MOBILE IRRADIATION PLATFORM FOR HOLLOW LAMINATES AND METHOD FOR CURING A HOLLOW LAMINATE

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a mobile platform equipped with radiation energy sources, which can be introduced into the interior of a flexible hollow body for curing a laminate of the hollow body wall. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for curing a laminate forming a hollow body wall by applying radiation energy from a mobile irradiation platform. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] Pipeline systems, i.e., networks consisting of adjacent hollow bodies such as pipeline systems, sewer systems, or shaft systems, must be repaired if defects, breaks, or holes in the pipe walls occur. This repair is often difficult, especially in difficult-to-access pipe systems such as underground systems, especially since the success of the repair must be ensured as permanently and reliably as possible.

[0003] In sewers, for example, intensive quality assurance is necessary to ensure that the target condition of a section or component of the repaired sewer system at least meets the requirements for a newly constructed sewer system. In addition to renewal methods using open-cut or trenchless construction, renovation methods, known as lining methods, can be used to rehabilitate sewer systems. These methods have the advantage that they can ideally be carried out entirely without surface disruption or intervention in the subsurface. Lining methods also allow entire pipe sections to be repaired not just selectively, but along their entire length in a single operation.Lining processes use so-called inliners - lining laminates that are inserted into the existing pipe section from the inside and, after installation, form a new inner wall for the existing sewer section.

[0004] Depending on the type, structure, and installation into the sewer system, the lining methods are further subdivided into: pipe string lining, wound pipe lining, pipe segment lining, close-fit lining, and pipe lining. Pipe lining, one of the most relevant methods currently, involves impregnating a flexible pipe made of a carrier material with a reactive resin. The flexible pipe—also known as a pipe liner—is inserted in its flexible state into the pipe section to be repaired, where it is pressed against the inner wall of the existing pipe using pneumatic or hydraulic processes. The reactive resin can harden under local energy input, so that after hardening, the pipe liner forms a socketless plastic pipe reinforced by the carrier material as the new inner lining of the existing (defective) pipe.

[0005] Conventional pipe liners usually have a multi-layer wall structure, which can be formed as a laminate of different layers. In addition to an (optional) inner film made of high-density polyethylene or polyurethane, possibly reinforced with styrene, and one or more outer films with or without a styrene barrier and with or without fabric reinforcement, the middle layer of the laminate is the actual composite layer that crosslinks under energy input and forms the pipe wall. The composite is usually a combination of a curable resin system and a carrier material.Depending on the curing system used, the installation method and the carrier materials, additional components may be incorporated into the composite, for example organic or inorganic fillers, corrosion inhibitors, reinforcing materials and / or initiators, which form reactive species upon energy input into the pipe liner in order to initiate a curing chain reaction (for example radical or cationic polymerization) of the resin system.

[0006] The document DE 10 2015 122 313 A1 discloses methods for rehabilitating pipelines, in which a curing device for curing a curable layer of a lining tube in a pipeline is controlled depending on a temperature measured on the outside of the curable layer. The document DE 10 2016 124 116 A1 discloses a device for curing resin-impregnated lining tubes with high-energy radiation, in which the actual power absorbed by a UV radiation source is measured and maintained within a target range via a power correction.

[0007] It remains challenging to determine with sufficient certainty how far curing has progressed during the curing process in pipe lining processes. For reasons of process reliability and quality requirements, the longest possible irradiation duration and intensity, even beyond the actual required irradiation duration, is preferable. This is offset by economic considerations such as the desire to keep process costs as low as possible through reduced energy consumption for irradiation and efficient personnel deployment. The shortest possible process time for completion of the rehabilitation work is also advantageous due to possible weather conditions that could be detrimental to the success of the rehabilitation, such as heavy rain or thaw.

[0008] The document US 2019 / 016021 A1 discloses a device for curing resin-impregnated pipe liners by means of high-energy radiation generated by at least two radiation sources.

[0009] US 2005 / 104600 A1 discloses a vehicle for inspecting a pipe, including a chassis; drive means for driving the chassis along the pipe; and sensor means which, when arranged adjacent an inner surface of the pipe, provide a signal indicative of the presence of lateral openings in the pipe; the sensor means comprising a capacitive sensor.

