PRE-SEALING BEFORE REHABILITATION OF A PIPE

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, supports 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] Furthermore, methods are known in the prior art for the rehabilitation of piping systems, e.g., sewers and similar pipe systems, in which a flexible, curable layer impregnated with a curable resin, also known as a liner, is inserted into the piping system. After insertion, the liner is expanded so that it fits tightly against the inner wall of the piping system. The resin is then cured.

[0007] The production of such a lining tube is described, for example, in WO 95 / 04646. Such a lining tube typically comprises an opaque outer protective film, an inner film that is transparent to at least certain wavelength ranges of electromagnetic radiation, and a curable layer impregnated with a resin, which is arranged between the inner film and the outer film.

[0008] The outer film tube is designed to prevent the resin used for impregnation from escaping from the curable layer and entering the environment. This requires a good seal and connection between the outer film tube and the resin-impregnated curable layer.

[0009] From WO 00 / 73692 A1 a lining hose is known comprising an inner film hose, a fiber tape impregnated with a resin as a curable layer and an outer hose which is laminated on its inside with a fiber fleece.

[0010] The lining tubes are inserted into the pipe system to be repaired before they harden and are inflated using a fluid, usually compressed air. To inflate the lining tube, one opening end of the lining tube is pressurized with compressed air according to the state of the art, and the opposite opening end of the lining tube is sealed with a closure device, a so-called packer. This closure device comprises a hollow cylinder and a cover element with which the hollow cylinder can be closed.

[0011] To cure the lining tube, a curing device is inserted into the lining tube. This device contains a radiation source and is guided through the lining tube to activate or initiate the curing of the curable layers of the lining tube using the radiation energy. Complete curing of the lining tube is of utmost importance; this means that a specific amount of radiation energy must be introduced into each point of the lining tube. The amount of radiation energy depends on the power output of the radiation sources and the speed at which they are passed through the lining tube.

[0012] To control the curing process, it is therefore important to know the position of the curing device in order to regulate the release of radiant energy. A method for sealing pipelines is known from CH 678 651 A5. The method involves applying a layer of resin directly to the inner surface of a pipe to be lined. To eliminate moisture, the water-reactive component of the resin system is sprayed onto the inner surface of the pipe, binding the water. The resin mixture is then applied using a spin-coating process.

[0013] Furthermore, piping systems typically include supply lines or secondary ducts. These must be exposed again after the lining tube has been pulled in and cured. For this purpose, devices are typically used that include a robotic arm with a drilling or milling device attached to it.

[0014] A particularly error-prone aspect is the presence or ingress of water. Especially when rehabilitating pipes with lining tubes, it is essential that no water is present in the damaged pipe. However, this often occurs, for example, due to damaged sleeves, leaking side inlets, or other defects.

[0015] It is therefore important for the user to stop this penetrating water as simply, quickly and cost-effectively as possible.

[0016] Therefore, the object of the present invention was to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and, in particular, to provide a device and a method which enables a faster and more reliable pre-sealing of pipes for the rehabilitation of the same.

[0017] This object is achieved by a device comprising a storage container for PU material and a discharge opening, wherein the storage container contains, in particular, water-reactive PU material, and wherein the discharge opening of the device can be brought to a damaged area of ​​a line so that the PU material seals the damaged area.

[0018] The device according to the invention solves the problem that an uncontrolled inflow of water through damaged areas and / or through inlet pipes as such hinders rehabilitation. As explained, it is particularly important when rehabilitating pipes with lining tubes that no water is present in the damaged pipe. However, this very often occurs, for example, due to damaged sleeves, leaky side inlets, or other defects. The solution according to the invention allows the uncontrolled inflow of water to be stopped quickly, especially temporarily.

[0019] It is particularly advantageous if the PU material or PU foam is water-active because it hardens exactly where it is needed and thus reliably prevents unwanted water penetration.

[0020] In particular, it can be provided that the PU material is a one-component PU material and / or PU foam.

