FR3140925A1 - reversal device and method of renovation of a fluid distribution infrastructure - Google Patents

Abstract

Inversion device for fluid and method for renovating a fluid distribution infrastructure, the inversion device comprising a body (10), comprising an internal chamber (11), a first inlet tubing channel (31), opening into the chamber (11) at a first level (I), a second entry route (32), opening into the chamber (11) at a second level (II), an exit route (33), opening in the chamber (11) at a third level (II), and a piston (20), engaged in the chamber (11) and movable between an upper position, located at a higher level (Sup), and a lower position, located at a lower level (Inf), in which the upper level (Sup) is located above the first, second and third levels (I, II), and in which the lower level (Inf) is located below the first level (I) and above the second and third levels (II). Fig. 3

Description

reversal device and method of renovation of a fluid distribution infrastructure

This presentation concerns a fluid reversal device and a process for renovating a fluid distribution infrastructure. This renovation process, which can take advantage of this inversion device, makes it possible to lay a new distribution pipe and connect it while reducing the nuisance generated by this renovation work. Such a process is particularly suitable for renovating drinking water distribution infrastructure, including buried pipes. However, such a process can more broadly concern any type of distribution infrastructure, liquid or gaseous fluids, buried or not, for civil or industrial use.

Distribution networks, particularly water distribution, are designed to operate for several decades. However, the passage of time inevitably leads to an aging of the infrastructure which weakens it and gradually reduces its efficiency. In particular, corrosion, erosion but also possible operating incidents or even ground movements are all factors which wear out the pipes and cause numerous leaks, more or less significant. These leaks are responsible for significant losses, which can exceed more than 20% in certain situations. The presence of defects in the pipe can also lead to a risk of contamination of the water distributed and therefore a potential health risk.

For all these reasons, it is generally desirable to renovate the water distribution network when it reaches a certain age or when too many defects are identified.

In a classic renovation process, a trench is made all along an old pipe to lay a new pipe, parallel to the old one, then the trench is closed. The test and disinfection of the new pipe are then carried out. Finally, new excavations are reopened vertically to the connections of the old pipeline and the new pipeline in order to transfer the existing connections to the new pipeline.

This classic renovation process is uneconomical and causes numerous nuisances. In particular, the fact of closing the first trench before reopening excavations to carry out the postponement of the connections results in a loss of time, and therefore of efficiency, while increasing the duration of immobilization of the road during which the circulation of vehicles and/or pedestrians is prevented or at least hindered.

Thus for an urban street of around 200m, comprising around 20 connections, the duration of carrying out the renovation is generally around 30 working days, half of which is devoted to carrying out the connection postponements. In addition, the carbon footprint of such a classic process is around 200 kg CO2 equivalent/meter all inclusive, which is quite high.

There is therefore a real need for a fluid inversion device and a process for renovating a fluid distribution infrastructure, which are devoid, at least in part, of the disadvantages inherent in the aforementioned known method.

This presentation relates to a fluid reversal device, comprising
a body, extending along a main direction, comprising an internal chamber,
a first entry route, opening into the room at a first level,
a second entrance route, opening into the room on a second level,
an exit route, opening into the bedroom on a third level, and
a piston, engaged in the chamber and movable between an upper position, in which the end surface of the piston is at a higher level, and a lower position, in which the end surface of the piston is at a lower level ,
in which the upper level is above the first, second and third levels, and
wherein the lower level is below the first level and above the second and third levels.

Thanks to such an inversion device, it is possible to very easily and very quickly switch between an old power source and a new power source, by simply maneuvering the piston from its upper position to its lower position. It is thus possible in a single gesture to condemn the old power source, without causing an interruption of the power supply at the time of the switch.

In particular, such a reversing device is much more practical and much simpler to use than a classic three-way valve. Such a reversing device is also simpler to produce and therefore less expensive.

Such a device is particularly useful when the power sources are buried because it is then possible to carry out the tilt from the surface, without generating additional road work. Thus, such a device is particularly useful for reducing the duration, cost, carbon footprint and nuisance of renovation work on a fluid distribution infrastructure.

