# US 2004/0194697 A1 · Sprayed in place pipe lining apparatus and method thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2004/0194697 A1 - Document ID: US20040194697A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 10/407,278 - Filed: 2003-04-04 - Published: 2004-10-07 - Earliest claimed: 2003-04-04 - Assignees: Visuron Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: Thomas Davis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20040194697A1 ## CPC - B05B 13/0636: {by means of rotatable spray heads or nozzles} - B05B 12/36: Side shields, i.e. shields extending in a direction substantially parallel to the spray jet - F16L 55/1645: a sealing material being introduced inside the pipe by means of a tool moving in the pipe - B05B 3/1014: {with a spraying edge, e.g. like a cup or a bell} - B05D 1/02: performed by spraying - B05D 2254/04: Applying the material on the interior of the tube - Y10S 118/10: Pipe and tube inside - B05B: SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES (spray-mixers with nozzles B01F25/72; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces by spraying B05D) - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - B05D: PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL (conveying articles or workpieces through baths of liquid B65G, e.g. B65G49/02) - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract A method and apparatus for applying a liner to a pipe is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base assembly having a plurality of guide rails and a shuttle plate attached thereto. The apparatus also includes a motor module attached to an end of the base assembly. An extension arm is connected to a top surface of the shuttle plate. The extension arm has a spray head assembly attached at an opposite end thereof. The extension arm and spray head assembly will move relative to the base assembly of the apparatus. A fast cure coating will be applied via the spray head assembly to the interior surface of a pipe being rehabilitated. The spray head assembly will have an air blow off mechanism therein thus allowing for the tip of the spray head assembly to stay relatively clog free during the fast cure coating operation of the apparatus. The methodology also includes an oscillation system wherein the spray head assembly will move relative to the base assembly thus creating an over lapping pattern for the spray coating being applied to the interior surface of the pipeline. This oscillation system will allow for a more uniform coating to be applied. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for spraying a liner on the interior of a structure, said apparatus including: a base; a guide rail connected to a surface of said base; a shuttle plate arranged on said guide rail; a gear mechanism contacting said shuttle plate; a motor attached at one end of said base; an extension arm secured to said shuttle plate; and a spray head assembly connected to said extension arm. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide rail including a first and second cylindrical rod. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shuttle plate slides along said guide rail a predetermined length of said base. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said predetermined length is approximately between ten and twenty four inches. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said gear mechanism includes a ball screw. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said ball screw moves said plate in one direction and then automatically reverses direction. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said motor is secured to a coupling, said coupling connected to said base. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said coupling having at least one slot therein. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said coupling pivots in a 90° arc with relation to said base. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said extension arm is secured to said shuttle plate on one end thereof, said spray head assembly secured to an opposite end of said extension arm. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spray head assembly having a disk arranged within an orifice of said spray head assembly. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spray head assembly having a splatter shield. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further including a plurality of hoses connected to said spray head assembly and said motor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said spray head assembly will spray a liner at a predetermined flow rate in conjunction with an air blow off mechanism and said disk. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said spray head assembly will oscillate with respect to said base, said base moving at a predetermined speed with respect to the structure. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further including a rail system on an interior surface of the structure. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said base moves in a predetermined direction on said rail system. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further including a remote operation unit connected to said coupling via a bundle, said remote unit electrically in communication with the apparatus. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said disk being mounted at 90° to an attaching shaft. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said disk being mounted at up to a 20° oblique angle with rotation to an attaching shaft, so as to dispense a wider spray pattern from said disk. ### Claim 21 A method of spraying a liner on an inside surface of a structure, said method including the steps of: inserting an apparatus within the structure; moving said apparatus a predetermined speed through the structure; spraying a predetermined material from a spray head secured to said apparatus; and oscillating said spray head with relation to said apparatus to form an over lapping pattern on the inside surface of the structure. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21 wherein said step of oscillating includes a linear movement of said spray head along a longitudinal axis of said apparatus. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22 wherein said linear movement is a predetermined distance within the range of five inches to 36 inches. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21 wherein said oscillating step allows for application thickness of approximately 0.060 inches to 20 inches in an even 360° arc pattern. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21 wherein said oscillating allows fast to slow gelling of said predetermined materials in the range of approximately 3 sec. to gel to 45 sec. to gel. ### Claim 26 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21 further including the steps of blowing air through a nozzle of said spray head at a high flow rate. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The method of claim 26 wherein said air flow creates a fine spray having and predetermined material dispersed therein. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27 further including the step of propelling said fine spray into a spinning disk. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The method of claim 28 wherein said disk spins between approximately 2,500 to 15,000 r.p.m. and disperses said material on the inside surface of the structure by centrifugal force. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The method of claim 29 wherein said fine spray disperses any trapped air because of the high velocity thereof and density of said material. ### Claim 31 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21 wherein said predetermined material is polyurea.