Pipes and tubular conduits – Repairing – Patches
Patent
1998-05-28
2000-05-16
Hook, James
Pipes and tubular conduits
Repairing
Patches
138 97, 138 89, F16L 55165
Patent
active
060622644
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to installing pipes. More particularly, the invention relates to installing a plastic service pipe in an existing service pipe. Typically, the service pipe is a steel gas service pipe but the invention is not limited to such an application but is applicable to water, fluid waste disposal or other service pipes, for example.
A method is known for installing a plastic service pipe in an existing steel service pipe extending from a main to a meter. The meter is removed and a plastic service pipe is inserted through the open end of the steel service pipe and advanced up to a point adjacent the main. The plastic pipe has a sealing head at its leading end. Fluid sealant is fed to the space between the plastic pipe and the steel service pipe. The sealing head sealingly engages the interior of the steel service pipe and has a seal. When the fluid sealant has solidified the seal is broken by the pointed end of a flexible rod inserted through the plastic pipe.
In such a known method the plastic service pipe has a cylindrical wall. The plastic service pipe has some flexibility allowing it to be inserted past a swept bend between the vertical and horizontal runs of the steel service pipe.
The known method was applicable to low pressure systems in which the force due to the gas pressure in the steel pipe acting on the sealing head was relatively small. The plastic service pipe could therefore be manually advanced through the existing service pipe without difficulty.
For higher pressure systems, for example those operating at up to 7 bar the force due to the gas pressure in the steel pipe which would act on a sealing head would be too great for the plastic service pipe to be manually advanced through the existing service pipe.
The object of the present invention is to provide a method of installing a plastic pipe in an existing service pipe in which excessive forces due to fluid pressure are avoided.
According to the invention, a method of installing a plastic service pipe in an existing service pipe which extends from a main (or from a tee connected to a main) to an accessible end comprises sealing the existing pipe using a seal deployed by an elongate flexible assembly which is fed into the existing pipe through said accessible end, placing sealant in the space between said existing pipe and said plastic service pipe and withdrawing said elongate flexible assembly.
Said seal when deployed engages an end of said existing pipe or an end of said tee in said main.
Alternatively, said seal when deployed engages an inside wall surface of said existing pipe or of said tee adjacent said main.
Apparatus for use in performing said method comprises an elongate flexible assembly having a flexible wire surrounded by a flexible sleeve.
Said seal comprises ribs pivotally connected at their inner ends to the lead end of said sleeve, the outer ends of said ribs being engageable with a lock body connected to said wire, said seal being deployed by manipulation of said flexible assembly and said seal being advanced through said existing pipe in retracted condition with the outer ends of said ribs engaging said lock body and being deployed by release of said outer ends of said ribs and by movement of said lock body against said ribs to push them into an open position and by movement of said lock body towards said existing service pipe.
Alternatively, said seal comprises ribs pivotally connected at their inner ends to a body secured to said wire, the outer ends of said ribs being engageable with a lock body secure to the leading end of said sleeve, said seal being deployed by manipulation of said flexible assembly and said seal being advanced through said existing pipe in retracted condition with the outer ends of said ribs engaging said lock body and being deployed by release of said outer ends of said ribs and by movement of said lock body against said ribs and movement of said body secured to said wire towards said existing service pipe.
Alternatively, said seal is circular but is held in tension in a deformed elo
REFERENCES:
patent: 3898918 (1975-08-01), Carter
patent: 4418572 (1983-12-01), Prange
patent: 4458721 (1984-07-01), Yie et al.
patent: 4754781 (1988-07-01), Jan de Putter
patent: 5241993 (1993-09-01), Stephens
patent: 5427154 (1995-06-01), Stephens
patent: 5477886 (1995-12-01), Van Beugen et al.
patent: 5482076 (1996-01-01), Taylor et al.
Derwent Publications Ltd., 92-173681, London, Great Britain, Jun. 1991.
BG plc
Hook James
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