SLIDING CABLE SAFETY DEVICE FOR CONDUITS OR SIMILAR EQUIPMENTS SUBJECT TO PRESSURE AND CORRESPONDING INSTALLATION INCLUDING SUCH SAFETY DEVICE

Abstract

A safety device with a sliding cable and a corresponding installation, to secure conduits, pipes, piping and similar equipments subject to high pressure due to fluid under pressure circulating in such conduits and equipments. The safety device includes a flexible cable which forms a first and a second attachment eyelet for attaching and connecting the safety device to two parts of the conduits and equipments under pressure. A first and a second sleeve which close two end portions of the flexible cable form, at the ends of the safety device, the first and second attachment eyelets. Two terminals are provided at the opposite ends of the flexible cable.

Claims

1. Sliding cable safety device (10; 110; 210) to secure conduits, pipes, pipelines, organs, systems, machines or similar equipments subject in the operation to high pressures because of a fluid under pressure, such as air, water, oil, steam which circulates or in general operates in said conduits and similar equipments, comprising: a flexible cable (11) which has at least a first attachment eyelet (12) and a second attachment eyelet (13) formed respectively by two end portions (11a, 11b) of the flexible cable (11); and at least a first sleeve (14) and a second sleeve (15) which close respectively the two end portions of the flexible cable (11) on themselves so as to form, at the two ends of the safety device (10), said first and second attachment eyelets (12, 13), wherein said first attachment eyelet (12) and second attachment eyelet (13) allow to attach and connect the safety device (10), at its two ends, to two parts (P1, P2), connected between them in a respective connection zone (Z), of said conduits and similar equipments subject to high pressure, so as to retain by means of the safety device (10) said two parts (P1, P2) in the event of rupture, burst, explosion or in general of another fault in said connection zone (Z); the safety device (10) being characterized in that it further comprises: two terminals (16, 18) provided at the opposite ends (11a, 11b) of the flexible cable (11) included in the safety device (10), and in that the safety device (10) is configured so that, when a rupture, a burst or in general another fault occurs in said connection zone (Z), the flexible cable (11) of the device safety (10) is subject to slide in the two sleeves (14, 15), whereby the two terminals (16, 18), provided at the opposite ends (11a, 11b) of the flexible cable (11), are forced to cooperate into contact with the first (14) and the second sleeve (15), so as to tighten the two eyelets (12, 13) around the two parts (P1, P2), to which the safety device (10) is attached, of said conduits and similar equipments subject in the operation to high pressures.

2. Safety device (10) according to claim 1, wherein said safety device (10) is provided to be applied on said two parts (P1, P2), connected between them, of said conduits and similar equipments subject in the operation to high pressures, in a use configuration (C1) in which the two terminals (16, 18), arranged at the two ends of the flexible cable (11), are spaced at a certain distance (D) from the corresponding sleeves (14, 15) which form the two attachment eyelets (12, 13) at the two ends of the safety device (10), whereby, when a rupture, a burst or in general a fault occurs in said connection zone (Z), the flexible cable (11) of the safety device (10) slides in said first and second sleeve (14, 15) so as to recover and reduce said distance (D) and consequently to push and move said terminals (16, 18) to stop against and cooperate into contact with said sleeves (14, 15).

3. Safety device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of said sleeves (14, 15) is calibrated, that is it is designed to tighten the flexible cable (11) of the safety device (10) with a determined calibrated tightening force, whereby, in case of intervention of the safety device (10) following a rupture, a breakage or in general a fault in the connection area (Z) between said two parts (P1, P2) under pressure, the flexible cable (11) of the safety device (10) is subject, in said at least one of said sleeves (14, 15), to a sliding which is controlled by said determined calibrated tightening force, and consequently also the damping and the dissipation, by means of the safety device (10), of the energy and the stresses that develop and are released in such event of rupture, breakage or fault are controlled by said determined calibrated tightening force.

4. Safety device (10) according to claim 3, wherein said first sleeve (14) and second sleeve (15) are calibrated, so as to both close and tighten the flexible cable (11) of the safety device (10) with a respective determined calibrated tightening force.

5. Safety device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said flexible cable (11) is of the metallic or non-metallic type and is realizable with a traditional rope, a tape or a string with any type of material, and in various sizes, in particular with a diameter comprised from 1 mm to 30 mm and more.

6. Safety device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said flexible cable (11) has an outer covering or layer that covers externally the flexible cable and avoids any rubbing between the ferrous and metallic material of the flexible cable and the metal parts to which the safety device is attached, in use, at the ends with its eyelets, whereby the safety device is adapted to be applied, in accordance with regulations, in areas at risk of explosion.

7. Safety device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two sleeves (14, 15) are made of a material selected from a group of materials consisting of aluminium, steel, plastic, composite materials, and in various forms, in particular round, flat, oval.

