Machine for wrapping a geotextile strip around a pipe
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/EP2026/058542
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2025-04-14
- Filing Date
- 2026-03-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-10-22
Smart Images
Figure EP2026058542_22102026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Machine for wrapping geotextile tape onto a water or gas supply pipe and implementation method
[0002] Technical field of the invention
[0003] The present invention relates to the field of manufacturing water or gas supply pipes, of the Polyethylene PE or High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) type, which are equipped with a protective geotextile layer.
[0004] State of the art
[0005] PE and HDPE pipes are widely used for underground water and gas supply lines. Generally, this type of installation involves excavating a trench, which is then partially backfilled with a layer of sand to encase a PE or HDPE pipe for protection. This very common method has the drawback of being quite costly, as it requires the following steps:
[0006] - An opening in the trench,
[0007] - A partial removal of fill corresponding to the subsequent addition of sand;
[0008] - Laying a bed of sand to support the pipe; - Adding another layer of sand to encase the pipe; and closing the trench
[0009] This process therefore involves the cost of supplying sand, along with the cost of removing backfill.
[0010] An alternative method is now emerging, which consists of simply opening a trench and then partially or completely using the excavated backfill (ELY09 wo 1), which is then screened if necessary to create a protective layer around the pipeline. While perhaps less aesthetically pleasing, this method is certainly less expensive. The PE or HDPE pipe is then further protected with a thick layer of geotextile fabric, providing additional mechanical protection and preventing damage from any hard spots or sharp elements present in the backfill used as the protective layer.
[0011] To implement this alternative method, a geotextile tape is typically wrapped around a pipe on the construction site. The pipe is held in place by means of a twisted wire, itself wrapped around the geotextile tape, which is then properly secured to the pipe before the whole assembly is buried at the bottom of the trench.
[0012] This implementation process is complex to carry out and also requires specific operators and equipment on site.
[0013] It would therefore be desirable to have a device and a process allowing automated wrapping, on the production site, to produce a pipeline tube which, from the manufacturing stage, includes a protective sleeve based on a significant thickness of geotextile.
[0014] This is the technical problem that the present invention addresses.
[0015] Description of the invention
[0016] The present invention aims to provide a method for wrapping a pipe tube using a relatively thick geotextile tape or film, in order to create an effective protective covering which allows the tube to be buried within a trench with a cover made from in-situ backfill, which is less expensive to implement.
[0017] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device for wrapping a PE or HDPE type tube using a thick ELY09 wo geotextile tape which is permanently welded onto the same tube, without damaging the latter.
[0018] A third objective of the present invention is to provide a PE or HDPE type pipe tube comprising a relatively thick protective furring strip and a tracer wire facilitating its geolocation once buried underground.
[0019] A fourth objective of the present invention is to achieve a method of wrapping a pipeline tube using a relatively thick geotextile tape / film which can be automated and implemented directly on a production site.
[0020] The invention achieves these goals by means of an on-site wrapping device for a pipeline pipe, comprising:
[0021] - a frame supporting a reel including a heat-weldable geotextile tape intended to form a protective furring strip for the tube;
[0022] - a power supply for a pipeline tube conveyed by means of stop and guide elements to an ultrasonic welding unit;
[0023] - a wrapping device comprising:
[0024] • a first semi-cylindrical element fixedly positioned on a frame and which has a curved hollow surface designed to receive the tube and to guide it.
[0025] • a second semi-cylindrical element movable in rotation on a first edge of the first semi-cylindrical element (42) so as to be able to partially close the internal volume of the first element and to delimit an internal volume in which the tube will engage;
[0026] • a third semi-cylindrical element that can rotate on a second edge of the first semi-cylindrical element, so as to be able to complete the closure of the internal volume of the first element and to allow, subsidiarily, for the locking of all three semi-cylindrical elements;
[0027] ELY09 wo 3• in which, once locked, said assembly forms a complete guiding system for said heat-sealable tape, enabling:
[0028] - on the one hand, the passage of the tube inside said internal volume; and
[0029] - on the other hand, the passage of the heat-sealable tape sandwiched between the first semi-cylindrical element and the second and third elements respectively, resulting in a winding of the heat-sealable tape around the tube with an extra thickness located on the upper part of the latter;
[0030] - a welding unit into which said tube with its fur enters, said welding unit comprising an ultrasonic welding wheel enabling the excess thickness of heat-sealable tape located on the upper face of the tube to be melted in order to thermally seal said fur.
