Device, method and system for drawing a liner into a tube by means of an inversion method

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (300) for drawing a liner (20) into a tube (10) by means of an inversion method, comprising a pressure container (310) which can be applied with a pressure for inverting the liner (20); a shaft (320) that is rotatably mounted in an interior (312) of the pressure container (310) and has a rotatably mounted end (322) and a free end (324), wherein the shaft (320) is designed to unwind the liner (20) for inversion; and a first limiting element (330) arranged at the free end (324) of the shaft (320) and decoupled from a rotational movement of the shaft (320), wherein the first limiting element (330) is designed to limit a movement of the liner (20) in a direction parallel to an axis of rotation (DA) of the shaft (320), wherein the pressure container (310) comprises a supply access (340) for at least one curing device (100) that can be connected to a first end (22) of the liner (20).

Description

[0001] Device, method and system for pulling a liner into a pipe using an inversion process

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a device for pulling a liner into a pipe using an inversion method, and to a method and system for pulling a liner into a pipe using an inversion method. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a simplified inversion method that can be performed without interruption, in particular without pressure drop or pressure interruption.

[0003] State of the art

[0004] Pipes for sewage systems, for example, can be rehabilitated by pulling a flexible tubular liner with a resin-impregnated interior into the pipe using an inversion process. During this inversion process, air or water is introduced into the interior of the liner, causing the liner to progressively conform to the inner wall of the pipe. To pressurize the interior of the liner, one end of the liner can be attached to an air or water supply device. The other end of the liner, which is pulled into the pipe, can be closed, e.g. with a knot, a cap, or an adhesive. The closed end of the liner moves into the pipe as the liner is progressively inverted. The liner is inverted as it is inserted into the pipe, meaning that the outside of the liner is the inside of the liner after the pipe has been inserted.

[0005] After the liner has been pulled in, the resin or curable coating of the liner can be cured with heat and / or UV light so that the liner bonds firmly to the pipe and thus reseals any leaking pipe. For this purpose, a curing head connected to the closed end of the liner can be pulled into the pipe together with the liner. The curing head can be connected to the closed end of the liner halfway through the inversion process or is pulled into the pipe halfway through the inversion process. In particular, half of the liner has already been pulled into the pipe at this point. To put it another way, one end of the liner is attached to the outlet of a pressure vessel or drum and the rest of the liner is wound up inside the drum.If pressure is now applied to the inside of the drum, the wound liner is turned inside out into the pipe and then rests against the inside of the pipe. This means that when the closed end of the liner leaves the drum, this closed end of the liner moves further into the pipe so that at the end of the insertion or inversion process the closed end of the liner is at the far end of the pipe. In order to connect the curing head to the closed end of the liner, the inversion process usually has to be interrupted. To do this, a lock located between the drum and the pipe is closed so that the pressure in the liner can be maintained. The drum is then vented and the curing head can be fed in via an access on the lock and connected to the closed end of the liner.After connecting the curing head to the sealed end of the liner, the lock is closed. The drum can be pressurized again, and the liner is pressed or inserted further into the pipe, taking the curing head connected to the sealed end of the liner with it. The pressure drop in the drum during coupling of the curing head may cause the liner to collapse.

[0006] In another conventional solution, which does not use a lock between the drum and the liner, the pressure in the liner must also be released in order to couple the curing device to the liner.

[0007] After the liner and curing head have been pulled into the pipe, the connection between the curing head and the liner can be released and the curing head can be pulled back to the inlet of the pipe using a pull cable or pull rope and under heat and / or light radiation in order to cure the resin.

[0008] In particular, stopping the inversion process halfway through to connect the curing head to the sealed end of the liner is time-consuming and represents a potential source of error. Furthermore, a separate lock is required, which increases the size of the device and makes it difficult to use in confined spaces.

[0009] Disclosure of the invention

[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a device for pulling a liner into a pipe using an inversion method and a method for pulling a liner into a pipe using an inversion method, which enable an inversion process without interruption. In particular, it is an object of the present disclosure to reduce the size of a device for pulling a liner into a pipe using an inversion method and to improve the manageability of the system.

[0011] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims. According to an independent aspect of the present disclosure, a device for pulling a liner into a pipe by means of an inversion method is specified. The device comprises a pressure vessel to which pressure can be applied for inverting the liner; a shaft that is rotatably mounted in an interior of the pressure vessel and comprises a rotatably mounted end and a free end, wherein the shaft is configured to unroll the liner for inversion; and a first limiting element that is arranged at the free end of the shaft and is decoupled from a rotational movement of the shaft, wherein the first limiting element is configured to limit a movement of the liner in a direction parallel to a rotational axis of the shaft, wherein the pressure vessel has a supply access.

[0012] The supply access is preferably arranged in a lateral container wall which is opposite the free end of the rotatable shaft and / or the first limiting element.

[0013] In a second embodiment, the supply access can be arranged in the vessel wall or in the peripheral surface of the pressure vessel, which is adjacent to the lateral vessel wall opposite the free end of the rotatable shaft. In this case, the supply access is then opposite the outlet opening, with the shaft arranged therebetween.

[0014] The supply port can be located in the peripheral area of ​​the pressure vessel or in the vessel wall opposite the free end of the shaft. This means that the supply port opens into the free space between the first limiting element and the side vessel wall.

[0015] When the curing device is supplied via a supply access in the circumferential surface of the pressure vessel as well as in the vessel wall opposite the free end of the shaft, the flexible connecting element is guided from the side, i.e., through the first limiting element, to the liner, so that it cannot become knotted or tangled. This supply access is preferably arranged in the circumferential surface of the pressure vessel between the first limiting element and the lateral vessel wall of the pressure vessel, i.e., in and above the free space between the first limiting element and the lateral vessel wall of the pressure vessel.

[0016] In the second embodiment, the supply access is therefore not located in the area of ​​the lateral container wall which is essentially transverse to the axis of rotation of the shaft.

[0017] The supply access is provided to pull at least one curing device, which can be connected to a first end of the liner, into the pressure vessel and into the liner. Preferably, a distance is provided between the free end of the shaft and the lateral vessel wall to ensure that a connecting element can be guided past the free end of the shaft or to ensure that the connecting element can be guided through the first limiting element to the liner and coupled thereto. Thus, the first limiting element can rotate freely or decoupled from the shaft within the pressure vessel. In addition, the distance between the axis of rotation of the shaft and the vessel wall can be greater than the distance between the vessel wall and a circumference of the first limiting element.

[0018] Preferably, the opening of the supply access in the container wall is adapted to the size of a curing head of the curing device in order to insert or guide the curing head through the supply access into the pressure container or into the liner.

[0019] Preferably, the supply access is arranged between the outlet opening and the shaft axis in the side container wall.

[0020] Preferably, the supply access has an opening that is larger than the diameter of the shaft.

[0021] The opening of the supply access is preferably smaller or at most the same size as the outlet opening.

[0022] If the supply access is arranged in the peripheral surface of the pressure vessel, the opening can be laterally offset or at least partially overlapping with an inner opening of the outlet opening.

[0023] The inner opening of the outlet opening can be larger than an outer opening of the outlet opening. Preferably, the container wall extends conically from the inner opening of the outlet opening to the outer opening of the outlet opening.

[0024] The inner opening of the outlet opening can be arranged so that the liner can be guided into the inner opening of the outlet opening as it is unwound from the shaft. Preferably, the inner opening of the outlet opening substantially completely overlaps a portion of the shaft.

[0025] Preferably, the opening of the supply access is offset from a cross-section of the shaft. The term "inversion process", as used in the present disclosure, refers to a process in which a flexible tubular or hose-shaped liner with, for example, a resin-impregnated interior is pulled into a pipe. For this purpose, a medium such as air or water is introduced into the interior of the liner, whereby the liner progressively adheres to the inner wall of the pipe. In order to be able to pressurize the interior of the liner, one end of the liner is attached to an air or water supply device. The other end of the liner, which is pulled into the pipe, is closed. As the liner is progressively inverted, the closed end moves into the pipe in order to line the inner wall of the pipe, whereby the resin-impregnated inner side of the liner rests against the inner wall of the pipe after being pulled in or inverted.

[0026] The method described above (prior art) for blowing the liner into the pipe is also fundamentally applied to the device and method according to the invention. However, there are at least the following differences: The pressure vessel has a supply inlet for the curing device. The supply inlet can be sealed pressure-tight. A limiting element within the pressure vessel is freely rotating and mounted on the end of the shaft on the side of the supply inlet. The inversion process can be carried out without interrupting the pressure. The pressure can be maintained until the liner has cured and / or can no longer collapse.

[0027] Preferably, the device is configured so that the at least one curing device can be connected to the first end of the liner before the inversion process begins in the interior of the pressure vessel. This allows the inversion process to be carried out without interruption. In particular, it is not necessary to interrupt the inversion process halfway through in order to connect the curing device to the first or closed end of the liner. Furthermore, a lock for connecting the curing device halfway through the inversion process can be omitted, thereby reducing the size of the device.

[0028] Preferably, the first limiting element is decoupled from the rotational movement of the shaft in order to prevent a flexible connecting element, which connects the at least one curing device to the first end of the liner, from winding onto the shaft and / or the first limiting element. A gap is provided between the first limiting element or the free end of the shaft to guide the flexible connecting element between the first limiting element of the container wall in order to prevent the flexible connecting element from becoming tangled or wound up. In other words, the structural design of the device prevents the curing device, its supply, etc., from interfering with the unwinding mechanism of the liner and from getting caught on projections or edges or from kinking. This allows the inversion process to be carried out without interruption.In particular, it is no longer necessary to interrupt the inversion process halfway through to connect the curing device to the first or closed end of the liner. Furthermore, a lock for connecting the curing device halfway through the inversion process can be eliminated, thus reducing the size of the device.

[0029] In some embodiments, the flexible connecting element may be a rope.

[0030] Preferably, the device is configured to continuously pressurize the pressure vessel from the beginning of the inversion process until the end of the inversion process. In other words, the inversion process can be carried out without intermediate venting of the pressure chamber.

[0031] Preferably, the pipe is a pipe or channel to be rehabilitated, such as a sewer. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the pipe may be any pipe into which a liner can be inserted for the purpose of reinforcement and / or rehabilitation.

[0032] The liner is made of a flexible material, such as corrosion-resistant synthetic and / or glass fibers.

