Curved rehabilitation packer for pipe or sewer rehabilitation

Abstract

Rehabilitation packers for pipe or sewer rehabilitation, comprehensive a) two packer heads (6, 7) each forming an end face, b) a packer shell (2) arranged between the two packer heads (6, 7), which is stretchable and inflates like a balloon when a pressure medium is applied to its inside, and c) a flexible inner tube (16) arranged inside the packer shell (2) and connecting the two axial packer heads (6, 7) to each other, where d) due to the elasticity or flexibility of the packer shell (2) and the inner tube (16), bending capability is given, e) the inner tube (16) is equipped with UV light-emitting diodes (26), f) the packer casing (2) consists of a casing material permeable to UV light, and g) a flexible carrier tube (22) is provided which is equipped with the UV light-emitting diodes (26) and which is detachably pushed onto the inner tube (16).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a rehabilitation packer for pipe or sewer rehabilitation comprising two packer heads, each forming a front end, a packer sleeve arranged between the two packer heads, which is expandable and inflates like a balloon when pressurized from the inside with a pressure medium, and a flexible inner hose arranged inside the packer sleeve and connecting the two axial packer heads to one another, wherein bendability is provided due to the expandability or bendability of the packer sleeve and the inner hose.

[0002] Such a rehabilitation packer is known, for example, from DE 10 2008 021 956 B4 and DE 10 2008 021 956 B4. It is used to insert a rehabilitation lining, e.g., designed as a laminate or liner, into a (sewer) pipe to be renovated. For this purpose, the rehabilitation packer is surrounded by the rehabilitation lining and then inserted into the (sewer) pipe in this state. The laminate can be, for example, a fiberglass fabric. The liner can be made of, for example, needle felt, a knitted stocking, velour, or another absorbent material. The rehabilitation lining is also impregnated with a hardening agent, e.g., a synthetic resin. When the rehabilitation packer equipped with the rehabilitation lining has reached the point within the (sewer) pipe to be repaired, it is pressurized with a pressure medium, for example compressed air, which causes the expandable packer shell to inflate like a balloon.This also presses the remedial lining against the inner wall of the leaking (sewer) pipe. Afterward, the company waits until the curing agent has hardened, then releases the compressed air. The inflated packer sleeve then contracts again, and the remedial packer can be pulled out of the (sewer) pipe.

[0003] This rehabilitation packer has proven itself in practice, particularly due to its bend-free performance, even in the rehabilitation of leaky and particularly narrow pipe bends. However, there is still room for improvement, for example, to shorten the time required for rehabilitation.

[0004] DE 10 2007 038 196 A1 describes a method for repairing leaky walls on sewer branch pipes. The method involves using a flexible fiber tube impregnated with a light-curable reactive resin that can be pressed against the inner wall of the branch pipe. The resin is cured by light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The diodes can be arranged on a flexible, tubular, or spiral-shaped support.

[0005] An object of the invention is therefore to provide a rehabilitation packer of the type described at the outset with improved properties compared to the prior art.

[0006] To achieve this object, a rehabilitation packer according to the features of patent claim 1 is provided. The rehabilitation packer according to the invention is one in which the inner tube is provided with UV LEDs, in particular substantially over its entire length, and the packer sleeve is made of a sleeve material permeable to UV light. Furthermore, a flexible carrier tube is provided, which is provided with the UV LEDs and is detachably pushed onto the inner tube.

[0007] It was recognized that the existing rehabilitation packer can be significantly improved by additionally equipping it with a UV illumination source. It is also advantageous that the UV illumination source not only acts at a point. The UV illumination diodes preferably extend over substantially the entire axial length of the inner tube connecting the two axial packer heads. Furthermore, the UV illumination diodes are preferably designed so that UV light is emitted over the entire 360° circumference, i.e., in particular, in all radial directions. This allows the UV irradiation, which causes or accelerates the curing of the rehabilitation lining pressed against the leaking pipe wall and impregnated with a curing agent, to advantageously occur everywhere simultaneously. Relocating the UV illumination source is not necessary.This significantly reduces the time required for (sewer) pipe rehabilitation.

