MOVING IRRADIATION PLATFORM FOR HOLLOW LAMINATE AND METHOD FOR CURING HOLLOW LAMINATE

Abstract

A mobile irradiation platform, particularly for use in pipe lining processes for sewer or manhole renovation, comprising a chassis (11), one or more irradiation devices (12) mounted on the chassis (11) and configured to emit radiant energy and having a radiation direction extending radially relative to the longitudinal extent of the mobile irradiation platform (100), a plurality of stabilizing arms (13) articulated to the chassis (11) and designed to centrally support the chassis (11) inside the hollow body (1), and at least one dielectric sensor (15) mounted on an end remote from the chassis of one of the plurality of stabilizing arms (13) and designed to detect changes in dielectric properties around the stabilizing arm (13).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile irradiation platform with a radiant energy source positionable within a flexible hollow body for curing a laminate of hollow body walls, and further to a method for curing a laminate forming a hollow body wall with radiant energy introduced from the mobile irradiation platform. [Background technology]

[0002] Pipeline systems, i.e. networks of adjacent hollow bodies such as pipes, ducts or manhole systems, must be repaired in the event of defects, breaks or holes in the pipeline walls, especially in the case of difficult-to-reach pipe systems, such as underground systems, where repairs are often difficult and the results must be as permanent and reliable as possible.

[0003] For example, in the case of sewerage systems, thorough quality assurance is required to ensure that the target condition of the repaired sewer system parts or components meets at least the requirements of newly constructed sewerage systems. In addition to trenchless or trenchless renewal methods, renovation methods, also known as lining methods, can be used to renovate sewerage systems. These methods have the advantage that they can ideally be carried out completely without surface excavation or underground intervention. Lining methods allow for the repair of entire pipeline sections, not just specific locations, in a single operation. Lining methods use so-called inliners, which are lining laminates that are installed inside the existing pipeline section and, after installation, form the new inner wall of the existing sewer section.

[0004] Depending on the type, structure, and layout of the sewer system, lining methods are further classified into pipe array lining, spiral wound lining, pipe section lining, tight lining, and pipe lining. Pipe lining, currently one of the most suitable methods, involves impregnating flexible pipe made of a carrier material with a reactive resin. This flexible pipe, also called a pipe liner, is placed in a flexible state within the pipeline section to be repaired and is then firmly pressed against the inner wall of the existing pipeline using air or hydraulic pressure. The reactive resin can be cured by localized energy input, so that after curing, the pipe liner forms a socketless resin pipe reinforced with the carrier material as a new lining for the existing (defective) pipe.

[0005] A typical pipe liner typically has a multi-wall structure and can be formed as a laminate of different layers. An optional inner film made of high-density polyethylene or polyurethane, optionally reinforced with styrene, one or more outer films, with or without a styrene barrier and with or without fabric reinforcement, plus the intermediate layers of the laminate, are the actual composite layers that crosslink upon energy input to form the pipe wall. Typically, a combination of a curable resin system and a carrier material is used as the composite. Depending on the cure system, application method, and substrate used, the composite may contain other components, such as organic or inorganic fillers, corrosion inhibitors, reinforcements, and / or initiators that form reactive species that initiate the curing chain reaction (e.g., radical or cationic polymerization) of the resin system when energy is introduced into the pipe liner.

[0006] German Patent Application No. 102015122313 discloses a method for repairing pipelines, in which a curing device for curing a curable layer of a pipeline lining hose is controlled as a function of the temperature measured on the outside of the curable layer. German Patent Application No. 102016124116 discloses an apparatus for curing resin-impregnated lining hoses with high-energy radiation, in which the actual absorbed power of the ultraviolet radiation source is measured and kept within a target range by power correction.

[0007] In pipe lining treatments, determining with sufficient certainty how much curing has occurred during the curing process remains a problem. For reasons of treatment safety and quality requirements, it is desirable to have the longest possible exposure time and intensity, even if it exceeds the actual exposure time required. On the other hand, there are also economic considerations, such as the need to keep treatment costs as low as possible by reducing the energy required for irradiation and by efficiently utilizing personnel. Furthermore, due to the potential for weather conditions, such as heavy rains and snowmelt, that may be unfavorable to the success of the remediation work, it is also beneficial to minimize the treatment time required to complete the remediation work. Summary of the Invention

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide a more efficient and reliable solution for lining pipes, including in-situ curing of the pipe liners used.

