Repair method and repair device for branching sections

Abstract

To provide a method and apparatus for repairing a branch section that can safely and reliably repair the branch section without placing excessive stress on the area to be repaired, such as a leak in the branch section. [Solution] A method for repairing a branch section 4 communicating with an existing fluid pipe 2 in a continuous flow state, comprising the steps of: connecting a perforating flange cover 20 to a repair valve 11 that can be opened and closed inside the branch section 4, in place of an air valve 10 as a connecting member, with the repair valve 11 in a closed state; opening the repair valve 11, and surrounding the repair valve 11 to which the branch section 4 and the perforating flange cover 20 are connected in a sealed manner with a case body 60; forming a through hole 77 in the perforating flange cover 20 with a perforating device 70 that is sealedly connected to a ball valve 41 that can be opened and closed inside the cylindrical portion 61B of the case body 60; and sealingly connecting a newly installed air valve 110 in place of the perforating device 70.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for repairing a branch portion that communicates with an existing fluid pipe in a non-stop flow state.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a branch portion branching from an existing fluid pipe has a pipe structure to which connection members such as existing repair valves and air valves are connected. In such a pipe structure, due to rusting and aging deterioration over long-term use, fluid leakage may occur or the risk thereof may increase.

[0003] In such a case, the repair valve is closed to seal the inside of the communication pipe, a closing device is attached to the flange of the repair valve to release the sealing of the communication pipe by the valve body, and a closing member is inserted into the communication pipe from inside the housing case of the closing device. After closing the communication pipe by bulging the elastic body of the closing member in the diametric expansion direction of the communication pipe, the repair valve, the air valve, etc. are removed leaving a part of the connection member. Then, a surrounding pipe is fixed to the communication pipe lid by welding so as to surround a leakage point such as a connection portion between the remaining connection member and the communication pipe lid, and a repair valve is attached to this surrounding pipe and the closing member is recovered, thereby repairing the leakage point (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the method for repairing leaks described in Patent Document 1 above, there was a problem in that, during the process of removing existing connecting members or welding and fixing new surrounding pipes or other members, the structural strength of existing members may be weaker than expected due to corrosion or deterioration over time at or near the fluid leak location. This could lead to unexpected further leaks or damage to existing members, making it impossible to perform the intended and appropriate repairs.

[0006] This invention was made in view of these problems, and aims to provide a method and apparatus for repairing branch sections that can safely and reliably repair branch sections without placing excessive load on the repair target area, such as leaks occurring at the branch section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the repair method for branching sections of the present invention is: A method for repairing a branch section that communicates with an existing fluid pipe, in which the branch section is repaired while maintaining a continuous flow state, The process involves connecting a closing cover to the existing valve, replacing the connecting member connected to the existing valve, while the existing valve, which is capable of opening and closing the branch section, is in the closed state, The process involves opening the existing valve and surrounding the existing valve, to which the branch section and the closing cover are connected, in a sealed manner with a case body. The process involves forming a through hole in the closing lid with a drilling tool that is sealedly connected to a newly installed valve that can open and close the inside of the case and has a cutter that can move back and forth inside the case, while the newly installed valve is in the open state. The present invention is characterized by the step of closing the newly installed valve and replacing the drilling tool connected to the newly installed valve with a connecting member that seals the valve. This feature allows the branch section, including the area to be repaired due to leakage or deterioration over time, to be enclosed in a sealed casing along with the existing valve in an open state. By forming a through-hole in the closing lid connected to the existing valve within this casing, the casing to which the new valve and connecting members are connected can be configured as a new branch section communicating with the existing fluid pipe. This allows the branch section to be repaired safely and reliably without placing excessive stress on the area to be repaired due to leakage or other issues in the branch section.

