Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SYSTEM AND ARRANGEMENT FOR CONDUIT REPARATION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates generally to systems for repairing,
lining or expanding
conduit, such as expanding a liner conduit within a host conduit and, in
particular, to a system
and arrangement with accompanying hardware for repairing a conduit, for
example
expanding a liner conduit within a host conduit.
Description of Related Art
[0002] Conduit systems are used extensively throughout the world in order to
transfer or
convey material, such as water and other fluids, from location to location for
distribution
throughout the system. For example, extensive conduit systems are used to
distribute water
to both residences and businesses for use and further processes.
Typically,_such conduit or
piping systems are located underground, as aboveground piping would be both
tulsightly and
intrusive.
[0003] Typical water conduit systems transport material through pipe, e.g.,
cast iron,
ductile iron, reinforced concrete, asbestos-cement, etc., buried underground
with the branches
extending in various directions in order to reach the end user. Normally,
after many years of
use, or for some other reason, the present piping fails and begins to leaf,
thereby reducing
line pressure and unnecessarily allowing water to leak into the area
surrounding the piping.
Such leaks not only affect the system, but increase the processing costs of
the supplier,
which, in turn, increases the end user costs. Therefore, these leaks must be
quickly repaired
and preventative measures taken to ensure that further leakage is prevented.
[0004] Due to the underground positioning of the conduit system, repairing a
leaking pipe
is particularly labor intensive and time consuming. Trenches must be dug along
the pipeline
to locate the leak and effectively repair it prior to putting the pipe back in
service. Various
lining systems have been developed according to the prior art in an attempt to
seal a leaking
pipe or a pipe that has fallen into disrepair, whether to repair a present
crack or to
preventatively ensure against future cracks or breaks. In addition, the use of
a much smaller
diameter pipe within the larger diameter cracked or broken pipe has been used.
However,
this merely replaces the problem of a cracked outer pipe with a cracked or
otherwise leaking
inner pipe. Still further, using such a pipe-in-pipe system drastically
reduces the flow
through the conduit system and evidences unwanted and varying pressure
parameters.
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[0005] To that end, a pipe liner and method of installation have been
developed, as
disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,794,662 to St. Onge et al., specifically
directed to pressurized
pipeline applications. The St. Onge patent is directed to a method of relining
sewer lines,
water lines or gas lines, and uses a segmented liner of reduced size relative
to the pipe being
relined. However, as opposed to merely leaving the small diameter liner
conduit within the
large diameter outer conduit, the method of the St. Onge patent uses heat
and/or pressure to
mold the reduced size pipe to the shape of the pipe being relined. In
particular, the inner or
liner conduit is a thermoplastic pipe, typically a polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
pipe that, when
exposed to heat or pressure, expands and molds against the inside of an
existing conduit to
effect the relining of it. This process allows for both the lining of the
entire length of pipe or
only a portion of it that is damaged, which is typically referred to as "spot
repair."
[0006] According to the St. Onge patent, once the length of the liner conduit
is inserted
into the existing or host conduit, the liner conduit is plugged at either end
and exposed to
steam under pressure to heat the liner conduit along its length and apply
pressure, which
urges it to expand and contact the interior walls of the surrounding host
conduit. Once the
liner conduit has fully expanded to conform to the interior surface of the
existing conduit, it is
cooled and the plugs are removed. The resulting expanded liner conduit
conforms to the
walls of the host conduit, thereby preventing any further leakage. Also, the
method of the St.
Onge patent requires only access pits to be dug at either end of the section
to be repaired.
[0007] While the St. Onge patent represents an advance in the art of relining
or repairing
underground conduit systems, there is room in the art for additional
improvements and
advancements. Merely plugging either end of the liner conduit and injecting
steam to
pressurize the liner conduit and force it to expand to the walls of the host
conduit presents
certain problems. Such a method and system give rise to both physical and
structural
weaknesses at either end of the expanded liner conduit.
[0008] Various arrangements and systems have been developed for assisting in
the
inj ection of gas and/or liquid into a liner or within a linng process, as is
known in the art.
