Sewer pipe and method for installing the sewer pipe

Abstract

sewer pipe, wherein the sewer pipe (1) has a support element (2) projecting outwards from the sewer pipe (1) transversely to the longitudinal direction of the sewer pipe (1), and the length by which the support element (2) projects from the sewer pipe (1) is adjustable, characterized by that the support element (2) is at least partially hollow to form a line (8) from the pipe interior (5) to the outside.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a sewer pipe, a method for installing the sewer pipe and a mobile robot for carrying out the method.

[0002] It is known from practice to rehabilitate a defective sewer line by laying a sewer pipe and then securing the sewer pipe within the sewer line. To do this, a liquid, hardening agent, known as grouting material, is injected into the sewer line from one end of the sewer pipe to an area outside the sewer pipe to secure the sewer pipe within the sewer line. To prevent the sewer pipe from being lifted by the liquid grouting material due to its buoyancy and thereby deformed or forced into an undesirable position, the grouting material is gradually injected into the sewer line and allowed to harden, solidifying layer by layer. If necessary, the sewer pipe is additionally filled with water.On the one hand, this procedure is complex and, on the other hand, it cannot be guaranteed that the grouting material is evenly distributed around the sewer pipe and that the sewer pipe is adequately supported.

[0003] From DE 91 01 034 U1, GB 2 167 796 A and EP 0 204 694 B1 sewer pipes are known in which the sewer pipe has a support element projecting outwards from the sewer pipe transversely to the longitudinal direction of the sewer pipe and the length by which the support element projects from the sewer pipe is adjustable.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of creating a sewer pipe that is easier to install.

[0005] According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the support element is at least partially hollow to form a conduit that leads from the inside of the pipe through the support element to the outside. The support element expediently has an inlet accessible from the inside of the pipe and leading to the conduit, which is preferably arranged at the end of the support element facing the sewer pipe. Advantageously, a means for securing the sewer pipe, the so-called grouting material, e.g., concrete, bentonite, or resin, can be introduced into the cavity through the conduit from the inside of the pipe.

[0006] For installation, the sewer pipe, the pipe wall of which is preferably made of polypropylene, polyethylene, glass or carbon fiber reinforced plastic or stoneware, is first arranged in a cavity, which can be formed, for example, by an old pipe that has already been laid and may be in need of renovation, and the length of the support element is adjusted to position the sewer pipe in the cavity. The support element can serve as a stand if it is arranged on the underside of the sewer pipe. If it is arranged on the top side of the sewer pipe, it can provide upward support, for example if the sewer pipe is fixed as described above with reference to the prior art and is lifted by a fixing device. If the sewer pipe has several support elements, it can be clamped in the cavity with a suitable arrangement of the support elements and held in a target position by the support elements.This advantageously prevents the sewer pipe from being deformed due to unevenness in the cavity.

[0007] The support element is expediently arranged in an opening in a wall of the sewer pipe. The support element is preferably formed by a rod or tube, in particular one that protrudes perpendicularly from the sewer pipe.

[0008] It is understood that the sewer pipe may be formed from several pipe sections, each provided with one or more support elements, which can be connected to one another.

[0009] While it would be conceivable to design the support element as a telescopic tube that can be extended into different positions to adjust its length, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, an edge of said opening is provided with an internal thread, preferably by arranging a threaded insert in the opening, and the support element has an external thread that engages the internal thread. The length can then be adjusted by rotating the support element about its longitudinal axis.

[0010] Conveniently, one end of the support element, accessible from the inside of the pipe, is provided with a shape that can be positively engaged with a suitable tool. The shape is preferably formed by a slot, a Phillips head, an external or internal hexagon, or the like. The tool can be, for example, a screwdriver with a correspondingly shaped head.

[0011] An outlet of the conduit is expediently arranged near an end of the support element facing away from the sewer pipe, preferably on its outer surface or at the end of the support element. The outlet can be provided with a check valve or a non-return flap to prevent liquid from penetrating through the conduit into the sewer pipe.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the support element is provided at its end facing away from the sewer pipe with a support foot, which is preferably rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the support element.

