JP2022154140A - Branch flow path closing device and branch flow path closing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a compact branch flow path closing device and a branch flow path closing method with high work efficiency.SOLUTION: A branch flow path closing device X for closing a flow path of a branch pipe part branched from a fluid pipe, comprises: a locking mechanism 4 locked to a connecting portion between the branch pipe part and the fluid pipe; a seal mechanism 5 having an elastic member 5C capable of closing the flow path of the branch pipe; and a shaft member 7 that supports the locking mechanism 4 and the seal mechanism 5. The seal mechanism 5 has a fluid inflow part 51 that allows fluid to flow into the elastic member 5C, a first support part 5Ab that supports one end of the elastic member 5C, and a second support part 5Bb that supports the other end of the elastic member 5C. The first support part 5Ab and the second support part 5Bb are structured to be divided so as to be relatively movable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a branch channel closing device for closing a channel of a branch pipe branched from a fluid pipe, and a branch channel closing method using the branch channel closing device.

Conventionally, existing fluid equipment consisting of on-off valves (repair valves, etc.) installed in branch pipes of fluid pipes (water pipes, etc.), air valves installed above the on-off valves, fire hydrants, etc. There is known a branch flow channel blocking device that is used when a fluid device is replaced with a new fluid device (a fluid device is updated) due to reasons such as aging (see, for example, Patent Literature 1).

The branch flow path blockage device described in Patent Document 1 includes an outer operating shaft, an inner operating shaft inserted into the outer operating shaft, and a connection between the branch tube portion and the fluid tube by operating the outer operating shaft and the inner operating shaft. and a sealing member that is elastically deformed in the radially expanding direction by moving the outer operating shaft relative to the inner operating shaft to close the passage of the branch pipe. I have. The outer operating shaft and the inner operating shaft are divided so as to be connectable, and work efficiency can be improved even in a small working space.

JP 2010-38227 A

However, in the branch flow path closing device described in Patent Document 1, when the outer operating shaft is moved relative to the inner operating shaft to elastically deform the sealing material in the diameter expanding direction, the hydraulic pressure attached to the upper part of the work case A large driving force is required by the jack, and there is room for improvement in terms of increasing work efficiency. In addition, since the sealing material is elastically deformed in the radially expanding direction to close the flow path of the branch pipe, the axial dimension must be secured by the difference between the non-compressed state and the compressed state of the sealing material. Along with the increase in size, it is necessary to adjust the radial dimension of the sealing material according to the inner diameter of the branch pipe, and the degree of freedom in applying the branch flow channel closing device to the branch pipe is low.

Therefore, there is a demand for a compact branch channel closing device and a branch channel closing method with high work efficiency.

A characteristic configuration of a branch flow path blocking device according to the present invention is a branch flow path blocking device that blocks a flow path of a branch pipe branched from a fluid pipe, wherein A locking mechanism to be locked, a sealing mechanism having an elastic member capable of closing a flow path of the branch pipe portion, and a shaft member supporting the locking mechanism and the sealing mechanism, wherein the sealing mechanism is , a fluid inflow portion for inflowing a fluid into the elastic member, a first support portion for supporting one end of the elastic member, and a second support portion for supporting the other end of the elastic member, The first support part and the second support part are divided structures that are relatively movable.

In this configuration, the locking mechanism that is locked to the connecting portion between the branch pipe portion and the fluid pipe prevents the shaft member from moving upward due to the fluid pressure, thereby blocking the flow path of the branch pipe portion. prevents downward movement of the shaft member. As a result, by attaching this branch channel closing device to the branch pipe portion, the fluid device can be replaced while preventing the outflow of the fluid from the branch pipe portion.

The seal mechanism in this configuration has a fluid inflow portion for inflowing fluid into the inside of the elastic member, and the inflow of fluid from the fluid inflow portion causes the elastic member to expand and block the flow path of the branch pipe portion. . In other words, the sealing material is expanded by fluid pressure instead of being elastically deformed in the direction of radial expansion by compressing the sealing material as in the conventional art. As a result, it is not necessary to use a large driving force such as a hydraulic jack, and it is only necessary to supply the fluid from the fluid inflow part, so that the working efficiency can be improved. Moreover, if the seal mechanism is made of an elastic member that is expanded by the fluid pressure, it is possible to freely change the amount of expansion simply by changing the fluid pressure. It can correspond to a branch pipe part.

Moreover, since the seal mechanism in this configuration has a split structure in which the first support portion and the second support portion that support the elastic member can move relative to each other, the first support portion and the second support portion can move while supporting the elastic member. If tension is applied to the elastic member by separating the portion from the elastic member, it is possible to prevent deformation of the elastic member before expansion. As a result, when the elastic member is inflated by allowing the fluid to flow in from the fluid inflow portion, the elastic member can be inflated evenly, and the flow path of the branch pipe portion can be reliably closed. In this way, a compact branch channel closing device with high work efficiency could be provided.

Another characteristic configuration is that the seal mechanism further includes a first annular member connected to the shaft member, and a second annular member positioned closer to the fluid pipe than the first annular member, and the elastic member comprises a first pinched portion pinched between the first annular member and the first support portion, a second pinched portion pinched between the second annular member and the second support portion, and the first and an inflatable portion that connects the portion to be held and the second portion to be held and expands when a fluid flows in from the fluid inflow portion.

As in this configuration, both ends of the elastic member (the first clamped portion and the second clamped portion) are clamped by the first annular member and the first supporting portion and the second annular member and the second supporting portion. Therefore, it is possible to stabilize the posture when the inflatable portion is inflated.

