GB2416013A

GB2416013A - A burst pipe repair device

Info

Publication number: GB2416013A
Application number: GB0415281A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rory Joseph Donnelly
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: DONNELLY, PAULA J
Priority date: 2004-07-07
Filing date: 2004-07-07
Publication date: 2006-01-11
Also published as: GB2416015A; GB0415281D0; GB0421074D0

Abstract

The device comprises a two-part hinged collar (10) having a closed position defining a cylindrical bore (24) therethrough and an open position defining a longitudinal slot (26) communicating with the cylindrical bore (24). At least one part of the collar (10) carries a sealing member (28) of impermeable resilient material. Biasing means (38, 40) are provided for biasing the collar parts towards each other in the closed position thereby to clamp the sealing member (28) against a pipe positioned along the cylindrical bore (24). The collar parts can be formed of plastics material, wherein the hinge is formed by a longitudinal groove formed in the wall of the collar and the collar is provided with stiffening ribs.

Description

A BURST PIPE REPAIR DEVICE

Field of the invention

This invention relates to a burst pipe repair device, in particular to such a device which can be used to repair a burst pipe through which water under pressure flows.

Background of the invention

When a pipe, such as a pipe carrying water under pressure bursts, for example as a result of freezing and thawing, the usually method of repair is to cut off the flow of water, disconnect the burst pipe from the rest of the system of which it is part, and replace it with a new pipe. Such a method is inconvenient and not easy for a non-skilled person.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a burst pipe repair device which can be used by a non-skilled person without the need to cut the pipe or even turn off the flow through the pipe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a burst pipe repair device comprising a two-part hinged collar having a closed position defining a cylindrical bore therethrough and an open position defining a longitudinal slot communicating with said cylindrical bore, at least one part of said collar carrying a sealing member of impermeable resilient material, and biasing means for biasing the collar parts towards each other in the closed position thereby to clamp said sealing member against a pipe positioned along said cylindrical bore.

The sealing member should be impervious to the fluid passing through, and escaping from, the pipe. Where the fluid is water under pressure, the sealing member is preferably, formed of closed cell foam material, such as a moulded, foamed closed-cell polymer consisting of expanded polystyrene having a substantially uniform density of at least 0.03 g/cm3, preferably at least 0.1 g/cm3, such as described in British patent application GB 2347407A (Betacorque Limited). The sealing member may also comprise an elasticiser. The polystyrene may have 5 to 15% w/w butadiene grafted thereon, preferably 10% w/w.

While the sealing member may be provided on only one part of the hinged collar, it is preferred that the sealing member extends around the majority of the inner surface of the collar. Alternatively, a pressure pad of resilient, but not necessarily impervious, material is positioned diametrically opposite to the sealing member.

The sealing member may be provided with an inner surface which is tacky, even when wet, to help retain the sealing member in position against the burst in the pipe which the device is being fitted.

The sealing member may be secured to the collar, for example by an adhesive. In such an embodiment, the sealing member need not extend across the hinge of the collar, but rather the sealing member may be formed in two parts, one part secured to the upper hinged part of the collar and the other secured to the lower hinged part of the collar.

Alternatively, the sealing member may be a separate component from the collar, in which case a one-piece component may be suitable. For example the sealing member may have a hollow cylindrical construction, with a longitudinal slot which enables it to be placed over the burst pipe, prior to being clamped in position by the collar. - 3

The collar, which should be of relatively rigid construction compared with the sealing member, may have a generally cylindrical inner surface and a generally cylindrical outer surface.

To reduce the thickness of the collar and thereby its weight and production cost, it may be provided with stiffening ribs, which may be arranged in a helical configuration about the collar.

The collar may be formed of any suitable material, but it is ideally formed of a plastics material.

The hinge of the hinged collar may be formed by a longitudinal groove formed in the wall of the collar.

Alternatively, the hinge may be formed by a common pin and socket arrangement, of similar construction to a door hinge.

Pairs of corresponding lugs are preferably provided adjacent the free edge of each collar part, the biasing means serving to bias the lugs of each pair towards each other. It is best that the biasing means act on both sides of the burst in the pipe. Thus, at least two pairs of such lugs may be provided, for example one towards each end of the collar.

Additional intermediate biasing may also be provided. Each of the biasing means may be constituted by a nut and bolt arrangement (the nut of each nut and bolt arrangement preferably being embedded in one of the lugs) or a tightenable strap.

Ideally the slot has a width at least equal to the free internal diameter of the cylindrical bore. Since the bore cannot be smaller than the pipe which is to be repaired, this feature ensures that the collar can be easily placed over the burst pipe without placing unnecessary strain on the hinge. - 4

A method of repairing a burst pipe comprises the use of a burst pipe repair device according to the invention. The method comprises placing the device in its open position, offering up the device to the pipe in the region of the burst whereby the pipe passes through the longitudinal slot into the cylindrical bore, closing the device, and applying the biasing means to bias the sealing member against the pipe whereby the sealing member seals the burst in the pipe.

The device according to the invention in suitable for use with pipes which carry a liquid (such as water) under pressure and for repairing bursts which occur at positions intermediate the ends of the pipe. The device can be fitted without cutting off the flow of said liquid through the pipe. Furthermore, the device can be fitted to a pipe which is part of a circuit without disconnecting the pipe from the circuit.

