Restriction device

Abstract

To provide a flow control device capable of finely controlling fluid in a pipe during construction work.SOLUTION: In a flow control device 1, a part of an existing fluid pipe 1 is surrounded by a casing side 200A in a sealed state, the existing fluid pipe 1 in the casing side 200A is cut in an uninterrupted flow state, a flow control body 800 is installed at a cut part of the existing fluid pipe 1, and a new fluid pipe can be arranged in place of the existing fluid pipe 1 by controlling the flow of fluid in the pipe. The housing 200A includes one pipe portion 241 communicating with one side of the fluid control body 800 and the other pipe portion 242 communicating with the other side of the fluid control body 800, the one pipe portion 241 and the other pipe portion 242 are respectively provided with the on-off valves 243 and 244, the on-off valves 243 and 244 can communicate with each other via the pipeline constituting member 201, and the fluid can be filled into the newly installed fluid pipe installed in place of the existing fluid pipe 1 by opening both the on-off valves 243 and 244.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a flow control device that cuts a portion of an existing fluid pipe inside a housing while the flow is not interrupted, and installs a flow control device at the cut location inside the housing to control the flow of fluid inside the pipe. [Background technology]

[0002] In a pipeline network consisting of existing fluid pipes through which water, gas, etc. flow, replacement of existing fluid pipes and installation of new fluid pipes are sometimes required. In recent years, such construction work is often carried out without interrupting the flow of fluid.

[0003] An example of a flow control device for controlling the flow of a fluid in a pipe is shown in Patent Document 1. The flow control device shown in Patent Document 1 is mainly composed of a split T-shaped pipe (housing) and a switching valve (fluid control). This switching valve includes a valve casing and a valve element that is movable up and down relative to the valve casing, with the valve casing having a communication hole that communicates with a branch pipe, and the valve element having an internal passage that communicates between the upstream side of the existing fluid pipe and the valve casing.

[0004] One method for installing a flow control device involves enclosing a portion of an existing fluid pipe in a split T-shaped pipe, cutting the existing fluid pipe within the split T-shaped pipe without interrupting the flow, and then connecting a switching valve to the branch of the split T-shaped pipe.When the valve disc is positioned to be housed in the valve casing, it blocks the communication hole leading to the branch side, allowing fluid to flow from upstream to downstream within the existing fluid pipe.On the other hand, when the valve disc is positioned to block the flow path within the existing fluid pipe, it opens the communication hole, allowing fluid in the existing fluid pipe to flow through the internal passage provided in the valve disc to the branch pipe. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 06-050491 (page 4, Figure 2) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In a flow control device such as that in Patent Document 1, after replacing an existing fluid pipe or installing a new fluid pipe, the fluid in the pipe is introduced into the newly installed fluid pipe to check its pressure resistance. However, in a flow control device such as that in Patent Document 1, the structure opens either the branch pipe side or the downstream existing fluid pipe side and blocks the other depending on the position of the valve body, so if the fluid in the pipe is switched using a switching valve to check its pressure resistance, the fluid in the pipe will suddenly flow into the newly installed fluid pipe, which could be dangerous.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and has as its object to provide a flow control device that can precisely control the fluid in a pipe during construction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the flow restrictor of the present invention comprises: A flow control device that hermetically surrounds a portion of an existing fluid pipe with a housing, cuts the existing fluid pipe within the housing in a state where the flow is not interrupted, and installs a flow control device at the cut point of the existing fluid pipe to control the flow of fluid within the pipe, the housing includes one piping section communicating with one side of the fluid regulator and another piping section communicating with the other side of the fluid regulator, The one piping section and the other piping section are each provided with an on-off valve, and the on-off valves are capable of communicating with each other via a pipe line component. According to this feature, the spaces on both sides of the fluid control unit in the housing can be connected to one piping section and the other piping section via pipeline components, so that by changing the opening and closing states of one and the other opening and closing valves depending on the control state of the fluid control unit, it is possible to precisely control the fluid in the pipe during construction.

[0009] The pipeline component is characterized in that it is a water tank. According to this feature, a single flow control device can form a flow of fluid in a pipe that flows from an existing fluid pipe via the water tank and returns to the existing fluid pipe.

[0010] The pipe component is characterized in that it is a branch pipe. According to this feature, the fluid in the pipe can be made to flow in both the branch pipe and the existing fluid pipe depending on the situation.

[0011] The one piping section and the other piping section extend from a position in the housing below the pipe axis of the existing fluid pipe. According to this feature, the communication ports between the housing of one pipe section and the other pipe section are shifted downward from the existing fluid pipe, so that it is easy to take in the fluid in the pipe.

[0012] At least one of the piping sections extends from a plurality of locations on the housing. According to this feature, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path of one of the pipe sections can be increased, thereby suppressing pressure loss of the fluid inside the pipe.

[0013] The fluid control device is characterized by being a butterfly valve. According to this feature, by operating the butterfly valve in addition to operating the on-off valve, the fluid in the pipe can be controlled more precisely.

