AU1740899A - System for the formed-in-situ localised repair of pipes and conduits - Google Patents

Description

WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 1 SYSTEM FOR THE FORMED-IN-SITU LOCALISED REPAIR OF PIPES AND CONDUITS This invention relates to improvements in 5 methods and apparatus for the formed-in-situ installation of localised repairs or reinforcements in pipes, conduits and the like. In particular, it relates to so-called trenchless technology methods in which a repair or reinforcement is installed in 10 a pipe or conduit by operating from one or more of its ends and without the need to expose or break it, and so-called soft repair systems in which a pipe or conduit is repaired or reinforced by the installation internally of a sleeve, formed in-situ 15 from fibrousreinforcementmaterialimpregnatedwith a settable resin, said repair or reinforcement being maintained in position in intimate contact with the inner wall of the pipe of conduit during the process of curing said settable resin by the pressure of 20 an inflated tube or bag. In the operation and maintenance of pipes and conduits, such as sewers, water mains, gas mains and the like, it is often necessary to effect repairs. Damage to such pipes and conduits in 25 subterranean situations is most commonly caused by localised ground movement, by differential movement between main and tributary lines, by generalised corrosion and by erosion resulting from localised SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 2 flow impingement. Modern environmental protection policies deem leakage from or into such pipes or conduits to be unacceptable and it is usual for operators to be required to repair such damage when 5 it is detected. As a result, localised, in-situ repairs to subterranean and otherwise inaccessible pipes and conduits are frequently necessary and a variety of so-called trenchless technology methods have been developed for this purpose. 10 A particular problem in sewerage systems is the fracturing of tributary service connections at or close to the sewer main. While the sewer main is normally laid on a prepared foundation and, as a result, is positionally stable, service connections 15 are merely laid in trenches and cut into the main if unplanned or connected to an oblique junction pipe if planned. Subsidence of the principal part of a service connection then causes it to fracture away from the part secured to the main. Other common 20 forms of damage are the fracturing of boundary traps as a result of plunging by plumbers to clear blockages,differentialsettlementcausingfractures in a line and inadequate jointing allowing penetra tion of tree roots. 25 A variety of methods have been developed for the localised in-situ repair of sewers. Where a repair is required in a pipe or conduit to which direct access is available, such as a sewer main, SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 3 apparatus and method such as that disclosed in Australian Patent No. 35101/93 might be employed. This patent discloses an inflatable form upon which the settable resin-impregnated repair material is 5 assembled, the whole then being winched into position at the proposed repair site. The inflatable form is then inflated with a flow of hot water, bringing the repair material into intimate contact with the inner wall of the sewer and maintaining it in 10 position until curing is complete. The inflatable form is then deflated and withdrawn, leaving the cured repair in place. Where a repair is required to a tributary service connection, to which direct access is more difficult to obtain, apparatus and 15 method such as that disclosed in Australian Patent No. 49722/93 might be employed. In this method, a launcher unit is positioned in a sewer main adjacent a tributary service connection opening. Fluid pressure is then employed to project a closed 20 ended tube of fibrous reinforcement material impregnated with a settable resin from the launcher and evert it into the service connection. Eversion pressure is sustained to maintain the repair material in place and in intimate contact with inner surface 25 of the service connection until curing is complete. The launcher is then removed and the closed end of the repair cut out to re-open the service connection. This latter method requires the tube of SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 4 reinforcement material to be of sufficient length to extend from the sewer main to beyond the site of the repair. Therefore, although the repair itself may need to be only a metre or so in length to 5 achieve its intended purpose, if the repair site is located some distance from the main, it must be made wastefully long. Additionally, if the site of the repair in the tributary service connection is remote from the sewer main, it may be necessary 10 for the repair material, during its eversion, to traverse junctions and bends of small radius, such as traps. This cannot be achieved reliably by the method. Similar difficulties exist in attempting to position repair material from the service end 15 of the tributary service connection. The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for the reliable installation of localised, formed-in-situ repairs or reinforcements anywhere in an extended pipe, 20 conduit or the like, regardless of the need to traverse junctions or bends of small radius and without the need to break said pipe, conduit or the like. According to the present invention, a tube of 25 soft, fibrous reinforcement material is impregnated with a settable resin and installed in the appropri ate position within an installation sleeve made from a suitable soft, flexible and impervious material. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 5 Said reinforcement material is secured to the inner surface of said installation sleeve with a peelable adhesive or the like. Said installation sleeve is made with one closed end, to which is attached 5 internally and extending through the length of said installation sleeve and for a suitable distance beyond its open end, a light, flexible and strong guide tape or cord. Attached externally to said closed end and with a length suitably exceeding that 10 of said installation sleeve, is a light, flexible and strong retrieval tape or cord. Said closed end of said installation sleeve is provided with one or more calibrated vent openings. The assembly of reinforcement material and 15 installation sleeve is rolled onto a drum, commencing first with the free end of said retrieval tape or cord, followed by said installation sleeve which is wound on commencing with its said closed end. Said drum is then placed on a shaft within a closed, 20 pressurisable container, said guide tape or cord and the open end of said installation sleeve being led out through a radially-positioned delivery tube, at the proximal end of which are provisions which act to collapse said installation sleeve into a 25 compact form. Obviously, said drum might be left in place in said pressurisable container and said retrieval tape or cord and said installation sleeve connected to a short bridle led in through said SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 6 delivery tube and attached to said drum and said assembly of installation sleeve and reinforcement material drawn in through said delivery tube and onto said drum by rotation of said drum. Said 5 delivery tube comprises a short length fixed to said pressurisable container and one or more removable extension parts made in whatever length is required to reach an access opening into a tributary service connection to be repaired or reinforced. The open 10 end of said installation sleeve is then securely and sealingly attached to the distal end of said delivery tube and said guide tape or cord is coiled outside the end of said delivery tube in preparation for its deployment. Following suitable cleaning 15 of said tributary service connection, the distal end of said delivery tube is positioned in alignment with and in close proximity to the said access opening into the service end of said tributary service connection and said guide tape or cord is 20 released into said tributary service connection and carried through it by a copious flow of water into the sewer main and thence downstream to the nearest manhole, where it is secured. If necessary, a light draw cord is first flushed through said tributary 25 service connection and used to draw said guide tape or cord through behind it. Said pressurisable container is then pressurised with a cool pressuris ing medium and said drum controllably rotated in SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 7 the appropriatedirection, causing said installation sleeve, under the influence of the pressurised medium within said pressurisable container, to evert from said delivery tube directly into said access opening 5 of said tributary service connection, the rate of eversion being regulated by a first operator controlling rotation of said shaft upon which said drum is supported and the pressure of said cool pressurising medium, the slack of said guide tape 10 or cord being taken up by a second operator positioned at said downstream manhole in said sewer main. As said installation sleeve progressively everts through said tributary service connection, the pressure within said pressurisable container 15 is transmitted throughout its everted length, which is inflated into intimate contact with the inner surface of said service connection, and continues to act upon the everting zone of said installation sleeve, thereby impelling the eversion of said 20 installation sleeve and drawing with it through its interior its collapsed part which contains, in the appropriatelocation, saidimpregnatedreinforcement material. Where the everting end of said installa tion sleeve is required to traverse a feature in 25 said service connection which imposes an impediment to its progression, tension applied by said second operator to said guide tape or cord assists it to do so. At the point where that part of the collapsed SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 8 said installation sleeve containingsaidimpregnated reinforcement material reaches said eversion zone of said installation sleeve, attached as it is to said installation sleeve by said strippable adhesive 5 or the like, said reinforcement material is everted with said installation sleeve and is thereby brought into intimate contact with the inner surface of said tributary service connection, where it is maintained by the inflation of said everted part of said 10 installation sleeve. Progressive eversion of said installation sleeve is then continued until its said closed end is fully everted, whereupon its movement ceases. Only said retrieval tape or cord passes along said delivery tube during the final stage of 15 eversion of said installation sleeve. A flow of heated pressurising medium, such as steam, hot water or the like is then admitted to said pressurisable container, from whence it passes along the length of said everted installation sleeve to emerge at 20 said calibrated vent openings in its said closed end, pressure within said installation sleeve being regulated to an appropriate figure by adjustment of the rate of inflow of said cool and heated pressurising media to said pressurisable container. 