[0021] Corresponding materials and foams are known to those skilled in the art from other applications. A corresponding cartridge with only one chamber can be particularly easily arranged on a device according to the invention.

[0022] According to the invention, the storage container comprises a two-chamber system with a static mixer.

[0023] This is particularly advantageous when a two-component PU material or PU foam is used instead of a one-component PU material or PU foam.

[0024] Furthermore, it can be provided that a pneumatic actuator is included which is designed and configured to press the PU material and / or the PU foam from the storage container through the discharge opening.

[0025] Such an actuator is necessary so that the PU material or PU foam can be transported from the storage container to the desired location.

[0026] Furthermore, it is preferred that the storage container, the discharge opening and the pneumatic actuator are arranged on a mobile support element.

[0027] By arranging the storage container, the discharge opening and the pneumatic actuator on a common mobile support element, it is possible to transport the PU material or PU foam to the desired location within the piping system.

[0028] It can also be provided that a cover element is arranged on the support element, wherein the cover element has a recess through which the PU material and / or the PU foam can be introduced into the space between the formwork and the walls of the main and secondary lines adjacent to the formwork.

[0029] It can be intended that the PU material or PU foam is used to directly repair a damaged area, and the reactive PU material seals the damaged area watertight. However, an application is also envisaged in which the PU material is held in place by formwork in the direction of the piping system. This can be particularly advantageous for larger leaks, large damaged areas, or when inlets need to be sealed.

[0030] It can also be provided that the PU material and / or the PU foam is provided in two components, wherein both components are stored separately in the storage device, and wherein a mixing device is included which is arranged before and / or after the means of transport, wherein the mixing device is designed and configured to mix both components in a predetermined mixing ratio after removal from the storage device and before introduction into the space between the formwork and the walls of the main and secondary lines adjacent to the formwork.

[0031] Instead of the one-component PU material or foam preferred according to one embodiment, in particular the water-reactive one-component PU material or foam, a two-component PU material can also be advantageous, since the properties of the PU material can be defined in an expanded manner via this.

[0032] The corresponding PU materials are known to the expert.

[0033] It may also be advantageous for the device to comprise a heating device which is operatively connected to the cover element, a bladder integrated into a side inlet and / or to the transport means and / or to the cover element, to the bladder and / or to the transport means at least in the region of the second recess, wherein in particular the heating device is designed in the form of a heating hose, a radiation source, in particular an infrared heating device and / or a microwave generating device, and / or an electric heater.

[0034] A heating device according to the invention can significantly reduce the curing time of the PU material or PU foam. According to the invention, the heating device can be integrated into the cover element and / or the transport means at least in the area of ​​the second recess or can be operatively connected to this area.

[0035] This allows the PU material to be preheated, preferably in the transport device, usually a hose. Alternatively or additionally, a heating device can also be integrated into the formwork and provide heating power throughout the entire curing process to accelerate it.

[0036] Furthermore, it can be provided that the PU material and / or the PU foam can be introduced from the storage device into the space behind the formwork by means of pressure inside the storage device and / or by means of a pumping device via the transport means.

[0037] Furthermore, it can be provided that the cover element has a smaller inner diameter in a transport state than in an operating state, and is designed in particular in the form of a formwork sleeve.

[0038] 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 offers the advantage that the cylindrical cover element can be easily transported within the pipeline and is very securely fixed during operation, as it self-aligns within the main pipeline and can be locked in the desired position by contact pressure, without the need for additional tools.

[0039] It may also 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, in order to move the outlet opening to the desired location in the piping system.

[0040] Finally, it may be preferred that a camera is included which is arranged on the support element, wherein the camera is arranged adjacent to the boom.

[0041] The invention also provides a method for rehabilitating damaged pipe walls, comprising the following steps, in particular in this order: Inserting a device into a pipe with a reservoir for PU material that foams and reacts with water; introducing the PU material at or adjacent to one or more damaged areas and / or inlets, in particular for pre-sealing the pipe.

[0042] In the method according to the invention, it may be particularly preferred that the PU material is introduced with the aid of a device according to the invention.

