Pipe cover

Abstract

The tip of the instrument or handle protrudes beyond the upper end of the flange, and even in piping where the distance from the center of the pipe to the furthest end is about 3 to 5 times the diameter of the pipe, a pipe cover can be installed without complicated work. Furthermore, a pipe cover can be provided that satisfies the requirement to cover a T-shaped pipe where a thinner pipe is joined to a thicker main pipe, or a curved pipe where pipes of different diameters are joined. [Solution] A pipe cover using a component made of a resin sheet that encloses from the outside the connection points between pipes, connection points between pipes 200, 211 and pipe components, or connection points between pipe components, the pipes 200, 211 present in the connection points, or the entire set of pipe components, in a piping system 2 such as above ground, underground, under floor, or in the ceiling, and temporarily stores fluid leaking or splashing from the connection points, wherein the component includes one or more of the following: eccentric frustoconical elements 102, 104, curved pipe elements of different diameters, or T-shaped elements of different diameters.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pipe cover. More specifically, the present invention relates to a pipe cover that can be installed without complicated work even when the cylindrical element that wraps the pipe is eccentric so that the pipe is not centered.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in an existing above-ground open piping facility connected through pipes and connecting members, by wrapping each pipe or connecting member with a resin sheet from the outside and tightening and sealing it, the liquid leaked from the pipe can be temporarily stored, and a pipe cover that can prevent surrounding contamination and environmental damage has been known (Patent Document 1). Since the inside of this pipe cover is visible, maintenance and inspection work on the pipe line can be easily performed visually from the outside.

[0003] When using the pipe cover, the applicant of the present application has carefully studied various shapes of pipes and connecting members used in piping facilities, etc., and found that all pipes and connecting members can be decomposed into only four common elements. By appropriately selecting from these four elements according to the shape of the required part and welding these elements together to assemble the pipe cover, it is possible to cover all pipes and connecting members. The applicant proposed Patent Document 2 and obtained a patent.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Disclosure of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The invention described in Patent Document 2 makes it possible to easily and quickly form pipe covers of any shape by selecting and welding four types of pipe cover elements according to the shape of the required part. However, it was found that there are cases where the four conventional types of pipe cover elements are insufficient. Manufacturing equipment for hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid incorporates instruments such as flow meters and pressure gauges, as well as valves with handles, which are installed in the piping via flange connections.

[0006] The tips of instruments and handles protrude beyond the upper edge of the flange, and the distance from the center of the piping to its furthest end can be as much as 3 to 5 times the diameter of the piping.

[0007] When manufacturing a pipe cover by enclosing the entire circumference of a pipe, including its outermost end, with cylindrical elements and welding conical elements (frustoconical elements) to both sides, for example, if the pipe has an outer diameter of 60 mm, the outermost end would be approximately 300 mm away if calculated as 5 times that diameter. In this case, to cover the entire circumference of the pipe, the diameter of the cylindrical elements needs to be larger than 300 mm.

[0008] However, when arranging frustoconical elements (where a large diameter circle and a small diameter circle are connected in a frustoconical shape) on both sides of a cylindrical element, the small and large diameter circles of the frustoconical element are arranged concentrically around the pipe. Therefore, if one attempts to align the diameter of the cylindrical element with the position of the large diameter circle of the frustoconical element, there is a risk that the pipe may not be able to pass through the small diameter circle of the frustoconical element.

[0009] If you try to cover a 300mm pipe by inserting it through the center of the small diameter circle and the large diameter circle of a frustoconical element, the diameter of the cylindrical element and the position of the large diameter circle of the frustoconical element will not match, making welding impossible (see Figure 7).

[0010] Furthermore, in order to weld the frustoconical element and the cylindrical element together neatly without any gaps, the diameter of the cylindrical element must be made the same as the diameter of the large diameter circle of the frustoconical element, with the pipe at the center (see Figure 8).

