Polymer liner system and method for lining a vertical shaft

Abstract

A liner system, including a plurality of arcuate panels vertically interlocked, each arcuate panel comprising fiber reinforced composite. Each arcuate panel includes a first engagement tab disposed at a first edge of a panel frame, a second engagement tab disposed at a second edge of the panel frame, the second edge arranged opposite the first edge, a third engagement tab disposed on a third edge of the panel frame, and a fourth engagement tab disposed on a fourth edge of the panel frame, the fourth edge arranged opposite the third edge.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A liner system, comprising:
 a plurality of arcuate panels vertically interlocked, each arcuate panel comprising fiber reinforced composite, and wherein each arcuate panel comprises:
 a first engagement tab disposed at a first edge of a panel frame; 
 a second engagement tab disposed at a second edge of the panel frame, the second edge arranged opposite the first edge; 
 a third engagement tab disposed on a third edge of the panel frame; and 
 a fourth engagement tab disposed on a fourth edge of the panel frame, the fourth edge arranged opposite the third edge, 
   wherein:
 a first engagement tab of a first arcuate panel engages a second engagement tab of a second arcuate panel vertically aligned with the first arcuate panel, 
 a second engagement tab of the first arcuate panel engages a first engagement tab of a third arcuate panel vertically aligned with the first arcuate panel, 
 a third engagement tab of the first arcuate panel engages a fourth engagement tab of a fourth arcuate panel horizontally aligned with the first arcuate panel, and 
 a fourth engagement tab of the first arcuate panel engages a third engagement tab of a fifth arcuate panel horizontally aligned with the first arcuate panel and opposite the fourth arcuate panel. 
   
     
     
         2 . The liner system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the second engagement tab of each arcuate panel comprises:
 a securement portion fixedly secured to the arcuate panel;   an extension portion connected to the securement portion; and   an enclosure portion connected to the extension portion.   
     
     
         3 . The liner system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the extension portion extends radially outward from the arcuate panel, forming a receptacle with the enclosure portion. 
     
     
         4 . The liner system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the receptacle of the second engagement tab of the first arcuate panel is operatively arranged to receive the first engagement tab of the third arcuate panel. 
     
     
         5 . The liner system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein a shape of the receptacle corresponds to a shape of the first engagement tab of the third arcuate panel. 
     
     
         6 . The liner system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the first engagement tab is radially offset from the arcuate panel. 
     
     
         7 . The liner system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the second engagement tab of each arcuate panel comprises:
 an offset portion fixedly secured to the arcuate panel; and   an enclosure portion connected to the offset portion.   
     
     
         8 . The liner system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the offset portion radially offsets the enclosure portion from the arcuate panel, forming a receptacle with the enclosure portion. 
     
     
         9 . The liner system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the receptacle of the second engagement tab of the first arcuate panel is operatively arranged to receive the first engagement tab of the third arcuate panel. 
     
     
         10 . The liner system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first engagement tab of the first arcuate panel engages with at least two panels arranged above the first panel. 
     
     
         11 . The liner system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the first engagement tab of the first arcuate panel includes a first portion and a second portion. 
     
     
         12 . The liner system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the first portion and the second portion of the first engagement tab of a first arcuate panel engage with different panels arranged above the first arcuate panel. 
     
     
         13 . The liner system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the third engagement tab of each arcuate panel comprises an enclosure portion connected to the arcuate panel, wherein the enclosure portion extends radially outward from the arcuate panel, forming a receptacle with the arcuate panel. 
     
     
         14 . The liner system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the fourth engagement tab of each arcuate panel is radially offset from the arcuate panel. 
     
     
         15 . The liner system as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the receptacle of the third engagement tab of the first arcuate panel is operatively arranged to receive the fourth engagement tab of the fourth arcuate panel. 
     
     
         16 . The liner system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the fiber reinforced composite comprises glass fibers, aramid fibers, carbon fibers, basalt fibers, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The liner system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the fiber reinforced composite comprises polymer resin selected from polyester resin, vinyl ester resin, phenolic resin, polyurethane resin, epoxy resin, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The liner system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of arcuate panels are vertically interlocked to form a cylindrical liner. 
     
     
         19 . The liner system as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the cylindrical liner is arranged within a vertical shaft and the cylindrical liner is secured within the vertical shaft via a filler arranged between the cylindrical liner and an inner wall of the vertical shaft. 
     
     
         20 . The liner system as recited in  claim 19 , wherein an at least one horizontal layer of arcuate panels of the cylindrical liner further comprise a scribe to retain the filler between the cylindrical liner and the inner wall of the vertical shaft. 
     
     
         21 . A method of lining a vertical shaft, comprising:
 arranging a plurality of fiber reinforced polymer composite arcuate panels within the vertical shaft, wherein the arcuate panels interlock to form a at least one ring layer of a cylindrical liner;   arranging a lightweight cellular concrete filler between the first ring and an inner wall of the vertical shaft; and   curing the filler arranged between the ring layer of cylindrical liner and the inner wall of the vertical shaft, wherein the cured filler secures the first ring within the vertical shaft.