[0014] An air valve is provided on one side of the fluid control valve in the housing. According to this feature, when filling the fluid pipe on the other side of the fluid control valve with fluid, air can be bled through the air valve. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1A is a top view showing a state in which a housing is attached to an existing fluid pipe in Example 1 of the present invention, FIG. 1B is a side view of the same, and FIG. 1C is a view of the same as seen from the pipe axis direction. [Figure 2]1A is a top view showing a state in which the first pipe and the second pipe are attached to the housing in Example 1, FIG. 1B is a side view of the same, and FIG. 1C is a view of the same as seen from the tube axis direction. [Figure 3] 1(a) is a side view showing a state in which an operating valve and a cutting device are attached to a housing in Example 1, and FIG. 1(b) is a view of the same as seen from the pipe axis direction. [Figure 4] 1(a) is a side view showing a state in which an insertion device is attached onto an operating valve in Example 1, and FIG. 1(b) is a view of the same as seen from the pipe axis direction. [Figure 5] 1(a) is a top view showing a state in which a flow restrictor is installed in Example 1, and FIG. 1(b) is a partially cutaway view of the same as seen from the pipe axis direction. [Figure 6] 2 is a partially cutaway side view of the flow restrictor in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a top view showing a pair of flow control devices according to a second embodiment of the present invention attached to an existing fluid pipe. [Figure 8] 10(a) is a partially cutaway side view of the other flow restrictor in Example 2, and FIG. 10(b) is a view of the same as seen from the axial direction of the pipe. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a top view showing a pair of flow control devices according to a third embodiment of the present invention attached to an existing fluid pipe. [Figure 10] 10(a) is a partially cutaway side view of one of the flow restrictors in Example 3, and FIG. 10(b) is a cutaway side view of the same as seen from the axial direction of the pipe. [Figure 11] 10A is a top view showing a flow control device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10B is a side view of the same, and FIG. 10C is a axial view of the same. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a cutting process of an existing fluid pipe in Example 5 of the present invention. [Figure 13] 10 is a schematic diagram showing a process in the middle of installing a housing at a cut portion of an existing fluid pipe in Example 5. FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which installation of a housing at a cut portion of an existing fluid pipe in Example 5 has been completed. FIG. [Figure 15]10(a) is a top view showing the state in which a flow restrictor according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention is installed, and FIG. 10(b) is a side view of the same. [Figure 16] 7A is a top view showing the state in which a flow restrictor according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention is installed, FIG. 7B is a side view of the same, and FIG. 7C is a side cross-sectional view of the housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A flow restrictor according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the following examples. [Example]

[0017] A flow restrictor and a branch flow path forming method using the flow restrictor according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1 , an existing fluid pipe 1, made of ductile cast iron or the like, is buried underground as a water supply system. While the fluid in the fluid pipe in this embodiment is tap water, it is not limited to tap water. It may be industrial water, agricultural water, sewage, gas, or a gas-liquid mixture. This embodiment illustrates a flow pattern in which the fluid in the existing fluid pipe 1 flows from the right side to the left side of the pages in FIGS. 1( a) and 1(b). The existing fluid pipe according to the present invention may also be made of other metals, such as cast iron or steel, or concrete, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, or polyolefin. Furthermore, the inner surface of the existing fluid pipe may be coated with an epoxy resin layer, mortar, plating, or the like, or may be powder-coated with an appropriate material.

[0019] 5 and 6, in this embodiment, when a water tank 20 is newly installed as a pipeline component, a flow control device 10 is used to create a flow path in an uninterrupted state in which the fluid in the existing fluid pipe 1 that constitutes the main flow path passes through the water tank 20 and returns to the original main flow path.

[0020] Flow control device 10 is mainly composed of a housing 2 disposed between disconnected existing fluid pipes 1a and 1b, a first pipe 41 and a second pipe 42 extending from housing 2, a first on-off valve 43 and a second on-off valve 44 attached to first pipe 41 and second pipe 42, and a butterfly valve 8 as a fluid regulator installed inside housing 2. The components constituting flow control device 10 will be described in detail below, along with the assembly procedure for flow control device 10.

[0021] Next, the assembly procedure for the flow control device 10 will be described. Returning to Figure 1, first, the existing fluid pipe 1 is enclosed in a sealed manner by a housing 2 divided into upper and lower parts at an appropriate position on the existing fluid pipe 1 according to the installation location of the water tank 20. When attaching the housing 2 to the existing fluid pipe 2, a concrete foundation (not shown) is formed below the housing 2 to support the weight around the housing 2 and prevent bending of the existing fluid pipe 1. Note that the foundation is not limited to concrete, and jacks or the like may be used as long as they can support the weight of the housing 2 and the cutting device 6 and insertion device 7 described below.

[0022] The housing 2 includes sleeves 2a, 2a extending on both axial sides along the outer circumferential surface of the existing fluid pipe 1, a working cylinder portion 2b extending upward from an upper case 2A constituting the housing 2, and openings 2d, 2e facing in a direction approximately perpendicular to the pipe axis from a lower case 2B constituting the housing 2. These openings 2d, 2e are formed with a smaller diameter than the existing fluid pipe 1, so the housing 2 is configured compactly.

[0023] A flange 2c is provided at the upper end of the working cylindrical portion 2b. Furthermore, openings 2d and 2e are provided at positions below the pipe axis of the existing fluid pipe 1 and spaced apart in the pipe axis direction. Furthermore, a drain opening 2f is provided near the bottom on the side surface of the lower case 2B opposite to the openings 2d and 2e.

[0024] At the end of each sleeve 2a, 2a, an annular seal material (not shown) is arranged between the inner peripheral surface of the housing 2 and the outer peripheral surface of the existing fluid pipe 1.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 2 is attached to the existing fluid pipe 1 in a sealed state by holding the sealing material at the end of each sleeve 2a, 2a with a press ring 3 having a split structure.

