MXPA98009150A - Method and assembly for cleaning and / or insertion of a line of extraction of a condu - Google Patents

Abstract

An assembly (1) for the air-assisted insertion of an extraction line (6a) into and along a conduit (2) from an inlet end of said conduit to an outlet end, the assembly comprises a source of pressurized air (8), an apparatus (4) for sealing an end (16) of said conduit (2) through or around said sealing apparatus (4), a passage in said sealing apparatus that receives an extraction line (6a) so that when said sealing apparatus (4) is coupled to the inlet end (16) of said conduit, the extraction line is able to enter the apparatus (4) inside the conduit, a conveyor (6, 23) connected to a front end of the extraction line (6a) in response to the supply of air from said pressurized air source (8) and which drives the extraction line (6a) along the conduit (2) until leaves the conduit (2) via said end of exit

Description

METHOD AND ASSEMBLY FOR CLEANING AND / OR INSERTION OF AN EXTRACTION LINE IN A CONDUIT BACKGROUND The present invention relates to a method and assembly capable of cleaning the interior of a conduit and / or inserting an extraction line through a length of the conduit and also refers to a convenient and efficient method for sealing an end of a conduit. duct for facilitating said insertion of said extraction line whose forward end is advanced through the duct by an air assisted conveyor connected to said end.

PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE The telecommunication cables lie mostly underground these days in specially constructed trenches. To protect the cables from potential damage from water, debris and bugs, communication cables are typically placed inside plastic conduits (usually polyvinyl chloride (PVC)). There are many thousands of kilometers of such cables already deposited in underground conduits, but due to the rapid increase in telecommunications and thus the need for more cables, presumably, hundreds of thousands of kilometers of cable will be required in the future.

There are generally three categories of conduits installed, those that are left empty in reserve waiting to receive new cables, those that are already partially full and those that are completely occupied with cables. These are the first and second categories mentioned above with which the invention is mainly related. The process of inserting cables into conduits is time-consuming, requires intensive labor and thus is costly. The existing methods for inserting extraction lines in the ducts are slow, laborious and inefficient.

To feed a cable through a conduit it is necessary to insert an extraction line into the conduit that is then anchored to the front end of the cable so that it can be pulled through the end of the length of the conduit. The extraction lines can be inserted and simply left to rest inside a conduit waiting for the subsequent insertion of a cable. The above is useful for the cable installer since in this case the extraction line is already placed in the conduit before the installation of the cable which allows the extraction line to be easily coupled to the front end of the cable that is pulled then through the extraction line. An existing method for inserting an extraction line into a conduit includes the use of a crude parachute to which an extraction line is connected. The parachute is inserted via an inlet end into the conduit. Pressurized air is then supplied to the parachute which causes it to inflate, after which it leaves the tube taking the extraction line with it. To maintain the required positive air pressure, the inlet end of the duct must seal to prevent air escaping. The above is currently carried out in a crude manner by inserting at the entrance end of the duct rags and the like which must be manually held in position while the positive pressure is supplied to the interior of the tube. Positive pressure is introduced into the duct via a copper tube that is connected to a source of pressurized air. Rags and other similar packaging surround the copper tube. The line of attraction must be free enough to travel through or around the package resulting in a compromise to seal integrity resulting in loss of pressure in the conduit via the inlet end. Sealing the duct with pulp has presented a major problem for operators and has a particular problem when the duct is full of water and debris due to the hangover. When a conduit is under pressure and is sealed ineffectively, pressurization can drive water and debris outside the entrance end of the conduit. The sealing of the conduit has been particularly difficult in the case where a conduit is partially filled with cables. Another problem that arises from the use of the previous method is that of the collapse or puckering of the parachute. The parachute used herein essentially comprises a sheet of textile material or the like to which it connects at points located peripherally one end of each of multiple lengths of thread each of which ends at its other end in a joint that also receives the extreme guide of the line of attraction.