[0009] These and other problems are solved by a mobile illumination platform having the features of claim 1, a sewer rehabilitation system having the features of claim 8, and a method having the features of claim 9.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a mobile irradiation platform for use in pipe lining processes, particularly for sewer or manhole renovations, comprises a chassis; one or more irradiation devices mounted on the chassis and configured to emit radiant energy, the irradiation devices having an emission direction extending radially relative to the longitudinal extent of the irradiation platform; a plurality of stabilizing arms articulated to the chassis and designed to centrally support the chassis within the hollow body; and at least one dielectric sensor mounted on an end remote from the chassis of one of the plurality of stabilizing arms and designed to detect changes in dielectric properties around the stabilizing arm.

[0011] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a sewer renovation system comprises a pipe liner whose walls are formed by a hollow laminate having ultraviolet-curable composite layers, and at least one mobile irradiation platform according to the first aspect of the present invention, which has an ultraviolet light source as an irradiation device and is designed to cure the composite layers of the hollow laminate of the pipe liner from the inside outwards into the hollow body forming the lining of the sewer to be renovated.

[0012] A third aspect of the present invention is a method for hardening a hollow laminate, particularly for use in a pipe lining method for renovating a sewer or manhole, comprising the steps of: positioning a mobile irradiation platform inside a hollow laminate having a composite layer to be hardened using radiant energy; supporting the mobile irradiation platform against an inner wall of the hollow laminate using a stabilizing arm articulated to a chassis of the irradiation platform; irradiating the hollow laminate with radiant energy from an irradiation device, such as an ultraviolet light source, mounted on the chassis; and detecting changes in the dielectric properties of the hollow laminate around the stabilizing arm by a dielectric sensor mounted at the end of one of the stabilizing arms remote from the chassis.

[0013] One of the main ideas of the present invention is to monitor in real time the progress of the curing process during irradiation of hollow laminates cured on-site by a mobile platform using sensors carried by the mobile platform. Dielectric analysis is suitable for this purpose, as the dielectric sensor can measure the dielectric properties of the hollow laminate and their changes during the curing process without contact. For this purpose, the dielectric sensor is mounted near the hollow body wall being formed, and by means of a feed movement synchronized with the irradiation device, it can provide measurement parameters that give direct and immediate information about the effectiveness of the irradiation.

[0014] Advantageous and further embodiments result from the further subclaims as well as from the description with reference to the drawings.

[0015] According to some embodiments, the mobile irradiation platform may further include a process controller mounted on the chassis, which may be configured in some embodiments to dynamically adjust operational parameters of the irradiation platform, such as the feed rate within the hollow stack or the irradiation intensity of the irradiation device, in response to the dielectric properties around the stabilizing arm detected by the dielectric sensor. This advantageously allows the lining process to be adapted to the prevailing environmental conditions, so that the irradiation procedure can be performed by the mobile irradiation platform in a more efficient and time-saving manner without compromising reliability and product quality.

[0016] According to some other embodiments, the mobile irradiation platform may further include a platform controller mounted on the chassis. The platform controller may, in some embodiments, be configured to collect and analyze measurement data acquired by the dielectric sensors. In particular, in the case of multiple dielectric sensors, it is advantageous to collect the measurement data centrally at the mobile platform, allowing for synchronized and / or spatially resolved data analysis. This may provide further insight into the progress of the curing process, especially when using a platform train in which multiple mobile irradiation platforms are used in succession.

[0017] According to some other embodiments, the mobile irradiation platform may further include a data interface coupled to the platform controller. The data interface may enable measurement data from the dielectric sensor collected by the platform controller to be transmitted to a device external to the platform, such as an external operation computer of a sewerage rehabilitation system. This has the advantage that users of the mobile irradiation platform can enjoy better and more convenient real-time monitoring and, in the event of deviations from standards, can manually make appropriate corrections to the irradiation process or more quickly correct errors that occur in the field. In some embodiments, the data interface may include a wireless communication module, thereby providing wireless connectivity of the mobile irradiation platform to external devices.

