KR20000010719A - Method and assembly for cleaning and/or insertion of a draw line in a conduit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An assembly for cleaning and/or inserting of a draw line in a conduit and method thereof are provided to easily draw without damage of a cable by using a shuttle. CONSTITUTION: The assembly (1) for air assisted insertion of a draw line (6a) inside and along a conduit (2) from an entry end of the conduit to an exit end comprises: a source of pressurized air (8); an apparatus (4) for sealing an end (16) of the conduit (2) through or about the sealing apparatus (4); a through passage in or in the sealing apparatus which receives a draw line (6a) such that when the sealing apparatus (4) engages the entry end (16) of the conduit, the draw line is capable of entering the apparatus (4) inside the conduit; and a shuttle (6, 26) connected to a leading end of the draw line (6a) responsive to delivery of air from the pressurize air source (8) and which urges the draw line (6a) along the conduit (2) until it exits the conduit (2) via the exit end.

Description

Methods for cleaning and / or inserting pull lines in conduits and devices therefor

In recent years, communication cables are generally installed inside specially constructed underground arcs. In order to prevent damage to the cable from water, debris and pests, conventional communication cables are constructed in conduits made of plastic (typically polyvinyl chloride (PVC)). Although such cables are laid thousands of kilometers in underground conduits, the rapid increase in telecommunications demand will require more cables, and in the future they will require hundreds of times more.

Hypothetical conduits are usually divided into three classes: empty for a new cable, partially filled with cable, and fully filled with cable. Among the foregoing, the first and second classes are related to the present invention. Inserting cables into conduits is time consuming, labor intensive, and therefore expensive. Existing pull line insertion methods are slow, tricky and inefficient.

To insert the cable into the conduit, first insert the traction line into the conduit, then bind the tip of the cable to the traction line and pull it out. The tow line waits for cable entry while laid in the conduit. This is beneficial for cable hypothesizers, where the traction line is positioned in the conduit prior to cable installation, making it possible to connect the traction line to the tip of the cable so that the cable is pulled by the traction line. One method for inserting a traction line into a conventional conduit involves the use of a crude parachute to which the traction line is connected. The parachute is inserted through the inlet of the conduit. Compressed air is applied to the parachute and expands and is discharged along the pipe (conduit) to pull the traction line. To maintain the required static pressure, the entry end of the conduit must be sealed to prevent the release of air. At present, a piece of cloth or the like is inserted into the entry end of the conduit in a coarse manner by hand operation so that a static pressure can be applied in the pipe (conduit). Positive pressure is applied into the conduit via a copper conduit connected to a source of compressed air. A piece of cloth or other sealing device closes the copper tube. Since the traction line must be loose so as to be able to penetrate or flow around the sealing means, the sealing is relaxed and pressure loss occurs through the entry end of the conduit. When water and debris are filled in the conduit by backflow, sealing the conduit creates a major problem for the operator. Even if the conduit is inefficiently sealed under pressure, water and debris can be discharged to the discharge end of the conduit. In particular, it is very difficult to seal the conduit when some cables are laid in the conduit. The problem with using the conventional method described above is that the parachute is unnecessarily folded or wrinkled. The parachute currently in use is constructed such that each end of a number of strings is connected to points located around a sheet of fabric or similar material, the other end of which is tied together so that the tip of the traction line is connected to it. It is.

The parachute tends to fold especially when air is unevenly applied to the parachute in the conduit, and escapes through one end of the parachute compared to the outflow of air when air is uniformly applied and the parachute is balanced in normal operation. The amount of outgoing air will increase. This imbalance causes the parachute to rotate and causes the string to twist so that the fabric material of the parachute receives air. This means more time and effort is required to remove the twisted parachute from the conduit.

This problem is solved by the application filed by the applicant at the same time as the present invention. Other problems arising from the use of the prior art are; For example, the strap of the traction line is in contact with the operator's hand, the copper tube must be supported by the operator's hand, and the sealing cloth and sponge are called out by the compressed air. In addition, two personnel are required on the conduit side, one of whom must supply a traction ship and the other must hold a copper tube and a sealing cloth.

