FR2868501A1 - Secondary pipeline and main pipe connection replacement process for residence, involves placing threaded stopper on pipe`s tapped drilling, dismounting connection, positioning new connection and replacing tool on stop gate of new connection - Google Patents

Abstract

The process involves closing an outlet of a stop gate (4) of a hydraulic connection (3), between a secondary pipeline (2) and a main pipe (1), with a tool (7). The gate is opened and drilling of the pipe is tapped with the tool. A threaded stopper is placed on the tapped drilling and the connection is dismounted. A new connection is positioned again, the tool on the gate of the new connection is replaced and the stopper is removed. An independent claim is also included for a unit for implementing a process of replacing secondary pipeline and main pipe connection.

Description

2868501 1

  The invention relates to a method of replacing the connection between a secondary pipe and a main pipe.

  It also relates to the means for implementing the method.

  For the water supply of each residence, it is expected that a main pipe 5 will depart from the secondary pipes.

  Each secondary pipe is connected to the main pipe via a shut-off valve.

  This stop valve, which is usually a ball valve, is mounted radially on the main pipe.

  This shut-off valve is attached to a collar that encircles the main pipe.

  When mounting the collar and the stop valve, a bore is made in the thickness of the main pipe so that the fluid flowing in the main pipe can feed the secondary pipe. These connections have a long life but need to change from time to time because the bolts that hold the collar are oxidized and can break causing leakage.

  Currently, for the change of the connection, the company that manages the water distribution cuts the valves located upstream and downstream of the place of the main pipe in order to isolate the place where the change is to be made. Then the operators dismantle the collar and change it.

  Before proceeding with the water cut, the company must obligatorily warn users to take the necessary measures for this interruption in order to minimize inconvenience and risks for certain machines requiring the presence of water.

  Sometimes the valve that was originally to be shut down does not work any more and it is then necessary to cut the upstream distribution network and thus to warn again the users and thus to postpone the operation of replacement of the valve.

  Although the water is cut off, the mainline section is still under pressure.

  Thus, when the collar now in place the stop valve is disengaged from the pipe, the water contained therein flows freely.

  2868501 2 To ensure that the pipe access trench is not flooded, the operators push a hole in the pipe into the bore, which must be removed after the new collar and valve have been put in place and before it's closed.

  It is understandable that this operation penalizes users, network managers and operators.

  One of the objectives of the invention is to provide a solution to the problems mentioned above.

  For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a method for replacing a connection of a secondary pipe connected to a pipe, this connection comprising a shut-off valve, this method being characterized in that: after closing the valve stop, we close the exit of it with a tool, we open the stop valve, we tap the drilling of the pipe with the tool, we place on this threaded hole a screw cap, we disassemble the connection The new connection is put back in place, the tool is placed on the stop valve of the new connection and the threaded plug is removed.

  The invention also relates to the means for implementing the method. The invention will be better understood on reading the following description given by way of example with reference to the drawing which represents FIG. 1: kinematics of the process FIG. 2: disassembly tool FIG. 3: a means used for the replacement of the connection.

  Referring to the drawing, there is shown a main pipe 1 on which is connected a secondary pipe 2.

  To do this, a hydraulic connection was used.

  This connection 3 comprises a shutoff valve 4 which, controlling the flow of water, is mounted on a collar to encase the pipe.

  Drilling previously made in the casing of the pipe allows the passage of water from the pipe to the pipe through the shut-off valve.

  2868501 3 Seals (not shown) are provided between the collar and the pipe and between the collar and the valve.

  The valve is fixed by a flange or by a screw / nut system on the collar and this valve also comprises means 6 of removable connection with the secondary pipe 5 generally identical to those mentioned above.

  When replacing this connection, it is desired that the supply of the pipe is not cut. The water is in pressure in this pipe.

  After making a trench to allow access to the connection, the following material is used: after closing the shut-off valve, the outlet thereof is closed with a tool 7, the valve is opened stopping, we tap the drilling of the pipe with the tool, is placed on this threaded hole a threaded plug 8, we disassemble the connection, 15 we put in place the new connection, we put the tool on the valve d ' stop the new connection and remove the 8 threaded cap.

  After closing the valve and uncoupling the secondary pipe of the valve, the tool 7 is fixed therein.

  When the shut-off valve is open, it is then possible to engage the active part of the tool comprising a tap 9 through the shut-off valve and to tap the drilling.

  This assumes that the stop valve is not bent but straight.

  When the tapping is finished, the active part of the tool is removed, the valve is closed and the tap 9 is replaced by a threaded plug 8. The tool is put back on the valve, it is opened and place the screw plug.

  In one embodiment, the tap 9 carries the threaded cap 8 at the back so that a single operation makes it possible to tap and close the bore.

  These are the first steps in replacing the tap / plug connection which have been shown in FIG.

  The first step is to attach the tool to the thread of the valve.

  2868501 4 The valve is opened to engage the operating rod.

  We lock the operating rod on the ring and we tapped and corked. The operating rod is disconnected and the tool is dismounted.

  The valve can then be disassembled and replaced.

  In order not to load the drawing, the collar holding the stop valve was not shown.