[0033] The liner is prepared with a curable material that adheres to the inner wall of the pipe after being pulled in or folded inside out. The curable material can be a resin, for example. In some embodiments, the curable material can be cured by irradiating it with energy, such as heat energy or light, particularly UV light.

[0034] The supply access is preferably configured for a power supply and / or compressed air supply to the at least one curing device. In particular, at least one supply line can be passed through the supply access in order to supply the at least one curing device with energy and / or compressed air from an external power source. This supply line can be designed as a pull cable or as a compressed air hose with a cable for the power supply. After decoupling, the curing device is retracted from the closed end of the liner using the pull cable or the compressed air hose. The curing device can be cooled by compressed air during the curing process. A handwheel is preferably arranged outside the pressure vessel and is connected to the shaft, in particular on the mounted side of the shaft, in order to control winding or unwinding of the liner.

[0035] Preferably, a retaining cable is attached to the closed end of the liner. This cable is also wound onto the shaft and is pulled into the pipe as the liner is pulled into the pipe. The retaining cable serves to prevent uncontrolled retraction of the liner. This can occur particularly when the liner is halfway inserted into the pipe. By moving the shaft via the handwheel, the speed at which the liner is pulled into the pipe can be controlled. For this purpose, the retaining cable can be wound onto the shaft first and is connected or coupled to the closed end of the liner. The retaining cable is at least the same length as the liner.

[0036] Preferably, the first limiting element is freely rotatably mounted at the free end of the shaft. For example, the first limiting element can be mounted on the free end of the shaft by a pivot bearing, so that the first limiting element is decoupled from the rotational movement of the shaft. Thus, the first limiting element can remain stationary upon contact with the at least one supply line of the at least one curing device during the inversion process, allowing the inversion process to continue without disruption.

[0037] Preferably, the first limiting element comprises a recess through which the at least one curing device can be passed in order to be drawn into the pipe with the end of the liner. In particular, the at least one supply line can extend through the recess during the inversion process. Since the first limiting element is decoupled from the rotational movement of the shaft, the first limiting element can remain stationary during the inversion process, allowing the inversion process to continue without disruption. The recess is large enough to allow the curing head and the supply line of the curing device to pass through the recess.

[0038] In some embodiments, the recess is a hole or a passage in the first boundary element. For example, the first boundary element can be a wheel or a circular disk, and the recess can be present between two spokes of the wheel and, for example, be configured as a circular segment. In other words, the at least one supply line can extend between the two spokes during the inversion process.

[0039] Preferably, the first limiting element comprises (or is) a disc and / or a wheel. In particular, the first limiting element can be a limiting disc. Preferably, the device further comprises a second limiting element arranged at the mounted end of the shaft, wherein the second limiting element is configured to limit movement of the liner in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the shaft. In particular, the first limiting element and the second limiting element can be spaced apart from one another, wherein the shaft extends from the first limiting element to the second limiting element. In the space thus provided between the first limiting element and the second limiting element, the liner can be wound onto the shaft before the start of the inversion process and unwound from the shaft during the inversion process.

[0040] In some embodiments, the second limiting element may be rigidly connected to the shaft. In other words, the second limiting element may be coupled to the rotational movement of the shaft and rotate with the shaft as the liner unrolls.

[0041] In some embodiments, the second limiting element comprises (or is) a disc and / or a wheel. In particular, the second limiting element may be a limiting disc.

[0042] Preferably, the shaft, the first limiting element and the second limiting element form a drum reel.

[0043] The at least one curing device is configured to emit energy, such as heat or light, particularly UV light, to cure the liner drawn into the pipe. Typically, the at least one curing device comprises one or more LEDs.

[0044] The at least one curing device and / or the supply line can be equipped with one or more cameras to record the liner in front of and / or behind the curing device and to transmit the image information via the supply line to a control unit for display.

[0045] Preferably, several curing devices, such as several LEDs, are arranged concentrically on a cylindrical curing head. This allows for comprehensive irradiation of the inside of the tube. Compressed air can be supplied via the supply line to cool the LEDs.

[0046] Preferably, the at least one curing device is connected to the first end of the liner (closed end) by a coupling. The coupling can be released, for example, electrically or pneumatically, after the liner has been pulled into the pipe, so that the curing device can be withdrawn from the pipe and radiated energy to cure the liner.

[0047] After removing the curing device from the pipe, the closed end of the liner can be cut open, for example, from the other side of the pipe. It is also possible to mill the closed end of the liner using a milling device to reopen the pipe. The milling device can be subsequently inserted into the cured liner.

[0048] According to a further independent aspect of the present disclosure, a device for pulling a liner into a pipe using an inversion method is provided. The device comprises a pressure vessel that can be pressurized to invert the liner; a shaft that is rotatably mounted in an interior of the pressure vessel; and a first limiting element for the liner that is decoupled from a rotational movement of the shaft.

[0049] The device can be combined with the aspects of the device described above.

[0050] According to a further independent aspect of the present disclosure, a device for pulling a liner into a pipe using an inversion method is provided. The device comprises a pressure vessel that can be pressurized to invert the liner; and a shaft that is rotatably mounted in an interior of the pressure vessel and comprises a rotatably mounted end and a free end, wherein the shaft is configured to unroll the liner for inversion.