For example, hardware and equipment have been developed for use in connection
with a
bladder expansion or thermoplastic impregnated liner system. See U.S. Patent
Nos.:
6,299,803 to Ledoux; 5,601,763 to Hunter et .al.; 5,462,706 to McMillan et
al.; 5,503,190 to
Kamiyama et al.; 5,490,964 to Kamiyama et al.; 5,225,121 to Yokoshima;
6,050,300 to
Schwert et al.; 4,728,223 to Rice; 4,671,840 to Renaud; 4,361,451 to Renaud;
6,539,979 to
Driver; 5,368,809 to Steketee, Jr.; and 5,399,301 to Menendez et al. However,
. such
equipment and systems have several drawbacks. Without controlled restriction
of the liner
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conduit within the host conduit, undesirable longitudinal or lateral expansion
may occur,
which may lead to the ultimate failure of the liner conduit. Further,
monitoring and/or
controlling the heat and/or pressure of the material injected into the liner
conduit is required
in order to appropriately expand the liner conduit witlun the host conduit. In
addition,
monitoring and/or controlling various physical parameters in the conduit is
important to
effectively repair the conduit and engage in the associated process.
Accordingly, such prior
art systems are deficient in control and are thus subject to failures in
installation, maintenance
and lining integrity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is, therefore, an obj ect of the present invention to provide a
system and
arrangement for conduit reparation that overcomes the deficiencies of the
prior art. It is
another object of the present invention to provide a system and arrangement
for conduit
reparation and expansion that provides appropriate lateral and longitudinal
restriction and
increases the resulting structural integrity of both the liner conduit and/or
host conduit. It is a
still fiuther object of the present invention to provide a system and
arrangement for conduit
reparation that includes the appropriate hardware at either end of a pipe
section that monitors
and controls the process. It is a still further object of the present
invention to provide a
system and arrangement that effectively controls. a conduit reparation process
or pipe
reparation process.
[0010] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an arrangement for
use in
connection with a conduit reparation process having a target conduit with a
first end and a
second end. The arrangement includes injection hardware in operative
communication with
the first end of the target conduit and distal end haxdware in operative
communication with
the second end of the target conduit. The arrangement also includes a control
mechanism in
communication with at least one of the injection hardware and the distal end
hardware for
communicating with and/or controlling the conduit reparation process, the
injection hardware
and the distal end hardware.
[0011] In a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the control mechanism can
(i) monitor
at least one physical characteristic of at least one of the injected material
and recycled
material; (ii) control at least one physical characteristic of inj ected
material and/or recycled
material; (iii) monitor at least one physical characteristic of the lining
process; (iv) control at
least one physical characteristic of the lining process; (v) monitor at least
one physical
characteristic of a host conduit and/or a liner conduit; and (vi) control at
least one physical
characteristic of the host conduit and/or the liner conduit. In addition, in a
further
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embodiment, the injection hardware and/or the distal end hardware includes one
or more
measurement devices for measuring the physical characteristics or parameters
of the injected
material, the lining process, the host conduit andlor the liner conduit. For
example, the
measurement device measures the pressure of the injected material, the
temperature of the
injected material, a surface temperature of the host conduit and/or a surface
temperature of
the liner conduit.
[0012] In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the injection
hardware and/or
the distal end hardware include a communication device in communication with
the control
mechanism for transmitting, processing andlor receiving signals. The
communication device
preferably wirelessly communicates with the control mechanism. The control
mechanism is
typically a computing device, such as a portable computer, laptop, a PDA, a
palmtop, a
computer, a personal computer, a networked computer or a server.
[0013] In a further preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the control
mechanism is
loaded with control software to enable the control mechanism to perform
various functions
and actions. For example, the control software may allow the control mechanism
to (i)
receive and process signals transmitted from at least one of the injection
hardware and the
distal end hardware; (ii) transmit signals to at least one of the injection
hardware and the
distal end hardware; (iii) monitor at least one physical characteristic of at
least one of the
lining process, the injection hardware, the distal end hardware, a material in
contact with the
injection hardware, a material in contact with the distal end hardware; (iv)
track at least one
physical characteristic of at least one of the lining process, the injection
hardware, the distal
end hardware, a material in contact with the injection hardware, a material in
contact with the
distal end hardware; (v) control at least one physical characteristic of at
least one of the lining
process, the injection hardware, the distal end hardware, a material in
contact with the
injection hardware, a material in contact with the distal end hardware; (vi)
control operation
of at least one component of at least one of the injection hardware and the
distal end
hardware; and (vii) storing data directed to at least one physical
characteristic of at least one
of the lining process, the injection hardware, the distal end hardware, a
material in contact
with the inj ection hardware, a material in contact with the distal end
hardware, an operation
parameter of the injection hardware and an operation parameter of the distal
end hardware.
