Patches Patents (Class 138/98)
  • Patent number: 11920721
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for lining a host pipe with a shape memory polymer liner in which the liner is fed through a manufacturing assembly including a pipe tensioner, followed by a deformation tool, prior to entering the host pipe, the liner being pulled through the host pipe from a leading end, the component parts of the manufacturing assembly acting to temporarily reduce the liner outside diameter during the pulling operation, while allowing the liner to revert to at least the internal diameter of the host pipe upon removal of the pulling load. The liner being used is a shape memory polymer which exhibits the ability to return from a deformed shape to an original shape induced by an external stimulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Inventors: Andrew J. Mayer, Harvey E. Svetlik
  • Patent number: 11555572
    Abstract: A liner tube is provided for repairing either a single pipe line or a main pipe line having a lateral pipe line connected thereto. The liner tube assembly includes a liner tube impregnated with a liquid material capable of curing and hardening. The liner tube includes a gasket or band of hydrophilic paste positioned about the juncture of the pipe lines. The gasket or bands form a tight seal between the liner tube and the pipe line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: LMK Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11345830
    Abstract: The invention relates to a glass-reinforced plastic pipe liner of improved impact performance comprising layer B) from unsaturated polyester resin, optionally mixed with vinyl ester resin reinforced by non-woven fibres. Layer B) comprises colour pigments at 0.2-5.0 wt %. The invention provides flexible liners for pressure and non-pressure GRP pipes. It improves impact performance of the pipe liner whilst offering also improvements in abrasion resistance, water-jet resistance for high pressure cleaning without liner damage, increased expected lifetime by improved resistance to internal pressure and permits pigmentation of the liner. The invention also encloses a process for producing the glass-reinforced plastic pipe liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: AMIBLU TECHNOLOGY AS
    Inventors: Jane Hilary Thatcher Haavaldsen, Kjell Tony Syversen
  • Patent number: 11331875
    Abstract: Articles comprising an outer fabric layer and a laminate are provided. The laminate may include a barrier film layer and an inner fabric layer, in which the outer fabric layer at least partially encircles and overlies the laminate. The outer fabric layer comprises an outer fabric layer seal and the laminate comprises a laminate seal that is separate and distinct from the outer fabric seal. The articles may be devoid of any bonds between the outer fabric layer and the laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: AVINTIV Specialty Materials Inc.
    Inventor: Rongguo Zhao
  • Patent number: 11320084
    Abstract: Methods and systems for installation of a liner inside a conduit (e.g., water pipe) to transport a fluid (e.g., potable water) to rehabilitate the conduit, in which the liner can be installed, and thus the conduit can be rehabilitated, more efficiently, including, for example, by further reducing an extent of digging that may have to be done, by testing more readily (e.g., pressure-testing for watertightness or other fluid-tightness once installed), and/or by adapting to a cross-sectional size of the conduit. Also, the liner may be thinner, interact better (e.g., less) with the fluid flowing through the conduit, and/or be otherwise designed to enhance its use and performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Inventors: Yassir Jadani, Gilles Gagnon, Martin Bureau
  • Patent number: 11204125
    Abstract: An expandable pipe for restoring a damaged pipe is provided. The expandable pipe includes a liner formed of thermoplastic polyurethane, and grout material applied to the exterior surface of the liner. The exterior surface includes a plurality of flared tips and grooves, and each groove is located between adjacent flared tips. The grout material is disposed on the flared tips and in the grooves of the liner. The method used to restore the damaged pipe includes clamping the liner with the grout material on a puller-sealer fixture having a U-shaped cross-section to prevent debris from entering the interior of the liner, and pulling the puller-sealer fixture and liner through the damaged pipe. The grout material expands in volume upon exposure to moisture, ultra violet radiation, heat, and/or ultrasonics, and fills cracks or other imperfections and voids along the interior surface of the conduit, caused by corrosion, erosion, or other circumstances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: RECYCA-PIPE OF AMERICA L.L.C.
