PACKERS FOR PIPE AND SEWER REHABILITATION

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a packer for pipe and sewer rehabilitation, comprising a front and a rear flange, between which an expandable sleeve that can be filled with a pressure medium is arranged.

[0002] Packers for the rehabilitation of pipes and sewers are already known in the art and usually consist of an expandable sleeve that is closed at both ends. A connection for air or water as the pressure medium is usually provided on one rear side, with pulling eyes that can be used for movement, for example on both sides. The packer is wrapped with a laminate / liner and inserted into the pipe to be renovated. The laminate usually consists of a fiberglass fabric or fiberglass mat that has been impregnated with a synthetic resin. After the packer with the laminate has been inserted into the area to be renovated in the sewer or pipeline, it is filled with the pressure medium, which expands and presses the laminate against the damaged area of ​​the pipe wall. After curing, the pressure medium is released and the packer is withdrawn again, for example using the pulling eye.A two-sided approach is often used for positioning.

[0003] In order to be able to rehabilitate pipes or sewers that have bends and / or are only accessible from one side, DE 10 2006 034 652 A1 proposes a packer for pipe and sewer rehabilitation in which at least one flange has a through-opening that is connected to a hollow body arranged inside the casing and sealed off from it, which extends to the opposite flange, where a blind hole or a through-opening that at least partially has a smaller diameter may be present. When inserting the packer into the pipe or sewer to be rehabilitated, a rod-shaped object can be used that is pushed through the through-opening in the first flange until it exerts a compressive force on the second flange, which is at the front during insertion. In this way, the packer is also pulled during insertion, and buckling is no longer possible.The packer can be pulled out again using a towing eyelet after the laminate has been inserted.

[0004] One problem with such rehabilitation processes is, on the one hand, bending processes at junctions, for which, for example, DE 10 2008 021 956 A1 proposed deforming the entire packer using an inner core. On the other hand, it is also difficult to place the packer in the correct location within the pipe and / or sewer system to be rehabilitated. For this purpose, a corresponding advance or pull section is often created after a length measurement.

[0005] There is therefore a need for improved positioning of the packer and the creation of a possibility to guide the packer into a branch, for example from a main pipe into an inlet.

[0006] DE 199 10 522 C1 discloses a packer. The packer consists of a concentric double tube on which the remaining parts of the packer are mounted. The space between the inner and outer tubes serves for fluid distribution. The fluid is supplied to the packer via a pipe connection. The axial outer boundary of the remaining packer parts is formed by two circumferential webs. A tubular packer structure extends between the two webs. The inner tube can be extended beyond the actual packer area and is suitable for accommodating cables for the camera and control system.

[0007] DE 102 51 823 A1 relates to a device for leak testing and / or optical inspection of pipe sections, in particular pipe connections. The device has two inflatable and deflectable sealing modules, i.e., packers. Cameras can be provided between the sealing modules and / or integrated into the front sealing module. The front sealing module can be remotely deflected in all directions by means of an internal steering mechanism, allowing the device to be guided into a branch while being observed with the front camera, with the leading sealing module deflecting accordingly under remote control.

[0008] US 2011 / 0259460 A1 relates to a milling robot with a pivoting milling head, which is mounted at the front on a rubber balloon intended to secure its position. A chain can be provided outside the robot arm intended for pivoting, which is attached to one flange and the other to the flange, thus causing a bend when the hose is filled with pressurized fluid.

[0009] The invention is based on the object of providing a packer which is improved with regard to the monitoring of a rehabilitation process and the positionability and in particular allows turning into branches.

[0010] To achieve this object, a packer having the features of claim 1 is provided. In a packer of the type mentioned above, the rear and front flanges have through-openings connected by a hollow through-opening element within the casing, sealed therefrom, through which a supply line is guided to a camera arrangement arranged adjacent to the through-opening of the front flange, which includes a camera. The camera arrangement has a radially bendable extension element, at the front end of which the camera is arranged, with the extension element being assigned an adjustment device for adjusting its radial deflection.