8. Safety device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said flexible cable (11) is of the multilayer composite type with an inner metallic core, made of metal wires, and at least one layer, made of braided yarns of aramid fibers, formed around said inner metallic core, and in particular is of the composite cable type described in the international patent application PCT/IT2012/000306, published as WO 2013/051043 A2.

9. Safety device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an additional attachment element (20), associated with said flexible cable (11) and adapted to allow to attach and connect the safety device (110) to one of said two parts (P1, P2), connected between them, of the conduits, pipelines or similar equipments subject to high pressures, wherein, in the use of said safety device (110), said first attachment eyelet (12) and second attachment eyelet (13) are mounted and attached to a same part (P1) of said conduit, pipeline or similar equipment in pressure, and the flexible cable (11) of said device (110) is attached, by means of said additional attachment element (20), to the other part (P2) of said conduit, pipeline or similar equipment under pressure, along the portion of the flexible cable (11) which extends between said two eyelets (12, 13).

10. Safety device (210) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least a third intermediate attachment eyelet (21), in addition to said first (12) and second (13) attachment eyelets formed by the two end portions of the flexible cable (11), wherein said third intermediate attachment eyelet (21) is formed, by a corresponding sleeve (22), along the portion of the flexible cable (11) which extends between the two end eyelets (12, 13) and has the function of allowing to attach and connect, in said connection zone, the safety device (210) to a third part of the conduit, pipeline and equipment in pressure to be secured.

11. Installation (IN) for securing conduits, pipelines, piping, organs, systems, machines or similar equipments subject in the operation to high pressures due to a fluid under pressure, such as air, water, oil, steam, which circulates or in general operates in said conduits and similar equipments, comprising: a first part (P1) and a second part (P2), connected between them in a respective connection zone (Z), of the conduit or similar equipment to be secured by means of the installation (IN); and a sliding cable safety device (10; 110; 210) arranged between said first (P1) and said second part (P2), connected between them, of the conduit or similar equipment under pressure, wherein said safety device (10; 110) in turn comprises: a flexible cable (11) which has at least a first attachment eyelet (12) and a second attachment eyelet (13) formed respectively by two end portions (11a, 11b) of the flexible cable (11); and at least a first sleeve (14) and a second sleeve (15) which close the two end portions of the flexible cable (11) so as to form, at the two ends of the safety device (10), said first and second attachment eyelets (12, 13), wherein said first attachment eyelet (12) and second attachment eyelet (13) are attached respectively to said two parts (P1, P2), connected between them in said respective connection zone (Z), of said conduits and similar equipment subject to high pressures, so as to retain by means of the safety device (10) said two parts (P1, P2) in case of rupture, burst or in general of a fault in said connection zone (Z); the installation being characterized in that the safety device (10), included in said installation (IN), further comprises: two terminals (16, 18) provided at opposite ends (11a, 11b) of the flexible cable (11) included in the safety device (10), and in that the safety device (10) is configured so that, when a rupture, a burst or in general a fault occurs in said connection zone (Z), the flexible cable (11) of the device safety (10) is subject to slide in the two sleeves (14, 15), whereby the two terminals (16, 18), provided at the opposite ends (11a, 11b) of the flexible cable (11), are forced to cooperate in contact with the first (14) and with the second sleeve (15), so to tighten the two eyelets (12, 13) around the two parts (P1, P2), to which the safety device (10) is attached, of the conduit and similar equipment subject in the operation to high pressure.

12. Installation (IN) according to claim 11, wherein said safety device (10) is provided to be applied on said two parts (P1, P2), connected between them, of the conduit and similar equipment subject in the operation to high pressure, in a use configuration (C1) in which the two terminals (16, 18), arranged at the two ends of the flexible cable (11), are spaced at a certain distance (D) from the corresponding sleeves (14, 15) which form the two attachment eyelets (12, 13) at the two ends of the safety device (10), whereby, when a rupture, a burst or in general a fault occurs in said connection zone (Z), the flexible cable (11) of the safety device (10) slides in said first and second sleeve (14, 15) so as to recover and reduce said distance (D) and consequently to push and move said terminals (16, 18) to stop against and cooperate into contact with said sleeves (14, 15).

13. Installation (IN) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein at least one of said sleeves (14, 15) is calibrated, that is it is designed to tighten the flexible cable (11) of the safety device (10) with a determined calibrated tightening force, whereby, which, in case of intervention of the safety device (10) following a rupture, a breakage or in general a fault in the connection zone (Z) between said two parts (P1, P2) under pressure, the flexible cable (11) of the safety device (10) is subject to a sliding, in said at least one of said sleeves (14, 15), which is controlled by said determined calibrated tightening force, and consequently also the damping and the dissipation, by means of the safety device (10), of the energy and the stresses that develop and are released in such events of rupture, breakage or fault, are controlled by said determined calibrated tightening force.