[0010] The publication KR 10-1400380 B1 discloses a UV light generator with a rotatable UV lamp for reverse UV curing in pipe repairs to cure a light-curable lining. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] One of the objects of the invention is therefore to find solutions for more efficient and reliable pipe lining processes with on-site curing of the pipe liners used.

[0012] These and other objects are achieved by a mobile irradiation platform having the features of claim 1, a sewer rehabilitation system having the features of claim 8, and by a method having the features of claim 9.

[0013] According to a first aspect of the invention, a mobile irradiation platform, in particular for use in pipe lining methods for sewer or shaft rehabilitation, comprises a chassis, one or more irradiation devices which are installed in the chassis, are configured to emit radiant energy and have a radiation direction radial to a longitudinal extent of the irradiation platform, a plurality of stabilization booms which are hinged to the chassis and are designed to support the chassis centrally in the interior of a hollow body, and at least one dielectric sensor which is attached to an end of one of the plurality of stabilization booms remote from the chassis and is designed to detect changes in dielectric properties in the environment of the stabilization boom.

[0014] A second aspect of the invention comprises a sewer rehabilitation system comprising a pipe liner whose wall is formed by a hollow body laminate with a UV-curing composite layer and at least one mobile irradiation platform according to the first aspect of the invention, which has UV light sources as irradiation devices and is designed to cure the composite layer of the hollow body laminate of the pipe liner from the inside out to form a hollow body forming an inner lining of a sewer to be rehabilitated.

[0015] A third aspect of the invention comprises a method for curing a hollow body laminate, in particular for use in pipe lining processes for sewer or shaft rehabilitation, the steps of introducing a mobile irradiation platform into the interior of a hollow body laminate with a composite layer that cures under radiation energy, supporting the mobile irradiation platform on the inner wall of the hollow body laminate via stabilizing booms hinged to a chassis of the irradiation platform, irradiating the hollow body laminate with radiation energy from irradiation devices installed in the chassis - such as UV light sources - and detecting changes in dielectric properties of the hollow body laminate in the vicinity of the stabilizing boom by means of a dielectric sensor attached to an end of one of the stabilizing booms remote from the chassis.

[0016] One of the key concepts of the invention is to monitor the progress of a curing process during irradiation of the hollow body laminate to be cured by a mobile platform in real time using sensors carried on the mobile platform. Dielectric analysis is suitable for this purpose. Dielectric sensors can be used to non-contact measure the dielectric properties of the hollow body laminate and their changes during curing. The dielectric sensors are mounted close to the hollow body wall being formed and, due to the synchronous feed movement with the irradiation devices, can provide measurement parameters that provide direct and immediate information about the effect of the irradiation.

[0017] Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the further subclaims and from the description with reference to the figures.

[0018] According to some embodiments, a mobile irradiation platform may further comprise a process control unit installed in the chassis. In some embodiments, this process control unit may be configured to dynamically adjust operating parameters of the irradiation platform, such as the feed rate inside a hollow body laminate or the irradiance of the irradiation devices, depending on the dielectric properties in the vicinity of the stabilization boom detected by the dielectric sensor. This advantageously enables adaptation of a lining process to prevailing environmental conditions, by means of which an irradiation procedure can be carried out more efficiently and time-savingly by a mobile irradiation platform, but without compromising reliability and product quality.

[0019] According to some further embodiments, a mobile irradiation platform may further comprise a platform control unit installed in the chassis. In some embodiments, the platform control unit may be configured to collect and evaluate measurement data acquired by the dielectric sensor. Particularly when multiple dielectric sensors are present, it may be advantageous to collect measurement data centrally in the mobile platform and enable synchronized and / or spatially resolved data analysis. This allows further insights into the progress of curing processes, particularly when using platform trains consisting of multiple mobile irradiation platforms deployed one after the other.

[0020] According to some further embodiments, a mobile irradiation platform can further comprise a data interface coupled to the platform control unit. The data interface can enable measurement data from the dielectric sensor collected by the platform control unit to be transmitted to a device external to the platform, for example, to an external workstation of a sewer rehabilitation system. This has the advantage that users of the mobile irradiation platform can benefit from better and more convenient real-time monitoring and, in the event of deviations from the norm, can manually make appropriate corrections to the irradiation process or eliminate any errors that occur more quickly on-site. In some embodiments, the data interface can comprise a wireless communication module, which can ensure a wireless connection of the mobile irradiation platform to external devices.

