Communication gap seal device

Abstract

To stabilize construction quality and improve working efficiency in a sealing material supply mechanism of a communication gap seal device.SOLUTION: An annular communication gap in a regeneration pipe lining an existing pipe to be repaired is sealed by a communication gap seal device. The communication gap seal device includes: a nozzle which applies a sealing material; a movable support mechanism which movably supports the nozzle; and a sealing material supply mechanism 20 which supplies the sealing material to the nozzle. The sealing material supply mechanism 20 includes: a holder member 30 which holds a cylindrical sealing material container 10; a sealing material supply passage 23 extending from the sealing material container 10 to the nozzle; and an inside plug 40 which is housed in the sealing material container 10 so as to be movable forward or rearward. The inside plug 40 partitions the interior of the sealing material container 10 into a housing chamber 10a of the sealing material and a back pressure chamber 10b at the rear end side in an air-tight or liquid-tight manner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for repairing an existing pipe such as an aged sewer pipe by lining the inner periphery of the pipe with a rehabilitation pipe, and in particular to a device and a sealing method for sealing an annular communication gap between the periphery of a connection port with a branch pipe and the periphery of a communication port of the rehabilitation pipe when repairing an existing pipe to which a branch pipe such as an access pipe port is connected. [Background technology]

[0002] A technique for rehabilitating an existing pipe, such as an aging sewer pipe, by lining the inner surface of the pipe with a rehabilitation pipe is known (see Patent Documents 1 and 2, etc.). Generally, an intermediate portion of an existing pipe, such as a sewer pipe (main pipe), is provided with a connection port (main pipe port) for connecting to a branch pipe, such as an annex pipe. A communication port that connects to the connection port is formed in the rehabilitation pipe. Furthermore, an annular communication gap between the periphery of the connection port and the periphery of the communication port is sealed.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, a packer with putty applied to its outer periphery is placed across the communicating gap and expanded to fill the communicating gap with the putty.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a communication gap sealing device equipped with a nozzle and a sealant supply mechanism. The nozzle is movably supported by a movable support mechanism. The sealant supply mechanism is provided with a cartridge (sealant container) filled with sealant. With the nozzle pointed toward the communication gap, compressed air is introduced into the cartridge by operating the sealant supply mechanism. This forces the sealant out of the cartridge and supplies it to the nozzle, where it is applied to the communication gap. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-089959 A (0007) [Patent Document 2] JP 2023-177218 A (0007, 0059) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The sealing method for the communication gap in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 requires time and effort for construction. In contrast, the communication gap sealing device of Patent Document 2 can efficiently seal communication gaps. Furthermore, because the sealant supply mechanism uses compressed air to push out the sealant, it can be made smaller and take up less space than a rod cylinder system. However, there have been cases where compressed air gets into the sealant path when the sealant supply mechanism is operating, resulting in so-called air entrapment. This can cause the applied sealant to be scattered by the air, resulting in unstable application quality and a decrease in work efficiency due to the time required for correction. In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to prevent so-called air entrapment, in which fluids such as compressed air enter the sealant path in the sealant supply mechanism of a communicating gap sealing device, thereby stabilizing construction quality and improving work efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a communication gap sealing device that seals an annular communication gap formed between a periphery of a connection port connected to a branch pipe in an existing pipe to be repaired and a periphery of a communication port connected to the connection port in a rehabilitation pipe lined on the inner surface of the existing pipe, a nozzle for applying a sealant; a movable support mechanism that movably supports the nozzle; a sealant supply mechanism that supplies the sealant to the nozzle, The sealing material supply mechanism a holder member for holding a cylindrical sealant container; a sealant supply path connected to a discharge port at the axial tip of the sealant container and extending to the nozzle; an inner plug that is accommodated in the sealant container so as to be able to advance and retreat in the axial direction and that airtightly or liquidtightly divides the interior of the sealant container into an accommodation chamber for the sealant and a back pressure chamber that is located on the rear end side of the accommodation chamber in the axial direction; a rear end closing portion that closes a rear end of the back pressure chamber; a fluid pressure introduction passage communicating with the back pressure chamber; The present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0008] In this communicating gap sealing device, while the nozzle is directed toward the communicating gap by the movable support mechanism, the sealant supply mechanism supplies sealant from the sealant container to the nozzle, and the sealant is applied from the nozzle to the communicating gap, thereby sealing the communicating gap. The movement by the movable support mechanism preferably includes translational movement in three dimensions and rotational movement. In the sealant supply mechanism, fluid pressure, such as compressed air, is introduced into the back pressure chamber through the fluid pressure introduction passage. The fluid pressure in the back pressure chamber pushes the inner plug toward the tip in the axial direction, forcing the sealant in the sealant container into the sealant supply passage and supplying it to the nozzle. The interior of the sealant container is airtightly or liquidtightly divided into a storage chamber and a back pressure chamber by the inner stopper, preventing the compressed fluid in the back pressure chamber from entering the storage chamber and the sealant supply path (sealant path). This prevents the compressed fluid from being discharged from the nozzle together with the sealant. This prevents the applied sealant from splashing, stabilizing application quality. Furthermore, the need to clean up splashed sealant is eliminated, improving work efficiency.

