# US 2011/0089679 A1 · Method and apparatus for repairing tubular members

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2011/0089679 A1
- Document ID: US20110089679A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 12/934,479
- Filed: 2009-03-25
- Published: 2011-04-21
- Earliest claimed: 2008-03-25
- Assignees: Flexlife Limited
- Inventors: Matthew David Meredith; John Marsden; Stuart Mitchell; Nicholas John Ryan
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20110089679A1

## CPC

- F16L 55/175: by using materials which fill a space around the pipe before hardening
- F16L 1/26: Repairing or joining pipes on or under water
- F16L 17/10: the packing being sealed by the pressure of a fluid other than the fluid in or surrounding the pipe
- F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL

## Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus for repairing the outer sheath of a pipe, said apparatus comprising a sleeve (12) adapted to surround the pipe, sealing means (16) for establishing at least two circumferential seals between the surface of the pipe and means (17, 18) for forcing a sealing solution against the surface of the pipe between the two circumferential seals, the arrangement being such that in use the sleeve is spaced from the outer sheath of the pipe to form a sealed annulus therebetween and a method of repairing an outer sheath of a pipe, said method comprising the steps of mounting a sleeve over the pipe to provide an annulus therebetween, securing the sleeve in place around the pipe, providing two circumferential seals between the sleeve and the pipe and forcing a sealing solution against the surface of the pipe between the two circumferential seals to form a pressure seal between the circumferential seals and sealing the annulus between the pipe and the sleeve.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus for repairing the outer sheath of a pipe, said apparatus comprising:
a sleeve adapted to surround the pipe;
sealing means for establishing at least two circumferential seals between the surface of the pipe and the sleeve;
means for forcing a sealing solution against the surface of the pipe between the two circumferential seals; and
wherein the arrangement is such that in use, the sleeve is spaced from the outer sheath of the pipe to form a sealed annulus therebetween.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve further comprises a collar to mount the sleeve on a pipe.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sleeve comprises a collar at either end.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a reservoir is provided in the or each collar.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sealing solution comprises a solution of discrete sealing elements.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the solution is an epoxy or elastomeric solution.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the epoxy or elastomeric solution is a gel.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the means for forcing the discrete sealing elements against the surface of the pipe comprises a pressure source connected to the reservoir within which the sealing elements are stored.

### Claim 9 (depends on 4)

An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein means are provided for monitoring the pressure in the reservoirs and in the apparatus.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the monitoring means comprises a pressure gauge and/or a pressure sensor.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve is flexible.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the sleeve comprises a plurality of modules which flex relative to one another.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a seal is provided between adjacent modules.

### Claim 14

(canceled)

### Claim 15

A method of repairing an outer sheath of a pipe, said method comprising:
mounting a sleeve over the pipe to provide an annulus therebetween;
securing the sleeve in place around the pipe;
providing two circumferential seals between the sleeve and the pipe; and
forcing a sealing solution against the surface of the pipe between the two circumferential seals to form a pressure seal between the circumferential seals and sealing the annulus between the pipe and the sleeve.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

A method according to claim 15, wherein the sealing solution comprises discrete sealing elements and said sealing elements are forced against the surface of the pipe by pressure within a reservoir of the sleeve.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

A method according to claim 15, wherein the method further comprises monitoring the pressure in the reservoirs and/or in the sleeve to ensure that the pressure seal is maintained.

### Claim 18

(canceled)