WO2015093981A1

WO2015093981A1 - Funnel

Info

Publication number: WO2015093981A1
Application number: PCT/NO2014/050251
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erland Helmer Larsen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-12-20
Filing date: 2014-12-19
Publication date: 2015-06-25
Anticipated expiration: 2016-06-20
Also published as: NO20131720A1; NO340817B1

Abstract

It is described a funnel device for collection of fluid flowing from leaks, comprising a funnel (1) with an upper edge with a large opening and a lower edge with a small opening. The lower edge of the funnel is provided with an outlet (4) for further leading of captured fluid. To the upper edge (9) of the funnel there is provided a number of elongated attachment means (3) suitable for attachment to surrounding attachment places for the suspension of said funnel below the leak. It is also described the use of such funnel device for the collection of flowing fluids.

Description

FUNNEL

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to a device for capturing of fluid, especially it relates to a funnel arrangement for capturing of leaking fluids, such as oil. More specifically, it relates to such a funnel arrangement provided with a number of fastening devices.

Background for the invention Not planned maintenance

In tubes carrying fluids, leaks can arise, so that fluid escapes. Such tubes can carry water, oil, chemical fluids etc. and the leak can arise as a consequence of conditions such as corrosion, pressure load above the pressure the tube is designed to support, outer influences, e.g. impacts, changing temperatures, ice forming etc., aging and so on. Leakage can arise in tube couplings where seals are missing or there are damaged seals.

When leakage of fluids, for example liquids such as water or oil, is discovered, it is important to reduce damages that the leaking liquid can cause. Such damages can include contamination if oil or chemical substances are let out in the sea or ground, water damages if water continue to leak from a leaking point to underlying structures such as untreated or processed wood, e.g. in framework or beams in walls or floors, insulation material, corrosion of the leaking liquid is corrodible, such as acid or water containing opening substances, for example caustic soda and others, explosion danger if the leaking liquid is oil or gas, poisoning danger if the leaking fluid is toxic, or other forms of damage.

If the leak is discovered directly from a tube, the tube can be situated in a position where it is not immediately possible to access the joint of current interest or the actual leaking point, and it can therefore be difficult to seal the leak immediately. It can therefore be necessary to limit access for the leaking fluid to flow out in the sea, down into the ground or over adjoining areas, e.g. floors, tools, machinery, furniture etc.

There can also be leakages from apartments to the apartment below in apartment blocks with vertical apartments, also known as roof leakage. Roof leakage can arise when the apartment where the leak is happening is not accessible, e.g. if it is not occupied or the residents are on vacation or are absent for other reasons. It such cases, it is of great importance to possess a device that can limit the leaking damages by limiting the possibility for the liquid to flow out in the underlying apartment. Planned maintenance

In planned maintenance of tubular systems, such as hydraulic systems or chemical plants etc., on board oil rigs, drilling ships or vessels, or in land based industry, pipe couplings frequently have to be opened or components dismantled. It is rare to be able to drain the system, so that the liquid will not be released.

In addition, there are also expected leaks, for example when there is performed maintenance of tubing or tube couplings. Even if the flow in the tubes being influenced is stopped, there might be fluids in the tubes when these are disassembled from each other or in other ways worked with. There is also in such cases a need for a device to collect leaking fluids.

A device for capturing of fluids leaking and flowing down, is thereby the object of the present invention. Prior art

From US patent application 2009/0159137 Al, it is known an emergency device that can be used to minimize leak damages on property on spaces where leakage arise in ceilings or walls, where the device comprises a receptacle with brims wherefrom there are stretched slats and where there is stretched out a tarpaulin between the slats. This tarpaulin has as its objective to capture leaking liquid and lead it away through a tube.

From US patent 4,245,666 there is known a device for capturing of deposits which can fall down from roofs where there is done work of the form of e.g. repairs or where deposits are detached in relation to a leakage. The device comprises a capturing funnel for deposits and where there can also be an outlet for waste water. The capturing funnel is supported by means of a telescopic rod being arranged below the device and being supported by the underlying floor.

Even if there are known devices for capturing water from water leakages, they are not well suited for the capturing of fluids from leaking tubes. Known solutions to capture leaking fluids demand a large space around the leak, and will have problems providing a sufficiently good collection on places with a lot of technical equipment or limited space for a funnel device. Furthermore, it is not known devices that can be attached around standing tubes to capture waste water flowing down on or along the outside of the tube.