[0009] Preferably, the holder member is cylindrical and closely surrounds the sealant container from the outer periphery. When the fluid pressure in the back pressure chamber pushes the inside plug toward the axial tip, the sealant in the housing chamber is compressed, causing the sealant container to expand radially. The holder member restricts the sealant container from the outer periphery against this expansion force. This prevents the sealant container from expanding and deforming, and maintains a sealed state between the inner periphery of the sealant container and the outer periphery of the inside plug. This reliably prevents the compressed fluid in the back pressure chamber from entering the housing chamber.

[0010] Preferably, the inner plug has a through passage formed therein that penetrates from the surface facing the storage chamber to the surface facing the back pressure chamber, and the through passage is provided with a check valve that prevents flow toward the tip end in the axial direction and allows flow toward the rear end. As a result, if there is residual fluid such as air in the sealant container further forward in the axial direction than the inside plug, when the inside plug is pushed toward the front end in the axial direction by the fluid pressure in the back pressure chamber, the residual fluid can be discharged to the back pressure chamber side through the check valve in the through passage, thereby preventing a pressure increase of the residual fluid. On the other hand, the compressed fluid introduced into the back pressure chamber can be prevented from flowing into the accommodation chamber side through the through passage.

[0011] Preferably, the sealant container includes a cylindrical container body and an inner lid provided in the container body so as to be movable in the axial direction, The inner plug is abutted against the inner lid from the rear end side. The inner cover defines the rear end of the chamber. The fluid pressure in the back pressure chamber pushes the inner lid and inner plug together toward the tip, discharging the sealing material. If residual fluid such as air exists between the inner plug and the inner lid, the residual fluid can be discharged to the back pressure chamber side via the check valve in the through passage.

[0012] Preferably, an annular inner plug outer peripheral seal member is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inner plug to seal against the inner peripheral surface of the sealing material container. This reliably prevents the compressed fluid in the back pressure chamber from passing between the inner peripheral surface of the sealing material container and the inside plug and entering the storage chamber.

[0013] Preferably, the sealant container includes a cylindrical container body and an inner lid provided in the container body so as to be movable back and forth in the axial direction, the inner lid having a cover plate defining a rear end surface of the storage chamber and an annular peripheral frame portion protruding rearward from an outer peripheral edge of the cover plate, The inner plug includes a plug body portion and a plug tip side portion that protrudes from the plug body portion toward the tip side in the axial direction and is fitted into the inner lid, The inside plug outer peripheral seal member is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the plug body portion. The plug tip side portion is preferably fitted into the peripheral frame portion of the inner lid and abuts against the lid plate from behind. By providing the inner plug outer peripheral seal member on the plug body portion, it is possible to reliably seal the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the sealing material container and the inner plug, thereby reliably preventing the compressed fluid from flowing into the storage chamber.