14. Installation (IN) according to claim 13, wherein said first sleeve (14) and second sleeve (15) are both calibrated, so as to both close and tighten the flexible cable (11) of the safety device (10) with a respective determined calibrated tightening force.

15. Installation (IN) according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein said flexible cable (11) is of the metallic type or non-metallic and is realizable with a traditional rope, a tape or a string with any type of material, and in various sizes, in particular with a diameter comprised from 1 mm to 30 mm and more.

16. Installation (IN) according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein said flexible cable (11) has an outer covering or layer that covers externally the flexible cable and avoids any rubbing between the ferrous and metallic material of the flexible cable and the metal parts to which the safety device is attached, in use, at the ends with its eyelets, whereby the safety device is adapted to be applied, in accordance with regulations, in environments at risk of explosion.

17. Installation (IN) according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the two terminals (14, 15) are made of a material selected from a group of materials consisting of aluminium, steel, plastic, composite materials, and in various forms, in particular round, flat, oval.

18. Installation (IN) according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the flexible cable (11) of said safety device (10) is of the composite multilayer type with an inner metallic core, made of metal wires, and at least a layer, made of braided yarns of aramid fibers, formed around the inner metallic core, and in particular is of the composite cable type described in the international patent application PCT/IT2012/000306, published as WO 2013/051043 A2.

19. Installation (IN) according to any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein the safety device (110) further comprising an additional attachment element (20), associated with said flexible cable (11) and adapted to allow to attach and connect the safety device (110) to one of said two parts (P1, P2), connected between them, of the conduit and similar equipment subject to high pressures, wherein, in the use of said safety device (110), said first attachment eyelet (12) and second attachment eyelet (13) are mounted and attached to a same part (P1) of said conduit or similar equipment in pressure, and the flexible cable (11) of said device (110) is attached, by means of said additional attachment element (20), to the other part (P2) of said conduit, pipeline or similar equipment under pressure, along the portion of the flexible cable which extends between said two eyelets (12, 13).

20. Installation (IN) according to any one of claims 11 to 19, wherein said safety device comprises at least a third intermediate attachment eyelet (21), in addition to said first (12) and second (13) attachment eyelets formed by the two end portions of the flexible cable (11), wherein said third intermediate attachment eyelet (21) is formed, by a corresponding sleeve (22), along the portion of the flexible cable (11) which extends between the two end eyelets (12, 13) and has the function of allowing to attach and connect, in said connection zone, the safety device (210) to a third part of the conduit, pipeline or equipment in pressure to be secured.

21. Method for securing conduits, pipelines, piping, organs, systems, machines or similar equipments subject in the operation to high pressures due to a pressurized fluid, such as air, water, oil, steam which circulates or in general operates in said conduits or similar equipments, comprising the following steps: providing a sliding cable safety device (10; 110; 210) comprising: a flexible cable (11) having a first attachment eyelet (12) and a second attachment eyelet (13) formed respectively by two end portions (11a, 11b) of the flexible cable (11); a first sleeve (14) and a second sleeve (15) which close respectively the two end portions of the flexible cable (11) so as to form, at the two ends of the safety device (10), said first and second attachment eyelets (12, 13); and two terminals (16, 18) provided at the opposite ends (11a, 11b) of the flexible cable (11) which is included in the safety device (10); and attaching and connecting the safety device (10) at its two ends, using said eyelets (12, 13), to two parts (P1, P2), connected between them in a respective connection zone (Z), of a conduit or similar equipment, subject to high pressure, to be secured, so as to retain by means of the safety device (10) said two parts (P1, P2) in case of rupture, burst or in general of a fault in said connection zone (Z); whereby, when a rupture, a burst or in general a fault occurs in said connection zone (Z), the flexible cable (11) of the safety device (10) is subject to slide in said first and second sleeve (14, 15), and consequently the two terminals (16, 18), provided at the opposite ends (11a, 11b) of the flexible cable (11), are forced to cooperate into contact with the first (14) and the second sleeve (15), so as to tighten the two eyelets (12, 13) around the two parts (P1, P2), to which the safety device (10) is attached, of said conduit or similar equipment subject in the operation to high pressure, wherein the method further comprises, before the step of attaching and connecting the safety device (10) to the two parts (P1, P2), connected between them, of the conduit or similar equipment to be secured, a preliminary step of adapting and configuring the flexible cable (11) of the safety device in a configuration in which the two terminals (16, 18), provided at the opposite ends of the flexible cable (11), are spaced at a certain distance (D) from the corresponding sleeves (14, 15) which close the two attachment eyelets (12, 13) of the safety device (10), whereby, when a rupture, a burst or in general a fault occurs in said connection zone (Z), the flexible cable (11) of the safety device (10) slides in said first and second sleeve (14, 15) in such a way to recover said distance (D) and consequently to push and move said terminals (16, 18) to stop against and cooperate into contact with said sleeves (14, 15).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0053] These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clear and evident from the following description of some preferred embodiments and applications of it, made by way of non limitative examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0054] FIGS. 1A and 1B are two photographic images of a sliding cable safety device, according to the present invention, to secure conduits, pipes, or similar systems and equipments subject to high pressures;