Consequently, there exists a need for a funnel device being easy to place, also in relation to standing or inclined tubes, and which in a secure manner captures leaking fluids also in less accessible leaking place. There is furthermore a need for a device that can capture lea kages, that has other fastening devises that formerly known solutions, and which can improve the load capacity of the device, so that it can support larger stresses or loads. General description of the invention

The present invention thereby relates to a funnel device for capturing of fluids flowing from a leak, comprising a funnel with an upper edge with a large opening and a lower edge with a small opening, where the lower edge of the funnel is provided with an outlet for further leading of captured fluid, and there the upper edge of the funnel is provided with a number of elongated fastening devices suitable for fastening in surrounding fastening places for suspension of said funnel under the leak. The elongates fastening devices can be tied onto or in other ways fastened to surrounding fastening places, such as tubes, hooks, flanges, handles, lugs etc. in a quick and easy way. The fastening devices are fastened in such a way that the funnel is placed optimally in relation to the leak, and makes it possible to suspend or fasten a funnel also in places not easily accessed, where there is a limited open space.

The funnel device as described above, can be provided with an adhesive material on at least one surface of the funnel suitable for fastening of the funnel walls to itself or to surrounding elements. The adhesive material makes it possible to adhere the funnel onto the leaking element under the leaking place, so that all leaking fluid flows down into the funnel. The outer surface of the funnel can for example be folded around a vertical or standing tube and be adhered to the tube around the complete tube, so that there is formed a mainly tight transition from the surface of the tube to the inner surface of the funnel. Such an adhesive funnel will increase the effectiveness of the collection of leaking fluid by means of the funnel device.

The adhesive material on the funnel device can be arranged as bands, that is, the adhesive material is added to the surface of the funnel in elongated, relatively narrow areas, for example along the upper edge of the funnel or outstretched from close to the upper edge to close to the lower edge of the funnel, or both places.

The adhesive material can with advantage be covered by a protective foil, which can be torn off before use. In this way, the adhesive material is protected from contamination and wear and will maintain its adhesive qualities. It addition, does the protective foil it possible to arrange adhesive areas also on the inside of the funnel, which can be desirable to close the funnel after use, for in this way to prevent remaining leakage residues on the funnel to flow out in an unwanted manner.

In some embodiments of the funnel device as described above, the funnel device is made in a flexible material. A flexible funnel device is well suited for use in places where there is a limited space or a large quantity of fixed equipment limiting access to the working space around the leakage place.

In some embodiments in can be envisages that the funnel device is made in an elastic material. Such an embodiment is well suited for use when the funnel device is going to be attached around an inclined or standing tube or when the funnel device should be arranged in a tightest possible way on complicated structures.

The attachment devices of the funnel device can be strings, straps or elastic bands. With the use of strings, straps or elastic bands, it is easy to quickly tie these in suitable places. By having a sufficient amount of strings, straps or elastic bands, the load on each string, strap or elastic band will be low.

In some embodiment, the free end of the attachment devices can be provided with a hook, barb or similar fastening devices. Such hooks can be used to form a loop around a tube, lugs or the like in a quick and secure manner.

In some embodiments of the funnel device, the attachment devices are disconnectably attached to the upper edge of the funnel. By the user of

disconnectable attachment devices, it is easy to replace the attachment devices if these are getting worn out, breaks or for other reasons should be replaced. It is then possible also to replace the type of attachment device, such as a strap with another kind, such as for example a string with a hook at the end, if this gives a better attachment due to special circumstances.

In one aspect of the funnel device, it comprises an outlet hose connected to the outlet of the funnel. The outlet hose ensures a reliable further flow of the collected fluid. The funnel device is well suited for the collection of leakages from tubes, for example in connection with planned maintenance on a tubing system. It is then an advantage to lead the leaking fluid to a container by means of an outlet hose coupled to the outlet of the funnel, where the hose runs into the container.

The invention also relates to the use of funnel devices as described above for the collection of flowing fluid from leaks. It specifically relates to the use of the funnel device for the collection of leaking fluid from standing, inclined or lying tubes. A funnel device as described above is well suited to be arranged in a quick way under a leakage place. At the same time, it is easy to remove the funnel device when the leak has stopped, as the fastening is done by means of strings, straps or the like and possibly adhesive bands. The invention will in the following, to improve understanding, be described with reference to the attached drawings where:

Fig. 1 shows suspension of an embodiment of a collection device for liquid from a leak in a horizontally passing tube.

Fig. 2 shows suspension and mounting of an embodiment of a collection device for liquid from a leak in a vertically passing tube.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a storing pouch for a funnel according to the invention.

The present device for the collection of fluids, such as waste liquid, from leaks comprises a funnel 1, in a ductile and liquid proof funnel material, for example rubber, plastic material, plastic or rubber coated cloth, impregnated cloth, etc. The funnel can for example be made with a thickness of 0.1 to 0.3 mm. The ductile funnel material is shapes in a funnel form, se fig. 1 and 2. It should be noticed that since the funnel is made in a flexible material, the shape of the funnel during use may differentiate from a pure conical form. However, regardless of this, the funnel will have one big opening an a small opening, where the leaking fluid is led in through the big opening and out through the small opening.

