FR3064038B1 - METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING AN ANNULAR SEALING DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of manufacturing an annular sealing device (1) intended to be fixed between a wall (P) and a pipe (C) passing through said wall (P), comprising a step of measuring said pipe (C), a three-dimensional modeling and printing step of at least two sectors (2) of the annular sealing device (1), and a step of positioning the sectors (2) printed.

Description

Ring sealant

The present invention relates to an annular sealing device for pipes of different shapes passing through walls of different types. The seal between a wall and a pipe passing through said wall is generally made using two rubber seals placed around the pipe and held at the wall with a flange / flange system. The flange is placed under the wall and is fixed to the counter flange by a system of screws and nuts. This system, inexpensive and easy to install, however requires regular maintenance. Indeed, over time, the rubber seals tend to deteriorate and must therefore be changed. In addition, the tightening of the nuts must be regularly checked to ensure a satisfactory seal. The tightness of such a pipe can also be achieved using a device called "clothing in two parts". A layer of a first composite is applied to the pipe, while a layer of a second composite is applied to the wall and collars on the first composite. The two composites are then held together by a clamp. This device certainly avoids the use of rubber gaskets but requires however regular control of the clamping clamp.

Moreover, this device is not very resistant, when it is installed in structures subjected to high pressure. Indeed, under the effect of the pressure the second composite has a tendency to detach from the first. The fluids can then infiltrate and the seal is no longer assured.

A final possibility is to dress the pipe and the wall with glass mat. The skin is continuous and conforms to the exact shape of the pipe to be sealed. However, given the discontinuity of the glass son within the dressing itself, this device is not suitable for works subjected to an underpressure greater than 3 bar.

However, many structures, such as car parks, nuclear power plants, metro stations or railway stations, are subject to heavy gas or liquid under-pressures exceeding 3 bars, and require perfect sealing in view of their activities. .

The present invention therefore aims to overcome the disadvantages presented above by providing a sealing device capable of adapting to the various forms of pipes passing through various walls, and being able to withstand high underpressures of liquid and gas .

It is therefore proposed an annular sealing device intended to be fixed between a wall and a pipe passing through said wall, comprising at least two sectors held together.

Each sector comprises a first part and a second part integral with the first part, the first part being intended to be fixed to the pipe and the second part extending radially projecting with respect to the first part and intended to be fixed to Wall.

By being fixed together with the wall and the pipe passing through said wall, the device of the invention thus makes it possible to prevent the infiltration of gas or liquid between the two elements.

The fact that the first and second parts are integral with each other, that is to say molded in one piece, allows the device to be resistant to high pressures. None of the parts can be detached from each other under the effect of pressure.

Due to its structure, the device is also able to adapt to pipes of any shape crossing walls of any type. It can notably be implemented in various structures, such as railway stations, metro stations, car parks, subways or nuclear power plants.

The device can be fixed on an open pipe, that is to say a pipe whose interior is accessible, or on a closed pipe, that is to say a pipe whose interior is inaccessible. It thus makes it possible to repair the tightness of a pipe already laid in a structure.

The device is also easy to make, easy to install and durable. It does not require any particular maintenance.

Preferably, the first part and the second part are respectively fixed to the pipe and to the wall by chemical fixing means.

By "chemical fixing means" is meant, in the sense of the present invention, a structural adhesive, and more particularly structural adhesive.

The device thus fixed does not require any particular maintenance. The chemical fixing means also have good resistance to high underpressures. They thus ensure the durability of the device.

They also make it possible to fix the device to pipes or walls of various materials.

The first part may advantageously comprise an inner surface intended to be positioned opposite the pipe and having one or more peripheral grooves.

By their structure, the peripheral grooves improve the adhesion of the chemical fixing means on the inner surface of the first part. They thus ensure a better maintenance and a tight connection between the first part and the pipe.

Preferably, the first portion may also include one or more channels fluidly connecting one or more peripheral grooves with an outer surface of the first portion opposite the inner surface.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term "fluidic relation" means that the channels are empty, that is to say they are devoid of any solid element. They therefore include only gas, such as air, or a liquid, such as a chemical fixing means.

The channels make it possible to improve the adhesion of the device to the pipe by evacuating the air or the excess chemical fixing means.

They also allow to control and ensure that the chemical fixing means are uniformly distributed over the inner surface of the first part.

Preferably, the second portion may comprise a grooved inner surface intended to be positioned facing the wall.

By their structure, the grooves improve the adhesion of the chemical fixing means on the inner surface of the second part. They thus ensure a better hold and a tight connection between the second part and the wall.

The first portion and the second portion may advantageously be interconnected by a stepped portion. In other words, the sectors may include an annular shoulder disposed between the first and second portions.

This shoulder thus forms a cavity at the junction between the pipe and the wall, in which the chemical fixing means are applied. This cavity ensures contact between the wall and the pipe and improves the maintenance of the device.

