Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L9/00—Rigid pipes
  • F16L9/18—Double-walled pipes; Multi-channel pipes or pipe assemblies
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L1/00—Laying or reclaiming pipes; Repairing or joining pipes on or under water
  • F16L1/024—Laying or reclaiming pipes on land, e.g. above the ground
  • F16L1/06—Accessories therefor, e.g. anchors
  • F16L1/11—Accessories therefor, e.g. anchors for the detection or protection of pipes in the ground
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01V—GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
  • G01V15/00—Tags attached to, or associated with, an object, in order to enable detection of the object
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
  • H02G3/00—Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles
  • H02G3/02—Details
  • H02G3/04—Protective tubing or conduits, e.g. cable ladders or cable troughs
  • H02G3/0462—Tubings, i.e. having a closed section
  • H02G3/0481—Tubings, i.e. having a closed section with a circular cross-section
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
  • H02G9/00—Installations of electric cables or lines in or on the ground or water
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
  • H02G9/00—Installations of electric cables or lines in or on the ground or water
  • H02G9/02—Installations of electric cables or lines in or on the ground or water laid directly in or on the ground, river-bed or sea-bottom; Coverings therefor, e.g. tile
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
  • H02G3/00—Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles
  • H02G3/02—Details
  • H02G3/06—Joints for connecting lengths of protective tubing or channels, to each other or to casings, e.g. to distribution boxes; Ensuring electrical continuity in the joint

