WO2015159137A1

WO2015159137A1 - Shut-off device for hydraulic circuits

Info

Publication number: WO2015159137A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/066390
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carmelo GIAMBOI
Original assignee: Giamboi Carmelo
Priority date: 2014-04-15
Filing date: 2014-11-27
Publication date: 2015-10-22

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shut-off device comprising at least one block (1) and at least one shut-off element (10), wherein said at least one block (1) comprises a first cavity (5) directed in the direction of main development of the block (1) and passing through the block (1) for its whole length from a first inlet hole (2) to an outlet hole (3), a second cavity (7) perpendicularly directed to said first cavity (5) and connected thereto starting from a second inlet hole (4) and a third cavity, or shut-off cavity, (9) perpendicularly directed to said first cavity (5) and intersected therewith starting from a third inlet hole (6), and wherein said at least one shut-off element (10) is suitable to be inserted into said third cavity, or shut-off cavity, (9) of said block (1). The shut-off device according to the present invention is preferably and advantageously applied when used in combination with an apparatus for the remote detection of leakages in hydraulic circuits, specifically of automation lines and that use pressurized fluids. The present invention also relates to a kit for shutting-off pipes in general.

Description

'Shut-off device for hydraulic circuits

DESCRIPTION

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a shut-off device, preferably used in hydraulic circuits.

Precisely, the present invention relates to a shut-off device for hydraulic circuits of automation lines.

More precisely, the present invention relates to a shut-off device for hydraulic circuits, specifically of automation lines, that use pressurized fluids.

The invention is preferably and advantageously applied when used in combination with an apparatus for the remote detection of leakages in hydraulic circuits, specifically of automation lines.

The present invention also relates to a kit for shutting-off pipes in general.

Known Prior Art

When managing automated industrial plants that use pressurized fluids, particularly in the automotive, hot moulding, steel production, shipbuilding, earth-moving, military and aerospace sectors, leakages of hydraulic fluids, specifically oil, usually occur.

These leakages may be due to internal leakages, caused by the degradation of the sealing elements of the various actuators and components, and to external leakages, caused by the loosening of the closures on the circuits of these actuators and components, and/or micro- porosity thereof, and, more generally, to failures or breakages in the hydraulic circuits. In some cases, for example where several users are present, the oil supply system to these users could be very oversized compared to the real operating needs, in order to compensate losses due to leakages and to ensure continuity of operation of the lines automation or, more generally, of the plant.

In extreme cases, if failing to adequately compensate the oil leakages, the plant stop could occur, this resulting in significant economic damages.

In the today's industrial scenario, once the presence of leakages is ascertained, just not to interrupt the plant operation, specifically of the automation lines, the manual oil replenishing has in fact to be carried out; this solution, of course, involves a significant operating cost and a considerable environmental impact since the amounts of oil used, for example in a system of automation lines for an automotive plant, may be of the order of 5 - 10 m³/year.

In order to solve the abovementioned technical problem, the Applicant has identified the solution described in the Italian Patent application No. TO2014A000237, which relates to an apparatus, and to the relevant method, to detect the aforesaid oil leakages so as to locate them and, then, to carry out prompt maintenance interventions aimed at removing the cause of such leakages and/or to provide for automatically replenishing quantities of oil necessary to compensate the detected leakages.

The abovementioned solution provides, in particular, to intercept a portion of a hydraulic circuit to be subjected to the detection operations by means of a couple of pressure plugs, said pressure plugs being connected, through corresponding ducts, to the corresponding ends of the apparatus for the detection of leakages.

The previous invention, however, provides that the pressure plugs are inserted in the hydraulic circuit to perform the detection operations of leakages and that they are then removed at the end of these operations so restoring the operating condition of said hydraulic circuit.

Because of the assembly and disassembly interventions of the pressure plugs, this solution involves that the overall operating times are lengthened, the pressure plugs are necessarily calibrated every time, the automatic management of the system is more difficult to be implemented and possible additional oil leakages occur.

The Applicant has therefore designed a shut-off device that overcomes the drawbacks due to the use of pressure plugs since, once said shut-off device is inserted in the hydraulic circuit, can be left in that position, thus allowing a reduction of the overall operating times and a completely automatic management of the system.