[0018] According to some other embodiments, the mobile illumination platform may further comprise casters attached to the ends of the stabilizing arms remote from the chassis, which has the advantage that the mobile illumination platform can be advanced inside the hollow stack easily, energy-efficiently and without damaging the stack.

[0019] According to some embodiments of the method, the method may further include dynamically adjusting operating parameters of the irradiation platform in response to changes in the dielectric properties of the hollow laminate around the stabilizing arm detected by the dielectric sensor. For example, the feed rate of the moving irradiation platform, the irradiation intensity of the irradiation device, or other irradiation-related parameters of the irradiation platform may be adjusted to advantageously achieve increased irradiation efficiency and reduced time required to cure the hollow laminate, while at the same time not compromising the quality and reliability of the curing process to produce high-quality hollow bodies.

[0020] According to some other embodiments of the method, the method may further include wirelessly transmitting measurement data detected by the dielectric sensor to an external device outside the hollow stack via a data interface of the mobile irradiation platform.

[0021] The above and other embodiments can be combined with one another in any manner, where appropriate. Other possible embodiments, developments and implementations of the invention also include combinations not expressly mentioned of the inventive features described above or below with respect to the exemplary embodiments. In particular, those skilled in the art will thereby add individual aspects as improvements or supplements to the respective basic forms of the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments shown in schematic drawings. [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an example of a moving platform having an illumination device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a moving platform having an illumination device used inside a hollow stack according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a circuit of a dielectric sensor for use in a mobile platform according to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 10 is a flow chart illustrating a process for curing a hollow laminate according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] The accompanying drawings are intended to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the present invention. These drawings illustrate embodiments and, together with the description, explain the principles and concepts of the present invention. Other embodiments and many of the cited advantages will become apparent by reference to the drawings. Elements in the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale relative to each other. Directional terms such as "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "upper," "lower," "horizontal," "vertical," "front," "rear," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and are not intended to limit generality to the specific embodiments as shown in the figures.

[0024] In the drawings, identical elements, features and components having the same function and effect are respectively marked with the same reference numerals unless otherwise stated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] A hollow laminate in the sense of the present invention comprises a layer system formed on a circumferential shell surface, open on at least one side, and forms the hollow body wall of an elongated hollow body surrounding a lumen. The hollow laminate can be formed, for example, in the form of a hollow cylinder, hollow beam, or tube. In particular, depending on the material of the layer system, the hollow laminate can form a tube that is at least partially flexible in its initial form, i.e., has an at least partially flexible wall. The cross-sectional shape of the hollow body formed by the hollow laminate can be any shape, in particular a circular, oval, elliptical, or convex polygon with rounded corners. The cross-sectional shape of the hollow body formed by the hollow laminate can also vary along the longitudinal extent of the hollow body, for example, by having an average increase or decrease in size or a step with a varying cross section. In particular, the cross-sectional shape of the hollow body formed by the hollow laminate can be determined by the cross-sectional shape of the existing pipe into which the hollow laminate is to be placed and lined.

[0026] Figure 1 is an exemplary perspective view of a mobile platform 100 having an illumination device 12. A corresponding schematic block diagram of such a mobile platform 100 operating inside a hollow stack 2 is shown in Figure 2. A mobile platform 100 as defined in the present invention equipped with one or more illumination devices is also referred to as a mobile illumination platform.

[0027] As exemplarily shown in Figure 2, a hollow laminate 2, such as a pipe liner for use in a pipe lining process in the rehabilitation of sewers or manholes in an underground sewer system A, may have a multi-layer wall structure that is cured by irradiation with energy input to form a hollow body 1. After curing, the hollow body 1 thus formed constitutes a socketless reinforced resin pipe as a new lining for an existing section of a piping system, such as the underground sewer system A. In some variations, the wall thickness of the hollow body 1 thus formed may be between about 2 mm and 15 mm, and the nominal width may be between about 100 mm and 600 mm.

