Current limiting device

Abstract

To provide a flow control device that can install a flow control body so as to partition a hole portion and other hole portions without increasing the size of a housing or a flow control body more than necessary even when the outer diameter of a fluid pipe or other fluid pipes is large. 【Solution means】The flow control device 1 includes a housing 3 having side body portions 6, 6' that are sealingly attached along the tube axis T0 of the fluid pipe 2 and a main body portion 5 that extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the side body portions 6, 6', and a plug 4 inserted into the main body portion 5 of the housing 3. The main body portion 5 of the housing 3 has at least on its peripheral wall 5a a pair of hole portions 6a, 6a' that communicate with the side body portions 6, 6' and a hole portion 11a of a connection portion 11 connected to the bypass pipe 9. The plug 4 has a packing 43 that partitions one of the pair of hole portions 6a, 6a' from the other hole portion 6a'. The main body portion 5 is provided at a position eccentric with respect to the side body portions 6, 6' toward the hole portion 11a side from the central axis T2 of the side body portions 6, 6'.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a flow control device including a housing having a side body portion mounted in a sealed manner along the central axis of a fluid pipe and a main body portion extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the side body portion, and a flow control fluid inserted into a cut portion of the fluid pipe in the main body portion of the housing.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, when performing work on a part of an existing fluid pipe, etc., a housing having a side body portion mounted in a sealed manner along the central axis of the fluid pipe and a main body portion extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the side body portion, and a flow control fluid inserted into a cut portion of the fluid pipe in the main body portion of the housing are provided at a predetermined location in the flow path to temporarily stop the flow of a fluid such as water or gas, or to control the flow of the fluid such as changing the flow path to a branch pipe connected to the fluid pipe.

[0003] As this type of flow control device, for example, inside a main body portion in which a pair of holes communicating with the side body portion and other holes connected to a branch pipe (another fluid pipe) are formed in the peripheral wall, the fluid pipe is cut without interrupting the flow, and a flow control fluid is inserted into the cut portion of the fluid pipe inside the main body portion to partition the inside of the main body portion, so that the flow path can be changed to a branch pipe connected to the other holes (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 flow control device described in Patent Document 1, when the flow control fluid is inserted into the main body, one of the both side edges of the flow control fluid abuts against a seal seat portion provided between a pair of hole portions on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall of the main body, and the other abuts against a seal seat portion provided between a pair of hole portions and another hole portion on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall of the housing. However, when the outer diameter of a fluid pipe or a branch pipe is large relative to the main body of the housing, the separation distance between a pair of hole portions and another hole portion on the peripheral wall of the main body becomes small, and it may be difficult to secure a space for disposing the seal seat portion. Therefore, it is conceivable to increase the size of the housing. However, not only does the installation work become large-scale, but it is also necessary to increase the size of not only the housing but also the flow control fluid, resulting in a problem of increased manufacturing cost.

[0006] The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a flow control device capable of installing a flow control fluid so as to partition a hole portion and another hole portion without increasing the size of a housing and a flow control fluid more than necessary even when the outer diameter of a fluid pipe or another fluid pipe is large.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the flow control device of the present invention includes a housing having a side body portion sealed and attached along the tube axis of a fluid pipe and a main body portion extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the side body portion, and a flow control fluid inserted into a cut portion of the fluid pipe in the main body portion of the housing. The main body portion has at least a pair of hole portions communicating with the side body portion and another hole portion connected to another fluid pipe on the peripheral wall, and the flow control fluid has a seal portion partitioning one of the pair of hole portions and the other hole portion, and the main body portion is provided at a position eccentric with respect to the side body portion toward the other hole portion side from the central axis of the side body portion. According to this feature, the main body of the housing is attached at a position eccentric to the other hole side with respect to the central axis of the side body attached along the pipe axis of the fluid pipe, so that a wide space for arranging the seal part of the flow control fluid can be secured between the hole part and the other hole part on the peripheral wall of the housing. Therefore, even when the diameters of the fluid pipe and other fluid pipes are large, it is possible to install the flow control fluid without increasing the size of the housing and the flow control fluid more than necessary.

[0008] The main body is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and is characterized in that a hole saw rotatable about a rotation axis substantially concentric with the central axis of the main body can be disposed inside. According to this feature, since the cut end of the fluid pipe is formed along the peripheral wall of the main body, the flow control fluid can be installed in accordance with the central position of the housing.

[0009] A seal seat portion that abuts against the seal portion of the flow control fluid is extended radially from the center of the main body on the inner surface of the bottom wall of the main body. According to this feature, it is easy to arrange the seal seat portion on the inner bottom surface of the main body, and the design and manufacture of the main body can be performed accurately and easily.

[0010] The housing has a split structure that is split along the central axis of the side body. According to this feature, a part of the side body and a part of the main body can be configured as an integral split member.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiment

[0012] The flow control device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 9. In the following description, the upper side of Fig. 1 is the rear of the flow control device, the lower side is the front, the left side is the left, and the right side is the right. Also, the white arrow shown in Fig. 1 indicates the flow direction of the fluid in the pipe.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 1, for example, when constructing a bypass flow path that bypasses a specific area W in a flow path composed of an existing fluid pipe 2 in order to perform removal or repair work on the fluid pipe 2 in the specific area W, first, as shown in Fig. 1(a), the housings 3, 3 of the flow control devices 1, 1 according to the embodiments of the present invention are installed on the pipe portion on the primary side (upstream side) of the specific area W and the pipe portion on the secondary side (downstream side) of the specific area W, and these housings 3, 3 are connected to each other by a bypass pipe 9. Next, as shown in Fig. 1(b), the fluid pipe 2 inside each housing 3, 3 is cut in a non-stop flow state. Then, plugs 4, 4 (see Fig. 7) described later are inserted into the cutting locations of the fluid pipe 2 inside each housing 3, 3 to stop the water flow. As a result, the fluid inside the fluid pipe 2 flows from the flow control device 1 installed on the primary side of the specific area W into the bypass pipe 9 and bypasses the specific area W, and then flows down into the fluid pipe 2 from the flow control device 1 installed on the secondary side, as indicated by the white arrow in Fig. 1(c). Therefore, only the specific area W can be put into a water cut-off state.

