Patent Publication Number: US-2016238178-A1

Title: Apparatus For Repairing A Pipe

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This PCT Patent Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/896,837 filed Oct. 29, 2013, entitled “Apparatus And Method For Repairing A Pipe,” the entire disclosure of the application being considered part of the disclosure of this application and hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF DISCLOSURE 
     The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for repairing a pipe utilizing an inflatable bladder. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Municipalities, cities, and townships have numerous underground pipe lines or conduits designed to carry liquid such as water or sewage throughout the area for commercial, industrial, and residential use. At times, these pipe lines or conduits may experience corrosion or perforation causing cracks to form within the pipe due to the age of the pipe, the material of pipe, and the type of liquid flowing throughout the pipe. Any cracks or damage to the pipe may cause leaks and may result in flooding, spillage of sewer around the pipe line, or decreases in water pressure effecting commercial and industrial entities inside the municipalities, cities, or townships as well as the residential areas utilizing water for non-recreational uses and recreational activities. In the past, municipalities, cities, or townships were forced to shut down or turn off the pipe to fix the crack costing a great deal of time and money. However, recent advances in this area of technology have allowed the municipalities, cities, and townships the ability to fix the corrosion or perforation without having to shut down the pipe line utilizing inflatable bladders along with other equipment including a fiberglass patch. 
     Typically, the bladders are cylindrical and are made of a rubber material. The bladders are also very heavy and bulky to accommodate the repair of very large pipes. However, these bladders are overly burdensome on the individuals charged with both preparing the bladder for repairing the pipe utilizing a kit and in actual practice of lowering the bladder into the pipe due to the bladders substantial size and weight. 
     As a result, flat bladders were developed to address the issue of the cylindrical bladders. Such flat bladders may be folded into a W-shape, U-shape, V-shape, or O-shape and may be secured with a strap to maintain the folded bladder&#39;s shape. Alternatively, the bladder may remain unfolded. The patch may also be wrapped around the folded or unfolded flat bladder and is then inserted to the pipe for repair. However, problems still exist with the various folded or unfolded flat bladders. First, the bladder may be too difficult to insert into the pipe depending on the shape of the bladder and the size of the pipe. Second, the patch may slide on the bladder because it is merely wrapped around the bladder. In other words, the patch is not secured when the bladder is inserted into and drug through the pipe. 
     Thus, there is a need for an improved folded inflatable bladder assembly which may be large but can fit in and repair small pipes, that is lightweight, not burdensome to assemble, and which can secure the patch to prevent the patch from sliding around or off the bladder during use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A pipe lining assembly, a pipe lining kit, and a method of repairing a pipe using a pipe lining assembly are provided. 
     The pipe lining assembly includes an inflatable bladder with a first surface opposite a second surface defining a sealed chamber for receiving air. The pipe lining assembly may also include a patch with a first edge and a second edge is positioned on at least a portion of the first and second surfaces of the inflatable bladder such that the first edge of the patch overlaps the second edge of the patch. The inflatable bladder with the patch positioned thereon is configured such that the first surface of the inflatable bladder overlaps the second surface of the inflatable bladder forming a cylindrical shape. 
     The pipe lining kit includes an inflatable bladder with a first surface opposite a second surface defining a sealed chamber for receiving air. The pipe lining kit may also include a patch with a first edge and a second edge and is positioned on at least a portion of the first and second surfaces of the inflatable bladder such that the first edge of the patch overlaps the second edge of the patch. The inflatable bladder with the patch positioned thereon is configured such that the first surface of the inflatable bladder overlaps the second surface of the inflatable bladder forming a cylindrical shape. Additionally, the pipe lining kit may include at least one of an air regulator, hose, cable, or air regulator. 
     The aspect disclosed herein also provides a method for repairing a pipe utilizing a pipe lining assembly. The method includes positioning an inflatable bladder on a patch. The inflatable bladder having a first surface opposite a second surface defining a sealed chamber for receiving air and the patch having a first edge and a second edge and folding the patch on at least a portion of the first and second surfaces of the inflatable bladder such that the first edge of the patch overlaps the second edge of the patch. The method may also include folding the inflatable bladder such that the first surface of the inflatable bladder overlaps the second surface of the inflatable bladder forming a cylindrical shape. 
