Electronic device intended for being inserting into a pipe, and method for installing the device

Abstract

An electronic device includes a body having a threaded portion configured to co-operate with a threaded portion of a duct in a sleeve in order to move the device into a final position when the device is turned. The electronic device also includes a hole punch configured to form a through orifice in a pipe while the device is being turned and to enable the device to be inserted into the final position. The electronic device further includes an electronic module configured to be in contact with a fluid passing through the pipe when the device is in the final position. In addition, the electronic device includes at least one electrical connection connected to the electronic module and passing through the body leading to a top face of the body. The body and the at least one electrical connection form a plug of the duct in the sleeve.

Claims

1. An electronic device configured to be inserted in a pipe into a final position, the electronic device also configured to be arranged, prior to being inserted into the final position, in a sleeve that is assembled to the pipe and through which there passes a duct opening out onto a wall of the pipe, the electronic device comprising: a body having a threaded portion configured to co-operate with a threaded portion of the duct in the sleeve in order to move the electronic device into the final position when the electronic device is turned; a hole punch configured to form a through orifice in the pipe while the electronic device is being turned and to enable the electronic device to be inserted into the final position inside the pipe; an electronic module arranged between the hole punch and the body and configured to be in contact with a fluid passing through the pipe when the electronic device is in the final position; and at least one electrical connection connected to the electronic module and passing through the body leading to a top face of the body situated at an end of the body opposite from an end where the electronic module and the hole punch are situated; wherein the body and the at least one electrical connection form a plug of the duct in the sleeve.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the top face includes a socket configured to receive a screwdriver tool that is configured to turn the electronic device.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the top face includes at least one female electrical connector that is electrically connected to the at least one electrical connection.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a spacer configured to separate the electronic module from the body.

5. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the at least one electrical connection extends at least along and over the spacer.

6. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising walls configured to hold the hole punch spaced apart from the body, the walls provided with windows configured to allow the fluid in the pipe to pass to the electronic module when the electronic device is in the final position.

7. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic module comprises a sensor.

8. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein: the sensor comprises a flow meter, and the electronic device further comprises an indicator that is visible while the electronic device is being turned so as to place the electronic device in a defined direction relative to the pipe.

9. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic module comprises a module configured to modify or treat the fluid.

10. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a connectable element that is configured to be connected to the top face of the body and that is configured to be electrically connected to the at least one electrical connection when the connectable element is connected to the top face of the body, the connectable element including at least one additional electronic module comprising at least one of: an embedded electrical power supply, a wireless communications module, a microcontroller, or a switch.

11. The electronic device according to claim 10, wherein: the top face includes at least one female electrical connector that is electrically connected to the at least one electrical connection; and the connectable element is pluggable into the at least one female electrical connector.

12. A system comprising: an electronic device; and at least one sleeve having a duct in which the electronic device is arranged, the duct having a threaded portion; wherein the electronic device is configured to be inserted in a pipe into a final position, the electronic device also configured to be arranged, prior to being inserted into the final position, in the at least one sleeve that is assembled to the pipe and through which there passes the duct opening out onto a wall of the pipe; wherein the electronic device comprises: a body having a threaded portion configured to co-operate with the threaded portion of the duct in order to move the electronic device into the final position when the electronic device is turned; a hole punch configured to form a through orifice in the pipe while the electronic device is being turned and to enable the electronic device to be inserted into the final position inside the pipe; an electronic module arranged between the hole punch and the body and configured to be in contact with a fluid passing through the pipe when the electronic device is in the final position; and at least one electrical connection connected to the electronic module and passing through the body leading to a top face of the body situated at an end of the body opposite from an end where the electronic module and the hole punch are situated; and wherein the body and the at least one electrical connection form a plug of the duct.

13. The system according to claim 12, further comprising a leaktight airlock configured to be assembled on the at least one sleeve by screw-fastening, the leaktight airlock including a full-bore valve and an opening configured to pass a tool in a leaktight manner into the airlock in order to reach the electronic device in the at least one sleeve and turn the electronic device in order to move the electronic device in the airlock, the airlock being configured to allow the electronic device to pass through the full-bore valve.