Objects and Brief Description of the Invention

The present invention, therefore, starting from the notion of the drawbacks and deficiencies of the prior art, intends to overcome them.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an innovative shut-off device suitable to manage in a completely automatic way the apparatus, and the relevant method, for the remote detection of leakages in a hydraulic circuit, specifically of an automation line, that uses a pressurized hydraulic fluid according to the Italian Patent application No. TO2014A000237. It is also an object of the present invention to reduce the overall operating times, thus achieving a significant reduction of the management costs.

It is a further object of the present invention to avoid necessary repeated calibrations and possible additional oil leakages.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device reliable, simple and cheap to build, operate and maintain.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a kit for shutting-off pipes in general.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by means of a shut-off device comprising the features of the annexed claims, which form integral part of the present invention.

The idea underlying the present invention is to replace the pressure plugs according to the Italian Patent application No. TO2014A000237 with a shut-off device that, once inserted in the hydraulic circuit, can be left in that position.

Advantageously, a fixed shut-off device:

- allows to fully automatically manage the detection system of hydraulic leakages;

- does not need to be installed and calibrated at the beginning of the detection operations, and removed at the end of the sames, with a consequent reduction of the operating costs;

- avoids additional oil leakages;

- has a reduced cost of both construction and use;

- requires a minimum periodic maintenance, with consequent benefit on the management costs.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from the following description.

Description of the Figures

The invention will be described in detail hereinbelow, with reference to non-limiting examples, which are given for explanatory and not-limiting purposes in the appended drawings. These drawings illustrate different aspects and embodiments of the present invention and, where appropriate, reference numbers illustrating similar structures, components, materials and/or elements in different figures are denoted by similar reference numbers. Fig. la is an exploded perspective view of the shut-off device according to the present invention shown together with the component (shut-off element) required for the operational arrangement;

Fig. lb is an exploded perspective view of the shut-off device according to the present invention shown together with the components (caps) required for the non-operational arrangement;

Fig. 2a is a perspective view of the shut-off device according to the present invention in the operational arrangement wherein the shut-off element is inactive;

Fig. 2b is a sectional detail of Fig. 2a, showing the inactive shut-off element;

Fig. 2c is a perspective view of the shut-off device according to the present invention in the operational arrangement wherein the shut-off element is active;

Fig. 2d is a sectional detail of Fig. 2c, showing the active shut-off element; and

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the system comprising an apparatus for the remote detection of leakages in a hydraulic circuit in combination with a portion of said circuit to be subjected to the detection operations, said portion being intercepted by the shut-off device according to the present invention.

These drawings illustrate various aspects and embodiments of the present invention and, if appropriate, similar structures, components, materials and/or elements in different figures are denoted by the same reference numbers.

Detailed Description of the Invention

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, some embodiments thereof will be described in detail hereinbelow, in particular through some illustrative examples.

It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the present invention to the described specific embodiments but, on the contrary, the invention intends to cover all the modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents that fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

In the following description, therefore, the use of "for example", "etc." and "or" denotes non-exclusive alternatives without limitation, unless otherwise indicated; the use of "also" means "among, but not limited to", unless otherwise indicated; the use of "includes / comprises" means "includes / comprises, but not limited to", unless otherwise indicated. The shut-off device according to the present invention, as aforesaid, is preferably and advantageously employed in combination with the apparatus described in the Italian Patent application No. TO2014A000237, but it can also be conveniently combined with any pipe of which a section should be isolated.

The shut-off device according to the present invention, as aforesaid, once installed can remain in position, since it is able to assume:

an operational arrangement, wherein the detection operations of possible leakages can be carried out in static conditions, i.e. when the plant is off operation; and

a non-operational arrangement, wherein the plant is working and the shut-off device acts just as a sleeve, without interfering with the circulation of the pressurized fluid in the hydraulic circuit.

Figures la and lb show the components forming the shut-off device according to the present invention; in particular, Figure la shows the component (i.e. the shut-off element) to be used in the operational arrangement while Figure lb shows the components (i.e. the caps) to be used in the non-operational arrangement.

For clarity's sake, in Figures la and lb reference will be made to the orthogonal three- dimensional system x, y, z.

Said shut-off device according to the present invention comprises:

- at least one block 1,

- at least one shut-off element 10,

- at least a cap 20.

Preferably, said at least one block 1 has a parallelepiped shape in which the direction of main development is the direction of the x axis of the three-dimensional reference Cartesian tern, the second direction of development is the direction of the y axis of the three- dimensional reference Cartesian tern and the direction of minor development is the direction of the z axis of the three-dimensional reference Cartesian tern.

