DE19953423A1 - Inspection of underground pressure pipes for fresh water or gas, by lowing testing unit through connection unit placed on hydrant - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves placing a connection unit (7) on a hydrant (2) and hermetically sealing. The hydrant is flooded with a medium via a sliding device (21) connected to the hydrant. A testing, measuring and sanitation unit is lowered down through the connection unit. The latter unit is further lowered into the pressure line (1). Measurements, inspections, or sanitation is carried out, and the unit is axially raised out of the hydrant and into the connection unit. The hydrant is closed, and the connection unit uncoupled and removed. An Independent claim is included for an apparatus for inspecting underground pressure lines for water or gas.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for the inspection of Fresh water and gas pipes, which are usually underground in the ground are misplaced. Such fresh water pipes are under a pressure of about 8 bar and have different nominal sizes. With such fresh water pipes it is necessary to carry out an inspection inside the pipe, even if the Fresh water pipe is under the operating pressure of the flowing fresh water.

The present invention also relates to the inspection of Gas pipelines, which are also usually underground by municipalities in the ground are installed, but are also used in the industrial sector.

With such pressure lines there is the problem that one under Operating conditions the pipe interior wants to inspect and possibly also wants to carry out appropriate measurements and repairs.  

So far, it is not yet known how to connect a corresponding connection unit such an overpressure line connects to measurements, inspections or Carry out renovations.

The invention is therefore based on the object of a method and device type mentioned in such a way that with relatively little effort Measurement, inspection or renovation of the overpressure line in the operating state is possible.

To solve the problem, the process is through the technical teaching of Claim 1 marked.

The invention presupposes that on the pressure line to be inspected Hydrant is seated, the liquid-conducting or gas-conducting with the pressure line is connected and has the appropriate shut-off units to the hydrant bring in liquid connection or gas connection with the pressure line and also disconnect from this.

According to the invention, it is now provided in a first method step that a connection unit is placed on these existing hydrants and with the Hydrant is sealed.

That in a second process step the hydrant is connected with the hydrant connected slide device is flooded with the medium and that in one third step of the process arranged and axially in the connection unit movable testing, measuring, renovation device is lowered down, and in a fourth process step through the connection unit into the hydrant enters, passes through and at the bottom of the hydrant into the pressure line drives in.

In a fifth process step, the corresponding measurements Inspections or refurbishments are made in a sixth Process step the testing and measuring unit axially out of the hydrant again is pulled out until it lies in the above the hydrant Connection unit is included that in a seventh step Hydrant is closed again and that in an eighth process step Connection unit is uncoupled and removed.  

With the given technical teaching there is the essential advantage that it is now possible for the first time by using a connection unit that is connected to a conventional hydrant can be placed through this hydrant into the Pressure line to get there to test, measure, inspect and To be able to carry out renovation work.

The invention is not limited to the design of the test measuring unit, however can all instruments, renovation equipment and Examination units are used.

For the sake of simplicity, the following description assumes that the test probe contains one or more cameras that can be swiveled or are firmly arranged, so that with such a test probe only one optical inspection of the pressure line is possible. This is - as stated - the Invention not limited. Other devices can be used instead of the camera be, in particular, the camera can be coupled with other measuring instruments that are capable of measuring the status of the liquid, the medium too analyze, perform physical measurements in the medium, such as Conductivity, pressure, and the appropriate, deposits on the walls of the Determine pressure lines.

Appropriate renovation equipment can also be used, for example brushes, high pressure nozzles, ultrasonic sensors, resin devices, with where certain areas can be cured.

Furthermore, the manner in which the present invention is not important and with which mechanical device the test probe from the Connection unit is lowered through the hydrant into the pressure line. For this all mechanical, pneumatic and hydraulic Feed units claimed as essential to the invention.

In a first embodiment it is provided that the feed unit consists of a piston-cylinder unit, which is preferably a telescopic Has piston rod, at the free end of which the test probe is arranged.

In a second embodiment of the invention it is provided that instead of Piston-cylinder unit is provided a push rod that is so flexible and is elastic that it can be unwound from a cable drum. It can  So instead of the push rod, it is also a corresponding rigid cable, which is suitable to be pushed over a certain length without it kinks here.

In a third embodiment it can be provided that instead of the flexible Cable or the push rod a simple, mechanical and not flexible Rod is advanced into the hydrant and thus into the pressure line, being as Feed mechanism a manual drive (sliding drawbar) is provided.

