Patent Application
20080184783
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Embodiments of this application relate to systems for hydrostatically determining the integrity of piping systems, in some cases, drainage, waste, and vent piping.
In some cases, it is desirable to hydrostatically test piping from one to three floors above a cleanout tee. This may involve from 10 feet of head pressure (approximately 5 pounds per square inch) to 30 feet of heat pressure (approximately 15 pounds per square inch).
One conventional method uses an air inflatable plug to block the piping. All openings in the system above the plug are closed. The piping system is then filled with water and observed for leakage. Inflatable plugs are difficult to install with integrity, are expensive, and must be discarded after only 2 or 3 uses. In addition, the release of air from an inflatable plug causes sudden release of water along with a safety hazard.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,510 discloses a test tee with an opening on the side for inserting and removing the sealing element. The sealing element is made of polymer and is pierced in order to drain the system after the test is completed. A screwdriver is then used to break out the sealing element.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,730 discloses a leakage test apparatus which uses a slidable plate to seal the pipe. A port which communicates with an inlet pipe or hose is located above the slidable plate.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,495,750 discloses a hydroscopic testing machine in which inflatable seals are used to seal the pipes being tested.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,085,363 discloses a fitting which uses a flexible baffle to seal the pipe. The baffle is permanently removed after testing is complete.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,351,985 discloses a testing apparatus which uses an inflatable bladder to seal the pipe.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,912,890 discloses a test tee filing device comprising a one-way valve to which a source of water is connected.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,935,380 discloses an end cap adaptable to two different sized pipes which has an accommodation for an inlet pipe in the center of the end cap.
U.S. Publ. Pat. Applic. No. 2001/0035223 discloses an end cap with a test fitting in the center of the end cap.
The prior art does not disclose a test tee which is permanently installed in the piping system and allows easy and reversible blocking of the system lumen and easy introduction and removal of water during the test, and, optionally, allows observation of the water level from the test tee.
The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.
The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tool and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above-described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other improvements.
A hydrologic test tee comprises a cleanout tee having an access port located on the side of the tee which provides access to a chamber, an access port plug, and attachment facilities located on the internal surface of the tee at the top of the chamber above the access port. This embodiment also provides facilities to install a test plug capable of reversible interaction with these facilities, the test plug capable of blocking the lumen of the piping system. A test port is located on the tee above the test plug.
Another embodiment is the process of hydrologic testing of a piping system using a hydrologic test tee comprising the steps of removing the access port plug, inserting a test plug into the chamber, interacting the test plug with attachment facilities on the internal surface test tee at the top of the chamber, the access plug blocking the lumen of the piping and sealing the piping system at the test tee, closing drains located above the test tee, filling the piping above the test plug with water to the highest point in the piping system, observing the integrity of the system for a predetermined period of time, draining the water out of the piping, removing the test plug from the lumen of the piping and from the chamber, and replacing the access port plug.
In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following descriptions.
It is necessary to test the integrity of piping systems after installation and periodically during use of the system. Test procedures for drainage, waste, and vent piping involve blocking the lumen of the piping system, plugging any installed openings, such as drains, and filling the system with water. It is typical to test piping systems extending for one to three floors above the test position, which involves head pressure of 10 feet (approximately 5 psi) to 30 feet (approximately 15 psi). If the water level does not drop after a predetermined length of time, commonly 15 minutes, the system is considered to have integrity. A drop in water level indicates a leak in the system which must be repaired.
Methods of testing the integrity of piping systems differ primarily in the method of blocking the lumen of the system. In some methods a slidable test plate is inserted between two fittings in the system for the test and is then removed after the test. This system necessarily includes sealing members involving elastomeric O-rings and therefore is subject to leaks.
A common method involves introduction into the system through a cleanout port of an inflatable balloon seal or plug which, when inflated with air, blocks the lumen of the system. Difficulties with balloon seals commonly occur when the seal is unable to retain the pressure of the water during the test and is ruptures or leaks, sometimes creating a safety hazard. This requires redoing the entire test. In addition, the balloons sometimes lodge in the pipe system and are difficult or impossible to locate and remove. Finally, balloon seals are subject to damage in the pipe system and have to be replaced at frequent intervals, after as few as two or three uses.