Preferably the size of the block 1 along said direction of main development, i.e. along the x axis, is equal to 75 mm; more preferably said size ranges between 30 mm and 120 mm. Preferably the size of the block 1 along said second direction of development, i.e. along the y axis, is equal to 60 mm; more preferably said size ranges between 20 mm and 100 mm.

Preferably the size of the block 1 along said direction of minor development, i.e. along the z axis, is equal to 30 mm; more preferably said size ranges from 10 mm to 60 mm. Said block 1 is made of any metal material or metal alloy and may be subjected, if necessary to improve the mechanical properties and performances, to heat and/or chemical treatments, eventually even only a surface finishing.

Preferably said first block 1 is made of steel, more preferably is made of steel of the C40 type with characteristics defined according to the EN 10083-2 standard rule.

A preferred surface treatment, suitable to prevent corrosion, is the zinc coating, preferably the white zinc coating, more preferably the white zinc coating without hexavalent chromium.

Said block 1 comprises:

- a first cavity 5 directed in the direction of main development of the block 1, i.e. along the x axis of the reference Cartesian tern, passing through the whole block 1;

a second cavity 7 directed in the second direction of development of the block 1, i.e. along the y axis of the reference Cartesian tern, and therefore perpendicularly directed to said first cavity 5 and connected thereto; and

- a third cavity, or shut-off cavity, 9 directed in the second direction of development of the block 1, i.e. along the y axis of the reference Cartesian tern, and therefore perpendicularly directed to said first cavity 5 and intersected therewith.

Said first cavity 5 has a substantially cylindrical shape and passes through the block 1 for its whole length from a first inlet hole 2 to an outlet hole 3, said first inlet hole 2 being positioned on the first (relative to the origin of the axes along the x axis) face of the block 1 parallel to the y-z plane and said outlet hole 3 being positioned on the second (relative to the origin of the axes along the x axis) face of the block 1 parallel to the y-z plane.

Preferably the length of the first cavity 5 is equal to 75 mm; more preferably said length ranges between 30 mm and 120 mm.

Preferably the diameter of the first cavity 5 is equal to 12 mm; more preferably said diameter ranges between 5 mm and 70 mm.

Preferably, said first cavity 5 is obtained at a distance of 35 mm (ranging between 10 mm and 70 mm) from the upper face of the block 1, i.e. from the second (relative to the origin of the axes along the y axis) face of the block 1 parallel to the x-z plane. Preferably said first inlet hole 2 has a diameter equal to 12 mm; more preferably said diameter ranges between 5 mm and 70 mm. Preferably said outlet hole 3 has a diameter equal to 12 mm; more preferably said diameter ranges between 5 mm and 70 mm.

Said second cavity 7, perpendicularly directed to the direction of main development of the block 1, is connected to said first cavity 5 starting from a second inlet hole 4, said second inlet hole 4 being positioned on the second (relative to the origin of the axes along the y axis) face of the block 1 parallel to x-z plane; said second cavity 7 has a substantially cylindrical shape.

Preferably the maximum length of the second cavity 7 is equal to 50 mm; more preferably said maximum length ranges between 30 mm and 70 mm; it is to be pointed out that the maximum length of the second cavity 7 will be consistent with the distance at which the first cavity 5 is obtained, because the second cavity 7 is connected with the first cavity 5 in order to allow the passage of a fluid.

Preferably the diameter of the second cavity 7 is equal to 3 mm.

Preferably said second cavity 7 is obtained at a distance of 15 mm (ranging between 5 mm and 30 mm) from the first (relative to the origin of the axes along the x axis) side face of the block 1, therefore from the first face of the block 1 parallel to the y-z plane relative to the origin of the axes along the x axis.

Preferably said second inlet hole 4 has a diameter equal to the fixed value of 3 mm.

Said third cavity, or shut-off cavity, 9, perpendicularly directed to the direction of main development of the block 1, intersects said first cavity 5, starting from a third inlet hole 6, said third inlet hole 6 being positioned on the second (relative to the origin of the axes along the y axis) face of the block 1 parallel to the x-z plane; said third cavity, or shut-off cavity, 9 has a substantially cylindrical shape.

Preferably the maximum length of the third cavity 9 is equal to 96 mm; more preferably said maximum length ranges between 56 mm and 136 mm; it is to be pointed out that the maximum length of the third cavity 9 will be consistent with the distance at which the first cavity 5 is obtained, because the third cavity 9 intersects the first cavity 5 in order to prevent the passage of a fluid.

