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EP-4741698-A1 - PLUG FOR A PIPE ELEMENT, COMPRISING A DISC AND A SYSTEM FOR FIXING THE DISC, CORRESPONDING ASSEMBLY AND METHOD

EP4741698A1EP 4741698 A1EP4741698 A1EP 4741698A1EP-4741698-A1

Abstract

Plug (14) for sealing an end (16) of a pipe element (12), comprising: - a disk (22) defining a central axis (X), and movable relative to the pipe element between a closed position and a rest position, - a fastening system (24) mounted on the disc and comprising a first subsystem (24A) having a first end (36) radially with respect to the central axis, and a second subsystem (24B) defining one or more surface(s) (38). The fixing system is mobile between a deployed configuration, in which the first end is pressed against and exerts pressure (F1) on a radially inner surface (30) of the end and the surface(s) are pressed against and exert counter-pressure (F2) on the radially inner surface to fix the disc in the sealing position by friction or stop, and a retracted configuration, in which at least the first end is closer to the central axis than in the deployed configuration.

Inventors

  • GRASSER, Johan
  • ROTHARMEL, VINCENT

Assignees

  • Saint-Gobain Pam Canalisation

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20251105

Claims (10)

  1. Plug (14) for sealing an end (16) of a pipe element (12), the plug (14) comprising: - a disk (22), preferably made of wood, and defining a central axis (X) perpendicular to the disk (22), and - a fastening system (24) mounted on the disc (22), the disc (22) being intended to be movable relative to the pipe element (12) between a sealing position, in which the disc (22) seals the end (16) of the pipe element (12), and a rest position, in which the disc (22) is away from the pipe element (12), the fastening system (24) comprising: - a first subsystem (24A) comprising a first end (36) radially with respect to the central axis (X), the first end (36) being located in a first half-space (E1) situated on one side with respect to a plane (P) passing through the central axis (X), and - a second subsystem (24B) defining one or more surface(s) (38) located in a second half-space (E2) situated on the other side of the plane (P) with respect to the first half-space (E1), the fastening system (24) being movable between: - a deployed configuration, in which the first end (36) is intended, when the disc (22) is in the closed position, to be pressed against and exert pressure (F1) on a radially inner surface (30) of the end (16), and the surface(s) (38) are intended to be pressed against and exert counter-pressure (F2) on the radially inner surface (30), the pressure (F1) and counter-pressure (F2) being adapted to fix the disc (22) in the closed position by friction or abutment of the first end (36) and the surface(s) (38) on the radially inner surface (30), and - a retracted configuration, in which at least the first end (36) is closer to the central axis (X) than in the deployed configuration, in which the first subsystem (24A) comprises an arm (40) defining the first end (36) and a second end (42) radially opposed to the first end (36), characterized in that the first subsystem (24A) is adapted to keep the second end (42) in contact with the disk (22) or a part of the plug (14) fixed on the disk (22), the first end (36) being axially closer to the disk (22) in the deployed configuration than in the retracted configuration.
  2. Cap (14) according to claim 1, wherein the first subsystem (24A) comprises an adjustment device (43) having at least one adjustment screw (58), the adjustment screw (58) having a head (60) located axially on the side of the disc (22) opposite the arm (40), the adjustment screw (58) being adapted to act on the arm (40), by screwing or unscrewing, to help move the fastening system (24) from the retracted configuration to the deployed configuration.
  3. Plug (14) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the arm (40) comprises a rod (52), preferably made of wood.
  4. Plug (14) according to claim 3, wherein the first subsystem (24A) comprises a wedge (44) fixed on the disc (22), the wedge (44) comprising an inclined surface (46) defining an obtuse angle (α) with the disc (22) on the side of the wedge (44), the rod (52) defining an inclined surface (56) forming the second end (42) of the arm (40), the inclined surface (56) of the rod (52) forming an acute angle (β) with the disc (22) on the side of the rod (52), the inclined surface (56) of the rod (52) being adapted to cooperate with the inclined surface (46) of the wedge (44) to keep the second end (42) in contact with the disc (22).
  5. Plug (14) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the second subsystem (24B) is structurally analogous to the first subsystem (24A) and substantially diametrically opposite to the first subsystem (24A) with respect to the central axis (X).
  6. Plug (14) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the arm (40) has a metallic tab (152) having at least two folds (154) defining a plurality of segments (156), the first subsystem (24A) comprising a wedge (158) fixed on one of the segments (156) and forming the first end (36), another of the segments (156) being mounted on the disc (22) or on a part of the plug (14) fixed on the disc (22).
  7. Plug (14) according to claim 6, in which the second subsystem (24B) comprises two systems (160) structurally analogous to each other, the first subsystem (24A) and the two systems (160) defining between each other around the central axis (X) angles (γ) between 110° and 130°.
  8. Cap (14) according to claim 7, wherein each of the two systems (160) comprises a metallic tab (162) having at least two folds (164) defining a plurality of segments (166), one of the segments (166) being fixed on the disc (22) or on a part of the cap (14) fixed on the disc (22).
  9. Set (10; 100) comprising: - a pipe element (12), and - a stopper (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the disc (22) being movable relative to the pipe element (12) between the closed position and the rest position, the first end (36), in the deployed configuration, being adapted, when the disc (22) is in the closing position, to be pressed against and exert a pressure (F1) on the radially inner surface (30) of the end (16) and the surface(s) (38) being adapted to be pressed against and together exert a counter-pressure (F2) on the radially inner surface (30) to fix the disc in the closing position.
  10. Method for sealing one end (16) of a pipe element (12), comprising the following steps: - obtaining a pipe element (12), and a plug (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, - displacement of the disc (22) relative to the pipe element (12) between the rest position and the sealing position, and - when the disc (22) is in the closing position, the fixing system (24) is placed in the deployed configuration, the first end (36) being pressed and exerting a pressure (F1) on a radially inner surface (30) of the end (16) and the surface(s) (38) being pressed and together exerting a counter-pressure (F2) on the radially inner surface (30), the pressure (F1) and the counter-pressure (F2) fixing the disc (22) in the closing position by friction or butting of the first end (36) and of the surface(s) (38) on the radially inner surface (30).

