NO334827B1 - Water pipes Tools inserter - Google Patents

Abstract

Water pipe tool insertion device (1) for inserting a tool (2) into a pressurized water pipe (3). The device (1) comprises an outer housing (10), a first chamber (15) provided in the outer housing (10), a second chamber (20) provided in the outer housing (10); and an insertion guide (30). The insertion conductor has a first end (31) adapted to be connected to the tool (2) when the tool (2) is disposed in the first chamber (15), the insertion conductor (30) extending from the tool (2) through a first channel (40). ) between the first chamber (15) and the second chamber (20), through the second chamber (20), and further out through a second channel (50) in the second chamber (20). The first chamber (15) comprises a fluid-tight connector (11) for the water pipe (3). The first end (31) of the insertion conductor (30) is adapted to be inserted into the pressurized water pipe (3) by pushing the insertion conductor (30) in a direction from the second duct (50) to the first duct (40) thereof. the second chamber (20).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a water pipe tool insertion device. More specifically, the invention relates to a water pipe tool insertion device for inserting a tool into a pressurized water pipe.

BACKGROUND

In all cities with modern infrastructure, water is distributed to buildings and other water consumption points via pressurized water pipes. Such pressurized water pipes can have a pressure of between 2-8 bar, although the normal pressure in places with private or public waterworks is between 4-6 bar. The pressurized water pipes are usually buried in the ground. The water pipes can be made of copper, cast iron, eternite, cement or plastic materials such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or polyethylene. There are several types of work operations where there is a need for the introduction of a tool into a pressurized water pipe, for example inspection using a camera, cleaning using a flushing unit, detection of the location of water pipes using a signal emitting unit (as preparations for excavating water pipes etc), leak sealing, leak detection using a microphone, opening of taps, pipe thawing and the like.

When such operations are to be carried out today, a sluice or tap is normally closed at a higher level, typically a valve in the distribution network. This shuts off the water supply in all water pipes in a larger area, for example a housing estate or a district. The work operation is then carried out in the relevant water pipes in the closed area, i.e. the work operation is carried out on water pipes without pressure. Advance notice is normally required for the households in the areas to be closed off, which means that the work operations must be planned well in advance.

US 5084764 shows a method for inspecting a water pipe while the pipe is filled with water. An inspection tool is introduced into the water pipe through a chamber and a drive anchor is used to pull the tool forward in the water pipe while cables/wires hang behind the tool.

JP 10221257 A shows a self-powered tool for inspecting a water pipe. JP 2009244419 shows a cable laying device for laying a cable in a pipe.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a water pipe tool insertion device for inserting a tool into a pressurized water pipe without the need to shut off the water supply to the area the water pipe is located in. Furthermore, the object is that the device should be flexible in that several types of tools should be able to be used with the water pipe tool insertion device. It is also a purpose that the device should be easy to use and that it should be able to be used without contaminating the water in the water pipe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a water pipe tool insertion device for inserting a tool into a pressurized water pipe, where the device comprises: - an outer housing; - a first chamber provided in the outer housing in which the tool can be placed, the first chamber comprising a connector for fluid-tight connection to the water pipe; - a second chamber provided in the outer housing; - an insertion guide with a first end adapted to be connected to the tool when the tool is placed in the first chamber, characterized in that the insertion guide extends from the tool through a first channel between the first chamber and the second chamber, through the second chamber, and further out through a second channel in the second chamber;

wherein the first end of the introduction guide is adapted to be introduced into the pressurized water pipe by the introduction guide being pushed in a direction from the second channel to the first channel in the second chamber.

In one aspect, a pressure-reducing fluid passage is formed between the introduction guide and the inner surface of the first channel.

In one aspect, the second chamber comprises a draining device.

In one aspect, the first channel comprises a first packing device for reducing the amount of fluid that is allowed to pass through the first channel.

In one aspect, the second channel comprises a second packing device for reducing the amount of fluid that is allowed to pass through the second channel. In one aspect, the introduction guide is a stake spring, a cable or the like.

In one aspect, the first chamber comprises a drain valve.

In one aspect, the device further comprises:

- a disinfection chamber provided in the outer housing;

where the introduction conductor extends from the second chamber through the second channel and through the disinfection chamber and further out through a third channel in the disinfection chamber.

In one aspect, a second end of the insertion guide is provided on the outside of the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings, where:

Fig. 1 illustrates a cross-section of a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 illustrates a cross-section of a second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 illustrates a cross-section of a third embodiment of the invention; Fig. 4 illustrates the application of the third embodiment of the invention in a pressurized water pipe.

Reference is now made to fig. 1. A water pipe tool insertion device 1 is shown here for inserting a tool 2 into a pressurized water pipe 3.1 fig. 1, only the end of the water pipe 3 is illustrated schematically.

