Repair, Replacement, Or Improvement Patents (Class 405/184.1)
  • Patent number: 7303359
    Abstract: A pipe reinforcement system for reinforcing a pipe including a pipe section having an inner and an outer elbow surface separated by a pipe opening with a plurality of ceramic tiles overlying the pipe section, each of said tiles having a generally arcuate inner surface, said plurality of tiles secured to said pipe section with said inner arcuate surface positioned adjacent to said outer elbow surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Progressive Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick B. Damman, Robert N. Allison
  • Patent number: 7267507
    Abstract: A composite structural reinforcement is realized within the pipe through in situ stratification of at least one band of reinforcement fibers and a resin matrix. The band is arranged according to a helicoidal path along the internal side of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Freyssinet International (STUP)
    Inventors: Benoît Lecinq, Jérôme Stubler, Christian Tourneur, Ivica Zivanovic
  • Patent number: 7258141
    Abstract: A thermoplastic pipe liner assembly and method for installation in a pipeline by pulling the pipe liner assembly through the pipeline in a temporarily folded condition wherein the thermoplastic pipe liner assembly has a core inner liner, an outer liner with optional grooving for annular communication, orbitally wound strength and intermediate layers, two or more tension deformation members to sustain the tension needed to pull the pipe liner assembly through the pipeline for several miles and to assist in maintaining the temporarily folded condition. Also included are optional instrumentation circuits. Also disclosed is a method for the manufacture of the pipe liner assembly and concurrent installation in a pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Inventors: Stephen C. Catha, Kenneth R. Charboneau, Ivan C. Mandich
  • Patent number: 7252459
    Abstract: The following operations are carried out: a) digging an exploration hole (8), b) using a branch connection (10) which includes a main plate (12) and a fixing plate (22) which are held together, c) using a device (1) which has: a support (36) retaining elements, (38) which are connected to the support (36), a foot (40) which is articulated so as to rotate relative to the support (36), actuation elements (44) for displacing the foot (40) between an introduction position and a pressing position, d) placing the foot (40) in an introduction position, e) retaining the main plate (12) on the device (1), f) positioning the support surface (14) of the main plate (12) against the pipeline (2), g) bringing the foot (40) into a pressing position, h) fixing the main plate (12) and the fixing plate (22) together around the pipeline (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Gaz de France
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Bideault
  • Patent number: 7241076
    Abstract: A method for reinforcing or repairing a pipe pulls a liner assembly with a flexible smooth bore liner and a semi-rigid helix that gives non-collapsible characteristics within the damaged pipe for both linear pipe sections and curved pipe sections. The existing pipe is first cleaned with a specially designed brush with two wooden spheres at each end of the brush to prevent snagging or jamming during brush operations. The liner assembly is then pulled through the total length of the pipe and anchored at each end with retaining sleeves, which are sandwiched and glued within the liner assembly and the inside diameter of the existing pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Inventor: William C. Cosban
  • Patent number: 7223051
    Abstract: A removably insertable apparatus for creating and accessing manholes and a method for rehabilitating manhole structures and the like, using the apparatus. The apparatus comprises two sections, both of which are load bearing composite materials such as reinforced fiberglass. The top unit is a removable, hollow, upwardly extending riser portion, of varying heights, which may contain an external flange on top, to support a manhole cover or other closure. The second section is a base unit with an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the top unit. The base unit is embedded into the ground, or into a concrete pad. The top unit fits over the base unit, and any gap between the two units may be sealed with an o-ring type gasket to seal the interior and prevent the introduction of fluid, gas, or other matter into the interior of the units once installed. Both units may be cut on site or pre-cut with holes or stubouts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Removable Maintenance Port, LLC
    Inventors: Mack M. Vought, Pat Flowers
  • Patent number: 7220080
    Abstract: A housing has a central recessed area with a first end and a second end. Each end has an inside rim with at least one aperture there through. The housing has an outside end with an outside end rim with at least one aperture there through. The housing has a central portion with a full circumference. At least one elastomeric pad has an upper face and a lower face. The upper face is coupled to the housing. At least one lifting member are coupled to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Inventor: James G. Grimmett
  • Patent number: 7178593
    Abstract: An inline well fluid separator is movable for pigging operations. The separator assembly has a housing with an inlet port and an outlet port. A separation unit is carried within the housing. The separation unit has an operational position in alignment with the ports to cause well fluid to flow through the separation unit. The separation unit will move to a storage position within the housing outside of the flow path to enable a pipeline pig to pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Jarle Michaelsen, Lars-Petter Sollie
  • Patent number: 7174920
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for repairing a pressurized fluid supply pipeline (1) comprising a series of buried prestressed concrete pipe segments (2, 3, 4) which consists in: providing excavations in the trench, beneath suitably set portions (6, 7) of the pipe (1), cleaning up said pipe portions, installing and tensioning the prestressed reinforcements (12) around said portions of the pipe and filling up the excavations with earth material by compacting said material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Freyssinet International (STUP)
