CA2132701A1 - Pipeline repair apparatus including expandable forms - Google Patents
Pipeline repair apparatus including expandable formsInfo
- Publication number
- CA2132701A1 CA2132701A1 CA 2132701 CA2132701A CA2132701A1 CA 2132701 A1 CA2132701 A1 CA 2132701A1 CA 2132701 CA2132701 CA 2132701 CA 2132701 A CA2132701 A CA 2132701A CA 2132701 A1 CA2132701 A1 CA 2132701A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- repair
- conduit
- flexible material
- pressure medium
- flexible
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L55/00—Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems
- F16L55/16—Devices for covering leaks in pipes or hoses, e.g. hose-menders
- F16L55/162—Devices for covering leaks in pipes or hoses, e.g. hose-menders from inside the pipe
- F16L55/163—Devices for covering leaks in pipes or hoses, e.g. hose-menders from inside the pipe a ring, a band or a sleeve being pressed against the inner surface of the pipe
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L55/00—Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems
- F16L55/18—Appliances for use in repairing pipes
Abstract
Apparatus is disclosed for the in situ repair of an inner wall of a conduit or pipe by pressing a repair material in the form of a sheet or sleeve (24) with settable repair substance against a repair zone (12) of the conduit or pipe, the apparatus having a central tube (17) allowing liquid flow therethrough during a repair operation, an inflation zone (20) surrounding the tube (17) defined by a flexible inelastic material tube (19) sealed at opposed ends to the central tube (17), said flexible inelastic material tube forms a control means to prevent radial expansion beyond a predetermined limit and generally has an inflated diameter approximating the diameter of the conduit or pipe to be repaired, means (21) for introducing an inflation medium into said inflation zone (20), and elastic band means (25) surrounding the flexible inelastic material tube (19) to contract same upon said inflation medium being withdrawn from the inflation zone (20).
Description
2 ~ 7 0 1 PCI`/AIJ93/00121 The present invention relates to apparatus used in the process of refurbishing damaged conduits, pipelines and sewer pipes through the application of a reinforced lining to their inner walls by means of an inflatable form. The present invention is 5 particularly but not exclusively intended for use in the repair of y~rground pipelines in situ to avoid the necessity of excavating the pipeline or re-routing flow from the pipeline around the repair site.
Conventionally, two principal methods have been used for the refurbishment of cracked, broken or eroded pipelines or sewer pipes through so-called soft lining methods 10 imoivin~ the application of a reinforced lining to 1heir inner walls. One of these methods involves the eversbn ot a tube of themmosenin~ resin-impregnated reinforcement fabric into a sectbn of pipe to be relined from an extemal position by means of a head of water.
An example of this method can be seen in U.S. Patent No. 4,581,085. This method has the disadvantage that the pipe being repaired is necessarily blocked by the repair materials 15 durin~ the repair proc~ss and as a result, fhw through the pipeline must be re-routed around the repair zone. A second method used involves carrying a layer of resin impregnated reinfordn~ material on an intlatable form to the repair zone wilhin the pipe and thereafter infbting the inflatabie brm to press and hold the repair layer against the sectbn of 1he pipe requlring repair for a length of time sufficient to allow the resins to 20 cure. Examples of this type of repair can be seen in G.B. Patent No. 2136912, European Patent No. 370193 and Swiss Patent No. 635181. A short coming of these known systems Is that the inflatable forms used essentially fully block the pipe during the repair process thereby intérrupting all flow in the pipeline. Bypassing of the section being refu~bished or some other means of stopping flow in the pipeline beiing repaired is 25 1herehre a necessily.
A lhird torm ol pipeline repair is also shown in prbr art specification but thistypelot process isjnot intended to refurbish a length of pipeline but rather is intended to repair bcalised defects, commonly cracks or gaps between discrete secthn lengths of a pipellne. In thiS type of repair process a~ settable liquid or semi-liquid sealant is 30 pun~d or forced into a zone between two axially spaced inflated parts pressed agains1 the inner wall of the pipeline. Examples of this type of device are shown in U.S. Palent Nos.
Conventionally, two principal methods have been used for the refurbishment of cracked, broken or eroded pipelines or sewer pipes through so-called soft lining methods 10 imoivin~ the application of a reinforced lining to 1heir inner walls. One of these methods involves the eversbn ot a tube of themmosenin~ resin-impregnated reinforcement fabric into a sectbn of pipe to be relined from an extemal position by means of a head of water.
An example of this method can be seen in U.S. Patent No. 4,581,085. This method has the disadvantage that the pipe being repaired is necessarily blocked by the repair materials 15 durin~ the repair proc~ss and as a result, fhw through the pipeline must be re-routed around the repair zone. A second method used involves carrying a layer of resin impregnated reinfordn~ material on an intlatable form to the repair zone wilhin the pipe and thereafter infbting the inflatabie brm to press and hold the repair layer against the sectbn of 1he pipe requlring repair for a length of time sufficient to allow the resins to 20 cure. Examples of this type of repair can be seen in G.B. Patent No. 2136912, European Patent No. 370193 and Swiss Patent No. 635181. A short coming of these known systems Is that the inflatable forms used essentially fully block the pipe during the repair process thereby intérrupting all flow in the pipeline. Bypassing of the section being refu~bished or some other means of stopping flow in the pipeline beiing repaired is 25 1herehre a necessily.
