TAKE-UP DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a take-up device intended to be mounted on an opening of a pipeline, said device comprising: a base having a through-hole, and a seal intended for sealing the connection between the opening of said pipeline and the through-hole of said base. The base further comprises at least two anchoring points, and the device comprises a clamping collar comprising: an elongate element intended to partially surround the pipeline, said elongate element being mounted on the base by inserting the ends of the elongate element in the through-openings and forming a loop around the edges of said base, and means for adjusting the length of the clamping collar so that the device is able to be mounted on pipelines of different diameters.

Claims

1. A take-up configured to be mounted on an opening of a pipeline, said device comprising: a base having a through hole, and a seal configured to seal the connection between the opening of said pipeline and the through hole of said base, wherein: the one-piece base further comprises at least two anchoring points, and the device comprises at least one clamping collar comprising: an elongate element configured to partially surround the pipeline, said elongate element cooperating with the base at said anchoring points, and adjustment means, which are independent of the base, enabling the length of the at least one clamp to be adapted so that the device is capable of being mounted on pipelines of different diameters.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device comprises a single clamping collar and only two anchoring points disposed on either side of the base.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anchoring points are through openings orientated in a direction parallel to the main direction of the pipeline, the elongate element being mounted on the base by inserting at least one end of the elongate element into the through openings and forming a loop around the edges of said base.

4. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the through openings are slots provided in the base.

5. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the through openings correspond to the space formed between the base and a pin of the base.

6. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the two ends of the elongate element are configured to cooperate with the anchoring points disposed on either side of the base in a manner such that the elongate element partially surrounds the pipeline following action upon the adjustment means.

7. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein each anchoring point comprises a housing delimited by two lugs separated by a slot proportioned to enable the elongate element to pass through, the housing being configured to receive a pin secured to one end of the elongate element, the lugs being intended to enable the pins to be inserted into the housings before action upon the adjustment means and to block the extraction of said pins following action upon the adjustment means.

8. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein each anchoring point comprises a lug configured to cooperate with a hole provided at the ends of the elongate element.

9. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongate element is a strap.

10. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongate element is a cable.

11. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongate element is produced from a metallic material.

12. The device as claimed in any claim 1, wherein the means for adjusting the length of the at least one clamping collar comprise markings enabling the seal to be compressed to a predetermined level.

13. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustment means are integral with one end of the elongate element.

14. An installation including: at least one pipeline with at least one opening, and at least one take-up device as claimed in claim 1.

15. The installation as claimed in claim 14, wherein the pipeline is a pipeline which has been painted or pre-painted on its inner and outer faces.

16. The installation as claimed in claim 15, wherein the paint of the pipeline comprises an epoxy polymer binder.

17. The installation as claimed in claim 14, wherein the installation is a fire protection installation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0061] The manner of carrying out the invention, as well as the advantages which arise from it, will become apparent from the description of the embodiments below, made with the aid of the accompanying figures in which:

[0062] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bypass device mounted on a pipeline and the clamping collar in accordance with one embodiment of the invention,

[0063] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the clasp of the clamping collar of FIG. 1,

[0064] FIG. 3 is an axial sectional view of the means for adjusting the length of the clamping collar of FIG. 1,

[0065] FIG. 4a is a sectional view of a first step for installation of the means for adjusting the length of the clamping collar in accordance with a second embodiment,

[0066] FIG. 4b is a sectional view of a second step for installation of the means for adjusting the length of the clamping collar in accordance with a second embodiment,

[0067] FIG. 4c is a sectional view of a third step for installation of the means for adjusting the length of the clamping collar in accordance with a second embodiment, and

[0068] FIG. 4d is a sectional view of a third step for installation of the means for adjusting the length of the clamping collar in accordance with a third embodiment,

[0069] FIG. 5 is a perspective view from above of the base of a take-up device in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention,

[0070] FIG. 6 is a view of the front face of the take-up device of FIG. 5,

[0071] FIG. 7 is a perspective view from below of the base of the take-up device of FIG. 5,

[0072] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a take-up device in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention,

[0073] FIG. 9 is a front view of the take-up device of FIG. 8,

[0074] FIG. 10 is a side view of the take-up device of FIG. 8,

[0075] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a take-up device in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention,

[0076] FIG. 12 is a front view of the take-up device of FIG. 11,

[0077] FIG. 13 is a side view of the take-up device of FIG. 11,

[0078] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a take-up device in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention,

[0079] FIG. 15 is a front view of the take-up device of FIG. 14,

[0080] FIG. 16 is a side view of the take-up device of FIG. 14,

[0081] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a take-up device in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the invention,

[0082] FIG. 18 is a front view of the take-up device of FIG. 17, and

[0083] FIG. 19 is a side view of the take-up device of FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0084] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a bypass device 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 is mounted on an installation comprising at least one pipeline 40.

