A SAFETY DEVICE FOR PASSAGE OF PIPES ON BOATS

Abstract

The present invention concerns in particular the nautical equipment sector, with particular reference to the installation of pipes on board of boats of any size and kind. In particular, the present invention deals with safety devices for routing pipes between different sectors of the hull, passing through the bulkheads separating the various vans/spaces/housings of a boat. More specifically, the present invention describes a device (1) for the passage of pipes (5) for liquids or gases through bulkheads and decks of yachts, mega yachts and naval vessels in general with fireproof characteristics preferably and in a particularly innovative way, even watertight/tight.

Claims

1. A safety device (1) for passage of pipes (5) on boat deck and bulkheads of boats, comprising at least one static sealing member comprising at least one double flange (2) for being fixed in a sleeve/passage tubes (4) of any diameter suitable for the passage of pipes for boats, said double flange (2) comprising at least two cylindrical-shaped flange sides (2A, 2B), which are coupled to one another wherein said device comprises at least a gasket (3), flange sides (2A, 2B) are in turn divided into at least further two or more semi-flanges each (2a, 2a, 2an & 2b, 2b, 2bn) of cylindrical sector shape, said semi-flanges (2a, 2a, 2an & 2b, 2b, 2bn) comprising coupling zones (34) to be coupled to form said first flange side (2A) and coupling zones (30) to be coupled and to form said second flange side (2B) said flanges being coupled facing between them to form a double flange, the device being modular and comprising any number of semi-flanges (2an, 2bn), being assembled directly on board of a boat in boat deck and/or bulkheads sleeves/tube passages (4) of any type, being adaptable also to pre-existing passages (4), said semi-flanges (2a) being male semi-flanges comprising internal profiles (20aint), external profiles (20aout) and radial profiles (21) all raised above the plane of the semi-flanges (2an), and said semi-flanges (2bn) being female semi-flanges comprising internal profiles (20bint) and external profiles (20bout) and radial profiles (30) lowered compared to the semi-flanges plane (2bn), said internal profiles (20bint), external profiles (20bout) and radial profiles (30) of said semi-flanges (2bn) forming housings (31,33) to house said gaskets (3) of said safety device, the semi-flanges (2a, 2b) are made with circumference (Cint, Cout) internal and external in the shape of a circular crown, with edges or external and internal profiles (20aint and 20aout) of radius respectively (r2 and r1) that are raised with respect to the plane of the semi-flange of first type (2an) these profiles having preferably wedge-shaped section (20a), and at least one flange (2b) of second type and its semi-flanges, if any, (2b,2b etc.) instead are made with internal and external circumference of circular crown shape (Cint, Cout) with external edges or profiles and internal (20bint and 20bout) of radius respectively (r2 and r1) embossed and lowered, with a hollow or excavation (20b) compared to the rest of the plane of flange (2B), in particular to the plane that faces to couple to the flange of first type (2an and/or its semi-flange 2an) constituting said flange to press the gasket in any direction in the housing (31,33).

2. The safety device (1) for passage of pipes on board deck and bulkhead of boats, according to claim 1, wherein said internal profiles (20aint), external profiles (20aout) and radial profiles (21) being adapted to crush and compress said gaskets (3) housed in said housings (31, 33), and fire-resistant up to 10 meters.

3. The safety device (1) for passage of pipes on board deck and bulkhead of boats according to claim 1, wherein the profiles (20aint, 20aout) are adapted to compress the relative gaskets (3) in the housings (33), that is close to the shoulders (20bint and 20bout) of the semi-flanges (2bn) and also towards the outside of the housing (33) or respectively against the through-pipe (5) in the case of the gasket housed in the housing (33/20bint) and close to the sleeve/tube (4) in the case of the gasket housed in the housing (33/20bout).

4. The safety device (1) for passage of pipes on board deck and bulkhead of boats according to claim 2, wherein said radial profile (21) compresses the gaskets (3) housed in the housings (31) towards the bottom and the sides of the housing (31) formed by the coupling of the lowered seating areas (30) of the female semi-flanges (2bn).

5. The safety device (1) for passages of pipes on board deck and bulkhead of boats according to claim 4, wherein said gaskets (3) being in graphite or other material suitable for the purpose for making the device both fireproof and watertight.