The device according to the invention is particularly suitable for the repair of pipes through which a liquid such as water passes under pressure. Metal (e.g. copper or lead) water pipes in buildings are particularly prone to bursting in freezing conditions if they are not adequately insulated.

However, the device can also be used for pipes carrying other liquids, whether under pressure or not, or for pipes carrying gases, whether under pressure or not, such as motor vehicle exhaust pipes.

The invention will now be further described, purely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a burst pipe repair device according to the invention; Figure 2, is a plan view of the collar of the device shown l - 5 in Figure 1, in its open position; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the sealing member of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is an end view of the device shown in Figure 1, in its closed position; Figure 5 is an end view of the device shown in Figure 1, in its open position; and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of part of the device shown in Figure 1, in use with a water burst pipe.

The burst pipe repair device shown in the drawings comprises a two-part hinged collar 10 formed of nylon having an upper part 12 and a lower part 14, separated by a hinge 16 formed by a longitudinal groove formed in the wall of the collar 10. The collar 10 has a generally cylindrical inner surface 18 and a generally cylindrical outer surface 20. Stiffening ribs 22 are arranged in a helical configuration about the collar 10.

The collar has a closed position defining a cylindrical bore 24 therethrough and an open position defining a longitudinal slot 26 communicating with the cylindrical bore 24. The slot 26 has a width "w" at least equal to the free internal diameter ''d" of the cylindrical bore 24.

Both parts of the collar 10 carry a sealing member 28 of impermeable resilient material. The sealing member is formed of a moulded, foamed closed-cell polymer consisting of expanded polystyrene having a substantially uniform density of 0.1 g/cm3. The sealing member also comprises an elasticiser. The polystyrene has 10% w/w butadiene grafted thereon. - 6 -

The sealing member 28 is part cylindrical with relaxed external and internal diameters of 19 mm and 15 mm respectively and extends around the majority of the inner surface 18 of the collar 10.

Two pairs of corresponding lugs 30, 32 are provided adjacent the free edge 34, 36 of each collar part.

Each pair of corresponding lugs is provided with a nut and bolt arrangement 38, 40 to bias the lugs 30, 32 of each pair towards each other in the closed position of the collar, thereby to clamp the sealing member 28 against a pipe 42 positioned along the cylindrical bore 24. The nut 38 of each nut and bolt arrangement is embedded in one of the lugs 30.

Figure 6 shows how the burst 44 in the pipe 42 has caused the material of the pipe to be deformed radially outwardly.

the resilient nature of the sealing member 28 enables the burst 44 to become embedded therein, the sealing member 28 thereby closing off the burst 44 to prevent further loss of water 46 from the pipe. - 7

Claims

1. A burst pipe repair device comprising a two-part hinged collar (10) having a closed position defining a cylindrical bore (24) therethrough and an open position defining a longitudinal slot (26) communicating with said cylindrical bore (24), at least one part of said collar (10) carrying a sealing member (28) of impermeable resilient material, and biasing means (38, 40) for biasing the collar parts (12, 14) towards each other in the closed position thereby to clamp said sealing member (28) against a pipe positioned along said cylindrical bore (24).

2. A burst pipe repair device according to claim 1, wherein said sealing member is formed of closed cell foam material.

3. A burst pipe repair device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sealing member (28) extends around the majority of the inner surface (18) of said collar (10) .

4. A burst pipe repair device according to any preceding claim, wherein said collar (10) has a generally cylindrical inner surface (18).

5. A burst pipe repair device according to any preceding claim, wherein said collar (10) has a generally cylindrical outer surface (20).

6. A burst pipe repair device according to any preceding claim, wherein said collar (10) is provided with stiffening ribs (22).

7. A burst pipe repair device according to claim 6, wherein said stiffening ribs (22) are arranged in a helical configuration about said collar (10) . -

8 8. A burst pipe repair device according to any preceding claim, wherein said collar (10) is formed of plastics material.

9. A burst pipe repair device according to any preceding claim, wherein the hinge (16) of said hinged collar (10) is formed by a longitudinal groove formed in the wall of the collar (10).

10. A burst pipe repair device according to any preceding claim, wherein pairs of corresponding lugs (30, 32) are provided adjacent the free edge (34, 36) of each collar part (12, 14) and said biasing means (38, 40) serve to bias the lugs (30, 32) of each pair towards each other.

11. A burst pipe repair device according to claim 10, wherein at least two pairs of said lugs (30, 32) are provided.

12. A burst pipe repair device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein each said biasing means is constituted by a nut and bolt arrangement (38, 40) or a tightenable strap.

13. A burst pipe repair device according to claim 12, wherein the nut (38) of each nut and bolt arrangement is embedded in one of the lugs (30).

14. A burst pipe repair device according to any preceding claim, wherein said slot (26) has a width (w) at least equal to the free internal diameter (d) of said cylindrical bore (24). - 9

15. A method of repairing a burst pipe comprising the use of a burst pipe repair device according to any preceding claim, the method comprising placing the device in its open position, offering up the device to the pipe (42) in the region of the burst (44) whereby the pipe passes through the longitudinal slot (26) into the cylindrical bore (24), closing the device, applying the biasing means to bias the sealing member against the pipe whereby the sealing member seals the burst (44) in the pipe (44).

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the pipe carries a liquid under pressure.

17. A method according to claim 16, carried out without cutting off the flow of said liquid through the pipe.

18. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the pipe (44) is part of a circuit to which it is connected and the method is carried out without disconnecting the pipe from said circuit.