[0014] After that, the drain ports 13 (see Fig. 4) provided in the flow control devices 1, 1 are opened, and the fluid inside the fluid pipe 2 in the specific area W is discharged to the outside, enabling removal or repair work on the fluid pipe 2. In this way, only the specific area W can be put into a water cut-off state while keeping the flow path in a non-stop flow state.

[0015] Note that the fluid in the fluid pipe 2 is tap water in this embodiment. However, for example, in addition to industrial water, agricultural water, sewage, etc., it may also be a liquid other than water, or a gas or a gas-liquid mixture of gas and liquid. Further, the fluid pipe 2 is a ductile cast iron pipe and is formed into a straight pipe with a substantially circular cross-section in a sectional view. In this embodiment, the pipeline direction of the fluid pipe 2 is arranged in a substantially horizontal direction. Note that the fluid pipe according to the present invention may also be made of other metals such as cast iron, steel, or made of concrete, vinyl chloride, polyethylene, or polyolefin. Furthermore, the inner peripheral surface of the fluid pipe may be coated with an epoxy resin layer, mortar, plating, etc., or may be coated with an appropriate material on the inner peripheral surface of the fluid pipe by powder coating.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 2(a), (b) and 3, the flow control devices 1, 1 mainly include a housing 3 that externally fits a predetermined portion of the fluid pipe 2 in a sealed manner, and a plug 4 inserted inside the housing 3 and serving as a fluid control body capable of changing the flow path by stopping the water inside the fluid pipe 2. Since the flow control devices 1, 1 are similarly configured, hereinafter, the flow control device 1 installed on the primary side from the specific area W will be described, and the description of the flow control device 1 installed on the secondary side from the specific area W will be omitted.

[0017] [Housing] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the housing 3 is made of steel and mainly includes a main body portion 5 formed in a cylindrical shape with an open upper portion, side body portions 6, 6' protruding in the left-right direction orthogonal to the central axis T1 facing the up-down direction of the main body portion 5 from the left and right sides of the peripheral wall 5a of the main body portion 5 and formed in a cylindrical shape capable of covering the fluid pipe 2, a connection portion 11 protruding forward in the front direction orthogonal to the central axis T1 of the main body portion 5 from the front side of the peripheral wall 5a of the main body portion 5 and formed in a cylindrical shape capable of connecting the bypass pipe 9, and a bottom portion 7 closing the lower opening of the main body portion 5.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2(a), (b), the housing 3 has a split structure that is vertically split into an upper housing 3a and a lower housing 3b as a split T-shaped pipe along the central axis T2 of the side body portions 6, 6'. Specifically, the lower housing 3b is formed in a substantially T shape in a front view by integrating the lower portions of the main body portion 5, the side body portions 6, 6' and the connection portion 11, and can cover the lower portion of the fluid pipe 2. The upper housing 3a is formed in a substantially inverted T shape in a front view by integrating the upper portions of the main body portion 5, the side body portions 6, 6' and the connection portion 11, and can cover the upper portion of the fluid pipe 2. By connecting the lower housing 3b and the upper housing 3a, they are attached in a sealed manner so as to cover a predetermined portion of the fluid pipe 2 from above and below. Also, the axial end portions of the side body portions 6, 6' are externally fitted in a sealed manner, and the housing 3 is fixed to the fluid pipe 2 by the pressing wheels 10, 10.

[0019] Furthermore, the housing 3 may be divided, for example, in the front-rear direction, or may be divided into a predetermined number of three or more parts. Also, in this embodiment, the lower housing 3b and the upper housing 3a are joined in a sealed state by a plurality of fastening members (not shown) consisting of bolts and nuts, but welding or the like may also be used. In addition, although the respective parts constituting the housing 3 and the like are welded to each other, they are not limited to being welded and integrated with each other as in this embodiment, and may be integrally formed by casting or the like.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 4(b), on the left and right sides of the peripheral wall 5a of the main body 5, a pair of holes 6a, 6a' communicating with the side bodies 6, 6' are formed, and on the front side of the peripheral wall 5a, a hole 11a communicating with the connection portion 11 to which the bypass pipe 9 is connected is formed. The inner diameter dimensions L2 of the side bodies 6, 6' and the holes 6a, 6a' are substantially the same as the outer diameter dimension L1 of the fluid pipe 2 (L2≈L1), and the inner diameter dimension L3 of the connection portion 11 and the hole 11a is slightly smaller than the inner diameter dimension L2 of the side bodies 6, 6' and the holes 6a, 6a' (L3 < L2). Also, the inner diameter dimension L5 of the main body 5 of the housing 3 is larger than the outer diameter dimension L1 of the fluid pipe 2 (L5 > L1).