[0051] According to a further aspect, the pressure vessel has an inspection window in one area. The inspection window can be open, for example, during the winding of the liner before the start of the inversion process to control the winding of the liner onto the shaft or to align the liner on the shaft, e.g., manually. The liner can also be guided through the inspection window.

[0052] The device can be combined with the aspects of the previously described devices.

[0053] According to a further independent aspect of the present disclosure, a system for inverted pulling of a liner into a pipe is provided, comprising: a device as described above, a liner that can be coupled to the outlet opening of the device; and a curing device that can be introduced into the pressure vessel and the liner via the supply access and is configured to emit radiation for curing the liner, wherein the device is configured such that the at least one curing device can be connected to the first end of the liner before the inversion begins in the interior of the pressure vessel.

[0054] The system may include a control unit and the device may be connected to a control unit.

[0055] The control unit can monitor the pressure supply to the pressure vessel. A pressure sensor can be installed in the pressure vessel for this purpose. The pressure vessel can be equipped with a safety valve to prevent the liner from bursting if the pressure is too high.

[0056] Furthermore, the control unit can control the power supply to the curing head and / or a temperature monitor. The control unit can have a display unit to show various parameters of the device, e.g., pressure, temperature at the curing head, power consumption of the curing head, and images from the at least one camera.

[0057] Furthermore, a winding device can be provided which releases or guides the supply line when the curing head is pulled into the liner and winds up the supply line again when the curing head is retracted.

[0058] According to a further independent aspect of the present disclosure, a method for pulling a liner into a pipe using the device described in this document is provided. The method comprises connecting the at least one curing device to the first end of the liner; applying pressure to the pressure vessel in order to pull the liner inside out starting from a second end of the liner into the pipe, wherein the at least one curing device is pulled into the pipe together with the first end of the liner; detaching the at least one curing device from the first end of the liner after the liner has been completely pulled into the pipe; and pulling the at least one curing device out of the pipe and radiating energy to cure the liner.

[0059] The method for pulling a liner into a pipe can implement the aspects described with respect to the device for pulling a liner into a pipe using an inversion method. According to the invention, the shaft from which the liner is unrolled during the inversion process is supported on one side. Furthermore, the limiting element at the free end is decoupled from the rotational movement of the shaft. This ensures that a supply line for the curing device introduced through the supply access does not interfere with the unrolling mechanism of the liner. This allows the curing device to be connected to the first or closed end of the liner even before the inversion process begins. As a result, the inversion process can be carried out without interruption. In particular, it is not necessary to interrupt the inversion process halfway through in order to connect the curing device to the first or closed end of the liner.In addition, a lock for connecting the curing device halfway through the inversion process can be omitted, which can reduce the size of the device.

[0060] Short description of the drawings

[0061] Embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated in the figures and are described in more detail below. They show:

[0062] Figure 1 shows schematically the insertion of a liner and a curing head into a pipe,

[0063] Figure 2 schematically shows a withdrawal of the curing head from the pipe in order to cure the liner, Figure 3 schematically shows a sectional view of a device for pulling a liner into a pipe by means of an inversion method according to embodiments of the present disclosure, Figure 4 schematically shows a further view of the device for pulling a liner into a pipe of Figure 3, and

[0064] Figure 5 is a flow diagram of a method for pulling a liner into a pipe using an inversion method according to embodiments of the present disclosure,

[0065] Figure 6 shows a schematic sectional view of a device for inserting a liner with liner and curing device,

[0066] Figure 7 is a sectional view of an alternative device for inserting a liner.

[0067] Embodiments of the disclosure

[0068] In the following, unless otherwise stated, the same reference symbols are used for identical and equivalent elements.

[0069] Figures 1 and 2 schematically show an inversion process for a liner 20. In particular, Figure 1 schematically shows a drawing of a liner 20 and a curing head 100 into a pipe 10, and Figure 2 schematically shows a drawing of the curing head 100 out of the pipe 10 in order to cure the previously drawn liner 20.

[0070] Inversion techniques may be used to rehabilitate and / or strengthen a pipe 10 using a liner 20. The liner 20 may be made of a flexible material, such as corrosion-resistant synthetic and / or glass fibers.

[0071] In detail, the liner 20 can have an interior impregnated with a curable material. In some embodiments, the curable material can be a resin. The liner 20 can be pulled into the pipe 10 in a pull-in direction 1 or pressed into the pipe 10 by pressure, as shown in Figure 1, so that the interior impregnated with the curable material is turned outward and adheres to the inner wall of the pipe 10. For this purpose, for example, air or water can be introduced into the interior of the liner 20, whereby the liner 20 progressively adheres to the inner wall of the pipe 10. To apply pressure to the interior of the liner 20, one end of the liner 20 can be attached to an air or water supply device (not shown). The other end 22 of the liner 20, which is pulled into the pipe 10, is closed, for example, with a knot, a closure or a cap.The closed end 22 moves into the pipe 20 as the liner 20 is progressively turned inside out.