The tool 2 can be a measuring device, an inspection camera, a signal transmitting device, a signal receiving device, a flushing tool or other tools used to perform work operations in a water pipe. Some typical examples of such work operations are mentioned initially above. Such tools are considered known to a person skilled in the art....

The water pipe 3 is an ordinary pressurized water pipe comprising a connection interface in the form of a water pipe connector 3b. The water pipe connector 3b can be part of a main stopcock 3c (illustrated in Fig. 4). The water pipe connector 3b and the main stopcock 3c are considered known to a person skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here. A common type of water pipe connector 3b comprises an externally threaded part (not shown). It should nevertheless be noted that the present invention is not limited to a specific type of water pipe connector 3b.

The water pipe tool insertion device 1 comprises an outer housing 10, a first chamber 15 provided in the outer housing 10, a second chamber 20 provided in the outer housing

10 and an introduction leader 30.

The housing 10 can be provided as one body with several chambers 15, 20, or the housing 10 can be provided as several chambers with separate housings which are connected to one housing.

The first chamber 15 is provided for placement of the tool 2 during connection of the device 1 to the pressurized water pipe 3. The first chamber 15 therefore preferably has the same cross-sectional shape and the same diameter as the water pipe connector 3b.

A first channel 40 is provided between the first chamber 15 and the second chamber 20. The first channel 40 is dimensioned so that the insertion guide 30 can pass through the channel 40.

In fig. 1 it is shown that the second chamber 20 comprises a draining device 21. The draining device 21 is a draining channel in the second chamber 20 to allow water to flow freely out of the second chamber 20.1 the embodiment shown, the draining device 21 is a draining nipple with external threads. A collection device (not shown) can be placed under the draining device 21 to collect water that is pressed out through the channel 40, alternatively a water hose can be connected to the draining device 21 so that the water is led to a drain or the like.

The channel 40 is shape-matched to the introduction guide 30 to reduce the amount of fluid that is allowed to pass through the first channel 40 past the introduction guide 30. In this way, a pressure-reducing fluid passage is formed between the introduction guide (30) and the inner surface of the first channel (40). This can be done by the internal shape and size of the channel 40 being adapted to the external shape of the conductor 30. Furthermore, the first channel 40 can comprise a first sealing device 41 to further reduce the amount of fluid that is allowed to pass through the first channel 40 past the introduction conductor 30.

This means that when the device 1 is connected to the pressurized water pipe 3, water from the water pipe 3 will fill the first chamber 15. Due to the pressure-reducing fluid passage, the first channel 40 will not be 100% fluid-tight and some water will thus be forced out through the channel 40 past the introduction conductor 30 and out into the second chamber 20 due to the pressure in the first chamber 15. Although some water will enter the second chamber 20, the pressure of the fluid here will be lower than in the first chamber 15. Normally the pressure in the second chamber 20 be equal to atmospheric pressure.

A second channel 50 is provided in the second chamber 20. The second channel 50 is dimensioned so that the insertion guide 30 can pass through the channel 50.

As the pressure in the second chamber 20 is low or close to atmospheric pressure, water will not be forced out through the second channel 50. Nevertheless, to avoid introducing impurities into the water pipe together with the conductor 30, it is preferred that the second the channel 50 is shape-matched to the introduction guide 30. Furthermore, the second channel 50 can also comprise a sealing device, indicated in the figures with reference number 51. This will possibly contribute as a secondary safeguard against water leaks, as the second sealing device 51 will reduce the amount of fluid that is allowed to pass through the second channel 50 past the introduction conductor 30.

In the figures, it is shown that the first chamber 15 comprises a connector 11 for fluid-tight connection to the water pipe 3.1 fig. 2 it is shown that the connector 11 comprises an internally threaded part adapted to the above-mentioned externally threaded part of the water pipe connector 3b. In fig. 2 it is also shown that a gasket 12 is provided to avoid leaks when connecting the connector 11 to the water pipe 3. The connector 11 can of course have other types of connection interface depending on the water pipe connector 3b it is to be connected to.

The insertion guide 30 has a first end 31 adapted to be connected to the tool 2 when the tool 2 is placed in the first chamber 15. From the tool 2, the insertion guide 30 extends through the first channel 40 between the first chamber 15 and the second chamber 20, through which second chamber 20, and further out through the second channel 50 in the second chamber 20.1 the embodiments shown in fig. 1 and 2, the insertion conductor is led out to the outside of the housing 10 through the second channel 50 and a second end 32 opposite the first end 31 is indicated in fig. 1 and fig. 2. The other end 32 of the insertion conductor 30 is thus placed on the outside of the housing 10.

The insertion guide 30 is adapted for introducing the tool 2 into the pressurized water pipe 3 by moving the insertion guide 30 in relation to the housing 10. The insertion guide 30 can therefore slide in relation to the channels 40, 50 and by pulling in or pushing the insertion guide 30, the tool is displaced 2 respectively out of or into the water pipe 3.