[0008] The repair device for branch sections of the present invention is A repair device for a branch section that communicates with an existing fluid pipe, which repairs the branch section in a continuous flow state. With the existing valve, which can open and close the branch section, in the closed state, the connecting member connected to the existing valve is replaced with a closing cover connected to the existing valve, With the existing valve in an open state, a case body surrounds the existing valve to which the branch section and the closing cover are connected in a sealed manner, The device is characterized by having a drilling tool that is sealedly connected to a newly installed valve that can open and close the inside of the case, and includes a cutter that can move back and forth inside the case, and which forms a through hole in the closing lid when the newly installed valve is in the open state. This feature allows the branch section, including the area to be repaired due to leakage or deterioration over time, to be enclosed in a sealed casing along with the existing valve in an open state. By forming a through-hole in the closing lid connected to the existing valve within this casing, the casing to which the new valve and connecting members are connected can be configured as a new branch section communicating with the existing fluid pipe. This allows the branch section to be repaired safely and reliably without placing excessive stress on the area to be repaired due to leakage or other issues in the branch section.

[0009] The closing lid is characterized by comprising a connecting portion that is sealed and connected to the existing valve, and a perforated portion that is thinner than the connecting portion and is perforated by the cutter. This feature improves the sealing performance between the closing lid and the existing valve, allows for easy drilling of thin-walled areas with a cutter, and suppresses the generation of chips.

[0010] The case body is characterized by having an opening / closing section that allows the inside and outside of the case body to be opened and closed. This feature allows chips generated during the perforation of the closing lid to be discharged to the outside of the case body. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a partially cutaway side view showing a ball valve and an air valve connected to a connecting pipe that communicates with an existing fluid pipe. [Figure 2] This is a partially broken side view showing the ball valve with the air valve removed and the perforation flange cover attached. [Figure 3] (a) is a partially broken side view showing the perforation flange cover, and (b) is a bottom view. [Figure 4] This is a partially broken side view showing the process of surrounding a ball valve, to which a connecting pipe and a perforation flange cover are connected, with a case body. [Figure 5] (a) A plan view showing a ball valve with a connecting pipe and a perforation flange cover connected, surrounded by a case body; (b) A partially broken side view. [Figure 6] This is a partially broken side view showing a repair device consisting of a perforation flange cover, a case body, and a perforation device connected to a newly installed ball valve. [Figure 7] This is a partially broken side view showing the state of a perforation flange cover being perforated by the cutter of a perforation device. [Figure 8] This is a partially broken side view showing the state after the cutter of the drilling device has drilled into the flange cover for drilling and the cutter has been lifted. [Figure 9] This is a partially broken side view showing the state after the drilling device has been removed from the newly installed ball valve and the newly installed air valve has been connected. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The embodiments for implementing the branching section repair method and branching section repair apparatus 1 according to the present invention will be described below based on examples. [Examples]

[0013] In this embodiment, in a piping structure in which a connecting member is connected to the other end of a communicating pipe 3 whose one end communicates with a fluid pipe 2 as an existing fluid pipe, a method for repairing a branch portion 4 including the fluid pipe 2 and a connection portion between the fluid pipe 2 and the communicating pipe 3 to repair a leakage point occurring at the branch portion in a non-stop flow state, and a repairing device 1 for the branch portion (hereinafter abbreviated as the repairing device 1) will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 9. In the following description, the axial direction of the fluid pipe 2 in FIG. 1 is the left-right direction, the axial direction of the communicating pipe 3 is the up-down direction, the right side of FIG. 1 is the front side, and the left side is the back side for description.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, in order to discharge the air inside the fluid pipe 2 constituting an existing flow path as a water supply pipe to the outside of the pipe or to prevent the inside of the pipe from becoming negative pressure, a small air valve 10 as a connecting member in the present invention is provided at a predetermined position of the fluid pipe 2. Specifically, the lower end of a communicating pipe 3 extending in the up-down direction communicates with a predetermined position of the fluid pipe 2 and is connected and fixed in a sealed state by welding.

