A device for inserting a pipe into an elongated cavity, comprising at least two pipe grippers which can be moved along a curved path and which are arranged and designed in such a way that they grip around the pipe at least in sections and, in the gripped state, they move curved at least for a portion.

Method of lining a tubular structure with a plastics liner pipe comprising the steps of: temporarily reducing an outside diameter of the liner pipe by passing the liner pipe through a roller system; cooling the liner pipe once its outside diameter has been reduced and applying a thermal restraint; transporting the liner pipe to an installation site remote from the roller system; removing said thermal restraint; and installing the liner pipe in said tubular structure at said installation site.

Methods are disclosed for refurbishing an existing host pipe. According to presently preferred embodiments, a first phase is to make a longitudinal cut in the host pipe. A second phase is an expansion phase, wherein the host pipe is expanded, preferably nondestructively, via separation of the longitudinal cut. A third phase is to insert liner pipe sections into the expanded host pipe. In confined space environments, sections of liner pipe are concatenated end-to-end as they are inserted into the host pipe. In some embodiments, the expansion phase and the liner pipe section insertion phase may be combined. A fourth phase is to grout the annular space formed between the host pipe and the concatenated liner pipe sections.

Techniques for refurbishing an existing host pipe, useful in deployments in confined spaces or providing limited access to the host pipe. In currently preferred embodiments, a plurality of cartridges each include (1) a liner pipe section, (2) at least one rod and (3) at least one centering ball, wherein each rod and centering ball is received inside its corresponding liner pipe section such that each rod is stabilized within its corresponding liner pipe section via contact between at least one centering ball and the liner pipe section. Once the first cartridge is inserted into the host pipe, a second cartridge is concatenated to the first by connection of their respective rods and liner pipe sections. The second cartridge is inserted into the host pipe, and so on. Upon completion, the rods and centering balls may be withdrawn from the concatenated string of liner pipe sections.

A sleeve is provided with an upstream end a downstream end each fitted with inflatable bladders. Rigid rings are provided inboard of these inflatable bladders to keep the sleeve open when the bladders are expanded against a surface of a fluid transport line. The ends of the sleeve preferably include cuffs thereon with the rings residing within these cuffs. Spreader bars can be provided between the rings at the upstream and downstream ends of the sleeves, to keep the sleeve in an elongated form. Sleeve support trolleys can be provided for supporting the sleeve and resisting sagging thereof at points between ends of the sleeve. Portions of the rings and sleeve support trolley can be collapsible to facilitate placement through limited size entry ports into the fluid transport line. Flow thus continues through the sleeve while maintenance is done on portions of the fluid line adjacent to the sleeve.

A coupling pin 20 is inserted through insertion holes of both end plates such that a head portion 20a thereof abuts an end plate 104 of one segment 1a and inclined surfaces S3 of notch portions 20c and 20d protrude from an end plate 105 of the other segment 1b. A clamp member 30 is disposed at a position where the inclined surface T2 of a leg portion 30b faces the inclined surface S3 of the notch portion, and the leg portion of the clamp member is press-fitted into the notch portion such that the inclined surface thereof is brought into surface contact with the inclined surface of the notch portion. The end plates of both the segments are clamped and both the segments are coupled in the circumferential direction due to movement of the clamp member toward the segment end plate direction corresponding to the angle of inclination of the leg portion, the movement being generated by the press-fitting of the leg portion of the clamp member.

An expander, preferably for use in expanding a host pipe to be refurbished. A floating pad is disposed to be displaced relative to a chassis by at least one retractable and extendable piston such that the expander has a first expansion range between fully-retracted and fully-extended states. A floating pad jacket and a chassis jacket are disposed to be removably attached to the floating pad and chassis, such that the floating pad jacket increases the first expansion range of the expander to a second expansion range when the floating pad jacket is attached to the floating pad, and the chassis jacket increases the first expansion range of the expander to a third expansion range when the chassis jacket is attached to the chassis. At least one piston may be configured to be extended and retracted independently.

The hose mending device may comprise a peripheral body circumscribing a first and a second opening and a chamber intermediate the first and second opening. A seal member comprising an annular portion and the cylindrical portion is disposed within the chamber such that the cylindrical portion may receive and engage an interior surface of a conduit of a particular size.

A coupler having elastically deformable claws 32, 33 is fixed to the side plate 103 of one segment 1a. The side plate 103 of the one segment 1a and the side plate 102 of the other segment 1b are butted against each other, and the claws of the coupler are passed through the side plate of the other segment to protrude into the segment. The claws of the coupler protruding into the other segment are elastically deformed by a diameter expansion pin 11 to expand the diameter of the claws 32 and 33. The claws of the coupler whose diameter has been expanded presses the side plate of the other segment against the side plate of the one segment to couple both the segments in the longitudinal direction.

Techniques for refurbishing an existing host pipe, useful in deployments in confined spaces or providing limited access to the host pipe. In currently preferred embodiments, a plurality of cartridges each include (1) a liner pipe section, (2) at least one rod and (3) at least one centering ball, wherein each rod and centering ball is received inside its corresponding liner pipe section such that each rod is stabilized within its corresponding liner pipe section via contact between at least one centering ball and the liner pipe section. Once the first cartridge is inserted into the host pipe, a second cartridge is concatenated to the first by connection of their respective rods and liner pipe sections. The second cartridge is inserted into the host pipe, and so on. Upon completion, the rods and centering balls may be withdrawn from the concatenated string of liner pipe sections.