Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing air from a tube to improve the impregnation of the tube with a curable resin or other viscous fluid used in cured-in-place pipe rehabilitation. Also, a perforated needle for use in vacuum impregnation and a method of evacuating air from a flexible tube, particularly a lining tube used for rehabilitation of underground conduits.

Abstract: A method of lining a pipe conduit to provide superior corrosion resistance. A flexible lining hose, having a resin absorbent layer which has been introduced with a volume of high strength resin, is first positioned inside of the conduit. The lining hose is then expanded into contact with the inner diameter of the conduit by inverting a calibration hose. The calibration hose has an impermeable membrane and a layer of resin absorbent material that has been introduced with a volume of corrosion resistant resin. The calibration hose is inverted by use of fluid pressure inside the lining hose, the fluid pressure being exerted against the impermeable membrane of the calibration hose. The resin layers are then cured by the application of a heated fluid until the lining hose and the calibration hose form a unitary rigid self supporting liner.

Abstract: A tubular liner for use in softlining methods of pipe rehabilitation. The tubular liner is constructed of plastic materials or laminates of plastic material which have one or more resin-absorbing layers. The tubular liner of the present invention is made by stitching together the faces of the liner material to form a tube. The seam of the tube is then sealed and the sealed seam is fused to the tube. The resulting structure provides a durable tubular liner that resists rupture or leakage of the seam during use in pipe rehabilitation operations.

Abstract: An improved robotic cutter for re-establishing lateral connections in a lined sewer pipe is disclosed and claimed herein. The improved robotic cutter disclosed herein is a relatively small, lightweight cutter in which the cutting tool can be made to scribe a true circle, thus ensuring a true circular cutout of the lining blocking a lateral connection.