    Inventors: Jérôme Stubler, Fernand De Melo, Benoît Lecinq
  • Patent number: 7172369
    Abstract: A deformed thermoplastic liner is drawn through a cut host pipe and split sleeve halves attached to it and then reformed to its cylindrical configuration using pressurized steam. The split sleeve halves are removed, and an adapter flange is fused onto a cut end of the liner portion. The split sleeves halves are then re-attached with the adapter flange between bolted flanges of the split sleeve halves and a section welded to the adjacent host pipe to provide a permanent pressure sealed connection. The lined host pipe can also be connected to a lateral pipe using a lateral extension fused to the rerounded liner and a third split sleeve half with a lateral pipe extension that receives the lateral extension and is attached to the lateral pipe, either directly, or through a second split sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignees: Pipe Liners, Inc., Weatherford U.S.L.P.
    Inventors: John Douglas Crabtree, James Lewis Tate
  • Patent number: 7156585
    Abstract: A method of advancing a mole to define a passageway through a composition between first and second locations spaced from each other a substantial first distance. The method includes the steps of: attaching the mole to a cable; providing a support; providing a cable pulling assembly on the support; and operating the cable pulling assembly to cause a pulling force on the cable to be continuously applied through the cable pulling assembly to the cable and therethrough to the mole to thereby cause the mole to be advanced in a path a substantial second distance at least partially over the first distance between the first and second locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Pettibone, LLC
    Inventors: Yong Wang, Jacob E. Kupp
  • Patent number: 7137757
    Abstract: A method for reinforcing or repairing a pipe pulls a liner assembly with a flexible smooth bore liner and a semi-rigid helix that gives non-collapsible characteristics within the damaged pipe for both linear pipe sections and curved pipe sections. The existing pipe is first cleaned with a specially designed brush with two wooden spheres at each end of the brush to prevent snagging or jamming during brush operations. The liner assembly is then pulled through the total length of the pipe and anchored at each end with retaining sleeves, which are sandwiched and glued within the liner assembly and the inside diameter of the existing pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Inventor: William C. Cosban
  • Patent number: 7131791
    Abstract: Devices and methods for streamlining the completion of work functions within a lateral pipe connected to a main pipe. A variety of different lateral devices may be used to aid in the process of relining the main or lateral pipe. A lateral location device is inserted into the lateral pipe prior to relining of the main pipe and is subsequently used to aid in the conventional cutting of the main-lateral interface. A lateral cutting device actually performs the main-lateral cutting process from within the lateral or from within the main. A lateral inspection device crawls up the lateral for inspection via camera. A lateral relining device aids in the placement of a liner used to reline the lateral pipe. Each of these interchangeable work functions may be optional performed by one or more lateral devices, often carried and inserted by a delivery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: RedZone Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: William Lawrence Whittaker, Adam Slifko, Eric C. Close
  • Patent number: 7128499
    Abstract: A method for the removal of a ductile pipe includes passing a strand through the ductile pipe, crimping the ductile pipe in at least one location so that it is secured in a crimp about the strand and pulling the strand from an end of the ductile pipe with a winch or hydraulic puller. Preferably, the strand is a solid wire or wire rope and may be pushed through the pipe with a power wire feeding apparatus. As the strand and ductile pipe are pulled, segments of the pipe and strand are cut at the end of the pipe proximate the winch or puller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Earth Tool Company, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Steven W. Wentworth
  • Patent number: 7128168
    Abstract: The invention provides a reamer apparatus for a ground boring machine that is capable of restricting increase in drawing resistance when performing drawing of a buried pipe by using a reamer and of efficiently performing drawing operations of the buried pipe without degrading properties such as flexibility and rotatability. The reamer apparatus includes a reamer main body of substantially hollow conical shape that reduces in diameter towards a drawing side, and a rod connecting portion that provided at a narrow diameter end portion of the reamer main body and connected with a rod. The reamer main body is connected to a buried pipe through a coupling structure disposed on an opposite side to the rod connecting portion. The coupling structure has a Swivel joint that allows rotation of the reamer main body with respect to the buried pipe, wherein a main portion of the Swivel joint is substantially accumulated in the reamer main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Toyohiko Youan
  • Patent number: 7108456
    Abstract: A process for lining an existing pipeline or conduit with a flexible resin impregnated cured in place liner by pulling in the liner and inflating an eversion bladder with air and curing the liner with flow-through steam without loss of pressure is provided. The bladder is stored in a pressure bladder canister coupled to a pressurized downtube and eversion elbow. The bladder is everted by introducing pressurized air into the canister As the bladder reaches the distal manhole, it enters a receiving canister where it is punctured while maintaining air pressure within the bladder a pinch valve between the downtube and elbow isolates the inverted bladder so that steam can be introduced into the bladder to cure the resin and exhaust through the receiving canister. The bladder is then removed and lateral service reinstated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Insituform (Netherlands) B.V.