A lhird torm ol pipeline repair is also shown in prbr art specification but thistypelot process isjnot intended to refurbish a length of pipeline but rather is intended to repair bcalised defects, commonly cracks or gaps between discrete secthn lengths of a pipellne. In thiS type of repair process a~ settable liquid or semi-liquid sealant is 30 pun~d or forced into a zone between two axially spaced inflated parts pressed agains1 the inner wall of the pipeline. Examples of this type of device are shown in U.S. Palent Nos.
3,9058,607, 4,763,S11, 3,618,639, 3,762,446, 3,834,421, 3,958,607, 3,~46,761 and G.B. Patent No. 2169983. These prior art references do not permit tefurblshment of a len~th of pipe as the repair material cannot include a resurfacing W093/19322 'f~ ~ 3 ~ ~ O ~ Pcr/Aug3/00121 " I
malerial and canno1 reliably extend over any lenglh of an inner surface of a pipe as opposed to a crack or gap between pipe section lengths.
In German Patent App ication No. DE 3922351 it has been proposed to provide an annular form with an inflatable envelope on its outer surface such that fbw within the 5 pipeline being repaired may continue through Ihe annular formfiHhile Ihe repair process Is being carried out. This avoWs the problem discussed above relating to re-routing or stopping flow in the pipeline being repaired, however certain difficulties still exist. The form discbsed is essentblly rigid makin~ it extremely difficulty to get the torm into an underground repair positbn from an above ground bcation when the form length is above 10 a certain predetermined length. That is, above a certain length it is difficult or impossible to manoeuvre a rbid form within the confines of a manhole or access pit.
Australian Patent Applicathn No. 54471/90 discloses an arrangement wherein the inflatable form is formed by a plurality of individually rigid annular segments which are pressed together by cable tensioning means to form a rigid annular form when in use, 15 Ihe cable tensioning means being capable of being relaxed to allow the individual segments to be arrsnged at an angle to adjacent segments thereby facilitating introduction of the brm into fhe pipeUne from an above ground position or movement through a pipeline to the desired repair IJocatbn. Whib this arrangement does not have the same problem as dlu~ud above in relation to German Patent Specificatbn No. DE 3922351, it does have 20 a problem in that it is complicated in construction and difficult to use where it is nece~ary to tighteh lhe cable ~ensioning means underground at the repair location.
Whib this can be achi,eved, it is an added complicalion in cost of producing the repair apparatus and in using ~he apparatus during a repair process.
A still tunher probiem~with many prior art repair devices is that the inflation 25 envebpe or bag is commonly~produced from a stretchable or expandable material such as rubber'or rubber like m ~ ~bl. In some siluations a plpeline may be broken with a reasonably lar~e washed out cavity in the earth around the break. Where this hasoccurred, iI is posslble for the pressure of an elastic inflatable form to displace a broken ~on, distend into the caviq and burst. If the repair is only partially cured it may, as 30 resun, be a hilure snd be impossible to remove without excavating the whole section of the p4eline.
G.B. Patent Specification No. 2136912 discbses an inflatable form of the same general type as discussed above wherein the intlatable bag is produced from a non stretchable materlal such as nybn coated internally with Neoprene (for waterproofing).
35 The diameter ot this bag is selected to be generally equal to the diameter of the pipe being Pcr/~u~3 / 001 ~1 RECEIVED 16 fEB 1994 repaired less twiee lhe lhickness of the repair malerial. This G.B. patent does not, however, disclose any melhod of conlaeling lhe inflalable bag after the repair proeess has been completed to enable the repair device to be removed from the pipeline beingrepaired which is normally aehieved by making the bag from an elastic material.
The objective of the present invention is generally to provide repair apparatus and a malhod of operating sueh repaTr apparatus whbh will solve~all or at least some of 1he dlffieulties assoeiated with prior ar~ deviees as discussed above. In partieular, in a first aspect, the present invention aims at providing repair apparatus which can be posilbned as desired within a pipe to be repaired from an above ground position without 10 signifieant complications in construction or use of the apparatus and without preventing normal fbw in the pipeline being repaired while the repair process is carried out. In a seeond aspect, the present invention aims at providing apparatus which will prevent the intlalable hrm expanding into a cavily surrounding lhe repair zone beyond a predetermined limil lhereby ensuring against the inflation malerial bursling with the 15 possible consequent effect of the repa~r material and repair apparatus becoming irretrievably sluck al the repair site, while at the same time allowing contraction cf the intlatable form upon eompletion of the r~pair process.
According to the present invention, apparatus adapted to achieve the aforemenffoned objectives is provided having fealures corresponding lo those defined in 20 cbims 1 and 5 annexed herelo. Similarly, lhe invention also provWes a method of repair having the features deflned in claims 11 and 12 annexed hereto. Prsferred aspects are as denned in daims dependent from lhe aforesaid daims.
By these methods and apparatus, a pipe or conduit may be repaired in situ without danger of the infiatabh member expanding into a cavity around the repair zone to a stage 25 where bursting mbht oeeur.
In accordanee with another aspeet, the present case discloses apparatus for applying In situ a repair material in the form of a sleeve or sheet including a settable mat,eflal to a repair zone of an inner wall of a eonduit or pipeline, said apparatus comprisin~ a eore member having a radially expandable deviee loeated outwardly of said 30 eore member and exlending axialb aiong and at least partially circumferentially around said eore member, said eore member ineluding a holiow flexible tube of a non perforate material and having a fixed axial length capable of transverse bending but adapted to eslst inwatd deformatbn eaused by internal pressure within said expandable device during a repair operation.