In a further embodiment it can be provided that a push rod is not unwound from a cable drum, but that this push rod by means of a corresponding pressure-resistant seal in the connection housing from the outside can be pushed through the connection housing.

In a further embodiment it can be provided that instead of Push rod or feed means previously described a mechanical Spindle is provided, which consists of several spindle nuts facing each other are telescopic so as to, for example, a mechanical feed unit describe.

The feed unit for the test, measurement and renovation head can be a Plain bearing or a roller bearing between the moving parts of the Provide feed unit, for example a skid guide and / or a Roller carriage guidance, the drive in turn mechanically or by motor can be done.

It is again pointed out that all feed units as are claimed essential to the invention, which are suitable in a pressure-tight with connecting unit connected to the hydrant through the hydrant into the Pressurized water line to lower a test probe.

The invention is not limited to the fact that the hydrant and possibly also the connection unit are arranged vertically; it can also be oblique Hydrants and connection units placed at an angle on the hydrants be provided; it is only important that the connection unit always is coupled pressure-tight to the hydrant in order to prevent undesired leakage of the Avoid pressure medium from the pressure line upwards.  

Otherwise, the invention is not based on the rigidity or flexibility of the Feed unit limited, because it can be provided that at least that lower free end of the feed unit to which the test probe is attached, can be bent or at least pivoted in an arc to enable that the test probe over a certain distance also in the pressure line can be moved and so over a certain longer distance Inspect the inner walls of the pressure line and treat them accordingly.

For the rest, the term "hydrant" is broad in the sense of the present invention understand; it is understood to mean any connection unit that is suitable that a connection unit is sealingly connected to it.

A plug can therefore also be provided on the pressure line is suitable for sealingly receiving a connection unit and the corresponding one Has closure and opening means to the connection unit accordingly to flood the pressure medium in order to connect it to the Bring pressure line to then through this flooded connection unit To lower the test probe into the pressure line.

It is otherwise left open how the connection of the test probe with its Signal and control lines with the connection unit. In a first Embodiment is provided that independently of the test probe Feed unit lying signal lines and supply lines led out are, form the shape of a spiral cable, so that this spiral cable sealing the connection flange of the connection unit is passed through and thus the Signal lines work independently of the feed unit.

In another embodiment, however, it can also be provided that the Signal and supply lines for the test probe in the feed unit itself are arranged coaxially inside, and thereby protected in a special way are.

For the rest, the invention leaves open that of course on the connection unit even more inspection and monitoring units can be provided. For example, a sight glass can be provided on the connection unit in order to determine how and in what way the connection unit from the print medium is flooded. Corresponding electronic equipment can also be attached such as the inspection and control of the pressure line  necessary measuring and monitoring devices, especially monitors, Measuring instruments and the like.

The subject matter of the present invention results not only from the Subject of the individual claims, but also from the combination of individual claims among themselves.

All information disclosed in the documents, including the summary and features, in particular the spatial depicted in the drawings Education are claimed as essential to the invention, insofar as they are used individually or in Combination are new compared to the prior art.

In the following, the invention will be described in terms of several ways illustrative drawings explained in more detail. Here go from the drawings and their description further features and advantages of the invention Invention.

Show it:

Fig. 1 shows schematically in section a connection unit according to the invention in a first embodiment in the preparation position;

Figure 2 is a schematic section through a second embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention in the working position.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment modified compared to FIG. 2;

Fig. 4 shows another embodiment in the operating position;

Fig. 5 shows a fifth embodiment;

Figures 6 and 7 a sixth embodiment in side and front view.

Fig. 8 shows a further embodiment with the use of a bellows.

In Fig. 1 a pressure line 1 is generally shown, which is preferably laid underground in a Erdbodenreich.

In a manner known per se, the pressure line 1 is connected in a medium-conducting manner via a hydrant 2 , the hydrant consisting of two different parts, namely the medium pipe 22 , which has been inserted into the pressure line 1 with a corresponding connecting flange 31 and is connected there in a liquid-tight manner and also from one Slider tube 21 with which the pressure medium supply into the medium tube 22 can be controlled.

In the position shown, a connection claw 27 is arranged on the medium pipe 22 , to which a connection unit 7 with an associated coupling claw 26 is coupled.