In one embodiment, the first part comprises two radially outer surfaces each comprising at least one fastening means for joining the sectors.

These fixing means may be different from the chemical fixing means used to maintain the device to the pipe and the wall.

They make it possible to maintain the sectors between them and thus ensure the resistance of the sealing device.

According to this embodiment, the radially outer surfaces of two facing sectors may advantageously comprise one groove and the other a protruding block, whose shape corresponds to the shape of the groove, said block being intended to slide into the throat.

By this slider system, the sectors are not only well positioned relative to each other but also better maintained. Leaks, even inside the device, are prevented.

Preferably, the projecting block may comprise a stop at one of its ends.

The stop prevents the block from slipping beyond the throat. It also provides a sealed bottom to the slide system and thus improves the sealing of the device.

In another embodiment, the two mutually opposite free ends of the sectors may comprise respective walls comprising complementary fixing means.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term "complementary fastening means" means fastening means intended to cooperate with one another. In other words, the complementary fastening means are not additional fixing means.

The walls provide a greater contact area and thus allow better maintenance sectors between them.

The complementary fixing means may advantageously comprise latching means.

These latching means make it possible to position the sectors well together, thus improving the tightness of the device.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing an annular device intended to be fixed between a wall and a pipe passing through said wall comprising the following steps: a) taking measurement of said pipe to be sealed at by means of a scanner, b) three-dimensional modeling of at least two sectors of the sealing device, each sector comprising a first portion and a second portion integral and extending radially projecting with respect to the first portion, c ) three-dimensional printing of said sectors, and d) positioning of printed sectors in the previous step by fixing the first part to the pipe and the second part to the wall. The use of a scanner in step a) makes it possible to obtain the exact imprint of the channel to be sealed, whatever its geometry. The three-dimensional modeling then makes it possible to create the device perfectly adapted to the shape of the pipe.

Three-dimensional modeling and printing makes it possible to accurately reproduce the footprint measured in step a). On a set of similar but not identical pipelines, scanner scanning of the footprint of each pipe allows in particular to define and create a unique sealing device whose tolerances can dress all. The use of a three-dimensional printer in step c) also makes it possible to obtain sectors of constant quality.

The devices manufactured according to the process of the invention are unique and correspond perfectly to the shapes of the pipe and the wall to be sealed.

In a first embodiment, the sectors printed in step c) may previously be assembled together before being fixed to the pipe and to the wall.

The device thus obtained can then be inserted inside an open pipe.

In another embodiment, the sectors printed in step c) are positioned around the pipe before being assembled together.

The device thus formed is adapted to closed conduits.

The method of the invention makes it possible to obtain annular sealing devices capable of adapting to pipes of any shape passing through walls of any type. Other features, aspects and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description of two embodiments of the invention, in no way limiting, and the appended drawings in which: FIG. perspective and downwardly of an annular sealing device according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 represents a transverse view of the annular sealing device of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 represents a perspective view of an annular sealing device according to a second embodiment of the invention; FIG. 4 represents a first transverse view of the annular sealing device of FIG. 3; and FIG. 5 represents a second transverse view of the annular sealing device of FIG. 3.

According to the present invention, and unless otherwise indicated, the boundaries of a domain of values are included in this field, especially in the expression "between ... and ...".

Moreover, the terms "at least one" and "at least two" used in the present description are respectively equivalent to the terms "one or more" and "two or more".

In Figure 1 is illustrated a perspective view and downwardly of an annular sealing device 1 according to a first embodiment, in a supposed vertical position.

The device 1 comprises four identical sectors 2 maintained between them. According to this embodiment, the sectors 2 each form a quarter of a circular arc.

Alternatively, the device 1 could comprise two sectors 2, each forming a half-arc, or more than four sectors 2. The choice of the number of sectors 2 depends on the diameter of the pipe to be sealed. For example, the diameter of the pipe to be sealed may in particular be between 0.1 and 10 m.

Preferably, sectors 2 are epoxy resin.

FIG. 2 shows a transverse view of the device 1 of FIG.

As seen in Figures 1 and 2, each sector 2 of the device 1 comprises a first portion 3 and a second portion 4 secured to the upper end of the first portion 3. The second portion 4 extends radially projecting from relative to the first part 3, and is connected to the latter by a stepped portion 5 thus forming a lower cavity 6.

The first part 3 of each sector 2 comprises two radially outer surfaces 7 each comprising a fastening means 8.

According to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the radially outer surfaces 7 of two sectors 2 vis-à-vis comprise one a groove 9 and the other a projecting block 10 forming a rib, the shape corresponds to that of the groove 9. The block 10 can then slide in the groove 9 and thus ensure the attachment of the sectors 2 together.

The block 10 is held in the groove 9 by means of a stop 11 located at one of its ends 12.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the device 1 is positioned between a wall P and a pipe C passing through said wall P. According to this embodiment, the pipe C is open at the wall P. In other words , the interior I of the pipe C is accessible. The pipe C then comprises an outer face 13 facing the wall P and an inner face 14, opposite to the outer face 13.