Another characteristic configuration is that the shaft member has a uniaxial structure including an inner cylinder shaft for operating the locking mechanism and an outer cylinder shaft into which the inner cylinder shaft is inserted coaxially with the inner cylinder shaft. and a fluid passage communicating with the fluid inflow portion is formed in a gap between the inner cylinder shaft and the outer cylinder shaft.

As in this configuration, if a uniaxial structure is used in which a fluid flow path communicating with the fluid inflow portion is formed in the gap between the inner cylinder shaft and the outer cylinder shaft, the fluid inflow portion can be provided near the center of the seal mechanism. Therefore, the elastic member can be uniformly inflated by the fluid pressure. Moreover, since the inner cylinder shaft moves while being guided by the outer cylinder shaft when the locking mechanism is operated, the tilting of the inner cylinder shaft can be prevented and the durability can be improved.

Another characteristic configuration is that the locking mechanism is configured so that the diameter thereof can be expanded by rotating the nut.

As in this configuration, if the diameter of the locking mechanism is expanded by manipulating the nut, operability is excellent, and it is easy to confirm the completion of locking of the locking mechanism when the nut becomes unrotatable.

A characteristic configuration of a branch flow path closing method according to the present invention is a branch flow path closing method using any one of the branch flow path closing devices described above, wherein the flow path of the branch pipe portion is temporarily closed by a working valve. a closing step; a removal step of removing the existing fluid device connected to the branch pipe after the temporary closing step; A mounting step of mounting a work case in which the shaft member having a mechanism is inserted in a sealed state, and after opening the work valve, operating the shaft member to lock the locking mechanism to the connecting portion. The method includes a locking step and a closing step of supplying a fluid to the inside of the elastic member to close the flow path of the branch pipe portion.

In this method, by locking the locking mechanism to the connecting portion between the branch pipe portion and the fluid pipe, the upward movement of the shaft member due to the fluid pressure is prevented, and the fluid is supplied to the sealing mechanism to supply the branch pipe. The downward movement of the shaft member is prevented by blocking the passage of the portion. As a result, the fluid device can be easily replaced after the branch channel closing device is attached to the branch pipe portion and the closing step is performed.

Furthermore, the sealing mechanism in this method does not elastically deform the sealing material by compressing the sealing material in the radially expanding direction, but expands the elastic member by fluid pressure. As a result, it is not necessary to use a large driving force such as a hydraulic jack, and it is only necessary to supply the fluid to the seal mechanism, so that the working efficiency can be improved. Moreover, if the seal mechanism is made of an elastic member that is expanded by the fluid pressure, it is possible to freely change the amount of expansion simply by changing the fluid pressure. It can correspond to a branch pipe part.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing an existing fluid device; It is a sectional side view which shows the branch flow-path closure apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. 4 is an external view of the sealing mechanism; FIG. It is a sectional view of a seal mechanism. It is sectional drawing which shows the posture correction procedure of an elastic member. It is a sectional side view which shows the operation|movement procedure of a branch flow-path closure apparatus. It is a side view which shows a temporary closure process and a removal process. It is a sectional side view which shows a mounting|wearing process. FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing a locking step and a closing step; It is a sectional side view which shows a 1st removal process. It is a sectional side view which shows a 1st installation process. It is a partial sectional side view which shows a 2nd removal process. It is a side view which shows a 2nd installation process. It is a side view which shows the temporary closure process which concerns on another embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a branch channel blocking device and a branch channel blocking method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which a branch flow channel blocking device is used to renew air valves and gate valves that constitute a fluid device. However, without being limited to the following embodiments, various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. In the following description, the direction of gravity may be referred to as the bottom, and the direction opposite to the direction of gravity may be referred to as the top.

As shown in FIG. 1, a connecting flange portion 2c of a branch pipe portion 2 protruding radially outward in the middle of a water pipe 1 (an example of a fluid pipe) is provided upstream of a gate valve 3 (an example of an existing fluid device). The connecting flange portion 3a on the side (lower side) is detachably fixed by bolts and nuts in a watertight state. A connection flange portion 6a of an air valve 6 (an example of an existing fluid device) is tightened and fixed in a watertight state with bolts and nuts to the connection flange portion 3b on the downstream side (upper side) of the gate valve 3.

In the present embodiment, a branch flow path blockage device X, which will be described later, is used for reasons such as water leakage or failure due to deterioration or reaching the set service life while maintaining the water supply flow in the water pipe 1. Then, the existing gate valve 3 and air valve 6 are replaced with new repair valve 8 and air valve 9 (new fluid equipment) (see FIG. 13).

FIG. 2 shows a side cross-sectional view of the branch channel blocking device X. As shown in FIG. The branch channel closing device X closes the channel of the branch pipe section 2 branched from the water pipe 1 described above (see also FIG. 9). The branch flow path blocking device X includes a locking mechanism 4 that is locked to the connecting portion 2a between the branch pipe section 2 and the water pipe 1, and a sealing mechanism 5 that can block the flow path of the branch pipe section 2 (see also FIG. 9). ), a shaft member 7 that supports the locking mechanism 4 and the seal mechanism 5 and has a uniaxial structure of the inner cylinder shaft 7A and the outer cylinder shaft 7B, and a holding member 15 that holds the shaft member 7. there is Although the details will be described later, the seal mechanism 5 in this embodiment has a fluid inflow portion 51 into which air (an example of fluid) flows. and closes the flow path of the branch pipe portion 2 .