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a duct generally comprising a sheath made of thermoplastic material, obtained by extrusion of the latter, delimiting at least in part an internal cavity, for example empty for the passage of a cable or pipe, by any suitable means, in particular by pulling, pushing, carrying or blowing.
• This conduit is associated with an electrical detection conductor, detectable by electromagnetic means, so as to locate the conduit defined above, after its burial.
• a conduit as defined above makes it possible in particular to freely dispose of any cable for transporting electrical energy or for transmitting signals or information, for example optical fibers, or even any pipe for transporting any fluid or liquid, including included under pressure.
• the electric detection conductor also makes it possible to locate the conduit, and consequently the cable or pipe which it contains, once buried, for example by passing an alternating electric current through the detection conductor, and by detecting the radiation. electromagnetic thus transmitted with a receiver tuned to the frequency of the transmitter.
• the thermoplastic material of the conduit is for example a high density or low density polyethylene, a polyvinyl chloride or even a polypropylene, a polyamide, etc.
• the internal surface of the duct can be grooved, or have any suitable discontinuous relief, so as to limit friction with the cable or pipe, when the latter is moved inside the duct by pushing, pulling, carrying or blowing.
• a conduit as previously defined has already been proposed comprising, embedded in the thermoplastic material, and consequently isolated by the latter, an electrical detection conductor, limited to its metallic core, and extending continuously according to the length of the duct.
• the invention therefore relates to a solution allowing an electrical connection of the two detection conductors of two conduit elements to be connected, whatever the relative angular position of said conductors, for example according to two generators respectively different from said conduit elements, and this by ensuring internal continuity between the two duct elements to be connected, that is to say without hindering the subsequent passage of a cable or pipe inside the elements thus connected.
• a plastic conduit composed of a sheath delimiting the internal cavity for receiving cables or pipes, and a small diameter tube, split longitudinally, protruding at exterior, arranged parallel to the sheath and receiving, after burial of the conduit, an isolated detection conductor engaged through the slot.
• the projection of the tube is opposed to burial by an automatic machine, while the subsequent positioning of the conductor in the tube requires an additional operation which increases the exposure time and can, by the means of spacing the edges of crack the wire insulation.
• the slot allows the insulated electrical conductor to be in direct contact with the ambient, electrically conductive medium, and for example with seepage water.
• Another object of the invention is to provide a conduit which can be excavated by an automatic burial machine, reducing the exposure times while ensuring the mechanical and electrical protection of the detection conductor during burial and subsequently.
• the solution to the preceding problem is provided by the association of two complementary proposals, but which can be considered independently of one another.
• the cavity and the cell are monolithic and delimited in a cylindrical sheath obtained by extrusion, without external prominence, and the cell formed between the cavity and the external wall of the duct is separated from the cavity by a partition connecting two internal generatrices of the sheath to be tight along the length of the duct, with respect to the cavity and from the outside, this cell containing, freely and without clamping, a length of insulated electrical conductor greater than the length of the conduit.
• a connecting piece of two duct elements as previously defined comprising:
• the electric detection conductor can be manipulated independently of the conduit, in particular pulled or pushed, and this to make any appropriate electrical connection outside the conduit proper, that is to say outside its section internal useful for pulling or pushing a cable or pipe.
• the freedom of the electric detection conductor makes it possible to bring the two strands to be electrically connected in coincidence, for example along the same generator of the conduit.
• each of the ends of the conduit has an external shouldered position for positioning a removable tip for orienting the electric detection conductor leaving the cell to bring it into an exit position from the conduit distinct from that of exit from the cell, this nozzle being in the form of a socket whose internal diameter and external diameter have the same values as the corresponding diameters of the conduit.
• the orientation nozzle comprises: an internal groove formed in its thickness, opening towards the conduit and forming a housing for guiding the electric detection conductor,
• each conduit a series of longitudinal holes opening to the outside and into the groove, in correspondence with the radial slots and each capable of being traversed by the conductor.
• At least the first and second branches of the connecting piece comprise a shoulder forming an engagement stop for a complementary bearing formed on the end fitting of the end of the conduit engaged in the branch.
• the pipe cooperates with a sealed end piece comprising two opposite tubular branches, each comprising means coupling, either with one end of a conduit element, or with a hollow plug, each branch having an axial bore with an internal shoulder forming engagement stop for the orientation end piece of a conduit, a shoulder inlet for a seal and a groove for an O-ring, while said plug has a skirt capable of penetrating into each of the branches and a head capable of coming to bear on the end of this branch and of cooperating with sealing means.
• FIG. 1 shows, in an exploded and perspective view, a conduit or conduit element according to the invention, with a tip for orienting the strand of an electrical detection conductor
• - Figure 2 shows, still in perspective, the conduit element and the orientation nozzle mounted one on the other; this figure shows in particular the mode of passage and housing of the free strand of the electric detection conductor, with a view to bringing it into correspondence or coincidence with the free strand of another electric detection conductor belonging to another conduit element according to the invention
• FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the conduit and its orientation nozzle, assembled one on the other, in accordance with Figure 2;
• - Figure 4 is a front elevation view of the same assembly as that shown in Figures 2 and 3;
• FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of a T-shaped connecting piece, according to the invention, making it possible to couple two duct elements according to the invention in leaktight fashion, vis-à-vis, in a sealed manner, while allowing the isolated output of their two detection conductors and their connection to an external detector,
• FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view on an enlarged scale of the upper part of Figure 5, showing an embodiment of the connection means allowing the online connection of the two strands of a detection conductor, for example in case repair, after partial destruction of a conduit.
• FIGS. 7 and 8 are views in longitudinal sections of another embodiment of the connecting piece, when it is in configuration, respectively, of the output of the electrical detection conductors, and of connections of these conductors,
• FIG. 9 is a plan view from above in elevation of an embodiment of a means for holding the conductors in the connecting piece
• - Figure 10 is a view in longitudinal section of a usable plug in the embodiment of Figure 7, but equipped with an outlet connector to replace a cable gland
• FIG. 11 is a view in longitudinal section of another embodiment of the connecting piece, the latter being equipped with electrofusion sleeves
• FIGS. 1 2 to 14 are views in vertical section showing three installations implementing the duct according to the invention, connection pieces and a terminal piece,
• FIG. 1 5 is a view in longitudinal section on an enlarged scale of the terminal part of the installation of FIG. 14.
• a conduit 1 according to the invention comprises a cylindrical sheath 2 of thermoplastic material, obtained by extrusion of the latter, without external prominence, delimiting, on the one hand an internal cavity 3, empty of any element, intended for pushing or pulling a cable or pipe, and on the other hand a cell 5, monolithically integrated with the internal cavity 3, that is to say in the thermoplastic material itself, extending continuously along the length of the duct 1.
• the cell 5 and the internal cavity 3 are separated by a partition 8 connecting two internal generatrices of the sleeve 2, so that the cell 5 remains sealed along the length of the conduit 1, vis-à-vis the outside and of the cavity 3.
• the electrical detection conductor 4 is electrically isolated. To this end, it comprises a metallic core 6 and a sheath 7 made of electrically insulating material (cf. FIG. 3), such as spun polytetrafluoroethylene. It extends freely and without clamping inside the cell 5, with a strand 4a emerging at each end of the duct 1.
• the sheath 7 of the electrical detection conductor 4 is preferably obtained by wrapping an electrical insulating material, for example made of polyamide or polytetrafluoroethylene, around the metallic core 6.
• the internal cross section of the cell 5 is much smaller than that of the internal cavity 3, and at a value which is, for example, between 10 and 25 mm 2 . Its shape goes from the ellipse to the circle as the internal section of the internal cavity 3 increases, so as not to reduce too much the useful section of this cavity.
• the duct 1 comprises a visible marking strip 9, arranged outside the sheath 2, according to a generator of the conduit 1 aligned with the cell 5, and this to identify from the outside the position of this cell 5.
• the length of the electrical detection conductor 4, available in a conduit element 1, is greater than that of said element and has a value between 102 and 110% of the length thereof.
• the conductor 4 is put into place by pushing inside the cell 5, during production by extrusion of the conduit 1.
• the internal section of the cell 5, and in particular its width, are dimensioned as a function of the surplus of detection conductor 4 to be stored per unit of length of the conduit 1.
• a duct 1 according to the invention is obtained in practice by the connection of finite elements 1 1 and 12, for example by means of the T-shaped connecting piece 10 described below with reference to FIG. 5.
• the T-shaped connecting piece 10 of two conduit elements 1 1 and 12 comprises in a single piece:
• the means for closing the third branch 23 include: - a plug 50,
• coupling means 30 is meant, in this embodiment of the part of the fitting, the cooperation of the following elements, as shown in FIG. 5:
• Each end of the duct 1 has an external shoulder part, 1 b in FIG. 1 and 1 1 b, 12b in FIG. 5, for positioning a removable endpiece 60 for orienting the strand 4a of the detection conductor 4 leaving the cell 5
• This end piece is in the form of a cylindrical socket and has an outside diameter and an inside diameter of the same values as those of the pipe so that its surfaces, respectively, internal and external, are in line with those of the pipe and do not interfere with it. burial by an automatic machine, nor the installation in the conduit of a cable or pipe.
• the shoulder bearing 1b, 11b, 12b is equipped with a thread 15 cooperating with a complementary thread 16 formed inside the part of the end piece 60 coming on said bearing. The thread is at large, so that the connection is made on a fraction of a turn and for example on 1/8 è ⁇ of a turn.
• the alignment end piece 60 comprises:
• an internal groove 63 formed in its thickness, opening out in the direction of the conduit and capable of receiving and containing the strand 4a of the electric detection conductor leaving the cell 5,
• the previously described arrangements of the alignment end piece make it possible to pass the strand 4a of the detection conductor 4, from a generator, for example lower, to another generator, by diametrically opposite example, and this by passing the strand 4a, at the outlet of the cell 5, in a radial slot 64, then along a half circumference in the groove 63, and finally in a longitudinal hole 66.
• the end piece allows thus bringing the strand 4a into the third branch 23 of the connecting piece 10.
• the strands 41 a and 42a remain in the extension of the elements of conduits 1 1 and 1 2, without affecting their useful internal section, it that is to say without modifying the passage section of the cavity 3 from one element 1 1 to another element 12.
• These two strands then travel inside the third branch 23 and the other conduit element 13 , the latter comprising a filling 75 of viscoelastic material, for example a foam, ensuring the maintenance of these strands, for example so that they are not displaced during the introduction into the cavity 3 of a cable or pipe by a pneumatic means.
• the plug 50 is provided with means 70 for sealingly leaving the two strands 41 a, 42a, passing through this plug.
• These outlet means consist of threaded tubular bodies 71 with cover 72 and axial seal 73. Outside the plug, the two strands are connected to a connection panel 18, visible in FIG. 13.
• FIG. 6 showing the connection of the strands 41 a and 42a, following the online connection of two sections of the same conduit sectioned by accident, for example by a backhoe, or coming from two elements 11 and 12 of the conduit, the means used are the same, with the exception of the plug 51, which is blind to protect the connection means 52.
• the latter consist of a sheath 53 in which the two ends of the strands are introduced and linked by a screw transverse 54. The assembly is enclosed in a sealed sheath 55, 10