In the connection unit 7 a test measuring head 14 is now arranged, which can be raised and lowered in the direction of the arrows 20 , and a feed unit 19 is used for this purpose, which has, for example, a telescopic rod 13 , at the front free end of which the test measuring head 14 is arranged.

The connection unit 7 consists essentially of a pressure-resistant housing 8 at the upper end of which an outlet 18 is arranged.

In a manner known per se, the hydrant 2 is seated in a depression 6 in the ground 3 and the entire connection mechanism with the coupling claws 26 and in the associated connection claw 27 is seated in an approximately T-shaped head 5 of the hydrant 2 .

Otherwise, the connecting flange 31 can also be screwed into an associated bore in the pressure line 1 by means of a screw connection 4 .

To start up the terminal unit 7 according to the invention, it is first provided to the terminal unit 7 with its housing 8 and the accreting because clutch pawl 26 is pushed to the hydrant side fixed terminal claw 27 and rotated therein, to thereby form a sealing connection to the upper opening 28 of the Ensure medium pipe 22 .

The spindle 23 is now rotated in the slide tube 21 by means of a square, so that the slide flap 24 actuated by the spindle 23 and displaceable in the arrow directions 25 is moved into the open position shown in FIG. 1.

In the closed position, the slide flap 24 thus closes the lower slide tube opening 29 in the medium tube 22 , while in the open position shown the slide flap 24 is already in its open position and is therefore inserted into the slide tube housing.

The pressure medium now penetrates upward from the pressure line 1 into the medium pipe 22 in the direction of the arrow 32 , flows through the upper opening 28 and enters the housing 8 .

The air in the housing 8 can be removed via an outlet 18 .

Now the entire connection unit 7 is in the operating position. The feed unit 19 is now acted upon and this now lowers the test measuring head 14 through the upper opening 28 in the medium pipe 22 , passes through the medium pipe 22 and enters the pressure line 1 via the open sliding opening 29 and the connecting flange 31 .

The test probe 14 thus occupies its position according to FIG. 2.

Fig. 2 differs from Fig. 1 in that the feed unit 19 is a cylinder 9 with the connections 10 and 11 and that a telescopic rod 13 can be extended from the cylinder 9 , at the outer free end of the test probe 14 is arranged.

The piston rod, generally designated 12 above, is thus designed as a telescopic rod 13 .

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2, it is also shown that the test measuring head 14 has two objectives 16 , 17 with which different viewing directions can thus be seen separated over an angle of 90 degrees.

Of course, the entire piston rod 13 can be rotated so that the test measuring head 14 can be pivoted in any viewing direction and, in a preferred embodiment, it can also be kinked or even moved over a certain distance in the longitudinal direction of the pressure line 1 around longer wall pieces in the area inspect the pressure line 1 and treat it if necessary.

In Fig. 3 it is shown as a further embodiment that a cable 34 is wound on a drum unit 33 , at the lower free end of which a corresponding test probe 14 is arranged.

The use of a flexible cable has the advantage that the cable can also bend according to FIG. 3 in the pressure line 1 and can be carried along by the flow in the direction of the arrow 35 .

It is also possible for the cable to be moved by hand or by motor.

The drum unit 33 can be flooded with the pressure medium as a whole; In another embodiment, however, it can also be provided that a seal 15 can be provided in the area between the drum unit 33 and the housing 8 of the connection unit 7 in order to keep the drum unit 33 free of the pressure medium.

In Fig. 4 as a further, modified from Fig. 3 embodiment is shown that instead of the cable 34 , a corresponding push rod 36 can be used, which is arranged by a corresponding seal 37 at the upper flange end of the connector housing 8 . This seal can optionally be re-tensioned in order to secure it against the pressure medium against corresponding leakage of the pressure medium.

The push bar can be done by hand or with a suitable tool be moved.

In Fig. 5 it is shown that instead of the relatively flexible push rod 36 or the flexible cable 34 , a rigid rod 38 can be used, which is arranged in the connection housing 8 and which can be moved by the top head 5 in the hydrant.

This rigid rod 38 is fixed at the end of a handle 39 and can be moved and rotated with this.

Here again the seal 37 is used, which was also shown in FIG. 4.

In Fig. 6 and 7, a mechanical feed is shown as an example of the configuration of the feed unit 19, where it is seen that a multi-stage telescoping telescopic spindle 40 is provided. This telescopic spindle 40 consists of a total of 3 parts 41-43 , which of course can also be divided further.