In some embodiments, the first entry path, the second entry path, and/or the exit path extend perpendicular to the primary direction of the body.

In some embodiments, the second input path extends in a direction orthogonal to the first input path.

In certain embodiments, the exit route extends in the same plane as the second entry route, preferably in the extension of the second entry route.

In some embodiments, the end surface of the piston is flush with the top of the first inlet port when the piston is in its upper position.

In some embodiments, the end surface of the piston is flush with the top of the second inlet port when the piston is in its lower position.

In some embodiments, the body chamber includes a shoulder defining an upper section with a larger diameter and a lower section with a smaller diameter. This shoulder makes it possible in particular to form a stop for the piston, thus precisely delimiting the lower position of the piston.

In some embodiments, the first entry route opens into the upper section of the chamber. The first entry route is therefore blocked when the piston occupies the upper section of the chamber.

In some embodiments, the second entry route opens into the lower section of the chamber. Thus, the piston does not hinder the flow of the second inlet channel.

In some embodiments, the exit route opens into the lower section of the chamber. This ensures that the piston does not impede the output flow of the outlet channel.

In certain embodiments, the piston comprises a shoulder delimiting an upper portion with a larger diameter and a lower portion with a smaller diameter. In this way, the lower portion of the piston partially penetrates the lower section of the chamber, which improves the sealing of the piston.

In some embodiments, the piston includes at least one seal. A first piston can in particular be provided near the lower end of the piston, preferably in the lower portion of the piston, in order to ensure sealing at the head of the piston. A second seal may also be provided near the upper end of the piston, to reduce the risk of the upper section of the chamber leaking to the outside.

In some embodiments, the body includes at least one seal. In particular, a joint can be provided just above the shoulder. Such a seal contributes to the sealing of the piston head when the latter is in its lower position.

In some embodiments, the reversing device includes an operating rod connected to the upper end of the piston, preferably removably. Such an operating rod makes it possible to operate the reversing device remotely, for example from the surface when the reversing device is buried, without having to carry out excavations to uncover the reversing device. For this, the operating rod may have a length greater than 30 cm, preferably greater than 50 cm, even preferably greater than 100 cm.

In certain embodiments, the piston is locked in the lower position once this lower position is reached. In this way the second entry route is irreversibly blocked. This is particularly useful when transferring the connection of an old pipe to a new pipe.

In certain embodiments, the distance between the first level and the second level is between 50 and 100 mm.

In certain embodiments, the maximum diameter of the chamber is between 25 and 45 mm.

In certain embodiments, the minimum diameter of the chamber is between 15 and 25 mm.

In certain embodiments, the external diameter of the body is between 55 and 75 mm.

In some embodiments, the first entry port, the second entry port and/or the exit port have the same nominal diameter.

In certain embodiments, the nominal diameter of the first input channel, the second input channel and/or the output channel is between 20 and 50 mm.

The present presentation also relates to a process for renovating a fluid distribution infrastructure comprising an old distribution pipeline and at least one branch pipe connected to said old pipeline via an old intake device equipped with a tap, the process comprising the following steps:
installation of a new distribution pipeline;
installation of a new tapping device on the new distribution pipeline, the new tapping device being equipped with a tap initially closed;
setting up a three-way reversing device, a first input path being connected to the old tap device, the second input path being connected to the new tap device and the output path being connected to the connection pipe;
fluid supply to the new distribution pipeline; and opening the valve of the new gripping device and operating the reversing device.

Thanks to such a process, using such a three-way reversing device installed at the same time as the new pipeline and the new intake devices, it is possible to continue to supply the consumer with the liquid coming from the old pipeline the time to complete the installation of the test, the disinfection, the water samples for sanitary analyzes and their results on the new pipe, then to then switch the power supply from the new pipe, without having to intervene on the old one pipe, nor on the new pipe. In particular, once the new pipeline is ready and supplied with fluid, the switch can be carried out quickly, without undertaking additional heavy work, and without interrupting the fluid supply.