14. A method of installing an electronic device, wherein the electronic device is arranged in a sleeve that is assembled to a pipe and through which there passes a duct opening out at the pipe, the method comprising: turning the electronic device to move the electronic device in the duct of the sleeve until the electronic device reaches a final position, the electronic device having a body with a threaded portion that co-operates with a threaded portion of the duct in the sleeve in order to move the electronic device into the final position when the electronic device is turned, the electronic device also having an electronic module arranged between a hole punch and the body and configured to be in contact with a fluid passing through the pipe when the electronic device is in the final position; and using the hole punch, while the electronic device is being turned, to form a through orifice in the pipe in order to enable the electronic device to be inserted in the pipe.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the electronic device includes a connectable element that is connectable to a top face of the body, the connectable element configured to be electrically connected to at least one electrical connection of the electronic device when the connectable element is connected to the top face of the body, the connectable element including at least one additional electronic module comprising at least one of: an embedded electrical power supply, a wireless communications module, a microcontroller, or a switch; the method further comprising, after turning of the electronic device, connecting the connectable element to the top face of the body.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising: assembling a leaktight airlock on the sleeve by screw-fastening, the leaktight airlock including a full-bore valve and an opening configured to pass a tool in a leaktight manner into the airlock in order to reach the electronic device in the sleeve, the airlock configured to enable the electronic device to pass through the full-bore valve, and using the tool passing through the airlock to turn the electronic device in the sleeve so as to drive the electronic device forwards towards the final position or backwards from the final position.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising at least one of: when the electronic device is driven backwards, passing the electronic device through the full-bore valve and closing the full-bore valve; or when the electronic device is driven forwards, opening the full-bore valve and moving the electronic device into the sleeve.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising: after driving the electronic device backwards, subsequently inserting a second electronic device into the leaktight airlock, opening the full-bore valve, moving the second electronic device into the sleeve, and driving the second electronic device forwards.

19. The system according to claim 12, wherein the electronic device further comprises walls configured to hold the hole punch spaced apart from the body, the walls provided with windows configured to allow the fluid in the pipe to pass to the electronic module when the electronic device is in the final position.

20. The system according to claim 12, wherein the electronic device further comprises a connectable element that is configured to be connected to the top face of the body and that is configured to be electrically connected to the at least one electrical connection when the connectable element is connected to the top face of the body, the connectable element including at least one additional electronic module comprising at least one of: an embedded electrical power supply, a wireless communications module, a microcontroller, or a switch.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention appear from the following description made with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show an example having no limiting character.

(2) In the figures:

(3) FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a device in an embodiment of the invention;

(4) FIG. 2 shows a system comprising the FIG. 1 device and a sleeve;

(5) FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of a device in an embodiment of the invention;

(6) FIG. 4 shows a device inserted in a pipe;

(7) FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D show various steps of inserting a device in a pipe;

(8) FIGS. 6A and 6B show the use of a device in an embodiment of the invention that is capable of modifying the available section in a pipe;

(9) FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, and 7E show various steps of inserting a device in a pipe while using an airlock; and

(10) FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, and 8E show various steps of removing a device that has already been installed in a pipe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) There follows a description of an electronic device for installing in a pipe.

(12) In the examples below, the target pipes are pipes made of polyethylene and conveying a flow of natural gas. Nevertheless, the invention is not limited to such pipes.

(13) In the accompanying figures, the same references are used to designate the same elements.

(14) In FIG. 1, there can be seen a section view of a device 1 that is to be inserted into a polyethylene pipe.

(15) The device 1 comprises a metal body 2, e.g. made of brass (alternatively, ceramic materials may be used). The body is provided on its side walls with a threaded portion 3 that is designed to co-operate with a threaded portion of a duct in a sleeve for moving the device.

(16) In order to penetrate into the inside of a pipe, the device comprises a hole punch 4 optionally made out of the same metal as the body 2, and the hole punch 4 is spaced apart from the body by walls 5. The hole punch has substantially the same dimensions as the remainder of the device so as to be capable of forming an orifice through which the device can pass.

(17) The device includes an electronic module 6, in this example a flow meter, and the electronic module 6 is arranged between the hole punch 4 and the body 2. In order to place the electronic module 6 further inside the pipe, a spacer 7 is placed between the body 2 and the electronic module 6. The spacer 2 holds the electronic module.

(18) Since the electronic module 6 is a sensor, other electronic elements are needed in order to make it operate. For this purpose, two electrical connections 8 are arranged to connect the electronic module 6 to other electronic elements. The electronic connections 8 extend from the electronic module to the body, and they are embedded in the body 2 so as to lead to the top face 10 of the body 2 (the top face being at the end of the body 2 that is opposite from the end where the electronic module 6 and the hole punch 4 are located).

(19) Since the electrical connections 8 are embedded in the body 2, the body and the electrical connections form a solid element that can act as a plug for a duct having threads to co-operate with the threaded portions 3 of the device. More precisely, the electrical connections 8 lead to female electrical connections 11 at the top face 10 of the body 2.

(20) In order to move the device 1 in a duct, a socket 12 is provided within the top face 10 of the body 2, the socket being adapted to receive a screwdriver tool for turning the device.

