System and method for producing an inner lining of a pipe

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the inner lining of a pipe, comprising a tube liner, a first end packer (2), a second end packer (4), a curing device arranged in the tube liner, and a pulling device (6) for moving the curing device in the tube liner. A first end of the tube liner is closed by the first end packer (2). The second end of the tube liner is closed by the second end packer (4). The invention also relates to a method for the inner lining of a pipe.

Description

[0001] System and method for manufacturing an inner lining of a pipe

[0002] The invention relates to a device and a method for lining the inside of a pipe.

[0003] Pipe linings are subject to wear and tear. This can lead to leaks in the lining. Since the unintentional escape of substances conveyed through pipes must be prevented, regular maintenance of the linings is necessary. Various devices and methods for this purpose are known from the prior art.

[0004] In known devices and methods, a pipe liner, also known as an inliner, is pulled into the pipe to be rehabilitated using a cable winch. The pipe liner typically consists of a flexible material impregnated with a resin. The resin can be cured using ultraviolet light. The pipe liner is then connected at each end to an end packer. The end packers include an opening in which a power supply cable for a curing device is located, another opening through which a pull cord extends to move the curing device within the pipe liner, and yet another opening through which compressed air can be introduced into the pipe liner. The compressed air expands the pipe liner so that its outer surface rests against the inside of the pipe. The pipe liner is then cured by the curing device.The curing device is moved through the pipe liner by the pull cable. To ensure that the liner remains in contact with the inside of the pipe throughout the curing process, compressed air is continuously introduced into the liner.

[0005] The continuous or permanent introduction of compressed air into the pipe liner throughout the entire curing process means that the known methods for lining pipes have a high energy demand and are therefore costly.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a device for the internal lining of a pipe or for the rehabilitation of a pipe, which has low energy consumption and thus enables cost-effective internal lining of pipes. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for the internal lining of a pipe, in particular using such a device.

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by the device with the features of claim 1 and the method with the features of claim 1.

[0008] According to the invention, a device for the internal lining or rehabilitation of a pipe, in particular a transport pipe for water and / or wastewater, is provided. The device comprises a pipe liner that can be arranged in the pipe, a first end packer, a second end packer, a curing device arranged in the pipe liner, and a pulling device for moving the curing device in the pipe liner, in particular in the axial direction of the pipe liner. A first end of the pipe liner is sealed by the first end packer in an airtight, preferably gas-tight, and more preferably pressure-tight, i.e., gas-tight even under overpressure. The second end of the pipe liner, which is opposite the first end in the axial direction of the pipe liner, is sealed by the second end packer in an airtight, preferably gas-tight, and more preferably pressure-tight, manner.The first end packer or the second end packer comprises a compressed air opening through which compressed air and / or an inert gas can be introduced into a cavity of the pipe liner. The pulling device includes a pulling cable, a pulling cable winch, an airtight, preferably gas-tight, more preferably pressure-tight, winch drum, and an airtight, preferably gas-tight, more preferably pressure-tight, pressure hose connected to the winch drum. The first end packer or the second end packer comprises a pulling cable opening. The pressure hose adjoins the pulling cable opening, in particular such that an airtight, in particular gas-tight, more preferably pressure-tight, cavity defined by the first end packer, the second end packer, and the pipe liner is connected to a winch drum cavity via the pressure hose in an airtight, preferably gas-tight, more preferably pressure-tight manner.The pull cable is connected to the curing device and extends through the pull cable opening and the pressure hose into the winch drum. The pull cable can be wound onto the winch drum to move the curing device.

[0009] The core idea of ​​the invention is therefore to design the device such that the hose liner, the first end packer, the second end packer, the pressure hose, and the winch drum define an airtight, preferably gas-tight, and more preferably pressure-tight, cavity. Compressed air and / or an inert gas can be introduced into the cavity through the compressed air opening, causing the hose liner to expand so that it comes into contact with the inside of the pipe. Because the compressed air and / or the inert gas cannot escape from the cavity, i.e., because a closed system exists, a single filling of the cavity with compressed air and / or inert gas is sufficient to line the inside of the pipe. Compressed air generation is therefore only required for a short time.

