Patent Abstract:
A sewer line root cleaning and repair system includes a root cleaner having a first body and a second body connected by a flexible connector. A flexible rotating member extending from a pneumatic motor in the first body extends through the flexible connector and the second body. The flexible rotating member terminates beyond the second body in a series of bristles. As the root cleaner moves through a sewer line a set of wheels on the first body extends outward, centering the first body in the sewer line as the bristles spin at high RPM centering the second body in the sewer line and scouring the sewer line free of roots including small root hairs. Afterward, a coating sprayer is inserted into the sewer line, connected to a coating supply and air supply, and the coating is sprayed under pressure to line the inner surface of the sewer line.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Modern drainage and sewage systems are closed pipe systems connecting drains in residential or commercial structures to municipally maintained sewer mains. Maintenance of these systems is typically the responsibility of the property owner or community association rather than a municipality. While small structural pipe clogs typically occur due to debris entering an interior drain, larger exterior underground sewage pipes between the structure and a sewer main usually become clogged by roots entering through cracks that develop in pipes over time. As the roots grow in the pipe, they trap additional material, thereby occluding the pipe. Unclogging large underground pipes is a time consuming and expensive process. 
         [0002]    Root cleaners are known in the art. These apparatus, typically consist of drum augers having a spooled heavy gauge cable affixed to a rotating motor. The cable is affixed at one end with a bladed head or similar cutting structure designed to cut through roots and other debris. As the rotating cable is fed into a sewer line, the turning blades cut away roots and other blockage. While conventional drum augers are useful for cutting and clearing large roots and debris, they rotate at relatively slow speeds and are typically equipped with cutting heads smaller in diameter than the pipe being cleaned. The result is that small root fibers at fissures in the pipe are left behind, and ultimately re-grow to cause future blockage. 
         [0003]    Repairing cracked pipes by various lining techniques are also known in the art. Alternatively referred to as “trenchless” repair, these processes involve installing an in situ cured resin or resin-like material along the inner wall of a sewage pipe. The resin is sprayed or otherwise administered to the interior surface of the sewer line. While trenchless repair and installation and produce an interior liner that effectively covers cracks and fissures, occasionally small root fibers extend through the coating and survive, allowing roots to re-grow, spreading cracks through the lining, and shortening its operational life. 
         [0004]    There is therefore a need for a sewer line root cleaning and repair system that prepares a sewer line for effective trenchless re-lining by completely scouring the inside of the sewer line of all debris including fine root hairs. There is also a need for a root cleaning and repair system capable of maneuvering around turns and across pipe junctions without becoming stuck on pipe fittings and other obstacles. There is also a need for a root cleaning and repair system which is impervious to water contamination, and avoids problems inherent in using electrically powered components in a wet environment. There is also a need for a root cleaning and repair system that is lightweight and easy to use, that stores conveniently and portably when not in use, and that may be easily connected to and disconnected from conventional pressurized air lines. 
         [0005]    These and other objects and advantages of the invention are more fully discussed in the following description, drawings and claims. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    A sewer line root cleaning and repair system includes a root cleaner for clearing a sewer line. The root cleaner includes a first body with at least one first wheel and a motor housed in the first body. A second body is flexibly coupled to the first body by a flexible connector. The second body includes at least one a second wheel. A flexible rotating member having a first end coupled to the motor, extends through the second body and includes a second end coupled to at least one bristle. The motor governs rotational movement of the flexible rotating member, and the second body forms a bearing for the flexible rotating member. Rotational movement in the flexible rotating member drives the bristle against the sewer line, thereby clearing the sewer line. 
         [0007]    The root cleaner includes a flexible pneumatically pressurized line coupled to the first body to supply air to the motor, which is preferably pneumatic. The first body may include multiple opposing first wheels which are retractable and biased to an extended position to preserve the first body in the center of the sewer line. The flexible connector between the first body and the second body encloses the flexible rotating member, and the rotating member preferably includes an adjustable hub anchoring the bristle to the second end of the flexible rotating member. At the end of the bristle, where contact with the sewer line walls is made, the bristle preferably is frayed for improved scouring. In a preferred embodiment, multiple bristles are used. 