[0011] It is therefore proposed to attach a camera to the packer in front of the front flange, which makes it possible to monitor the packer's movement path and, in particular, to locate the correct location to be rehabilitated and to position the packer more effectively. The supply line to the camera arrangement, which includes the cable connections for the camera, is routed through the interior of the casing without hindering other use of the packer, with the feed-through element, which is designed as a hollow body, providing protection. The supply line preferably comprises a tubular eel in which cable connections can be routed. The feed-through element can, in particular, have a multiple purpose. For example, it can be provided that the rigidity of the hollow feed-through element is selected such that the distance between the two flanges remains at least substantially constant during movement and / or filling with the pressure medium.The feedthrough element extending between the two flanges also prevents kinking or other unwanted shortening of the packer during movement, which could lead to sticking of the laminate. Additionally or alternatively, the hollow feedthrough element can be radially bendable to facilitate passage through bends and / or branches. For example, the feedthrough element can be designed according to the hollow body of DE 10 2006 034 652 A1 cited above.

[0012] Particularly in this context, but also in general, it is expedient for the feedthrough openings and thus also the feedthrough element to be arranged centrally with respect to the longitudinal direction of the packer. A central arrangement is particularly advantageous with regard to stabilization and the adjustment options, which will be explained later. Furthermore, with such a configuration, the camera assembly can also be arranged centrally on the front flange.

[0013] Within the scope of the present invention, however, embodiments are also conceivable in which the feedthrough element is at least not completely centrally located. For example, a suitable embodiment can provide for the feedthrough opening of the front flange, in particular for the central attachment of the camera arrangement, to be provided centrally in the flange, while the feedthrough opening of the rear flange is provided decentrally and the feedthrough element connects the feedthrough openings in a straight line. This can be useful if a more peripheral entry of the supply line into the packer is preferred, for example, if a central point at the rear end is desired as an engagement point for rotating and pushing the packer.

[0014] According to the invention, the camera arrangement comprises a radially bendable extension element, at the front end of which the camera is arranged, wherein the extension element is assigned an adjustment device for adjusting its radial bending. Such adjustment of the camera, which forms the front end of the packer, from its longitudinal orientation is not only useful in that it enables improved perception of the surroundings, i.e., the interior of the pipe and / or sewer system, with adjustable viewing angles, but, if the extension element is designed to be sufficiently long, it can also provide a movement aid, particularly in the area of ​​branches in the pipe and / or sewer system.For example, it is conceivable to first look into a junction, such as an inlet from a main pipeline, by pivoting the camera using the adjustment device, for example to check whether the correct junction is present. Then, when the camera assembly can be bent far enough to extend into the junction, the packer is automatically moved into this preselected junction. In this way, the camera assembly serves a dual purpose: as an orientation and monitoring aid, and as a navigation aid. However, this design is not only useful for turning into junctions; it also significantly simplifies the process of navigating pipe bends or pipeline bends in general.The design of the camera assembly and the extension element, particularly with regard to their dimensions, can be selected so that the camera can capture the front flange and / or the casing of the packer and thus, for example, monitor the insertion of the laminate. In particular, the camera can be rotated up to 180°, allowing it to view backwards.

[0015] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can therefore be provided that the camera arrangement with the adjustment device is designed as part of a guide device for guiding the packer into a branch and / or the adjustment device, in particular by selecting the length and / or radial bendability of the extension element, is designed such that the camera can be pivoted radially further than the radius of a line in which the packer is moved, in particular into the branch from the line.

[0016] Such camera arrangements with a flexible extension element are already available for other applications and can also be used cost-effectively and with little effort within the scope of the present invention.

[0017] A single main packer assembly is provided, formed by the front flange, the back flange, and the casing. In other words, the packer comprises exactly one front flange, exactly one back flange, and exactly one casing.

[0018] While it is fundamentally conceivable, in a manner not according to the invention, to use an adjustment motor or other controllable adjustment actuator in the adjustment device, which can be operated and controlled from outside the pipe and / or duct system by means of the supply line and further cable connections, the invention uses a mechanical or manual adjustment that is easy to implement.

