Sealing method

Abstract

To provide a seal method capable of reliably fixing a seal plug device mounted to an opening part of a branch joint to prevent leakage of fluid due to aging displacement and external force, and capable of supporting even high pressure.SOLUTION: A seal method has the steps of: mounting a branch opening 2 of a conduit pipe 1, and a seal plug device 10 to an opening part communicating with the branch opening 2; and covering a remaining part of a branch joint with a resin-made protective plug 20 for protecting the seal plug device 10. Also, the seal plug device 10 comprises a screwing part 11 and a ring part 13. The screwing part 11 is screwed with a portion to be screwed. An outer diameter Ra of the protective plug 20 is larger than an inner diameter of the opening part. A fusion part 21 provided on the protective plug 20 and a fused part provided on the remaining part are fused together, and a surplus fusion resin B of the protective plug 20 flows into a gap part V between the seal plug device 10 and the protective plug 20, so that the seal plug device 10 and the protective plug 20 are integrated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sealing method, specifically to a sealing method for sealing an opening of a resin branch joint. [Background technology]

[0002] Fluid (e.g. gas, water) piping is arranged in such a way that a branch pipe branches off from a conduit buried under a road via a branch joint, and this branch pipe is then routed to the destination of demand. This branch pipe may no longer be in use due to circumstances at the destination of demand. In this case, the branch source is sealed off and the unused branch pipe is removed.

[0003] Recently, a method for removing a resin branch joint attached to a conduit has been known (for example, Patent Document 1). This method is based on the premise that the work is performed in a situation where a pressurized fluid is sealed inside the conduit, and therefore, first, a temporary plug that temporarily seals the fluid during the work is inserted into the branch joint, and then the branch joint is cut. Next, a process is performed in which the inner circumferential surface of the remaining part of the branch joint that is revealed by cutting the branch joint and the outer circumferential surface of a sealing plug device made of a lid member are heated and melted. This fuses the sealing plug device and the remaining part of the branch joint, providing a method for removing a branch joint without the risk of fluid leaking. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-112067 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the above-mentioned construction method can only handle low-pressure (e.g., 2.5 kPa or less) conduits due to the structure of the temporary plug and the conditions of the fusion method of the sealing plug device. In addition, in high-pressure (e.g., 0.3 MPa or less) conduits, the temporary plug cannot be attached and the fluid cannot be temporarily sealed, and the sealing plug device cannot be fused and completely sealed. Even if the sealing plug device is screw-fitted like a conventional branch joint (e.g., a bypass saddle) instead of fusion, there is a risk that the sealing plug device may move, deform, or break due to aging or external force, especially in high-pressure resin conduits. For example, as an example of external force, the lid member may be damaged by construction work. If the sealing plug device moves, deforms, or breaks, there is a risk that fluids such as gas and water may leak. For these reasons, there has been a demand for a sealing construction method that can prevent fluid leakage due to aging or external force by reliably fixing the sealing plug device attached to the opening of the branch joint, and can also handle high pressure.

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a sealing method that can prevent fluid leakage due to displacement over time or external forces by securely fixing a sealing plug device attached to the opening of a branch joint, and can also handle high pressures. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve such problems, the sealing method of the present invention is a sealing method for sealing an opening of a resin branch joint attached to a resin conduit, and includes the steps of: attaching a sealing plug device made of the same resin as the branch joint to the branch opening of the conduit and the opening communicating with the branch opening; and covering the remaining part of the sealing plug device after the branch joint is cut off with a protective plug made of the same resin as the sealing plug device to protect the sealing plug device. a step of attaching a plug to an air vent hole formed in the protective plug;the sealing plug device has an outer periphery which is provided with a helical screw-type portion and a ring portion which prevents leakage of fluid flowing into the pipeline of the conduit, the sealing plug device seals the opening by screwing the screw-type portion into a screwed portion provided around the opening, the outer diameter of the protective plug is larger than the inner diameter of the opening, the fusion portion provided on the protective plug and the fusion portion provided on the remaining portion of the branch joint are fused together, and excess fused resin of the protective plug flows into a gap between the sealing plug device and the protective plug, thereby integrating the sealing plug device and the protective plug.