[0021] The main body 5 has a central axis T1 facing the vertical direction, the side bodies 6, 6' have a central axis T2 facing the left-right direction, and the connection portion 11 has a central axis T3 facing the front-rear direction that is substantially orthogonal to the central axis T1 facing the vertical direction and the central axis T2 facing the left-right direction.

[0022] In addition, the main body 5 is provided at a position eccentric to the hole 11a side (front side) of the connection portion 11 with respect to the side bodies 6, 6'. That is, since the central axis T1 of the main body 5 is eccentric to the hole 11a side (front side) of the connection portion 11 with respect to the central axis T2 of the side bodies 6, 6', it does not intersect the central axis T2 of the side bodies 6, 6'. Also, the central axis T3 of the connection portion 11 is substantially orthogonal to both the central axis T1 of the main body 5 and the central axis T2 of the side bodies 6, 6', and extends at the same height position as the central axis T2.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 4(a), a seat portion 8 is provided on the inner surface of the housing 3 so as to project as a steel seal seat portion for receiving a plug 4 inserted through the upper surface opening of the housing 3. As shown in Figs. 4(b) and 5, the seat portion 8 is composed of a horizontal seat portion 8a projecting from the upper surface of the circular bottom portion 7 of the housing 3 in plan view, and vertical seat portions 8b, 8b projecting from the front and rear ends of the horizontal seat portion 8a and projecting from the inner surface of the peripheral wall 5a of the main body portion 5 and extending upward.

[0024] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4(b), the horizontal seat portion 8a of the seat portion 8 extends radially from the front right diagonal side to the rear left diagonal side in plan view so as to partition the inside of the main body portion 5 into a primary side and a secondary side of the flow path, and is formed in a substantially U-shape in plan view. The front end portion of the horizontal seat portion 8a and the vertical seat portion 8b extending upward from the front end portion are disposed in a region E1 between the hole portion 6a' and the hole portion 11a on the secondary side of the peripheral wall 5a of the main body portion 5, and the rear end portion of the horizontal seat portion 8a and the vertical seat portion 8b extending upward from the rear end portion are disposed near the hole portion 6a on the primary side in a region E2 between the hole portion 6a on the primary side and the hole portion 6a' on the secondary side of the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 5a.

[0025] The vertical seat portions 8b, 8b are disposed at positions slightly separated from the hole portions 6a, 6a' in the regions E1, E2, and are arranged so that the horizontal seat portion 8a and the end portions 2H, 2T formed by cutting the fluid pipes 2, 2 do not overlap in plan view as shown in Fig. 4(b).

[0026] Further, the vertical seat portions 8b, 8b are not directly opposed to each other with the center position of the main body portion 5 interposed therebetween, and the horizontal seat portion 8a is formed so as to pass through the center position of the main body portion 5 in plan view and bend slightly at the center position so as to be continuous with these vertical seat portions 8b, 8b. That is, since the horizontal seat portion 8a extends from the center position of the main body portion 5 toward the front and rear regions E1, E2 of the peripheral wall 5a, it can be formed so as to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the vertical seat portions 8b, 8b.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 4(b), a pair of guide portions 14, 14 are provided above and below to guide the plug 4 downward so as to sandwich the vertical seat portions 8b, 8b on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 5a in the circumferential direction. The guide portions 14, 14 protrude in the inner diameter direction from the contact surfaces 8c of the vertical seat portions 8b, 8b, and extend in the vertical direction along the vertical seat portions 8b, 8b at a position slightly separated from the vertical seat portions 8b, 8b in the circumferential direction. Further, drain ports 13, 13 that can be opened and closed are respectively formed on the primary side and the secondary side of the horizontal seat portion 8a at the bottom portion 7 so as to straddle the horizontal seat portion 8a, and by opening them, drainage, swarf, etc. inside the main body portion 5 can be discharged.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 6, the upper surface of the main body portion 5 is open, and a flange 3e protruding in the outer diameter direction is formed at the periphery of the opening. Below the flange 3e on the inner peripheral surface, a seal seat portion 26 is provided to be in sealing contact along the outer peripheral surface of a lid portion 42 (see Fig. 7(b)) of the plug 4 to be described later. Specifically, the seal seat portion 26 is formed of a steel material welded and fixed to the upper portion of the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion 5, and is annularly attached to the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion 5 over the circumferential direction. Note that the contact surface of the seal seat portion 26 is an inclined surface that gradually inclines toward the inner diameter side downward.

[0029] Also, a plurality of cylindrical portions 27 protruding in the outer diameter direction are formed in the circumferential direction at a position above the seal seat portion 26 in the lower part of the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 5 (see Fig. 2(a)). A screw hole is formed inside each cylindrical portion 27, and a fixing pin 28 is screwed in the screw hole in a sealing manner in the radial direction. The fixing pin 28 can be rotated around the axis by a tool or the like from the outside of the cylindrical portion 27 to retract the tip of the fixing pin 28 into the cylindrical portion 27 so that the plug 4 can be inserted, or the tip of the fixing pin 28 can be made to protrude into the main body portion 5 and contact the upper surface of the lid portion 42 to fix the plug 4 (see Fig. 2(b)). Note that the tip of the fixing pin 28 is formed in a tapered shape that tapers toward the inner diameter side.

[0030] [Plug] As shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b), the plug 4 mainly includes a plate-shaped partition wall portion 41 formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape in side view and arranged to partition the inside of the main body portion 5, and a disk-shaped lid portion 42 fixed substantially horizontally above the partition wall portion 41 to close the upper surface opening of the main body portion 5.