    Inventors: Franklin Thomas Driver, Weiping Wang
  • Patent number: 7094308
    Abstract: A method for providing a seal in an annular space between a rehabilitative pipe liner and a conduit wall is provided. Areas on the surface of a section of a conduit wall surrounding lateral connections are provided with an expandable sealing agent, preferably during an investigative and/or cleaning inspection of the conduit section and preferably without repeated withdrawal and insertion of equipment between the provision of the agent at successive lateral connections. The rehabilitative pipe liner is then installed in the conduit section and a curing agent or agents such as heat, visible light, ultraviolet light, chemical agents, sonic energy or other radiant energy means is applied to cure or form the rehabilitative pipe liner and to cause the expandable sealing agent to expand and fill at least a portion of the annular space that may exist between the rehabilitative pipe liner and the conduit wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Inventor: Stephen V. Gearhart
  • Patent number: 7083360
    Abstract: Segments are successively coupled in the circumferential direction and the vertical direction to provide a rehabilitating pipe that rehabilitates an exiting pipe such as a manhole extending in the vertical direction. The segments are coupled in the vertical direction by stacking segments on previously assembled segments. A gap between the existing pipe and the rehabilitating pipe is filled with a filler after completion of the assembly as a rehabilitating pipe. The filler is hardened to integrate the rehabilitating pipe with the existing pipe as a compound pipe. With such an arrangement, the rehabilitating pipe can be laid by a simple method because the segments can be stacked on previously assembled segments using the segments' own weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Shonan Gosei-Jushi Seisakusho K.K.
    Inventors: Takao Kamiyama, Koji Kaneta, Kenji Fujii
  • Patent number: 7073979
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing maintenance on sewer pipes using a thermal sensor. The method and apparatus may be applied to the reinstatement of lateral openings after a liner has been installed in a main pipe. The thermal sensor detects the location of the lateral openings by sensing the thermal conditions of the liner. The thermal condition of the portions of the liner that cover the lateral openings is different from the thermal condition of the rest of the liner. The apparatus and method is also applicable to detecting groundwater leaks in the main pipe, and is also applicable to inspecting exothermic chemical reactions in the main pipe, such as exothermic grout or epoxy used to seal the liner in the main pipe. The thermal sensor may be integrated into a camera assembly that includes a visual camera at one end and the thermal sensor at the other end. The visual camera is useful in those portions of the main pipe that are full of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Aries Industries Incorporated
    Inventors: R. Michael McGrew, John Rinehart
  • Patent number: 7063145
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation may include providing heat from one or more heaters to an opening in the formation. A first end of the opening may contact the earth's surface at a first location and a second end of the opening may contact the earth's surface at a second location. The heat may be allowed to transfer from the opening to at least a part of the formation. The transferred heat may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the formation. In certain embodiments, providing the heat to the opening may include providing heat, heated materials, and/or oxidation products from at least one heater to the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Peter Veenstra, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington
  • Patent number: 7056065
    Abstract: A device for replacing lines without excavation including an annular overdrilling head and a drive for rotating a front module arranged on the drilling head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Tracto-Technik GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Joachim Bayer
  • Patent number: 7033114
    Abstract: In order to install a reinforcement around a cylindrical underground pipeline, an excavation coffer is laid on the ground above the pipeline, at the same time placing transversely to the pipeline front and rear faces of the coffer, each having along its lower edge an indentation of a shape adapted to the cylindrical shape of the cylindrical pipeline, the coffer is buried in the ground substantially until the indentations are brought up against the pipeline, soil material is removed between the front and rear faces of the coffer in order to give access to an upper part of the wall of the pipeline, a duct in the form of an arc of a circle is engaged under the pipeline, at the same time being pushed along the lower part of the wall of the pipeline, a prestressing reinforcement is threaded into this duct, and the armature is clamped and anchored around the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Freyssinet International (STUP)
    Inventors: Fernando Guedes De Melo, Benoit Lecinq, Francois Rapinat, Roger Raymond
  • Patent number: 7018137
