Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L1/00—Laying or reclaiming pipes; Repairing or joining pipes on or under water
  • F16L1/024—Laying or reclaiming pipes on land, e.g. above the ground
  • F16L1/028—Laying or reclaiming pipes on land, e.g. above the ground in the ground
  • F16L1/038—Laying or reclaiming pipes on land, e.g. above the ground in the ground the pipes being made in situ
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L55/00—Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems
  • F16L55/16—Devices for covering leaks in pipes or hoses, e.g. hose-menders
  • F16L55/162—Devices for covering leaks in pipes or hoses, e.g. hose-menders from inside the pipe
  • F16L55/165—Devices for covering leaks in pipes or hoses, e.g. hose-menders from inside the pipe a pipe or flexible liner being inserted in the damaged section
  • F16L55/1652—Devices for covering leaks in pipes or hoses, e.g. hose-menders from inside the pipe a pipe or flexible liner being inserted in the damaged section the flexible liner being pulled into the damaged section

Definitions

• the subject of the invention is a method of producing a fluid transport pipe, more particularly intended for the circulation of a fluid being under a relatively high pressure, for example from 1 to 10 bars or even more.
• the invention is specially adapted for making pipes of very large cross section, for example greater than 2 m 2, but can also be advantageously used for making pipes of more common dimensions.
• a pressurized fluid transport pipe is usually made in the form of metal or concrete pipe elements, which are placed end to end and the ends of which are threaded one inside the other with interposition of seals. These elements can dislodge, for example following settlements and / or overpressures, and this is why, in order to resist relatively high pressures, it is usually preferred to produce metal pipes made up of tubular elements welded end to end, or adjacent panels such as, for example, in the case of penstocks for hydroelectric installations. In this case, the tubular elements or the curved panels constituting the pipe are transported to the site and welded on site. It is difficult, however, to properly align the tubular elements to achieve the weld in good conditions, especially for large sections.
• Such pipes must often extend over long distances substantially following the profile of the ground and are therefore often laid at the bottom of a trench of greater or lesser depth and covered with an embankment. Because the pressure can vary and even become negative compared to the outside, there is a risk of deformation by flattening of the pipe and we are therefore led to increase the thickness of the pipe to allow it to withstand these stresses. On the other hand, the pipe is intended to be used for many years and must therefore be able to withstand differential settlement. To solve such problems, the inventor has proposed, for several years, a new technique for producing a pipe for transporting pressurized fluid.
• the pipe comprises a tight pipe made up of a tubular enclosure with a thin wall, normally metallic and fixed on a support mass forming a rigid base of reinforced concrete or prestressed.
• the concrete block ensures the rigidity of the tubular enclosure by resting on the laying surface by an enlarged surface allowing to distribute the applied loads and to better resist differential settlements, while the metal enclosure which achieves the sealing and transport function of the pressurized fluid, is essentially subjected to tensile forces due to internal pressure and can therefore consist of a relatively thin wall.
• the concrete base is molded on a curved panel constituting the lower part of the pipe and comprises a central part forming a base resting on the ground passing under the pipe and two sides lateral which go up on either side of the pipe so as to maintain the latter.
• This avoids ovalization of the tubular enclosure and facilitates welding.
• the upper part of the enclosure is more resistant to external pressure, for example the load of an embankment, due to its semi-circular profile sealed at two diametrically opposite points.
• the tubular enclosure can be made up of elements produced in advance and generally comprises a lower element consisting of a curved panel sealed on the concrete base and one or more upper panels which close the pipe upwards and are welded to the sides of the panel of the lower element.
• the inventor continued his studies and developed a new process, particularly simple and economical, for producing a pipe generally made up of successive elements aligned and fixed end to end, each comprising a section. tubular thin wall, fixed, at least by its lower part, on a rigid base forming at least part of a foundation block on which rests said tubular enclosure.