[0043] Finally, the invention also 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] It shows: Fig. 1 : A perspective view of a first embodiment with a two-component PU material; Fig. 2 : The device from Figure 1 in combination with formwork and appropriate transport equipment; Fig. 3 : Sealing a damaged area; and Fig. 4 : Sealing and repair of a side inlet.

[0046] As mentioned, when rehabilitating piping systems, it is essential that no water is present in the defective pipe. However, since the pipes being repaired are damaged—usually the reason for the repair—it is very common for water to be present in the pipe through leaky sockets, leaky side inlets, and other defects.

[0047] It is very important for the user that the penetrating water is stopped quickly and cost-effectively before renovation. The inventive solution, which is described using the following embodiments, uses a PU material that foams and reacts with water to create a preliminary seal.

[0048] In Figure 1 An embodiment of a device according to the invention is shown. This device is movable on wheels 3 within the piping system, while a two-component PU material is stored in a cartridge 5.

[0049] Using a forced mixer 7, the two components are mixed and delivered to the damaged area via a discharge opening of a discharge element. The device 1 can be installed in front of the actual sealing device, including the formwork and sleeve, as shown in Figure 2 shown, arranged.

[0050] In this case, Figure 2 to see how the device 1 can be pushed through the pipeline in front of a rehabilitation device 9 with an expandable formwork 11.

[0051] In the case of a crack or root ingrowth, a hole is drilled into the damaged area with a drill 13 and the resin is injected directly through the drilled hole. This is Figure 3 shown.

[0052] In case of a leaking side connection, the resin is injected into the formwork with side channel bladder 15. This is Figure 4 shown.

[0053] The features of the invention disclosed in the foregoing description and claims may be essential both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments.

Claims

1. Device (1), comprising a storage container (5) for PU material and a discharge opening, wherein the storage container comprises a two-chamber system with a static mixer (7) and contains a water-reactive PU material, and wherein the discharge opening of the device (1) is positionable at a damaged location of a pipe such that the PU material seals the damaged location.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the PU material is a one- or two-component PU material and / or PU foam.

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pneumatic actuator is provided, which is configured and arranged to press the PU material and / or the PU foam from the storage container through the discharge opening.

4. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the storage container, the discharge opening, and the pneumatic actuator are arranged on a mobile support element.

5. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a cover element is arranged on the support element, wherein the cover element comprises an expandable expansion body, which in the expanded state lies against the wall of the branch pipe and together with the cover forms a casing, and comprises a recess through which the PU material and / or the PU foam can be introduced into the space between the casing and the wall sections of the main and branch pipes adjacent to the casing.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the PU material and / or the PU foam is provided in two components, wherein both components are stored separately in the storage device, and wherein a mixing device is provided that is arranged before and / or after the transport means, the mixing device being configured and arranged to mix both components in a predetermined mixing ratio after being removed from the storage device and in particular also before introduction into the space between the casing and the wall sections of the main and branch pipes adjacent to the casing.

7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the device comprises a heating device that is integrated into the cover element, a bladder integrated into a side inlet, and / or the transport means, and / or is in operative connection with the cover element, with the bladder, and / or with the transport means at least in the area of the second recess, wherein in particular the heating device is designed in the form of a heating hose, a radiation source, in particular an infrared heating device and / or a microwave generating device, and / or an electric heater.

8. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the PU material and / or the PU foam can be introduced from the storage device into the space behind the casing by pressurization inside the storage device and / or by a pump device via the transport means.

9. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the cover element in a transport state has a smaller inner diameter than in an operating state, and is in particular designed in the form of a casing sleeve.

10. Method for rehabilitating damaged pipe walls, comprising the following steps, in particular in this sequence: a) inserting a device into a pipe with a storage container for PU material which foams and reacts with water; b) introducing the PU material at or adjacent to one or more damaged locations and / or inlets, in particular for pre-sealing the pipe.

11. Use of a device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 for rehabilitating damaged pipe walls in the area of the connection of a branch pipe to a main pipe.