[0019] The invention thus provides that the supply line is displaceably mounted in the feed-through element and that the adjustment device has a fastening means that connects a first fastening point, which is arranged at a distance from the front flange, in particular at the front end of the extension element, to a second fastening point that is radially spaced from the through-opening of the front flange. In particular, the design is such that when the supply line and thus the camera arrangement are moved towards the front flange, a radial adjustment of the extension element and thus of the camera takes place due to the non-elastic but flexible fastening means. The camera arrangement adjoining the end of the supply line is therefore not attached directly to the front flange, but is coupled to it at a more distant point by means of the fastening means.In its basic state, the extension element is aligned entirely in the longitudinal direction and coupled to the front flange at an angle to this via the fastening means. If the supply line and thus the camera arrangement are pushed forward, the extension element is bent in the direction of the second fastening point since the fastening means is not variable in length. In this case, the camera arrangement can expediently rest against the front flange in its basic state and / or at least the part of the supply line that can be pushed through the through-opening of the front flange can be designed to be rigid. Retracting the supply line and thus the camera arrangement also continuously returns the alignment to the longitudinal direction. Expediently, there is also a locking device, which defines a maximum advance distance, particularly following the through-opening of the rear flange.This could, for example, be a clamp or similar device placed around the continuation of the supply line outside the casing. However, other designs are also conceivable to limit the permissible displacement distance, in particular the feed distance. The fastening means is a wire, which can be attached to the first and second fastening points, for example, by means of eyelets or other fixing means, and / or a tear-resistant thread, for example, a nylon thread.

[0020] It should be noted at this point that bending the extension element in a predetermined direction relative to the packer, as occurs when coupled using the fastener, still allows for visibility in all conceivable radial directions. Because rotating the packer as a whole allows the camera to view all directions. Corresponding operating options, ideally combined with advancing and / or retracting the packer as a whole, are explained in more detail below.

[0021] The extension element can preferably comprise a tightly wound spring with adjacent windings, particularly made of a metal such as stainless steel. If necessary, a restoring force to the initial state can be present in the longitudinal direction, which can be particularly advantageous for manual mechanical actuation by pushing. However, other configurations are also conceivable that, while providing sufficient flexural rigidity to maintain a flexed position, still allow adjustment by means of the adjustment device. For example, the extension element can comprise a silicone tube.

[0022] In this context, it is further advantageous if the camera assembly has a camera head with the camera that is at least substantially rounded at its edges to further facilitate guidance around corners / into junctions. For example, a substantially spherical design can be chosen.

[0023] Preferably, the supply line can be extended to a distal operating section, which is to be arranged at least partially outside the pipe or channel. Particularly with manual-mechanical movement by shifting the supply line and thus also the camera assembly, this allows for easy handling from outside the pipe and / or channel system, particularly in conjunction with a second operating option for rotating the packer and / or advancing / retracting the packer. The extension can be achieved, for example, using a sliding rod or the like.

[0024] The packer preferably also has a coupling means on the rear flange, via which a rod or the like can be coupled to enable rotation of the packer and / or advance and / or retraction of the packer. Corresponding connectable operating means and rods are already known in the prior art. The operating means is then located at least partially outside the pipe and / or channel system, in particular adjacent to the operating section of the extension of the supply line, which is designed in particular for displacement. With the operating section, the alignment of the camera to the longitudinal direction can be adjusted by sliding the camera arrangement, in order to then adjust the direction, for example, by rotating it using the operating means. The advancing and retracting in the pipe and / or channel system can also be effected mechanically and with little effort using the operating means.

[0025] Preferably, a pressure medium connection for the pressure medium can be provided on the rear flange, which has the coupling means for coupling the operating means to be used at least for rotating the packer.

[0026] An operating device can be used here, which also allows the supply and discharge of the pressure medium to combine multiple functions. The connection is then made in such a way that the packer is rotationally coupled to the operating device. The coupling device can then be, for example, a rotary rod connection, or possibly a rotary and push rod connection.

