GB2602133A

GB2602133A - Pipe cover

Info

Publication number: GB2602133A
Application number: GB2020195.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Wild Michael
Original assignee: MW Polymer Products Ltd
Current assignee: MW Polymer Products Ltd
Priority date: 2020-12-18
Filing date: 2020-12-18
Publication date: 2022-06-22
Also published as: GB202020195D0; WO2022129942A1

Abstract

A cover for sealing a leak in a pipe, the cover comprising: a first expandable portion 210 which is locatable downstream of a leak (or on a first side of the leak) the first expandable portion including a lining 212 which defines a cavity for receiving a settable material (e.g. epoxy resin or polyurethane); a second expandable portion 220 which is locatable upstream of the leak (or on a second side of the leak) the second expandable portion including a lining 222 which defines a cavity for receiving a settable material; and one or more inlets 270 into the cavities defined by the linings, wherein the linings of the first and second expandable portions are flexible such that when the settable material is injected into the cavities via the one or more inlets, the linings expand towards the pipe and about against the outer surface of the pipe. Aspects include the cover further comprise a third expandable portion 230 located between the first and second, the third portion including a lining which defines a cavity for receiving a settable material (which may be settable to form a softer solid than the settable material injected into the first and second portions).

Description

TITLE

Pipe cover

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a cover for a pipe. Some relate to a cover for sealing a circumferential fracture in a pipe.

BACKGROUND

Ground movement caused by changing weather conditions, such as high rainfall followed by hot dry weather, can lead to ground movement. Such ground movement may apply stress to an underground pipe and cause a fracture. In some circumstances the medium within the pipes can cause a leak in the fractured pipe. For instance, air entrapment within a water pipe can cause pressure fluctuations which may damage the pipe and cause a leak.

Analysis of water pipe networks has found that the majority of leaks are circumferential fractures of the pipes. Circumferential fractures often lead to misalignment of the pipe, for instance as illustrated in Fig. 1. Current methods of repairing leaks, involving the use of a clamp around the pipe, do not tolerate a misalignment of over 3 degrees, and are only able to be used with a pipe of a specific diameter, with a typical tolerance of ±1 °/0. When using current repair methods, additional movement of the pipe is therefore likely to cause a further leak at the repaired section of pipe.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided a cover for use in sealing a leak in a pipe, the cover comprising: a first expandable portion which is locatable downstream of the leak, the first expandable portion including a lining which defines a cavity for receiving a sellable material; a second expandable portion which is locatable upstream of the leak, the second expandable portion including a lining which defines a cavity for receiving a settable material; and one or more inlets into the cavities defined by the linings, wherein the linings of the first and second expandable portions are flexible such that when the settable material is injected into the cavities via the one or more inlets, the linings expand towards the pipe and abut against the outer surface of the pipe.

The cover may further comprise a third expandable portion located between the first and second expandable portions. The third expandable portion may include a lining which defines a cavity for receiving a settable material, wherein the lining of the third expandable portion is flexible such that when the settable material is injected into the cavity defined by the lining of the third expandable portion via the one or more inlets, the lining expands towards the leak in the pipe and abuts against the outer surface of the pipe.

The cover may comprise a housing which is arranged to define a channel for receiving the pipe. The first and second expandable portions may each be arranged to extend around the circumference of the inner surface of the channel. The third expandable portion may be arranged to extend around the circumference of the inner surface of the channel.

The linings of the first and second expandable portions may be fastened to the housing.

The housing may be substantially cylindrical. The housing may be made from a reinforced composite polymer or metal.

The first and second linings may be made from an elastomeric material. The first and second linings may be made from a rubber material. The third lining may be made from an elastomeric material. The third lining may be made from a rubber material.

The cover may include one or more injection ports for receiving the settable material, the one or more injection ports being connected to the one or more inlets.

The housing may comprise a first part and a second part, the first and second parts being engageable together to define the channel for receiving the pipe. The housing may include a hinge, which couples the first part of the housing to the second part of the housing.

The first and second expandable portions may each include a further lining, the further linings each defining a cavity for receiving a settable material, and the cover may comprise one or more inlets into the cavities defined by the further linings, the further linings of the first and second expandable portions being flexible such that when the settable material is injected into the cavities via the one or more inlets, the further linings expand towards the pipe and abut against the outer surface of the pipe. The linings of the first and second expandable portions may be fastened to the first part of housing, and the further linings of the first and second expandable portions may be fastened to the second part of housing.

