DE102013112914A1 - Plastic profile, in particular plastic pipe - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plastic profile, in particular plastic pipe (11), which is provided with at least one ballast element, so that it is suitable for laying in a body of water by a specific method in which the tube first floats on the surface of the water body and later sunk. Preferably, the ballast element used is at least one ballast tube (12, 13), which may be, for example, a smaller extruded tube compared to the main tube (11), which is filled with fiber after extrusion and then attached externally to the main tube. for example by welding. For example, concrete, sand, gravel or the like can be used as fiber.

Description

The present invention relates to a plastic profile, in particular a plastic tube, which is provided with at least one ballast element, so that it is suitable for laying in a body of water by a specific method in which the tube or profile first floats on the surface of the water body and later sunk.

From a prospectus of the company Pipelife Norge AS, Stathelle, published on the Internet at www.pipelife.no/media/no/no-en/Pipelife-PE-pipe-systems-brochure.pdf a method for laying a long pipe string is known, which is used in particular to extrude long pipe strings with large diameters directly into a body of water into it. The method has the advantage that the pipe string after the extrusion first floats on the water and in this way a cost-effective transport of long pipe strands by ship to the installation site is possible by the floating pipe string is towed by means of a ship attached to the pulling device. Since the density of, for example, polyolefins, which often make up these plastic pipes, is less than 1 g / cm ³ , these pipe strings float. For later laying concrete weights are attached to the pipe string in a complex manner, for example in the form of concrete blocks with half shells that surround the pipe string according to the prior art. If the ends of the pipe string are closed and this is filled with air in its interior, the pipe string floats even after the attachment of the concrete weights, since the buoyancy of the air exceeds the weight of the ballast devices. However, as soon as in the floating pipe string, the front-side closures removed and the interior of the pipe string is flooded, the pipe string sinks and can be laid in this way in the water.

The object of the invention is to provide a plastic profile with the features of the type mentioned, in which the attachment of the ballast is easier and more effective.

The solution to this problem provides a plastic profile of the aforementioned type with the features of the main claim.

According to the invention, it is provided that the ballast element is at least one ballast tube which is attached to the outside of the tube wall of a main tube or main profile and which comprises a dietary fiber.

Preferably, it is such that the at least one ballast tube is an extruded tube which has been filled with a fiber after extrusion. The main pipe or main profile itself is also preferably a plastic extruded single-layer or multi-layer pipe. When referring here to ballast tubes, this does not mean that these ballast tubes must have a purely cylindrical tube shape. Rather, deformed ballast tubes can be used in the invention, which is why one could also speak of ballast profiles. This form of ballast elements can be produced, for example, by first extruding an approximately cylindrical ballast tube and then subsequently deforming it to adapt it to the shape of the main tube. The overall arrangement of a main pipe or main profile and one or more mounted on this ballast pipes or ballast profiles can also be referred to as a composite pipe. For the sake of simplicity, however, this overall arrangement will be referred to herein as a plastic tube or profile.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the ballast tube can be deformed at least in sections at its circumference such that it has a shape which is complementary to the outer peripheral shape of the main tube to which the ballast tube is attached. This facilitates the later attachment of the ballast tube to the main pipe and, for example, also allows the main pipe to be supported by one or more ballast pipes attached thereto. The deformation of the ballast tube at its circumference may be concave, in particular at least in sections, so that the ballast tube can partially create an approximately form-fitting manner on the convex outer circumferential line of the main tube and main tube and ballast tube (e) result in a compact unit.

A preferred method of attaching the ballast tube to the main tube is to weld the ballast tube to the outer circumference of the main tube.

The ballast tube preferably extends only over a partial length of the main tube, that is, it is usually shorter than the main tube itself. While the latter is preferably continuously extruded in long lengths of tubing, the ballast tubes, when first extruded and then filled with the bulk, still need be manageable, so you can fill them and attach to the main pipe. Therefore, it is recommended to produce preferably pieces of pipe with lengths of for example a few meters, which can also be done in continuous extrusion, wherein the tubing for the ballast tubes is then cut to length. In addition, ballast pipes of this length have the advantage that they are attached to the pipe string of the main pipe not continuously, but intermittently can, resulting in a greater range of variation in the ballast and the further advantage that the pipe string of the main pipe in areas where no ballast tubes are attached to this, has greater flexibility. The latter is advantageous for the extrusion of long pipe strands, which usually have to be extruded over a non-level terrain with a slope into a body of water and therefore may not have too great rigidity over their length.