[0013] The sewer pipe advantageously has a circular, oval, or polygonal cross-section. The invention proves particularly advantageous for sewer pipes with an oval cross-section ("egg-shaped"). Since such sewer pipes are normally arranged with the smaller diameter facing downward, they often rotate around their own longitudinal axis when the cavity is filled with the fixing agent, which pushes the sewer pipes upward. The support element can hold the sewer pipe, which has an oval cross-section, in the aforementioned position.

[0014] The invention proves to be particularly advantageous for sewer pipes which have such a small diameter that they are not walkable, ie in particular for sewer pipes with a diameter of less than 70 cm, preferably less than 50 cm.

[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, a mobile, remote-controlled robot is used to position the sewer pipe. The robot is provided, for example, by means of a robot arm, to apply the adjustment means, which is preferably formed by the tool mentioned above, to the aforementioned shape of the support element and to adjust the length.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the invention, the robot comprises a device for determining the position of the sewer pipe in the cavity. The robot is expediently configured to determine the position using a laser beam directed into the sewer pipe. For this purpose, the robot is preferably equipped with a target plate onto which the laser beam impinges, and has a camera directed at the target plate, which can be used to determine the position at which the laser beam impinges on the target plate.

[0017] By means of the robot, the position of the sewer pipe in the cavity can be changed from the inside of the sewer pipe using the adjustment means and this can be observed at the same time using the position determination device.

[0018] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the robot is further provided for delivering the fixation agent into the cavity through the conduit formed in the support element. For this purpose, it expediently has a connecting element, preferably movable by means of the aforementioned or another robot arm, which can be sealingly connected to the inlet. The connecting element can be connected, preferably via a hose, to a container for the fixation agent, so that the fixation agent can be pumped out through the conduit by means of a pump.

[0019] The robot can further be provided with a device for separating a part of the support element that protrudes into the sewer pipe, for example a milling cutter, a saw, or the like, which is preferably arranged on the aforementioned or another robot arm. By separating the protruding part from the rest of the support element, it can be prevented that the support element obstructs the flow of liquid through the sewer pipe.

[0020] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the installation of the sewer pipe is carried out as follows.

[0021] First, the cavity in which the sewer pipe is to be laid is inspected using the robot to determine where support elements are required within the cavity. The support elements are then placed on the sewer pipe at the appropriate locations. For this purpose, openings are created in the sewer pipe and provided with threads. The support elements are then screwed into the threads. If necessary, support elements of different lengths can be provided, which are selected as needed, or the support elements are prepared in each case in the required length. The sewer pipe is then placed in the cavity, and a laser emitting the laser beam is positioned so that it shines through the sewer pipe to form a reference point for the positioning of the sewer pipe.

[0022] The robot is then placed into the sewer pipe, and the lengths of the support elements are gradually adjusted using the positioning device to align the sewer pipe, while checking the positions of the robot and the sewer pipe. To do this, the robot fills the cavity outside the sewer pipe, preferably completely, with the fixing agent through the various support elements. Before the fixing agent hardens, the positions of the support elements are readjusted to bring the sewer pipe into the intended target position. Once the sewer pipe has been positioned in the target position, the parts of the support elements that protrude into the sewer pipe can optionally be separated from the remaining support elements using the separating device. The robot can then be removed from the sewer pipe.Once the fixative has hardened, the sewer pipe is fixed in the cavity.

[0023] The invention will be explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying drawings relating to the exemplary embodiment. They show: Fig. 1 a sewer pipe according to the invention arranged in a cavity in cross section, Fig. 2 Details of the sewer pipe according to the invention, and Fig. 3 a sewer pipe according to the invention arranged in a cavity in side view.

[0024] In Fig. 1 shows a sewer pipe 1 according to the invention which is oval in cross-section and has support elements 2 which project outwards from the sewer pipe 1 and are supported on a wall of an old sewer pipe 29 which is in need of renovation.

