Abstract: A liner tube is provided for repairing either a single pipe line or a main pipe line having a lateral pipe line connected thereto. The liner tube assembly includes a liner tube impregnated with a liquid material capable of curing and hardening. The liner tube includes a gasket or band positioned about the juncture of the pipe lines. The gasket or bands form a tight seal between the liner tube and the pipe line.

Abstract: A method and means for repairing the junction of a main and lateral pipe are provided. A repair assembly includes a launcher device, a bladder assembly surrounding the launcher device, and a liner assembly surrounding the bladder assembly. The bladder assembly is frangibly connected to the launcher device to maintain the position of the bladder assembly relative to the launcher device during transport and positioning of the assembly. Likewise, the liner assembly, which includes main and lateral liner members, is frangibly connected to the bladder assembly. The frangible connections allow the position of the repair assembly to be maintained. The frangible connections can be broken, such as by inflation and/or tearing or pulling apart of the components of the repair assembly. Thus, the invention provides a way to mitigate the movement of components of the repair assembly during transport and positioning of the repair assembly.

Abstract: A liner tube is provided for repairing either a single pipe line or a main pipe line having a lateral pipe line connected thereto. The liner tube assembly includes a liner tube impregnated with a liquid material capable of curing and hardening. The liner tube includes a gasket or band positioned about the juncture of the pipe lines. The gasket or bands form a tight seal between the liner tube and the pipe line.

Abstract: A method and means for repairing the junction of a main and lateral pipe are provided. A repair assembly includes a launcher device, a bladder assembly surrounding the launcher device, and a liner assembly surrounding the bladder assembly. The bladder assembly is frangibly connected to the launcher device to maintain the position of the bladder assembly relative to the launcher device during transport and positioning of the assembly. Likewise, the liner assembly, which includes main and lateral liner members, is frangibly connected to the bladder assembly. The frangible connections allow the position of the repair assembly to be maintained. The frangible connections can be broken, such as by inflation and/or tearing or pulling apart of the components of the repair assembly. Thus, the invention provides a way to mitigate the movement of components of the repair assembly during transport and positioning of the repair assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing pipes or underground structures is provided. In one embodiment, the end of a pipe is sealed by the use of a pipe liner and a sealing member. The sealing member may be a hydrophilic material, a hydrophobic material, a compressible material, or a paste. The sealing member is held in place by a mechanical fastener and a liner is installed adjacent the sealing member and against the wall of the pipe or other structure to be sealed. In another embodiment, a manhole is sealed by the use of a sealing member, a mechanical fastener, and a manhole liner.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liner assembly for repairing the wall of a pipe that includes a transmitter or transmitters capable of transmitting information, such as identification information and physical characteristics of the area around the transmitter. Embedded in the liner is a transmitter, which includes a radio-frequency identification and at least one sensor. The RFID transmits identification information about the repaired wall, while the sensor provides physical characteristics of the environment in and around the pipe. Examples of physical characteristics may include temperature, pressure, flow, chemical reactions, velocity of the pipe, and the like. Additional transmitters may be used along the length of the pipe to determine characteristics at multiple locations, with each additional transmitter including the same or different sensors.

Abstract: The method for rehabilitating a damaged section of a pipe without a need for a resin absorbent liner is provided. The method includes pumping a low viscosity material towards a damaged section of pipe and changing the viscosity prior to dispensing of the material. For example, the material may be partially cured prior to dispensing. The partially cured or higher viscosity material is compressed between an inflating bladder and interior wall of the pipe, and the material that is allowed to fully cure.

Abstract: A method of repairing a manhole is provided. A mastic material capable of curing and hardening as applied to a lower portion of the manhole, including the barrel, bench, and into at least one pipe line extending from the manhole. A resin saturated liner may also be included into a portion of the pipe extending from the manhole. A manhole liner saturated with a resinous material is then positioned in the manhole, and the manhole liner, pipe liner, and mastic material are configured to cure at approximately the same time to form a homogenous, repaired interior of the manhole, including a portion extending into the pipe. The pipe or pipes can then be repaired in a manner such as inverting a liner or bladder into the pipe. In the addition of an end seal at the juncture between the pipe and manhole is also contemplated for further sealing the juncture.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing pipes or underground structures is provided. In one embodiment, the end of a pipe is sealed by the use of a pipe liner and a sealing member. The sealing member may be a hydrophilic material, a hydrophobic material, a compressible material, or a paste. The sealing member is held in place by a mechanical fastener and a liner is installed adjacent the sealing member and against the wall of the pipe or other structure to be sealed. In another embodiment, a manhole is sealed by the use of a sealing member, a mechanical fastener, and a manhole liner.

Abstract: The method for rehabilitating a damaged section of a pipe without a need for a resin absorbent liner is provided. The method includes pumping a low viscosity material towards a damaged section of pipe and changing the viscosity prior to dispensing of the material. For example, the material may be partially cured prior to dispensing. The partially cured or higher viscosity material is compressed between an inflating bladder and interior wall of the pipe, and the material that is allowed to fully cure. The bladder either can then be removed from the pipe or could be allowed to maintain in the pipe providing a new interior surface for the repaired pipe.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for repairing a manhole. The wall of the manhole is lined with a liner to form a new wall. The liner includes a resin that cures to form the new wall that is similar to the repaired wall. Embedded in the liner is a wireless data transfer mechanism that includes a transmitter, such as a radio-frequency identification (RFID). The RFID transmits identification information about the liner or the repaired wall. The transmitter may be capable of data entry in the field or may be otherwise field-programmable and further capable of transmitting at least one physical characteristic. Examples of physical characteristics may include temperature, pressure, chemical reactions, flow within the manhole, and the like. Additional transmitters may be used along the length of the manhole to determine characteristics at multiple locations, with each additional transmitter including the same or different sensors.