[0008] In addition, in the sealing method of the present invention, the fused portion is formed by cutting the screwed portion while the sealing plug device is screwed into the branch joint to a predetermined position. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, by securely fixing a sealing plug device attached to the opening of a branch joint, it is possible to prevent fluid leakage due to displacement over time or external forces, and to provide a sealing method that can withstand high pressures. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a manner in which a branch joint is attached to a conduit. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an external view of the sealing plug device and the protective plug. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the process of attaching the protective plug. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the fusion of a service tee and a protective plug. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing the fusion of the bypass saddle and the protective plug. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0012] (Attachment of branch joint to conduit 1) A manner in which a branch joint is attached to a conduit 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. In this embodiment, a service tee 3 and a bypass saddle 7 will be described as an example of a branch joint.

[0013] (Attachment of the service tee 3 to the conduit 1) First, the manner in which the service tee 3 is attached to the conduit 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1(A), the conduit 1 is made of resin and is hollow, and is provided with a pipe 1a into which fluids such as gas and water flow. The conduit 1 is also provided with a branch opening 2, and a service tee 3 for branching off a branch pipe is fused above the branch opening 2. The service tee 3 is made of the same resin as the conduit 1.

[0015] Here, the service tee 3 is provided with an external threaded portion 3a, and the cap 5 is screwed onto the service tee 3 by screwing this external threaded portion 3a into an internal threaded portion 5a that is screwed onto the cap 5.

[0016] The service tee 3 is provided with an opening 3b. Here, the opening 3b communicates with the branch opening 2, and these are closed by a temporary plug 4. This temporary plug 4 prevents leakage of fluids such as gas and water flowing into the pipeline 1a.

[0017] The service tee 3 is provided with a helical screw-fitted portion 6 into which a sealing plug device 10, which will be described later, is screwed.

[0018] (Attachment of bypass saddle 7 to conduit 1) Next, the manner in which the bypass saddle 7 is attached to the conduit 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0019] 1(B), a bypass saddle 7 for temporarily branching off another conduit for use is fused to the conduit 1. The bypass saddle 7 is provided with an external saddle thread 7a, which is threadedly connected to an internal saddle thread 8a of a saddle cap 8, whereby the saddle cap 8 is threadedly connected to the bypass saddle 7. The bypass saddle 7 is made of the same resin as the conduit 1.

[0020] The bypass saddle 7 is provided with a saddle opening 7b. Here, the saddle opening 7b communicates with the branch opening 2, and these are closed by a temporary plug 4. This temporary plug 4 prevents leakage of fluids such as gas and water flowing into the pipeline 1a.

[0021] The bypass saddle 7 is provided with a spiral-shaped saddle screw-fitted portion 9 into which a sealing plug device 10 (described later) is screwed.

[0022] (External view of sealing device 10) Next, the sealing device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0023] The sealing plug device 10 is made of the same resin as the branch joint, and is attached when sealing the opening of the branch joint (specifically, the opening 3b and the saddle opening 7b). Specifically, a helical screwing portion 11 is provided on the outer periphery of the sealing plug device 10, and the screwing portion 11 is screwed into the screwed portion 6, whereby the sealing plug device 10 is screwed into the service tee 3 (more specifically, the service tee remaining portion 3d described later). Also, the screwing portion 11 is screwed into the saddle screwed portion 9, whereby the sealing plug device 10 is screwed into the bypass saddle 7 (more specifically, the bypass saddle remaining portion 7c described later). As a result, the branch opening 2 and the opening 3b and the saddle opening 7b communicating with the branch opening 2 are blocked, and leakage of the fluid flowing into the pipeline 1a is prevented.

