Method and apparatus for repairing main and lateral pipes
AssigneeLMK Technologies, LLC
InventorsJason M. Mathey, Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for repairing a pipe system including a main pipe extending between a first and second manhole and one or more lateral pipes extending from the main pipe is provided. Aspects of the invention include the use of a main liner member having a plurality of lateral liner tubes in fluid connection and extending from the main liner member. The main liner member is used to line a main pipe, while the multiple lateral liner tubes extend into separate lateral pipes extending in various orientations from the main pipe. This method and apparatus provides for a single assembly to be able to line multiple pipes, which reduces time and cost for pipe repair.
Claims20
A method of repairing a main pipe and one or more lateral pipes extending from the main pipe, the method comprising:
- forming a unitary liner assembly by sealingly attaching at least one lateral liner tube to a main liner member;
- impregnating the unitary liner assembly with a material capable of curing and hardening;
- everting the unitary liner assembly into the main pipe and the at least one lateral liner tube into one of the one or more lateral pipes;
- and
- allowing the material to cure and harden.
A repair assembly for repairing at least a portion of a main pipe and one or more lateral pipes extending from the main pipe, comprising:
- a single liner assembly comprising:
- a main liner member capable of everting within the main pipe;
- and
- one or more lateral liner tubes attached to and extending from the main liner member at a position corresponding to the one or more lateral pipes;
- wherein the single liner assembly comprises:
- an initial position outside the main pipe and the one or more lateral pipes, wherein the one or more lateral liner tubes are within the main liner member;
- and
- an everted position wherein the main liner member is within the main pipe and the one or more lateral liner tubes is within the one or more lateral pipes;
- wherein the main liner member and lateral liners comprise a resin absorbent material;
- and
- wherein each lateral liner is sealed to the main liner member.
A method of repairing a main pipe and one or more lateral pipes extending from the main pipe, the method comprising:
- impregnating a single liner assembly with a material capable of curing and hardening, the single liner assembly comprising a main liner member and one or more lateral liner tubes extending from and sealed to the main liner member and located at positions corresponding to the one or more lateral pipes;
- positioning the single liner assembly inside the main pipe and at least one of the one or more lateral pipes by everting the main liner member through the main pipe and everting at least one of the one or more lateral liner tubes from within the main liner member into at least one of the one or more lateral pipes;
- and
- allowing the material to cure and harden.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.