[0031] In a particular embodiment, the welding unit includes a spring-mounted guide tunnel comprising two half-cylinders that act as a sleeve for the tube and its heat-sealable tape, and are movable along a vertical axis to maintain constant pressure on the tube and its sleeve as they advance towards the welding wheel. The support tunnel is designed to accommodate the thicknesses and excess thickness of said ultrasonically weldable heat-sensitive tape;
[0032] The welding unit then includes an ultrasonic welding wheel sized to ensure the welding of at least two layers and preferably four layers of heat-sealable tape. More specifically, the welding wheel is mounted on a cylinder allowing its vertical movement to compensate for the extra thickness and is also associated with an additional stop mechanism to limit the movement and prevent damaging contact with the tube.
[0033] Finally, the welding unit includes an air cooling device comprising at least four nozzles to cool the molten heat-sealable tape sufficiently quickly and ensure sufficient rigidity at the outlet of the welding unit.
[0034] ELY09 wo 4 Description of the drawings
[0035] Other features, purposes, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings, which are given by way of non-limiting example only. Regarding the accompanying drawings:
[0036] Figure 1 illustrates a top view of a general architecture of a complete device for wrapping a geotextile tape around a pipe.
[0037] Figure 2 illustrates another top view showing a partial winding of the geotextile around the tube before it enters the welding device.
[0038] Figure 3 illustrates a third view in which the tube exits the welding device.
[0039] Figure 4 is a rear perspective of the entire device.
[0040] Figures 5 and 6 are front views of this same device.
[0041] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the wrapping device located at the outlet of the conveying device 20.
[0042] Figure 8 is a front perspective showing the offset axis 25, the reel 30 and the terminal part of the conveying device 20 bringing the geotextile tape 11 to the entrance of the wrapping device 40.
[0043] Figures 9 and 10 are perspectives showing the detail of the offset roller 24 operating a first change of direction of the geotextile tape.
[0044] Figure 11 shows the respective positions of the conveying device 20, at the level of the two offset rollers 24 and 25 and the pipeline tube 101.
[0045] ELY09 wo 5 Figure 12 is a top-view perspective showing the double 45-degree change of direction of conveyor device 20.
[0046] Figure 13 shows the detail of the device at the level of the second offset roller 25 allowing the geotextile tape 11 to be aligned with the axis of the tube 101.
[0047] Figure 14 is a front view showing the arrival of the geotextile tape in the wrapping device 40, then in the welding unit 200.
[0048] Figures 15 and 17 illustrate the positioning of the reel 30 for supplying tracer wire 31.
[0049] Figure 16 illustrates the detail of the stop and guide element 130 comprising a ring for the passage of the tracer wire 31.
[0050] Figure 18 is a rear perspective showing the tube 101 passing through the stop and guide elements 120 and 130, before entering the wrapping device 40.
[0051] Figure 19 is a top view of the perspective of Figure 18.
[0052] Figure 20 shows the guidance of the tube 101 within the stop and guide element 130.
[0053] Figure 21 illustrates the detail of the tracer wire passage ring 31.
[0054] Figures 22 to 28 illustrate various perspective views of the wrapping device 40.
[0055] Figures 29, 30 and 32 illustrate tunnel 210 inside welding unit 200.
[0056] Figure 31 illustrates the detail of the cooling nozzles 231-234 of the sonotrode roller of the welding unit 200.
[0057] ELY09 wo 6 Figure 33 shows the tube 101 exiting the welding unit, and guided in the stop and guide element 140 preventing it from overheating.
[0058] Figure 34 is another perspective view of the exit of the welding unit 200 with the tube 101 being held in the stop and guide element 140.
[0059] Figures 35, 36 and 37 illustrate the detail of the wrapping device 40.
[0060] Figures 38 to 45 illustrate the closing and locking phases of the wrapping device 40.
[0061] Description of a preferred embodiment
[0062] Figures 1 to 3 illustrate top views of a complete on-site wrapping device for a pipeline pipe 101 using a geotextile tape or film 11 in order to form a relatively rigid protective sleeve which, after welding / gluing, forms effective protection for the pipe when it is installed on the construction site, buried in a trench.