[0028] An optional inner film 5 may be attached to the inside of the hollow body wall of the hollow laminate 2. The inner film 5 may be made of, for example, high-density polyethylene or polyurethane, and may optionally be coated with styrene. The inner film 5 serves to prevent contact with processing water and water vapor during curing of the laminate. After the lining of the pipe is completed, the inner film 5 can be left inside the hollow body 1 as the inner wall of the pipe. Alternatively, the inner film 5 may be removed after the curing process.

[0029] The composite layer 3 is sandwiched between the outer film 4 and the inner film 5. The composite layer 3 forms the central layer of the hollow laminate 2. The composite layer 3 may be composed of a combination of a curable resin system and a carrier material. For example, the resin system may be unsaturated polyester resin, vinyl ester resin, silicate resin, or epoxy resin. The carrier material may be composed of corrosion-resistant synthetic or polymer fibers, such as polyamide, acrylonitrile polymer, polyethylene terephthalate, or polypropylene. In this process, large areas of needlefelt webs can be butted or overlapped to form the pipe liner. Alternatively, corrosion-resistant glass fibers can be used in a glass fiber scrim or woven fabric, such as glass-reinforced E-CR (calcium aluminum silicate) glass. For increased strength and rigidity, the pipe liner can also be formed by bonding overlapping layers of twisted glass fibers or woven glass fiber fabrics. A blend of synthetic and glass fibers, known as a sandwich system, can also be used to selectively adjust the strength and rigidity of the pipe liner in different regions or sections.

[0030] In addition to the resin system and carrier material, optional components, such as organic or inorganic fillers, corrosion inhibitors, and / or reinforcing materials, can be placed in the composite layer 3. The carrier material is impregnated with the resin system used and, depending on the resin system, cooled and / or opaquely packaged, which is only released on-site during sewer renovation to activate the resin system. The resin system can be cured using various initiators that form reactive species upon the introduction of energy into the pipe liner. Curing methods can include thermal and photoinitiation. Radiation energy sources can be used for this purpose, such as the controllable and localized injection of infrared and / or ultraviolet radiation into the composite layer 3. In the case of thermal curing, heat, for example, at temperatures between 70°C and 100°C, initiates a curing chain reaction, resulting in radical or cationic polymerization (depending on the thermal initiator used) and fully curing the composite layer 3 and, therefore, the hollow laminate 2. Similarly, if a photoinitiator is embedded in the composite layer 3, the input of ultraviolet radiation energy can initiate radical or cationic polymerization, which subsequently cures the hollow laminate 2. Typical curing times are several minutes, for example about 2 to 15 minutes, especially about 4 to 10 minutes.

[0031] An outer film 4 may be applied to the exterior of the hollow body walls of the hollow laminate 2. The outer film 4 may be formed, for example, from high-density polyethylene or polyurethane, and may optionally have fabric reinforcement. The outer film 4 serves to prevent excess composite layer 3 from leaking out of the hollow laminate 2 into the surrounding environment, while also protecting the composite layer 3 from physical and chemical effects of fluid and solid residues transported within the piping system being repaired.

[0032] A fabric-reinforced light-protective film 6 can optionally be applied as the outermost layer around the outer film 4. This light-protective film 6 can prevent premature activation of the composite layer 3 by ambient light, especially in the case of a UV-activatable composite layer 3. This greatly simplifies storage, transportation, and placement on the pipeline being repaired.

