WO1991018234A1

WO1991018234A1 - Ready-for-use, sandwich mending tube for renovating the inside of damaged drain channels and process for producing the same

Info

Publication number: WO1991018234A1
Application number: PCT/EP1991/000904
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rolf Moll
Original assignee: Softlining Ag, Systems For Relining
Priority date: 1990-05-18
Filing date: 1991-05-14
Publication date: 1991-11-28

Abstract

A new ready-for-use sandwich mending tube for renovating the inside of damaged drain channels, in particular inaccessible ones, has the following relevant layers: a nonwoven of polyacryl fibres with 120 to 180 g.cm-3; a glass fibre mat, ECR glass; a polyester/polyacryl fibre mat with a weight ratio between 0,9 and 1,9 and a density between 0,2 and 0,4 g.cm-3, as actual resin carrier; a woven glass roving fabric, ECR glass; and a polyester/polyacrylate fibre layer, with a weight ratio between 0,9 and 1,1 and a density between 60 and 180 g.cm-3, this last layer being pinned on the other layers. The resin filling is above all contained in the polyester/polyacryl fibre mat, and the resin is a UV-curable polyester resin. A reinforced, black coloured polyethylene foil forms the outer envelope and a UV-transparent, styrol resistant polyamide foil having a high fusion temperature forms an inner protecting envelope. In order to ensure optimal loading with resin, the process for producing this new sandwich mending tube has the following steps: in order to pre-load the bonded mending tube, provided with the polyamide inner envelope, this is led through a resin bath at a temperature between 10 and 40°C; the pre-loaded tube is deaerated under a reduced pressure between 0,1 and 0,8 bar; the tube is loaded a second time in a resin bath, while being squeezed, and the loaded tube is applied on the reinforced outer envelope, which is folded down and bonded on the tube.

Description

READY-TO-USE SANDWICH REPAIR HOSE FOR THE INTERIOR REPLACEMENT OF DAMAGED DUCT LINES AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME

The presently described invention relates to a ready-to-use sandwich repair hose for the interior renewal of damaged sewer lines - in particular non-walkable ones - and a method for producing the same and its use.

The ecological problems that can arise from leaks in installed water pipes are known. At the same time, the legal regulations in this area are becoming more and more mandatory (liability for polluters). It should also be noted that in most cases the internal renewal of such cables can be cheaper than replacing them.

An important technology used for this is based on inserting a flexible hose impregnated with reactive resin into the defective line and, after pressing the hose against the inner wall, curing the hose.

The patent literature shows a variety of generic methods: In the EP application, Ver. No. 0228998, a method and a device for the rehabilitation of installed pipelines are taught and claimed. The multi-layer repair hoses are guided through rollers at normal pressure through a trough; they are to be soaked in reactive resin. After the impregnated hose has been laid in the line to be repaired, it is pressurized and cured by means of direct UV radiation or by means of a continuous device which emits high-energy radiation. Particular attention is paid to the insertion of the hose. According to the EP application discussed here, this process step can be carried out in at least two different ways.

FR patent application No. 7501 834 (Ver. No. 2258581) teaches a method for introducing a flexible hose for sealing installed gas lines. The flexible, gas-tight hose is glued to the top inside of the line by means of glue. The entire hose is not impregnated, nor is the hose hardened on the inner wall of the line. The retracted flexible plastic hose is apparently pressed against the line by the gas pressure.

FR patent application 8303991 (Ver. No. 2542416) describes and claims a special, multi-layer, tight hose for the repair of existing lines. One layer of the hose contains a thermally polymerizable mass and another electrically conductive fiber or fabric. After the flexible hose has been introduced into the line, it is inflated, the electrically conductive layer is supplied with current and the polymerization, i.e. stiffened the hose wall. The hose is usually not on the inside of the line; the leak must be specially sealed.

The process according to EP, Ver. No. 0082212, is a hose that is exposed to air pressure in a line to be repaired is turned in. The tube has a felt layer that is evacuated during the everting process. At the same place - in front of the hose in the direction of movement - there is the resin mass for the entire impregnation and covering, and resin is constantly drawn into the evacuated felt mass and also pressed into the edge between the hose and the line. The felt layer contains the catalyst to accelerate the curing of the resin. This method seems to be particularly suitable for vertical lines to be repaired from bottom to top, and the control of the felt impregnation without direct inspection and with an independent insertion speed of the hose and evacuation performance on the felt apparently does not lead to any difficulties.