[0008] The additional equipment of the rehabilitation packer with a UV illumination source according to the invention does not impair the other favorable properties. They are still present. This applies in particular to bendability. Thus, the rehabilitation packer equipped with UV light-emitting diodes can also be guided around narrow sewer bends and / or used to rehabilitate narrow sewer bends. Bendability is understood in particular to mean suitability for use with pipe bends with abrupt changes in direction. Such a pipe bend with an abrupt change in direction can be, for example, an 87° pipe bend, a 90° pipe bend, or even the bend of a T-shaped pipe connection. An abrupt change in direction is in particular a change in direction of more than 65°, preferably of at least 75°, and most preferably of at least 90°.In particular, such a pipe bend with an abrupt change of direction in the bend area has an inner curve radius that is smaller than the inner diameter of the pipe or sewer and is preferably even smaller than approximately 10% of the inner diameter of the pipe or sewer. The rehabilitation packer according to the invention is designed in particular for use in a pipe or sewer to be rehabilitated with an inner diameter in the range between 5 cm and 30 cm, preferably with an inner diameter of at most 20 cm and most preferably with an inner diameter of at most 11 cm. Due to the expandability or bendability of its packer sleeve and its inner hose, the rehabilitation packer according to the invention is particularly suitable for use in such narrow pipe bends with abrupt changes of direction. This expandability or bendability is still present even when additionally equipped with UV light-emitting diodes.

[0009] The flexible and particularly elastic carrier hose, equipped with UV LEDs, which is detachably pushed onto the inner hose, allows for very simple installation of the UV LEDs. Installation is particularly suitable for retrofitting an existing rehabilitation packer. Furthermore, the UV LEDs can be easily removed again if, for example, the current application requires it. The rehabilitation packer can then be easily converted for operation with or without UV LEDs. Optional embedding of the UV LEDs directly into the hose material is, in principle, possible with the carrier hose.

[0010] The term "axial" here refers specifically to the longitudinal direction of the rehabilitation packer in the unbent state. For an unbent pipe section, this direction essentially corresponds to the direction of the pipe axis.

[0011] Advantageous embodiments of the rehabilitation packer according to the invention result from the features of the claims dependent on claim 1.

[0012] A favorable design is one in which the UV-permeable casing material is preferably made of a silicone or latex material, or contains a silicone or latex material. These materials allow the UV light emitted by the UV LEDs to pass through very well, allowing it to reach the rehabilitation lining, which is applied to the outside of the packer casing and impregnated with a curing agent during rehabilitation work, without significant impairment (such as attenuation or reflection). Silicone or latex casings are also readily available and comparatively inexpensive to purchase.

[0013] According to another advantageous design, the UV LEDs are detachably mounted on the inner tube. This allows the UV LEDs to be replaced, e.g., in the event of a defect or with other UV LEDs with a different UV wavelength and / or different light output. This increases the service life and the range of applications of the rehabilitation packer.

[0014] According to a further advantageous embodiment, there is a clearance between the inner tube and the attached carrier tube. Clearance refers in particular to the difference between the inner diameter of the carrier tube and the outer diameter of the inner tube.

[0015] This difference or play is, for example, greater than 1 mm and has a width of, in particular, no more than 5% of the inner diameter of the pipe to be repaired, for example, no more than 10 mm. A typical value is approximately 2 mm. On the one hand, this play allows for particularly easy sliding onto and off the inner tube. On the other hand, the play advantageously promotes good flexibility of the overall assembly consisting of the inner tube and the attached carrier tube equipped with UV LEDs.

[0016] Another advantageous design involves the UV LEDs being part of a UV light chain. Such a light chain can be easily attached or mounted to the inner tube or the support tube.

[0017] According to another advantageous embodiment, the UV light chain has a flexible support structure. This facilitates the arrangement of the inner tube equipped with the UV LEDs, which offers good flexibility.

[0018] According to another advantageous embodiment, the flexible support structure is provided with an adhesive layer on the underside facing away from the UV LEDs. This allows the UV light chain to be easily attached, for example, to the inner tube or the support tube and, in particular, permanently fixed there.

[0019] According to another advantageous design, the UV light chain is wound onto the carrier tube. This is a simple yet highly efficient installation option. Advantageously, the carrier tube remains flexible even when wound, ensuring easy bending.

