Patents by Inventor F. Thomas Driver
F. 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: 5778938Abstract: A dual containment pipe system suitable for installation into an existing conduit includes an impervious containment pipe adapted to be installed as a primary containment pipe and a crush-resistant and flexible spacer element disposed about the entire external circumference of the primary containment pipe. The annular spacer is formed of a plurality of spaced apart and parallel substantially crush-resistant longitudinal members with a plurality of spaced apart parallel flexible connecting ribs bonded thereto. The longitudinal members form a uniform space when the containment pipe suitable for installation of leak detection systems including cables or based on measuring pressure differentials. The new impervious primary containment pipe may be cured in place, folded and formed, diameter reduced pipe, or any other pipe suitable for pipeline rehabilitation.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1996Date of Patent: July 14, 1998Assignee: Insituform (Netherlands) B.V.Inventors: Douglas K. Chick, F. Thomas Driver
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Patent number: 5743299Abstract: A dual containment pipe system suitable for installation into an existing conduit includes an impervious containment pipe adapted to be installed as a primary containment pipe and a crush-resistant and flexible spacer element disposed about the entire external circumference of the primary containment pipe. The spacer is formed of a plurality of spaced apart and parallel substantially crush-resistant longitudinal members with a plurality of spaced apart parallel flexible connecting ribs bonded thereto. The longitudinal members form a uniform space when the containment pipe suitable for installation of leak detection systems including cables or based on measuring pressure differentials. The new impervious primary containment pipe may be cured in place, folded and formed, diameter reduced pipe, or any other pipe suitable for pipeline rehabilitation.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: April 28, 1998Assignee: Insituform (Netherland) B.V.Inventors: Douglas K. Chick, F. Thomas Driver
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Patent number: 5546992Abstract: A dual containment pipe system suitable for installation into an existing conduit includes an impervious containment pipe adapted to be installed as a primary containment pipe and a crush-resistant and flexible spacer element disposed about the entire external circumference of the primary containment pipe. The spacer is formed of a plurality of spaced apart and parallel substantially crush-resistant longitudinal members with a plurality of spaced apart parallel flexible connecting ribs bonded thereto. The longitudinal members form a uniform space when the containment pipe suitable for installation of leak detection systems including cables or based on measuring pressure differentials. The new impervious primary containment pipe may be cured in place, folded and formed, diameter reduced pipe, or any other pipe suitable for pipeline rehabilitation.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 1994Date of Patent: August 20, 1996Assignee: Insituform (Netherlands) B.V.Inventors: Douglas K. Chick, F. Thomas Driver
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Patent number: 5305798Abstract: An elongated fluid detection device, together with a body of absorbent material, is located between the inner surface of a pipe and an impervious liner spaced from the inner surface thereof, the detection device being operatively connected to an external station. The impervious layer may be of a type normally used for relining defective pipes in situ, and the body of absorbent material, together with the fluid detecting element, preferably substantially filling the cylindrical space between the inner surface of the pipe and the impervious liner.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1992Date of Patent: April 26, 1994Inventor: F. Thomas Driver
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Patent number: 5172730Abstract: An elongated fluid detection device, together with a body of absorbent material, is located between the inner surface of a pipe and an impervious liner spaced from the inner surface thereof, the detection device being operatively connected to an external station. The impervious layer may be of a type normally used for relining defective pipes in situ, and the body of absorbent material, together with the fluid detecting element, preferably substantially filling the cylindrical space between the inner surface of the pipe and the impervious liner.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 1992Date of Patent: December 22, 1992Assignee: Insituform of North American, Inc.Inventor: F. Thomas Driver