[0026] Next, a first pipe 41 as one pipe section is attached to opening 2d, and a second pipe 42 as the other pipe section is attached to opening 2e. The first pipe 41 and the second pipe 42 extend substantially horizontally, then rise upward, and then extend substantially horizontally again, forming a substantially Z-shape when viewed from the axial direction of the existing fluid pipe 1. Note that in this embodiment, an example is shown in which openings 2d, 2e and the first pipe 41 and the second pipe 42 are connected by welding, but they may also be connected by flange connection, welding, or adhesive.

[0027] Next, a first on-off valve 43 and a second on-off valve 44 are attached to the ends of the first pipe 41 and the second pipe 42, and a drain on-off valve 45 is attached to the drain opening 2f. The casing 2, the first pipe 41, the second pipe 42, the first on-off valve 43 and the second on-off valve 44 constitute a branch casing.

[0028] In this embodiment, the first pipe 41, the second pipe 42, the first on-off valve 43, the second on-off valve 44, and the drain on-off valve 45 are attached to the housing 2 attached to the existing fluid pipe 1, but the housing 2 to which the first pipe 41, the second pipe 42, the first on-off valve 43, the second on-off valve 44, and the drain on-off valve 45 are attached may be installed in advance on the existing fluid pipe 1. Furthermore, the first on-off valve 43 and the second on-off valve 44 may be disposed between the openings 2d, 2e and the first pipe 41 and the second pipe 42.

[0029] Next, as shown in Figure 3, an operating valve 5 is installed on the flange 2c, and a cutting device 6 is installed hermetically on the operating valve 5 to cut the existing fluid pipe 1 inside the housing 2. The operating valve 5 is mainly composed of the illustrated valve housing and a valve element (not shown) that is configured to be able to slide inside the valve housing, and allows the operating cylinder portion 2b of the housing 2 to be opened and closed. The cutting device 6 is composed of a cutter 61, which is a cylindrical hole saw with a boring blade at its lower end, a case 62 that can accommodate the cutter 61, and a rod 63 that drives the cutter 61 to rotate and move it back and forth up and down.

[0030] To explain how to cut the existing fluid pipe 1, the first and second on-off valves 43 and 44 are closed, the working tube portion 2b is opened by the work valve 5, and the cutter 61 is rotated and moved downward. The rotation and downward movement of the cutter 61 sequentially cuts the existing fluid pipe 1, dividing it into one existing fluid pipe 1a and the other existing fluid pipe 1b spaced apart in the pipe axial direction (see FIG. 6 ). Because the first and second on-off valves 43 and 44 are closed, fluid inside the pipe is prevented from leaking from the first pipe 41 and the second pipe 42 to the outside. The cutter 61 is then raised into the case 62 along with the section of the existing fluid pipe 1, the work valve 5 is closed, and the cutting device 6 is removed from the work valve 5.

[0031] In this embodiment, the cutter 61 is a hole saw, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be a wire saw, an end mill, or the like.

[0032] Next, as shown in Figure 4, an insertion device 7 is installed in a sealed state on top of the working valve 5, and a butterfly valve 8 is installed as a fluid control valve between the existing fluid pipes 1a and 1b, which are the cutting points inside the housing 2. The insertion device 7 is composed of a case 71 that can accommodate the butterfly valve 8, and a rod 72 that drives the butterfly valve 8 to move back and forth up and down.

[0033] 4, 5, and 6, the butterfly valve 8 is composed of a partition wall 81 having an opening 81a, a valve element 82 that can open and close the opening 81a around an opening / closing shaft 82a, and an upper cover 83 that is formed integrally with the upper part of the partition wall 81. Sealing members are fixed to the outer surface of the partition wall 81 and the outer peripheral surface of the upper cover 83.

[0034] 4, to explain the installation of the butterfly valve 8, the working tube portion 2b is opened by the working valve 5, and the butterfly valve 8 is advanced downward by the insertion device 7 with the opening 81a of the butterfly valve 8 being open. The butterfly valve 8 is lowered by the insertion device 7, and the butterfly valve 8 is positioned between the existing fluid pipes 1a and 1b in the housing 2.

[0035] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, when the butterfly valve 8 is positioned, the partition wall 81 is approximately perpendicular to the pipe axis direction, and the sealing member on the outer surface of the partition wall 81 is pressed in a sealing manner against a step portion 2g that bulges out over the inner surface and bottom surface of the housing 2, and the sealing member on the outer peripheral surface of the upper cover portion 83 is pressed in a sealing manner against a step portion 2h that bulges out over the inner surface of the working cylinder portion 2b.

[0036] Next, the butterfly valve 8 is fixed to the housing 2. The butterfly valve 8 is temporarily fixed to the housing 2 by screwing inward the temporary fixing bolts 9 provided in the circumferential direction of the working cylinder portion 2b, and then the insertion device 7 and working valve 5 described above are removed and a retaining ring 11 is attached to the flange 2c. This prevents the butterfly valve 8 from coming off the housing 2 and completes the assembly of the flow control device 10.

[0037] 5, the first on-off valve 43 and the water tank 20 are connected by the connecting pipe 12, and the second on-off valve 44 and the water tank 20 are connected by the connecting pipe 13, and then the first on-off valve 43 and the second on-off valve 44 are opened. At this time, by opening the first on-off valve 43 and the second on-off valve 44 while adjusting the opening of the butterfly valve 8, it is possible to prevent the fluid in the pipe from flowing into the water tank 20 all at once, and to introduce the fluid in the pipe into the water tank 20 without stopping the main flow of the fluid in the pipe.