[0031] In addition, a packing 43 is provided in a concave groove (not shown) extending across the lower end surface 41a and the front and rear side end surfaces 41b, 41b of the partition wall portion 41, and a packing 44 is fitted in a concave groove (not shown) extending in the circumferential direction on the circumferential end surface 42f of the lid portion 42. These packings 43 and 44 are integrated so as to be continuous and extend along the end surfaces of the plug 4 (the lower end surface 41a of the partition wall portion 41, the side end surfaces 41b, 41b, and the circumferential end surface 42f of the lid portion 42). Incidentally, the lower end surface 41a of the partition wall portion 41 is formed by being slightly bent at the central position in the longitudinal direction so as to follow the horizontal seat portion 8a.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 9(b), the flow path switching surface 41c of the plug 4 is curved so as to be substantially connected to the inner surface of the fluid pipe 2 cut by the cutter 72 along the pipe axis T0 and the inner surface of the connecting portion 11 along the central axis T3. That is, the flow path switching surface 41c has a concave curved surface having a concave portion that curves in the downward flow direction in which the fluid in the pipe flows from upstream to downstream when installed inside the housing 3. Therefore, the flow of the fluid flowing through the pipe is less likely to be disturbed, and fluid resistance is less likely to occur. Accordingly, the load on the plug 4 due to the disturbance of the fluid is small, the sealing property of the plug 4 can be maintained for a long time, and the pressure loss of the fluid can be suppressed.

[0033] In addition, since the partition wall portion 41 is formed so as to fit between the front and rear vertical seat portions 8b, 8b, when the plug 4 is installed inside the housing 3, the inside of the main body portion 5 is partitioned left and right in plan view by the partition wall portion 41, and the upper opening of the housing 3 is closed by the lid portion 42.

[0034] [Plug Insertion Process] Next, with reference to FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b), the process of inserting the plug 4 into the housing 3 in a non-stop flow state will be described.

[0035] First, as shown in Fig. 8(a), by sealingly attaching the side body portions 6, 6' along the pipe axis T0 of the fluid pipe 2, a predetermined portion of the fluid pipe 2 is sealingly covered by the housing 3, and then a shut-off valve device 50 is sealingly connected to the upper end opening of the main body portion 5. By connecting in this way, the central axis T2 of the side body portions 6, 6' substantially coincides with the pipe axis T0 of the fluid pipe 2. The shut-off valve device 50 includes a cylindrical valve box 50a that penetrates in the vertical direction, a valve lid 50b that is formed to protrude rightward with respect to the valve box 50a and is connected to the valve box 50a through a communication port (not shown) formed on the inner peripheral surface, a valve body 50c that is provided so as to be movable substantially horizontally between the valve box 50a and the valve lid 50b, and a seat portion (not shown) serving as a valve seat for receiving the valve body 50c. Incidentally, a seal member (not shown) of the valve body 50c can be closely attached to the seat portion (not shown).

[0036] The valve box 50a is sealingly connected to the upper opening end portion (opening) of the main body portion 5 through a seal member (not shown). Further, at the tip of the valve lid 50b, the end portion of a valve rod (not shown) screwed with the valve body 50c inside the valve lid 50b protrudes, and an operation handle (not shown) is provided at the end portion of this valve rod. By rotating the operation handle to move the valve body 50c between the valve box 50a and the valve lid 50b, the inside of the housing 3 can be opened and closed.

[0037] Next, a cutting device 70 is sealingly connected to the upper opening end portion of the valve box 50a. The cutting device 70 is mainly composed of a mounting flange cylinder 71, a cutter 72 for cutting the fluid pipe 2, a drive motor 74 for rotating the cutter 72 in the mounting flange cylinder 71, and a feed mechanism 73 for advancing and retracting the cutter 72 in the vertical direction. The cutter 72 is formed in a cylindrical shape having an outer diameter dimension L6 larger than the outer diameter dimension L1 of the fluid pipe 2 (L6 > L1), and includes a hole saw 72a provided with a cutting edge along the circumferential direction at its lower end, and a center drill 72b disposed coaxially with the rotation axis 72c of the hole saw 72a and protruding forward from the cutting edge.

[0038] The cutter 72 is disposed such that the central axis of the center drill 72b is concentric with the central axis T1 of the main body 5 of the housing 3, is inserted into the main body 5 from the upper opening end, and can proceed to at least a position penetrating the tube wall of the fluid pipe 2.

[0039] Next, the drive motor 74 of the cutting device 70 rotates the cutter 72 around the rotation shaft 72c, and the cutter 72 is advanced downward by the advance / retreat mechanism 73 to cut the fluid pipe 2 in a non-stop flow state. Further, as shown in FIG. 4(b), since the central axis T1 of the main body 5 is eccentric toward the hole portion 11a side from the central axes T2 of the side bodies 6, 6', the cutter 72 also rotates around the central axis T1 of the main body 5, so that the fluid pipe 2 is cut into a circular shape centered on the central axis T1, and end portions 2H, 2T that are concave in plan view are formed on the fluid pipe 2 cut in this way. Since the outer diameter dimension L6 of the cutter 72 is larger than the outer diameter dimension L1 of the fluid pipe 2, the fluid pipe 2 is completely cut even if the central axis T1 of the main body 5 is eccentric toward the hole portion 11a side from the central axes T2 of the side bodies 6, 6', that is, it is divided in the pipe axis direction. The eccentric dimension is an appropriate eccentric amount that can completely cut the fluid pipe 2 with the cutter 72 and can secure the space of the vertical seat portion 8b.