    Inventors: Clinton Edward Llewellyn, Alfred G. Hering, Bowdie J. Isanhart, John Harry Camp
  • Patent number: 11199287
    Abstract: Techniques for implementing and/or operating a pipeline system that includes a pipe segment and a pipe repair assembly. The pipe segment includes tubing having an inner barrier layer that defines a pipe bore through the pipe segment, an intermediate layer including solid strip wraps implemented around the inner barrier layer such that gaps are defined between adjacent solid strip wraps, and an outer barrier layer implemented around the intermediate layer. The pipe repair assembly includes an auxiliary patch secured at least across a break in a solid strip wrap in the intermediate layer of the pipe segment that is exposed by a hole in the outer barrier layer of the pipe segment; and outer material disposed over the auxiliary patch via an injection machine to fill the hole in the outer barrier layer of the pipe segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Juan Alfredo Erni
  • Patent number: 11193622
    Abstract: A pipe liner for lining a fluid-carrying pipe, the pipe liner comprising an elongated flexible conduit and a flexible flange. The flexible conduit includes an outer wall forming an open-ended central channel for allowing fluids to be pumped therethrough. The flexible flange extends radially from one end of the elongated conduit and includes a number of fastener holes. The flexible conduit and the flexible flange are configured to be collapsed and pulled through the pipe such that the flexible flange can be connected to a rigid flange of the pipe via the fastener holes. The pipe liner is less prone to leak and is easier to transport and install.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Lindsay Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Korus
  • Patent number: 11085571
    Abstract: A sealing plug system for sealing a hole in a flexible pipe. A shaft extends through a hole in a conduit. A seal couples to the shaft. The seal sealingly engages an interior surface of the conduit. A reaction collar couples to the shaft. A locking system couples to the shaft. The locking system blocks movement of the shaft in a first direction and allows movement of the shaft in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Kirk Spencer Francis
  • Patent number: 11078739
    Abstract: A downhole tool having a mandrel, and a bottom slip disposed around the mandrel. The bottom slip includes a circular body having a one-piece configuration characterized by a plurality of slip segments by at least partial material connectivity therearound. The bottom slip is made of a filament wound composite material, which means the bottom slip has a plurality of layers joined by respective interface layers. An outer slip surface of at least one of the plurality of slip segments is defined in cross-section by a plane P that intersects a longitudinal axis of the downhole tool at an angle a1 in a range of 10 degrees to 20 degrees when the bottom slip is in an unset position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: The WellBoss Company, LLC
    Inventors: Evan Lloyd Davies, Yi Xia, Luis Miguel Avila, David Hughes, Gabriel Slup, Ashton E. Diaz
  • Patent number: 11028955
    Abstract: A method and means for repairing the junction of a main and lateral pipe are provided. A repair assembly includes a launcher device, a bladder assembly surrounding the launcher device, and a liner assembly surrounding the bladder assembly. The bladder assembly is frangibly connected to the launcher device to maintain the position of the bladder assembly relative to the launcher device during transport and positioning of the assembly. Likewise, the liner assembly, which includes main and lateral liner members, is frangibly connected to the bladder assembly. The frangible connections allow the position of the repair assembly to be maintained. The frangible connections can be broken, such as by inflation and/or tearing or pulling apart of the components of the repair assembly. Thus, the invention provides a way to mitigate the movement of components of the repair assembly during transport and positioning of the repair assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: LMK Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10982499
    Abstract: A polymer patch system and method associated with a casing to be installed in a wellbore. The polymer patch has a polymer layer and an internal space radially under the polymer layer to form an internal annulus between the polymer layer and an exterior surface of the casing. An internal support is disposed in the internal space to maintain the internal annulus between the polymer layer and the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Fawaz Musaad AlShuraim
  • Patent number: 10914416
    Abstract: A Cured In Place Pipe System includes a tubular substrate constructed of needle-punched fibers of carbon, aramid and thermoplastic. The tubular structure defines a longitudinal channel running along the length. Within the channel is an air bladder, preferably including an air duct. The tubular substrate is enclosed within a loose-fitting protective film. The tube is preferably constructed with multiple overlapping layers that aren't permanently bound, thereby allowing for circumferential expansion to accommodate various host pipe sizes, shapes, and configurations. The integrated thermoplastic has a melt/flow point of approximately 300-342° F., a cure point of approximately 330-370° F., and bonding point of approximately 372-412° F. at approximately 5-20 psi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.
