BE1020680A4 - PROTECTIVE DEVICE FOR BUTTER ELEMENT. - Google Patents

Description

Protection device for buried element

The present invention relates to a mechanical protection device for at least buried element, in particular an element chosen from the group consisting of pipes, pipes and cables, said device being independent of the buried element to be protected and adapted to extend. between the buried element and the soil surface.

Buried pipelines pose many problems. Indeed, the lack of marking of these and the use of technical equipment or the lack of plans that during work, many cables and pipes are damaged. Such damages are sources of many accidents, including gas explosion, electrocution. Such damages are also a source of major costs of repair and public service cut for part of the population.

An attempt has been made to avoid damaging the gas or water pipes by placing a thin polypropylene net of color over them. If the trench is manually made by a worker using a shovel, this worker will quickly detect the presence of the colored net, which will warn him of the presence of the pipe.

However, the work to be done in a very short time, earthmoving machinery or excavators or excavators are used. With such machines, the colored mesh is quickly pierced, and the mechanical tool comes into rapid contact with the pipe or cable.

To avoid accidents, it has also been proposed to place, near a gas pipe, cables transmitting electrical signals. As soon as a cable is cut, an alert message is transmitted.

There is as yet no commercial solution to ensure the protection of a pipe or cable placed in a trench, protection able to withstand the impact of a shovel.

The invention generally relates to a mechanical protection device for at least buried element, in particular an element chosen from the group consisting of pipes, pipes and cables, said device being independent of the buried element to be protected and adapted for extending between the buried element and the ground surface, said device comprising at least two, advantageously at least four layers at least based on polyamide fibers, preferably based on aramid fibers.

Preferably, the subject of the invention is a device of the type described in the first paragraph of this specification, this device comprising at least: (a) a perforated flexible steel support having a thickness of less than 10 mm and a weight of more than of 500 g per m 2, said flexible metal support having an upper face and a lower face, (b) a first layer at least based on polyamide fibers at least partially covering the upper face of the flexible perforated steel support, optionally with interposition of one or more intermediate layers, (c) a second layer at least based on polyamide fibers at least partially covering the underside of the perforated flexible steel support, optionally with the interposition of one or more intermediate layers, and (d) at least connecting means for at least partially maintaining the position of the first and second layers with respect to the perforated flexible support.

Features of the device according to the invention are described in any of the appended claims.

Features and details of preferred embodiments will be apparent from the following detailed description, in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings.

In these drawings, FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a device according to the invention; - Figure 2 is a sectional view along the line ΙΙ-Π of the device of Figure 1; - Figure 3 is a plan view of a perforated support, - Figure 4 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the invention; and - Figure 5 is a schematic view of the wound device.

FIG. 1 shows, by way of example only, a mechanical protection device D for at least buried element C (for example at a depth P between 50 cm and 2 m), in particular an element chosen from the group consisting of pipes, pipes and cables, said device being independent of the buried element C to be protected and adapted to extend between the buried element C and the surface of the ground S. The device is advantageously placed just after the placement of the buried element C in a trench, in particular after having covered the element with a layer of sand and / or earth, for example a layer of sand and / or earth (for example a sand / earth mixture) of 20 to 50 cm of thickness. Once the device is placed above the layer of sand and / or earth covering the element C, the trench is re-sealed. The device is flexible and is advantageously before its placement in the form of a band wound on a cylindrical support. It is therefore sufficient to unroll the device so that it covers the element C. This device is also advantageous because it prevents the sand is washed away in case of heavy rain, and better distribute the efforts.

The device D of FIG. 1 comprises: (a) two perforated flexible steel supports 1.2 placed one above the other having a thickness of less than 10 mm and a weight of more than 500 g per m 2, said flexible metal support having an upper face and a lower face, (b) a series of at least three first layers 3,4,5 at least based on polyamide fibers, these superimposed layers 3,4,5 at least partially covering the upper surface FS flexible steel perforated support 1, (in this case without the interposition of one or intermediate layers), (c) a series of at least three second layers of at least 6.7.7 based on polyamide fibers covering at least partially the lower face FI of the flexible perforated steel support 2, (in this case without the interposition of one or intermediate layers, and (d) at least one connecting means, in the form of an envelope E, to maintain at least partially the position of the first and second s layers 3 to 8 with respect to flexible perforated supports 1,2.

