DRIVE APPARATUS FOR INSTALLING FLEXIBLE PIPE THROUGH IN-SITU PIPE
First Claim
1. Apparatus for inserting a flexible liner into the bore of an existing in-situ pipe, the apparatus comprising:
- a drive for pushing a flexible liner in the bore of the in-situ pipe, the drive having at least a first pair of contra-rotating resilient liner-engaging drive members having a nip formed therebetween through which the flexible liner is frictionally driven;
a drive motor connected to drive at least one of the first pair of contra-rotating drive members;
a guide tube extending between the drive and the bore of the in-situ pipe, and sealed thereto, for guiding the liner into the bore of the in-situ pipe;
a pull head, which is sealable to the in-situ pipe, and secured to a leading end of the flexible liner;
a liner seal for sealing about the flexible liner in the guide tube; and
a fluid port for introduction of fluid intermediate the pull head and the liner seal for hydraulically urging the pull head along the in-situ pipe and pulling the flexible pipe therewith while the drive members push the flexible pipe.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Pusher apparatus and a method of using the apparatus inserts a flexible liner into an in-situ pipe. At least a pair of contra-rotating resilient drive assemblies, having a nip therebetween, drive the liner into the pipe. A guide tube can extend between the drive assemblies and the pipe. A pull head can be affixed to a leading end of the liner and adapted for sealing within a bore of the pipe and pressured fluid can be applied to pull a leading end of the liner into the pipe while the pusher pushes. The contra-rotating resilient drive assemblies can be one or more pair of opposing wheels or opposing tracks. Track assemblies can be mounted to a frame which is movable on rails and restrained with a load cell for measuring reactive forces while pushing. The rails can be angled for aligning the nip with the pipe.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. Apparatus for inserting a flexible liner into the bore of an existing in-situ pipe, the apparatus comprising:
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a drive for pushing a flexible liner in the bore of the in-situ pipe, the drive having at least a first pair of contra-rotating resilient liner-engaging drive members having a nip formed therebetween through which the flexible liner is frictionally driven; a drive motor connected to drive at least one of the first pair of contra-rotating drive members; a guide tube extending between the drive and the bore of the in-situ pipe, and sealed thereto, for guiding the liner into the bore of the in-situ pipe; a pull head, which is sealable to the in-situ pipe, and secured to a leading end of the flexible liner; a liner seal for sealing about the flexible liner in the guide tube; and a fluid port for introduction of fluid intermediate the pull head and the liner seal for hydraulically urging the pull head along the in-situ pipe and pulling the flexible pipe therewith while the drive members push the flexible pipe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. Apparatus for driving a flexible tubular comprising:
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at least a first pair of resilient and contra-rotating tracks having a nip formed therebetween through which the flexible tubular is frictionally driven, each track being continuous and forming a parallel and linear engagement portion for engaging the flexible liner; and a drive motor for driving at least a first driven track of the first pair of contra-rotating tracks. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A process for inserting a flexible liner into a pipe comprises:
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guiding the liner though a guide tube to the pipe; frictionally driving the liner through a nip between at least a pair of contra-rotating resilient drive assemblies; and pulling a leading end of the liner along the pipe by securing a pull head to a leading end of the liner and pressurizing the guide tube with fluid between the drive assemblies and the pipe for hydraulically pushing the pull head along the pipe while the drive assemblies push the flexible liner along the pipe. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification