TECHNICAL FIELD

5 The proposed technology generally relates to devices that removes water and vapor from sections of water carrying pipe in order to enable a welding operation in these particular sections. The proposed technology also relates to a method for removing water and vapor from water pipes and a method for performing welding on water carrying pipes.

10

BACKGROUND

In order to perform work, e.g. mechanical work, repair work or welding, in a water carrying pipe it is often necessary to create a dry environment in at least sections of 15 the water pipe. This requires mechanisms that enables the removal of both water and water vapor from the pipe. A usual procedure to remove water flow from a water carrying pipe is to first close the water flow in a centrally controlled fashion and then try to remove, by means of suction or pumping, any remaining water flow. Water vapor are however impossible to remove in this way. Since water vapor also negatively 20 affects the dry environment that is needed for e.g. maintenance work that requires welding, it is a challenge within the technical field to provide mechanisms that enables a reduction of the amount of water vapor from of at least sections of a water carrying pipe in order to make it possible for, e.g., a pipe repair man or a welding operator to perform work in that section without being disturbed by water flows and without having 25 to damage the pipe by, e.g., making a hole in the pipe. The proposed technology aims to provide mechanisms that at least alleviates some of the problem within the technical field.

SUMMARY

30

It is an object of the proposed technology to provide devices that enables a reduction of the amount of water vapor that is present in areas of a water carrying pipe where repair work such as welding are to be performed. It is another object of the proposed technology to provide methods that enables a reduction of the amount of water vapor that is present in areas of a water carrying pipe where repair work such as welding are to be performed.

It is still another object proposed technology to provide methods that enables welding of in an area in a water carrying pipe. These and other objects are met by embodiments of the proposed technology.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a device for removing vapor from a section of a water pipe to enable welding in the section, the device being adapted to be inserted into the water pipe. The device comprises a first component comprising at least one gas transferring channel adapted to be connected to an external pressurized gas supply. The device also comprises a second component adapted to be inserted into the water pipe, the second component having an elongated shape and being connected to the first component at a first end and comprising an gas outlet part adapted to face the direction of incoming vapor, the second component further comprising at least one gas transferring channel adapted to convey gas from the external pressurized gas supply to the gas outlet part through the channel comprised in the first component to enable pressurized gas to exit the second component through the gas outlet part in a direction toward the vapor to thereby steer the vapor away from a region of the pipe where welding are to be performed.

According to a second aspect there is provided a method for removing vapor from parts of water pipe by utilizing a device according to the first aspect to thereby enable welding on the parts. The method comprises the step of inserting, through an open pipe joint in the water pipe located in the vicinity of the part of the water pipe where welding is to be performed, the second component in such a way that the gas outlet part is facing in the direction of the vapor. The method also comprises the step of connecting the first component of the device to an external pressurized gas supply. The method also comprises the step of allowing gas from the external pressurized gas supply to flow through channels in the first and second component and exit the device through the gas outlet part in a direction facing the vapor to thereby steer the incoming vapor away from the part of the water pipe where welding is to be performed.

A method for performing welding in parts of a water carrying pipe. The method comprises the step of identifying the part of the water carrying pipe where welding are to be performed. The method also comprises the step of opening water pipe joints in vicinity of the identified part. The method also comprises the step of removing vapor from the water pipe by means of a method according to the second aspect. The method also comprises the step of performing welding on the identified part of the pipe.

Embodiments of the proposed technology makes it possible to perform maintenance work such as welding in the wet environment present in water carrying pipes. Other advantages will be appreciated when reading the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The embodiments, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by making reference to the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 a is a schematic diagram of a device according to the proposed technology.

FIG. 1 b is a schematic diagram of a device according to the proposed technology connected to an external supply of pressurized gas or air.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a device according to the proposed technology.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of a device according to the proposed technology. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of another alternative embodiment of a device according to the proposed technology. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of still another alternative embodiment of a device according to the proposed technology.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of yet another alternative embodiment of a device according to the proposed technology.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the proposed technology.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of another exemplary embodiment of a device according to the proposed technology.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of yet another alternative embodiment of a device according to the proposed technology. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment of the device depicted in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating yet another alternative embodiment of the device depicted in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the device according to the proposed technology when in place for use in a water carrying pipe.