25 The inflation pressure within said installation sleeve acts to maintain said impregnated reinforce ment material in place in intimate contact with the inner wall of said tributary service connection SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 9 whilst heat from said flow of heated pressurising medium acts to accelerate the curing of said settable resin with which said reinforcement material is impregnated. Where appropriate, tension is 5 maintained on said retrieval tape of cord during the said curing process to restrain said installation sleeve against extension whilst it is heated and pressurised. When said settable resin with which said reinforcement material is fully cured, the flow 10 of said pressurising media is terminated, said pressurisable container is depressurised and said installation sleeve is de-everted by tension applied to the proximal end of said retrieval tape or cord, said installation sleevepeeling away from said cured 15 repair as its point of de-eversion progressively passes said cured repair. Said guide tape or cord is released at said downstream manhole and is drawn back with said installation sleeve. Said installa tion sleeve, guide tape or cord and retrieval tape 20 or cord are then cleaned, inspected, repaired as required and stored for future use. The various aspects of the present invention will be more readily understood by reference to the following description of preferred embodiments given 25 in relation to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the assembly mandrel showing commence ment of the first stage of introducing repair SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 10 material into the installation sleeve; Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the assembly mandrel showing commence ment of the second stage of introducing repair 5 material into the installation sleeve; Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the assembly mandrel showing completion of the process of introducing repair material into the installation sleeve; 10 Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of apparatus employed to introduce the installation sleeve into a pipe or conduit; Figure 5 depicts the process of collapsing of the installation sleeve into a compact form 15 to facilitate its introduction into a pipe or conduit; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view through a localised sewer system showing the installa tion sleeve partially introduced into it; 20 Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view through the junction of a tributary service connection with a sewer main showing final positioning of the distal end of the installation sleeve; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view through 25 the junction of a tributary service connection with a sewer main showing final positioning of the distal end of the installation sleeve in an alternative embodiment of the invention; SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 11 Figure 9 is a side view of the distal end of the installation sleeve in an alternative enbodiment; Figure 10 is a transverse cross-sectional 5 view of the arrangement depicted in Figure 9, sectioned as shown in that figure; Figure 11 is a transverse cross-sectional of the arrangement depicted in Figure 10, collapsed into a compact form; 10 Figure 12 is a view of the end of said impregnated reinforcement material in an alternative embodiment in which it is formed into a flange; Figure 13 is a view of the arrangement 15 depicted in Figure 12 reverted to its cylindri cal form. Figure 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an alternative method of closing the distal end of said installation sleeve. 20 With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, assembly mandrel 2 is supported at a suitable working height from supporting structure 3, which is provided with aperture 22 allowing egress at that end from the interior of said assembly mandrel. Said assembly 25 mandrel is made a little longer than the greatest length of installation sleeve to be assembled on it, which, for all normal applications, does not exceed 15 metres. The free end of said assembly SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 12 mandrel is rolled inwardly to provide a radiused exit 4. Atubeof thin, soft, sheetpolymer material 5 is formed into an assembly shroud by evertion along half of its length to bring its two ends into 5 coincidence, where they are temporarily fastened together. The material from which said assembly shroud is made is preferably but not necessarily polyethylene, to which the settable resins employed with the present invention adhere ineffectively. 10 Said assembly shroud is made sufficiently long to cover said assembly mandrel more or less fully over the length between its free end and the end remote from it of reinforcement material 1 to be assembled on it as depicted in Figure 2. Said assembly shroud 15 is inserted folded end first into the radiused exit of said assembly mandrel until only a small part 6 of its length remains exposed, said exposed part being folded back over the end of said assembly mandrel. 20 Fibrous reinforcement material 1 is formed into a tube of a diameter to suit that of the pipe or conduit to be repaired. Preferably, said fibrous reinforcement material is formed from a sheet of needled polyester felt, which is soft and flexible, 25 has good resin storage characteristics and resiles readily to its full thickness after compression. In alternative embodiments, said tube of fibrous reinforcement material is formed from a variety of SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 13 woven, knitted or felted materials of a soft, flexible and elastic nature and with good capacity to store the settable resins with which it is to be impregnated. Where said reinforcement material 5 is to be installed in a straight length of pipe or conduit, it is preferably made with an outer layer of some suitable soft, flexible, impervious, but durable material bonded to it and therefore has minimal elasticity. Where said reinforcement 10 material is to be installed in a curved or convoluted length of pipe or conduit, said reinforcement material is made without said outer layer and is sufficiently elastic to accommodate said curves or convolutions without wrinkling or pleating. For 15 all normal purposes, a degree of elasticity sufficient to permit a localised elongation of between 15 per cent and 20 per cent is satisfactory for the proper performance of the present invention. A measured quantity of mixed settable resin 20 and catalyst is injected into the interior of said tube of fibrous reinforcement material, which is then sealed within an impregnation sleeve formed from a suitable soft, flexible sheet material, thorough impregnation then being achieved by 25 evacuation and rolling, a technique well known in the art. Preferably but not necessarily, said settable resin is vinyl ester, polyester or epoxy, all of which can provide suitable characteristics qITRITTTT1TF QTTPrT fD. '14X fnC%/ATTX WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 14 of pot life, chemical resistance, curing shrinkage, curing time and heat distortion temperature for the proper performance of the present invention. After its removal from said impregnation sleeve, 5 one end of said tube of impregnated reinforcement material is then offered up to and positioned over the free end of said assembly mandrel as depicted in Figure 1. The end part 6 of assembly shroud 5 is then drawn back over the end of said tube of 10 impregnated reinforcement material and, where said reinforcement material is made with said impervious outer layer, is taped securely to it with adhesive tape or the like 7. Where said impregnated rein forcement material is made without said impervious 15 outer layer, said end of said assembly shroud adheres satisfactorily to said uncured resin with which it is impregnated. Said tube of impregnated reinforce ment material is then slid onto said assembly mandrel, said assembly shroud issuing progressively 20 from the interior of said assembly mandrel over radiused exit 4 and allowing said tube of impregnated reinforcement material to slide freely over said assembly mandrel. When said tube of impregnated reinforcement material is correctly positioned on 25 said assembly mandrel, said fastened ends of said assembly shroud are detached from said impregnated reinforcement material and separated, the inner one 8 being securely fixed to the surface of said SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 15 assembly mandrel by adhesive tape 11 or the like and the outer one 9 being left free and, if required, cut back almost to the end of said reinforcement material. With said tube of impregnated reinforce 5 ment material correctly positioned on said assembly mandrel, the folded end 12 of said assembly shroud is positioned at or near said free end of said assembly mandrel and is fixed to the surface of said assembly mandrel using some formof peelable adhesive 10 attachment 13. With said tube of impregnated reinforcement material correctly positioned on said assembly mandrel, if it is provided with said outer impervious layer, a ring 10 of double-sided adhesive material, with one sticky surface exposed outwardly, 15 is positioned around tpe external circumference of its end remote from th4 free end of said assembly mandrel and further rings or patches 10 of the same material are similarly attached to its external surface in suitable positions along its length. 