[0015] Note that the fluid in the fluid pipe is tap water in this embodiment, but it is not limited thereto. For example, it may be industrial water, agricultural water, sewage, etc., or a gas or a gas-liquid mixture of a gas and a liquid. Further, the fluid pipe 2 of this embodiment is, for example, made of ductile cast iron for a water supply pipe buried underground, formed in a substantially cylindrical shape in a cross-sectional view, and the inner peripheral surface is covered with a mortar layer. Note that the fluid pipe according to the present invention may be made of other metals such as cast iron and steel, or made of asbestos, concrete, vinyl chloride, polyethylene, polyolefin, etc. Furthermore, the inner peripheral surface of the fluid pipe may be covered with an epoxy resin layer, mortar, plating, etc., or the inner peripheral surface of the fluid pipe may be covered with an appropriate material by powder coating.

[0016] A flange 3a is formed at the upper end of the connecting pipe 3, protruding in the outer diameter direction. Above the connecting pipe 3, a repair valve 11 (for example, a ball valve) is fixed in a sealed manner by flange connection as an existing valve, and above the repair valve 11, an air valve 10 is fixed in a sealed manner by flange connection. In this way, the repair valve 11 and the air valve 10, which are connected and fixed to the connecting pipe 3, constitute the connecting member of the present invention that is connected to the connecting pipe 3.

[0017] Furthermore, although these connecting pipes 3, repair valves 11 and air valves 10 are made of metal materials such as cast iron and steel, they may also be made of metal such as stainless steel, or concrete, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, or polyolefin. In addition, the inner circumferential surfaces of each component may be covered with an epoxy resin layer, mortar, plating, or an appropriate material may be applied to the inner circumferential surfaces of each component by powder coating.

[0018] Flanges 11a and 11b, which protrude outward, are formed on the upper and lower parts of the repair valve 11. A flange 10a, which protrudes outward, is formed on the lower part of the air valve 10. A gasket (not shown) is interposed between the flange 3a of the connecting pipe 3 and the flange 11a of the repair valve 11, and by fastening these flanges 3a and 11a with multiple bolts and nuts N1, the connecting pipe 3 and the repair valve 11 are connected in a sealed state. A gasket (not shown) is also interposed between the flange 11b of the repair valve 11 and the flange 10a of the air valve 10, and by fastening these flanges 11b and 10a with multiple bolts and nuts N2, the repair valve 11 and the air valve 10 are connected in a sealed state. In this way, the air valve 10 is connected to the connecting pipe 3 via the repair valve 11 which is connected to the upper part of the connecting pipe 3, and communicates with the connecting pipe 3 through the inside of the repair valve 11.

[0019] Next, we will describe a repair method and a repair device 1 used for repairing a leak in the event that a leak occurs at a branching section 4, including, for example, the welded joint D between the fluid pipe 2 and the base end of the connecting pipe 3 (see enlarged view in Figure 1) or the circumferential surface of the connecting pipe 3.

[0020] [Connecting the closing lid] First, a step of removing the existing air valve 10 from the existing repair valve 11 and closing the upper end opening of the repair valve 11 is performed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the repair valve 11 has an operation lever 11d that can open and close a repair valve body 11c provided inside. In the state where the air valve 10 is connected, it is in an open state in order to discharge the air in the pipe to the outside of the pipe or to prevent the inside of the pipe from becoming negative pressure.

[0021] Next, after closing the operation lever 11d to close the repair valve 11 and removing the air valve 10, as shown in FIG. 2, a piercing flange lid 20 as a closing lid is placed on the upper end opening of the repair valve 11, and the piercing flange lid 20 and the flange 11b of the repair valve 11 are fastened with a plurality of bolts and nuts N3 provided in the circumferential direction, thereby closing the upper end opening of the repair valve 11 in a sealed state.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the piercing flange lid 20 is formed in a disk shape, and bolt insertion holes 21 through which bolts of the bolts and nuts N3 are inserted are formed at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction in a connection portion 20a on the outer diameter side. Further, an annular concave groove 22 for accommodating a gasket (not shown) is formed on the lower surface of the connection portion 20a on the inner diameter side of the bolt insertion hole 21. <{

[0023] On the lower surface of a pierced portion 20b on the inner diameter side of the concave groove 22 in the piercing flange lid 20, a circular concave portion 23 is formed when viewed from the bottom. The plate thickness dimension L2 of the pierced portion 20b is smaller than the plate thickness dimension L1 on the inner diameter side of the bolt insertion hole 21 in the connection portion 20a (L2 < L1). It is preferable that the plate thickness dimension L2 of the pierced portion 20b is thin, being approximately half or less than half of the plate thickness dimension L1 on the inner diameter side of the bolt insertion hole 21 in the connection portion 20a. Further, the diameter dimension L3 of the concave portion 23 is larger than the outer diameter dimension L4 of a hole saw 72a of a cutter 72 (see FIG. 6) to be described later (L3 > L4).

