In situ pipe repair controller and system

• US 20060151037A1
• Filed: 01/10/2006
• Published: 07/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EMS USA Holdings I Inc. (EMS Energy Solutions LLC)
• Original Assignee: Energy Maintenance Services Group I LLC
• Inventors: Lepola, William, Knoppel, Kenton L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,789,643 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 138/98
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2101/18 Lining other than coating
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/1654 and being inflated
• CPC Class Codes: G21C 17/017 Inspection or maintenance of pipe-lines or tubes in nuclear installations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 30/30 Nuclear fission reactors

Abstract

A control apparatus used in conjunction with tools and devices such as electrical power supplies, fluid pumps and vacuums for in situ repair of pipes. A method for controlling in situ repair of pipe using electrical power sources, fluid and pressure sources and flexible heat and inflation bladder installing thermal responsive repair materials and applying the repair material to the interior wall surface. The apparatus controls the inflation of the repair tool inserted into a pipe and the amount and rate of fluid pressure and maintenance of a selected pressure. The apparatus may also control the evacuation of the fluid from the bladder of the repair tool. The device controls the heating of the tool used in the installation of the repair material. The invention also teaches a method for controlled inflation and expansion of the bladder carrying the repair material to the area of the pipe to be repaired and heating the material at a rate and to a temperature to facilitate optimum curing or installation of the thermally responsive repair material. The invention also teaches the detachment of the repair material and removal of the repair tool. The method further includes the procedures necessary to complete the installation of these materials.

Claims

1. An controller attachable to a fluid source, an electrical power source and a repair device comprising a fluid controlling component and an electrical power controlling component wherein the controller controls fluid pressure and electrical power to an inflatable and resistively heatable bladder of the repair device.

2. The controller of claim 1 further comprising controls to a winding mechanism.

3. The controller of claim 1 further comprising an SCR.

4. The controller of claim 1 further comprising a fluid input, a fluid output, an electrical input and an electrical output.

5. The controller of claim 1 further comprising an SCR.

6. The controller of claim 1 further comprising a CPU.

7. A method for controlling installation of in situ pipe repair material comprising:

a. positioning a pipe repair material into a pipe;

b. using a fluid controlling component to increase fluid pressure to press the repair material to the pipe wall;

c. using an electrical power controlling component to energize components for resistively heating the repair material;

d. using the electrical power controlling component to stop resistive heating; and

e. using the fluid controlling component to reduce fluid pressure.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising removing a repair device from the pipe.

9. An in situ pipe repair system comprising a pipe repair device and a controller.

10. The system of claim 9 further comprising a CPU.

11. The system of claim 9 further comprising a fluid pump.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the fluid pump is an air compressor.

13. The system of claim 9 further comprising a transformer.