Preferably the diameter of the third cavity 9 is equal to 15 mm; more preferably said diameter ranges between 5 mm and 40 mm.

Preferably said third cavity 9 is obtained at a distance of 15 mm (ranging between 5 mm and 30 mm) from the second (relative to the origin of the axes along the x axis) side face of the block 1, therefore from the second face of the block 1 parallel to the y-z plane relative to the origin of the axes along the x axis.

Preferably said third inlet hole 6 has a diameter equal to 15 mm; more preferably said diameter ranges between 5 mm and 40 mm.

Preferably said holes 2, 3, 4 and 6 are threaded and the sealing area thereof has a roughness degree suitable for sealing; the diameter of said holes changes depending on the size of the tubes into which the block 1 is inserted and, therefore, the threads change too: as regards holes 2 and 3, the thread ranges from 1/4" gas to ΓΊ/2 gas; as regards hole 4, the thread has a fixed size of 1/4" gas; as regards hole 6, the thread ranges from 1/2" gas to ΓΊ/2 gas.

Said at least one block 1, herein shown according to the parallelepiped preferred embodiment, can also be realized according to different embodiments, for example cubic or cylindrical, without this affecting the internal conformation comprising said first 5, second 7 and third 9 cavity.

Similarly to what described for the parallelepiped shape, even for the cubic and cylindrical shapes the direction of main development is deemed to be the direction of the x axis of the three-dimensional reference Cartesian tern.

Of course, in the case that said at least one block 1 would be realized in cubic or cylindrical shape, care should be taken in defining the size thereof in order not to affect the sizes of said first 5, second 7 and third 9 cavity that, as described, depend on those of the pipe to be intercepted, of the shut-off element and of the connection duct to the detection apparatus of the hydraulic leakages, respectively.

Said at least one shut-off element 10 is suitable to be inserted into said third cavity, or shut- off cavity, 9 of said block 1; said at least one shut-off element 10 comprises a head 11, an intermediate portion 12 and a stem 13.

The head 11 preferably consists of a steel nut useful for gripping said shut-off element 10; however, any other technical solution equivalent and suitable to perform the same function, known to the person skilled in the art, can be used.

The intermediate portion 12 preferably consists of a threaded steel nut necessary for the "screwing-unscrewing" action when said shut-off element 10 come into contact with said block 1; however, any other technical solution equivalent and suitable to perform the same function, known to the person skilled in the art, can be used. The stem 13 has a substantially cylindrical shape and has dimensions compatible with said shut-off cavity 9 and, specifically, has a maximum length equal to 96 mm (ranging between 56 mm and 136 mm) and a diameter of 15 mm (ranging between 5 mm and 40 mm).

It is deemed to be convenient herein to point out that the maximum length of the stem 13 will be consistent with the distance at which the first cavity 5 is obtained, because the stem 13 intercepts the first cavity 5 in order to isolate a portion of the pipe and prevent the passage of a fluid.

Said shut-off element 10 is preferably made of a plastic material, more preferably is made of polyurethane, for example TECNOCOL TDI 90 SH polyurethane having the characteristics reported in the following table:

A pressure up to 300 bar (equal to 30 MPa) can be applied on said shut-off element 10. In the operational arrangement, said shut-off element 10 is inserted, through said third inlet hole 6, in said shut-off cavity 9, while said second cavity 7 is suitable to receive, through said second inlet hole 4, a duct D of an apparatus A for the remote detection of hydraulic leakages (as it will be explained in more detail later on, with reference to Figure 3) or any measuring / adjusting / controlling instrument.

The operation of the shut-off element 10 will be explained in more detail hereinbelow, with reference to Figures 2a - 2d.

Said at least one cap 20 is suitable to be inserted in said second 4 and third 6 inlet hole of said block 1; said at least one cap 20 is any device of known type suitable to close holes in pressurized systems, preferably it is made of a plastic material and it is suitable for pressures up to 200 bar (equal to 20 MPa).

In the non-operational arrangement, each of said caps 20 is inserted in said second 4 and third 6 inlet holes; in this way the shut-off device can be left in position on the pipe, just acting as a connecting sleeve between two adjacent parts of the pipe itself.

With reference to Figures 2a - 2d, it is now shown the operation of the shut-off element 10.

In Fig. 2a is visible the shut-off device according to the present invention in the operational arrangement, wherein the block 1 is inserted in a pipe, and precisely said pipe is joined to said block 1 through the first inlet hole 2 and the outlet hole 3.