[0011] As shown in Figure 8, if a pipe is placed at the center of a cylindrical element and pipes are placed at the centers of the frustoconical elements on either side of it, a clean, gap-free weld can be achieved. However, when welding is performed in this way, there is nothing below the pipe in the cylindrical element, so covering the bottom of the pipe by leaving a gap would result in the wasteful use of resin sheets.

[0012] The tips of instruments and handles protrude beyond the upper end of the flange, and for pipes where the distance from the center of the pipe to the furthest end is about 3 to 5 times the diameter of the pipe, conventional four-element systems cannot adequately cover the pipe without waste. Furthermore, there are no connecting members (elements) for these cylindrical elements, so they must be fabricated on-site, which presents a cumbersome challenge.

[0013] There is also a demand for covers to cover T-joints, which are pipes that are joined in a T-shape to a larger main pipe, and for covers to cover elbows, which are pipes of different diameters that are joined together. Covers that can satisfy these demands are desired.

[0014] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a pipe cover that can be installed without complicated work even in pipes where the tip positions of instruments and handles protrude beyond the upper end of the flange, and the distance from the center of the pipe to the furthest end is about 3 to 5 times the diameter of the pipe.

[0015] Furthermore, the objective is to provide a pipe cover that can satisfy the need to cover T-shaped pipes, which are formed by joining a thinner pipe to a thicker main pipe in a T-shape, and also the need to cover curved pipes, which are formed by joining pipes of different diameters.

[0016] Other problems of the present invention will become apparent from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0017] The above problems are solved by the following inventions.

[0018] (Claim 1) A pipe cover using a component made of a resin sheet that encloses from the outside the connection points between pipes, connection points between pipes and pipe components, or connection points between pipe components, the pipes present at said connection points, or the entire set of pipe components, in piping systems installed above ground, underground, under floors, or in ceiling spaces, thereby temporarily storing fluid leaking or splashing from said connection points, A piping cover characterized in that the aforementioned components include one or more of the following: an eccentric frustoconical element, a curved pipe element of different diameters, or a T-shaped element of different diameters. (Claim 2) The eccentric frustoconical element is formed by connecting the ends of a substantially fan-shaped resin sheet, the large diameter opening of the cone is a welded portion with the opening of another element, the small diameter opening of the cone is a pipe insertion port, and the small diameter opening and the large diameter opening are eccentrically arranged, as described in claim 1. (Claim 3) The T-shaped element of varying diameters is characterized in that it is made of a substantially octagonal resin sheet, with two opposing ends for forming a first opening and a second opening, which are welded portions with the openings of other elements including the T-shaped element, and two opposing ends for forming a third opening that opens in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the first and second openings, and the ends forming the first opening and the ends forming the third opening are connected to each other, thereby forming the first opening (opening diameter R1), the second opening (opening diameter R2), and the third opening (opening diameter R3), and the opening diameters R1, R2, and R3 are all different in size. (Claim 4) The reduced-diameter curved pipe element forms a curved pipe shape by connecting the edges of a resin sheet, and the central axes of the openings at both ends of the curved pipe shape are arranged so as to intersect. Each opening is a welded part with an opening of another element including the curved pipe-shaped element, and the inner diameter R4 of one opening and the inner diameter R5 of the other opening are in the relationship of R4 > R5. The pipe cover according to claim 1 is characterized by this.

Effect of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, even when the pipe is eccentric so as not to be at the center with respect to the cylindrical element that wraps the pipe, a pipe cover can be provided that can be installed on both sides of the cylindrical element using eccentric frustum elements without complicated work.