[0072] After the liner 20 has been pulled in, the curable material of the liner 20 can be cured with heat and / or UV light S so that the liner 20 bonds firmly to the pipe 10. For this purpose, a curing head 100, which is connected, for example, via a flexible connecting element 110, e.g., a short rope, to the closed end 22 of the liner 20, can be pulled into the pipe 10 together with the liner 20. After the liner 20 and the curing head 100 have been pulled into the pipe 10, the connection between the curing head 100 and the liner 20 can be released. For this purpose, an electrical signal can be supplied, for example, via the supply line 120 in order to deactivate an electromagnet at the front end of the curing head 100. Likewise, the flexible connecting element 110 can be pneumatically decoupled or detached from the front end of the curing head 100.As shown in Figure 2, the curing head 100 can then be pulled back to the inlet of the pipe 10 by means of a supply line 120 and under heat and / or light radiation S in a withdrawal direction 2, which is opposite to the retraction direction 1, in order to cure the curable material. The required voltage can be supplied to the curing head 100 via the pull cable or the supply line 120. Furthermore, compressed air can be supplied via the supply line 120 to cool the curing head 100. Figure 3 schematically shows a sectional view of a device 300 for pulling a liner into a pipe using an inversion method according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 4 schematically shows another view of the device 300 for pulling a liner into a pipe of Figure 3.

[0073] The device 300 comprises a pressure vessel 310, which can be pressurized to invert the liner (not shown). The pressure vessel 310 can also be designed as a drum, preferably a cylindrical drum. The pressure vessel 310 has a first lateral vessel wall 314, a second vessel wall 315 opposite the first lateral vessel wall, and a peripheral surface 317.

[0074] The liner 20 emerges from an outlet opening 316 of the pressure vessel 310, which is opposite the pipe. The outlet opening 316 is arranged on the circumferential surface of the drum. The liner 20 is attached to the outlet opening 316 and thus folds over through the outlet opening 316 into the pipe.

[0075] The device 300 further comprises a shaft 320, which is rotatably mounted in an interior space 312 of the pressure vessel 310 and comprises a rotatably mounted end 322 and a free end 324. The shaft 320 is configured to unroll the liner 20 for inversion. The shaft 320 is positioned transversely to the outlet opening 316.

[0076] The device 300 further comprises a first limiting element 330, which is arranged at the free end 324 of the shaft 320 and is decoupled from a rotational movement of the shaft 320. The first limiting element 330 is configured to limit a movement of the liner 20 in a direction parallel to a rotational axis DA of the shaft 320. This prevents the liner 20 from slipping off the shaft 320 as it rolls off.

[0077] The pressure vessel 310 comprises a vessel wall 314 with a supply access 340 for at least one curing device 100 connectable to a first end of the liner 20. The supply access 340 is arranged in a region of the vessel wall 314 which is opposite the free end 324 of the shaft 320, or the vessel wall 314 with the supply access 340 is located on the side of the pressure vessel 310 on which the first limiting element 330 is arranged to rotate freely on the shaft 320.

[0078] There is sufficient clearance between the free end 324 of the shaft 320 and the vessel wall 314 to guide the flexible connecting element 110 past the shaft 320 and the first limiting element 330. The shaft does not extend across the entire width of the pressure vessel 310. This means that the pressure vessel 310 is wider in the area of ​​the shaft 320 (parallel to the axis of rotation) than on its peripheral surface.

[0079] The supply inlet 340, located on the side of the pressure vessel 310, is positioned as close as possible to the shaft 320 to require as little movement as possible for the flexible connecting element 110. On the other hand, however, good access for the curing device 100 to the outlet opening 316 should also be ensured. Thus, the supply line 120 and the curing head 100 can be guided to the outlet opening 316 without kinks and with as little friction as possible.

[0080] The at least one curing device 100 is connectable or connected to the first end (closed end) of the liner even before the inversion process begins in the interior 312 of the pressure vessel 310. Furthermore, the first limiting element 330 is decoupled from the rotational movement of the shaft 320 in order to prevent a flexible connecting element 110 (e.g., a cable) that connects the at least one curing device 100 to the first end of the liner 20 from winding onto the shaft 320 and / or with or on the first limiting element 330. In other words, the structural design of the device 300 prevents the curing device 100, its supply, etc., from interfering with the unwinding mechanism of the liner. This means that the curing device 100 can be connected or coupled to the first end of the liner 20 even before the pressure vessel 310 is closed.Thus, it is not necessary to release the pressure in the pressure vessel 310 in order to connect the liner 20, which has already been blown in half, to the curing device 100.

[0081] This allows the inversion process to be performed without interruption. In other words, the pressure vessel 310 can be continuously pressurized from the beginning of the inversion process to the end of the inversion process. In particular, it is not necessary to interrupt the inversion process halfway through to connect the curing device 100 to the first or closed end of the liner 20. Furthermore, a lock for connecting the curing device 100 halfway through the inversion process can be omitted, thereby reducing the size of the device 300.

[0082] In some embodiments, the supply inlet 340 in the container wall 340 includes a seal 341 through which the supply line 120 is routed to supply a power supply and / or compressed air / cooling air for the at least one curing device 100. The seal prevents unwanted air leakage from the closed system. In particular, the supply line 120 can be routed through the supply inlet 340 to supply the at least one curing device 100 with energy and / or compressed air from an external power source (not shown).