[0040] When the fluid pipe 2 is cut by the cutter 72, a section (not shown) separated between the end portions 2H, 2T (see FIG. 8(b)) of the fluid pipe 2 is held in the hole saw 72a. Then, the cutter 72 is drawn into the inside of the mounting flange cylinder 71 together with the section (not shown) by the advance / retreat mechanism 73, and the valve body 50c of the partition valve device 50 is moved to the valve box 50a side to close the inside of the housing 3.

[0041] Part of the foreign matter such as chips generated by cutting is discharged by hydraulic pressure together with the in-pipe fluid through the drain ports 13, 13 provided at the lower part of the housing 3 (see FIG. 4), but the rest gradually sinks by gravity over time and falls to and stays at the bottom 7 of the housing 3. The foreign matter staying at the bottom 7 of the housing 3 in this way is discharged to the outside by a discharge device (not shown) attached to the valve box 50a after removing the mounting flange cylinder 71 from the valve box 50a and removing the cutting device 70.

[0042] Next, a plug installation process of installing a plug 4 as a control fluid in the housing 3 is performed. As shown in FIG. 8(b), first, with the partition valve device 50 closed, a cylindrical member 90a is hermetically connected to the upper side of the valve box 50a. Next, a hole (not shown) formed in the upper part of the housing 3 and a hole (not shown) formed in the lower part of the cylindrical member 90a are connected by a connecting pipe (not shown) to communicate the inside of the housing 3 and the inside of the cylindrical member 90a. While venting air from an air vent valve (not shown) provided in the upper part of the cylindrical member 90a, the housing 3 is filled with fluid. After applying a water pressure substantially the same as that in the fluid pipe 2 in the cylindrical member 90a to check for leaks, it is confirmed that the air in the cylindrical member 90a has escaped, and the air vent valve (not shown) is closed. Next, with the inside of the housing 3 and the inside of the cylindrical member 90a at substantially the same pressure, the valve body 50c is opened, and the drive mechanism 90b of the insertion device 90 is operated to lower the plug 4.

[0043] The plug 4 that has entered the housing 3 has its partition wall portion 41 smoothly inserted downward by the guide portions 14, 14. Almost simultaneously when the packing 43 at the lower end of the partition wall portion 41 is crimped to the horizontal seat portion 8a, the front and rear packings 43, 43 are crimped to the vertical seat portions 8b, 8b, and the packing 44 of the lid portion 42 is crimped to the inner peripheral surface of the seal seat portion 26. In this way, when the plug 4 is installed at a predetermined position, the upper opening of the housing 3 is hermetically closed by the lid portion 42, and the partition wall portion 41 partitions and stops the water between the end portions 2H, 2T of the fluid pipe 2 inside the housing 3 (see FIG. 2(b)).

[0044] After installing the plug 4 at a predetermined installation position, as shown in FIG. 2(b), a plurality of fixing pins 28 arranged in the circumferential direction of the main body portion 5 are advanced to the inner diameter side of the main body portion 5 and brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the lid portion 42. Thereby, since the lid portion 42 is locked by the fixing pins 28 to restrict the upward movement of the lid portion 42 and hold it at a predetermined installation position, the plug 4 is prevented from deviating from the housing 3.

[0045] After that, as shown in FIG. 8(b), an air vent valve (not shown) provided in the cylindrical member 90a is opened to check whether the packings 43 and 44 of the plug 4 can stop water, and then the insertion device 90 and the partition valve device 50 are removed from the housing 3.

[0046] Then, as shown in FIG. 2(b), the main body lid 30 is placed on the upper part of the housing 3 from above the lid part 42, and the flange 3e of the main body part 5 and the main body lid 30 are fastened by a plurality of fastening members 95 composed of bolts and nuts to be hermetically connected, thereby completing the installation of the plug 4.

[0047] By installing the plug 4 so as to partition the inside of the housing 3, as shown in FIG. 9(b), the fluid is divided into the primary side and the secondary side of the plug 4, and the fluid on the primary side of the plug 4 inside the housing 3 can flow out from the hole part 11a to the connection part 11.

[0048] Here, as a conventional example of the housing 3A shown in FIG. 9(a), the central axis T1 in the vertical direction of the main body part 5 is orthogonally attached to the central axis T2 in the left-right direction of the side body parts 6 and 6' in a sealed manner to the fluid pipe 2. In such a housing 3A, when the inner diameter dimension L2 of the hole parts 6a and 6a' is larger than the radius dimension of the inner diameter dimension L5 of the main body part 5 (L2 > L5÷2), and the inner diameter dimension L3 of the hole part 11a of the connection part 11 is close to the inner diameter dimension L2 of the hole parts 6a and 6a' of the side body parts 6 and 6', the regions E1A and E1A between the hole parts 6a and 6a' and the hole part 11a in the peripheral wall 5a become small, and it becomes difficult to secure a space for arranging the vertical seat part 8b. Also, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 9(a), even if the vertical seat part 8b can be arranged, since a part of the end part 2T of the fluid pipe 2 cut above the vertical seat part 8b enters, it becomes difficult to arrange the partition wall part 41.

[0049] In this case, by reducing the inner diameter dimension L3 of the connection part 11 to make it smaller and more compact, the circumferential length of the regions E1A and E1A between the hole parts 6a and 6a' and the hole part 11a in the peripheral wall 5a increases. However, since the inner diameter dimension L3 of the bypass pipe 9 becomes smaller, pressure loss occurs in the bypass flow path. Also, if the connection part 11 and the hole part 11a are moved closer to either of the hole parts 6a and 6a', the circumferential lengths of the left and right regions E1A and E1A will be different, making it difficult to use the same housing 3 for the primary side and the secondary side of the specific area W.

