Fluid system for conduit expansion and mobile arrangement therefor

Abstract

Disclosed is a fluid system for conduit expansion. The fluid system includes a fluid processing system and a fluid injection source for injecting fluid into a conduit expansion system. In addition, a fluid recycle return transfers spent or used fluid back from the conduit expansion system to the fluid processing system. In addition, the fluid processing system is in communication with the fluid source for supplying fluid into the fluid processing system. The fluid system may be positioned on or within a mobile unit, such that the fluid system is transportable.

1 . A fluid system for use with a conduit expansion system, comprising: 
 a fluid processing system in fluid communication with the conduit expansion system, the fluid processing system including: 
 (i) a fluid injection source configured to inject fluid from the fluid processing system to the conduit expansion system; and  
 (ii) a fluid recycle return configured to recycle fluid from the conduit expansion system to the fluid processing system; and  
   a fluid source in fluid communication with the fluid processing system and configured to provide fluid to the fluid processing system.    
   
   
       2 . The fluid system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is water.  
   
   
       3 . The fluid system of  claim 2 , wherein the water has an elevated temperature.  
   
   
       4 . The fluid system of  claim 3 , wherein the water is of sufficient temperature to effect expansion of a liner conduit within a host conduit in the conduit expansion system.  
   
   
       5 . The fluid system of  claim 3 , wherein the water has a temperature of at least 125° F. prior to injection from the fluid processing system to the conduit expansion system via the fluid injection source.  
   
   
       6 . The fluid system of  claim 3 , wherein the water has a temperature in the range of about 125° F. to about 220° F. prior to injection from the fluid processing system to the conduit expansion system via the fluid injection source.  
   
   
       7 . The fluid system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid processing system includes a fluid heater configured to heat the fluid recycled from the conduit expansion system via the fluid recycle return.  
   
   
       8 . The fluid system of  claim 7 , wherein the fluid processing system includes a fluid vessel in fluid communication with the fluid source and configured to transfer fluid through the fluid processing system through an expansion pump.  
   
   
       9 . The fluid system of  claim 8 , wherein the fluid exiting the expansion pump is combined with the fluid exiting the fluid heater prior to injection into the conduit expansion system.  
   
   
       10 . The fluid system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid processing system includes a circulation pump configured to inject water into the conduit expansion system via the fluid injection system.  
   
   
       11 . The fluid system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid processing system includes a bleed line for removal of fluid from the fluid processing system and reduction of pressure in the fluid processing system.  
   
   
       12 . The fluid system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid source is at least one of a fire hydrant, a water truck, a water tank and a fluid storage device.  
   
   
       13 . The fluid system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid processing system includes a control mechanism configured to at least one of monitor and control at least one of: 
 (i) at least one component in at least one of the fluid processing system, the fluid source and the conduit expansion system;    (ii) equipment in at least one of the fluid processing system, the fluid source and the conduit expansion system;    (iii) a parameter of at least one of the fluid processing system, the fluid source and the conduit expansion system; and    (iv) a physical characteristic of at least one of the fluid processing system, the fluid source and the conduit expansion system.    
   
   
       14 . The fluid system of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the fluid processing system and the fluid source include at least one measurement device configured to measure at least one physical characteristic.  
   
   
       15 . The fluid system of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one measurement device is in communication with the control mechanism in at least one of a wireless and a hardwired format.  
   
   
       16 . The fluid system of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one measurement device is controlled by the control mechanism.  
   
   
       17 . The fluid system of  claim 13 , wherein the control mechanism is at least one of a personal computer, a laptop, a PDA, a printed circuit board, a computerized mechanism and a means for automatic control of at least one component of at least one of the fluid processing system, the fluid source and the conduit expansion system.  
   
   
       18 . The fluid system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the fluid source and the fluid processing system is positioned on a mobile unit.  
   
   
       19 . The fluid system of  claim 18 , wherein the mobile unit includes a platform configured to support at least one component of at least one of the fluid source and the fluid processing system.  
   
   
       20 . The fluid system of  claim 19 , wherein the mobile unit includes a platform configured to provide access to the platform.  
   
   
       21 . The fluid system of  claim 19 , wherein the platform is a chassis-type structure formed of rigid material rated to sustain loads imposed by the mobile unit at specified speeds.  
   
   
       22 . The fluid system of  claim 21 , wherein the chassis includes at least one hook positioned on at least one of a front bumper portion of the chassis and a rear bumper portion of the chassis.  
   
   
       23 . The fluid system of  claim 18 , wherein the mobile unit is a vehicle.  
   
   
       24 . The fluid system of  claim 21 , wherein the vehicle is a truck.  
   
   
       25 . The fluid system of  claim 18 , wherein the mobile unit includes at least one safety device.  
   
   
       26 . The fluid system of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one safety device is an emergency shutdown control system, a non-skid self-draining surface, an automatic fire suppression system, an air separator, a flame detection circuit, an air flow monitor, a water flow monitor, an exhaust spark arrester, a stack over temperature switch, and a device to prevent unburned fuel accumulation.  
   
   
       27 . A method of providing fluid to a conduit expansion system, comprising the steps of: 
 providing fluid from a fluid source to a fluid processing system; and    injecting the fluid into the conduit expansion system.    
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising the step of recycling the fluid from the conduit expansion system to the fluid processing system.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising the step of heating the fluid prior to injection into the conduit expansion system.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the fluid is water.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the water has an elevated temperature.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the water is of sufficient temperature to effect expansion of a liner conduit within a host conduit in the conduit expansion system.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the water has a temperature of at least 125° F. prior to injection from the fluid processing system to the conduit expansion system via the fluid injection source.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the water has a temperature in the range of about 125° F. to about 220° F. prior to injection from the fluid processing system to the conduit expansion system via the fluid injection source.  
   
   
       35 . A fluid system for use with a conduit expansion system, comprising: 
 a fluid processing system in fluid communication with the conduit expansion system, the fluid processing system including: 
 (i) a fluid injection source configured to inject fluid from the fluid processing system to the conduit expansion system; and  
 (ii) a fluid recycle return configured to recycle fluid from the conduit expansion system to the fluid processing system;  
   a fluid source in fluid communication with the fluid processing system and configured to provide fluid to the fluid processing system; and    a mobile unit having a platform configured to support at least one component of at least one of the fluid source and the fluid processing system.    
   
   
       36 . The fluid system of  claim 35 , wherein the mobile unit is a vehicle.  
   
   
       37 . The fluid system of  claim 36 , wherein the vehicle is a truck.