6. The safety device (1) for passages of pipes on board deck and bulkhead of boats according to claim 1, wherein placed wrapped around said tube (5) and/or adjacent to said passages/sleeve (4) is a thermo expanding agent having the capacity to increase its volume up to at least sixteen times its original encumbrance in case of fire.

7. The safety device (1) for passages of pipes on board deck and bulkhead of boats according to claim 1, wherein said semi-flanges and flanges are fixed by means of pins and/or bolts (6) and said device being a self-supporting device by means of the compression force between the device and the sleeve/passage tube (4).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0041] These and further advantages obtained by virtue of the innovative safety device for pipes described by the present invention will be clarified with particular reference to the description of some particularly preferred forms of realization described in the attached figures in which:

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a simplified overview of the safety device partially assembled in a sleeve/tube;

[0043] FIG. 1a shows a simplified view of a section of the device;

[0044] FIG. 2 shows a view of a section of the assembled safety device;

[0045] FIGS. 3 and 4 show further perspective views of different sections of a particularly preferred form of construction of the safety device described in the present invention;

[0046] FIG. 5 shows the force directions of an innovative device element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0047] It is understood that the attached figures are intended merely as an indication of a particularly preferred form of embodiment of the present invention and in no way limit the present invention to any further possible variant of realization.

[0048] With reference to FIG. 1, there is represented a particularly preferred form of realization of the safety device 1 for naval pipelines, also called double flange device, described by the present invention, in particular device 1 includes at least a pair of flanges 2a, 2b, for which the device will be defined as double flange, these flanges are suitable to couple with each other, as it will be described below. The mechanical safety device 1 with at least double flange 2A, 2B, can be divided into several sectors, or semi-flanges, suitably shaped through the process of turning and milling.

[0049] Such flanges 2A,2B are preferably defined as at least one male flange 2A and at least one female flange 2B and include at least any number of semi-flanges 2a, 2a, 2b,2b etc. each of which is a male flange 2a, 2a etc., being suitable for coupling to one or more of its female semi-flanges 2b, 2b etc.

[0050] These semi-flanges 2a, 2b are made with circumference Cint, Cout internal and external in the shape of a circular crown: in particular with edges or external and internal profiles 20aint and 20aout of radius respectively r2 and r1 (better visible in FIG. 2) that are raised with respect to the plane of the semi-flange of first type 2an (in particular to the plane that faces to couple with the semi-flange of second type 2bn), these profiles can have preferably wedge-shaped section 20a. At least one flange 2b of second type and its semi-flanges, if any, 2b,2b etc. instead are made with internal and external circumference of circular crown shape Cint, Cout with external edges or profiles and internal 20bint and 20bout of radius respectively r2 and r1 made embossed and lowered (with a hollow or excavation) 20b compared to the rest of the plane of flange 2B (in particular to the plane that faces to couple to the flange of first type 2an and/or its semi-flange 2an constituting said flange. (Each of these flanges and semi-flanges being therefore a cylinder or a section of cylinder).

[0051] This shoulder, which is hereafter also referred to independently as an overhang or depression 20b each forming a suitable enclosure to accommodate a portion of a gasket 3 or gasket assembly 3.

[0052] During the assembly phase, namely the coupling of male semi-flanges 2a, 2a and female semi-flanges 2b, 2b that will be coupled facing each otherthe housings 33 formed by the depressions 20bint and 20bout of the female semi-flanges 2bthat have a thickness Y and length of the outer circumference Coutare coupled with the corresponding internal and external profiles 20aint and 20aout of the male semi-flanges 2a; in a particularly advantageous way profiles 20a are suitable for compressing the corresponding gaskets 3 in housing 33, i.e. compressing them close to the overhang 20b of the female semi-flange, towards the bottom, and also towards the outside of housing 33, or against the through pipe 5 respectively in the case of the gasket housed in 33/bint and the sleeve/tube housing 4 in the case of compression of the gasket housed in housing 33/20bout.

[0053] Again, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 in particular, the semi-flanges 2an of the first type, include at least further abutting radial elements 21, for example of wedge-shaped type 21which will be defined below as element 21 of length L=((r1 external radiusr2 internal radius)Y (embossing or depression thickness)2) and width X of any kind according to the construction requirements. This abutting element 21 develops radially from the external radius r1 to the internal radius r2 of the semi-flanges of type male 2a, and there is any number of elements 21 in each semi-flange 2a,2a,2an according to the number of semi-male flanges 2an (and relative female semi-flanges 2bn).