[0010] Since compressed air generation has a high energy demand and is therefore cost-intensive, the device according to the invention enables a reduction in the costs incurred during pipe rehabilitation. Furthermore, the low energy demand of the device according to the invention allows it to be operated using a mobile energy storage device. The device can thus be used independently of a fixed energy source.

[0011] The pipe liner is an inner lining element, also known as an inliner, that is inserted into the pipe in need of repair.

[0012] The inert gas is, for example, particle-free. This can improve the efficiency of the curing device, especially of the UV emitters of the curing device.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the first end packer or the second end packer comprises a power supply cable opening through which a power supply cable connected to the curing device extends.

[0014] For example, a sealing element closes the power supply cable opening airtight, preferably gas-tight, and more preferably pressure-tight.

[0015] The sealing element is, for example, a mechanical seal.

[0016] The sealing element can close the power supply cable opening in such a way that the power supply cable is movable within the power supply cable opening, particularly in the axial direction of the power supply cable opening and / or the first end packer or the second end packer. In an exemplary embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises a mobile energy storage device to which the power supply cable is connected.

[0017] The mobile energy storage device can be a battery or a hydrogen fuel cell.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the first end packer or the second end packer comprises the pull rope opening, and the second end packer or the first end packer has the power supply cable opening. The pull rope opening and the power supply cable opening are thus formed in different end packers.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention, the first end packer or the second end packer comprises the pull rope opening and the compressed air opening.

[0020] The first end packer or the second end packer can include the power supply cable opening and the compressed air opening.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the traction device comprises a deflection device.

[0022] The deflection device, for example, redirects the pull cable in such a way that the curing device can be moved away from the end packer, which has the pull cable opening, by means of the pull cable. The pull cable can thus move the curing device in a direction opposite to the direction in which the pull cable moves within the pressure hose.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention, the first end packer and / or the second end packer (each) comprise a connecting element that connects the first end packer or the second end packer to the hose liner in an airtight, preferably gas-tight, and more preferably pressure-tight manner. The connecting element(s) serve as an airtight, preferably gas-tight, and more preferably pressure-tight seal.

[0024] The connecting element(s) can be a lever arm coupling, an expandable ring, an expandable lamellar disc, a clamp, a hose band or a hose clamp.

[0025] In its unexpanded state, the pipe liner can be undersized by approximately 3 to 5 percent compared to the pipe's diameter. Therefore, the liner's diameter can be 95 to 97 percent of the pipe's diameter before compressed air and / or inert gas is introduced to expand the liner.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the compressed air opening is formed in a nozzle of the first end packer or the second end packer.

[0027] The nozzle is, for example, a radial nozzle, meaning a nozzle whose axis extends radially from the first or second end packer. This facilitates connecting a pressure supply hose connected to a blower to the compressed air opening or the nozzle.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention, the hose liner comprises a fiber composite material and / or a resin, in particular a synthetic resin, or is formed from these.

[0029] The resin can be cured, for example, by means of the curing device, in particular by exposure to electromagnetic radiation of a specific wavelength or a specific wavelength range.

[0030] For example, the hose liner is soaked in or impregnated with the resin. In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the curing device comprises a plurality of electromagnetic radiation light sources, in particular a plurality of light sources that generate ultraviolet radiation.

[0031] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for lining the inside of a pipe using the device described above. The method comprises the following steps:

[0032] (i) Inserting a pipe liner into the pipe;

[0033] (ii) Inserting the curing device into the pipe liner;

[0034] (iii) Connecting the curing device to a pulling device;

[0035] (iv) in particular airtight, preferably gas-tight, further preferably pressure-tight, sealing of a first end of the pipe liner with a first end packer and, in particular airtight, preferably gas-tight, further preferably pressure-tight, sealing of the second end of the pipe liner with a second end packer, wherein the first end packer or the second end packer comprises a pull rope opening to which a pressure hose of the pulling device adjoins, wherein the pull rope is connected to the curing device and extends through the pull rope opening and the pressure hose into a winch drum;

[0036] (v) Filling the pipe liner with compressed air and / or an inert gas through a compressed air opening of the first end packer or the second end packer, such that the pipe liner expands so that it rests against the pipe, in particular on the inside of the pipe; and

[0037] (vi) Curing of the pipe liner using the curing device.

