# US 7,073,536 B2 · Apparatus, methods, and liners for repairing conduits > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,073,536 B2 - Document ID: US7073536B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/182,889 - Filed: 2001-02-02 - Published: 2003-11-20 - Granted: 2006-07-11 - Earliest claimed: 2000-02-02 - Assignees: Verline Inc. - Inventors: Richard D. Blackmore; Mark T. Sloan; William M. Lepola - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7073536B2 ## CPC - B29C 63/0069: {of tubular articles} - B29C 63/34: using tubular layers or sheathings - E03F 3/06: Methods of, or installations for, laying sewer pipes (making pipes in situ F16L1/038 {; laying conduits in association with the digging of a trench E02F5/10; laying pipes in general F16L1/00}) - F16L 55/1654: {and being inflated} - F16L 55/1656: {materials for flexible liners} - F16L 55/168: from outside the pipe (specially adapted for bends, branch units, branching pipes, or the like F16L55/179) - F16L 55/179: specially adapted for bends, branch units, branching pipes or the like - F16L 55/265: {specially adapted for work at or near a junction between a main and a lateral pipe} - B29C 53/58: helically - B29L 2023/006: {Flexible liners} - E03F 2003/065: {Refurbishing of sewer pipes, e.g. by coating, lining} - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - E03F: SEWERS; CESSPOOLS - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES ## Abstract An apparatus and method for repairing the juncture or intersection of a first conduit and a second conduit is disclosed. The apparatus includes a main body for transporting and positioning a repair material impregnated with at heat curable resin system or matrix. An inflation device carried within the main body positions and compresses the repair material against the intersection. This includes a portion of the interior of the second conduit and flange portion in the first conduit. The inflation device includes conductive fibers that are electrically conductively heated to effect curing of the resin in the repair material. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for repairing an intersection between a first conduit and a second conduit comprising: a body to transport repair material containing a heat curable resin to an intersection of a first conduit and a second conduit; an inflation device carried within said body, said inflation device capable of extending from the body and compressing said repair material to at least a portion of said intersection, said inflation device including an array of conductive fibers capable of electrically resistively heating said inflation device to effect curing of said resin in said repair material. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said conductive elements are non-ferrous. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said inflation device comprises an inflatable bladder. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a first caul plate connected to said body, said first caul plate moveable from a retracted position to an extended position to compress a portion of said repair material against said first conduit to form a flange proximate said intersection. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4 comprising a second caul plate connected to said body, said second caul plate moveable from a retracted position to an extended position to compress a portion of said repair material against said first conduit to form a flange proximate said intersection. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said first caul plate comprises an array of conductive fibers embedded in the plate proximate to an outer plate surface and capable of electrically resistively heating said first caul plate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said second caul plate comprises an array of conductive fibers embedded in the plate proximate to an outer plate surface and capable of electrically resistively heating said second caul plate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising skid plates connected to said body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said body further comprises a lift cylinder to facilitate positioning of the repair material against said intersection. ### Claim 10 An apparatus for repairing an intersection of a first conduit and a second conduit comprising a support structure for transporting and positioning a repair material impregnated with a heat curable resin at an intersection of a first conduit and a second conduit, said support structure housing an inflatable bladder having a plurality of conductive fibers arranged in an array for electrically generating resistive heat to facilitate curing of said resin impregnated in said material. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a first line connected to said support structure for providIng fluid pressure from a source of fluid pressure to inflate said bladder. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a second line connected to said support structure for providing electrical energy from a power source to said conductive fibers in said bladder. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a wing formation connected to said support structure that is retractable during transport within a conduit and is extendable from the support structure to compress a flange portion of said repair material at said intersection. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising an array of conductive fibers embedded in an outer surface of said wing portion for electrically generating resistive heat to facilitate curing of said flange portion of said repair material. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a lift mechanism to facilitate positioning of said repair material at said intersection and extending the wing formation by pressing a first end of an actuator arm to an inner wall of a conduit, said actuator arm being connected to the support structure by an actuator bearing and fulcrum and a second end of the actuator arm connected to the wing formation. ### Claim 16 A method of repairing an intersection of a first conduit and a second conduit comprising the steps of: providing a repair material configured to conform to an intersection of a first conduit and a second conduit; impregnating said repair material with a heat curable resin; positioning said repair material at said intersection; compressing said repair material against said intersection with a structure having a plurality of electrically conductive fibers; and, applying an electric current to said conductive fibers to resistively heat said fibers to facilitate curing of said resin in said repair material. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 further comprising: providing an inflatable bladder for compressing said repair material against said intersection; and, inflating said bladder. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 further comprising: forming a flange in said repair material; and, compressing said flange against a portion of said first conduit proximate said intersection. ### Claim 19 An apparatus for repairing an intersection between a first conduit and a second conduit comprising: a. a body to transport repair material wherein the body comprises: i. a housing for an inflatable bladder; ii. at least one retractable and extendable caul plate or wing structure attached to the body and having an outer surface that is heatable by electrical resistive heating from an array of conductive fibers within the caul plate or wing structure; iii. a retractable and inflatable bladder that may be transported substantially within the body to an intersection of two conduits and be extended by fluid pressure from the body and be heated by electrical resistive heating from an array of conductive fibers within the bladder; b. a first fine connected to the body for providing fluid pressure from a fluid pressure source to inflate the bladder; and c. a second line connected to the body for providing electrical energy from a power source to the conductive fibers in the bladder and the caul plate or wing structure. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the conductive fibers are located proximate to the outer surface of the caul plate or wing structure. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the conductive fibers are located proximate to an outer surface of the inflatable bladder. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the conductive fibers comprise carbon fibers. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the electrical heating of the caul plate or wing structure is separately controlled from the heating of the bladder. ### Claim 24 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19 wherein extension of the caul plate or wing structure comprises movement of components comprising an actuator arm, actuator arm bearing, and a fulcrum attached to the body. ### Claim 25 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising a tether and spindle system attached to the body and the bladder for retraction of the bladder into the body. ### Claim 26 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising the bladder detachable from the body.