[0055] FIG. 2, divided in sections (a)(d), is constituted by photographic images showing the safety device of the invention of FIGS. 1A and 1B during a stage of preparation before being applied to an equipment, subject to pressure, to be secured;

[0056] FIG. 3, divided in sections (a)(h), is constituted by photographic images showing the safety device of the invention of FIGS. 1A and 1B in the effective use and application to secure two parts connected to each other, in particular constituted by a tube or pipe for a pressurized fluid and a hydraulic pump, which are subject in the working to a high pressure due to a fluid that circulates in these parts connected to each other;

[0057] FIG. 4, divided in sections (a)(h), is a sequence of photographic images illustrating a sliding test carried out on a specimen of the sliding cable safety device of the invention;

[0058] FIGS. 5A-5E are photographic images showing some specimens, of various sizes, types and models, of the sliding cable safety device of the invention;

[0059] FIG. 5F is a further photographic image showing the safety device of the invention when it is applied on a pipeline under pressure;

[0060] FIG. 5G, divided in sections (a) and (b), is constituted by photographic images showing a first variant of the safety device of the invention, comprising an additional attachment element, associated to the sliding cable of the safety device, for attaching the latter to a pipeline under pressure;

[0061] FIG. 5H, divided in sections (a) and (b), is constituted by photographic images showing a second variant, with three attachment eyelets, of the safety device of the invention;

[0062] FIG. 6A is a photographic image of a flexible cable safety device, conforming to the prior art, for securing a connection subject to pressure and retain the respective parts in case of breaking and/or bursting of such connection; and

[0063] FIG. 6B, divided in sections (a)(h), are further photographic images that show the safety device of FIG. 6A, known, during use.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND APPLICATIONS OF THE SLIDING CABLE SAFETY DEVICE OF THE INVENTION TO SECURE CONDUITS, PIPES AND SIMILAR EQUIPMENTS SUBJECT TO PRESSURE

[0064] With reference to the drawings, a sliding cable safety or security device, according to the present invention, to secure conduits, pipes, ducts, organs, elements, systems, equipments, machines, such as compressors, and similar equipments and structures, subject in the operation to very high pressure due to a pressurized fluid, such as air, water, oil, steam which circulates or in general is present and operates in such elements and similar equipments, is indicated in its whole with 10.

[0065] In detail, the safety device 10, often also called whip check by the people working in the field of the invention, comprises a flexible cable, indicated with 11, which forms with two respective end portions 11a and 11b a first attachment eyelet 12 and a second attachment eyelet 13, wherein these two attachment eyelets 12 and 13, formed by the flexible cable 11, allow to apply and attach the safety device 10, at its two opposite ends, to two elements or parts, generally indicated in the drawings with P1 and P2, which are connected to each other in a respective connection area Z of the conduit, pipe, pipeline, system, equipment or structure, subject to pressure, that is secured by the same device 10.

[0066] Therefore the safety device 10 of the invention has to be considered as an essential part of a more general installation, generally indicated with IN in the drawings, including in addition to the safety device 10 also the two specific parts P1 and P2, connected between them in the connection area Z, of the conduit, pipeline and similar equipment under pressure which is secured and made safe by the same safety device 10.

[0067] These two parts P1 and P2, connected between them, of the conduit, pipe, structure or the like which is made safe by means of the device 10, can be for example constituted by two tubes in which circulates a fluid, such as air, water or oil, at high pressure, or a tube and a machine such as a compressor or a hydraulic machine, or still other parts and elements subject to a high pressure due to a pressurized fluid circulating or in general operating in these parts.

[0068] The safety device 10 further comprises: [0069] a first sleeve or clamp or collar 14 and a second sleeve or clamp or collar 15 which bend and close, in a sliding way as better explained in the following, respectively the two end portions of the flexible cable 11 that form, at the ends of the safety device 10, the first and the second attachment eyelets 12 and 13; and [0070] two terminals, respectively 16 and 18, which are provided at opposite ends, respectively 11a and 11b, of the flexible cable 11 of the safety device 10.

