Patents by Inventor Steve J. Hirtz

Steve J. Hirtz 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).

  • Publication number: 20130263443
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Charles Delaney, Steve J. Hirtz, Jeffrey S. Collier, Kurt Schlake, Joseph M. Coyne, Richard C. Polivka, Franklin T. Driver
  • Patent number: 8066499
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.
    Inventors: Franklin Thomas Driver, Steve J. Hirtz, Richard C. Polivka, James H. Blasczyk, Neil T. Birchler, Kyle M. Costa
  • Patent number: 8038913
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.
    Inventors: Franklin Thomas Driver, Steve J. Hirtz, Richard C. Polivka, James H. Blasczyk, Neil T. Birchler, Kyle M. Costa
  • Publication number: 20090165927
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Franklin Thomas Driver, Steve J. Hirtz, Richard C. Polivka, James H. Blasczyk, Neil T. Birchler, Kyle M. Costa