• each element of the pipe is produced in the following manner: - there is at least one cradle comprising at least two holding members spaced transversely by a distance corresponding, at least at one level, to the profile, in straight section, of the pipe to be made,
• At least one thin wall panel of substantially rectangular shape is produced having two parallel longitudinal sides and two transverse sides spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the perimeter, in cross section, of the pipe to be produced,
• said panel is wound on itself around an axis parallel to its longitudinal sides to form a rolled up tube having a width less than the diameter of the pipe to be produced
• the panel thus rolled up is placed on at least one cradle, - the panel is allowed to unroll to apply to the cradle holding members by taking the profile, in cross section, of the pipe to be produced, the two longitudinal sides of the panel coming substantially at the same level along a common generator, - said longitudinal sides are then assembled to one another so as to form a tubular section of the pipe,
• the section thus sealed is sealed, at least over a part of its length, on a masonry piece constituting a part of the support mass of the pipe.
• each cradle has a curved internal face having a profile corresponding, in cross section, to that of a part of the pipe to be produced, with two raised sides constituting lateral members for maintaining the profile of the wall. and, after having placed the rolled-up panel on at least one cradle, the said panel is allowed to unwind so as to be applied over the entire internal face of the cradle by a part taking the form of the latter, the two longitudinal sides of the panel being held by the raised sides and coming at substantially the same level along a common generatrix, and said longitudinal sides are assembled to one another so as to form a section of the tubular enclosure.
• each cradle has an internal face surrounding at least a part of the tubular enclosure and provided with at least two spacers for holding the spacers on which the panel is applied, after unwinding, while being spaced of said internal face by a space in which a mortar or concrete is injected to seal the section thus formed on the cradle which constitutes a part of the support mass of the pipe.
• the rolled-up panel is placed on at least two spaced apart cradles and, after unrolling the panel and assembling its sides to produce a tubular section, it is put in place on both sides of said tubular section of the formworks limiting a space surrounding a part of the periphery of said tubular section, then concrete is poured into said space, so as to produce, after hardening and formwork removal, a rigid base forming at least part of the support block and on which the tubular section is sealed, the two cradles being incorporated in said base.
• This rigid base is made of possibly prestressed reinforced concrete and therefore includes a reinforcement reinforcement put in place before the concrete is poured.
• the internal face of the cradle on which the rolled-up panel is applied usually has a circular profile, but it is also possible to give the cradle a non-circular profile making it possible to produce pipes with a lowered profile comprising a central part with a large radius of curvature, possibly planar. , which is progressively connected, by rounded parts, to two raised sides.
• the two longitudinal sides of the panel can be assembled, for example by welding, either edge to edge, or by overlapping, any known method of assembly being able to be used insofar as it makes it possible to make a connection waterproof and resistant over the entire length of the pipe.
• each cradle on which a rolled-up panel is placed to make a tubular section can be placed on the construction site in the extension of a part of pipe already made. In this case, this cradle is then incorporated into the concrete poured around the new section of pipe in order to extend the supporting length of the pipe by the corresponding length.
• each tubular section is produced on at least one cradle placed on a prefabrication site spaced from the construction site of the pipe and is sealed on a concrete base, so as to form a pipe element which, after taking and hardening of the concrete, is transported to the construction site and laid in the extension of a part of pipe already made.
• the cradle on which a rolled-up panel is placed can also be a simple template for shaping and for assembling the edges of the pipe section, which is associated with formwork comprising at least two lateral extensions extending up to at a level higher than that of said tubular section so as to encompass the upper part thereof in concrete poured between the two risers to form the rigid base associated with said section.
• the pipe element thus produced is turned over and placed in the extension of the pipe already produced, resting on said rigid base.
• the concrete base on which the tubular section is sealed has a length slightly less than that of said section, so as to facilitate the welding of the new pipe element on a corresponding end of the last tubular section of the pipe already made.
• an original method has also been developed for manufacturing the metal panels constituting the various tubular sections of the pipe.
• a plurality of metal strips are unrolled and cut successively from a very long coil, each having a length corresponding to the perimeter, in cross section, of the pipe to be produced, said strips forming strips which are placed side by side and welded along their adjacent sides, the number of strips being determined as a function of the width of a coil and the length of the transverse sides of the panel to be produced .
• Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a pipe element.
• Figure 2 is a view, in cross section, of such a pipe element.
• Figure 3 shows, in top view, a panel for the realization of a section of the tubular enclosure.
• Figure 4 shows, in perspective, a rolled up panel.
• FIG. 5 shows, in three superimposed views a, b, c, the stages of construction of the pipe.
• FIG. 6 schematically shows a method of producing a panel.
• Figure 7 shows, in side view, another embodiment of the pipe.