[0025] The support elements 2 are, as shown in particular in Fig. 2, are movably arranged in an opening 4 in the wall 3 of the sewer pipe 1. A metallic insert 30 having a circular recess is located in the opening 4 (cf. Fig. 2b), which is provided with an internal thread 6. The support element 2 is formed by a rod provided with an external thread 7, which at its end protruding into the pipe interior 5 is provided with a formation 20, for example an external hexagon, which can be engaged using a suitable tool 16. A bore is provided in the support element 2 to form a line 8, which leads from an inlet 18, which is formed in the end of the support element 2 protruding into the sewer pipe 1, to an outlet 19, which is formed by an opening arranged on the lateral surface of the support element 2. A check valve or a check flap 22 can be arranged in the opening, which prevents liquid from penetrating the line 8 from the outside.At the end of the support element 2 facing away from the sewer pipe 1, a support foot 21 is arranged, which is rotatably mounted on the support element 2 about its longitudinal axis and gives the support element 2 better support when supported.

[0026] As can be seen from the Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, a remote-controlled robot 11 that can be moved within the sewer pipe 1 is provided for handling the support elements 2. The robot 11 is equipped with a robot arm 28, at the end of which the tool 16 is arranged, by means of which the formation 20 of the support element 2 can be engaged. In addition, the robot 11 has a further robot arm 34, which carries a connecting piece 31 that can be sealingly connected to the inlet 18 of the line 8. The connecting piece 31 is connected to a hose 17 that leads to a container 32 with a means 15 for fixing the sewer pipe 1 in the old sewer pipe 29, for example concrete, bentonite, or resin, from which the fixing agent 15 can be pumped through the line 8 by means of a pumping device.

[0027] How Fig.3, a laser 24 is arranged outside the sewer pipe 1, which laser beam 25 is used to determine the position of the robot 11 or the sewer pipe 1. The robot 11 is provided with a detection panel 26 and has a camera 27 with which the position at which the laser beam 25 strikes the detection panel 26 can be recorded. This makes it possible to determine the position of the robot 11, and thus of the sewer pipe 1, in relation to the laser beam 25. This information can be used to change the position of the sewer pipe 1 by adjusting the length by which the support elements 2 protrude from the sewer pipe 1.

[0028] The robot 11 can further be provided with a milling tool (not shown here), which may also be attached to a robot arm, by means of which, after the sewer pipe 1 has been arranged in a target position, parts of the support elements 2 protruding into the sewer pipe 1 can be milled off.

[0029] The procedure for installing the sewer pipe 1 in the old sewer pipe 29 is as follows. First, the cavity 10 formed by the old sewer pipe 29 is inspected, for example using the robot 11, to determine whether and in which areas the support elements 2 need to be provided to support the sewer pipe in the old sewer pipe 29. Openings 4 are then formed in the sewer pipe 1 at the relevant locations, the metal inserts 30 are inserted, and the support elements 2 are screwed in, if necessary after they have been provided in the appropriate length. Subsequently, the sewer pipe 1 provided with the support elements 2 is pushed into the old sewer pipe 29, the robot 11 is inserted into the sewer pipe 1, and the laser 24 is positioned so that it can shine into the sewer pipe 1.The robot 11 can now rotate the support elements 2 out of the sewer pipe 1 from the pipe interior 5 using the adjustment means 16 until they rest on the inner wall 13 of the old sewer pipe 29 as desired. The position of the sewer pipe 1 can be adjusted by adjusting the respective lengths by which the support elements 2 protrude from the sewer pipe 1. The position of the sewer pipe 1 can be checked using the camera 27 by determining the point at which the laser beam 25 strikes the detection panel 26.

[0030] As soon as the sewer pipe 1 is in or near the desired target position, the fixing agent 15 is gradually introduced through the respective lines 8 of the support elements 2 to fix the sewer pipe 1 in the old sewer pipe 29. To do this, the robot 1 places the connecting piece 31 on the inlet 18 and the fixing agent 15 is pumped from the container 32 through the hose 17, the connecting piece 31 and the line 8 into the cavity 10 outside the sewer pipe 1 into the old sewer pipe 29. By introducing the fixing agent 15 into the old sewer pipe 29 at various points along the length of the sewer pipe 1, it can be ensured that the fixing agent 15 is evenly distributed along the outside of the sewer pipe 1 and that the sewer pipe 1 is evenly supported.

