Apparatus and method for sealing pipes and underground structures

• US 8,640,737 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2012
• Issued: 02/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LMK Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: LMK Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Kiest, Larry W. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brinson, Patrick F
• Application Number:
  US13/490,195
• Publication Number:
  US 20120267863A1
• Time in Patent Office: 608 Days
• Field of Search: 138/98, 138/97, 405/184.2, 405/150.1, 156/287, 156/293, 156/294, 264/568, 264/269
• US Class Current: 138/98
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 29/128 Repairs of manhole shafts
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/163 a ring, a band or a sleeve being pressed against the inner surface of the pipe
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/179 specially adapted for bends, branch units, branching pipes or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/18 Appliances for use in repairing pipes F16L55/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

An apparatus and method for sealing pipes or underground structures is provided. In one embodiment, the end of a pipe is sealed by the use of a pipe liner and a sealing member. The sealing member may be a hydrophilic material, a hydrophobic material, a compressible material, or a paste. The sealing member is held in place by a mechanical fastener and a liner is installed adjacent the sealing member and against the wall of the pipe or other structure to be sealed. In another embodiment, a manhole is sealed by the use of a sealing member, a mechanical fastener, and a manhole liner.

Claims

1. An assembly for sealing a manhole comprising:

a sealing member having an outer profile approximately equal to an inner manhole diameter; and

a manhole liner, wherein the sealing member is positioned between the manhole liner and the manhole.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the sealing member is a tubular sleeve comprising a hydrophilic material.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the tubular sleeve is a molded hydrophilic neoprene rubber.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the sealing member comprises an open-cell foam material.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the sealing member is impregnated with a hydrophilic or hydrophobic grout.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the sealing member comprises a hydrophilic or hydrophobic paste.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the sealing member comprises a compressible material.

11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the manhole liner is a cured-in-place manhole liner, a spray-on manhole liner, a cementitious manhole liner, a cast-in-place manhole liner, or a resin manhole liner.

2. The assembly of claim l, further comprising a mechanical fastener adapted to retain the sealing member against a wall of the manhole.

9. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the mechanical fastener comprises a retaining ring.

10. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the mechanical fastener comprises a screw, nail, or anchor.

12. An assembly for sealing a manhole and an adjacent pipe, comprising:

a first sealing member having an outer profile approximately equal to a pipe diameter;

a second sealing member having an outer profile approximately equal to a manhole diameter;

a first mechanical fastener adapted to retain the second sealing member against a wall of the manhole;

a pipe liner; and

a manhole liner.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the first sealing member comprises a tubular sleeve having a flange portion.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the first sealing member comprises a molded hydrophilic neoprene rubber.

15. The assembly of claim 12, further comprising a second mechanical fastener adapted to retain the first sealing member against a wall of the pipe end.

16. A method for sealing a manhole comprising:

providing a sealing member having an outer profile approximately equal to a diameter of the manhole;

positioning the sealing member into the manhole adjacent an area of the manhole prone to water infiltration; and

pressing a manhole liner against the sealing member and at least a portion of a wall of the manhole.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising securing the sealing member within the manhole using a mechanical fastener against the inner wall of the sealing member.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the area of the manhole prone to water infiltration is between a bottom pan and a barrel of the manhole, between the barrel and a cone of the manhole, between the cone and an adjusting ring of the manhole, or the manhole casting.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the sealing member is a tubular sleeve comprising a hydrophilic material.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the tubular sleeve is a molded hydrophilic neoprene rubber.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the sealing member comprises an open-cell foam material.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the sealing member is impregnated with a hydrophilic or hydrophobic grout.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein the sealing member comprises a hydrophilic or hydrophobic paste.

24. The method of claim 16, wherein the sealing member comprises a compressible material.

25. The method of claim 16, wherein the mechanical fastener comprises a retaining ring.

26. The method of claim 16, wherein the mechanical fastener comprises a screw, nail, or anchor.

27. The method of claim 16, wherein the manhole liner is a cured-in-place manhole liner, a spray-on manhole liner, a cementitious manhole liner, a cast-in-place manhole liner, or a resin manhole liner.

28. A method for sealing a manhole and a pipe adjacent the manhole comprising:

providing a first sealing member having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner wall, and an outer wall having a diameter approximately equal to the pipe diameter;

positioning the first sealing member into the pipe such that the proximal end is near an end of the pipe;

securing the first sealing member within the pipe using a first mechanical fastener against the inner wall of the first sealing member;

providing a pipe liner and pressing the pipe liner against the first sealing member;

providing a second sealing member having an outer profile approximately equal to a diameter of the manhole;

positioning the second sealing member into the manhole adjacent an area of the manhole prone to water infiltration; and

pressing a manhole liner against the second sealing member and at least a portion of a wall of the manhole.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising securing the second sealing member within the manhole using a second mechanical fastener against the inner wall of the second sealing member.