiment, with the seal member interposed therebetween, the upper housing 220 is placed on the lower housing 230 and temporarily fixed using bolts B3 and nuts N3.

[0103] In the position adjustment step of this embodiment, while tightening the upper housing 220 and the lower housing 230 using bolts B3 and nuts N3, the jacks 204, 204 are extended. Specifically, by tightening the upper housing 220 and the lower housing 230 using bolts B3 and nuts N3, the seal member 212 is crushed and the inner diameters of the upper housing 220 and the lower housing 230 are reduced. That is, the movement allowance in this embodiment is the elastic deformation allowance of the seal member 212.

[0104] Accordingly, by rotating the heads 204c, 204c of the jacks 204, 204 with a hexagon wrench or the like and advancing the hexagon bolts 204b, 204b toward the fluid pipe 2 side, the upper housing 220 and the lower housing 230 can be aligned with the axis of the fluid pipe 2 while being held by the jacks 204, 204. That is, the jack 204 is the holding means in this embodiment. Therefore, fine alignment of the connected upper housing 220 and lower housing 230 with respect to the fluid pipe 2 can be achieved.

[0105] In the sealing step of this embodiment, while performing the above-described alignment, the seal member 212 interposed between the upper housing 220 and the lower housing 230 is crimped and sealed.

[0106] Thereafter, anti-displacement fittings 213, 213 are attached to the housing 210. The anti-displacement fittings 213 are configured by combining partial housings formed in a split shape, and claw members 213B are provided on the inner diameter side thereof. The partial housings of these anti-displacement fittings 213 are fastened with bolts B4 and nuts N4 to reduce the inner diameter thereof, thereby pressing the claw members 213B against the fluid pipe 2. Thereby, even if the fluid pipe 2 is cut, it is possible to prevent the fluid pipe 2 from being pulled out from the arm portion 210B. The same applies to the arm portion 210A side.

[0107] As described above, the non-stop flow method of this embodiment in which the soft seal valve 214 is installed at a predetermined position of the fluid pipe 2 while maintaining a non-stop flow state can be performed.

Embodiment

[0108] Next, the non-stop flow method according to Embodiment 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 20. Note that the same components as those shown in the above Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0109] As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the non-stop flow method of this embodiment connects a branch pipe 3 laid vertically below the fluid pipe 2 using a housing 310 to the fluid pipe 2 constituting an existing flow path.

[0110] A connecting pipe 310D, which is a curved pipe-shaped flow path component formed in an L shape in side view, is connected to the body portion 331 of the housing 310, and the branch pipe 3 (see FIG. 18) is connected to the connecting pipe 310D.

[0111] In the non-stop flow method of this embodiment, similar to Embodiment 1, it is performed in a maintenance process, a lower housing arrangement process, a connection process, a position adjustment process, a sealing process, a placement process, a cutting process, and a closing process. In this embodiment, the lower housing arrangement process, the placement process, and the closing process, which are different from those in Embodiment 1, will be mainly described, and the descriptions of the other processes are substantially the same as those in Embodiment 1, so the descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0112] Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, in the lower housing arrangement process and the like of this embodiment, the jacks 304, 304, 404, 404 are respectively arranged at positions spaced apart from the outer diameter side with reference to the center of the body portion 131 and along the axial center of the fluid pipe 2. More specifically, the jacks 304, 304 are arranged below the half arms 32, 33, and the jacks 404, 404 are arranged below the body portion 331.

[0113] As shown in FIG. 19, the jack 304 is a so-called mechanical jack in which a bolt 304b is screwed into a female screw formed on a base 304a. Further, a curved plate-shaped dish 304c bent along the outer peripheral surface of the half arms 32, 33 is placed on the upper end 304d of the bolt 304b.

[0114] The lower surface of the dish 304c has a recess 304e into which the upper end 304d of the bolt 304b is inserted, and ribs 304f, 304f extending along the longitudinal direction of the dish 304c from the recess 304e. Thereby, since the structural strength of the dish 304c is enhanced, the jack 304 can stably support the half arms 32, 33.

[0115] Also, the jack 404 is such that the dish is tiltable with respect to the bolt (see FIG. 20). Note that the dish 304c of the jack 304 may also be provided so as to be tiltable with respect to the bolt 304b. Further, the jack 404 may simply be placed in a non-tiltable state with the dish tilted at a predetermined angle with respect to the bolt. For example, a recess may extend in the vertical direction from a dish tilted in accordance with the tilt angle of the fluid pipe 402. Furthermore, the jack 4 may be used instead of the jacks 304, 404.