The third expandable portion may include a further lining which defines a cavity for receiving a settable material, the further lining of the third expandable portion being flexible such that when the settable material is injected into the cavity of the lining of the third expandable portion via the one or more inlets, the further lining expands towards the leak in the pipe and abuts against the outer surface of the pipe. The lining of the third expandable portion may be fastened to the first part of housing, and the further lining of the third expandable portion may be fastened to the second part of housing.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided a cover for use in sealing a leak in a pipe, the cover comprising: a first expandable portion which is locatable on a first side of the leak, the first expandable portion including a lining which defines a cavity for receiving a sellable material; a second expandable portion which is locatable on a second side of the leak, the second expandable portion including a lining which defines a cavity for receiving a settable material; and one or more inlets into the cavities defined by the linings, wherein the linings of the first and second expandable portions are flexible such that when the sellable material is injected into the cavities via the one or more inlets, the linings expand towards the pipe and abut against the outer surface of the pipe.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided an apparatus for sealing a pipe, the apparatus including the cover of any of the preceding paragraphs, a dispenser of settable material, and one or more conduits for connection with the injection ports and the dispenser.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided a method of sealing a leak in a pipe, comprising: mounting a cover according to any of the preceding paragraphs to a pipe with a leak, the mounting including locating the first expandable portion downstream of the leak, and locating the second expandable portion upstream of the leak; and injecting settable material into the cavities defined by the linings of the first and second expandable portions.

The method may further comprise injecting settable material into the cavity defined by the lining of the third expandable portion.

The settable material injected into the cavity defined by the lining of the third expandable portion may be settable to form a softer solid relative to the settable material injected into the cavities defined by the linings of the first and second expandable portions.

Settable material may be injected into the cavity defined by the lining of the third expandable portion prior to injection of settable material injected into the cavities defined by the linings of the first and second expandable portions.

The diameter of the channel defined by the housing may be at least 5 % larger than the outer diameter of the pipe. The diameter of the channel defined by the housing may be 5 % -20 % larger than the outer diameter of the pipe.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided examples as claimed in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Some examples will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 shows a side view of an example pipe with a leak; FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an example cover for use in sealing a leak in a pipe; FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of the cover mounted around the example pipe, wherein first, second, and third expandable portions of the cover are shown in an unexpanded condition; FIG. 4 shows a method of sealing a pipe using the cover; FIG. 5 shows a further cross sectional view of the cover mounted around the example pipe, wherein the first and second expandable portions of the cover are shown in an unexpanded condition, and the third expandable portion is shown in an expanded condition; and FIG. 6 shows a yet further cross sectional view of the cover mounted around the example pipe, wherein the first, second, and third expandable portions of the cover are shown in an expanded condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 illustrates a side view of an example pipe 100 with a leak 102. The pipe 100 may be a pipe for a fluid, such as gas or water.

In the example of Fig. 1, the leak 102 is a circumferential fracture of the pipe 100. In other examples, the leak 102 could be a hole or a tear that extends for only part of the circumference of the pipe 100. A first section 110 of the pipe 100 is on a first side of the leak 102, and a second section 120 of the pipe 100 is on a second side of the leak 102. In this example, the first side of the leak 102 is downstream of the leak 102, and the second side of the leak 102 is upstream of the leak 102. Downstream and upstream refers to the direction of flow of the fluid passing through the pipe. In this example, the first section 110 of the pipe 100 is misaligned with the second section 120 of the pipe 100, due to the circumferential fracture 102.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of an example cover 200 for use in sealing a leak in a pipe, such as the example pipe 100 of Fig. 1. The cover 200 comprises a housing 250 for location around the pipe 100. The housing 250 is arranged to define a channel 255 for receiving the pipe 100, which may be a substantially cylindrical channel. The diameter of the channel 255 may be at least 5% larger than the diameter of the pipe 100. Preferably, the diameter of the channel 255 is between 5% and 20% larger (such as 10% larger) than the diameter of the pipe 100. The housing 250 may be made from a rigid material, such as a rigid thermosetting composite polymer, a reinforced composite polymer or metal.