[0021] According to some further embodiments, a mobile irradiation platform may further comprise rollers mounted on the ends of the plurality of stabilizing booms remote from the chassis. This offers the advantage that the mobile irradiation platform can be advanced inside a hollow body laminate in a simple, energy-efficient manner and without damaging the laminate.

[0022] According to some embodiments of the method, the method may further comprise the step of dynamically adjusting operating parameters of the irradiation platform depending on changes in the dielectric properties of the hollow body laminate in the vicinity of the stabilization boom, as detected by the dielectric sensor. For example, the feed rate of the mobile platform, the irradiation intensity of the irradiation devices, or other irradiation-relevant parameters of the irradiation platform can be adjusted in order to advantageously increase irradiation efficiency and reduce the time required for curing the hollow body laminate, while at the same time avoiding any compromises in the quality and reliability of the curing process for producing a high-quality hollow body.

[0023] According to some further embodiments of the method, the method may further comprise the step of wirelessly transmitting measurement data acquired by the dielectric sensor via a data interface of the mobile irradiation platform to an external device outside the interior of the hollow body laminate.

[0024] The above embodiments and further developments can be combined with one another as desired, where appropriate. Further possible embodiments, further developments, and implementations of the invention also include combinations of features of the invention not explicitly mentioned above or described below with regard to the exemplary embodiments. In particular, those skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the present invention. SHORT SUMMARY OF THE CHARACTERS

[0025] The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the schematic figures. They show: Fig. 1 a perspective example view of a mobile platform with irradiation devices according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 a schematic block diagram of a mobile platform with irradiation devices in use inside a hollow body laminate according to a further embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 a schematic block diagram of a circuit for a dielectric sensor for use in a mobile platform according to Fig. 1 or 2 according to a further embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 4 a flow chart of a method for curing a hollow body laminate according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0026] The accompanying figures are intended to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, in conjunction with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the noted advantages will be apparent upon review of the drawings. Elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale. Directional terminology such as "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "above," "below," "horizontal," "vertical," "front," "rear," and similar terms are used for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit generality to specific embodiments shown in the figures.

[0027] In the figures of the drawing, identical, functionally identical and acting elements, features and components are provided with the same reference symbols, unless otherwise stated. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Hollow body laminates within the meaning of the present invention comprise layer systems formed into a circumferential surface that is open on at least one side and forms the hollow body wall of an elongated hollow body enclosing a lumen. Hollow body laminates can be formed, for example, in the form of a hollow cylinder, a hollow beam, or a tube. In particular, through the choice of materials for the layer systems, hollow body laminates can be at least partially flexible in their initial form, i.e., they can form a tube with at least partially flexible tube walls. The cross-sectional profile of the hollow body formed by a hollow body laminate can take on any desired shape, in particular a circular profile, an oval profile, an elliptical profile, or a convex polygonal profile with rounded corners.The cross-sectional profile of the hollow body formed by a hollow body laminate can also be variable along the longitudinal extent of the hollow body, for example, it can become larger or smaller on average or have steps of varying cross-section. In particular, the cross-sectional profile of the hollow body formed by a hollow body laminate can be defined by the cross-sectional profile of an existing pipe to be lined, into which the hollow body laminate is inserted.

[0029] Fig. 1 shows a perspective example view of a mobile platform 100 with irradiation devices 12. A corresponding schematic block diagram view of such a mobile platform 100 in operation inside a hollow body laminate 2 is shown in Fig. 2 Mobile platforms 100 within the meaning of the present invention, which are equipped with one or more irradiation devices, can also be referred to as mobile irradiation platforms.

[0030] As in Fig. 2 As an example, hollow body laminates 2, such as pipe liners for use in pipe lining processes during the sewer or shaft renovation of underground sewerage systems A, can have a multi-layer wall structure which hardens under irradiation with energy input to form a hollow body 1. The hollow body 1 formed in this way, after hardening, represents a socketless, reinforced plastic pipe as the new inner lining of an existing section of a pipe system, such as an underground sewerage system A. The thickness of the wall of the hollow body 1 formed in this way can, in some variants, be between approximately 2 mm and 15 mm, and the nominal diameter can be between approximately 100 mm and 600 mm.