• Figure 8 shows, in two schematic views, another embodiment of a pipe element.
• Figure 9 shows, in cross section, an alternative embodiment.
• Figure 10 shows, in elevation, another alternative embodiment.
• FIG 1 there is shown schematically, in perspective, part of a fluid transport pipe (C) of the type described, for example, in document WO 00/44993 and consisting of prefabricated elements E placed end to end end and comprising a tubular enclosure 2 fixed on a support block (M) and consisting of sections T of length L which are centered on a longitudinal axis 20 of the pipe and welded end to end along their adjacent ends 21.
• C fluid transport pipe
• M support block
• each section T of the tubular enclosure 2 consists of a thin metal wall preferably having a circular section of diameter D and sealed on a base made of concrete 1 which constitutes a part of the support mass M corresponding to the section T of the enclosure 2 and preferably has a U-shape, comprising a central portion 1 1 forming a base passing beneath the enclosure 2 and two lateral sides 12 which rise on either side thereof, for example up to the level of the longitudinal axis 20.
• the rigid base 1 is reinforced by a frame 13 forming a reinforcement cage.
• the tubular enclosure 2 is sealed in the concrete B constituting the rigid base 1 so as to be perfectly secured to it.
• the lower part 22 of the enclosure 2 is provided, on its external face, with fastening elements 35 which project outwardly so as to be sealed in the rigid base 1 after casting. concrete.
• each section T of the tubular enclosure 2 consists of a thin sheet metal panel 3 preferably having a rectangular shape, with two longitudinal sides 31 and two transverse sides 32.
• the two longitudinal sides 31, parallel to the longitudinal axis 30 of the panel 3 have a length L equal to the length of the section T to be formed.
• the two transverse sides 32 have a length L, equal to the perimeter ⁇ D of the tubular enclosure 2 to be produced.
• FIG. 5a schematically illustrate a first embodiment, according to the invention, of a pipe comprising a metal tubular enclosure 2 formed of successive sections T welded end to end and sealed on a solid support concrete M resting on a installation platform A.
• two support members 4, 4 ′ separated from a distance d less than the length L of the section.
• These support members may each consist of a prefabricated piece of reinforced concrete constituting a cradle having a lower part 41 resting on the ground A and two raised sides 42 which limit a curved bottom 43 having a concave U-shaped profile turned towards the top and corresponding, in cross section, to that which must be given to the lower part 22 of the tubular enclosure 2.
• this part 22 is semi-circular.
• the rectangular panel 3 intended to form the new section T of the tubular enclosure is wound on itself around a longitudinal axis and up to a diameter less than the diameter D of the enclosure to be produced.
• the two longitudinal sides 31, 31 ′ of the panel 3 overlap, the coiled tube 3 ′ thus formed thus having a width I less than the diameter D of the pipe to be produced which is also that of the concave face 43 of the cradles 4.
• the panel 3 'thus rolled up can therefore be easily placed on the concave bottoms 43 of the two cradles 4, 4' (FIG. 5a).
• the panel 3 is then allowed to unfold, which comes to apply completely against the bottom 43 of the two cradles 4, 4 ′, forming, as shown in FIG. 5b, a circular pipe.
• the two transverse sides 32 of the panel have a length Li equal to the perimeter of the pipe, the two longitudinal sides 31, 31 'come substantially at the same level and one can easily be assembled one with the 'other, for example by moving along this common generator 33, a welding device S of known type.
• We thus constituted a new tubular section T which rests on the two cradles 4, 4 ′ and is perfectly aligned with the axis 20 of the pipe 2 already produced on which the bottoms 43 of the two cradles 4, 4 ′ have been centered.
• the end 34 of the section T limited by the transverse side 32 of the panel 3 wound on itself is then in contact with the end 24 of the tubular enclosure 2 already produced and can be easily welded therewith.
• part 1 of the support block M corresponding to the new section T of the enclosure.
• This part 1 is normally made of reinforced concrete and therefore comprises a reinforcing cage 13 having a horizontal part which passes below the pipe 2 and a vertical part which rises laterally, so as to include a lower part 22 of the driving.
• This reinforcement cage 1 3 which can be prefabricated in the factory and delivered to the site, is placed between the separated cradles 4, 4 ′ preferably before the installation of the rolled-up tube 3 ′.