[0027] In brief, preferred embodiments of the packer according to the invention provide for a camera assembly to be attached to the front end of the packer. This assembly can be powered via a tubular eel or similar as a supply line and can be moved forwards and backwards. To enable the camera to bend, a flexible connection (wire, rope, thread (particularly nylon thread), or similar as a fastening means) is preferably established from the camera head to the packer head (front flange). To control the camera assembly, the supply line, in particular the tubular eel, is moved forwards or backwards. The range of this freedom of movement can be limited by means of a lock at the front end and the plug connection or lock at the rear end of the tubular eel. To bend into a branch, in particular an inlet, the camera assembly and / or the packer can be steered to the left or right.This can also be achieved by rotating the packer using a push rod or similar device. The maneuverability of the camera assembly significantly improves navigating pipe bends. To allow the packer to bend in any direction, the packer can be rotated using the push rods to supply air.

[0028] The supply line can have a fiberglass rod within the feedthrough element, which includes cable connections to the camera and, in particular, limits the longitudinal expansion of the packer. Such fiberglass rods with integrated cable connections are already known and extremely robust, making them particularly suitable for use in the packer. They can serve to limit the longitudinal expansion of the packer. For example, the fiberglass rod can be connected by plug connections to a supply line of the supply line connected to the rear flange and / or the front flange. A 6-pin connector is preferred, particularly if additional cable connections, for example, to LEDs of a curing device, are required.

[0029] Particularly advantageously, at least one UV light source of a curing device can be arranged within the transparent casing, particularly on the feedthrough element, which can be operated via cable connections within the supply line. If the casing of the packer is transparent, light sources, particularly UV LEDs, can be installed within the packer, enabling rapid curing using UV rays.

[0030] It is particularly preferred that the packer's casing, which can also be referred to as an inflatable tube, be made of a non-woven material. Alternatively, the casing can be fully or partially fabric-reinforced, depending on the material and design.

[0031] It can further be provided that the packer has a passage opening extending inside the packer between the two flanges for fluids from the pipe and / or sewer system, in particular wastewater. During the rehabilitation process, the fluid can then flow through this passage opening, eliminating the need for complex shutoff and pumping, and possibly diverting the fluid.

[0032] In the packer according to the invention, it can further be provided that at least one flange has a conical section on its inside, directed toward the inside of the packer, to the outside of which a retaining ring is attached or can be attached. Preferably, both flanges have such a conical section. The retaining ring(s) presses the casing of the packer against the conical section, resulting in a particularly good seal when the casing is filled with the pressure medium. The greater the internal pressure in the casing, the more strongly the casing is pressed against the conical section.

[0033] A pipe and / or sewer rehabilitation arrangement with the packer according to the invention can, for example, further comprise an output device for images from the camera, in particular a display and / or a monitor, arranged in particular on an operating arrangement with the operating means and / or the operating section. By means of the extended supply line, which contains the cable connections to the camera, image data from the camera can be transmitted to the outside and displayed on the output device. In a method for moving a packer according to the invention in a pipe and / or sewer system, the movement path of the packer, in particular also the achievement of the movement target, is monitored by means of the camera. The movement path can, in particular if an adjustment device is provided, be predetermined by adjusting the camera arrangement using the adjustment device.

[0034] Further advantages and details of the present invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments described below and from the drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a packer according to the invention in a basic state, Fig. 2 shows the first embodiment in a state of changed orientation of the camera, Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of a packer according to the invention, and Fig. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a pipe and / or sewer rehabilitation arrangement.

