A material composition and method for making flexible inversion liners having glass fibers added for strength is disclosed. The liner combines a first layer of polyester felt, an open-faced knit of fabric from ECR glass and PET strands, glass fibers, and a second layer of polyester felt. These components are needle-punched together into essentially a single composite mat, or substrate, using standard needle-punching machinery. The liner is then formed into a tube preferably through a butt joint and prayer stitch covered with a urethane tape. A coating or foil is placed on the outside (prior to inversion) of the liner that is then impregnated with a resin. The resin can have low levels of volatile organic compounds, and can be thermosetting or UV-curable. The liner is then installed in a pipe through an inversion technique using, e. g. , either air or water, and cured with UV radiation, steam, or hot water.
Richard M. Anders - Port Washington WI, US James A. Wainright - Ochlocknee GA, US
International Classification:
F16L 55/16
US Classification:
138 98, 138125, 138146
Abstract:
A material composition and method for making flexible inversion liners having glass fibers added for strength is disclosed. The liner combines a first layer of polyester felt, an open-faced knit of fabric from ECR glass and PET strands, glass fibers, and a second layer of polyester felt. These components are needle-punched together into essentially a single composite mat, or substrate, using standard needle-punching machinery. The liner is then formed into a tube preferably through a butt joint and prayer stitch covered with a urethane tape. A coating or foil is placed on the outside (prior to inversion) of the liner that is then impregnated with resin. For heat curing, the liner is impregnated with a thermosetting or UV-cured resin. The liner is then installed in a pipe through inversion, using either air or water and cured with UV, steam, or hot water.
Connector For Interconnecting A Lateral Pipe To A Main Pipe
A one-piece connector has a tubular member and an annular flange, and is usable to connect a lateral pipe to a main pipe. The connector is constructed such that the annular flange is glued to the inner surface of the main pipe and the tubular extends through an opening formed in the main pipe. The connector may be formed of stainless steel or other alloy or of a plastic polymer material. The connector has a tapered end, which is tapered inwardly to facilitate press-fitting a lateral pipe onto the tubular member.
A cured-in-place liner system for pipe rehabilitation includes an end sealing assembly coupled to an end of a pipe and the cured-in-place liner to prevent water from penetrating the area between the cured-in-place liner and the pipe. A sealing member is provided for sealing off a tap of a lateral pipe from the main pipe to prevent the penetration of resin and other materials into the lateral pipes during the curing process. The sealing member includes a central portion that is placed over an end of the tap and removable after completion of the curing process so that fluids may freely flow between the main pipe and the lateral pipe. A tool assembly for coupling the sealing member and/or a connector between to a lateral pipe is also provided. The tool includes a coupling member attachable to a robotic device and a fixture tool having means for coupling to the sealing member and/or connector.