[0014] Preferably, the rear end closing portion has a rear end cap fitted from the outer periphery to the rear end of the holder member. More preferably, the rear end closing portion has a rear end closing member that is attached to the holder member via the rear end cap and fitted into the rear end of the sealant container, and an annular rear end seal member is provided on the outer periphery of the rear end closing member to seal between it and the inner periphery of the sealant container. The rear end cap presses the rear end of the holder member from the outer periphery, preventing the rear end of the holder member from expanding. Therefore, when pressure is introduced into the back pressure chamber, the holder member reliably restricts the rear end of the sealant container from expanding radially. Furthermore, the rear end closing member and rear end sealing member reliably close the rear end of the sealant container, preventing outside air and water from entering the sealant container. This prevents the sealant in the storage chamber from reacting with outside air and water and hardening. Furthermore, it reliably prevents fluid in the back pressure chamber from leaking to the outside. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] The communicating gap sealing device according to the present invention can prevent fluids such as compressed air from entering the sealant path, thereby stabilizing the quality of construction and improving work efficiency. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an existing pipe being rehabilitated, showing how a communication gap is sealed by a communication gap sealing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the application attachment in the communicating gap sealing device of FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2, showing the cartridge holder of the application attachment in a state before the sealant is applied. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the cartridge holder with the sealing material applied partway. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 shows the repair of an aged existing pipe 1. In this embodiment, the existing pipe 1 to be repaired is an aged main sewer pipe. One or more (two are shown in FIG. 1) bayonet pipes 2 (branch pipes) are connected to the main sewer pipe. A bayonet pipe inlet 2a (a connection port to the branch pipe) at the end of each bayonet pipe 2 is connected to the inside of the main sewer pipe 1. The objects to be repaired are not limited to sewer pipes, but may also be water supply pipes, agricultural water pipes, hydroelectric power generation water pipes, gas pipes, tunnels, etc.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, a rehabilitation pipe 3 is lined along the inner surface of an existing pipe 1, which is a sewer main pipe. The rehabilitation pipe 3 is formed as a spiral pipe, for example, by spirally winding a strip-shaped member 3a (profile) made of synthetic resin. A plurality of ribs 3r are formed spirally on the outer periphery of the rehabilitation pipe 3. The cross-sectional shape of the ribs 3r may be T-shaped or may be a rectangular hollow cross-section. In this embodiment, the rehabilitation pipe 3 is attached around the entire circumference of the existing pipe 1, but the bottom of the rehabilitation pipe 3 may be seated on the bottom of the existing pipe 1, while the upper part of the rehabilitation pipe 3 may be separated from the inner surface of the upper part of the existing pipe 1. The rehabilitation pipe 3 is not limited to a spiral pipe made of a strip-shaped member 3a, but may be made of a resin tube.

[0019] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a communication port 3b is formed in the rehabilitation pipe 3 at a location facing each attachment pipe port 2a. The communication port 3b is drilled using a drilling machine (not shown). The attachment pipe port 2a is connected to the interior of the rehabilitation pipe 3 via the communication port 3b. In the inter-pipe gap 4 between the existing pipe 1 and the rehabilitation pipe 3, the annular portion surrounding the communication port 3b constitutes a communication gap 4c. The communication gap 4c is defined between the end face 2e of the attachment pipe 2 (the periphery of the connection port) and the periphery 3c of the communication port 3b in the rehabilitation pipe 3. The communication gap 4c is sealed with a sealing material 9.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, a communication gap sealing device 5 for sealing the communication gap 4c is disposed inside the rehabilitating pipe 3. The communication gap sealing device 5 includes a traveling carriage 6 that can travel inside the rehabilitating pipe 3, and an application attachment 7. The traveling carriage 6 is provided with a tension mechanism 6x consisting of an X-shaped link. The tension mechanism 6x allows the traveling carriage 6 to be fixed at any position in the rehabilitating pipe 3 in the pipe axial direction.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 1, an application attachment 7 is provided via a boom 6b on the front side of the traveling carriage 6. The application attachment 7 is supported by the boom 6b so that its height, position in the vehicle length direction (left and right direction in Fig. 1), and angle around a rotation axis along the vehicle length direction can be adjusted.