         [0008]    The bristle is preferably anchored to the flexible rotating member near a midpoint of the bristle. The first body and the second body preferably include guides for distancing the first body and the second body away from the sewer line. Fasteners may also be included for holding the first body in position around the motor. 
         [0009]    Once the sewer line is cleaned of fine root hairs, a liner sprayer having a first sprayer body and a second sprayer body connected by a second flexible connector is inserted into the sewer line. The second body terminates in a sprayer nozzle opposite the second flexible connector, and the sprayer nozzle configured to produce a hollow cone spray pattern. A pressurized air supply and resin supply is connected to the liner sprayer and resin is sprayed through the liner sprayer to coat the interior surface of the sewer line. The liner sprayer is then removed and once the resin cures, the sewer line is ready for use with a greatly extended serviceable life. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a root cleaner of the sewer cleaning system; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates a section view of the root cleaner operating in a sewer line; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of a first body of the root cleaner with extended wheels: 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates a flexible connection between the first body and a second body; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates a spool on which the root cleaner is stored before and after use; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  illustrates a trenchless lining apparatus having two chassis separated by a flexible connection. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a root cleaner  10  for a sewer line  12  includes a first body  14 . The first body  14  includes at least one first wheel  16  and a motor  18 . The motor  18  is preferably a pneumatic motor  18  translating air pressure into rotational motion at hundreds or thousands of revolutions per minute. The root cleaner  10  also includes a second body  20  connected to the first body  14  by a flexible connector  22 . The flexible connector  22  may be a heavy gauge helical wire, or similar resiliently bendable material. The second body  20  has at least one second wheel  24 , substantially similar to the first wheel  16 . The second body  20  also serves as a bearing for a rotating member  26 . 
         [0017]    The rotating member  26 , which may be a heavy gauge wire or cable, has a first end  28  coupled to the motor  18 , which imparts rotational motion to the rotating member  26 , and a second end  30  coupled to a bristle  32 . Air pressure from a pressurized line  34  inside a sleeve  44  causes the motor  18  to turn the rotating member  26 , which drives the bristle  32  around the inside of the sewer line  12 . To prevent damage to the pressurized line  34 , including undue bending, the pressurized line  34  may be housed in a sleeve  44 . 
         [0018]    In order to center the bristle  32  on the rotating member  26 , to install multiple bristles  32 , or to replace bristles  32  at the end of their operational life, an adjustable hub  36  may be included at the second end  30  of the rotating member  26 . The adjustable hub  36  may also be useful for preserving a bristle  32  in place where the bristle  32  extends through the adjustable hub  36 , and anchors to the adjustable hub  36  at a midpoint of the bristle  32 . 
         [0019]    Still referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first body  14  and the second body  20  also include guides  40  to help avoid obstructions (not shown) in the sewer line  12  from catching on the first wheels  16  or second wheels  24 . The first wheels  16  and the second wheels  24  may be tapered to further prevent catching, and to compliment the curved interior of the sewer line  12 . Preferably the first wheels  16 , and optionally the second wheels  24  are extendable and retractable on swinging axle assemblies  46 , allowing them respectively to ride closer to, or farther away from the first body  14 , and optionally, the second body  20 . 
         [0020]    Unlike the second body  20 , which has a relatively open configuration, the first body  14  preferably completely encases the motor  18 , but includes a fastener  42  allowing the first body  14  to be opened and the motor  18  replaced if needed. The pressurized line  34  for supplying pressurized air to the motor  18  is preferably detachable from the first body  14  via a quick-connect mechanism, typical of pneumatic tools. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the first body  14  is shown with the first wheels  16  extended. Since the first body  14  is the longest non-bendable portion of the root cleaning and repair system, maintaining the first body  14  centrally in the sewer line  12  (not shown) is necessary to maneuver through bends in its pipes and junctions. As discussed, the first wheels  16  are mounted on swinging axle assemblies  46 , which allow the first wheels  16  to move closer to or away from the first body  14 . 
         [0022]    To accomplish centering, springs  48  are coupled to the swinging axle assemblies  46 , biasing them to an extended position as shown. In the illustrated embodiment the springs  48  are connected between axle assemblies  46 . In other embodiments, the springs  48  may be connected between an axle assembly  46  and the first body  14 . When the first wheels  16  are forced closer to the first body  14  due to the confines of the sewer line  12 , the guides  40  help center the first body  14  and prevent the first wheels  16  from catching on pipe junctions (not shown) and other objects in the sewer line  12 . 
