Method and device for repairing or reinforcing an underground pipe

Abstract

A method for reinforcing or repairing a pipe pulls a liner assembly with a flexible smooth bore liner and a semi-rigid helix that gives non-collapsible characteristics within the damaged pipe for both linear pipe sections and curved pipe sections. The existing pipe is first cleaned with a specially designed brush with two wooden spheres at each end of the brush to prevent snagging or jamming during brush operations. The liner assembly is then pulled through the total length of the pipe and anchored at each end with retaining sleeves, which are sandwiched and glued within the liner assembly and the inside diameter of the existing pipe.

1 - 4 . (canceled)  
   
   
       5 . A brush assembly for cleaning a pipe comprising: 
 (a) a mandrel having a first mandrel end and a second mandrel end supporting the brush assembly;    (b) a first head assembly being secured to the first mandrel end;    (c) a second head assembly being secured to the second mandrel end;    (d) bristles for the brush assembly being secured to the mandrel; and    (e) the bristles for the brush assembly having a bristle radius up to 115 percent of a radius of the pipe sought to be cleaned.    
   
   
       6 . The brush assembly of  claim 5  further comprising: 
 (a) a first cloth swab being added to the first mandrel end;    (b) a second cloth swab being added to the second mandrel end;    (c) the first cloth swab and the second cloth swab providing a second cleaning for the pipe in order to remove debris for a new liner assembly to be inserted into the existing pipe; and    (d) the first cloth swab and the second cloth swab having a radius of up to 115 percent of the inside radius of the pipe to be cleaned.    
   
   
       7 . The brush assembly of  claim 6  further comprising: 
 (a) the bristles for the brush assembly being metal or nylon;    (b) the brush radius being up to 109 percent of the radius of the radius of the pipe being cleaned;    (c) the cloth swab radius being up to 109 percent of the radius of the pipe being cleaned; and    (d) a brush head assembly for the brush assembly in order to facilitate movement of the brush assembly through the pipe.    
   
   
       8 . The brush assembly of  claim 7  further comprising: 
 (a) the brush head assembly including a connector ring, and a pulling cord;    (b) the connector ring releasably joining the brush assembly to the brush head assembly;    (c) a pulling cord being connected to the brush head assembly and oppositely disposed from the brush assembly; and    (d) the pulling cord serving to move the brush assembly through the pipe to be cleaned.    
   
   
       9 - 20 . (canceled)