In this example, the housing 250 comprises a first part 251 and a second part 252, the first and second parts 251, 252 being engageable together to define the channel 255 for receiving the pipe 100. The first and second parts 151, 152 may be engageable together to form a cylinder with the channel 255 extending through the cylinder. As shown in the example of Fig. 2, the housing 250 may comprise a hinge 254, which couples the first part 251 to the second part 252 of the housing 250. To form the channel 255, the first part 251 is rotated about the hinge 254 relative to the second part 252. Furthermore, the cover 200 may comprise a fastener for securing the first part 251 to the second part 252. In this example, the fastener is a bolt or screw (not shown), for securing a clamp plate 256 of the first part 251 of the housing 250 to a further clamp plate 256 of the second part 252 of the housing 250. In other examples, the fastener could for instance be a belt extending around the first and second parts 151, 152, to secure the first part 151 to the second part 152.

The cover 200 includes first and second expandable portions 210, 220. The first expandable portion 210 is locatable downstream of the leak 102 in the pipe 100 (i.e. on the first side of the leak 102), and the second expandable portion 220 is locatable upstream of the leak 102 (i.e. on the second side of the leak 102). The first and second expandable portions 210, 220 are configured to expand into the channel 255 (i.e. radially inwardly), towards the pipe to abut against the adjacent portion of the pipe 100. The first and second expandable portions 210, 220 extend around the circumference of the inner surface of the channel 255. Once the first and second expandable portions 210, 220 are in an expanded condition, the cover 200 provides a seal for the leak 102 in the pipe, and the cover 200 also provides a support to prevent further movement of the first section 110 of the pipe relative to the second section 120 of the pipe 100.

In this example, the first and second expandable portions 210, 220 are respectively located at each end of the housing 250, and at each end of the channel 255 defined by the housing 250. The first and second expandable portions 210, 220 can thus also be referred to as peripheral expandable portions in this example.

In the example of Fig. 2, the cover 200 also includes a third expandable portion 230, which is similar to the first and second expandable portions 210, 220, but is located between the first and second expandable portions 210, 220. The third expandable portion may therefore be referred to as an intermediate expandable portion. The third expandable portion 230 also extends around the circumference of the inner surface of the channel 255. The third expandable portion 230 is locatable adjacent to the leak 102 in the pipe 100, and is configured to expand into the channel (i.e. radially inwardly), towards the leak 102 in the pipe 100 and to abut against the outer surface of the pipe 100 either side of the leak 102.

In this example, the cover 200 also includes a plurality of injection ports 240, which are described in further detail below with reference to Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the cover 200 mounted around the example pipe 100. In Fig. 3, the first, second and third expandable portions 210, 220, 230 are in an unexpanded condition.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the first and second expandable portions 210, 220 each include a lining 212, 222. The linings 212, 222 each extend across a portion of the inner surface of the channel 255, and each define a cavity (not labelled) for receiving a settable material. In the unexpanded condition illustrated in Fig. 3, the size of the cavity is minimal, so the cavities are not shown in Fig. 3. The cover 200 also includes an inlet 270 into each of the cavities defined by the linings 212, 222 of the first and second expandable portions 210, 220, to allow the settable material to enter the cavities. The linings 212, 222 of each of the first and second expandable portions 210, 220 are flexible such that when the settable material is injected into the cavities via the inlets 270, the linings 212, 222 expand towards the pipe 100 and abut against the outer surface of the pipe 100. The linings 212, 222 form an impermeable barrier to prevent the settable material from coming into contact with any fluid flowing through the pipe, which prevents contamination of the fluid passing through the pipe. In this example, the linings 212, 222 of each of the first and second expandable portions 210, 220 are made from a flexible material, such as an elastomeric material. The linings 212, 222 of each of the first and second expandable portions 210, 220 may be an elastomeric rubber sheet.

The third expandable portion 230 also includes a lining 232, which is similar to the linings 212, 222 of the first and second expandable portions 210, 220. The cover 200 also includes an inlet 270 into a cavity defined by the third lining 232, to allow the settable material to enter the cavity. The lining 232 of the third expandable portion 230 extends across a portion of the inner surface of the channel 255 between the linings 212, 222 of the first and second expandable portions 210, 220. In this example, the lining 232 of the third expandable portion 230 extends across a larger portion of the inner surface of the channel 255 than the methods linings 212, 222 of the first and second expandable portions 210, 220. Furthermore, the lining 232 of the third expandable portion 230 is flexible such that when a settable material is injected into the cavity of the lining 232 of the third expandable portion 230 via the inlet 270 into the cavity, the lining 232 expands towards the leak 102 in the pipe 100 and abuts against the outer surface of the pipe 100 on either side of the leak 102.

