Relining is a method where a fluid channel from the inside is provided with a new channel wall. It has become an alternative method of recondition of old drain pipes in buildings. In stead of tearing down and remove old pipes to be substituted by new ones a relining of existing pipes may take place with essentially less efforts and without substantially influencing the users of the building to be reconditioned. Tenant may continue using their apartments - with a couple of days restricted use of the bathroom and the kitchen - and businessmen may keep on with their everyday business without any essential disturbances.

In Sweden there is a special need to renew the living accommodations from the million program. This means that in Sweden about 170 billion kr need to be spent on relining (or exchange of drain-pipes) and renovating of bathrooms in houses from 1961-1975. There is an additional need to spend yet another 170 billion kr to renovate houses from the 50-ties. In other countries there is a great need to renovate old pipes and drain-pipes. Just in eastern Berlin there exist a long existing need to both exchange of drain-pips, complete insulation and renewing heating and climate systems.

Relining is a much cheaper method compared to an exchange of drain-pipes, which means that it is an increasing choice of this alternative. The choice of relining may also be motivated of that many of the actual houses is pretty much alike which means that the same methods can be used in a big scale. To perform a relining there is a must of first cleaning all channels. Thus there is a lack of equipment to perform this work in an ergonomic and effective way. Today huge cutting machines are used to clean the channels. Machines being very heavy and having a restricted mobility. They need to be transported on wheels. They work satisfactory but need a lot attention of the operator.

WO 2009/143497 discloses a tool machine to clean channels. This machine has a "naked" spiral shaft being winded on a drum on the machine. From this drum the naked spiral shaft is fed into a channel to be cleaned. This machine is very awkward in handling and not very hygienic to an operator. An advantage may be that spiral shaft not used remains wound onto the drum. Thus it must be rotated also when a short channel length is to be cleaned, that is it uses power to be driven.

Another method to clean drain pipes is to use a drilling machine propelling a rotating spiral shaft. At the end of said shaft there is a cutter tool working on the inside of the pipe. The work needs two persons, one holding the drilling machine and the other feeding the shaft down into the pipe. The big problem is safety and efficiency. If the tool is stuck in the pipe it will stop suddenly and the wire shaft and cutting tool may be in danger to be damaged or destroyed. At the same time the operator holding the drilling machine may hurt his hand wrists and lower arms. Drilling machines are not intended for this kind of work. Usually they have not safety stops and are worn out very rapidly.

Another problem is that cutting tools used to work on the channels are most efficient when the revolutions are between 2000-3000 per minute. Drilling machines do not manage to use this speed for a longer time. Drilling machines working at a maximum speed has a high sound level and thus will decrease the working environment. Also the drilling machines and tools being used to clean channels at a relining procedure have a very restricted cleaning capacity. Usually they may be used to work on vertical and horizontal distances of about 20 - 30 m.

Thus there is a need of equipment being light, mobile, easy to use and safe. Thus the main object of the present invention is to obtain essentially more efficient and lighter equipment which may be handled by a single operator

Another object is to obtain an equipment standing steady on the floor and being remote manageable by the operator.

Yet another object of the invention is to obtain equipment being easy to use indoors.

Still another object of the invention is to obtain equipment having a built in safety stop. If the tool is stuck in the pipe a built in sensor for torque or current shall react to automatically slow down to avoid damage on both the tool and the wire. But most important, the operator is protected from great sudden strains. Still yet another object of the invention is to obtain equipment where a simple, safe and rapid change of tools shall be able to perform for different types of cutting work in the channels. One more object of the invention is to obtain equipment which is able to clean essentially longer distances compared to what is possible to do to day.

Another object of the invention is to obtain equipment which has a built in processor connected to a memory registering different types of parameters and processes these into proceedings taken place and to inform the user of what's going on and about a need to change fittings or effect service if needed. The equipment will be able to "tell" the user if it is used in a wrong way and suggest examples of a more correct use.

A built in GPS function will make it easier for management to coordinate the work and the use of the personal resources in the company.

The possibility to a digital localization of the machine will decrease the risk of theft out on the field.

By having a check on when, where and how long time the machines are used the business can be better planned. Efficiency and a follow up of the machine fleet will save time and money.

By having a full control on the occasions for service support can be planned and performed at a right time without intrude the business more than necessary. The costs for break downs caused by failed support will be strongly eliminated. Reports from field service may simply be done by using a lap top.

Ready basis for invoices may be shaped from performed work and services. A sensor mounted on the machine is connected to the electronic unit will indicate when a job is done, as cutting work in pipes. The work manager may control which jobs being performed on a map picture with the different moments presented together with time for performing. What shall be included in the basis for invoices may be chosen as when the machine is used, during how long time it is used and where the machine have been used when connected to a map picture e.g. Google Maps.

An alarm is mounted on the machine. When the alarm alerts it will be exposed in the system as an event and the machine can be tracked by GPS positioning. The built in battery makes a 48 hours tracing possible without a need to be connected to the grid. Then the machine may be

immobilized/turned off remotely by an App or transferring of the position of the machine to the police/insurance company by E-mail or by a SMS- message. In a cleaning and working process the whole drain pip system will be handled in such a way that it will essentially be internally smooth. First thereafter it will have a new inner lining. The new inner lining may be performed in several different ways and is not part of the present invention, but it is free for the man skilled in the art to choose the method for relining. For all relining methods it is important the inner channel is as smooth and clean as possible, but most of all, will have the intended original area. Often a channel being relined need to be treated by different types of tools. Deposits on the channel walls may have different hardness and need special cutting tools. Also the lay out of channels means that they have bends of different readies. From this it is necessary to have a combination of a flexible, propelling shaft and cutting tools functioning at different bending readies. Therefore, e.g. prior to passing a bend, it is important that a tool change may be performed quick and easily.