[0024] [Surrounding process of the branch portion] Next, the process of surrounding the branch section 4, which consists of the connecting pipe 3, the repair valve 11 as a connecting member, and the perforation flange cover 20, with the case body 60 will be explained with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Note that the halftone areas in Figures 5 and onward represent fluid.

[0025] As shown in Figure 4, the steel case body 60 used in the above-mentioned enclosure process mainly consists of a case body 61 that is attached to cover the upper part of the fluid pipe 2 and the connecting pipe 3, a case cover 62 that is attached to cover the lower part of the fluid pipe 2, and bolts 63a and nuts 63b as fastening means for fastening the case body 61 and the case cover 62 together.

[0026] As shown in Figures 4 and 5(a), the case body 61 mainly consists of a curved base portion 61A that covers the outer surface of the fluid pipe 2 on the side of the connecting pipe 3, and a cylindrical tubular portion 61B whose lower end is welded to the periphery of the connecting hole 64 formed in the base portion 61A, and which surrounds the branch portion 4, the repair valve 11, and the perforation flange cover 20. Multiple insertion holes 65 (see Figure 4) through which bolts 63a can be inserted are formed on the front and rear sides of the base portion 61A at predetermined intervals (for example, 6) in the direction of the pipe axis of the fluid pipe 2.

[0027] A lid member 67, having a through hole 67a in the center, is attached to the upper end opening of the cylindrical portion 61B to seal the upper end opening. A packing 69 is attached to the periphery of the communication hole 64 on the lower surface of the base portion 61A. A drain valve 68 is provided on the upper part of the circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 61B.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, the case cover 62 is mainly composed of a curved base 62A that covers the outer surface of the fluid pipe 2 opposite to the connecting pipe 3. Multiple (for example, 6) insertion holes 66 through which bolts 63a can be inserted are formed at predetermined intervals in the direction of the pipe axis of the fluid pipe 2 on the front and rear sides of the base 62A.

[0029] Then, as shown in Figure 5(b), the case body 61 is positioned to cover the upper part of the fluid pipe 2 and the connecting pipe 3, and the case cover 62 is positioned to cover the lower part of the fluid pipe 2. Bolts 63a attached from below to each insertion hole 66 of the case cover 62 are inserted into each insertion hole 65 of the case body 61, and nuts 63b are screwed onto the bolts 63a protruding above the insertion holes 65 to fasten them, thereby sealing the branch section 4, the repair valve 11 and the perforation flange cover 20 with the case body 60. Alternatively, the case body 60 may be welded to the fluid pipe 2 to surround the branch section 4, the repair valve 11 and the perforation flange cover 20.

[0030] In the state where the branch section 4, the repair valve 11, and the perforation flange cover 20 are surrounded, the case body 60 is in a non-contact state with respect to the branch section 4, the repair valve 11, and the perforation flange cover 20. Furthermore, the cover member 67 is positioned close to the top of the perforation flange cover 20, and the through hole 67a of the cover member 67 is positioned directly above the perforation portion 20b of the perforation flange cover 20.

[0031] Next, a new repair valve 41 (for example, a ball valve) is sealed and connected to the upper part of the cover member 67. Specifically, flanges 41a and 41b protruding in the outer diameter direction are formed on the upper and lower parts of the new repair valve 41, and a gasket (not shown) is interposed between the cover member 67 and the flange 41a of the new repair valve 41. By fastening these two parts together with bolts and nuts N4, the cover member 67 and the new repair valve 41 are connected in a sealed state. Furthermore, the connection allows the lower end opening (not shown) of the new repair valve 41 to communicate with the through hole 67a of the cover member 67.

