The present invention relates to a spacer for pipes of technology networks.

Currently, in the field of the distribution of gas or methane, ducts inserted inside tunnels made of concrete or deposited on seabeds are used.

In many cases the ducts must be inserted within tunnels or made to slide so as to rest on seabeds.

During these operations it is known to use spacing collars which are constituted by modular rings that are arranged along the extension of the duct and are coupled thereto so that they cannot slip during the advancement operations.

Known modular rings, usually made of polyethylene, are constituted by a series of modules that are intended to be connected to each other in order to form the collar and be tightened around the.pipe.

Collars of this type are disclosed for example in patents IT 1046888 and IT 1114624 in the name of RACI Spa.

This solution suffers several drawbacks.

First of all, the preparation times of each ring are long, since it is necessary to use, in the case of pipes having a large diameter, a very large number of inserts.

Secondarily, the rings must be arranged at a very close distance and this causes rather long assembly times.

Furthermore, polyethylene, when subjected to traction in order to try to make the inner surface of the ring adhere intimately to the outer surface of the pipe, inherently tends to yield, making the ring lose its elasticity.

A different solution provides resin rings, manufactured in place by means of adapted formwork within which the resin in the liquid state is poured and hardens after a few minutes.

This solution, in addition to having extremely long manufacturing times, does not allow to obtain rings of sufficient and especially uniform quality.

Metal spacer rings have also been proposed and disclosed for example in patents US 6,158,475 and US 4,896,701, which in some cases can be used as so-called sacrificial anodes.

In some cases there is considerable difficulty in making the inner surface of the ring adhere intimately to the outer surface of the pipe, and for this reason typically the sacrificial anodes are usually embedded within concrete rings that are cast directly in place.

The aim of the present invention is to solve the problems and obviate the drawbacks described above, by providing a new spacer for pipes of technology networks.

Within this aim, an important object of the invention is to devise a spacer that allows to render the operations for application to the pipes extremely practical and fast.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spacer that is reliable in its operation and is particular suitable for use in a marine environment or in any case in an environment with a high degree of humidity.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a spacer that has a low production cost, so that its use becomes advantageous from an economic standpoint as well.

This aim, as well as these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a spacer according to the provisions of claim 1.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of a spacer according to the invention, illustrated by way of nonlimiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a practical embodiment of a spacer according to the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged-scale perspective view of the edges and of the connection means;

Figure 3 is an elevation view, partially in phantom lines, of a first constructive variation of the spacer;

Figure 4 is a view, similar to the preceding one, of a possible constructive variation of the spacer;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the spacer, taken along the plane of arrangement defined by the line V-V of Figure 4;

Figures 6 and 7 are side elevation views of a pipe associated with a spacer engaged with the pusher means;

Figure 8 is a partially sectional side elevation view of two possible embodiments of the spacer;

Figure 9 is a side view of an embodiment of the spacer;

Figures 10 and 11 are a top view and a side elevation view in enlarged scale of the region at the edges 3 and 4 of the spacer;

Figure 12 is a side elevation view of a further constructive variation of the spacer;

Figure 13 is a sectional view of the spacer taken along the plane of arrangement defined by the line XIII-XIII of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is an enlarged-scale view of a portion of the spacer according to the sectional view of Figure 13 ;

Figures 15 and 16 are sectional views, similar to the one of Figure 14, during the step of locking a cable to the spacer.

In the examples of embodiment that follow, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other exemplary embodiments.

With reference to the figures cited above, Hie present invention relates to a spacer, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, for pipes of technology networks.

The spacer 1 comprises an annular element 2, which is intended to be fitted around the outer surface 20a of a pipe 20 of a technology network. By way of example, the pipe 20 can be the pipe of a gas pipeline or of an oil pipeline to be inserted within a tunnel or to be placed on a seabed.