[0085] The pipeline 40 is configured to contain a fluid such as water or gas. To this end, the pipeline 40 is preferably produced from steel, stainless steel, copper or super chlorinated polyvinyl chloride. In some embodiments, the pipeline 40 may be configured to withstand pressures of the order of ten bars, for example between 5 and 20 bars and preferably between 8 and 12 bars.

[0086] In addition, the diameter of the pipeline 40 may vary, typically between 20 and 600 mm; these are also known by the acronyms DN 20 or DN 600.

[0087] In order to add the bypass devices 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 of the invention, one or more openings are provided in the pipelines 40. The openings are, for example, circular, with a diameter of between 10 and 500 mm; these are also known by the acronyms DN 10 or DN 500. The diameter of the opening is proportioned as a function of the diameter of the pipeline and the device to be integrated.

[0088] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the device 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 comprises a one-piece base 24A-24G having a substantially planar parallelepipedal shape with a thickness comprised between 0.5 and 1.5 cm. In a variation, the lower face of the base 24A-24G may have a slight curvature, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The curvature of the lower face is selected to match the curvature of the larger diameter pipeline 40 on which the device 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 can fit. The base 24A-24G may be obtained directly by a moulding process, by a material subtraction process such as machining or laser cutting, or in fact by an additive process such as 3D printing.

[0089] The base 24A-24G also has a through opening 26 with a diameter comprised between 10 and 500 mm.

[0090] Advantageously, a seal 28 is positioned facing the lower face of the base 24A-24G, typically between the base 24A-24G and the pipeline 40, so as to surround the openings of the base 24A-24G and the pipeline 40, respectively. By way of example, the seal 28 is a rubber O-ring with a thickness of between 0.2 and 0.7 cm. Alternatively, for larger diameter pipelines, the seal may have lips and have a thickness in the range 0.5 to 3 cm.

[0091] A device such as a bypass pipeline, a fire protection nozzle or in fact a pressure gauge, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 19, may be attached to the base 24A-24G by aligning the device with the through opening 26 of the base 24A-24G. as an example, the device may have a male portion having a thread and cooperating with a second thread, provided in the walls of the through opening 26 of the base 24A-24G. The device may therefore be screwed onto the base 24A-24G.

[0092] The clamping collar or clamping collars 30 enable the device to be secured and held on the pipeline 40.

[0093] The clamping collar or clamping collars 30 comprise an elongate element such as, for example, a strip with a width of between 0.5 and 2 cm, or a cable with a diameter of between 0.2 and 1 cm. in a variation, the elongate element may be a hose clamp type clamping element, produced from a metal material. The clamping collars 30 also comprise means 32 for adjusting the length and for tightening the clamping collar 30. The base 24A-24G may be provided with one or more clamping collars 30 depending on the needs of the installation and the diameter of the pipeline 40.

[0094] The adjustment means 32 are independent of the base 24A-24G.

[0095] As an example, the adjustment means 32 may also be independent of the elongate element 31. The means may consist of one or more inserts which can be secured or fitted on the elongate element 31 in order to hold it in place.

[0096] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the clamping collar 30 may be in the form of a metal strap 31 and the adjustment means may include a clasp 33A, independent of the strap 31, comprising a housing 35 into which the ends of the strap 31 are inserted.

[0097] Self-tapping screws 34 enable the various thicknesses of strap 31 to be pierced through. Advantageously, the clasp 33A has an opening 36 for receiving the lower portion of the body of the screw 34.

[0098] Thus, the elongate element can be directly adapted to the diameter and to the tolerances of a pipeline 40 by creating the opening necessary for the seal 28 to be compressed with an optimal level of compression and for the connection between the pipeline and the take-up device to be made as leak-tight as possible. The adjustment is made to measure and the possibilities for adjustment are almost continuous.

[0099] In a variation, in an embodiment not shown in the figures, the elongate element may be a metal strap comprising openings spaced regularly and closely along the elongate element. So that the elongate element can be directly adapted to the diameter and to the tolerances of a pipeline, the pitch between the openings is preferably less than or equal to the manufacturer's tolerances. Typically, if the pipeline has a diameter of 25 mm and the tolerance is ?1 mm, the pitch between the openings is less than or equal to 1 mm. Thus, the seal can be compressed with an optimal level of compression, and the connection between the pipeline and the take-up device is rendered as tight as possible.