    Abstract: A tool assembly and a process for using it is provided, wherein a single elongate handle member may be used, through a small hole at the ground surface, to reach underground pipes for installing different sized strap “T” couplings on different sized pipes, and for driving sleeve members associated with said strap “T” couplings, pneumatically, from above ground, to engage pipes at various locations below ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Omega Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Hutton, Frank P. Russo
  • Patent number: 7018136
    Abstract: Method for installing a duct where an existing longitudinal member is present along a section over which the duct is to be installed. The longitudinal member is utilized as a guide for the duct. The tape-shaped element is closed around the longitudinal element through mating of complementary coupling devices longitudinally situated along the tape-shaped member so as to form a duct, with the coupled tape-shaped element then being propelled along the longitudinal element to extend the duct. The tape-shaped element can house an optical fiber cable. Through use of such a tape-shaped element, the duct, illustratively housing an optical fiber cable, can be formed around an existing (e.g. copper) telecommunications cable with any need to interrupt or remove that cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Koninklijke KPN N.V.
    Inventors: Cornelis Casparus Van Bijsterveld, Frank Martin Kerling
  • Patent number: 7017613
    Abstract: A segment is coupled to additional segments to constitute a rehabilitating pipe for repairing an existing pipe. The segment comprises an inner plate that defines the inner circumferential surface of the rehabilitating pipe and has an opening therein for performing the work of mutually coupling the segments in the circumferential direction of the rehabilitating pipe, and a cover that is fitted into the opening from the bottom surface side of the inner plate. To fix the cover to the inner plate, the cover is provided with a projection and with an engaging member that is movable between non-engaging and engaging positions. The cover is fitted into the opening with the projection into engagement with the inner plate on one side edge of the opening and the engaging member is then brought into engagement with the inner plate on the other side edge thereof, thereby fixing the cover to the inner plate to plug the opening thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Shonan Gosei-Jushi Seisakusho K.K.
    Inventors: Katsuyori Miura, Makoto Ishida, Koji Kaneta, Kenji Fujii, Takao Kamiyama
  • Patent number: 7001106
    Abstract: A system for installing warning units in a buried pipeline. A small hole is drilled in the ground to the pipeline. A collar is affixed to one of the pipes of the pipeline. A valve with an internal passage is connected to the collar. A hole is drilled in the pipe. A warning unit is installed in the pipe by moving the warning unit through the internal passage, the collar, and the hole in the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Alan K. Burnham, John F. Cooper
  • Patent number: 6981821
    Abstract: An insertion shoe for retrofitting an undersea pipeline to permit passage therethrough of a scraper includes a plate sized to cover an opening in a branch connection of the pipeline and an inner surface structured to match the inner surface surrounding the opening. The insertion shoe can be installed in the branch connection to protect the opening without lifting the pipeline above water, so that the scraper may pass through without becoming jammed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Saleh Ubaid Al-Ghamdi, James Bradford, Abdulrahman A. Al-Mudadil
  • Patent number: 6969427
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus, or system, for applying a multi-component liquid liner composition to an inner surface of a conduit. The system comprises a first reservoir having a first liquid liner component; a second reservoir having a second liquid liner component, the second liquid liner component being different from the first liquid liner component; a first liquid liner component transmission line in communication with the first reservoir; a second liquid liner component transmission line in communication with the second reservoir; and an applicator in communication with the first and second liquid liner component transmission lines. Methods of applying multi-component liquid liner compositions to the inner surface of conduits are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Advanced Coiled Tubing, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry W. Noles, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6969216
    Abstract: A process for lining an existing pipeline or conduit with a flexible resin impregnated cured in place liner by pulling in the liner and inflating an eversion bladder with air and curing the liner with flow-through steam without loss of pressure is provided. The bladder is stored in a pressure bladder canister coupled to a pressurized downtube and eversion elbow. The bladder is everted by introducing pressurized air into the canister As the bladder reaches the distal manhole, it enters a receiving canister where it is punctured while maintaining air pressure within the bladder a pinch valve between the downtube and elbow isolates the inverted bladder so that steam can be introduced into the bladder to cure the resin and exhaust through the receiving canister. The bladder is then removed and lateral service reinstated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Insituform (Netherlands) B.V.