[0032] In this embodiment, the existing branch section 4, repair valve 11, and perforation flange cover 20 are enclosed in a sealed manner by a case body 60, and then the newly installed repair valve 41 is connected in a sealed manner to the upper part of the case body 60. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the branch section 4, repair valve 11, and perforation flange cover 20 may be enclosed in a case body 60 to which the newly installed repair valve 41 is already connected in a sealed manner.

[0033] [Drilling process for perforation flange cover] Next, the process of drilling the perforation flange cover 20 in a continuous flow state will be explained based on Figures 6 to 8.

[0034] First, as shown in Figure 6, a drilling device 70 is sealed and connected to the upper end opening of the newly installed repair valve 41. The drilling device 70 mainly consists of a mounting flange cylinder 71, a cutter 72 for cutting the drilling flange cover 20, an operating handle 74 for rotating the cutter 72 inside the mounting flange cylinder 71, and a retraction mechanism 73 for advancing and retracting the cutter 72 in the vertical direction. The cutter 72 is formed in a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter L4 smaller than the diameter L3 of the recess 23 (see Figure 3(b)), and consists of a hole saw 72a with a cutting blade along the circumferential direction at its lower end, and a center drill 72b which is arranged coaxially with the rotation axis 72c of the hole saw 72a and protrudes further than the cutting blade. Furthermore, the cutter 72 is positioned concentrically with the upper end opening of the newly installed repair valve 41, and is inserted from the upper end opening into the newly installed repair valve 41 and the through hole 67a of the cover member 67, allowing it to advance at least to the inside of the repair valve 11.

[0035] A flange 71a protruding in the outer diameter direction is formed on the lower opening periphery of the mounting flange cylinder 71. By fastening the flange 71a to the flange 41b of the new repair valve 41 via a conversion spacer 76 using a plurality of fastening members consisting of bolts and nuts (not shown) arranged in the circumferential direction, the drilling device 70 is sealed and connected to the upper end opening of the new repair valve 41 via a sealing member (not shown).

[0036] This results in a repair device 1 consisting of a case body 60 that seals around the repair valve 11 to which the branch section 4 and the perforation flange cover 20 are connected, and a perforation device 70.

[0037] Next, after opening the newly installed repair valve 41, fluid is filled into the cylindrical portion 61B of the case body 60, the newly installed repair valve 41, and the mounting flange cylinder 71 while releasing air from the air vent valve 71c provided on the mounting flange cylinder 71. After checking for leaks by applying water pressure to the cylindrical portion 61B that is approximately the same as that inside the fluid pipe 2 (not shown), the air vent valve 71c is closed after confirming that the air has been released from the cylindrical portion 61B.

[0038] Then, the cutter 72 is advanced downward by the advance / return mechanism 73, passing through the newly installed repair valve 41 and the through hole 67a. When the lower end of the center drill 72b reaches the drilling flange cover 20, the drain valve 68 is opened, and as shown in Figure 7, the cutter 72 is rotated around the rotation axis 72c using the operating handle 74, drilling the part to be drilled 20b in the drilling flange cover 20 in a continuous flow state to form the drilled part 77.

[0039] The perforation flange cover 20 is provided with a connecting portion 20a that is sealed to the newly installed repair valve 41 and a perforated portion 20b that is thinner than the connecting portion 20a and perforated by the cutter 72. This configuration enhances the sealing between the perforation flange cover 20 and the newly installed repair valve 41 with the thicker connecting portion 20a, while allowing the thin perforated portion 20b to be easily perforated by the cutter 72 and suppressing the generation of chips. Furthermore, the chips generated by the perforation are discharged from a drain valve 68 provided near the perforation flange cover 20, thus preventing them from entering the fluid pipe 2.