The parachute is prone to collapse within the conduit particularly if the air is collected asymmetrically in the parachute allowing more air to pass around an edge compared to the symmetrical by the passage and the proper balance of the parachute in normal operation. This imbalance can cause the parachute to turn, entangling the connecting wires in which case the thread can capture the air that collects the parachute fabric. The above means that the tangled parachute has to be "fished" out of the conduit and the process must restart by increasing the time and labor involved in the insertion of the drag line.

A solution to this problem is the object of a co-pending request from the current applicant. There are other problems with the use of arrangements of the prior art: for example, the thread of the extraction line comes into contact with the hands of the user, the copper tube must be held in place by an operator, the rags and sponges of the packaging can explode towards friera. In addition, two men are usually required in the duct well, one to feed the extraction line and the other that holds the copper air line and the rags in position.

In another method of the prior art posts can be inserted from either end of a conduit until they are in the middle after which the conduit is cut and joined creating another junction and thus another place through which unwanted water can enter. after. Push poles can be inserted from either end up to 100 m. The approach of the push posts is laborious and has resulted in damage to the cables within the conduit particularly where the post comes into contact with the throat of a V formed if the cables cross in the conduit.

THE INVENTION The present invention provides a method and assembly capable of cleaning the interior of a conduit and also provides the trouble-free insertion of an extraction line into an appropriate conduit for carrying cables such as communication cables. The invention also relates to an efficient method for sealing an end of a conduit whether occupied or empty to facilitate the insertion of the extraction line into the conduit. The assembly includes an air assisted conveyor that pulls the extraction line through the tube in response to positive air pressure. The carrier has been the subject of a co-pending application of the present applicant.

According to one aspect of the apparatus of the invention there is provided an assembly for cleaning and / or inserting an extraction line into a conduit that includes an apparatus that seals an end of the conduit into which a line is to be placed and which facilitates the supply of a guide end of the line of attraction through the conduit after the supply of pressurized air within the conduit between said apparatus and a conveyor in response to said pressurized air so that the conveyor is driven along the conduit to that comes out of the conduit pulling the extraction line with it.

In its broadest form the aspect of the apparatus of the present invention comprises: an assembly for air-assisted insertion of an extraction line into and along a conduit from an inlet end of said conduit to an outlet end; the assembly comprises: a source of pressurized air; an apparatus for sealing an end of said conduit and allowing the supply of pressurized air from said air source, into said conduit through or around said sealing apparatus, a passageway inside or in said sealing apparatus receiving an extraction line so that when said sealing apparatus is coupled to the inlet end of said conduit the extraction line is able to enter the apparatus outside or inside the conduit and exit the sealing apparatus inside the conduit; means connected to a guide end of the extraction line in response to the supply of air from said source of pressurized air and which drives the extraction line along the conduit until it exits the conduit via the outlet end.

Preferably, the air envelope is disposed at the guiding end of said sealing apparatus around a generally elongate tube-like member where the membrane is fixed at both ends to said member and arranged concentrically around it where a cavity is formed between the inside of said membrane and said tube-like member, said cavity receives the pressurized air which causes the membrane to expand and is coupled to the inner surface of the conduit.

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

In accordance with the broadest form of the aspect of the method of the invention, a method is provided for the insertion of an extraction line into a conduit comprising the steps of: a) feeding a free end of the extraction line through a passage or opening in a sealing apparatus capable of sealing one end of said conduit; b) securing the free end of the extraction line to a conveyor and inserting the conveyor into the conduit via an inlet end; c) sealing the end of the duct with the sealing apparatus; d) introducing pressurized air through or around said sealing means and into said conduit forward of said sealing means and into said conveyor; e) apply sufficient air pressure to facilitate the travel of the conveyor along the conduit until it exits the conduit by taking the extraction line with it.

According to a preferred specimen, the method comprises the additional step of feeding the extraction line back through the sealing apparatus to remove any excess in the extraction line between the sealing means and the conveyor.