    Inventor: Joseph Taylor
  • Patent number: 10851933
    Abstract: A CIPP liner feed roller for manipulating and feeding CIPP liner by pulling CIPP liner from a liner source and feeding it to where it is needed. The CIPP liner feed roller generally includes a main roller attached to a frame, a clamping roller attached to the frame and configured to be in parallel with the main roller, wherein the distance between the clamping roller and the main roller can be adjusted using one or more actuators, a drive unit comprising a motor configured to control the rotation of the main roller within the frame, a controller coupled to the drive unit and the one or more actuators, wherein the controller is configured to control the rotation of the main roller and the distance between the clamping roller and the main roller, and a support beam attached the frame and configured to be in parallel with the main roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Subsurface, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason M. Homrighaus, Brandon G. Strom, Gary H. Strom
  • Patent number: 10844989
    Abstract: A sealing plug system for sealing a hole in a flexible pipe. A shaft extends through a hole in a conduit. A seal couples to the shaft. The seal sealingly engages an interior surface of the conduit. A reaction collar couples to the shaft. A locking system couples to the shaft. The locking system blocks movement of the shaft in a first direction and allows movement of the shaft in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Kirk Spencer Francis
  • Patent number: 10844991
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting a tubular liner impregnated with a hardening resin into the conduits or pipes to be rehabilitated is disclosed. The apparatus is a tool comprising a cylindrical segment and a conical segment, the cylindrical segment and the conical segment connected together to form a passageway adapted to guide a tubular liner inside a host pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: SANEXEN ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES INC.
    Inventors: Gilles Gagnon, Serge Veilleux, Vincent Sevigny Veilleux
  • Patent number: 10823324
    Abstract: Method of lining a tubular structure with a plastics liner pipe comprising the steps of: —temporarily reducing an outside diameter of the liner pipe by passing the liner pipe through a roller system; —cooling the liner pipe once its outside diameter has been reduced and applying a thermal restraint; —transporting the liner pipe to an installation site remote from the roller system; —removing said thermal restraint; and —installing the liner pipe in said tubular structure at said installation site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: RADIUS SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventor: Derek Muckle
  • Patent number: 10816112
    Abstract: A liner tube for lining a pipe and pipe lining method. Liner material that includes a strength layer and felt backing layer forms the liner tube. The strength layer includes chopped strands of fiber oriented generally parallel to one another and distributed along the strength layer. The felt backing layer can be needle punched to the strength layer. Joining structure can connect opposite longitudinal edge margins of the liner material to form a tube shape. The liner tube is impregnated with a curable polymer, positioned in the pipe, and cured to form the liner. The liner stretches radially when it is positioned in the pipe. As the liner stretches, the strength layer remains fixed to the felt backing and the width of the overlapping edge margins does not decrease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.