  When the collar and the stop valve have been exchanged, the tool is replaced to unscrew the screw plug by engaging the operating rod through the stop valve.

  It is no longer necessary to disassemble the tool to exchange the tap with the threaded plug.

  The front portion 9A of the tap is tapered so as, on the one hand, to center and, on the other hand, to push the material that could have accumulated at the piercing. When the threaded plug is mounted behind the tap, it can provide a stop on the threaded plug such a non-threaded portion or a head if this is possible. The tool 7 therefore comprises: a casing 7A forming a sealed bag and fixing on the stop valve, a rod 7B maneuvering through the casing, one end 7C of which has connection means with the tap and / or the threaded plug and whose other end 7D is operable from the outside of the tool.

  The connecting means are, for example, made by a male part in a footprint such as a square with a clip system such as a retractable ball locking in translation the tap and / or the cap on the operating rod.

  Sealing means are mounted between the operating rod and the casing.

  An example of a tool has been shown.

  This comprises from the front, a tube 10 on which is mounted, at the rear, a body 11 having on its outer face a thread 12. On this thread is mounted a threaded ring 13 which, with the aid of means such as a pin 14 can rotate the operating rod.

  2868501 5 If a pin is used, the threaded ring and the operating rod will have a through-hole for immobilization in translation and in rotation of the two parts.

  The advance of the operating rod is obtained by the displacement of the threaded ring 5 on the body.

  As can be seen, the tube has a front part and a rear part with, between the two parts, a centering surface 15 and a seal 16.

  Optionally, on this first front part is provided a purge 17 for decompressing the chamber located in this front part before uncoupling the tool from the valve.

  The operating rod has a bearing surface 18 which cooperates with the inner face 19 of the second part of the tube.

  The operating rod is thus guided both by the centering surface and the guide surface.

  The body has a guide surface with the operating rod.

  For attachment to the stop valve, the end of the tool is threaded or has a flange. For example, a connection interface makes it possible to transform the screw / nut connection into a flange connection or vice versa.

  One of the advantages of this tool is that it is compact, which means that it does not have to increase the size of the trench.

  It is a simple mechanical tool to produce with little maintenance.

  Wear parts are limited to taps and plugs and seals.

  The device is simple to implement. It can be provided that the drive 25 of the threaded ring or the operating rod is done with a steering wheel or a torque wrench.

  The tap will include grooves 21 for the evacuation back of the material from the formation of the screw thread. This evacuation is facilitated by the pressure in the pipe.

  When the threaded plug is mounted directly behind the tap, the thread of the plug extends the tap.

  2868501 6 A stop means is provided to limit the engagement of the tap such as a head or interruption of the thread.

  We will choose a screw thread approaching that used for gas so a fine thread.

  The thread on the plug will preferably be tapered for sealing.

2868501 7

Claims (10)

  1) Method for replacing the connection between a secondary pipe and a main pipe comprising a shut-off valve, this method being characterized in that: after closing the shut-off valve, the outlet thereof is shut off with a tool 7, the stop valve is opened, the drilling of the pipe with the tool is taped, a threaded plug (8) is placed on this threaded bore, the connection is broken, the new connection is put back in place, replace the tool on the stop valve of the new connection and remove the plug (8) threaded.   2) Means for implementing a method of replacing the connection between a secondary pipe and a main pipe, these means being characterized in that they comprise a tool (7) comprising: a casing (7A) forming impervious bag and fixing on the stop valve, a rod (7B) maneuvering through the casing, one end (7C) has connection means with the tap and / or the screw cap and whose other end ( 7D) is operable from the outside of the tool.   3) Means for implementing a method for replacing the connection between a secondary pipe and a main pipe according to claim 2 characterized in that the connecting means are made by a male part coming into a footprint such as a square with a system of clips locking in translation the tap and / or the cap on the operating rod.   4) Means for implementing a method for replacing the connection between a secondary pipe and a main pipe according to claim 2 characterized in that the tool comprises: a tube (10) on which is mounted, rear, a body (11) having on its outer face a thread (12) with which thread cooperates a ring (13) threaded rotating the actuating rod.   2868501 8 5) Means for implementing a method of replacing the connection between a secondary pipe and a main pipe according to claim 4 characterized in that the tube has a front portion and a rear portion with, between the two parts, a centering surface (15) and a joint (16).   6) Means for implementing a method of replacing the connection between a secondary pipe and a main pipe according to claim 5 characterized in that on the front part is provided a purge.   7) Means for implementing a method for replacing the connection between a secondary pipe and a main pipe according to claim 5 characterized in that the operating rod has a bearing surface (18) which cooperates with the face (19) internal of the rear part of the tube.   8) Means for implementing a method of replacing the connection between a secondary pipe and a main pipe characterized in that they comprise a tap and a threaded plug.   9) Means for implementing a method of replacing the connection between a secondary pipe and a main pipe according to claim 8 characterized in that the threaded plug is mounted on the rear of the tap.   10) Means for implementing a method of replacing the connection between a secondary pipe and a main pipe according to claim 8 or 9 characterized in that the external thread of the plug is tapered.