    Inventor: Franklin Thomas Driver
  • Patent number: 6953307
    Abstract: Apparatus for assembling a liner (25) from a plurality of longitudinal sections of flexible material (161, 162) having longitudinal edges adapted to be joined one to another to form the liner. The apparatus comprises a path means along which the longitudinal sections of flexible material can be conveyed in a laterally reduced condition, an assembly zone at which the longitudinal edges can be joined together to form the liner, and a guide structure (165) about which the flexible material (161, 162) can turn upon exiting from the path means to provide an inner section (171) and an outer section (173) turned back with respect to the inner section. The guide structure (165) presents a guide, surface (167) over which the longitudinal sections (161, 162) of flexible material can pass, the surface (167) being configured to facilitate spreading of each longitudinal section (161, 162) from the laterally reduced condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: SORD Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Neil Deryck Bray Graham
  • Patent number: 6899491
    Abstract: An hydraulic control arrangement (66) in association with a pipe relining machine Includes fluid pressure supply and return lines (32, 33), a motor controller (80) to control a motor (67) and a radial position controller. The radial position controller supplies fluid under pressure to a radial positioning arrangement (46) to set diameter of a relined pipe. The radial position controller has a first normally closed valve (83) supplying fluid under pressure to the radial positioning arrangement (46) and a second normally open valve (84) allowing fluid to be withdrawn from the radial positioning arrangement (46). The arrangement (66) allows the pipe relining machine to be withdrawn in the event of a failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Rib Loc Australia Pty LTD
    Inventor: Ian Roger Bateman
  • Patent number: 6893189
    Abstract: A pipelayer is provided which is capable of effectively transporting pipes or the like and stably carrying out load hoisting operation on a slope. The pipelayer comprises: an undercarriage; an upper revolving superstructure mounted on the undercarriage so as to turn around freely upon the undercarriage; a boom supported by the upper revolving superstructure so as to be freely raised and lowered; a pulley block attached to the boom through a universal joint; a hoist mounted on the upper revolving superstructure; a hoist hook hung by a wire rope that is paid out from the hoist and wound around the pulley block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigenori Matsushita, Morio Tsuchie
  • Patent number: 6887014
    Abstract: A robotic apparatus and method for treatment of system of conduits and lateral sub-conduits comprising a remotely controlled robotic vehicle which navigates main conduits which delivers a series of tools to locations within the conduit. The mule's tools comprise a variety of devices including a tape head and a transport housing for a second remotely controlled robotic vehicle, or mouse which can be deployed for traversing and treating sub-conduits. Further, a method to install one or more small diameter flexible elongate members, such as conductors or sheathes to the inside of the system of conduits comprises advancing an elongate member through the conduit system with the mule or mouse, anchoring the elongate member and then taping the elongate member with the taping head while retreating out of the conduit. Preferably the tape is pre-shaped to minimize wrinkling upon application and more preferably, greater security and tape bonding strength is achieved by spraying over the tape and elongate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Inventor: Cal Holland
  • Patent number: 6857451
    Abstract: A water supply pipe has a tubular liner of a polyolefin elastomer/plastomer installed therein. To install it, a messenger pig is attached to a line that pulls the liner through the pipe. The liner is produced by extrusion and die drawing during extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux
    Inventors: Raymond Connor, Simon Daniels
  • Publication number: 20040265067
    Abstract: A tandem rod or cable apparatus for bursting and replacing pipe, which includes a frame, two sets of oppositely-disposed hydraulic cylinders having piston rods, each of which pairs of piston rods are attached to a yoke, with a gripping element provided in each yoke for independently gripping a rod or cable extending through the aligned gripping elements. One end of the rod or cable is attached to a bursting and stored energy head and the other end extends through the gripping elements, typically to a reel (in the case of a cable) for taking up slack in the cable. Advancement of the bursting and stored energy head through a defective pipe to be burst and typical simultaneous replacement with an attached replacement pipe is effected by operation of the two sets of hydraulic cylinders and the corresponding gripping elements to push or pull the rod or pull the cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Samuel W. Putnam
  • Publication number: 20040258479
