Method and device for repairing or reinforcing an underground pipe

Abstract

A method for reinforcing or repairing a pipe pulls a liner assembly with a flexible smooth bore liner and a semi-rigid helix that gives non-collapsible characteristics within the damaged pipe for both linear pipe sections and curved pipe sections. The existing pipe is first cleaned with a specially designed brush with two wooden spheres at each end of the brush to prevent snagging or jamming during brush operations. The liner assembly is then pulled through the total length of the pipe and anchored at each end with retaining sleeves, which are sandwiched and glued within the liner assembly and the inside diameter of the existing pipe.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a method and device for repairing or reinforcing an underground pipe, and more particularly, to a method and device for repairing or reinforcing an underground pipe with minimal, or no excavation. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] After years of use, many devices which require water can suffer leaks in the supply pipes, which bring water supply to the area. Typically, the supply pipes are underground pipes. Due to age, the intrusion of roots, placement of heavy loads and shifting of the earth above and around existing piping or a variety of other reasons, underground piping can become damaged, requiring this repair for the resulting leaks. This makes repair thereof difficult. While repair may be accomplished by excavating, removing and replacing the total existing pipe or only damaged sections of the pipe; such procedures are either very time consuming, expensive or even impossible to perform. [0003] As can be seen from FIG. 1, underground polyvinyl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018] Also, an objective of this invention is the provision of a repair system, which greatly reduces the time required to repair an underground pipe.

Problems solved by technology

After years of use, many devices which require water can suffer leaks in the supply pipes, which bring water supply to the area.

Due to age, the intrusion of roots, placement of heavy loads and shifting of the earth above and around existing piping or a variety of other reasons, underground piping can become damaged, requiring this repair for the resulting leaks.

This makes repair thereof difficult.

While repair may be accomplished by excavating, removing and replacing the total existing pipe or only damaged sections of the pipe; such procedures are either very time consuming, expensive or even impossible to perform.

Another obstacle is the location of the pool 110 itself.

These lines are also susceptible to leakage.

Hot tubs and Jacuzzis also have potential pipe leakage problems that take extensive time, labor and materials to repair such leaks including the renovation of the surrounding area to its original state.

Natural gas pipes made of galvanized, metal pipe are also a major problem.

The interior of the galvanized pipe corrodes relatively quickly upon contact with the gas being transited.

A large build-up of corrosion restricting gas flow is not uncommon.

This restricted gas flow elicits a safety hazard.

The initial demand for gas from a restricted gas line has the tendency to starve off and snuff out gas pilot lights located in appliances such as ovens, stoves and gas water heaters without the knowledge by the user of the pilot being extinguished.

The difficulty exists if there is the slightest turn or bend in the pipe being repaired.

At times, high water tables along with damaged pipe containing above-mentioned wiring become submersed or saturated with ground or influent water.

This problem can be difficult to solve, even with excavation to access these pipes.

Many solutions of the above-mentioned problems have been sought, but no previous solution has been regarded as fully viable.

Previous devices, especially to solve this curve problem are too elaborate and mostly consist of expensive machinery, such as abrasive blasting machines, to prepare the existing pipe for liner adhesion.

Adhesive, epoxy or resin tanks for mixing and distribution to line the damaged pipe after the sand blasting are mandatory and complicated.

This leads to excessive down time and man-hours playing a major role to install resin impregnated liners and other similar systems.

This results in great expense and trouble along with down time of the existing unit as the damaged pipe is supporting the day-to-day operations of the existing unit.

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