Packer for use when repairing underground pipe systems, where said packer comprises a flexible and/or expandable main body portion surrounding a hollow interior, said body portion having an elongated shape defining first and second ends in either end of the main body portion, and where heating means are arranged in the packer for heating the packer or at least the surface of the packer, and means are provided for pressurizing the interior of the packer thereby expanding the packer.

A method for refurbishing an existing host pipe, in which an in-situ longitudinal cut is made in the interior wall of a subterranean host pipe. An expansion tool is moved along a path inside the host pipe, stopping at one or more stations on the way. At each station, responsive to isolated outward radial force from the expansion tool, the interior diameter of the host pipe is increased via separation of the longitudinal cut. A new rigid liner pipe is inserted inside the expanded host pipe to operationally replace the host pipe. In some embodiments, grout is deployed in the annular space between liner pipe and host pipe. Expansion of the host pipe via separation of the longitudinal cut optimizes the refurbishment job and enables the original host pipe, as expanded, to contribute structurally to the refurbished pipe system.

A method for refurbishing an existing host pipe, in which an in-situ longitudinal cut is made in the interior wall of a subterranean host pipe. An expansion tool is moved along a path inside the host pipe, stopping at one or more stations on the way. At each station, responsive to isolated outward radial force from the expansion tool, the interior diameter of the host pipe is increased via separation of the longitudinal cut. A new rigid liner pipe is inserted inside the expanded host pipe to operationally replace the host pipe. In some embodiments, grout is deployed in the annular space between liner pipe and host pipe. Expansion of the host pipe via separation of the longitudinal cut optimizes the refurbishment job and enables the original host pipe, as expanded, to contribute structurally to the refurbished pipe system.

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.

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.

A pipe repair apparatus to restore a damaged portion of a pipe includes an elongated rod having a first fastener coupled to a first end and a second fastener coupled to a second end, each fastener of the pair of fasteners coupled to a rope, a pair of end members coupled to the elongated rod, each end member of the pair of end members having a first disk coupled to either the first or second end of the rod and a second disk coupled to an intermediate portion of the rod, the first and second disks of each end member having a sheet coupled to edges of the first and second disks, and a generally cylindrical member slidably mounted to the rod and positioned between the pair of end members.

A system for in situ rehabilitation of a corrugated culvert or other conduit includes a support frame coupled to an inner surface of the culvert. The support frame provides attachment points that are spaced away from the inner surface of the culvert. An assembly of interconnected longitudinal planks is coupled to the support frame and forms a liner within the culvert. Each longitudinal plank has an inwardly facing surface that forms a portion of an inner surface of the liner and an outwardly facing surface opposite the inwardly facing surface. At least one longitudinal protrusion extends away from the outwardly facing surface of each longitudinal plank. A layer of a cured cementitious grout material fills or substantially fills a space between the inner surface of the host pipe and the plurality of interconnected planks, and the at least one longitudinal protrusion of each longitudinal plank is embedded within the cured cementitious grout material.

A system for in situ rehabilitation of a corrugated culvert or other conduit includes a support frame coupled to an inner surface of the culvert. The support frame provides attachment points that are spaced away from the inner surface of the culvert. An assembly of interconnected longitudinal planks is coupled to the support frame and forms a liner within the culvert. Each longitudinal plank has an inwardly facing surface that forms a portion of an inner surface of the liner and an outwardly facing surface opposite the inwardly facing surface. At least one longitudinal protrusion extends away from the outwardly facing surface of each longitudinal plank. A layer of a cured cementitious grout material fills or substantially fills a space between the inner surface of the host pipe and the plurality of interconnected planks, and the at least one longitudinal protrusion of each longitudinal plank is embedded within the cured cementitious grout material.

An eversible liner is provided for insertion into a pipe for pipe repair. The liner comprises: an extender tube; a connector portion; and a liner tube; a first end of said extender tube being in substantially fluid tight communication with a first end of said connector portion; a second end of said connector portion forming a substantially fluid tight, detachable connection with a first end of said liner tube to form a first connection; said extender tube, connector portion and liner tube forming a continuous tubular construction which is capable of eversion; wherein the liner comprises a sealing member arranged to inhibit passage of a fluid from the liner tube to the extender tube or the connector portion. The present invention aims to improve detachability of a liner tube from an extender tube over currently available technology, while providing improved accuracy when repairing a pipe with said liner tube.

An eversible liner is provided for insertion into a pipe for pipe repair. The liner comprises: an extender tube; a connector portion; and a liner tube; a first end of said extender tube being in substantially fluid tight communication with a first end of said connector portion; a second end of said connector portion forming a substantially fluid tight, detachable connection with a first end of said liner tube to form a first connection; said extender tube, connector portion and liner tube forming a continuous tubular construction which is capable of eversion; wherein the liner comprises a sealing member arranged to inhibit passage of a fluid from the liner tube to the extender tube or the connector portion. The present invention aims to improve detachability of a liner tube from an extender tube over currently available technology, while providing improved accuracy when repairing a pipe with said liner tube.