The locking mechanism 4 is provided at the upstream end (lower end), and includes a plate-like member 41 with which the tip of the inner cylinder shaft 7A abuts to restrict movement, and the plate-like member 41 is fixed to the inner cylinder shaft 7A. a guide member 42 movably inserted therein, a spring 43 disposed inside the guide member 42 , and a plurality of springs 43 connected to the outside of the guide member 42 in a radial direction so as to swing freely. In the embodiment, two locking links 44 are provided in the circumferential direction.

The plate-like member 41 is fixed to the upstream end surface (lower surface) of the guide member 42 (a rod-like member 42a to be described later). The downward movement of the inner cylinder shaft 7A is restricted by the contact of the tip of the inner cylinder shaft 7A moved by the biasing force of the spring 43 with the downstream end surface (upper surface) of the plate member 41 . One ends of a pair of locking links 44 on the upstream side are pivotally connected to the left and right ends of the plate-like member 41 so as to be swingable.

The guide member 42 includes a plurality of (four in this embodiment) rod-shaped members 42a, one end of which is fixed to a tip plate 55 described later and the other end of which is fixed to the plate-shaped member 41, and between the plurality of rod-shaped members 42a. and a slide member 42b which is slidably movable in the axial direction while being supported by the body. A part of the movable inner cylindrical shaft 7A and a spring 43 arranged on the outer peripheral side of the inner cylindrical shaft 7A are accommodated inside the plurality of rod-shaped members 42a. Further, the other ends of the pair of locking links 44 on the downstream side are pivotally connected to the right and left ends of the slide member 42b so as to be swingable.

As shown from the left diagram to the center diagram of FIG. 6, the locking link 44 can extend to the diameter-expanding posture in conjunction with the downstream (upward) movement of the inner cylinder shaft 7A. The locking link 44 in the diameter-expanding posture is located on the inner peripheral wall surface of the branch pipe portion 2 on the upstream side of the location where the branch flow channel is blocked by the seal mechanism 5, that is, the branch flow channel opening peripheral edge of the inner peripheral surface of the branch pipe portion 2 ( It engages against the connecting part 2a). At this time, the tip of the inner cylindrical shaft 7A is kept separated from the plate member 41 by the release prevention mechanism 10, which will be described later.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sealing mechanism 5 includes a pair of upper annular members 5A, a pair of lower annular members 5B, a hollow cylindrical member 54, a tip plate 55, an upper annular member 5A and a lower annular member. 5C and an elastic member 5C arranged between the elastic member 5B.

The pair of upper annular members 5A is composed of a first disk-shaped member 5Aa (an example of the first annular member) and a plurality of (eight in this embodiment) hexagon socket head bolts or the like for the first disk-shaped member 5Aa. and a first water stop fitting 5Ab (an example of a first support portion) connected by a drawing bolt 52 that is connected to the first water stop fitting 5Ab. The pair of lower annular members 5B is composed of a second disk-shaped member 5Ba (an example of the second annular member) and a plurality of (eight in this embodiment) clamping bolts 53, 55a for the second disk-shaped member 5Ba. and the connected second water stop fitting 5Bb (an example of the second support portion). The first water stop fitting 5Ab and the second water stop fitting 5Bb in this embodiment have a divided structure that allows relative movement by screwing together the pull bolt 52 and/or the pull bolts 53, 55a. .

As shown in FIG. 4, the first disk-shaped member 5Aa is integrally formed by a base portion 56a having a concave upstream end surface (lower surface) and an extension portion 56b extending downstream (upper side) from the base portion 56a. formed. In the base portion 56a, a plurality of (eight in this embodiment) through holes 56a1 into which the pulling bolts 52 are inserted are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction in an annular portion adjacent to the extending portion 56b. A pair of inner peripheral seal members sa attached to the inner peripheral surface of the holding member 15 are in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the extending portion 56b, and the inner cylindrical shaft 7A is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the extending portion 56b. facing each other. A male threaded portion 56b1 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the downstream end (upper end) of the extension portion 56b, and the male threaded portion 56b1 is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the upstream end (lower end) of the outer cylindrical shaft 7B. The first disc-shaped member 5Aa and the outer cylindrical shaft 7B are connected by screwing the female threaded portion 7Ba formed in the first. That is, the first disk-shaped member 5Aa is supported by the outer cylindrical shaft 7B. In addition, a seal groove 56b2 in which an O-ring sb is mounted is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the downstream end (upper end) of the extension 56b upstream (lower) than the male threaded portion 56b1. A tapered surface 56b5 for compressing the O-ring sh is formed on the downstream side (upper side) of the portion 56b1.

A female threaded portion 56b3 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the upstream end (lower end) of the extending portion 56b, and a male thread is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the downstream end (upper end) of the hollow cylindrical member 54. The first disk-shaped member 5Aa and the hollow cylindrical member 54 are connected by being screwed together with the portion 54a. That is, the hollow tubular member 54 is also supported by the outer tubular shaft 7B via the first disk-shaped member 5Aa. A seal groove 56b4 in which an O-ring sc is mounted is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the upstream end (lower end) of the extending portion 56b downstream (upper) of the female threaded portion 56b3. In this O-ring sc, the tapered surface 54a1 formed at the downstream end (upper end) of the male threaded portion 54a of the hollow cylindrical member 54 is formed by connecting the first disk-shaped member 5Aa and the hollow cylindrical member 54. abutted and compressed.