The edges of the linings 212, 222, 232 of the first, second and third expandable portions 210, 220, 230 are fastened to the first part 251 of the housing 250 in this example. The edges of the linings 212, 222, 232 may be fastened to the housing 250 to form a seal against the housing 250, for instance by clamping the edges of the linings 212, 222, 232 against the housing 250, by using an adhesive, and/or by using one or more fasteners.

In this example, each of the first, second and third expandable portions 210, 220, 230 include a further lining 214, 224, 234, in addition to the linings 212, 222, 232 described above. The further linings 214, 224, 234 are substantially the same as the linings 212, 222, 232, but are fastened to the second part 252 of the housing 250, rather than the first part 251 of the housing 250. However, in other examples, each of the first second and third expandable portions 210, 220, 230 may include a single lining which is fastened to both the first and second parts 251, 252 of the housing 250.

The inlets 270 into the linings 212, 222, 232 and the further linings 214, 224, 234 are each connected to one of plurality of injection ports 260 via a channel in the housing 250, to enable the settable material to pass from the respective injection port 260 to the respective inlet 270. Fig. 3 also shows end portions of a plurality of conduits 310, which are connected to the injection ports 260.

In this example, the channel 255 is elongate, and the length dimension of the channel defines a longitudinal axis 20. The longitudinal axis 20 is shown in Fig. 3.

The cover 200 may form part of an apparatus for sealing a leak 102 in a pipe. The apparatus includes the cover 200, a dispenser of the settable material, and one or more conduits 310 for connection with the injection ports 260 and the dispenser. The settable material may be injected into the expandable portions 210, 220, 230 from the dispenser via the conduits 310, the injection ports 260 and the inlets 270.

In use, the cover 200 can be used to seal a leak 102 in a pipe 100 by using an example method 500, shown in Fig. 4 and described below.

In a first step 510 of the method 500, the cover 200 is mounted to a pipe 100 with a leak 102, such that the leak 102 is located within the channel 255 defined by the housing 250. After the cover 200 is mounted to the pipe 100, the first expandable portion 210 is located downstream of the leak 102, and the second expandable portion 220 is located upstream of the leak 102. Fig. 3 shows the cover 200 once mounted to the pipe. Once the cover 200 is mounted to the pipe, the first and second parts 251 252 of the pipe 100 may be secured to one another using the fastener for securing the first part 251 to the second part 252.

In a second step 520 of the method 500, settable material 322 is injected into the first and second expandable portions 210, 220. In other words, settable material 322 is injected into the cavities defined by the linings 212, 222 and further linings 214, 224 of the first and second expandable portions 210, 220. In examples where the cover 200 includes the third expandable portion 230, such as the examples described herein, a settable material 320 is also injected into the third expandable portion 230. In other words, the settable material 320 is injected into the cavity defined by the lining 232 and the further lining 232 of the third expandable portion 230. The settable material may be injected into the expandable portions 210, 220, 230 from the dispenser via the conduits 310, the injection ports 260 and the inlets 270. Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the cover 200 once the settable material 320, 322 has been injected into the first, second and third expandable portions 210, 220, to provide a seal for the leak 102. Only the pipe 100, the linings 212, 222, 232, the further linings 214, 224, 234 and the settable material 320, 322 have been labelled in Fig. 6 to improve clarity.

In some examples, the settable material 320 is injected into the third expandable portion 230 prior to the injection of the settable material 322 into the first and second expandable portions 210, 220. The injection of the settable material 322 into the first and second expandable portions 210, 220 may begin once the third expandable portion 230 has formed an initial seal of the leak 102 (i.e. no further fluid is escaping from the pipe 100 or cover 200). Fig. 5 shows a cross sectional view of the cover 200 once the settable material 320 has been injected into the third expandable portion 230. Only the pipe 100, the linings 212, 222, 232, the further linings 214, 224, 234 and the settable material 320 have been labelled in Fig. 5 to improve clarity.