• this cage 13 could also consist of two L-shaped parts placed between the cradles 4, 4 'after the installation and assembly of the tubular section T.
• formwork panels 15 are applied which can be applied to the lateral sides 42 of the cradles 4, 4 ′ and limit a hollow space 10 surrounding the entire lower part 22 of the section T and in which the frame 13 is placed.
• a concrete B is then poured into this space 10 which, after setting, constitutes the rigid support base 1 of the pipe element E.
• the support cradles 4, 4 ′ are incorporated into this concrete base 1 and can moreover advantageously constitute end forms for the pouring of concrete.
• each new control element is produced on the site of construction, as an extension of the elements previously installed.
• the site can be supplied with ready-to-use concrete and transported by pumping in order to be poured into the desired location between the forms 15 which may, moreover, be sliding forms, the concrete base 1 is thus produced by advancing over a relatively large length.
• Such a technique would, in particular, make it possible to conduct the pipe in an underground gallery, the concrete being able to be delivered outside.
• each section T is placed on two spaced apart cradles which are incorporated in the base 1 of the pipe and can constitute lost formwork at each end of each element E.
• the support block is made during advancement, it is preferable to provide openings in the cradles 4 allowing the concrete to pass from one interval to the next.
• each panel 3 is provided, in its central part 36 corresponding to the lower part 22 of the section to be produced, with a plurality of connecting members 35 welded on its external face and extending projecting so as to be embedded in the concrete poured between the forms 15, in order to ensure the sealing of the tubular enclosure 2 in the rigid base 1 after the setting of the concrete B.
• These fastening members can consist simply of metallic parts individually welded and distributed regularly.
• metal profiles possibly having a constructive role of wedging on the reinforcement cage and anchoring to it to resist the buoyancy of Archimedes during the pouring of concrete.
• These metal profiles may possibly protrude from the element under construction, so as to serve as positioning wedging for the envelope of the next element.
• each panel 3 intended to form a section T of the tubular enclosure 2 may consist of metal plates welded along their adjacent sides.
• the panel 3 consists of a plurality of metal strips 5 produced by unwinding a coil M and welded edge to edge.
• the coil M is thus unwound so as to successively produce a certain number of strips 5 which form strips placed one beside the other and welded along their adjacent sides 51 to form the panel 3, the number of strips 5 being determined. as a function of the width I of the coil to produce a panel 3 having transverse sides of length L corresponding to that of the tubular section to be produced.
• This length L can, moreover, be determined so as to correspond to an integer number of strips 5.
• the invention is not limited to the details of the embodiments which have just been exposed but also covers any variant or equivalent means remaining within the protective framework defined by the claims.
• the longitudinal sides of the panels 3 can be assembled by any means suited to the nature and thickness of the wall and ensuring the necessary seal under the pressure of the transported fluid, for example resistance welding, by arc or by laser, carried out edge to edge or by covering. In some cases, simple bonding may be sufficient.
• the cradles 4 on which the rolled-up tubes 3 'are placed forming sections of the pipe are not necessarily made of concrete but could consist, for example, of metal parts welded.
• each section T could be formed on a single cradle having the length necessary to ensure the stability of the rolled-up panel 3 'placed on its concave face 43.
• the lateral parts 42 of each cradle 4 (FIG. 5a) must go up high enough to form wedges apart holding the lateral parts 37, 37 ′ of the panel 3 in order to facilitate the welding of its sides 31, 31 ′, it is not the same for the concrete base 1, the lateral sides 12 of which can rise to a lower level as soon as the section T is sealed over a sufficient width.
• the operating conditions of the pipe must be taken into account. For example, in the case of a pipe intended to be buried under an embankment, it can happen that the pressure inside the pipe is lowered below the level balancing the fill load. In this case, it is preferable that the lateral sides 12 of the concrete base rise high enough to participate in the crushing resistance.
• the production method which has just been described with reference to FIG. 5 and in which each new pipe element is produced in the extension of the part already laid is particularly advantageous for the production of pipes of large section , for example greater than 2 m 2 but it may be preferable, in particular, in the case of pipes of smaller dimensions, to carry out all or part of the pipe on a separate site in order to benefit from better conditions of realization.
• the method according to the invention has great flexibility and makes it possible to adapt as best as possible to the situation on the site and to the means available.