The layer 5 is adapted to cover at least the longitudinal edges of the perforated flexible supports 1, 2.

The flexible perforated supports 1, 2 are each a steel lath with meshes 10 (of diamond-shaped) opening between 0.5 cm 2 and 10 cm 2, advantageously between 0.1 cm 2 and 5 cm 2, for example between 0.1 cm 2 and 0,5cm2. The large diagonal is advantageously located in the width direction of the strip, while the small diagonal extends in the direction of the length of the strip. The large diagonal / small diagonal ratio is advantageously between 1 and 4, preferably between 1.1 and 2, in particular between 1.2 and 1.8.

The perforated flexible supports are advantageously an expanded metal support having an apparent thickness of between 1 mm and 5 mm, in particular a thickness of 2 to 3 mm. The supports may have different thicknesses.

The flexible support or the flexible supports are advantageously expanded metal supports manufactured from a sheet metal, by slit cutting in the sheet metal and by cold drawing, so as to form a network of stretched meshes. The support thus forms a trellis lattice.

the width of the strips or metal edges defining a mesh is for example 1mm to 5mm, but is advantageously less than the thickness of the expanded sheet or the apparent thickness of the flexible support.

The flexible support is advantageously provided with one or more protective layers, for example anti-corrosion coating. In a preferred embodiment, each flexible support is embedded in a flexible or flexible watertight material or is placed in a watertight envelope. For example, the flexible support is for example placed between two layers or polyester films, which are then welded to each other, at least along their edges, and advantageously through certain meshes of the support.

In order for the device to be easily manoeuvrable, each perforated flexible support 1, 2 has a weight of less than 10 kg / m 2, advantageously less than 5 kg / m 2, in particular a weight of less than 2 kg / m 2, for example a weight between 500g / m2 and 1.5kg / m2.

The perforated flexible supports 1, 2 are arranged relative to one another (in this case one above the other) so that for nodes 11 of the stitches of a first support 1 the line perpendicular to the plane of the first support and passing through a node 11 considered crosses the opening 10 of a mesh of the other support 2. This provision allows for greater flexibility.

The two flexible openwork supports 1.2 are connected to each other by metal links, such as hooks, advantageously adapted to allow longitudinal displacement of a perforated flexible support relative to the other flexible perforated support.

Layers 3 to 8 are layers based on aramid fibers. In particular, these layers consist of more than 90% by weight of aramid fibers.

As aramid fibers, the following fibers are preferred: poly-para-phenylene terephthalamide fibers and / or poly-meta-phenylene terephthalainide fibers and / or copolymer fibers comprising at least one poly-para-phenylene terephthalamide block and a poly block meta-phenylene terephthalamide and / or a mixture of such fibers. By way of a particular example, Kevlar (R), in particular Kevlar 49, will be mentioned as fiber.

The layers 3 to 8 are preferably made up of more than 90% by weight of a felt or mat of aramid fibers, in particular a needle felt. Each felt preferably has a thickness of between 1.5 mm and 10 mm, advantageously between 2 mm and 8 mm.

These felts are made based on aramid fibers of average length by weight between 10mm and 100mm, advantageously between 12mm and 50mm.

The envelope E is made of flexible or flexible material and is adapted to completely wrap the supports 1, 2 and the layers 3 to 8. This envelope is preferably waterproof and preferably waterproof to water vapor. This envelope is for example made by an upper film and a lower film welded together along the edges. The envelope could also have been formed by a membrane surrounding the supports 1,2 and the layers 3 to 8, parts of the membrane then being welded together.

In the embodiment of Figure 4, a first envelope E1 surrounds the layers 3,4,5, while a second envelope E2 surrounds the layers 6,7,8. Finally, a third envelope E3 surrounds the supports 1,2. The three envelopes have along their longitudinal edges a plate 20, 21 which are connected to one another, for example discontinuously. In this embodiment, the set of layers 1,2,3 is similar to the set of layers 6,7,8, which facilitates the production.

