Air inversion and steam cure of cured in place liners apparatus and method

Abstract

An air inversion and steam cure apparatus for installing a flexible resin impregnated cured in place liner in an existing conduit is provided. The apparatus has a low friction seal between a moving liner and the stationary apparatus gland. The gland is operated and adjusted by displaceable members that move substantially perpendicular to the liner being inverted to engage the moving liner as it passes through the gland. No part of the gland extends into the chamber so that once a pre-shaped gland is adjusted, the pressure on the moving liner is not increased. As the liner reaches the distal end, it enters a sample and porting pipe with an exhaust pipe gland and exhaust pipe and is pierced by a rigid porting tool. Steam is then introduced into the liner to cure the resin and is exhausted through an exhaust hose connected to the porting tool. After cure, steam is replaced with air to cool the liner and the ends are cut to restore service through the existing conduit.

1 . An air inversion and steam cure apparatus for installing a resin impregnated cured in place pipe liner, comprising: 
 a substantially rigid container dimensioned to allow an impregnated cured in place liner to pass therethrough;    the container having an elongated slot opening on one surface and an inversion chamber and outlet on the opposed surface;    an air and steam inlet on the inversion chamber;    a compressible material disposed on both sides of the slot opening; and    the gap across the elongated slot being adjustable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the liner as it travels through the slot opening into the container and inverted out the inversion boot.    
     
     
         2 . The air inversion and steam cure apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the container is formed with a top having the slot opening formed by two facing edges and at least one edge is moveable towards the other to adjust the size of the gap and press against a liner passing through the slot opening.  
     
     
         3 . The air inversion and steam cure apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the at least on moveable edge is a moveable block on one side of the slot capable of being urged towards and against a liner passing through the slot opening.  
     
     
         4 . The air inversion and steam cure apparatus of  claim 3 , including a block having more than one section the can be adjusted independently to engage the liner passing through the slot.  
     
     
         5 . The air inversion and steam cure apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the at least on moveable edge is a plurality of moveable fingers on one side of the slot capable of being urged towards and against a liner passing through the slot opening.  
     
     
         6 . The air inversion and steam cure apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the block is in three sections with each end section including a curved opening the engage the edge of a flattened liner and the midsection is substantially straight.  
     
     
         7 . The air inversion and steam cure apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the container is substantially cylindrical and the inversion boot is frusto-conical.  
     
     
         8 . The air inversion and steam cure apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the container is formed of a metallic material.  
     
     
         9 . The air inversion and steam cure apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one block is formed of a polymeric material.  
     
     
         10 . The air inversion and steam cure apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one block is formed of Nylon.  
     
     
         11 . The air inversion and steam cure apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the compressible material is an elastomeric material.  
     
     
         12 . The air inversion and steam cure apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the elastomeric material is silicone rubber.  
     
     
         13 . The air inversion and steam cure apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one block is adjusted by an adjustment bolt positioned to urge the block and compressible material over the slot opening and against a liner passing therethrough.  
     
     
         14 . The air inversion and steam cure apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the gap is adjusted by a plurality of displaceable fingers on one edge positioned to urge the compressible material over the slot opening and against a liner passing through the slot opening.  
     
     
         15 . The air inversion and steam cure apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the gap is adjusted by a plurality of opposed displaceable fingers positioned on both edges to urge the compressible material over the slot opening and against a liner passing through the slot opening.  
     
     
         16 . The air inversion and steam cure apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein each finger is formed by an air driven piston or rod seated in a cylinder extending from a manifold positioned around the gap.  
     
     
         17 . The air inversion and steam cure apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a layer of absorbent material on the surface of the compressible material to contact the liner as it passes through the slot.  
     
     
         18 . The air inversion and steam cure apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the container is an elongated box with a slotted opening and between 16 an 64 fingers on each side of the slotted opening.  
     
     
         19 . The air inversion and steam cure apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the compressible material is silicone rubber and the absorbent layer is felt.  
     
     
         20 . The air inversion and steam cure apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein each finger is a rod mounted in an air cylinder with a donut at the exposed end for urging the elastomeric sheet against the liner.  
     
     
         21 . The air inversion and steam cure apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the container is substantially rectangular and the inversion boot is tapered to allow the liner to be turned back over the opening and secured thereto.  
     
     
         22 . A method for lining an existing pipeline by installing a flexible resin impregnated liner into the existing pipeline and curing the resin in the liner, comprising: 
 providing a substantially rigid porting assembly with a tubular mold segment and a porting pipe extending from the mold segment with access to the interior of the mold segment and an exhaust pipe with a piercing end and a valve at the other end displaceable within the porting pipe;    placing the porting assembly at the distal end of the pipeline;    inserting the liner into and through the mold segment;    inserting the exhaust pipe into the porting pipe and piercing the liner;    introducing steam into the liner and allowing the steam to flow through the liner and exit the exhaust valve without deflating the liner; and    allowing the resin in the liner to cure.    
     
     
         23 . The method of installation of  claim 22 , including the step of installing the liner by inverting the liner from one end of the pipeline and into the mold segment.  
     
     
         24 . The method of installation of  claim 23 , including inverting the liner by inserting the liner into a substantially rigid air inversion container dimensioned to allow the liner to pass therethrough; 
 the container have an elongated slot with a gap at one end and an inversion chamber at the other end;    an air steam inlet on the inversion chamber;    a compressible compressible material disposed on both sides on the slot; and    the gap across the slot being adjustable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the liner as it travels through the slot into the container and is inverted through the inversion boot.    
     
     
         25 . The method of installation of  claim 22 , including adjusting the gap by moving at least one moveable member mounted to the container and positioned on one side of the gap.  
     
     
         26 . The method of installation of  claim 22 , including the step of attaching an exhaust hose to the exhaust valve.  
     
     
         27 . A porting assembly, comprising: 
 a substantially rigid tubular mold segment;    a porting pipe extending from the mold segment with access to the interior of the mold segment; and    an exhaust pipe with a piercing end and a valve at the opposite end dimensioned to travel within the porting to pierce an inflated liner in the mold segment.    
     
     
         28 . The porting assembly of  claim 27 , further including a flange on the exhaust pipe to limit displacement of the exhaust pipe into the mold segment.