[0024] An insertion hole 12 into which a jig is inserted is formed in the center of the sealing plug device 10. Here, the shape of the insertion hole 12 is hexagonal, but it may have any shape as long as the jig can be inserted and the sealing plug device 10 can be rotated.

[0025] A ring portion 13 made of rubber is attached to the outer periphery of the sealing plug device 10. This ring portion 13 prevents leakage of the fluid flowing into the pipeline 1a.

[0026] (External view of protective plug 20) Next, the protective plug 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0027] The protective plug 20 is formed of the same resin as the branch joint and the sealing plug device 10, and is intended to cover the sealing plug device 10. Here, a fusion part 21 is provided on the outer periphery of the protective plug 20 to be fused to a fusion part 6a of the service tee 3 described later and a saddle fusion part 9a of the bypass saddle 7 described later. The protective plug 20 is fused to the service tee 3 (more specifically, the remaining part 3d of the service tee described later) by fusing the fusion part 21 to the fusion part 6a described later. In addition, the protective plug 20 is fused to the bypass saddle 7 (more specifically, the remaining part 7c of the bypass saddle described later) by fusing the fusion part 21 to the fusion part 9a of the saddle described later. An air vent hole 22 is drilled in the approximate center of the protective plug 20.

[0028] (How to install the protective plug 20) Next, a method for attaching the protective plug 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0029] (Method of attaching protective plug 20 to remaining service tee portion 3d) First, a method of attaching protective plug 20 to remaining service tee portion 3d left after service tee 3 is cut off will be described with reference to FIG.

[0030] As a premise, the process of attaching the protective plug 20 to the remaining service tee portion 3d is performed after the process of removing the temporary plug 4 using a specified jig and then attaching the sealing plug device 10, and the process of cutting the branch portion 3c.

[0031] The method of attaching the protective plug 20 to the service tee remaining portion 3d is realized by carrying out the following first to fifth steps in order.

[0032] 3(A), in the first step, the cutting unit 33 is attached to the main unit 31, and a cutting tool is used to cut the threaded portion 6 of the service tee remaining portion 3d. Specifically, the height of the threaded portion 6 is higher than the height of the sealing plug device 10, and the threaded portion 6 on the service tee remaining portion 3d above the sealing plug device 10 that has been threaded to a predetermined position is cut to form the fused portion 6a.

[0033] 3(B), in the second step, the protective plug 20 is attached to the centering unit 32, and the centering unit 32 with the protective plug 20 attached is attached to the main unit 31. At this time, it is advisable to clean the fused portion 21 of the protective plug 20 and the fused portion 6a.

[0034] 3(C), in the third step, the heated heater unit is attached to the main unit 31. Then, the centering unit 32 is pushed in until the protective plug 20 enters the heater unit .

[0035] As shown in Fig. 3(D), in the fourth step, the centering unit 32 is lifted and the heater unit 34 is removed. Then, the centering unit 32 is pushed down for a predetermined time and left to cool for a predetermined time. This causes the fusion portion 21 and the fusion target portion 6a to be fused together. Also, the protective plug 20 is fitted onto the remaining service tee portion 3d from above the sealing plug device 10.

[0036] 3(E), in the fifth step, the centering unit 32 is removed, a leakage test is performed using foaming fluid, and then the plug 35 is attached to the air bleed hole 22. By attaching this plug 35 to the air bleed hole 22, the intrusion of foreign matter such as dust is prevented.

[0037] (Method of attaching protective plug 20 to remaining bypass saddle portion 7c) Next, a method of attaching the protective plug 20 to the remaining bypass saddle portion 7c that remains after the bypass saddle 7 is cut will be described with reference to FIG.

[0038] As a premise, the step of attaching the protective plug 20 to the bypass saddle remnant 7c is performed after the step of attaching the sealing plug device 10 after squeezing the other conduits, and the step of cutting the bypass saddle 7. This method of attaching the protective plug 20 to the bypass saddle remnant 7c is realized by performing the following first to fifth steps in order.