In another conventional method, a push rod is inserted into one end of a conduit to meet a push rod inserted from the other side in the middle of the conduit, where unwanted contaminant water is introduced later in another position when the conduit is disconnected and connected to another. . Pushrods shall be inserted at least 100m on both sides of the conduit. Not only is the push rod insertion difficult, but the neck of the push rod in the conduit is V-shaped, which causes damage to the cable when it is taken over.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning the interior of a conduit and / or inserting a draw line along a conduit. The present invention also relates to a method of sealing one end of a conduit so that the tip of an inserted traction line can be easily and effectively routed through the conduit by a pneumatic shuttle connected to the end of the traction line.

1 is an assembly view of the pull line insertion apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a manifold according to a preferred embodiment for controlling the supply of air to conduits and closures similar to that shown in FIG. And

Figure 3 shows a closure mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus capable of cleaning in a conduit and capable of hypothesizing a cable, such as a communication cable, into the conduit without any problem. The present invention also provides a method for effectively sealing the end of a conduit when inserting a traction line into an empty or partially filled conduit. The device of the present invention includes a pneumatic shuttle that is operated by compressed air to draw a traction line. This shuttle is by an application filed simultaneously with the present invention.

In terms of device, the present invention relates to a device for cleaning in a conduit and / or inserting a traction line, comprising a mechanism in which one end of the conduit is sealed and the traction line is located, wherein the compressed air is a space between the device and the shuttle. It is supplied to the inside and serves to supply the traction line into the conduit so that the shuttle can pull the traction line along the conduit by the compressed air.

The broadest form of the invention in terms of device is:

An apparatus for inserting a traction line by compressed air from an entry end to an exit end of the conduit along an interior of the conduit;

The apparatus;

Compressed air source;

A mechanism for sealing one end of the conduit by receiving compressed air from the compressed air source and supplying the compressed air to a conduit or a sealing mechanism;

A through hole for accommodating a traction line inside or in contact with the closure mechanism, and when the closure mechanism is coupled to the entry end of the conduit, the traction line enters the closure mechanism inside or outside the conduit and exits the closure mechanism in the conduit;

And means for pulling the traction line along the conduit to the discharge end by means of compressed air supplied at the tip of the traction line and supplied from the compressed air source.

Preferably, the compressed air source is connected directly or indirectly to a closed mechanism, the apparatus comprising a manifold comprising means for receiving at least one air hose communicated between the compressed air source and the manifold. And the closure mechanism includes an air bladder that is expandable by compressed air, which is expanded by compressed air to seal the end of the conduit.

Preferably, the bladder is disposed in the form of a tubular member which is usually extended at the tip of the closure mechanism, and both ends of the membrane are fixed by the member and arranged concentrically to form a space between the membrane and the tubular member, The spaces in the bladder are compressed and compressed into the inner wall of the conduit.

The manifold preferably comprises a control valve for controlling the flow of at least one air inlet, air outlet and discharge air.

In the method aspect, the broadest form of the present invention comprises the following steps for inserting the traction line into the conduit:

a) supplying a free end of the pull line through a passage or opening of a closure mechanism capable of closing one end of the conduit;

b) engaging the free end of the towing vessel to the shuttle and inserting the shuttle through the entry end of the conduit into the conduit;

c) sealing one end of the conduit with a closure mechanism;

d) introducing compressed air into the conduit through or around the closure mechanism and supplying it between the closure mechanism and the shuttle;

e) supplying sufficient compressed air so that the shuttle draws the tow line through the conduit and discharges it to the discharge stage.

The method according to the preferred embodiment further comprises the step of pulling the traction line to the rear of the closure mechanism to eliminate slack in the traction line between the closure mechanism and the shuttle.

Another method of broadening the invention in terms of method is;

Compressed air source;

A mechanism for sealing one end of the conduit by receiving compressed air from the compressed air source and supplying the compressed air to a conduit or a sealing mechanism;

A through hole for accommodating a traction line inside or in contact with the closure mechanism, and when the closure mechanism is coupled to the entry end of the conduit, the traction line enters the closure mechanism inside or outside the conduit and exits the closure mechanism in the conduit;

A method of inserting a traction line into a conduit using a device connected to the distal end of the traction line and including means for pulling the traction line along the conduit to the discharge end by compressed air supplied from the compressed air source; It includes the following steps;

a) supplying the free end of the traction line through a passage or opening of a closure mechanism capable of sealing one end of the conduit,

b) engaging the free end of the towing vessel to the shuttle and inserting the shuttle through the entry end of the conduit into the conduit;

c) sealing one end of the conduit with a closure mechanism;

d) introducing compressed air into the conduit through or around the closure mechanism and supplying it between the closure mechanism and the shuttle;

e) expanding the bladder of the closure mechanism such that the bladder is in close contact with the inner wall of the conduit to seal the conduit;

f) supplying sufficient compressed air so that the shuttle draws the tow line through the conduit and discharges it to the discharge stage.