The annular element 2 defines at least one first edge and one second edge, designated by the numerals 3 and 4, which can be moved mutually closer in order to bring the inner surface 2a of the annular element 2 into intimate contact with the outer surface 20a of the pipe 20.

The annular element 2 is at least partially made of polyurethane material.

Conveniently, the annular element 2 is made substantially entirely of polyurethane material with inserts made of metallic material.

Advantageously, the annular element 2 is made at least partially of polyether-based polyurethane material.

Conveniently, at least the portion of the annular element 2 that defines the inner surface 2a mat is intended to make contact with the outer surface 20a of the pipe 20 is made of polyurethane material and in particular of polyether-based polyurethane material.

The spacer 1 further comprises connection means 30, which comprise a first connection body 21 and a second connection body 22, which are embedded within the annular element 2 at the first and second edges 3, 4.

The first and second connecting elements 21 and 22 comprise respectively at least one first tubular element 23 and at least one second tubular element 24.

The first tubular element 23 and the second tubular element 24 define form respectively a first receptacle and a second receptacle.

The first and second receptacles are intended, when the respective edges 3, 4 are closer, to arrange themselves so as to be mutually aligned in order to define a longitudinal seat, which is extended substantially at right angles to the axis of extension 100 of the annular element 2.

The connection means 30 comprise at least one traction element 26, which is adapted to be inserted in a respective longitudinal seat in order to perform mutual approach between respective first and second edges 3, 4 of the annular element 2.

The first and second tubular elements 23, 24 are connected directly to at least one body 27 for distributing the force applied by the traction element 26.

The distribution body 27 is extended substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the first and second tubular elements 23, 24.

Advantageously, the annular element 2 comprises one first insert and at least one second insert 11, 12, which are shaped like circular sectors and each of which defines two edges 3, 4.

The two edges 3 of a first insert 11, in particular, are intended to be moved closer to a respective edge 4 of a different insert 12 in order to form the annular element 2.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first and second connecting bodies 21, 22 comprise respectively at least two first tubular elements 23 and at least two second tubular elements 24.

Conveniently, the two first two tubular elements 23 and the two second tubular elements 24 are mutually connected by means of at least one respective distribution body 27.

Advantageously, the first and second tubular elements 23, 24 are made of metallic material, such as for example steel and in particular stainless steel.

Preferably, the distribution body 27 also is made of metallic material, for example steel, and in particular stainless steel.

The distribution body 27 might be welded to the respective first or second tubular elements 23, 24 or the connection bodies 21 and 22 constituted by the distribution body 27 and by the respective first or second tubular elements 23, 24 might be provided in one piece.

Conveniently, the first and second tubular elements 23, 24, as well as the respective distribution body 27 associated therewith, are co-molded together with the annular element 2.

The distribution bodies 27 are extended longitudinally in a manner similar to the extension of the respective edge 3, 4.

The first and second tubular elements 23, 24 are mutually spaced along the direction of longitudinal extension of the respective distribution body.

With reference to the embodiment shown in the figures, the distribution body 27 comprises at least one plate-like element that is arranged on a plane of arrangement that is substantially parallel to the respective edge 3, 4.

Preferably, the plate-like element can have at least one longitudinally extended stiffening rib 27a.

According to a preferred embodiment, the traction element 26 comprises a screw that has an expanded maneuvering head, which is intended to abut against an annular abutment portion defined on a first connection body 21 and preferably on a respective first tubular element 23.

Furthermore, the screw has a threaded portion that is adapted to engage a female thread element that is associated with the respective second connection body 22 and in particular is associated with the second tubular element 24.

Conveniently, the female thread element is defined at the inner surface of the or of each second tubular element 24.

Conveniently, the spacer collar 1 comprises, at the outer surface 2b of the annular element 2, a plurality of recesses which are extended substantially longitudinally with respect to the longitudinal axis 100 of the annular element 2.

These recesses allow, if the spacer collar 1 is used for the insertion of the pipe 20 within tunnels, to reduce friction, allowing to discharge sand or rocks.