Abstract: The pipe access device is comprised of a curved plate adapted to engage an underground pipe along an arc of the outer surface of the pipe, and a boss extending upwardly from the curved plate about an aperture in the curved plate. The curved plate extends along an arc of the outer surface of the curved plate that corresponds to a central angle of the pipe less than or equal to 180°. The curved plate includes a concave surface with a radius of curvature less than a radius of curvature of the outer surface of the pipe so as to bias the curved plate against the outer surface of the pipe when the curved plate is flexed to engage the pipe. The pipe access device is for use in providing access to the buried pipe that requires minimal excavation and disruption of the soil.

Abstract: A manhole liner and a method of using the same are provided. The manhole liner is sized substantially equally to the largest diameter of the manhole, so that the liner does not have to stretch to be pressed against the manhole wall. Additionally, the liner is impregnated with a resinous material capable of curing and hardening. A bladder, preferably stretchable circumferentially and having a diameter less than the smallest diameter of the manhole, is inserted into the liner. The bladder is expanded to press the liner against the wall of the manhole to dispense resinous material from the liner, while the liner is able to fold over itself in areas having a diameter less than the original diameter of the liner. Because the bladder stretches to produce a smooth outside surface, the resinous material will migrate to areas in the folds and will cure with a smooth interior surface.

Abstract: A repair assembly and method of use is provided. The repair assembly includes a liner assembly for repairing a pipe system including a first pipe, a second pipe extending from the first pipe, and in some embodiments a third pipe extending from the second pipe. The third pipe may include multiple pipes. The repair assembly further includes a bladder assembly. The liner and bladder assembly are configured to work together to be positioned within the first, second, third and any additional pipes to line and repair all of the components of the pipe system in a single repair. Such repair will reduce the amount of time required to repair such pipe systems, and will increase the efficiency of repairing pipes.

Abstract: A manhole liner and a method of using the same are provided. The manhole liner is sized substantially equally to the largest diameter of the manhole, so that the liner does not have to stretch to be pressed against the manhole wall. Additionally, the liner is impregnated with a resinous material capable of curing and hardening. A bladder, preferably stretchable circumferentially and having a diameter less than the smallest diameter of the manhole, is inserted into the liner. The bladder is expanded to press the liner against the wall of the manhole to dispense resinous material from the liner, while the liner is able to fold over itself in areas having a diameter less than the original diameter of the liner. Because the bladder stretches to produce a smooth outside surface, the resinous material will migrate to areas in the folds and will cure with a smooth interior surface.

Abstract: A method for repairing a conduit using a tube-shaped liner comprising a single layer of resin-absorbent fabric having a polymeric coating attached to an outer wall of the tube and a reinforcing layer connected to an inner surface of the tube. The liner is impregnated with a resinous material capable of curing and hardening and inverted under pressure into the conduit to be repaired such that the reinforcing layer is pressed against the interior of the conduit. The resinous material is allowed to cure and harden, creating a lining to the conduit. The single layer of fabric may be a non-woven material, such as a felt. The conduit to be lined may be a sewer pipe, and the reinforcing material may be a woven scrim. The woven scrim may be capable of preventing longitudinal stretch of the liner tube while allowing radial stretch.

Abstract: A diameter sensing assembly is provided for determining the location of a change in diameter in a pipe from a remote location outside of the pipe. The assembly includes an imaging device operatively connected to an imaging cable and a diameter sensing device operatively connected to a sensing cable. The sensing device is positioned generally forward of the imaging device, and includes a plurality of flexible arms that are rigid enough to stay horizontal, but flexible enough to bend or depress easily. The two cables are connected to one another such that the entire assembly is able to be moved through a pipe at a constant speed. Marks are placed on one of the cables to determine the length to the change in diameter, and the length of portions of pipes having different diameters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing a pipe system including a main pipe extending between a first and second manhole and one or more lateral pipes extending from the main pipe is provided. Aspects of the invention include the use of a main liner member having a plurality of lateral liner tubes in fluid connection and extending from the main liner member. The main liner member is used to line a main pipe, while the multiple lateral liner tubes extend into separate lateral pipes extending in various orientations from the main pipe. This method and apparatus provides for a single assembly to be able to line multiple pipes, which reduces time and cost for pipe repair.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for repairing pipes or pipe junctions. The methods include providing a launcher device having a bladder and a liner impregnated with a material capable of curing and hardening. The bladder includes a first end, a closed second end, and an opening proximal the closed second end. A portion of the bladder is positioned within the launcher device, a rope or a line is connected to the liner, and the rope or line is threaded through the opening in the bladder. The rope or the line is pulled until the liner is at least partially within the bladder, and the rope or line is removed. The pipe is repaired by positioning the liner against the wall of a pipe, and allowing a material capable of curing and hardening to cure and harden. The methods allow for the rapid reuse of the bladder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liner assembly for repairing the wall of a pipe that includes a transmitter or transmitters capable of transmitting information, such as identification information and physical characteristics of the area around the transmitter. Embedded in the liner is a transmitter, which includes a radio-frequency identification and at least one sensor. The RFID transmits identification information about the repaired wall, while the sensor provides physical characteristics of the environment in and around the pipe. Examples of physical characteristics may include temperature, pressure, flow, chemical reactions, velocity of the pipe, and the like. Additional transmitters may be used along the length of the pipe to determine characteristics at multiple locations, with each additional transmitter including the same or different sensors.