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
  • F16L55/18—Appliances for use in repairing pipes
• • 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
  • F16L55/1645—Devices for covering leaks in pipes or hoses, e.g. hose-menders from inside the pipe a sealing material being introduced inside the pipe by means of a tool moving in the pipe

Definitions

• This 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 aims to provide apparatus for the refurbishment of pipelines and sewer pipes through the application of a layer of thermosetting resin - impregnated reinforcement material to their inner walls by means of an inflatable form which may be readily and reliably stripped from a refurbished section and which embodies a coaxial duct capable of sustaining a flow of liquid through the form whilst it is in use.
• apparatus for applying in situ a repair material to a repair zone of an inner wall of a conduit
• said apparatus for applying in situ a repair material to a repair zone of an inner wall of a conduit
• said apparatus comprising a radially expandable device in use to extend over a predetermined axial length of the conduit to be repaired and over at least a part of the inner circumference of said conduit, said radially expandable device having an outer surface means forming an outer wall of an expandable cavity, means for supplying a pressure medium to said expandable cavity or withdraw said pressure medium from said expandable cavity to either move said outer surface means radially outwardly or to move said outer surface means radially inwardly, and a flexible sheath member separate from said radially expandable device and arranged so as to be capable of forming an outer layer extending along and at least partially circumferentially around said radially expandable device, in use, between said repair material and said outer surface means, and withdrawal means connected to said sheath member adjacent
• the radially expandable device may include a core member which can include a through flow passage.
• the core member and said withdrawal means for removal of said flexible sheath member together with said flexible sheath member are by means of the present invention thus adapted for independent withdrawal from said conduit by virtue of the fact that the flexible sheath member is independent of said core member.
• the means for removal of said flexible sheath member may be adapted so as to withdraw or be withdrawn by the radially expandable device.
• the arrangement of the flexible sheath member enables it to be peeled away from the repair material by at least partial eversion when the radially expandable device and/or the flexible sheath member is withdrawn along the pipeline without affecting the bond between the repair material and the pipeline wall.
• the flexible sheath member comprises inner and outer layers, the inner layer being connected to the means for removal of the flexible sheath member and to the outer layer at ends of the inner layer which are axially remote from each other.
• the means for removal of the flexible sheath member and the core member of the apparatus are coaxial and define an axially extending passage so as to permit flow through the conduit whilst the apparatus is in use.
• the means for removal of the flexible sheath member defines an anakius.
• the radially expandable device may comprise an inflatable element defining an annular or part annular enclosed space extending axially along the core member.
• Inflating medium inlet/outlet means may be provided internally of said core member so as to enable inflation and deflation of the inflatable element.
• a method of applying a repair material in situ to a repair zone of an inner wall of a conduit to be repaired comprising: providing a radially expandable device adapted in use to extend over a predetermined axial length of the conduit to be repaired and over at least part of the inner circumference of said conduit, said radially expandable device having an outer surface means forming an outer wall of an expandable cavity, means for supplying a pressure medium to said expandable cavity or withdrawn said pressure medium from said expandable cavity; providing a flexible sheath member, separate from said radially expandable device, over said outer surface means with withdrawal means enabling withdrawal of said sheath member from the conduit means; providing a structural repair material outwardly of said sheath member; moving said radially expandable device with said sheath member and repair material into said conduits to be repaired and thereby positioning said repair material adjacent the repair zone; introducing a pressure medium to said expandable cavity to move said outer surface means radially outwardly to press said repair material
• the radially expandable device and said flexible sheath member together with said means for removal of said flexible sheath member are withdrawn simultaneously or sequentially from said conduit by moving the radially expandable device and the means for removal of the flexible sheath member simultaneously or sequentially along the conduit in a direction towards an axial end of said flexible sheath member opposite to an end connected to said withdrawal means for removal of said flexible sheath member.
• said flexible sheath member comprises an inner and outer layer, said inner layer being connected to said means for removal of said flexible sheath member and to said outer layer at ends of said inner layer axially remote from each other, said radially expandable device and said flexible sheath member together with said means for removal of said flexible sheath member being withdrawn from said conduit in a manner such as to allow the flexible sheath member to be peeled away from said repair material by at least partial eversion.