20 If said tube of impregnated reinforcement material is not provided with said outer impervious layer, strips or patches 10 of self-adhesive Velcro material are fixed to it in the same positions, the sticxy self-adhesive surface of said Velcro material being 25 orientated outwardly, and the hooked Velcro surface being orientated inwardly, the Velcro hooks engaging with and thereby attaching to the felted, matted, woven or knitted surface of said reinforcement SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 16 material. Installation sleeve 14 is made from a suitable thin, soft, flexible impervious material and is provided with a closed, reinforced end 15. Said 5 closed end and adjacent zone, which may project into the lumen of a sewer main and, as a result, be unsupported whilst inflated, are reinforced with a strong, non-elastic material, of suitable length and sufficiently soft and flexible to permit complete 10 eversion of said closed end in which one or more calibrated vent openings 20 are provided. Prefer ably, but not necessarily, said installation sleeve is made in a form which permits a relatively high degree of circumferential elastic expansion but 15 restricts axial elastic expansion to a range of between 15 and 20 per cent. Conveniently, said installation sleeve is formed from a sheet of thin, soft, flexible, elastic and impervious material, into which a large plurality of axially arranged, 20 fine, parallel, non-elastic reinforcing filaments is incorporated. Said reinforcing filaments follow a more or less regular sinuous path preferably but not necessarily with an amplitude of approximately two millimetres and a wavelength 25 of six millimetres. As axial elastic extension of said installation sleeve occurs, said sinuosity is progressively eliminated until, when said reinforcing filaments are fully straightened, axial elastic SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 17 extension ceases. As said reinforcing filaments are made parallel and do not cross, they do not inhibit circumferential elastic expansion of said installation sleeve. Said installation sleeve may 5 also be made by applying to a long sheet made from a single layer of suitable material a plurality of axially-oriented, narrow strips of self-adhesive, elastic polymer material, said strips being reinforced with a plurality of axially-arranged, 10 fine, parallel, non-elastic reinforcing filaments. Said reinforcing filaments follow a more or less regular sinuous path preferably but not necessarily with an amplitude of approximately two millimetres and a wavelength of six millimetres. Said sheet 15 of material, reinforced in this way, is then formed into tubular shape and closed by seam welding to form said installation sleeve. Made in this way, said installation sleeve is capable of accommodating a relatively high degree of circumferential elastic 20 expansion but with axial elastic expansion limited to a range of between 15 and 20 per cent. In an alternative embodiment, said installation sleeve comprises two complete layers of thin, soft, flexible, impervious sheet material, the outer layer 25 of which having a diameter of between 100 per cent and 110 per cent of the inside diameter of the said tributary service connection to be reinforced or repaired and made from reinforced material which, SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 18 effectively, will not stretch. Within said outer layer is an inner layer having a diameter of between 75 per cent and 90 per cent of the inside diameter of said tributary service connection and made from 5 unreinforced material preferably having sufficient elasticity to permit a localised elongation of between 15 per cent and 20 per cent. Preferably, said outer layer is made approximately 0.25mm thick, said inner layer is made 0.4mm thick and a suitable 10 lubricating compound is applied between them to facilitate their independent movement when said installation sleeve is required to negotiate bends and convolutions. In another alternative embodiment, where said 15 installation sleeve is to be employed solely to repair straight lengths of pipe or conduit, it is made in a single layer of reinforced, relatively inelastic material, the diameter of which is made equal to or slightly larger than the internal 20 diameter of said tributary service connection into which said repair or reinforcement is to be installed. In a further alternative embodiment, said installation sleeve is made simply by inserting a 25 piece of suitably elastic tube in an appropriate position between lengths of non-elastic tube, all being sealingly joined together end to end to create a continuous tube. The length of said elastic part SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 19 is suf f icient to accommodate said tube of impregnated reinforcement material and the diameter of both said elastic and non-elastic parts is preferably between 90 per cent and 100 per cent of the inner diameter 5 of said tributary service connection to be repaired or reinforced. Said tube of impregnated reinforce ment material is located in an appropriate position within said elastic part of said installation sleeve and secured as described in relation to the preferred 10 embodiment. This embodiment suffers from the disadvantage that a separate said composite installation sleeve must be created for each specific application, which is both inconvenient and uneconomic. 15 In yet another alternative embodiment (not shown), said installation sleeve is made in the form of a continuous outer tube of some suitable soft, flexible, elastic material, inside which in appropriate positions are installed two or more 20 lengths of tubing of some suitable soft, flexible, relatively inelastic material, the diameters of both said inner and outer tubes preferably being between 90 per cent and 100 per cent of the inner diameter of saidtributary service connection to be reinforced 25 or repaired. Said inner tubes are secured in position within said outer tube with double-sided adhesive material or the like and extend to all parts of said outer tube excepting that part in which said SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 20 tube of impregnated reinforcement material is located and which is required to elastically expand, following its eversion, to urge said reinforcement material into intimate contact with the inner wall 5 of said tributary service connection to be reinforced or repaired. The length of said outer tube between said inner tubes is sufficient to accommodate said tube of impregnated reinforcement material, which is secured within said outer tube in the manner 10 described in relation to the preferred embodiment. This embodiment also suffers from the disadvantage that a separate said composite installation sleeve must be created for each specific application, which is both inconvenient and uneconomic. 15 All embodiments of said installation sleeve are preferably made from either polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride material, to which said settable resins used with the present invention adhere ineffectively. In describing said alternative 20 embodiments of said installation sleeve comprising multiple layers of material, the adjectives 'inner' and 'outer', where they are used, describe the disposition ofthe layers of said installation sleeve immediately prior to its eversion into said service 25 connection. Securely attached to said closed end of said installation sleeve is short bridle 16, on each end of which are provided attachment fittings 17, 18, SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26 (RO/AT) WO 99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 21 to the external one 17 of which guide tape or cord 21 is securely attached and to the inner one 18 of which retrieval tape or cord 19 is securely attached. Said guide tape or cord and said retrieval tape or 5 cord are made from some suitable light, strong flexible material. Said guide tape or cord is passed into the free end of said assembly mandrel and along its length to emerge at aperture 22 where it is coiled for 10 future deployment. Assisted by light inflation pressure, said installation sleeve is everted over the free end of said assembly mandrel, commencing as depicted in Figure 2, and its eversion is continuedprogressivelyuntilthesituation depicted 15 in Figure 3 is achieved. As said installation sleeve is progressively everted over said tube of impregnat ed reinforcement material, pressure is applied to its external surface to ensure that it is adhered to said tube of impregnated reinforcement material 20 by contact with the exposed sticky surfaces of double-sided adhesive pieces 10 or those of self adhesive Velcro pieces 10. As said installation sleeve is everted over said assembly mandrel, the free end of said retrieval tape or cord is secured 25 to minimise its interference with the movement of said installation sleeve. When said installation sleeve has been fully everted onto said assembly mandrel, said retrieval tape or cord is released SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 22 and coiled for later deployment. With reference specifically to Figure 2, to facilitate the eversion of said installation sleeve over said assembly mandrel, a light tube 44 of some more or less rigid 5 material and of suitable diameter is optionally placed over the outside of said installation sleeve which is then lightly inflated into it. Said light tube is then urged over said assembly mandrel, carrying said installation sleeve with it. 10 In an alternative embodiment (not shown), said tube of reinforcement material is drawn into its correct position inside said installation sleeve with a suitable draw cord or tape before the distal end of said installation sleeve is closed using a 15 method such as that described in relation to Figure 14. Said draw cord or tape is attached to said tube of reinforcement material by spring clips, ties or the like which may readily be detached or severed when said tube of reinforcement material has been 20 correctly positioned. With said tube of reinforce ment material in its correct position inside said installation sleeve, pressure is applied to the outer surface of said installation sleeve to ensure that the outer surface of said tube of reinforcement 25 material is engaged by the hooks of strips or patches of self-adhesive Velcro material which have previously been attached to the inner surface of said installation sleeve in the appropriate position SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 23 during its manufacture. A measured quantity of mixed settable resin and catalyst is deposited through a hose into the zone in which said tube of reinforce ment material is located. Said installation sleeve 5 is then evacuated through the use of suitable suction equipment and the zone in which said reinforcement material is located isolated by the application of clamps across said installation sleeve at either end of said zone. Said tube of reinforcement 10 material is then properly impregnated by passing said zone of said installation sleeve back and forth between rollers in the manner well known in the art. Conveniently, if said installation sleeve is transparent, the progress of said impregnation 15 process may be observed. When said impregnation process is complete, said clamps are removed from said installation sleeve. With reference to Figures 4 and 5, pressurisable container 23 is made with a readily removable end 20 24, secured in place by a plurality of fastenings 25. Bearing and seal assembly 30 is provided in fixed end 53 of said pressurisable container and a similar assembly 31 is provided in said removable end. Shaft 32, 33 is sealingly and rotationally 25 supported on said bearing and seal assemblies and supported on said shaft is drum 35. Fixed to the end of said shaft is crank handle 34, by means of which said drum may be rotated. Obviously, some SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 24 formof remotely-controllable, power-operated drive means may be fixed to either pressurisable container end 23 or 24 and used to rotate shaft 32, 33 and thereby said drum. Fixed to the circumference of 5 said pressurisable container is short cylindrical extension 28, to the outer end of which conical member 27 is fixed with a plurality of fastenings 29. Delivery tube 26, which may be made as long as necessary to reach a particular work site, is 10 formed on the outer end of said conical member. Obviously, said delivery tube may comprise a plurality of joined members of convenient length. Hose or pressure line 37 is connected to