The upper edge of the funnel 1 can be provided with attachment means, for example holes or adhesive areas, for attachment of straps, strips, elastic bands or other elongated attachment means 3. The attachment means 3 can also be an integrated part of the funnel material as elongated projections of the edge of the funnel or fixed to the edge of the funnel e.g. by sewing, gluing, nails or other. The attachment means can also at their free end be provided with hooks or the like for connect the free end back onto the strap to form a loop for example around a tube, rod or the like.

In an advantageous embodiment, the attachment means 3 are an elongation of the material of the funnel, so that the attachment means are an integrated part of the funnel 1.

Adhesive attachment means 3 can also be used to attach the funnel to tubes, walls or ceilings or other items being situated around the current leak area . It is also possible to attach an adhesive to the outer ends of the attachment means, preferably protected by a removable foil. If desirable, the ends can then be adhered to points on the surroundings or the attachment means can be led around a tube, where after the end is adhered to another place on the attachment means, so that a loop is formed around the tube.

Fig. 1 shows the suspension of a funnel 1 according to the invention for collection of fluid from a leak in a lying tube 7. The attachment means of the funnel in the form of strings or straps are attached to a number of fastening places 2, such as around the tube 7 or other surrounding elements around the leaking place on the tube (not shown), so that the funnel is hanging suspended under the leak place and thereby is able to collect fluid that is leaking. The fluid is collected in the funnel 1 and led through an outlet 4 in the lower part of the funnel and further through an outlet hose 5 to one or more containers 6.

The funnel can be provided with adhesive areas along the edge areas. Such adhesive areas can be covered by a protective material, such as an foil, that can be removed if one desires to use the present adhesive area.

The surfaces of the funnel 1 can also be provided with at least one adhesive area, so that it is possible to attach the funnel waterproof around a standing tube 7, to form a closely attached funnel form which can collect waste liquid around the circumference of the tube, se fig. 2. The funnel 1 is then folded around the leaking tube 7, where after the funnel material is adhered together, on the outside of the funnel, that is parts of the outer surface along the upper edge of the funnel is adhered to the outside of the funnel, around the circumference of the tube and preferably a distance out from it, so that the upper edge 9 of the funnel surrounds the tube and form a bridge 8 out from the tube, so that a funnel opening is formed around the tube, into which the leaking fluid can flow. The funnel is then suspended in suitable attachment points (not shown) over the leak area by means of the attachment means or straps 3. The straps 3 are fixed to the upper edge of the funnel 1.

It should be noted that a funnel suitable to be folded around a tube or other leaking arrangement, as shown in fig. 2, should have a wider angular shape on the funnel that the funnel shown in fig. 1 or be in an elastic material, so that the funnel can be stretched outwards and around the tube or leaking arrangement.

In the lower edge 4 of the funnel 1, the funnel can be provided in a leak- proof manner with a hose or tube 5 that can lead waste liquid from the leak through the hose 5 to a container 6 for the collection of the waste liquid of concern. The container 6 can be replaced when it is full with an empty container, so that it is not necessary to move the funnel 1 when the container 6 is replaced. For this, the hose 5 can in one embodiment be proved with a clamp or closing arrangement, e.g . a hose tap (not shown) to enable a replacement of the container 6 without any liquid spillage.

If the funnel and hose are provided separately, the hose 5 is attached to the funnel 1 before use. The outlet hose 5 will in this embodiment be provided with a collar or washer being larger that the outlet opening of the funnel 1, so that this collar or washer can be adhered to the lower opening of the funnel 1 to form a liquid tight coupling . In another enbodiment, the hose 5 could be threaded through the lower opening from inside and by pulling it through form a liquid tight outlet of the funnel 1, when the flange or gasket in question is attached to the lower opening of the funnel 1.

The time available for replacement of the container 6 with a new and empty container when the container 6 is filled, will be set by the size of the leak, that is the amount of leaking fluid or liquid per minute in relation to the volume of the funnel 1 and the hose 5 above a possible stopping arrangement, such as a clamp (not shown), but to the extent that the leak can be regarded as being below 100 drops per minute, where the volume of a drop is about 0.2 ml for water, and the volume of the funnel 1 and hose 5 is in a size range of about 1 decilitre, it will take 5 minutes or more before the waste liquid is flowing over the upper edge of the funnel 1. This will normally be plenty of time to replace the container 6. However, this is only an example of reflections that can be used under consideration around adjustments of the volume of the funnel 1 and hose 5 being used in the leak in question.

Figure 3 shows a pouch 10 for storage of the funnel device when it is not in use. The pouch is provided with a sealing closing arrangement, so that remaining liquid in or on the funnel device is maintained inside the pouch. The sealing closing arrangement can be an elongated liquid proof fastener 12, for example a zipper in a plastic material, that is a so called plastic zipper.