[0031] An optional inner film 5 can be applied to the inside of the hollow body wall of the hollow body laminate 2. The inner film 5 can be made of high-density polyethylene or polyurethane, for example, and optionally coated with styrene. The inner film 5 serves to prevent contact with process water or steam during the curing of the laminate. After the pipe lining is completed, the inner film 5 can remain in the hollow body 1 as the inner pipe wall. Alternatively, the inner film 5 can also be removed after the curing process.

[0032] A composite material 3 is embedded as a sandwich layer between an outer film 4 and the inner film 5. The composite layer 3 forms the central layer of the hollow body laminate 2. The composite layer 3 can comprise a combination of a curable resin system and a carrier material. The resin system can comprise, for example, an unsaturated polyester resin, a vinyl ester resin, a silicate resin, or an epoxy resin. The carrier material can comprise, for example, corrosion-resistant synthetic or polymer fibers, such as polyamide, acrylonitrile polymer, polyethylene terephthalate, or polypropylene. Large-area needle felt sheets can be butt-jointed or overlapped to form pipe liners. Alternatively, it may be possible to use corrosion-resistant glass fibers in a glass fiber fabric or woven fabric, such as E-CR glass (aluminum lime silicate glass) with reinforcing glass fibers.To increase strength and stiffness, glass fibers or woven / non-woven glass fibers can be combined in overlapping, offset layers to form a pipe liner. It is also possible to use mixed systems of synthetic fibers and glass fibers, so-called sandwich systems, to specifically adjust the strength and stiffness of the pipe liner in specific zones or sections.

[0033] In addition to the resin system and carrier material, other components can optionally be incorporated into the composite layer 3, for example, organic or inorganic fillers, corrosion inhibitors, and / or reinforcing materials. The carrier material is impregnated with the resin system used, cooled and / or packaged opaquely depending on the resin system, and only released on-site during sewer rehabilitation to activate the resin system. The resin system can be cured using various initiators that form reactive species when energy is introduced into the pipe liner. Thermal and light-induced initiation are possible curing processes. For this purpose, irradiation energy sources can be used, for example, to controllably and locally introduce infrared radiation and / or UV radiation into the composite layer 3.During thermal curing, heat of, for example, 70°C to 100°C initiates a curing chain reaction, resulting in a radical or cationic polymerization—depending on the thermal initiator used—that results in complete curing of the composite layer 3 and thus also of the hollow laminate 2. Similarly, exposure to UV radiation energy can lead to radical or cationic polymerization and subsequent curing of the hollow laminate 2 if photoinitiators are embedded in the composite layer 3. Typical curing times are several minutes, such as approximately 2 to 15 minutes, in particular approximately 4 to 10 minutes.

[0034] An outer film 4 can be attached to the outside of the hollow body wall of the hollow body laminate 2. The outer film 4 can also be made of high-density polyethylene or polyurethane, for example, and can optionally have a fabric reinforcement. The outer film 4 serves to prevent excess composite material 3 from escaping from the hollow body laminate 2 into the environment and simultaneously protects the composite layer 3 against the physical and chemical influences of any residues of fluids and solids transported in the pipe system to be rehabilitated.

[0035] A fabric-reinforced light-protection film 6 can optionally be applied around the outer film 4 as the outermost layer. This light-protection film 6 can prevent premature activation of the composite layer 3 by ambient light, particularly in the case of UV-activated composite layers 3. This significantly simplifies storage, transport, and installation into a pipeline to be rehabilitated.

[0036] The mobile platform 100 has a central chassis 11, which is also referred to as a mounting frame or support structure. One or more irradiation devices 12 are accommodated or installed in the chassis 11 and are designed to emit radiation energy B from the chassis 11 to the outside. In particular, the radiation energy B can be emitted radially outward from the irradiation devices 12 and essentially with perpendicular incidence onto the hollow body laminate 2. The irradiation devices 12 can be activated after the mobile platform 100 has been introduced into the interior of a hollow body laminate 2, for example into the interior of a pipe liner, in order to trigger a curing reaction by locally introducing energy into the composite layer(s) 3 of the hollow body laminate 2.Depending on the resin system used and any initiator type present in the composite layer 3, various irradiation devices 12 can be used—heat radiation sources, infrared lamps, or UV light sources such as UV laser diodes, UV light-emitting diodes, UV cold cathode tubes, black light lamps, or gas discharge lamps such as high-pressure metal vapor lamps or low-pressure metal vapor lamps (e.g., based on sodium, cadmium, mercury, or other metal halides). The number, type, and combination of irradiation devices 12 is, in principle, unlimited—it may be possible to use more than one irradiation device 12 of the same or different design. This is particularly true for mobile devices.