[0054] No special machining is required in the coupling areas 34 between male flanges.

[0055] The semi-flanges 2bn (FIG. 1b) on the other hand in the coupling zones one with the other include depressions that coupled together form housing zones 31 for at least a part of gasket 3 or a gasket 3. These zones develop radially from the outer radius r1 to the inner radius r2 of the female semi-flange and have length L substantially equal to the length of element 21. Said housing zones 31, suitable to house at least part of said gasket assembly 3, during assembly with the male semi-flanges, will be placed in correspondence with the abutting elements 21 of the male semi-flanges 2A, in this way such element or profile 21 advantageously compresses the gaskets 3 housed therein towards the bottom and the sides of the housing 31 formed by the coupling of the lowered coupling zones of the female semi-flanges 2b.

[0056] As previously mentioned, this guarantees the innovative fire and waterproof features, also for the innovative modular device 1 described here also in the radial coupling zones of the semi-flanges, one with the other.

[0057] In a first phase of assembly between flanges of the same type, therefore, the coupling zones of the female flanges 2bn form housings 31, suitable to house a gasket part 3. In a second step, the male semi-flanges are placed with zones 21 facing said housing 31, so that these abutting elements compress the gaskets 3 in the housings 31.

[0058] During assembly, therefore, on the external side of the circumference Cout, with flange 2bn assembled, see FIG. 3 where this zone is better visible) the portion of the external gasket 3 is housed along all the circular profile of radius r1 and, once the flange 2an has been coupled, this gasket 3 is compressed on one side onto the sleeve/tube liner 4 that is inserted into the wall of the deck/bulkhead (not represented here) in which device 1 is housed. On the other hand, the gasket 3, which is housed in the internal housing of the flange 2bn, of circumference Cint(i.e. the one made by the coupling of semi-flanges 2bn, which form a closed flange 2B) that will be defined as housing 32is compressed, once the male flange 2an has been coupled, on one hand towards the inside of housing 32 and on the other hand close to the side walls of housing Sfin/32, so that towards the flange 2B itself on one side and on the other, if there is no flange 2B, it is compressed close to the through pipe 5 which is housed in device 1.

[0059] Obviously, for the fixing, said device 1 shall include at least bolts or means suitable for purpose 6 for fixing the semi-flanges 2a and 2b together and further shall include at least retainers 8 and/or hooks 8 for fixing the sleeve/tube liner 4 with at least one of the semi-flanges 2a or 2b to assembled device 1.

[0060] This device therefore acts in a very advantageous way as a device for compressing of the gaskets 3 in all directions, i.e. compressing and thus conferring a watertight seal between device 1 and sleeve 4 and also between device 1 and the through tube, as well as in the areas of junction between the various elements or flanges and semi-flanges of device 1, making this device 1 assembled with its sleeve/tube liner and through tube, totally watertight and fireproof as certified at least up to two meters (as above).

[0061] To support the tightness of this device 1 it can further include and accommodate in the entire perimeter/circumference r2 of the passage, or wrapped on the passing pipe, and also outside in the perimeter/circumference r1, or close to the sleeve, a special material such as a thermo-expanding tape that, in case of fire has the ability to increase its volume up to at least sixteen times its original size.

[0062] The deck and bulkhead passage device object of the present application also has the additional characteristic of being a self-supporting system. The passages thus constructed once fixed through the closure of the bolts on the semi-flanges are able, through the sole force of compression of the seal fixed there, to block the entire structure of the passage to the wall or deck without any further need for installation of other anchoring systems. Therefore, this device is a self-supporting device by means of the compressive force between the device and the sleeve/tube.

[0063] For the sake of structural safety and stability over time, welded retainers are inserted on the sleeve to prevent that, in the event of flooding, the pressure of the water exerted on the passage system, involves the movement and therefore the frustration of its specific characteristics.

[0064] In a further advantageous way, device 1 characterized by a modular system of semi-flanges surrounded by seal/gasket 3 preferably in graphite, allows a limited axial movement of the pipe in relation to the deck or bulkhead affected by the passage itself so as to absorb any expansion or vibration without this affecting the fire and waterproofing characteristics described above.