[0033] The mobile platform 100 includes a central chassis 11, also referred to as a mounting frame or support frame. One or more irradiation devices 12 are housed or mounted on the chassis 11 and are designed to emit radiant energy B from the chassis 11 to the outside. In particular, the radiant energy B may be emitted from the irradiation devices 12 radially outward and at a substantially normal incidence to the hollow laminate 2. The irradiation devices 12 can be activated after the mobile platform 100 is positioned inside the hollow laminate 2, e.g., inside a pipe liner, to induce a curing reaction by localized application of energy to the composite layers 3 of the hollow laminate 2. Depending on the resin system used and the type of initiator, if any, present in the composite layers 3, various irradiation devices 12 can be used—thermal radiation sources, infrared lamps, or ultraviolet light sources such as, for example, ultraviolet laser diodes, ultraviolet light-emitting diodes, ultraviolet cold cathode tubes, black light lamps, or gas discharge lamps, such as, for example, high-pressure or low-pressure metal vapor lamps (e.g., based on sodium, cadmium, mercury, or other metal halides). The number, type, and combination of the irradiation devices 12 are not limited in principle, and it is also possible to use multiple irradiation devices 12 of the same or different designs. In particular, in the case of a moving platform 100 for a pipe liner, multiple irradiation devices 12 can be uniformly arranged around the axial direction of the moving platform 100 extending in the longitudinal direction of the hollow stack 2, thereby achieving uniform irradiation in the radial direction of the hollow stack 2.

[0034] The chassis 11 may also house corresponding electronic circuitry (not explicitly shown in Figures 1 and 2), power supplies and / or controls for operating the irradiation devices 12. It may also be possible for the mobile platform 100 to be connected via electrical wiring to a power source external to the hollow stack 2, in particular to a power source external to the conduit system to be repaired, such as a generator or a power grid.

[0035] The stabilizing arms 13 are arranged on the chassis 11 and have, for example, wheels or casters 14 attached to their ends. The stabilizing arms 13 may in particular be articulated to the chassis 11 so as to be movable relative to it, and can be used to support the mobile platform 100 against the inner wall of a conduit, sewer, manhole or other cavity defined by the hollow stack 2. By appropriately adjusting the stabilizing arms 13, the central chassis 11 can be maintained in a preferably central and controllable position inside the hollow stack 2. This allows the irradiation device 12 to uniformly irradiate the hollow stack 2 in the circumferential direction.

[0036] The casters 14 allow the mobile platform 100 to move axially inside the hollow stack 2. For this purpose, the mobile platform 100 may have its own drive or may be pushed or pulled through the interior of the hollow stack 2 by the application of an external force. As an alternative to the casters 14, other movement-transmitting end elements of the stabilizing arm 13 may also be provided, for example sliding shoes or sprockets with a low-friction coating.

[0037] As illustrated in Figure 1, multiple moving platforms 100 can be coupled together to form a platform train. While Figure 1 schematically shows two moving platforms 100 in the platform train, more than two moving platforms 100 in the platform train are possible. The moving platforms 100 of the platform train can be coupled together via traction cables 18. The traction cables 18 not only provide mechanical coupling for the individual moving platforms 100, but can also provide electrical connections for passing control signals or power between the individual moving platforms 100.

[0038] The dielectric sensors 15 may be provided on one, some, or all of the stabilizing arms 13 at the ends furthest from the chassis 11 (i.e., the ends furthest from the chassis 11 after the stabilizing arms 13 are deployed). By way of example, Figures 1 and 2 each show four of the stabilizing arms 13 of the mobile platform 100 with dielectric sensors 15 attached, although it will be apparent that other numbers of dielectric sensors 15 are possible. The dielectric sensors 15 comprise a sensor housing (not explicitly shown) and active sensor components, the electrical circuit of which is illustrated in more detail in the exemplary block diagram of Figure 3.

[0039] The dielectric sensor 15 operates on the principle of measuring the reflectivity of a measuring capacitor C, which changes due to changes in the dielectric properties of the surrounding area. The capacitance of the measuring capacitor C depends not only on the geometric dimensions of the capacitor and the dielectric constant of the vacuum, but also on the dielectric constant of the surrounding area. In particular, in a plate-type capacitor in which the electrodes are staggered in the extended plane of the capacitor plate, a boundary electric field spreads from the capacitor plate to the surrounding area. If the dielectric properties of the surrounding area change at a typical distance d from the active measuring surface of the dielectric sensor 15, the reflection behavior of the electrical AC voltage at the measuring capacitor C also changes. A planar electrode configuration can be used for the measuring capacitor C, which is partially based on a single-electrode structure and is characterized by a large electrode distance so that changes in the dielectric constant can be reliably detected even at larger distances.