[0100] In order to fix the base 24A on the pipeline 40, the base is positioned on the opening of the pipeline 40. The two ends of the strap 31 are inserted in a movement from bottom to top through the anchoring points produced by lateral openings 25A so that the strap 31 surrounds the pipeline 40. The ends of the strap 31 are then pulled from above the base 24A and folded over the ends of the base 24A in order to clamp the clamping collar 30 around the pipeline 40. The ends of the strap 31 are then brought together, thereby forming a loop around each edge of the base 24A. The ends of the strap 31 are then secured together by the adjustment means 32.

[0101] Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the clasp 33A is positioned on a first thickness of strap 31. The ends of the strap 31 are then folded back and inserted into the housing 35 of the clasp 33A, then tightened so as to effectively hold the base 24A on the pipeline 40. To this end, the ends of the strap 31 project on each side of the housing 35 over a length of at least 1 cm. The ends of the strap 31 are therefore superimposed at the body 37 of the clasp 33A. Finally, the screw 34 is inserted at this superimposition and penetrates through the two thicknesses formed by the ends of the strap 31.

[0102] In a variation, as illustrated in FIGS. 4a to 4d, the adjustment means 32 are integral with one end of the elongate element. Thus, the clamping collar 30 may be in the form of a metal strap 31 and the adjustment means may include a clasp 33B comprising a housing 35, secured to the end of the strap 31.

[0103] The housing 35 may take the form of a tube with a parallelepipedal section, intended to allow a portion of the metal strap 31 to pass through. In addition, securing means such as a self-tapping screw 34 may be placed on the housing 35, perpendicular to the length of the tube and to the direction of movement of the strap 31 in the tube, so as to restrict displacements of the strap 31 when it is compressed around the pipeline 40 and inserted into the tube.

[0104] In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the securing means include a ball contained in the tube and intended to block displacements of the elongate element. To this end, the tube has a variable cross-section. Typically, the section of the tube narrows from dimensions greater than the diameter of the ball to dimensions substantially equal to the diameter of the ball. Thus, during sliding of the elongate element in the tube, the ball is driven in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion of the elongate element, towards the portion of the tube with reduced dimensions, where it becomes locked. The ball therefore also blocks the displacements of the elongate element.

[0105] The spaces 25B of the base 24B are used to create securing points for the strap 31. To this end, as illustrated in FIG. 4a, the end of the strap 31 which is not provided with the clasp 33B is inserted in accordance with a first movement M1 to surround a first securing point for the base 24B. This movement M1 is carried out by inserting the strap 31 into the space 25B from the upper face of the base 24B to the lower face of the base 24B until the strap 31 is running alongside the pipeline 40.

[0106] The strap 31 is then displaced around the pipeline 40 to the second securing point of the base 24B. As illustrated in FIG. 4b, the strap 31 is then introduced into the space 25B according to the movement M2 to surround the second securing point of the base 24B. This movement M2 is produced by inserting the strap 31 into the space 25B from the lower face of the base 24B to the upper face of the base 24B until the strap 31 is running alongside the pipeline 40.

[0107] The strap 31 is then introduced into the clasp 33B in accordance with the movement M3, as illustrated in FIG. 4c. The clamping collar 30 is then compressed around the pipeline 40 by pulling on the end of the strap 33 after it has passed into the housing of the clasp 33B, in accordance with the movement M4.

[0108] In certain embodiments, when the desired compressive tension of the strap 31 is attained, means for securing the strap 31 in the housing may be inserted into the clasp 33C by means of an action in a direction M5, perpendicular to the length of the housing 35, as illustrated in FIG. 4d. Subsequently, the remaining end of the strap 31 projecting from the clasp 33C may optionally be cut.

[0109] In addition, the elongate element 31 may also have notches or grooves for receiving or locking the adjustment means 32.

[0110] Advantageously, the clamping collar 30 also has markings, making it possible to adapt the clamping to the pressure prevailing in the pipeline 40. Similarly, the take-up device 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 may also include an integrated device for measuring the tension of the strap 31. Similarly, an external device may also be used to check the clamping tension.

[0111] There are a number of embodiments concerning attaching the clamping collar 30 to the base 24A-24G.