[0071] According to a salient feature of the present invention and as further illustrated below, the safety device 10 is configured in such a way that, when a rupture or a burst or in general a trouble occurs in the connection area between the two parts P1 and P2, subject to pressure, to which the safety device 10 is attached, the flexible cable 11, because of the traction force to which it is subjected as a result of the rupture or fault, is subject to slide in the two sleeves 14 and 15, whereby the two terminals 16, 18 are urged so as to cooperate in contact with the two corresponding sleeves 14 and 15, thereby tightening the two eyelets 12 and 13 of the safety device 10 around the two parts P1 and P2 to which the safety device 10 is attached.

[0072] Therefore, advantageously, thanks to the sliding of the flexible cable 11 in the two sleeves 14 and 15 and the consequent tightening of the two eyelets 12, 13 on the two parts P1 and P2, the safety device 10, when intervenes following a breakage or a fault in the connection zone between these two parts P1 and P2, is also suitable to effectively dampen and dissipate the energy and dynamic stresses which develop and are released in such events of breakage and fault.

[0073] Advantageously, both the first sleeve 14 and the second sleeve 15 are calibrated, i.e. are constructed so as to close and tighten the flexible cable 11 of the safety device 10, in order to form the two eyelets of attack 12 and 13, with a specific calibrated tightening force, however suitable to allow the sliding of the flexible cable 11 in the two sleeves 14 and 15 in the event of intervention of the safety device 10 following a break or another trouble in the pipeline or equipment in pressure to which the safety device 10 is attached.

[0074] In this way, i.e. thanks to this calibrated configuration, the two sleeves 14 and 15 are adapted to control the sliding of the flexible cable 11 in the two sleeves 14 and 15, i.e. to determine and control precisely the friction force that opposes that sliding and consequently also control the degree of damping, applied by the safety device 10, of the energy which develops and is released at the time of a break or in general a trouble in the zone of connection between the two parts, of the structure made safe by the device 10, on which the safety device 10 is installed.

[0075] Constructively, the flexible cable 11 of the safety device 10 can be of metallic or non-metallic type, or be constituted by a conventional rope.

[0076] It is also possible to realize the flexible cable 11 with tapes or strings, with any type of material.

[0077] Also the size of the flexible cable 11 can vary, and for example can be made in various diameters, from 1 mm up to diameters greater than 30 mm.

[0078] Moreover, advantageously, the flexible cable 11 can comprise an external covering or layer which covers and isolates it externally and is such as to avoid any rubbing between the ferrous and metallic material of the flexible cable 11 and the metal parts of the conduit, pipe, tubing, system or equipment under pressure to which the safety device 10 is attached.

[0079] Therefore, thanks to this external insulating covering, the safety device 10 can be applied, in accordance with regulations, in environments containing explosive and therefore at risk of explosion.

[0080] Again, advantageously, the sliding cable 11, included in the safety device 10 of the invention for piping and equipments subject in their exercise to high pressures, can be constituted by the special cable, characterized by an inner core of steel wires, by at least one intermediate layer, formed around the metallic inner core by braided yarns of kevlar, i.e. of aramid fibers, and by a polyester outer layer, which is described in the PCT patent application, already cited previously, PCT/IT2012/000306, in the name of the same applicant, published as WO 2013/051043 A2, and has experimentally shown to have exceptional properties and performance, usable in particular in the field of security.

[0081] The two sleeves or collars 14 and 15, within which the flexible cable 11 is able to slide, can be manufactured in various materials such as aluminium, steel, plastic, composite materials, and in various shapes, for example round, flat, oval, others.

[0082] FIG. 2, divided in sections (a)(d), is a series of photographic images which show the safety device 10 of the invention during a preparation phase before being applied on the structure or equipment, subject to pressure, to be made safe, and which are to be considered self-explanatory so as not to require further comment.

[0083] It is only emphasized that these photographic images show how it is possible to manually adjust the amplitude of the two eyelets 12 and 13, formed by the flexible cable 11, through which the device 10 is attached to the pipeline or similar structure in pressure to be put in safety, as also to manually adjust the distance of each of the two terminals 16 and 18, fitted to the heads of the flexible cable 11, from the corresponding sleeves 14 and 15, by sliding the flexible cable 11 in the same sleeves 14 and 15.

[0084] The photographic images also show how the two sleeves 14 and 15 have also a guiding function to allow an operator, by sliding the flexible cable 11 in these sleeves 14 and 15, to configure the safety device 10 in the form most appropriate and most suitable for the application to which it is intended.

[0085] In use, the safety device 10 is applied on a conduit, a pipe or a similar structure, subject to pressure, to be put in safety, mounting and attaching manually the two eyelets 12 and 13, formed by the flexible cable 11 at the ends of the safety device 10, to two parts, mutually connected in a respective connection area, of this conduit, pipe or structure under pressure to be made safe.