[0083] The shaft 320 comprises the rotatably mounted end 322 and the free end 324. In other words, the shaft 320 is mounted on one side. The end 322 of the shaft 320 can be rotatably mounted by a pivot bearing 350, in particular on the pressure vessel 310 or the vessel wall 314. The region of the vessel wall 314 on which the shaft 320 is rotatably mounted and the region of the vessel wall 314 on which the supply access 340 is arranged can be opposite sides or opposite regions of the pressure vessel 310. The supply access 340 is arranged between the pivot point or axis of rotation of the shaft of the pressure vessel 310 and the outlet opening 316. It can be aligned towards the outlet opening 316 or inclined to the axis of rotation of the shaft 320 in order to facilitate feeding the curing device 100 to the outlet opening 316. The opening of the supply access 340 is larger than the diameter of the shaft.The opening preferably does not overlap with the diameter of the shaft but is located close to the shaft.

[0084] Optionally, the device 300 includes a handwheel 370 outside the pressure vessel 310. The handwheel 370 can be connected to the shaft 320 and enables manually controlled winding and inversion (unwinding) of the liner through the outlet opening 316.

[0085] The first limiting element 330 is freely rotatably mounted on the free end 324 of the shaft 320. For example, the first limiting element 330 can be mounted on the free end 324 of the shaft 320 by a pivot bearing 361, so that the first limiting element 330 is decoupled from the rotational movement of the shaft 320.

[0086] In some embodiments, the first limiting element 330 comprises at least one recess 332 through which the at least one curing device 100 can be passed to be drawn into the pipe with the end of the liner 20. The flexible connecting element 110 for connecting the curing device 100 to the closed end of the liner 20 can also be passed through the at least one recess 332.

[0087] In particular, the at least one supply line 120 can extend through the recess 332 during the inversion process. Since the first limiting element 330 is decoupled from the rotational movement of the shaft 320, the first limiting element 330 can remain stationary while the curing device 100 is retracted into the pipe, so that the inversion process can continue without impairment. The recess 332 is aligned with the outlet opening 316 such that the curing device 100 can be retracted as freely as possible to the outlet opening 316 and then into the liner 20. The curing device 100, in particular the curing head 100, and the supply line 120 can be inserted into the liner with as few bends as possible.

[0088] The recess 332 can be a hole or a passage in the first boundary element 330. For example, the first boundary element 330 can be a wheel, and the recess 332 can be present between two spokes 334 of the wheel. In other words, the at least one supply line 120 of the curing device 100 can extend between the two spokes 334 during the liner inversion process.

[0089] In some embodiments, the device 300 further comprises a second limiting element 360 arranged at the supported end 322 of the shaft 320, wherein the second limiting element 360 is configured to limit movement of the liner 20 in a direction parallel to the rotational axis DA of the shaft 320. The second limiting element 360 is thus arranged between the handwheel 370 and the first limiting element 330. The region of the shaft onto which the liner 20 is wound and from which the liner 20 is unwound during injection is arranged between the first limiting element 320 and the second limiting element 360. The diameter of the cylindrical pressure vessel 310 can be larger than the width of the shaft 320 between the first and second limiting elements 330, 360.

[0090] In particular, the first limiting element 330 and the second limiting element 360 can be spaced apart from one another, with the shaft 320 extending from the first limiting element 330 to the second limiting element 360. In the space thus provided between the first limiting element 330 and the second limiting element 360, the liner 20 can be wound onto the shaft 320 before the start of the inversion process and can be unwound from the shaft 320 during the inversion process in order to be drawn into the pipe or inverted through the outlet opening 316. To wind the liner 20 onto the shaft 320, the liner 20 is preferably passed through the outlet opening 316 or the inspection window 390. Since the closed end of the liner 20 is wound onto the shaft 320 first, the closed end is immediately connected to the head of the curing device 100.Due to the freely rotatable end, the flexible connecting element 110 between the curing device 100 and the closed end is not wound up.

[0091] In some embodiments, the second limiting element 360 may be rigidly connected to the shaft 320. In other words, the second limiting element 360 may be coupled to the rotational movement of the shaft 320 and rotate with the shaft 320 as the liner unrolls. In some embodiments, the second limiting element 360 comprises (or is) a disc and / or a wheel. In particular, the second limiting element 360 may be a limiting disc.

[0092] Preferably, the shaft 320, the first limiting element 330, and the second limiting element 360 form a drum reel. The first limiting element 330 and the second limiting element 360 can be constructed similarly and differ in their rotatability relative to the shaft 320.

[0093] Optionally, the device 300 can further comprise an inlet 380. Water, in particular warm water, for curing epoxy resin can be introduced into the liner through the inlet 380. Furthermore, the device can have a valve (not shown) via which pressure can be released in a controlled manner. This is necessary, for example, after the liner has been completely blown into the pipe. The curing head 100 is then retracted and activated in order to cure the resin of the liner via a supply of light or heat. The curing head 100 becomes very hot and must be cooled. This cooling takes place via an air or compressed air supply via the supply line 120. Before the curing head 100 is retracted, the pressurization of the liner is regulated down or stopped. The air supplied via the supply line 120 for cooling thus represents a further air supply, although the volume in the pipe no longer changes.This additional air can be released in a controlled manner via the valve (not shown) to prevent the liner from bursting or becoming damaged.

[0094] Furthermore, the pressure vessel 310 may have an inspection window 390 on its outer circumference to look into the interior of the pressure vessel 310 and to monitor the unwinding process of the liner 20 or to correct the winding process with the inspection window 390 open.