[0035] Fig. 1 shows a packer 1 according to the invention. The packer 1 comprises exactly one sleeve 2 serving as an outer casing in the form of an inflatable hose, which is tubular in shape and consists of an expandable, fabric-free or at least partially fabric-reinforced material. Exactly one flange 3, 4 is arranged at each of the two end sections of the sleeve 2, wherein the sleeve 2 is firmly connected to the flanges 3, 4 by means of clamping rings 5, 6. The flanges 3, 4 each have a circumferential groove (not shown in detail) to prevent the sleeve 2 from slipping off, and furthermore have a conical section 7, 8 on their inner side against which the sleeve 2 rests. A clamp 9, 10 is attached to the outside at this point.

[0036] The Fig. 1 The rear flange 3 shown on the left has an axial through-opening 11, which merges into a cylindrical, hollow through-opening element 12 inside the packer 1. At the other end of the through-opening element 12, a through-opening 13 adjoins the front flange 4, which in this case has the same diameter as the through-opening 11 in the rear flange 3. A collar 14, 15 can be provided on each of the outer sides of the flanges 3, 4.

[0037] The feedthrough formed by the feedthrough openings 11, 13 and the feedthrough element 12 is used to slidably guide a supply line 16 to a camera 17 of a camera arrangement 18. The supply line 16 contains, in particular, the cable connections 19 to the camera 17, for example, two wires for the power supply and one wire for transmitting the image data and / or controlling the camera 17. It can also contain cable connections to UV LEDs (not shown) of a curing device arranged within the then transparent casing 2.

[0038] The camera arrangement 18 comprises a camera head 20 with strongly rounded edges, which contains centrally and preferably set back the camera 17, which in the Fig. 1 shown basic state is directed forward along the longitudinal direction. In addition, a light source operable via the supply line can also be included to illuminate the field of view of the camera 17. The camera head 20, which can be made of plastic or metal, for example, is connected to the supply line 16 via an extension element 21, here a tightly wound metal spring whose windings lie against one another, and a connecting element 22. The extension element 21 is designed to be flexible. Even if in Fig. 1 The basic state is shown with the camera 17 pointing straight ahead, such that a part of the supply line 16 protrudes from the through-opening 13, but preferred embodiments are also possible in which the connecting element 22, whose diameter is larger than that of the through-opening 13, lies directly against the through-opening 13. In both cases, it forms a boundary for a sliding section of the supply line 16, which can be extended from the rear end to an operating section outside the pipe and / or duct system. Along this Fig. 1 also indicated extension, a further limitation can be provided by means of a clamp 23 or the like.

[0039] By means of a fastening means 24, here a wire and / or a thread, in particular a nylon thread, the camera arrangement 18 is coupled to the front flange 4, specifically between a first fastening point 25 on or adjacent to the front end of the extension element 21, in particular on the camera head 20, and a second fastening point 26 on the radially outer edge of the rear side of the front flange 4. Due to this coupling, when the supply line 16 is pushed out, as in Fig. 2 shown, the extension element 21 to the side of the second fastening point 26, so that the orientation of the camera 17 changes, specifically the camera 17 is pivoted to the side.

[0040] Since the length of the camera assembly 18 in this embodiment is 20 cm, the camera head 20 can also be pivoted into branching lines and, when held in such a position, guides the entire packer 1 into it. This is simplified by the rounded edges of the camera head 20.

[0041] The packer 1 further includes a pressure fluid connection 27 for supplying pressure fluid into the casing. In this case, the pressure fluid connection is also provided with a coupling means 28, in this case a rotary and push rod connection, for connecting a rotary and push rod, which also extends outside the pipe and channel system to form an operating means for rotating and pushing / retracting the packer 1. By rotating the packer 1, different viewing directions of the camera 17 can be set.

[0042] In this way, the movement path of the packer 1 in the pipe and sewer system can be monitored, and the area to be rehabilitated can be reliably located. Furthermore, the adjustable camera arrangement 18 also facilitates navigation, as described, both with regard to branches and bends to be negotiated. In particular, the feedthrough element 12 can also be designed such that it can be bent radially inside the casing 2, while maintaining the distance between the flanges 3, 4 due to its rigidity. This allows for easy passage through bends, particularly without kinking.