The first water stop fitting 5Ab is formed in a cup shape, and is integrally formed with a disc base portion 57a and a cylindrical portion 57b extending upstream (downward) from the outermost peripheral side of the disc base portion 57a. The disk base 57a has an insertion hole 57a1 through which the hollow cylindrical member 54 is inserted, and a first stepped portion 57a2 with which one end of the elastic member 5C is engaged on the outermost side. A seal groove 57a3 in which an O-ring sd is mounted is formed on the outer peripheral side adjacent to the insertion hole portion 57a1 of the disc base portion 57a, and the pull-up bolt 52 is further provided on the outer peripheral side of the seal groove 57a3. A plurality of (eight in this embodiment) female screw holes 57a4 to be screwed together are formed at regular intervals in the circumferential direction. The cylindrical portion 57b is adjacent to the outside of the second water stop fitting 5Bb, and serves as an outer cylinder into which the second water stop fitting 5Bb is inserted.

The downstream end surface (upper surface) of the second disk-shaped member 5Ba is formed in a concave shape. The second disk-shaped member 5Ba has an insertion hole 58a through which the hollow cylindrical member 54 is inserted. A plurality of (eight in this embodiment) through holes 58b into which the offset bolts 53 and 55a are inserted are formed at regular intervals in the circumferential direction. The inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole portion 58a has a seal groove 58a1 in which the O-ring sj is mounted, and a locking recess 58a2 in which the hollow cylindrical member 54 is locked on the upstream side (lower side) of the seal groove 58a1. is formed. That is, the second disk-shaped member 5Ba is also supported by the outer cylindrical shaft 7B via the first disk-shaped member 5Aa and the hollow cylindrical member 54. As shown in FIG.

The second water stop fitting 5Bb has an insertion hole 59a through which the hollow cylindrical member 54 is inserted, and a second stepped portion 59b with which the other end of the elastic member 5C engages on the outermost side. It is A seal groove 59c in which an O-ring sf is mounted is formed on the outer peripheral side adjacent to the insertion hole portion 59a. A plurality of (eight in this embodiment) female screw holes 59d are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The second water stop fitting 5Bb is adjacent to the inside of the cylindrical portion 57b of the first water stop fitting 5Ab, and serves as an inner cylinder into which the cylindrical portion 57b is fitted.

A pair of upper annular members 5A and a pair of lower annular members 5B are externally inserted into the hollow tubular member 54, and an inner tubular shaft 7A is inserted therein. A plurality of through-holes are formed in the vicinity of the center in the axial direction of the hollow cylindrical member 54 as the fluid inflow portion 51 that communicates with the fluid introduction space A for expanding the elastic member 5C. One end of the hollow cylindrical member 54 is formed with a male threaded portion 54a that is screwed into a female threaded portion 56b3 formed in the extending portion 56b of the first disk-shaped member 5Aa. An annular projecting portion 54b is formed to engage with a locking recess 58a2 formed in the member 5Ba. The hollow tubular member 54 is inserted into the first waterproof fitting 5Ab and the pair of lower annular members 5B, and the annular projecting portion 54b and the locking recessed portion 58a2 are engaged with each other. The first disk-shaped member 5Aa and the second disk-shaped member 5Ba are positioned by screwing the member 5Aa. Further, the hollow cylindrical member 54 is prevented from falling by the tip plate 55 fixed to the second disk-shaped member 5Ba by a plurality of (four in this embodiment) pull bolts 55a composed of hexagon socket head bolts or the like. .

The tip plate 55 has an insertion hole 55b through which the inner cylindrical shaft 7A is inserted. A plurality of (four in this embodiment) through-holes (not shown) into which the male screws of the pull-up bolts 55a are inserted are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction. Further, the rod-like member 42a of the guide member 42 is screwed to the upstream end face (lower face) of the tip plate 55 (see also FIG. 2), and the downstream end face (upper face) of the tip plate 55 has an insertion hole. A seal groove 55d in which an O-ring sg is mounted is formed between the portion 55b and the through hole 55c. A seal groove 55e in which an outer peripheral seal member si is mounted is formed in the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole portion 55b, and the outer peripheral seal member si is in close contact with the inner cylindrical shaft 7A.

The elastic member 5C is made of a highly durable synthetic rubber such as ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM). a second clamped portion 62 clamped by the annular member 5B, an inflatable portion 63 connecting the first clamped portion 61 and the second clamped portion 62, and inflated by the inflow of air from the fluid inflow portion 51; ,have.

The first pinched portion 61 is bent inward from the expansion portion 63 to have an L-shaped cross section, and similarly, the second pinched portion 62 is bent inward from the expansion portion 63 to have an L-shaped cross section. . By engaging the first pinched portion 61 with the first stepped portion 57a2 of the first water stop fitting 5Ab and engaging the second pinched portion 62 with the second stepped portion 59b of the second water stop fitting 5Bb, , one end of the elastic member 5C is supported by the first water stop fitting 5Ab, and the other end of the elastic member 5C is supported by the second water stop fitting 5Bb. The expanded portion 63 has a bent and deformed shape in its natural state, and the first water stop fitting 5Ab and the second water stop fitting 5Bb are separated by further tightening the pull-up bolt 52 and/or the pull-up bolts 53, 55a. This results in an upright shape.