[0050] Further, by increasing the inner diameter dimension L5 of the main body part 5 to make it larger and more bulky, the circumferential length of the regions E1A and E1A between the hole parts 6a and 6a' and the hole part 11a in the peripheral wall 5a increases. However, not only does the installation work of the housing 3 become more extensive, but not only the housing 3 but also the plug 4 needs to be enlarged, resulting in a problem of increased manufacturing cost.

[0051] Therefore, as in the housing 3 of the present embodiment shown in Fig. 9(b), by providing the main body part 5 at a position eccentric to the hole part 11a side of the connection part 11 with respect to the side body parts 6 and 6' from the central axis T2 of the side body parts 6 and 6', it is possible to increase the circumferential length of the region E1 between the hole parts 6a and 6a' and the hole part 11a in the peripheral wall 5a without reducing the inner diameter dimension L3 of the connection part 11 or enlarging the housing 3 and the plug 4 more than necessary. As a result, a space for arranging the vertical seat part 8b can be secured, and as shown in the enlarged view of Fig. 9(b), since the vertical seat part 8b can be separated from the hole part 6a', the partition wall part 41 can be arranged so as not to contact the end part 2T of the fluid pipe 2.

[0052] [Function and Effect] As described above, in the flow control device 1 as an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a housing 3 having side body portions 6, 6' that are sealingly attached along the tube axis T0 of the fluid tube 2 and a main body portion 5 that extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the side body portions 6, 6', and a plug 4 as a fluid control body that is inserted between the end portions 2H, 2T of the fluid tube 2 within the main body portion 5 of the housing 3. The main body portion 5 of the housing 3 has at least on its peripheral wall 5a a pair of holes 6a, 6a' that communicate with the side body portions 6, 6' and a hole 11a of a connection portion 11 that is connected to a bypass tube 9 as another fluid tube. The plug 4 has a packing 43 as a seal portion that partitions one of the pair of holes 6a, 6a' from the other hole 6a'. The main body portion 5 is provided at a position eccentric toward the hole 11a side from the central axis T2 of the side body portions 6, 6' with respect to the side body portions 6, 6'.

[0053] According to this, since the main body portion 5 of the housing 3 is attached at a position eccentric toward the hole 11a side from the central axis T2 of the side body portions 6, 6' that are attached along the tube axis T0 of the fluid tube 2, a wide area E1 for arranging the packing 43 of the plug 4 can be secured between the holes 6a, 6a' and the other hole 11a in the peripheral wall 5a of the housing 3. Therefore, even when the outer diameter dimensions of the fluid tube 2 and the bypass tube 9 are large, it is possible to install the plug 4 without making the housing 3 and the plug 4 larger than necessary.

[0054] In addition, in this embodiment, a form is exemplified in which the inner diameter dimension L3 of the connection portion 11 is formed to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter dimension L2 of the side body portions 6, 6'. However, by making the inner diameter dimension L3 of the connection portion 11 substantially the same as the inner diameter dimension L2 of the side body portions 6, 6', the pressure loss in the bypass tube 9 can be suppressed, and the side body portions 6, 6' and the connection portion 11 having a large inner diameter dimension with respect to the main body portion 5 can be connected. In other words, while suppressing the pressure loss in the bypass tube 9 by making the inner diameter dimension L3 of the connection portion 11 substantially the same as the inner diameter dimension L2 of the side body portions 6, 6', it is possible to minimize the main body portion 5 as much as possible.

[0055] Furthermore, in the present invention, the inner diameter dimension L3 of the connecting portion 11 may be formed to be smaller than the inner diameter dimension L2 of the side barrel portions 6, 6' (L3 < L2), may be formed to have substantially the same dimension as the inner diameter dimension L2 of the side barrel portions 6, 6' (L3 ≒ L2), or may be formed to be larger than the inner diameter dimension L2 of the side barrel portions 6, 6' (L3 > L2). In any of these cases, the same operations and effects as those of the present invention can be achieved.

[0056] Also, when the inner diameter dimension L3 of the connecting portion 11 is formed to have a dimension different from the inner diameter dimension L2 of the side barrel portions 6, 6', the plug 4 is arranged such that the flow path switching surface 41c is substantially connected to at least one of the inner surface of the connecting portion 11 along the central axis T3 and the inner surface of the fluid pipe 2 cut by the cutter 72 along the pipe axis T0, thereby suppressing the pressure loss of the fluid.

[0057] In addition, the main body portion 5 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a hole saw 72a that can rotate about a rotation axis substantially concentric with the central axis T1 of the main body portion 5 is disposed inside. As a result, the end portions 2H, 2T of the fluid pipe 2 are formed in an arc shape along the peripheral wall 5a of the main body portion 5 (see FIG. 9(b)), making it easier to install the plug 4 at the central position of the housing 3.

[0058] Moreover, a horizontal seating portion 8a against which the packing 43 of the plug 4 abuts is extended in the radial direction from the center of the main body portion 5 on the upper surface of the bottom portion 7 of the main body portion 5. This makes it easy to dispose the horizontal seating portion 8a on the upper surface of the bottom portion 7 of the main body portion 5, and enables the design and manufacture of the main body portion 5 to be performed accurately and easily.

