FR2757926A1 - CHANNEL CONTROL DEVICE FOR CONNECTING WITH A BOREHOLE SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

This pipe control device, intended to be connected to an underground system of pipes for fluids, in particular liquids or gases, comprises a contact surface (21) which serves to transmit the sound produced by a possible leak and which can be subjected to permanently to the action of a measuring device (20) serving to detect this leak in the pipe system. Application to fire hydrants, gate valves and manholes.

Description

The invention relates to a channel control device

  to be connected to a buried canal system.

  for fluids, in particular liquids or gases, which is

  specially designed for mounting a measuring device

  the permanent monitoring of leaks in the pipeline system or which

for this purpose.

  Fire hydrants for installation below

  surface or surface, but also gate valves

  Positive Valve and Valve Positions

  belonging to the generic group of communication devices

  pipe and, as such, are known to be

  then many years. These are, in addition to the conduct and

  pipe fittings, components of water

  corn. Loss of water in such drinking water systems

  have significant costs due to both the loss of water and the need for repair of the system and devices affected by the damage

due to water.

  Loss of water due to leakage in the piping system causes oscillations which can be transmitted as acoustic waves or flow noises by the piping system itself and by the liquid. 'flowing there. Even small water leaks in the event of which the damage due to flowing water is negligible or at least still very limited,

  ) produce such flow noises which, because of the

  water, are transmitted over several times the distance they could travel in the medium of air. By means of acoustic measurements, these leaks can be detected on one hand and localized on the other hand by means of a

  measured in different network locations.

  For example, DE 39 09 337 discloses methods or devices by means of which leaks in water or gas pipeline systems can be detected. To do this, a measurement or detection device is moved along

  underground pipeline and records the values of

  sure, depending on the location, by coupling the movement with a location system. This process has the disadvantage

  that because of the necessary staff and the many

  the ongoing monitoring, especially of a complex pipeline system, requires very significant resources and is prone to disturbance. It is also to be feared that the measurement values recorded by

  many different people can not be compared

they are difficult.

  Another device for monitoring networks

  of water pipes is known from DE 40 36 684. This arrangement

  tif consists essentially of a portable sensor with

  a sensor rod that must be brought into contact with the re-

  bucket of pipes to examine. The use of this

  tive monitoring of a complex network requires

  very important means and a comparable and reproduc-

  different measurement values made by

  used in a changing way is also not

surely safe.

  The present invention aims to provide a simple and economical solution for the permanent monitoring of a

  buried pipe system for fluids, especially liquid

  or gases, the measurement values recorded being reproducible and therefore comparable, regardless of the number and level of

  training of the different people involved.

  This goal is achieved by providing a

  pipe control which is suitable for connecting to a system

  buried system of pipelines for fluids, in particular liquids or gases, and comprises a contact surface, serving for the trans-

  mission of sound, which can be permanently

  the action of a measuring device used to detect leaks

  in the piping system.

  For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a pipe control device intended to be connected to a buried pipe system for fluids, in particular liquids or gases, characterized in that it comprises a contact surface which serves to transmit the sound produced by a possible leak

  which may be permanently subject to the action of a

  Measuring system used to detect this leak in the piping system. The pipe control device according to

  the invention may also have one or more of the

  following: - the pipe control device has a space for accommodating the measuring device, in that the contact area or the space can be arranged outside the fluid flow area and that the device

  measurement includes an acoustic detector, a separate recorder

  data medium and a power supply, - the contact surface or the space is formed during forming

  in the body wall of the pipe control device

  and / or is in direct contact with the body wall, - the contact surface or space is formed during forming

  in the operating rod of the channel control device

  - the pipeline control device has

  means of reinforcing contact between the surface of

  tact and the measuring device, these means comprising a

  or spring, - the pipeline control device includes devices for protecting the measuring device

  disruptive influences, including humidity, dust,

  involuntary work or deliberate damage,

  - said devices comprise hermetic closures

  by which the measuring device can be

  hermetically closed, - said devices comprise an operating rod, 3 () a tube, which may be arranged in the operating rod or in the pipe control device, or a part of the pipe control device wall, the space is made in the form of a hollow cylinder and in that this hollow cylinder or a lid closes it

  includes an observation window for the transmission of

  optical or opto-electronic data, - the pipeline control device is in the form of a fire hydrant on the surface or in the form of a fire hydrant below the surface, - the control device of pipe is realized in the form of a device for installing a gate valve

  or in the form of a street glance.

  Embodiments of the pipe control device according to the invention are described by way of example, and in no way by way of limitation, with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a vertical sectional view of a surface fire hydrant with an integrated measuring device, 1 () in FIG. 2, a vertical sectional view of a device

  of a gate valve with integrated lining, com-

  carrying an integrated measuring device, and in Figure 3, a vertical sectional view of a surface fire hydrant, with details A and B.