FIG. 13 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating a method for removing vapor from a water carrying pipe by utilizing a device according to the proposed technology. FIG. 14 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating a method welding in a water carrying pipe by first removing vapor by utilizing a device according to the proposed technology. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Throughout the drawings, the same reference designations are used for similar or corresponding elements. Generally, all terms used herein are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant technical field, unless a different meaning is clearly given and/or is implied from the context in which it is used. All references to a/an/the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc. are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any methods disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is explicitly described as following or preceding another step and/or where it is implicit that a step must follow or precede another step. Any feature of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment, wherever appropriate. Likewise, any advantage of any of the embodiments may apply to any other embodiments, and vice versa. Other objectives, features and advantages of the enclosed embodiments will be apparent from the following description.

For a better understanding of the proposed technology, it may be useful to begin with a brief system overview and/or analysis of the technical problem. When maintenance work that requires a dry environment, e.g. welding, is to be done in a pipe carrying a water flow a common way to create the dry environment is to centrally close the water flow and wait until any residual water has left the section of the pipe that is subject to the repair work. In certain cases however the water carrying pipe also comprises a large amount of water vapor and it may take a long time before this water vapor condensates into water and leaves the particular area. Even a small amount of water vapor may negatively affect general maintenance work, and in some circumstances it may even make the work impossible, e.g., when welding has to be performed in the pipe. The fact that the condensation time may be considerable will lead to prolonged downtimes that are both costly and inconvenient. It is thus a challenge within the technical field to provide mechanisms that will enable a quick reduction of vapor from sections of a water carrying pipe in order to create a dry working area/spot. The proposed technology provides a device that enable such a quick reduction of water vapor.

FIG. 1 a is a schematic illustration of a device that is adapted for removing vapor from a section of a water pipe to enable welding in the section. FIG. 1 a illustrates a device 10 that is adapted to be inserted into the water pipe. The device comprising a first component 1 comprising at least one gas transferring channel 13a adapted to be connected to an external pressurized gas supply. The device also comprises a second component 2 adapted to be inserted into the water pipe. The second component 2 having an elongated shape and being connected to the first component 1 at a first end 2a and comprising an gas outlet part 21 adapted to face the direction of incoming vapor, the second component 2 further comprising at least one gas transferring channel 23 adapted to convey gas from the external pressurized gas supply to the gas outlet part 21 through the channel 13 comprised in the first component 1 to enable pressurized gas to exit the second component 2 through the gas outlet part 21 in a direction toward the vapor to thereby steer the vapor away from a region of the pipe where welding are to be performed.

In other words, the proposed technology provides a device that will enable the user to remove vapor from relevant areas in the water pipe in order to perform maintenance work such as welding. The vapor is removed from the relevant area by blowing highly pressurized gas toward it. The pressurised gas, which preferably is a highly pressurized gas, will scatter the vapor and thus prohibit it from reaching particular areas. The gas may be air, e.g., compressed air, but it may also be some other gas such as a cooling gas. By introducing cooling gas into the pipe the temperature gets lower and at least part of the vapor is allowed to condensate and fall toward the bottom of the water pipe, thereby creating a dryer environment in the upper part of the pipe. The condensed water, flowing on the bottom part may additionally be removed by utilizing a particular embodiment of the proposed technology to be described later in this disclosure.

FIG. 1 b illustrates how the device 10 is connected to an external pressurized gas or air supply 100 through a gas or air conduit 101.

Some of the embodiments contemplated herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other embodiments, however, are contained within the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein, the disclosed subject matter should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the proposed technology that displays a device 10, wherein the elongated second component 2 is curved such that a section 210, comprising the gas outlet part 21 , of the elongated second component 2 is offset relative the remaining parts of the second component 2. The purpose of the curved section is to provide more space behind the section 210 in order to simplify the work for the welder/repair man. The welder may enter the pipe through the same open joint in the water carrying pipe that were used for inserting the device and since the device comprises a curved section it is created more space in the area around the pipe joint. This area will provide the welder/repair man with some manoeuvring space.