A~D~ s~r lPWAV
P~/AU 93 / 001 2 1 ~ RECEIVED 16 ~E~ 1994 - h ~ 2 ~Oi Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fi~ure 1 is a longiludinal cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a secon,d embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a view sharing the embodiment of Figure 2 in a position of use;
Figure 4a is a cross-sectional view along line A-A of Figure 2;
Figure 4b is a partial section view of the end of lhe apparatus adjacent section10 A-A wnh the sheath member removed for the sake of clarity;
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along line B-B of Figure 2; and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along line- C-C of Figure 2; and ~ND~D ~BEr IPE~
-W093~19322 f~ 0 1 PCI`/AU93/00121 Fi~ure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 except Ihat the expandable cavity has been expandsd.
Refening tirst to Figure 1 the apparatus 10 is shown within a pipe 11 lo be repaired having a repair zone 12. The apparatus 10 comprises a pair of longitudinal 5 spaced end members 13 14 whbh may be formed from solid metal or fabricated from sheet metal such as aluminium or an aluminium alloy. Each member 13 14 has a bn~itudinal through flow passage 15 and connectbn means 16 to permit connection of cabbs 30 or the like (Figure 3) to albw positbning of the member within the pipe to be repaired. A flexible tube 17 interconnects the two end members 13 14. The tube 17 is 10 convenhnt~ formed from a rubber or other elastomeric material and is reinforced so Ihat deflectbns or deformations inwardly are resisted but the tube 17 is sufficiently Uexible to albw transverse bending to albw the apparatus to be moved around bends in the pipe 11 to be repaired. Fbxible cables or chains 18 are provided interconnecting the two end members 13 14 to ensure that they do not separate under the loads required to 15 winch same into positbn or to withdraw same aner a repair process has been completed.
The thhugh flow passages 15 and the interior of the tube 17 provide a longitudinal pa~oe that albws continued fbw through the pipe 11 durin~ positioning or withdrawal ot the apparatus 10 and during the repair process itself.
P~adbl~ outwardb of the tube 17 is a flexible and expandable tube 19 which is 20 oonnected by any~suitable means 26 27 at either end to the end members 13 14. The flexlble~and expandabb tube 19 defines an expandable cavity Z0 essentially between ll~elf- and the~ outer wrface of the tube 17. Access is provided through one or more pa~ e means 21 ~n at~ bast one of the end members 13 14 to albw introduction or ~ wi~l ol~a pressute~medium (liquW or air - preferab~y heated) to the cavity 20 to 25 th*~y~expand this~cavity~and~move the tube 19~radially outwardly. If the tube 19 is eb~tb and therefore st ~t0abb then upon withdrawin~ the pressure medium from thecavi~ 20 the tube~will oontract radiallx inwardly. ~Located radially outwardly from 1he t~lb~ 19 is a ~hea1h member 22 which is oonnected at one end 231O one of the endrs 13~ The ~heath- member 22 ~s ~provided ~to assist removal of the apparatus from 30 tl~ ~plpelhe upon completb~n ~of ~a repair operation as is explained in Australian Patent ~tbn No. 54771~/90.~ The sheath member 22 may alternatively be constructed as a sepsra1e unit as di~closed in Aus1ralisn Provisbrlal Pa!ent Application No. PL 1466 filed on the 20th l~lardl 1992. The subject matbrs of these co-pending paten1 applications are includ~d herein~ by this cross reterence thereto. The shea1h member 22 carries to 35 lhe repai-~zone 12 (Fi~ure 3) a repair ma1erial 24 in 1he h~m of a reinforcement WO 93/19322 h i ~ PCI'/AU93/00121 Impregnated with a settable material such as a thermosetting resin. Advantageously. the senable material will not readily set at normal temperatures but will set upon an eleva~ed pressure medium (such as hot water) being introduced into the expandable eavity 20.
S Figure 2 illustrates in longitudinal uoss-seetion an alter~tive embodiment to the apparatus shown in Figure 1. Like features in Figure 2 have been given the same rebrenee numerals as ~n Figure 1 and are not further deseribed hereafler. The essential differenee between the two arrangements lies in the confi~uration of the member 19 forming Ihe outer wall of ~he expanding cavity 20. In this ease the wall is formed by a 10 non-elaslb non-stretehable flexible material which is capable of containing the pressure of the hjeetbn medium used. A knitted polyester fibre yarn coated wnh vinyl material to provide a seal has been found satisfactory. Other materials that are non-ebstie under normal operating pressures, that are flexible, and that are capable of retaining the pressure medium during use, may equally be used. As can be seen in15 Fi~ures 4a and 4b, the end of the tubular member 19 is wrapped about the end member 13 ~or 14) and is seabd thereto with a suitable alant and elamping bands 26. As a te8ùlt, in the position where there is no pressure medium in the cav;ty 20 or l~dkient medium to expand the eavity 20 (as illustrated schematieally in Fi~ure 2, 4b, 5 and 6), the material torming the wall 19 is folded ~in on itself to form a trough 27 20 and Is maintained~b~thiS~oontræled position by~a plurality of elàstic bands 25 spaced abn~the hll~i i~bal i Ih~of the~ai alus. The bands 25 may be secured to the tube 19 ~o axialb iwale~same às desired. The bands 25,~ il suit~y secured lo the tube 19 could sl~o-be i slhoned inwa~ly of,1he~tube 19. It~will of,eourse be appredated that sb~ive;~00uld,slso~be~used~in~substitutbn~for 1he elastie bands 25. ~en 25 ~Uu~ me,dbm~is;~lntroduced throu~h passa~e means 21, the~folds in the material ~ thé~ wall, 19 mo~ oui ardly~ that, the wall~as a whole moves radially ouiwa diy to thé po~ltbn Ulustralec in~ Fi~7ures 3 -~and 7. ~ ~er, ~as ~shown in Figure 7, there may remdn some extra materia~ as f,oWs 8 in Ihe~lube 19 that is retained oenetally within 1he,sheath 22 even~when~i~the zone~ 20 is operationally~infla!ed. Thus, in abnormal ao -drcums~ai ces,~ ube~ 19~may~ stil~expand radial~y~outwardly unlil all the material of the ~ube 19 is~used h~Ps~cir:c,umferènce and~al~this~ sta~e~no further outward movement is ~ble.~ The r~adial~outwad,~mov,ement occurs, against radially inward *rces provided ; by~lhe b~nds~ whbl~ a~Qàin~con!raa me~wall l9~when the~pressure medium is removed - ~ Irom 1he Gavlty 20. The~ material of the wall 19, being essenUally non-extensible itself, 35 ~n~s Ihe ~ fl~y 20 expanding lo such a condllion Ihal wall 19 may distend into a - :
WO 93/19322 PCI`/AU93/00121 ' washed out cavity around 1he repair zone of the pipe being repaired and. as a result, burst.