[0022] 2, the application attachment 7 includes an operating mechanism 7a supported at the tip of the boom 6b, a nozzle 7b, and a sealant supply mechanism 20. The nozzle 7b is provided at the upper end of the operating mechanism 7a. The operating mechanism 7a supports the nozzle 7b so that it can rotate around a main shaft 7c perpendicular to the vehicle length direction, and so that it can elastically advance and retreat in the main shaft direction (up and down direction in FIG. 2) and in the main shaft radial direction (left and right direction in FIG. 2).

[0023] The traveling carriage 6, boom 6b, and operating mechanism 7a in the communicating gap sealing device 5 constitute a movable support mechanism 8 that movably supports the nozzle 7b. The nozzle movement by the movable support mechanism 8 preferably includes translation and rotation in three dimensions.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the sealant 9 is made of a paste-like viscous fluid such as silicone. The sealant 9 is placed in a sealant container 10 (cartridge) and set in a sealant supply mechanism 20 of the communicating gap sealing device 5. As shown in FIG. 3, the sealant container 10 includes a cylindrical container body 11 and an inner lid 12. The container body 11 and the inner lid 12 are made of a relatively hard resin. The container body 11 is preferably formed in a cylindrical shape. A discharge outlet 13 is provided at the axial tip of the container body 11. The sealant 9 is placed inside the container body 11.

[0025] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, an inner lid 12 is provided on the rear end side (left side in Figure 4) of the storage chamber 10a of the sealing material 9 in the container body 11. The inner lid 12 preferably has a circular lid plate 12a and an annular peripheral frame portion 12b. The rear end surface of the storage chamber 10a is defined by the lid plate 12a. Consequently, the rear end portion of the storage chamber 10a is defined by the inner lid 12. The peripheral frame portion 12b protrudes rearward from the outer peripheral edge of the lid plate 12a. The outer diameter of the inner lid 21 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the container body 11, so that the inner lid 21 can be advanced and retreated in the axial direction of the container body 11 (left and right direction in Figure 4). A commercially available or general-purpose product may be used as the sealant container 10 (cartridge of the sealant 9).

[0026] 2, the sealing material supply mechanism 20 includes a cartridge holder 21, a fluid pressure introduction passage 22, and a sealing material supply passage 23. The cartridge holder 21 includes a holder member 30, a front closing portion 31, a rear closing portion 32, and an inner plug 40.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, the holder member 30 is formed in a cylindrical (tubular) shape with a diameter slightly larger than that of the cartridge consisting of the sealant container 10. The sealant container 10 is housed in the holder member 30. The holder member 30 surrounds and holds the sealant container 10 so that it is close to the outer periphery. The clearance between the inner periphery of the holder member 30 and the outer periphery of the sealant container 10 is preferably 1 mm or less, and more preferably 0.6 mm or less. The holder member 30 has rigidity that restricts the later-described expansion of the sealant container 10. The material of the holder member 30 may be metal or hard resin as long as it has such rigidity.