Another aspect of the present invention in terms of method is;

A method for inserting a traction line into a conduit using a device, the device comprising;

Compressed air source;

A closure mechanism connected directly or indirectly to the compressed air source for sealing one end of the conduit;

Including a shuttle connected to a traction line and operated by compressed air, comprising the following steps;

a) supplying a free end of the traction ship through the opening of the closure mechanism;

b) engaging the shuttle to the free end of the traction line and inserting the shuttle through the entry end of the conduit into the conduit;

c) connecting the closure mechanism to the manifold that controls the inflow of air and then inserting the closure mechanism into the entry end of the conduit;

d) operating the control valve of the manifold to expand the air sacs of the closure mechanism to seal one end of the conduit;

e) manipulating the control valve to introduce compressed air into the conduit such that the shuttle is pulled away when the shuttle is in the conduit.

Preferably the method comprises the further step of manipulating the control valve to allow the closure mechanism to be detached from the conduit after the shuttle exits the conduit.

Preferably, the closure mechanism includes a manifold that controls the supply of compressed air to the closure mechanism connected to the conduit and the tip of the manifold.

Another broad form of the invention includes an apparatus for cleaning the inside of the conduit using a cleaning element such as pellets; The device seals one end of the conduit and supplies compressed air into the conduit, which pushes the pellet into the conduit to discharge water and / or debris from the front.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the method and apparatus thereof without restricting the present invention will be described in detail with the accompanying drawings.

1 shows an apparatus 1 for inserting a traction line in a conduit 2 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The device 1 can also be used to remove water and / or debris inside the conduit. On the other hand, the apparatus 1 will be described mainly used for inserting the traction line into the conduit. The device 1 comprises a manifold 3 with a closure mechanism 4, a compressed air source 8, a shuttle 6 and a traction line 6a. The closure mechanism 4 is separably fixed to the manifold 3 and may be one having a different dimension depending on the dimensions of the conduit to be sealed. In FIG. 1, a sealing mechanism 4 is inserted into a conduit 2, and a traction line 6a is connected to the tip of the shuttle 6 through this sealing mechanism 4.

Referring to FIG. 2, the manifold 3 comprises a manifold body 3a, at one end of which an air supply hose 7 (see FIG. 1) and a compressed air source such as a conventional air compressor 8 are connected in sequence. It has a connecting part 5. One end of the manifold 3a further has an air supply hose 11 (see FIG. 1) and a connection 9 which is directly or indirectly connected to the air compressor 8.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air supply hose 11 supplies the compressed air to the closure mechanism 4 through the connection portion 9. The air supply to the closure mechanism 4 is controlled by the valve 12 operated by the operator's manual operation so that the air is supplied to the space 13 of the bladder formed on the inner surface of the flexible membrane 14 (see FIG. 3). It expands until it comes into close contact with the frictional force on the inner surface 15 of the conduit 2. The closure mechanism 4 acts as a kind of plug to seal one end 16 of the conduit 2 and is detachably fixed to the manifold body 3a by a coupling 17. The closure mechanism 4 is selected according to the dimensions of the conduit into which the traction line 6a is inserted, thereby having various dimensions.

3 is a sectional view showing a typical example of the closure mechanism 4. The closure mechanism 4 is a tubular member comprising air sacs formed by a flexible membrane 14 surrounding the cylindrical inner tube 18 and forms a cavity or space 13 between the membrane 14 and the tube 18. . Preferably, the membrane 14 is a rubberized material and both ends thereof are fixed by clamps 19 and 20. By fixing both ends of the membrane 14, the cavity or space can be kept airtight. The membrane 14 is elastic and can be radially displaced by the compressed air supplied from the compressed air source 8, thereby enabling mutual bonding between the membrane 14 and the inner surface 15 of the conduit 2. Therefore, one end 16 of the conduit 2 is sealed so that the compressed air introduced into the conduit 2 can be discharged only toward the other end of the conduit as shown in FIG.