For the envelope E3, a layer of aramid fibers is advantageously used to avoid direct contact between a metal support and the envelope E3.

To ensure good water vapor tightness, the envelopes E, E1 to E3 are for example made of multi-layer material, a layer of the multilayer material forming the envelope being advantageously an aluminum film. To ensure a good seal of one or more envelopes, the edges of the film or films forming the envelope are advantageously bonded together by means of a continuous adhesive seal and / or heat sealed. For example, the envelope or envelopes are made by means of one or more polyester films heat-sealed together or between two parts of the same film. If a glue joint is used, it is possible to use "hot melt" or fusion type adhesives, curable or curable adhesives, for example in air or by thermal effect or by radiation. The envelopes may also be made (at least partially) of a material, film (s) or fabric (s) sewn (s).

The device is for example in the form of a roller capable of being unwound to form a substantially longitudinal band, said strip advantageously having a width of between 20 cm and 5 m, in particular of 20 cm to 1 m, and a length advantageously of between 10 m and 200m.

The envelope E, El comprises colored means, for example fluorescent, to facilitate the identification of the protective strip. In addition, since the support 1, 2 is made of steel, the band can easily be detected from the ground surface by means of a metal detector.

The support 1,2 is for example made of galvanized steel, for example steel DX51D.

The plates 20,21 of the envelopes E1, E2, E3 also form a deflecting means of water flowing over the band. In one embodiment, it is possible to associate for example the upper face of the envelope E or El with a drainage means 40, for example in the form of a draining layer 40 flexible.

According to one particular embodiment, the layers 3 to 8 each have the following characteristics: specific mass of more than 100 g / m 2 (for example from 150 to 500 g / m 2) according to the ISO 9073-1 standard, average thickness of more than 2mm (for example from 2 to 5mm) according to the ISO-9073-2 standard; - breaking strength in the transverse direction greater than 200N / 5cm (for example from 250 to 500N / 5cm), and in the direction of the machine (longitudinal direction) greater than 150N / 5cm (for example from 175 to 300N / 5cm ) according to the standard 9073-3 - tear resistance in the transverse direction greater than 100N / 5cm (for example from 120 to 200N / 5cm) and in the machine direction (longitudinal direction) greater than 90N / 5cm (for example from 100 to 160N / 5cm) according to ISO 9073-4.

Tests carried out by means of a device according to FIG. 1 and according to FIG. 4 have shown that a construction machine with a shovel could not pierce the strip, and thus allowed protection of the buried element.

In a less preferred embodiment, the device of Figure 1 does not include wire mesh 1,2.

Claims (31)