[0020] Also, a pipe cover can be provided that can satisfy the requirement of covering a T-shaped pipe in which a thin pipe is joined to a thick main pipe in a T shape, or the requirement of covering an elbow in which pipes of different thicknesses are joined.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] Schematic side view showing an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 2] Exploded perspective view showing the eccentric cylindrical element in FIG. 1 and the eccentric frustum elements on both sides thereof [Figure 3] View of the eccentric frustum element located on the left side of FIG. 2 as seen from the right side [Figure 4] View of the eccentric frustum element located on the right side of FIG. 2 as seen from the right side [Figure 5] Schematic side view showing an example of the reduced-diameter T-shaped pipe element of the present invention [Figure 6] Schematic side view showing an example of the reduced-diameter curved pipe element of the present invention [Figure 7] View showing a conventional example [Figure 8] View showing a conventional example

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic side view showing the usage state of the pipe cover of the present invention.

[0023] The pipe cover is made of a resin sheet and is installed in piping facilities above ground, underground, under floors, or in ceilings, and it encloses from the outside the connection points between pipes, the connection points between pipes and piping components, or the connection points between piping components, the pipes present at the connection points, or the entire piping components, thereby temporarily storing fluids that leak or splash from the connection points. The pipe cover is indicated by reference numeral 1 in Figure 1 (solid line portion).

[0024] The object enclosed by pipe cover 1 is the piping equipment, indicated by the dashed line in the drawing. In Figure 1, reference numeral 2 denotes the piping equipment, 200 is the pipe, 201 and 202 are flanges for pipe connections, 203 is the valve, and 204 is the handle of valve 203.

[0025] Instruments 207 are installed between flanges 205 and 206. The height (tip position) of instruments 207 extends considerably beyond the upper ends of flanges 202, 205, and 206, as well as beyond the upper end of handle 204. In this example, the distance to the furthest end is greater than the diameter of the piping.

[0026] A pipe with a diameter of 5B (inches), for example, is installed between flanges 206 and 208, and a reducer 209 (pipe diameter 5B → 2B) is installed upstream of it (right side in the drawing). Pipe 211 (pipe diameter 2B) is connected via flange 210. The relationship between piping equipment and pipe cover elements will be explained by dividing them into categories A through G.

[0027] In section A, the pipe 200 (pipe diameter 5B) is arranged concentrically and wrapped using conventional conical elements 100 (a set of pipe covers described in Patent Document 2; hereinafter, "conventional" refers to that set). In section B, the pipe 200 is arranged concentrically and the flange 201 is wrapped using conventional cylindrical elements 101. Here, the cylindrical element 101 is formed by connecting the ends of a rectangular resin sheet, and the openings on both ends of the cylindrical shape are welded parts with the openings of other elements, including the cylindrical element. In section F, the reducer 209 is arranged concentrically and the flange 210 is wrapped using conventional cylindrical elements 105, and in section G, the pipe 211 is arranged concentrically and wrapped using conventional conical elements 106.

[0028] Next, in sections C, D, and E, the pipes to be enclosed are not located concentrically with the cylindrical elements, so they cannot be covered using conventional methods with elements. Therefore, in this invention, the pipes are covered using the method shown in Figures 2 to 4.

[0029] In Figures 2 to 4, section D uses a cylindrical element 103. However, the position of the piping 200 is not at the center of the cylindrical element 103. In other words, the position of the piping 200 is eccentric with respect to the circular shape of the cylindrical element 103. By positioning the instruments 207 (see Figure 1) at a height close to the inside of the cylindrical element 103 with such an eccentric arrangement, the diameter of the cylindrical element is not unnecessarily increased, resulting in superior cost-effectiveness.

[0030] On the other hand, conventional conical elements cannot be used on both sides (left and right in the drawing) of the cylindrical element 103. This is because the position of the piping is eccentric with respect to the circular shape of the cylindrical element.

[0031] As described above, in this embodiment, even if the piping is in an eccentric position, the cylindrical element will function sufficiently if the distal end protruding from the lower end of the piping can be enclosed by the cylindrical element. However, conical elements (frustoconical elements) cannot be joined to cylindrical elements. This is because conventional conical elements (frustoconical elements) that are joined to cylindrical elements are designed to function as connecting members when the piping is at the center of the cylindrical element. When the cylindrical element is eccentric with respect to the piping, and liquid is gushing out of the piping, there is no connecting member (element) for that cylindrical element, so it needs to be fabricated on-site, which presents a problem lacking urgency.