    Abstract: An installation assembly (20) for installing a liner (L) in a pipeline (P) comprises a double bladder assembly (22) including an inner bladder (26) having an installation end (26b) and a retrieval end (26c). An outer bladder (28) surrounds the inner bladder. The ends of the inner and outer bladders are coupled together adjacent the installation end via an inversion element (30). The inner bladder is coupled to an air source at its retrieval end and the outer bladder adjacent the retrieval end is free. Following installation and curing of the liner, the bladder assembly is retrieved by pulling on the retrieval end of the inner bladder, and upon retrieval, the outer bladder is inverted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventor: Cameron Manners
  • Publication number: 20040228691
    Abstract: A pipe breaking assembly is shown with a modular design that allows a user to more economically purchase a single base unit that is adaptable using a number of elements. Combinations of elements such as blade portions and expander cones, etc. allow the modular assembly to be tailored to a variety of job conditions. A pipe breaking assembly is shown that includes a particular configuration where a blade portion is located in front of a shortened expander cone. The shortened expander cone provides a lower contact area that in turn reduces friction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Tjader
  • Publication number: 20040218982
    Abstract: A pipe bursting and pulling apparatus for use in replacing horizontal underground pipes including a cylindrical body with a tapered forward section including means for attaching one of a cable, rod, rope or chain, the cylindrical body including an annular inner wall defining a longitudinally extending, rearwardly opening recess, a shaft passing through the recess, a plurality of gripping jaws, at least one of the jaws including a pipe gripping tooth extending radially outward relative to a longitudinal axis of the shaft, a tapered expander connected to the shaft and configured to fit between the jaws, the expander forcing the jaws outward to clamp a replacement pipe inserted into the cylindrical body between the jaws and the inner wall when pulled by the shaft, a stop, the stop limiting the forward travel of the expander and preventing outward radial travel of the jaws after the tooth has been engaged in the wall of the replacement pipe whereby the tooth penetrates to a depth of no more than 35% of the thickn
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Steven W. Wentworth, Robert F. Crane
  • Patent number: 6811356
    Abstract: A cable for laying in plastic tubes for transporting gas or water is described that comprises a cable core assembly and a plastic sheath surrounding the cable core assembly, in which cable the plastic used for the plastic tube and the plastic for the sheath can be welded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Klaus Nothofer, Hans-Detlef Leppert
  • Publication number: 20040175235
    Abstract: Devices and methods for streamlining the completion of work functions within a lateral pipe connected to a main pipe. A variety of different lateral devices may be used to aid in the process of relining the main or lateral pipe. A lateral location device is inserted into the lateral pipe prior to relining of the main pipe and is subsequently used to aid in the conventional cutting of the main-lateral interface. A lateral cutting device actually performs the main-lateral cutting process from within the lateral or from within the main. A lateral inspection device crawls up the lateral for inspection via camera. A lateral relining device aids in the placement of a liner used to reline the lateral pipe. Each of these interchangeable work functions may be optional performed by one or more lateral devices, often carried and inserted by a delivery device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: RedZone Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: William Lawrence Whittaker, Adam Slifko, Eric C. Close
  • Publication number: 20040170476
    Abstract: When a glass fiber cable emerging from a main channel (1) is guided into a domestic channel line (2), in order to prevent this glass fiber cable from unacceptably having an excessively small radius of curvature in the direction-changing area (6), and thus being damaged, and in order to ensure that the glass fiber cable (3) is in the correct position, this glass fiber cable (3) is guided in a rigid guide tube (7) whose longitudinal axis runs essentially along a cylindrical envelope surface in its central section (7′″). The rigid guide tube (7) is fixed in a pipe connecting stub (10) which can be widened elastically and thus, after insertion into the domestic channel line (2), rests on the wall thereof in a stressed manner, and is fixed in its position. That end of the guide tube (7) which projects into the domestic channel line (2) is connected via a sleeve (8) to a flexible pipe, tube (5) or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Helmut Kadrnoska, Gerhard Reiss, Bernhard Ogris
  • Publication number: 20040156682