The proposed technology provides an embodiment of a device 10 shown in FIG. 2, wherein the device further comprises a third component 3 arranged at a second end 2b of the second component 2. There are several purposes with adding a third component to the device. These purposes will be described in detail in later sections of this disclosure. According to a particular version of the embodiment with a third component there is provided a device 10, wherein the third component 3 comprises a section 310 that is curved in the same manner as the section 210 of the second component 2 to enable the third component 3 to connect to the second component 2 along the curved section. This embodiment is schematically illustrated in FIG. 3. This particular embodiment enables an elongated third component that can be connected to the second component but can also be long enough so that at least part of the third component is arranged on the outside of the pipe if the device was inserted into the pipe with the third component as the leading edge. That is, if the device has a length dimension that is larger than the diameter of the pipe.

There are, as was mentioned earlier, several purposes with adding a third component to the device. A first purpose is to provide a locking means on the third part. To this end the proposed technology provides a device 10, wherein the third component 3 comprises a locking means 31 that is adapted to enable locking the device 3 to the water pipe. A particular example of such an embodiment is schematically illustrated in FIG. 4. Since the second component 2 of the device comprises an outlet part 21 for blowing pressurized gas towards the vapor it is possible that the second component, in case the gas flow through the component is substantial, will be subject to forces that may cause a movement to the second component 2. This movement may in turn enable vapor to enter the area of the pipe where welding are to be performed and disturb the welding operation. A locking means for fixating the device to the pipe provides a counter measure to this particular problem. It should be noted that the locking means may be arranged on the outside of the pipe, in case the third component is intended to lie outside of the pipe during use of the device, but it can also be arranged on the inside of the pipe. Particular locking means may comprise a locking clip adapted to be fastened to the pipe, a hook attached to the third component that can be attached to e.g., the joint of the water pipe. The locking means may also comprise a magnet in case the pipe is made of a magnetic material. There are however a lot of other locking mechanisms that can be used in order to fixate the device to the pipe.

In a particular embodiment of the proposed technology there is provided a device 10, wherein the locking means 31 are arranged on the non-curved part of the third component 3. This embodiment provides more space for the operator, in the area behind the curved section, as well as a possibility to e.g. , stabilize the device during use, i.e. , locking the device to the pipe. Certain embodiments of the proposed technology provide a device that has a length dimension that is larger than the diameter of the water pipe whereby the locking means can be arranged on the outside of the water pipe.

Still another embodiment of the proposed technology, schematically illustrated in FIG. 5, provides a device 10 wherein the third component further comprises at least one gas transferring channel 13b adapted to be connected to an external pressurized gas supply, not shown, over an gas conduit 101 and adapted to convey pressurized gas from the external pressurized gas supply to the gas outlet part 21. This embodiment enables gas to be transferred to the gas outlet part 21 from two directions, a first direction through the first component 1 and a second direction through the third component 3. The outlet part 21 may for example direct gas conveyed through the first component in a first direction in the pipe and direct gas conveyed through the third component in a second direction, e.g., the opposite direction. This could create a dry environment around the device even for those cases where there is steam or vapor on both sides of the pipe joint where the device is intended to be inserted. The gas from the third component 3 could for example be transferred to the gas outlet part 21 through the channel 23 comprised in the second component 1 to thereby enable pressurized gas to exit the second component 2 through the gas outlet part 21 in a direction different from the direction of gas transferred or conveyed from the first component in order to have a device that steer vapor, present on both sides of the device, away from the region of the pipe where welding are to be performed. There are additional possibilities associated with embodiments that enables gas to be provided through two different channels. Such alternative embodiments will be described later in this disclosure.

