Patents by Inventor Franklin Thomas Driver
Franklin Thomas Driver has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8066499Abstract: Installation of a flexible cured in place liner by inverting the liner with air and curing the liner with steam introduced through a perforated lay flat hose without deflating the liner between the inversion and cure. The installation is performed with an apparatus having two independently operable glands with at least one fluid inlet port installed on the line downstream of the second gland liner. As the liner reaches the distal end of the conduit to be lined, it enters a sample and porting pipe with an exhaust pipe gland and exhaust pipe and it is pierced by a rigid porting tool. Steam is then introduced into the lay flat hose to cure the resin and is exhausted through an exhaust hose connected to a controllable exhaust pipe. After curing steam is replaced with air to cool the liner, the ends are cut to restore service through the host pipe.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2006Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.Inventors: Franklin Thomas Driver, Steve J. Hirtz, Richard C. Polivka, James H. Blasczyk, Neil T. Birchler, Kyle M. Costa
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Patent number: 8038913Abstract: Installation of a flexible cured in place liner by inverting the liner with air and curing the liner with steam introduced through a perforated lay flat hose without deflating the liner between the inversion and cure. The installation is performed with an apparatus having two independently operable glands with at least one fluid inlet port installed on the line downstream of the second gland liner. As the liner reaches the distal end of the conduit to be lined, it enters a sample and porting pipe with an exhaust pipe gland and exhaust pipe and it is pierced by a rigid porting tool. Steam is then introduced into the lay flat hose to cure the resin and is exhausted through an exhaust hose connected to a controllable exhaust pipe. After curing steam is replaced with air to cool the liner, the ends are cut to restore service through the host pipe.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2009Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.Inventors: Franklin Thomas Driver, Steve J. Hirtz, Richard C. Polivka, James H. Blasczyk, Neil T. Birchler, Kyle M. Costa
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Patent number: 7866968Abstract: Installation of a flexible cured in place liner by inverting the liner utilizing an inversion sleeve assembly with an installation apparatus having at least one selectively operable rigid gland. The sleeve assembly includes a sleeve portion of an absorbable material secured in an apparatus with an inversion boot fitted at the distal end with an inlet port for inversion and/or curing fluid. The sleeve assembly and apparatus are particularly well suited for inverting with air and curing the liner with steam introduced through a perforated lay flat hose using an apparatus with two glands. The installation sleeve is the same dimension as the liner to be installed and is reusable thereby substantially reducing the set up time to install using the dual gland apparatus. Preferably, the flexible sleeve is a length of dry cured in place liner inverted on to itself to expose two impregnable surfaces. The sleeve may have a built in fluid inlet port for use with a dual gland apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2007Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.Inventors: Franklin Thomas Driver, Neil T. Birchler, Kyle M. Costa, Richard C. Polivka, Weiping Wang
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Patent number: 7857932Abstract: A resin impregnated cured in place liner having an everted outer impermeable coating is provided. A roll of a continuous length of resin impregnable material is formed into a tube. An impermeable film or wrapping is formed into a tube about a tubular former, sealed and continuously everted about the inner tubular member travelling in an opposite direction so that the everted wrapping envelopes the inner tubular member. Alternatively, the inner tubular member may be passed into a stuffer tube having an impermeable tube thereon that is everted onto the moving tubular member to encapsulate the inner tubular member. The inner tubular member may be passed through an open resin impregnation tank to impregnate the impregnable material prior to everting the outer layer thereon. The inner tubular member may have an inner layer of impermeable material bonded thereto. It may be formed into a tube with the impermeable layer on the outside and continuously everted to place the impermeable layer on the inside of the tube.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2003Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.Inventors: Franklin Thomas Driver, Weiping Wang