    Inventors: Charles Free, Yevgeny Zaltsman, Abu Abraham
  • Patent number: 10694815
    Abstract: Textile Components, such as upper members for articles of footwear, include: (a) a first portion having a first edge, wherein the first edge includes a first portion of material engaged with a first seam support material via a first thermoplastic material; (b) a second portion having a second edge, wherein the second edge includes a second portion of material engaged with a second seam support material via a second thermoplastic material; and (c) structure to engage the first and second edges in an abutting edge joint (such as a zig-zag stitch). The resulting textile components may be lightweight and breathable (e.g., due to use of lightweight upper fabric), having a comfortable fit (e.g., due to the abutting edge joint), while still providing a strong, stable, and durable construction (e.g., due to the presence of the seam support member(s)).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Bell
  • Patent number: 10508764
    Abstract: A composite tube is presented for repairing leaky fluid lines, consisting of a tubular glass fibre textile produced by a knitting method or a weaving method and of a film fully and sealingly surrounding this glass fibre textile, which tube is wherein the film on its inside facing the surface of the glass fibre textile has a coating of hotmelt adhesive that is meltable at least partially by a thermal treatment, via which the film is cohesively bonded to the glass fibre textile. The invention further relates to a method for producing a composite tube suitable for repairing leaky fluid lines and to a method for repairing leaky fluid lines with a composite tube of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Cuylits Holding GmbH
    Inventor: Ansgar Benölken
  • Patent number: 10458591
    Abstract: A liner tube is provided for repairing either a single pipe line or a main pipe line having a lateral pipe line connected thereto. The liner tube assembly includes a liner tube impregnated with a liquid material capable of curing and hardening. The liner tube includes a gasket or band positioned about the juncture of the pipe lines. The gasket or bands form a tight seal between the liner tube and the pipe line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: LMK Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10400934
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting a tubular liner impregnated with a hardening resin into the conduits or pipes to be rehabilitated is disclosed. The apparatus is a tool comprising a cylindrical segment and a conical segment, the cylindrical segment and the conical segment connected together to form a passageway adapted to guide a tubular liner inside a host pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: SANEXEN ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES INC.
    Inventors: Gilles Gagnon, Serge Veilleux, Vincent Sevigny Veilleux
  • Patent number: 10386006
    Abstract: A method of rehabilitating a network of underground water conduits having at least one lateral opening and a membrane for that purpose is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of blocking and sealing the at least one lateral opening with a membrane impregnated with a hardening resin positioned over the at least one lateral opening, and allowing the resin to harden thereby forming a rigid membrane over the at least one lateral opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignees: Sanexen Environmental Services Inc., Niedner Inc.
    Inventors: Sylvain Morissette, Martin Bureau, Gilles Gagnon
  • Patent number: 10202736
    Abstract: The instant invention provides an apparatus and method for renewing and repairing a manhole including the barrel, the plenum, and the chimney, in a single installation to seal off penetration of ground water into the manhole. The manhole repair liner and method utilizes a stretchable liner material which is precut and fused together to loosely approximate the geometry of the manhole. The liner material includes an acid-resistant layer made from an elastic closed-cell polymeric material. Included and fixed to one side or surface of the elastic liner is a felt, or other loosely woven or organized fabric of fibers intended to receive and retain in place a resin, which when cured, fixes the shape of the liner in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Plummer's Environmental Services, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Plummer, David C Van Dyken
  • Patent number: 10190719
    Abstract: Tubing everting apparatus, assemblies, and methods are disclosed herein. The tubing everting apparatus include a pressure chamber that defines an internal volume, a liner inlet port that is configured to receive a flexible tube liner into the internal volume, an inlet sealing structure that is configured to resist fluid flow therepast from the pressure chamber, and a liner outlet port that is configured to permit the flexible tube liner to extend from the internal volume. In some embodiments, the apparatus include a lubricator that is configured to apply a lubricant to the flexible tube liner. In some embodiments, the apparatus include a non-deflation valve that is configured to selectively transition between open and closed states. The assemblies include the apparatus and a cart that includes a lubricant reservoir. The methods include methods of operating the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Emagineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen T. Waring, Rossen Robert Huckfeldt
  • Patent number: 10190721
    Abstract: A spacer is inserted in a gap between an existing pipe and a rehabilitation pipe to adjust the position of the rehabilitation pipe inside the existing pipe. The spacer comprises first and second wedge-shaped members each having an inclined surface of the same inclination angle and being overlapped with the inclined surfaces thereof overlapped. Latching teeth are formed in the inclined surfaces of the first and second wedge-shaped members so that the second wedge-shaped member is movable relative to the first wedge-shaped member in the insertion direction of the spacer to stepwise increase an overall height thereof, but immovable in the reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SHONAN GOSEI-JUSHI SEISAKUSHO K.K.