According to another broad form of the aspect of the method, the present invention comprises a source of pressurized air; an apparatus for sealing an end of said conduit and allowing the supply of pressurized air from said air source within said conduit through or around said sealing apparatus; a passageway inside or in said sealing apparatus that receives an extraction line so that when said sealing apparatus is engaged with the inlet end of said conduit the extraction line is able to enter the external or internal apparatus of the conduit and exit of the sealing apparatus within the conduit; means connected to a guide end in response to the supply of air from said source of pressurized air and which drives the extraction line along the conduit until it exits the conduit via said outlet end; the method comprises the steps of: a) feeding a free end of the extraction line through a passage or opening in the sealing apparatus capable of sealing one end of said conduit; b) securing the free end of the extraction line to a conveyor and inserting the conveyor into the conduit via an inlet end; c) sealing the end of the duct with the sealing apparatus; d) introducing pressurized air around said sealing apparatus and into said conduit forward of said sealing apparatus and forwardly of said conveyor; e) inflating an air envelope over said sealing apparatus so that the envelope engages the inner surface of said duct so as to seal said duct; f) apply sufficient air pressure to facilitate the travel of the conveyor along the conduit until it leaves the conduit taking with it the extraction line.

According to another broad form of the method aspect, the present invention comprises: a method for inserting an extraction line into a conduit using an assembly comprising: a source of pressurized air; a sealing device for sealing one end of the duct and which is in direct or indirect contact with the source of pressurized air; a conveyor connected to the extraction line and responding to pressurized air, the method comprises the steps of: a) feeding a free end of the extraction line through an opening in the sealing apparatus; b) securing the conveyor to said free end of the extraction line and inserting the conveyor into the conduit via an inlet end; c) inserting the sealing apparatus into said inlet end after being connected to a manifold that controls the air flow within the sealing apparatus and the tube; d) sealing the end of the conduit by fitting a control valve in the manifold to inflate an envelope in said sealing apparatus; e) adjusting the control valve to allow the pressurized air to enter the conduit to thereby drive the conveyor until the conveyor leaves the pipe taking the extraction line with it.

Preferably the method comprises the additional step of adjusting the control valve after the conveyor leaves the tube so that the sealing apparatus is released from the tube.

Preferably the sealing apparatus includes a manifold that controls the air supply to the conduit and a sealing apparatus connected to a manifold guide end.

In another broad form, the present invention comprises an assembly for cleaning the interior of a conduit using a cleaning element such as a projectile; the assembly comprises an assembly that seals an end of the conduit and allows the supply of pressurized air within said conduit, said pressurized air pushes said projectile through said conduit urging the water and / or debris in front of itself.

The present invention will now be described in greater detail in accordance with preferred but non-limiting examples of the invention in accordance with aspects of the method and apparatus and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows an enlarged view of an extraction line insert assembly according to a preferred example of the invention; Figure 2 shows a side elevation of a manifold similar to that illustrated in Figure 1 which controls the supply of air to both the interior of the duct and the sealing apparatus according to a preferred specimen; Y Figure 3 shows a sealing apparatus according to a preferred specimen.

With reference to Figure 1 a assembly 1 is shown in accordance with a preferred specimen for placing an extraction line inside a conduit 2. This assembly can also be used in the removal of water and / or debris from the interior of a conduit. The assembly, however, will be described primarily with reference to its use in inserting an extraction line into a conduit. The assembly 1 includes a manifold 3 which includes a sealing apparatus 4, a pressurized air source, a conveyor 6 and an extraction line 6a. The sealing apparatus 4 is preferably detachably fixed to the manifold 3 so that sealing apparatuses of different sizes can be replaced according to the size of the conduit to be sealed. Figure 1 shows the sealing apparatus 4 inserted inside the conduit 2 with the extraction line 6a fed through it and connected via the guide end to the conveyor 6.

Referring now to Figure 2, the manifold 3 comprises a manifold body 3a having at one end a station 5 receiving a coupling 5a connected to the air supply hose 7 (see Figure 1) which is in turn connected to an air source which may for example be a conventional air compressor 8. At or near the same end, the collector body 3a also includes a station 9 which receives the coupling 10 connected to the air supply hose 11 ( see Figure 1) that is also directly or indirectly connected to the air compressor 8.