The parts 41-43 are twisted into one another by means of threads, as is known in mechanical jacks, and a motor 44 is provided for this purpose, which drives a drive 46 via a gear 45 , which drives the outermost threaded spindle, namely the part 41, in a rotating manner. With the drive of this part, the other parts 42 , 43 unscrew from the part 41 and a mechanical feed unit is thus realized, the test measuring head 14 being arranged on the lower part 43 .

Incidentally, it is pointed out that it is not necessary for the solution that the housing 8 is completely flooded in its interior. A bellows 47 can also be arranged in the interior, which receives the feed unit 19 in a sealing manner and which bellows 47 performs the sealing against the inner wall of the housing 8 . In this way, the housing 8 would be divided into two in its interior, namely in an interior 49 of the bellows 47 , which is under atmospheric pressure and in which the feed unit 19 is arranged, and in the exterior 50 of the bellows 47 , which is from the inner wall of the housing 8 limited, forms the pressure chamber into which the pressure medium is introduced.

The bellows 47 is only used to seal the feed unit 19 , which then does not have to be flooded and can therefore be constructed more simply.

This situation is shown in Fig. 8, where it can be seen that the lower end 51 of the bellows 47 is sealingly connected to the test probe 14 , while the upper end 48 of the bellows 47 is sealingly connected to a flange in the housing 8 .

In this way, the interior 49 of the bellows 47 is kept free of the pressure medium and the feed unit 19 arranged there can therefore be constructed more easily, while the exterior 50 is under pressure medium.

Drawing legend

1

Pressure line

2nd

hydrant

3rd

ground

4th

Screw connection

5

Top head

6

Sinking

7

Connection unit

8th

casing

9

cylinder

10th

Connection

11

Connection

12th

Piston rod

13

Telescopic pole

14

Test probe

15

poetry

16

lens

17th

lens

18th

procedure

19th

Feed unit

20th

Arrow direction

21

Sliding tube

22

Carrier pipe

23

spindle

24th

Gate valve

25th

Arrow direction

26

Clutch claw

27

Connecting claw

28

upper opening

29

lower slide opening

30th

cover

31

Connecting flange

32

Arrow direction

33

Drum unit

34

electric wire

35

Arrow direction

36

Push bar

37

poetry

38

pole

39

Handle

40

Telescopic spindle

41

part

42

part

43

part

44

part

45

transmission

46

drive

47

Bellows

48

top end

49

inner space

50

Outside space

51

lower end

Claims (15)

1. Method for inspecting fresh water and gas pipes ( 1 ), in particular laid underground, with at least one connection to a hydrant ( 2 ), the following steps being carried out:

• a) placing a connection unit ( 7 ) on this hydrant ( 2 ) and hermetically sealing connection;
• b) flooding the hydrant ( 2 ) with the medium via a slide device ( 21 ) connected to the hydrant ( 2 );
• c) lowering the testing, measuring, and renovation device ( 12 , 14 , 19 ; 12 , 13 , 14 , 9 ; 14 , 34 ; 14 , 36 ; 14 , 38 ; 14 ) arranged and axially movable in the connection unit ( 7 ), 40 ; 12 , 14 , 19 , 47 ) down through the connection unit ( 7 );
• d) Further lowering the testing, measuring and refurbishing device ( 12 , 14 , 19 ; 12 , 13 , 14 , 9 ; 14 , 34 ; 14 , 36 ; 14 , 38 ; 14 , 40 ; 12 , 14 , 19 , 47 ), through the hydrant ( 2 ) into the pressure line ( 1 );
• e) performing the measurements and / or inspections and / or renovations;
• f) pulling out the testing, measuring and refurbishing device ( 12 , 14 , 19 ; 12 , 13 , 14 , 9 ; 14 , 34 ; 14 , 36 ; 14 , 38 ; 14 , 40 ; 12 , 14 , 19 , 47 ) axially upwards out of the hydrant ( 2 ) into the connection unit ( 7 );
• g) closing the hydrant ( 2 );
• h) uncoupling and removing the connection unit ( 7 ).