[0043] After reaching the site to be rehabilitated, a pressurized medium such as air or water is injected into the interior of the casing 2 via a pressurized medium connection 27, whereby a laminate wound onto the casing 2 (not shown in the figures) is pressed against the pipe and / or channel wall. The laminate is impregnated with a synthetic resin or a similar material that cures upon application of heat, in particular by means of UV LEDs, or after a predetermined time. After the curing process is complete, the pressurized medium is released, and the packer 1 is retracted using the rod coupled to the pressurized medium connection 27. The packer 1 can also be used to rehabilitate pipes and channels that are only accessible from one side.

[0044] In order to allow any wastewater or other liquids that may arise during the rehabilitation process to flow away, the packer 1 has an axial through-opening 29 for wastewater, which - like the passage - is sealed from the interior of the casing 2.

[0045] Fig. 3 shows a opposite Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 A slightly modified embodiment of a packer 1', in which, for the sake of simplicity, corresponding components are designated by the same reference numerals. In contrast to packer 1, where the through-openings 11 and 13 are provided centrally, the through-opening 11 here is provided radially outward, and the pressure medium connection 27 is centrally located to allow easier turning and pushing / pulling by means of the operating means. The through-element 12 thus runs at an angle to the longitudinal direction, but still allows the supply line 16 to be moved.

[0046] Fig. 4schematically shows the packer 1, 1' in a pipe and / or channel system 30 at a junction 31. The operating section 32 for the camera arrangement 18 has been pushed forward so that it protrudes into the junction 31. Using the operating means 33, the packer 1, 1' can then also be pushed into the junction 31. Also shown is an output device 34, here a display 35, for images from the camera 17, which can be arranged, for example, on the operating arrangement with the operating section 32 and the operating means 33.

[0047] In all embodiments, the supply line 16 can comprise a tubular eel in which the cable connections are routed. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable to use a fiberglass rod containing the cable connections within the feedthrough element 12. This can be connected to further supply lines via corresponding plug connections, particularly on both sides, for example, six-pin plug connections if the cable connections 19 for the camera 17 and for the UV LEDs are included.

Claims

1. Packer (1, 1') for pipe and sewer rehabilitation, having a front and a rear flange (4, 3) between which an expandable sleeve (2), which is fillable with a pressure medium, is arranged, wherein the rear and front flanges (3, 4) have lead-through openings (11, 13) which are connected by a hollow lead-through element (12) within the sleeve (2) so as to be sealed off with respect thereto and through which a supply line (16) is led to a camera arrangement (18), the latter being arranged so as to follow the lead-through opening (13) of the front flange (4) and having a camera (17), characterized in that the camera arrangement (18) has a radially bendable extension element (21) at the front end of which the camera (17) is arranged, wherein the extension element (21) is assigned an adjustment device for setting its radial deflection, wherein the supply line (16) is mounted in a displaceable manner in the lead-through element (12) and the adjustment device has a fastening means (24) connecting a first fastening point (25), which is spaced apart from the front flange (4) and is in particular arranged at the front end of the extension element (21), to a second fastening point (26), which is spaced apart radially from the lead-through opening (13) of the front flange (4), wherein the fastening means (24) is a wire and / or a tear-resistant thread.

2. Packer according to Claim 1, characterized in that the extension element (31) comprises a tightly wound spring with windings following one another and / or comprises a silicone tube.

3. Packer according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the camera arrangement (18) has a length of 15 to 25 cm.

4. Packer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply line (16) is extended up to a distal operating section (32) which is to be arranged at least partially outside the pipe or sewer.

5. Packer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that provision is made at the rear flange (3) of a pressure-medium connection (27) for the pressure medium, which has a coupling means (28) for the coupling of an operating means (33) which is to be used at least for turning the packer (1, 1').

6. Packer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply line has a fibreglass rod within the lead-through element (12) that comprises cable connections (19) to the camera (17).

7. Packer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stiffness of the hollow lead-through element (12) is selected such that the distance between the two flanges (3, 4) remains at least substantially constant during movement and / or filling with the pressure medium.