[0038] Once the introduction of the fluid in the pipe into the water tank 20 is completed, the first on-off valve 43 and the second on-off valve 44 are temporarily closed, and after confirming the pressure resistance of the water tank 20, the opening 81a of the butterfly valve 8 is blocked and the first on-off valve 43 and the second on-off valve 44 are opened.

[0039] As a result, the fluid in the pipe flows from the existing fluid pipe 1a on the upstream side, through the space inside the housing 2 on the existing fluid pipe 1a side of the butterfly valve 8, the first pipe 41, the connecting pipe 12, the water tank 20, the connecting pipe 13, the second pipe 42, and the space inside the housing 2 on the existing fluid pipe 1b side of the butterfly valve 8, to the existing fluid pipe 1b on the downstream side. As a result, the fluid in the pipe always flows through the water tank 20, and it is possible to prevent the fluid in the water tank 20 from stagnating for a long period of time.

[0040] As described above, in flow control device 10 of the present invention, the space in housing 2 closer to existing fluid pipe 1a than butterfly valve 8 and the space in housing 2 closer to existing fluid pipe 1b than butterfly valve 8 can communicate with each other via first piping 41, second piping 42, and water tank 20, so that fluid in the pipe can be precisely controlled during construction by changing the open / close states of first on-off valve 43 and second on-off valve 44 depending on the open / close state of butterfly valve 8. For example, the flow rate of fluid in the pipe introduced into newly installed water tank 20 can be precisely adjusted by butterfly valve 8, first on-off valve 43, and second on-off valve 44.

[0041] Furthermore, with only one flow control device 10, it is possible to form a flow of fluid in the pipe that flows from the existing fluid pipe 1a on the upstream side, via the water tank 20, and returns to the existing fluid pipe 1b on the downstream side.

[0042] Furthermore, because the first pipe 41 and the second pipe 42 extend from a position below the pipe axis of the existing fluid pipes 1a and 1b in the housing 2, the pipe walls of the cut ends of the existing fluid pipes 1a and 1b, which are cut from above with the cutter 61 (hole saw), do not obstruct the flow of fluid within the pipes. This prevents vortexes from occurring within the housing 2, making it easier to take in the fluid within the pipes. More specifically, the cut ends of the existing fluid pipes 1a and 1b, which are cut in the vertical direction with the cylindrical cutter 61, are curved in a concave shape on the upper and lower pipe apex sides and extend in a convex shape on the vertical center side. Therefore, the fluid within the pipes has high fluidity from the upper and lower pipe apex sides of the cut ends of the existing fluid pipes 1a and 1b to the outside of the pipes, making it easier to take in the fluid within the pipes within the first pipe 41 and the second pipe 42, which extend from a position below the housing 2.

[0043] Furthermore, since the butterfly valve 8 is used to control the fluid, by operating the butterfly valve 8 in addition to operating the first on-off valve 43 and the second on-off valve 44, the fluid in the pipe can be controlled more precisely.

[0044] In addition, the housing 2 is provided with a working tube section 2b separate from the first pipe 41 and the second pipe 42 for cutting the existing fluid pipe 1 and installing the butterfly valve 8, making such work easier to perform and simplifying the structure of the butterfly valve 8.

[0045] In the branched flow path forming method of the present invention, a housing 2 having a first pipe 41 and a second pipe 42 that can be opened and closed by a first opening / closing valve 43 and a second opening / closing valve 44 is installed between existing fluid pipes 1a and 1b that are spaced apart in the pipe axis direction, so that the fluid in the pipe can be branched into multiple paths via the first pipe 41 and the second pipe 42 in a single construction step of installing the housing 2.

[0046] Furthermore, since the existing fluid pipe 1 is enclosed in a sealed manner by the housing 2 and then cut within the housing 2, there is no need for a separate sealed case to install the housing 2 between the existing fluid pipes 1a and 1b spaced apart in the axial direction in a state of continuous flow.

[0047] Furthermore, within the housing 2, the existing fluid pipe 1 is cut at a position between a first pipe 41 and a second pipe 42 that are spaced apart in the pipe axial direction, and a butterfly valve 8 that controls the fluid in the pipe is placed between the existing fluid pipes 1a and 1b. By changing the open / close states of the first on-off valve 43 and the second on-off valve 44 depending on the open / close state of the butterfly valve 8, the fluid in the pipes in the spaces on both sides of the butterfly valve 8 in the housing 2 can be precisely controlled during construction.

[0048] Furthermore, since the butterfly valve 8 is placed between the existing fluid pipes 1a and 1b with the opening 81a of the butterfly valve 8 open, the pressure of the fluid in the pipe that the butterfly valve 8 receives during installation can be reduced, and the butterfly valve 8 can be easily installed between the existing fluid pipes 1a and 1b. [Example]

[0049] Next, a flow restrictor and a branch flow path forming method using the flow restrictor according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Note that a description of the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0050] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the flow control device of this Example 2 is mainly composed of two housings 200A, 200B, which are respectively installed at positions on either side of the construction location Z of the existing pipeline in the pipe axis direction, and connecting pipes 201, 201' and connecting pipe 15.

[0051] A plug 800 is disposed in the housing 200A as a fluid control member that blocks the flow path between the existing fluid pipes 1a and 1b. The plug 800 is composed of a partition wall 800a that has no opening and an upper cover portion 800b that is formed integrally with the upper part of the partition wall 800a. A seal member on the outer surface of the partition wall 800a is pressed against a step portion 2g of the housing 200A in a sealing manner, and a seal member on the outer peripheral surface of the upper cover portion 800b is pressed against a step portion 2h of the housing 200A in a sealing manner (see FIG. 8 in particular).