[0014] The present invention, both as to its construction and its method of
operation,
together with the additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be
understood from the
following description of exemplary embodiments when read in connection with
the
accompanying drawings.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a system and arrangement for conduit
reparation
according to the present invention, wherein the conduit reparation method
includes a conduit
expansion process;
[0016] Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of injection
hardware used in
connection with the system and arrangement of Fig. l;
[0017] Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of distal end cap
hardware
used in connection with the system and arrangement of Fig. 1;
[0018] Fig. 4 is a schematic view of material flow in subcomponents of the
injection
hardware of Fig. 2; and
[0019] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the injection
hardware of
the system and arrangement according to Fig. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms "upper",
"lower", "right",
"left", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "lateral", "longitudinal"
and derivatives
thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing
figures. However, it is to
be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations and
step
sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be
understood that
the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and
described in the
following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention.
Hence, specific
dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments
disclosed herein are
not to be considered as limiting.
[0021] The present invention is a, system 10 and arrangement for conduit
expansion and is
illustrated in various embodiments in Figs. 1-5. It is envisioned that the
system 10 can be
used in connection with various conduit reparation methods and processes. For
example, the
system 10 may be used in connection with a conduit expansion process, as
discussed in detail
hereinafter. However, the system 10 may also be used in connection with slip-
lining
methods, bladder-based systems, material-impregnated liners and other similar
conduit
reparation processes. As discussed hereinafter, the system 10 is useful when
repairing a
damaged conduit, and is particularly preferable when used with methods wherein
the conduit
is an underground pipe, which need not be longitudinally unearthed prior to
reparation. It is
also envisioned that the control and communication aspects of the system 10
can be used in
connection with various lengths of aboveground conduit as well, for example
for
manufacturing, maintenance, preparation and similar activities. Accordingly,
the presently-
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invented system 10, as described hereinafter, may be utilized with many
different conduit-
based applications and provides novel control and communication aspects to
these
applications.
[0022] The present invention is an arrangement and system 10 that is utilized
in connection
with a conduit reparation process having a target conduit or host conduit 14.
Injection
hardware 24 is engaged with and in operative communication with a first end 16
of the host
conduit 14, and distal end hardware 26 is engaged with and in operable
communication with
a second end 18 of the host conduit 14. A control mechanism 30 is in
communication with
the injection hardware 24 and/or the distal end hardware 26. This control
mechanism 30
provides communication with and/or control of the pipe lining or reparation
process, the
injection hardware 24 and/or the distal end hardware 26. Accordingly, the
control
mechanism 30 acts to monitor parameters, commuiucate with the hardware 24, 26
and
otherwise allow for the control of the components and sub-components of the
hardware 24,
26.
[0023] In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the system 10 may be
adapted for
beneficial use in conduit expansion process, as illustrated in Fig. 1. As seen
in Fig. 1, the
system 10 is used in connection with a liner conduit 12 positioned within a
host conduit 14.
In a preferred embodiment, the liner conduit 12 is manufactured from a
thermoplastic
material, such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, etc. However, it is
envisioned that any
material having the appropriate expansion characteristics can be used. The
system 10 works
equally effectively with any expandable liner conduit 12, bladder, liner bag,
impregnated
bladder, etc.
[0024] In this embodiment, after a particular portion of the host conduit 14
is identified for
repair or lining, access is gained, typically by digging a trench to the host
conduit first end 16
and the host conduit second end 18. Using known bend characteristics and
measurements,
the liner conduit 12 is fed through the host conduit first end 16 until a
liner conduit first end
20 is located adjacent the host conduit first end 16, and a liner conduit
second end 22 is
located adjacent the host conduit second end 18. In this manner, the liner
conduit 12 is
positioned within the host conduit 14 and ready for the expansion process.