[0028] A tip closing portion 31 is provided at the tip (right end in FIG. 3) in the axial direction (left-right direction in FIG. 3) of the holder member 30. The tip closing portion 31 includes a tip closing member 33 and a tip cap 35. The tip closing member 33 is fitted into the tip opening of the holder member 30, thereby closing the tip of the holder member 30. The tip cap 35 is fitted onto the tip of the holder member 30 from the outer periphery by screw connection, and presses down on the tip closing member 33 to prevent it from coming off. An annular holder tip seal member 37, such as an O-ring, is provided on the outer periphery of the tip closing member 33. The seal member 37 provides a seal between the inner periphery of the tip of the holder member 30 and the outer periphery of the tip closing member 33.

[0029] The shoulder of the sealant container 10 abuts against an inner surface 33a of the tip closing member 33 that faces the storage chamber 10a. An annular container tip sealing member 39 such as an O-ring is provided on the inner surface 33a. The sealing member 39 seals the gap between the shoulder of the sealant container 10 and the inner surface 33a of the tip closing member 33.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 3, an L-shaped outlet pipe 25 is provided at the tip closing portion 31. The outlet port 13 of the sealant container 10 is connected to the inner end (the left end in Fig. 3) of the outlet pipe 25. A supply hose 27 extends from the outer end of the outlet pipe 25. As shown in Fig. 1, the tip of the supply hose 27 is connected to the nozzle 7b. The outlet pipe 25 and the supply hose 27 form a sealant supply path 23. Furthermore, the storage chamber 10a and the sealant supply path 23 form a sealant path 29.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 3, a rear end closing portion 32 is provided at the axial rear end portion (left end portion in Fig. 3) of the holder member 30. The rear end closing portion 32 includes a rear end closing member 34 and a rear end cap 36. The rear end cap 36 is fitted to the rear end portion of the holder member 30 from the outer periphery side by screw connection. The rear end closing member 34 is attached to the rear end portion of the holder member 30 via the rear end cap 36. The rear end portion of the holder member 30 is closed by the rear end closing portion 32.

[0032] Furthermore, the rear end closing member 34 protrudes from the engaging portion with the rear end cap 36 toward the axial tip side (right side in FIG. 3 ) and is fitted into the rear end opening of the container body 11 of the sealant container 10. The rear end of the sealant container 10 is closed by the rear end closing member 34. An annular rear end sealing member 38 such as an O-ring is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rear end of the sealant container 10. The sealing member 38 seals the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the rear end of the sealant container 10 and the outer peripheral surface of the rear end closing member 34.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 3, an L-shaped introduction pipe 26 is provided in the rear end closing portion 32. The inner end (the right end in Fig. 3) of the introduction pipe 26 reaches and opens onto the inner surface 34a of the rear end closing member 34. The downstream end of the air tube 24 is connected to the outer end of the introduction pipe 26. The upstream end of the air tube 24 is connected to a compressed air source P (fluid pressure source). The air tube 24 and the introduction pipe 26 form a fluid pressure introduction path 22.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, the inner plug 40 of the cartridge holder 21 is housed in the container body 11 of the sealing material container 10. The inner plug 40 integrally includes a plug body portion 41 and a plug tip side portion 42. The plug tip side portion 42 protrudes from the plug body portion 41 toward the tip side in the axial direction (to the right in Figure 3). The plug tip side portion 42 is fitted into the peripheral frame portion 12b of the inner lid 12. The tip of the plug tip side portion 42 abuts against the lid plate 12a from behind. This allows the inner plug 40 and the inner lid 12 to be fitted together as a unit.

[0035] The stopper body 41 protrudes axially rearward (leftward in FIG. 3 ) beyond the inner lid 12. Two (or more) annular inner plug outer peripheral seal members 43, such as O-rings, are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the stopper body 41. The seal members 43 seal between the inner peripheral surface of the sealing material container 10 and the outer peripheral surface of the inner stopper 40. The two seal members 43 are arranged at an interval in the axial direction of the inner stopper 12. The number of seal members 43 is not limited to two, and may be three or more, or may be just one.

