Abstract: An expander, preferably for use in expanding a host pipe to be refurbished. A floating pad is disposed to be displaced relative to a chassis by at least one retractable and extendable piston such that the expander has a first expansion range between fully-retracted and fully-extended states. A floating pad jacket and a chassis jacket are disposed to be removably attached to the floating pad and chassis, such that the floating pad jacket increases the first expansion range of the expander to a second expansion range when the floating pad jacket is attached to the floating pad, and the chassis jacket increases the first expansion range of the expander to a third expansion range when the chassis jacket is attached to the chassis. At least one piston may be configured to be extended and retracted independently.

Abstract: An expander, preferably for use in expanding a host pipe to be refurbished. A floating pad is disposed to be displaced relative to a chassis by at least one retractable and extendable piston such that the expander has a first expansion range between fully-retracted and fully-extended states. A floating pad jacket and a chassis jacket are disposed to be removably attached to the floating pad and chassis, such that the floating pad jacket increases the first expansion range of the expander to a second expansion range when the floating pad jacket is attached to the floating pad, and the chassis jacket increases the first expansion range of the expander to a third expansion range when the chassis jacket is attached to the chassis. At least one piston may be configured to be extended and retracted independently.

Abstract: A method for generating an augmented set of images involves data collection, data processing, and data augmentation processing performed to merge images. The data collection comprises the steps of choosing objects as selected objects, choosing configurations for imaging of the selected objects, and taking pictures with a second camera to create a set of raw object images. The data processing comprises the steps of performing dynamic range adjustment on the raw object image, performing color correction for corrected images, and removing uniform background from the corrected images to result in object images. The data augmentation processing performed to merge images comprises the steps of performing range simulation or magnification for resampled images, adding blur to the resampled images, adding noise to create final object images, and merging the final object images to the field images of a first camera to create a set of augmented images.

Abstract: A method for generating an augmented set of images involves data collection, data processing, and data augmentation processing performed to merge images. The data collection comprises the steps of choosing objects as selected objects, choosing configurations for imaging of the selected objects, and taking pictures with a second camera to create a set of raw object images. The data processing comprises the steps of performing dynamic range adjustment on the raw object image, performing color correction for corrected images, and removing uniform background from the corrected images to result in object images. The data augmentation processing performed to merge images comprises the steps of performing range simulation or magnification for resampled images, adding blur to the resampled images, adding noise to create final object images, and merging the final object images to the field images of a first camera to create a set of augmented images.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for refurbishing an existing host pipe. According to presently preferred embodiments, a first phase is to make a longitudinal cut in the host pipe. A second phase is an expansion phase, wherein the host pipe is expanded, preferably nondestructively, via separation of the longitudinal cut. A third phase is to insert liner pipe sections into the expanded host pipe. In confined space environments, sections of liner pipe are concatenated end-to-end as they are inserted into the host pipe. In some embodiments, the expansion phase and the liner pipe section insertion phase may be combined. A fourth phase is to grout the annular space formed between the host pipe and the concatenated liner pipe sections.

Abstract: Techniques for refurbishing an existing host pipe, useful in deployments in confined spaces or providing limited access to the host pipe. In currently preferred embodiments, a plurality of cartridges each include (1) a liner pipe section, (2) at least one rod and (3) at least one centering ball, wherein each rod and centering ball is received inside its corresponding liner pipe section such that each rod is stabilized within its corresponding liner pipe section via contact between at least one centering ball and the liner pipe section. Once the first cartridge is inserted into the host pipe, a second cartridge is concatenated to the first by connection of their respective rods and liner pipe sections. The second cartridge is inserted into the host pipe, and so on. Upon completion, the rods and centering balls may be withdrawn from the concatenated string of liner pipe sections.

Abstract: Techniques for refurbishing an existing host pipe, useful in deployments in confined spaces or providing limited access to the host pipe. In currently preferred embodiments, a plurality of cartridges each include (1) a liner pipe section, (2) at least one rod and (3) at least one centering ball, wherein each rod and centering ball is received inside its corresponding liner pipe section such that each rod is stabilized within its corresponding liner pipe section via contact between at least one centering ball and the liner pipe section. Once the first cartridge is inserted into the host pipe, a second cartridge is concatenated to the first by connection of their respective rods and liner pipe sections. The second cartridge is inserted into the host pipe, and so on. Upon completion, the rods and centering balls may be withdrawn from the concatenated string of liner pipe sections.