[0063] The device comprises a frame (not shown in Figures 1-3, but visible in Figures 4 and following) on which is mounted a reel 10 containing a heat-sealable geotextile tape / film several millimeters thick, sized to provide adequate protection for the pipe once buried at the bottom of a trench and encased in in-situ backfill. The width of the geotextile tape is designed to ensure complete wrapping around the perimeter of the pipe, with a slight partial overlap to provide a sealing surface on the upper part of the pipe.
[0064] The reel 10 is mounted in rotation on the frame - visible in figure 4 - in order to allow the unwinding of a length of geotextile tape 11 of up to 200 meters or more, which is then sent to a conveying unit 20.
[0065] The conveying unit 20 includes a support platform for conveying the geotextile tape 11 in order to bring it, after a double change of direction illustrated by the two arrows visible in bold on figure 1, to the entrance of a wrapping device 40 ensuring proper winding of the geotextile tape around the tube in order to allow its subsequent welding on its upper edge within a welding unit 200 which will be described later.
[0066] In practice, in a particular embodiment, the conveying unit includes at least three guide rods 21, 22 and 23 perpendicular to the x-x' axis, which ensure the conveying and guidance of the geotextile tape along this x-x' axis to a first offset roller 24 - presenting an angle of 45° with the x-x' axis and which operates, when the geotextile tape 11 winds around it, a first change of direction of 90° (positive trigonometric direction) of the path of the geotextile tape 11 along the y-y' direction. The path of the geotextile tape 11 then continues along the y-y' axis until it reaches a second offset roller 25, which is at a 45° angle to the y-y' axis. As it winds around this second roller, the geotextile tape 11 undergoes another 90° change of direction (positive trigonometric direction) and is once again parallel to the x'-x axis.
[0067] The conveying unit 20 also includes a fourth guide rod 26 which supports and guides the geotextile tape 11 to the entrance of a wrapping device 40, which will be described later. Finally, it should be noted that the conveying unit 20 also includes claws / pins 27, visible along the edge of the tape in various figures, particularly in Figures 5, 7, 8, and 9, which are regularly spaced and whose purpose is to complete the guidance of the geotextile tape 11 along the conveying path while ensuring the dissipation of differential stresses.
[0068] The device also includes a pipe feed unit, which could be, for example, the outlet of a PE or HDPE pipe 101 production line 100, a process well known to anyone skilled in the art. At the outlet of this unit 100, the PE pipe 101 advances and passes through a number of stop and guide elements, respectively 110, 120, 130, and 140 in Figure 1, which will be described later, so as to present the pipe, once twice
[0069] ELY09 wo 8 change of direction operated by rollers 24-25, precisely in the middle of the geotextile ribbon 11 and along its x'-x axis.
[0070] The device also includes, as seen in Figures 4 and 5, a tracer wire reel 30 for unwinding a tracer wire 31 which can be combined with the tube 101, at the level of the stop and guide element 120 having a ring or passage ring for the tracer wire 31, before the assembly is wrapped with geotextile tape at the wrapping device 40. The tracer wire 31 has the function of allowing the passage of an electric current generating a magnetic field detectable from the surface and ensuring the location of the buried tube by means of suitable devices which are not part of the present invention.
[0071] Figure 1 illustrates the top view of the complete device, with a PE 101 tube having just come out of the production unit 100 and not yet having been brought closer to the midpoint of the second offset roller 25.
[0072] Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the device in which the PE tube 101 has advanced to pass the stop and guide element 120 and is presented with its tracer wire 31 at the entrance of the wrapping device 40. As can be seen in Figure 2, the geotextile tape 11 gradually wraps around the tube 101 thanks to the wrapping device 40 which will be described in more detail in relation to Figures 37 to 44.
[0073] Figures 4 to 21 illustrate various perspective views showing details of the conveying device 20 ensuring the path of the geotextile tape 11 from the reel 10 to the entrance of the wrapping device.
[0074] Figure 4 is a rear perspective of the entire conveying device, while figures 5 and 6 show the latter from a front perspective.
[0075] ELY09 wo 9 Figure 7 shows the positioning of the wrapping device 40 located at the exit of the conveying device 20 comprising the two successive changes of direction.
[0076] Figures 9 and 10 focus more specifically on the first offset roller 24 while Figure 11 also shows the arrangement of the second offset roller causing the second 45-degree change of direction of the geotextile tape, so as to bring it parallel to the tube 101 at the exit of the plastic tube 101 manufacturing line.