• the rigid base 1 of reinforced concrete of each pipe element E has a length L 'slightly less than the length L of the associated section T so as to provide, at the two ends 34 thereof, a free part which can be easily welded to the end 24 of the last section of the enclosure produced, the concrete base 1 of the new section T being separated from the base Y already produced by a free space 16 which facilitates the production of the weld and can, if necessary, be filled with concrete 16 ′ after the welding of the two successive tubular sections.
• the assembly cradles are not necessarily incorporated into the concrete base 1. It may, in fact, be advantageous to use one or more permanent cradles as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 8.
• This permanent cradle 6 forms, in this case, a simple template which can consist of two parts spaced apart one from the other. the other or a single part having, in cross section, a U-shape with a concave internal face 61 whose profile corresponds to that of the upper part of the pipe to be produced.
• each section of the tubular enclosure 2 consists of a panel 3 which is rolled up and placed on the template 6, the shape of which it follows.
• the two longitudinal sides 31, 31 ′ therefore come substantially at the same level and are welded along the common generator 33.
• two forms 15 placed, on either side of the template 6, two forms 15 provided with risers 15 'which extend upwards to a level placed above the common generator 33, at a distance corresponding to l thickness of the concrete base to be produced.
• the space 10 ' is closed downwards, by two horizontal forms 17 extending on either side of the section T between the two templates carrying the latter. .
• the forms 15, 15 ′ can be removed and the tubular section T sealed in the concrete is lifted which, after turning, forms the rigid base 1 of a pipe element E.
• This element can be transported to the construction site and assembled with the part of the pipe already made, as shown in FIG. 7.
• the method according to the invention makes it possible to use, for the production of the tubular enclosure 2, very thin panels whose thickness is determined simply to resist the tensile forces resulting from the pressure exerted inside the tubular enclosure 2 by the fluid to be transported. It is therefore possible to use a very thin metal sheet which can easily be rolled up and which, after laying on a cradle 4, perfectly matches the shape of the latter, in particular if the curvature varies gradually, without angular point. Therefore, the profile, in cross section, of the internal face 43 of the cradles 4 is not necessarily circular. It is possible, in particular, to give the cradles 4 the shape shown in FIG.
• fluid transport comprising a tubular enclosure capable of withstanding by itself the stresses resulting from internal pressure and bearing on the ground by a foundation solid made of reinforced or prestressed concrete particularly able to resist differential settlement.
• a foundation solid made of reinforced or prestressed concrete particularly able to resist differential settlement.
• Such a pipe can be simply laid on the ground or in the bottom of a trench and then covered with an embankment.
• a protective shell 28 consisting, for example, of prefabricated concrete shells resting, by their lateral edges, on the rigid base 1.
• Such a protective shell could also be used in the case of open-air pipes in order to achieve thermal protection of the tubular enclosure 2, the shell possibly being made of an insulating material.
• the tubular enclosure can be provided, in certain places, with expansion joints making it possible to absorb thermal stresses.
• expansion joints For small or medium sections, you can simply make so-called “lyre" parts.
• the invention is particularly advantageous for the production of large diameter pipes.
• expansion joints made of a deformable material, for example welded to the metal wall by vulcanization or else made up of corrugated parts.
• the small thickness that can be given to the wall of the tubular enclosure 2 also has the advantage of considerably reducing the cost of the latter or, at equal cost, allowing the use of more expensive metals, for example. example, stainless steel.
• the slightly higher cost of the pipe would then be offset by the advantages which result from the use of stainless steel for the transport of aggressive fluids or drinking water. It is known, in fact, that stainless steel is completely neutral and particularly suitable for the transport of food products and, in addition, considerably facilitates maintenance. In addition, stainless steel is particularly resistant to external attack and corrosion and avoids the installation of a protective coating.
• the invention can also find other advantageous applications, for example for the transport of aggressive or polluting fluids.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• On-Site Construction Work That Accompanies The Preparation And Application Of Concrete (AREA)
• Sewage (AREA)

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• 2002
  • 2002-12-19 FR FR0216217A patent/FR2849145B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2003
  • 2003-12-19 WO PCT/FR2003/050197 patent/WO2004057223A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2003-12-19 EP EP03810007A patent/EP1576309A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2003-12-19 AU AU2003302192A patent/AU2003302192A1/en not_active Abandoned

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