In an alterna1ive embodiment it may be possible to mould the material forming the tube 19 so that it has a greater diameter along its central iongitudinal dimensions and a narrower diameter approximatin~ the outer diameter of the end,rrlembers 13i 14, at its ends.
In a slill further alternative embodiment it is poss~ble to manufacture the flexible material tube 19 from an elastic material which is capable of stretching outwardly under pressure applied trom within the expandable cavity 20. In this case it 10 is preferred to provide one or more circumferenlially extending mem~ers of a non-ebstic material co-operating with the tube 19 having an infia1ed d~ameter generally conesponding to the maximum desired Inflation diameter of 1he 1ube 19. These non-elaslic circumferentially extending members may be in the form of a plurali1y of bands (simllar to bands 25) or perhaps a single sleeve member. Advan1ageously the members 15 would be secured at one or more circumferential bcatbns to the tube 19 and if desired could be bcated inwardly or outwardly ot the tube 19.
In operatbn, both embodiments of Fi~ure 1 and 2 are moved in10 posi1ion adjacen1the repair zone 12 by apparatus not shown. The embodimen1 of Fi~ure 2 is shown in Figure 3. In this positbn, the cavity 20 is expanded by in1roduc1ion of a pressure 20 medium so that the wall 19 moves !adially outwardly 10 press the repair material 24 against the pipe wall 11 on op~sed;axial sides of the repair zone 12. In lhe case of the emi iiment d Figures 2 and 3,-lhe repair material is not extended into the cavity behind the repair zone beyond a cenain limh: as discussed above. It there is no deep cavi1y a1 the epai- zone, Ihe epair material~ might be~ pre&sed against lhe entire repair zone it5 de~ired. After the repair material ~is sufficiently ;set, the cavity 20 is deflated and the s is relr~ed by~withdrawing in a~drectbn SUch ~ha! the sheath member 22 will pee! trom ~he repair malerial by~ at~ least panial eversion. In the illustrated embodiments, the apparatus would be withdrawn by movement towards the right in F bu-e 1, 2 and 3.
' .
malerial and canno1 reliably extend over any lenglh of an inner surface of a pipe as opposed to a crack or gap between pipe section lengths.
In German Patent App ication No. DE 3922351 it has been proposed to provide an annular form with an inflatable envelope on its outer surface such that fbw within the 5 pipeline being repaired may continue through Ihe annular formfiHhile Ihe repair process Is being carried out. This avoWs the problem discussed above relating to re-routing or stopping flow in the pipeline being repaired, however certain difficulties still exist. The form discbsed is essentblly rigid makin~ it extremely difficulty to get the torm into an underground repair positbn from an above ground bcation when the form length is above 10 a certain predetermined length. That is, above a certain length it is difficult or impossible to manoeuvre a rbid form within the confines of a manhole or access pit.
Australian Patent Applicathn No. 54471/90 discloses an arrangement wherein the inflatable form is formed by a plurality of individually rigid annular segments which are pressed together by cable tensioning means to form a rigid annular form when in use, 15 Ihe cable tensioning means being capable of being relaxed to allow the individual segments to be arrsnged at an angle to adjacent segments thereby facilitating introduction of the brm into fhe pipeUne from an above ground position or movement through a pipeline to the desired repair IJocatbn. Whib this arrangement does not have the same problem as dlu~ud above in relation to German Patent Specificatbn No. DE 3922351, it does have 20 a problem in that it is complicated in construction and difficult to use where it is nece~ary to tighteh lhe cable ~ensioning means underground at the repair location.
Whib this can be achi,eved, it is an added complicalion in cost of producing the repair apparatus and in using ~he apparatus during a repair process.
A still tunher probiem~with many prior art repair devices is that the inflation 25 envebpe or bag is commonly~produced from a stretchable or expandable material such as rubber'or rubber like m ~ ~bl. In some siluations a plpeline may be broken with a reasonably lar~e washed out cavity in the earth around the break. Where this hasoccurred, iI is posslble for the pressure of an elastic inflatable form to displace a broken ~on, distend into the caviq and burst. If the repair is only partially cured it may, as 30 resun, be a hilure snd be impossible to remove without excavating the whole section of the p4eline.
G.B. Patent Specification No. 2136912 discbses an inflatable form of the same general type as discussed above wherein the intlatable bag is produced from a non stretchable materlal such as nybn coated internally with Neoprene (for waterproofing).
35 The diameter ot this bag is selected to be generally equal to the diameter of the pipe being Pcr/~u~3 / 001 ~1 RECEIVED 16 fEB 1994 repaired less twiee lhe lhickness of the repair malerial. This G.B. patent does not, however, disclose any melhod of conlaeling lhe inflalable bag after the repair proeess has been completed to enable the repair device to be removed from the pipeline beingrepaired which is normally aehieved by making the bag from an elastic material.
The objective of the present invention is generally to provide repair apparatus and a malhod of operating sueh repaTr apparatus whbh will solve~all or at least some of 1he dlffieulties assoeiated with prior ar~ deviees as discussed above. In partieular, in a first aspect, the present invention aims at providing repair apparatus which can be posilbned as desired within a pipe to be repaired from an above ground position without 10 signifieant complications in construction or use of the apparatus and without preventing normal fbw in the pipeline being repaired while the repair process is carried out. In a seeond aspect, the present invention aims at providing apparatus which will prevent the intlalable hrm expanding into a cavily surrounding lhe repair zone beyond a predetermined limil lhereby ensuring against the inflation malerial bursling with the 15 possible consequent effect of the repa~r material and repair apparatus becoming irretrievably sluck al the repair site, while at the same time allowing contraction cf the intlatable form upon eompletion of the r~pair process.
According to the present invention, apparatus adapted to achieve the aforemenffoned objectives is provided having fealures corresponding lo those defined in 20 cbims 1 and 5 annexed herelo. Similarly, lhe invention also provWes a method of repair having the features deflned in claims 11 and 12 annexed hereto. Prsferred aspects are as denned in daims dependent from lhe aforesaid daims.
By these methods and apparatus, a pipe or conduit may be repaired in situ without danger of the infiatabh member expanding into a cavity around the repair zone to a stage 25 where bursting mbht oeeur.
In accordanee with another aspeet, the present case discloses apparatus for applying In situ a repair material in the form of a sleeve or sheet including a settable mat,eflal to a repair zone of an inner wall of a eonduit or pipeline, said apparatus comprisin~ a eore member having a radially expandable deviee loeated outwardly of said 30 eore member and exlending axialb aiong and at least partially circumferentially around said eore member, said eore member ineluding a holiow flexible tube of a non perforate material and having a fixed axial length capable of transverse bending but adapted to eslst inwatd deformatbn eaused by internal pressure within said expandable device during a repair operation.
A~D~ s~r lPWAV
P~/AU 93 / 001 2 1 ~ RECEIVED 16 ~E~ 1994 - h ~ 2 ~Oi Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fi~ure 1 is a longiludinal cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a secon,d embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a view sharing the embodiment of Figure 2 in a position of use;
Figure 4a is a cross-sectional view along line A-A of Figure 2;
Figure 4b is a partial section view of the end of lhe apparatus adjacent section10 A-A wnh the sheath member removed for the sake of clarity;
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along line B-B of Figure 2; and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along line- C-C of Figure 2; and ~ND~D ~BEr IPE~
-W093~19322 f~ 0 1 PCI`/AU93/00121 Fi~ure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 except Ihat the expandable cavity has been expandsd.
Refening tirst to Figure 1 the apparatus 10 is shown within a pipe 11 lo be repaired having a repair zone 12. The apparatus 10 comprises a pair of longitudinal 5 spaced end members 13 14 whbh may be formed from solid metal or fabricated from sheet metal such as aluminium or an aluminium alloy. Each member 13 14 has a bn~itudinal through flow passage 15 and connectbn means 16 to permit connection of cabbs 30 or the like (Figure 3) to albw positbning of the member within the pipe to be repaired. A flexible tube 17 interconnects the two end members 13 14. The tube 17 is 10 convenhnt~ formed from a rubber or other elastomeric material and is reinforced so Ihat deflectbns or deformations inwardly are resisted but the tube 17 is sufficiently Uexible to albw transverse bending to albw the apparatus to be moved around bends in the pipe 11 to be repaired. Fbxible cables or chains 18 are provided interconnecting the two end members 13 14 to ensure that they do not separate under the loads required to 15 winch same into positbn or to withdraw same aner a repair process has been completed.
The thhugh flow passages 15 and the interior of the tube 17 provide a longitudinal pa~oe that albws continued fbw through the pipe 11 durin~ positioning or withdrawal ot the apparatus 10 and during the repair process itself.
P~adbl~ outwardb of the tube 17 is a flexible and expandable tube 19 which is 20 oonnected by any~suitable means 26 27 at either end to the end members 13 14. The flexlble~and expandabb tube 19 defines an expandable cavity Z0 essentially between ll~elf- and the~ outer wrface of the tube 17. Access is provided through one or more pa~ e means 21 ~n at~ bast one of the end members 13 14 to albw introduction or ~ wi~l ol~a pressute~medium (liquW or air - preferab~y heated) to the cavity 20 to 25 th*~y~expand this~cavity~and~move the tube 19~radially outwardly. If the tube 19 is eb~tb and therefore st ~t0abb then upon withdrawin~ the pressure medium from thecavi~ 20 the tube~will oontract radiallx inwardly. ~Located radially outwardly from 1he t~lb~ 19 is a ~hea1h member 22 which is oonnected at one end 231O one of the endrs 13~ The ~heath- member 22 ~s ~provided ~to assist removal of the apparatus from 30 tl~ ~plpelhe upon completb~n ~of ~a repair operation as is explained in Australian Patent ~tbn No. 54771~/90.~ The sheath member 22 may alternatively be constructed as a sepsra1e unit as di~closed in Aus1ralisn Provisbrlal Pa!ent Application No. PL 1466 filed on the 20th l~lardl 1992. The subject matbrs of these co-pending paten1 applications are includ~d herein~ by this cross reterence thereto. The shea1h member 22 carries to 35 lhe repai-~zone 12 (Fi~ure 3) a repair ma1erial 24 in 1he h~m of a reinforcement WO 93/19322 h i ~ PCI'/AU93/00121 Impregnated with a settable material such as a thermosetting resin. Advantageously. the senable material will not readily set at normal temperatures but will set upon an eleva~ed pressure medium (such as hot water) being introduced into the expandable eavity 20.