said pressurisable container and suitable pressurising 15 media are supplied through this to pressurise its interior. A pressurising media source, valve and regulation means (not shown) are connected as required to said hose or pressure line. Preferably but not necessarily, said pressurising media are 20 air and steam. Obviously, a pressurisable container embodying the said features may take a variety of forms. Shaft 33, bearing and seal assembly 31, end 24 and handle 34 are removable as an assembly, 25 permitting drum 35 to be withdrawn from shaft 32 which remains in place supported by bearing and seal assembly30. Said drum is preferably prevented from rotating independently of shafts 32 and 33 by dogs SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 25 or pegs (not shown) on said shafts engaging complementary slots or recesses (not shown) in a bore passing through said drum. When said installation sleeve has been fully 5 everted onto said assembly mandrel as depicted in Figure 3, said closed end of said installation sleeve is pulled, causing said installation sleeve to slide towards said free end of said assembly mandrel, together with said tube of impregnated reinforcement 10 material. As said tube of impregnated reinforcement material moves along said assembly mandrel, said assembly shroud progressively de-everts, peelable adhesive attachment 13 releasing as tension is applied to it. During the removal of said installa 15 tion sleeve from said assembly mandrel, said coiled guide tape or cord is allowed to follow it by passing up through the interior of said assembly mandrel. As said installation sleeve is withdrawn from said assembly mandrel, said assembly shroud peels away 20 from the interior of said tube of impregnated reinforcement material and remains attached to said assembly mandrel. With said reinforcement material installed in said installation sleeve and impregnated with 25 settable resin pre- or post-installation through use of the alternative methods described, drum 35 is removed from said pressurisable container, the distal end of said retrieval tape or cord is attached SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 26 to said drum and said tape is wound onto it, followed by said installation sleeve. Where said impregnated tube of reinforcement material has been installed in said installation sleeve using said assembly 5 mandrel, said installation sleeve is wound immediate ly onto said drum as it slides off said assembly mandrel, care being taken to remove all entrapped air from it by flattening it. Conveniently, this is performed by passing said installation sleeve 10 between rollers urged together by springs. Preferably, but not necessarily, the outer surface of said installation sleeve is coated with a suitable lubricant material as it is wound onto said drum. Conveniently, said lubricant material is a sprayed 15 siliconeor Teflon lubricant. Whensaid installation sleeve, carrying within it said tube of impregnated reinforcement material, has been fully wound onto said drum, said drum is installed on shafts 32, 33 and said pressurisable container closed by the fixing 20 in place of removable end 24 with fastenings 25. The open end of said installation sleeve is led out through conical member 27 and delivery tube 26. With additional reference to Figure 5, the purpose of conical member 27 is to reshape tube of impregnat 25 ed reinforcement material 14 from its flattened form as it is delivered from drum 35 into a collapsed form 36 by generation of a fold 52. If necessary, folding members (not shown) are provided in said SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 27 conical member for this purpose, such folding members being well known in the art. Obviously, said pressurisable container may be left closed with said drum in place within it 5 and with a short bridle passing into said pressuris able container through said conical member and said delivery tube, the distal end of said retrieval tape or cord being attached to said bridle and said retrieval tape or cord being drawn into said 10 pressurisable container and onto said drum by rotation of shaft 32, 33, followed by said installa tion sleeve. With the desired length of delivery tube 26 fixed to said pressurisable container, the end of 15 collapsedtubeofimpregnatedreinforcementmaterial 36 is opened out, turned back over the distal end of said delivery tube and securely clamped to it with clamp 38, as depicted in Figure 6. Coiled said guide tape or cord is led out through said conical 20 member and said delivery tube together with the end of said installation sleeve and the surplus length coiled for later deployment. Said distal end of said delivery tube is then positioned coincident with an access opening into a tributary service 25 connection in which a said repair or reinforcement is to be installed. Guide tape or cord 21 is uncoiled and released into said tributary service connection together with SUBSTITUTE SHEET (R~e 24 (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 28 a copious flow of water and is carried down to sewer main 42 through which it passes to the next down stream manhole, where it is secured. If difficulty is experienced in so positioning said guide tape 5 or cord, a light draw cord is passed through in a similar way and used to draw said guide tape or cord into position. With reference to Figures 4, 6 and 7, the interior of said pressurisable container is 10 pressurised, preferably with a cool pressurising medium, to a pressure of between 50 and 150 kPa and this pressure is transmitted throughout the open part of said installation sleeve to its everted end, urging it towards continued eversion, whilst acting 15 to maintain its collapsed part in its compact form. Rotation of drum 35 in the appropriate direction progressively releases installation sleeve 14 from said drum, from whence it passes out through delivery tube 26, being progressively collapsed into its 20 compact form 36 as it passes through conical member 27, and everts into the opening 39 of tributary service connection 40, in coincidence with which the distal end of said delivery tube has been positioned. Further rotation of said drum and 25 regulation of the pressure of said cool pressurising medium by a first operator allows continuation of the eversion of said installation sleeve into said tributary service connection, collapsed part 36 of SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 29 said installation sleeve passing through said delivery tube and along the already everted part of said installation sleeve to evert itself at eversion point 43. Said lubricant material applied 5 to the outer surface of said installation sleeve acts to minimise friction between said collapsed and already everted parts of said installation sleeve as the former passes through the latter. As said installation sleeve progressively 10 everts, the pressure of said cool pressurising medium against it inflates said installation sleeve and urges it outwardly into intimate contact with the inner surface of said tributary service connection into which it is being everted. 15 As said installation sleeve progressively everts into said tributary service connection, the slack in said guide tape or cord is taken up by a second operator positioned at said downstream manhole of said sewer main. Should the eversion point 43 of 20 said installation sleeveencounterresistancewhilst transitioning a bend, trap or junction, said second operator applies tension to said guide tape or cord to assist it in the transition. Said eversion point of said installation sleeve readily transitions 25 tributary openings 41. It should be noted that, although delivery tube 26 is depicted in Figure 6 as being more or less the same diameter as tributary service connection 40, it may, in fact, be made with SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 30 a smaller diameter. As said eversion point of said installation sleeve approaches the position in which said repair or reinforcement is to be installed, the adhesion 5 of rings and strips of double-sided adhesive or of rings and strips of self-adhesive Velcro material 10 (as depicted in Figure 2) acts to cause the end of said tube of impregnated reinforcement material to follow said installation sleeve and commence 10 eversion, its inner surface then being progressively brought into contact with the inner surface of said tributary service connection and its said outer surface being progressively transferred to its interior as it continues to evert. Where said 15 impervious layer is provided on said tube of resin impregnated reinforcement material, in the everted position of said reinforcement material it forms a durable protective working surface. After completion of its eversion, said tube of resin 20 impregnated reinforcement material is maintained in position in intimate contact with the inner surface of said tributary service connect-ion by the inflation pressure of said installation sleeve. Progressive eversion of said installation sleeve 25 is then continued until its closed end 15 is fully everted, with only retrieval tape or cord 19 being released from drum 35 during the final stages of the eversion process. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 31 Where, in the alternative embodiment described, said installation sleeve is made in composite form from lengths of elastic and non-elastic tubing joined end to end, as said installation sleeve progressively 5 everts, its said non-elastic parts are inflated by the pressure of said cool pressurising medium into contact with the inner surface of said tributary service connection. Following its eversion together with said and said tube of impregnated reinforcement 10 material, said elastic part is similarly inflated, stretching to apply a smooth force against said tube of impregnated reinforcement material to urge it into intimate contact with the inner surface of said tributary service connection. 15 Following completion of eversion of said installation sleeve, a flow of heated pressurising medium is progressively admitted into said pressuris able container through hose or pressure line 37, the flow of both cool and heated pressurising media 20 being regulated to maintain proper inflation pressure of said installation sleeve as said calibrated vent openings in said closed end of said installation sleeve are exposed. With said flow of heated pressurising medium established, the supply of said 25 cool pressurising medium to said pressurisable containeris continued as required to maintain proper inflation of said installation sleeve. Heat from said flow of heated pressurising medium, passing SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 32 along the length of said installation sleeve and out through said calibrated vent openings in its said closed end, acts to accelerate the curing of said settable resin in said repair or reinforcement. 