Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
  • E21D—SHAFTS; TUNNELS; GALLERIES; LARGE UNDERGROUND CHAMBERS
  • E21D11/00—Lining tunnels, galleries or other underground cavities, e.g. large underground chambers; Linings therefor; Making such linings in situ, e.g. by assembling
• • 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
• • 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

Definitions

• the present invention generally relates to a pipe repair sleeve and method of repairing pipes, tunnels, conduits and other similar structures as well as to a method for repairing underground pipes by inserting an expandable sleeve inside the pipe and expanding the same to seal a damaged or leaking portion of the pipe.
• One method involves forcing a sealing fluid into the pipe lining under the pressure through the damaged portion in the pipe.
• Another method involves coating the interior of the underground pipe with a sealing material in order to repair the damaged portion of the pipe.
• British Patent 2,136,912, BARRY discloses a method of sealing pipes having a sleeve impregnated with a curable resin which is placed around an inflatable and collapsable bag.
• the sleeve and bag are attached to a. pulling line and introduced into the damaged part of the pipe.
• the bag is inflated thereby expanding the fiber glass laminate sleeve into pressure contact with the inner wall of the pipe. After the resin hardens, the bag is collapsed and moved.
• U.S. Patent 4,589,447, CANE et al. discloses a method of inserting a coiled element into damaged tunnel or conduit. When the coil element is positioned at a damaged location, the coil element unwinds and expands outwardly forcing the sleeve on its outer surface against the wall of the conduit and seals the damaged portion of the tunnel.
• U.S. Patent 4,581,801, KOBUCK et al. discloses a method which uses a metal sleeve 16 and an expander element 24 which are both inserted into a pipe. The expander element causes a sleeve to expand against the inner surface of the tube.
• U.S. Patent 4,347,018, WRIGHTSON et al. discloses a method of repairing the lining of tunnels, conduits and the like wherein an overlapped pipe is inserted into the tunnel. The steps holding the pipe in its hold-up state are released forcing the pipe to extend.
• U.S. Patent 4,361,451, RENAUD discloses a lining arrangement wherein a lining sleeve and inflatable envelope having a layer of resin therebetween are introduced into a conduit. The envelope is inflated and forces the sleeve against the inner wall of the conduit.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved underground pipe repair method which minimizes the labor required and the necessary time for repairing the same.
• a further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved internal pipe repair sleeve which expands and locks in position inside the pipe structure to seal a damaged or leaking part of the pipe.
• a coiled repair sleeve having edges with locking members whic is expanded, for example, by means of an air bag inserted into the coil of sheet material, covered with elastic gasket material, which forms the sleeve.
• the repair sleeve with the air bag inserted is moved to the location of the damage or leak; upon reaching the site of the damage, the air bag, or other means of expansion, is inflated or otherwise expanded so as to uncoil the sleeve and compress the gasket material against the inside of the pipe.
• the air bag is then deflated, the uncoiled sleeve retracts to a certain degree due to its spring-type property and the elasticity of the gasket material.
• the male locking member of the sleeve slips into the groove of the female locking member of the sleeve to form a continuous interior sleeve inside the pipe.
• the air bag is removed from the pipe structure.
• the present invention is directed to a generally elongate member with interlocking longitudinal edges including a sheet of material having two longitudinal edges, and means for locking associated with the longitudinal edges adapted to fasten the longitudinal edges of the sheet together to form the sheet into a generally tubular configuration, wherein the sheet is composed of flexible material, preferably selected from the group consisting of metal and plastic, and more preferably metal, and preferably wherein the sheet is coiled.
• the means for locking includes a male locking member and a female locking member adapted to mate with the male locking member.
• the male locking member includes an elongate element having a predetermined length and the female locking member includes an outer lip having a length substantially equal to the length of the male locking member and an inner lip having a length shorter than the length of the length of the outer lip.
• the present invention is directed to a pipe repair liner including a sleeve having an outer surface, having a structure substantially as described above, provided with a covering on at least a portion of the outer surface of the sleeve wherein the covering is composed of a compressible material, preferably selected from the group consisting of plastic and rubber, wherein the plastic is a plastic foam, such as polyethylene foam.
