DEVICE FOR REHABILITATION OF DAMAGED PIPE WALLS

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for rehabilitating damaged pipe walls in the area where a secondary pipe connects to a main pipe.

[0002] Devices for such rehabilitation are known in the prior art, in which a sewer rehabilitation robot, either self-propelled or movable within the sewer by rope, includes a carrying device for various rehabilitation tools. These tools, in particular a filling device, can be controlled from outside the sewer after the robot has been positioned in the damaged area.

[0003] For the repair of damaged areas in the area where a branch line is connected to a main line, devices are also described in the prior art, in which the sewer rehabilitation robot that can be arranged in the main sewer forms a support device for a cover that can be placed on the wall of the main sewer in the area of ​​the branch line connection.

[0004] The cover, in turn, carries an expandable expansion body, also called a bladder, that can be inserted into the secondary line. When expanded, this expansion body rests against the wall of the secondary line and, together with the cover, forms a formwork that supports a viscous sealant introduced into this formwork before it hardens. After hardening, the expansion body contracts, the cover is removed, and the sealant forms the repaired, previously damaged duct wall areas. Such a prior art cover, also referred to as a formwork sleeve, is known in one embodiment from WO 1995027167A1.

[0005] In principle, it is possible to supply the viscous curable sealant used by the devices of the type described to the sewer rehabilitation device from the outside of the sewer via hoses or other movable lines.

[0006] However, this solution is not only complex, but also disadvantageous in many respects. Pulling pipes along the sewer significantly limits the maneuverability of the device in the sewer, especially since there are often multiple damaged areas requiring repair within a single sewer, and the damaged areas can be more than 100 meters away from the sewer repair robot's insertion point. Therefore, the supply lines for the filler or sealant must be very long.

[0007] Pushing the viscous remediation compound through such long pipes poses considerable challenges. Viscous, especially thixotropic media, cause a velocity-dependent pressure loss with every movement within the pipe. The numerical values ​​for viscosity and shear stress in the remediation compound vary greatly depending on the pipe geometry, the temperature, and the exact condition of the remediation compound, which often contains granular particles.

[0008] Especially with devices that work with formwork, it is particularly important to maintain certain pressure ranges when injecting the repair compound. The pressure must be at least high enough to ensure that the repair compound completely fills all damaged areas of the sewer wall. However, the pressure must not be so high that it places excessive stress on the damaged and brittle sections of the sewer wall.

[0009] Since the operator is usually located dozens of meters away, he or she is usually unable to adjust the delivery pressure for the renovation compound so that this compound arrives with the required pressure in the area of ​​the trowel device or the formwork formed by a cover and an expansion body.

[0010] Solutions are therefore known from the state of the art to avoid the use of pipes for supplying the remediation materials.

[0011] DE 36 18 963 discloses a sewer rehabilitation device equipped with a cover and expansion body. The device is used to place the rehabilitation compound around the initially slack expansion body and then insert it into the secondary sewer. As the expansion body expands, it presses the rehabilitation compound radially against the damaged sewer wall.

[0012] This has the disadvantage that only restoration compounds with a long pot life can be used. Pot life refers to the processing time of reactive materials. It is the time between mixing a multi-component substance and the end of its processing life, i.e., the period during which the substance can still be removed from the pot and processed.

[0013] Since two-component adhesives are usually used as renovation materials, the curing time for a solution in accordance with DE 36 18 963 must be specified with many safeguards to ensure that the formwork is set before the end of the pot life.

[0014] Therefore, it has become known in the state of the art to arrange the remediation mass in cartridges, cylinders and storage containers that can be emptied by means of pumps directly on the remediation robot.

[0015] The problem with this, however, is that it extends the required pot life. When using storage containers, the curing of the repair compound begins at the latest when the container is filled, and thus even before the repair robot is inserted into the pipe to be repaired.