[0020] According to another advantageous design, the UV light chain is attached to the support tube. This creates a subunit that can be easily and repeatedly assembled and disassembled.

[0021] According to another advantageous design, an electrical connection for the UV LEDs is routed outward through one of the packer heads. This results in a space-saving, compact design. Furthermore, the electrical power required to operate the UV LEDs can be supplied particularly easily from one of the axial end faces of the rehabilitation packer, where the packer heads are located.

[0022] According to a favorable method for pipe or sewer rehabilitation, a rehabilitation lining impregnated with a hardening agent is inserted into a section of a pipe or sewer requiring rehabilitation and pressed against a wall of the pipe or sewer in the section requiring rehabilitation, a bendable element provided with UV light-emitting diodes is inserted into the section of the pipe or sewer requiring rehabilitation, and the impregnated rehabilitation lining is cured by means of the UV light-emitting diodes.

[0023] The impregnated rehabilitation lining and, in particular, the bendable, flexible element equipped with UV LEDs can preferably be introduced into the section requiring rehabilitation using a bend packer according to the invention. However, another method of introduction is also possible in principle. For example, the impregnated rehabilitation lining, which may be a so-called inliner, for example, can be blown into the section requiring rehabilitation. Furthermore, the impregnated rehabilitation lining and the bendable, flexible element equipped with UV LEDs can be introduced simultaneously or successively. Furthermore, the UV LEDs can be attached to the flexible element, e.g., wound onto this element if the UV LEDs are part of a UV light chain, or embedded into this element.The use of the bendable element equipped with UV LEDs provides the method with essentially the same advantages as those described above in connection with the rehabilitation packer according to the invention and / or its advantageous embodiments. In particular, the flexible element equipped with UV LEDs has at least the same advantageous high bendability as the rehabilitation packer according to the invention. By means of the method, in particular, a pipe or channel with an inner diameter in the range between 5 cm and 30 cm, preferably with an inner diameter of at most 20 cm and most preferably with an inner diameter of at most 11 cm, is rehabilitated.Furthermore, the method preferably utilizes a bendable, flexible element equipped with UV LEDs such that, after the impregnated rehabilitation lining and the bendable, flexible element equipped with UV LEDs are introduced into the section requiring rehabilitation, UV LEDs are present at least throughout the area of ​​the impregnated rehabilitation lining, and the impregnated rehabilitation lining is simultaneously irradiated with UV light everywhere and, as a result, is or can be cured. This applies in particular in the axial direction and (as with the rehabilitation packer) preferably also in the circumferential direction.

[0024] Here, too, the term "axial" refers specifically to a longitudinal direction of the flexible element in the unbent state. This direction, in turn, essentially corresponds to the direction of the pipe axis for an unbent pipe section. Accordingly, the circumferential direction is defined specifically as that of a pipe section with a circular cross-sectional area.

[0025] According to a favorable embodiment of the method, the flexible element is designed as a hose. This can be, in particular, the inner hose of the rehabilitation packer according to the invention or the carrier hose according to an advantageous embodiment of the rehabilitation packer according to the invention. Preferably, the flexible element can be hollow. However, this is not mandatory. The hollow design is characterized by particularly high flexibility or elasticity, resulting in particularly good bendability.

[0026] Further features, advantages, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. It shows: Fig. 1 an embodiment of a bendable rehabilitation packer with an inner tube equipped with UV LEDs in a longitudinal section in the ready-to-use state, Fig. 2 the bendable rehabilitation packer according to Fig. 1 in a longitudinal section during its use within a pipe bend, Fig. 3 the bendable rehabilitation packer according to Fig. 1 in a sketchy, partially longitudinally sectioned view of only some of the components with the packer shell inflated, and Fig. 4 an embodiment of a bendable rehabilitation packer according to Fig. 1 inserted UV light chain in a sectioned side view.

[0027] Corresponding parts are shown in the Fig. 1 to 4 are provided with the same reference numerals. Details of the exemplary embodiments explained in more detail below may also constitute an invention in themselves or be part of a subject matter of the invention.