We will now proceed and describe an additional purpose for providing the device with a third component. This may be particular relevant if a cooling gas is used whereby the vapor is allowed to condensate and fall to the bottom of the pipe. According to this purpose the third component may act to remove water flowing on the bottom of the pipe from a region where welding are to be performed. This is accomplished by means of an embodiment where the device 10 comprises a first component 1 that further comprises a water transferring channel 14 adapted to be connected to an external water pumping device. The device also comprises a second component 2 that further comprises a water transferring channel 24 connected to the water transferring channel 14 in the first component 1. The device also comprises a the third component 3 that further comprises a water transferring channel 34 having one end 34a connected to the water transferring channel 24 in the second component 2 and having an opposite end 34b that is open to enable the external water pumping device to remove water present in the water pipe through the connected water transferring channels 14; 24; 34, where the part of the third component that comprises the opposite end 34b have a shape that is adapted to the inner profile of the water pipe. This embodiment that combines vapor removing mechanisms and water removing mechanisms is illustrated in FIG. 6. During use of the device the operator may insert, through open pipe joints, the device into the pipe from a first direction whereby the device spans the pipe in a horizontal direction in order to let the gas outlet part 21 face any vapor present in the pipe. By letting a pressurized, and optionally cooling, gas leave the outlet part 21 vapor will be steered away from the relevant section of the pipe. This can be followed by inserting the device into the pipe from a second direction, essentially orthogonal to the first direction in order to let the end 34b of the third component contact the bottom of the pipe and remove any water flowing through the pipe by means of pumping. It can thus be seen that a device having the suggested combination of parts can be used to remove water both in the form of vapor and in the form of flowing water from a pipe.

According to a particular embodiment of the proposed technology there is provided a device 10 wherein the gas outlet part 21 comprises at least one hole 22 arranged on the surface of the second component 2 that connects the gas transferring channel 23 with the environment. In this embodiment gas conveyed from the channel provided in the first componentl and possibly the third components, may leave the second component 2 through a gas outlet part in the shape of holes provided on the surface of the second component. If there is a large number of holes 22 they should preferably be distributed along the length direction of the second component 2, i.e. , along the direction connecting the first component 1 with the second component 2, and optionally the third component 3. According to an optional embodiment the holes may be distributed along the edges of the second component 2. This may be useful if the second component comprises a centrally arranged water transferring channel 24. This may leave sparse room to arrange the gas transferring channels and one might have to arrange them closer to the boundaries of the second component 2. In such cases the gas exit holes may also be arranged closer to the boundaries or edges of the second component 2. FIG. 8 provides an illustration of the second component of the device where the arrows indicate the flow through the gas transferring channel 23 and how the gas exits the component through holes 22 arranged along the edge of the second component. A single row of holes is illustrated, it is however possible to arranged several rows of holes, the competition of space between the gas transferring channel and the water transferring channel determines how many exit holes that can be used.

According to still another embodiment of the proposed technology there is provided a device wherein the gas outlet part 21 comprises a plurality of holes 22 arranged on the surface of an inflatable structure having an inside connected to the gas transferring channel 23. By providing the gas outlet part 21 as an inflatable structure, e.g., a balloon like structure, it would be possible to increase the area that is provided with holes. The inflatable structure may, by way of example, have the form of an inflatable bellow. The bellow may be configured to have a first configuration in its uninflated state where all of its part are arranged close to the second component. The bellow may also be configured to have a second configuration when inflated, in which configuration the distance between the bellows utmost part and the second component is increased. The inflatable structure may be inflated by means of a designated air or gas channel connected to an external air or gas supply. To this end it is possible to have an inflatable structure that comprises two spaced apart layers, an inner layer and an outer layer, of foldable material, i.e. , a soft plastic or a textile. The inner layer is closed and may be connected to an external air or gas supply through a dedicated set of air or gas channels. By allowing air or gas to flow into the inner layer the inner layer will inflate and the outer layer, surrounding the inner layer, will follow suit. The outer layer comprises gas exit holes and are also connected to an external air or gas supply through a dedicated set of air or gas channels. The holes in the second layer are intended to open up in a direction towards the vapor. By allowing air or gas to exit the second layer in the direction of the vapor it will be possible to remove vapor from relevant areas of the water pipe in order to create a dryer environment. The gas or air channels that connects the air or gas supply to the inside of the first layer may be equipped with a valve to enable the operator of the device to control the amount of inflation of the inner layer. The gas or air supply that inflates the inner layer may in a particular example be connected to the inner layer through air or gas transferring layers provided in the third component 3 of the device 10.