    Inventor: Takao Kamiyama
  • Patent number: 10160158
    Abstract: A pipe-liner system for lining a pipe and methods of use thereof. A continuous, eversible extended liner is formed from a pipe-liner attached to an extender-tube via a substantially leak-proof connection there between. Lengths of the extender-tube and the pipe-liner are each chosen so that the pipe-liner is caused to be accurately positioned within the pipe upon everting the extended liner into the pipe by a pressurized fluid. The pipe-liner is held against an interior surface of the pipe being lined by inserting an inflatable bladder into the extended liner and filling the bladder with pressurized fluid. When a resin in the pipe-liner has hardened, the bladder is removed and the extender-tube is detached from the pipe-liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Inventor: Simon Sanders
  • Patent number: 10156314
    Abstract: A spacer is inserted in a gap between an existing pipe and a rehabilitation pipe to adjust the position of the rehabilitation pipe inside the existing pipe. The spacer comprises first and second wedge-shaped members each having an inclined surface of the same inclination angle and being overlapped with the inclined surfaces thereof overlapped. Latching teeth are formed in the inclined surfaces of the first and second wedge-shaped members so that the second wedge-shaped member is movable relative to the first wedge-shaped member in the insertion direction of the spacer to stepwise increase an overall height thereof, but immovable in the reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: SHONAN GOSEI-JUSHI SEISAKUSHO K.K.
    Inventor: Takao Kamiyama
  • Patent number: 10124448
    Abstract: A defect perimeter sealing system that includes a plurality of perimeter base components that are arranged around a defect of a tank, where all of a top of the perimeter base components are encompassed or spanned by compression panels, the plurality of perimeter base components and the compression panels defining a fill zone between the plurality of perimeter base components and the compression panels, and an injected material in the fill zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Forge Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lee Miller, Daniel J. Rybicki, Mathew A. Rybicki, Lawrence J. Povse, Kenneth R. Vejr, Andre S. Todd, John M. Griffin
  • Patent number: 9993992
    Abstract: A structural fabric suitable for lining pipes and pipes lined with the structural fabric. The fabric includes a strengthening layer laminated to a watertight layer. The strengthening layer may include carbon fiber bundles stitched to a watertight layer of woven glass fibers. In some embodiments, the strengthening layer includes lengthwise oriented carbon fiber bundles and widthwise oriented carbon fiber bundles bound together in a non-woven, non-crimp arrangement. The widthwise oriented bundles can have about three-times greater weight per unit area than the lengthwise oriented bundles. The watertight layer provides a watertight barrier when impregnated with the curable polymer, applied to the interior surface of the pipe, and cured. The watertight layer may include lengthwise and widthwise oriented bundles of glass fiber woven into one of a satin and twill weave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventors: Jon Whitledge, Reymundo Ortiz
  • Patent number: 9920872
    Abstract: A renovation liner is installed in a pipework. More particularly, an end of the renovation liner is closed by an elastic end piece. The renovation liner is impregnated with a hardening impregnating agent. The renovation liner, together with its end piece, is slipped into a position in the pipework to be renovated. A pressure is provided and maintained in a space formed by the renovation liner and the elastic end piece in order to press the renovation liner against walls of the pipework until the impregnating agent of the renovation liner has hardened in shape. The elastic end piece is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: PICOTE OY LTD.
