Apparatus for relining an underground gas line or the like without excavation
US4410391A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 13, 1982 |
| Grant date | Oct 18, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 13, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T156/1788
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for repairing or relining an underground pipeline without having to excavate the pipe is enabled by attaching an expandable sealing unit to the end of a predetermined length of flexible tubing and feeding it through the pipeline. The flexible tubing is fed through the existing pipeline from a point beyond where the existing pipeline exits the earth, usually within the basement of a building. Once positioned in the desired location, the expandable sealing unit is expanded to form a tight seal at the desired location within the pipe by means of heating the expandable sealing unit by a heating unit connected to the source of energy through electrical conductors which pass through the flexible tubing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.