FR2733575A1 - Extension and monitoring assembly for fluid distribution circuit - Google Patents

Abstract

The assembly is designed for fitting an extension pipe (15) to a circuit (10) already in use and equipped with an outlet pipe section (6) with a stoppered end. The assembly consists of a chamber (3) with a well (2) containing a ball (1). The chamber is connected to the main circuit and outlet pipe section by conical surfaces (7) which can be closed by the ball. The ball is moved by a fluid flow through the chamber. To fit the extension pipe, a flow is induced in the chamber by an opening valve (13). The ball then rises and shuts off the outlet pipe, allowing the stopper to be removed and the extension pipe fitted. The two valves are then linked by a by-pass which balances the pressure and enables the ball to drop back into the well so that the fluid flows evenly between the main and extension pipes.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION
EXTENSION AND CONTROL DEVICE
- A FLUID DISTRIBUTION NETWORK
Technical Field of the Invention: the technical fields concerned by the present invention are those of public security, following the operation of a fluid distribution network, and when there is a need to extend said network.

For various distribution reasons, it is common to be obliged to increase the range of a network carrying a fluid, in particular to meet the demand of new customers.

State of the Art: the way in which the extension of a distribution network is carried out depends mainly on the nature of the material constituting the pipe, the nature and the pressure of the fluid conveyed.
Generally, this operation is carried out under load without interrupting the flow of the fluid. Adequate and specific means are used to: - lay the new pipeline; - connect that to the network already supplied and operated - load the new pipeline, so as to allow the operation of the extended network; - carry out the tests necessary to validate this structure.

These various operations are carried out after having prepared a working excavation, which is then backfilled when the operations mentioned above have been validated, or by drawing the pipe through a horizontal borehole.

In both cases, it is necessary to use additional tools, not forming part of the invention, which make it possible to connect the existing network which is in charge to the newly laid portion which is out of charge. These tools make it possible to achieve the temporary closure of the network under load, at the junction with the extended pipeline.

The procedures for using these tools are often cumbersome and complex, and contribute to the heightening of the criticality of the danger.

Then begins the operation of the structure thus constituted. During the life of this structure, malfunctions may occur, following external actions such as third-party work, for example, which can lead to serious consequences - up to and including jeopardizing public safety.

These situations sometimes occur, in the context of interventions on other concessions located in the ground in the vicinity of the above-mentioned structure, when untimely maneuvers occur causing significant deterioration of the said structure.

This deterioration can become critical and be the cause over time of a major leak located on the pipe, and create a climate of insecurity if the fluid distributed is dangerous such as certain gases for example.

A critical situation is one where inadvertently the tearing of the pipe occurs, causing a significant leak, located at the level of the pipe, which can have dangerous consequences, depending on the nature of the fluid and its distribution pressure.

To remedy these situations, it is urgently necessary to eliminate all risk of accidents and temporarily limit the leak, before initiating more substantial actions for final repair.

To do this, you must access: - either the pipe to stop the leak, by crushing the pipe for example, or by installing a temporary device for plugging the said leak - or one or more temporary shutter members, such as network valves, in order to suppress any flow of fluid.

This requires being able to reach these organs when they exist near the leak, otherwise if not proceed to the excavation of network access excavations.

If this is the case, carrying out these excavations is often long and sometimes random, which increases the risks mentioned above, of catastrophic situation.

In the current state of the art, no other procedure can be used to remedy such incidents.

Disclosure of the Invention: the invention makes it possible to connect a network in charge to a newly laid pipe in the extension of said network or in another direction, without it being necessary to use complex additional tools participating in the provisional closure of said network, at the junction with the extended pipeline.

The invention also aims to automatically and almost instantaneously interrupt the flow of the fluid, in the event of an involuntary leakage of said fluid in the atmosphere, following the tearing or piercing of the network on which the invention is arranged. .

The invention is used independently, without an external source of energy.

The attached drawings illustrate the invention: - Figure 1 shows a general view of the invention arranged at the end of a pipeline, pending a future extension of this network; - Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the invention as indicated above; - Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the invention arranged as indicated above, but during connection with a new network section, or having enabled the instantaneous closure of said network following a rupture or a significant leak located at the endorsement of the invention.

Figures 4 and 5 show a particular arrangement of the invention. In general, care will be taken to note the symmetry of the invention.

Description of the Invention: with reference to these drawings, the invention is mainly composed of the following elements: - a light ball (i) is trapped in the sealed chamber (2) mainly constituting the body (3) of the invention; - the weight of the ball (1) can be modified by means of the mass (8) to adjust it as a function of the value of a particular target flow; - This chamber (2) connected on the one hand to the upstream pipe (10) and on the other hand to the downstream pipe (15), by means of the tight junctions (9) and (1 4), is located at the bottom relative to the longitudinal axis (4) of said pipes - the diameter of the ball (1) is slightly greater than the diameter of the orifices (5) constituting the inlet and the outlet of the body of the invention; - the female conical shape (7) constituting the inlet to the outlet orifice (5), the dimensions of which cooperate with those of the ball (1) make it possible to achieve the desired closure - the valves (12) and (13 ) located on either side of the chamber (2) allow various operating maneuvers to be carried out, for example: purging, bypass, pressure tap, network ventilation.

Operation: the invention is illustrated using the accompanying descriptions, and the embodiments and materials are not limiting.

Originally the assembly described above, is set up at the end of an antenna network, by means and methods which are not part of the present invention.