    Inventor: Mika Lokkinen
  • Patent number: 9908301
    Abstract: A method for preparing a resizing sleeve for lining a joining point in a pipe assembly having pipes of thicker and thinner diameter. The method includes stretching the resizing sleeve in diameter to the size of the thicker pipe in diameter of the pipe assembly, installing an installation hat according to the thicker pipe in diameter of the pipe assembly by airtightly gluing it onto the stretched resizing sleeve, and returning the resizing sleeve to the size of the thinner pipe in diameter of the pipe assembly to be lined. A suitable tool for implementing the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: PICOTE OY LTD
    Inventor: Mika Lokkinen
  • Patent number: 9826802
    Abstract: The earring device (1) includes: a shaft (2) suitable for passing through the orifice; a catch (3) hinged with the shaft, the catch being suitable for adopting an unlocked position, wherein the catch is aligned with the shaft and a plurality of locking positions (17) along the shaft, wherein the catch is arranged transversely relative to the shaft; elements (17, 31, 32, 33) for reversibly locking the catch in one of the locking positions. The device makes it possible to adapt the earring to the thickness of the ear wearing same. The device is also suitable for other parts of the body liable to be pierced for the purposes of visual appeal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: ASSI MECA SA
    Inventors: Sebastien Barier, Daniel Abou Assi
  • Patent number: 9724873
    Abstract: A pipe-liner system for use when lining a pipe interior features a pipe having a pipe opening end and a pipe interior wall. The system features a flexible, substantially-impermeable, elongate extender-tube and an evertable, flexible, elongate, tubular pipe-liner. The system features a substantially leak-proof pressure retaining closure-sleeve located on a pipe-liner second end. An extender-tube second end is attached to a pipe-liner first end via a substantially leak-proof connection there between. The combined extender-tube and the pipe-liner form a single continuous evertable tube, hereinafter referred to as an extended liner having the pressure retaining closure-sleeve enclosing an extended liner distal end. A length of the extender-tube and a length of the pipe-liner are each chosen so that the liner is caused to be accurately positioned within the pipe upon eversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Inventor: Simon Sanders
  • Patent number: 9657883
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for installing a liner in a pipe, including a flexible tube assembly (2) with a proximal and a distal end, where the proximal end is attached to a proximal collar fitting (3) and the distal end is attached to a distal collar fitting (4). An inflatable bladder (110) is disposed over the tube (2) and the ends of the bladder (110) are secured to the collar fittings (3,4) forming sealed connections with the collar fittings. The proximal collar fitting (3) has connection means to connect to a guide hose (5), and includes at least one conduit for a fluid to inflate the inflatable and deflate bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Repiper AB
    Inventors: Göran Nilsson, Sam Hedberg
  • Patent number: 9568139
    Abstract: A lining element for repairing a connection area between a main pipe and a branch pipe, comprising a layer of resin-absorbing material, wherein at least three flexible, expandable lining parts are connected to each other by at least three connections to form the lining element. Each lining part comprises a main pipe section and a branch pipe section, and side edges. The lining element is characterized in that the lining parts are connected to each other by connecting both side edges of the adjacent branch pipe sections and side edges of adjacent main pipe sections in a continuous fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: TRELLEBORG PIPE SEALS DUISBURG GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Muhlin, Andreas Bichler
  • Patent number: 9506596
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved method and assembly for repairing a pipe or the junction of two pipes, such as sewer pipes. The assembly includes a launcher device having a launcher device body, a launcher device opening disposed on the launcher device body, and a main bladder substantially surrounding the launcher device body. The main bladder includes an opening that substantially aligns with the launcher device opening. The assembly further includes an absorbent liner and a lateral bladder having a tubular lateral bladder body portion and a flange portion. The flange portion of the lateral bladder is attached to the exterior of the launcher device body. A method of using the assembly includes impregnating the liner with resinous material; inserting at least a portion of the liner into the lateral bladder; inflating the bladders; pressing the liner against the pipe; and allowing the resinous material to cure and harden.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: LMK Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9435468
    Abstract: An elongate hollow structure and method of constructing the hollow structure is described, the hollow structure including a radially inner portion and a radially outer portion merging together to form a tubular wall structure. The method includes providing the radially inner portion, assembling the radially outer portion about the radially inner portion, and radially expanding the inner portion. The outer portion comprises an outer layer of fiber reinforced composite construction surrounded by a flexible outer casing. A space is provided between the radially inner portion and flexible outer casing. The outer layer includes reinforcement and a binder. The flexible outer casing resists radial expansion of the reinforcement, subjecting it to radial compression. The radially expanding inner portion cooperates with the flexible outer casing to cause the volume of the space to progressively decrease, causing the binder to spread through the space between the radially inner portion and flexible outer casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Long Pipes (Pty) Ltd.