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Patent number: 7766048Abstract: A process for lining an existing pipeline or conduit with a flexible resin impregnated cured in place liner by pulling in the liner and inflating a resin impregnated inflation bladder with air and curing the liner with flow-through steam without loss of pressure is provided. The liner includes a resin absorbent material in tubular form with an impermeable membrane forming an outer layer. The inflation bladder also includes a resin absorbent material in tubular form with an impermeable membrane forming an outer layer and an exhaust assembly at the trailing end and is passed through a pressurized inversion apparatus into the collapsed liner. As the bladder reaches the distal end, the exhaust assembly exits the everting bladder and is coupled to an exhaust hose. Steam is then introduced the inversion apparatus to cure the resin and is exhausted through the exhaust tube. After cure, steam is replaced with air to cool the liner and the ends are cut to restore service through the host pipe.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2005Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.Inventors: Franklin Thomas Driver, Weiping Wang, Joseph M. Coyne
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Publication number: 20090165927Abstract: Installation of a flexible cured in place liner by inverting the liner with air and curing the liner with steam introduced through a perforated lay flat hose without deflating the liner between the inversion and cure. The installation is performed with an apparatus having two independently operable glands with at least one fluid inlet port installed on the line downstream of the second gland liner. As the liner reaches the distal end of the conduit to be lined, it enters a sample and porting pipe with an exhaust pipe gland and exhaust pipe and it is pierced by a rigid porting tool. Steam is then introduced into the lay flat hose to cure the resin and is exhausted through an exhaust hose connected to a controllable exhaust pipe. After curing steam is replaced with air to cool the liner, the ends are cut to restore service through the host pipe.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2009Publication date: July 2, 2009Inventors: Franklin Thomas Driver, Steve J. Hirtz, Richard C. Polivka, James H. Blasczyk, Neil T. Birchler, Kyle M. Costa
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Publication number: 20090038546Abstract: A method of continuously impregnating a resin impregnable cured in place liner in a resin impregnation tower is provided. A cured in place liner having at least one layer of resin impregnable material is fed into the top of the tower, drawn down about a roller at the bottom, removed from the top of the tower and then wrapped with an outer impermeable coating. The tower is filled with resin at a suitable height to provide a sufficient pressure head of resin to impregnate the resin impregnable material fully. The impregnated liner is suitable for inversion or the pull-in-and-inflate method of installation. For liners formed with an inner impermeable layer, the liner is suitable for curing with steam.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2008Publication date: February 12, 2009Inventors: Franklin Thomas Driver, Weiping Wang
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Patent number: 7360559Abstract: A process for lining an existing pipeline or conduit with a flexible resin impregnated cured in place liner by pulling in the liner and inflating an eversion bladder with air and curing the liner with flow-through steam without loss of pressure is provided. The bladder is stored in a pressure bladder canister coupled to a pressurized downtube and eversion elbow. The bladder is everted by introducing pressurized air into the canister As the bladder reaches the distal manhole, it enters a receiving canister where it is punctured while maintaining air pressure within the bladder a pinch valve between the downtube and elbow isolates the inverted bladder so that steam can be introduced into the bladder to cure the resin and exhaust through the receiving canister. The bladder is then removed and lateral service reinstated.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2006Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Insituform (Netherlands) B.V.Inventors: Franklin Thomas Driver, Weiping Wang
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Patent number: 7261788Abstract: A resin impregnated cured in place liner with an integral inner impermeable layer, a method for its manufacture and an apparatus to do this are provided. The liner is formed from a resin impregnable material having an impermeable layer bonded to one surface. The material is formed into tubular shape with the impermeable layer on the outside of the tube about a tubular forming member and continuously everted into the tubular forming device to place the impermeable layer on the inside. An outer impermeable film is placed about the inner tubular layer and may be impregnated with vacuum in the usual manner. Alternatively, the tubular resin impregnable material may be passed through a resin tank and impregnated with a curable resin prior to being wrapped with an outer impermeable layer. The impregnated liner is then suitable for pull-in-and-inflate which can be by steam in view of the integral inner impermeable layer of the liner.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2003Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Insitaform (Netherlands) B.V.Inventor: Franklin Thomas Driver