[0036] 3 and 4, the inner plug 40 can be advanced and retreated in the axial direction of the sealant container 10 while maintaining the seal provided by the seal member 43. As shown in Fig. 4, the inner plug 40 airtightly divides the interior of the sealant container 10 into a storage chamber 10a for the sealant 9 and a back pressure chamber 10b located axially rearward of the storage chamber 10a (on the left side in Fig. 4).

[0037] The back pressure chamber 10b is defined between the inner plug 40 and the rear end closing portion 32 inside the sealing material container 10. As the inner plug 40 advances and retreats in the axial direction (left and right in FIG. 4), the volume of the back pressure chamber 10b expands and contracts in the axial direction. The rear end portion (left end portion in FIG. 4) of the back pressure chamber 10b is closed by the rear end closing portion 32. A fluid pressure introduction passage 22 communicates with the back pressure chamber 10b.

[0038] 3 and 4, the inside plug 40 has a through-hole 44 formed therein, which penetrates in the axial direction from a front end surface 40a facing the accommodation chamber 10a to a rear end surface 40b facing the back pressure chamber 10b. The diameter of the through-hole 44 increases in a stepped manner from the rear end side in the axial direction to the front end side. The portion of the through-hole 44 on the axial front end side forms a large-diameter hole 44a that opens to the front end surface 40a.

[0039] A check valve 45 (check valve) is provided in the through passage 44. The rear end of the check valve 45 is fitted into and fixed to the intermediate diameter portion of the through passage 44. The front end of the check valve 45 faces the inside of the large diameter hole 44a. The check valve 45 blocks flow toward the front end side (right side in FIG. 3) in the axial direction and allows flow toward the rear end side (left side in FIG. 3).

[0040] The communicating gap sealing device 5 is used as follows. The nozzle 7b is directed toward the communication gap 4c by the movable support mechanism 8 (FIG. 1). In the sealing material supply mechanism 20, air pressure (fluid pressure) from the compressed air source P is introduced into the back pressure chamber 10b through the fluid pressure introduction passage 22. The air pressure in the back pressure chamber 10b pushes the inner plug 40 together with the inner lid 12 toward the tip end in the axial direction (to the right in FIG. 3). As a result, the sealant 9 is extruded from the sealant container 10 into the sealant supply path 23, supplied to the nozzle 7b, and applied to the communicating gap 4c from the nozzle 7b, thereby sealing the communicating gap 4c.

[0041] The inside of the sealant container 10 is airtightly divided into the storage chamber 10a and the back pressure chamber 10b by the inner plug 40, which prevents the compressed air a (compressed fluid) in the back pressure chamber 10b from entering the sealant path 29. By providing the seal member 43 on the plug body 41 of the inner plug 40, it is possible to reliably seal the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the sealant container 10 and the inner plug 40, and it is possible to reliably prevent the compressed air a from entering the sealant path 29.

[0042] Moreover, the two rows of sealing members 43 can stabilize the position of the inner plug 12 inside the sealant container 10, preventing the axis of the inner plug 12 from tilting or shifting relative to the axis of the sealant container 10. Therefore, the back pressure chamber 10b and the storage chamber 10a can be reliably separated airtightly, and the compressed air a in the back pressure chamber 10b can be more reliably prevented from entering the sealant path 29.

[0043] This prevents the compressed air a from being discharged from the nozzle 7b together with the sealing material 9, thereby preventing the occurrence of so-called air entrapment. As a result, scattering of the applied sealant 9 can be prevented, and the quality of application can be stabilized. In addition, the work of correcting scattering can be eliminated, and work efficiency can be improved.

[0044] When the inside plug 40 is pushed toward the axial tip by the air pressure in the back pressure chamber 10b, the sealant 9 in the storage chamber 10a is compressed, causing the sealant container 10 to expand radially. The holder member 30 restricts the sealant container 10 from the outer periphery against this expansion force. This prevents the sealant container 10 from expanding and deforming, and maintains a state in which the inner periphery of the sealant container 10 is in close contact with the seal member 43. This maintains a sealed state between the inner periphery of the sealant container 10 and the outer periphery of the inside plug 40, reliably preventing the compressed air a in the back pressure chamber 10b from entering the storage chamber 10a and, ultimately, reliably preventing air entrapment.