Embodiments of test tees have many elements in common with a cleanout tee. Both a test tee and a cleanout tee are designed as permanent features of piping systems and both have a port with a port plug. In both a test tee and a cleanout tee the port plug may be removed for the inspection of the interior of the piping system and for insertion of apparatus for cleaning the system and removal of obstructions.
Embodiments of test tees also have the advantage of avoiding the safety hazard associated with the failure of a balloon plug which retains water at 15 psi. Spillage inside the chase is avoided, thereby reducing the incidence of mold in the between-walls chase. The replacement costs associated with balloon seals is avoided; as is leakage associated with sliding seals. Test tee embodiments function as conventional cleanout tees when testing is not required. In fact, the access port of the test tee is larger than a typical access port of a cleanout tee. This is because the test tee access port must be large enough to accommodate the test plug. The larger access port also allows easier hand access for inspection and cleaning than does the smaller access ports associated with conventional cleanout tees.
The flange extension 111 is penetrated by a threaded test port (not shown in
The flange extension 111 is penetrated by a threaded test port (not shown in
A test plug 130 is shown engaged with attachment facilities on the internal surface of the barrel above the access port 108. In this embodiment the attachment facilities are a threaded surface on the internal surface of the barrel (not shown in
The flange extension 111 is penetrated by a threaded test port 105. An optional threaded test port plug 121 is shown in place in the test port in
The flange extension 211 is penetrated by a threaded test port 206. A threaded nipple 220 is engaged with the test port 205. A valve 220 controls flow of water through the nipple 220. A spigot 224 is attached to the side of the nipple 220, and the end of the spigot is threaded 226 to accommodate a hose connector.
The first step 302 involves removing the access port plug by unscrewing the port plug.
In the second step 304 a threaded test plug is then inserted through the test port into the chamber.
In the third step 306 the test plug is engaged with the threaded lumen of the test tee, thereby blocking the lumen.
In the fourth step 308 drains and other openings in the portion of the piping above the test tee to be tested are closed.
In the fifth step 310 piping above the test tee is filled with water. A nipple with a valve, and a spigot with a hose attachment attached may advantageously be used to fill the piping above the tee with water. The valve is opened, water is admitted into the piping by a hose attached to the nipple, and the valve is closed when the water has reached the desired level. Alternatively, other water sources above the test tee may be used to fill the piping with water when the nipple valve is closed or a test port plug is in place instead of a nipple.
In the sixth step 312 the water level in the filled piping is observed for a predetermined duration of time to insure the integrity of the piping above the test tee. A suitable duration of time is fifteen minutes. One method of observing the water level is to visually note the water level at the highest portion of the piping being tested at the beginning and at the end of the observation period. Another method is to use a nipple with an attached pressure gauge and to note the pressure of the water at the beginning and end of the observation period. The absence of a significant drop in water level or significant drop in pressure over the observation period indicates the integrity of the piping above the test tee.
In the seventh step 314 the water is drained from the test tee by opening the valve on the nipple or by removing the test port plug with caution. The water may be conveyed from the test tee by a hose attached to the hose attachment on the spigot. This avoids any chance of water spillage, and is particularly advantageous when the test tee is located in a chase, as is the usual case.
In the eighth step 316 the test plug is unscrewed from the barrel of the test tee and is removed from the test tee through the access port.
In the ninth step 318 the access port plug is replaced. The test tee now may be used as a cleanout tee.
After a test is completed, the nipple can be replaced with a test port plug if desired. It is advantageous to use a single nipple with associated valve and spigot with a number of test tees because the cost of a test port plug is less than that of a nipple with associated valve and spigot.
Embodiments include a number of pipe diameters, such as 3 inch, 4 inch, and 6 inch pipes. For example, in the 6 inch size embodiment, the diameter of the hub and of the outlet pipe is 6 inches, the diameter of the access port is 6 inches, and the diameter of the threaded inner surface of the barrel and of the test plug is 5 inches. The diameter of the test port is ½ inch. The length of this embodiment from hub connector to outlet pipe is 17 inches. Embodiments in other sizes are contemplated.
All components of embodiments of test tees are manufactured of strong, durable, inexpensive materials, such as cast iron, steel, or bronze.
While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and subcombinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.