The EP application, Ver.No. 0168053, teaches and describes a method for hardening an in-line

Hose containing a photopolymerizable resin composition in a felt layer. At the inner end of the tubing that has been inserted and inflated or filled with water, there is a roller to which a cable for exposure devices is attached. The watertight design of the exposure device appears to be essential.

The subject of US patent 4009063 is a method for impregnating, positioning and curing a repair hose containing a resin-impregnated fleece for laid lines.

Mainly the construction and the introduction of the repair hose are dealt with.

According to the teaching of US Pat. No. 4,063,211, the repair hose, which is in the form of an impregnated but folded hose, is inserted into the line to be repaired by means of fluid pressure. In addition, US Pat. No. 4,135,958 teaches resin impregnation during indentation.

U.S. Patent 4,439,469 teaches adding an initiator to the curable resins of the repair hoses according to the prior art. In US Patents 4581 247 and 4680066, the curing of the indented, resin-impregnated tube is also taught and claimed by means of a radiation robot that can be used, inter alia, in the induction liquid.

Finally, WO 89/01111 (PCT / CH 88/00122) teaches the optimization of such repair methods and the reinforcement to be used above all for bends and / or pipe extensions or constrictions.

The improvement mentioned is achieved by combining the following four process features:

- Adjustment of the dimensions and the reinforcement layer of the

Multilayer plastic hose to the inner surface of the pipe to be repaired,

- impregnation of the reinforcement layer in the multilayer plastic tarpaulin with negative pressure,

- Mechanical pulling and pressing of the repair hose on the inner wall of the pipe to be repaired and

- Hardening of the resin in the reinforcement layer with or without an inner plastic film.

However, none of the documents mentioned teaches a sandwich repair hose according to this invention or its manufacture.

The ready-to-use sandwich repair hose according to the invention for the interior renewal of damaged sewer lines, in particular non-walkable ones, is characterized by: a) a mixed structure of the tube wall made of glass and polymer fibers, wherein - from the inside outwards - at least the following layers are present

_3

- fleece made of polyacrylic fibers from 120 to 180 g.cm,

- glass fiber mat, ECR glass,

- Polyester / polyacrylic fiber mat in a weight ratio of 0.9 to 11, 11 and 11 mm and an inner density of 0.2 to 0.4 g.cm as the actual resin carrier,

Glass rowing fabric, ECR glass, and

Polyester / polyacrylate fiber layer, in a weight ratio of 0.9 to 1.1 and with a density of 60 to 180 g.cm, the latter layer being needled onto the other layers,

b) a longitudinal tube seam obtained by means of thermal welding, in particular of the polyester-containing layers, the seam being reinforced on the outside by a flared seam reinforcement strip based on glass roving fabric,

c) a resin filling, in particular of the polyester / polyacrylic fiber mat, the resin being UV-curable polyester resin and being present in such a loading that, after hardening, there are no air inclusions visible to the eye in polished specimens, and also by

d) an outer shell made of reinforced, black-colored polyethylene and a UV-transparent, styrene-resistant polyamide inner shell with a high melting temperature. The process according to the invention for providing the sandwich repair hose is characterized by the following process steps for the purpose of optimal resin loading:

Passing the welded repair hose provided with the polyamide inner shell through a resin bath at a temperature of 10 - 40 C for the purpose of preloading,

- Intermediate ventilation of the loaded hose under a reduced pressure of 0.1 to 0.8 bar,

- second loading of the hose again in a resin bath with pinching in the same,

- Feed the loaded hose onto the reinforced outer shell, folding and welding the same.

The method is further characterized in that the resin-coated repair hose is stored in layers on plug-in pallets.

The use of the sandwich repair hose according to the invention for the interior renewal of damaged sewer lines, in particular non-walkable ones, is characterized in that - after insertion of the hose into the sewer line to be renewed and after securing the ends of the hose by means of suitable locks -

- The inflation and blow-through medium in the hose is checked both in terms of pressure and temperature, and that

- The curing is carried out in one pass of the UV exposure device.

The use is further characterized in that both The quantity and temperature of the inflation and blow-through medium are checked and displayed several times and that the UV exposure device is a self-driving robot which, in a first trip with the UV lamps switched off, the position of the inflated repair hose in the sewer line by means of TV transmission - reports to the control center, whereupon - after determining the correct position of the hose - the resin cures on command while the robot is returning with the UV lamps switched on, with multiple checks of its speed and the outlet temperature of the inflation and blowing medium .

