Patents Assigned to INA Acquisition Corp.
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Patent number: 11933447Abstract: A system for transporting and installing a cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) liner to line existing pipe includes a chassis, a bed supported by the chassis and wheels mounted on the chassis for supporting the chassis as it is moved over the road. A container supported by the chassis has a first compartment and a second compartment. A refrigeration system supported by the chassis is operable to keep the first compartment cooled to a temperature at which resin carried within the liner does not prematurely cure. The second compartment contains a powered feeder that can pull liner from the first compartment through a port and feed it out of the container for installation. A method is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2022Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.Inventor: Eugene James Camali
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Patent number: 11873939Abstract: An end termination assembly for a pipe liner includes a liner fitting and a clamping collar. The liner fitting has a nipple. The clamping collar can be disposed on the nipple to clamp the liner between the two components. A clamping surface of one or both of the nipple and clamping collar can be tapered to accommodate a range of liner wall thicknesses. The clamping collar can connect to the nipple without rotating. For example, a draw mechanism can draw the clamping collar along pipe liner to clamp the liner between collar and the nipple. The clamping collar and the nipple define an annular space in which a pipe liner can be clamped, and the radial thickness of the annular space is different at different positions of the collar.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2020Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.Inventors: Mark Hairston, Rick Baxter
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Patent number: 11828400Abstract: A pipe rehabilitation system and/or robot can be used inside a pipe to measure characteristics of branch conduits, install plugs into branch conduits before the pipe is lined with a liner, remove portions of plugs and liners after lining to restore fluid communication between the pipe and branch conduits, and/or install fittings into the branch conduits to connect the liner to the branch conduits. A probe can measure characteristics of a branch conduit. A tool can install plugs and/or fittings into the branch conduits. A linkage can connect a tool to a robotic tractor so that the connected elements can navigate through a main pipe. A visualization system can aid in aligning a robot with a branch conduit. Height-adjustable braces can support robotic tools in a pipe. A plug can include integrated locating features and/or movable parts that enable expanding the plug to seal with the branch conduit.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2022Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.Inventors: Rick Baxter, Robert Kodadek, Hermann Herrlich, Steven McKeefrey, John Webster
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Patent number: 11774025Abstract: A fitting for connecting a branch conduit to a liner installed in a main pipe is configured to mechanically connect to the branch conduit as it is inserted into the branch conduit from inside the main pipe. The mechanical connection is established without rotating the fitting. The fitting can include a body having an outer shaft section for being received in the branch conduit and an inner flange section for opposing the liner within the main pipe. The fastener include one or more teeth that extend radially from the exterior of the shaft section. The teeth can be secured to the shaft section by deforming portions of the fitting body against the teeth. The flange section supports a gasket for sealing against the liner when the fitting is installed. The flange section can include a rim that maintains the gasket in the proper position.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2019Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.Inventors: George Bontus, Rick Baxter, Benjamin Lagosz-Sinclair, George Lohr, David Antanavige, Dennis Semet, Steven McKeefrey
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Patent number: 11724318Abstract: In one aspect, a bit for removing a plug from a branch conduit extending from a main pipe has a boring head at a distal end portion of a shaft configured to bore a pilot hole in the plug. A catch on the shaft is configured to pass through the pilot hole and then engage the plug after the pilot hole is bored for pushing the plug proximally. A burr proximal of the boring head is configured to remove a portion of the plug to separate a removable section from a durable section of the plug. In a method of restoring fluid communication between a main pipe and a branch conduit, the bit bores a pilot hole with the boring head, separates the removable section from the durable section with the burr, and then with the catch, withdraws the removable section only.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.Inventors: Rick Baxter, Steven McKeefrey, Hermann Herrlich, Kole Kottmeier
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Patent number: 11708919Abstract: A liner tube for lining a pipe and pipe lining method. Liner material that includes a strength layer and felt backing layer forms the liner tube. The strength layer includes chopped strands of fiber oriented generally parallel to one another and distributed along the strength layer. The felt backing layer can be needle punched to the strength layer. Joining structure can connect opposite longitudinal edge margins of the liner material to form a tube shape. The liner tube is impregnated with a curable polymer, positioned in the pipe, and cured to form the liner. The liner stretches radially when it is positioned in the pipe. As the liner stretches, the strength layer remains fixed to the felt backing and the width of the overlapping edge margins does not decrease.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2020Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.Inventors: Charles Free, Yevgeny Zaltsman, Abu Abraham
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Patent number: 11649601Abstract: An end seal placement tool for placing an end seal in a host pipe within a manhole includes a pole with opposite proximal and distal ends. An end seal holder is disposed at the distal end of the pole. The end seal holder includes an end seal chamber configured to hold the end seal. The end seal holder is sized and shaped to be at least partially inserted into the host pipe. A launcher is arranged with respect to the end seal holder for ejecting the end seal from the end seal holder into the host pipe.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2020Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.Inventor: Bradley Schwerdt, Sr.