[0059] Specifically, when the inner diameter dimensions L2 of the side body parts 6, 6' and the inner diameter dimension L3 of the connecting part 11 are smaller than the inner diameter dimension L5 of the main body part 5, the circumferential length of the region E1 becomes relatively large, so the vertical seat parts 8b, 8b can be arranged opposite to each other with the central axis T1 of the main body part 5 interposed therebetween. However, when the inner diameter dimensions L2 of the side body parts 6, 6' and the inner diameter dimension L3 of the connecting part 11 are larger than the inner diameter dimension L5 of the main body part 5, it becomes difficult to arrange the vertical seat parts 8b, 8b opposite to each other with the central axis T1 of the main body part 5 interposed therebetween. Even in such a case, the horizontal seat part 8a extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the vertical seat parts 8b, 8b. Then, by forming the lower end surface 41a of the partition wall part 41 of the plug 4 along the horizontal seat part 8a, the packing 43 on the side end surfaces 41b, 41b of the partition wall part 41 can be pressed against the vertical seat parts 8b, 8b in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto, so that the sealing effect can be enhanced.

[0060] Also, as shown in FIG. 2(b), the housing 3 has a split structure that is split vertically along the central axis T2 of the side body parts 6, 6', so that a part of the side body parts 6, 6' and a part of the main body part 5 can be configured as an integral split member.

[0061] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and modifications and additions within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

[0062] For example, in the above embodiment, as an example of a fluid control body capable of controlling the flow of fluid, a form in which a plug 4 (stop valve) is applied is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the fluid control body may be a valve body such as a partition valve, a switching valve, or a butterfly valve that can open and close a flow path. Further, the partition valve may have a partition wall part 41, or may be provided with a valve body capable of switching a flow path on the partition wall part 41. Further, the partition wall part 41 is not limited to having a curved flow path switching surface 41c as in the above embodiment, and may have a flat plate-shaped flow path switching surface.

[0063] In the above-described embodiment, as an example of the seal portion of the flow control fluid, a form in which packings 43, 43 provided on the side end surfaces 41b, 41b of the plug 4 which is a valve body are applied was illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in the case of a switching valve in which the flow control fluid can switch the flow path by a valve box and a valve body rotatably accommodated in the valve box, like the flow control device 1A as a modified example shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the seal portion provided in the valve box may partition one of the pair of hole portions from the other hole portion.

[0064] Hereinafter, the flow control device 1A as a modified example will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. In FIGS. 10 and 11, the same components and parts as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0065] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the switching valve 80 as the flow control fluid in the flow control device 1A mainly includes a valve box 81 disposed in the main body portion 5 of the housing 3, a valve body 82 rotatably provided in the valve box 81, vertical rotation shafts 83a, 83b that rotatably support the upper and lower portions of the valve body 82 with respect to the valve box 81, and a drive device 84 capable of driving the rotation shafts 83a, 83b.

[0066] The valve box 81 is formed in a cylindrical shape having an outer diameter dimension smaller than the inner diameter dimension L5 (see FIG. 4(b)) of the main body portion 5 of the housing 3 and the outer diameter dimension L6 (see FIG. 4(b)) of the hole saw 72a, and is disposed so as to be concentric with the main body portion 5. Since the rotation shafts 83a, 83b are rotatably disposed about the axis so as to be concentric with the central axis T1 of the main body portion 5 and the central axis of the valve box 81, they are eccentric toward the hole portion 11a side from the central axis T2 of the side body portions 6, 6'.

[0067] As shown in Fig. 11, openings 81c, 81d, and 81e are formed at positions corresponding to the holes 6a, 6a', and 11a in the peripheral wall 81a of the valve box 81, and the valve body 82 can selectively block each of the openings 81c, 81d, and 81e. In Fig. 11, by closing the opening 81c with the valve body 82, the other openings 81d and 81e are in an open state, and a flow path is formed by the connection part 11 and the secondary-side fluid pipe 2.

[0068] Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 81a of the valve box 81, a plurality of protrusions 85a, 85b, and 85c extending in the vertical direction project outward in the outer diameter direction. Packings 86 as seal parts are provided on the tip surfaces of the protrusions 85a, 85b, and 85c and are in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 81a. The protrusion 85a is arranged between the holes 6a and 11a, the protrusion 85b is arranged between the holes 6a' and 11a, and the protrusion 85c is arranged between the holes 6a and 6a'. Thus, the space between the main body part 5 and the valve box 81 is partitioned by the protrusions 85a, 85b, and 85c.

[0069] Thus, in the case of the switching valve 80, the packings 86 as seal parts provided on the tip surfaces of the protrusions 85a and 85b of the valve box 81 are respectively arranged between the holes 6a and 11a and between the holes 6a' and 11a in the peripheral wall 81a. However, since the main body part 5 is provided at a position eccentric to the hole 11a side with respect to the central axis T2 of the side body parts 6 and 6' with respect to the side body parts 6 and 6', the packings 86 on the tip surfaces of the protrusions 85a and 85b can be in close contact with the regions E1 and E1.

[0070] Also, in the above embodiment, the side body parts 6 and 6' are exemplified in a form formed in a tubular shape that is hermetically attached so as to cover the fluid pipe 2 along the pipe axis T0 of the fluid pipe 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be configured by a connection pipe or the like having a receiving port or insertion port capable of connecting the end of the fluid pipe 2. Also, the axial length dimension of the side body parts 6 and 6' is arbitrary and can be variously changed.

[0071] In the above embodiment, as an example of another fluid pipe, a form in which a bypass pipe 9 constituting a bypass flow path in a specific area W and a connection portion 11 connected to the bypass pipe 9 are applied was exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a branch pipe or the like extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the fluid pipe 2 may be applied.