FIG. 5 shows the posture correcting procedure of the elastic member 5C. As shown in the left figure of the figure, the first clamped portion 61 is engaged with the first stepped portion 57a2 of the first water stop fitting 5Ab, and the second clamped portion 62 is engaged with the second water stop fitting 5Bb. The hollow cylindrical member 54 is fitted inside the pair of upper annular members 5A and the pair of lower annular members 5B by engaging with the two-stepped portion 59b, and temporarily tightened with the tightening bolt 52 and the tightening bolts 53, 55a. In this state, the first water stop fitting 5Ab and the second water stop fitting 5Bb are close to each other, and the expanded portion 63 is bent and deformed. Next, as shown in the right figure of the figure, by further tightening the pull bolt 52 and the pull bolts 53, 55a, the first water stop fitting 5Ab comes into contact with the first disk-shaped member 5Aa and the second water stop The metal fitting 5Bb contacts the second disk-shaped member 5Ba, and the first water stop metal fitting 5Ab and the second water stop metal fitting 5Bb are separated from each other. As a result, a tensile force is applied to the inflatable portion 63, and the inflatable portion 63 assumes an upright shape. With this configuration, a sealed space surrounded by the hollow tubular member 54, the first water stop fitting 5Ab, and the second water stop fitting 5Bb serves as the fluid introduction space A. As shown in FIG.

As shown in the right diagram of FIG. 6, air introduced into the fluid introduction space A from the outer cylinder shaft 7B through the fluid inlet portion 51 causes the expansion portion 63 to receive fluid pressure and expand radially outward. Thus, by separating the first water stop fitting 5Ab and the second water stop fitting 5Bb while supporting the elastic member 5C and applying tension to the elastic member 5C, deformation of the elastic member 5C before expansion is prevented. becomes possible. As a result, when the elastic member 5C is inflated by allowing air to flow in from the fluid inflow portion 51, the elastic member 5C can be inflated evenly, and the flow path of the branch pipe portion 2 can be reliably closed. can. The expansion rate and strength of the expansion portion 63 are designed according to the structure and inner diameter of the branch pipe portion 2 .

Returning to FIG. 2, the inner cylindrical shaft 7A is formed of a solid rod-shaped member that axially penetrates the central portion of the holding member 15 fixed to the top plate portion 30b of the work case 30, which will be described later, in a watertight state. . Since the height of the work space from the upper surface of the air valve 6 to the ceiling wall R of the structure is limited, the divided inner cylinder is divided into a plurality of pieces in the axial direction corresponding to the limited height of the work space. It is composed of shafts 7A1 and 7A2. The inner cylinder shaft 7A has a first split inner cylinder shaft 7A1 provided with a locking mechanism 4 and a seal mechanism 5, and a connecting portion 11 configured by male-female screw connection to the upper end portion of the first split inner cylinder shaft 7A1. and a second split inner cylinder shaft 7A2 connected with . Further, it is possible to further connect a split operation shaft to the upper end portion of the second split inner cylinder shaft 7A2.

The outer cylindrical shaft 7B is formed of a hollow rod-shaped member that penetrates the central portion of a holding member 15 that is fixed to a top plate portion 30b of a work case 30, which will be described later, so as to be slidable in the axial direction in a watertight manner. The inner cylinder shaft 7A is inserted in the outer cylinder shaft 7B coaxially with the inner cylinder shaft 7A. is formed.

Like the inner cylinder shaft 7A, the outer cylinder shaft 7B is composed of a plurality of outer cylinder shafts 7B1 and 7B2 divided in the axial direction corresponding to the restricted height of the working space. The outer cylindrical shaft 7B is connected to the seal mechanism 5 by screwing a female threaded portion 7Ba formed on the inner peripheral surface of the upstream end (lower end) to the male threaded portion 56b1 of the first disk-shaped member 5Aa. ing. Further, the outer cylinder shaft 7B is connected to the first split outer cylinder shaft 7B1 provided with the locking mechanism 4, the seal mechanism 5 and the holding member 15, and the upper end portion of the first split outer cylinder shaft 7B1 by male-female screw connection. and a second split outer cylinder shaft 7B2 connected by the connecting portion 12 configured. A coupler 13a for supplying air from a fluid supply mechanism 13 such as an air feeder is connected to the upper end of the second split outer cylinder shaft 7B2. It is possible to further connect a split operation shaft to the upper end portion of the second split outer cylindrical shaft 7B2.

A release prevention mechanism 10 is provided over the inner cylinder shaft 7A and the outer cylinder shaft 7B to prevent the locking mechanism 4 from being unlocked. The release prevention mechanism 10 includes a male threaded portion 7Aa formed at the downstream end (upper end) of the inner cylinder shaft 7A, an operation nut 10A (an example of a nut) screwed onto the male threaded portion 7Aa, and an outer cylinder shaft 7B. and a bearing 7Bb arranged on the downstream end surface (upper surface) of the nut 10A and supporting the rotation of the operation nut 10A. Further, the locking mechanism 4 is configured such that the diameter of the pair of locking links 44 can be expanded by rotating the operation nut 10A. By rotating the operation nut 10A while sliding it on the bearing 7Bb, the inner cylindrical shaft 7A rises and the diameter of the pair of locking links 44 expands. It engages against the branch channel opening rim (see also Figure 9). When the operation nut 10A becomes unrotatable, the locking of the locking mechanism 4 is completed, and the unlocking of the locking mechanism 4 is prevented by the operating nut 10A and the male screw portion 7Aa. In this manner, if the diameter of the locking mechanism 4 is expanded by rotating the operating nut 10A, the operability is excellent, and it is easy to confirm the completion of locking of the locking mechanism 4 when the operating nut 10A becomes unrotatable. . Note that the bearing 7Bb as the release prevention mechanism 10 may be omitted, and the operation nut 10A and the downstream end surface (upper surface) of the outer cylindrical shaft 7B may be brought into sliding contact.

