IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0829268
(2010-07-01)
|
등록번호 |
US-8210210
(2012-07-03)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
- Clark, John W.
- Robb, Jerry
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Chowdhury & Georgakis, P.C.
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
6 인용 특허 :
29 |
초록
▼
A method and apparatus for modular pipe repair, the method comprising attaching two enclosure halves over a leak in a pipe to assemble a first repair enclosure and determining if another repair enclosure is needed for another leak in the pipe. If another repair enclosure is needed, the method furthe
A method and apparatus for modular pipe repair, the method comprising attaching two enclosure halves over a leak in a pipe to assemble a first repair enclosure and determining if another repair enclosure is needed for another leak in the pipe. If another repair enclosure is needed, the method further comprises drilling in the first repair enclosure drill hole passages in selected angled grooves thereof to connect to a primary groove in the enclosure, attaching a second repair enclosure to pipe, drilling in the second repair enclosure drill hole passages in selected angled grooves thereof to connect to the primary groove in the second enclosure, and attaching hub clamps to the first repair enclosure and the second repair enclosure. Finally, the method comprises injecting sealant into a plurality of injection points to fill the selected angled grooves and the primary grooves in the repair enclosures.
대표청구항
▼
1. A modular pipe repair enclosure system for repair of one or more leaks in a pipe, comprising: a plurality of enclosure halves, each enclosure half being disposable around a pipe, each enclosure half including a void portion that constitutes a void between the respective enclosure half and the pip
1. A modular pipe repair enclosure system for repair of one or more leaks in a pipe, comprising: a plurality of enclosure halves, each enclosure half being disposable around a pipe, each enclosure half including a void portion that constitutes a void between the respective enclosure half and the pipe when the respective enclosure half is disposed around the pipe, the void portion being for covering one or more leaks in the pipe, and each enclosure half having an end portion, a plurality of first grooves in the end portion, and a second groove extending around the void portion;a plurality of hub clamps, each hub clamp being disposable around a pipe; anda plurality of enclosure attachment devices, for attaching the enclosure halves and for attaching the hub clamps,wherein the enclosure halves are connectable to the hub clamps,wherein, for each of the enclosure halves, the first grooves thereof are blind holes that may be rendered through holes communicating with the second groove thereof, such that sealant may flow between the first grooves thereof and the second groove thereof if the first grooves thereof have been rendered through holes, andwherein each of the hub clamps includes a third groove such that, when the respective hub clamp is connected to a given one of the enclosure halves, the third groove is in communication with ones of the first grooves of the given enclosure half, whereby sealant may flow between the third groove and the ones of the first grooves of the given enclosure half in communication with the third groove. 2. The modular pipe repair enclosure of claim 1, wherein, for each of the enclosure halves, the end portion includes axially opposite first and second end portions, and the plurality of first grooves includes a first plurality of first grooves in the first end portion and a second plurality of first grooves in the second end portion,wherein any given one of the enclosure halves, at either the first or second end portion thereof, may be connected to any given one of the hub clamps,wherein, for each of the hub clamps, when the respective hub clamp is connected to a given one of the enclosure halves at the first or second end portion thereof, respectively, the third groove is in communication with the first plurality of first grooves or the second plurality of first grooves, respectively, of the given enclosure half. 3. The modular pipe repair enclosure of claim 1, wherein, among the plurality of enclosure halves, each of the enclosure halves is disposable axially along and partially circumferentially around a pipe, such that a pair of opposing enclosure halves is disposable circumferentially around a pipe,wherein, among the plurality of hub clamps, each of the hub clamps is disposable axially along and partially circumferentially around a pipe, such that a pair of opposing hub clamps is disposable circumferentially around a pipe, andwherein the enclosure attachment devices are for attaching opposing ones of the enclosure halves and for attaching opposing ones of the hub clamps. 4. The modular pipe repair enclosure of claim, further comprising: a plurality of strongback clamping devices, each of the strongback clamping devices being disposable around a pipe, and each of the strongback clamping devices having a plurality of strongback holders for holding strongback rods for enhancing structural integrity of the pipe; andan additional plurality of enclosure attachment devices, for attaching the strongback clamping devices,wherein the strongback clamping devices are connectable with the enclosure halves and with the hub clamps. 