[0039] 3(A), in the first step, the cutting unit 33 is attached to the main unit 31, and a cutting tool is used to cut the saddle screwed portion 9 of the bypass saddle remainder 7c. Specifically, the height of the saddle screwed portion 9 is higher than the height of the sealing plug device 10, and the saddle fused portion 9a is formed by cutting the saddle screwed portion 9 on the bypass saddle remainder 7c above the sealing plug device 10 that has been screwed to a predetermined position.

[0040] 3(B), in the second step, the protective plug 20 is attached to the centering unit 32, and the centering unit 32 with the protective plug 20 attached is attached to the main unit 31. At this time, it is advisable to clean the fused portion 21 of the protective plug 20 and the fused portion 9a of the saddle.

[0041] 3(C), in the third step, the heated heater unit is attached to the main unit 31. Then, the centering unit 32 is pushed in until the protective plug 20 enters the heater unit .

[0042] As shown in Fig. 3(D), in the fourth step, the centering unit 32 is lifted and the heater unit 34 is removed. Then, the centering unit 32 is pushed down for a predetermined time and left for a predetermined time to cool. This causes the fusion portion 21 and the fusion saddle portion 9a to be fused together. Also, the protective plug 20 is fitted onto the remaining bypass saddle portion 7c from above the sealing plug device 10.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3(E), in the fifth step, the centering unit 32 is removed, a leakage test is performed using foaming fluid, and then the plug 35 is attached to the air bleed hole 22.

[0044] (Fusing of service tee 3 and protective plug 20) Next, the fusion of the service tee 3 and the protective plug 20 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0045] Fig. 4(A) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the sealing plug device 10 and the protective plug 20 before they are fused together. Here, as shown in Fig. 4(A), the outer diameter Ra of the protective plug 20 is larger than the inner diameter Rb of the opening 3b. This is because fused excess resin B is generated when the protective plug 20 is fused to the service tee 3.

[0046] In addition, the portion of the screwed portion 6 that is screwed into the screwing portion 11 has a helical shape. On the other hand, the portion of the screwed portion 6 above the sealing plug device 10 that is screwed into it is cut, and a fused portion 6a is formed in the remaining portion 3d of the service tee.

[0047] When the protective plug 20 and the service tee 3 are melted, fused excess resin B is generated. This fused excess resin B flows in the direction of the arrow Y, and flows into the gap V between the sealing plug device 10 and the protective plug 20.

[0048] Fig. 4(B) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the sealing plug device 10 and the protective plug 20 after they have been fused together. In Fig. 4(B), the fused portions are indicated by dashed lines.

[0049] 4(B), by melting the fused portion 6a and the fused portion 21, the remaining service tee portion 3d and the protective plug 20 are fused together. In addition, the fused excess resin B that has flowed into the gap portion V is fixed, so that the upper surface of the sealing plug device 10 and the bottom surface of the protective plug 20 are fused together and integrated.

[0050] As a result, the service tee remaining portion 3d and the protective plug 20 are fused to each other, and the sealing plug device 10 and the protective plug 20 are fused to each other to become one unit, thereby improving the rigidity of the sealing plug device 10 and enabling the sealing plug device 10 to be securely fixed.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 4(B), when the plug 35 is attached to the air vent hole 22, the bottom surface of the plug 35 comes into contact with the sealing plug device 10.

[0052] (Fusing of bypass saddle 7 and protective plug 20) Next, the fusion of the bypass saddle 7 and the protective plug 20 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0053] Fig. 5(A) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the sealing plug device 10 and the protective plug 20 before they are fused together. Here, as shown in Fig. 5(A), the outer diameter Ra of the protective plug 20 is larger than the inner diameter Rc of the saddle opening 7b. This is because fused excess resin B is generated when the protective plug 20 is fused to the bypass saddle 7.