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Patent number: 11577200Abstract: A method for removing VOCs from exhaust gases of a CIPP curing process, the method including the steps of: (a) positioning an exhaust conduit to capture the exhaust gases; (b) elevating the temperature of at least a portion of the exhaust gases and passing the exhaust gases over a catalyst containing substrate to form a devolitized gas stream; and (c) directing the devolitized gas stream to an exhaust stack.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.Inventors: Jason Michael Howell, John Matthews, Elizabeth Matthews
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Patent number: 11391407Abstract: A pipe rehabilitation system and/or robot can be used inside a pipe to measure characteristics of branch conduits, install plugs into branch conduits before the pipe is lined with a liner, remove portions of plugs and liners after lining to restore fluid communication between the pipe and branch conduits, and/or install fittings into the branch conduits to connect the liner to the branch conduits. A probe can measure characteristics of a branch conduit. A tool can install plugs and/or fittings into the branch conduits. A linkage can connect a tool to a robotic tractor so that the connected elements can navigate through a main pipe. A visualization system can aid in aligning a robot with a branch conduit. Height-adjustable braces can support robotic tools in a pipe. A plug can include integrated locating features and/or movable parts that enable expanding the plug to seal with the branch conduit.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2019Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.Inventors: Rick Baxter, Robert Kodadek, Hermann Herrlich, Steven McKeefrey, John Webster
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Patent number: 11384889Abstract: An eversion liner for lining a pipe includes an impermeable outer portion, inner and outer strength portions inside the impermeable outer portion, and a middle portion including at least one felt layer radially between the inner and outer strength portions. At least one of the inner and outer strength portions is formed from a unitary sheet of strength material that includes parallel chopped strands of fiber. The longitudinal edge margins of the sheet of strength material are positioned in overlapping engagement and joined together by joining structure. The parallel chopped fibers can be oriented transverse to the length of the liner. The joining structure can prevent reduction in a width of the overlapped edge margins as the liner expands during eversion.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.Inventors: Charles Free, Abu Abraham, Yevgeny Eugene Zaltsman
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Patent number: 11173634Abstract: A liner for being cured by electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in a curing range. The liner includes an outer portion. The outer portion includes a tube of impermeable material that is opaque to electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in the curing range. An inner portion includes a tube of felt internally coated with an impermeable coating that is transparent to electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in the curing range. The inner portion is inside the outer portion. A middle portion includes a tube of impregnable material between the inner and outer portions. Curable polymer that is curable by electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in the curing range impregnates the felt and the impregnable material. Methods of manufacturing and installing the liner are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2018Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: INA Acquisition CorpInventors: Charles Free, Abu Abraham, Yevgeny Zaltsman, James Rothe
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Patent number: 11137102Abstract: A cured in place liner system and associated connections and methods are disclosed. The cured in place pipe system forms a completely rehabilitated, stand-alone, fluid-tight flow path between upstream and downstream portions of an existing pipe system. The rehabilitated flow path is stand-alone in that the liner system does not rely on structure of the portion of the pipe system through which the liner system is installed to define the fluid-tight flow path. The flow path between upstream and downstream portions of the liner system is defined by and made fluid-tight solely by components of the rehabilitation system such as cured in place liners and couplers. The portion of the pipe system through which the rehabilitation system is installed merely provides a path (e.g., through the ground) through which the cured in place liner system can be inserted.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2019Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.Inventors: Mark Hairston, Barry Paschall, Keith B. Oxner, Kyle Costa
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Patent number: 11118716Abstract: A device for curing resin in a pipe liner using electromagnetic radiation includes a heat sink and LEDs for generating the radiation mounted on the heat sink. The device conducts heat away from the LEDs through the heat sink. The heat sink is positioned in the flow path of cooling fluid that draws heat away by convection. The heat sink can include elements at the ends of the LEDs that are exposed to the cooling fluid. The device can guide the cooling fluid along a flow path that includes a segment that extends over the LEDs. The device can limit fluid flow through a central cavity of the heat sink.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2018Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.Inventor: Slawomir Kuzniar Kanres
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Patent number: 11079055Abstract: A fitting for connecting a branch conduit to a liner installed in a main pipe is configured to mechanically connect to the branch conduit as it is inserted into the branch conduit from inside the main pipe. The mechanical connection is established without rotating the fitting. The fitting can include a body having an outer shaft section for being received in the branch conduit and an inner flange section for opposing the liner within the main pipe. The fastener include one or more teeth that extend radially from the exterior of the shaft section. The teeth can be secured to the shaft section by deforming portions of the fitting body against the teeth. The flange section supports a gasket for sealing against the liner when the fitting is installed. The flange section can include a rim that maintains the gasket in the proper position.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2020Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.Inventors: George Bontus, Rick Baxter, Benjamin Lagosz-Sinclair, George Lohr, David Antanavige, Dennis Semet, Steven McKeefrey
