Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An air inversion and steam cure apparatus for installing a flexible resin impregnated cured in place liner in an existing conduit is provided. The apparatus has a low friction seal between a moving liner and the stationary apparatus gland. The gland is operated and adjusted by displaceable members that move substantially perpendicular to the liner being inverted to engage the moving liner as it passes through the gland. No part of the gland extends into the chamber so that once a pre-shaped gland is adjusted, the pressure on the moving liner is not increased. As the liner reaches the distal end, it enters a sample and porting pipe with an exhaust pipe gland and exhaust pipe and is pierced by a rigid porting tool. Steam is then introduced into the liner to cure the resin and is exhausted through an exhaust hose connected to the porting tool. After cure, steam is replaced with air to cool the liner and the ends are cut to restore service through the existing conduit.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A plug for temporarily plugging a lateral line from lateral opening in a main pipeline. A distal end of the plug is inserted in the lateral line from the main pipeline. The plug includes a fitting tube and a wedge constructed for deforming a deformable portion of the fitting tube outward to plug the lateral opening. Axial movement of the wedge with respect to the fitting tube toward a flow area of the main pipeline causes deformation of the deformable portion. A gripping member may be positioned on an outer surface of the fitting tube. The plug may include a fitting on the fitting tube to facilitate gripping of the plug by a tool. A cutting and brushing assembly may be used to remove the plug from the lateral line. Methods of installing and removing lateral plugs are also disclosed.

Abstract: A robot adapted for navigating a passageway having an oblong section includes an engine and a carriage. The carriage includes drive members for driving engagement with the interior surface of the passageway for moving the robot along the passageway. The robot may include a lower stabilizing mechanism for maintaining the robot in a generally upright orientation in the passageway as the robot travels along the passageway. The robot may include an upper stabilizing mechanism for engaging an upper portion of the interior surface of the passageway for increasing friction of the drive members on the interior surface of the passageway. The drive members may each include wheels having different thicknesses and may be angled outwardly to increase engagement of a bearing surface of the drive members with the interior surface of the passageway.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A process for porting air inflated flexible resin impregnated cured in place liner by pulling without loss of pressure is provided. A selectively openable bulkhead fitting is installed at the pull-in end. The filling may be installed in the end of a pull-in liner; on a porting sleeve or secured to an inflated pulled in or inverted liner. A port is formed through the bulkhead fitting by cutting a hole through the valve assembly. A steam fitting with an exhaust hose is coupled to the bulkhead fitting while maintaining pressure in the inflation bladder. Steam for curing the resin is then introduced into the inversion apparatus to cure the resin and is exhausted through the exhaust hose.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming a grommet assembly to seal and reinforce holes through a cured in place liner for securing a cable. A first grommet base having a centrally located aperture with wedge shaped grooves is positioned on one side of the hole. A barrel having two opposed sets of wedge shaped projections is inserted into the grommet base and a second grommet base is placed on the barrel and pushed towards the liner until the second base firmly contacts the top surface of the liner and compresses the liner against the first base. The wedge shaped projections on the barrel and the complimentary grooves in the central apertures of the grommet bases prevent the barrel from being pulled out of either grommet base. The end of the barrel which projects out above the second base is cut off flush with the top surface. A hydraulic press to install the grommet assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A plug for temporarily plugging a lateral line from lateral opening in a main pipeline. A distal end of the plug is inserted in the lateral line from the main pipeline. The plug includes a fitting tube and a wedge constructed for deforming a deformable portion of the fitting tube outward to plug the lateral opening. Axial movement of the wedge with respect to the fitting tube toward a flow area of the main pipeline causes deformation of the deformable portion. A gripping member may be positioned on an outer surface of the fitting tube. A tool such as a ratchet assembly is mounted on a robot sized and configured for navigating the main pipeline for installing the plug. The plug may include a fitting on the fitting tube to facilitate gripping of the plug by the tool. A cutting and brushing assembly may be used to remove the plug from the lateral line. Methods of installing and removing lateral plugs are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for internally reinstating a connection in a lined conduit is provided. The connection may be a branch pipe or corporation stop that may or may not protrude into the conduit. It may be milled prior to lining. The process includes the step of locating the connection visually or with a probe, such as all eddy current probe. forming at an opening in the lining at the connection and then installing a T-nut with a sealing gasket facing the liner to hold the liner in place and form a seal between the T-nut and liner and the connection. The apparatus includes a motor coupled to a turntable with drive to install the T-nut and a supply of T-nuts mounted on a slide for loading the T-nuts onto the drive for installation of the T-nuts without having to remove the assembly between each installation.