[0095] The first limiting element 330 and the second limiting element 360 within the pressure vessel 310 serve to control the winding or unwinding of the liner from the shaft or to ensure that the liner 20 remains on the shaft 320 during winding or unwinding.

[0096] Figure 5 shows a flowchart of a method 500 for pulling a liner into a pipe according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 500 uses the apparatus for pulling a liner into a pipe using an inversion method of the present disclosure.

[0097] The method 500 comprises, in block 510, connecting the at least one curing device 100 to the first end of the liner; in block 520, applying pressure to the pressure vessel 310 in order to pull the liner 20 inside out, starting from a second end of the liner 20, into the pipe, wherein the at least one curing device 100 is pulled into the pipe together with the first end of the liner 20; in block 530, detaching the at least one curing device 100 from the first end of the liner 20 after the liner 20 has been completely pulled into the pipe; and in block 540, pulling the at least one curing device 100 out of the pipe while radiating energy to cure the liner.

[0098] According to the invention, the shaft 320, from which the liner 20 is unrolled during the inversion process, is mounted on one side. In addition, the first limiting element 330 at the free end is decoupled from the rotational movement of the shaft 320. This ensures that a supply line 120 for the curing device 100 introduced through the supply access 340 does not interfere with the unrolling mechanism of the liner. The curing device 100 can thus be connected to the first or closed end of the liner 20 before the start of the inversion process. As a result, the inversion process can be carried out without interruption, i.e., without pressure interruption. In particular, it is not necessary to interrupt the inversion process halfway through in order to connect the curing device 100 to the first or closed end of the liner 20.In addition, a lock for connecting the curing device 100 halfway through the inversion process can be omitted, thereby reducing the size of the device.

[0099] The following describes how the device 300 is prepared for pulling in a liner 20. A retaining cable 40 is located on the shaft 320 and serves to control the advancement or insertion of the liner 20 into the pipe 10 during the inversion process. When the liner 20 is blown into the pipe 10 by pressurization, the retaining cable 40 can be used to ensure that the liner is blown into the pipe evenly or inverted. For this purpose, the handwheel 370 on the pressure vessel 310 is slowly turned to prevent the liner from being blown into the pipe abruptly. The retaining cable 40 is connected to the closed end of the liner 20. Before the liner 20 is wound onto the shaft 320, the flexible connecting element 110, which is coupled to the curing device 100, is connected to the closed end of the liner 20. The flexible connecting element 110 can, for example,by means of an electromagnet with the curing device 100. This electromagnet is activated and thus the flexible connecting element 110 is connected to the curing device 100 or curing head 100. The liner 20 is then wound onto the shaft 320, preferably through the outlet opening 316 or the inspection window 390. In the process, the flexible connecting element 110, which is attached to the curing head 100, only twists, similar to a plug on a cable drum. Due to the freely rotating limiting element 330, the flexible connecting element 110 is not wound onto the shaft 320 or becomes tangled with the limiting element 330. The liner 20 is wound onto the shaft 320 until only a short piece of the liner 20 protrudes from the outlet opening 316. For this purpose, the handwheel 370 is preferably turned in the opposite direction to the feed direction.The protruding or projecting end of the liner 20 is wrapped around an edge of the outlet opening 316 and secured there, e.g., by clamps or pipe clamps / hose clamps, cable ties, etc., which secure the liner to the edge of the outlet opening 316. The outlet opening 316 is then aligned with the pipe, and the injection or inversion process is started by the control unit 400 shown in Fig. 6 by applying pressure. Before the pressure vessel 310 is pressurized, the supply access 340 is closed. Thus, the pressure vessel 310 is tightly sealed, and when pressurized, the liner 20 can only exit from the outlet opening 316 in the pipe 10. In the process, it is turned inside out. The longer the pressure persists, the further the liner 20 migrates into the pipe.The uniform advance of the liner into the pipe is controlled by the holding cable 40, which is wound onto the shaft 320 and connected to the closed end of the liner 20, or by turning the handwheel 370. After the liner has been unwound from the shaft 320, i.e. when the closed end of the liner with the coupled flexible connecting element 110 and the curing device 100 coupled thereto are pulled towards the outlet opening 316, the first freely rotating limiting element 330 stops rotating and the curing device 100 can be pulled through the recess 332 into the pipe or into the liner 20 within the pipe. The liner then moves further into the pipe with the curing device 100. This is continued until the closed end of the liner has reached the far end in the pipe. The pressure inside the liner is approximately 0.45 bar.Then, the flexible connecting element 110 is decoupled from the curing device 100 via a release mechanism, and the curing device 100 is activated and pulled out of the pipe. The flexible connecting element 110 remains at the far end of the pipe. When the curing head is retracted, it is activated, so that the resin of the liner is cured by means of the emitted light or heat. The curing device 100 can be connected to the pull cable or supply line 120. This can also ensure the power supply and / or cooling air supply for the curing device 100.