[0032] In this invention, categories C and E utilize eccentric frustoconical elements 102 and 104, respectively. As shown in Figure 2, the small-diameter opening (the opening on the left in the drawing) and the large-diameter opening (the opening on the right in the drawing) of the eccentric frustoconical element 102 are eccentrically positioned. To form an eccentric frustoconical element of this shape, a conical body is formed by connecting the ends of a roughly fan-shaped resin sheet. The large-diameter opening of the conical body is the welded joint with the opening of another element. In the illustrated example, it is the welded joint with the opening of the cylindrical element 103. The small-diameter opening of the conical body is the insertion port for the pipe 200. The configuration of the eccentric frustum cone element 104 is the same as that of the eccentric frustum cone element 102 described above, so its explanation will be omitted.

[0033] In this invention, as described above, if the eccentric frustoconical elements 102 and 104 are incorporated into a pipe cover assembly set together with conventional conical elements, cylindrical elements, curved tubular elements, and T-shaped elements, the pipe cover 1 can be quickly installed even when the pipes 200 of the piping system 2 include tall instruments as piping components and are positioned eccentrically relative to the cylindrical elements. Furthermore, the limitations on the shape of the corresponding pipes can be relaxed, and the amount of material used that would have been wasted with conventional elements can be reduced.

[0034] Next, an embodiment of the T-shaped element with different diameters according to the present invention will be described based on Figure 5. Figure 5(A) is an unfolded view showing a T-shaped element with different diameters, and Figure 5(B) shows the T-shaped element with different diameters formed into a cylindrical shape.

[0035] The T-shaped element 3 of different diameters is an element for enclosing connection points in piping systems where pipes intersect in a T-shape, and is particularly used to connect a thin or thick pipe to the main pipe using a T-tube. It is formed from a roughly octagonal resin sheet and has, as shown in Figure 5(A), an octagonal shape with opposing ends 31 and 32, opposing ends 33 and 34 in a direction roughly perpendicular to ends 31 and 32, ends 35 and 36 connecting ends 31 and ends 33 and 34, and ends 37 and 38 connecting ends 32 and ends 33 and 34.

[0036] To form such a T-shaped element with different diameters 3 into a cylindrical shape as shown in Figure 5(B), the ends 35 and 36, and 37 and 38 are rounded so that they are close together, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 5(A).

[0037] The cylindrical, T-shaped element 3 with varying diameters has its ends 31 and 32 formed in a roughly circular shape, thereby creating two opposing openings (a first opening) 3A and an opening (a second opening) 3B. At this time, end 31 becomes the circumference of the roughly circular opening 3A, and end 32 becomes the circumference of the roughly circular opening 3B. Then, end 33 and the middle end 34 come together to form a roughly circular shape, creating one opening (a third opening) 3C, and ends 33 and 34 each become semicircles of the roughly circular opening 3C.

[0038] If the opening diameter of the first opening 3A is R1, the opening diameter of the second opening 3B is R2, and the opening diameter of the third opening 3C is R3, then in this example, the opening diameters R1, R2, and R3 are all different in size. This forms a T-shaped element 3 with different diameters. This element is particularly suitable when a pipe with a smaller diameter is connected in a T-shape to a main pipe with an opening diameter R1.

[0039] Typically, T-shaped connectors have three pipes of the same diameter, but sometimes the main pipe is equipped with multiple sampling nozzles that are smaller in diameter than the main pipe. In this case, it is preferable to provide multiple third openings as described above, so that each nozzle can be removed from each opening.