[0037] Platforms 100 for pipe liners may be able to arrange a plurality of irradiation devices 12 uniformly around an axial direction of the mobile platform 100 in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the hollow body laminate 2 in order to thereby achieve radially uniform irradiation of the hollow body laminate 2.

[0038] In the chassis 11, corresponding (in Fig. 1 and 2 Electronic circuits, electrical energy sources, and / or control devices (not explicitly illustrated) for operating the irradiation devices 12 may be accommodated therein. It may also be possible for the mobile platform 100 to be connected via electrical lines to energy sources outside the hollow body laminate 2, such as a power generator or an electrical power grid, which are located, in particular, outside a piping system to be rehabilitated.

[0039] Stabilizing arms 13 are arranged on the chassis 11, at the ends of which, for example, wheels or rollers 14 are attached. The mobile platform 100 can be supported on the inner wall of a pipe, a channel, a shaft, or another hollow space defined by a hollow body laminate 2 via the stabilizing arms 13, which can be pivoted to the chassis 11 in particular so as to be movable relative to the chassis 11. By appropriately adjusting the stabilizing arms 13, the central chassis 11 can be held preferably centrally and while maintaining a controllable position within the hollow body laminate 2. This enables uniform irradiation of the hollow body laminate 2 by the irradiation devices 12 over its circumference.

[0040] With the help of the rollers 14, the mobile platform 100 can be moved along the axial direction within the interior of the hollow body laminate 2. For this purpose, the mobile platform 100 can have its own drive or, alternatively, can be pushed or pulled through the interior of the hollow body laminate 2 by external force. As an alternative to the rollers 14, other movement-imparting end elements of the stabilizing arms 13 can also be provided, such as low-friction coated sliding shoes or sprockets.

[0041] As in Fig. 1 As illustrated by way of example, several mobile platforms 100 can be combined to form a platform train. Fig. 1 Two mobile platforms 100 are schematically shown in a platform train, however, more than two mobile platforms 100 in a platform train are also possible. The mobile platforms 100 of a platform train can be coupled to one another via traction cables 18. The traction cables 18 can not only provide a mechanical coupling of the individual mobile platforms 100, but electrical connecting lines for transmitting control signals or electrical power supply between the individual mobile platforms 100 can also be provided.

[0042] Dielectric sensors 15 can be mounted on one, some or all of the stabilizing booms 13 at the end remote from the chassis (ie, furthest from the chassis 11 after the stabilizing booms 13 have been deployed). Examples are shown in Fig. 1 and 2Four of the stabilizing booms 13 of the mobile platform 100 are shown as being equipped with dielectric sensors 15 - however, it should be clear that any other number of dielectric sensors 15 is also possible. The dielectric sensors 15 have a sensor housing (not explicitly shown) and active sensor components, the electrical interconnection of which is shown in the exemplary block diagram of the Fig. 3 are shown in more detail.

[0043] Dielectric sensors 15 operate on the principle of reflection measurement at a measuring capacitor C and the change in reflection behavior due to changes in the dielectric properties in the environment of the measuring capacitor C. The capacitance of the measuring capacitor C depends not only on the geometric dimensions of the capacitor and the dielectric constant in a vacuum, but also on the dielectric constant in the environment of the capacitor. Particularly in plate-shaped capacitors with electrodes staggered in the plane of extension of the capacitor plates, the electric boundary field extends away from the capacitor plates into the environment. With changes in the dielectric properties of the environment, which are located at a typical distance d from the active measuring surface of the dielectric sensor 15, the reflection behavior of electrical alternating voltage at the measuring capacitor C also changes.Planar electrode configurations can be used as measuring capacitor C, some of which are based on a monotrode structure and are characterized by large electrode spacing in order to be able to reliably detect changes in the dielectric constant even over larger distances.