• the covering is a gasket, and preferably the exterior surface of the outer lip of the female locking member is covered with the gasket material.
• the present invention is directed to a pipe repair apparatus including a sleeve in the form of a coil which is provided with a covering on at least a portion of the outer surface of the sleeve having a structure substantially as described above, in addition to means for expansion inserted in the coil adapted to compress the covering against the inside of a pipe into which the pipe repair liner is placed, preferably wherein the means for expansion is an expandable air bag which may be pleated.
• the present invention is also directed to a method of repairing pipes, tunnels, conduits, or similar structures having damaged sections in the form of cracks, leaks, holes, or eroded surfaces and the like which involves providing a pipe repair apparatus, as described above, inserting the pipe repair apparatus in a pipe; expanding the means for expansion to uncoil the sheet of coiled material to compress its covering or gasket against the inside of the pipe; retracting the means for expansion to permit the locking members associated with the longitudinal edges of the sheet to lock the sheet into a rigid tubular configuration lining the pipe.
• Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view in elevation of a sleeve member in partially expanded position
• Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view in elevation of the sleeve member in the expanded and interlocking position
• Fig. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve member in partially expanded position
• Fig. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve member wherein a male edge is snapped into female edge position;
• Fig. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve member in complete interlocking engagement
• Fig. 4A is a cross-sectional view of welded female edge of the sleeve member
• Fig. 4B is a cross-sectional view of stamped and welded female edge of the sleeve member
• Fig. 4C is a cross-section view of stamped female edge of the sleeve member
• Fig. 4D is a cross-sectional view of rolled female edge of the sleeve member
• Fig. 4E is a perspective view of female and male edges with a line of slots and studs respectively;
• Fig. 4F is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Fig. 4E;
• Fig. 5 is a perspective view of internal pipe repair sleeve in the form of a coiled sheet
• Fig. 6 is an end-view in elevation of the partially inflated air bag inserted into the sleeve
• Fig. 7 is a schematic view of air bag and pressure source
• Fig. 8A is a perspective view of internal pipe repair sleeve and liner with the air bag in deflated position inserted into the damaged sleeve;
• Fig. 8B is a perspective view of internal pipe repair sleeve in expanded position with inflated air bag in the damaged pipe;
• Fig. 8C is a perspective view of internal pipe repair sleeve in the complete interlocking engagement forming a continuous interior sleeve inside the damaged pipe;
• Fig. 9 illustrates the installation process of internal pipe repair sleeve and liner in the damaged pipe at location of damage or leak.
• Fig. 1 illustrates the sleeve 14, preferably made of material which is elastic or tensioned, such as metal, to form a spiral, coil or spring-type structure.
• the sleeve is covered by a compressible material 22, the compressible covering material is preferably in the form of a gasket, made of plastic, rubber or other elastic material such a plastic foam, eg. polyurethane foam.
• a gasket made of plastic, rubber or other elastic material such a plastic foam, eg. polyurethane foam.
• Fig. 2 shows the structure of sle.eve 14 with its longitudinal edge locked in position to compress gasket 22 tightly against the interior wall of pipe 10.
• FIG. 3A A cross-section of the male-female interlocking arrangement of the pipe repair sleeve 14 is illustrated in Figs. 3A, 3B and 3C.
• the longitudinal male locking member 24 has an exterior surface which is exposed or uncovered by the material of gasket 22 over a portion of its length which corresponds to female locking member 26 having an exterior surface which is covered by compressible gasket 22.
• the gasket 22 can be continued throughout the entire length of the male locking member 24.
• the thickness of the gasket material can be substantially the same over the entire exterior surface of the sleeve member, if the exterior surface of the male locking member is covered, the gasket material is preferably thinner than the cover over the other portions of the exterior surface of the sleeve member and is designed primarily to ensure water tightness, preferably utilizing easily compressible material such as low density polyethylene foam or foam rubber.
• easily compressible material such as low density polyethylene foam or foam rubber.