[0040] An AC voltage F of a certain frequency and amplitude is applied to the measuring capacitor C by the sensor controller P. The actual AC voltage output is measured via the input directional coupler SE of the sensor interface S, and its frequency and amplitude are determined in the sensor controller P. After the AC voltage wave is reflected at the measuring capacitor C, the return, i.e., the reflected part of the AC voltage wave, is also measured via the output directional coupler SR of the sensor interface S, and its frequency and amplitude are determined in the sensor controller P. The ratio between the incident and returned AC voltage waves is determined by the sensor controller P as a time-resolved measurement parameter.

[0041] The hollow laminate 2 has a certain viscosity in its initial flexible state. The dipoles contained in the composite material layer 3, such as the end groups of the resin-based monomers, can align to some extent in an electric field. As the temperature increases, for example, when irradiated by the irradiation device 12, the ionic mobility and degree of dipole alignment initially increase. Once polymerization by radical or cationic crosslinking begins, the ionic mobility decreases again, and the possibility of dipole alignment is greatly limited. Therefore, in the fully crosslinked state, the ionic viscosity increases significantly and the dipole alignment decreases significantly.

[0042] The sensor control device P can be implemented, for example, as a software-defined radio (SDR) system, which includes hardware components for characterizing the incident and returning AC voltage waves, such as amplifiers, downsamplers, and analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). For example, high-frequency AC voltage waves, whose frequencies can range from several hundred MHz to several GHz, are downsampled and digitized to baseband frequencies in the range of a few kHz. The sensor control device P further includes a signal processing device, such as an ASIC or FPGA, where an application program digitally evaluates the digitized baseband measurement signals.

[0043] The reflectance, which is the ratio between the returning and incoming AC voltage waves, is a particularly suitable measurement parameter. After the curing process begins, the reflectance decreases as the composite layer 3 heats up and becomes less viscous. It then reaches a minimum and then increases as the curing reaction begins. After a certain point, the reflectance reaches a plateau where it no longer changes, or at least does not change significantly, as the composite layer 3 is fully cured.

[0044] Via a dielectric sensor 15 arranged at the end of the stabilizing arm 13 facing the laminate and thus at a small measuring distance d from the hollow laminate 2, a time-resolved evaluation of the progress of the curing reaction as a result of irradiation by the irradiation device 12 can be carried out. In particular, a threshold value for the change in reflectivity can be set in the sensor control device P, below which threshold value indicates that the curing of the composite material layer 3 and thus the hollow laminate 2 to form the hollow body 1 has been sufficiently completed.

[0045] In this case, the measurement parameters of the dielectric sensors 15 can be processed and evaluated on-site either in the dielectric sensors 15 themselves, in the platform controller 16 located on the chassis 11, or in a measurement computer located outside the mobile platform 100, such as a work PC for the mobile piping renovation system. Thus, the platform controller 16 can collect measurement data from the individual dielectric sensors 15 of the platform 100 and output it to the outside of the piping system via an external data interface 19. The external data interface 19 can be, for example, wired. Alternatively or additionally, a wireless communication module can be used as the external data interface 19, via which measurement data can be wirelessly transmitted from the platform controller 16 to an external work PC, for example, via a WLAN or wireless connection. The platform controller 16 can also convert analog measurement data into digital measurement signals, since transmitting digital signals improves electromagnetic compatibility and freedom from interference, especially for controlling the power supply or the irradiation device 12.

[0046] The mobile platform 100 may include a process controller 17 mounted on the chassis 11 and coupled to the platform controller 16. The process controller 17 may dynamically adjust the forward movement of the mobile platform 100, the instantaneous dose of the irradiator 12, or other parameters related to the irradiation of the hollow laminate 2, for example, depending on the degree of curing of the hollow laminate 2 determined by the dielectric sensor 15. For example, it may be possible to increase the speed of movement of the mobile platform 100 if the curing of the hollow laminate 2 is locally completed before the actual planned further movement of the mobile platform. It may also be possible to increase or decrease the dose of the irradiator 12 depending on the local curing rate determined by the measurement of the dielectric sensor 15. Furthermore, the detected measurement parameters of the dielectric sensor 15 may be used for quality assurance, for example, to provide proof of compliance with standards during the curing of the hollow laminate 2.