[0052] A first pipe 241 communicating with the existing fluid pipe 1a and a second pipe 242 communicating with the existing fluid pipe 1b extend radially from the lower part of the housing 200A. The first pipe 241 and the second pipe 242 curve away from each other from one side wall of the housing 200A and then extend parallel to each other. This makes it possible to ensure a sufficient distance between the first pipe 241 and the second pipe 242 while shortening their lengths.

[0053] Furthermore, an air valve 14 is provided on the upper part of the housing 200A, closer to the existing fluid pipe 1b than the plug 800.

[0054] A first on-off valve 243 and a second on-off valve 244 are provided at the ends of the first pipe 241 and the second pipe 242, and the first on-off valve 243 and the second on-off valve 244 are connected by a connecting pipe 201. This connecting pipe 201 has a connecting part 201a with the first on-off valve 243, a connecting part 201b with the second on-off valve 244, and a connecting part 201c with a third on-off valve 245.

[0055] On the other hand, the housing 200B has a symmetrical shape to the housing 200A and is equipped with a first pipe 241' communicating with the existing fluid pipe 1c downstream, a second pipe 242' communicating with the existing fluid pipe 1b, a first on-off valve 243', a second on-off valve 244', a third on-off valve 245', a connecting pipe 201', an air valve 14', and a plug 800.

[0056] The third on-off valve 245 of the casing 200A and the third on-off valve 245' of the casing 200B are connected by a connecting pipe 15. These connecting pipes 201, 201' and the connecting pipe 15 constitute a bypass pipe (branch pipe) as a pipe line component that connects the first pipes 241, 241' and the second pipes 242, 242'.

[0057] The procedure for replacing the existing fluid pipe 1b with a new fluid pipe without interrupting the flow is as follows: first, two housings 200A, 200B are installed axially spaced apart to sandwich a pipe replacement location Z (described later) of the existing fluid pipe 1; the existing fluid pipe 1 is cut inside the housings 200A, 200B; then, plugs 800 are placed inside the housings 200A, 200B; and cover members 19 are attached to the flanges 2c of the housings 200A, 200B to secure the plugs 800 inside the housings 200A, 200B. At this time, by opening the first on-off valves 243, 243′ and the third on-off valves 245, 245′ and closing the second on-off valves 244, 244′, the connecting pipes 201, 201′ and the connecting pipe 15 function as bypass flow paths. This allows the installation of the plugs 800 without interrupting the flow of fluid through the existing fluid pipe 1a to the existing fluid pipe 1c.

[0058] After installing the plug 800, the existing fluid pipe 1b is replaced with a new fluid pipe (not shown) at the construction site Z. Next, the second on-off valves 244, 244' are opened, the new fluid pipe is filled with the fluid in the pipe, and after the pressure resistance of the fluid pipe is confirmed, the first on-off valves 243, 243' and the second on-off valves 244, 244' are closed. At this time, the air in the new fluid pipe can be evacuated by the air valves 14, 14', so that the new fluid pipe can be filled with the fluid in the pipe.

[0059] Next, the work of replacing the existing fluid pipe 1b with a new fluid pipe without interrupting the flow is completed by removing the plug 800 from the housings 200A and 200B, and removing the connecting pipes 201 and 201' and the connecting pipe 15. Note that the connecting pipes 201 and 201' and the connecting pipe 15 may be left as new pipes without being removed.

[0060] In this way, the fluid in the pipe can be prevented from flowing into the new fluid pipe all at once by opening the second on-off valves 244, 244' without stopping the main flow of the fluid in the pipe through the connecting pipes 201, 201' and the connecting pipe 15. In addition, the flow of the fluid in the pipe can be changed to the existing fluid pipes 1a, 1b, 1c or the connecting pipes 201, 201' and the connecting pipe 15 depending on the situation. [Example]

[0061] Next, a flow restrictor and a branch flow path forming method using the flow restrictor according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Note that a description of the same configuration as in the second embodiment will be omitted.

[0062] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the housing 300A of this embodiment 3 includes a bypass piping section 301 as one piping section, a drain piping section 302 as the other piping section, an on-off valve 303 that opens and closes the bypass piping section 301, an on-off valve 304 that opens and closes the drain piping section 302, and a plug 305 as a fluid regulator.

[0063] The cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path of the drain pipe section 302 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path of the bypass pipe section 301 .

[0064] The housing 300B of the third embodiment includes a bypass pipe section 301′, a drain pipe section 302′, an on-off valve 303′, an on-off valve 304′, and a plug 305.

[0065] The on-off valve 303 and the on-off valve 303' are connected by a bypass pipe 306. By opening the on-off valves 303 and 303', the fluid in the pipe can be caused to flow from the existing fluid pipe 1a to the existing fluid pipe 1b via the bypass pipe 306, so that the existing fluid pipe 1b can be replaced with a new fluid pipe without interrupting the flow.