[0016] It should be noted that installing the formwork involves several steps. First, the cover element in the main line is expanded. Then, the expansion body is inserted through a recess into the branch line and also expanded by inserting a small needle-shaped connecting element into the valve of the expansion body. A closure in the cover must then be opened, and the outlet of a line for transporting the repair compound is forced into the space between the formwork formed by the cover and the expansion body and the existing walls.

[0017] Each of these steps is potentially error-prone and may need to be repeated multiple times, so the pot life must be designed with a high degree of safety against such operating errors. The curing time of the repair compound is correspondingly long before the formwork can be removed again.

[0018] However, it is desirable to minimize the time the formwork must remain in the pipeline. This reduces labor costs as well as the costs of maintaining the sewer rehabilitation robot on standby.

[0019] The disadvantage of the known devices is that, although the problems of correct pressurization can be minimized by dispensing with external supply lines for the rehabilitation compound, a long curing time is necessary because the rehabilitation compound carried along must have a sufficiently dimensioned pot life.

[0020] This problem is solved in DE 10 2017 109980 A1, for example, by using a heatable formwork, or in DE 296 21 297 U1 by using a formwork that can be heated, particularly with hot water. However, the desired shortened curing times were not achieved, or an additional hot water supply was necessary.

[0021] Therefore, the object of the present invention was to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and, in particular, to provide a device which enables a faster and more reliable rehabilitation of pipes, whereby the rehabilitation compound hardens as quickly as possible.

[0022] This object is achieved by a device according to claim 1 for rehabilitating damaged pipe walls in the area of ​​the connection of a secondary pipe to a main pipe, comprising a mobile support element, wherein a cover element and an expandable expansion body are arranged on the support element, and wherein the expandable expansion body, in the non-expanded state, is positioned or positionable at least in sections in or through a first recess in the cover element in the secondary pipe and, in the expanded state, rests against the wall of the secondary pipe, so that the cover element and the expansion body together form a formwork, and wherein the cover element has a second recess through which a viscous, hardenable rehabilitation compound can be introduced into the space between the formwork and the walls of the main and secondary pipes adjacent to the formwork by means of a transport means from a storage device,wherein the device comprises a heating device integrated into the expansion body.,

[0023] A support element is understood, in particular, to be an element that can be moved on wheels or chains and has an integrated drive. As an alternative to an integrated drive, the support element can also be moved within the line using ropes, cables, and the like.

[0024] A cover element is to be understood as an element which can cover the inner wall of the main line in such a way that a defined cavity is formed between the cover element and the space behind it, which is sealed against the renovation compound and prevents it from penetrating into the main line.

[0025] It has often proven advantageous to provide the cover element in the form of a hollow cylinder with an adjustable inner diameter. Thus, the hollow cylinder with a reduced inner diameter is transported to the damaged area using the carrier element and then expanded there, ensuring it fits tightly against the inner walls of the main line.

[0026] An expandable body is a resizable element, usually made of plastic or rubber and essentially resembling a balloon. Furthermore, the expandable body typically includes a valve to allow expansion with compressed air and subsequent contraction when the valve is opened.

[0027] The expansion body is placed in a first recess in the cover element and expands into the secondary line. Together, the cover element and the expansion body form a casing that corresponds, at least approximately, to the inner diameter of the lines.

[0028] The repair compound can then be pressed into the cavity sealed by the formwork through a second recess in the cover element. After the repair compound has hardened, the formwork is removed by contracting the expansion body and removing it from the first recess in the cover element. The cover element itself is then contracted so that it can be removed from the main line.

[0029] By means of a heating device according to the invention, the curing time of the renovation compound can be significantly reduced.

[0030] The invention is based on the surprising finding that the disadvantages of the prior art can be overcome by using a renovation compound with a sufficiently long pot life and thus a long curing time, and at the same time ensuring rapid curing by means of the provided heating power.

[0031] Since the repair compound is located around the expansion joint, this is best achieved by heating the expansion joint itself. Unlike heating systems in the formwork and / or the hoses, this not only heats the surface of the pipe, but also extends deep into the inlets, thus accelerating the curing process.