[0086] For clarity and by way of example, the photographic images FIG. 3 show justly in sequence the various steps for mounting the safety device 10 of the invention, using the respective two eyelets 12 and 13, on two generic parts P1 and P2, mutually connected in a respective connection zone or area Z, of a pressurized system T to be secured.

[0087] In particular, in the photographic example of FIG. 3, these parts P1 and P2, connected between them, are made of a suitable tube for pressurized fluids and a hydraulic pump, and are subject during operation to a high pressure, in the area of their connection, due to the pressure of the fluid, typically oil which circulates in these parts P1 and P2, i.e. in the tube and in the hydraulic pump.

[0088] Therefore, when a break or a burst occurs in the connection area Z between the two parts P1 and P2 of the system T under pressure, to which the safety device 10 is attached, the same safety device 10 provides the function of retaining these two parts P1 and P2, in order for example to avoid that, because of the rupture or burst, there are expelled and detached pieces from this connection area, which could create considerable damage and also be very dangerous for the people who is working in the zone of the system under pressure.

[0089] Moreover, the flexible cable 11, because of the force and the energy released by the breaking or the blast, is subject to a traction stress that causes a sliding of the flexible cable 11 in the two sleeves 14 and 15 which form and close the two eyelets 12 and 13, so as to push the terminals 16 and 18, fitted to the heads of the flexible cable 11, against and to cooperate in contact of the two sleeves 14 and 15 and therefore tighten the two eyelets 12, 13 on the two parts P1 and P2 to which the device security 10 is attached.

[0090] In this way, i.e. by effect of the sliding of the flexible cable 11 in the two sleeves 14 and 15 and the tightening of the two eyelets 12, 13 on the two parts P1 and P1 to which the safety device 10 is attached, the energy and the dynamic stresses that are produced and released because of the break which occurs in the system under pressure are effectively damped and dissipated.

[0091] More in detail, according to a preferred form of application, the safety device 10 is applied and mounted on a structure under pressure to be secured, in a configuration, indicated with C1 and shown schematically in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in which the two terminals 16 and 18, arranged at the heads of the flexible cable 11, are suitably spaced apart by a certain distance D from the corresponding sleeves 14, 15 which form the two attachment eyelets 12, 13 used to attach the safety device 10 to the two parts P1 and P2, connected between them, of the structure under pressure to be secured.

[0092] In this configuration C1, when a rupture, an explosion or in general a fault occurs in the connection area between the two parts P1 and P2, to which the safety device 10 is attached, thereby causing the detachment of these two parts from each other, the flexible cable 11 is urged to slide in each of the two sleeves 14, 15 because of the force of traction to which it is subjected as a consequence of the break or fault.

[0093] This sliding of the flexible cable 11 in the sleeves 14 and 15 in turn determines the recovery, from the two terminals 16, 18 fitted to the heads of flexible cable 11, of the distance D separating initially the terminals 16, 18, in the configuration C1, from the sleeves 14, 15, whereby the two terminals 16 and 18 tend to approach and to stop against the two sleeves 14 and 15.

[0094] Therefore, in this application, as shown in FIG. 3, of the safety device 10 of the invention, the distance D at which the two terminals 16 and 18 of the flexible cable 11 are preliminarily adjusted and positioned with respect to the sleeves 14 and 15, other than determining the amount of the sliding of the flexible cable 11 in the two sleeves 14 and 15, plays a fundamental role in determining and controlling the damping, by means of the safety device 10, of the energy that is released when there is a break or a fault in the structure under pressure which is made safe by the same safety device 10.

[0095] In addition to what shown by the photographs of FIG. 3, the photographic image of FIG. 5F shows the security device 10 of the invention when applied on a typical pipeline or tubing under pressure, indicated by CP, in order to secure it.

[0096] Furthermore, in order to provide a more complete information, the photographic images FIGS. 5A-5E show some models, of various sizes, and their details, of the sliding cable safety device 10 of the invention, adapted to allow the application of the safety device 10 in a multiplicity of circumstances and operating situations, in order to secure a pipeline or a similar equipment under pressure.

[0097] More in detail, the images of FIG. 5A-5C show the safety device 10 in an embodiment in which the respective flexible cable 11 is of the type, indicated at 11-1, with a central inner metal core, an intermediate layer of kevlar, and an outer layer of polyester, in accordance with the special cable protected by the patent application PCT/IT2012/000306, published as WO 2013/051043 A2.

[0098] The photographic images of FIGS. 5D and 5E, in turn, show the safety device 10, and the respective details, in one embodiment in which the flexible cable 11 of the device 10 is constituted by a usual metal cable, indicated with 11-2, formed by steel wires.