Yet another embodiment of the proposed technology provides a device 10 wherein the gas outlet part 21 comprises extendable elements 220 having a plurality of holes 22 arranged on surfaces thereof that connects the gas transferring channel 23 with the environment, the extendable elements 220 being adapted to assume at least two configurations, a first non-extended configuration when the device 10 is in an idle state and a second extended configuration when the device 10 is in an operational state. FIG. 7 provides a schematic illustration of such a device when the extendable element 220 is in its extended configuration. These extendable structures may also have the design described above with inflatable inner and outer layers. There are however also other mechanisms that can be used to alternate between the first and second configuration of the extendable structures. One particular version of the embodiment above provides a device wherein the configurations of the extendable elements 220 can be controlled by a controlling mechanism arranged on the first component! The control mechanism may, according to a first example, be a controllable mechanical locking mechanism that locks the extendable elements 220 in its first configuration and that forces the extendable structure to assume the second configuration when the locking mechanism is unlocked. This may for example be done by means of a biased spring attached to the extendable means. The natural configuration of the spring has a length that corresponds to the height of the extendable structure when it assumes its extended configuration. By clamping or locking the spring in a compressed state it is possible to force the extendable structure to assume its non-extended configuration, the extended configuration may then be obtained by unlocking or unclamping the spring. The unlocking mechanism may for example comprise a rod connected to the clamping mechanism that can twist the locking mechanism in order to unlock the spring. The rod should preferably have an extension such that it can be manipulated from the outside of the pipe when the device is in use. By way of example, the proposed technology also provides a device wherein the second component 2 further comprises at least one protruding structure 25 having a peripheral edge with the same shape as the inner profile of the water pipe to enable the protruding structure to tightly connect to the inside of the pipe. The protruding structure being either directly arranged on the second component 2 or being arranged on the extendable elements 220. FIG. 9 provides a schematic illustration of such an embodiment. The embodiment ensures that any vapor that has not been steered away by the blowing gas is not allowed to pass the protruding structure. This will in turn ensure that a dry environment is created in the area behind the protruding structure.

A particular embodiment of the device illustrated with regard to FIG. 9 provides a device wherein the at least one protruding structure 25 is hingedly attached, that is, attached by means of hinges or hinging means, to the second component 2 to enable the protruding structure 25 to assume a hanging configuration, wherein said protruding structure lies essentially flush with a side of said second component, when in an idle state and an upright configuration when in an operational state. This particular embodiment will enable an easier insertion of the device through the pipe joints since the protruding structure may be in its hanging configuration when the device inserted into the pipe and allowed to assume a raised configuration after the device has been inserted into the water pipe. The protruding structure will lie essentially flush with a side of the second component that is directed toward the incoming vapor when it is in its idle state, that is, in the state where it is intended to be inserted through opened joints in the pipe.

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a device 10 wherein a protruding structure 25 provided with holes 22 protrudes in two different directions from the second component 2. A first direction towards, e.g., the roof section of the water pipe, and a second direction towards e.g., the floor part of the water pipe. Also illustrated is how a gas conduit 1010 connects the first component 1 of the device to an external gas supply, not shown. Still another embodiment of the proposed technology provides a device 10 wherein the at least one protruding structure 25 is hingedly attached to said second component 2 to enable the protruding structure 25 to assume an angled configuration, relative the longest direction of the elongated second component when the device is in an operational state.

A particular example of this embodiment is shown in FIG. 11. There it is shown a device comprising two protruding structures 25a and 25b that are hingedly attached to the second component 2 to enable the protruding structures 25a; 25b to assume an angled configuration, relative the longest direction of the elongated second component, when the device is in an operational state. This particular embodiment provides a shielded compartment in the area between the protruding structures 25a and 25b. The device 10 will act to steer vapor away from this area and due to the shielding features it will be possible to keep the area dry which in turn makes it possible to perform welding in the area. The protruding structures 25a and 25b may be attached to the second component 2 or the extendable elements 220 through a hinge or hinging means such that the protruding structures 25a and 25b have their natural position, i.e. , the position the protruding structures 25a and 25b assume when no other external forces beside gravity and the force from the hinges are applied, in its angled configuration. The protruding structures 25a and 25b may be provided with interlocking means that lock them together in their upright configuration when they are inserted into the water pipe through pipe joints in the same. The interlocking means may then be removed to allow the protruding structures to assume their natural position when in place in the water pipe. The interlocking means may for example be a removable clip that locks the protruding structures 25a and 25b together. There are however other ways to allow the protruding structures 25a and 25b to alternate between their configurations. Preferably the protruding structures 25a and 25b are provided with gas exit holes 22, at least along their peripheral edges, that are connected to the external gas supply through gas transferring channels. These gas exit holes will ensure that vapor is steered away from the compartment created between the protruding structures 25a and 25b.