In some embodiments, the reversing device is a reversing device according to any of the preceding embodiments. However, if a reversing device in such configurations offers particular advantages, other types of devices can be used, for example a three-way valve.

In some embodiments, the fluid distribution infrastructure includes multiple branch pipes connected to the old pipeline, and a new tap device and reversing device is implemented for each of the plurality of branch pipes. Thus, when the new pipe is ready and supplied with fluid, it is possible to carry out the switchover for all the connections very quickly.

In certain embodiments, the steps of installing the new gripping devices and installing the inversion devices are carried out as the step of laying the new pipe is carried out. In other words, the installation of new gripping devices and reversing devices for a section of pipe can be carried out as soon as said section of pipe has been installed; in particular, this operation can be simultaneous with the installation of a subsequent section of the new distribution pipeline. Thus, one team can equip a section of pipe already laid while another team installs another section of pipe.

In some embodiments, the old distribution pipe is initially buried, and the new distribution pipe is laid so that it is ultimately buried. In particular, the pipes can be buried under roads, under a roadway and/or under a sidewalk.

In certain embodiments, the renovation process includes a step of opening a trench allowing the installation of the new distribution pipe.

In certain embodiments, the renovation process includes a step of opening excavations allowing the discovery of old gripping devices. This step is preferably simultaneous with the step of opening the trench. It is preferably carried out as the trench is opened.

In certain embodiments, the renovation process includes a step of closing the trench and/or excavations.

In certain embodiments, the closing step is carried out as the steps of installing the new gripping devices and installing the inversion devices are carried out. In other words, the trench and excavations are closed as new sections of pipe are laid and equipped. Thus, it is possible, simultaneously, to open a section of trench, to lay a first section of pipe, to equip a second section of pipe and to close the trench above a third section of pipe whose installation equipment installation is complete. In this way, the extent of road works is limited in time and space, which reduces the associated nuisance.

In certain embodiments, the step of installing the inversion device comprises placing the inversion device on a concrete base. This concrete base ensures the stability and maintenance of the verticality of the inversion device, particularly when compacting the ground following backfilling.

In certain embodiments, the step of installing the inversion device further comprises the installation of an extension tube. Such an extension tube makes it possible to backfill the excavation surrounding the inversion device while maintaining access from the surface in order to allow its operation. This extension tube can be temporarily closed with a cap or a keyhole.

In some embodiments, the closing step is completely completed before the reversing device maneuvering step. In particular, no new opening is then required to carry out the transfer of the connections between the old pipe and the new pipe.

In certain embodiments, the renovation process includes a step of removing the extension tube and filling the volume left by the latter, for example with sand.

In some embodiments, the renovation method includes a step of removing and replacing the branch pipe. This is particularly useful when the connection pipes are made of lead.

In some embodiments, the fluid is water, preferably potable water.

In certain embodiments, the old pipe is made of cast iron or polyethylene.

The aforementioned characteristics and advantages, as well as others, will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, of examples of production of the inversion device and the renovation process proposed. This detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.

The accompanying drawings are schematic and aim above all to illustrate the principles of the presentation.

In these drawings, from one figure to another, identical elements (or parts of elements) are identified by the same reference signs. In addition, elements (or parts of elements) belonging to different embodiments but having a similar function are identified in the figures by numerical references incremented by 100, 200, etc.

There is a side view of an example reversing device.

There is a front view of the reversing device of the .

There is a sectional view of the reversing device of the , in a first state.

There is a sectional view of the reversing device of the , in a second state.

There illustrates the initial state of a section of road before renovation.

There illustrates a first step of a first example of a renovation process.

There illustrates a second step of the first example of the renovation process.

There is a top view of a connection during the first example of the renovation process.

There is a sectional view of the connection of the .

There illustrates a third step of the first example of the renovation process.

There illustrates a second example of a renovation process.

In order to make the presentation more concrete, an example of an inversion device as well as examples of a renovation process are described in detail below, with reference to the appended drawings. It is recalled that the invention is not limited to these examples.