[0054] In addition, the portion of the saddle fusion portion 9a that is screwed into the screw-engaging portion 11 has a helical shape. On the other hand, the portion of the saddle fusion portion 9a above the screwed sealing plug device 10 is cut, and the saddle fusion portion 9a is formed in the bypass saddle remaining portion 7c.

[0055] When the protective plug 20 and the bypass saddle 7 are melted, fused excess resin B is generated. This fused excess resin B flows in the direction of arrow Y, and thus flows into the gap V between the sealing plug device 10 and the protective plug 20.

[0056] Fig. 5(B) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the sealing plug device 10 and the protective plug 20 after they have been fused together. In Fig. 5(B), the fused portions are indicated by dashed lines.

[0057] 5(B), the bypass saddle remaining portion 7c is fused to the protective plug 20 by melting the fused saddle portion 9a and the fused portion 21. Furthermore, the fused excess resin B that has flowed into the gap portion V is fixed, so that the upper surface of the sealing plug device 10 and the bottom surface of the protective plug 20 are fused and integrated with each other.

[0058] As a result, the bypass saddle remainder 7c and the protective plug 20 are fused to each other, and the sealing plug device 10 and the protective plug 20 are fused to each other to become one unit, thereby improving the rigidity of the sealing plug device 10 and enabling the sealing plug device 10 to be securely fixed.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 4(B), when the plug 35 is attached to the air vent hole 22, the bottom surface of the plug 35 comes into contact with the sealing plug device 10.

[0060] (Other embodiments) Other embodiments will be described below.

[0061] In the above-described embodiment, the opening 3b of the service tee 3 and the saddle opening 7b of the bypass saddle 7 are covered with the sealing plug device 10 and the protective plug 20, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the sealing plug device 10 may be attached to the end of the conduit 1, and then the protective plug 20 may be fused. In this case, the end of the conduit 1 needs to have a threaded portion.

[0062] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the protective plug 20 is installed vertically, but this is not limited to this, and for example, the protective plug 20 may have a tapered shape that expands and contracts from the top surface to the bottom surface.

[0063] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the service tee 3 and the bypass saddle 7 are described as examples of branch joints, but this is not limited to these, and a saddle for connecting the conduit 1 to another conduit may also be applied.

[0064] Thus, according to the sealing method of the present invention, the sealing plug device 10 includes a screw portion 11 and a ring portion 13. The screw portion 11 is screwed into the screwed portion (screwed portion 6, saddle screwed portion 9) of the branch joint (service tee 3, bypass saddle 7). This firmly fixes the sealing plug device 10 and the branch joint, so that the sealing method, which was previously only applicable when the pressure of the fluid flowing into the pipeline 1a was low (2.5 kPa or less), can now be used even at high pressures (0.3 MPa).

[0065] The outer diameter Ra of the protective plug 20 is larger than the inner diameter of the opening of the branch joint (for example, the inner diameter Rb of the opening 3b and the inner diameter Rc of the saddle opening 7b). When the protective plug 20 and the remaining part of the branch joint (for example, the service tee remaining part 3d and the bypass saddle remaining part 7c) are melted, the protective plug 20 and the remaining part of the branch joint are fused together. When the protective plug 20 and the remaining part are melted, fused excess resin B is generated, and this fused excess resin B flows into the gap part V, and the fused excess resin B that has flowed in is fixed, so that the sealing plug device 10 and the protective plug 20 are fused together and integrated. This improves the rigidity of the sealing plug device 10, so that the sealing plug device 10 can be reliably fixed to the remaining part of the branch joint.

[0066] As a result, it is possible to provide a sealing method which prevents fluid leakage due to aging or external forces and is also capable of withstanding high pressures.

[0067] Furthermore, according to the sealing method of the present invention, with the sealing plug device 10 and the branch joint screwed together, the screwed portion (e.g., the screwed portion 6, the saddle screwed portion 9) is cut by the cutting unit 33 to form the fused portion (e.g., the fused portion 6a, the saddle fused portion 9a). This makes it easier to fuse the fused portion 21 to the fused portion. It also makes it possible to prevent the molten excess resin B from clogging the groove of the screwed portion 6.