In some particularly onerous conditions of use, the spacer collar 1 may be provided with at least one reinforcement insert.

Advantageously, the spacer collar has a plurality of reinforcement inserts which are arranged so as to be angularly spaced around the longitudinal axis 100 of the annular element 2.

Each reinforcement insert is provided with an anchoring region that is embedded within the annular element 2 and with an active region that protrudes from the outer surface 2b of the annular element 2.

Conveniently, the reinforcement inserts are made of metal.

Advantageously, the annular element 2 has a maximum thickness comprised between 2 cm and 25 cm.

Preferably, the annular element 2 has a maximum thickness comprised between 3 cm and 20 cm.

With reference to the embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 10, the spacer 1 comprises at least one containment seat 40 for a metallic body 41 that is intended to provide a sacrificial anode.

The spacer 1 further has means 42 for keeping in a locked position the metallic body 41 in the respective containment seat 40.

Conveniently, means 43 for electrical connection between at least one metallic body 41 and the pipe 20 are further provided.

The or each containment seat 40 is provided directly on the annular element 2 and a respective metallic body 41 can be associated with it.

Preferably, the annular element 2 has a plurality of containment seats 40 for at least one respective metallic body 41 that is intended to provide a sacrificial anode.

By way of example, the containment seats 40 are arranged so as to be angularly spaced around the axis 100 of the annular element 2.

In this case also, there are means 42 for retaining in a locked position each metallic body 41 in the respective containment seat 40 and means 43 for electrical connection between at least one metallic body 41 and the pipe 20. According to a particularly important aspect of the present invention, the metallic bodies 41 are mutually connected electrically by means of at least one elongated connection element 44 accommodated within the annular element 2.

Merely by way of example, the containment seats 40 comprise a fixing plate 45, which is integral with the annular element 2 and is intended to make contact with a respective metallic body 41 when the latter is associated with the containment seat 40.

In this case, in order to ensure the electrical connection between all the metallic bodies 41 intended to provide the sacrificial anodes, the fixing plates 45 themselves are connected by means of at least one elongated connection element 44.

In order to allow effective fastening between the edges 3, 4 without the possibility of compromising the electrical connection between the fixing plates 45 (and therefore between the metallic bodies 41), two or more segments 44a, 44b of elongated elements 44, kinematically connected to each other by way of connection means so as to ensure their electrical connection, are arranged between the fixing plates 45.

In particular, the connection means allow, during the operations for fastening the annular element 2, to mutually space (by a few millimeters or centimeters) the fixing plates 45, while ensuring the electrical connection.

By way of example, the elongated segments 44a, 44b can comprise ropes which are mutually connected, for example by means of one or more interconnection hinges 46, to the respective ends (as shown in Figure 3).

As an alternative, the elongated segments 44a, 44b can comprise elongated plates 47 embedded within the annular element 2 and extended along circular arcs.

In this case, it is convenient to provide means for anchoring the elongated plates 47 to the annular element 2.

Conveniently, such anchoring means can comprise openings 48 that pass through the elongated plates 47 and within which, during the operations for molding the annular element 2, the plastic material, and in the specific case the polyurethane, can flow.

If so, it is possible to provide, between the ends of the elongated plates 47 that are arranged contiguously, for example electrical interconnection elements constituted by slotted elements that ensure the electrical connection between the elongated plates 47 and allow at the same time the mutual spacing of the contiguous ends.

If the annular element 2 comprises at least one first insert 11 and one second insert 12, the electrical interconnection means are also connected to the first and second connecting bodies 21, 22.

Furthermore, each insert may have, between the two edges 3 or 4, a single elongated segment 44 that is connected to the respective connection body 21 and 22 by means of a metallic element: in this case it is sufficient to provide the possibility to ensure localized sliding of such metallic element during fastening in order to ensure electrical connection between the metallic bodies 41 and the pipe 20.