[0044] A sensor control unit P applies an electrical alternating voltage F of a specific frequency and amplitude to the measuring capacitor C. The actually output alternating voltage is measured via an input directional coupler SE of a sensor interface S and its frequency and amplitude are determined in the sensor control unit P. After the electrical alternating voltage wave has been reflected by the measuring capacitor C, the returning, i.e. reflected, part of the alternating voltage wave is also measured via an output directional coupler SR of the sensor interface S and its frequency and amplitude are determined in the sensor control unit P. The ratio between the incoming and returning alternating voltage waves is determined by the sensor control unit P as a time-resolved measurement parameter.

[0045] The hollow body laminate 2 exhibits a certain viscosity in its flexible initial state. Dipoles contained in the composite layer 3, such as terminal groups of monomers of the resin system, can align to a certain extent in the electric field. Upon increasing temperature—for example, upon irradiation by an irradiation device 12—the ion mobility and degree of dipole alignment initially increase. Only when polymerization begins through radical or cationic crosslinking does the ion mobility decrease again, and the possibility of dipole alignment is severely limited. In the fully crosslinked state, the ion viscosity is therefore greatly increased and the dipole alignment greatly reduced.

[0046] The sensor control unit P can, for example, be implemented as an SDR ("Software Defined Radio") system, in which the hardware for characterizing the incoming and returning AC voltage waves includes an amplifier, a downsampler, and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The high-frequency AC voltage waves, whose frequency can range from several hundred MHz to several GHz, are downconverted to baseband in the range of a few kHz and digitized. The sensor control unit P then further includes a signal processor, such as an ASIC or an FPGA, in which application programs digitally evaluate the digitized baseband measurement signals.

[0047] The reflection factor, which is calculated as the ratio between the returning and incoming alternating voltage waves, is particularly suitable as a measurement parameter. After the curing process begins, the reflection factor will decrease because the heating of the composite layer 3 causes a decrease in viscosity. After a minimum, the reflection factor will then increase as the curing reaction begins. At a certain point, a plateau region will be reached in which the reflection factor no longer changes, or at least not significantly, because the complete curing of the composite layer 3 is complete.

[0048] A time-resolved assessment of the progress of the curing reaction as a result of irradiation by the irradiation devices 12 can therefore be carried out via the dielectric sensors 15, which are arranged at a laminate-side end of the stabilizing arms 13 and are therefore only spaced apart from the hollow body laminate 2 by a small measuring distance d. In particular, a threshold value for the change in the reflection factor can be set in the sensor control unit P; if the threshold value falls below this value, this indicates sufficiently complete curing of the composite layer 3 and thus of the hollow body laminate 2 to form a hollow body 1.

[0049] The measurement parameters of the dielectric sensors 15 can be processed and evaluated either on-site in the sensors 15 themselves, in a platform control unit 16 arranged in the chassis 11, or in a measurement computer arranged outside the mobile platform 100, such as a workstation PC of a mobile sewer rehabilitation system. For this purpose, the platform control unit 16 can collect the measurement data from the individual dielectric sensors 15 of a platform 100 and transmit them to the outside of the piping system via an external data interface 19. The external data interface 19 can, for example, be wired. Alternatively or additionally, it may also be possible to use a wireless communication module as the external data interface 19, via which measurement data can be transmitted wirelessly from the platform control unit 16, for example, via a WLAN or radio connection, to an external workstation PC.In particular, the platform control unit 16 can also convert analog measurement data into digital measurement signals, since the transmission of digital signals improves electromagnetic compatibility and freedom from interference compared to, for example, the electrical power supply or the control of the irradiation devices 12.

[0050] The mobile platform 100 can have a process control unit 17, which is also arranged in the chassis 11 and coupled to the platform control unit 16. The process control unit 17 can, for example, dynamically adjust the advance of the mobile platform 100, the current irradiation intensity of the irradiation devices 12, or other parameters relevant to the irradiation of the hollow body laminate 2 depending on the degree of curing of the hollow body laminate 2 determined by the dielectric sensors 15. For example, it may be possible to increase the movement speed of the mobile platform 100 if the curing of the hollow body laminate 2 has already been locally completed before a planned further movement of the mobile platform. It may also be possible to increase or decrease the irradiation intensity of the irradiation devices 12 depending on the local curing rate determined via the measurement of the dielectric sensors 15.In addition, the recorded measurement parameters of the dielectric sensors 15 can be used for quality assurance, for example to provide evidence of compliance with a standard during the curing of the hollow body laminate 2.

