# US 11,572,971 B2 · Method, apparatus and system for lining conduits > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,572,971 B2 - Document ID: US11572971B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/847,933 - Filed: 2022-06-23 - Published: 2022-10-06 - Granted: 2023-02-07 - Earliest claimed: 2017-08-18 - Assignees: Moray Group, LLC - Applicants: Moray Group, LLC - Inventors: Kevan Taylor - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11572971B2 ## CPC - F16L 55/1651: {the flexible liner being everted} - B29C 63/36: being turned inside out {(for platic tubes in general B29C67/0018)} - G06T 1/20: Processor architectures; Processor configuration, e.g. pipelining - G06T 15/06: Ray-tracing - G06T 17/005: {Tree description, e.g. octree, quadtree} - B29C 65/1406: {Ultraviolet [UV] radiation} - B29C 65/4845: {Radiation curing adhesives, e.g. UV light curing adhesives} - B29C 66/301: {Three-dimensional joints, i.e. the joined area being substantially non-flat (B29C66/5223, B29C66/5224, B29C66/5225 take precedence)} - B29C 66/5221: {for forming coaxial connections, i.e. the tubular articles to be joined forming a zero angle relative to each other} - B29C 66/612: {Making circumferential joints} - B29C 2035/0827: {using UV radiation} - G06T 2210/12: Bounding box - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL ## Abstract Methods, apparatus or equipment and systems for lining conduits, e.g., preferably subterranean pipelines and passageways, such as sewers, with a liner impregnated with a curable resin in order to secure the conduit against ingress or egress of liquids. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for repairing a portion of a hollow conduit having a wall, said apparatus comprising: a bladder, wherein the bladder is translucent, flexible, and configured to expand outward; a light activator positioned within the bladder, the light activator having a light activator first end, a light activator second end, and multiple light source strips wrapped around a flexible tube in a spiral configuration; wherein the light activator is wired to form part of a two-way continuous power circuit wherein the light activator is configured to receive power at both the light activator first end and the light activator second end; a power hose configured to be combined with the light activator and provide power to the light activator; wherein the bladder and light activator are configured to be pushed or pulled into the hollow conduit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the power hose includes a conduit for providing pressure to the bladder. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a liner positioned around the bladder, the bladder, light activator, and liner forming a repair assembly. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the repair assembly has a diameter and the apparatus further comprises a band around the repair assembly to help reduce the diameter of the repair assembly. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a flexible UV resistant tube positioned over the liner for helping to prevent premature curing of a light-activated resin impregnated in the liner. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the expandable bladder forms part of a packer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light activator has an intermediate portion between the light activator first end and the light activator second end, the intermediate portion configured to receive power. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the multiple light source strips has a light source strip first end and a light source strip second end, the light source strip first end and the light source strip second end configured to receive power. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of the multiple light source strips has a light source strip first end and a light source strip second end, the light source strip first ends and the light source strip second ends configured to receive power. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein each of the multiple light source strips is powered by an electrical power source. ### Claim 11 An apparatus for repairing a portion of a hollow conduit having a wall, said apparatus comprising: a bladder, wherein the bladder is translucent, flexible, and configured to expand outward; a light activator having a flexible tube positioned within the bladder, the light activator having a light activator first end and a light activator second end and multiple light source strips wrapped around the flexible tube in a spiral configuration; and a power hose configured to be combined with the light activator to provide power to the light activator first end and the light activator second end, wherein the power hose includes a conduit for providing fluid to the bladder; wherein the bladder and light activator are configured to be pushed or pulled into the hollow conduit. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the light activator has an intermediate portion between the light activator first end and the light activator second end, the intermediate portion configured to receive power. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein at least one of the multiple light source strips has a light source strip first end and a light source strip second end, the light source strip first end and light source strip second end configured to receive power. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the multiple light source strips include a first light strip and a second light strip each having a light source strip first end and a light source strip second end, the light source strip first ends and the light source strip second ends configured to receive power. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14 wherein each of the multiple light source strips is powered by an electrical power source. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the power hose is configured to push or pull the bladder and the light activator into the hollow conduit. ### Claim 17 An apparatus for repairing a portion of a hollow conduit having a wall, said apparatus comprising: a bladder, wherein the bladder is translucent, flexible, and configured to expand toward the wall; a light activator positioned with the bladder and having multiple light source strips wrapped around a flexible tube, wherein the light activator has a light activator first end and a light activator second end and is combined with a power hose configured to provide power to the light activator; wherein the power hose includes a conduit for providing fluid to the bladder; and a liner positioned on the outside of the bladder; wherein the bladder, light activator, and liner comprise a repair assembly that is configured to be pushed or pulled into the hollow conduit. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the fluid is air. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the light activator has an intermediate portion between the light activator first end and the light activator second end, the intermediate portion configured to receive power. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17 wherein at least one of the multiple light source strips has a light source strip first end and a light source strip second end, the light source strip first end and light source strip second end configured to receive power. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17 wherein each of the multiple light source strips has a light source strip first end and a light source strip second end, the light source strip first ends and the light source strip second ends configured to receive power. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The apparatus of claim 21 wherein each of the multiple light source strips is powered by an electrical power source. ### Claim 23 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the power hose is configured to push or pull the repair assembly into the hollow conduit. ### Claim 24 An apparatus for repairing a portion of a hollow conduit having a wall, said apparatus comprising: a bladder configured to expand toward the wall, wherein the bladder is translucent and flexible; a light activator positioned within the bladder and having multiple light source strips wrapped around a flexible tube; and a power hose configured to provide power to the light activator and having a conduit for providing fluid to the bladder; wherein the light activator has a first end and a second end and is configured to receive power at both the first and second ends; wherein the bladder and light activator are configured to be pushed or pulled into the hollow conduit. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the fluid is air. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the light activator has an intermediate portion between the first end and the second end, the intermediate portion configured to receive power. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the light activator is wired to form part of a two-way continuous power circuit.