A duct D of an apparatus A for the remote detection of hydraulic leakages, or any measuring / adjusting / controlling instrument, is joined in correspondence with the second inlet hole 4.

The inactive shut-off element 10, i.e. in its rest configuration that is well visible in the sectional view of Fig. 2b, is inserted in the third inlet hole 6.

In said rest position, the shut-off element 10 is housed in the shut-off cavity 9 but it does not fill it completely.

When subjected to a pressure, said shut-off element 10 undergoes a substantially elastic deformation and increases its volume to completely fill the shut-off cavity 9, as shown in Fig. 2c, and even better in the sectional view of Fig. 2d, thus reaching its active configuration and consequently intercepting the pipe in which the block 1 is inserted.

With reference to Figure 3, the preferred application to a hydraulic circuit C of the shut-off device according to the present invention is described.

More precisely, Figure 3 schematically shows the system including an apparatus A for the remote detection of leakages L in a hydraulic circuit C (preferably, a hydraulic circuit of an automation line) in combination with a portion P of said circuit intercepted by a couple of shut-off devices according to the invention. Said apparatus A suitable for the remote detection of leakages L in a hydraulic circuit C, precisely in a hydraulic circuit of an automation line, comprises a casing, two ends T suitable to be connected to a couple of shut-off devices according to the present invention that intercept a portion P of said hydraulic circuit C, to be subjected to the detection operations and a tank S for a hydraulic fluid F.

Said apparatus A preferably comprises other devices, systems and instruments as described in detail in the Italian Patent application No. TO2014A000237.

Said couple of shut-off devices may be positioned in said circuit C and left in that position, in order to allow a completely automatic operation of the apparatus A,

According to a further aspect of the present invention, possibly independent and that can be autonomously used with respect to the other aspects of the invention, a kit for shutting- off pipes in general is provided; said kit comprises:

- two blocks 1, each of said blocks 1 being provided with a first cavity 5 directed in the direction of main development of the block 1 and passing through the whole block 1 from a first inlet hole 2 to an outlet hole 3; a second cavity 7 perpendicularly directed to the direction of main development of the block 1 and that, starting from a second inlet hole 4, is connected to said first cavity 5; a third cavity, or shut-off cavity, 9 perpendicularly directed to the direction of main development of the block 1 and that, starting from a third inlet hole 6, intersects said first cavity 5;

- two shut-off elements 10, each of said shut-off elements 10 being suitable to be inserted into said shut-off cavity 9 of said block 1; and

- four caps 20, each of said caps 20 being suitable to be inserted into said second 4 and third 6 inlet holes;

said kit, when inserted, through said first inlet hole 2 and said outlet hole 3, in said pipe, being suitable to carry out

a) an operational arrangement, by inserting each shut-off element 10, through the corresponding third inlet hole 6, in the corresponding shut-off cavity 9, said second cavity 7 being suitable to receive, through the corresponding second inlet hole 4, a duct D of an apparatus A for the remote detection of hydraulic leakages or any measuring / adjusting / controlling instrument;

b) a non-operational arrangement, by inserting each cap 20 in said second 6 and third 4 inlet hole. Other distinctive features of technical improvement compared with the known solutions refer to the simplicity and cheapness of construction and use as well as to the high reliability of the shut-off device according to the present invention.

In short, the advantages of the shut-off device according to the present invention reside in: - the fully automatic operation of the detection system of hydraulic leakages;

- the elimination of machine stops thanks to the automation of the detection system of hydraulic leakages;

- the reduction of operating costs thanks to the elimination of the assembly, calibration and disassembly operations;

- the elimination of additional oil leakages, and the relevant costs;

- the reduced cost both of construction and use;

- the need of a minimum periodic maintenance, resulting in a benefit on the management costs; and

- the lifetime lengthening of the hydraulic circuits and of the users inserted therein. On the basis of the foregoing, it is understood therefore that the shut-off device according to the present invention achieves the objects and accomplishes the advantages mentioned hereinabove.

It is finally clear that many other variations may be made to the shut-off device of the invention, without falling outside the novelty principles inherent in the inventive idea, as well as it is clear that in the practical implementation of the invention, the materials, the shapes and the dimensions of the illustrated details can be of any type, depending on requirements, and may be replaced with technically equivalent others.

Where the construction characteristics and the techniques mentioned in the following claims are followed by signs or reference numbers, these signs or reference numbers have been introduced with the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims themselves and, consequently, they do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified, by way of mere example, by such signs or reference numbers.