[0045] Furthermore, the tip of the holder member 30 can be pressed from the outer periphery by the tip cap 35. Therefore, the tip of the holder member 30 can reliably prevent the tip of the sealant container 10 from expanding radially when the sealant 9 is discharged. Furthermore, the rear end cap 38 can press the rear end of the holder member 30 from the outer periphery, preventing the rear end of the holder member 30 from expanding. Therefore, when air pressure is introduced into the back pressure chamber 10b, the rear end of the holder member 30 can reliably restrict the rear end of the sealant container 10 from expanding radially.

[0046] Furthermore, the rear end of the sealant container 10 can be reliably closed by the rear end closing portion 32 including the rear end sealing member 38. This prevents outside air and water from entering the sealant container 10. This prevents the sealant 9 in the storage chamber 10a from reacting with outside air and water and hardening. Furthermore, the compressed air a in the back pressure chamber 10b can be reliably prevented from leaking to the outside.

[0047] When replacing the sealant container 10 (cartridge) after using up the sealant 9 in the sealant container 10, for example, the screws on the front cap 35 or rear cap 36 are loosened to remove the front closing part 31 or rear closing part 32, and the used sealant container 10 is removed from the cartridge holder 21. At this time, the inner stopper 40 inside the sealant container 10 is removed from the cartridge holder 21 together with the used sealant container 10. The inside plug 40 may be separated from the used sealant container 10 and fitted into the rear end of a new sealant container 10, thereby allowing for reuse.

[0048] Then, a new sealant container 10 is placed in the cartridge holder 21, and the front end closing portion 31 or the rear end closing portion 32 is reattached. At this time, when an attempt is made to fit the plug front side portion 42 of the inside plug 40 into the inner lid 12 of the new sealant container 10, the residual air b (residual fluid) between the inside plug 40 and the inner lid 12 can flow out to the back pressure chamber 10b through the check valve 45 of the through passage 44. This prevents an increase in fitting resistance due to a pressure increase of the residual air b, and makes it easy to fit the plug front side portion 42. This in turn makes it easy to attach and detach the inside plug 40.

[0049] Alternatively, even if the inner plug 40 and the inner lid 12 are separated and residual air b exists between them, when air pressure is introduced into the back pressure chamber 10b to apply the sealing material 9 and the inner plug 40 is pushed toward the tip in the axial direction, the residual air b passes through the check valve 45 and flows out into the back pressure chamber 10b. This prevents the pressure of the residual air b from increasing, and allows the inner plug 40 to abut against the inner lid 12. It also prevents the residual air b from mixing with the sealing material 9 in the storage chamber 10a.

[0050] On the other hand, the check valve 45 can prevent the compressed air a in the back pressure chamber 10b from flowing through the through passage 44 into the accommodation chamber 10a side.

[0051] The sealant supply mechanism 20 uses compressed air a to push out the sealant 9, which allows for a more compact and space-saving design compared to the rod cylinder system, which pushes out the sealant inside the cylinder by pushing the piston rod into the cylinder. Therefore, it can accommodate a small diameter of the communication port 3b.