5 Where said installation sleeve is made from un reinforced material capable of considerable elastic extension, during said curing process, tension is maintained as required on said retrieval tape or cord to restrain any tendency for said installation 10 sleeve to elongate whilst heated and pressurised. Where required, said retrieval tape is made with a width approximately one quarter of the circumfer ence of said installation sleeve and tension applied to it urges it against the inner curve of any 15 convoluted member of a pipe or conduit to be repaired or reinforced, thereby acting to suppress any tendency towards pleating of said installation sleeve and said tube of impregnated reinforcement material in that area. Where said tube of impregnated 20 reinforcement material is made of sufficient length to provide adequate frictional attachment to the inner surface of said tributary service connection, its attachment to said installation sleeve as described and depicted in relation to Figures 2 and 25 3 may be sufficient to restrain said installation sleeve against any tendency for it to elongate whilst heated and pressurised. Said flow of heated pressurising medium is SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rifle9 (n/ATT WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 33 provided purely to accelerate the curing of said settable resin. Obviously, the use of said flow of heated pressurising medium may be dispensed with and said settable resin formulated to cure at ambient 5 temperatures, the extended curing time being tolerated. Obviously, where said installation sleeve is made wholly of reinforced or non-elastic material or in the preferred embodiment described formed from 10 two layers, one of which is made of non-elastic material, it has no tendency to elongate whilst heated and pressurised and there is therefore no requirement to maintain tension on said retrieval tape or cord during the curing process. 15 Obviously, also, an indication of the tempera ture within the distal end of said installation sleeve following its eversion and during curing of said resin-impregnatedreinforcement canbeobtained by providing conductors within said retrieval tape 20 or cord connected at the distal end of said installation sleeve to a thermocouple or other heat sensitive device and connected at said pressurisable container to a temperature indication device. Obviously, also, a pressure gauge may be provided 25 on said pressurisable container to indicate pressure within its interior and a flow meter to register total volume flow of cool and heated pressurising media into said pressurisable container through line SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 34 37 as depicted in Figure 4. When said settable resin in said repair or reinforcement is properly cured, said flow of cool and heated pressurising media is terminated. Said 5 installation sleeve is withdrawn from said tributary service connnection by tension applied to the distal end of said retrieval tape or cord, said installation sleeve progressively de-everting and passing back through its own interior, said guide tape or cord, 10 which has been released at said downstream manhole, following. As the de-eversion point of said installation sleeve passes said cured repair or reinforcement, said installation sleeve peels cleanly away from it. Preferably, during the process of 15 de-eversion of said installation sleeve, a light inflation pressure is maintained within said installation sleeve to minimise any tendency towards bunching or wrinkling and thereby facilitate its movement. 20 Said installation sleeve, said retrieval tape or cord and said guide tape or cord are then cleaned, inspected, repaired as required and packed for future use. With reference to Figures 9, 10 and 11, in an 25 alternative embodiment in which the end of said tube of impregnated reinforcement material is carried out of the end of said lateral service connection and for a short distance into said sewer main in SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 35 order to create a stronger repair or reinforcement, installation sleeve 14 is made with a distal end able to be inflated into a more or less spherical form of substantially greater diameter than that 5 of the generality of said installation sleeve and of sufficient diameter to fully fill the lumen of said sewer main. The apex (in its collapsed form) of said distal end incorporates reinforcement 46 made of a material sufficiently soft and flexible 10 to permit its complete eversion. Attached to said reinforcement is short bridle 16, on one end of which is provided attachment fitting 17 to which is securely attached guide tape or cord 21. On the other end of said short bridle is provided an 15 attachment fitting (depicted as 18 in figures 2 and 3), to which is securely attached said retrieval tape or cord (depicted as 19 in Figures 2 and 3), neither feature being shown in this Figure. One or more calibrated vent openings (not shown) are 20 provided in said distal end of said installation sleeve. In its uninflated form, said distal end is arranged to collapse into a plurality of pleats 45. Figure 10 depicts a transverse cross-sectional view of said distal end sectioned through the plane 25 indicated in Figure 9. In its said uninflated form, said distal end may be further collapsed into a more compact form by the folding together of said pleats as depicted in Figure 11 in a transverse cross SUBSTITITF RHFFT (mi,,P m r/AIT WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 36 sectional view sectioned through the same plane as depicted in Figure 10. In its fully collapsed form, said distal end of said installation sleeve, during the process of eversion of said installation sleeve, 5 is readily able to pass along the interior of its already everted part. With reference to Figures 12 and 13, in the same alternative embodiment, tube of impregnated reinforcement material 1 is modified by the making 10 of a plurality of short axial cuts in one of its ends, allowing leaves 48 to be folded out radially in the form of a rosette. Gussets 49 are inserted into the openings of approximately triangular shape generated between said leaves when positioned in 15 their rosette arrangement and are sewn or bonded into place. Each said gusset is preferably provided with crease 50 which facilitates its adoption of a folded form 51, thereby offering minimal impedance to the movement of said leaves as they are restored 20 to their original tubular arrangement (as depicted specifically in Figure 13). In positioning said tube of impregnated reinforcement material over assembly mandrel 2 (as described and depicted in Figures 1, 2 and 3), its folded forms 51 are first 25 deflected sidewardly, all in the same sense, to lie flat against the inner surface of said tube of impregnated reinforcement material. Although in Figures 12 and 13, said tube of SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 37 impregnated reinforcement material is depicted as made from some thin material, it is, in fact, made in whatever thickness is required to effect a repair or reinforcement of the required strength in a 5 particular pipe or conduit. With reference to Figures 8 and 12, in the same alternative embodiment, tube of impregnated reinforcement material 1 is positioned within installation sleeve 14 such that that part of its 10 end modified to create leaves 48 extends for a short distance over its said distal end adapted to inflate into a more or less spherical form. Following the completion of eversion of said installation sleeve into said lateral service connection (as described 15 and depicted in relation to Figure 6), said tube of impregnated reinforcement material is positioned so that said leaves and gussets just extend into the lumen of said sewer main and said distal end of said installation sleeve is inflated to fully 20 fill said lumen and thereby open out said leaves and gussets into their rosette form and urge them against the inner surface of said sewer main around the opening of said lateral service connection, forming, when said settable resin with which they 25 are impregnated is cured, flange 47. During said curing process, heated inflation medium flowing along said installation sleeve passes into its said inflated distal end and out through said calibrated SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 38 vent openings (not shown) in it. Where said tube of impregnated reinforcement material is suitably elastic, the arrangement depicted in Figures 12 and 13 may be dispensed with 5 and said tube of reinforcement material made sufficiently long and is positioned within said installation sleeve such that, when said installation sleeve is fully everted, it projects for a distance of approximately one diameter into the lumen of said 10 sewer main. As said distal end of said inflation sleeve inflates, as depicted in Figure 8, said projecting end ofsaid tube of impregnated reinforce ment material retracts against the inner surface of said sewer main to form a collar around the 15 opening of said lateral service connection which is compressed and flattened as said distal end of said installation sleeve becomes fully inflated. Said flattened collar, when said settable resin with which said tube of reinforcement material is 20 impregnated is cured, serves a similar purpose to that of flange 47 as depicted in Figure 8. The advantage of the alternative embodiment depicted in and described in relation to Figures 8 to 13 is a repair of said lateral service 25 connection which is morestrongly secured inposition by flange or flattened collar 47 bearing against the inner surface of said sewer main. With reference to Figure 14, in an alternative SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AI) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 39 embodiment, the distal end of said installation sleeve is closed by securing its said layers, 14a, 14b to a waisted plug 54, with removable clamp 55. Said waistedplug isprovided with calibratedventing 5 duct 56 passing throughout its length and attachment fittings 57, 58 are pivotally attached to each end of said waisted plug in a way which does not impede flow through said venting duct. Retrieval tape or cord 19 and guide tape or cord 21 are attached to 10 said attachment fittings. This embodiment provides a more convenient method of closing said distal end of said installation sleeve, the effect of said closure method being readily reversible. Obviously, retrieval tape or cord 19 and guide tape or cord 15 21 may be made in a continuous length and attached jointly to the closed end 15 of said installation sleeve by being seized to waisted plug 54 together with the end of said installation sleeve by clamp 55. In this arrangement, knots might be provided 20 in said tapes or cords immediately adjacent to and on either side of said waisted plug to eliminate the possibility of inadvertent slippage. The method and apparatus described herein may be readily employed by personnel possessing average 25 skills, and having had reasonable training, to reliablyinstalllocalisedrepairsorreinforcements in any location within straight or convoluted pipes or conduits while working from one or more of their SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 40 ends and without the need to expose or break them. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU)