S Figure 2 illustrates in longitudinal uoss-seetion an alter~tive embodiment to the apparatus shown in Figure 1. Like features in Figure 2 have been given the same rebrenee numerals as ~n Figure 1 and are not further deseribed hereafler. The essential differenee between the two arrangements lies in the confi~uration of the member 19 forming Ihe outer wall of ~he expanding cavity 20. In this ease the wall is formed by a 10 non-elaslb non-stretehable flexible material which is capable of containing the pressure of the hjeetbn medium used. A knitted polyester fibre yarn coated wnh vinyl material to provide a seal has been found satisfactory. Other materials that are non-ebstie under normal operating pressures, that are flexible, and that are capable of retaining the pressure medium during use, may equally be used. As can be seen in15 Fi~ures 4a and 4b, the end of the tubular member 19 is wrapped about the end member 13 ~or 14) and is seabd thereto with a suitable alant and elamping bands 26. As a te8ùlt, in the position where there is no pressure medium in the cav;ty 20 or l~dkient medium to expand the eavity 20 (as illustrated schematieally in Fi~ure 2, 4b, 5 and 6), the material torming the wall 19 is folded ~in on itself to form a trough 27 20 and Is maintained~b~thiS~oontræled position by~a plurality of elàstic bands 25 spaced abn~the hll~i i~bal i Ih~of the~ai alus. The bands 25 may be secured to the tube 19 ~o axialb iwale~same às desired. The bands 25,~ il suit~y secured lo the tube 19 could sl~o-be i slhoned inwa~ly of,1he~tube 19. It~will of,eourse be appredated that sb~ive;~00uld,slso~be~used~in~substitutbn~for 1he elastie bands 25. ~en 25 ~Uu~ me,dbm~is;~lntroduced throu~h passa~e means 21, the~folds in the material ~ thé~ wall, 19 mo~ oui ardly~ that, the wall~as a whole moves radially ouiwa diy to thé po~ltbn Ulustralec in~ Fi~7ures 3 -~and 7. ~ ~er, ~as ~shown in Figure 7, there may remdn some extra materia~ as f,oWs 8 in Ihe~lube 19 that is retained oenetally within 1he,sheath 22 even~when~i~the zone~ 20 is operationally~infla!ed. Thus, in abnormal ao -drcums~ai ces,~ ube~ 19~may~ stil~expand radial~y~outwardly unlil all the material of the ~ube 19 is~used h~Ps~cir:c,umferènce and~al~this~ sta~e~no further outward movement is ~ble.~ The r~adial~outwad,~mov,ement occurs, against radially inward *rces provided ; by~lhe b~nds~ whbl~ a~Qàin~con!raa me~wall l9~when the~pressure medium is removed - ~ Irom 1he Gavlty 20. The~ material of the wall 19, being essenUally non-extensible itself, 35 ~n~s Ihe ~ fl~y 20 expanding lo such a condllion Ihal wall 19 may distend into a - :
WO 93/19322 PCI`/AU93/00121 ' washed out cavity around 1he repair zone of the pipe being repaired and. as a result, burst.
In an alterna1ive embodiment it may be possible to mould the material forming the tube 19 so that it has a greater diameter along its central iongitudinal dimensions and a narrower diameter approximatin~ the outer diameter of the end,rrlembers 13i 14, at its ends.
In a slill further alternative embodiment it is poss~ble to manufacture the flexible material tube 19 from an elastic material which is capable of stretching outwardly under pressure applied trom within the expandable cavity 20. In this case it 10 is preferred to provide one or more circumferenlially extending mem~ers of a non-ebstic material co-operating with the tube 19 having an infia1ed d~ameter generally conesponding to the maximum desired Inflation diameter of 1he 1ube 19. These non-elaslic circumferentially extending members may be in the form of a plurali1y of bands (simllar to bands 25) or perhaps a single sleeve member. Advan1ageously the members 15 would be secured at one or more circumferential bcatbns to the tube 19 and if desired could be bcated inwardly or outwardly ot the tube 19.
In operatbn, both embodiments of Fi~ure 1 and 2 are moved in10 posi1ion adjacen1the repair zone 12 by apparatus not shown. The embodimen1 of Fi~ure 2 is shown in Figure 3. In this positbn, the cavity 20 is expanded by in1roduc1ion of a pressure 20 medium so that the wall 19 moves !adially outwardly 10 press the repair material 24 against the pipe wall 11 on op~sed;axial sides of the repair zone 12. In lhe case of the emi iiment d Figures 2 and 3,-lhe repair material is not extended into the cavity behind the repair zone beyond a cenain limh: as discussed above. It there is no deep cavi1y a1 the epai- zone, Ihe epair material~ might be~ pre&sed against lhe entire repair zone it5 de~ired. After the repair material ~is sufficiently ;set, the cavity 20 is deflated and the s is relr~ed by~withdrawing in a~drectbn SUch ~ha! the sheath member 22 will pee! trom ~he repair malerial by~ at~ least panial eversion. In the illustrated embodiments, the apparatus would be withdrawn by movement towards the right in F bu-e 1, 2 and 3.