• FIGS. 7 and 8 use the same connecting piece 10, the same elements 1 1 and 12 of conduit with their end pieces 61, 62, the same coupling means 30 as the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 5, but differ from it by the means cooperating with the third branch 23. Indeed, this third branch does not cooperate with a section of conduit 13, but with a blind plug 19 or a pierced plug 20.
• the branch 23 has internally a bore 24 of the same diameter as the bores made in the branches 21 and 22 to receive the duct elements 1 1 and 12, an internal shoulder 25 and an extreme shoulder 26 forming a bearing surface for a joint 27.
• the plugs 19 and 20 are hollow and composed of a head 28 and a skirt 29 whose outside diameter allows it to penetrate into the bore 24 of the branch 23 and, consequently, in one or the other of the branches 21 and 22.
• the head 28 is shouldered to come bear on the joint 27 when it is itself subjected to a pressing force by a nut 31a screwing onto the thread 23a of the branch 23. In this position and in the two embodiments of FIGS.
• the lower end of the skirt 28 is spaced from the shoulder 25 of the branch 23 to form a housing containing a means for holding the strands 41a, 42a of the detection conductors.
• This holding means is constituted, as shown in FIG. 9, by a disc 34 made of rigid material comprising slots 35 or orifices 36 making it possible to wedge these strands to prevent them from being sucked up during the positioning in the conduits 11 and 12, by pneumatic means, a cable or a pipe.
• the two strands 41 a and 42a pass through a cable gland 37 whose body is screwed into a threaded bore 38 formed in the head 28 of the plug 20.
• the base 43a of a connector 43 is screwed in the bore 38 of the plug 20 in the bore 38 of the plug 20, in the base 43a of a connector 43 is screwed.
• This base includes female pins 44 which are connected to the strands 41 a, 42a.
• the body 43b of the connector is integral with male pins 46 onto which the wires 47 of a reinforced electric cable are welded. The seal is ensured by a seal 48 disposed between the head 28 of the 11
• connection pieces of Figures 7 and 8 have the advantage of having a smaller vertical footprint than those described with reference to Figures 5 and 6, which is particularly advantageous when, as shown in Figure 1 2, several connecting pieces 10 are arranged and superimposed in the same connection chamber 57.
• Figure 1 2 shows that the connecting pieces 10 can also be used to lead to a connection board 18, armored cables 59 from two different networks A and B, for example to perform the simultaneous detection of a part of each of the two networks.
• FIG. 13 shows that, with a connecting piece 10 of the type described with reference to FIGS. 5, 7 or 10, the conductor, and for example the armored cable 47 leaving the connector 43, can be embedded in the ground “S »Before entering a detection chamber 65 equipped with a connection panel 18.
• the connection pieces 10 using blind plugs 19 and ensuring only the connection of the strands 41 a, and 42a, they can, due sealing means with which they are fitted, be buried in the ground.
• the connecting piece 10a shown in Figure 1 1 is of the electrofusion type. At least each of its first two branches 21 and 22 includes, included in its constituent material, an electrical resistance 80 wound in a spiral and the ends of which are connected to a terminal 81 projecting from the corresponding branch.
• the third branch 23 is surrounded by an electro-weldable sleeve 82 of thermoplastic material also containing a resistor 83. When this resistor is electrically supplied, it brings to their plasticization temperature the material of the third branch 23, and the material of a section of conduit 13 disposed in its extension and provides a sealed connection between these various elements.
• This third branch implements a central tubular section 84, having the function of maintaining the disc 34 for holding the strands 41 a and 42a, and of a blind plug 85 covering the tubular element 84 and the section of tube 13.
• the plug is fixed to the tube 13 by means of a nut 31 b - conical wedge 32 assembly, while the connection is sealed by a seal 86 tight between the skirt of the plug 85 and the external part of the duct section 13.
• the connecting pieces 10 or 10a can also be implemented to ensure the outlet or the electrical connection of detection conductors 4 coming from a conduit laid but not yet equipped with its cable or pipe.
• the unused branch and for example the branch 21, can be equipped, in replacement of the conduit 11, with a plug 19 or 20 held by the coupling means 30.
• the same function can also be provided by a sealed end piece 89 making it possible, as shown in FIG. 14, to connect the strand 42a to an armored cable 47 going to a connection box 18 disposed in a connection chamber 90.
• this end piece comprises two tubular branches 91 and 92 arranged opposite, that is to say aligned and even coaxial.
• Each of these branches is similar to the branches 21 and 22 of the T-shaped connecting piece 10 and comprises coupling means 30, here constituted by a nut 31a, a tight clamping piece 32, a seal 33 and a thread 91a, 92a formed on the corresponding branch.
• the two branches are symmetrical and each have an axial bore capable of 13
• a shoulder 93 can receive a seal 27 cooperating with the head 28 of the plug 20 previously described.
• This plug can cooperate either with a cable gland 37, as shown, or with the connector 43 shown in FIG. 10. It will be noted that, if the strand 42a of the detection conductor does not need to be connected to the connection box. 18, the plug 20 can be replaced by a blind plug 19.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Geophysics (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Rigid Pipes And Flexible Pipes (AREA)
• Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Electric Means (AREA)
• Cable Accessories (AREA)

Priority Applications (6)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=9524103

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (9)

Cited By (3)

Families Citing this family (7)

Citations (6)

Family Cites Families (2)

• 1998
  • 1998-03-11 FR FR9803209A patent/FR2776135B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 1999
  • 1999-03-10 CA CA002321880A patent/CA2321880A1/fr not_active Abandoned
  • 1999-03-10 EP EP99909000A patent/EP1062449A1/fr not_active Withdrawn
  • 1999-03-10 WO PCT/FR1999/000532 patent/WO1999046529A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1999-03-10 AU AU28397/99A patent/AU2839799A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1999-03-10 PL PL33615899A patent/PL336158A1/xx unknown
  • 1999-03-10 BR BR9904767-5A patent/BR9904767A/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
• 2000
  • 2000-09-06 NO NO20004444A patent/NO20004444D0/no unknown
  • 2000-09-07 SE SE0003174A patent/SE515211C2/sv not_active IP Right Cessation

Patent Citations (6)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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