[0068] (First Invention) The first invention is a sealing method for sealing an opening (e.g., opening 3b, saddle opening 7b) of a resin branch joint (e.g., service tee 3, bypass saddle 7) attached to a resin conduit (e.g., conduit 1), comprising the steps of: attaching a sealing plug device (e.g., sealing plug device 10) made of the same resin as the branch joint to a branch opening (e.g., branch opening 2) of the conduit and the opening communicating with the branch opening; and covering a remaining portion (e.g., service tee remaining portion 3d, bypass saddle remaining portion 7c) on the sealing plug device from which the branch joint has been cut with a protective plug (e.g., protective plug 20) made of the same resin as the sealing plug device to protect the sealing plug device. The sealing plug device has a spiral-shaped screw portion (e.g., screw portion 11) on an outer periphery thereof, and a screw portion (e.g., screw portion 22) of the conduit. and a ring portion (e.g., ring portion 13) that prevents leakage of fluid flowing into a passage (e.g., pipeline 1a), the sealing plug device seals the opening by screwing the screw portion into a screwed portion (e.g., screwed portion 6, saddle screwed portion 9) provided around the opening, the outer diameter of the protective plug is larger than the inner diameter of the opening, a fusion portion (e.g., fusion portion 21) provided on the protective plug and a fusion portion (e.g., fusion portion 6a, saddle fusion portion 9a) provided on the remaining portion of the branch joint are fused together, and fused excess resin of the protective plug (e.g., fused excess resin B) flows into a gap (e.g., gap V) between the sealing plug device and the protective plug, thereby integrating the sealing plug device and the protective plug.

[0069] (Second Invention) In the second invention, the fusion portion is formed by cutting the screwed portion while the sealing plug device is screwed to a predetermined position on the branch joint.

[0070] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments and modifications are merely examples and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1 conduit 1a conduit 2 Branching Aperture 3 Service Team 3a External thread 3b opening 3c Branch 3d service chi remaining 4 Temporary plug 5 Cap 5a Inner thread 6 Threaded part 6a Part to be fused 7 Bypass Saddle 7a Saddle outer screw part 7b Saddle opening 7c Bypass saddle remainder 8 Saddle Cap 8a Saddle internal thread 9 Saddle screwed part 9a Saddle fusion part 10. Sealing device 11 Threaded joint 12 Insertion hole 13 Ring section 20 Guard plug 21 Fusion part 22 Air vent hole 31 Main unit 32 Centering unit 33 Cutting unit 34 Heater unit 35 Plug B Excess fusion resin Ra Outer diameter of protective plug Rb Inner diameter of opening Rc Inner diameter of saddle opening V void area

Claims

1. A sealing method for sealing an opening of a resin branch joint attached to a resin conduit, comprising: a step of attaching a sealing plug device formed of the same resin as the branch joint to the branch opening of the conduit and the opening communicating with the branch opening; a step of covering the remaining portion of the sealing plug device after the branch joint is cut off with a protective plug made of the same resin as the sealing plug device to protect the sealing plug device; a step of attaching a plug to an air vent hole formed in the protective plug; having The sealing plug device has an outer periphery, A helical screw portion; a ring portion for preventing leakage of fluid flowing into the conduit; There is a system in place, The sealing plug device is The opening is sealed by screwing the screw portion into a screwed portion provided around the opening, The protective plug has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the opening, A sealing method characterized in that a fusion portion provided on the protective plug and a fusion portion provided on the remaining part of the branch joint are fused together, and excess fused resin of the protective plug flows into a gap between the sealing plug device and the protective plug, thereby integrating the sealing plug device and the protective plug.

2. The fused portion is The sealing method according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing plug device is formed by cutting the screwed portion in a state in which the sealing plug device is screwed into the branch joint to a predetermined position.

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