(21) FIG. 1 shows the electronic device 1 with a connectable element 20. In this example, the connectable element 20 comprises a battery 21 and a wireless communications module 22. In order to cause the device 1 to start, a switch 23 is arranged on the connectable element 20. The connectable element 20 is connected to the top face of the body 2 by plugging electrical connections 24 of the connectable element into the electrical connections 11 open in the top face 10.

(22) It may be observed that the wireless communications module 22 may use any known protocol for returning the information picked up by the electronic module 6. By way of indication, the wireless communications module may enable the device to be incorporated in a cellular communications network.

(23) The various components of the connectable element 20 may be arranged within a single printed circuit card.

(24) Resilient gaskets may be placed around the electrical connectors, as shown in the figure.

(25) As can be understood from FIG. 1, while the device is being turned by the screwdriver, the socket 12 must be accessible. For this purpose, the connectable element 20 is not connected while the screwdriver is in use, but only after the remainder of the device has reached its final position.

(26) FIG. 2 shows a system comprising a device 1 as described with reference to FIG. 1 together with a sleeve 30.

(27) The sleeve 30 has a duct 31 in which the device 1 is arranged. FIG. 1 shows the device 1 with the connectable element 20 and it is also shown in a position corresponding to the position occupied by the device when inserted in a pipe. Specifically, the device 1 can move in translation in the duct 31. This movement is obtained by using the threaded portion 32 of the duct 31 while using a tool in the socket 12 to apply torque.

(28) The sleeve 30 has a connection portion 33 that extends radially relative to the axis of the duct 31 (axis drawn as a chain-dotted line). The connection portion is for assembling to a pipe. Since pipes are generally cylindrical and of circular section, the connection portion 33 may also extend in the axial direction of the duct 31 so as to match the shape of the pipe.

(29) In an alternative that is not shown herein, the sleeve 30 includes another part referred to as a saddle that is placed facing the connection portion 33 in order to surround the pipe in order to join the connection portion 33, as is conventional for branch connection sleeves known in the prior art. In addition, the connection part 33 may include a heater resistance that can be caused to pass electricity in order to melt the connection portion together with the pipe: this makes it possible to obtain an opening of the duct 31 that is closed in leaktight manner by the wall of the pipe where it terminates and by melting the connection portion 33 with the wall of the duct.

(30) As mentioned above, in this example the device 1 is placed in its final position, with the body 2 and the connection 8 forming a plug in the duct 21, since the threaded portions 3 and 32 co-operate. In order to improve leaktightness, a gasket 34 is placed at the opening of the duct 31 so that the threaded portion 3 comes up against the gasket when the device is in its final position.

(31) In order to further improve leaktightness, the system includes a plug 40 positioned so as to plug the opening of the duct that is opposite from its opening placed against the wall of the duct. The plug 40 has a threaded portion configured to co-operate with a threaded portion 35 located on the outside of the sleeve. The plug 40 also includes a gasket 42.

(32) FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a device 1 without its connectable element. As can be seen in this figure, the device 1 is almost in the shape of a cylinder of circular section.

(33) The device 1 includes windows 13 formed in the walls 5 between the body 2 and the hole punch 4. The windows 13 allow the fluids flowing in the pipe to reach the electronic module 6. It may be observed that when the hole punch 4 forms an orifice in a wall of a pipe, the cut-off portion 51 (or chad) remains in the hole punch 4, which is specifically why the windows 13 are formed. The windows 13 also serve to limit the impact of inserting the device in the pipe on the stream of fluid flowing therein.

(34) In the example of this figure, there is no spacer, but the electrical connections 8 serve to hold an electronic module 6 directly. The electronic module 6 is in a substantially horizontal position in the figure: this arrangement, which may be adopted if the electronic module 6 can operate in this arrangement, enables it to be positioned more deeply inside the pipe.

(35) FIG. 3B is another perspective view in which the electronic module 1 presents a top face 10 including a hexagonally-shaped socket 12 for receiving a tool of the Allen key type. The top face 10 also has a female connector 11 for one or more electrical connections passing through the body 2.

(36) FIG. 4 shows the system as described with reference to FIG. 2 when assembled on a pipe 50. The pipe is a polyethylene pipe having a diameter that may lie in the range 200 millimeters (mm) to 400 mm, although the invention may nevertheless be used on pipes having other diameters. As can be seen in this figure, the device 1 and the sleeve 30 form a system having a total height that is close to the diameter of the pipe. The invention can thus be embodied in a manner that is relatively compact, thereby making it easy to install at numerous points.

(37) FIGS. 5A to 5D show various steps of inserting an electronic device 1 in a pipe 50. These figures are section views looking in a direction that is perpendicular to that of FIGS. 1, 2, and 4.