[0032] The invention provides that the heating device is designed in the form of an infrared heating device and / or a microwave generating device.

[0033] The preferred heating devices have proven to be particularly advantageous for heating the renovation mass.

[0034] It may also be preferred according to the invention that the storage device is arranged on the carrier element.

[0035] As already stated, it is known in the prior art for the storage device for the remediation compound to be located outside the piping system. The disadvantages of this have been described. However, it has been shown that direct integration of the storage device onto the support element enables a particularly compact design and, in particular, eliminates the need for a second cart or robot.

[0036] It can be provided that the rehabilitation mass can be introduced from the storage facility into the space behind the formwork by means of pressure inside the storage facility and / or by means of a pumping device via the transport means.

[0037] The remedial compound must be pressed into the cavity defined by the formwork at a specific minimum pressure. Furthermore, the pressure must not be so high that the formwork can no longer fulfill its sealing function. Pumping devices such as peristaltic pumps or piston pumps have proven particularly suitable for achieving such a defined pressure. Alternatively, it may also be possible to apply pressure within the storage device to allow the remedial compound to flow into the cavity.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it may be advantageous for the cover element to have a smaller inner diameter in a transport state than in an operating state, and in particular to be designed in the form of a formwork sleeve.

[0039] Designing the cover element with different inner diameters is advantageous and known from the prior art. In particular, a cover element in the form of a formwork sleeve has the advantage that the cylindrical cover element can be easily transported within the line and is very securely fixed during operation, as it self-aligns within the main line and can be locked in the desired position by contact pressure, without the need for additional tools.

[0040] Furthermore, according to one embodiment, it has proven advantageous that a compressed air generating element, in particular in the form of a compressor and / or a compressed air tank, is included in order to expand the expansion body by means of compressed air.

[0041] In particular, it can be provided that the expansion body comprises a valve which is arranged in the region of the first recess and / or in the interior of the cover element, wherein an arm which is arranged to be movable at least in one spatial axis for guiding a transport line for the compressed air is comprised by the support element, wherein the transport line comprises a connecting element on the side opposite the compressed air generating element, which can be brought into operative connection with the valve of the expansion body in order to pressurise the expansion body with compressed air and to expand it by means of the compressed air generating element.

[0042] It may further be preferred that the connecting element is designed and configured to actuate the valve of the expansion body for contracting the expansion body.

[0043] To expand and contract the expansion body, a valve integrated into the expansion body is preferred. The valve itself can either be pressurized using the connecting element, or excess pressure in the expansion body can be released from the expansion body by connecting the connecting element to the valve.

[0044] To expand the expansion body, compressed air is preferably used according to the invention. The compressed air is either generated on-site or carried in a compressed air tank. To connect the connecting element to the valve of the expansion body, it has also proven advantageous to use a boom that is movable in at least one spatial axis and has the connecting element located at its loose end. The connecting element is preferably connected to the compressed air transport line, which in turn is connected to the compressed air generation element.

[0045] It may be advantageous for the boom to be movable in at least one spatial axis, in particular in two, preferably in three spatial axes, by means of at least one actuator, in particular an electric motor.

[0046] Moving the boom by means of an actuator, such as an electric motor or a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, is particularly advantageous because the boom is thus provided in the form of a robot arm that can be remotely controlled by a user.

[0047] In this case, it may be particularly preferred that a camera is included which is arranged on the support element, wherein the camera is arranged adjacent to the boom.

[0048] According to the prior art, cameras are arranged on a boom that extends outside the actual support element. However, it has been shown that due to visibility conditions, distortion due to the external perspective, and lighting conditions, it is very difficult for a user to move the relatively small valve of the expansion body and a closure element for the second recess using the boom. Arranging a camera adjacent to the boom, which according to the present invention should also comprise a system of cameras or image recording devices, overcomes these disadvantages. Furthermore, a camera according to the invention can be operatively connected to a light source in order to enable an improved display of the objects to be manipulated by the user.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the viscous, hardenable renovation compound is an epoxy resin.