The insertion guide 30 can be a stake spring, a cable or the like. If the tool 2 is a battery-powered signal transmitter, then a stake spring can be used. If the tool 2 is a camera, a signal transmitting, relatively rigid cable will normally be used. If the tool 2 is a flushing head, then a water-carrying conductor will have to be used. The insertion conductor 30 will typically be stored in a coiled state on a drum or the like.

Reference is now made to fig. 3. Here it is shown that the first chamber 15 includes a drain tap 16. If you are to carry out a flushing operation in the water pipe to clean it, or that the water pipe is completely or partially blocked and you are to stake up a blocked area of the water pipe, then it is desirable that particles detached during the operation are removed from the water pipe 3. This can be done by opening the drain tap 16. Thus, the pressure in the water pipe 3 will lead contaminated water and particles out through the drain tap 16. Normally, this will result in a large amount of water being discharged through the drain tap 16 and this water must therefore be led to a drain or similar. Nevertheless, it is achieved that the particles are not spread to other parts of the water pipe 3.

In fig. 3 it is also shown that the device 1 further comprises a third chamber, hereafter called a disinfection chamber 70, provided in the outer housing 10. A third channel 80 is provided in the disinfection chamber 70. The third channel 80 is dimensioned so that the introduction conductor 30 can pass through the third channel 80. During use of the device 1, the disinfection chamber 70 is filled with a disinfecting fluid which disinfects the conductor 30 before it is introduced into the water pipe 3.

In this embodiment, the introduction conductor 30 continues from the second chamber 20 through the second channel 50 and through the disinfection chamber 70 and out through a third channel 80 in the disinfection chamber 70. The introduction conductor 30 is here led out to the outside of the housing 10 through the third channel 80. Also here, the other end 32 of the lead-in conductor 30 is placed on the outside of the housing 10. In this embodiment, the lead-in conductor 30 could be stored in a rolled-up state on a closed drum containing disinfecting liquid. Due to the fact that the conductor 30 is passed through the disinfection chamber 70, there will be some leakage of disinfection liquid. The disinfection chamber therefore includes a filling channel to be able to refill the disinfection bag to the chamber 70.

An alternative embodiment is a device 1 where the first chamber 15 comprises a drain tap 16 but where there is no disinfection chamber. Yet another alternative embodiment is a device 1 with a disinfection chamber, but without a drain tap 16 at the first chamber 15.

Claims (9)

1. Water pipe tool insertion device (1) for inserting a tool (2) into a pressurized water pipe (3), where the device (1) comprises: - an outer housing (10); - a first chamber (15) provided in the outer housing (10) in which the tool can be placed, where the first chamber (15) comprises a connector (11) for fluid-tight connection to the water pipe (3); - a second chamber (20) provided in the outer housing (10); - an insertion guide (30) with a first end (31) adapted to be connected to the tool (2) when the tool (2) is placed in the first chamber (15), characterized in that the insertion guide (30) extends from the tool (2) through a first channel (40) between the first chamber (15) and the second chamber (20), through the second chamber (20), and further out through a second channel (50) in the second chamber (20); where the first end (31) of the introduction guide (30) is adapted to be introduced into the pressurized water pipe (3) by the introduction guide (30) being pushed in a direction from the second channel (50) to the first channel (40) in the second chamber (20). 2. Water pipe tool insertion device (1) in accordance with claim 1, where a pressure-reducing fluid passage is formed between the insertion guide (30) and the inner surface of the first channel (40). 3. Water pipe tool insertion device (1) in accordance with claim 1 or 2, wherein the second chamber (20) comprises a draining device (21). 4. Water pipe tool insertion device (1) in accordance with one of the above claims, wherein the first channel (40) comprises a first packing device (41) for reducing the amount of fluid that is allowed to pass through the first channel (40). 5. Water pipe tool insertion device (1) in accordance with one of the above claims, wherein the second channel (50) comprises a second packing device (51) for reducing the amount of fluid that is allowed to pass through the second channel (50) 6. Water pipe tool insertion device (1) in accordance with one of the above claims, wherein the insertion guide (30) is a stake spring, a cable or the like. 7. Water pipe tool insertion device (1) in accordance with one of the above claims, wherein the first chamber (15) comprises a drain tap (16). 8. Water pipe tool insertion device (1) in accordance with one of the above claims, wherein the device (1) further comprises: - a disinfection chamber (70) provided in the outer housing (10); where the introduction guide (30) extends from the second chamber (20) through the second channel (50) and through the disinfection chamber (70) and further out through a third channel (80) in the disinfection chamber (70). 9. Water pipe tool insertion device (1) in accordance with one of the above patent claims, where a second end (32) of the insertion guide (30) is provided on the outside of the housing (10).