The invention shall now be described in connection to embodiments shown in the drawings, where

Fig. 1 is an enlarged view of the coupling mechanism between the flexible shaft and the main propelling unit of the pipe cleaning equipment.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the main propelling unit of a pipe cleaning equipment according to the invention, Fig. 3 shows a side view of the main propelling unit of the pipe cleaning equipment according to fig. 2,

Fig. 4a - 4c show examples of different tools being connectable to a flexible shaft,

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic exploded view of a clamping ring mechanism for connecting a flexible spiral shaft, and where

Fig. 6 shows the active components in the clamping ring mechanism

according to fig. 5 in a mounted view.

Fig. 7 - 15 are views of different information shown on an interactive display unit. In fig. 1 the constituting and interacting parts of the coupling mechanism 8 as quick connection of the plug in - or bayonet type being locked to the flexible shaft 12 by a clamping ring coupling 11. A cover 9 surrounds the shaft 12 and is hold against an axial movement by a socket grip in the periphery of the cover - here shown as a winding grip. The socket 13 is kept in place in a grip by a foldable buckle 14 being articulately connected at the main propelling unit 1. At the free end of the flexible shaft preferably a cutting tool suitable to cut channels with a smaller area, a so called chain cutter, preferably intended to cut channels with greater areas, or a tip drilling tool with especially good cutting properties is connected. Also special tools especially suited for lead, roots, concrete, or collapsed insert stockings after a not succeeded relining may be chosen. See further fig. 4a - 4c.

In fig. 3 a side view is disclosed of the main propelling device of the pipe clean equipment according to fig. 2.

Fig. 4a discloses a first cutting tool suited for cutting of channels with a smaller area, fig. 4b is a so called chain cutter mainly intended for cutting channels of a bigger area. Fig. 4c discloses a tip drilling tool having especially good cutting properties.

Fig. 5 discloses a diagrammatic exploded view of a clamping ring mechanism 9'- 12 'for connecting a flexible spiral shaft 3 where the interacting parts of the clamping mechanism are in a mounted position in fig. 6. By this clamping mechanism between a flexible rotating shaft and a tool it is easy to clamp a tool holder at the end of the shaft and at this holder later connect the tool device so that the operator without special tools may arrange a connection of a new tool holder when the shaft has broken. When a shaft breaks it often occurs in close connection to the shaft end where the tool is attached. Prior to breaking a typical change of the torque change/ electric power use takes place which means that the equipment may be shut of in time and the shaft with tool may be removed and taken care of.

When the equipment is used a memory unit of the soft ware will register how the torque (amperes) will change over time that is if an ongoing working cycle tends to be too heavy to the drive unit and/or to the chosen tool with the used length of the shaft. A logic unit connected to the soft ware and to a memory bank of preceding work cases may suggest change of tool for the ongoing activity when the registered parameters of the ongoing activity have been processed.

It is also possible to obtain a continuous information of an ongoing activity by existing light bulbs on the dash board will show green light for ok process - right, yellow ok process - left and red for an ongoing process which need to an immediate care. If a manual initiated change of the processing procedure does not occur this will take place automatically. In the following an example of safety routines and a dialog using an active display to handle the equipment are shown.

1. Safety routines to use the machine

The invention has an advanced emergency stop system. The machine has two buttons for emergency stop. The first is in the chassis left of a display; the other is on the remote control. The emergency stop loop will

disconnect and stop the engine without delay. There are two different positions for use/safety modes for the machine.

1. When operating from the display the remote control is inactive. In this case the emergency stop button on the machine is active.

2. When using the remote control both of the emergency buttons are

active and operation from the display is not possible.

2. Resetting of safety loop

Emergency stop activated on the machine

1. A display is shown in fig. 7.

2. Reset the emergency stop button on the machine (no red light)

3. Accept and reset using the OK button.

4. Now the operating display is shown and the machine is ready to use.

If the remote control was connected at the moment of emergency stop an informative text is shown on the working display (see fig. 8) and then the remote control has to be disconnected and reconnected to reset the security loop.

Released emergency stop on the remote control

1. The display is shown in fig. 7.

Sign with OK button on display to go back to control by the display

as alternative - Reconnect the remote control and use it for containment.

3. To get the machine started

1. Connect the plug to a grounded socket of 230 V

2. The machine starts and the display is charged with soft ware

3. PCT Logotype is shown in 5 sec - see fig. 9

4. After that the start display - fig. 10 - with the current set ups for speed, torque, sound and flash lightning is shown. 5. To reset the security loop and go further on to the drive menu confirm by ticking off by the button (green hook).

6. For a detailed explanation press the question mark.

7. Now the drive menu is shown

4. To control the machine from the display

1. Fig. 7 shows clockwise or anti clockwise directions

2. Set the wanted speed and torque (fig. 12) using the (+) button and (-) button respectively.

3. Press the big round drive button with an arrow to start.

4. If and when reaching and exceeding the set torque the machine will stop and a big red cross will show up (fig. 13).

5. Press the cross to return to an operative mode.

6.

5. To control the machine from the remote control.

1. Connect the remote control by pressing button 1 for one sec, button 2 for one sec and again the button 1 for one sec.

2. The display is shown in fig. 14 and the remote control is connected.

3. Press button 2 to reset the security loop.

4. Now fig 15 is shown and the machine can be used.

Clockwise driving occurs when pressing the button X and is stopped by one more pressure on said button.

Anti clockwise driving occurs by keeping the button X pressed down, the machine will start when the button is released. To adjust the speed the button X is used to decrease and Y is used to increase the speed. To adjust the torque the button X is used to decrease and Y is used to increase the torque.

The invention is not restricted to the shown embodiments but modifications can be done within the scope of the following claims.