Abstract: Techniques for refurbishing an existing host pipe, useful in deployments in confined spaces or providing limited access to the host pipe. In currently preferred embodiments, a plurality of cartridges each include (1) a liner pipe section, (2) at least one rod and (3) at least one centering ball, wherein each rod and centering ball is received inside its corresponding liner pipe section such that each rod is stabilized within its corresponding liner pipe section via contact between at least one centering ball and the liner pipe section. Once the first cartridge is inserted into the host pipe, a second cartridge is concatenated to the first by connection of their respective rods and liner pipe sections. The second cartridge is inserted into the host pipe, and so on. Upon completion, the rods and centering balls may be withdrawn from the concatenated string of liner pipe sections.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for refurbishing an existing host pipe. According to presently preferred embodiments, a first phase is to make a longitudinal cut in the host pipe. A second phase is an expansion phase, wherein the host pipe is expanded, preferably nondestructively, via separation of the longitudinal cut. A third phase is to insert liner pipe sections into the expanded host pipe. In confined space environments, sections of liner pipe are concatenated end-to-end as they are inserted into the host pipe. In some embodiments, the expansion phase and the liner pipe section insertion phase may be combined. A fourth phase is to grout the annular space formed between the host pipe and the concatenated liner pipe sections.

Abstract: A method for refurbishing an existing host pipe, in which an in-situ longitudinal cut is made in the interior wall of a subterranean host pipe. An expansion tool is moved along a path inside the host pipe, stopping at one or more stations on the way. At each station, responsive to isolated outward radial force from the expansion tool, the interior diameter of the host pipe is increased via separation of the longitudinal cut. A new rigid liner pipe is inserted inside the expanded host pipe to operationally replace the host pipe. In some embodiments, grout is deployed in the annular space between liner pipe and host pipe. Expansion of the host pipe via separation of the longitudinal cut optimizes the refurbishment job and enables the original host pipe, as expanded, to contribute structurally to the refurbished pipe system.

Abstract: A method for refurbishing an existing host pipe, in which an in-situ longitudinal cut is made in the interior wall of a subterranean host pipe. An expansion tool is moved along a path inside the host pipe, stopping at one or more stations on the way. At each station, responsive to isolated outward radial force from the expansion tool, the interior diameter of the host pipe is increased via separation of the longitudinal cut. A new rigid liner pipe is inserted inside the expanded host pipe to operationally replace the host pipe. In some embodiments, grout is deployed in the annular space between liner pipe and host pipe. Expansion of the host pipe via separation of the longitudinal cut optimizes the refurbishment job and enables the original host pipe, as expanded, to contribute structurally to the refurbished pipe system.

Abstract: A method for refurbishing an existing expandable host pipe. An expansion tool is adapted to generate isolated outward radial force when in expansion mode. The expansion tool is moved along a path inside the host pipe, stopping at stations on the way. At each station, responsive to isolated outward radial force from the expansion tool, the unobstructed interior diameter of the host pipe is increased via non-destructive plastic deformation of the interior wall. Once the entire host pipe is expanded in this fashion, a new rigid liner pipe is inserted inside the host pipe to operationally replace the host pipe. Grout is deployed in the annular space between liner pipe and host pipe. Expansion of the host pipe via non-destructive plastic deformation optimizes the refurbishment job and enables the original host pipe, as expanded, to contribute structurally to the refurbished pipe system.

Abstract: A method for refurbishing an existing expandable host pipe. An expansion tool is adapted to generate isolated outward radial force when in expansion mode. The expansion tool is moved along a path inside the host pipe, stopping at stations on the way. At each station, responsive to isolated outward radial force from the expansion tool, the unobstructed interior diameter of the host pipe is increased via non-destructive plastic deformation of the interior wall. Once the entire host pipe is expanded in this fashion, a new rigid liner pipe is inserted inside the host pipe to operationally replace the host pipe. Grout is deployed in the annular space between liner pipe and host pipe. Expansion of the host pipe via non-destructive plastic deformation optimizes the refurbishment job and enables the original host pipe, as expanded, to contribute structurally to the refurbished pipe system.

Abstract: A method for refurbishing an existing expandable host pipe. An expansion tool is adapted to generate isolated outward radial force when in expansion mode. The expansion tool is moved along a path inside the host pipe, stopping at stations on the way. At each station, responsive to isolated outward radial force from the expansion tool, the unobstructed interior diameter of the host pipe is increased via non-destructive plastic deformation of the interior wall. Once the entire host pipe is expanded in this fashion, a new rigid liner pipe is inserted inside the host pipe to operationally replace the host pipe. Grout is deployed in the annular space between liner pipe and host pipe. Expansion of the host pipe via non-destructive plastic deformation optimizes the refurbishment job and enables the original host pipe, as expanded, to contribute structurally to the refurbished pipe system.