THE to 4 illustrate an example of insertion device 1. This inversion device 1 comprises a body 10, of generally cylindrical shape, extending in a main direction A. The body 10 comprises an internal chamber 11, extending in the main direction A and symmetrical of revolution around this main direction A. Chamber 11 opens at the upper end of body 10; however, a cover 12 is attached to the upper end of the body 10 in order to close the chamber 11.

Chamber 11 includes an internal shoulder 13 making it possible to define in chamber 11 a lower section 11a, of reduced diameter, and an upper section 11b, of larger diameter.

The body 10 comprises a first orifice 14, forming a first inlet path 31, placing the upper section 11b of the chamber 11 in communication with the outside; a second orifice 15, forming a second inlet path 32, placing the lower section 11a of the chamber 11 in communication with the outside; and a third orifice 16, forming an exit path 33, also putting the lower section 11a of the chamber 11 in communication with the outside. In this example, the nominal diameter of each of the orifices is equal to 25 mm.

The first orifice 14 opens orthogonally to the main direction A at a first level I along the main direction A. The second orifice 15 opens orthogonally to the main direction A at a second level II along the main direction HAS ; it extends in a direction orthogonal to that of the first orifice 14. The third orifice 16 opens orthogonal to the main direction 1, at the same level and diametrically opposite to the second orifice 15. In the present example 25 mm separate the first level I of second level II.

The inversion device 10 also comprises a piston 20 engaged in the chamber 11 of the body 10. The piston 20 comprises a shoulder 21 making it possible to define in the piston 20 a portion 20a, of reduced diameter adjusted to the diameter of the lower section 11a of the chamber 11, and an upper portion 20b, of larger diameter adjusted to the diameter of the upper section 11b of the chamber 11.

The piston 20 is movable in the chamber 11 between an upper position, shown on the , in which the end surface 22 of the piston 20 is located at a higher level Sup along the main direction A, and a lower position, shown on the , in which the shoulder 21 of the piston 20 abuts against the shoulder 13 of the chamber 11, the end surface 22 of the piston 20 then being located at a lower level Inf along the main direction A. The first Level I is located between the upper level Sup and the lower level Inf while the second level II is located above the first level I.

The piston 20 can be equipped with a removable control rod 23, making it possible to control the position of the piston 20 from outside the body 10, possibly remotely. This control rod 23 can thus be fixed to the upper end 24 of the piston 20: it then passes through an opening 17 made in the cover 12 of the body 10.

The inversion device 1 also includes several O-rings 18, 25 and 26 allowing, depending on the position of the piston 20, to ensure sealing between the piston 20 and the walls of the chamber 11. In this example, a first seal O-ring 18 is provided in a notch of the chamber 11, near the lower end of its upper section 11b: it is more precisely provided between the first orifice 14 and the shoulder 13 of the chamber 11. The second O-ring 25 is provided in a notch made in the lower portion 20a of the piston 20. The third O-ring 26 is provided in a practical notch in the piston 20, near its upper end 24: more precisely, the third O-ring 26 is positioned so as to always be located above the first orifice 14, whatever the position of the piston 20.

The lower surface 19 of the body 10 is flat and perpendicular to the main direction A in order to be able to place the inversion device 1 vertically, preferably on a concrete base 34.

A process for renovating a drinking water distribution network will now be described with reference to Figures 5 to 10.

There thus represents a section of road 40, comprising a roadway 41 framed by two sidewalks 42a, 42b, in its initial state. An old pipeline 43 is buried under roadway 41 along right-hand sidewalk 42b. The old pipeline 43 is provided with socket collars 44, each equipped with a socket tap 44a, making it possible to supply consumers located on each side of the road 40 via connection pipes 45.

In a first stage of the renovation, visible on the , clearing work is undertaken to open a first section 50a of a trench 50 as well as excavations 51 located to the right of the socket collars 44 of the old pipeline 43 and extending from the trench 50 over a certain length along the corresponding connection pipe 45. A section 53a of a new pipe 53 can then be laid in the section of trench 50a thus opened.

