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 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 flow-through device for use during the installation of an inverted resin impregnated flexible tubular liner in a passageway permitting the flow of fluids through the liner during the curing portion of the installation process is provided. A cylindrical body has an expandable bladder interior sealingly attached to the interior of the tubular body to form a pressure chamber is attached to the trailing end of the liner. Pressurized fluid is supplied to the chamber to inflate the bladder to close the end of the liner. The bladder allows flow through the passageway during curing of the liner, when the effluent pressure exceeds the pressure in the bladder.

Abstract: An apparatus for the installation of an inverted resin impregnated flexible tubular liner in a lateral passageway from a main passageway while permitting the flow of fluids through the main passageway during the installation process is provided. A cylindrical body with an opening to coincide with and interact with the lateral passageway has an expandable bladder on its outside with an opening coincident with the body opening and an elbow portion on the inside which is firmly attached at the opening. An air supply inflates the bladder. A tubular elbow is attached to a flexible hose at its proximal end, the hose having a gland for injecting fluid into the hose for inverting and curing the liner.

Abstract: A motor with a single driven shaft and double-ended collet is attached to a movable work unit for cutting laterals in a lined pipeline. The motor is preferably operated by an operator at a remote location. The motor attaches to the front arm of the extension ram of a typical remote work unit, which can index at least 180.degree. relative to the unit. The work unit is positioned in an existing conduit lined with a synthetic liner at the location of a lateral and a cutter bit at one end of the shaft is used to cut an aperture through the liner. The cutter bit is retracted radially without displacing the work unit, and the motor is indexed circumferentially 180.degree. relative to the extension ram. This positions the finishing bit at the other end of the shaft to trim the edges of the aperture, and the finishing bit is then retracted radially. The underground work unit can then be withdrawn from the pipe.

Abstract: A flow-through device for use during the installation of an inverted resin impregnated flexible tubular liner in a passageway permitting the flow of fluids through the liner during the curing portion of the installation process is provided. A cylindrical body has an expandable bladder interior sealingly attached to the interior of the tubular body to form a pressure chamber is attached to the trailing end of the liner. Pressurized fluid is supplied to the chamber to inflate the bladder to close the end of the liner. The bladder allows flow through the passageway during curing of the liner, when the effluent pressure exceeds the pressure in the bladder.