In this way, for example, two or more ballast tubes seen in the longitudinal direction can be successively attached to a main pipe, either with axial distance from each other or else directly consecutive and optionally mechanically interconnected.

Furthermore, preferably two or more ballast tubes are seen over the circumference of the main pipe at a distance from each other and mounted parallel to each other on a main pipe, wherein the circumferential distance of the ballast pipes may vary depending on the application. A particularly preferred solution provides that at least two ballast tubes extending approximately in the longitudinal direction of the main tube, viewed at the circumference of the main tube, are spaced apart by less than 180 °, preferably at a circumferential angular distance of between approximately 90 ° and approximately 170 ° to each other on the outside Circumference of the main pipe are attached. This variant allows a favorable support of the main pipe on the ballast pipes on the ground.

An advantage of the present invention over the known technique is that the ballasting can be done at the factory during the production of the pipe string. Here there are various solution variants that allow a continuous manufacturing process even longer pipe strands in one piece that provide an already ballasted pipe, so that unlike the prior art, the complex subsequent ballast can be omitted by attaching concrete weights at several points on a pipe string.

For example, in the context of the present invention according to a possible variant of a method for producing plastic pipes with ballast pipes, first a main pipe made of plastic and at least one plastic ballast pipe with a smaller diameter than the main pipe are extruded, then a ballast filled into the ballast pipe and then the ballast pipe be attached externally to the circumference of the main pipe, for example, be welded by various known per se from the prior art welding methods such as extrusion welding or thermal Vollflächenverschweißung.

This method makes it possible to produce in a continuous process an unrestricted in its axial length plastic tube with a relatively large diameter, which is continuously extruded and then provided as possible factory with ballast elements.

So far, the production of plastic pipes with large diameters of, for example, more than 1000 mm either as winding tubes, whereby only a production in pipe sections of limited length was possible by the conventional winding tube technology. This finite length of pipe has hitherto been less problematical in that, in the case of pipes with larger diameters, the necessity of transporting them to the place of use usually necessitated a length limitation. This restriction also applied to continuously axially extruded tubes, because while plastic pipes with smaller diameters with smaller diameters of up to about 200 mm can be wound up on drums, this is no longer possible for tubes with larger diameters. Consequently, the maximum length of a pipe string that can be transported by land is limited to approximately the length of the loading area of a truck.

On the other hand, if other methods are used to transport tubes of comparatively large diameters, such as more than 1000 mm, also in lengths exceeding the transport length of a truck, continuous production of unlimited length is particularly advantageous. Here, for example, offers the production of such large pipes in the vicinity of a body of water, so that it is possible to extrude these tubes continuously and run at the end of the extrusion line the tubing directly into the water. Since the plastic pipes float on the water surface, long pipe strings can be towed by means of transport ships and thus transported to the place of use. The pipe extrusion can thus continue over long lengths of the pipe string, without it being necessary to cut the pipe string after extrusion of a limited transport for land transport length. The entire extrusion line can operate continuously without interruption, making overall pipe production more efficient than traditional winding processes.

The plastic pipes according to the invention are particularly advantageous for a continuous extrusion of long, mechanically loadable pipe strands of plastic with large diameters, in particular in the range of more than 1000 mm in diameter, in a rational economical production process. According to the invention after extrusion Ballast elements attached to the plastic tube, so that you can increase the density per tube length unit to then sink a first floating transported pipe for laying on the bottom of the water (maritime lay).

If one fills the ballast tubes serving as ballast elements for the main tube after their extrusion with a roughage, this roughage should preferably have a density that is at least about 1.3 g / cm ³ . The plastics used for plastic pipes of the type in question such as polyolefins have a density of less than 1 g / cm ³ and are thus lighter than water. In the case of polyethylene, the density is, for example, in the range of 0.87-0.97 g / cm ³ , depending on the type, and about 0.89-0.92 g / cm ³ in the case of polypropylene. In order to load the tube through the ballast elements in such a way that it sinks into water, it is advisable to use fiber whose density is a little over 1 g / cm ³ , preferably therefore the fiber in the ballast tubes has a density which is at least about 1.3 g / cm ³ .

For example, mineral fiber can be used, such as sand, cement, quartz, rock flour, gravel, split, metal particles or glass, the latter for example in the form of glass beads or glass particles.

For example, as a fiber, a slurry or a mushy viscous substance, in particular a concrete mixture, are introduced into the ballast tubes, which then hardens or as bulk material, a bulk material is poured in free-flowing form such as sand in the hollow chambers. In the latter case, the openings used for filling, in particular frontal openings are then subsequently closed, for example, over the lid, while this is not necessary in the former alternative, since a hardening concrete mix closes the filling openings.

