A pipe repair device includes a body defining a first body end, a second body end, and a middle body section therebetween; a pivotable arm attached to the body, wherein the pivotable arm is pivotable relative to the body to radially reposition the pivotable arm relative to the body; a locomotion subsystem configured to drive the pipe repair device through a pipe, the locomotion subsystem mounted to the pivotable arm and configured to engage an inner surface of the pipe; and a stent mounted to the body, the stent comprising a sealing layer and a spring.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for joining a longitudinal seam in a tube, to an apparatus and method of joining a longitudinal seam in a tube in a borehole, to an apparatus and method of repairing a tube and to a pig. In an aspect an apparatus is provided for joining a longitudinal seam in a tube. The apparatus (200) includes a spool (202) for progressively unwinding a coiled member (10) into an extended form (12). The member (10) transitions from a flat form when coiled (11) to a slit tube form when extended (12), in which form the member is resiliently biased. A joining device (214) is positioned downstream of the spool arranged to provide energy to a portion of the member in its extended form to cause heating so as to progressively join together the longitudinal edges of the slit tube as the member passes the joining device. A longitudinal seam (20) is thereby formed in the tube.

The disclosed invention provides a device and method to detect leaks in pipelines and heal them instantly using twin ball technology. The device comprises two twin balls of novel construction inserted into the pipeline. The sensor ball receives acoustical data through internal sensors. Once the threshold of the sound level is surpassed, the smart ball will send a signal to the second flowing ball. The second ball will flow towards the leaking outlet and eject a healing fluid to close the leak and prevent further damage. The sensor ball will also alert the user to the size and location of the leak via Wi-Fi monitoring and text messaging. This twin balls technology could be used in pipelines of varying sizes and flow rates.

Automated flowline leak sealing can be implemented as a flowline sealing tool assembly. A sealing sleeve is configured to be positioned within a flowline with a circumferential leak. The sealing sleeve includes a pair of ends configured to be positioned on either side of the circumferential leak. A pair of sealing elements are attached to the pair of ends, respectively, and are configured to seal the pair of ends to an inner wall of the flowline on either side of the circumferential leak. A deployment tool includes a hollow cylinder configured to be inserted into and retracted from an inner volume defined by the sealing sleeve. The deployment tool is configured to activate the pair of sealing elements to seal the pair of ends to the inner wall of the flowline on either side of the circumferential leak in response to being retracted from the inner volume.

An untethered crawler for use within a pipeline, the crawler includes a body and a pair of wheels that are positionable between a retracted and a deployed position. A multi-axis control unit controls a roll, pitch, and yaw of the crawler within the pipeline.

The present invention provides systems and methods for curing a leakage in a pipeline, the system including at least one gel pig and at least one sealant composition; wherein the at least one gel pig and the at least one sealant composition form a pig train, adapted to move along the pipeline to a region of the leakage and to seal the leakage.

Example aspects of a pipe repair assembly, a deployment probe for repairing a pipeline, and a method of repairing a pipeline are disclosed. The pipe repair assembly can comprise a retainer device comprising a retainer tab extending into a retainer slot, the retainer device movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position; and a pipe repair device comprising a spring and an engagement tab, the engagement tab defining a channel, wherein, in the engaged position, the engagement tab is received in the retainer slot and the retainer tab engages the channel, and in the disengaged position, the engagement tab is disposed outside of the retainer slot and the retainer tab is disengaged from the channel.

A in-service trenchless repair method for disconnection of a drainage pipe includes steps of: detecting the disconnection by a pipe sonar, and making a traction rope; pulling a hollowed cylindrical airbag to the disconnection according to the mark on the traction rope; controlling an airbag valve by an air compressor on the ground to inflate the hollowed cylindrical airbag, so that the hollowed cylindrical airbag is in close contact with pipeline wall after inflation; drilling a grouting hole on the ground surface directly above and on both sides of the disconnection until reaching the disconnection, and inserting a grouting pipe into the grouting hole; then injecting a double-slurry quick-curing repair material into the disconnection through a grouting system on the ground and waiting for curing; deflating the hollowed cylindrical airbag and pulling out by the traction rope.

The disclosure relates to a gripping apparatus, for use in connecting to a pipe wherein the pipe defines an inside radius, the apparatus having at least one discrete gripping device mounted on a body, wherein the body is a wedge cone; an outer surface on each of the at least one discrete gripping device, wherein the outer surface has a transition surface defined by a means for reducing any sharp transition point; a coating on the outer surface; a collective actuation-retraction mechanism connected to the wedge cone and to each of the at least one discrete gripping device; and a collective extension-retractable mechanism connected to each of at least one discrete gripping device. The disclosure further relates to an alternative exemplary embodiment wherein the gripping apparatus further includes a spring, wherein the spring pre-biases each of the at least one discrete gripping device beyond the inside radius of the pipe to instantly grip the inside radius.

The present invention provides systems and methods for curing at least one leakage in a pipeline, the system including at least one fiber-in-sealant-in carrier fluid (FISIC) composition and at least one gel pig composition; wherein the at least one FISIC composition and the at least one gel pig form a pig train, are adapted to move along the pipeline to a region of the leakage and to seal and cure the at least one leakage.