[0077] Figure 12 illustrates the double change of direction at successive 45 degrees.
[0078] Figure 13 shows the cascade of the three stop and guide elements 110-120-130 allowing the tube 101 to be brought parallel to the path axis of the geotextile tape 11 following the second change of direction operated by the offset roller 25.
[0079] Figure 14 is a view, along the x-x' axis, of the tube 101 passing through the stop and guide elements 120 and 130, with its tracer wire 31, and entering the wrapping device 40 allowing the progressive winding of the geotextile tape 11 around the tube by positioning a double thickness on the upper line as will be seen later.
[0080] Figures 15 and 17 illustrate the positioning of the reel 30 for supplying tracer wire 31 as the tube 101 progresses.
[0081] Figure 16 illustrates the structure of each of the stop and guide elements 110, 120, and 130. As can be seen, the stop and guide element 120 comprises four rollers: two horizontal rollers 131 / 132 (upper and lower) and two vertical rollers 133 / 134 (left and right), which serve as support, stop, and guide for the tube 101. A ring fixed to the element 120 is also shown, serving as a passage for the tracer wire 31 to guide it towards the tube 101 before it is wrapped by the tape.
[0082] ELY09 wo 10 geotextile 11 within the wrapping device 40. The stop and guide elements 110, 130 and 140 have a structure similar to that of element 120.
[0083] Figure 18 is a rear view showing the unwinding of the tracer wire 31 which engages in a ring positioned on the stop and guide element 130, so as to ensure the guidance of the tracer wire along the tube 101 until it is wrapped by the geotextile tape 11 at the wrapping device 40.
[0084] Figure 19 illustrates a top view showing the output of the tube production unit 101, with detail of the stop and guide elements 120 and 130 as well as the tracer wire passage ring 31.
[0085] Figure 20 further illustrates the guidance of tube 101 within the stop and guide element 130, with its two horizontal and two vertical rollers. The guide ring for the tracer wire 31 is also visible.
[0086] Figure 21 illustrates the detail of the tracer wire passage ring 31.
[0087] The wrapping device 40 is now described in relation to figures 22 to 28, which consists of three semi-cylindrical elements with a common axis x-x' and whose diameter increases in the manner of a funnel as one approaches the welding unit 200.
[0088] As shown in the illustrations of Figures 35 and following, the wrapping device 40 comprises a first semi-cylindrical element 41 fixedly positioned on a frame 47. The cylindrical element has a curved, recessed surface designed to receive and guide the PE tube 101. The two opposite upper edges of the element 41 each have two hinge elements – 48 and 49 respectively – forming two axes of rotation parallel to the x-x' axis.
[0089] ELY09 wo 11The device 40 further comprises a second semi-cylindrical element 42 which is movable in rotation on a first edge of the element 41 by means of the hinge elements 48, so as to be able to partially close the internal volume of the first element 41 in the manner of a lid and to delimit an internal volume into which the tube 101 will engage, as can be seen with figure 37.
[0090] The device 40 then includes a third semi-cylindrical element 43 which is movable in rotation on a second edge of the element 41 around the second axis delimited by the hinge elements 49 so as to be able to complete the closure of the internal volume of the first element, as illustrated in figures 38 to 45 and to allow, subsidiarily, the assembly to be locked by means of a locking device which allows the second and third elements 42 and 43 to be rigidly assembled in order to firmly lock the internal volume delimited previously.
[0091] In a particular embodiment, the locking device which keeps the set of three semi-cylindrical elements 41-43 closed comprises the following elements visible in figures 36 and 37:
[0092] - a threaded rod 44 with a tapped knurled knob fixed on the second semi-cylindrical element 42 and movable in rotation around the x-x' axis on this second element 42;
[0093] A claw 45 located on the third semi-cylindrical element 43 is designed to receive the end of the threaded rod, and specifically the threaded knob mentioned previously. Once in the closed position, the threaded knob can be screwed or unscrewed, and the locking mechanism of the assembly composed of elements 41-43 can be tightened or loosened depending on the thickness of the geotextile tape 11. Figures 38 to 45 illustrate the different phases of this locking of the three semi-cylindrical elements.
