Dual-ended apparatus for cutting openings in lined conduits

An apparatus for cutting apertures in the lining of an existing conduit from the inside of the conduit, comprising:

• a movable unit selectively displaceable along the axis of the conduit and controlled at a location remote from the location where said aperture is to be cut;
• a cutter apparatus rotatably mounted to one end of said moveable unit, including a motor having one rotating shaft with a first end and an opposite second end and means for mounting operative means on both ends of said shaft;
• cutter means for cutting an opening in said lining mounted in the mounting means at said first end of said motor shaft;
• a finishing means for smoothing the opening cut in said liner mounted in the mounting means at said second end of said motor shaft;
• said motor mounted on said movable unit being selectively displaceable in at least a radial direction to move said cutter means in an operative position inside said conduit towards the lining to cut an opening in said lining and to retract, said motor being selectively rotatable at least 180 degrees circumferentially to position the finishing means in an operative position to move radially towards and away from the opening in the lining to smooth the opening cut by the cutter means.

A method for cutting openings in the lining of an existing conduit from the inside of said conduit, using a movable unit being selectively displaceable along the axis of the conduit and having a cutter apparatus rotatably mounted to one end of said unit, said cutter apparatus having one rotating shaft with a cutting means mounted at a first end of said shaft and a finishing means mounted at a second end of said shaft, said method comprising:

• cutting an opening in said lining using said cutting means mounted at said first end of said motor shaft;
• selectively rotating said motor at least 180 degrees circumferentially to position the finishing means in an operative position;
• and
• smoothing the opening cut in said liner using said finishing means mounted at said second end of said motor shaft.