[0025] After positioning, the injection hardware 24 is engaged with and in
operative
communication with the host conduit first end 16 and/or liner conduit first
end 20. Similarly,
the distal end hardware 26 is engaged with and in operable communication with
the host
conduit second end 18 and/or the liner conduit second end 22. Once the
injection hardware
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24 and the distal end cap hardware 26 are engaged, the system 10 is ready for
the injection of
a material 28, such as steam, air or fluid, into the liner conduit 12.
[0026] In order to monitor andlor control the various components, sub-
components and the
process physical parameters, the control mechanism 30 is used and is in
communication with,
preferably, both the injection hardware 24 and the distal end cap hardware 26.
By using the
control mechanism 30, the system 10 becomes a monitored, controlled and easily
and
accurately duplicated process. In a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the
control
mechanism 30 can (i) monitor at least one physical characteristic of at least
one of injected
material and recycled material; (ii) control at least one physical
characteristic of the inj ected
material and/or the recycled material; (iii) monitor at least one physical
characteristic of the
reparation process; (iv) control at least one physical characteristic of the
reparation process;
(v) monitor at least one physical characteristic of a host conduit 14 and/or a
liner conduit 12;
and (vi) control at least one physical characteristic of the host conduit 14
and/or the liner
conduit 12. In addition, in a fuxther embodiment, the injection hardware 24
and/or the distal
end hardware 26 includes one or more measurement devices 38 for measuring the
physical
characteristics or parameters of the injected material, the reparation
process, the host conduit
14 and/or the liner conduit 12. For example, the measurement device 38
measures the
pressure of the injected material, the temperature of the injected material, a
surface
temperature of the host conduit 14 and/or a surface temperature of the liner
conduit 12.
[0027] A preferred embodiment of the injection hardware 24 is illustrated in
Fig. 2. In this
preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the injected material 28 is a fluid,
such as water. In
addition, the various components and subcomponents of the injection hardware
24 and
system 10, as described in detail hereinafter, are described according to
function, as opposed
to order of connection. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand how
to physically
connect these various subcomponents in the correct order and use the correct
interrelationships in order to arrive at this preferred embodiment of the
injection hardware 24.
[0028] As the present embodiment preferably uses a fluid material 28, an inlet
hose 32 is
engaged with a hose connector 34. The hose connector 34 is in fluid
cormnunication with a
control device 36, which can be used to shut off, throttle back or otherwise
adjust the flow
characteristics of the material 28. Also, as seen in this embodiment, the
measurement device
38 is positioned between the hose coimector 34 and the control device 36.
Further, this
measurement device 38 measures various operating parameters, such as pressure
and/or
temperature of the injected material 28. Still further, the measurement device
38 is in
communication with a communication device 40 capable of receiving, processing
and
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transmitting signals, and the communication device 40 is in further
communication with the
control mechanism 30. In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the
communication
device 40 is a transmitter that wirelessly transmits data to the control
mechanism 30. It is
further envisioned that the control mechanism 30 can communicate with the
control device
36 and provide for wireless control of the injection of material 28. Still
further, the
communication device 40 may be hardwired to control mechanism 30.
[0029] The control device 36 is engaged with a fitting 42, which is, in turn,
connected to a
flow connection 44. The flow connection 44 is a T-shaped connector and has an
injection
port 46 and a recycle port 48. The recycle port 48 is in operative
communication with a
a
recycle hose 50, which transfers and recycles the material 28 back to a fluid
system (not
shown).
[0030] The injection port 46 is positioned adjacent an insert 52. The insert
52 is at least
partially engaged within the liner conduit first end 20. Further, the insert
52 is a wedge-
shaped connection that is fractionally engaged with and expanded against an
inside wall of the
liner conduit 12. A liner conduit clamp 54 is engaged with an outside wall of
the liner
conduit first end 20 and locks the liner conduit first end 20 between the
liner conduit clamp
54 and the insert 52.
[0031] In order to prevent lateral or circumferential expansion of the liner
conduit 12, a
first expansion restriction sleeve 56 is positioned near the liner conduit
first end 20. Thas first
expansion restriction sleeve 56 is bolted or otherwise removably engaged with
the liner
conduit 12 and provides rigid restriction against expansion during the
expansion process. It
is also envisioned that the measurement device 38 is in communication with the
liner conduit
12 at or near the first expansion restriction sleeve 56 and measures the skin
temperature of the
liner conduit 12. Next, a second expansion restriction sleeve 58 is engaged
around and
provides rigid expansion restriction with respect to the liner conduit 12.