    Abstract: The apparatus and method for eliminating ground water infiltration while stabilizing the ground and repairing underground pipe/conduit and connections is taught in this art. The steps are to first inject, under pressure, expandable structural foam in the space adjacent and outside the pipe while blocking any infiltration of the foam into the interior of the pipe, conduit or connection. Concurrently or separately the inside diameter of the pipe is receiving a structural repair. The result is stabilized ground, elimination of ground water infiltration and repair of the host pipe conduit or connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Richard Blackmore, William Lepola
  • Publication number: 20040146361
    Abstract: A cable pulling machine of the invention includes a frame, a mechanical linkage including first and second links having first and second cable gripping shoes disposed thereon respectively in opposed positions, a latching cylinder actuable to cause the mechanical linkage to pivot on multiple axes to bring the shoes into engagement with a cable disposed therebetween, a main cylinder having one end mounted on the frame and actuable to move the linkage in a manner effective to pull the cable in a pulling stroke once the latching cylinder has brought the shoes into engagement with the cable, and suitable means for extending and retracting the main and latching cylinders. The machine may also include suitable means for holding the cable in tension between pulling strokes, such as a pivoting wedge mechanism as described hereafter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Paul W. Hau
  • Publication number: 20040136786
    Abstract: An hydraulic control arrangement (66) in association with a pipe relining machine Includes fluid pressure supply and return lines (32, 33), a motor controller (80) to control a motor (67) and a radial position controller. The radial position controller supplies fluid under pressure to a radial positioning arrangement (46) to set diameter of a relined pipe. The radial position controller has a first normally closed valve (83) supplying fluid under pressure to the radial positioning arrangement (46) and a second normally open valve (84) allowing fluid to be withdrawn from the radial positioning arrangement (46). The arrangement (66) allows the pipe relining machine to be withdrawn in the event of a failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: Ian Roger Bateman
  • Publication number: 20040131426
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for splitting old pipes by means of cutting rollers arranged next to one another on a body, in which case the revolving cutting edges of adjacent cutting rollers do not lie in one plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Franz-Josef Puttmann
  • Patent number: 6755592
    Abstract: A device for repairing underground sewers, pipe or the like provided a cylindrical hollow body, which has an elastically expandable casing acting as an outer wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Inventor: Franz Janssen
  • Publication number: 20040081516
    Abstract: The inventions concerns to a bundle (1) of tubes for the laying of tubes (2) by means of a trenchless laying according to the fluid-assisted drilling method, in which in a first drilling process a drilling channel (9) is generated and during the retracting movement of the boring-flushing head (5) this drilling channel (9) is expanded and in this process the bundle (1) of tubes is retracted into the drilling channel (9). Such a bundle (1) of tubes stands out by that the bundle (1) of tubes is formed by a number of single tubes (2) which are ordered in distance to each other by means of flanges (3) distantly arranged at the tubes (2) in lengthwise direction (15) of the tubes (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Martin John, Klaus Rous
  • Publication number: 20040067108
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for replacing lines without excavation, comprising an annular overdrilling head and a drive for rotating a front module arranged on the overdrilling head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventor: Hans Joachim Bayer
  • Patent number: 6705801
    Abstract: A method for providing access to a buried pipe includes excavating the ground to expose the pipe. An access assembly comprising a curved plate and an upstanding access pipe is pressed onto the buried pipe with the curved plate embracing the buried pipe and the access pipe extending upwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Blue Sky Forever, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6702520
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for rehabilitating and increasing the functionality of existing underground conduits wherein a plurality of conduits are simultaneously inserted into an existing conduit by bursting the existing conduit to create a tunnel and inserting a plurality of new conduits into the tunnel, such that at least one of the new conduits has a capacity equal to or greater than the capacity of the existing conduit, are provided. The new conduits are either separate from or removeably connected to one another, such that the new conduits are capable of being diverted from the tunnel at separate locations and the new conduit system can be used primarily for carrying media similar to that of the original conduit or additionally for completely different and unrelated media such as fiber optic cable, coaxial cable or electrical cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: C.I. Technologies
    Inventor: Stephen Paletta