     The aspects disclosed herein provide various advantages. First, the inflatable bladder discussed above is less burdensome on individuals preparing and using the bladder for repairs since the bladder is lightweight. Second, the inflatable bladder is more cost efficient since the inflatable bladder employs less material than conventional bladders. Third, the inflatable bladder may be used for repairs without forcing a municipality, city, or township to shut down or turn off the pipe. Fourth, the inflatable bladder is easy to store after finishing repairs since the inflatable bladder is configured to be foldable, the bladder may be folded to fit in small areas. Fifth, the bladder may be large but may repair small pipes. Additionally, the way the bladder and patch are folded together secures the patch to the bladder and prevent the patch from sliding during use. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are illustrations of a perspective view and a side view of an inflatable bladder respectively for use with a patch in repairing a pipe in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are illustrations of a top view of a patch in an unfolded and folded configuration respectively for use with an inflatable bladder for repairing a pipe in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2C  is an illustration of a perspective view of a patch and an inflatable bladder for repairing a pipe in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are illustrations of a perspective view of an inflatable bladder and a patch within a pipe to be repaired in accordance with the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart depicting a method of repairing a pipe utilizing an inflatable bladder kit in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ENABLING EMBODIMENTS 
     Detailed examples of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed examples are merely exemplary and may be embodied in various and alternative forms. It is not intended that these examples illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand various features of the present disclosure as illustrated and described with reference to any of the Figures may be combined with features illustrated in one or more other Figures to produce examples of the present disclosure that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative examples for typical applications. However, various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of the present disclosure may be desired for particular applications or implementations. 
     The aspects disclosed herein show an inflatable bladder for repairing a pipe configured to fold into a cylindrical or tube-like shape for insertion into a damaged pipe. The aspects disclosed herein also include an inflatable bladder kit and a method for repairing a pipe utilizing an inflatable bladder. 
       FIG. 3A  is an illustration of a perspective view of a pipe lining assembly shown generally at  60  including an inflatable bladder  10  and a patch  50  for use in connection with repairing a pipe  1 , both as more fully described herein. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  are illustrations of a perspective view and a side view of an inflatable bladder  10  for use with a patch  50  in repairing a pipe  1 . The inflatable bladder  10  may be made of a rubber and/or KEVLAR. The inflatable bladder  10  includes a first surface  12 , a second surface  14  opposite the first surface  12 , the first surface  12  and second surface  14  defining a sealed chamber  16  for receiving air. The sealed chamber  16  includes a first end  18  and a second end  20  generally parallel to each other as well as a first side edge  22  generally parallel to a second side edge  24  and the first side edge  22  and the second side edge  24  are generally perpendicular to the first end  18  and the second end  20 . The sealed chamber  16  includes a middle portion  28  extending along the first end  18  and the second end  20  and between the first side edge  22  and the second side edge  24 . The middle portion  28  is intended to define a generally central portion of the bladder  10  between the first side edge  22  and the second side edge  24 . Additionally, a valve opening  26  is disposed on the bladder  10  for inflating the sealed chamber  16  with air. The valve opening  26  may receive a valve (not shown) and a hose (not shown) to receive air for inflating the sealed chamber  16 . Furthermore, the valve opening  26  may be disposed on any portion of the bladder  10 . 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  are illustrations of a patch  50  in an unfolded and folded configuration for use with the inflatable bladder  10  for repairing a pipe in accordance with the present disclosure. In particular,  FIGS. 2A and 2B  show the patch  50  in a flat and folded configuration respectively. 
     The patch  50  includes a polymeric material  54  and a fibrous mat  52 . Specifically, the polymeric material  54  may be mixed or pre-mixed prior to application onto the mat  52 . The fibrous mat  52  includes two surfaces. The polymeric material  54  is poured onto one surface of the fibrous mat  52  and spread evenly over such surface. Once the polymeric material  54  is spread evenly onto one surface of the fibrous mat  52 , the fibrous mat  52  may be flipped or turned over and the remaining amount or portion of polymeric material  54  is poured onto and spread evenly over the other surface of the fibrous mat  52 . In any event, it should be appreciated that both sides of the fibrous mat  52  are coated with the polymeric material  54  to form the patch  50 . 
     The patch  50  may have a generally square or rectangular shape. Additionally, the patch  50  includes a first edge  68  parallel to a second edge  70  and a third edge  72  perpendicular to the first edge  68  and the second edge  70 , as well as a fourth edge  74  perpendicular to the first edge  68  and the second edge  70  and parallel to the third edge  72 . A middle portion  76  may extend between the first edge  68  and the second edge  70 . 
     The pipe lining assembly  60  includes the inflatable bladder  10  and the patch  50  assembled together (i.e., folded together) for use in connection with repairing a pipe  1 , as follows. After having prepared the patch  50  with the fibrous mat  52  and the polymeric material  54  as described above, the inflatable bladder  10  as shown in  FIG. 1A , having a protective sleeve (not shown) enclosing the bladder  10 , is positioned on one surface of the patch  50 . The protective sleeve is provided in order to prevent the polymeric material  54  from improperly adhering to the bladder  10 . The patch  50  is assembled together with the bladder  10  by wrapping the patch  50  around both of the first and second surfaces  12 ,  14  of the bladder  10  such that the second edge  72  of the patch  50  overlaps the first edge  68  of the patch  50  (i.e., folding passed the middle portion  76 ) as more fully shown in  FIG. 2B . 