  FIG. 1 represents a control device for

  the use of a surface fire hydrant, the

  upper body 1 has a wall 2 which at its end

  lower, is formed as a flange 3 and bears on an intermediate pipe 4. The body 1 is attached to this pipe) intermediate 4 by means of a clamping collar 5. The intermediate pipe 4 is screwed on a body lower 6 in which is the bearing axis 7 of the fire hydrant. A vertically disposed actuating rod 8 extends through the entire upper body 1 and passes through a seal 9 at the top of the body 1. The seal 9 is

  disposed in a cable gland 10. The upper end cy-

  lindrique 11 of the operating rod 8 presents at its part the

  higher on the shape of a square 12. On this square 12, it is pos-

  sible to set a key (not shown) to actuate the rod 3 <o maneuver 8 and therefore the valve of the fire hydrant (not shown). At its lower end, the operating rod also comprises a square 13 which is engaged with the valve shaft 14. In its central part, the operating rod 8, which, in a standard manner, can here simply consist of a cylindrical bar comprises a hollow cylinder 15. This hollow cylinder consists essentially of a stainless steel tube 16 which, at its two ends, is connected by application of force to the operating rod 8 to the workpiece of transition

  17, 18. To achieve the hermetic leaktight closure infe-

  18. It is inside this space 19 and thus closed

  the measuring device 20 is hermetically

  to detect a leak in the piping system. The

  lower transition piece 18 has a contact surface

  tact 21 which serves to transmit acoustic waves, triggering

  leakage to the measuring device 20. In this embodiment, the contact between the detector 22 and the contact surface 21 is amplified by means of a magnet 23, so that the detector 22 adheres to the sensor. magnet 23 and the latter I (at the contact surface 21. In place of an adhering element 23, the contact between the contact surface 21 and the detector

  22 could also be achieved by means of a spring (not

  shown), which for example applies from above a pressure on the sequential data logger 25 and / or the detector 22.

  and, thus, amplifies and ensures this contact.

  Acoustic waves emitted by a possible leak

  are transmitted by the liquid located in the system of cana-

  and the walls thereof, up to the pipe control device in which they are transmitted to the detector 22, through the adhesive magnet 23, due to the close contacts between the valve shaft 14 and the operating rod 8 and between the latter and the surface of

  contact 21 located in the lower transition piece 18.

  The acoustic waves are converted in the detector 22 into electronic signals which are conveyed to the recorder

  sequential data 25 by a connecting cable 24.

  The sequential data recorder periodically stores

  the measurements of the detector 22 and provides them on an

  optical scanner (not shown). Measured values can

  read from this optical display, for example vi-

  suely through a window of observation, but also

  through an electronic link. For the measuring device 20 to be autonomous in energy and therefore

  independent of an electrical network, batteries or accumu-

  are advantageously integrated into the measuring device

  safe. To read the measurement data, it is possible to exchange the operating rod 8 with another (with or without measuring device), during maintenance work that can

  be performed as routine work, or as a replacement

place by it.

  Since, in this embodiment, the device

  Since the measuring device 20 is hermetically sealed in a space 19, the operation thereof can not be impeded by

  natural disturbance fluids, such as moisture,

  rust, etc., or by an involuntary maneuver by

  example from firefighters or malfunctioning

  watchful by third parties. Passersby do not even notice a measuring device, used for the permanent monitoring of leaks of a piping system, which is integrated in this way in a pipe control device, since externally, the fire hydrant in no way differs from a common fire hydrant, so that for example In the curiosity of vandals is not awake. Similarly, firefighters who, in the event of fire, must serve under a

  high tension the canalising device

  do not notice the measuring device present; they are not in any way hindered by it and the operation of the pipe control device is completely ensured. The pipe control device according to the invention can also be produced in the form of a

  fire hydrant below the surface.

  FIG. 2 represents another pipe control device, a valve valve installation equipment with two examples of manholes which are shown (to the left and to the right of a vertical axis), in which also

  a vertical operating rod 8 is mounted. This rod of

  8 is driven axially at its upper end.

  11 cylindrical and also has at its lower end

  a square 13 which can be made integral with the axis of

  valve 14. The hollow cylinder 15, which serves here to accommodate the arrangement

  The measuring device can be made in a manner corresponding to that of FIG. 1 and also comprise a detector 22 which is connected to a sequential data recorder 25 by a connecting cable 24. The sequential data logger 25

  may also include an optical display (not shown).

  In principle, such a unit of measurement operates in a manner identical to that of FIG. 1 and is preferably also

  autonomous energy and therefore independent of an electricity grid.

  than. Figure 3 shows a surface fire hydrant in which the operating rod 8 is made in a standard manner. In this embodiment, to provide

  the space 19 closed preferably hermetically, a tube is

  In the form of a hollow cylinder 15, it would be fixed between a penetration 26 and a contact surface 21 so that, like the hollow cylinder of FIGS. 2 and 2, this tube forms a "space 19 which is located in outside the flow zone of the fluids conveyed into the pipeline system, in which case a contact surface 21 would be provided in the area of the

  flange 3 of the wall 2 of the control device body of

  1. The contact surface 21 is shaped in the wall surface so that a recessed portion is formed which on the one hand provides a defined surface for

  transmit the sound and secondly center the hollow cylinder 15.