All of the systems and devices mentioned are further characterized in that they have the necessary control, measuring, regulating, display, drive and braking devices for the purpose of achieving a coordinated overall operation of the interior renewal or a coordinated sequence the interior renewal are equipped.

The same systems and devices can even have an automatic system which allows programming of the operation or renewal sequence.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the attached FIGS. 1 to X, the drawings relating to a preferred embodiment of the subject matter of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows the basic structure of the sandwich hose wall according to the invention in a sectional view:

1.01 denotes the flared seam reinforcement strip; this is 50 to 200 mm wide and 1 to 5 mm high; it consists of a glass rowing fabric.

1.02 denotes a fleece made of polyacrylic fibers from 120 to -3 180 g «cm, 1.03 denotes a glass fiber mat, ECR glass,

1.04 denotes the polyester / polyacrylic fiber mat in a weight ratio of 0.9 to 1.1 and with a density of 0.2 to

_3 0.4 g cm as the actual resin carrier (the resin load is not shown),

1.05 denotes the glass rowing fabric made of ECR glass,

1.06 denotes the polyester / polyacrylate fiber layer, in a weight ratio of 0.9 to 1.1 and with a density of

_3 60 to 180 g cm, which is needled onto the other layers.

1.07 finally denotes the longitudinal tube seam.

The wall thicknesses of glass fiber outer layers to the polyester / polyacrylate fiber mat in between are preferably:

- 1/5/1 mm,

- 1/8/1 mm,

- 1/11/1 mm,

- 2/5/2 mm,

- 2/8/2 mm and - 2/11/2 mm.

2A and 2B and, in details, in FIGS. 3 and 4 are shown.

The flow direction in FIGS. 2A and 2B is from left to right. The bobbin with the wound multi-layer hoses is brought to the unwinding unit 2A01 or 2B01 and prepared there for unrolling the multi-layer hose. The beginning of the hose will unwound and fastened on the transport rollers by the Einharzeinrich¬ device 2A02, or 2B02 with resin tub 2A03 and Einharzurm 2A04. These transport rollers are driven by 2 chains. When passing through this system, the layer of mat, fabric or knitted fabric lying outside in the multi-layer hose is impregnated with resin; Excess resin is squeezed out when the hose exits the resin device. The hose runs through the resin tower in the facility. At the top of the tower - above the Harz - a negative pressure is maintained; at a given resin density and temperature, this determines its height in the tower. The reverse path in the vacuum serves and at the same time causes sufficient ventilation of the multi-layer hose impregnated with resin.

The resin-impregnated hose reaches the processing table 2A05 or 2B05 from the resin device. This is designed as a conveyor table, i.e. it has table tracks movable in the longitudinal direction.

Before the resin-impregnated hose reaches table 2A05 or 2B05, the UV-impermeable cover of the future repair hose is unwound in cutting device 2A06 or 2B06, cut to the desired width and placed flush and centrally under the resin-coated hose. To accommodate very wide envelopes, 2B06 pick-up and deflection rollers 2B07 are provided at the beginning of the processing table.

On the processing table, the casing is then placed around the resin-coated hose by means of funnel-shaped guide plates in such a way that its outer cutting edges come to lie against one another in the middle above it.

The 2A07 plastic welding system, which is adjustable in three axes (height, table! Longitudinal and table transverse axis) at the end of the table, feeds a strip of material that can be thermally welded to the cover material over the open seam of the two cover edges welds this thermally to the two edges of the casing material. The welding takes place with the extraction of air and gases, so that practically no air pockets result in the resin-impregnated hose during this operation. The welding system 2A07 is moved and positioned by means of spindle motors. The hot air hair dryer is also controlled from the desk based on the temperature of the air emerging; the temperature is kept constant by means of an appropriate control.

The control of the single resin and encircling line takes place overall via a stationary control panel or, with regard to main functions, via a mobile control button. Main functions such as setting up and exiting can be controlled both automatically and manually on the control panel. Complete automatic control with an optimized basic setting can also be switched.

FIG. 3 shows the resin device with resin trough 301 and resin resin tower 302. In this device, the negative pressure in the tower above the resin, the speed of the drive rollers and the conveyor chains and thus the resin time are regulated (at maximum speed the conveyor device also serves because of their special shape as a mixing device for the resin) and the distance between the squeezing rollers 303 when the hose exits the resin bath. This distance is indicated and controllable with vernier.