[0094] Once the three semi-cylindrical elements are in the closed and locked position, the assembly forms a complete guiding system allowing:
[0095] ELY09 wo 12- On the one hand, the passage of the tube 101 and its tracer wire 31 inside the internal volume mentioned above, and delimited by the first and second semi-cylindrical elements 41 and 42,
[0096] - On the other hand, the passage of the geotextile ribbon 11 sandwiched between the first semi-cylindrical element 41 and the second and third elements 42 and 43 respectively, as can be seen in figures 23-28, results in a perfect winding of the geotextile ribbon around the tube, with an extra thickness located on the upper generatrix parallel to the x'x axis.
[0097] Figure 23 illustrates the wrapping of the tube 101, with its tracer wire 31, by the geotextile tape 11, inside the wrapping device 40 composed of the three half-cylinders 41, 42 and 43.
[0098] Figure 24 shows the progressive winding of the geotextile tape around the tube thanks to the combined action of the three half-cylinders 41-43. Upon exiting the wrapping device 40, the tube 101 is completely wrapped by the geotextile tape 11 and advances towards the inlet of the welding unit 200. In a preferred embodiment, a gap of approximately 80 cm is provided between the outlet of the device 40 and the inlet of the welding unit 200. This advantageously allows, at the beginning of the production line, the geotextile tape 11 to be secured to the tube 101 using adhesive tape or any other suitable means. Once this securing is achieved over this 80 cm distance, the process can continue, and the controlled advance of the tube 101 carries the geotextile tape 11 into the welding unit 200.
[0099] Figures 25 to 28 illustrate a detail of this progressive winding of the geotextile tape 11 around the tube made between the stop and guide element 120 and the entrance of the wrapping device 40. It will be noted in particular that, in order to compensate for the differential tensions that may appear on the geotextile tape 11, some retaining pins are slid onto the edge of the geotextile tape 11, on the right and left along the path y-y'.
[0100] ELY09 wo 13We now describe in relation to figures 29 to 31 the welding unit 200 into which the tube enters, accompanied by its tracer wire, and the whole wrapped by the geotextile tape 11 with its overthickness on the upper generatrix of the upper face.
[0101] The 200 welding unit comprises three elements:
[0102] Firstly, a spring-mounted guide tunnel 210 (figure 32) comprising two half-cylinders serving as a sleeve for the tube and its geotextile tape, and movable in translation along a vertical axis in order to maintain constant pressure on the tube and its fur as they advance within the welding unit 200.
[0103] The holding tunnel is designed to adapt to the thicknesses and overthicknesses of the geotextile by allowing the tube and its fur to engage inside the welding unit 200 until they are presented to an ultrasonic welding wheel 220 (sonotrode) shown in Figure 31.
[0104] In a preferred embodiment, the support tunnel is designed so as to be able to compensate for up to four thicknesses of geotextile tape 11. Thanks to this arrangement, several lengths of geotextile tape can be joined together to achieve, for example, from two reels of 170 meters each, a single pipe tube comprising a sock of a length of 340 meters.
[0105] This compensation for the number of extra thicknesses is therefore particularly advantageous.
[0106] Secondly, as shown in Figure 31, an ultrasonic sonotrode wheel 220 is positioned to provide significant heating power to weld two, or even three or four, layers of geotextile tape. It should be noted that the invention allows for the on-site production of a heating unit based on a particularly efficient ultrasonic sonotrode wheel, which would be impossible to implement on a
[0107] ELY09 wo 14chantier, and which allows a geotextile heat-weldable tape with a thickness of four to five millimeters to be brought into the welding phase.
[0108] In a preferred embodiment, the sonotrode wheel is mounted on a jack, allowing vertical movement of the sonotrode to compensate for any excess thickness in the geotextile tape. The jack assembly is supplemented by an additional stop mechanism that limits the jack's action to prevent it from bringing the sonotrode into contact with the PE 101 pipe and causing it to melt prematurely.
[0109] Thirdly, the welding unit 200 includes an air cooling device 230 comprising four nozzles 231-234, of which two nozzles 231-232 are arranged on the left side of the tube and the other two nozzles 233-234 are arranged on the right side of the same tube. The cooling device operates downstream of the welding performed by the sonotrode wheel so as to rapidly cool the molten geotextile and ensure sufficient rigidity at the outlet of the welding unit.
[0110] The inventors noted that the most significant results were obtained when the tube's advancement speed was less than 2 meters per minute, and preferably at a speed of 1.2 - 1.5 meters per minute.
[0111] At the exit of the welding unit, the device includes a final stop and guide element 140 which is positioned so as to ensure that the tube itself never touches the sonotrode 220 in order to prevent the PE or HDPE material from melting unintentionally.