Another concern of the present invention is thus the continuous extrusion and subsequent ballasting of long mechanically durable plastic tubing with large diameters, especially in the range of more than 1000 mm in diameter, in a rational economical manufacturing process.

Large pipe lengths can be produced in a continuous process in an extrusion line, which can then be extruded into a body of water, for example, as sea discharge lines. These lines no longer need to be ballasted in complex assembly processes, but can optionally be flooded and sunk directly.

The features mentioned in the dependent claims relate to preferred developments of the task solution according to the invention. Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail by way of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Showing:

1 a cross section through an inventive plastic tube with two ballast tubes;

2 a cross section through a plastic pipe according to the invention with only one ballast tube according to an alternative variant of the invention;

3 a simplified schematic side view of a plastic pipe according to the invention with attached ballast tubes;

4 a schematically simplified side view of an exemplary manufacturing plant for producing the ballast tubes according to the invention;

5 a further schematically simplified view of a part of an exemplary production of ballast tubes according to the invention, seen in the axial direction of the main pipe.

First, it will open 1 Reference is made and with reference to a first exemplary variant of a ballast tube according to the invention will be described in more detail. 1 shows a cross section through a plastic pipe according to the invention, so that one sees in the axial direction of the tube. The plastic pipe comprises a main pipe 11 , which may be, for example, a single-layered or multi-layered extruded plastic pipe, for example a solid wall pipe of a polyolefin such as polyethylene, polypropylene or the like. Preferably, in the context of the present invention is a main pipe 11 with a comparatively large diameter of, for example, more than 1000 mm to about 2500 mm. The invention is used here advantageously, since in such large pipes so far according to the prior art, the transport by land only in maximum lengths is possible, which are given by the length of the bed of a truck, ie a maximum of about 18 m. Large pipes, which are transported by sea via tugs floating, as provided for in the invention, but can be extruded in much greater lengths, in which case the extrusion line runs directly into a body of water and the incoming into the water pipe string first swims. In order to later sink the pipe at the laying site, the main pipe according to the invention 11 provided with ballast tubes.

In the embodiment according to 1 are two such ballast tubes 12 . 13 provided outside on the circumference of the main pipe 11 be attached in such a way that between the two ballast tubes 12 . 13 over the circumference of the main pipe 11 seen an angular distance of about 110 ° to 135 °, for example, about 120 ° results. This angular distance depends on the particular application, the diameter of the ballast tubes 12 . 13 in relation to the diameter of the main pipe 11 , the shape of the ballast tubes, etc. In the embodiment according to 1 are the two ballast tubes 12 . 13 comparatively thin-walled extruded plastic tubes, which were filled after extrusion with a suitable dietary fiber, for example with concrete 14 , Furthermore, the ballast tubes 12 . 13 at her the main pipe 11 concave deformed facing outside (usually this happens before filling), so that at the periphery of the ballast tube a recess 15 which may be shaped so that its radius is approximately at the radius of curvature at the outer periphery of the main pipe 11 is adjusted. Through this indentation 15 the ballast tubes 12 . 13 attach them to the circumference of the main pipe when mounting 11 on, ideally results in an approximately positive attachment. The outer contour (outer circular cylindrical surface line) of the main pipe 11 is in 1 with the reference number 16 designated.

The attachment of the ballast tubes 12 . 13 on the main pipe 11 For example, by welding. If you are a ballast tube 12 so to the outer circumference of the main pipe 11 applies that the concave indentation 15 to the radius of curvature of the outer contour 16 of the main pipe 11 can invest in the on the indentation 15 adjacent areas, where the circumference of the ballast tube 12 and the one of the main pipe adjoin one another, a welded joint between the ballast pipe 12 and main pipe 11 are produced, which leads to a cohesive connection of the respective plastic materials of both tubes. With the help of two such welds 17 , which extend in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) in each case next to the indentation along the tubes, one can make a permanent connection between the ballast tube 12 and main pipe 11 produce.