[0116] Thereby, for example, as shown in FIG. 20, even when the fluid pipe 402 extends along a slope, that is, when it is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, by individually adjusting the heights of the jacks 304, 304, 404, 404 arranged at intervals in the extending direction of the fluid pipe 402, the loads applied to these jacks can be evenly distributed, so that the housing 310 can be stably held.

[0117] Further, as described above, even when one jack 4 is arranged at a position spaced from the axial center of the fluid pipe 402 toward the outer diameter side and the other jack 4 is arranged spaced in the pipe axis direction as in the second embodiment, by adjusting the length of each jack 4, it is possible to align the axial centers of the arm portions 310A and 310B of the housing 310 along the axial center of the fluid pipe 402.

[0118] Returning to FIGS. 17 and 18, in the placing process of this embodiment, the concrete C3 indicated by the dot pattern is placed until the welding bead is completely hidden. Also, the connection portion between the connecting pipe 310D and the branch pipe 3 is also buried. Since the jacks 304, 304, 404, 404 are buried by the concrete C3, the position of the housing 310 can be continuously held until the concrete C3 hardens.

[0119] In the closing process, using the insertion device 9 and the working valve 5 (see FIG. 11), an inner lid (not shown) is inserted into the head portion 21 to seal the head portion 21. Also, the inner lid is prevented from coming off by the holding bolt 25 (see FIG. 12). Then, the flange 21a of the head portion 21 and the disc-shaped flange lid 311 are fastened with bolts and nuts (not shown). Needless to say, a gasket is provided between the flange 21a of the head portion 21 and the flange lid 311 for sealing.

[0120] As described above, the continuous flow construction method of this embodiment for connecting the branch pipe 3 laid vertically below the fluid pipe 2 while maintaining a non-stop flow state at a predetermined location of the fluid pipe 2 can be performed.

[0121] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings above, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and modifications and additions within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

[0122] For example, in the above embodiment, it has been described that the space between the fluid pipe and the housing is sealed by a sealing member. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be sealed by welding. That is, so-called side rings may be welded to the fluid pipe and the housing respectively to achieve sealing, and it may be appropriately changed.

[0123] Also, in the above embodiment, the cutting device has been described as a hole saw having a cutter. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be a drilling machine or an end mill, and may be appropriately changed. That is, the fluid pipe constituting the flow path is not limited to being cut, and it is sufficient that fluid can flow through a portion where at least a part thereof is removed.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0124] 2 Fluid pipe 2a Outer peripheral surface 4 Jack 10 Housing 10C Adjusting bolt (position adjusting means) 11 Lid 12 Sealing ring 13 Pressing wheel 14 Butterfly valve (fluid control member) 20 Upper housing 30 Lower housing 110 Housing 114 Changeover valve 120 Upper housing 130 Lower housing 204 Jack (position adjusting means, holding means) 210 Housing 212 Sealing member (position adjusting means) 213 Anti-movement fitting 214 Soft seal valve (fluid control member) 220 Upper housing 230 Lower housing 3 Branch pipe 304 Jack 310 Housing 310D Connecting pipe (flow path component) 311 Flange lid 402 Fluid pipe 404 Jack C1 - C3 Concrete F Foundation H Hoisting Tool M Moving Cost P Plywood W Wire

Claims

1. A lower housing arrangement step of configuring a housing that can be divided vertically with respect to a fluid pipe constituting a flow path, and arranging a lower housing capable of connecting a branch pipe branched from the fluid pipe using a jack having a height adjustment function and a load support function; A connecting step of placing and connecting an upper housing constituting the housing on the lower housing; An alignment step of aligning the lower housing and the upper housing connected to each other with respect to the fluid pipe using an alignment means; A sealing step of sealing between the housing and the fluid pipe, wherein the continuous flow method is characterized by including these steps.

2. The continuous flow method according to claim 1, wherein in the lower housing arrangement step, the lower housing in a state of being in contact with the fluid pipe is supported by the jack.

3. The continuous flow method according to claim 1, wherein in the lower housing arrangement step, the lower housing is supported by a plurality of jacks arranged at a position separated toward the outer diameter side with reference to the center of the body portion of the lower housing and along the axis of the fluid pipe.

4. The continuous flow method according to claim 1, further including a placing step of placing concrete on at least a part of the lower housing.

5. The continuous flow method according to claim 4, wherein in the placing step, the concrete is placed until the welding beads obtained by welding the lower housing and the upper housing are completely hidden.

6. The continuous flow method according to claim 4, wherein in the placing step, the jack is embedded in the concrete.

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