The first part 3 of the sector 2 is fixed to the inner face 14 of the pipe C, while the second part 4 of the sector 2 is fixed to the wall P. For purely illustrative purposes, the wall may be the wall of a space buried underground, such as a parking lot, a railway station and a subway station, a dug tunnel and a drilled tunnel, or the wall of a nuclear power plant.

According to this embodiment, and as illustrated in Figure 1, the device 1 is previously formed, that is to say that the four sectors 2 are fixed together, before being inserted inside I of the channel C.

The fixing means used are preferably chemical fixing means, such as structural adhesive.

The first part 3 comprises a lower and internal surface 15 positioned facing the inner face 14 of the pipe C and an upper and outer surface 16, opposite to its inner surface 15. Equivalently, the second portion 4 comprises a lower surface and internal 17 facing the wall P and an upper and outer surface 18, opposite to its inner surface 17.

In order to improve the adhesion of the device 1, the inner surface 15 of the first part 3 comprises peripheral grooves 19 and the inner surface 17 of the second part 4 is grooved.

The peripheral grooves 19 of the first part 3 are connected to the outer surface 16 of the first part 3 by channels 20, thus making it possible to evacuate the excess structural adhesive and to ensure that the latter is uniformly distributed.

Alternatively, the sectors 2 could be transparent material to control the filling of the peripheral grooves 19 and the absence of air bubble.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the outer surface 18 of the second portion 4 may be covered, partially or completely, by a tight cover 21.

This watertight cover 21 may be made of at least one layer of epoxy resin optionally cooperating with a reinforcing reinforcement, or a waterproof floor covering unrollable on the ground, or any other material for sealing a surface.

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are respectively illustrated a perspective view and two transverse views of an annular sealing device 100 according to a second embodiment. The elements identical to the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 bear the same references.

The sealing device 100 differs from the first embodiment in that the free ends 201 of the sectors 200 each comprise a wall 202. According to this second embodiment, the walls 202 of two adjacent sectors 200 are facing one of the other and the two sectors 200 are connected together by complementary fixing means 203 present on the walls 202.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, the complementary fastening means 203 are snap-fastening means 204.

Alternatively, the complementary fastening means could be bolting means. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, the walls 202 of two adjacent sectors 200 comprise bolting means 205, together with the latching means 204. These bolting means 205 make it possible to maintain the sectors 200 between them while the means Chemical fixing take.

Furthermore, as seen in Figures 4 and 5, the device 100 according to this second embodiment is positioned around a closed pipe C. In other words, only the outer face 180 of the pipe C is accessible. The first portion 300 of the sector 200 is then fixed on this outer face 180, while the second portion 400 of the sector 200 is fixed on the wall P.

According to this embodiment, the sectors 200 are previously positioned around the pipe C before being fixed together.

It is not beyond the scope of the invention when combining the elements of the various embodiments to obtain an annular sealing device as defined above.

In particular, the sealing device 100 of the second embodiment could cooperate with the securing means 8 of the sectors 2 according to the first embodiment by replacing the walls 202 of the free ends 201 of the sectors 200 by the groove 9 and the block. projection 10 present on the radially outer surfaces 7 of the first part 3.

The present invention thus makes it possible to provide an annular sealing device capable of adapting to the various forms of pipes passing through various walls, and able to withstand high underpressures of liquid and gas.

To implement the device 1 which has just been described, it is simply necessary to measure the pipe to be sealed with a scanner.

Then, it is necessary to perform a three-dimensional modeling of each sector 2 of the device 1. This modeling can for example be performed using the AutoCAD® software.

The sectors 2 thus modeled are then printed using a three-dimensional printer.

According to a first embodiment, the printed sectors 2 are previously assembled together before being fixed to the wall P and to the pipe C.

This first embodiment is particularly suitable for open channels.

According to a second embodiment, the printed sectors 2 are positioned around the pipe C and against the wall P before being assembled together.

This second embodiment is particularly suitable for closed pipes.

Claims (3)

1. A method of manufacturing an annular sealing device (1) intended to be fixed between a wall (P) and a pipe (C) passing through said wall (P), characterized in that it comprises the successive steps: a) measurement of said duct (C) to be sealed by means of a scanner, b) three-dimensional modeling of at least two sectors (2) of the sealing device (1), each sector (2) comprising a first part (3) and a second part (4) integral and extending radially projecting with respect to the first part (3), c) three-dimensional printing of said sectors (2), and d) positioning of the sectors (2) printed in the previous step by fixing the first part (3) to the pipe (C) and the second part (4) to the wall (P). 2. A method of manufacturing a sealing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sectors (2) printed in step c) are previously assembled together before being fixed to the pipe ( C) and the wall (P). 3. A method of manufacturing a sealing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sectors (2) printed in step c) are positioned around the pipe (C) and against the wall ( P) before being assembled together.