[0099] Tests and Tests Performed on Samples of the Safety Device of the InventionSliding or Slipping Test

[0100] The sliding cable safety device 10 of the present invention has been the subject to numerous and intensive tests in specialized laboratories in order to confirm its innovative features and verify its relevant performances.

[0101] On this regard, the photographic images of Figs. FIG. 4, divided in sections (a)(j), show the various phases of a test, namely a slipping or sliding test, carried out on a specimen of the device 10 of the invention, which has had the purpose of simulating the real operating conditions in which the security device 10 is applied and operates to secure a pipe or a similar structure that is subject in the working to an elevated pressure.

[0102] In detail, this sliding test was performed on a specimen of the safety device 10 exhibiting an initial configuration, corresponding to the configuration C1 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in which the two terminals 16 and 18 of the safety device 10 are preliminarily adjusted and positioned at a certain distance D from the sleeves 14 and 15 which close the two eyelets 12 and 13, formed at the end of the device 10.

[0103] Therefore this sliding tests, shown in its execution and evolution in FIG. 4, simulates the behaviour of the safety device 10 when it is applied on a pressurized system, in order to secure it, in the configuration C1 schematically shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, i.e. with the two terminals 16, 18 initially spaced at a certain distance from the two sleeves 14 and 15.

[0104] This sliding test shows that during a first test phase, corresponding to the photographic images of FIG. 4section (a)(b), the terminal 16 gradually approaches the sleeve 14, thus reducing the initial distance, i.e. passing from an initial distance D to a shorter distance D, because of the sliding of the flexible cable 11 in the same sleeve 14, in turn caused by the progressive increase of the tensile force, applied to the flexible cable 11 in the test, which simulates and corresponds to the force that is applied in real conditions, i.e. to the traction force that is applied to the flexible cable 11 in the case of breaking or burst of the system under pressure on which the security device 10 of the invention is applied.

[0105] Then, at a certain point, as shown by the photographic image of FIG. 4section (c) and highlighted with an arrow CON, the terminal 16, as effect of the sliding of the flexible cable 11 in the sleeve 14, enters into contact and stops against the sleeve 14.

[0106] In the continuation of the test, as shown by the photographs of FIG. 4section (d)(g), with the terminal 16 continuously pressed and pushed against the sleeve 14, the progressive increase of the traction force to which the flexible cable 11 is subjected causes a corresponding progressive tightening of the eyelet 12 on a attachment support S, of the test equipment, to which the specimen of the safety device 10 is attached at one end.

[0107] So, once the eyelet 12 is completely tightened and closed on this attachment support S, a further increase of the traction force applied to the flexible cable 11 causes it to rupture, as indicated in FIG. 4section (h).

[0108] It is therefore clear from this test, that the safety device 10 of the invention, to make safe pipes and in general pressurized systems and equipments in the areas where these pipes and pressurized systems have joints and connections between their parts, exhibits special and innovative characteristics and in particular is configured in such a way that, when a rupture, a burst or in general a trouble occurs in the area of such connections, the flexible cable 11 of the safety device 10 is subject to slide in the sleeves 14 and 15 of the device 10 due to the tensile force to which it is necessarily subjected in these circumstances, whereby consequently the two terminals 16, 18, provided at the opposite ends of the flexible cable 11, are forced to cooperate in contact with the two sleeves 14 and 15, so as to tighten the two eyelets 12 and 13 of the safety device 10 around the two sides P1 and P2, of the system in pressure, to which the eyelets 12 and 13 are attached.

[0109] In addition, tests have fully confirmed the expectations, and in particular the capability of the sliding cable safety device of the invention to effectively dampen the stresses and the dynamic energy that are generated in case of breakage or similar circumstances.

[0110] It is also clear, from the foregoing description and from the experimentation carried out, that the present invention completely fulfills all the scopes which have been previously prefixed, and in particular offers an efficacious sliding cable safety device capable of putting in security systems and equipments subject in their operation to elevated pressures, for example consisting of pipes and machines such as compressors in which a fluid circulates under pressure, as also capable of effectively dampening the dynamic stresses that are produced in the event of breakages and bursts of the connections present in these systems and equipments under pressure.

[0111] For integration of the sliding test shown by the photographic images of FIG. 4, there are illustrated in the following the results of some traction and rupture tests carried out, in a certified laboratory, on some samples of the safety device of the invention, in particular of the type with a flexible cable, including an intermediate layer of kevlar, corresponding to the patent application PCT/IT2012/000306, already cited previously.

TABLE-US-00001 Flexible cable Detected tensile Certified breaking Cable type diameter [mm] strength [Kg] load [Kg] kevlar + polyester 4 1.435 1.143 [11.2 KN] kevlar + polyester 6 3.213 2.648 [26 KN]

[0112] In this regard, it is underlined that the numerous trials and tests have confirmed the capability of the safety device of the invention to offer superior performances and remarkable advantages, when the respective flexible cable consists namely of this special cable, described by the patent application PCT/IT2012/000306, with a metal inner core of steel, an intermediate layer of kevlar and an outer layer of polyester.