2. Device for the inspection of fresh water and gas pipes ( 1 ), in particular buried and pressurized, comprising a connection unit ( 7 ) with housing ( 8 ), which is connected via a coupling claw ( 26 ) to a connection claw ( 27 ) of a hydrant ( 2 ) is hermetically sealingly connectable, which hydrant (2) media-conducting manner by means of a valve flap (24) to the line (1) or can be separated from this, wherein, in the connecting unit (7) a test, measurement, restoration means (12 14 , 19 ; 12 , 13 , 14 , 9 ; 14 , 34 ; 14 , 36 ; 14 , 38 ; 14 , 40 ; 12 , 14 , 19 , 47 ) with test head ( 14 ) and at least one camera, which is by means of a feed device ( 19 ) is designed to be movable from the connection unit ( 7 ) through the hydrant ( 2 ) into the line ( 1 ), characterized in that the feed device ( 19 ) of the testing, measuring and refurbishing device ( 12 , 14 , 19 ; 12 , 13 , 14 , 9 ; 12 , 14 , 19 , 47 ) consists of a piston-cylinder unit which has at least one telescopic piston rod ( 12 , 13 ), or contains an elastic or rigid push rod ( 34 , 36 , 38 ) or by a mechanical spindle ( 40 ) is formed, which consists of a plurality of spindle parts ( 41-43 ) which can be rotated telescopically relative to one another, the respective free ends of the piston rod ( 12 , 13 ) or the push rod ( 34 , 36 , 38 ) or the spindle parts ( 41 -43 ) the test head ( 14 ) is arranged. 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the test head ( 14 ) has at least two lenses ( 16 , 17 ) which are arranged offset by approximately an angle of 90 ° to each other. 4. Device according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the testing, measuring, renovation device ( 12 , 14 , 19 ; 12 , 13 , 14 , 9 ; 14 , 34 ; 14 , 36 ; 14 , 38 ; 14 , 40 ; 12 , 14 , 19 , 47 ) contains a measuring head ( 14 ) which can make physical and / or chemical measurements. 5. Device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the testing, measuring, renovation device ( 12 , 14 , 19 ; 12 , 13 , 14 , 9 ; 14 , 34 ; 14 , 36 ; 14 , 38 ; 14 , 40 ; 12 , 14 , 19 , 47 ) contains a renovation head ( 14 ) with brushes and / or high-pressure nozzles and / or ultrasonic sensors and / or resin devices. 6. Device according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the test head ( 14 ) can be pivoted and moved in the line ( 1 ). 7. Device according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the feed unit ( 19 ; 9 ; 33 , 34 ; 40 ) via an electric ( 44 ), pneumatic ( 10 , 11 ) or hydraulic ( 10 , 11 ) drive becomes. 8. Device according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the feed unit ( 33 , 34 ; 36 ; 38 ) is driven by a manual drive ( 39 ). 9. Device according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the elastic push rod ( 34 ) can be unwound from a cable drum ( 33 ). 10. Device according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the elastic push rod ( 34 , 36 , 38 ) through a pressure-resistant seal ( 15 , 37 ) in the housing ( 8 ) from the outside through the housing ( 8 ) can be pushed . 11. The device according to one of claims to 2 to 10, characterized in that the testing, measuring, remediation devices ( 12 , 14 , 19 ; 12 , 13 , 14 , 9 ; 14 , 34 ; 14 , 36 ; 14 , 38 ; 14 , 40 ; 12 , 14 , 19 , 47 ) are rotatable relative to each other and to the housing ( 8 ). 12. The device according to one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that the signal and supply lines for the test, measurement, renovation device ( 12 , 14 , 19 ; 12 , 13 , 14 , 9 ; 14 , 34 ; 14 , 36 ; 14 , 38 ; 14 , 40 ; 12 , 14 , 19 , 47 ) are sealingly passed through the connection flange of the connection unit ( 7 ) and the signal lines thus work independently of the feed unit. 13. Device according to one of claims 2 to 12, characterized in that the signal and supply lines for the testing, measuring, renovation device ( 12 , 14 , 19 ; 12 , 13 , 14 , 9 ; 14 , 34 ; 14 , 36 ; 14 , 38 ; 14 , 40 ; 12 , 14 , 19 , 47 ) are arranged coaxially on the inside in the feed unit itself. 14. Device according to one of claims 2 to 13, characterized in that the feed devices within the housing ( 8 ) by a bellows ( 47 ) are hermetically sealed. 15. The apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the bellows ( 47 ) at its upper end ( 48 ) on the housing ( 8 ) and at its lower end ( 51 ) on the test head ( 14 ) is hermetically sealed.