The device shown in FIG. 11 may also be adapted to remove water from the bottom of a water carrying pipe. To this end it possible to equip the peripheral edges of the protruding structures 25a and/or 25b with a hole, or several holes, to enable water to be pumped from the bottom of the water carrying pipe. These holes are connected to an end of water transferring channel provided in the protruding structure, this water transferring channel may have its other end connected to a corresponding water transferring channel provided in the second component, optionally through a water transferring channels in the extendable element 220, if such an element 220 is used. The water transferring channel in the second component 2 can be connected to an external water pumping device, through corresponding water channels in the first component. In this way there is provided a device that is able to remove water present on the bottom of the water pipe. The device may thus be used in a first mode where vapor is prohibited from entering the compartment between protruding structures 25a and 25b, and after that the device may be rotated to a second usage mode where the peripheral edges of the protruding structures 25a and 25b are arranged to lie essentially flush with the bottom of the water pipe. In this second usage mode a water pump may activated whereby water are removed from the pipe through the device.

Another embodiment of the proposed technology comprises a device wherein the protruding structure 25 comprises at least one gas transferring channel connected to the gas transferring channel 23 of the second component 2 and a plurality of holes 22 arranged on the surface of the protruding structure 25 that connects the gas transferring channel with the environment. This is an alternative way to increase the effective gas blowing area described earlier. The protruding structure 25 may be provided with holes on both sides to enable a gas exit on both sides of the device in order to create a dry environment surrounding the device. The gas or air supplied to the opposite sided of the protruding structure 25 may emanate from different external air or gas supplies. It is for example possible to feed gas to one side of the protruding structure 25 from an external gas supply connected to the first component 1 of the device and to the other side of the protruding structure 25 from an external gas supply connected to the third component 3 of the device.

It should be noted that in all of the described embodiments of the device where the protruding structures are hingedly attached to the second component 2 it is possible to have a gas conduit, i.e. , a conduit of hose type, that connects the gas transferring channel in the protruding structures with the gas transferring channel 23 in the second component 2, either directly to the same or through an intermediate gas transferring channel provided in the extendable element 220, if the protruding structure is attached to the extendable element 220. The gas conduit should therefore have one end that communicates with the external gas supply and an opposite end that opens up in the protruding structures 25 to enable gas to leave the protruding structures 25 through gas exit holes in the same.

By way of example, the proposed technology provides a device according to what has been described earlier, wherein at least parts of the first component 1 is curved so that it extends in a direction essentially orthogonal to the second component 2. The curved first component may act as a handle that will simplify the control of the device e.g., make it easier to change the direction in which the device is inserted into the water pipe.

A possible embodiment of the proposed technology provides a device wherein the gas transferring channel 13a in the first component 1 is connected to the external pressurized gas supply through a valve to enable the controlling of the gas supply to the second component 2, the valve being adapted to lie outside of the water pipe when the device 10 is in its operational state.

It is also possible to have a device wherein an gas transferring channel 13b in the third component 3 is connected to the external pressurized gas supply through a valve to enable the controlling of the gas supply to the second component 2, the valve being adapted to lie outside of the water pipe when the device 10 is in its operational state.

The proposed technology also provides a device according to what has been described earlier wherein at least the parts of the device that are intended to be inserted into the pipe have a width that allows them to be inserted through opened pipe joints. The width dimension may for example range between approximately 2 mm and 15 mm. Other dimensions are however possible and the choices may be made in light of the actual size of the gaps, pipe seams or joints. FIG. 12 provides an illustration of a device according to the proposed technology when it has been inserted in pipe joint 1010 in a water pipe 1000 and is ready for use. The external gas supplying device and/or pumping device is not illustrated in the drawing. The proposed technology also provides a device according to what has been described earlier wherein at least the first 1 and the second component 2 are integrally formed. There is also provided an optional embodiment where all three components 1 ; 2; 3 of the device are integrally formed. Some of the optional components, such as the inflatable structure, the extendable elements and the protruding structure may also be integrally formed in the device, but they may also be removably provided on the device 10.