• the female locking member includes an outer lip having a length, substantially corresponding to the uncovered portion of the male locking member having the previously mentioned exterior surface 26 covered by the gasket material and an interior or lower lip 28 which is preferably shorter in length than the length of the outer lip.
• the sleeve 14 is expanded to an oversized configuration i.e wherein the male locking member slides over the interior surface of the lower lip to a point beyond the edge of the lower lip.
• the sleeve 14 due to its spring-type property, coils so that male locking member 24 of the sleeve 14 is snapped into a groove of female locking member 26 of the sleeve as shown in Fig.
• male locking member 24 and female locking member 26 of the sleeve 14 are completely interlocked forming a continuous sleeve inside the pipe 10, as shown in Fig. 3C.
• FIGs. 4A, 4B and 4C Alternative structural embodiments of the female locking member of the sleeve 14 are illustrated in Figs. 4A, 4B and 4C.
• the female locking member end in a form of a groove can be wel *.ded as shown in Fig. 4A, stamped as shown in Fig. 4C, or stamped and welded as illustrated in Fig. 4B or rolled as shown in Fig. 4D.
• Fig. E illustrates an embodiment wherein the female edge has a series of slots 25 and male edge with a series of protrusions in the form of hooks or studs 27.
• This embodiment is particularly preferred where one wishes to have the edges of the sleeve member fastened together.
• the stud-slot fastening assembly can be used in the embodiments described herein where the elongate male member engages within the groove of the female member, or may be the sole means for interconnecting the edges of the sleeve to hold the same In a tubular configuration once the force of expansion is released.
• the air bag is inflated the male edge 24 uncoils and aligns with female edge 26 so that the series of protrusions hooks or studs slip into a series of slots.
• the protrusions 27 are hooked in the slots 25 and remain firmly engaged in a locking position.
• FIG. 4F A cross-section of female male edges with slots 25 and protrusions or studs 27 respectively is shown in Fig. 4F.
• Fig. 5 shows a pipe repair sleeve 14 in a form of coiled sheet made of metal or any other rigid material capable of being tensioned into a spring, spiral or coil.
• the exterior surface of the sheet is covered with a covering 22 made of plastic rubber, or other compressible material which is preferably elastic, to function as a gasket.
• the gasket may be made of any elastic material such as plastic or rubber, but is preferably made of polyethylene foam.
• Fig. 6 illustrates the prepared means for expanding the sleeve 14.
• an air bag 12 is inserted into the coiled sleeve 14; air is introduced through a hose 11 which inflates the air bag and which expands to compress against the interior of sleeve 14 which uncoils the sleeve.
• the structure of air bag 12 with pleated sides is shown in schematic in Fig. 7A and the structure of expandable plastic bag-or balloon like configuration 15 is shown in schematic in Fig. 7B. .
• FIG. 9 illustrates the pipe repair sleeve 14 with inserted air bag (not shown) at location A is moved to the damaged pipe 10 through existing man hole or in its absence excavated hatch MH1.
• the sleeve is inserted into the end of the pipe 10 at location B.
• a TV or equivalent camera i3 is placed in front of the sleeve 14. damage or leak at 20.
• FIG. 8a and 9 the air bag 12 which can be smooth and expandable is inflated to expand against the interior and coil the sleeve as shown in Fig. 8b.
• Fig. 8c illustrates the pipe repair sleeve wherein the air bag is deflated; removed from the sleeve; and the male and female ends of the sleeve are completely interlocked performing a continuous interior sleeve inside pipe 10.
• the air bag removed from the sleeve and TV camera 13 are both removed out by the cable 16 through man hole or hatch MH2 using winch 18 as illustrated in Fig- 9.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
• Geology (AREA)
• Pipe Accessories (AREA)
• Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
• Sewage (AREA)
• Lining And Supports For Tunnels (AREA)

Priority Applications (4)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=23005787

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (9)

Cited By (14)

Families Citing this family (11)

Citations (4)

Family Cites Families (3)

• 1989
  • 1989-04-28 JP JP1107891A patent/JP2719831B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1989-10-27 EP EP89911819A patent/EP0441812A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 1989-10-27 HU HU896271A patent/HUT59472A/hu unknown
  • 1989-10-27 MC MC892120D patent/MC2120A1/xx unknown
  • 1989-10-27 WO PCT/FI1989/000199 patent/WO1990005267A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1989-10-30 RU SU894743298A patent/RU1831634C/ru active
  • 1989-10-31 KR KR1019890015686A patent/KR0127301B1/ko not_active IP Right Cessation
• 1991
  • 1991-04-23 DK DK074591A patent/DK74591A/da not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1991-04-29 BG BG094326A patent/BG94326A/bg unknown

Patent Citations (4)

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