1. Mechanical protection device for at least one buried element, in particular an element chosen from the group consisting of pipes, pipes and cables, said device being independent of the buried element to be protected and adapted to extend between the buried element and the surface of the ground, said device comprising at least two, advantageously at least four layers at least based on polyamide fibers, preferably based on aramid fibers. 2. Device according to claim 1, said device comprising at least: (a) a perforated flexible support steel (1,2) having a thickness of less than 10mm and a weight of more than 500g per m2, said flexible metal support having an upper face and a lower face, (b) a first layer (3,4,5) at least based on polyamide fibers at least partially covering the upper face of the flexible perforated steel support, optionally with the interposition of one or intermediate layers, (c) a second layer (6,7,8) at least based on polyamide fibers at least partially covering the lower face of the flexible openwork steel support, optionally with the interposition of one or intermediate layers, and d) at least one connecting means (E, E1, E2, E3) for maintaining at least partially the position of the first and second layers relative to the perforated flexible support. 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the perforated flexible support (1,2) is a steel lath with mesh opening (10) between 0.5cm2 and 10cm2, preferably between 0.1 cm2 and 5cm2. 4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the perforated flexible support (1, 2) is a metal support deployed having an apparent thickness of between 1mm and 5mm. 5. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the perforated flexible support (1,2) has a weight of less than 10kg / m2, preferably less than 5kg / m2. 6. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that it comprises at least two perforated flexible supports (1,2) of steel having a thickness of less than 5mm, preferably between 1mm and 5mm, and a weight of more than 500g per m2. 7. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises two perforated flexible media (1,2) in steel adjacent to each other, each perforated flexible support having a thickness of less than 5 mm, advantageously between 1mm and 5mm, and a weight of more than 500g per m2. 8. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the perforated flexible supports (1, 2) are arranged relative to each other so that for nodes (11) meshes of a first support the line perpendicular to the plane of the first support and passing through a node considered crosses the opening (10) of a mesh of the other support. 9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that it comprises two perforated flexible supports between which extends at least one intermediate layer based on polyamide fibers. 10. Device according to claim 7 or 8 or 9, characterized in that it comprises two perforated flexible supports connected to each other by metal links, advantageously adapted to allow movement of a flexible perforated support relative to to the other flexible perforated support. 11. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the perforated flexible support or perforated flexible supports are placed in a watertight envelope or are embedded in a flexible material waterproof, said material being advantageously reinforced with fiberglass and / or carbon. 12. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that it comprises a series of first layers located on the side of the upper face of a perforated flexible support, and / or, advantageously, and a series of less based on polyamide fibers located on the side of the underside of a flexible perforated support. 13. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that at least a first layer based on polyamide fibers and at least one second layer based on polyamide fibers are layers containing aramid fibers. 14. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least a first layer based on polyamide fibers and at least one second layer based on polyamide fibers are layers containing more than 50% by weight, preferably more than 70%. by weight, preferably more than 80% by weight, of aramid fibers. 15. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least a first layer based on polyamide fibers and at least one second layer based on polyamide fibers are layers containing more than 50% by weight, preferably more than 70%. by weight, preferably more than 80% by weight, of poly-para-phenylene terephthalamide fibers and / or poly-meta-phenylene terephthalamide fibers and / or copolymers comprising at least one poly-para-phenylene terephthalamide block and a block poly-meta-phenylene terephthalamide and / or a mixture thereof. 16. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a first layer and at least a second layer consists of a fiber felt, preferably a felt of compressed fibers, preferably needled, said felt having a thickness of between 1.5 mm and 10 mm, advantageously between 2 mm and 8 mm. 17. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the felt is made of aramid fibers of average length by weight between 10mm and 100mm, preferably between 12mm and 50mm. 18. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least two perforated flexible steel supports, and at least four layers of felt based on more than 70% by weight of aramid fibers and thickness between 2mm and 8mm. 19. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting means for maintaining at least partially the position of the first and second layers relative to the perforated flexible support is made of a flexible or flexible material. 20. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the connecting means is adapted to form at least one envelope in which are located one or more layers based on polyamide fibers, in particular aramid fibers. 21. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the envelope is substantially watertight. 22. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the casing is made of a waterproof material and substantially impervious to water vapor. 23. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the casing is made of a multilayer material, one of the layers being an aluminum film. 24. Apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that it comprises a first envelope enveloping the first polyamide-based layer or layers located on the side of the upper face of the perforated flexible support, and a second envelope wrapping the second or polyamide-based layers on the side of the underside of the perforated flexible support. 25. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first envelope and the second envelope are interconnected along their longitudinal edges, preferably by thermo welding and / or gluing. 26. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting means is adapted to form an envelope in which are located the perforated flexible support, the first layer or layers and the second layer or layers. 27. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is in the form of a roller capable of being unrolled to form a substantially longitudinal strip, said strip advantageously having a width of between 20 cm and 5 m, and a length advantageously between 10m and 200m. 28. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is associated with or locating or signaling means. 29. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is associated with a drainage means. 30. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a first layer and / or a second layer have the following characteristics: specific gravity of more than 100 g / m 2, average thickness of more than 2 mm ; - tensile strength in the transverse direction greater than 200N / 5cm, and in the machine direction (longitudinal direction) greater than 150N / 5cm - tear strength in the transverse direction greater than 100N / 5cm and in the direction of machine (longitudinal direction) greater than 90N / 5cm. 31. A buried element protected at least partially by a device according to any one of claims 1 to 30.