Repair apparatus and method for pipe and fittings
AssigneeWestern Specialties, LLC
InventorsCarl M. Brooks, John R. Norton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a repair apparatus and method for pipe and fittings. In one form, the method relates to utilizing fabric-like material which is intermixed with an adhesive. In one form, the adhesive is a two-part adhesive which hardens to a semi-rigid state to avoid stress fractures through repeated expansion and contraction due to physical movement or temperature variation in the pipe and/or fittings. In one form the method and apparatus are particularly useful in thermoplastic pipes. In other forms, the method is particularly useful in metal pipes and fittings, or in non-pipe structures.
Claims40
A method for repairing a pipe having a compromised section, the repair system comprising:
- a) exposing the compromised section of the pipe;
- b) cleaning the surface of the pipe upon and adjacent the compromised section;
- c) abrading or scoring at least a portion of the surface of the compromised section and the immediate area of the pipe there around;
- d) disposing at least one layer of adhesive upon the abraded surface;
- e) wherein the adhesive is comprised of a compound which cures to a semi-rigid state;
- f) disposing at least one layer of fibrous material upon the layer of adhesive;
- g) wherein the layer of fibrous material comprises fibers;
- and
- h) wherein a portion of the adhesive is disposed between adjacent fibers of the material when cured.
A method for repairing a compromised section of a fluid tank, the repair method comprising the steps of:
- a) exposing the compromised section of the fluid tank;
- b) cleaning the surface of the fluid tank upon and adjacent the compromised section;
- c) abrading the surface of the compromised section and the immediate area of the fluid tank there around;
- d) disposing at least one layer of adhesive upon the surface of the compromised section and the area of the fluid tank immediately there around;
- e) wherein the adhesive is comprised of a compound which cures to a semi-rigid state;
- f) disposing at least one layer of material upon the layer of adhesive;
- and
- g) wherein a portion of the adhesive is disposed between adjacent fibers of the material when cured.
A method for repairing a pipe fitting comprising a vulnerable portion, the method for repairing the pipe fitting comprising the steps of:
- a) exposing at least a portion of the compromised pipe fitting;
- b) cleaning the surface of the pipe fitting to be repaired and the area adjacent the vulnerable portion;
- c) disposing at least one layer of adhesive upon the surface of the vulnerable portion and the area of the pipe immediately there around;
- d) wherein the adhesive is comprised of a compound which cures to a semi-rigid state;
- e) disposing at least one layer of material upon the layer of adhesive;
- f) wherein at least one of the layers of material comprises fibers substantially in alignment with the circumference of the pipe;
- and
- g) wherein a portion of the adhesive is disposed between adjacent fibers of the material when cured.
A method for repairing a pipe having a vulnerable section, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) exposing at least a portion of the compromised pipe;
- b) cleaning the surface of the pipe to be repaired upon and adjacent the compromised section;
- c) disposing at least one layer of adhesive upon the surface of the pipe overlapping the compromised section of pipe;
- d) disposing a first rigid sleeve portion onto the adhesive;
- e) wherein the adhesive is comprised of a compound which cures to a semi-rigid state;
- f) disposing at least one layer of fibrous material upon at least one edge of the sleeve and pipe adjacent the sleeve;
- g) wherein the layer of fibrous material comprises fibers;
- and
- h) wherein a portion of the adhesive is disposed between adjacent fibers of the material when cured.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.