Measuring and testing – With fluid pressure – Pipe
Patent
1981-11-20
1984-01-03
Swisher, S. Clement
Measuring and testing
With fluid pressure
Pipe
15304, G01M 328
Patent
active
044236220
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method of treating pipes, particularly pressure testing and cleaning pipes and to apparatus for carrying out the method.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
At present pressure pipes are cleaned and pressure tested at separate stations. This means that the pipes have first to be cleaned by washing and drying and then are moved to pressure testing apparatus at a different location. The present arrangement therefore is unsatisfactory and time consuming. Moreover bleeding of the pipes during pressure testing is effected manually which is time consuming.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a method of pressure testing and cleaning a pipe comprising the steps of, locating a first end of the pipe on a treatment manifold, supplying fluid to the pipe through the manifold, pressurising the pipe to a required desired value, sensing the pressure level within the pipe so as to register a pressure drop indicative of pipe failure, releasing the pressure within the pipe, and washing the pipe with water at high pressure above 500 psi supplied through the manifold.
Preferably the pipe is dried with air supplied to the pipe through manifold eg compressed air. The pressure fluid may be water supplied from the same source as the washing water but by a different line. The washing is preferably effected at high pressure between 500 psi and 8000 psi suitably about 4500 psi and low volume.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for pressure testing and cleaning a pipe comprising a treatment manifold, means for locating a first end of the pipe on the treatment manifold, means for supplying fluid to the pipe via said manifold, means for pressurising said fluid within the pipe, sensing means for sensing the pressure level within the pipe so as to register a pressure drop indicative of pipe failure, and means for washing the pipe with water at high pressure above 500 psi once the pressure test has been successfully completed.
Preferably the other end of the pipe is provided with a self-bleeding valve so as to bleed air automatically during pressure testing, the valve being closed on the pressure within the pipe exceeding a predetermined level.
The treatment manifold suitable comprises a main bore, a valve inlet to the main bore for high pressure water, a first plurality of apertures opening into the main bore each for receiving a pipe to be treated, a secondary bore, a second plurality of apertures opening into, the main bore and one into each of the first plurality of apertures, the means for supplying fluid to the pipe and the means for pressuring the fluid comprising first and second inlets into the secondary bore. The pressure within the pipe(s) during pressure testing is sensed by a visual gauge and a paper read-out so as to provide indication of pipe failure. The pressure sensing may be effected in any convenient known way eg electronically, the pressure varying a resistance within an electronic circuit proportional to the pressure changes.
The advantages of the present invention are that pressure testing, washing and drying can all be effected at the same station. Moreover, the provision of automatic bleed valves for bleeding air from the pipes during pressure testing means that manipulation by the operator is no longer required.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of pipe treatment apparatus in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the treatment chamber partially broken away for clarity;
FIG. 3 is a sectional side elevation of the end cleaning attachment;
FIG. 4 is a front section of the end cleaning attachment;
FIG. 5 is a front view of the treatment manifold;
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional side elevation of the treatment manifold on 6--6 in FIG. 7;
FIG. 7 is a transverse cross-section;
FIG. 8 is a part
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Byrne John J.
Elan Pressure Clean Limited
Kile Bradford E.
Roskos Joseph W.
Swisher S. Clement
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