Description

DOMAIN The present invention relates to the field of piping, more particularly a plug for sealing an end of a piping element, such as a pipe. The invention also relates to an assembly comprising such a plug and the piping element, as well as a corresponding sealing method. EARLIER ART It is common practice to place protective caps, for example on the plain end or the push-fit end of a pipe adapted to form a section of piping. Such piping is used, for example, to transport water. Currently, plastic plugs are used. However, such plugs cannot be repaired, nor can they be adapted to different pressure classes for a given nominal diameter (DN) of pipe. This is because the pressure class changes the wall thickness of the pipe element for the same external diameter, and therefore changes its internal diameter. Furthermore, plastic caps require the creation of molding tools for their manufacture. Such tools are complex and expensive, especially for caps of a certain diameter. One aim of the invention is to remedy all or part of the above disadvantages, by providing a stopper that is simpler to manufacture and use. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a stopper according to claim 1. According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the stopper comprises one or more of the features corresponding to claims 2 to 8, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations. The invention also relates to an assembly according to claim 9. The invention also relates to a method according to claim 10. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: there figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention, showing an external face of the disc, with the cap in the closed position, there figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the cap shown on the figure 1 showing an inner face of the disc and the fastening system, there figure 3 is a schematic view of the whole represented on the figure 1 , in cross-section along a plane passing through the central axis, there figure 4 is a schematic view of an assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention, in cross-section along a plane passing through the central axis, and there figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the cap shown on the figure 4 showing the inner face of the disc and the fastening system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Together according to the first embodiment With reference to figures 1 to 3 , we describe a set 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention. Assembly 10 includes a pipe element 12 ( Figures 1 And 3 ), for example a pipe, and a cap 14 ( figures 1 to 3 ). Pipe element 12, for example, is intended to be part of a pipeline (not shown) for the transport of drinking water or wastewater. Pipe element 12, for example, is made of cast iron. Pipe element 12 advantageously has a nominal diameter (DN), corresponding to its internal diameter, between 60 mm and 2000 mm. The pipe element 12 has an end 16, for example plain or push-fit, which the plug 14 is adapted to seal. This sealing is intended to protect the pipe element 12 before installation, particularly when the pipe element is stored or transported. "Sealing" means preventing, or limiting, the introduction of stagnant water, dirt, pollutants, or other substances. foreign (not shown) inside the pipe element 12, in an internal volume 18 defined by the pipe element 12 and the plug 14. According to its pressure resistance class, the pipe element 12 has a wall thickness E 20 ( figure 3 ) different, to which the cap 14 is advantageously able to adapt, as will be seen below. The cap 14 includes a disc 22 defining a central axis X perpendicular to the disc, and a fastening system 24 mounted on the disc. The X axis is also substantially the central axis of the pipe element 12 when the plug 14 blocks the end 16. In the example, the cap 14 also includes assembly parts 26 for assembling the disc. Disk The disc 22 is intended to be movable relative to the pipe element 12 between a sealing position ( Figures 1 And 3 ), in which the disc closes the end 16 of the pipe element, and a rest position, in which the disc 22 is away from the pipe element 12. The rest position is not shown, but can easily be deduced from Figures 1 And 3 by moving the disk 22 away from the pipe element 12, for example along the central axis X. The disc 22 is advantageously circular in shape around the central axis X. The disc 22 is for example adapted to butt axially against an edge 28 of the end 16 in the closing position. Advantageously, the disc 22 has a diameter D that is approximately between 60 mm and 2300 mm. Disc 22 is advantageously made of wood, for example softwood. Wood has the advantage of eliminating the need for manufacturing tools, unlike, for example, plastic caps. Disc 22,