Claims (62)

1. A method of installing a formed-in-situ repair in a pipe or conduit comprising the location of a sleeve of soft reinforcement material impregnated 5 with a settable resin within a tube of soft, impervious sheet material; attaching a first tape or cord to the internal surface of a closed end of said tube, said tape or cord passing along the full length of said tube, through said sleeve of 10 reinforcement material and for sufficient distance outside it to extend from the proximal end of a section of pipe or conduit to be repaired to its distal end; attaching a second tape or cord of a length slightly greater than that of said tube to 15 the external surface of said closed end; winding said second tape or cord followed by said combined sleeve and tube onto a rotatable drum within a pressurisable container, leaving the end of said tube protruding; passing said first tape or cord 20 from said pressurisable container along the length of said section of pipe or conduit to be repaired to its distal end; fixing the open end of said tube to an outlet of said pressurisable container and pressurising the interior of said container, thereby 25 everting said tube directly into said pipe or conduit to be repaired such that said sleeve is carried with it and, upon inversion, is brought into intimate contact with a desired zone of the inner surface SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 42 of said pipe or conduit; controlling the rotation of said drum to regulate the rate of eversion of said tube; applying tension to the distal end of said first tape or cord to guide the everting part 5 of said tube through directional changes within said pipe or conduit to be repaired; maintaining the inflation of said tube when everted while passing a flow of a heated fluid medium through its interior to accelerate curing of said settable resin; and, 10 when said settable resin is cured, applying tension to the proximal end of said second tape or cord to de-evert said tube and withdraw it from said pipe or conduit to be repaired, peeling it away from said cured sleeve of reinforcement material which is left 15 in place within said pipe or conduit.