[0038] It is also conceivable that the steps of the process are carried out in a sequence that differs from the one shown. For example, the first end packer or the second end packer can comprise an opening that is sealable, in particular airtight, preferably gas-tight, and more preferably pressure-tight, through which the curing device can be inserted into the pipe liner after it has been sealed.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, in step (vi) a resin of the hose liner is cured by means of electromagnetic radiation, in particular by means of ultraviolet radiation.

[0040] In an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention, an overpressure of 0.4 bar to 0.8 bar is introduced into the hose liner in step (v).

[0041] For example, the filling of the hose liner with compressed air and / or an inert gas according to step (v) is stopped when a defined overpressure is reached in the hose liner and / or when the hose liner is in contact with the pipe.

[0042] The filling of the pipe liner with compressed air and / or an inert gas according to step (v) can be stopped before step (vi) begins, i.e. before the pipe liner is cured using the curing device.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the curing device is moved in the axial direction of the hose liner by means of the pulling device during step (vi).

[0044] For example, in step (vi), the curing device is moved by means of the pulling device from the end of the pipe liner facing the pull cable opening towards the end of the pipe liner facing away from the pull cable opening. This ensures complete curing of the pipe liner, i.e., across its entire axial length. In an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention, the curing device is connected to a power supply cable.

[0045] The curing device is connected to the power supply cable, for example, in such a way that the power supply cable extends through a power supply cable opening of the first end packer or the second end packer.

[0046] The power supply cable opening is sealed, for example, airtight, in particular gas-tight, preferably pressure-tight.

[0047] For example, the power supply cable opening is closed in such a way that the power supply cable can move within the opening, particularly along its axis. This allows the curing device, even when connected to the power supply cable, to move freely within the pipe liner.

[0048] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. It shows:

[0049] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a first end packer of a device according to the invention;

[0050] Fig. 2 shows another perspective view of the first end packer of the device according to the invention;

[0051] Fig. 3 shows a sectional view through the first end packer of the device according to the invention; and

[0052] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a second end packer, a winch drum, and a pressure hose of the device according to the invention. Figures 1 and 2 show a first end packer 2 of a device for lining a pipe according to the invention. The first end packer 2 is attached to a pipe liner inserted into the pipe in such a way that it seals a first end of the pipe liner in a pressure-tight manner, i.e., impermeable to gases even under overpressure. The second end of the pipe liner, opposite the first end, is pressure-tightly sealed by a second end packer 4 shown in Figure 4.

[0053] The first end packer 2 and the second end packer 4 each comprise a hollow cylindrical base body 26 and 28, respectively. The hollow cylindrical base bodies 26 and 28 are each hermetically connected to a respective end of the pipe liner via a connecting element 12 and 14, respectively, on a first side of the hollow cylindrical base bodies 26 and 28.

[0054] On the second side, which faces the first side of the respective hollow cylindrical base body 26 or 28, i.e., which faces away from the pipe liner, the hollow cylindrical base bodies 26 and 28 are each provided with a closure element 30 or 32, respectively. The closure elements 30 and 32 seal the hollow cylindrical base bodies 26 and 28 in a pressure-tight manner. The closure elements 30 and 32 are detachable from the base body 26 or 28, respectively, and / or can be opened.

[0055] When the closure element 30 is detached from the base body 26 or is in the open position, a curing device for curing the pipe liner can be inserted into the pipe liner by the first end packer 2. The same applies to the closure element 32. If the closure element 32 is detached from the base body 28 or is in the open position, the curing device can be inserted into the pipe liner by the second end packer 4. It is also conceivable that the closure elements 30 and 32 are formed integrally with the respective hollow cylindrical base bodies 26 and 28, respectively, or are permanently connected to them. In this case, a curing device for curing the pipe liner must be inserted into the pipe liner before the first end packer 2 or before the second end packer 4 is fixed to the pipe liner.