     The pipe lining assembly  60  further includes the inflatable bladder  10 , along with the protective sleeve, having the patch  50  wrapped thereon, folded into a particular shape for insertion into the pipe  1 . As shown in  FIG. 2C , the first side edge  22  of the sealed chamber  16  is folded to the middle portion  28  of the sealed chamber  16 , and the second side edge  24  of the sealed chamber  16  may be folded across the middle portion  28  of the inflatable bladder  10  and over the first side edge  22  causing the second surface  14  of the inflatable bladder  10  to be directly disposed on such surface  14  in an overlapping manner and forming a cylindrical or tube-like shape. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  are illustrations of the pipe lining assembly  60  within a pipe  1 . In regards to  FIG. 3A , the pipe lining assembly  60  is shown in a folded configuration similar to  FIG. 2C . In other words, second side edge  24  overlaps the first side edge  22 . It should be appreciated that the inflatable bladder  10  of the pipe lining assembly  60  is shown in  FIG. 3A  in a deflated condition—in other words, air has not been sent into the chamber  16  through the valve opening  26  to cause the bladder  10  to inflate. 
     With respect to  FIG. 3B , the inflatable bladder  10  of the pipe lining assembly  60  is shown in an inflated condition within the pipe  1 . During inflation, the inflatable bladder  10  unfolds as the chamber  16  is filled with air through the valve opening  26  and expands to fill an inner area of the pipe  1 . More specifically, as the bladder  10  is filled with air and unfolds, the patch  50  is positioned against an inner diameter of the pipe  1 . The patch  50  having the polymeric material  54  adheres to the inner diameter of the pipe  1  thereby causing a broken portion of the inner diameter of the pipe  1  to be sealed and repaired, after removal of the bladder  10  from the pipe  1 , as more fully described below. 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart depicting a method of repairing a pipe utilizing the pipe lining assembly  60 . The method includes inspecting the pipe to determine if the pipe  1  is damaged  100  and determining if the pipe  1  is to be repaired shown at  102 . For instance, an operator of the inflatable bladder may lower a camera into the pipe to view damage within the pipe  1 . 
     If the pipe  1  can be repair utilizing the pipe lining assembly  60 , the pipe lining assembly  60  is covered with a protective sleeve  104 . The protective sleeve may be secured to the inflatable bladder  10  using an adhesive material  106 . The adhesive material may be vinyl tape or any adhesive material that is water sealed or waterproof. After the protective sleeve is secured to the inflatable bladder  10 , the operator may prepare a patch, shown at  108 , by spreading polymeric material across both sides of a fibrous mat  110 . The fibrous mat may be fiberglass. 
     After having prepared the patch with the fibrous mat and the polymeric material as described above, the inflatable bladder, having a protective sleeve (not shown) enclosing the bladder, is positioned on one surface of the patch, shown at  116  in  FIG. 4 . The patch is assembled together with the bladder by wrapping the patch around both of the first and second surfaces of the bladder such that the second edge of the patch overlaps the first edge of the patch (i.e., folding passed the middle portion  76 ), as shown in  FIG. 4  at  118 . 
     The inflatable bladder, along with the protective sleeve and having the patch wrapped in an overlapping manner thereon, is folded into a particular shape. The first side edge of the sealed chamber is folded to the middle portion of the sealed chamber, and the second side edge of the sealed chamber is folded across the middle portion of the inflatable bladder and over the first side edge causing the first surface of the inflatable bladder to be directly disposed on the second surface of the inflatable bladder  10  in an overlapping manner and forming a cylindrical or tube-like shape, as shown at  120  in  FIG. 4 . 
     The bladder may be secured in the folded position with at least one fastener to maintain the cylindrical or tube-like shape  122 . The at least one fastener may be a zip tie or a plurality of zip ties. For instance, an operator may secure one zip tie at the center of the folded bladder and another zip tie at both ends of the bladder. 
     The folded bladder may then be inserted into the damaged pipe using at least one pull cable connected to at least one metal link disposed on at least one of the first end and the second end of the bladder  124 . Once the folded bladder is inserted into the damaged pipe, the folded bladder may be inflated inside the pipe to a specified pressure based on the size of the pipe  126 . The folded bladder may be inflated via a valve disposed on the bladder and may be connected to an air regulator and an air compressor. The inflated bladder expands and allows the fibrous material batch to adhere to the inside of the pipe. The bladder may expand up to three times in size to seal any damage or cracks within the pipe. 
     After a predetermined amount of time has lapsed, the bladder may be deflated and removed from the pipe leaving the patch behind and the damaged pipe repaired  128 . The predetermined amount of time may be around one to three hours. Lastly, the pipe may be inspected using a camera to ensure that the damage is adequately repaired  130 . 
     While examples of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these examples illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understand that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features and various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further examples of the invention.