Abstract: Pipeline repair and leak sealing are effected by unrolling a tube, using an inflatable mandrel disposed inside the tube, to radially expand a stretchable and circumferentially continuous gasket or sealant sleeve into flush contact with the pipeline interior. Before actuation, the tube is constrained in a rolled-up condition by a shrink-wrap sleeve of plastic film that may be sealed at its ends to an interior film sleeve in order to protect the tube against moisture. When fully expanded, the tube includes longitudinally-extending edges that overlap and are secured together by adhesive issued from a rupturable package disposed proximate one of the edges so as to be caused to burst as the edges approach overlapped positions. An outer sleeve of scrim material surrounds the tacky or gum-like gasket sleeve to facilitate handling and movement of the assembly in the pipeline.

Abstract: A skid assembly for supporting a packer or the like in a pipeline includes three skid blades of different configuration whereby the radial apex of each blade is longitudinally offset from the radial apex of the other blades. With this configuration the skid assembly is capable of being transported past a radial offset or other radially reduced portion of the pipeline as each apex passes the offset independently of the other apices.

Abstract: A television camera is encapsulated in plastic material providing protection from environmental hazards. The camera, including a camera body, lens and lens cover glued to the lens, is embedded in and chemically bonded to the encapsulate material. A lens opening in the forward end of the encapsulate housing exposes the lens cover. A camera cable and pushrod extend from the rearward end of the housing and are chemically bonded to the encapsulate material. Individual light sources, partially embedded in the encapsulate material, are disposed in respective recesses oriented in an annular pattern about the lens opening. The encapsulation process employs a mold assembly having a base with a raised pedestal on which the lens cover is placed to support the camera. Multiple lamp receivers are disposed in the base in an annular pattern about the pedestal to sealingly receive the forward portions of respective lamps while leaving the remaining rearward portions exposed.

Abstract: Pipeline repair and leak sealing are effected by unrolling a tube, using an inflatable mandrel disposed inside the tube, to radially expand a stretchable and circumferentially continuous gasket or sealant sleeve into flush contact with the pipeline interior. Before actuation, the tube is constrained in a rolled-up condition by a shrink-wrap sleeve of plastic film that may be sealed at its ends to an interior film sleeve in order to protect the tube against moisture. When fully expanded, the tube includes longitudinally-extending edges that overlap and are secured together by adhesive issued from a rupturable package disposed proximate one of the edges so as to be caused to burst as the edges approach overlapped positions. An outer sleeve of scrim material surrounds the tacky or gum-like gasket sleeve to facilitate handling and movement of the assembly in the pipeline.

Abstract: An elongated remotely controlled pan and tilt television camera, ideally suitable for inspecting pipeline interiors, is able to be constructed with extremely small transverse dimensions due to compact packaging of control mechanisms disposed in the camera front end inside an optical dome. An outer gimbal is rotatable (i.e., panned) relative to the camera front end and is in the form of a frame within which an inner gimbal is mounted to be rotatable (i.e., tilted) relative to the outer gimbal. A lens, a lens focus control motor and a tilt motor are all mounted on the inner gimbal so as to be movable therewith. The pan motor is positionally fixed in the camera housing and rotates the outer gimbal by means of a drive cable and pulley secured to the outer gimbal. A CCD detector is located remotely from its associated electronics circuitry on a CCD circuit board secured to the inner gimbal so that the detector is movable with the lens and receives an optical image therefrom.

Abstract: Detecting and locating leaks in building service lateral sewer pipelines is accomplished under remote control by inserting a lateral inspection television camera into the lateral pipeline from a main sewer pipeline. The lateral inspection camera is stored in a generally cylindrical launcher mechanism having a camera port opening through which the lateral camera may be projected and retracted using a hollow elongated and flexible push rod. The launcher is moved longitudinally in the main pipeline, along with a main television camera, until an entrance opening to a service lateral pipeline is viewed via the main camera. The launcher mechanism may also be rotated in order to properly align the camera aperture with the entrance to the lateral pipeline. The lateral camera can be propelled into the lateral pipeline by means of motor driven pinch rollers in the launcher mechanism pushing the push rod.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and sealing leaks in a sewer branch pipe including a packer member which travels along the main sewer pipe by remote control. When the packer is correctly located, the main pipe region surrounding the branch entrance is sealed off. The packer is rotated until a slot in the packer is orientated to the branch. An inflatable tube in the packer is then inflated, causing the tube to elongate and enter the branch. The remote end of the tube forms a seal against the inside of the branch so that the area of the branch near the junction with the main pipe is included in the sealed off area. Fluid can be pumped into the sealed off space to detect if a leak is present; in which case a sealant fluid is pumped into the space. Afterwards, the tube can be deflated and retracted and the traveller repositioned at the next branch.

Abstract: Detecting and locating leaks in building service lateral sewer pipelines is accomplished under remote control by inserting a lateral inspection television camera into the lateral pipeline from a main sewer pipeline. The lateral inspection camera is stored in a generally cylindrical launcher mechanism having a camera port opening through which the lateral camera may be projected and retracted using a hollow elongated and flexible push rod. The launcher is moved longitudinally in the main pipeline, along with a main television camera, until an entrance opening to a service lateral pipeline is viewed via the main camera. The launcher mechanism may also be rotated in order to properly align the camera aperture with the entrance to the lateral pipeline. The lateral camera can be propelled into the lateral pipeline by means of motor driven pinch rollers in the launcher mechanism pushing the push rod.