As can be seen from Figure 1 the hose 11 supplies pressurized air via the station 9 to the sealing apparatus 4. The air supply to the sealing apparatus 4 is regulated by means of the valve 12 which is manually operated by an operator to supply air to the envelope surrounding the space 13 (see also Figure 3) formed inside the flexible membrane 14 which expands radially until it frictionally engages the inner surface 15 of the conduit 2. The sealing apparatus 4 is chosen according to the size of the duct within which the extraction line 6a is to be placed and therefore comes in a range of sizes.

Figure 3 shows a partial transectional view of a typical sealing apparatus 4. The sealing apparatus 4 is a member generally similar to a tube that includes an envelope formed by flexible membrane 14 surrounding the inner cylindrical tube 18 thus forming a cavity between the membrane 14 and the tube 18 or space 13. The membrane 14 is preferably a rubber material and is anchored at two ends by means of fasteners 19 and 20. Clamping the two ends of the membrane 14 ensures that the cavity or space 13 is air-tight . The membrane 14 has sufficient elasticity to allow it to be displaced radially in response to the pressurization of the cavity 13 with pressurized air from the air source 8 to thereby allow a hermetic interconnection between the membrane 14 and the inner surface 15 of the conduit 2 as a consequence whereof the end 16 of the duct 2 is sealed so that the pressurized air introduced into the duct 2 can escape only via the opposite end of the duct according to the arrangement illustrated in Figure 1.

Preferably, the air introduced into the cavity 13 is supplied from the hose 11 via the valve 12 after which the air travels through a hole or narrow holes within the cavity 13 to inflate the envelope formed by the membrane 4 to the desired pressure. The operator chooses the required pressure in accordance with the sealing requirements taking into account the size of the diameter of the sealing apparatus and the radial distance that the membrane 14 must travel to effect sealing against the inner surface 15 of the conduit 2. The pressures of Typical air that can be used to effect a proper seal are within the range of 25 to 150 psi. The pressure can be monitored by means of a pressure indicator 23. Once the cavity 13 is pressurized to the desired degree, to maintain that pressure while the extraction line 6a is inserted, the valve 12 is adjusted to trap the pressurized air to maintain frictional engagement between the membrane 14 and the inner surface 15 of the conduit 2.

The assembly is adapted for use in the following described manner with particular reference to the arrangement illustrated in Figure 1. An operator selects conduit 2 for insertion therein of extraction line 6a. In the field, very often the tubes have water or debris deposited in them that is better to remove. If the conduit is empty, a projectile 23 can be used in place of the conveyor 6 since it will push the water and dirt before it as it travels through the conduit. The conveyor 6 can be used when the conduit into which the extraction line is to be placed is partially filled with cable or vacuum. The conveyor 6 can to some extent displace some debris but the air blades or collectors 24 on the conveyor 6 tend to conform under pressure to the internal conomus of the conduit and are not generally hard enough to push debris forward of the conveyor. In the case where the conduit already has some cables placed inside it the cross section can be uneven and in this case the air collectors can move on the uneven contours. Thus, depending on the condition of the conduit (i.e., empty or partially filled with cables) the operator may choose to use either the projectile 23 or the conveyor 6 for the insertion of an extraction line.

Where a projectile is used, the extraction line is coupled to it via the rear end 6b. According to the aspect of the method, the first step is to feed a guide end of the extraction line 6a through an opening 3b in the collector body 3 a. The guide end 6b is then connected to a conveyor 6 or projectile 23 which is then fed a short distance into the conduit 2. Next, the collector 3 is fixed to the end of the conduit while the extraction line is pulled back through the conduit. collector to remove unwanted excess in the extraction line 6a. When the collector 3 engages, the sealing apparatus 4 penetrates the conduit 2 after which it is inflated whereupon the sealing of the conduit 2 occurs in the manner mentioned above. Once the valve 12 is closed the collector remains fixed in its position. The pressurized air is then supplied to the conduit by further adjustment of the valve 12 after which the projectile 23 or the conveyor 6 is driven along the conduit until it exits the conduit by dragging the extraction line 6a therewith. The sealing apparatus 4 is then released by opening the valve 12 after which the pressurized air escapes from the inside of the membrane 14. The rear end of the extraction line 6a is then pulled out of the collector 3 ready to be attached to a cable to be pulled through the conduit.