[0028] In Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a bendable rehabilitation packer 1. It comprises a tubular packer sleeve 2, which serves as the outer casing. The packer sleeve 2 inflates when pressurized from the inside, causing the outer diameter of the packer sleeve 2 to increase. The state with the packer sleeve 2 inflated is shown in Fig. 3. The packer casing 2 is connected at each of its two axial ends to a packer head 6 or 7. The packer casing 2 is secured to the respective packer head 6, 7 by means of a clamping ring 8 or 9. Both packer heads 6, 7 are each provided with an externally arranged towing eye 10 or 11.

[0029] The Fig. 1 The packer head 6 shown on the right also has a compressed air connection 12, an axial through-opening 13 and an electrical connection 14. The other packer head 7 also has a through-opening 15, which may have a smaller diameter than the through-opening 13 in the packer head 6. Inside the rehabilitation packer 1, a flexible inner hose 16 is connected to the through-openings 13, 15 of the packer heads 6, 7. This inner hose 16 is attached to the two packer heads 6, 7 in a suitable manner, for example by means of hose nozzles 17, 18 molded onto the packer heads 6, 7. The inner hose 16 surrounds a cavity 16a, which serves to accommodate a tube eel (not shown in the figures). With the help of this tube eel, the rehabilitation packer 1 is pushed into a (sewer) pipe to be rehabilitated to the leaking point. The garden eel is inserted at the packer head 6 through the larger through opening 13.The pipe eel then rests on the inside of the opposite packer head 7, since its through-hole 15 has a particularly smaller diameter. The through-hole 15 on the packer head 7 can be used to attach the towing eye 11.

[0030] The two packer heads 6, 7 are located on the axial end faces of the rehabilitation packer 1. They are connected to each other by the packer sleeve 2 and also by the inner tube 16.

[0031] In order to limit the longitudinal expansion of the rehabilitation packer 1 when pressurized with compressed air, the two packer heads 6, 7 can also be connected to each other within the packer casing 2 by means of an additional connecting element 19 designed as a band, rope, or chain. This connecting element 19 is not mandatory, however. If present, it runs in the Fig. In the operational state shown in Figure 1, i.e., in a state in which the rehabilitation packer 1 is not yet located within a pipe to be rehabilitated, it sits loosely between the two axial packer heads 6, 7. The connecting element 19 does not exhibit any significant elasticity. Rather, it is rigid and cannot be stretched in its longitudinal direction. The connecting element 19 is attached to the inside of the respective packer head 6 or 7 by means of additional eyelets 20, 21.

[0032] Within the packer sleeve 2, there is also another support hose 22, which is pushed over the inner hose 16. The support hose 22 is also flexible. It is provided with a light chain 23 on its outer side facing the packer sleeve 2. The light chain 23 is firmly fixed to the support hose 22. In contrast, the support hose 22 is only loosely pushed over the inner hose 16. There is a clearance 24 between the inner hose 16 and the support hose 22 (see Fig. 3) with a width of approximately 2 mm. This allows the carrier tube 22 to be easily pushed onto the inner tube 16 and removed from the inner tube 16. The connection between the inner tube 16 and the carrier tube 22 is therefore not permanent, but rather detachable.

[0033] According to the presentation in Fig. 4, the light chain 23 mounted on the support tube 22 comprises a flexible support structure 25 provided with a plurality of UV light-emitting diodes 26. Furthermore, the support structure 25 has an adhesive layer 27 on its underside, by means of which the light chain 23 is firmly attached to the support tube 22.

[0034] As can be seen from the illustration according to Fig. 3, the light chain 23 is wound onto the carrier hose 22. The arrangement of the carrier hose 22 with the light chain 23 fixed thereon, comprising the UV LEDs 26, forms a subunit, which could also be referred to as a UV light wave, and which can be replaced as a whole. The rehabilitation packer 1 can therefore be equipped and operated with or without this subunit. To assemble or disassemble the subunit comprising the UV LEDs 26, one of the two packer heads 6, 7 is removed in order to slide the carrier hose 22 with the light chain 23 fixed thereon onto the inner hose 16 or to pull it off the inner hose 16.

[0035] The UV LEDs 26 are electrically connected to the electrical connection 14 provided in the packer head 6 so that the UV LEDs 26 can be supplied with the required electrical energy.

[0036] The packer cover 2 is made of a UV-permeable material. In the example shown, this is silicone. However, alternative materials are also possible.