It should be noted that the device according to the present invention is meant as a provisional measure to limit leak damages and is not meant as a permanent device, as it is recommended that the cause of the present leak is found and that this cause is repaired so that the device according to the invention can be removed.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the funnel is made in polyethylene. As this material is flexible, the device can be adapted to or formed around a tube or other element being situated where the device is going to be used. The device is not dependent on the weight of the liquid to obtain the suitable shape, but it should be made in a material being sufficiently rigid to predominantly maintain the funnel shape while at the same time being sufficiently elastic to adapt to the surroundings.

Along the circumference or upper edge of the funnel, there is attached a number of attachment means or attachment bands which can be attached to hooks or be tied onto surrounding structures and give the funnel the right shape for collection of liquid. This is beneficial in that one can avoid problems with any possible double-sided tape holding the weight of the funnel device, hose to lead away the collected liquid and the liquid being collected. However, the funnel shaped device can advantageously be provided with double-sided tape on an outside alone the upper largest perimeter of the funnel or circumference. Such a double-sided tape can be used when the funnel device is used to collect liquid from a tube in an inclined, approximately vertical or vertical position. The protective foil is removed in a normally known manner, whereafter the perimeter of the funnel is places onto the outside of the tube and is glued around the tube and to itself when the perimeter of the funnel device is

surrounding the tube. The attachment bands are tied to surrounding structures as described above.

The invention does in preferred embodiments relate to a funnel shaped device with integrated attachment bands, where parts of the funnel material is extended out as attachment bands, so that the attachment bands are an integrated part of the funnel shaped device. Thereby, on does not have to provide anchoring holes or other along the upper edge or rim of the funnel device, which may prove to be weak points in view of risk for tearing or other.

The funnel shaped device can be made in an elastic material, so that the attachment bands are extended from the edge or perimeter of the devices with some elasticity. This is beneficial in that it will be easy to stretch the attachment bands to suitable surrounding objects such as tubes or hooks where it is possible to tie the bands, so that the funnel device is suspended in the most suitable position in relation to the leakage place. At the same time, it will be easy to access the device when it is place at the leakage place, for example with tools to open or close a flange on a tube close to or neighbouring the funnel device. It is also possible to arrange the funnel device in narrow spaces where it, for example, is tight between the tubes where the leak is occurring.

The funnel device with attachment bands and hose can for example be made in a plastic foil, so that the complete arrangement weighs below half a kilo, generally between 200 and 300 gram, e.g . about 250 gram. It can be envisaged to use a sufficiently rigid plastic material to maintain an open funnel shape, while at the same time being sufficiently elastic to adapt to the surroundings and to envelop the leakage place or to be arranged in an optimal way below the leakage place and in addition having a low weight. The hose can be cut in requested length and be led down into a container.

The funnel device is designed as a disposable device. It can be used to limit leakages, but also for planned maintenance when liquid networks are opened with a following loss of liquid. The funnel is placed below the leakage place and is attached by means of the attachment bands to surrounding structures. It can be provided in a sealable pouch in which it can be returned after used and sealed in, so that residues of liquid are kept under control until it is disposed in a suitable container.

Claims

1. Funnel device for collection of fluid flowing from leaks, comprising a funnel (1) with an upper edge with a large opening and a lower edge with a small opening, where the lower edge of the funnel is provided with an outlet (4) for further leading of captured fluid, characterized in that the upper edge (9) of the funnel comprising a number of elongated attachment means (3) suitable for attachment to surrounding attachment places for the suspension of said funnel below the leak.

2. Funnel device according to claim 1, characterized in that there is provided adhesive material to at least one surface of the funnel (1) suitable for attachment of the funnel walls to itself or to surrounding elements.

3. Funnel device according to claim 2, characterized in that the adhesive material is arranged as bands.

4. Funnel device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the adhesive material is covered by a protective foil, which can be torn off.

5. Funnel device according to claim 1, characterized in that the funnel device is made in a flexible material.

6. Funnel device according to claim 1, characterized in that the funnel device is made in an elastic material.

7. Funnel device according to claim 1, characterized in that the attachment means (3) are strings, straps or elastic bands.

8. Funnel device according to claim 1 or 7, characterized in that the free end of the attachment means (3) is provided with a hook.

9. Funnel device according to one of the claims 1, 7 or 8, characterized in that the attachment means (3) are disconnectably attached to the upper edge (9) of the funnel.

10. Funnel device according to one of the claims 1-9, characterized in that the device comprises an outlet hose (5) being coupled to the outlet (4) of the funnel (1).

11. Use of a funnel device according to any of the claims 1-10 for collection of flowing fluid from leaks.

12. Use of a funnel device according to any of the claims 1-10 for collection of flowing fluid from leaks in standing, inclined or lying tubes or from machine parts.