[0056] It is also conceivable that one of the locking elements 30 and 32 is formed in one piece with the respective hollow cylindrical base body 26 or 28 and that the other locking element 32 or 30 is detachable and / or openable.

[0057] The first end packer 2 comprises a nozzle 10 with a compressed air inlet 8. The nozzle 10 is a radial nozzle, meaning its axis extends radially in the direction of the hollow cylindrical base body 26. A pressure supply hose, connected to a blower, can be attached to the nozzle 10. Thus, compressed air and / or an inert gas can be introduced into the pipe liner through the compressed air inlet 8 via the first end packer 2.

[0058] On the side facing away from the pipe liner, the first end packer 2, in particular the sealing element 30, includes a power supply cable opening 20. A power supply cable extends through the power supply cable opening 20. The power supply cable is connected to the curing device, which is inserted into the pipe liner.

[0059] The power supply cable opening 20 is closed by a sealing element 22 such that the power supply cable is movable within the power supply cable opening 20, particularly in the axial direction of the first end packer 2. At the same time, the sealing element 22 ensures that the compressed air and / or inert gas introduced into the hose liner cannot escape from the first end packer 2 through the power supply cable opening 20, or at least only to a minimal extent.

[0060] A guide element 24 for guiding the power supply cable is provided on the first end packer 2, particularly on the side of the first end packer 2 facing away from the pipe liner. The guide element 24 guides the power supply cable in such a way that it is movable within the power supply cable opening 20 in a defined direction, preferably in the axial direction of the first end packer 2. This prevents leaks between the sealing element 22 and the power supply cable, especially those caused by movement of the power supply cable in a direction deviating from the axial direction of the first end packer 2, or at least reduces the risk of such leaks.

[0061] As can be seen particularly from Figure 4, the device according to the invention comprises a pulling device. The pulling device has a pulling cable, a pulling cable winch, an airtight winch drum 16, and an airtight pressure hose 18. The pulling cable winch is arranged in the winch drum 16. The second end packer 4 has a pulling cable opening on the side facing away from the hose liner. The pressure hose 18 abuts or surrounds the pulling cable opening in such a way that the second end packer 4 is pressure-tightly connected to the pressure hose 18. The end of the pressure hose 18 facing away from the second end packer 4 is pressure-tightly connected to the winch drum 16.

[0062] The curing device is connected to the pull rope in such a way that the curing device can be moved in the pipe liner by winding the pull rope onto the pull rope winch, in particular in the axial direction of the pipe liner.

[0063] The pulling device includes a deflection device. The deflection device redirects the pulling cable in such a way that the curing device can be moved by means of the pulling cable from an end adjacent to the second end packer 4 to an end of the pipe liner adjacent to the first end packer 2.

[0064] The following explains the individual steps for lining the inside of a pipe using the device described above.

[0065] In step (i), the pipe liner is inserted into the pipe for internal lining. The pipe liner has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the pipe.

[0066] In step (ii), the curing device is inserted into the pipe liner. The pulling device, in particular the pulling cable, is connected to the curing device in step (iii). Furthermore, the curing device is connected to the power supply cable.

[0067] In step (iv), the ends of the hose liner are sealed pressure-tight by means of the first end packer 2 and the second end packer 4, respectively. The pulling cable of the pulling device extends through the pulling cable opening formed in the second end packer 4 and the pressure hose 18 into the winch drum 16. The power supply cable extends through the power supply cable opening provided in the first end packer 2.

[0068] The first end packer 2, the second end packer 4, the hose liner, the pressure hose 18, the winch drum 16, the first seal 22 and the power cable, in particular the area of ​​the power cable on which the first seal 22 rests, form an at least approximately airtight, preferably gas-tight, further preferably pressure-tight system which defines a filling cavity.

[0069] In step (v), the pipe liner, in particular the filling cavity, is filled with compressed air and / or an inert gas, which is introduced into the pipe liner through the compressed air opening. This results in an expansion of the pipe liner, so that the pipe liner comes into contact with the inner wall of the pipe.

[0070] In step (vi), the pipe liner is cured using the curing device. For this purpose, the curing device comprises a multitude of light sources. The resin contained within the pipe liner can be cured by means of the light beams from these light sources.