[0047] It is also possible that the evaluation of the measured parameters of the dielectric sensor 15 and the control of the mobile platform 100 are performed completely outside the piping system. To this end, the movement and operating characteristics of the mobile platform 100 can be dynamically adjusted from a control computer located outside the hollow laminate 2 via corresponding control signals as a function of the degree of cure of the hollow laminate 2 determined by the dielectric sensor 15.

[0048] 4 shows a flow chart of a method M for curing hollow laminate 2, particularly for use in the rehabilitation of pipeline system A. Method M can be used, for example, as part of a pipe lining process in sewer or manhole rehabilitation. Method M can be performed, for example, using a mobile platform such as mobile platform 100 or a platform train as shown and described in connection with FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

[0049] First, a hollow laminate having irradiation-reactive composite layers, such as the hollow laminate 2 described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2, is prepared for placement on the mobile irradiation platform 100. For example, a pipe liner may be placed inside a pipe to be renovated during a sewerage renovation procedure. This can be done by a pulling process, an inversion process, or a combination of the two processes. In the pulling process, the hollow laminate 2 is pulled into the pipeline to be renovated from the outside using a cable winch. In this case, a protective slide film can be installed on the bottom of the pipe before the pulling process. After the pulling process, the hollow laminate 2 is hydraulically or pneumatically pressurized to form a lumen inside the hollow laminate 2 that is pressed against the inner wall of the pipe to be renovated. Meanwhile, in the inversion process, an initial piece of the hollow laminate 2 can be crimped into the opening of the pipe to be renovated and then crimped into the pipe by hydraulic or pneumatic overpressure.

[0050] Regardless of the placement method, after the hollow stack 2 is prepared, in a first step M1 of method M, a mobile irradiation platform 100, or a platform train consisting of multiple mobile irradiation platforms 100, is placed in the lumen of the hollow stack 2. This can be done, for example, using a cable winch. In a second step M2, the mobile irradiation platform 100 is supported on the inner wall of the hollow stack 2 via a stabilizing arm 13 articulated to the chassis 11 of the irradiation platform 100. For this purpose, the stabilizing arm 13, optionally equipped with casters 14, is folded away from the chassis 11 and its end remote from the chassis is brought into contact with the inner wall of the hollow stack 2. This allows the chassis 11 to be positioned and stabilized approximately in the center of the lumen of the hollow stack 2.

[0051] After the mobile irradiation platform 100 is properly positioned, in a third step M3, the hollow laminate 2 can be irradiated with radiant energy from an irradiation device 12 integrated into the chassis 11. For example, the irradiation device 12 may include an ultraviolet light source that emits ultraviolet light radially outward from the piping. The radiant energy triggers the initiation of a localized curing reaction in the composite layers 3 of the hollow laminate 2. In a fourth step M4 of the method M, changes in the dielectric properties of the hollow laminate 2 around the stabilizing arms 13 are detected. This is done by one or more dielectric sensors 15 attached to one or more ends of the stabilizing arms 13 that are remote from the chassis 11 (i.e., furthest from the chassis 11 after the stabilizing arms 13 are deployed). The dielectric sensors 15 may have, for example, the structure and corresponding operation described in connection with FIG. 3. The time-resolved localized measurement of the dielectric properties of the hollow laminate 2 can be used to determine the curing stage of the hollow laminate 2.

[0052] Based on the changes in the dielectric properties of the hollow laminate 2 detected by the dielectric sensors 15, the operating characteristics of the irradiation platform 100, such as the forward speed or irradiation intensity of the irradiation device 12, can also be dynamically adjusted to the determined curing behavior. The detected measurement data from the one or more dielectric sensors 15 can be transmitted to an external device located outside the hollow laminate 2. For this purpose, wired or wireless transmission can be performed, for example, via the data interface 19 of the mobile irradiation platform 100. The transmitted measurement data can be used, for example, for real-time monitoring of the repair process and / or for documentation purposes as part of quality assurance.