In a second stage, visible on the , new tap collars 54, each equipped with a tap tap 54a, are placed on the new pipeline 53, substantially at the same level as the tap collars 44 of the old pipeline 43, that is to say -say in excavations 51 opened previously.

In addition, reversing devices 55 are installed in the excavations 51, a reversing device 55 being provided for each of the branch pipes 45. In the present example, the reversing devices used correspond to the reversing device 1 described previously. However, it is recalled that other types of reversing devices, using for example one or more taps, could also be used.

The configuration thus implemented is better visible on the seen from above and on the in section view. When installing the inversion device 55, a concrete base 34 is first placed at the bottom of the excavation 51. Then, the inversion device 55 is placed vertically on the base 34 and its different channels 31, 32 and 33 are then connected: the first input channel 31 is connected to the tap valve 44a of the tap collar 44 of the old pipe 43; the second inlet channel 21 is connected to the tap valve 54a of the tap collar 54 of the new pipeline 53; and the outlet channel 33 is connected to the pre-existing branch pipe 45, or possibly replaced when such replacement was desired. Initially, the tap valve 54a of the new pipeline 53 is closed and the reversing device 55 is in its state allowing the passage of a flow coming from the first inlet channel 33. In other words, in the present case, the piston 20 of the inversion device 55 is in its upper position. In addition, the tap 44a of the old pipe 43 is temporarily closed while the inversion device 55 is installed and connected: it can be reopened immediately afterwards.

Back to the , it can be noted that it is possible in parallel with these operations to begin to open a second section 50b of trench 50 as well as new excavations 51 in order to lay a second section 53b of the new pipeline 53.

In a third stage, visible on the , the first section 50a of the trench 50, as well as the corresponding excavations, can be closed with backfill. However, before proceeding with backfilling, extension tubes 56a, 56b, 56c are arranged vertically of the old taps 44a, the new taps 54a and the inversion devices 55, respectively (visible on the ). Each of these extension tubes 56a, 56b, 56c is equipped on the surface with a temporary cap 57a, 57b, 57c or with a keyed mouth.

In parallel, the second section 53b of the new pipeline 53 can be equipped using clamps 54 and reversing devices 55. Likewise, it is also possible to start opening in parallel a third section 50c of trench 50 and to lay a third section 53c of the new pipeline 53.

Once the new pipe 53 has been completely installed and the trench 50 and the excavations 51 have been completely closed, with the exception of the areas of the extension tubes 56a, 56b, 56c, the new pipe 53 is rinsed and then disinfected. The test of the new pipeline 53 is then carried out in order to verify, in particular, that it does not present any leaks or contamination.

Once the test of the new pipeline 53 is completed, it is supplied with water. From this moment, it is possible to carry out the transfer of each of the connections, directly from the surface, without opening new excavations. Thus, for each of the connections, the tap 54a is opened by operating it using a tool through the extension tube 56b, then the reversing device 55 is operated through the extension tube 56c to condemn its first entry port 31. In practice, in the present example, the piston 20 of the reversing device 55 is pushed downwards to its lower position using the operating rod 23. This operation does not results in no interruption of the power supply to the consumer connected to the connection pipe 45 considered. Once the connection has been postponed, the operating rod 23 can be removed; the extension tube 56c can also be removed and the remaining volume filled.

There presents a second example of a renovation process. In this second example, it is not desired, or not possible, to lay the new pipe along the old pipe. For example, the old pipe 143 is here buried under the left sidewalk 142a while the new pipe 153 is laid under the roadway 141 along the right sidewalk 142b.