[0112] As can be seen, the 200 welding unit allows for the creation of a particularly thick reinforcement, as it can fuse several layers (up to four) of a geotextile tape with a thickness of 4 to 5 mm. This extremely important result—impossible to achieve on a construction site—makes it possible to produce a PE or HDPE pipeline with a thick reinforcement, providing significant mechanical protection that would be virtually impossible to achieve directly by welding.
[0113] ELY09 wo 15At the output of the welding unit 200, a final stop and guide element 140 is advantageously provided, which ensures a dual function:
[0114] - On the one hand, maintaining sufficient pressure on the previously molten surface to preserve it for as long as possible from mechanical stresses and to avoid accidental tearing; and - Serving as a stop for the PE or HDPE tube to prevent the latter from touching the sonotrode and melting.
[0115] Figures 38 to 45 illustrate different steps in closing and locking the wrapping device 40.
[0116] ELY09 wo 16
Claims
Demands 1. On-site wrapping device for a pipeline pipe (101) comprising: - a frame supporting a reel (10) comprising a heat-weldable geotextile tape (11) intended to form a protective furring strip for said pipe (101); a supply source (100) for said pipe (101) conveyed by means of stop and guide elements (110, 120, 130) to an ultrasonic welding unit (200); - a wrapping device (40) comprising: • a first semi-cylindrical element (41) fixedly positioned on a frame and having a curved hollow surface, intended to receive said tube (101) and to ensure its guidance. • a second semi-cylindrical element (42) rotatably movable on a first edge of said first semi-cylindrical element (42) so as to be able to partially close the internal volume of said first semi-cylindrical element (41) and to delimit an internal volume into which said tube (101) will be inserted; • a third semi-cylindrical element (43) rotatably movable on a second edge of said first semi-cylindrical element (41), so as to be able to complete the closure of the internal volume of said first element and to allow, subsidiarily, the locking of the whole of the three semi-cylindrical elements (41, 42, 43) • in which, once locked, said assembly forms a complete guiding system for said heat-sealable tape (11) enabling: • On the one hand, the passage of said tube (101) inside said internal volume; and • On the other hand, the passage of the heat-sealable tape (11) sandwiched between said first semi-cylindrical element (41) and the second and third elements (42, 43) respectively, resulting in a perfect winding of said heat-sealable tape (11) around the tube (101) forming a protective fur, with an extra thickness located on the upper part of said tube; - a welding unit (200) into which said tube (101) with its fur enters, said welding unit comprising an ultrasonic welding wheel allowing the extra thickness of heat-sealable tape (11) ELY09 wo 17 located on the upper face of the tube (101) to thermally seal said fur.
2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that said welding unit (200) comprises: - a spring-mounted guide tunnel (210) comprising two half-cylinders serving as a support on said furring strip for said tube (101) and its heat-weldable tape (11), and movable along a vertical axis in order to maintain constant pressure on the tube (101) and said furring strip as they advance towards said welding wheel; in which said support tunnel is designed to accommodate the thicknesses and overthicknesses of said ultrasonically weldable heat-sensitive tape (sonotrode). - An ultrasonic welding wheel (220) dimensioned to ensure the welding of at least two layers and preferably four layers of said heat-sealable tape; In which said welding wheel (220) is mounted on a jack allowing vertical movement of the latter in order to compensate for overthicknesses and also associated with an additional stop mechanism to limit the movement to avoid damaging approach of said tube (101); - an air cooling device (230) comprising at least four nozzles (231-234) to cool the molten heat-sealable tape (11) sufficiently quickly and ensure sufficient rigidity at the output of the welding unit (200).
3. Device according to claim 2 characterized in that it comprises, at the outlet of said welding unit (200), a stop and guide element (130) ensuring: - on the one hand, the maintenance of sufficient pressure on the still molten surface to preserve it for as long as possible from mechanical stresses and to prevent untimely tearing of said heat-sealable tape; and - on the other hand, a stop to prevent the said tube (101) from coming too close to the said welding wheel and to prevent the latter from heating up unintentionally.
4. Device according to claim 3 characterized in that it comprises a tracing wire supply (30, 31) allowing insertion, inside the ELY09 wo 18fur made by the said heat-weldable tape, an electric tracing wire allowing to geolocate the tube (101) of pipeline buried underground.