[0071] Finally, end packers 2 and 4 are removed from the pipe liner and the curing device is removed from the pipe liner.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device for lining the inside of a pipe, comprising a pipe liner, a first end packer (2), a second end packer (4), a curing device arranged in the pipe liner, and a pulling device (6) for moving the curing device in the pipe liner, wherein a first end of the pipe liner is closed by the first end packer (2) and the second end of the pipe liner is closed by the second end packer (4), wherein the first end packer (2) or the second end packer (4) comprises a compressed air opening (8) through which compressed air and / or an inert gas can be introduced into a cavity of the pipe liner, characterized in that the pulling device (6) comprises a pulling cable, a pulling cable winch, an airtight winch drum (16), and an airtight pressure hose (18) connected to the winch drum (16), wherein the first end packer (2) or the second end packer (4) has a pulling cable opening.to which the pressure hose (18) adjoins, wherein the pull rope is connected to the hardening device and extends through the pull rope opening and the pressure hose (18) into the winch drum (16).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first end packer (2) or the second end packer (4) has a power supply cable opening (20) through which a power supply cable connected to the curing device extends, wherein a sealing element (22) closes the power supply cable opening (20), in particular such that the power supply cable is movable in the power supply cable opening (20) in the axial direction of the power supply cable opening (20).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized by a mobile energy storage device to which the power supply cable is connected.

4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the first end packer (2) or the second end packer comprises the pull rope opening and the second end packer (4) or the first end packer (2) comprises the power supply cable opening (20).

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first end packer (2) or the second end packer (4) comprises the pull rope opening and the compressed air opening (8) or comprises the power supply cable opening (20) and the compressed air opening (8).

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the pulling device (6) comprises a deflecting device which directs the pulling rope in such a way that the curing device is guided by means of the haul rope is movable away from the end packer (4) which has the haul rope opening.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first end packer (2) and / or the second end packer (4) (each) comprise a connecting element (12, 14) which connects the first end packer (2) or the second end packer (4) airtight to the hose liner.

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the compressed air opening (8) is formed in a nozzle (10), in particular a radial nozzle, of the first end packer (2) or of the second end packer (4).

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the hose liner comprises a fiber composite material and / or a resin, in particular a synthetic resin, which can be cured by exposure to electromagnetic radiation of a specific wavelength or a specific wavelength range.

10. Device according to one of claims 9, characterized in that the curing device comprises a plurality of light sources of electromagnetic radiation of the specific wavelength or the specific wavelength range.

11. Method for lining the inside of a pipe, comprising: (i) Inserting a pipe liner into the pipe; (ii) Inserting the curing device into the pipe liner; (iii) Connecting a curing device to a pulling device (6); (iv) Sealing a first end of the pipe liner with a first end packer (2) and sealing the second end of the pipe liner with a second end packer (4), wherein the first end packer (2) or the second end packer (4) comprises a pull rope opening to which a pressure hose (18) of the pulling device (6) adjoins, wherein a pull rope of the pulling device (6) is connected to the curing device and extends through the pull rope opening and the pressure hose (18) into a winch drum (16); (v) Filling the pipe liner with compressed air and / or an inert gas through a compressed air opening (8) of the first end packer (2) or the second end packer (4) such that the pipe liner expands so that it rests against the pipe; and (vi) Curing of the pipe liner using the curing device.

12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that in step (vi) a resin of the hose liner is cured by means of electromagnetic radiation of a specific wavelength or a specific wavelength range.

13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that in step (v) an overpressure of 0.4 bar to 0.8 bar is introduced into the hose liner.

14. Method according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the curing device is moved in the axial direction of the hose liner during step (vi) by means of the pulling device (6), in particular starting from the side facing the pull rope opening. End of the pipe liner in the direction of the end of the pipe liner facing away from the pull rope opening.

15. Method according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the curing device is connected to a power supply cable which extends through a power supply cable opening (20) of the first end packer (2) or the second end packer (4), wherein the power supply cable opening (20) is sealed airtight by means of a sealing element (22), in particular such that the power supply cable is movable in the power supply cable opening (20) in the axial direction of the power supply cable opening (20).

Images