[0113] In particular, this special flexible cable, included in the safety device, is such as that, when the safety device reaches its resistance limit and therefore the inner metal core of the flexible cable breaks, the flexible cable does not break down completely, but maintains a residual strength, whereby the cable breaks completely only after breaking of the metal core, while the other layers of kevlar and polyester intervene to contain the broken metal core and absorb the kinetic energy that is released at the time of the break of the latter.

[0114] Therefore, as shown by the tests carried out, it can be stated that the sliding cable device of the invention, thanks to this special cable corresponding to the patent application PCT/IT2012/000306, is designed to offer a double safety, i.e. a first safety directed to hold and retain the parts of the equipment under pressure to which the device is attached, in the event of explosion or another trouble in the connection area between these parts, and a further second safety directed to limit in any case the negative effects produced by the explosion and then to improve the general safety conditions, even when occurring a rupture of the same device and of the respective flexible cable, because of such explosion.

Variants and Further Applications

[0115] It is also clear that the sliding cable safety device of the invention can be subject to modifications and variations, regarding both its structure and configuration and the way in which the device is mounted on conduits, pipelines and similar equipments in pressure to be made safe, as well as it can also be applied in a multiplicity of further applications and operative circumstances, with respect to what has been described and illustrated up to here, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention itself.

[0116] In particular, according to a first variant indicated by 110 and shown in FIG. 5G, the safety device 10 of the invention can be advantageously associated with an additional fastening or attachment element, indicated with 20, capable of allowing to attach the safety device 110 to one of the two parts P1 and P2, connected between them, of pipelines and similar equipments, subject to elevated pressures, to be secured.

[0117] In particular, FIG. 5Gsection (a) shows in the whole the safety device 110 with the additional attachment element 20 provided and mounted on the flexible cable 11.

[0118] FIG. 5Gsection (b) in turn shows the safety device 110 when it is actually applied to secure a pressurized pipeline CP, with the first attachment eyelet 12 and the second attachment eyelet 13 of the device 110 which are mounted and attached to a same side P1 of the pipeline CP under pressure, and with the flexible cable 11 of the device 110 which is attached, via the additional fastening element 20, to the other part P2 of the pressurized pipeline, along the portion of the flexible cable 11 extending between the two eyelets 12 and 13.

[0119] Still according to a further variant, designated by 210 and shown in FIG. 5H, the safety device can have, in addition to the two end eyelets 12 and 13, a further third intermediate eyelet, indicated with 21, which is formed, by means of a corresponding terminal 22, along the portion of the flexible cable 11 that extends between the first and the second end eyelet 12, 13, wherein this third eyelet 21 has the function of allowing to attach and connect the safety device 210 to a third party, in addition to those P1 and P2 to which there is possible to attach the two eyelets 12 and 13, of the pipeline and equipment under pressure to be secured.

[0120] Finally, according to another variant not shown in the drawings, the sleeves 14 and 15 which form the two eyelets, 12 and 13 respectively, of the safety device 10, and thereby receive two portions, folded on themselves, of the flexible cable 11, can be configured so as to allow the sliding, along each sleeve 14, 15, only of one of these two portions, folded on themselves, of the flexible cable 11.

[0121] In particular, in this variant, the sleeve 14 or 15, or both can be configured so as to be integral and thereby form a unique body with the corresponding terminals 16, 18 provided at the ends of the flexible cable 11, so as to block the latter at the ends and thereby allow the sliding, along each sleeve 14, 15, of only the central portion of the flexible cable 11 that extends between the sleeves 14 and 15.

[0122] Furthermore, it is noted that the operating context in which the sliding cable safety device the invention can be used and applied is not limited and restricted to that, described previously, in which the safety device is provided to intervene in order to absorb the energy and the stresses generated by the rupture or by a similar destructive event of a pipeline or a similar equipment under pressure, i.e. to retain for safety reasons the parts of the pipeline or equipment interested by the rupture, but it has to be considered much broader.

[0123] In particular, the safety device of the invention also appears capable to be advantageously used and applied in an operating environment in which it is subject to tensile stresses that are not the typical ones generated by the burst or rupture of a pipeline under pressure or by a similar event, and therefore to be associated, in order to offer the best safety conditions, with equipments that can also be different from a pipeline or an equipment under pressure.

[0124] For example the safety device may advantageously be attached to the lifting organ of a lifting or traction machine or apparatus, as the cable of a crane or an elevator, and therefore in this case be used to lift or drag loads using the same lifting or traction machine or apparatus.