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Patent number: 7238251Abstract: A non-pressurized resin impregnation tower for continuously impregnating the resin impregnable layer of a tubular cured in place liner is provided. The tower is at a height to provide sufficient resin pressure head to impregnate the resin impregnable layer fully. The resin impregnated tube is fed into the top of the tower, drawn down about a roller at the bottom, removed from the top of the tower and then wrapped with an outer impermeable coating. The impregnated liner is suitable for pull-in-and-inflate method of installation or may be everted. For liners formed with an inner impermeable layer, the liner is suitable for curing with steam.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2003Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: Insituform (Netherlands) B.V.Inventors: Franklin Thomas Driver, Weiping Wang
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Patent number: 7112254Abstract: A method for installation of a resin impregnated cured in place liner with an inner impermeable layer is provided. The liner is formed from a resin impregnable material having an impregnable layer bonded thereto. The material is formed into tubular shape with the impermeable layer on the outside of the tube about a tubular forming member and continuously everted into the tubular forming device to place the impermeable layer on the inside. An outer impermeable wrapping can be applied after wetting out the inner tubular member. A pull-in fitting with a steam connection is inserted into the leading end of the liner and the liner is pulled to an installation access. Prior to reaching the installation access a receiving canister with steam connection is attached to the end of the liner and pull-in completed. This permits inflation of the pulled in liner with an air curing of the resin with steam. All steaming is done below grade with minimal entry to underground access points.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2003Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Assignee: Insituform (Netherlands) B.V.Inventor: Franklin Thomas Driver
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Patent number: 7108456Abstract: A process for lining an existing pipeline or conduit with a flexible resin impregnated cured in place liner by pulling in the liner and inflating an eversion bladder with air and curing the liner with flow-through steam without loss of pressure is provided. The bladder is stored in a pressure bladder canister coupled to a pressurized downtube and eversion elbow. The bladder is everted by introducing pressurized air into the canister As the bladder reaches the distal manhole, it enters a receiving canister where it is punctured while maintaining air pressure within the bladder a pinch valve between the downtube and elbow isolates the inverted bladder so that steam can be introduced into the bladder to cure the resin and exhaust through the receiving canister. The bladder is then removed and lateral service reinstated.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2005Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: Insituform (Netherlands) B.V.Inventors: Franklin Thomas Driver, Weiping Wang
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Patent number: 6969216Abstract: A process for lining an existing pipeline or conduit with a flexible resin impregnated cured in place liner by pulling in the liner and inflating an eversion bladder with air and curing the liner with flow-through steam without loss of pressure is provided. The bladder is stored in a pressure bladder canister coupled to a pressurized downtube and eversion elbow. The bladder is everted by introducing pressurized air into the canister As the bladder reaches the distal manhole, it enters a receiving canister where it is punctured while maintaining air pressure within the bladder a pinch valve between the downtube and elbow isolates the inverted bladder so that steam can be introduced into the bladder to cure the resin and exhaust through the receiving canister. The bladder is then removed and lateral service reinstated.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2004Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: Insituform (Netherlands) B.V.Inventor: Franklin Thomas Driver
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Publication number: 20040149341Abstract: A process for lining an existing pipeline or conduit with a flexible resin impregnated cured in place liner by pulling in the liner and inflating an eversion bladder with air and curing the liner with flow-through steam without loss of pressure is provided. The bladder is stored in a pressure bladder canister coupled to a pressurized downtube and eversion elbow. The bladder is everted by introducing pressurized air into the canister As the bladder reaches the distal manhole, it enters a receiving canister where it is punctured while maintaining air pressure within the bladder a pinch valve between the downtube and elbow isolates the inverted bladder so that steam can be introduced into the bladder to cure the resin and exhaust through the receiving canister. The bladder is then removed and lateral service reinstated.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2004Publication date: August 5, 2004Inventor: Franklin Thomas Driver