The renovation process is then entirely similar to that of the first example, except that it is necessary to open certain excavations 151a at a distance from the trench 150 in which the new pipe 153 is laid. Thus, in this second example, when a connection pipe 145 supplies a consumer located on the side of the roadway 141 opposite the old pipe 143, it is possible to open an excavation 151b contiguous to the trench 150 as is the case in the present example; on the other hand, when a connection pipe 145 supplies a consumer located on the same side of the roadway 141 as the old pipe 143, a separate excavation 151a is opened locally vertically to the old socket collar 144. In addition, in this second case, a passage 159 is dug under the roadway in order to connect the new grip collar 154 to the inversion device 155 located on the other side of the roadway 141. Such a passage 159 can for example be dug using a rocket, under roadway 141, without necessarily having to stop traffic. All other stages of the renovation process are analogous.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it is evident that modifications and changes can be made to these examples without departing from the general scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In particular, individual features of the different illustrated/mentioned embodiments can be combined in additional embodiments. Therefore, the description and drawings should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

It is also obvious that all the characteristics described with reference to a process are transposable, alone or in combination, to a device, and conversely, all the characteristics described with reference to a device are transposable, alone or in combination, to a process.

Claims (12)

Fluid reversing device, comprising
a body (10), extending along a main direction (A), comprising an internal chamber (11),
a first entry route (31), opening into the chamber (11) at a first level (I),
a second entry route (32), opening into the chamber (11) at a second level (II),
an exit route (33), opening into the chamber (11) at a third level (II), and
a piston (20), engaged in the chamber (11) and movable between an upper position, in which the end surface (22) of the piston (20) is located at a higher level (Sup), and a lower position, in which the end surface (22) of the piston (20) is located at a lower level (Inf),
in which the upper level (Sup) is located above the first, second and third levels (I, II), and
in which the lower level (Inf) is located below the first level (I) and above the second and third levels (II). Reversing device according to claim 1, wherein the second input path (32) extends in a direction orthogonal to the first input path (31), and
in which the exit path (33) extends in the same plane as the second entry path (32), preferably in the extension of the second entry path (32). Inversion device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the chamber (11) of the body (10) comprises a shoulder (13) delimiting an upper section (11b) with a larger diameter and a lower section (11a) with a larger diameter. weak,
in which the first entry route (31) opens into the upper section (11b) of the chamber (11),
in which the second inlet path (32) opens into the lower section (11a) of the chamber (11), and
wherein the exit path (33) opens into the lower section (11a) of the chamber (11). Inversion device according to claim 3, in which the piston (20) comprises a shoulder (21) delimiting an upper portion (20b) with a larger diameter and a lower portion (20a) with a smaller diameter. Reversing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising an operating rod (23) connected to the upper end (24) of the piston (20), preferably in a removable manner. Inversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the piston (20) is blocked in the lower position once this lower position has been reached. Method for renovating a fluid distribution infrastructure comprising an old distribution pipe (43) and at least one branch pipe (45) connected to said old pipe (43) via an old socket device ( 44) equipped with a tap (44a), the method comprising the following steps:
installation of a new distribution pipeline (53);
installation of a new tapping device (54) on the new distribution pipe (53), the new tapping device (54) being equipped with a tap (54a) initially closed;
providing a three-way reversing device (55), a first input way (31) being connected to the former socket device (44), the second input way (32) being connected to the new socket device (54) and the outlet way (33) being connected to the branch pipe (45);
fluid supply to the new distribution pipeline (53); And
opening the tap of the new socket device (54) and operating the reversing device (55). Renovation method according to claim 7, wherein the reversing device (55) is a reversing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Renovation method according to claims 7 or 8, in which the fluid distribution infrastructure comprises several branch pipes (45) connected to the old pipe (43),
in which a new taking device (54) and a reversing device (55) are put in place for each of said several branch pipes (45), and
in which the steps of installing the new gripping devices (54) and of installing the inversion devices (55) are carried out as the step of laying the new pipe is carried out ( 53). Renovation method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, in which the old distribution pipe (43) is initially buried, and
in which the new distribution pipe (53) is laid so as to ultimately be buried. Renovation method according to claim 10, comprising the following steps:
opening of a trench (50) allowing the installation of the new distribution pipe (53),
opening of excavations (51) allowing the discovery of old gripping devices (44), and
closure of the trench (50) and/or excavations (51),
in which the closing step is carried out as the steps of setting up the new gripping devices (54) and setting up the inversion devices (55) are carried out. Renovation method according to claim 11, wherein the closing step is completely completed before the step of operating the reversing device (55).