Again, bolts, clamps
or other means of connecting the second expansion restriction sleeve 58 in an
abutting
relationship with the liner conduit 12 is envisioned.
[0032] A transition collar 60 is positioned adjacent an end of the second
expansion
restriction sleeve 58 and in an abutting relationship with the host conduit
first end 16. The
transition collar 60 is shaped as a tapered element and provides a surface to
which the liner
conduit 12 can expand immediately adjacent the host conduit first end 16.
Without this
transition collar 60, and due to the thickness of the host conduit 14, the
liner conduit 12 could
continue expanding and create a gap or ridge immediately adjacent the host
conduit first end
16, which would decrease the structural integrity at that point.
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[0033] Finally, a longitudinal restriction connection 62 is in engagement with
and in
operable communication with the host conduit 14 and the liner conduit clamp
54. This
generally, longitudinally-extending restriction comiection 62 provides rigid
connection
between the host conduit 14 and other components of the injection hardware 24
and rigidly
prevents undesirable longitudinal expansion during the process.
[0034] A preferred and non-limiting embodiment of the distal end hardware 26
is
illustrated in Fig. 3. Again, the components and subcomponents described
hereinafter are
with reference to function and connection, as opposed to order of attachment.
Another
measurement device 38 is in communication with the communication device 40
and, further,
the measurement device 38 is in communication with an end cap element 64.
Again, this
communication device 40 is in communication with the control mechanism 30 and
used to
receive, process and/or transmit the data monitored and gathered by the
measurement device
38. It is also envisioned that the communication device 40 is in wireless
communication with
the control mechanism 30, which acts as a central repository for all the
gathered data.
[0035] The end cap element 64 is positioned at least partially within the
liner conduit
second end 22 and acts as a seal at the liner conduit second end 22. Since the
measurement
device 30 is connected to the end cap element 64, it measures various
parameters, such as
pressure and temperature near the liner conduit second end 22. A third
expansion restriction
sleeve 66 is placed at least partially over the host conduit second end 18 and
the liner conduit
second end 22. It is envisioned that the third expansion restriction sleeve 66
operates in a
similar manner as the second expansion sleeve 58. Therefore, if desired, the
transition collar
60 may also be used to provide a smooth transition zone at the host conduit
second end 18.
[0036] Again, as with the injection hardware 24, a fourth expansion
restriction sleeve 68 is
positioned around the liner conduit second end 22 and adjacent the end cap
element 64. Both
the third expansion restriction sleeve 66 and the fourth expansion restriction
sleeve 68 act to
rigidly prevent lateral expansion of the liner conduit 12 with relation to the
host conduit 14.
In addition, as with the inj ection hardware 24, the distal end hardware 26
includes the
longitudinal restriction connection 62 for preventing unwanted longitudinal
expansion during
the process. In this preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the longitudinal
restriction 62 is
rigidly attached to both the host conduit second end 18 and the end cap
element 64. It is also
envisioned that the insert 52 can be used in connection with the distal end
hardware 26 for
stiffening of the liner conduit 12. Further, the end cap element 64 may be
substituted with a
plug, cap or other similar element as would be known and appreciated by one of
ordinary
skill in the art.
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[0037] An internal schematic view of the flow connection 44 of the injection
hardware 24
is illustrated in Fig. 4. With respect to this section of the system 10,
material 28 is injected
through the inlet hose 32, and the inlet hose 32 is in operable communication
with the fitting
42, which is, in turn, connected to a nipple connection 70. The nipple
connection 70 extends
through an internal cavity of the flow connection 44 and, typically, at least
partially within
the liner conduit 12. The nipple connection is engaged with a liner conduit
hose 72, and the
liner conduit hose 72 extends along the length of the liner conduit 12. The
nipple connection
70 and the liner conduit hose 72 are engaged in a maimer as known in the art,
such as by
threaded fittings, or other similar connection techniques. The liner conduit
hose 72 includes
multiple flow orifices 74 positioned along the length of the liner conduit
hose 72. These flow
orifices 74 allow material 28 to be intermittently injected along the length
of the liner conduit
hose 72, which provides for a more uniform injection of material 28 and,
therefore, a more
uniform expansion of the liner conduit 12. In a preferred and non-limiting
embodiment, the
orifices 74 are positioned on the hose 72 near the host conduit second end 18,
which provides
a more even heat distribution along the liner conduit 12. Further, the
orifices 74 may
preferably be disposed on a bottom portion of the liner conduit hose 72.