Conveniently, the surface directed toward the outside of the or each metallic body 41 accommodated in the respective containment seat 40 is arranged so as to be spaced, on the side of the pipe 20, with respect to the outer surface 2b of the annular element 2.

In this manner, the metallic body 41 that provides the sacrificial anode is "protected" during the operations for installing the pipe 20.

Conveniently, the means for electrical connection between the metallic body 41 and the pipe 20 comprise a screw element 49, which provides simultaneously the means for retaining each metallic body 41 in the locked position in the respective containment seat 40.

In practice, at least one or each fixing plate 45 defines a crossing opening, connected to a female thread portion, and below which there is a connection passage that ends at the outer surface 20a of the pipe 20. The screw element 49 thus passes through an opening that is defined through the metallic body 41 and, by engaging the female threaded portion that is integral with the fixing plate 45, allows the locking of the metallic body 41 to the fixing plate 45.

The screw element 48 is screwed until its tip, by passing through the connection passage that is extended below the fixing plate 45, moves into contact with the outer surface 20a of the pipe 20.

The spacers 1 may further be associated with a supporting element for sensor means which are associated with means for sending the data measured by such sensor means.

Advantageously, the supporting element can be constituted by the screw element 48 and the sensor means can be integrated substantially at the tip of the screw element 49.

Such sensor means can be, for example, constituted by a flow detector.

The sensor means may also be adapted to monitor the environmental conditions of the region affected by the extension of the pipes 20.

With reference to the embodiment shown in Figures 8 to 10, the means 43 for electrical connection between at least one metallic body 41 and the pipe 20 may be constituted by a flat strip body 61 that is intended to be arranged between a first tubular element 23 and the respective second tubular element 24.

The flat strip body defines a threaded hole 62, which can be engaged by the traction element 26,

The flat strip body 61 is extended for a portion parallel to the respective edges 3, 4 and is extended toward the outside of the spacer 1.

Its end 61a that is arranged on the opposite side with respect to the threaded hole 62 defines an electrical connection body 64, with which a screw 63 is associated or associable.

Conveniently, the screw 63 is arranged in a radial direction and can be screwed in in order to move into' contact with the outer surface 20a of the pipe 20.

For greater convenience of insertion of the screw 63, the electrical connection body 64 can be extended on a plane of arrangement that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of arrangement of the flat strip body 61.

This embodiment allows to simplify the fixing of the metallic bodies 41 that provide the sacrificial anodes in the respective containment seat 40.

This operation in fact can be performed even before fitting the spacer 1 on the outer surface 20a of the pipe 20.

The electrical connection between the pipe 20 and the metallic bodies 41 is ensured by the flat strip body 61, which is connected electrically, by means of the traction elements, to the metallic bodies 41, and by the screw 63, which is associated with the electrical connection body, such screw being arranged externally with respect to the spacer and therefore being easily maneuverable.

According to an additional and important aspect of the present invention, as shown in the figures, the annular element 2 has, at its surface 2b that is directed outwardly, at least one engagement portion 51 for pusher means 50 which are intended to push the pipe 20.

Advantageously, the pusher means 50 are constituted by a roller bed device, which comprises a plurality of pusher rollers 52 which are angularly spaced around the axis 100.

In particular, the engagement portion 51 has a thickness that decreases from the center toward the lateral edges.

Preferably, the engagement portion 51 has a central portion 51a and two lateral portions 51b, having an outer surface that is inclined with respect to the axis 100 of the annular element 2.

Preferably, the inclination angle of the outer surfaces of the lateral portions 51b is comprised between 15° and 25° and more preferably between 18° and 22°.

This allows to reduce drastically the stresses applied to the annular element 2 by the pusher rollers 52 during the operations for installing the pipe 20.

Preferably, as shown in the figures, the annular element 2 has, at the respective edges 3, 4, a substantially constant thickness, in order to ensure the effectiveness of the fastening: such thickness is gradually blended with the engagement portion 51.