Preferably, the air introduced from the hose 11 into the space 13 through the valve 12 is introduced into the space 13 through the narrow orifices or orifices 21 and 22 to the membrane at the required pressure. (14) swell the bladder formed. The operator selects the required pressure in view of the diameter of the closure mechanism and the radial movement distance of the membrane 14 to enable effective closure of the inner surface 15 of the conduit 2. Usually the pressure that can be used for proper sealing is 25 to 150 psi. The pressure can be monitored by the pressure gauge 23. When the space 13 is pressurized to the extent required, the frictional engagement between the membrane 14 and the inner surface 15 of the conduit 2 is maintained to maintain this pressure during insertion of the traction line 6a. Adjust the valve 12 to apply compressed air.

In the following, the use state of the device according to the present invention is described in particular with reference to the state shown in FIG. The operator selects a conduit 2 into which the traction line 6a is to be inserted. In the field, many conduits contain water and debris to be removed. If the conduit is empty, pellets 26 can be used instead of shuttle 6, thereby pushing water and debris out while moving into the conduit. The shuttle can be used to insert a traction line if some cables are laid or empty in the conduit. The shuttle can carry some debris, but the vane or air collector 24 of the shuttle 6 will follow the shape in the conduit under pressure and is not hard enough to push the debris in front of the shuttle. If some cable is already laid in the conduit, the cross section of the conduit will not be smooth and the air collector may proceed along the unsmooth conduit. Thus, depending on the condition of the conduit (e.g., empty or partially filled with cables), the operator may select the pellet 26 or shuttle 6 to insert the traction line.

If a pellet is used, the tip 6b of the traction line is connected to the pellet. According to the method aspect, the first step is to supply the tip 6b of the traction line 6a to the opening 3b of the manifold body 3a. The tip 6b of the traction line is a shuttle 6 or a pellet ( 26) and a short distance is fed into the conduit (2). Next, the manifold 3 is fixed to one end of the conduit 2 and the traction line is pulled to the rear of the manifold to prevent sagging. When the manifold 3 is mounted, the closure mechanism 4 is inserted into the conduit 2 and expands to seal the conduit 2 as described above. The manifold is firmly held in place when the valve 12 is closed. Compressed air is then supplied into the conduit by adjustment of the valve 12 and the pellet 26 or shuttle 6 pulls the traction line 6a as it travels along the conduit until it exits the conduit. The sealing mechanism 4 is then separated while the compressed air is discharged from inside the membrane 14 by opening the valve 12. The rear end of the traction line 6a is pulled out of the manifold 3 and connected to the cable to be pulled along the conduit.

The device can also be used to supply a traction line from a device known as a launcher with a bobbin to be fed into the conduit.

It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without changing the technical spirit and gist of the present invention as broadly described above.

Claims (27)