[0072] In the above embodiment, as an example of another hole portion connected to another fluid pipe, a form in which the hole portion 11a of the connection portion 11 is applied was exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a separate hole portion connected to another fluid pipe may be formed at a position facing the hole portion 11a on the peripheral wall 5a of the main body portion 5. That is, two or more other hole portions may be formed in the main body portion 5.

[0073] In the above embodiment, the central axes T2 of the side body portions 6, 6' substantially coinciding with the pipe axis T0 of the fluid pipe 2 extend in the left - right direction, the central axis T1 of the main body portion 5 extends in the up - down direction, and the central axis T3 of the connection portion 11 extends in the front - rear direction. However, if the central axis T1 of the main body portion 5 is eccentric toward the connection portion 11 side more than the central axis T2 of the side body portions 6, 6', the directions of the respective central axes T1 to T3 are arbitrary. For example, the central axis T1 of the main body portion 5 may extend in the front - rear direction, and the central axis T3 of the connection portion 11 may extend in the up - down direction.

[0074] In the above embodiment, a form in which the central axis T3 of the connection portion 11 is substantially orthogonal to the central axis T1 of the main body portion 5 was exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the central axis T3 of the connection portion 11 may be eccentric to either side of the hole portions 6a, 6a' with respect to the central axis T1 of the main body portion 5. Further, a form in which the central axis T3 of the connection portion 11 is substantially orthogonal to the central axis T2 of the side body portions 6, 6' was exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the central axis T3 of the connection portion 11 may be eccentric to either the upper or lower side with respect to the central axis T2 of the side body portions 6, 6'.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the main body 5 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and an example is given in which a hole saw 72a that can rotate about a rotation axis substantially concentric with the central axis T1 of the main body 5 can be disposed inside. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the shape of the main body can be arbitrary and may be a rectangular tube shape. Further, the rotation axis 72c of the hole saw 72a may be eccentric with respect to the central axis T1 of the main body 5. Furthermore, the fluid pipe 2 may be cut by a cutting device other than a hole saw (for example, a chain cutter).

[0076] In the above embodiment, an example is given in which the cutting process of the fluid pipe 2 and the installation process of the plug 4 as a fluid control body into the housing 3 are performed in a non-stop flow state. However, the cutting process and the installation process may be performed in a water cut-off state.

[0077] In the above embodiment, an example is given in which the housing 3 has a split structure divided vertically. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the side body of the housing can be inserted into the cut end of the fluid pipe and attached in a sealed manner after cutting a predetermined portion of the fluid pipe in a water cut-off state, it does not necessarily have to have a split structure as in the above embodiment.

[0078] In the above embodiment, an example is given in which the horizontal seat portion 8a and the vertical seat portions 8b, 8b as seal seat portions with which the seal portion of the fluid control body abuts are formed so as to protrude inward with respect to the upper surface of the bottom portion 7 of the main body 5 and the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 5a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the seal seat portion does not necessarily have to protrude from the inner surface of the main body. Further, it may be recessed from the inner surface of the main body.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0079] 1, 1A Fluid control device 2 Fluid pipe 2H, 2T Ends 3, 3A Housing 3a Upper housing 3b Lower housing 4 Plug (fluid control body) 5 Main body 5a Peripheral wall 6, 6’ Side body Hole portions 6a and 6a' Seat portion 8 Horizontal seat portion 8a (sealing seat portion) Vertical seat portion 8b Contact surface 8c Bypass pipe 9 (other fluid pipe) Connection portion 11 Hole portion 11a (other hole portion) Sealing seat portion 26 Main body cover 30 Partition wall portion 41 Lower end surface 41a Side end surface 41b Flow path switching surface 41c Cover portion 42 Peripheral end surface 42f Packings 43 and 44 (sealing portions) Partition valve device 50 Cutting device 70 Hole saw 72a Switching valve (control fluid) 80 Valve box 81 Peripheral wall 81a Valve body 82 Protrusions 85a to 85c Packing 86 (sealing portion) Insertion device 90 Regions E1 and E2 Region E1A Pipe axis T0 Central axes T1 to T3

Claims

1. A flow control device comprising: a housing having a side body portion attached in a sealed manner along a pipe axis of a fluid pipe and a main body portion extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the side body portion; and a flow control device inserted into a cut portion of the fluid pipe within the main body portion of the housing, The main body has at least a pair of holes communicating with the side body and another hole connected to another fluid pipe on a peripheral wall, the fluid control portion has a seal portion that separates one of the pair of holes from the other hole, a flow control device characterized in that the main body portion is provided at a position eccentric to the other hole portion side of the central axis of the side body portion, is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a hole saw rotatable about an axis of rotation substantially concentric with the central axis of the main body portion can be disposed therein.

2. 2. The flow control device according to claim 1, wherein a seal seat that abuts against the seal portion of the flow control device is provided on an inner surface of a bottom wall of the main body, extending radially from a center of the main body.

3. The flow restrictor according to claim 1 , wherein the housing has a divided structure that is divided along a central axis of the side body portion.

4. The housing further has a connection portion communicating with the other hole portion and connected to the other fluid pipe, The flow control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fluid control device has a flow path switching surface that is curved so as to approximately connect to an inner surface of the fluid pipe along the pipe axis and an inner surface of the connection portion along the central axis of the connection portion.

5. A flow control device as described in Claim 4, characterized in that the flow path switching surface is formed as a concave curved surface having a recess that curves toward the downstream flow direction of the fluid in the pipe.

Images