' .
Claims (14)
1. Apparatus for applying in situ a repair material to a repair zone of an inner wall of a conduit or pipe line, said repair material comprising a sheet or sleeve of predetermined dimensions including a settable repair substance, said apparatus comprising a radially expandable device arranged to carry said repair material to said repair zone and to press said repair material outwardly against the inner wall of said conduit or pipeline on either side of said repair zone, said expandable device including a non-elastic flexible material forming an outer part of an expandable cavity, means being provided to allow a pressure medium to be directed into or withdrawn from said expandable cavity whereby, when the pressure medium is directed into said expandable cavity, the flexible material is moved radially outwardly, said non-elastic flexible material preventing said flexible material moving substantially in a radial direction beyond a predetermined limit, and control means, including recovery means to radially contract said flexible material upon said pressure medium being withdrawn from said expandable cavity, said recovery means being separate from said flexible material.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said recovery means comprises one or more circumferentially extending elastic members arranged to enable said flexible material to contract radially inwardly upon withdrawal of said pressure medium from said expandable cavity.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein each said elastic member is pined to said flexible material at at least one location.
4. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein an end member is located at opposed axial ends of said radially expandable device, said flexible non-elastic material being formed as a sleeve with each axial end of said sleeve being secured to a respective one of said end members whereby along at least a central portion of said radially expandable device said non-elastic material is folded in upon itself to form a trough in said sleeve when the pressure medium is withdrawn from said expandable cavity.
5. Apparatus for applying in situ a repair material to a repair zone of an inner wall of a conduit or pipe line, said repair material comprising a sheet or sleeve of predetermined dimensions including a settable repair substance, said apparatus comprising a radially expandable device arranged to carry said repair material to said repair zone and to press said repair material outwardly against the inner wall of said conduit or pipe line on either side of said repair zone, said expandable device including an elastic flexible material forming an outer part of an expandable cavity, means being provided to allow a pressure medium to be directed into or withdrawn from said expandable cavity whereby, when the pressure medium is directed into said expandable cavity, the flexible material is moved radially outwardly, and control means to prevent said flexible material moving substantially in a radial direction beyond a predetermined limit, said control means comprising one or more non-elastic circumferentially extending members, cooperating with the flexible material, said elastic flexible material radially contracting upon said pressure medium being withdrawn from said expandable cavity.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the or each said non-elastic circumferentially extending members are pined to said flexible material at at least one location.
7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 further including a core member about which said radially expandable device is located, said core member including a hollow flexible tube of fixed axial length capable of transverse bending but adapted to resist inward deformation caused by said pressure medium, said hollow flexible tube defining at least in part, a through flow passage extending between opposed axial ends of said apparatus whereby flow in the pipeline or conduit being repaired is not prevented during a repair process.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said hollow flexible tube is a reinforced elastomeric or rubber tube.
9. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein at least one elongate flexible restraining member is provided interconnecting said end members, the or each said restraining member preventing said end members from moving axially apart beyond a predetermined limit.
10. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein a flexible sleeve member is provided outwardly of said radially expandable device adapted to be located between said radially expandable device and said repair material, said flexible sleeve member being connected to said apparatus only at or adjacent one axial end of the flexible sleeve member.
11. A method of applying in situ a repair material comprising a sleeve or sheet including a settable material or substitute to a repair zone within a pipe or conduit to be repaired, said method comprising :
applying externally of said pipe or conduit to be repaired, a said repair material to repair apparatus comprising a radially expandable device including a non-elastic flexible material forming an outer part of an expandable cavity and means for directing a pressure medium to or withdrawing a pressure medium from said expandable cavity, said repair material being positioned radially outwardly of said radially expandable device;
carrying said repair material on said repair apparatus into the pipe or conduit to be repaired and positioning said repair material adjacent said repair zone;
introducing a pressure medium into said expandable cavity and thereby expanding said flexible material outwardly so as to press the repair material against an inner wall part of the pipe or conduit on either axial side of said repair zone while restraining expansion of said flexible material so as to prevent expansion of said flexible material through the pipe or conduit being repaired at said repair zone beyond a predetermined limit; holding said pressure medium in said expandable cavity for a length of time sufficient to at least partially set said settable material;
withdrawing said pressure medium from said expandable cavity whereby recovery means comprising one or more circumferentially extending elastic members contracts said flexible material inwardly away from said repair material; and thereafter withdrawing said repair apparatus from said pipeline or conduit beingrepaired.
applying externally of said pipe or conduit to be repaired, a said repair material to repair apparatus comprising a radially expandable device including a non-elastic flexible material forming an outer part of an expandable cavity and means for directing a pressure medium to or withdrawing a pressure medium from said expandable cavity, said repair material being positioned radially outwardly of said radially expandable device;
carrying said repair material on said repair apparatus into the pipe or conduit to be repaired and positioning said repair material adjacent said repair zone;
introducing a pressure medium into said expandable cavity and thereby expanding said flexible material outwardly so as to press the repair material against an inner wall part of the pipe or conduit on either axial side of said repair zone while restraining expansion of said flexible material so as to prevent expansion of said flexible material through the pipe or conduit being repaired at said repair zone beyond a predetermined limit; holding said pressure medium in said expandable cavity for a length of time sufficient to at least partially set said settable material;
withdrawing said pressure medium from said expandable cavity whereby recovery means comprising one or more circumferentially extending elastic members contracts said flexible material inwardly away from said repair material; and thereafter withdrawing said repair apparatus from said pipeline or conduit beingrepaired.