  This hollow cylinder 15 has a lower closure part

  27 which is for example welded to the metal tube or is bra-

  2) on the latter in a sealed manner and

  outer face which is sized to fit

  exactly at the contact surface 21 recessed and to be cen-

  by this one. It is a cover 28, fixed by screwing or immobilized by means of screws and preferably equipped with O-rings ensuring a hermetic seal, which constitutes the

  upper closing of the hollow cylinder. A device for

  sure, corresponding to Figure 1 or 2, can be arranged in the space 19 which is defined by the hollow cylinder. This embodiment has the advantage that, to replace the measuring device, no functional part of the fire hydrant must be removed or replaced. The contact allowing the transmission of sound between the closing piece and the wall 2 of the pipe control device is allowed by a

  application of pressure which can be provided by means of the envisaged screwing of the lid 28. For optical or optically

  electronic sequential data logger, the

  vercle 28 may be provided with an observation window 28a and

  one or more seals 28b. In this example

  full implementation, the contact between the detector (not shown

  felt) and the lower closure part 27 is amplified at

  magnet 23 or spring, in a corresponding manner.

  in the examples of Figures 1 and 2.

  Detail A represents a preferred embodiment of a contact surface 21 arranged recessed by being shaped in the wall 2. It is in direct contact with this contact surface 21 that the closure piece 27 by means of which the cylinder hollow 15 is applied under pressure on the

  contact surface 21 and is centered relative thereto.

  1 () Detail B shows a lid 28 serving as a closure

  of the hollow cylinder 15. For the transmission

  For example, the lid 28 preferably includes an observation glass 28a, which can cooperate with the lid by means of a data logger or opto-electronic measurement data of the sequential data logger, for example a reading device.

  via at least one seal 28b.

  In comparison with the state of the art, the pipe control device according to the invention has, among others, the following advantages:

  2 () - in a power supply network incorporating

  In accordance with the invention, it is

  It is possible to integrate devices for measuring

  safe or devices locating and measuring leaks which, if necessary, are activated and carry out permanently acoustic measurements, in an invisible way for the outside

  and without immediate use of staff.

  - despite any temporary disassembly of the detectors

  of its, the channel control devices are fully

able to function.

  3 () - built-in sound detectors do not interfere with

  piping controls and do not have to be noticed by people

  serving these devices (eg firefighters).

  a sequential data logger records one or more measurements and stores them at a specific time.

  mined (preferably at night, as it occurs

  then little disturbance). This allows you to monitor

  manence a complex system of buried pipelines, although

  the measured values are only read periodically.

  - the reading of the measurement data can take place at

  means of a digital display on the sound detector or auto-

  using optical coupling, opto-electronic

  or electronically, resulting in objective data sets

  ves. - a sound detector makes a measurement always at

  same location, so that a calibration or standardization

  tion is considerably simplified or even has no reason

  being. b - maximum security is obtained with a half-staff

  nimal and a minimal training of it, so that

  leaks in piping systems may be

  in an early manner and the intervention on channeling

can be programmed.

I ()

Claims (11)

  1. A pipe control device intended to be connected to a buried pipe system for fluids, in particular liquids or gases, characterized in that it comprises a contact surface (21) which serves to transmit the sound produced by a leak. possible and which can be permanently subjected to the action of a measuring device (20) serving to detect   this leak in the piping system.   2. Line control device according to the   claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a space (19)   for accommodating the measuring device (20), in that the sur-   contact surface (21) or the space (19) can be arranged in   out of the fluid flow zone and that the   measuring device (20) comprises an acoustic detector (22), a sequential data logger (25) and a power supply. 3. Line control device according to one   any of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that   contact surface (21) or the space (19) is formed   in the body wall (2) of the channel control device   and / or is in direct contact with the body wall (2).   4. Line control device according to one   any of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that   contact surface (21) or the space (19) is formed   in the operating rod (8) of the control device of   ization. 5. Line control device according to one   M () any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that   comprises means for reinforcing the contact between the contact surface (21) and the measuring device (20), these   means comprising a magnet (23) or a spring.   6. Line control device according to one   any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that   has devices for protecting the measuring device (20) from disturbing influences, in particular humidity,   dust, involuntary maneuvering or deliberate damage. 1l   7. Line control device according to the   claim 6, characterized in that said devices   have hermetic closures by means of which the   positive measurement (20) can be sealed.   8. Line control device according to one   any of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that   said devices comprise an operating rod (8), a tube (15, 16) which can be arranged in the operating rod (8) or in the channel control device, or a part (1) of the device wall (8). pipe control (2). 9. Line control device according to one   any of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that   the space (19) is in the form of a hollow cylinder (15)   and in that this hollow cylinder (15) or a lid (28)   it includes an observation window (28a) serving to   optical or opto-electronic data transmission.   10. Line control device according to one   any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that   is made in the form of a surface fire hydrant or   in the form of a fire hydrant below the surface.   11. Line control device according to one   any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that   is implemented in the form of a device for setting up   binet-valve or in the form of a manhole.