Shaft liner with compressed end for forming a bottom portion

Abstract

The invention relates to a liner tube (1) for renovating conduit systems, comprising - an elongate, cylindrical portion (3) which at least comprises: - an inner film tube, - a layer which is arranged thereon and can be cured by radiation, - and an outer layer and / or an outer film tube; wherein a bottom portion (5) is provided which is formed by compressing an open end and by folding over and fixing a circumferential flexible element (7) around the compressed end region, wherein the flexible element and the end region are arranged outside the elongate portion such that the bottom portion has a substantially circular base surface after expansion and the compressed end region protrudes outwards.

Description

Reline Europe REL100070DEWO Shaft liner with compressed end to form a bottom section

[0001] The present invention relates to a lining hose with a bottom section for optimized insertion into shafts.

[0002] For the inspection, maintenance, and repair of pipes, sewer systems, and the like, devices are often inserted into the pipes to perform the necessary measurements and / or mechanical repair work. To measure the current condition of a pipe, these devices usually include camera systems to visualize its state.

[0003] If a defect or damage is detected, the affected section of the piping system can be replaced with new sections. However, this is usually very complex and costly.

[0004] Alternatively, methods are known in the prior art in which, for the rehabilitation of pipe systems, e.g., sewers and similar pipe systems, a flexible, curable layer impregnated with a curable resin, serving as a lining hose or liner, is inserted into the pipe system. After insertion, the lining hose is expanded so that it fits snugly against the inner wall of the pipe system. The resin is then cured.

[0005] The manufacture of such a lining hose is described, for example, in WO 95 / 04646. According to known processes, preferably unsaturated polyester resins or vinyl ester resins are used as curable resins, which may be dissolved, for example, in styrene and / or an acrylic ester.

[0006] These unsaturated polyester or vinyl esters can be cured thermally (usually using peroxide catalysts) or by radiation, e.g., by UV light with photoinitiators as described, for example, in EP-A 23623. So-called combination cures using a peroxide initiator for thermal curing in combination with photoinitiators are also possible (Reline Europe REL100070DEWO). These methods are possible and have proven particularly advantageous for thick lining tubes. A process for such a so-called combination hardening is described, for example, in EP-A 1262708.

[0007] A radiation-cured lining tube typically comprises an opaque outer protective film, an inner film that is transparent to at least certain wavelength ranges of electromagnetic radiation, and a resin-impregnated curable layer positioned between the inner and outer films. The outer film tube is designed to prevent the resin used for impregnation from leaking out of the curable layer and into the environment. This requires a tight seal and a secure bond between the outer film tube and the resin-impregnated curable layer.

[0008] From WO 00 / 73692 A1 a lining hose is known comprising an inner foil hose, a resin-impregnated fiber tape as a curable layer and an outer hose which is laminated on its inside with a fiber fleece.

[0009] Often, the resin-impregnated fiber tape is wound helically and overlapping onto the inner tube of a lining tube during its manufacture. The outer tube is then also wound helically and overlapping around the resin-impregnated fiber tape.

[0010] For simplified manufacturing, the inner tube itself is also wound around a winding dome. Alternatively, WO 95 / 04646, for example, discloses that a pre-made inner film tube can be inflated and itself serve as the winding dome. Such a pre-made inner film tube is produced from a film strip, the edges of which are joined together by welding or gluing to form the inner film tube.

[0011] The lining tubes are inserted into the pipe systems to be rehabilitated before curing and inflated using a fluid, usually compressed air. To inflate the lining tube, one open end of the tube is pressurized with compressed air, and the opposite open end is inflated with a Reline Europe REL100070DEWO. The closure device, a so-called packer, is sealed. This closure device comprises a hollow cylinder and a cover element with which the hollow cylinder can be sealed.

[0012] To cure the lining tube, a curing device containing a radiation source is inserted into it. This device is guided through the lining tube to activate and cure the curable layers using radiant energy. Complete curing of the lining tubes is crucial; therefore, a specific amount of radiant energy must be delivered to every point within the tube. The required amount of radiant energy depends on the power output of the radiation source and the speed at which it is transmitted through the lining tube.