12. A method of applying in situ a repair material comprising a sleeve or sheet including a settable material or substitute to a repair zone within a pipe or conduit to be repaired, said method comprising:
applying externally of said pipe or conduit to be repaired, a said repair material to repair apparatus comprising a radially expandable device including an elastic flexible material forming an outer part of an expandable cavity and means for directing a pressure medium to or withdrawing a pressure medium from said expandable cavity, said repair material being positioned radially outwardly of said radially expandable device;
carrying said repair material on said repair apparatus into the pipe or conduit to be repaired and positioning said repair material adjacent said repair zone;
introducing a pressure medium into said expandable cavity and thereby expanding said flexible material outwardly so as to press the repair material against an inner wall part of the pipe or conduit on either axial side of said repair zone while restraining expansion of said flexible material by one or more non-elastic circumferentiallyextending members cooperating with the flexible material so as to prevent expansion of said flexible material through the pipe or conduit being repaired at said repair zone beyond a predetermined limit;
holding said pressure medium in said expandable cavity for a length of time sufficient to at least partially set said settable material;
withdrawing said pressure medium from said expandable cavity whereby said elastic flexible material forms recovery means to contract said flexible material inwardly away from said repair material; and thereafter withdrawing said repair apparatus from said pipe line or conduit being repaired.
applying externally of said pipe or conduit to be repaired, a said repair material to repair apparatus comprising a radially expandable device including an elastic flexible material forming an outer part of an expandable cavity and means for directing a pressure medium to or withdrawing a pressure medium from said expandable cavity, said repair material being positioned radially outwardly of said radially expandable device;
carrying said repair material on said repair apparatus into the pipe or conduit to be repaired and positioning said repair material adjacent said repair zone;
introducing a pressure medium into said expandable cavity and thereby expanding said flexible material outwardly so as to press the repair material against an inner wall part of the pipe or conduit on either axial side of said repair zone while restraining expansion of said flexible material by one or more non-elastic circumferentiallyextending members cooperating with the flexible material so as to prevent expansion of said flexible material through the pipe or conduit being repaired at said repair zone beyond a predetermined limit;
holding said pressure medium in said expandable cavity for a length of time sufficient to at least partially set said settable material;
withdrawing said pressure medium from said expandable cavity whereby said elastic flexible material forms recovery means to contract said flexible material inwardly away from said repair material; and thereafter withdrawing said repair apparatus from said pipe line or conduit being repaired.
13. A method according to claim 11 or claim 12 wherein said flexible material has a fully inflated diameter between 100 and 150% of the inner diameter of the pipeline or conduit after the repair material has been applied thereto.
14. A method according to claim 13 wherein said flexible material has a fully inflated diameter of about 110% of the inner diameter of the pipeline or conduit after the repair material has been applied thereto.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUPL150692 | 1992-03-24 | ||
| AUPL1506 | 1992-03-24 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2132701A1 true CA2132701A1 (en) | 1993-09-30 |
Family
ID=3776050
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2132701 Abandoned CA2132701A1 (en) | 1992-03-24 | 1993-03-24 | Pipeline repair apparatus including expandable forms |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0632874A4 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2132701A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1993019322A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2001077569A2 (en) * | 2000-04-05 | 2001-10-18 | Flexfab Horizons International, Inc. | Fluorocarbon repair bladder |
| DE20303596U1 (en) * | 2003-03-05 | 2003-07-10 | Tracto Technik | Pipe guide adapter |
| EP1626220A1 (en) * | 2004-08-11 | 2006-02-15 | David Campbell Mitchell | Method and system for lining a pipe with a heat-curable lining |
| SE534965C2 (en) | 2009-11-10 | 2012-02-28 | Roeranalysgruppen I Europa Ab | Method and apparatus for installing a liner in a pipe |
| US8783297B2 (en) | 2011-04-27 | 2014-07-22 | Massachusetts Institute Of Technology | Robotic system for pipeline rehabilitation |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE2440086C3 (en) * | 1974-08-19 | 1978-07-13 | Main-Gaswerke Ag, 6000 Frankfurt | Method and device for the internal sealing of pipe socket connections |
| GB2136912A (en) * | 1983-03-16 | 1984-09-26 | Michael Francis Barry | Sealing pipes |
| EP0550417A3 (en) * | 1989-04-07 | 1993-08-11 | Barry Bros. Specialised Services Pty Ltd | Method for repairing a pipeline and apparatus for use in such a method |
| US5049003A (en) * | 1989-08-23 | 1991-09-17 | Kenneth Barton | Method and apparatus for repairing ruptures in underground conduits |
| GB9007719D0 (en) * | 1990-04-05 | 1990-06-06 | Subterra Ltd | Lining conduits |
| DE4104185A1 (en) * | 1991-02-12 | 1992-08-13 | Hans Mueller | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PARTIAL REFURBISHMENT OF A WASTEWATER ROUTED IN THE GROUND |
-
1993
- 1993-03-24 CA CA 2132701 patent/CA2132701A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1993-03-24 WO PCT/AU1993/000121 patent/WO1993019322A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1993-03-24 EP EP93906387A patent/EP0632874A4/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO1993019322A1 (en) | 1993-09-30 |
| EP0632874A1 (en) | 1995-01-11 |
| EP0632874A4 (en) | 1995-03-29 |
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