Method and means for determining pipe diameter

A measuring assembly for determining the diameter of a pipe from a remote location to assist in the repair of the pipe, comprising:

• an imaging device for acquiring imaging data inside the pipe;
• a reference device operatively connected to the imaging device and positioned at least partially forward of the imaging device;
• wherein the reference device comprises a mechanical device having a known diameter;
• and
• comparing the known diameter of the reference device to an interior of the pipe using the imaging data to determine the diameter of the pipe.

A method of determining the diameter of a lateral pipe of a sewer pipe system from a remote location outside of the sewer to assist in repairing a wall of the pipe, comprising:

• providing a measuring assembly including an imaging device, an imaging cable operatively connected to the imaging device, an inflatable plug operatively connected to the imaging device and positioned at least partially forward of the imaging device, and an air hose;
• inserting the measuring assembly into the lateral pipe;
• inflating the plug to a predetermined diameter within the lateral pipe;
• moving the measuring assembly through the lateral pipe;
• acquiring imaging data from the imaging device including the predetermined diameter of the inflatable plug relative to the diameter of the lateral pipe as the measuring assembly moves through the length of the lateral pipe;
• and
• comparing the predetermined diameter of the inflatable plug to the diameter of the lateral pipe using the imaging data to determine the diameter of the lateral pipe.

A measuring assembly for determining the diameter of a lateral pipe of a sewer pipe system from a remote location outside of the sewer to aid in repairing the lateral pipe, comprising:

• an imaging device for collecting imaging data in a lateral pipe;
• an imaging cable operatively connected to the imaging device and configured to transmit the imaging data to the remote location;
• an inflatable plug operatively connected to the imaging device and positioned at least partially forward of the imaging device, the plug having a predetermined diameter when fully inflated;
• an air hose operatively connected to the plug and configured to inflate the plug after the assembly is inserted into the lateral pipe;
• comparing the predetermined diameter of the inflatable plug to a diameter of the lateral pipe using the imaging data to determine the diameter of the lateral pipe.

A method of repairing at least a portion of a lateral pipe of a sewer system, comprising:

• determining the diameter of the lateral pipe along the length of the pipe by providing a measuring device comprising an imaging device and a reference plug having a predetermined diameter and being at least partially forward the imaging device, acquiring imaging data of a difference between the diameter of the plug and the diameter of the lateral pipe, and comparing the imaging data to the predetermined diameter of the reference plug and the lateral pipe to determine the diameter of the lateral pipe;
• choosing a liner assembly, comprising a bladder tube and a liner tube impregnated with a resinous material capable of curing and hardening, based on the diameter of the lateral pipe;
• inserting the liner assembly into the lateral pipe;
• pressing the liner tube against a wall of the lateral pipe;
• allowing the resinous material to cure and harden;
• and
• removing the bladder tube from the lateral pipe to leave the liner tube cured in place in the lateral tube along a length of the lateral pipe.