5. The modular pipe repair enclosure of claim 1, wherein, for each of the enclosure halves, the end portion includes axially opposite first and second end portions, each of the end first and second end portions including an outer lip,wherein each of the hub clamps has axially opposite first and second side portions, each of the side portions including an inner lip, andwherein the outer lips are matingly connectable to the inner lips, such that a given one of the enclosure halves, at either the first or second end portion thereof, may be matingly connected to a given one of the hub clamps, at either side portion thereof. 6. The modular pipe repair enclosure of claim 5, wherein the outer lips are disposed to lie at a radially interior position when the enclosure halves are disposed around a pipe, and the inner lips are disposed to lie at a radially exterior position when the hub clamps are disposed around a pipe, such that a given hub clamp can be matingly connected to a given enclosure half while the given enclosure half is disposed around a pipe. 7. The modular pipe repair enclosure of claim 5, further comprising: a plurality of strongback clamping devices, each of the strongback clamping devices being disposable around a pipe, each of the strongback clamping devices having a plurality of strongback holders for holding strongback rods for enhancing structural integrity of the pipe, and each of the strongback clamping devices having axially opposite first and second side portions, the first side portion including an inner lip and the second side portion including an outer lip; andan additional plurality of enclosure attachment devices, for attaching the strongback clamping devices,wherein the inner lips of the strongback clamping devices are matingly connectable with the outer lips of the enclosure halves, and the outer lips of the strongback clamping devices are matingly connectable with the inner lips of the hub clamps, such that a given one of the strongback clamping devices, at the first side portion thereof, may be matingly connected to a given one of the enclosure halves at either the first or second end portion thereof, and a given one of the strongback clamping devices, at the second side portion thereof, may be matingly connected to a given one of the hub clamps at either side portion thereof. 8. The modular pipe repair enclosure of claim 1, wherein, for each of the enclosure halves, the first grooves are offset at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the pipe, permitting the first grooves to be drilled while the respective enclosure half is disposed around the pipe. 9. The modular pipe repair enclosure of claim 1, wherein the enclosure attachment devices are fasteners, and wherein each of the enclosure halves is provided with a plurality of clamping holes for inserting ones of the fasteners therein, respectively, for attaching the respective enclosure half, and wherein each of the hub clamps is provided with a plurality of clamping holes for inserting other ones of the fasteners therein, respectively, for attaching the respective hub clamp. 10. The modular pipe repair enclosure of claim 1, wherein each of the enclosure halves is provided with a plurality of injection points, communicating with the second groove thereof, for injecting therethrough sealant into the second groove thereof. 11. The modular pipe repair enclosure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of enclosure halves includes two enclosure halves formed in such a configuration as to be disposable around an elbow portion of a pipe. 12. The modular pipe repair enclosure of claim 1, wherein each of the enclosure halves and hub clamps is made of a single solid steel piece. 13. A method for repair of one or more leaks in a pipe, using a modular pipe repair enclosure system, the modular pipe repair enclosure system including: a plurality of enclosure halves, each enclosure half being disposable around a pipe and being disposable as one of a pair of opposing enclosure halves disposable around a pipe, each enclosure half including a void portion that constitutes a void between the respective enclosure half and the pipe when the respective enclosure half is disposed around the pipe, the void portion being for covering one or more leaks in the pipe, each enclosure half having axially opposite first and second end portions, such that a pair of opposing enclosure halves disposed around the pipe has aligned respective first end portions and aligned respective second end portions, and each enclosure half having a first plurality of first grooves in the first end portion, a second plurality of first grooves in the second end portion, and a second groove extending around the void portion,a plurality of hub clamps, disposable as one or more pairs of opposing hub clamps extending around a pipe, anda plurality of enclosure attachment devices, for attaching the