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Patent number: 6708728Abstract: A process for lining an existing pipeline or conduit with a flexible resin impregnated cured in place liner by pulling in the liner and inflating an eversion bladder with air and curing the liner with flow-through steam without loss of pressure is provided. The liner includes a resin absorbent material in tubular form with an impermeable membrane forming an outer layer. The absorbent material is saturated with a thermoset resin and pulled into the existing conduit. A flexible inflation bladder is passed through a gland mounted on an eversion apparatus and everted into the collapsed liner. The gland is pressurized to isolate the eversion bladder. As the bladder reaches the distal manhole, it enters a receiving canister where it is punctured while maintaining air pressure within the bladder. Steam is then introduced into the bladder to cure the resin and is exhausted through the receiving canister. The bladder is then removed and lateral service reinstated.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2001Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Insituform (Netherlands) B.V.Inventors: Franklin Thomas Driver, Weiping Wang
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Patent number: 6679293Abstract: A process for lining an existing pipeline or conduit with a flexible resin impregnated cured in place liner by pulling in the liner and inflating an eversion bladder with air and curing the liner with flow-through steam without loss of pressure is provided. The bladder is stored in a pressure bladder canister coupled to a pressurized downtube and eversion elbow. The bladder is everted by introducing pressurized air into the canister As the bladder reaches the distal manhole, it enters a receiving canister where it is punctured while maintaining air pressure within the bladder a pinch valve between the downtube and elbow isolates the inverted bladder so that steam can be introduced into the bladder to cure the resin and exhaust through the receiving canister. The bladder is then removed and lateral service reinstated.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2003Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Insituform (Netherlands) B.V.Inventor: Franklin Thomas Driver
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Publication number: 20030192610Abstract: A process for lining an existing pipeline or conduit with a flexible resin impregnated cured in place liner by pulling in the liner and inflating an eversion bladder with air and curing the liner with flow-through steam without loss of pressure is provided. The bladder is stored in a pressure bladder canister coupled to a pressurized downtube and eversion elbow. The bladder is everted by introducing pressurized air into the canister As the bladder reaches the distal manhole, it enters a receiving canister where it is punctured while maintaining air pressure within the bladder a pinch valve between the downtube and elbow isolates the inverted bladder so that steam can be introduced into the bladder to cure the resin and exhaust through the receiving canister. The bladder is then removed and lateral service reinstated.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2003Publication date: October 16, 2003Inventor: Franklin Thomas Driver
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Patent number: 6539979Abstract: A process for lining an existing pipeline or conduit with a flexible resin impregnated cured in place liner by pulling in the liner and inflating an eversion bladder with air and curing the liner with flow-through steam without loss of pressure is provided. The bladder is stored in a pressure bladder canister coupled to a pressurized downtube and eversion elbow. The bladder is everted by introducing pressurized air into the canister As the bladder reaches the distal manhole, it enters a receiving canister where it is punctured while maintaining air pressure within the bladder a pinch valve between the downtube and elbow isolates the inverted bladder so that steam can be introduced into the bladder to cure the resin and exhaust through the receiving canister. The bladder is then removed and lateral service reinstated.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2002Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Insituform (Netherlands) B.V.Inventor: Franklin Thomas Driver
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Publication number: 20030015247Abstract: A process for lining an existing pipeline or conduit with a flexible resin impregnated cured in place liner by pulling in the liner and inflating an eversion bladder with air and curing the liner with flow-through steam without loss of pressure is provided. The liner includes a resin absorbent material in tubular form with an impermeable membrane forming an outer layer. The absorbent material is saturated with a thermoset resin and pulled into the existing conduit. A flexible inflation bladder is passed through a gland mounted on an eversion apparatus and everted into the collapsed liner. The gland is pressurized to isolate the eversion bladder. As the bladder reaches the distal manhole, it enters a receiving canister where it is punctured while maintaining air pressure within the bladder. Steam is then introduced into the bladder to cure the resin and is exhausted through the receiving canister. The bladder is then removed and lateral service reinstated.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2001Publication date: January 23, 2003Inventors: Franklin Thomas Driver, Weiping Wang