[0112] As illustrated in FIG. 1, in a first embodiment, the base 24A has a parallelepipedal shape with tapped holes at the corners, for example. The base 24A has a length of between 2 and 10 cm and a width of between 2 and 5 cm. The length of the base 24A is intended to be positioned in a direction perpendicular to the main direction D of the pipeline 40.

[0113] At its ends, the base 24A has two lateral grooves 25A provided in the thickness of the base 24A, substantially parallelepipedal in shape and intended to enable the strip 31 of the clamping collar 30 to pass through.

[0114] A bore 46 may also be provided on the lower portion of the grooves 25A, enabling the groove 25A to open to the outside. This bore 46 enables the strip 31 to adapt better to the shape of the pipeline 40.

[0115] In a variation, as illustrated in FIGS. 4a to 4d, the base 24B may have two recesses at its ends, making it possible to produce the opening 25B. The end of the recesses may have two pins 43. Thus, the strip 31 of the clamping collar 30 can pass through the openings 25B and form a loop around the pins 43.

[0116] According to another example, the base 24B may have means for securing two pins 43 attached either side of the base 24B. The pins 43 are positioned so as to leave a free space 25 between the edges of the base 24B and the pins 43. This space 25B is intended to allow the strip 31 of the clamping collar 30 to pass through, the strip then being able to form a loop around the pins 43.

[0117] As illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7, in a third embodiment, the base 24C has a substantially hexagonal shape with a length of between 2 and 8 cm and a width of between 2 and 5 cm. The length of the base 24C is intended to be orientated in a direction perpendicular to the main direction D of the pipeline 40.

[0118] The base 24C also has two pairs of lateral grooves 25C provided on either side of the base 24C in the thickness of the base 24C, substantially parallelepipedal in shape and intended to allow the two clamping collars 30 to pass through. Preferably, the grooves are spaced 1 to 3 cm apart. This type of base 24C is used for pipelines 40 with a larger diameter, typically greater than DN50.

[0119] The two clamping collars 30 are mounted in the same manner as described in FIGS. 4a-4d, the clamping collars 30 being able to be mounted simultaneously or one after the other.

[0120] As illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10, in a fourth embodiment, the base 24D comprises two anchoring points 25D on either side of the base 24D. Each anchoring point 25D comprises a housing 49 with a depth of between 0.5 and 1 cm and proportioned to receive a pin 47 with a length of between 1 and 3 cm and a diameter of between 0.1 and 1 cm. In this fourth embodiment, the housing 49 extends over the entire width of the base 24D. The housing 49 is bordered by two lugs 48. Preferably, the upper portion of the lugs 48 may be rounded or bevelled so as to guide the movement of the pin 47 towards the housing 49. The two lugs 48 are separated by a slot, proportioned to allow the cable 39 to pass through but to prevent passage of the pin 47, the pin therefore remaining locked in the housing 49, retained by the lugs 48.

[0121] As illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 13, in the fifth embodiment, the recess 49 of the anchoring points 25E may be shallower without causing the pin 47 to be extracted. The width of the slot may also be adapted to the width of the elongate element. In this fifth embodiment, the slot is proportioned to allow a strap 31 to pass through.

[0122] As illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 16, in a sixth embodiment, the base 24F has anchoring points 25F comprising a lug 50 intended to cooperate with a hole provided at the ends of the elongate element 31. In order to mount the elongate element on the base 24F, the lugs 50 are inserted into the holes of the elongate element 51 so that it also surrounds the pipeline 50, then the clamp 30 is adapted to the diameter of the pipeline via the adjustment means 32.

[0123] As illustrated in FIGS. 17 to 19, in a seventh embodiment, the base 24G has a housing 49 bordered by two lugs 48 separated by a slot, proportioned to allow the width of the elongate element 31 to pass through. The slot is covered with a plate connecting the two lugs 48, thus producing a space with a thickness of between 0.05 and 0.2 cm, not allowing the pin 47 to pass through, but only allowing the elongate element 31 to pass through. Thus, in order to insert the elongate element 31, the pin 49 must first be removed, then the terminal portion of the elongate element 31 is inserted into the slot covered by the plate. The pin 47 is then secured to the end of the elongate element 31, for example by sliding it into a clasp formed at the end of the elongate element 31. Finally, the pin 47 is inserted into the housing 49. The pin 47 therefore cannot be extracted from the housing 49 because it is blocked by the presence of the plate.

[0124] In conclusion, the invention makes it possible to obtain a bypass device which can be adapted to several conduit diameters and which is easier and less expensive to use than the devices of the prior art.