enclosure halves and for attaching the hub clamps,wherein the enclosure halves are connectable to the hub clamps,wherein, for each of the enclosure halves, the first grooves thereof are blind holes that may be rendered through holes communicating with the second groove thereof, such that sealant may flow between the first grooves thereof and the second groove thereof if the first grooves thereof have been rendered through holes,wherein each of the hub clamps includes a third groove such that, when the respective hub clamp is connected to a given one of the enclosure halves, the third groove is in communication with ones of the first grooves of the given enclosure half, whereby sealant may flow between the third groove and the ones of the first grooves of the given enclosure half in communication with the third groove, andwherein each of the enclosure halves is provided with a plurality of injection points, communicating with the second groove thereof, for injecting therethrough sealant into the second groove thereof, andthe method comprising:disposing a first pair of opposing enclosure halves around a first portion of a pipe containing a first leak, so as to cover the first leak by the void section of one of the opposing enclosure halves;attaching the first pair of opposing enclosure halves, using ones of the enclosure attachment devices;determining if a second pair of opposing enclosure halves is needed to cover a second leak in the pipe, wherein if a second pair of opposing enclosure halves is not needed:for each of the first pair of opposing enclosure halves, injecting sealant into the plurality of injection points thereof, such that the sealant flows into the second groove thereof, andif a second pair of opposing enclosure halves is needed:from among the end portions of the first pair of opposing enclosure halves, identifying the end portion that is closest to the second leak to be covered and the end portion aligned therewith as first and second target end portions, respectively;for each of the first grooves in the first target end portion, rendering the blind hole thereof a through hole by drilling a drill hole passage therein so as to connect the respective first groove to the second groove of the enclosure half having the first target end portion;for each of the first grooves in the second target end portion, rendering the blind hole thereof a through hole by drilling a drill hole passage therein so as to connect the respective first groove to the second groove of the enclosure half having the second target end portion;disposing a second pair of opposing enclosure halves around a second portion of the pipe containing the second leak, so as to cover the second leak by the void section of one of the enclosure halves of the second pair of opposing enclosure halves;attaching the second pair of opposing enclosure halves, using additional ones of the enclosure attachment devices;from among the end portions of the second pair of opposing enclosure halves, identifying, as third and fourth target end portions, the end portions that are closest to the first pair of opposing enclosure halves when the first pair of opposing enclosure halves is disposed around the first portion of the pipe containing the first leak so as to cover the first leak and the second pair of opposing enclosure halves is disposed around the second portion of the pipe containing the second leak so as to cover the second leak;for each of the first grooves in the third target end portion, rendering the blind hole thereof a through hole by drilling a drill hole passage therein so as to connect the respective first groove to the second groove of the enclosure half having the third target end portion;for each of the first grooves in the fourth target end portion, rendering the blind hole thereof a through hole by drilling a drill hole passage therein so as to connect the respective first groove to the second groove of the enclosure half having the fourth target end portion;connecting a pair of opposing hub clamps to the first pair of opposing enclosure halves and to the second pair of opposing enclosure halves, such that the third grooves of the hub clamps are put in communication with the drilled first grooves of the first and second pairs of opposing enclosure halves and, thereby, in communication with the second grooves of the first and second pairs of opposing enclosure halves, whereby sealant, when present in the third grooves of the hub clamps, the drilled first grooves of the first and second pairs of opposing enclosure halves, or the second grooves of the first and second pairs of opposing enclosure halves, may flow between the third grooves of the hub clamps, the drilled first grooves of the first and second pairs of opposing enclosure halves, and the second grooves of the first and second pairs of opposing enclosure halves;attaching the pair of opposing hub clamps, using still additional ones of the enclosure attachment devices; andfor each enclosure half of the first and second pairs of opposing enclosure halves, injecting sealant into the plurality of injection points thereof, such that the sealant flows into the second groove thereof. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the modular pipe repair enclosure system further includes: a plurality of strongback clamping devices, disposable as one or more pairs of opposing strongback clamping devices extending around a pipe, each of the strongback clamping devices having a plurality of strongback holders for holding strongback rods for enhancing structural integrity of the pipe, andan additional plurality of enclosure attachment devices, for attaching the strongback clamping devices,wherein the strongback clamping devices are connectable with the enclosure halves and the hub clamps,the method further comprising: determining if a strongback rod is needed for enhancing structural integrity of the pipe, wherein if a strongback rod is needed:a pair of opposing strongback clamping devices is connected to the first or second pair of opposing enclosure halves;a strongback rod is attached to one of the pair of opposing strongback clamping devices; andthe pair of opposing strongback clamping devices is attached, using the additional plurality of enclosure attachment devices. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein, in the modular pipe repair enclosure system, (a) for each of the enclosure halves, each of the end portions thereof includes an outer lip, (b) each of the hub clamps has axially opposite first and second side portions, each of the side portions including an inner lip, and (c) the outer lips are matingly connectable to the inner lips, such that a given one of the enclosure halves, at either end portion thereof, may be matingly connected to a given one of the hub clamps, at either side portion thereof, andwherein, in the method, the connecting of the pair of opposing hub clamps to the first pair of opposing enclosure halves and to the second pair of opposing enclosure halves is performed by matingly connecting the inner lips of the pair of opposing hub clamps to the outer lips of the first pair of opposing enclosure halves and the outer lips of the second pair of opposing enclosure halves. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the modular pipe repair enclosure system further includes: a plurality of strongback clamping devices, disposable as one or more pairs of opposing strongback clamping devices extending around a pipe, each of the strongback clamping devices having a plurality of strongback holders for holding strongback rods for enhancing structural integrity of the pipe, and each of the strongback clamping devices having axially opposite first and second side portions, the first side portion including an inner lip and the second side portion including an outer lip, andan additional plurality of enclosure attachment devices for attaching the strongback clamping devices,wherein the inner lips of the strongback clamping devices are matingly connectable with the outer lips of the enclosure halves, and the outer lips of the strongback clamping devices are matingly connectable with the inner lips of the hub clamps, such that a given one of the strongback clamping devices, at the first side portion thereof, may be matingly connected to a given one of the enclosure halves at either end portion thereof, and a given one of the strongback clamping devices, at the second side portion thereof, may be matingly connected to a given one of the hub clamps at either side portion thereof,the method further comprising: determining if a strongback rod is needed for enhancing structural integrity of the pipe, wherein if a strongback rod is needed:a pair of opposing strongback clamping devices is connected to the first or second pair of opposing enclosure halves by matingly connecting the inner lips of the strongback clamping devices with the outer lips of the first or second pair of opposing enclosure halves;a strongback rod is attached to one of the pair of opposing strongback clamping devices; andthe pair of opposing strongback clamping devices is attached, using the additional plurality of enclosure attachment devices. 17. The method of claim 13, wherein, in the modular pipe repair enclosure system, the enclosure attachment devices are fasteners, and each of the enclosure halves is provided with a plurality of clamping holes for inserting ones of the fasteners therein, respectively, for attaching the respective enclosure half, and each of the hub clamps is provided with a plurality of clamping holes for inserting other ones of the fasteners therein, respectively, for attaching the respective hub clamp, andwherein, in the method, the attaching of the first pair of opposing enclosure halves, the second pair of opposing enclosure halves, and the pair of opposing hub clamps is performed by inserting the fasteners in the clamping holes, respectively, of the first pair of opposing enclosure halves, the second pair of opposing enclosure halves, and the pair of opposing hub clamps. 18. The method of claim 13, wherein the sealant is a Teflon™ fiber sealant. 19. The method of claim 13, wherein the first or second pair of opposing enclosure halves is disposed around an elbow portion of a pipe containing a leak, so as to cover the leak.
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