[0050] Two-component resins have proven to be particularly advantageous sealants.

[0051] According to an embodiment of the present invention, it can also be provided that the second recess is closed by means of a closure element, wherein in particular the closure element can be opened and closed by means of the carrier element and / or a further carrier element, wherein the further carrier element is movably mounted in at least one, in particular two, preferably three spatial axes.

[0052] Such a closure element is advantageous because it prevents the not yet cured sealant from penetrating through the small but existing second recess.

[0053] Finally, it can be provided that the transport means is connected to the support element or the further support element, so that the end of the transport means opposite the storage container can be arranged or is arranged on or at least partially in the second recess in order to introduce the rehabilitation mass into the space between the formwork and the walls of the main and secondary lines adjacent to the formwork.

[0054] The invention also provides a method for rehabilitating damaged pipe walls in the area of ​​the connection of a secondary pipe to a main pipe, comprising the following steps, in particular in this order: a) Providing a device according to one of claims 1 to 12; b) Moving the support element to the area to be rehabilitated; c) Expanding the cover element until it rests against the inner wall of the main line; d) Positioning the expansion body through the first recess of the cover element; e) Expanding the expansion body; f) Positioning the transport means at the second recess of the cover element; g) Heating the cover element and / or the transport means before, during and / or after transporting the remediation mass into the space between the formwork and the walls of the main and secondary lines adjacent to the formwork.

[0055] Finally, the invention provides a use of a device according to the invention for the rehabilitation of damaged pipe walls in the area of ​​the connection of a secondary pipe to a main pipe.

[0056] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which embodiments of the invention are explained by way of example with reference to schematic drawings, without thereby limiting the invention. Figure 1 : a schematic view of a section of a device according to the invention and a formwork system according to the invention in a piping system in the transport state in section; Figure 2 : a schematic view of a section of a device according to the invention and a formwork system according to the invention in a piping system in the operating state in section; and Figure 3 : a schematic view of a section of a device according to the invention and a formwork system according to the invention in a piping system after renovation in section.

[0057] In the figures, a device 1 according to the invention is shown only partially. Not shown are, for example, a chassis and a storage container for the remedial mass. Figure 1 1 schematically shows a transport state of a device 1 according to the invention. The device 1 comprises a cover element 3 and an expansion body 5. The cover element 3 is in the form of a formwork sleeve and the expansion body 5 in the form of a bladder. The expansion body 5 is already partially arranged in a first recess 7. A closure element 9 closes a second recess 11, through which the remediation compound can be introduced into the cavity closed by the expansion body 5 and the cover element 3 in order to remediate the damaged area in the piping system. A camera 15 and a boom 17 are arranged on a support arm of the first device 1, which is only partially shown.

[0058] As in Figure 1 As can be seen, the cover element 3 is arranged at a distance from the inner wall of the main line and the expansion body 5 is already located in the first recess 7. This enables easy transport of the two formwork elements to the section of the line system to be renovated.

[0059] In Figure 2The operating state of the device 1 according to the invention is shown. The cover element 3 is expanded so that it rests firmly against the inner wall of the main line. Likewise, the expanded expansion body 5 in the secondary line rests tightly against the inner wall of the secondary line. The space 13' thus closed between the formwork and the walls of the main and secondary lines adjacent to the formwork is filled with the remediation compound by means of the boom 17 through the second recess 11 exposed by opening the closure element 9. The closure element 9 is then closed, and the remediation compound can harden.

[0060] To accelerate the curing process, a heating device (not shown) is used according to the invention. This heating device is integrated directly into the expansion body 5. Heating devices can also be integrated into the formwork and / or the transport means for the renovation compound.

[0061] After curing, the expansion body 5 contracts and the outer diameter of the cover element 3 is also reduced, so that the formwork formed by these two elements can be removed. The rehabilitation compound 13 has cured at this point, thus successfully completing the rehabilitation of the pipeline.