[0066] Furthermore, when cutting the existing fluid pipe, opening the on-off valves 304, 304' allows chips to be discharged to the outside via the drain piping sections 302, 302'. After cutting the existing fluid pipe, the on-off valves 304, 304' may be opened to introduce a fluid in a pipe branched from the existing fluid pipe 1a or the bypass pipe 306 via the drain piping sections 302, 302', or an external fluid different from the fluid in the existing fluid pipe 1a, thereby filling the new fluid pipe with fluid. [Example]

[0067] Next, a flow restrictor according to Example 4 and a branch flow path forming method using the flow restrictor will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Note that a description of the same configuration as in Example 1 will be omitted. For ease of explanation, the first on-off valve 406, the second on-off valve 408, and the connecting pipe 409 are not shown in Fig. 11(b).

[0068] As shown in Figure 11, the housing 400 of this embodiment 4 is equipped with first pipes 402, 403 that communicate with the space on the existing fluid pipe 1a side of the butterfly valve 401, and second pipes 404, 405 that communicate with the space on the existing fluid pipe 1b side of the butterfly valve 401.

[0069] The first pipe 402 and the second pipe 404 are arranged below the pipe axis of the existing fluid pipes 1a and 1b, and the first pipe 403 and the second pipe 405 are arranged above the pipe axis of the existing fluid pipes 1a and 1b.

[0070] A first on-off valve 406 is provided in the first pipes 402 and 403, and a second on-off valve 408 is provided in the second pipes 404 and 405. The first on-off valve 406 and the second on-off valve 408 are connected to various pipe components via connecting pipes 409.

[0071] Since the first pipes 402, 403 and the second pipes 404, 405 extend from multiple locations on the housing 400 in this manner, the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the first pipes 402, 403 and the second pipes 404, 405 can be increased, and the pressure loss of the fluid in the pipes branching toward the first pipes 402, 403 and the second pipes 404, 405 can be suppressed.

[0072] Furthermore, since the first pipes 402, 403 and the first pipes 402, 403 are offset vertically from the pipe axis of the existing fluid pipes 1a, 1b, the end side walls of the existing fluid pipes 1a, 1b do not obstruct the flow of fluid within the pipes, and the fluid within the pipes flows smoothly. [Example]

[0073] Next, a flow restrictor and a branch flow path forming method using the flow restrictor according to a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 12 to 14. Note that a description of the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 12 , in the branch flow path forming method of the fifth embodiment, first, a sealing case 16 for work is attached to the existing fluid pipe 1, a working valve 5 is attached above the sealing case 16, and a cutting device 6 is attached above the working valve 5. At this time, collars 17, 17 are fitted onto the outer periphery of the existing fluid pipe 1 in the sealing case 16, spaced apart in the axial direction of the pipe. These collars 17, 17 can be moved in the axial direction by external operation of an operating means (not shown) provided on the sealing case 16. Then, the working valve 5 is opened, and the cutter 61 is rotated and advanced downward to cut the existing fluid pipe 1 into existing fluid pipes 1a, 1b (see FIG. 13 ). The collars 17, 17 are positioned on the outer peripheries of the existing fluid pipes 1a, 1b, respectively. After the existing fluid pipe 1 is cut, the working valve 5 is closed.

[0075] 13, the cutting device 6 is removed from the operating valve 5, and the insertion device 7 is attached above the operating valve 5. The flow control device 500 of this embodiment 5 is attached to the tip of the rod 72 of the insertion device 7. The flow control device 500 is in a state where the housing 2, the first piping 41 and the second piping 42, the first on-off valve 43 and the second on-off valve 44, and the butterfly valve 8 of the first embodiment are pre-assembled.

[0076] 14, the operating valve 5 is opened, and the rod 72 is used to lower the flow control device 500, positioning it between the existing fluid pipes 1a and 1b. The operating means is then operated from outside the sealed case 16 to move the collars 17 closer to the housing 2, and a portion of the collars 17 is fitted onto a small-diameter portion (not shown) of the housing 2 that protrudes toward the existing fluid pipes 1a and 1b beyond the flanges 2j. A pair of seal rings (not shown) are fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the collar 17, spaced apart in the axial direction. One seal ring is pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the small-diameter portion of the housing 2, and the other seal ring is pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the existing fluid pipes 1a and 1b. This seals the flow control device 500 and the existing fluid pipes 1a and 1b.

[0077] Next, the sealed case 16 is removed, and the flanges 17a, 17a of the collars 17, 17 are connected to the flanges 2j, 2j of the housing 2 with bolts and nuts, and the retaining rings 18, 18 are welded to the outer circumferential surfaces of the existing fluid pipes 1a, 1b, and the retaining rings 18, 18 are connected to the flanges 17b, 17b of the collars 17, 17 with bolts and nuts. After connecting the flow control device 500 to the existing fluid pipes 1a, 1b, various pipe component members are connected to the first on-off valve 43 and the second on-off valve 44, thereby completing the formation of the branch flow path. [Example]

[0078] Next, a flow control device and a branch flow path forming method using the flow control device according to Example 6 will be described with reference to FIG. 15. Note that a description of the same configuration as in Example 1 will be omitted. Note that for ease of explanation, the connecting pipe 606 is not shown in FIG. 15(b). Also, in this example, a configuration will be described in which the fluid in the pipe flows from the left side of the paper in FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b) (the existing fluid pipe 1b side) to the right side of the paper (the existing fluid pipe 1a side).

[0079] 15, a housing 600 of the sixth embodiment includes a first pipe 601 communicating with a space on the existing fluid pipe 1a side (downstream side) of a butterfly valve 8 provided in the housing 600, and a second pipe 602 and a branch pipe 603 communicating with a space on the existing fluid pipe 1b side (upstream side) of the butterfly valve 8. An existing fluid pipe 1a' is connected to the downstream side of the existing fluid pipe 1a via a valve 630.

