Tubing everting apparatus, assemblies, and methods

An apparatus for everting a flexible tube liner, the apparatus comprising:

• a pressure chamber that defines an internal volume, wherein the pressure chamber is configured to be pressurized by a pressurizing fluid stream to provide a motive force for eversion of the flexible tube liner;
• a liner inlet port associated with a first side of the pressure chamber and configured to receive the flexible tube liner into the internal volume;
• an inlet sealing structure associated with the liner inlet port and configured to resist fluid flow therepast from the pressure chamber;
• a non-deflation valve that is spaced-apart from the inlet sealing structure and configured to selectively transition between an open state, in which the non-deflation valve permits the flexible tube liner to pass through the liner inlet port, and a closed state, in which the non-deflation valve restricts flow of the pressurizing fluid stream from the pressure chamber, via the liner inlet port, when the pressure chamber is pressurized by the pressurizing fluid stream and a tail end of the flexible tube liner has passed through the liner inlet port;
• and
• a liner outlet port associated with a second side of the pressure chamber and configured to permit the flexible tube liner to extend from the internal volume.

A method of operating an apparatus for everting a flexible tube liner, the method comprising:

• extending a leading end of the flexible tube liner through a liner inlet port of a pressure chamber of the apparatus, through an internal volume defined by the pressure chamber, and through a liner outlet port defined by the pressure chamber;
• forming an at least partial fluid seal between an inlet sealing structure that is associated with the liner inlet port of the pressure chamber and a portion of the flexible tube liner that extends therethrough;
• operatively attaching the leading end of the flexible tube liner to a liner attachment point of the apparatus;
• forming an at least partial fluid seal between the leading end of the flexible tube liner and the liner attachment point;
• lubricating the flexible tube liner with a lubricator of the apparatus;
• and
• pressurizing the pressure chamber with a pressurizing fluid stream to provide a motive force for eversion of the flexible tube liner.