         [0023]    Since the motor  18  (not shown) is cylindrical, the first body  14  preferably conforms to the motor  18 , and is shaped as cylindrical canister. To allow disassembly of the first body  14 , while also achieving the lowest profile, a fastener  42  is positioned to engage a spanning plante  50 , arced in the profile of the first body  14 , oriented lengthwise and parallel to the root cleaner&#39;s  10  direction of travel. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the root cleaner  10  is shown with the second body  20  articulating relative to the first body  14  at the flexible connector  22 . This ability to bend allows the root cleaner  10  to navigate around multiple turns, including upwards of forty five degree turns at pipe connections in the sewer line  12  (not shown). Because the rotating member  26  is also flexible, it will accommodate flexing of the flexible connector  22 . Preferably the material comprising the rotating member  26  allows it to bend smoothly while in rotational motion, thereby allowing continuous operation in the sewer line  12 . 
         [0025]    Although the first body  14  preferably includes articulating axle assemblies  46  and springs  48 , the second body  20  may incorporate conventional axles  50 . When the rotating member  26  is in motion, the bristles  32  tend to center the second body  20  in the sewer line  12  due to centrifugal forces and even pressure around the bristles  32 , avoiding the need for the second wheels  24  to engage the sewer line  12  on articulating axle assemblies  46 . Having conventional axles  50  also reduces the number of moving parts and risk of parts of the root cleaner  10  breaking. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the sleeve  44  containing the pressurized line  34  (not shown), the first body  14  and the second body  20  are installed on a spool  52 , which is held on a wheeled cart  54 , allowing the root cleaner  10  to be easily moved from place to place. Preferably the spool  52  includes an easily accessible pneumatic valve  56 , allowing a user to easily couple and de-couple an air compressor (not shown) to the pressurized line  34 . The wheeled cart  54  preferably also may include a tool box  58  for containing parts and equipment (not shown), for example different types and sizes of bristles, an extra motor, etc., making the root cleaner  10  fully self contained. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , in addition to the root cleaner  10  (not shown), the sewer cleaning and repair system includes a trenchless sewer liner sprayer  60 . Similar to the root cleaner  10 , the sewer liner sprayer  60  includes a first sprayer body  62  and a second sprayer body  64  connected by a second flexible connector  66  to allow the sewer liner sprayer  60  to travel through pipe bends (not shown). First sprayer wheels  68  are mounted on the first sprayer body  62  and second sprayer wheels  70  are mounted on the second sprayer body  64 , allowing the sewer liner sprayer  60  to roll over debris. Sprayer guides  72  are included to prevent the first sprayer wheels  68  and the second sprayer wheels  70  from lodging on obstructions (not shown). 
         [0028]    A sprayer nozzle  74  extends from the second sprayer body  64  for spraying liner resin (not shown) across the inner surface of a sewer pipe (not shown). To prevent the liner resin from contaminating the sewer liner sprayer  60 , in particular moving parts, such as the first sprayer wheels  68  and second sprayer wheels  70 , a cone  76  extends forward around the sprayer nozzle  74 . A coating such as liner resin for example is fed through the sewer liner sprayer  60  by a coating line  78 , which also travels through the first sprayer body  62 , second flexible connector  66  and second sprayer body  64  before terminating at the sprayer nozzle  74  where it is ejected as a hollow cone. 
         [0029]    The coating line  78  is preferably stored on a sprayer spool  80 , mounted on a wheeled sprayer cart  82 . Like the wheeled cart  54  of the root cleaner  10 , the wheeled sprayer cart  82  also preferably includes a sprayer tool box  84  having parts and equipment (not shown) useful for maintaining and repairing the sewer liner sprayer  60 . A liner resin tank  86  is also mounted on the sprayer cart  82 , with a fluid valve  88  used to ensure the right pressure of liner resin (not shown) entering the liner resin tank  86  and subsequently the coating line  78 . 
         [0030]    Because liner resin is mixed with pressurized air prior to expulsion through the sprayer nozzle  74 , the sprayer cart  82  also has a pneumatic valve  56  for attaching a pressurized air line (not shown). Preferably the same type of pneumatic valve  56  will be used for the liner sprayer  60  and the root cleaner  10 , enabling the same pressurized air line to be used for both apparatus. 