The described assembly can also be used to supply an extraction line from a device known as a launcher that includes a coil of lines to be fed into a conduit.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that numerous variations and modifications can be made to the invention so widely described herein without departing from the spirit and general scope of the invention.

Claims (27)

1. CLAIMS 1. An assembly for an air-assisted insertion of an extraction line into and out of a conduit from an inlet end of said conduit to an outlet end; the assembly comprises: a source of pressurized air; an apparatus for sealing an end of said conduit and allowing the supply of pressurized air from said air source, into said conduit through or around said sealing apparatus, a passageway inside or in said sealing apparatus receiving an extraction line so that when said sealing apparatus is coupled to the inlet end of said conduit the extraction line is able to enter the apparatus outside or inside the conduit and exit the sealing apparatus inside the conduit; a conveyor connected to a guiding end of the extraction line in response to the air supply of said pressurized air source and which drives the extraction line along the conduit to exit the conduit via said outlet end.
2. 2. An assembly according to Claim 1 wherein the air source is directly or indirectly connected to the sealing apparatus.
3. 3. An assembly according to Claim 2 wherein the air source supplies air to the sealing apparatus via an air collector.
4. 4. An assembly according to Claim 3 wherein the collector controls the supply of pressurized air within the conduit.
5. 5. An assembly according to Claim 4 wherein the sealing apparatus comprises a generally elongated tubular body that includes an outer membrane that forms an inflatable envelope.
6. 6. An assembly according to Claim 5 wherein the membrane forming said envelope in response to said pressurized air after which the membrane is pressed against an inner wall of said conduit to effect a sealing engagement between the envelope and the conduit.
7. 7. An assembly according to Claim 6 wherein the membrane is fixed by means of a fastener or the like to any end of said tubular body one of said fasteners has a coupling to said collector related to it.
8. 8. An assembly according to Claim 5 wherein the collector comprises at least one air inlet, an air outlet and a control valve for controlling the air flow and the air released.
9. 9. An assembly according to Claim 8 wherein the control valve moves between a first position in which the pressurized air can not enter the collector and a second position in which the air is supplied into said envelope and a third position in wherein the air is supplied into said duct and a fourth position in which the air is purged from said collector, said duct and said envelope.
10. 10. An assembly according to Claim 9 wherein the harvester comprises couplings in two inlet ports that receive air supply hoses connected to said pressurized air source.
11. 11. An assembly according to Claim 10 wherein the collector further comprises at the outlet a coupling that matches the sealing apparatus.
12. 12. An assembly according to Claim 11 wherein the collector further comprises a pressure indicator.
13. 13. An assembly according to Claim 12 wherein the conveyor comprises an elongated arrow disposed radially around at least one inflatable air manifold.
14. 14. An assembly according to Claim 13 wherein the air manifold (s) comprises either a liner having a waist fixed to said arrow and a free end that moves radially in response to air pressure or an array of air collection cells arranged radially around said arrow.
15. 15. A sealing apparatus for use with an assembly for inserting an extraction line into a conduit comprising a generally elongate tubular member having disposed around itself a flexible membrane attached at either end to form an inflatable envelope.
16. 16. A sealing apparatus according to Claim 15 wherein the membrane forming said envelope responds to pressurized air after which the membrane is pushed against an inner wall of said conduit to effect a sealing engagement between the envelope and the conduit.
17. 17. A sealing apparatus according to Claim 16 wherein the membrane is fixed by means of a fastener or the like to any end of said tubular body, one of said fasteners having a coupling related thereto and retaining said collector.
18. 18. A harvester for use with an assembly for inserting an extraction line into a conduit wherein the collector comprises at least one air inlet, an air outlet and a control valve.
19. 19. A collector according to Claim 18 wherein the control valve is moved between a first position in which the pressurized air can not enter the collector, a second position in which the air is supplied to the inside of an envelope related to an apparatus of sealing and a third position in which the air is supplied to the interior of said conduit and a fourth position in which the air is purged from said collector.