[0052] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the fluid introduced into the back pressure chamber 10b from the fluid pressure introduction passage 22 may be a liquid such as water. The inside of the sealing material container 10 may be liquid-tightly partitioned by the inner plug 40 into the storage chamber 10a and the back pressure chamber 10b. [Industrial Applicability]

[0053] The present invention can be applied to, for example, the rehabilitation of deteriorated sewer pipes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1 Existing pipes 2. Attachment pipe (branch pipe) 2a Attachment pipe port (connection port to branch pipe) 2e End face of the installation pipe (edge ​​of the connection port) 3 Rehabilitation pipe 3b Communication port 3c Connection port periphery 4 Pipe gap 4c Connecting gap 5. Connecting gap sealing device 7b Nozzle 8 Movable support mechanism 9 Sealant 10 Sealant container (cartridge) 10a Containment Cell 10b Back pressure chamber 11 Container body 12 Inner lid 12a Lid plate 12b Peripheral frame 13 Outlet 20 Sealant supply mechanism 21 Cartridge holder 22 Fluid pressure introduction path 23 Sealant supply line 29 Sealant Route 30 Holder member 31 Tip occlusion 33 Tip closure member 33a Inside surface 35 Tip cap 37 Holder tip seal member 39 Container tip sealing member 32 Posterior end closure part 34 Rear end blocking member 36 Rear end cap 38 Rear end seal member 40 Inner stopper 40a Tip surface (surface facing the storage chamber) 40b Rear end surface (surface facing the back pressure chamber) 41 Plug body part 42 Plug tip side 43 Inner plug outer peripheral seal member 44 Passage 45 Check valve a Compressed air (compressed fluid) b Residual air (residual fluid)

Claims

1. A communication gap sealing device that seals an annular communication gap formed between a periphery of a connection port connected to a branch pipe in an existing pipe to be repaired and a periphery of a communication port connected to the connection port in a rehabilitation pipe lined on the inner surface of the existing pipe, a nozzle for applying a sealant; a movable support mechanism that movably supports the nozzle; a sealant supply mechanism that supplies the sealant to the nozzle, The sealing material supply mechanism a holder member for holding a cylindrical sealant container; a sealant supply path connected to a discharge port at the axial tip of the sealant container and extending to the nozzle; an inner plug that is accommodated in the sealant container so as to be able to advance and retreat in the axial direction and that airtightly or liquidtightly divides the interior of the sealant container into an accommodation chamber for the sealant and a back pressure chamber that is located on the rear end side of the accommodation chamber in the axial direction; a rear end closing portion that closes a rear end of the back pressure chamber; a fluid pressure introduction passage communicating with the back pressure chamber; A communicating gap seal device comprising:

2. 2. The communicating gap sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the holder member is cylindrical and closely surrounds the sealant container from the outer periphery.

3. 2. The communicating gap seal device according to claim 1, wherein the inner plug has a through passage formed therein that penetrates from the surface facing the storage chamber to the surface facing the back pressure chamber, and the through passage is provided with a check valve that prevents flow toward the tip end in the axial direction and allows flow toward the rear end.

4. the sealant container includes a cylindrical container body and an inner lid provided in the container body so as to be movable back and forth in the axial direction, 4. The communicating gap sealing device according to claim 3, wherein the inner plug is abutted against the inner lid from the rear end side.

5. The communicating gap sealing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an annular inner plug outer peripheral seal member is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inner plug to seal between the inner peripheral surface of the sealing material container.

6. the sealant container includes a cylindrical container body and an inner lid provided in the container body so as to be movable back and forth in the axial direction, the inner lid having a cover plate defining a rear end surface of the storage chamber and an annular peripheral frame portion protruding rearward from an outer peripheral edge of the cover plate, The inner plug includes a plug body portion and a plug tip side portion that protrudes from the plug body portion toward the tip side in the axial direction and is fitted into the inner lid, 6. The communication gap sealing device according to claim 5, wherein the inner plug outer peripheral seal member is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the plug body portion.

7. The connecting gap sealing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rear end closing portion has a rear end cap fitted from the outer peripheral side to the rear end of the holder member, and a rear end closing member attached to the holder member via the rear end cap and fitted into the rear end of the sealant container, and the outer peripheral surface of the rear end closing member is provided with an annular rear end sealing member that seals between it and the inner peripheral surface of the sealant container.

Images