         [0031]    The structure of the sewer line root cleaning and repair system having been shown and described, its method of use will now be discussed. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , in order to use the system, a user wheels the root cleaner  10  on its cart  54  to a sewer line  12  clean-out (not shown) or similar access point. A pressurized air source, such as an air compressor hose (not shown) is attached to the pneumatic valve  56 . The pneumatic valve  56  may be coupled to a control (not shown) for controlling air pressure in the pressurized line  34 , and thus, the speed of the bristles  32 . Prior to activation, with the pneumatic valve closed, the bristles  32  may be adjusted on the adjustable hub  36  as desired, or may be removed and replaced with new or appropriately sized alternative bristles  32 . 
         [0033]    The root cleaner  10  is then unspooled and fed down the sewer line  12 , with air pressure raised in the pressurized line  34  as desired to activate the root cleaner  10  and control rotational speed. Pressurized air (not shown) travels through the pressurized line  34  and enters the first body  14 , encountering the motor  18  therein. The motor  18  translates air pressure into rotational movement, causing the rotating member  26  to rotate up to thousands of RPM depending on the air pressure in the pressurized line  34 . 
         [0034]    As the motor  18  rotates, the rotating member  26  rotates in tandem, extending through the flexible connection  22  and through the second body  20 , which essentially acts as a bushing to ensure smooth operation. The rotating member  26 , terminating in front of the second body  20 , rotates the bristles  32  at a high rate of speed. With the bristles  32  rotating at a speed sufficient to scour interior surfaces, the root cleaner  10  is fed along the sewer line  12 . As the root cleaner  10  encounters corners and turns, the flexible connector  22  allows the second body  20  to bend relative to the first body  14  and maneuver through numerous convolutions in the sewer line  12 . As the sewer line  12  increases and decreases in diameter, the axle assemblies  46  cause the first wheels  16  to extend outward from the first body  14  and retract toward it as necessary. 
         [0035]    As the bristles encounter roots, root fibers, or other intrusive objects, they scrape them away, scouring the sewer line  12  to a smooth polished surface. Once the intended portion of the sewer line  12  is cleaned of roots, the pneumatic valve  56  is closed, air pressure bled from the pressurized line  34 , and the root cleaner  10  is removed from the sewer line  12  as a user rolls it back up on the spool  52 . The cart  54  may then be moved and stored for future use. 
         [0036]    With the sewer line cleaned, the user then maneuvers the sprayer cart  82  into position at the access point. Before or after inserting the line sprayer  60 , the user attaches the pressurized air source to the pneumatic valve  56  on the sprayer spool  80 . The user may also connect a coating supply such as liner resin to the coating line  78 , filling the liner resin tank  86 . The liner sprayer  60  is fed down the sewer line to the area intended to be lined with resin. As the liner sprayer  60  moves through the sewer line, the first sprayer wheels  68  and second sprayer wheels  70  help guide it along the way, with the sprayer guides  72  preventing them from being obstructed. 
         [0037]    To activate the liner sprayer  60 , air and liner resin are forced through the coating line  78 , passing through the first sprayer body  62 , the second flexible connector  66  and the second sprayer body  64 . The pressurized mixture passes through the sprayer nozzle  74 , forming a hollow cone that coats the entire inner surface of the sewer pipe with liner resin to a desired thickness. The sprayer cone prevents atomized resin sprayed from the sprayer nozzle  74  from contaminating moving parts of the liner sprayer  60 , such as the first sprayer wheels  68  and second sprayer wheels  70 . 
         [0038]    Once the liner resin is sufficiently applied, the user closes the fluid valve  88  to stop the resin supply and closes the pneumatic valve  56  to stop the flow of pressurized air. The user then withdraws the liner sprayer  60  by rolling the coating line  78  up on the sprayer spool  80 . With the sewer line scoured of fine root hairs and a smooth coat of liner resin applied over fractured portions of the sewer pipe, the serviceable life of the sewer line is greatly extended. 
         [0039]    The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the Invention is sufficient in detail to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is understood, however, that the detail of the preferred embodiment presented is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, in as much as equivalents thereof and other modifications which come within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this specification.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5