In the embodiment according to 1 it is an exemplary variant in which you have two ballast tubes 12 . 13 on a main pipe 11 attaching, wherein the main tube as you can see has a much larger diameter than the ballast tubes, for example, a three to four times the diameter. Now if you have the two ballast tubes 12 and 13 attaches to the main pipe so that they are at an angular distance from each other over the circumference of the main pipe 11 Seen from, for example, about 110 ° to about 135 ° to each other and you have the main pipe 11 in a rotational position according to 1 brings, then the two laterally in the lower part of the tube assembly arranged ballast tubes 12 . 13 serve to support the pipe assembly on the ground, so that in this way the main pipe can be stably stored. There is then no risk that the main tube rotates due to the weight of the ballast tubes on its own axis. In this position according to 1 the tubing string can be conveyed in the longitudinal direction, it being possible to use roller bearings or slide bearings, not shown in the drawing, between the pipe assembly and the substrate.

The following is with reference to 2 described an alternative variant to the previous embodiment, in which only a smaller diameter ballast tube 22 on a larger diameter main pipe 11 is attached. In this case, the ballast tube 22 deformed differently and thus has a comparatively flat approximately langovalen cross-section, in which case the ballast tube 22 a slight concave indentation 15 has, which faces the main tube, so that in this area the shape of the ballast tube 22 the rounding of the main pipe 11 adapts. The ballast tube is thus deformed on the upper side approximately kidney-shaped, but is flatter on the underside, so that there is a good support on the ground. The ballast tube 22 Due to the deformation here is slightly wider than the ballast tubes described above 12 . 13 and thus it is possible to have a single ballast tube on the main tube 11 to be applied and used as a support for the resulting pipe assembly. For this purpose, the pipe assembly as shown in the illustration 2 can be seen, brought into a rotational position in which the ballast tube is located below, facing the ground, and thus under the main pipe 11 so that it can serve as a support for this. Also in the example according to 2 is the ballast pipe 22 For example, filled with concrete to the necessary weight for the ballasting of the main pipe 11 to accomplish.

It will now be with reference to the schematic representation according to 3 different variants of the attachment of ballast tubes 12 . 13 on a main pipe 11 further explained. In 3 recognize alternative ways of attachment in the longitudinal direction of a main pipe 11 seen. As a rule, several ballast tubes 12 . 13 on a main pipe 11 mounted so as to be longitudinally spaced from one another as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the main pipe. For one thing, you do not have to ballast the main pipe over its entire length (but that's fine possible) and on the other hand, if there are distances between each two ballast tubes in the longitudinal direction, the advantage that then the tube composite is not everywhere has a high rigidity. This would hinder the conveying of a long pipe string, for example, over a non-level terrain with a gradient to a body of water.

In the 3 shown on the left shows that you can also connect several shorter ballast tubes of defined length of, for example, a few meters with each other, if, for example, a ballast tube 12a formed pointed at its front end, so that it into a rear end of another Ballastrohrs 12b can be pushed into it.

The middle variant in 3 shows each ballast tubes 12a . 12b running in the longitudinal direction of the main pipe 11 seen at a distance from each other on the main pipe 11 are attached.

The right variant in 3 again shows another alternative, in each case two ballast tubes 12a . 12b are each arranged in the longitudinal direction virtually immediately one behind the other, but without being connected to each other. Seen over the circumference of the main tube, these ballast tubes 12 . 13 be arranged in all three variants with a distance from one another in each case on both sides of the main pipe, as previously in the variant of 1 was explained.

Hereinafter, referring to FIGS 4 and 5 the production of plastic pipes with ballast pipes according to the present invention explained in more detail. 4 shows in a schematically simplified side view of an exemplary manufacturing plant for producing the ballast tubes according to the invention. Only schematically is left in the illustration an extrusion device 20 represented with a nozzle / a tube head, from which the extruded main tube 11 exit, which is then conveyed in an extrusion line in the longitudinal direction in the drawing from left to right. Further downstream in the extrusion line are with a suitable conveyor vehicle such as a forklift 21 or drum gripper ballast tubes 12a . 12b . 13 which were previously extruded separately and filled with a fiber such as concrete, captured, lifted and moved to a position lateral to the main pipe 11 brought. Subsequently, these ballast tubes 12a . 12b 13 each on the outer circumference of the main pipe 11 be welded, for example by extrusion welding by hand or by other common methods using a suitable welding device. In the 4 are several ballast tubes 12a . 12b shown in the longitudinal direction one behind the other on the main pipe 11 arranged on one side. There are also a number of other ballast tubes 13 also shown, each longitudinally one behind the other on the other side of the main pipe 11 be mounted in an arrangement with respect to the circumferential distance as for example in 1 is shown. The main tube then moves after attachment of the ballast tubes 12a . 12b . 13 continue in the direction of the arrow in the extrusion line and can be promoted, for example, directly into a body of water, where it can then be transported by floats swimming further. The ballast pipes to be attached 12a . 12b . 13 For example, in addition to the extrusion line on pallets 22a be stored after they were previously filled with concrete.

