Sealing device configured to form an air seal around a pipe

1. A work station comprising a sealing device which is connected to a roof of the work station, the sealing device being configured to form a seal around a pipe by use of an air flow in order to prevent a fluid from passing the sealing device, the sealing device comprising:

an air inlet for the inflow of compressed air, the air inlet configured to be connected to a source of compressed air;

one or more channels connected to the air inlet, the channels extending along a substantially annular trajectory and configured to extend substantially around the pipe when the pipe is positioned in the sealing device, the channels being positioned at a distance from the pipe wall;

a plurality of outlet points in an annular arrangement or an annular outlet groove connected to the one or more channels, the outlet points or annular groove being positioned at a distance from the wall of the pipe and being configured to blow the compressed air in the region of the pipe wall, in order to create an air flow about the pipe in order to prevent a fluid from passing the sealing device, the sealing device configured to define an annular air gap between the pipe and the sealing device when a pipe is positioned in the sealing device, wherein the air gap defines a boundary between a region within the work station and a region outside the work station, wherein the outlet points or the annular outlet groove are/is positioned on the inside of the air gap and are/is directed towards the air gap to blow the air through the air gap to the region outside of the work station.

2. The work station of claim 1 , where the outlet points or the annular outlet groove are configured to generate an air flow through the annular air gap in the shape of a vortex.

3. The work station device of claim 1 , where the outlet points or the annular outlet groove are configured to generate a helical air flow around the pipe.

4. The work station of claim 1 , wherein the sealing device further comprises one or more contact seals which extend in an annular shape around the pipe and in use are in contact with the pipe wall, the one or more contact seals being configured to prevent draught along the pipe wall from passing the contact seal.

5. The work station of claim 1 , wherein the sealing device is integrated in a roof of a work station for welding pipes, such that the pipe extends substantially vertically through the roof.

6. The work station of claim 1 , wherein the sealing device further comprises a substantially frusto-conical shield member configured to extend substantially around the pipe, wherein the shield member has an annular top ridge being configured to define an annular air gap between the shield member and the pipe wall when a pipe is positioned in the sealing device, wherein the outlet points or the outlet groove are configured to blow the compressed air through the air gap.

7. The work station of claim 5 , wherein the shield member has an outer surface configured to prevent moisture and draught from entering the sealing device from directions different than the air gap.

8. The work station of claim 1 , wherein the sealing device comprises at least two sections which are movable from an open position to a closed position and vice versa, wherein in the closed position the sealing device forms an annular seal around the pipe, and wherein in the open position the sealing device allows objects of a wider diameter than the pipe to pass through the sealing device.

9. The work station of claim 1 , wherein the sealing device comprises a shield member which is configured to reduce the cross-section of the air flow in the direction of the flow, thereby increasing the velocity of the air and maximizing the air velocity at the air gap.