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Patent number: 11014309Abstract: A rehabilitated pipe system and a method for rehabilitating a pipe system. A lines a host pipe and a coupling member configured for being operatively coupled to a mechanical coupler is positioned adjacent the host pipe so that a connecting section of the liner extends into the coupling member. The connecting section of the liner is adhesively bonded to the coupling member, and the mechanical coupler is installed to fluidly couple the liner to another fluid conducting structure. The connecting section of the liner can be formed in a portion of the host pipe that is removed after lining. The coupling member can be flanged or include a lateral coupling tube. The mechanical coupler can, e.g., be a ductile iron coupler or a bolt.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2019Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: INA Acquisition CorpInventors: Mark Hairston, Barry Paschall
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Patent number: 10816112Abstract: A liner tube for lining a pipe and pipe lining method. Liner material that includes a strength layer and felt backing layer forms the liner tube. The strength layer includes chopped strands of fiber oriented generally parallel to one another and distributed along the strength layer. The felt backing layer can be needle punched to the strength layer. Joining structure can connect opposite longitudinal edge margins of the liner material to form a tube shape. The liner tube is impregnated with a curable polymer, positioned in the pipe, and cured to form the liner. The liner stretches radially when it is positioned in the pipe. As the liner stretches, the strength layer remains fixed to the felt backing and the width of the overlapping edge margins does not decrease.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2018Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.Inventors: Charles Free, Yevgeny Zaltsman, Abu Abraham
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Publication number: 20200332940Abstract: An eversion liner for lining a pipe includes an impermeable outer portion, inner and outer strength portions inside the impermeable outer portion, and a middle portion including at least one felt layer radially between the inner and outer strength portions. At least one of the inner and outer strength portions is formed from a unitary sheet of strength material that includes parallel chopped strands of fiber. The longitudinal edge margins of the sheet of strength material are positioned in overlapping engagement and joined together by joining structure. The parallel chopped fibers can be oriented transverse to the length of the liner. The joining structure can prevent reduction in a width of the overlapped edge margins as the liner expands during eversion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Applicant: INA ACQUISITION CORP.Inventors: Charles Free, Abu Abraham, Yevgeny Eugene Zaltsman
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Patent number: 10704728Abstract: An eversion liner for lining a pipe includes an impermeable outer portion, inner and outer strength portions inside the impermeable outer portion, and a middle portion including at least one felt layer radially between the inner and outer strength portions. At least one of the inner and outer strength portions is formed from a unitary sheet of strength material that includes parallel chopped strands of fiber. The longitudinal edge margins of the sheet of strength material are positioned in overlapping engagement and joined together by joining structure. The parallel chopped fibers can be oriented transverse to the length of the liner. The joining structure can prevent reduction in a width of the overlapped edge margins as the liner expands during eversion.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.Inventors: Charles Free, Abu Abraham, Yevgeny Eugene Zaltsman
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Publication number: 20190376635Abstract: A cured in place liner system and associated connections and methods are disclosed. The cured in place pipe system forms a completely rehabilitated, stand-alone, fluid-tight flow path between upstream and downstream portions of an existing pipe system. The rehabilitated flow path is stand-alone in that the liner system does not rely on structure of the portion of the pipe system through which the liner system is installed to define the fluid-tight flow path. The flow path between upstream and downstream portions of the liner system is defined by and made fluid-tight solely by components of the rehabilitation system such as cured in place liners and couplers. The portion of the pipe system through which the rehabilitation system is installed merely provides a path (e.g., through the ground) through which the cured in place liner system can be inserted.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2019Publication date: December 12, 2019Applicant: INA Acquisition Corp.Inventors: Mark Hairston, Barry Paschall, Keith B. Oxner, Kyle Costa
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Patent number: 10471662Abstract: A rehabilitated pipe system and a method for rehabilitating a pipe system. A lines a host pipe and a coupling member configured for being operatively coupled to a mechanical coupler is positioned adjacent the host pipe so that a connecting section of the liner extends into the coupling member. The connecting section of the liner is adhesively bonded to the coupling member, and the mechanical coupler is installed to fluidly couple the liner to another fluid conducting structure. The connecting section of the liner can be formed in a portion of the host pipe that is removed after lining. The coupling member can be flanged or include a lateral coupling tube. The mechanical coupler can, e.g., be a ductile iron coupler or a bolt.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2016Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.Inventors: Mark Hairston, Barry Paschall