The following is with reference to 5 the attachment of the ballast tubes 12 . 13 on the main pipe 11 described in more detail. 5 shows a view of a plant for the production of plastic pipes according to the invention, in which in the axial direction of the main pipe 11 sees. It can be seen that this is a main pipe 11 with a comparatively large diameter, considering its dimensions with the forklift pictured next to it 21 compares. This forklift 21 just has a ballast pipe 13 loaded and delivers this to the extrusion line, where it is on the main pipe 11 is attached. On the same side (in the drawing on the right) is another one-sided deformed ballast tube 13 shown already outside the circumference of the main pipe 11 was created in the lower area. To the ballast pipe 13 to the main pipe 11 can push in the arrow direction transverse to the axis of the main pipe (ie, approximately radially) movable, for example pneumatically or hydraulically operated pressure devices (Andruckarme) 23 be provided. To that in the intended mounting position on the main pipe 11 brought ballast tube 12 . 13 Welding on the main pipe can be done by welding extruders 24 used, for example, as in 5 indicated by hand and / or mechanically handled by robots or the like and by means of which preferably from both sides respectively laterally next to the immediate investment area of the main pipe 11 and ballast pipe 12 . 13 a weld is produced, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the tubes (that is, perpendicular to the plane of the drawing). Alternatively, a thermal full-surface welding can be carried out by heating the plastic of the pipes to be joined.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

11

 main pipe

12

 ballast tube

12a

 ballast tube

12b

 ballast tube

13

 ballast tube

14

 Filler, concrete

15

 indentation

16

 Outer contour of the main pipe

20

 extrusion device

21

 fork-lift truck

22

 ballast tube

22a

 pallets

23

 pressure devices

24

 welding extruder

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited non-patent literature

• www.pipelife.no/media/no/no-en/Pipelife-PE-pipe-systems-brochure.pdf [0002]

Claims (13)

Plastic profile, in particular plastic pipe, which is provided with at least one ballast element, so that it is suitable for laying in a body of water by a specific method in which the tube first floats on the surface of the water body and is later sunk, characterized in that as Ballast element at least one outside of the pipe wall of a main pipe ( 11 ) or main profile attached ballast tube ( 12 . 13 ), which comprises a dietary fiber. Plastic profile according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one ballast tube ( 12 . 13 ) is an extruded tube which has been filled with fiber after extrusion. Plastic profile according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the ballast tube ( 12 . 13 ) at its periphery at least partially deformation ( 15 ), which is complementary to the outer peripheral shape of the main tube ( 11 ) is, to which the ballast tube is attached. Plastic profile according to claim 3, characterized in that the ballast tube ( 12 . 13 ) a sectionally concave deformation ( 15 ) having. Plastic profile according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the ballast tube ( 12 . 13 ) on the outer circumference of the main pipe ( 11 ) is welded. Plastic profile according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the ballast tube ( 12 . 13 ) only over a partial length of the main pipe ( 11 ). Plastic profile according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that two or more ballast tubes ( 12a . 12b ) seen in the longitudinal direction successively on a main pipe ( 11 ) and / or that two or more ballast tubes ( 12 . 13 ) over the circumference of the main pipe ( 11 ) are seen at a distance from each other and mounted parallel to each other on a main pipe. Plastic profile according to claim 7, characterized in that a plurality of longitudinally successive ballast tubes ( 12a . 12b ) are interconnected, in particular preferably engage at their respective ends approximately positively in one another. Plastic profile according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that at least two approximately in the longitudinal direction of the main pipe ( 11 ) extending ballast tubes ( 12 . 13 ) are arranged at a distance of less than 180 ° to one another, preferably at a circumferential angular distance of between approximately 90 ° and approximately 170 ° to one another, on the circumference of the main tube, as viewed over the circumference of the main tube. Plastic profile according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the fiber in the ballast tube has a density which is at least about 1.3 g / cm ³ . Plastic profile according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a mineral fiber is used. Plastic profile according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the fiber comprises sand, cement, quartz, rock flour, concrete, gravel, split, metal particles or glass. Method for producing a plastic profile, in particular a plastic pipe according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that first a main pipe ( 11 ) or main profile made of plastic and at least one ballast tube ( 12 . 13 ) extruded from plastic with a smaller diameter than the main tube, one fills in the ballast tube a fiber and then attached the ballast tube outside the circumference of the main tube.

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