Claims

1. Device (1) for rehabilitating defective pipe walls in the area of the connection of a lateral line to a main line, comprising a drivable carrier element, on which a covering element (3) and an expandable expansion body (5) are arranged, and wherein the expandable expansion body (5), in the non-expanded state, is positioned or can be positioned at least in sections in or through a first recess (7) in the covering element (3) in the lateral line, and in the expanded state lies against the wall of the lateral line, so that the covering element (3) and the expansion body (5) together form a formwork, and wherein the covering element (3) has a second recess (11), through which, by means of a transport means from a storage device, a viscous, curable rehabilitation material (13‴) can be introduced into the space (13') between the formwork and the walls of the main and lateral line adjacent to the formwork, wherein the device (1) comprises a heating device which is integrated into the expansion body (5) characterized in that the heating device is designed in the form of an infrared heating device and / or a microwave generating device.

2. Device (1) according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that the storage device is arranged on the carrier element.

3. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rehabilitation material (13") can be introduced from the storage device into the space (13') between the formwork and the walls of the main and lateral line adjacent to the formwork by means of pressure application in the interior of the storage device and / or by means of a pumping device via the transport means.

4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the covering element (3) has a smaller internal diameter in a transport state than in an operating state and is formed in particular as a formwork sleeve.

5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a compressed air generating element, in particular in the form of a compressor and / or a compressed air tank, is included to expand the expansion body (5) by means of compressed air.

6. Device (1) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the expansion body (5) comprises a valve which is arranged in the area of the first recess (7) and / or in the interior of the covering element (3), wherein at least one boom (17) mounted so as to be movable in at least one spatial axis is included to guide a transport line for the compressed air from the carrier element, wherein the transport line on the side opposite the compressed air generating element comprises a connecting element which can be brought or is brought into operative connection with the valve of the expansion body (5) in order to apply compressed air to the expansion body (5) by means of the compressed air generating element and expand it.

7. Device (1) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the connecting element is designed and arranged to actuate the valve of the expansion body (5) for a contraction of the expansion body (5).

8. Device (1) according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the boom (17) is movable by means of at least one actuator, in particular an electric motor, in the at least one spatial axis, in particular in two, preferably in three spatial axes.

9. Device (1) according to one of Claims 6 to 8, characterized in that a camera (15) is included, which is arranged on the carrier element, wherein the camera (15) is arranged adjacent to the boom (17).

10. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the viscous, curable rehabilitation material (13"') is an epoxy resin.

11. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second recess (11) is closed by means of a closure element (9), wherein in particular the closure element (9) can be opened and closed by means of the carrier element and / or a further carrier element, wherein the further carrier element is mounted so as to be movable in at least one, in particular two, preferably three spatial axes.

12. Device (1) according to Claim 11, characterized in that the transport means is connected to the carrier element or the further carrier element, so that the end of the transport means opposite the storage container can be or is arranged on or at least partially in the second recess (11), in order to introduce the rehabilitation material (13‴) into the space (13') between the formwork and the walls of the main and lateral line adjacent to the formwork.

13. Method for rehabilitating defective pipe walls in the area of the connection of a lateral line to a main line, comprising the following steps, in particular in this order: a) Providing a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims; b) Moving the carrier element to the area to be rehabilitated; c) Expanding the covering element (3) until it contacts the inner wall of the main line; d) Positioning the expansion body (5) through the first recess (7) of the covering element (3); e) Expanding the expansion body (5); f) Positioning the transport means at the second recess (11) of the covering element (3); g) Heating the expansion body (5) and / or the covering element (3) and / or the transport means before, during and / or after the transport of the rehabilitation material (13‴) into the space (13') between the formwork and the walls of the main and lateral line adjacent to the formwork.

14. Use of a device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 12 for rehabilitating defective pipe walls in the area of the connection of a lateral line to a main line.