[0040] By incorporating the variable-diameter T-shaped element 3 into the pipe cover assembly set along with conventional conical, cylindrical, curved tubular, and T-shaped elements, the limitations on the shape of the corresponding pipe can be relaxed, and the amount of material used that would have been wasted with conventional elements can be reduced.

[0041] Next, we will explain the curved pipe elements of different diameters based on Figure 6. A pipe fitting commonly known as an elbow is used for curved pipe elements. However, while a typical elbow is for pipes of the same diameter, when a curved pipe is connected to a reducer, the pipe may immediately connect to a pipe of a different diameter after the bend. In this case, if the pipes are treated as having the same diameter and wrapped in a resin sheet, the resin sheet may be wasted, or, if covering pipes located outdoors, the resin sheet may become loose and tear in the wind. The present invention is suitable in such cases.

[0042] In Figure 6, 4 is a curved pipe element with different diameters, where R4 is the diameter of one (thicker) pipe and R5 is the diameter of the other (thinner) pipe, and the relationship R4 > R5 is true. It is preferable to have multiple types of curved pipe elements 4 with this relationship, and curved pipe elements with different diameters that are reduced or expanded in three stages are also preferable, such as 25A (mm)-50A-75A, 100A-150A-200A, etc.

[0043] By incorporating the variable-diameter curved pipe element 4 into the pipe cover assembly set along with conventional conical, cylindrical, curved pipe, and T-shaped elements, the limitations on the shape of the corresponding pipe can be relaxed, and the amount of material used that would have been wasted with conventional elements can be reduced. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0044] 1: Pipe cover 2: Piping equipment 3: Different diameter T-shaped element 4: Different diameter curved pipe element 31 :Edge 32 :Edge 33 :Edge 34 :Edge 35: Edge 36 :Edge 37 :Edge 38 :Edge 100: Cone-shaped element 101: Cylindrical element 102: Eccentric frustum cone element 103: Cylindrical element 104: Eccentric frustum cone element 105: Cylindrical element 106: Cone-shaped element 200: Piping 201: Flange 202: Flange 203: Valve 204: Handle 205: Flange 206: Flange 207: Instruments 208: Flange 209: Reducer 210: Flange 211: Piping

Claims

1. A pipe cover using a component made of a resin sheet that encloses from the outside the connection points between pipes, connection points between pipes and pipe components, or connection points between pipe components, the pipes present at said connection points, or the entire set of pipe components, in piping systems installed above ground, underground, under floors, or in ceiling spaces, thereby temporarily storing fluid leaking or splashing from said connection points, A piping cover characterized in that the aforementioned components include one or more of the following: an eccentric frustoconical element, a curved pipe element of different diameters, or a T-shaped element of different diameters.

2. The eccentric frustoconical element is formed by connecting the ends of a substantially fan-shaped resin sheet, the large diameter opening of the cone is a welded portion with the opening of another element, the small diameter opening of the cone is a pipe insertion port, and the small diameter opening and the large diameter opening are eccentrically arranged, as described in claim 1 for the pipe cover.

3. The T-shaped element of varying diameters is made of a substantially octagonal resin sheet, with two opposing ends for forming a first opening and a second opening, which are welded portions with the openings of other elements including the T-shaped element, and two opposing ends for forming a third opening that opens in a direction perpendicular to the central axes of the first and second openings, and the ends forming the first opening and the ends forming the third opening are connected to each other, thereby forming the first opening (opening diameter R1), the second opening (opening diameter R2), and the third opening (opening diameter R3), and the opening diameters R1, R2, and R3 are all different in size, as described in claim 1 for a pipe cover.

4. The pipe cover according to claim 1, characterized in that the curved pipe element of different diameters is formed by connecting the ends of a resin sheet, the openings at both ends of the curved pipe shape are arranged so that the central axis of one opening intersects with the central axis of the other opening, each opening is a welded portion with the opening of another element including the curved pipe element, and the relationship between the inner diameter R4 of one opening and the inner diameter R5 of the other opening is R4 > R5.

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