    Inventor: Neil Deryck Bray Graham
  • Patent number: 9423064
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing a pipe system including a main pipe extending between a first and second manhole and one or more lateral pipes extending from the main pipe is provided. Aspects of the invention include the use of a main liner member having a plurality of lateral liner tubes in fluid connection and extending from the main liner member. The main liner member is used to line a main pipe, while the multiple lateral liner tubes extend into separate lateral pipes extending in various orientations from the main pipe. This method and apparatus provides for a single assembly to be able to line multiple pipes, which reduces time and cost for pipe repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: LMK Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jason M. Mathey, Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9394661
    Abstract: A maintainable soil drain and methods for using the maintainable soil drain for draining liquid away from structures, such as Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls and earth slopes, are disclosed. According to an aspect, a maintainable soil drain includes a drainage pipe having multiple holes defined therein. The maintainable soil drain also includes a removable drain. Further, the maintainable soil drain includes an interior geotextile wrapping that substantially surrounds the removable drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Ingios Geotechnics, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. White
  • Patent number: 9341302
    Abstract: A method and means for repairing the junction of a main and lateral pipe are provided. A repair assembly includes a launcher device, a bladder assembly surrounding the launcher device, and a liner assembly surrounding the bladder assembly. The bladder assembly is frangibly connected to the launcher device to maintain the position of the bladder assembly relative to the launcher device during transport and positioning of the assembly. Likewise, the liner assembly, which includes main and lateral liner members, is frangibly connected to the bladder assembly. The frangible connections allow the position of the repair assembly to be maintained. The frangible connections can be broken, such as by inflation and/or tearing or pulling apart of the components of the repair assembly. Thus, the invention provides a way to mitigate the movement of components of the repair assembly during transport and positioning of the repair assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: LMK Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9267635
    Abstract: A pipeline monitoring system and systems and methods of producing the same. A system for producing a liner for a pipe can comprise a source of material to form a body of the liner and a source of material to form a monitoring sensor in the liner. The system may further comprise a device that receives the material to form the body of the liner and the material to form the monitoring sensor in the liner and produces the body of the liner with the monitoring sensor embedded within the body of the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Mohan G. Kulkarni, Timothy D. Anderson
  • Patent number: 9261221
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liner assembly for repairing the wall of a pipe that includes a transmitter or transmitters capable of transmitting information, such as identification information and physical characteristics of the area around the transmitter. Embedded in the liner is a transmitter, which includes a radio-frequency identification and at least one sensor. The RFID transmits identification information about the repaired wall, while the sensor provides physical characteristics of the environment in and around the pipe. Examples of physical characteristics may include temperature, pressure, flow, chemical reactions, velocity of the pipe, and the like. Additional transmitters may be used along the length of the pipe to determine characteristics at multiple locations, with each additional transmitter including the same or different sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: LMK Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9248605
    Abstract: A liner tube for repairing existing pipes is provided. The liner tube is sufficiently flexible to lie substantially flat under its own weight thereby defining an upper portion and a lower portion. The liner tube includes an inner layer, an outer layer disposed around the inner layer, a first intermediate layer disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer, the first intermediate layer being wrapped around the inner layer to overlap itself and define a first overlap portion in the upper portion, and a second intermediate layer disposed between the first intermediate layer and the outer layer, the second intermediate layer being wrapped around the first intermediate layer to overlap itself and define a second overlap portion in the lower portion. The first and second intermediate layers include a porous material and the inner layer includes material substantially impermeable to liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Monte Vista Group LLC