• the radially expandable device comprises an inflatable element defining an annular or part annular enclosed space forming said expandable cavity, extending axially along said core member.
• fluid is directed into said inflatable element so as to radially expand it.
• the fluid is heated and the repair material includes a thermosetting material or substance.
• Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an inflatable form according to the invention in situ in a pipeline to be repaired.
• Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an inflatable form according to a second embodiment of the invention in situ in a pipeline to be repaired.
• Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the inflatable form of Figure 1 in an inflated condition in situ in a pipeline being repaired.
• FIG 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a repaired pipeline from which a flexible sheath member is to be removed by eversion.
• an inflatable form (1) is made by forming an inflatable element (2) axially along and circumferentially around a core member
• the inflatable element is fixed at its ends (2a and 2b) to the core member
• Inlet/outlet duct (4) is provided through said core member (3) and into said inflatable element (2) to enable an inflating medium to be delivered to and withdrawn from the inflatable element (2).
• the inflatable form (1) is also provided with a separate flexible sheath (5) which is connected to means for its removal (6) in the form of an annuius at one axial end of the core member (3).
• the separate flexible sheath (5) is located axially along and circumferentially around the inflatable element (2) located externally of the core member (3).
• the fact that the flexible sheath (5) is separated from the core member (3) and inflatable element (2) enables it to be withdrawn from the pipeline independently of the core member (3) and inflatable element (2) if so desired.
• the means for removal of the flexible sheath is of substantial enough form, that the two parts could be removed simultaneously.
• the flexible sheath (5) comprises an inner layer (5a) and an outer layer (5b).
• the inner layer (5a) is connected to the means for removal of the flexible sheath (6) and to the outer layer (5b) at ends of the inner layer (5a) axially remote from each other.
• This embodiment merely enables an alternate orientation of the inflatable form which may be more convenient than the embodiment of Figure 1, depending on the orientation of the pipeline to be repaired.
• repair material in the form of a sheet or tube of reinforcement material (7) impregnated with thermosetting resin is placed over the inflatable form (1).
• the whole assembly including the core member (3) with attached inflatable element (2) and the separate flexible sheath (5) together with the means for removal of the flexible sheath (6) is then simultaneously introduced into the section of a pipeline or sewer pipe required to be refurbished.
• the apparatus may be oriented according to either Figures 1 or 2. Correct positioning may be verified through the use of closed circuit television.
• an inflation medium at a suitable temperature and pressure is then introduced through inlet/outlet duct (4) causing the inflatable element (2) to expand and force the resin - impregnated reinforcement material into intimate contact with the inner wall surfaces of the pipeline or sewer pipe.
• the inflating medium circulates at a suitable pressure and temperature and is preferably continued until full curing of the resin of the resin - impregnated reinforcement material is obtained.
• the inflating medium might be water, air or some other suitable gas or fluid.
• inflating medium circulation is stopped and the inflatable elements (2) are deflated by removal of the inflating medium from the apparatus.
• the inflatable form (1) include the core member (3) and the inflatable element (2) is then withdrawn from the pipeline or sewer pipe section. If the core member (3) is to be withdrawn independently and before the flexible sheath (5) and the means for removal of the flexible sheath (6) withdrawal should occur in an axial direction away from the means for removal of the flexible sheath (6).
• the flexible sheath (5) means for removal of the flexible sheath (6) and the inflatable form (1) comprising core member (3) and inflatable element (2)
• the means for removal of the flexible sheath be of sufficient size to bear the force required to withdraw the core member (3) and inflatable element (2).
• simultaneous withdrawal of the core member (3), inflatable element (2), flexible sheath (5) and means for removal of the flexible sheath (6) must be in a direction such that the flexible sheath (5) is caused to evert thus peeling away from the resin impregnated reinforcement material as previously described.
• the flexible sheath (5) and means for removal of the same (6) may be carefully withdrawn prior to withdrawal of the core member (3) and the inflatable element (2). Care must be taken to ensure that eversion of the flexible sheath (5) occurs such that it is peeled away from the resin impregnated reinforcement material.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Pipe Accessories (AREA)
• Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=3776046

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (8)

Family Cites Families (1)

• 1993
  • 1993-03-19 WO PCT/AU1993/000114 patent/WO1993019321A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1993-03-19 EP EP93906381A patent/EP0635112A4/fr not_active Withdrawn
  • 1993-03-19 CA CA 2132526 patent/CA2132526A1/fr not_active Abandoned

Non-Patent Citations (2)

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