[0040] When the cutter 72 drills a roughly circular hole in the perforated portion 20b of the perforation flange cover 20, the severed piece (not shown) from the perforation flange cover 20 is held inside the hole saw 72a. Then, as shown in Figure 8, the reciprocating mechanism 73 pulls the cutter 72 upward along with the piece (not shown) and retracts it into the mounting flange cylinder 71, closes the drain valve 68, and then closes the repair valve body 41c with the operating lever 41d of the newly installed repair valve 41 to close the inside of the cylindrical portion 61B of the case body 60.

[0041] [Connection process for newly installed valves] After closing the repair valve body 41c of the newly installed repair valve 41 to seal the inside of the cylindrical portion 61B of the case body 60, the drilling device 70 and the conversion spacer 76 are removed from the newly installed repair valve 41. Next, as shown in Figure 9, the new air valve 110 is connected in a sealed manner above the new repair valve 41. A flange 110a protruding in the outer diameter direction is formed on the lower part of the new air valve 110. A gasket (not shown) is interposed between the flange 41a of the new repair valve 41 and the flange 110a of the new air valve 110, and by fastening these flanges 41a and 110a with bolts and nuts N5, the newly installed repair valve 41 and the new air valve 110 are connected in a sealed state.

[0042] Finally, by opening the newly installed repair valve 41, the cylindrical portion 61B of the case body 60, the newly installed repair valve 41, and the inside of the newly installed air valve 110 become connected to the fluid pipe 2. This completes the repair process for the branch section.

[0043] [Effects / Effects] As described above, the method for repairing a branch section as an embodiment of the present invention is a method for repairing a branch section 4 that communicates with an existing fluid pipe 2 in a continuous flow state, and includes the steps of: connecting a perforation flange cover 20 as a closing cover to the repair valve 11, which is an existing valve that can open and close the inside of the branch section 4, in a closed state, in place of the air valve 10 which is a connecting member connected to the repair valve 11 (see Figure 2); and sealing the repair valve 11, to which the branch section 4 and the perforation flange cover 20 are connected, with a case body 60 (see Figure 5 and (See Figure 6) The process includes: forming a perforated portion 77 in the perforation flange cover 20 with the new repair valve 41 in an open state using a perforation device 70, which is a perforation tool equipped with a cutter 72 that can move back and forth inside the cylindrical portion 61B of the case body 60, and is sealedly connected to the new repair valve 41, which is a new valve that can open and close inside the cylindrical portion 61B of the case body 60 (see Figure 7); and sealingly connecting the new air valve 110 as a connecting member to the new repair valve 41 in a closed state, instead of the perforation device 70 connected to the new repair valve 41 (see Figure 9).

[0044] According to this, the branch section 4, which includes the area to be repaired due to leakage or deterioration over time, is enclosed in a sealed manner by a case body 60 together with the open repair valve 11, and a perforation 77 is formed in the perforation flange cover 20 connected to the repair valve 11 by this case body 60. As a result, the case body 60 to which the newly installed repair valve 41 and the newly installed air valve 110 are connected can be configured as a new branch section that communicates with the fluid pipe 2. Therefore, the branch section 4 can be repaired safely and reliably without placing an excessive load on the area to be repaired due to leakage or other issues in the branch section 4.

[0045] Furthermore, when the case body 60 surrounds the branch section 4, the repair valve 11, and the perforation flange cover 20, it is in a non-contact state with the existing components such as the branch section 4, the repair valve 11, and the perforation flange cover 20, so as not to put any load on the branch section 4, whose structural strength has been weakened due to corrosion or aging. And since the perforation is performed by contacting the perforation flange cover 20 after the case body 60 has sealed the branch section, even if the structural strength of the branch section 4 decreases due to perforation or aging after repair, causing further leakage, the leakage will occur inside the case body 60 that constitutes the new branch section, so there is no problem.