[0013] According to current technology, a multitude of requirements must be observed for the insertion and curing of a lining hose, each based on the individual technical specifications of the lining hose. During installation, care must be taken to protect the material (e.g., limiting the insertion forces; prior removal of shards, deposits, etc., which could cause damage).

[0014] The pulling force is limited by a force limiter on the winch, with the maximum pulling force being manually determined by the user according to the technical specifications of the respective lining tube. This is necessary to prevent damage to the lining tube during installation.

[0015] To ensure sufficient curing of the curable layer of a lining tube, adequate activation energy must be provided. First, the user must select a suitable curing device, which is then manually or automatically guided through the lining tube at predefined speeds, power outputs, and, if necessary, minimum and maximum temperatures of the curable layer to cure it. Reline Europe REL100070DEWO

[0016] Shaft liners are special lining tubes used for the rehabilitation of shafts and vertical structures in wastewater and water supply systems. Unlike the rehabilitation of horizontal pipes, it is particularly desirable with shafts to include the bottom in the rehabilitation process in addition to the side walls to ensure complete sealing and structural stability.

[0017] A particularly advantageous method is single-piece rehabilitation, in which a shaft liner is inserted in such a way that both the walls and the floor are rehabilitated in a single operation. This eliminates the need for separate rehabilitation of the floor section and creates a continuous, seamless interior lining that avoids potential weak points at transitions.

[0018] However, in current practice, it is common to first insert a temporary base element, often made of wood, into the shaft. This primarily serves to facilitate the installation and proper curing of the shaft liner. The base element itself is not made of the same material as the shaft liner and is removed or modified after curing. The floor is then repaired separately by hand, and afterwards a tight connection is made to the previously repaired walls.

[0019] However, this conventional approach has several disadvantages: Firstly, the manual labor required for subsequent floor remediation is considerable, leading to longer remediation times and higher costs. Secondly, separately remediating the floor and walls increases the risk of cracking and leaks in the transition area. This can lead to leaks in the long term and impair the lifespan of the remediation work.

[0020] Therefore, an alternative method known in the prior art is to enable a one-piece rehabilitation by sewing the vertically inserted lining tube closed at the lower end. This is done in a flat state before the lining tube is expanded. When it lies sewn on the ground and is expanded, it forms a ground section. Reline Europe REL100070DEWO

[0021] The problem with this approach, however, is that the lining tube often does not develop a uniform wall thickness, or its wall thickness becomes too thin, falling below the standard. This is partly due to the fact that the bottom section formed by sewing leads to an unintended use of the lining tube.

[0022] However, from a technical standpoint, it would be desirable for the rehabilitation of pipes, especially shafts, if both the side walls and the bottom could be quickly and reliably rehabilitated using a single lining hose.

[0023] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a lining hose that is designed and equipped to rehabilitate both the side walls and the bottom simultaneously.

[0024] This task is solved by a lining hose for the rehabilitation of pipe systems, comprehensively • an elongated, cylindrical section comprising at least: - an inner foil tube, - a radiation-curable layer placed on this surface, - as well as an outer layer and / or an outer foil tube; comprising a bottom section formed by compressing an open end and by folding and fixing a circumferential flexible element around the compressed end region, wherein the flexible element and the end region are arranged outside the elongated section, such that after expansion the bottom section has a substantially circular base and the compressed end region projects outwards.

[0025] The lining tube according to the invention offers numerous advantages over the prior art. By compressing and sealing, the material is concentrated precisely at the necessary points, resulting in more effective use compared to simply sewing the opening shut. Reline Europe REL100070DEWO

[0026] This ensures that a base area with an essentially circular geometry is formed and that the wall thickness of the floor section is essentially uniform after expansion.

[0027] It is particularly advantageous, as required, if the hose is compressed and sealed by folding over a flexible element, such as a rope, thereby bringing the still uncured hose into an optimal shape.

[0028] Alternatively, the lining tube can also be manually shaped into the desired form and then sewn or glued.