[0038] In operation, once the material 28 moves through the nipple connection
70 and
further through the liner conduit hose 72 and out the flow orifices 74, and
due to the end cap
element 64, the liner conduit 12 is filled with material 28. Next, this
material 28 flows back
through the liner conduit 12 in a recycle route, after encountering the liner
conduit second
end 22, and moves further through the liner conduit 12 back into the flow
connection 44.
Due to the internal structure of the flow connection 44, the material 28 is
now flowing on the
outside of the nipple connection 70 and moves through the recycle port 48 of
the flow
connection 44. The material 28 flows through the recycle hose 50 and back into
the fluid
system (not shown). In this manner, the injection haxdware 24 acts as both an
injection and
recycle route for the material 28 for further use in the system 10. While the
injection material
28, as discussed above, is preferably a fluid, the present invention is not so
limited. The
material 28 may be a gas, a liquid, a solid, a semi-solid, a mechanism, an
object, steam,
water, heated water, etc.
[0039] It should be noted that the above-discussed and specific arrangement of
the
components and subcomponents of the injection hardware 24 and the distal end
hardware 26
represents only exemplary embodiments. It is also envisioned that the injected
material 28
may be both injected through and recycled from the injection hardware 24,
while
alternatively, the injected material 28 may be injected through the injection
hardware 24 and
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removed at the distal end hardware 26. It is only necessary that the material
28 is somehow
inserted or injected appropriately into the system and, if required, removed
therefrom.
[0040] The control mechanism 30 may be a computing device, such as a portable
computer, laptop, a PDA, a palmtop, a computer, a personal computer, a
networked computer
or a server. In a further preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the control
mechanism is
loaded with control software to enable the control mechanism to perform
various functions
and actions. For example, the control software may allow the control mechanism
to (i)
receive and process signals transmitted from at least one of the injection
hardware 24 and the
distal end hardware 26; (ii) transmit signals to at least one of the injection
hardware 24 and
the distal end hardware 26; (iii) monitor at least one physical characteristic
of at least one of
the reparation process, the injection hardware 24, the distal end hardware 26,
the material 28
in contact with the injection hardware 24, the material 28 in contact with the
distal end
hardware 26; (iv) track at least one physical characteristic of at least one
of the reparation
process, the injection hardware 24, the distal end hardware 26, the material
28 in contact with
the injection hardware 24, the material 28 in contact with the distal end
hardware 26; (v)
control at least one physical characteristic of at least one of the reparation
process, the
injection hardware 24, the distal end hardware 26, the material 28 in contact
with the
injection hardware 24, the material 28 in contact with the distal end hardware
26; (vi) control
operation of at least one component of at least one of the injection hardware
24 and the distal
end hardware 26; and (vii) storing data directed to at least one physical
characteristic of at
least one of the reparation process, the injection hardware 24, the distal end
hardware 26, the
material 28 in contact with the injection hardware 24, the material 28 in
contact with the
distal end hardware 26, an operation parameter of the injection hardware 24
and an operation
parameter of the distal end hardware 26.
[0041] One preferred and non-limiting embodiment of the injection hardware 24
is
illustrated in Fig. 5. While specific conduit/piping and hardware connections
are described,
any manner and method of inj ecting material 28 in a controllable situation is
envisioned. The
measurement devices 38 may be used to monitor specific operating parameters
for use in not
only controlling the current process, but making further improvements in
future processes.
Therefore, the system 10 and arrangement for conduit expansion allows for the
expansion of
the liner conduit 12 within the host conduit 14 with additional structural
integrity advantages
not inherent in prior art. In addition, and as discussed above, the system 10
is equally useful
in a variety of conduit reparation processes, as are known and practiced in
the art.
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CA 02529389 2005-12-13
WO 2004/113625 PCT/US2004/018837
[0042] This invention has been described with reference to the preferred
embodiments.
Obvious modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and
understanding
the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be
construed as including
all such modifications and alterations.
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