Pipe-making equipment and methods for replacing existing pipes

Abstract

In a self-propelled tube-making device equipped with a braking mechanism, interference between the braking mechanism and the existing tube can be mitigated, thus smoothly producing the replacement tube. The tube-making device 20 for replacing the existing tube 1 is positioned on the inner periphery of the extended front end 9e of the replacement tube 9, with its length direction LD oriented towards the spiral winding direction of the spiral replacement tube 9 composed of a long strip-shaped member 10. The device body 21 is provided with a drive unit 30 including at least a pair of drive rollers 31 and 32, and a tensioning braking mechanism 40. By using the drive rollers 31 and 32 to clamp the un-tubed subsequent strip portion 19 of the strip-shaped member 10 and push it obliquely towards the extended front end 9e, the opposing edges of the subsequent strip portion 19 and the extended front end 9e are engaged by interlocking, and the tube-making device 20 is advanced in the spiral winding direction. The tensioning braking mechanism 40 generates a braking force for the advancement, expanding the diameter of the replacement tube 9 and producing the replacement tube. The tensioning braking mechanism 40 includes: a brake shoe 41 pressed against the renewal pipe 9; a tensioning reaction force receiving part 62b disposed on the device body 21; a tensioning receiving part 44 disposed on the brake shoe 41; and a tensioning member 50 tensionably mounted between the tensioning reaction force receiving part 62b and the tensioning receiving part 44. The tensioning reaction force receiving part 62b and the tensioning receiving part 44 are arranged separately along the length direction LD of the device.

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