A lateral applicator kit for a pipe has a first and a second application unit that are configured to apply a primer material or other substance to the exterior and interior lateral walls of a pipe. The first unit receives primer through a first supply engagement feature, which is in fluid communication with a first material reservoir internal to the first application unit and further in fluid communication with an application receptacle configured to receive, and apply primer to, the exterior lateral surface of a pipe. The application receptacle has at least one first material applicator connected across at least one first application opening through which primer is absorbed and distributed to the pipe. The application receptacle has a tapered, flexible applicator wall for adaptably accommodating a range of pipe diameters. The second unit is similarly but inversely configured to adaptably apply primer to the interior surface of a fitting.

A lateral applicator kit for a pipe has a first and a second application unit that are configured to apply a primer material or other substance to the exterior and interior lateral walls of a pipe. The first unit receives primer through a first supply engagement feature, which is in fluid communication with a first material reservoir internal to the first application unit and further in fluid communication with an application receptacle configured to receive, and apply primer to, the exterior lateral surface of a pipe. The application receptacle has at least one first material applicator connected across at least one first application opening through which primer is absorbed and distributed to the pipe. The application receptacle has a tapered, flexible applicator wall for adaptably accommodating a range of pipe diameters. The second unit is similarly but inversely configured to adaptably apply primer to the interior surface of a fitting.

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for forming lubricant recesses having minute configurations by applying a photolithograph method in a curved inner surface, such as a cylinder bore surface of a cylinder block, the inside of a cylinder liner, the inside of a compressor cylinder, a big end of a connecting rod, a big end bearing, a shaft insertion hole of a rocker arm, or the like in an internal combustion engine.

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for forming lubricant recesses having minute configurations by applying a photolithograph method in a curved inner surface, such as a cylinder bore surface of a cylinder block, the inside of a cylinder liner, the inside of a compressor cylinder, a big end of a connecting rod, a big end bearing, a shaft insertion hole of a rocker arm, or the like in an internal combustion engine.

The present invention relates to coating of tubes, and more particularly to a system and method for coating and/or renovating deteriorated or pitted tubes to extend tube life and enhance performance. Using this system and method a thin coating is applied to the interior of a tube such that the coating is uniform in thickness and covers all regions of the tube. The coating material may be selected to minimize changes in heat transfer or may be selected to provide for the change in working fluid within the tube such that the working fluid does not negatively interact with the tube material.

The present invention relates to coating of tubes, and more particularly to a system and method for coating and/or renovating deteriorated or pitted tubes to extend tube life and enhance performance. Using this system and method a thin coating is applied to the interior of a tube such that the coating is uniform in thickness and covers all regions of the tube. The coating material may be selected to minimize changes in heat transfer or may be selected to provide for the change in working fluid within the tube such that the working fluid does not negatively interact with the tube material.

A slip molding apparatus (10) for lining a pipe (12) includes a dispense head (20) adapted to engage an interior surface (14) of a pipe (12) and to dispense a lining material, a slip mold (38) pulled by the dispense head (20) and having a leading end (42) and a trailing end (44), wherein the trailing end (44) has a greater diameter than a diameter of the leading end (42), at least one camera (58) disposed on the dispense head (20) to provide a view of the interior surface (14) of the pipe (12), a guide (46) connected to the dispense head (20) and the slip mold (38) for guiding the lining material dispensed by the dispense head (20) about the slip mold (38), and a movable diverter (52) on the slip mold (38) cooperating with the guide (46) to divert a flow of lining material dispensed by the dispense head (20) about the slip mold (38).

A slip molding apparatus (10) for lining a pipe (12) includes a dispense head (20) adapted to engage an interior surface (14) of a pipe (12) and to dispense a lining material, a slip mold (38) pulled by the dispense head (20) and having a leading end (42) and a trailing end (44), wherein the trailing end (44) has a greater diameter than a diameter of the leading end (42), at least one camera (58) disposed on the dispense head (20) to provide a view of the interior surface (14) of the pipe (12), a guide (46) connected to the dispense head (20) and the slip mold (38) for guiding the lining material dispensed by the dispense head (20) about the slip mold (38), and a movable diverter (52) on the slip mold (38) cooperating with the guide (46) to divert a flow of lining material dispensed by the dispense head (20) about the slip mold (38).

Processes and devices useful in the application of coatings (14) to the interior of tubes (10) are described. Such processes (40, 400) may include applying a layer (20) of coating fluid (18) to the internal surface (16) of the tube (10) and passing a smoothing member (22) through the tube (10) at a distance from the internal surface (16). The viscosity of the coating fluid (18) may be selected so that the layer (20) of coating fluid (18) has a thickness substantially equal to or in excess of a predetermined wet film thickness (Twf) correlated to a desired final thickness (Tf) of the coating (14). The distance between the smoothing member (22) and the internal surface (16) may substantially correspond to the predetermined wet film thickness (Twf). The smoothing member (22) may smooth the coating fluid (18) and remove coating fluid (18) in excess of the wet film thickness (Twf) from the internal surface (16).

Processes and devices useful in the application of coatings (14) to the interior of tubes (10) are described. Such processes (40, 400) may include applying a layer (20) of coating fluid (18) to the internal surface (16) of the tube (10) and passing a smoothing member (22) through the tube (10) at a distance from the internal surface (16). The viscosity of the coating fluid (18) may be selected so that the layer (20) of coating fluid (18) has a thickness substantially equal to or in excess of a predetermined wet film thickness (Twf) correlated to a desired final thickness (Tf) of the coating (14). The distance between the smoothing member (22) and the internal surface (16) may substantially correspond to the predetermined wet film thickness (Twf). The smoothing member (22) may smooth the coating fluid (18) and remove coating fluid (18) in excess of the wet film thickness (Twf) from the internal surface (16).