[0031] After a sufficient amount of the fixing agent 15 has been poured into the old sewer pipe 29, preferably until the holding space 10 is completely filled, the position of the sewer pipe 1 is checked again using the robot 11. As long as the fixing agent 15 has not yet hardened, the position of the sewer pipe 1 can be readjusted by adjusting the support elements 11. Optionally, the parts of the support elements 1 that protrude into the sewer pipe can be milled off using the aforementioned milling tool to prevent them from obstructing flow through the sewer pipe 1. The robot 11 is then removed from the sewer pipe 1, and the fixing agent 15 is allowed to harden.

[0032] It is understood that the old pipe 29 may have an oval shape in cross-section and the sewer pipe 1 may have a shape adapted thereto.

Claims

[1] Sewer pipe, wherein the sewer pipe (1) has a support element (2) projecting outwards from the sewer pipe (1) transversely to the longitudinal direction of the sewer pipe (1), and the length by which the support element (2) projects from the sewer pipe (1) is adjustable, characterized by , that the support element (2) is at least partially hollow to form a line (8) from the pipe interior (5) to the outside. [2] Sewer pipe according to claim 1, characterized by that the support element (2) is arranged in an opening (4) formed in the pipe wall (3). [3] Sewer pipe according to claim 2, characterized by that the support element (2) is movable in the opening (4) to adjust the length. [4] Sewer pipe according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the length is adjustable from the inside of the pipe (5). [5] Sewer pipe according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized bythat an edge of the opening (4) is provided with an internal thread (6) and an external thread (7) provided on the outside of the support element (2) engages in the internal thread (6). [6] A method for installing a sewer pipe, in which the sewer pipe (1) is arranged in a cavity (10), wherein at least one support element (2) projecting outwards from the sewer pipe (1) transversely to the longitudinal direction of the sewer pipe (1) is arranged on the sewer pipe (1), and the length by which the support element (2) projects from the sewer pipe (1) is adjusted to position the sewer pipe (1) in the cavity (10), and after the sewer pipe (1) has been arranged in the cavity (10), a means (15) for fixing the sewer pipe (1) is placed in a space (12) between a cavity wall (13) and an outer side (14) of the sewer pipe (1), characterized bythat the fixing means (15) is introduced into the space (12) from the inside of the pipe (5) through a line (8) leading through the support element (2). [7] Method according to claim 6, characterized by that the length is adjusted from the inside of the pipe (5), preferably by means of a robot (11). [8] Method according to claim 7, characterized by that the fixing agent (15) is a flowable and hardenable agent for fixing the sewer pipe (1), preferably concrete, bentonite, resin or the like. [9] Method according to claim 8, characterized by that the addition of the fixing agent (15) is carried out by means of the robot (11). [10] Method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by that the length of the support element (2) is adjusted after the fixing means (15) has been arranged in the space (12). [11] Method according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized bythat the position of the sewer pipe (1) in the cavity (10) is determined, preferably by means of the robot (11), and in order to align the sewer pipe (1) in the cavity (10), the length of the support element (2) is adjusted depending on the determined position of the sewer pipe (1). [12] Method according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized by that initially only such a quantity of the fixing agent (15) is introduced into the space (12) that the sewer pipe (1) is raised by the fixing agent (15) to such an extent that it can be arranged in the intended position, and the cavity (10) is preferably then completely filled with the fixing agent (15). [13] Mobile robot for carrying out the method according to claims 6 to 12, which is movable within a sewer pipe (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5 and has a means (16) for adjusting the length by which a support element (2) of the sewer pipe (1) projects outwards from the sewer pipe (1) transversely to the longitudinal direction of the sewer pipe (1), wherein the robot (11) is designed to provide a means (15) for fixing the sewer pipe (1) by means of a line (8) leading through the support element (2).

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