    Inventor: Rene Quitter
  • Patent number: 9182065
    Abstract: A calibration hose (10) for use in a device for rehabilitating pipelines (14, 16), having a main pipe calibration hose (18) and a lateral pipe calibration hose (20), the main pipe calibration hose (18) having a connecting region (90), the lateral pipe calibration hose (20) being connected in its first end region (26) to the connecting region (90) of the main pipe calibration hose (18), and the lateral pipe calibration hose (20) being closed in its second end region (28). In order to permit the air to escape via the calibration hose, the invention proposes that a valve (30) be provided in the second end region (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: TRELLEBORG PIPE SEALS DUISBURG GMBH
    Inventor: Andreas Bichler
  • Patent number: 9174313
    Abstract: In some implementations a defect perimeter sealing system includes a plurality of perimeter base components that are arranged around a defect of a tank, where all of a top of the perimeter base components are encompassed or spanned by compression panels, in which the plurality of perimeter base components and the compression panels define a fill zone between the plurality of perimeter base components and the compression panels and that also includes an injected material in the fill zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Forge Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lee Miller, Daniel J. Rybicki, Mathew A. Rybicki, Lawrence J. Povse, Kenneth R. Vejr, Andre S. Todd, John M. Griffin
  • Patent number: 9117991
    Abstract: A method of and the device for making a LED assembly that contains regionally rigid structures that are made by bending, folding, or forming a flexible hybrid heat spreading laminate is provided. The hybrid heat spreading laminate comprises a thin heat spreader layer in the range of 100-150 micrometers. The hybrid heat spreading laminate has enhanced heat conductivity and thermal emissivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Flextronics AP, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Olson, Kevin Buermann, Shaun Sheehan
  • Patent number: 9074718
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of making a cured-in-place pipe repair to a lateral pipe having an area in need of repair. The method and apparatus use a liner assembly comprising a bladder tube and a liner tube. The liner tube comprises at least one layer of non-stretching material, which includes strands of non-stretching material oriented in the longitudinal direction of the liner tube. The strands allow radial stretching but ensure that the liner tube does not stretch longitudinally, which prevents the liner tube from stretching into a main pipe or past the area in need of repair during use. The liner tube may also comprise second and third layers of a resin impregnable material, such as felt, which surround the layer of non-stretching material such that the liner tube may be impregnated with a resinous material to repair a pipe having an area in need of repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: LMK Technoloogies, LLC
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9052053
    Abstract: A method for repairing a conduit using a tube-shaped liner comprising a single layer of resin-absorbent fabric having a polymeric coating attached to an outer wall of the tube and a reinforcing layer connected to an inner surface of the tube. The liner is impregnated with a resinous material capable of curing and hardening and inverted under pressure into the conduit to be repaired such that the reinforcing layer is pressed against the interior of the conduit. The resinous material is allowed to cure and harden, creating a lining to the conduit. The single layer of fabric may be a non-woven material, such as a felt. The conduit to be lined may be a sewer pipe, and the reinforcing material may be a woven scrim. The woven scrim may be capable of preventing longitudinal stretch of the liner tube while allowing radial stretch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: LMK Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest
  • Patent number: 9052052
    Abstract: A segment for a rehabilitation pipe includes an inner surface plate having an inner circumferential surface, and side plates and end plates provided upright on a peripheral edge of the inner surface plate. The inner surface plate, the side plates, and the end plates are formed integrally from a plastic material. The segments are linked in a circumferential direction and in a pipe-length direction to install a segmental rehabilitation pipe inside an existing pipe. The end plates are provided with an insertion hole through which a linking member is inserted for linking the segments in the circumferential direction. Separately from the insertion hole, the end plates are further provided with an opening for passing therethrough a filler material injected into a space between the existing pipe and the rehabilitation pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: SHONAN GOSEI-JUSHI SEISAKUSHO K.K.
    Inventors: Takao Kamiyama, Koji Kaneta, Kenji Fujii, Makoto Ishida