The holding member 15 holds the outer cylindrical shaft 7B, and is a disk-shaped member that is fixed to the top plate portion 30b of the work case 30, which will be described later, with bolts B. As shown in FIG. The holding member 15 has an outer cylinder shaft through-hole 15a formed in the central portion thereof into which the outer cylinder shaft 7B is inserted. A pair of inner peripheral sealing members sa are mounted on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical shaft through-hole 15a, and the outer cylindrical shaft 7B is held in a watertight state with respect to the holding member 15 by the inner peripheral sealing members sa. ing. In addition, an outer peripheral seal member se is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the holding member 15 (the annular groove of the top plate portion 30b) to prevent water leakage from the gap between the top plate portion 30b of the work case 30 and the holding member 15. be done.

The above-described branched flow channel blocking device X is used by being attached to the work case 30 . The work case 30 is a housing having a connecting flange portion 30a with an end projecting radially outward, and has a top plate portion 30b with an open central portion on the opposite side of the connecting flange portion 30a. A drain valve 22 is connected to the side wall of the work case 30 for discharging rust bumps and the like scraped off by a cleaning tool (not shown).

The top plate portion 30b is integrally formed with an annular cylindrical outer peripheral wall portion 30ba and an annular protruding portion 30bb in which the upper end of the outer peripheral wall portion 30ba protrudes radially inward. The inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 30ba is formed with an annular groove in which the outer peripheral seal member se described above is mounted, and a bolt B for fixing the holding member 15 is inserted into the annular projecting portion 30bb. A plurality of through holes are formed. A notch portion 30bc is formed in the annular projecting portion 30bb to allow the coupler 13a to pass therethrough when the work case 30 is removed.

The top plate portion 30b of the work case 30 is provided with a descent restrictor 24 that prevents the shaft member 7, to which the locking mechanism 4, the sealing mechanism 5 and the holding member 15 are attached, from being lowered by its own weight. The descent restrictor 24 includes a pair of clamping plates 24A capable of clamping and fixing the inner cylinder shaft 7A and the outer cylinder shaft 7B, a hexagon socket head bolt 24B for clamping and fixing both clamping plates 24A in a clamped state, the clamping plates 24A and the ceiling. and a gap adjusting bolt 24C for adjusting the gap with the plate portion 30b.

Next, a method for closing a branch flow path and a method for updating a fluid device will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 14. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, the method for closing the branch flow path includes a temporary closing step of closing the flow path of the branch pipe portion 2 by an existing gate valve 3 (an example of a working valve, an example of an existing fluid device), and a temporary closing step. After that, a removal step of removing the existing air valve 6 (an example of an existing fluid device) connected to the branch pipe portion 2, and as shown in FIG. A mounting step of mounting the work case 30 in which the shaft member 7 to which the locking mechanism 4 and the sealing mechanism 5 are connected is inserted in a sealed state, and as shown in FIG. 7 to lock the locking mechanism 4 to the branch channel opening peripheral edge (connecting portion 2a) of the branch pipe portion 2; and a closing step of closing the flow path of the.

10, after the closing step, the fluid device updating method includes a first removal step of removing the work case 30 with the branch flow path closing device X left in place, and, as shown in FIG. After the first removal step, a first installation step of installing the repair valve 8 (new fluid device) and the work case 30 in the branch pipe portion 2, and as shown in FIG. 12, after the first installation step, the repair valve 8 to block the flow path of the branch pipe portion 2 and remove the branch flow blocking device X, and as shown in FIG. and a second installation step.

As shown in FIG. 7 , in the temporary closing step, the valve body 3 c of the existing gate valve 3 is moved to close the flow path of the branch pipe portion 2 . If the valve body 3c is fixed and cannot be moved due to deterioration of the existing gate valve 3 or the like, as shown in FIG. The clamping ring 16 has a pair of semicircular clamping split rings 16A and a partition plate valve 16C fixed to one clamping split ring 16A. are loosened, the connecting pieces 16B fixed to both ends in the circumferential direction of each tightening split ring 16A are pulled together and fixed with bolts and nuts. By inserting the valve plate 16Ca of the partition plate valve 16C between the connecting flange portions 2c and 3a, the flow path of the branch pipe portion 2 is closed. After blocking the flow path of the branch pipe portion 2, the existing air valve 6 is removed in a removing step. Although not shown, after the temporary closing step, the work case 30 equipped with a cleaning device is attached to the connecting flange portion 3b on the downstream side of the gate valve 3, and the inner surface of the branch pipe portion 2 is cleaned. At this time, if the valve body 3c of the existing gate valve 3 is fixed and cannot be moved, a working gate valve (not shown) is installed between the work case 30 and the gate valve 3.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, in the mounting step, the connection flange portion 30a of the work case 30 is fixed to the downstream connection flange portion 3b of the gate valve 3 with bolts and nuts. The locking mechanism 4 and the sealing mechanism 5 are accommodated inside the work case 30 , and the shaft member 7 (outer cylindrical shaft 7 B) that supports the locking mechanism 4 and the sealing mechanism 5 is held by the holding member 15 . , and is clamped and fixed by a lowering restrictor 24 . At this time, as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 6, the first water stop fitting 5Ab is in contact with the first disk-shaped member 5Aa, and the second water stop fitting 5Bb is in contact with the second disk-shaped member 5Ba. The expansion part 63 of the mechanism 5 is housed inside the work case 30 in an upright configuration.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9, after opening the gate valve 3 and loosening the hexagon socket bolt 24B of the lowering regulator 24, the shaft member is lowered manually or by a lowering tool such as a lever block (registered trademark) (not shown). 7 is operated to lower the locking mechanism 4 and the sealing mechanism 5 . Then, when the locking mechanism 4 and the sealing mechanism 5 are lowered until the upper ends of the second split inner cylinder shaft 7A2 and the second split outer cylinder shaft 7B2 are positioned on the top plate portion 30b of the work case 30, the second split A third split inner cylinder shaft 7A3 and a third split outer cylinder shaft 7B3 are connected to the inner cylinder shaft 7A2 and the second split outer cylinder shaft 7B2. Next, after manually operating the third split inner cylinder shaft 7A3 and the third split outer cylinder shaft 7B3 until the locking mechanism 4 is positioned at the branch flow path opening peripheral edge (connecting portion 2a) of the branch pipe portion 2, A fourth split inner cylinder shaft 7A4 in which an operation nut 10A is screwed to a male threaded portion 7Aa at the downstream end (upper end) of the third split inner cylinder shaft 7A3 and the third split outer cylinder shaft 7B3, and a coupler 13a. and the fourth split outer cylindrical shaft 7B4 on which the bearing 7Bb is mounted. Thus, even when the height of the work space to the ceiling wall R of the structure is restricted, by using the shaft member 7 divided into a plurality of parts corresponding to the restricted height of the work space, Work efficiency can be improved.