[0051] It may also be possible to carry out the evaluation of the measurement parameters of the dielectric sensors 15 and the control of the mobile platform 100 entirely outside the piping system. For this purpose, the movement and operating parameters of the mobile platform 100 can be dynamically adjusted from a control computer located outside the hollow body laminate 2 via appropriate control signals, depending on the curing levels of the hollow body laminate 2 determined by the dielectric sensors 15.

[0052] Fig. 4 shows a flow diagram of a method M for curing a hollow body laminate 2, in particular for use in rehabilitation work of a pipeline system A. The method M can be used, for example, in the context of a pipe lining process in sewer or shaft rehabilitation. The method M can be used, for example, using a mobile platform, such as the mobile platform 100, or a platform train, which are used in connection with the Fig. 1 , 2 und 3 presented and described.

[0053] First, a hollow body laminate is coated with a radiation-reactive composite layer, such as the one used in connection with Fig. 1 and 2explained hollow body laminate 2, is prepared for the insertion of a mobile irradiation platform 100. For example, during a sewer rehabilitation process, a pipe liner can be inserted into a pipe to be rehabilitated. This can be done using a pulling-in process, an inversion process, or a combination of the two aforementioned processes. During the pulling-in process, the hollow body laminate 2 is pulled into the pipe to be rehabilitated from the outside using cable winches. Protective sliding films can be installed in the pipe base before the pulling-in process. After pulling in, the hollow body laminate 2 can be pressurized hydraulically or pneumatically to create a lumen inside the hollow body laminate 2 pressed against the inner wall of the pipe to be rehabilitated.In the inversion process, however, an initial piece of the hollow body laminate 2 can be cantilevered onto an opening of the pipe to be rehabilitated and folded into the pipe using hydraulic or pneumatic overpressure.

[0054] Regardless of the type of insertion, after the preparation of the hollow body laminate 2, in a first step M1 of the method M, a mobile irradiation platform 100 or a platform train consisting of several mobile irradiation platforms 100 is introduced into the lumen of the hollow body laminate 2. This can also be done, for example, with the aid of cable winches. In a second step M2, the mobile irradiation platform 100 is supported on the inner wall of the hollow body laminate 2 via stabilizing booms 13 hinged to a chassis 11 of the irradiation platform 100. For this purpose, the stabilizing booms 13, which are optionally equipped with rollers 14, are folded away from the chassis 11 and brought into contact with the inner wall of the hollow body laminate 2 with the end sections remote from the chassis. This allows the chassis 11 to be arranged and stabilized approximately centrally in the lumen of the hollow body laminate 2.

[0055] After the correct positioning of the mobile irradiation platform(s) 100, in a third step M3, the hollow body laminate 2 can be irradiated with radiant energy from irradiation devices 12 installed in the chassis 11. For example, the irradiation devices 12 can have UV light sources that emit UV light outward in the radial direction of the line. The radiant energy initiates a local curing reaction in the composite layer 3 of the hollow body laminate 2. In a fourth step M4 of the method M, changes in the dielectric properties of the hollow body laminate 2 in the vicinity of the stabilizing boom 13 are detected. This is done by means of a dielectric sensor or sensors 15 attached to the end of one or more of the stabilizing booms 13 remote from the chassis (i.e., the end furthest from the chassis 11 after the stabilizing booms 13 have been deployed).The dielectric sensor 15 can, for example, be the one associated with . Fig. 3 explained structure and corresponding functionality. Through the time-resolved local measurement of the dielectric properties of the hollow body laminate 2, it is possible to determine the curing stage of the hollow body laminate 2.

[0056] Based on the changes in the dielectric properties of the hollow body laminate 2 detected by the dielectric sensor 15, operating parameters of the irradiation platform 100, such as the feed rate or irradiance of the irradiation devices 12, can also be dynamically adapted to the determined curing behavior. The measured data recorded by the dielectric sensor 15 or the multiple sensors 15 can be transmitted to an external device outside the interior of the hollow body laminate 2. This can be done, for example, via a wired transmission or wireless transmission via a data interface 19 of the mobile irradiation platform 100. The transmitted measured data can be used, for example, for real-time monitoring of the remediation process and / or for documentation purposes within the framework of quality assurance.