[0029] Hybrid methods are also possible, in which the lining tube is first compressed by the flexible element and fixed in this position before being sewn or glued. The flexible element can either remain in place or be removed after the connection is complete.

[0030] The difference to laying the material flat and then sewing it along the end of the opening is that the desired essentially circular shape of the bottom section is already predetermined by the compression and fixing with the flexible element, so that excess material can be removed in a targeted manner and the bottom section assumes a more uniform shape and wall thickness after expansion.

[0031] A difference from inverted lining tubes known from the prior art is that, according to the invention, the protruding end area can be inserted into a trough / channel and contributes to the stabilization of the lining tube when it is erected, whereas according to the prior art the end area was always arranged inside the lining tube.

[0032] According to the invention, excess material can be removed immediately adjacent to the flexible element. Removing excess material has the advantage that it does not accumulate under the bottom section, allowing the bottom section to be designed flatter. Preferably, the bottom section forms a concave or flat shape after expansion. Furthermore, it can be provided that the Reline Europe REL100070DEWO The compressed end area is fluid-tightly sealed by the flexible element and / or by a sealing means, in particular a seam.

[0033] Removing excess material has the advantage that it does not accumulate "under" the floor section, allowing the floor section to be made flatter.

[0034] It is preferred that the soil section forms a concave or flat shape after expansion.

[0035] It can also be advantageous according to the invention that the elongated section is fluid-tightly sealed by the flexible element and / or by a sealing means, in particular a seam.

[0036] This is particularly advantageous when expanding with compressed air.

[0037] The invention also provides a method for manufacturing a lining hose with a closed bottom section for the rehabilitation of a shaft, comprising the following steps: a) Providing an elongated, initially flat, tubular body comprising at least: - an inner foil tube, - a radiation-curable layer placed on this, - as well as an outer layer and / or an outer foil tube; b) Compressing an open end of the tubular body into a substantially circular cross-sectional shape; c) Closing the compressed open end by folding and fixing a flexible element, in particular a rope or band, around the tubular body, so that a bottom section is formed and / or sewing or gluing the compressed open end.

[0038] The following additional step can be particularly advantageous: d) Remove excess material beyond the flexible element.

[0039] According to one embodiment, it may also be provided that the following step is included: e) Expanding the tubular body so that it is against the inner wall. Reline Europe REL100070DEWO of the shaft and the bottom section assumes a uniform shape and wall thickness.

[0040] It may also be preferable to perform the following step: f) Hardening of the tubular body by exposure to radiation.

[0041] Finally, it can be advantageous to ensure that the closed, compressed open end is fluid-tight.

[0042] The procedural steps are preferably carried out in alphabetical order.

[0043] Sewing is a proven method for joining elements and sections of lining hoses. Seams are particularly well-suited to absorbing the forces that occur during operation. Sewing can be achieved by completely perforating all layers of the lining hose, or by perforating and sewing only a portion of the layers together.

[0044] Furthermore, it is preferred that the curable layer is impregnated with a photochemically curable resin, the curing of which can be activated in particular by means of radiation energy in a wavelength range of about 351 to 800 nm.

[0045] A particularly advantageous feature is the possibility of curing the lining tube according to the invention with radiation sources, for example UV light.

[0046] It is particularly preferred if the lining hose according to the invention has the following properties: The elongated section preferably has a diameter of DN500 to DN1400, a length of 2m to 10m and a wall thickness of 6mm to 20mm.

[0047] Furthermore, it is preferred to design the lining hose according to the invention specifically for the rehabilitation of shafts.

[0048] Finally, the invention also includes the use of a lining hose or a method according to the invention for the rehabilitation of a shaft. Reline Europe REL100070DEWO

[0049] Further features of the invention are shown by way of example in the following embodiments. These show: Fig. 1: a side view of an embodiment of a lining hose according to the invention; and Fig. 2: a perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

[0050] Figures 1 and 2 show a side view of an embodiment of a lining tube 1, 1' according to the invention. According to the prior art, lining tubes are sewn together along their open end while lying flat on the ground. As shown in the figures, according to the embodiment, the elongated section 3, 3' is compressed in the region of a bottom section 5, 5'.