The present disclosure also provides a first embodiment of a device that is configured to create a dry environment in parts of a water pipe to enable welding in the parts. The device having a width dimension that allows it to be inserted into opened joints of the water pipe. The device comprises a handle part for steering the device into the opened pipe joint. The device also comprises an elongated insertion part connected to the handle part at one end, the elongated part having a length that allows it to essentially span the diameter of the water pipe. The device also comprises at least one protruding structure arranged on the elongated insertion part, the protruding structure having a peripheral edge having the same shape as the inner profile of the water pipe to enable the protruding structure to tightly connect to the inside of the pipe, the at least one protruding structure being hingedly attached to the elongated insertion part to enable the protruding structure to assume an angled configuration, relative the longest direction of the elongated second component when the device is in an operational state. That is, when it is inserted into the pipe.

A second embodiment of the device according to the above embodiment provides a device that comprises two protruding structures, a first protruding structure and a second protruding structure, each of the protruding structures being hingedly attached to the elongated insertion part to enable each of the protruding structures to assume an angled configuration, relative the longest direction of the elongated second component when the device is in an operational state, wherein the first protruding structure is adapted to be angled in a first direction and the second protruding structure is adapted to be angled in a second direction, essentially opposite of the first direction to thereby create a compartment between the first and the second protruding structure. The device corresponds to the device shown in FIG. 11 except that it lacks any connection to an external pressurized gas supply and that it lacks a gas outlet part, e.g., it lacks any gas exit holes.

A third embodiment of the proposed device provides a device according to any of the first or second embodiments wherein the at least one protruding structure comprises an extendable part having a first end that is hingedly attached to the elongated insertion part, and a second opposite end having the same shape as the inner profile of the water pipe, and wherein the extendable part is adapted to be extended in a direction that raises or elevates the second opposite end from the elongated insertion part. A fourth embodiment of the proposed device provides a device according to any of the embodiments 1 -3, wherein the first and second protruding structures may be attached to either the second component or the extendable part through a hinge or hinging means such that the first and second protruding structures have their natural position, i.e. , the positions the first and second protruding structures assume when no other external forces beside gravity and the force from the hinges are applied, in an angled configuration in order to create a compartment in the area between the first and second protruding structure. The first and second protruding structures may moreover be provided with interlocking means that lock them together in their upright configuration when they are inserted into the water pipe through pipe joints in the same. The interlocking means may then be removed to allow the protruding structures to assume their natural position when in place in the water pipe. The interlocking means may for example be a removable clip that locks the first and second protruding structures together. A fifth embodiment of the proposed device provides a device according to any of the embodiments 1 -4, wherein the extendable part is adapted to assume at least two configurations, a first non-extended configuration when the device is in an idle state and a second extended configuration when the device is in an operational state, i.e. , when inserted into the water pipe through an open joint.

Having described a number of possible embodiments of the proposed device we will now proceed and describe a method for utilizing the same in order to remove water from a section of a water carrying pipe and enable welding in the same section. FIG. 13 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating a method for removing vapor from parts of water pipe by utilizing a device according to what has been described herein. The method comprises inserting S1 , through an open pipe joint in the water pipe located in the vicinity of the part of the water pipe where welding is to be performed, the second component 2 in such a way that the gas outlet part 21 is facing in the direction of the vapor. The method also comprises connecting S2 the first component of the device to an external pressurized gas supply. The method also comprises allowing S3 gas from the external pressurized gas supply to flow through channels in the first 1 and second component 2 and exit the device 10 through the gas outlet part 21 in a direction facing the vapor to thereby steer the incoming vapor away from the part of the water pipe where welding is to be performed.

The proposed technology also provides a method for performing welding in parts of a water carrying pipe. The method comprises identifying S10 the part of the water carrying pipe where welding are to be performed. The method also comprises opening S20 a water pipe joint in vicinity of the identified part. The method also comprises removing S30 vapor from the water pipe by means of a method according to claim 22. The method also comprises performing S40 welding on the identified part of the pipe. The method is schematically illustrated in the flow diagram of FIG.14.