20. 20. A harvester according to Claim 19 wherein the harvester comprises couplings in two inlet ports that receive air supply hoses connected to said pressurized air source.
21. 21. A harvester according to Claim 20 further comprising at the outlet a coupling that matches the sealing apparatus.
22. 22. A harvester according to Claim 21 further comprising a pressure gauge.
23. 23. A method for inserting an extraction line into and along a conduit using an assembly comprising: a source of pressurized air; an apparatus for sealing an end of said conduit and allowing the supply of pressurized air from said air source within said conduit through or around said sealing apparatus, a passageway inside or in said sealing apparatus receiving a line of extraction so that when said sealing apparatus is coupled to the inlet end of said conduit the extraction line is able to enter the apparatus outside or inside the conduit and exit the apparatus for sealing inside the conduit; means connected to a guide end of the extraction line in response to the supply of air from said source of pressurized air and which drives the extraction line along the conduit until it exits the conduit via the outlet end; the method comprises the steps of: a) feeding a free end of the extraction line through a passage or opening in a sealing apparatus capable of sealing one end of said conduit; b) securing the free end of the extraction line to a conveyor and inserting the conveyor into the conduit via an inlet end; c) sealing the end of the duct with the sealing apparatus; d) introducing pressurized air through or around said sealing means and into said conduit forward of said sealing means and into said conveyor; e) inflating an envelope of air in said sealing apparatus so that the envelope engages the inner surface of said conduit to seal said conduit; f) apply sufficient air pressure to facilitate the travel of the conveyor along the conduit until it exits the conduit by taking the extraction line with it.
24. 24. A method according to Claim 23 comprising the additional step of feeding back the extraction line to remove any excess in the extraction line between the sealing assembly and the conveyor.
25. 25. A method for inserting an extraction line into a conduit using an assembly comprising: a source of pressurized air; a sealing apparatus for sealing one end of the conduit and which is in direct or indirect contact with the source of pressurized air; a conveyor connected to the extraction line and responding to pressurized air, the method comprises the steps of: a) feeding a free end of the extraction line through an opening in the sealing apparatus; b) securing the conveyor to said free end of the extraction line and inserting the conveyor into the conduit via an inlet end; c) inserting the sealing apparatus into said inlet end after being connected to a manifold that controls the air flow within the sealing apparatus and the tube; d) sealing the end of the conduit by fitting a control valve in the manifold to inflate an envelope in said sealing apparatus; e) adjusting the control valve to allow the pressurized air to enter the conduit to drive the conveyor until the conveyor leaves the pipe taking the extraction line with it.
26. 26. A method according to Claim 25 comprising the additional step of adjusting the control valve to deflate said envelope to thereby allow the release of the duct sealing apparatus.
27. 27. An assembly for cleaning the interior of a duct using a cleaning element such as a projectile, said assembly includes a source of pressurized air, a sealing apparatus for sealing an inlet end of said duct and including an inflatable envelope receiving air from said source of pressurized air, said pressurized air urges the projectile through the conduit after the projectile is placed inside it and the inlet end is sealed by means of said sealing apparatus. EXTRACT OF THE INVENTION An assembly (1) for the air-assisted insertion of an extraction line (6a) into and along a conduit (2) from an entrance end of said conduit to an exit end; the assembly comprises a source of pressurized air (8); an apparatus (4) for sealing an end (16) of said conduit (2) through or around said sealing apparatus (4), a passageway in said sealing apparatus that receives an extraction line (6a) so that when said sealing apparatus (4) is coupled to the inlet end (16) of said conduit, the extraction line is able to enter the apparatus (4) inside the conduit, a conveyor (6, 23) connected to one end front of the extraction line (6a) in response to the supply of air from said pressurized air source (8) and which drives the extraction line (6a) along the conduit (2) until it leaves the conduit (2) via said exit end.