2. A method in accordance with Claim 1 in which said tube is made from amaterial allowing circumfer ential elastic expansion of up to 50 per cent, but 20 restricting axial elastic expansion to the range 15 to 20 per cent.

3. A method according to Claim 2 in which said tube is formed from a sheet of thin, soft, impervious 25 material into which a large plurality of axially arranged, fine, parallel, non-elastic reinforcing filaments is incorporated. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Riule 2M (RO/AT WO 99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 43

4. A method according to Claim 3 in which said reinforcing filaments follow a more or less sinuous path with an amplitude of approximately two millimetres and a wavelength of approximately six 5 millimetres.

5. A method according to Claim 3 in which said reinforcing filaments have other amplitudes and wavelengths. 10

6. A method according to Claim 2 in which said tube is reinforced by the application to it of a plurality of axially-oriented, narrow strips of self-adhesive, elastic polymer material. 15

7. A method according to Claim 6 in which said strips of polymer material are reinforced by the incorporation into them of a large plurality of axially-arranged, fine, parallel, non-elastic 20 reinforcing filaments.

8. A method according to Claim 7 in which said reinforcing filaments follow a more or less sinuous path with an amplitude of approximately two 25 millimetres and a wavelength of approximately six millimetres.

9. A method according to Claim 7 in which said SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU~ WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 44 reinforcing filaments have other amplitudes and wavelengths.

10. A method according to Claim 1 in which said 5 tube comprises two separate layers of thin, soft, flexible, impervious material, the first having a diameter of between 100 and 110 per cent of the inside diameter of said pipe or conduit and being relatively inelastic, the second having a diameter 10 of between 75 and 90 per cent of the inner diameter of said pipe or conduit and being sufficiently elastic to permit localised elongation of between 15 and 20 per cent. 15

11. A method according to Claim 10 in which said first layer is made approximately 0.25mm thick and said second layer 0.40mm thick.

12. A method according to Claim 10 in which said 20 first and second layers are made with other thicknesses.

13. A method according to Claim 10 in which a lubricating substance is provided between said 25 layers.

14. A method according to Claim 10 in which said second layer is reinforced in the manner claimed SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 45 in Claims 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

15. A method according to Claim 1 in which said tube is made from reinforced and relatively inelastic 5 material and with a diameter equal to or slightly larger than the internal diameter of said pipe or conduit.

16. A method according to Claim 1 in which said 10 tube is made by sealingly joining a length of suitably elastic tubing between and to two lengths of relatively inelastic tubing, the diameters of both tubing types being between 90 and 100 per cent of the inner diameter of said pipe or conduit. 15

17. A method according to Claim 1 in which said tube is made from a first tube in the form of single, continuous length of soft, flexible, elastic, impervious material, inside which (prior to its 20 eversion into said pipe or conduit) are secured in place two or more lengths of tubing of soft, flexible, relatively inelastic material which cover the whole of the interior of said first tube except for a zone in which said resin impregnated reinforce 25 ment is to be located.

18. A method according to Claim 17 in which said inner and outer tubing comprising said tube are made SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 46 with a diameter between 90 and 100 per cent of the inside diameter of said pipe or conduit.

19. A method according to Claim 1 in which said 5 tube is made from polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride material.

20. A method according to Claim 1 in which said tube is made from other material. 10

21. A method according to Claim 1 in which said sleeve of reinforcement material is secured in place within said tube with double-side adhesive tape. 15

22. A method according to Claim 1 in which said sleeve of reinforcement material is secured in place within said tube with self-adhesive tape incorporat ing on its other surface looped and/or hooked filaments such as that known by the trade name, 20 Velcro, theself-adhesivesurfaceofwhichisapplied to the inner surface of said tube.

23. A method according to Claim 1 in which said sleeve of reinforcement material is secured in place 25 within said tube by other means.

24. A method according to Claim 1 in which said settable resin is vinyl ester, polyester or epoxy. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 47

25. A method according to Claim 1 in which said settable resin is another compound.

26. A method according to Claim 1 in which said 5 reinforcement material is made from needled polyester felt.

27. A method according to Claim 1 in which said reinforcement material is made directly in the form 10 of a knitted tube or by forming knitted sheet material into a tube.

28. A method according to Claim 1 in which said reinforcement material is made in other ways or from 15 other materials.

29. A method according to Claim 1 in which said pressurisable container is pressurised to between 50 and 150 kPa to cause eversion of said tube in 20 to said pipe or conduit.

30. A method according to Claim 1 in which said pressurisable container is pressurised to other pressures. 25

31. A method according to Claim 1 in which said tube containing said sleeve of reinforcement material is first rolled onto a drum which is then installed SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 48 in said pressurisable container.

32. A method according to Claim 1 in which said drum is left in place inside said pressurisable 5 container and said tube containing said sleeve of reinforcement material is attached to a short bridle attached to said drum and is drawn through an outlet into said pressurisable container and onto said drum by rotation of said drum. 10

33. A method according to Claim 1 in which said drum in said pressurisable container is supported on a shaft or shafts rotatable by means of a crank handle or by remotely-controllable, power-operated 15 drive means.

34. A method according to Claim 1 in which said first tape or cord, or at least that part of it passing through the interior of said tube is made 20 in width approximately one quarter of the circumfer ence of said tube.

35. A method according to Claim 1 in which said sleeve of reinforcement material is impregnated with 25 said settable resin prior to it being positioned within said tube.

36. A method according to Claim 1 in which said SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule r6 (RO/AT WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 49 sleeve of reinforcement material is impregnated with said settable resin after being positioned within said tube. 5

37. A method according to Claim 1 in which said closed end and adjacent zone of said tube is reinforced.

38. A method according to Claim 1 in which one or 10 more delivery tubes of varying length are attached to said outlet of said pressurisable container.

39. A method according to Claim 1 in which cali brated vent openings are provided in the closed end 15 of said tube.

40. A method according to Claim 1 in which a folding device is provided in said outlet of said pressuris able container to reduce said tube to a more compact 20 form.

41. A method according to Claim 1 in which the distal end of said tube is provided with a reinforced ballooning part. 25

42. A method according to Claim 1 in which the distal end of said sleeve of reinforcement material is provided with leaves and gussets enabling said SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 50 end to be expanded out into a flange or rosette form.

43. A method according to Claim 1 in which flow indicating devices are provided in a hose or pressure 5 line through which pressurising media are supplied to the interior of said pressurisable container and a pressure gauge is provided on said pressurisable container to indicate the pressure within it. 10

44. A method according to Claim 1 in which said heated pressurising medium is steam.

45. A method according to Claim 1 in which said heated pressurising medium is water. 15

46. A method according to Claim 1 in which said heated pressurising medium is air.

47. A method according to Claim 1 in which another 20 heated pressurising medium is employed.

48. A method according to Claim 1 in which an unheated pressurising medium is employed. 25

49. A method according to Claim 1 in which the temperature of said closed distal end of said tube is measured by a thermocouple or other heat sensitive device embedded in said closed end and connected SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RQ/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 51 to indication means at said pressurisable container by conductors embedded in said second tape or cord.

50. A method according to Claim 1 in which said 5 closed end of said tube is closed by clamping the walls of said tube to a waisted plug.

51. A method according to Claim 1 in which said first and second tapes or cords are made in a 10 continuous length and seized directly to saidwaisted plug at the distal end of said tube.

52. A method according to Claim 50 in which a calibrated venting duct is provided passing through 15 the length of said waisted plug.