A device for inserting a traction line by compressed air from the entry end to the discharge end of the conduit along the conduit; The apparatus; Compressed air source; A mechanism for sealing one end of the conduit by receiving compressed air from the compressed air source and supplying the compressed air to a conduit or a sealing mechanism; A through hole for accommodating a traction line inside or in contact with the closure mechanism, and when the closure mechanism is coupled to the entry end of the conduit, the traction line enters the closure mechanism inside or outside the conduit and exits the closure mechanism in the conduit; And a shuttle connected to the distal end of the traction vessel and configured to pull the traction vessel along the conduit to the discharge end by compressed air supplied from the compressed air source; 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said compressed air source is connected directly or indirectly to a closure mechanism. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said compressed air source supplies compressed air through said air manifold to a closed mechanism. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the manifold controls the supply of compressed air to the conduit. 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the closure mechanism includes an elongated tubular body that includes an outer membrane that forms an inflatable bladder. 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the membrane forming the bladder is compressed by air so that the membrane is pushed onto the inner wall of the conduit to enable a hermetic coupling between the conduit and the bladder. 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the membrane is fixed at both ends of the tubular body by clamps or the like, and one clamp is coupled with a coupling to receive the manifold. 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the manifold comprises at least one air inlet, an air outlet, and a control valve to control the flow and release of air. The method of claim 8, wherein the control valve is in a first position to block the supply of compressed air, And a second position at which air is supplied into the bladder, a third position at which air is supplied into the conduit, and a fourth position at which air is discharged from the manifold, the conduit and the bladder. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the manifold includes a coupling on two inlet ports for receiving an air supply hose connected to a compressed air source. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the manifold further comprises a coupling on an outlet port that is coupled to the closure mechanism. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the manifold further comprises a pressure gauge. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the shuttle has an extended shaft with at least one inflatable air collector disposed radially. 14. The collector of claim 13, wherein the collector has a skirt having a recess fixed to the shaft and a free end disposed radially by compressed air, or a series of air collection cells disposed radially on the shaft. Device. A closure mechanism for use with a device used to insert a traction line into a conduit, the closure mechanism comprising a tubular member secured at both ends of the flexible membrane to form an inflatable bladder. 16. The closure mechanism of claim 15 wherein the membrane forming the bladder is pushed into the inner wall of the conduit by compressed air to form a hermetic bond between the conduit and the bladder. 17. The closure mechanism of claim 16 wherein the membrane is secured with a clamp or the like and one clamp on either side of the tubular body is coupled with a coupling to receive and retain the manifold inside. A manifold for use with a device for inserting a traction line into a conduit, the manifold comprising at least one air inlet, an air outlet and a control valve. 19. The control valve of claim 18, wherein the control valve includes: a first position for preventing supply of compressed air to the manifold; a second position for supplying air into the air sac coupled with the closure mechanism; and a third for supplying air into the conduit. And a fourth position at which air is discharged from the manifold. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the manifold includes a coupling on two inlet ports for receiving an air supply hose connected to a compressed air source. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the manifold further comprises a coupling on an outlet port coupled with the closure mechanism. 22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the manifold further comprises a pressure gauge. Compressed air source; A closure mechanism connected directly or indirectly to said compressed air source for sealing one end of the conduit; A through hole for accommodating a traction line inside or in contact with the closure mechanism, and when the closure mechanism is coupled to the entry end of the conduit, the traction line enters the closure mechanism inside or outside the conduit and exits the closure mechanism in the conduit; A method for inserting a traction line into a conduit using an apparatus comprising means connected to the traction line and actuated by compressed air; a) supplying a free end of the traction line through a passage or opening of a closure mechanism capable of sealing one end of the conduit; b) engaging the free end of the towing vessel to the shuttle and inserting the shuttle through the entry end of the conduit into the conduit; c) sealing one end of the conduit with a closure mechanism; d) introducing compressed air into the conduit through or around the closure mechanism and supplying it between the closure mechanism and the shuttle; e) expanding the bladder of the closure mechanism such that the bladder is in close contact with the inner wall of the conduit to seal the conduit; f) supplying sufficient compressed air such that the shuttle draws the tow line through the conduit and is discharged to the discharge end; A method of inserting a traction line in a conduit comprising a. 24. The method of claim 23, further comprising pulling a traction line to the rear of the closure mechanism to eliminate slack in the traction line between the closure mechanism and the shuttle. Compressed air source; A closure mechanism connected directly or indirectly to the compressed air source for sealing one end of the conduit; A method for inserting a traction line into a conduit using an apparatus comprising a shuttle connected to the traction line and operated by compressed air; a) supplying a free end of the traction ship through the opening of the closure mechanism; b) engaging the shuttle to the free end of the traction line and inserting the shuttle through the entry end of the conduit into the conduit; c) connecting the closure mechanism to the closure mechanism and to the manifold controlling the inflow of air into the conduit and then inserting the closure mechanism at the entry end of the conduit; d) operating the control valve of the manifold to expand the air sacs of the closure mechanism to seal one end of the conduit; e) manipulating the control valve to introduce compressed air into the conduit such that the shuttle is pulled away when the shuttle is in the conduit; A method of inserting a tear wire in a conduit comprising a. 27. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of operating the control valve to retract the air sacs to allow the closure mechanism to be detached from the conduit. A device for cleaning the interior of a conduit using cleaning elements such as pellets, the apparatus comprising a compressed air source, a sealing mechanism for sealing one end of the conduit, and an inflatable bladder supplied with compressed air from the compressed air source. And wherein the compressed air pushes the pellets along the conduit after the pellets are located in the copper conduit and the entry end is closed with the closure mechanism.