[0065] The combined characteristics of fireproof and waterproof (watertight) with 10 meters of waterline allow to respond fully to what is the evolution of the law and the increasingly stringent safety standards require solutions to ensure characteristics of fireproof and waterproof (watertight), to allow yachts, mega yachts and vessels in general the navigational clearance issued by the certification bodies authorized to issue such permits.

[0066] Note that the type of certification does not limit the scope of the present invention, such certifications are cited as a mere example since they are those normally required in this field, in any case different types of certifications not relevant to the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0067] The device 1 is advantageously sealed with said gaskets 3 or packing (term of the sector) preferably in graphite and at least gaskets 3 for example preferably in a thermo-expanding material; in case of fire these gaskets turn into a foam with high insulating power with a thickness up to 16 times the initial thickness

[0068] For this purpose, the stress directions of the gasket or packing 3 are visible in FIG. 5.

[0069] It should be noted that have been herein always mentioned gasket 3 or gasket assembly 3, it goes without saying that there will be gaskets with a shape and contour suitable for each housing defined in this gasket, all having the same purpose and function for simplicity any element or part formed by the gasket/packing 3 assembly is defined as gasket 3.

[0070] The passages generally allow the lateral deflection of the pipes and the crossing of decks and/or bulkheads of yachts, mega yachts and naval units in general for the carbon steel pipes for the transport of liquids or gases, with internal pressure equal to or different from the atmospheric pressure, with internal temperature equal to or different from the environmental temperature, by virtue of this invention are guaranteed at the same time the maintenance of the characteristics of A60 fireproof and waterproof (watertight) up to 10 meters of waterline of decks or naval bulkheads crossed.

[0071] The passages also allow to make the structure of the deck and/or the bulkhead crossed by these types of pipes continuous eliminating any breaking points in case of accidents.

[0072] It should be emphasized that the evolution of regulations and increasingly stringent safety standards require innovative solutions for these types of work able to ensure characteristics of fireproof and waterproof (watertight), to allow yachts, mega yachts and vessels in general the navigational clearance issued by the certification bodies authorized to issue such authorizations. The invention presented here not only ensures in a particularly advantageous and innovative way the contemporaneity of these solutions, i.e. fireproof A60 and waterproof (watertight), in particular, in an advantageous way up to 10 meters of waterline, decks or ship bulkheads crossed, it also ensures the following advantages: [0073] considerably reduced dimensional characteristics capable of resolving the criticalities of the current state of the art described above; [0074] ease of assembly as the innovative devices are preferably built in semi-flanges, so they can be assembled both in the workshop and directly on board the ship; [0075] total weight of the device greatly reduced compared to the current state of the art being the same constructible in alloys of iron, aluminum, titanium, iron, etc.; [0076] ease of assembly in even very restricted spaces, such a device being, as said, advantageously assembled from different sections of semi-flanges (composed of some or a plurality of parts, each variant being included in the subject of the present invention); [0077] possibility of assembly in yachts, mega yachts and naval vessels of any kind, both new and already launched, in which other types of systems for the operation of the vessels themselves persist without their having to be dismantled. removed/moved to other, sometimes non-existent, locations, so that the device can be installed without disassembling existing equipment; [0078] maintaining the full solidity of the vessel by not altering either the piping or the hull, which is advantageous in terms of safety.

[0079] It should be noted in particular that in the case of large pipes, the passage device may be designed, constructed and then subdivided into a number n of any of the sections, without this solution affecting the characteristics proper to the invention itself or modifying its scope of protection.

[0080] It is therefore clear that this advantageous and innovative device described here is able to solve all the known art problems mentioned above and also in a further advantageous way, also guarantees watertightness characteristics never before proposed/obtained by the known art devices used for similar purposes.

[0081] Other variations in materials in which one or more parts of the safety device as described and represented in the attached figures are made, variations in which the device does not include parts which are not relevant from an innovative point of view, but which are useful only for assembly, while maintaining the advantageous characteristics explained above, the presence of one or more holes, through or blind, of any shape, the variation in size, diameter, means of fixing to the bulkheads and/or decks, packing materials, positioning in the device, positioning of the same, etc. shall be deemed to fall within the scope of protection of the present invention as better described in the attached claims.