[0046] The branch section repair device 1 of the present invention is a device for repairing a branch section 4 that communicates with an existing fluid pipe 2 in a continuous flow state, and comprises a repair valve 11 that can be opened and closed inside the branch section 4, in the closed state, a perforating flange cover 20 connected to the repair valve 11 instead of an air valve 10 connected to the repair valve 11, a case body 60 that seals the repair valve 11 to which the branch section 4 and the perforating flange cover 20 are connected when the repair valve 11 is in the open state, and a perforating device 70 that is sealedly connected to a newly installed repair valve 41 that can be opened and closed inside the case body 60 and has a cutter 72 that can move back and forth inside the case body 60, and forms a perforation 77 in the perforating flange cover 20 when the newly installed repair valve 41 is in the open state.

[0047] According to this, the branch section 4, which includes the area to be repaired due to leakage or deterioration over time, is enclosed in a sealed manner by a case body 60 together with the open repair valve 11, and a perforation 77 is formed in the perforation flange cover 20 connected to the repair valve 11 by this case body 60. As a result, the case body 60 to which the newly installed repair valve 41 and the newly installed air valve 110 are connected can be configured as a new branch section that communicates with the fluid pipe 2. Therefore, the branch section 4 can be repaired safely and reliably without placing an excessive load on the area to be repaired due to leakage or other issues in the branch section 4.

[0048] Furthermore, the perforation flange cover 20 is provided with a connecting portion 20a that is sealed to the repair valve 11 and a perforated portion 20b that is thinner than the connecting portion 20a and is perforated by the cutter 72. This enhances the sealing performance between the perforation flange cover 20 and the repair valve 11, allows the thin perforated portion 20b to be easily perforated by the cutter 72, and suppresses the amount of chips generated.

[0049] Furthermore, the case body 60 is provided with a drain valve 68, which serves as an opening and closing mechanism that can open and close both inside and outside the case body 60. This allows chips generated during drilling of the drilling flange cover 20 to be discharged to the outside of the case body 60. In particular, since the drain valve 68 is located near the drilling flange cover 20, it is possible to prevent chips from entering the fluid pipe 2.

[0050] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments, and any changes or additions that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are also included.

[0051] For example, in the above embodiment, an apparatus and method for repairing a leak at the welded joint D between the fluid pipe 2 and the connecting pipe 3 were described. However, the leak is not limited to the predetermined location of the welded joint D described above. For example, even if leakage occurs in the branch section 4, including predetermined locations of the connecting pipe 3 or the nearby fluid pipe 2, due to rust or corrosion, the apparatus and method for repairing the leak of the present invention can be applied.

[0052] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example of a branch section 4 communicating with the fluid pipe 2 was shown as an example in which a connecting pipe 3 and a connection between the connecting pipe 3 and the fluid pipe 2 are included. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be composed of multiple pipes rather than just the connecting pipe 3, or it may be composed of a ball valve, air valve, etc., that branches off from the fluid pipe 2 and communicates with the fluid pipe 2, rather than just a pipe like the connecting pipe 3.

[0053] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a perforation flange cover 20 made of a plate-shaped member was shown as an example of a closing cover connected to the repair valve 11 as an existing valve. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any member that can be perforated by a perforating tool does not necessarily have to be made of a plate-shaped member. In addition, the perforating tool can be not only a cutter made of a hole saw, but also various other perforating tools such as end mills and drills.

[0054] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was given in which, when the repair valve 11 that can open and close the branch section 4 is in a closed state, a perforating flange cover 20 as a closing cover is connected to the repair valve 11 instead of the air valve 10 connected to the repair valve 11. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, if the operating lever 11d cannot be closed to put the repair valve 11 in a closed state due to rust or the like, the branch section 4 may be closed by inserting a slide plate (valve body) between the flange 3a of the communication pipe 3 and the flange 11a of the repair valve 11. In this case, the slide plate may be left as a closing cover, the branch section 4 and the repair valve 11 may be surrounded by a case body 60, and a through hole may be formed by perforating the slide plate with a perforating device 70.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a repair valve (ball valve) is shown as an example of an existing valve that can be opened and closed, but the present invention is not limited to this. If it is difficult to open and close an existing valve due to deterioration over time, (if the leakage is minor and the structural strength of the existing connecting pipe 3 and branch section 4 is sound), a blocking device (not shown) may be used to temporarily replace it with an openable and closable repair valve (ball valve, etc.).