[0080] The flow path cross-sectional areas of the first pipe 601 and the second pipe 602 are smaller than the flow path cross-sectional areas of the existing fluid pipes 1a and 1b. The first pipe 601 and the second pipe 602 are connected by a connecting pipe 610 via a first on-off valve 604 and a second on-off valve 605 provided at the respective ends of the pipes.

[0081] Branch pipe 603 extends in the opposite direction to first pipe 601 and second pipe 602 in housing 600, and is configured by sealing together half pipe sections formed in semicircular shapes in upper case 600A and lower case 600B of housing 600. Note that first pipe 601 and second pipe 602 may be provided in the same direction as branch pipe 603. Furthermore, first pipe 601 and second pipe 602 do not necessarily have to extend from the side surface of the housing, and may be provided so as to extend from the bottom surface of the housing.

[0082] The cross-sectional area of ​​the branch pipe 603 is set to be approximately the same as the cross-sectional area of ​​the existing fluid pipes 1a and 1b. A butterfly valve 620 serving as an on-off valve is attached to the tip of the branch pipe 603, and the existing fluid pipe 1a' is connected to the butterfly valve 620 via a connecting pipe 606. A valve 640 is provided between the connecting pipe 606 and the existing fluid pipe 1a'.

[0083] By opening butterfly valve 620 and valve 640 and closing butterfly valve 8, first on-off valve 604, second on-off valve 605, and valve 630, for example, the replacement of existing fluid pipe 1a with a new fluid pipe can be performed without interrupting the flow. Note that at this time, both first on-off valve 604 and second on-off valve 605 do not have to be closed, and only one of them may be closed. Furthermore, a housing symmetrical in shape to housing 600 may be arranged in place of valves 630 and 640.

[0084] After replacing the existing fluid pipe 1a with a new fluid pipe, the first on-off valve 604 and the second on-off valve 605 are opened, allowing the fluid in the pipe to be slowly filled into the new fluid pipe through the first piping 601 and the second piping 602, which have small flow path cross-sectional areas.

[0085] After the new fluid pipe is filled with the fluid in the pipe, butterfly valve 8 and valve 630 are opened to allow the fluid in the pipe to flow into the new fluid pipe, and butterfly valve 620 and valve 640 are closed to stop the flow to connecting pipe 606. The flow path cross-sectional area of ​​branch pipe 603 is formed to be approximately the same size as the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​existing fluid pipes 1a and 1b, so that the flow rate of the fluid in the pipe branching toward branch pipe 603 can be ensured and pressure loss can be suppressed. Note that when butterfly valve 8 and valve 630 are open, first on-off valve 604 and second on-off valve 605 may both be closed, both be open, or either one may be closed.

[0086] Although the present embodiment illustrates an example in which the branch pipe 603 is provided only on the existing fluid pipe 1b side relative to the butterfly valve 8, branch pipes having substantially the same flow path cross-sectional area as the existing fluid pipes 1a and 1b may be provided on both sides of the existing fluid pipes 1a and 1b. Also, the branch pipe 603 may be formed to have a larger flow path cross-sectional area than the existing fluid pipes 1a and 1b.

[0087] The housing 600 of the sixth embodiment can also be used to configure a flow path that does not use the existing fluid pipe 1a. In this case, after installing the housing 600, the butterfly valve 8 and the valve 630 are closed and the butterfly valve 620 is opened, thereby configuring a flow path in which the fluid in the pipe flows through the existing fluid pipe 1b, the branch pipe 603, the connecting pipe 606, and the existing fluid pipe 1a'. In this case, the existing fluid pipe 1a may be removed.

[0088] Furthermore, the housing 600 of the sixth embodiment can also be used to form a main flow path and a branch flow path. In this case, after installing the housing 600, the connecting pipe 606 is connected to a pipeline component (not shown), and the butterfly valve 8, the valve 630, and the butterfly valve 620 are opened, thereby forming a main flow path in which the fluid in the pipe flows from the existing fluid pipe 1b to the existing fluid pipes 1a and 1a′, and a branch flow path in which the fluid flows to the branch pipe 603, the connecting pipe 606, and the pipeline component. [Example]

[0089] Next, a flow restrictor and a branch flow path forming method using the flow restrictor according to a seventh embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Note that a description of the same configuration as in the sixth embodiment will be omitted.

[0090] 16, a bulging portion 730 that bulges downward into a cylindrical shape with a bottom is provided in the center of a lower case 700B of a housing 700 of the seventh embodiment, and a branch pipe 703 having a flow path cross-sectional area substantially the same as the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the existing fluid pipes 1a and 1b is provided on the side of the bulging portion 730. A butterfly valve 620 is attached to the branch pipe 703. The branch pipe 703 is disposed below the lower ends of the existing fluid pipes 1a and 1b.

[0091] Furthermore, in lower case 700B, a partition wall 740 is formed, which extends from a side surface 750 on the existing fluid pipe 1a side to a side surface 751 on the existing fluid pipe 1b side, at a position above the upper end of branch pipe 703 and below the lower ends of existing fluid pipes 1a and 1b. The end of partition wall 740 on the existing fluid pipe 1b side is spaced apart in the pipe axial direction from side surface 751 on the existing fluid pipe 1b side of lower case 700B, i.e., this spaced apart portion is formed as a flow path that is always open.