[0037] In Fig. 2 shows the rehabilitation packer 1 during its use within a pipe bend 28 requiring rehabilitation. On its exterior, the rehabilitation packer 1 is provided, at least within the area equipped with the UV light-emitting diodes 26, with a rehabilitation lining 29 in the form of a laminate impregnated with a hardening agent.

[0038] Due to the extensibility of the packer sleeve 2 as well as the flexibility of the inner tube 16 and the carrier tube 22 provided with the light chain 23, the rehabilitation packer 1 has excellent bending properties. This means that it can be used even with the very narrow pipe bend 28 according to Fig. 2 can be used. Pipe bend 28 is a 90° pipe bend with an abrupt change in direction. The inner curve radius RI is smaller than the inner diameter D of the pipe bend 28.

[0039] As in Fig.As schematically indicated in Figure 3, the packer sleeve 2 expands when compressed air is applied via the compressed air connection 12, so that the outer diameter of the packer sleeve 2 increases and the rehabilitation lining 29 arranged on the outside of the packer sleeve 2 is pressed against the inner wall, for example, of the pipe bend 28 requiring rehabilitation. The UV LEDs 26 of the light chain 23 are then switched on by supplying current via the electrical connection 14. The UV light generated by the UV LEDs 26 passes through the UV-permeable packer sleeve 2 and causes the curing agent with which the laminate of the rehabilitation lining 29 is impregnated to harden.Since UV LEDs 26 are present within the packer sleeve 2 essentially along the entire axial length of the inner tube 16, and in particular also throughout the circumferential direction, the UV irradiation of the rehabilitation lining 29 arranged on the outside of the packer sleeve 2 occurs simultaneously everywhere. This is very time-efficient. Furthermore, the UV LEDs 26 have a relatively low energy requirement compared to other lighting sources, so that the curing process is also carried out very energy-efficiently. After curing is complete, the excess pressure inside the packer sleeve 2 is released, so that the packer sleeve 2 contracts and the rehabilitation packer 1 can be pulled out of the then sealed pipe bend 28.

[0040] The Rehabilitation Packer 1 thus enables the highly efficient rehabilitation of leaking (sewer) pipes. The additional equipment with the UV LEDs 26 significantly reduces the time required for rehabilitation. Furthermore, the Rehabilitation Packer 1 is suitable for use in narrow and / or angled pipe runs.

Claims

[1] Rehabilitation packer for pipe or sewer rehabilitation, comprising a) two packer heads (6, 7), each forming a front end, b) a packer sleeve (2) arranged between the two packer heads (6, 7), which is expandable and inflates like a balloon when subjected to pressure from the inside, and c) a flexible inner hose (16) arranged inside the packer casing (2) and connecting the two axial packer heads (6, 7) to each other, where d) due to the stretchability or flexibility of the packer sleeve (2) and the inner tube (16), bendability is ensured, e) the inner tube (16) is provided with UV light-emitting diodes (26), f) the packer cover (2) consists of a cover material permeable to UV light, and g) a flexible carrier tube (22) is provided which is provided with the UV light-emitting diodes (26) and which is detachably pushed onto the inner tube (16). [2] Rehabilitation packer according to claim 1, characterized by that the UV-permeable casing material consists of a silicone material or a latex material or contains a silicone material or a latex material. [3] Rehabilitation packer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the UV light-emitting diodes (26) are detachably attached to the inner tube (16). [4] Rehabilitation packer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that there is a clearance (24) between the inner tube (16) and the pushed-on carrier tube (22). [5] Rehabilitation packer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the UV light-emitting diodes (26) are part of a UV light chain (23). [6] Rehabilitation packer according to claim 5, characterized bythat the UV light chain (23) has a flexible support structure (25). [7] Rehabilitation packer according to claim 6, characterized by that the flexible carrier structure (25) is provided with an adhesive layer (27) on an underside facing away from the UV light-emitting diodes (26). [8] Rehabilitation packer according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized by that the UV light chain (23) is wound onto the carrier hose (22). [9] Rehabilitation packer according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized by that the UV light chain (23) is attached to the carrier tube (22). [10] Rehabilitation packer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that an electrical connection (14) of the UV light-emitting diodes (26) is led outwards through one of the packer heads (6).

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