Next, in the locking step, the operation nut 10A is rotated while being slidably contacted with the bearing 7Bb disposed on the downstream end surface (upper surface) of the fourth split outer cylinder shaft 7B4, thereby pulling up the inner cylinder shaft 7A. The locking mechanism 4 is locked to the branch channel opening peripheral edge (connection portion 2 a ) of the branch pipe portion 2 . More specifically, by moving the inner cylinder shaft 7A downstream (upward), the locking link 44 of the locking mechanism 4 is placed in a diameter-expanded posture, and the branch flow path of the inner peripheral surface of the branch pipe portion 2 is opened. Engage against the opening rim. Since the operation nut 10A becomes unrotatable, the locking of the locking mechanism 4 is completed, and the unlocking of the locking mechanism 4 is prevented by the operating nut 10A and the male screw portion 7Aa. Next, the hexagon socket head bolt 24B of the lowering restrictor 24 is tightened to clamp and fix the shaft member 7 (outer cylindrical shaft 7B). As a result, the descent restrictor 24 prevents the shaft member 7 (outer cylinder shaft 7B) from falling due to its own weight.

Next, in the closing step, air is supplied to the inside of the elastic member 5C to close the flow path of the branch pipe portion 2. As shown in FIG. More specifically, air is supplied from the fluid supply mechanism 13 through the coupler 13a to the fluid flow path F in the gap between the outer cylinder shaft 7B and the inner cylinder shaft 7A, and the air is supplied from the fluid inflow portion 51 to the fluid introduction space A. is introduced (see also the right figure in FIG. 6). As a result, the expansion portion 63 receives the fluid pressure and expands radially outward, and adheres tightly to the inner surface of the branch pipe portion 2 to block the flow path of the branch pipe portion 2 . As described above, in the closing step of the present embodiment, a large driving force such as a hydraulic jack is not required, and it is only necessary to supply air from the fluid inlet portion 51, so that working efficiency can be improved. Moreover, if the seal mechanism 5 is composed of the elastic member 5C that expands by the fluid pressure, it becomes possible to freely change the amount of expansion simply by changing the fluid pressure. It can correspond to the branch pipe portion 2 having an inner diameter.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10, in the first removal step, the work case 30 and the gate valve 3 are removed with the branch flow path blocking device X left. More specifically, the bolts B of the top plate portion 30b of the work case 30 are removed to release the fixation between the top plate portion 30b and the holding member 15, and the connection flange portion 30a of the work case 30 and the gate valve 3 downstream of the gate valve 3 are removed. The work case 30 is removed by removing the bolts and nuts fixing the connecting flange portion 3b on the side. Then, the bolts and nuts fixing the connection flange portion 2c of the branch pipe portion 2 and the upstream connection flange portion 3a of the gate valve 3 are removed, and the gate valve 3 is removed. At this time, by locking the locking mechanism 4 to the connecting portion 2a between the branch pipe portion 2 and the water pipe 1, upward movement of the shaft member 7 (inner cylinder shaft 7A) due to fluid pressure is prevented. The downward movement of the shaft member 7 is prevented by supplying air to the seal mechanism 5 to block the flow path of the branch pipe portion 2 . Further, when the operation nut 10A screwed onto the male threaded portion 7Aa constituting the release prevention mechanism 10 contacts the bearing 7Bb arranged on the downstream end surface (upper surface) of the outer cylinder shaft 7B, the inner cylinder shaft 7A is lowered by its own weight. , the locking link 44 is lowered and the diameter of the locking link 44 is reduced to prevent the locked state of the locking mechanism 4 from being released. Moreover, since the radial dimension of the holding member 15 is smaller than the inner diameter of the gate valve 3, the work case 30 and the gate valve 3 can be reliably removed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11, in the first installation process, after the first removal process, a new repair valve 8 is fastened to the branch pipe portion 2 with bolts and nuts and installed, and the work case 30 is newly installed. The repair valve 8 is fastened with bolts and nuts and installed. Then, the top plate portion 30b of the work case 30 and the holding member 15 are fixed with bolts B, and the inside of the work case 30 is maintained in a sealed state. Next, the operation nut 10A screwed to the inner cylindrical shaft 7A is loosened, the inner cylindrical shaft 7A is lowered, the diameter of the locking link 44 of the locking mechanism 4 is reduced, and the fluid is introduced from the fluid inflow portion 51. is stopped, the fluid pressure acting on the elastic member 5C is reduced, and the diameter of the elastic member 5C is reduced (see also FIG. 12). Next, the shaft member 7 is operated manually or the like to raise the locking mechanism 4 and the sealing mechanism 5 . At this time, the shaft member 7 is raised until the locking mechanism 4 and the sealing mechanism 5 are accommodated in the work case 30 while sequentially releasing the connection of the divided shaft members 7 .