5. Device according to claim 4 characterized in that it comprises a conveying unit (20) having a support plate for conveying said heat-sealable tape (11) in order to bring it, after a double change of direction, to the entrance of said wrapping device (40); - in which the conveying unit (20) comprises at least three guide rods (21, 22, 23) perpendicular to a first conveying direction (x-x') ensuring the conveying and guidance of said heat-sealable tape to a first offset roller (24) having an angle of 45° with said first direction and which operates, when said heat-sealable tape (11) winds around it, a first change of direction of 90° along a second direction perpendicular (y-y') to the first direction (x-x'), - in which the path along said second direction continues until a second offset roller (25) which has an angle of 45° with said second direction so that by winding around said second offset roller (25), said heat-sealable tape sees a new change of direction at 90° and brings it back parallel to said first direction (x'-x) until the entrance of said wrapping device.
6. Device according to claim 5 characterized in that the locking device of said wrapping device (40) comprises the following elements: a threaded rod having a tapped knurled knob fixed on the second semi-cylindrical element (42) and movable in rotation around an axis parallel to said second element (42); a claw located on the third semi-cylindrical element (43) designed to receive the end of the threaded rod, and specifically said threaded knurled wheel; In which, once in the closed position, the threaded knob can be screwed or unscrewed, and the assembly lock can be tightened or loosened. ELY09 wo 197. Device according to claim 6 characterized in that the advancement of the tube within the device is fixed at a value less than 7 meters per minute and preferably between 1.2 and 1.5 meters per minute.
8. Device according to claim 7 characterized in that said pipe tube (101) is a PE or HDPE tube and that said heat-sealable tape is a geotextile tape.
9. On-site wrapping process for a pipeline pipe comprising: - to provide a frame supporting a reel (10) with a heat-sealable tape (11) intended to form a protective sleeve for said pipe - to provide a power source (100) for a pipeline tube (101) conveyed by means of stop and guide elements (110, 120, 130) to an ultrasonic welding unit; - to provide a wrapping device (40) comprising: • a first semi-cylindrical element (41) fixedly positioned on a frame and having a curved hollow surface, intended to receive said tube and to ensure its guidance. • a second semi-cylindrical element (42) movable in rotation on a first edge of said first semi-cylindrical element (42) so as to be able to partially close the internal volume of said first semi-cylindrical element (41) and to delimit an internal volume in which said tube (101) will engage • a third semi-cylindrical element (43) movable in rotation on a second edge of said first semi-cylindrical element (41), so as to be able to complete the closure of the internal volume of said first element and to allow, subsidiarily, to achieve a locking of the whole of the three semi-cylindrical elements (41, 42, 43) • in which, once locked, said assembly forms a complete guiding system for said heat-sealable tape, enabling: • On the one hand, the passage of said tube (101) inside said internal volume; and • On the other hand, the passage of the geotextile tape (11) sandwiched between said first semi-cylindrical element (41) and the second and third elements ELY09 wo 20(42,43) respectively, to achieve a perfect winding of said heat-sealable tape around the tube forming a protective fur, with an extra thickness located on the upper part of said tube; - to provide a 200 welding unit into which said tube with said furring strip enters, said welding unit comprising an ultrasonic welding wheel enabling the excess thickness of heat-sealable tape located on the upper face of the tube to be melted in order to thermally seal said furring strip.
10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the welding comprises the following steps: - guide the tube and said heat-sealable tape in a spring-mounted guide tunnel (210) comprising two half-cylinders serving as a sock for said tube (101) and its heat-sealable tape (11), and movable along a vertical axis in order to maintain constant pressure on the tube and said furring strip as they advance towards said welding wheel; in which said support tunnel is designed to accommodate the thicknesses and overthicknesses of said ultrasonically weldable heat-sensitive tape (sonotrode). - weld by an ultrasonic welding wheel (220) dimensioned to ensure the welding of at least two layers and preferably four layers of said heat-sealable tape; in which said welding wheel (220) is mounted on a jack allowing vertical movement of the latter to compensate for overthicknesses and also associated with an additional stop mechanism to limit the movement to prevent melting of said tube (101); - cool the molten surface by means of an air cooling device (230) comprising at least four nozzles (231-234) to cool the molten heat-sealable tape sufficiently quickly and ensure sufficient rigidity at the output of the welding unit (200). ELY09 wo 21