(38) In FIG. 5A, the sleeve 30 has been assembled with the pipe 50 by welding. At this stage, the device 1 is arranged fully inside the sleeve 30, and it does not have the connectable element.

(39) A tool 100 is then used to turn the device 1 so that it pierces an orifice in the pipe 50 (FIG. 5B). This piercing may be done while gas is flowing in the pipe, since the body of the device through which the electrical connections pass acts as a plug inside the sleeve 30.

(40) The device 1 continues to be turned until it occupies its final position in the pipe 50, and thereafter the connectable element 20 can be connected to the remainder of the device 1 (FIG. 5C).

(41) Thereafter, a plug 40 can be put into place on the sleeve 30, as shown in FIG. 5D.

(42) It may be observed that it is also possible to use an additional leaktight airlock for installing or removing the device while a fluid is flowing in the pipe. This can enable an already-installed device to be replaced.

(43) FIG. 6A shows a variant of the invention in which the electronic module 60 is a module for modifying the section of the pipe and includes an inflatable element.

(44) Activation of this electronic module 60 is shown in FIG. 6B, where the inflatable element is shown inflated.

(45) The system shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B makes it simpler to apply remote control to the streams flowing in a network of pipes.

(46) With reference to FIGS. 7A to 7E, there follows a description of the various steps of inserting a device in a pipe while using an airlock.

(47) FIG. 7A shows a system analogous to that described with reference to FIG. 5A, but in which the system also includes a first airlock portion 70 having a full-bore valve 71. The first portion of the airlock is screwed onto the sleeve instead of and replacing a plug such as the plug 40 described with reference to FIG. 5D.

(48) FIG. 7B shows a second airlock portion 72 assembled on the first airlock portion 70, these two airlock portions 70 and 72 together forming an airlock with an airlock duct 74. In the example of FIG. 7B, the full-bore valve 71 is in an open or through position, and a tool 73 has been inserted in leaktight manner into the airlock duct 74 received in the airlock portions 70 and 72, so that the tool thus passes into the airlock.

(49) The tool 73 co-operates with the electronic device and can be used to turn it.

(50) A tool 100 may be used on the portion of the tool 73 that projects in leaktight manner from the second airlock portion 72 (FIG. 7C). It is used to turn the device 1 in the sleeve 30 so as to drive it forwards into the pipe 50. The airlock makes it possible to obtain good leaktightness while driving the device 1 into the pipe 50.

(51) FIG. 7D shows a connectable element 20 being put into place and FIG. 7E shows a plug 40 being put into place on the sleeve 30. The connectable element 20 includes at least one embedded electrical power supply, a wireless communications module, a microcontroller, or a switch. The connectable element 20 is connected only after the pipe has been pierced.

(52) With reference to FIGS. 8A to 8E, there follows a description of removing an electronic device while using an airlock.

(53) In FIG. 8A, there can be seen a device 1 inserted in a pipe, such as the device shown in FIG. 5D, from which the connectable element 20 has already been removed. Instead of and replacing the plug of FIG. 5D, a first airlock portion 70 is assembled on the sleeve. The full-bore valve 71 is initially closed.

(54) FIG. 8B shows the assembly of a second airlock portion 72 and the opening of the full-bore valve 71.

(55) FIG. 8C shows a tool 73 being inserted in leaktight manner into the airlock duct 74 received in the first and second airlock portions 70 and 72 so as to reach the device 1. A tool 100 is also used for turning the device 1.

(56) FIG. 8D shows the device 1 extracted from the pipe that was pierced.

(57) The device is then moved into the second airlock portion 72 and the full-bore valve 71 is closed (FIG. 8E): leaktightness is thus maintained even when the second airlock portion is disassembled in order to recover the device 1.

(58) In an embodiment of the invention, the tool 73 is held sufficiently tightly in the device 1 (e.g. in a socket in the device 1) so that movement is performed as follows: the device is driven backwards and is raised into the sleeve 30; an once it has left the sleeve, it is because the tool 73 is held tightly in the device 1 that the tool 73 enables the device 1 to be moved into the pipe by moving the tool 73.

(59) Alternatively, the device 1 has a socket fitted with a bayonet fastener system so as to fasten the tool 73 to the device 1 (not shown). Movement is then performed as follows: the device is driven backwards and is raised into the sleeve 30; and once extracted from the sleeve, it is the bayonet fastener means that enable movement of the tool 73 to move the device and raise it into the airlock duct 74.

(60) This enables a device to be removed for which the embedded power supply is exhausted or a device that has failed.

(61) It is also possible to insert a second device in order to carry out a replacement in a pipe that has already been pierced.

(62) The invention thus makes it simple to insert compact electronic devices into pipes, including while a fluid is flowing in the pipe.