53. A method according to Claim 1 in which a lubricating compound is applied to the outer surface of said tube immediately prior to its eversion into 20 said pipe or conduit to be repaired.

54. A method acording to Claim 1 in which tension is maintained on said second tape or cord during the process of curing said settable resin to minimise 25 the elongation of said tube.

55. A method according to Claim 1 in which a plurality of sleeves of soft reinforcement material SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 52 impregnated with a settable resin are located within said tube which is then everted into a pipe or conduit to be repaired to bring said sleeves into intimate contact with the inner surfaces of a 5 plurality of desired zones within it.

56. Apparatus for performance of the method claimed at Claim 1, comprising pressurisable container with at least one side or end removable to allow 10 installation of a drum rotationally supported on one or more shafts, means to control rotation of said drum, an outlet member from said container, optional folding or collapsing means in said outlet member, and optional extension members of variable 15 length for connection to the outer end of said outlet member. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/28668 53 PCT/AU98/00988 AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 15 March1999 (15.03.99); original claims 25-56 replaced by new claims 25-62(8pages)] 25. A method according to Claim 1 in which said settable resin is another compound. 26. A method according to Claim 1 in which said 5 sleeve of reinforcement material ismade from needled polyester felt. 27. A method according to Claim 1 in which said sleeve of reinforcement material is made directly 10 in the form of a knitted tube or by forming knitted sheet material into a tube. 28. A method according to Claim 1 in which said sleeve of reinforcement material is made in other 15 ways or from other materials. 29. A method according to Claim 1 in which said pressurisable container is pressurised to between 50 and 150 kPa to cause eversion of said tube in 20 to said pipe or conduit. 30. A method according to Claim 1 in which said pressurisable container is pressurised to other pressures. 25 31. A method according to Claim 1 in which said tube containing said sleeve of reinforcement material is first rolled onto a drum which is then installed WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 54 in said pressurisable container. 32. A method according to Claim 1 in which said drum is left in place inside said pressurisable 5 container and said tube containing said sleeve of reinforcement material is attached to a short bridle attached to said drum and is drawn through an outlet into said pressurisable container and onto said drum by rotation of said drum. 10 33. A method according to Claim 1 in which said drum in said pressurisable container is supported on a shaft or shafts rotatable by means of a crank handle or by remotely-controllable, power-operated 15 drive means. 34. A method according to Claim 1 in which said first tape or cord, or at least that part of it passing through the interior of said tube, is made 20 in the form of a flat tape of width approximately one quarter of the circumference of said tube. 35. A method according to Claim 1 in which said sleeve of reinforcement material is impregnatedwith 25 said settable resin prior to it being positioned within said tube. 36. A method according to Claim 1 in which said WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 55 sleeve of reinforcement material is impregnated with said settable resin after being positioned within said tube. 5 37. A method according to Claim 1 in which said closed end and adjacent zone of said tube is reinforced. 38. A method according to Claim 1 in which one or 10 more delivery tubes of varying length are attached to said outlet of said pressurisable container. 39. A method according to Claim 1 in which cali brated vent openings are provided in the closed end 15 of said tube. 40. A method according to Claim 1 in which a folding device is provided in said outlet of said pressuris able container to reduce said tube and said sleeve 20 to a more compact form. 41. A method according to Claim 1 in which the distal end of said tube is provided with a reinforced ballooning part. 25 42. A method according to Claim 1 in which the distal end of said sleeve of reinforcement material is provided with leaves and gussets enabling said AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 1 WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 56 end to be expanded out into a flange or rosette form. 43. A method according to Claim 1 in which flow indicating devices are provided in a hose or pressure 5 line through which pressurising media are supplied to the interior of said pressurisable container and a pressure gauge is provided on said pressurisable container to indicate the pressure within it. 10 44. A method according to Claim 1 in which said heated pressurising medium is steam. 45. A method according to Claim 1 in which said heated pressurising medium is water. 15 46. A method according to Claim 1 in which said heated pressurising medium is air. 47. A method according to Claim 1 in which another 20 heated pressurising medium is employed. 48. A method according to Claim 1 in which an unheated pressurising medium is employed. 25 49. A method according to Claim 1 in which the temperature of said closed distal end of said tube is measured by a thermocouple or other heat sensitive device embedded in said closed end and connected AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 57 to indication means at said pressurisable container by conductors embedded in said second tape or cord. 50. A method according to Claim 1 in which said 5 closed end of said tube is closed by clamping the walls of said tube to a waisted plug. 51. A method according to Claim 1 in which said first and second tapes or cords are made in a 10 continuous length and seized directly to saidwaisted plug at the distal end of said tube. 52. A method according to Claim 50 in which a calibrated venting duct is provided passing through 15 the length of said waisted plug. 53. A method according to Claim 1 in which a lubricating compound is applied to the outer surface of said tube immediately prior to its eversion into 20 said pipe or conduit to be repaired. 54. A method acording to Claim 1 in which tension is maintained on said second tape or cord during the process of curing said settable resin to minimise 25 the elongation of said tube. 55. A method according to Claim 1 in which a plurality of sleeves of soft reinforcement material WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 58 impregnated with a settable resin are located within said tube which is then everted into a pipe or conduit to be repaired to bring said sleeves into intimate contact with the inner surfaces of a 5 plurality of desired zones within it. 56. A method according to Claim 1 in which said sleeve of reinforcement material possesses a degree of elasticity sufficient to permit a localised 10 elongation of up to 20 per cent in any plane.

57. A method according to Claim 1 in which tension is applied as required to the distal end of said first tape or cord during said process of eversion 15 to physically guide the everting zone of said tube and said sleeve around and through directional changes in said pipe or conduit, such as bends, joint displacements or other convolutions, thereby over coming any tendency for said everting zone to stick 20 or baulk in said directional changes.

58. A method according to Claim 34 in which tension applied to the distal end of said first tape or cord causes said wider tape part to press against those 25 parts of bends or convolutions of smaller radius, thereby suppressing any tendency towards pleating of said tube and said sleeve of reinforcement material. WO99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 59

59. A method according to Claim 1 in which said tube is employed to accurately locate a short or long sleeve of reinforcement material in a repair zone anywhere within the extended length of a 5 straight or convoluted pipe or conduit.

60. A method according to Claim 1 in which any of the forms of said tube as claimed in Claims 2 to 20 (inclusive) is combined with any of the forms 10 of said sleeve of reinforcement material as claimed in Claims 26, 27 or 28, with said sleeve of rein forcement material being secured in place within said tube using any of the methods claimed at Claims 21, 22 or 23. 15

61. A method according to Claim 1 in which elast icity of said tube and said sleeve of reinforcement material permits localised elastic deformation sufficient to permit said sleeve to accommodate any 20 shape change in a pipe or conduit, thereby achieving smooth conformity and avoiding any tendency for said sleeve to pleat.

62. Apparatus for performance of the method claimed 25 at Claim 1, comprising pressurisable container with at least one side or end removable to allow installation of a drum rotationally supported on one or more shafts, means to control rotation of AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) WO 99/28668 PCT/AU98/00988 60 said drum, an outlet member from said container, optional folding or collapsing means in said outlet member, and optional extension members of variable length for connection to the outer end of said outlet 5 member. AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)