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.

A pipe repair device includes a body defining a first body end, a second body end, and a middle body section therebetween; a foldable arm pivotably attached to the body to radially reposition the foldable arm relative to the body, the foldable arm comprising a first segment and a second segment, the first segment extending between the body and the second segment, wherein the second segment is substantially parallel to the body; and a locomotion subsystem configured to drive the pipe repair device through a pipe, the locomotion subsystem mounted to the second segment of the foldable arm and configured to engage an inner surface of the pipe.

Example aspects of a stent for repairing a pipe and a method for repairing a pipe are disclosed. The stent can comprise a spring, the spring defining an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a void; and a seal on the outer surface of the spring; the stent configurable in a compressed orientation, wherein the spring is compressed, and an expanded orientation, wherein the spring is expanded.

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 device and a method for repairing a pipeline are disclosed. The pipe repair device can comprise a body; a sensor attached to the body for detecting the leak in the pipe; a transport mechanism attached to the body for transporting the pipe repair device along the pipe; and a repair mechanism comprising a repair material for repairing the leak.

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.

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.

A carrier assembly (10) engages a pipe ring for installing the pipe ring in an existing pipeline to repair the existing pipeline. The carrier assembly (10) has a chassis assembly (12), a support arm assembly (14) and a drive system (16). The chassis assembly (12) has the support arm assembly (14) operably connected thereto. The drive system (14) is operably connected to the chassis assembly (12) wherein the chassis assembly (12) is configured to move along the pipeline. The support arm assembly (14) is configured to engage the pipe ring wherein the support arm assembly (14) is moveable relative to the chassis assembly (12) to displace the pipe ring relative to the chassis assembly (12) for installation in the existing pipeline.

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 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.

A pipe repair apparatus and method of repairing a main pipe and a lateral pipe is provided. The apparatus includes a packer assembly having a main bladder body with a cylindrical shape extending radially from and along the first axis for inflating in the main pipe. The packer assembly also has a lateral bladder body with a cylindrical shape extending radially from and along a second axis transverse to the first axis for inflating in the lateral pipe. A main liner is disposed about the main bladder body for adhering to the inner surface of the main pipe to repair the main pipe in response to the main bladder body being inflated. Similarly, a lateral liner is disposed about the lateral bladder body for adhering to the inside surface of the lateral pipe to repair the lateral pipe in response to the lateral bladder body being inflated.