[0053] In the foregoing detailed description, various features have been summarized with one or more examples to provide a more persuasive presentation. However, it should be clear that the above description is illustrative only and is in no way limiting. It is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents of the various features and embodiments. Many other examples will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art based on their technical knowledge in light of the above description.

[0054] The exemplary embodiments have been chosen and described to show as clearly as possible the principles underlying the disclosure herein and its possible practical applications, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to optimally modify and use the present invention and its various embodiments for their intended use. In the claims and the specification, the terms "comprise" and "comprise" are used as linguistically neutral terms relative to the corresponding term "consisting of." Furthermore, the use of the term "a" or "an" is not intended to exclude, in principle, a plurality of such described features and components.

Claims

1. A mobile illumination platform (100), comprising: A chassis (11); one or more illumination devices (12) mounted on the chassis (11) and configured to emit radiant energy, the illumination direction extending radially relative to the longitudinal direction of the mobile illumination platform (100); a plurality of stabilizing arms (13) articulated to the chassis (11) and designed to support the chassis (11) in a central position inside the hollow body (1); and at least one dielectric sensor (15) attached to the end of one of the plurality of stabilizing arms (13) remote from the chassis and designed to detect changes in dielectric properties around the stabilizing arm (13).

2. 2. The mobile irradiation platform (100) of claim 1, further comprising a processing and control device (17) mounted on the chassis (11) and designed to dynamically adjust operating parameters of the mobile irradiation platform (100) depending on the dielectric properties in the surroundings of the stabilizing arm (13) detected by the dielectric sensor (15).

3. 3. The mobile irradiation platform (100) of claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a platform control device (17) mounted on the chassis (11) and designed to collect and evaluate measurement data detected by the dielectric sensor (15).

4. The mobile irradiation platform (100) of claim 3 further comprising a data interface (19) coupled to the platform control device (17) and designed to transmit the measurement data of the dielectric sensor (15) collected by the platform control device (17) to a device external to the platform.

5. The mobile illumination platform (100) of claim 4, wherein the data interface (19) comprises a wireless communication module.

6. The mobile irradiation platform (100) of any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising casters (14) attached to ends of the plurality of stabilizing arms (13) remote from the chassis.

7. The mobile illumination platform (100) of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the one or more illumination devices (12) comprise an ultraviolet light source.

8. a pipe liner having a wall formed by a hollow laminate (2) having an ultraviolet-curable composite material layer (3); 8. A sewer renovation system comprising at least one mobile irradiation platform (100) according to claim 7, which is designed to harden the composite material layers (3) of the hollow laminate (2) of the pipe liner from the inside out into a hollow body (1) forming the lining of the sewer to be renovated.

9. Positioning (M1) a moving irradiation platform (100) inside a hollow laminate (2) having a composite layer (3) cured using radiant energy; supporting (M2) the mobile irradiation platform (100) against the inner wall of the hollow stack (2) using a stabilizing arm (13) articulated to the chassis (11) of the mobile irradiation platform (100); Irradiating (M3) the hollow laminate (2) with radiant energy from an irradiation device (12) attached to the chassis (11); A method (M) for curing a hollow laminate (2) comprising detecting (M4) a change in the dielectric properties of the hollow laminate (2) around the stabilizing arm (13) using a dielectric sensor (15) attached to one end of the stabilizing arm (13) away from the chassis.

10. 10. The method (M) of claim 9, further comprising dynamically adjusting operating parameters of the moving irradiation platform (100) in response to changes in the dielectric properties of the hollow stack (2) around the stabilizing arm (13) detected by a dielectric sensor (15).

11. The method (M) according to claim 9 or claim 10, further comprising wirelessly transmitting measurement data detected by the dielectric sensor (15) to an external device located outside the hollow stack (2) via a data interface (19) of the mobile irradiation platform (100).

12. 12. The method (M) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the irradiation device (12) comprises an ultraviolet light source.

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