The open part of the resin trough of the single resin device 2A02 (see FIG. 2) can, according to FIG. 4, be covered and have both a large 402 in the cover 401 and - on the opposite side - a smaller opening 403. The cover can be connected to an exhaust system by means of a line (not shown), which discharges the extracted air through an activated carbon filter. An analog device can also be provided over the entire processing table.

FIG. 5 shows the storage of the repair hose 5.01 ready for use on plug-in stacking pallets 5.02.

The hose is thus transported and stripped from the pallets in layers on the construction site and inserted into the sewer line to be repaired.

FIG. 6 shows schematically the use of the hose termination according to the invention for the interior renewal of a damaged sewer line, especially the safety measures when inflating and curing:

6.02 denotes the compressor block in the diagram; 6.02a is the air inlet with intake filter.

The performance data of the compressor, for example a

3 screw compressors, are 8 to 16 m / min at 6 to 8 bar. In the

Compressed air line after the compressor, a safety valve and a manual steep valve are provided.

Block 6.04 denotes the air cooler, with compressed ambient air serving as the coolant. The condensed water is removed from the cooled compressed air in a separator with an automatic drain valve.

After cooling - indicated by block 6.08 - the quantity and pressure of the inflation and blow-through medium are checked.

This is done using the controlled control valve with actuator 6.08a as well as the pressure transmitter 6.08b. The pressure in this system is set to 1.5 + 0.2 bar.

After passing another safety valve 6.10a the inflation and blow-through medium in the actual resin-coated repair hose fastened in the damaged duct line (block 6.10).

Even after passing the touch-up hose, another safety valve 6.10b and a hand-operated steep valve 6.10c are provided in the air outlet line to the outside.

The entire complex control system for securing the pressure and the amount of the inflation and blowing medium primarily serves the purpose of not reaching the lower explosion limit of such mixtures, even if small amounts of organic substances escape from the repair hose into the compressed air.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Ready-to-use sandwich repair hose for the interior renewal of damaged sewer lines, especially not accessible, characterized by

a) a mixed structure of the tube wall made of glass and polymer fibers, wherein - from the inside outwards - at least the following layers are present

_3

- fleece made of polyacrylic fibers from 120 to 180 g.cm,

- glass fiber mat, ECR glass,

- Polyester / polyacry! Fiber mat in a weight ratio of 0.9

_3 to 1.1 and with a density of 0.2 to 0.4 g »cm as the actual resin carrier,

- Glass rowing fabric, ECR glass, and

- Polyester / polyacrylic fiber layer, in the weight ratio of

_3 0.9 to 1.1 and with a density of 60 to 180 g.cm, the latter layer being needled onto the other layers, b) one obtained by means of thermal welding, especially of the polyester-containing layers. Longitudinal tube seam, the seam being reinforced on the outside by a flared seam reinforcement strip based on glass rowing fabric,

c) a resin filling, in particular of the polyester / polyacrylic fiber mat, the resin being UV-curable polyester resin and this mat being wetted in such a way that, after hardening, there are no air pockets visible in the polished pattern, and

d) an outer shell made of reinforced, black-colored polyethylene and a UV-transparent, styrene-resistant polyamide inner shell with a high melting temperature.

2. Method for providing the sandwich repair hose according to claim 1, characterized by the following process steps for the purpose of optimal resin wetting:

Passing the welded repair hose provided with the polyamide inner shell through a resin bath at a temperature of 10 - 40 C for the purpose of prewetting,

Intermediate venting of the loaded hose under an absolute pressure of 0.4 to 0.96 bar (approx. 0.4 to 6 m WS at 300 K),

- second wetting of the tube again in a resin bath with pinching in the same,

Feed the loaded hose onto the reinforced outer shell, folding and welding the same.

3. The method according to claim 2, further characterized in that that the resin-coated repair hose is stored in layers on plug-in stacking pallets.

- ^ Use of the sandwich repair hose according to claim 1 for the interior renewal of damaged sewer lines, in particular non-walkable ones, characterized in that - after inserting the hose into the sewer line to be renewed and after securing the ends of the hose by means of suitable Locking gates -

- The curing is carried out in one pass of the UV exposure device.

5. Use according to claim 4, further characterized in that both the amount and the temperature of the inflation and blow-through medium are checked and displayed several times and that the UV exposure device is a self-driving robot, which in a first trip with the UV lamps switched off The position of the inflated repair hose in the sewer line is reported to the control center by TV transmission, whereupon - after determining the faultless position of the hose - on command during the return trip of the robot with the UV lamps switched on and with multiple checks of its speed and the outlet temperature of the Inflation and blow-through medium the hardening of the resin happens.