In some examples, the settable material 230 injected into the third expandable portion 230 (from hereon referred to as the first settable material 230) is different from the settable material 322 injected into the first and second expandable portions 210, 220 (from hereon referred to as the second settable material 232) More specifically, the first settable material 230 is settable to form a softer solid (according to the Shore A Hardness Scale) than the second settable material 232. For instance, the first settable material 230 may be settable to form a solid of between 10 and 45 on the Shore A Hardness Scale, and the second settable material 232 may be settable to form a solid of at least 50 on the Shore A Hardness Scale. Preferably, the first settable material 230 is settable to form a solid of between 20 to 40 on the Shore A Hardness Scale, such as 30 Shore A, and the second settable material 232 is settable to form a solid of 60 to 100 on the here on Shore A Hardness Scale, such as 80 Shore A. The softer solid formed by the first settable material 230 in the third expandable portion 230 allows for some movement of the pipe 100 directly around the leak 102, to minimise stress on section of the pipe 100 directly around the leak 102. The harder solid formed in the first and second expandable portions 210, 220 enables the cover 200 to act as a support for the pipe 100, and to securely fasten the cover 200 to the pipe 100. The first settable material 230 may be an epoxy resin or polyurethane, and the second settable material 232 may be an epoxy resin or polyurethane. It is though to be appreciated that other suitable settable materials could be used.

Once the settable material 230, 232 has set, the cover 200 may be left in place on the pipe 100.

There is thus described a cover 200 and a method 500 for sealing a leak 102 in a pipe 100 with a number of advantages, as detailed above and as follows. The cover 200 and method 500 provide for a long-lasting seal of the leak 102, and accommodate for further ground and/or pipe 100 movement. The cover 200 also acts as a support for the weaker section of the pipe 100 around the leak 102. The cover 200 is easy to use, and the method 500 is simple to carry out. The cover 200 and method 500 can accommodate a wide variety of leaks, including circumferential fractures of the pipe 100 with substantial pipe 100 misalignment.

It is to be realised that a wide range of amendments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, the cover 200 might not include the third expandable portion 230. The expandable portions 210, 220,230 of the cover 200 might not include further linings 214, 224, 234, but rather each include a single lining extending around the circumference of the channel 255. The same settable material may be injected into all of the expandable portions 210, 220, 230. The cover 200 may include a fewer number of injections ports 260, such as one injection port 260, which is connected to each of the inlets 270 via a plurality of channels in the housing 250. The housing 250 might not include a hinge 254, such that the first and second parts 251, 252 of the housing 250 are separable. Different materials may be used. The housing 250 may be differently shaped.

The term 'comprise' is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y. If it is intended to use comprise' with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context by referring to "comprising only one" or by using "consisting".

In this description, reference has been made to various examples. The description of features or functions in relation to an example indicates that those features or functions are present in that example. The use of the term example' or for example' or can' or may' in the text denotes, whether explicitly stated or not, that such features or functions are present in at least the described example, whether described as an example or not, and that they can be, but are not necessarily, present in some of or all other examples. Thus 'example', 'for example', 'can' or may' refers to a particular instance in a class of examples. A property of the instance can be a property of only that instance or a property of the class or a property of a sub-class of the class that includes some but not all of the instances in the class. It is therefore implicitly disclosed that a feature described with reference to one example but not with reference to another example, can where possible be used in that other example as part of a working combination but does not necessarily have to be used in that other example.

Although examples have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described above.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain examples, those features may also be present in other examples whether described or not.

The term 'a' or the' is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising a/the Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y unless the context clearly indicates the contrary. If it is intended to use a' or 'the' with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context. In some circumstances the use of 'at least one' or one or more' may be used to emphasis an inclusive meaning but the absence of these terms should not be taken to infer any exclusive meaning.

The presence of a feature (or combination of features) in a claim is a reference to that feature or (combination of features) itself and also to features that achieve substantially the same technical effect (equivalent features). The equivalent features include, for example, features that are variants and achieve substantially the same result in substantially the same way. The equivalent features include, for example, features that perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same result.

