Rigid water tight repair wrap

Abstract

A repair wrap for repairing or strengthening an inanimate object. The repair wrap includes a fabric, where the fabric includes one or more fibers. The repair wrap also includes a hardening material. The fabric is configured to be wrapped around a portion of an inanimate object. Curing the hardening material is configured to form a shell about the portion of the inanimate object.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A repair system, the repair system comprising:
 an inanimate object having first and second portions and a broken portion positioned between the first and second portions;   a fabric, wherein the fabric includes one or more fibers; and   a hardening material, wherein the hardening material:
 is pre-impregnated in the fabric in an inactivated state; and 
 the amount of pre-impregnated hardening material is sufficient to completely saturate the fabric; 
   wherein the pre-impregnated fabric is wrapped around the first and second portions of the inanimate object in direct contact with the inanimate object; and   wherein curing the hardening material forms a shell about the first and second portions of the inanimate object, wherein the shell:
 has high impact strength; and 
 is water tight. 
   
     
     
         2 . The repair system of  claim 1 , wherein completely saturating the fabric includes:
 adding sufficient hardening material to eliminate portions of the fabric without hardening material; and   refraining from adding an amount of hardening material that will create one or more channels through the hardening material during curing.   
     
     
         3 . The repair system of  claim 1 , wherein no channels exist that extend through the cured hardening material. 
     
     
         4 . The repair system of  claim 1 , wherein the hardening material includes:
 a resin.   
     
     
         5 . The repair system of  claim 4 , wherein the resin includes:
 a two part epoxy.   
     
     
         6 . The repair system of  claim 4 , wherein the resin includes:
 methylene diphenyl diisocyanate.   
     
     
         7 . The repair system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more fibers include:
 fiberglass.   
     
     
         8 . The repair system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more fibers include:
 carbon fiber.   
     
     
         9 . The repair system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more fibers include at least one of:
 aramid fibers; or   para-aramid fibers.   
     
     
         10 . The repair system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more fibers include:
 basalt fibers.   
     
     
         11 . The repair system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more fibers include at least one of:
 polyester; or   nylon.   
     
     
         12 . The repair system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more fibers include:
 natural fibers.   
     
     
         13 . The repair system of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the fabric is such that it has a weight of between 180 grams per square meter and 450 grams per square meter. 
     
     
         14 . The repair system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more fibers are woven to form the fabric. 
     
     
         15 . The repair system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more fibers are knit to form the fabric. 
     
     
         16 . A repair system, the repair system comprising:
 an inanimate object including first and second portions and a broken portion positioned between the first and second portion;   a fabric, wherein the fabric includes:
 one or more fibers; and 
 the one or more fibers are knit to form the fabric; and 
   a resin disposed in the fabric, wherein:
 the resin is pre-impregnated in the fabric in an inactivated state; and 
 the amount of pre-impregnated resin is the amount that just barely but completely saturates the cloth; 
 the resin is water activated; and 
 the resin is configured to cure in exposure to air; 
   wherein the fabric is wrapped around the first and second portions of the inanimate object and in direct contact with the inanimate object;   wherein curing the resin forms a shell about the first and second portions of the inanimate object, wherein:
 the shell has high impact strength; and 
 the shell is water tight; 
 no channels exist that extend through the cured hardening material; and 
   wherein a ratio of resin to fabric by weight is 0.29:1 to 0.44:1.   
     
     
         17 . The repair system of  claim 16 , wherein the resin includes an additive disposed in the resin. 
     
     
         18 . The repair system of  claim 17 , wherein the additive includes at least one of:
 rubber;   sand;   wood particles; or   sawdust.   
     
     
         19 . The repair system of  claim 16 , wherein the inanimate object comprises at least one of:
 wood;   metal;   glass;   plastic;   rubber;   composites;   fiberglass;   ceramic; or   concrete.   
     
     
         20 . The repair system of  claim 16 , wherein the ratio of resin to fabric by weight is approximately 0.365:1.