Method and Apparatus for Repairing a Pipe Using a Transition Tube

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for lining a pipe line having a first pipe section in communication with a second pipe section where the first pipe section has an inside diameter greater than an inside diameter of the second pipe section. A transition tube having an outside diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of the second pipe section and a length substantially equal to or greater than the length of the first pipe section is inverted into the pipe line along with a liner. A resinous material applied to the liner cures and hardens the liner after inversion. The transition tube creates a surface against which the liner can be compressed to help prevent the liner from being overstretched in the wider first pipe section.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of repairing a portion of a lateral pipe and a junction between the lateral pipe and a main pipe, the lateral pipe having a first pipe section with a first end proximate the pipe junction and an opposite second end in communication with a second pipe section, the first pipe section having an inside diameter greater than an inside diameter of the second pipe section, the method comprising:
 taking a liner assembly comprising a main liner member and a lateral liner tube extending from the main liner member at a liner juncture;   taking a transition tube having an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the first pipe section;   positioning the transition tube and the liner assembly adjacent to the pipe junction;   moving the transition tube and the lateral liner tube into the first pipe section so that the transition tube is on the outside of the lateral liner tube in the first pipe section.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of applying a resinous material capable of curing and hardening to the liner assembly before the liner assembly is moved into the main and lateral pipes. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising the step of allowing the resinous material to cure and harden after the liner assembly has been moved into the main and lateral pipes. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the positioning step includes positioning the transition tube inside the lateral liner tube and the moving step includes inverting the transition tube and the lateral liner tube into the first and second pipe sections so that the transition tube is on the outside of the lateral liner tube in the first pipe section. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the positioning step includes positioning the transition tube outside the lateral liner tube and the moving step includes pulling the transition tube and the lateral liner tube into the first and second pipe sections. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of taking a bladder tube, positioning the bladder tube with the transition tube and the lateral liner tube, and moving the bladder tube, transition tube, and lateral liner tube into the first pipe section so that the transition tube is on the outside of the lateral liner tube and the bladder tube is on the inside of the lateral liner tube. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the transition tube is comprised of an impermeable material. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the outside diameter of the transition tube is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the second pipe section. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the transition tube has a length substantially equal to a length of the first pipe section to allow the transition tube to extend through the length of the first pipe section. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the transition tube has a length greater than a length of the first pipe section to allow the transition tube to extend through the first pipe section and into the second pipe section. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for repairing a pipe having a first pipe section in communication with a second pipe section, the first pipe section having a diameter greater than a diameter of the second pipe section, the apparatus comprising:
 a liner tube;   a transition tube having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the first pipe section, wherein the transition tube is secured to the liner tube;   wherein upon moving the transition tube and the liner tube into the first pipe section, the transition tube is on the outside of the liner tube in the first pipe section.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the transition tube is comprised of an impermeable material. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the main liner member is a tube. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising a bladder assembly having a main bladder tube and a lateral bladder tube extending from the main bladder tube. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein upon moving the transition tube and the liner tube into the first pipe section the transition tube is on the outside of the liner tube and the bladder tube is on the inside of the liner tube. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein upon moving into the first pipe section the lateral bladder tube is inside the lateral liner tube and extends beyond the transition tube and within the second pipe section. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the transition tube has a plurality of openings adapted to allow resin to pass through. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the transition tube has a length substantially equal to a length of the first pipe section to allow the transition tube to extend through the length of the first pipe section. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the transition tube has a length greater than a length of the first pipe section to allow the transition tube to extend through the first pipe section and into the second pipe section. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus for repairing a portion of a lateral pipe and a junction between the lateral pipe and a main pipe, the lateral pipe having a first pipe section with a first end proximate the pipe junction and an opposite second end in communication with a second pipe section, the first pipe section having an inside diameter greater than an inside diameter of the second pipe section, the apparatus comprising:
 a liner assembly comprising a main liner member and a lateral liner tube extending from the main liner member at a liner juncture; and   a transition tube having an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the first pipe section and a length substantially equal to or greater than a length of the first pipe section, the transition tube being secured to the liner assembly and positioned at least partially inside the lateral liner tube proximate the liner juncture;   wherein upon moving of the transition tube and the lateral liner tube into the first pipe section the transition tube is on the outside of the lateral liner tube in the first pipe section.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein the transition tube is comprised of an impermeable material. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein the main liner member is a tube. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 20  further comprising a bladder assembly comprising a main bladder tube and a lateral bladder tube extending from the main bladder tube. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein upon moving the transition tube and the liner tube into the first pipe section the transition tube is on the outside of the liner tube and the bladder tube is on the inside of the liner tube. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein upon moving into the first pipe section the lateral bladder tube is inside the lateral liner tube and extends beyond the transition tube and within the second pipe section. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein the transition tube has a plurality of openings adapted to allow resin to pass through.