[0057] In the foregoing detailed description, various features have been combined into one or more examples for clarity of illustration. It should be understood, however, that the above description is merely illustrative and not restrictive in nature. It is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents of the various features and embodiments. Many other examples will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art based on their skill in the art in light of the above description.

[0058] The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best illustrate the principles underlying the invention and their possible practical applications. This will enable those skilled in the art to optimally modify and utilize the invention and its various embodiments with respect to the intended purpose. In the claims and the description, the terms "including" and "having" are used as neutral language terms for the corresponding term "comprising." Furthermore, the use of the terms "a," "an," and "an" is not intended to exclude a plurality of such described features and components.

Claims

1. Mobile irradiation platform (100), comprising: a chassis (11); one or more irradiation devices (12) that are integrated in the chassis (11), are configured so as to emit radiation energy, and comprise a radiation direction that is radial with respect to a longitudinal extent of the irradiation platform (100); and a plurality of stabilization booms (13), which are coupled to the chassis (11) and are designed so as to support the chassis (11) centrally in the interior of a hollow body (1); characterised in that the mobile irradiation platform (100) comprises at least one dielectric sensor (15), which is attached to a chassis-remote end of one of the plurality of stabilisation booms (13) and is configured so as to detect changes in dielectric properties in the vicinity of the stabilisation boom (13).

2. Mobile irradiation platform (100) in accordance with claim 1, further having: a process control device (17), which is integrated in the chassis (11) and is configured so as to dynamically adjust operating parameters of the irradiation platform (100) in the vicinity of the stabilization boom (13) in dependence upon dielectric properties that are detected by the dielectric sensor (15).

3. Mobile irradiation platform (100) in accordance with one of claims 1 and 2, further having: a platform control device (17), which is integrated in the chassis (11) and is configured so as to collect and evaluate measurement data that is acquired by means of the dielectric sensor (15).

4. Mobile irradiation platform (100) in accordance with claim 3, further having: a data interface (19), which is coupled to the platform control device (17) and is configured so as to transmit measurement data of the dielectric sensor (15), which is collected by means of the platform control device (17), to a device that is external to the platform.

5. Mobile irradiation platform (100) in accordance with claim 4, wherein the data interface (19) comprises a wireless communication module.

6. Mobile irradiation platform (100) in accordance with one of claims 1 to 5, further having: rollers (14), which are attached to the chassis-remote ends of the plurality of stabilization booms (13).

7. Mobile irradiation platform (100) in accordance with one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the one or more irradiation devices (12) comprise UV light sources.

8. Duct renovation system, having: a tubular liner, the wall of which is formed by means of a hollow body laminate (2) having a UV-curing composite layer (3); and at least one mobile irradiation platform (100) in accordance with claim 7, which is configured so as to cure the composite layer (3) of the hollow body laminate (2) of the tubular liner from the inside so as to form a hollow body (1) that forms an inner lining of a duct that is to be renovated.

9. Method (M) for curing a hollow body laminate (2), comprising: introducing (M1) a mobile irradiation platform (100) into the interior of a hollow body laminate (2) having a composite layer (3) that cures under radiant energy; supporting (M2) the mobile irradiation platform (100) on the inner wall of the hollow body laminate (2) via stabilization booms (13) that are coupled to a chassis (11) of the irradiation platform (100); irradiating (M3) the hollow body laminate (2) with radiation energy from irradiation devices (12) that are integrated in the chassis (11); characterised by detecting (M4) changes in dielectric properties of the hollow body laminate (2) in the vicinity of the stabilization boom (13) by means of a dielectric sensor (15) that is attached to a chassis-remote end of one of the stabilization booms (13).

10. Method (M) in accordance with claim 9, further comprising the step of dynamically adjusting operating parameters of the irradiation platform (100) in dependence upon changes in dielectric properties of the hollow body laminate (2) in the vicinity of the stabilization boom (13), which are detected by the dielectric sensor (15).

11. Method (M) in accordance with claim 9 or 10, further having the step of wirelessly transmitting measurement data that is acquired by means of the dielectric sensor (15) via a data interface (19) of the mobile irradiation platform (100) to an external device outside the interior of the hollow body laminate (2).

12. Method (M) in accordance with one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the irradiation devices (12) comprise UV light sources.