[0100] Figure 6 shows the pressure vessel 310 similar to Figure 3, but showing the liner 20 and the curing device 100 with the flexible connecting element 110 and the supply line 120. The supply line 120 is connected to the control unit 400, which contains a display unit 410 on which the parameters of the inversion process are shown. The holding cable 40, which is connected to the closed end 22 of the liner 20, is shown on the shaft 320. The flexible connecting element 110 is also connected to the closed end 22 of the liner 20. Figure 6 shows a state in which the liner 20 is secured to the outlet opening 316. If the system is now further pressurized, the liner 20 is blown further into the pipe (not shown). In doing so, it takes the curing head 100 and the connected supply line 120 into the pipe 10.The holding cable 40 is then also pulled into the pipe and can be guided via the handwheel 370 until the closed end 22 of the liner 20 reaches the end of the pipe or until the maximum liner length is reached.

[0101] Figure 7 shows an alternative device for pulling in a liner. Here, the supply access 340 is arranged in the circumferential surface 317 of the pressure vessel 310. The supply access 340 for the curing device 100 is located in a region of the circumferential surface 317 of the pressure vessel 310 that overlaps with the free area outside the shaft 320 and does not overlap, or only insignificantly overlaps, the shaft 320. This ensures that the curing head 100 with the coupled connecting element 110 can be coupled to the liner 20 or the closed end 22 of the liner 20 through the first limiting element 330. Since the first limiting element 330 does not rotate with the shaft 320 and is decoupled from it, the connecting element 110 does not wind up onto the shaft 320.

[0102] Although the invention has been illustrated and explained in detail by means of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations may be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore clear that a multitude of possible variations exist. It is also clear that the embodiments mentioned by way of example are truly only examples and should not be construed as limiting the scope, possible applications, or configuration of the invention in any way.Rather, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete terms, whereby the person skilled in the art, with knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, can make various changes, for example with regard to the function or the arrangement of individual elements mentioned in an exemplary embodiment, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A device (300) for pulling a liner (20) into a pipe (10) by means of an inversion process, comprising: a pressure vessel (310) which can be pressurized to invert the liner (20); a shaft (320) which is rotatably mounted in an interior (312) of the pressure vessel (310) and comprises a rotatably mounted end (322) and a free end (324), wherein the shaft (320) is configured to unroll the liner (20) for inversion; and a first limiting element (330) arranged at the free end (324) of the shaft (320) and decoupled from a rotational movement of the shaft (320), wherein the first limiting element (330) is configured to limit a movement of the liner (20) in a direction parallel to a rotational axis (DA) of the shaft (320), wherein the pressure vessel (310) comprises a supply access (340) for at least one curing device (100) connectable to a first end (22) of the liner (20).

2. Device (300) according to claim 1, wherein the supply access (340) is arranged in a container wall (314) of the pressure container (310) which is opposite the free end (324) of the shaft (320) or in a peripheral surface of the pressure container (310).

3. Device (300) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device (300) is arranged to continuously apply pressure to the pressure vessel (310) from a start of the inversion to an end of the inversion.

4. Device (300) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the supply access (340) is configured to allow a power and / or pressure supply for the at least one curing device (100) to pass through in a sealing manner.

5. Device (300) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first limiting element (330) is freely rotatably attached to the free end (324) of the shaft (320).

6. Device (300) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first limiting element (330) is mounted by means of a rotary bearing (361) on the free end (324) of the shaft (320).

7. Device (300) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first limiting element (330) comprises a disc with at least one recess (332) through which the at least one Curing device (100) is feasible in order to be drawn into the pipe (10) with the first end (22) of the liner (20).

8. Device (300) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the length of the shaft (320) is shorter than a width of the pressure vessel (310) in the region of the axis of rotation of the shaft (320).

9. Device (300) according to one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a second limiting element (360) arranged on the mounted end (322) of the shaft (320), wherein the second limiting element (360) is configured to limit movement of the liner (20) in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation (DA) of the shaft (320).

10. The device (300) of claim 9, wherein the shaft (320), the first limiting element (330) and the second limiting element (360) form a drum reel.

11. A system for the inverted pulling of a liner into a pipe, comprising: a device (300) according to any one of the preceding claims, a liner (20) which can be coupled to the outlet opening (316) of the device (300); and a curing device (100) which can be introduced into the pressure vessel and the liner (20) via the supply access (340) and is configured to emit radiation (S) for curing the liner (20), wherein the device (300) is configured such that the at least one curing device (100) can be connected to the first end (22) of the liner (20) before the inversion begins in the interior of the pressure vessel (310).

12. System according to claim 10, wherein the first limiting element (330) is decoupled from the rotational movement of the shaft (320) in order to prevent a flexible connecting element (110) connecting the at least one curing device (100) to the first end (22) of the liner (20) from winding up on the shaft (320) and / or the first limiting element (330), in particular wherein the flexible connecting element (110) is a rope.

13. A method (500) for pulling a liner (20) into a pipe (10) with the device (300) according to one of claims 1 to 10 and a curing device (100), comprising the steps: Connecting (510) the at least one curing device (100) to the first end (22) of the liner (20); Applying (520) a pressure to the pressure vessel (310) in order to pull the liner (20) into the pipe (10) starting from a second end of the liner (20), wherein the at least one curing device (100) is drawn into the pipe (10) together with the first end (22) of the liner (20); Detaching (530) the at least one curing device (100) from the first end of the liner (20) after the liner (20) has been completely pulled into the pipe (10); and Pulling (540) the at least one curing device (100) out of the tube (10) and emitting light and / or heat to cure the liner (20).

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