According to a further aspect, the annular element 2 defines, at its outer surface 2b, at least one notch 62, which has a longitudinal extension with at least one component that is substantially parallel to the axis 100 of the annular element 2.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 12 and 13, the annular element defines four notches 62, which are extended substantially parallel to the axis 100.

The or each notch 62 is intended to define a longitudinal receptacle for a portion of cable 60 to be locked to the annular element 2.

Preferably, the longitudinal receptacle is defined at the bottom portion of the notch 62.

By way of example, the cable 60 can be an electrical cable, for example a power supply cable, a data transmission cable, a signal transmission cable, a telephone cable, etc.

Advantageously, the cable portion 60, at least at the region intended to be accommodated in the longitudinal receptacle, is covered with a protective sheath 61 , made for example of polyurethane material.

Along the extension of the notch or notches 62 there are conveniently fastening elements 63, which are intended to keep the portion of cable 60 locked in the respective longitudinal receptacle.

By way of example, the fastening elements 63 can comprise fastening screws 63b, which can be associated with respective accommodation bushes 63 a,

Each fastening screw 63b may be associated with a first and a second accommodation bush 63 a, arranged on opposite sides with respect to the extension of the notch 62.

Both the accommodation bushes 63a and the fastening screws 63b can be made of plastics, for example Nylon 6.

The accommodation bushes 63a can be arranged at accommodation holes defined on the inner and outer surfaces of the annular element 2 during molding.

Both the notches 62 and optionally the accommodation holes of the accommodation bushes 63a can be arranged along the entire circumference of the annular element 2, being obtainable by using modular molds.

The application of the spacers 1 according to the present invention around the outer surface 20a of a pipe 20 is extremely practical and fast.

In particular, the inserts 11, 12 are arranged around the pipe 20 so that the respective edges 3, 4 face each other, so that the first tubular elements 23 match up with the second tubular elements 24.

The screws are then inserted in the longitudinal seats defined by the receptacles.

The expanded maneuvering heads then abut against an annular abutment portion that is defined on the respective first tubular element 23, while the threaded portion engages the female thread defined in the second tubular element 24.

Thanks to the presence of the distribution body 27, the fastening force is distributed on an extensive area, preventing the screw from extracting the tubular elements 23 and 24 from the polyurethane.

The mutual approach between the edges 3 and 4 produced by the action of the screws causes a radial deformation of the annular element 2 and at least of the portion made of polyurethane-based material, which allows the inner surface 2a of the annular element 2 to adhere intimately to the outer surface 10a of the pipe.

The. particularity of the connection means 30 that are used allows to transfer the fastening force on an extremely large area, since it corresponds to the inner surface 2a of the annular element 2.

The operations for inserting the screws within the respective longitudinal seats are in any case performed gradually, preferably pulling the screws symmetrically.

By way of example, the annular element 2 has, prior to the insertion of the screws, a space between the edges 3 and 4 of approximately 40 mm, which decreases as the screws are tightened.

The elasticity ensured by the provision of the annular element 2 by making it of polyurethane material allows the annular element 2 to adapt to all the surfaces, compensating even for dimensional tolerances of a certain extent (approximately 10-12 mm more or less with respect to the nominal diameter).

The sacrificial anodes, constituted by the metallic bodies 4, can be associated easily, if necessary, with the annular element 2, locking them directly on the fixing plates 45, which define parts of the containment seats 40.

Thanks to the electrical connection between the fixing plates 45, a grid is obtained which is capable of rendering extremely effective and reliable the action of the sacrificial anodes.

Finally, the tapering toward the engagement portion 51 allows to keep the spacers intact even during the steps of engagement with the pusher rollers 52.

In practice, the dimensions may be any according to requirements. Furthermore, all the details may be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application no. VR2015A000035 (102015902335794), from which this application claims priority, are incorporated herein by reference.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.