A pipe element (6) closed by a tight plug (11) is associated with the invention, as indicated in FIG. 1. In normal situation the ball (1) is in the bottom of the chamber (2), both valves (12) and (13) are closed, the invention is therefore integral with the pipe (10) and forms with it a sealed assembly.

A) NETWORK EXTENSION FUNCTION:
When it is necessary to carry out an extension of the network, the invention makes it possible to connect a new pipe (15) to said network (10), without particular tools, as indicated below.

The valve (1 3) is open in order to cause a flow of the fluid, which. will drive the ball (1) towards the outlet orifice (5), thus causing a complete blockage of the device, by holding the ball (1) against the form (7) by means of the thrust of the fluid.

This then makes it possible to cut the plug (11) cleanly, without there being any risk of any release of fluid into the atmosphere.

In place of this plug, a connecting means (14) is arranged, thus making it possible to connect the new pipe (15) to the invention.

The two valves (12) and (13) are then connected together by means of a bypass, not forming part of the invention, making it possible to load the newly laid pipe (15). At the other end of this pipe, an opening is made to control the loading of the structure.

When the pressure is balanced, the ball (1) will automatically fall back into the chamber (2), and the two valves (12) and (13) will be closed, thus allowing the exploitation of the network (10) thus extended with the pipe ( 15).

If care has also been taken to have the invention fitted with a plug as indicated in FIG. 1, at the opposite end of the newly laid pipe (15), it will then be possible to proceed again to the extension of this network, without using additional tools, as we have just demonstrated above.

The two valves (12) and (13) are likely to include adjustable perforators, sealing plugs, sealing balls.

These so-called valves can also be implemented remotely, or else from the level of the ground surface, by means of a keyed mouth for example, for simply cutting a portion of the network.
B) SECURITY FUNCTION:
The weight of the ball (1) adjusted by means of the mass (8) is heavy enough that the latter cannot be sucked in and driven by the speed of the fluid in normal distribution situation.

The installations are normally supplied by the network, whatever the upstream pressure variations or the consumption variations desired by the customers.

The invention, as can be seen in FIG. 1, does not cause any pressure drop in the distribution of the fluid considered.

By cons in the case for example, where work would be undertaken near the network, or for any other reason, and an untimely maneuver makes that said pipe is pierced strongly or even torn, the present invention will have the effect of causing a automatic safety of said network as follows: - firstly, the fluid coming from the network will flow into the atmosphere; - Which will have the effect of considerably increasing the flow rate of the fluid between the invention and the breaking point, thus causing an increase in the speed of the fluid; - the pressure (P) located upstream of the breaking point will remain constant - due to the particular shape of the chamber (2), and the sudden increase in the speed of the fluid, the ball (1) will be drawn in and driven to the inlet (7) of the outlet orifice (5) of the device constituting the invention; - the particular shape located at the inlet (7) of the outlet orifice of the invention is such that it cooperates with the ball (1) which then completes the complete closure of the network - the fluid coming from the pipe distribution remains under constant pressure, and thereby keeps the ball (1) pressed in position on the form (7), thus constituting a permanent closure; - which makes any flow of the dispensed fluid impossible, and allows public safety to be restored automatically and almost instantly, in the case of a hazardous fluid. After repairing the pipe, the distribution situation can again return to normal, after having, by means of a back pressure, dropped the ball (1) into the chamber (2).

Special provisions of the invention: a particular provision of the invention, shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 4 and 5, relates to the number of tight junctions (9) arranged on the main body (3).

This particular arrangement of the invention can constitute a “T” connection with three branches or a “cross” with four branches.

Possible applications: different applications can be envisaged, in the field of security of distribution of a gaseous or liquid fluid - for all new extensions, requiring the extension of an antenna network - to add to any old network operated as an antenna, to be extended in the future; - to automatically monitor and secure a network in the context of external attacks.

Claims (8)

THE REVENDICATIONS 1 - Device for extending and controlling a fluid distribution network, mounted at the end of a network (10) for distributing pressurized fluid, characterized in that the device comprises a ball (1) which is free and captive d '' a chamber (2) located below the axis of passage of the fluid (4) and a conformation (7) substantially frustoconical constituting a bearing for ia ball (1) and cooperating therewith to completely seal one of the passages (5) when the flow of the fluid which has become significant entrains and applies the ball (1) against the conformation (7), making it possible to connect a newly laid network (15) without uncontrolled release of fluid in the atmosphere. 2 - Device according to claim 1 mounted on a network (10) of mesh distribution, characterized in that the device comprises a ball (1) free and trapped in a chamber (2) located below the axis of passage of the fluid (4) and a substantially frustoconical conformation (7) constituting a bearing for the ball (1) and cooperating with the latter to completely seal one of the passages (5) when the flow of the fluid which has become significant entrains and applies the ball (1) against the conformation (7), in order to make any transit of fluid through the device impossible. 3 - Device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the ball (1) housed in a chamber (2) located below the axis (4) for passage of the fluid is driven by the sudden increase in the flow of the said fluid, and is applied and maintained against the confrontation (7) in order to prohibit any flow of said fluid. 4 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the device consists mainly of a double conformation (7) frustoconical symmetrical by their large diameters, and for ensuring operation in several directions. 5 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the device can be controlled and triggered, remotely or not, by means of the valves (12) and (13). 6 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a particular arrangement of the device comprises three connection junctions (9) according to a "Tee" configuration of a network (10). 7 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a particular arrangement of the device comprises four connection junctions (9) according to a "cross" configuration of a network (10). 8 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the device does not cause any pressure drop in the distribution of fluid because the ball (1) is in normal situation below the frontal section for the passage of said fluid, materialized by the axis (4) of the network (10).