Method and apparatus for expanding replacement pipe

An apparatus for expanding pipe from a collapsed condition to an expanded condition, comprising:

• inflation chamber means defined by a substantially rigid rear housing and a substantially rigid front nose and a substantially cylindrical flexible wall extending from the rear housing to the nose for receiving fluid under pressure, the nose and housing maintained a selected maximum distance apart so that the flexible wall will expand in a radial direction when inflated and an inlet and an outlet on the rear housing for receiving fluid under pressure for inflating the chamber means;
• and
• pressure control means at the outlet for controlling pressure within the interior of the chamber means and allowing fluid to exit the chamber means through the outlet as the inflated flexible wall expands the collapsed pipe as it advances forward through the collapsed pipe;
• a launcher housing of substantially the interior diameter of the pipe in a fully expanded position;
• an end cap releasably secured to a rear end of the launcher housing;
• and
• inlet means for supplying water under pressure to the interior of the launcher housing so that when the launcher housing is inserted into the end of the pipe, the water flows into the interior of the pipe.