[0056] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the perforation flange cover 20, which serves as a closing cover, is exemplified as having a connecting portion 20a that is sealed and connected to the repair valve 11, and a perforated portion 20b that is formed to be perforated by the cutter 72 and is thinner than the connecting portion 20a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cover member may be composed of a cover member that does not have a thin perforated portion 20b. In addition, the closing cover may be composed of a valve body or the like that can open and close the branch portion.

[0057] Furthermore, although the above embodiment illustrates a configuration in which the repair valve 11 and the air valve 10 are applied as existing connecting members, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, multiple flange materials or short pipes may be connected as connecting members upstream of the repair valve 11 or the air valve 10. In other words, the connecting member may be any member connected to the communication pipe 3, such as a tubular member like a flange material or a short pipe, a valve member like a repair valve, a gate valve device or an air valve, or any other member.

[0058] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, examples of existing and newly installed valves were shown, such as the repair valve 11 and the newly installed repair valve 41. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples. As long as an opening can be secured that allows the cutter of the drilling tool to move forward and backward when the valve is open, various on-off valves such as butterfly valves, gate valves, and slide valves can be applied.

[0059] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when repairing a leak, the existing air valve 10 is temporarily removed from the connecting pipe 3, and after the repair is completed, it is replaced with a new air valve 110. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the removed existing air valve 10 may be reinstalled, or a separate connecting member or the like may be attached to the air valve 10 or the new air valve 110. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1. Repair device for branch section 2. Fluid pipes (existing fluid pipes) 3 Communication pipe 4 Branching point 10. Air valve (connecting component) 11. Repair valve (existing valve) 11c Replacement valve body 11d Operating lever 20 Perforation flange cover (closing cover) 20a Connection part 20b Perforated part 21 Bolt insertion holes 23 Recess 41. Repair valve (newly installed valve) 41c Replacement valve body 41d Operating lever 60 cases 61 Case body 61A base 61B Cylindrical part 62 Case Cover 62A base 67 Lid member 67a Through hole 68 Drain valve (opening / closing part) 70 Punching device (piercing tool) 71 Mounting flange cylinder 72 cutters 72a Hole saw 72b Center Drill 72c Rotation axis 77 Perforation part 110 Air valve (connecting component)

Claims

1. A method for repairing a branch section that communicates with an existing fluid pipe, in which the branch section is repaired while maintaining a continuous flow state, The process involves connecting a closing cover to the existing valve, replacing the connecting member connected to the existing valve, while the existing valve, which is capable of opening and closing the branch section, is in the closed state, The process involves opening the existing valve and surrounding the existing valve, to which the branch section and the closing cover are connected, in a sealed manner with a case body. The process involves forming a through hole in the closing lid with a drilling tool equipped with a cutter that is movable within the case and is sealedly connected to a newly installed valve that can open and close the inside of the case, while the newly installed valve is in the open state. A method for repairing a branch section, characterized by the steps of closing the newly installed valve and replacing the drilling tool connected to the newly installed valve with a connecting member that seals to the valve.

2. A repair device for a branch section that communicates with an existing fluid pipe, which repairs the branch section in a continuous flow state. With the existing valve, which can open and close the branch section, in the closed state, the connecting member connected to the existing valve is replaced with a closing cover connected to the existing valve, With the existing valve in an open state, a case body surrounds the existing valve to which the branch section and the closing cover are connected in a sealed manner, A repair device for a branch section, characterized by comprising a drilling tool that is sealedly connected to a newly installed valve that can open and close the inside of the case, and has a cutter that can move back and forth inside the case, and forms a through hole in the closing cover when the newly installed valve is in the open state.

3. The repair device for a branch section according to claim 2, characterized in that the closing cover comprises a connecting portion that is sealed and connected to the existing valve, and a perforated portion that is formed to be thinner than the connecting portion and is perforated by the cutter.

4. The repair device for a branch section according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the case body is provided with an opening / closing section that can open and close the inside and outside of the case body.

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