[0092] In addition, the sealing member on the outer surface of the partition wall 81 of the butterfly valve 8 is sealed and pressed against a step portion 700g that bulges out from the upper surface of the end of the partition wall 740 on the existing fluid pipe 1b side, the inner surface of the lower case 700B, and the inner surface of the upper case 700A, and the sealing member on the outer surface of the upper cover portion 83 is sealed and pressed against a step portion 700h that bulges out from the inner surface of the working cylinder portion 700b.

[0093] The housing 700 is divided into a space S1 on the existing fluid pipe 1a side of the butterfly valve 8, and a space S2 on the existing fluid pipe 1b side of the butterfly valve 8. A first pipe 601 communicates with the space S1, and a second pipe 602 and a branch pipe 703 communicate with the space S2.

[0094] Since the bulging portion 730 allows a large amount of fluid in the pipe to be accommodated inside the housing 700, pressure loss of the fluid in the pipe branching toward the branch pipe 703 can be suppressed.

[0095] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention also includes modifications and additions that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0096] For example, in the above embodiment, the fluid control device is described as a butterfly valve or a plug, but it is not limited to this and can be changed to various fluid control devices such as a switching valve or a gate valve as long as it controls the fluid in the pipe.

[0097] In addition, in the above embodiment, the pipeline components are described as a water tank and a bypass pipe, but they are not limited to these as long as they are connected to one on-off valve and the other on-off valve, and can be changed to various pipeline components, such as a fluid pipe other than the existing fluid pipe.

[0098] In the above embodiment, a drain opening is provided in the housing separately from the first and second piping sections, but this is not limiting. The first and second piping sections may be used as drain pipes, and the drain opening may be omitted. The drain opening may be provided below the pipe axis including the bottom of the housing. The drain opening may be provided in the first and second piping sections, or in either one of the piping sections.

[0099] Furthermore, the one piping section and the other piping section are not limited to extending from the side wall of the housing, but may extend from the bottom wall or top wall of the housing, but it is preferable that both piping sections be located below the axis of the existing fluid pipe so that they can be used as drain pipes.

[0100] Furthermore, one piping section and the other piping section are not limited to extending from a single opening in the side wall of the housing, but may be formed by joining pipe sections extending from multiple openings, such as the top and bottom of the housing, outside the housing.In this way, the flow rate of the piping sections can be ensured even if the area of ​​each opening is small.

[0101] In addition, in the above embodiment, a configuration has been exemplified in which the working tube section is provided separately from one piping section and the other piping section in the housing, but it is also possible to omit the configuration of the working tube section and use one piping section or the other piping section to cut the existing fluid pipe or install a fluid control device.

[0102] In addition, in the above embodiment, the sleeves extending on both sides of the axial direction of the housing are formed to have approximately the same diameter as the existing fluid pipe, but the sleeves may also be formed to have a larger diameter than the existing fluid pipe to ensure the flow rate of the fluid within the pipe. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 1, 1a, 1b, 1c Existing fluid pipe 2. Case 8 Butterfly valve (fluid control) 10 Flow control device 14,14' Air valve 15 Connecting pipes (pipe components, branch pipes) 16 Sealed Case 20 Water tank (pipe component) 41 First piping (one piping section) 42 Second piping (other piping section) 43 First on-off valve (one-side on-off valve) 44 Second on-off valve (the other on-off valve) 200A, 200B housing 201, 201' Connecting pipe (pipe component, branch pipe) 241, 241' First piping (one piping section) 242, 242' Second piping (other piping section) 243, 243' First shut-off valve (one-side shut-off valve) 244, 244' Second on-off valve (the other on-off valve) 245,245' Third shut-off valve 300A, 300B housing 301, 301' Bypass piping section (one side of piping section) 302, 302' Drain piping section (other piping section) 303, 303' On-off valve (one-side on-off valve) 304, 304' On-off valve (other on-off valve) 305 Plug (fluid control) 306 Bypass pipe (pipe component, branch pipe) 400 cabinets 401 Butterfly valve (fluid control) 402, 403 First piping (one piping section) 404, 405 Second piping (other piping section) 406 First on-off valve (one-side on-off valve) 408 Second on-off valve (the other on-off valve) 500 Flow control device 800 Plug (Fluid Control)

Claims

1. A flow control device that can install a new fluid pipe in place of the existing fluid pipe by sealingly surrounding a part of the existing fluid pipe with a housing, cutting the existing fluid pipe inside the housing in a state where the flow is not interrupted, and installing a fluid control device at the cut point of the existing fluid pipe to control the flow of fluid within the pipe, the housing includes one piping section communicating with one side of the fluid regulator and another piping section communicating with the other side of the fluid regulator, A flow control device characterized in that an on-off valve is provided in each of the one piping section and the other piping section, the on-off valves can be connected to each other via a pipeline component, and by opening both of the on-off valves, fluid can be filled into the new fluid pipe that has been installed in place of the existing fluid pipe.

2. 2. The flow control device according to claim 1, wherein the housing and the flow control device are installed at a pair of locations sandwiching the piping location of the newly installed fluid pipe in the pipe axial direction.

3. 3. The flow restrictor device according to claim 1, wherein the one pipe section and the other pipe section extend from a position in the housing below the pipe axis of the existing fluid pipe.

4. 4. The flow restrictor according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the piping sections extends from a plurality of locations on the housing.

5. 5. The flow restrictor according to claim 1, wherein the flow restrictor is a butterfly valve.

6. 6. The flow control device according to claim 1, wherein an air valve is provided on one side of the flow control valve in the housing.

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