BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to internal pipe lining rehabilitation devices or systems, and more specifically relates to lining systems that are adapted and adaptable for use in the structural repair or remediation of degraded, damaged or leaking pipes, or such lining systems adapted and adaptable to improve or upgrade qualities and characteristics of pipes prior to or after use or installation. Even more specifically, this invention relates to lining systems that spray a lining onto the internal pipe surface for rehabilitation or remediation of an existing host pipe, and to systems for delivery of lining material to the pipe lining apparatuses casting the material onto the interior of a pipe.

Lining devices for pipe rehabilitation that spray a liner onto the internal surface of a pipe in need of repair whereupon the liner cures to form a“pipe-within-a-pipe”, are typically referred to by the acronym SIPP, which stands for Spray-In-Place-Pipe. Pipe rehabilitation rather than pipe replacement is practiced heavily in industrial and municipal water markets due to two primary advantages. Firstly, the cost of pipe rehabilitation is significantly cheaper than pipe replacement. Secondly, pipe rehabilitation is far less of an invasive practice than replacement. For instance, replacing a pipeline running under a major road or building results in a major disruption to a community and in some cases, is not a feasible solution. Thus, pipe rehabilitation methods are a highly valued solution and far more desirable in many situations.

The common SIPP devices utilize an accumulator reel to retract an umbilical or tether tensile member (the term“umbilical” being used hereafter to refer collectively to an umbilical, tether, tension member or similar tensile structure or combination of such members, and containing or further comprising material, electrical and communication transmission members) which is attached to the spraying device as it sprays the liner onto the inner pipe wall. There are three main elements in the common SIPP system: a pipe lining apparatus, an umbilical member, and an accumulator reel. The spraying function is performed by a mechanism that dispenses, propels or otherwise distributes uncured liner material, such as for example a polymer resin, onto the inner surface of the pipe. The liner material then cures in place to form a structural liner or lining - i.e., a new internal layer or pipe within the original pipe. The umbilical member contains conduits that convey the liner material from a pumping source to the sprayer apparatus and houses any electrical wires needed to send power and communicative signals between elements of the SIPP system within the pipe and external to the pipe. Additionally, the umbilical member houses a separate, or comprises as a whole, a tension member extending between the accumulator reel and the spraying device, such that the umbilical member pulls the sprayer apparatus through the pipe. The accumulator reel is a reel that houses, deploys, and accumulates the umbilical member.

A problem arises in that the distance that the lining material can be pumped through the umbilical into a pipe lining apparatus is limited, a distance of approximately 750 feet commonly being the maximum distance achievable before encountering significant pressure drops in the delivered lining material.

It is an object of this invention to provide an umbilical supply train system comprising multiple lining material supply tanks in communication with the umbilical member, the supply tanks preferably being self-powered for movement within the pipe. It is a further object to provide such a system having power generators, pumps, inline heaters and controllers to optimize delivery of the lining material to the pipe lining apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is in general a pipe lining apparatus umbilical supply train system for lining a pipe comprising a pipe lining apparatus, an umbilical member and a plurality of mobile lining material supply tanks in fluid communication with the umbilical member, wherein the supply tanks move through the pipe along with the pipe lining apparatus such that lining material stored in the supply tanks can be delivered directly to the pipe lining apparatus through the umbilical member. With this system, the travel distance of the pipe lining apparatus can be greatly increased. Preferably the pipe lining apparatus and the supply tanks are self-powered. The system may further comprise power generators, pumps, inline heaters and controllers to optimize delivery of the lining material to the pipe lining apparatus.

In alternative format, the invention is described as a pipe lining apparatus umbilical supply train system comprising a pipe lining apparatus adapted to apply lining material to the interior of a pipe; a plurality of lining material supply tanks adapted to contain lining material; and an umbilical member connecting said lining material supply tanks to each other and to said pipe lining apparatus, whereby lining material retained within said lining material supply tanks is delivered through said umbilical member to said pipe lining apparatus. Furthermore, the system wherein said pipe lining apparatus and said lining material supply tanks are self-propelled; wherein said pipe lining apparatus and said lining material supply tanks each comprise drive mechanisms; further comprising auxiliary components connected to said umbilical member; and/or wherein said auxiliary components are chosen from the group consisting of power generators, pumps, inline heaters and controllers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the pipe lining apparatus umbilical supply train system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawings, which are provided for descriptive, disclosure, enablement and illustrative purposes, it being intended that the drawings be non-limiting as to the scope and definition of the invention, the invention is shown and described as a pipe lining apparatus umbilical supply train system.

As used herein, the term“pipe lining apparatus” shall be taken to include a spraying or lining apparatus adapted to circumferentially apply, spray, propel or otherwise discharge a coating of a curable lining material onto the inner wall of a pipe to form a tubular liner structure adhered to the interior of the pipe. As used herein, the term“umbilical member” shall be taken to include and/or refer collectively to any umbilical, tether, tension member or similar tensile structure or combination of such members, which also contains or comprises lining material supply conduits or the like.

The pipe lining apparatus 20 may be of known type, and typically comprises a rotating spinner assembly or head 21 that is adapted to circumferentially apply uncured or partially cured lining material onto the inner wall of the pipe, typically by radially expelling the lining material. The lining material, such as for example a polymer resin, adheres to the wall of the pipe and cures to form an elastomeric or rigid liner, in essence creating a pipe within a pipe, the liner repairing, sealing, strengthening, providing corrosion or abrasion resistance, etc., to the pipe depending on the particular liner material chosen. The pipe liner apparatus 20 is most preferably self-propelled, such that movement through the pipe is accomplished by a dedicated propulsion device or similar drive mechanism 22 connected to or incorporated within the pipe liner apparatus 20, rather than by being pulled through the pipe by a powered accumulator reel. In this manner, the pipe liner apparatus 20 is able to move through the pipe at a controlled and consistent pace, continually applying the liner material to the pipe so as to produce a liner of consistent thickness.

The umbilical member 10 preferably serves multiple functions in the system. The umbilical member 10 is an elongated member that may comprise multiple elongated members, conduits or devices bundled together, and/or may comprise elongated members retained within an elongated sheath, and/or the sheath itself may perform a function of the umbilical member 20. The umbilical member 10 is connected to the pipe lining apparatus. The primary purpose of the umbilical member 10 in the system at hand is to be the conduit delivering lining material from the supply tanks 30 of the supply train system to the sprayer apparatus 10, the umbilical member 10 also serving to connect the supply tanks 30 to each other. The supply tanks 30 are most preferably self-propelled by drive mechanisms 31 having wheels, rollers, belts, tracks or the like.

The system may further comprise power generators, pumps, inline heaters and/or controllers, shown generally as auxiliary components 40, to optimize delivery of the lining material to the pipe lining apparatus. The auxiliary components 40 are preferably self-propelled by drive mechanisms 41.

With the pipe lining apparatus umbilical supply train system as described, the pipe lining operation may be accomplished over great distances, as the quantity of lining material required to complete a particular job can be met by providing a sufficient number of lining material supply tanks 30, the supply tanks 30 be filled prior to entry into the pipe to be rehabilitated or repaired. It is also possible to provide a second supply train which can travel between external supply sources and the primary supply train, automatically refilling the supply tanks 30 of the primary supply train as they are depleted.

It is contemplated that equivalents and substitutions for certain elements and structures described above may be obvious to those skilled in the art, and therefore the true scope and definition of the invention is to be as set forth in the following claims.