GB738227A - Remotely controlled pipe lining apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0738227/III/1> <PICT:0738227/III/2> <PICT:0738227/III/3> Apparatus for lining pipes comprises a machine adapted to travel through a pipe and having an electrically-driven dispenser for distributing lining material on to the interior thereof, independent electrical drive means for driving the machine through the pipe, means on the machine for trowelling the lining material, with electrically-operated means for retracting the trowelling means from an operative to an inoperative position, and circuits adapted to extend to the exterior of the pipe for controlling retraction of the trowelling means and operation of the dispenser and machine drives. As shown, the apparatus comprises a lining machine 11, having a rotatable distributer head 14 which throws cement mortar on to the interior of the pipeline 10, where it is trowelled by rotatable trowelling means 15 to form a lining 13. A mortar reservoir 16 is connected by a supply hose 17 to a mortar pump 21 situated outside the pipeline. The lining machine is supported on a pair of wheels 90 at its rear end, and at its front end is articulated to a tractor 12, which has two pairs of wheels, one or other of which may be put into driven engagement with an electric motor carried on the tractor through suitable gearing and one of two electrically-controlled clutches; the rear pair (on the left, as shown), when driven, moves the tractor at a slow rate for use during lining operations, whereas the forward pair are adapted to operate faster, for moving the machine to and from the lining site. As shown in Fig. 2, the lining machine has a distributing head 14 of known type, mounted on the rotatable hollow shaft 45 of a motor 46, the housing 47 of which is secured to the end of the reservoir 16, to which is also fixed one end of a hollow shaft 48 coaxial with the shaft 45. A feed screw 52, integral with a hollow shaft 53, is contained within the shaft 48, its forward end 52a being shaped to fit the walls of the reservoir 16. The rear end of the feed screw shaft carries an agitator 56. The feed screw is driven by a motor 59 through gears 57 and a speed reducer 58 (Fig. 2a). The rear end of the fixed hollow shaft 48 supports the trowelling means 15 which is carried on a hollow shaft 62 rotated by the feed screw shaft 53 through gearing 61, and comprises trowels 63 pivoted to arms 64 which are pivotally mounted in a structure 73 on hubs carrying pulleys 68, and spiral springs which urge the trowels against the lining. Wire strands 69 pass around the pulleys 68 and pass through eyelets 70 to connections on a plate 71, fixed on a control rod 75, rearward movement of which causes the trowels to be retracted from the trowelling position. The rod 75 passes through the shaft 53 and is actuated by a motor 78, which causes the threaded shaft 79 to rotate in a threaded member 80 connected to the rod 75. The motor 78 has limit switch means in a box 83, and a normally-open switch 85, connected in a control circuit, is arranged to be closed when the trowels are retracted. A switch 86 is mounted in a housing 87 above the reservoir 16, and is operated by a disc or diaphragm 88 when the reservoir is full, to interrupt through a timer the operation of the mortar pump motor 24. Cables 30 connect the switches and driving motors on the lining machine and tractor to a control cabinet 27, and a winch 35, driven by a motor 36 is connected to wind up a wire rope 37 which is attached to the hose 17. Two micro-switches mounted on top of the tractor are arranged to be opened in succession by a pivoted cradle, urged against the hose by a spring, as the tension of the hose 17 increases, and control the speed at which the winch motor 36 is driven. The control circuits provide for driving the machine in either direction at either fast or slow speed, for operating the various motors, together with interlocks for preventing the operation of the feed screw when the distributer is inoperative, or movement of the machine in a direction opposite to that in which lining is to be effected, or at fast speed, unless the trowels are retracted, or operation of the distributer unless the machine is travelling at slow speed in the lining direction. A push-button control is provided for extending the trowels for purposes of adjustment.