Pipe branch manifold and method of operating the pipe branch manifold

摘要

The present invention relates to a pipe branch manifold (7) and a method of operating the pipe branch manifold (7). The pipe branch manifold (7) has a plurality of pipe branch paths (3), and each pipe branch path (3 ) Has an inlet block valve (4), an outlet block valve (6), and a bleed outlet comprising a bleed valve (5) between the inlet block valve and the outlet block valve. In standard operation of the road, each entry block valve and outlet block valve are opened and each bleed valve is closed, and in test or maintenance operations, each entry block valve and outlet block valve are closed, and Each bleed valve opens and the manifold moves from standard operation to test or maintenance operation. There is selector means (12) for selecting none of the pipe branches for switching or selecting one of the pipe branches, the selector means being one of the selected pipe branches. Only one entry block valve is closed, which subsequently opens and closes each bleed valve and outlet block valve to switch to a test or maintenance operation, respectively. In the present invention, the selector means has a standard blocking element (23) and a test allowance element (31), and each entry block valve is securely fitted to the standard blocking element. It has been proposed to have an entry control means (8, 9) comprising a simple blocking counter element (24) and a test allowance counter element (32) that fits securely into the test allowance element.