[0051] The compressed bottom section is either compressed by hand and then fixed and closed with the help of a rope 7, 7' and / or the compressed open end is sewn or glued, or the rope is used for support or solely for compressing the bottom section.

[0052] This process creates a soil section with an essentially circular shape, so that the wall thickness of the soil section is essentially uniform after expansion.

[0053] The features of the invention disclosed in the preceding description, the claims and the drawings may be essential for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments, both individually and in any combination.

Claims

Reline Europe REL100070DEWO Patent claims 1. Lining hose for the rehabilitation of pipe systems, comprehensive • an elongated, cylindrical section comprising at least: - an inner foil tube, - a radiation-curable layer placed on this surface, - as well as an outer layer and / or an outer foil tube; characterized by the fact that a bottom section is comprised which is formed by compressing an open end and by folding and fixing a circumferential flexible element around the compressed end region, wherein the flexible element and the end region are arranged outside the elongated section, such that after expansion the bottom section has a substantially circular base and the compressed end region projects outwards.

2. Lining hose according to claim 1, characterized in that The bottom section is sewn and / or glued at its compressed end.

3. Lining hose according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that that the soil section forms a concave or flat shape after expansion.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the flexible element is a rope or a strap. Reline Europe REL100070DEWO 5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a material section extending beyond the end of the flexible element is removed immediately adjacent to the flexible element and / or the wall thickness of the bottom section is essentially uniform after expansion.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elongated section is fluid-tightly sealed by the flexible element and / or by a sealing means, in particular a seam, and / or a further inner foil tube is inserted which is fluid-tight and closed towards the bottom section.

7. Lining hose according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The curable layer is impregnated with a photochemically curable resin, the curing of which can be activated by means of radiation energy in a wavelength range of 351 to 800 nm.

8. Lining tube according to claim 7, characterized in that the lining tube can be cured with a radiation source, in particular UV light.

9. Lining hose according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottom section comprises at least: - an inner foil, - a radiation-curable layer placed on this surface, - as well as an outer layer and / or an outer foil tube. Reline Europe REL100070DEWO 10. Method for producing a lining tube with a closed bottom section for the rehabilitation of a shaft, comprising the following steps: a) Providing an elongated, initially flat, tube-shaped body comprising at least: - an inner foil tube, - a radiation-curable layer placed on this surface, - as well as an outer layer and / or an outer foil tube; b) Compressing an open end of the tubular body into a substantially circular cross-sectional shape; c) Closing the compressed open end by folding and fixing a flexible element, in particular a rope or band, around the tubular body, so that a bottom section is formed and / or sewing or gluing the compressed open end, wherein the compressed end area protrudes outwards.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the following step: d) Remove excess material beyond the flexible element.

12. The method of claim 10 or claim 11, further comprising the following step: e) Expanding the tubular body so that it rests against the inner wall of the shaft and the bottom section assumes a uniform shape and wall thickness.

13. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, further comprising the following step: f) Hardening of the tubular body by exposure to radiation.

14. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the compressed open end is sealed fluid-tight and / or another fluid-tight inner foil tube is inserted, which is part of the Reline Europe REL100070DEWO The floor area is closed off.

15. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein The sealing of the compressed open end is fluid-tight, whereby the tube-shaped body is expanded in a shaft so that the elongated section lies against the inner wall of the shaft and the bottom section assumes a uniform shape and wall thickness.

16. Procedure for the rehabilitation of a shaft, including: a) Providing a lining hose according to any one of claims 1 to 9, b) Inserting the lining hose into the shaft, c) Expanding the lining tube so that the elongated section rests against an inner wall of the shaft and the bottom section rests against a shaft bottom, and d) Hardening of the lining hose by exposure to radiation.

17. Use of a lining hose according to any one of claims 1 to 9 or of a method according to any one of claims 10 to 15 for the rehabilitation of a shaft.

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