Next, as shown in FIG. 12, in the second removal step, the flow path of the branch pipe portion 2 is blocked by the repair valve 8 while the locking mechanism 4 and the sealing mechanism 5 are accommodated in the work case 30. Remove the branch flow path blocking device X. Finally, as shown in FIG. 13, in the second installation step, the air valve 9 (new fluid equipment) is installed in the repair valve 8, completing the renewal of the fluid equipment.

[Other embodiments]
(1) The shaft member 7 may have a two-shaft structure in which an inner cylinder shaft 7A for operating the locking mechanism 4 and an outer cylinder shaft 7B for supplying air to the fluid inflow portion 51 are separated.
(2) The locking mechanism 4 is not limited to the above-described form, as long as it can be changed to the expanded diameter posture by operating the inner cylinder shaft 7A.
(3) In the above-described embodiment, the pair of upper annular members 5A are composed of the first disk-shaped member 5Aa and the first water stop fitting 5Ab, and the pair of lower annular members 5B are composed of the second disk-shaped member 5Ba and the second It is composed of a water stop fitting 5Bb. Instead of this, the upper annular member 5A or the lower annular member 5B is constituted by an annular member to which the pinched portions 61 and 62 of the elastic member 5C are fixed, so that the first water stop fitting 5Ab and the second water stop fitting 5Bb You may form any one of these so that a movement is possible. In this case as well, the first water stop fitting 5Ab and the second water stop fitting 5Bb have a divided structure capable of relative movement by screwing together the pull bolt 52 or the pull bolts 53, 55a.

(4) The first clamped portion 61 and the second clamped portion 62 described above are not configured by the elastic member 5C integrated with the expansion portion 63, but are made of metal or the like. The pinched portion 62 may be connected to the expansion portion 63 as the elastic member 5C.
(5) In the above-described embodiment, air is allowed to flow into the seal mechanism 5, but liquid such as water may be allowed to flow.
(6) Instead of the holding member 15 described above, the seal mechanism 5 may be provided with a mechanism for holding the inner cylinder shaft 7A and the outer cylinder shaft 7B.
(7) Instead of the release prevention mechanism 10 described above, a separate mechanism for gripping the inner cylinder shaft 7A may be provided.
(8) In the above-described embodiment, the water pipe 1 through which tap water flows is used for explanation, but a fluid pipe through which liquid other than tap water or gas such as gas flows may be used.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a branch channel closing device for closing a channel of a branch pipe branched from a fluid pipe, and a branch channel closing method using the branch channel closing device.

1: Water pipe (fluid pipe)
2: Branch pipe portion 2a: Connection portion 3: Gate valve (work valve)
4: locking mechanism 5: sealing mechanism 5Aa: first disk-shaped member (first annular member)
5Ab: First water stop fitting (first support part)
5Ba: Second disk-shaped member (second annular member)
5Bb: Second water stop fitting (second support part)
5C: elastic member 6: air valve (existing fluid equipment)
7: Shaft member 7A: Inner cylinder shaft 7B: Outer cylinder shaft 10A: Operation nut (nut)
30 : Work case 51 : Fluid inflow portion 61 : First clamped portion 62 : Second clamped portion 63 : Inflating portion F : Fluid channel X : Branch channel closing device

Claims (5)

A branch channel blocking device for blocking a channel of a branch pipe branched from a fluid pipe,
a locking mechanism locked to a connecting portion between the branch pipe portion and the fluid pipe;
a seal mechanism having an elastic member capable of closing the flow path of the branch pipe;
a shaft member that supports the locking mechanism and the sealing mechanism,
The sealing mechanism has a fluid inflow portion that allows fluid to flow into the inside of the elastic member, a first support portion that supports one end of the elastic member, and a second support portion that supports the other end of the elastic member. and
The branching flow path blocking device, wherein the first support part and the second support part have a divided structure capable of relative movement. The seal mechanism further includes a first annular member connected to the shaft member, and a second annular member positioned closer to the fluid pipe than the first annular member,
The elastic member includes a first pinched portion pinched between the first annular member and the first support portion, a second pinched portion pinched between the second annular member and the second support portion, 2. The branch channel blockage according to claim 1, further comprising an inflatable portion that connects the first pinched portion and the second pinched portion and expands when a fluid flows in from the fluid inflow portion. Device. The shaft member has a uniaxial structure including an inner cylinder shaft for operating the locking mechanism and an outer cylinder shaft into which the inner cylinder shaft is inserted coaxially with the inner cylinder shaft,
3. The branching flow path blocking device according to claim 1, wherein a fluid flow path communicating with said fluid inflow portion is formed in a gap between said inner cylinder shaft and said outer cylinder shaft. 4. The branch flow path closing device according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to be able to expand in diameter by rotating a nut. A branching channel closing method using the branching channel blocking device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
a temporary closing step of closing the flow path of the branch pipe portion with a working valve;
a removing step of removing the existing fluid device connected to the branch pipe after the temporary closing step;
a mounting step of mounting a work case in which the shaft member having the locking mechanism and the sealing mechanism is inserted in a sealed state to the branch pipe portion from which the existing fluid device has been removed;
a locking step of locking the locking mechanism to the connection portion by operating the shaft member after opening the working valve;
and a closing step of supplying a fluid to the inside of the elastic member to close the flow path of the branch pipe portion.

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