Claims

1. A shut-off device comprising:

at least one block (1), and

at least one shut-off element (10)

characterized in that said at least one block (1) comprises:

i) a first cavity (5) directed in the direction of main development of the block (1) and passing through the block (1) for its whole length from a first inlet hole (2) to an outlet hole (3),

ii) a second cavity (7) perpendicularly directed to said first cavity (5) and connected thereto starting from a second inlet hole (4), and

iii) a third cavity, or shut-off cavity, (9) perpendicularly directed to said first cavity (5) and intersected therewith starting from a third inlet hole (6),

and in that said at least one shut-off element (10) is suitable to be inserted into said third cavity, or shut-off cavity, (9) of said block (1).

2. A shut-off device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one cap (20) suitable to be inserted into said second (4) and third (6) inlet holes.

3. A shut-off device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first cavity (5) has a length ranging between 30 mm and 120 mm; said second cavity (7) has maximum length ranging between 30 mm and 70 mm; said third cavity, or shut-off cavity, (9) has maximum length ranging between 56 mm and 136 mm.

4. A shut-off device according to claim 3, wherein said first cavity (5) has a length equal to 75 mm; said second cavity (7) has maximum length equal to 50 mm; said third cavity, or shut-off cavity, (9) has maximum length equal to 96 mm.

5. A shut-off device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said first cavity (5), second cavity (7) and third cavity, or shut-off cavity, (9) have a substantially cylindrical shape with diameters ranging between 5 mm and 70 mm, equal to 3 mm and ranging between 5 mm and 40 mm, respectively.

6. A shut-off device according to claim 5, wherein said first cavity (5), second cavity (7) and third cavity, or shut-off cavity, (9) have a substantially cylindrical shape with diameters equal to 12 mm, 3 mm and 15 mm, respectively.

7. A shut-off device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said first cavity (5) is obtained at a distance ranging between 10 mm and 70 mm, preferably of 35 mm, from the upper face of the block (1); said second cavity (7) is obtained at a distance ranging between 5 mm and 30 mm, preferably of 15 mm, from the first side face of the block (1); said third cavity, or shut-off cavity, (9) is obtained at a distance ranging between 5 mm and 30 mm, preferably of 15 mm, from the second side face of the block (1).

8. A shut-off device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one shut-off element (10) comprises a head (11), an intermediate portion (12 ) and a stem (13).

9. A shut-off device according to claim 8, wherein said stem (13) has a substantially cylindrical shape and has a maximum length ranging between 56 mm and 136 mm, preferably equal to 96 mm, and diameter ranging between 5 mm and 40 mm, preferably equal to 15 mm.

10. A shut-off device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said shut-off element (10) is made of plastic material, preferably polyurethane.

11. Use of the shut-off device according to any of the preceding claims in combination with an apparatus (A) for the remote detection of leakages (L) in a hydraulic circuit (C), said apparatus comprising a casing, two ends (T) suitable to be connected to a couple of said shut-off devices intercepting a portion (P) of said hydraulic circuit (C) to be subjected to the detection operations and a tank (S) for a hydraulic fluid (F).

12. Kit for shutting-off pipes, comprising:

- two blocks (1), each of said blocks (1) being provided with a first cavity (5) directed in the direction of main development of the block (1) and passing through the block (1) for its whole length from a first inlet hole (2) to an outlet hole (3); a second cavity (7) perpendicularly directed to the direction of main development of the block (1) and that, starting from a second inlet hole (4), is connected to said first cavity (5); a third cavity, or shut-off cavity, (9) perpendicularly directed to the direction of main development of the block (1) and that, starting from a third inlet hole (6), intersects said first cavity (5);

- two shut-off elements (10), each of said shut-off elements (10) being suitable to be inserted into said shut-off cavity (9) of said block (1); and

- four caps (20), each of said caps (20) being suitable to be inserted into said second (4) and third (6) inlet holes, said kit, when inserted, through said first inlet hole (2) and said outlet hole (3), in said pipe, being suitable to carry out

- an operational arrangement, by inserting each shut-off element (10), through the corresponding third inlet hole (6), in the corresponding shut-off cavity (9), said second cavity (7) being suitable to receive, through the corresponding second inlet hole (4), a duct (D) of an apparatus (A) for the remote detection of hydraulic leakages or any measuring / adjusting / controlling instrument;

- a non-operational arrangement, by inserting each cap (20) into said second inlet hole (4) and third inlet hole (6).