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Patent number: 5167901Abstract: In a tube eversion apparatus a first chamber in which the eversion pressure is developed is controllably sealed by a sphincter-type valve, the valve being in turn actuated by pressure developed in a preferably separately controllable and adjustable second chamber, another chamber preferably being provided above the sphincter-type valve for containing a supply of liquid and limiting turbulence from any escape of fluid past the sphincter-type valve, the other chamber also providing apparatus for supplying heated fluid to a lay-flat hose adapted to be pulled through the sphincter-type valve by the tube being exerted. Use of the improved apparatus involves appropriate modifications of the usual eversion process involving applying and controlling the everting pressure and the pressure exerted against the sphincter-type valve by the fluid in the second chamber.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1992Date of Patent: December 1, 1992Inventors: F. Thomas Driver, Joseph A. Alexander, Lloyd G. Buchanan
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Patent number: 5154936Abstract: In a tube eversion apparatus a first chamber in which the eversion pressure is developed is controllably sealed by a sphincter-type valve, the valve being in turn actuated by pressure developed in a preferably separately controllable and adjustable second chamber, another chamber preferably being provided above the sphincter-type valve for containing a supply of liquid and limiting turbulence from any escape of fluid past the sphincter-type valve, the other chamber also providing apparatus for supplying heated fluid to a lay-flat hose adapted to be pulled through the spincter-type valve by the tube being everted. Use of the improved apparatus involves appropriate modifications of the usual eversion process involving applying and controlling the everting pressure and the pressure exerted against the sphincter-type valve by the fluid in the second chamber.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1990Date of Patent: October 13, 1992Assignee: Insituform Licensees B.V.Inventors: F. Thomas Driver, Joseph A. Alexander, Lloyd G. Buchanan
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Patent number: 5044405Abstract: To facilitate the repair of short sections of pipe by providing a lining in situ, a repair carrier containing the repair lining is moved into position adjacent the pipe length to be lined, the lining is forced out of the carrier into position in the pipe where it is fixed in position and the carrier is then removed from the pipe leaving the lining in place. A flexible tube forming a part of the carrier is used to initially position the lining in the carrier and then to force the lining out from the carrier and urge it against the interior of the pipe, preferably by eversion.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 1989Date of Patent: September 3, 1991Assignee: Insituform Licensees B.V.Inventors: F. Thomas Driver, Jeff P. Wells
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Patent number: 4980116Abstract: In order to line a pipeline or passageway active in conveying effluent without interrupting the flow of effluent therethrough, a first bypass conduit is passed through the section to be lined before the lining is inserted and the effluent is pumped therethrough, a second bypass conduit is passed through the lining after it has been inserted but before is has been fixed in position, the effluent is then pumped through that second conduit, the lining is fixed in position, normal effluent flow resumes, and the second conduit can be removed for future use.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1989Date of Patent: December 25, 1990Assignee: Insituform of North America, inc.Inventor: F. Thomas Driver
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Patent number: 4752511Abstract: When pipes are provided with comparatively rigid linings, the gaps which tend to appear between the pipe and the lining along the length thereof, and through which gaps gaseous type contents tend to escape, are sealed by providing between the pipe and the lining radially expandable sealing rings spaced along the length of the pipe, those rings compressing when the lining is in place and only partially expanding if the lining tends to separate from the pipe, thereby to provide a series of annular seals along the length of the pipe. The sealing rings may be positioned within the pipe before the lining is applied or may be initially secured to the lining and moved into place with the lining.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 1986Date of Patent: June 21, 1988Assignee: Insituform International NVInventor: F. Thomas Driver
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Patent number: RE35944Abstract: In a tube eversion apparatus a first chamber in which the eversion pressure in developed is controllably sealed by a sphincter-type valve, the valve being in turn actuated by pressure developed in a preferably separately controllable and adjustable second chamber, another chamber preferably being provided above the sphincter-type valve for containing a supply of liquid and limiting turbulence from any escape of fluid past the sphincter-type valve, the other chamber also providing apparatus for supplying heated fluid to a lay-flat hose adapted to be pulled through the sphincter-type valve by the tube being .?.exerted.!. .Iadd.everted.Iaddend.. Use of the improved apparatus involves appropriate modifications of the usual eversion process involving applying and controlling the everting pressure and the pressure exerted against the sphincter-type valve by the fluid in the second chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1994Date of Patent: November 3, 1998Assignee: Insituform (Netherlands) B.V.Inventors: F. Thomas Driver, Joseph A. Alexander, Lloyd G. Buchanan