In this description, reference has been made to various examples using adjectives or adjectival phrases to describe characteristics of the examples. Such a description of a characteristic in relation to an example indicates that the characteristic is present in some examples exactly as described and is present in other examples substantially as described.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features believed to be of importance it should be understood that the applicant may seek protection via the claims in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A cover for use in sealing a leak in a pipe, the cover comprising: a first expandable portion which is locatable downstream of the leak, the first expandable portion including a lining which defines a cavity for receiving a settable material; a second expandable portion which is locatable upstream of the leak, the second expandable portion including a lining which defines a cavity for receiving a settable material; and one or more inlets into the cavities defined by the linings, wherein the linings of the first and second expandable portions are flexible such that when the settable material is injected into the cavities via the one or more inlets, the linings expand towards the pipe and abut against the outer surface of the pipe.
2. A cover according to claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises a third expandable portion located between the first and second expandable portions, the third expandable portion including a lining which defines a cavity for receiving a settable material, wherein the lining of the third expandable portion is flexible such that when the settable material is injected into the cavity defined by the lining of the third expandable portion via the one or more inlets, the lining expands towards the leak in the pipe and abuts against the outer surface of the pipe.
3. A cover according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover comprises a housing which is arranged to define a channel for receiving the pipe.
4. A cover according to claim 3, wherein the first and second expandable portions are each arranged to extend around the circumference of the inner surface of the channel.
5. A cover according to claim 2, or claim 3 or 4 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the third expandable portion is arranged to extend around the circumference of the inner surface of the channel
6. A cover according to claim 3, or claim 4 or 5 when dependent on claim 3, wherein the linings of the first and second expandable portions are fastened to the housing.
7. A cover according to any of the preceding claims when dependent on claim 3, wherein the housing is substantially cylindrical.
8. A cover according to any of the preceding claims when dependent on claim 3, wherein the housing is made from a reinforced composite polymer or metal.
9. A cover according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second linings are made from an elastomeric material.
10. A cover according to claim 9, wherein the first and second linings are made from a rubber material.
11. A cover according to any of the preceding claims when dependent on claim 2, wherein the third lining is made from an elastomeric material.
12. A cover according to claim 11, wherein the third lining is made from a rubber material.
13. A cover according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cover includes one or more injection ports for receiving the settable material, the one or more injection ports being connected to the one or more inlets.
14. A cover according to any of the preceding claims when dependent on claim 3, wherein the housing comprises a first part and a second part, the first and second parts being engageable together to define the channel for receiving the pipe.
15. A cover according to claim 14, wherein the housing includes a hinge, which couples the first part of the housing to the second part of the housing.
16. A cover according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the first and second expandable portions each include a further lining, the further linings each defining a cavity for receiving a settable material, and the cover comprises one or more inlets into the cavities defined by the further linings, the further linings of the first and second expandable portions being flexible such that when the settable material is injected into the cavities via the one or more inlets, the further linings expand towards the pipe and abut against the outer surface of the pipe, and wherein the linings of the first and second expandable portions are fastened to the first part of housing, and the further linings of the first and second expandable portions are fastened to the second part of housing.
17. A cover according to any of claims 14 to 16 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the third expandable portion includes a further lining which defines a cavity for receiving a settable material, the further lining of the third expandable portion being flexible such that when the settable material is injected into the cavity of the lining of the third expandable portion via the one or more inlets, the further lining expands towards the leak in the pipe and abuts against the outer surface of the pipe, and wherein the lining of the third expandable portion is fastened to the first part of housing, and the further lining of the third expandable portion is fastened to the second part of housing.
18. A cover for use in sealing a leak in a pipe, the cover comprising: a first expandable portion which is locatable on a first side of the leak, the first expandable portion including a lining which defines a cavity for receiving a settable material; a second expandable portion which is locatable on a second side of the leak, the second expandable portion including a lining which defines a cavity for receiving a settable material; and one or more inlets into the cavities defined by the linings, wherein the linings of the first and second expandable portions are flexible such that when the settable material is injected into the cavities via the one or more inlets, the linings expand towards the pipe and abut against the outer surface of the pipe.
19. A method of sealing a leak in a pipe, comprising: mounting a cover according to any of the preceding claims to a pipe with a leak, the mounting including locating the first expandable portion downstream of the leak, and locating the second expandable portion upstream of the leak; and injecting settable material into the cavities defined by the linings of the first and second expandable portions.
20. A method according to 19 when dependent on claim 2, the method further comprising injecting settable material into the cavity defined by the lining of the third expandable portion.
21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the settable material injected into the cavity defined by the lining of the third expandable portion is settable to form a softer solid relative to the settable material injected into the cavities defined by the linings of the first and second expandable portions.
22. A method according to claim 20 or 21, wherein settable material is injected into the cavity defined by the lining of the third expandable portion prior to injection of settable material injected into the cavities defined by the linings of the first and second expandable portions.
23. A method according to any of claims 19 to 22, wherein the diameter of the channel defined by the housing is at least 5 % larger than the outer diameter of the 20 pipe.
24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the diameter of the channel defined by the housing is between 5 % and 20 % larger than the outer diameter of the pipe.