Expandable Pipeline Point-Repair Device

Abstract

A pipeline point-repair device, comprising a generally cylindrical body portion, having a locking mechanism mounted on an exterior surface thereof, the generally cylindrical body portion being expandable by application of pressure to an inner surface thereof and an external layer including a resin, the external layer surrounding the exterior surface of the body portion.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A pipeline point-repair device, comprising:
 a generally cylindrical body portion, having a locking mechanism mounted on an exterior surface thereof, said generally cylindrical body portion being expandable by application of pressure to an inner surface thereof; and   an external layer including a resin, said external layer surrounding said exterior surface of said body portion.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said cylindrical body portion has a circular cross section, said circular cross section having a first diameter in an initial state of said body portion and a second diameter in an expanded state of said body portion, said second diameter being greater than said first diameter. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said first diameter is at least 20% smaller than said second diameter. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said body portion and said external layer are disposed within a pipe to repair a fault therein, and said second diameter corresponds to a diameter of said pipe. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said locking mechanism comprises a ratcheting mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said locking mechanism comprises at least one locking tongue and at least one correspondingly placed slotted strap, said locking tongue being configured to engage a slot in said correspondingly placed slotted strap when said body portion is expanded. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said locking mechanism engages said external layer and said resin. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein when said resin in said external layer is cured, said locking mechanism is cured to said resin, thereby preventing a change of position of said locking mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , also comprising an inflatable packer for expanding said body portion, said packer including:
 a rigid core;   an inflatable sleeve surrounding said rigid core;   an air supply disposed between said rigid core and said inflatable sleeve for inflating said inflatable sleeve; and   a driving mechanism configured to drive said packer to an operational location.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said inflatable packer is disposed within said body portion, such that:
 said driving mechanism drives said packer and said body portion to a said operational location within a pipe for repair thereof; and   inflation of said inflatable sleeve applies pressure to said inner surface of said body portion, causing expansion of said body portion, thereby to engage said pipe.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said external layer comprises fiberglass matting, at least one retaining strap and resins. 
     
     
         12 . A method for repairing a pipe, comprising:
 forming a generally cylindrical body having a locking mechanism mounted on an exterior surface thereof, said generally cylindrical body portion being expandable by application of pressure to an inner surface thereof;   placing an inflatable packer within said body portion;   surrounding said exterior surface of said body portion with an external layer including a resin;   driving said packer, said body portion, and said external layer within a pipe to a location requiring repair;   inflating said inflatable packer, thereby expanding said body portion to engage an interior surface of said pipe; and   curing said resin thereby to secure said body portion in said location in said pipe.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said forming said cylindrical body portion comprises forming a body portion having a circular cross section having a first diameter, and said expanding comprises expanding said circular cross section to have a second diameter, greater than said first diameter. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said first diameter is at least 20% smaller than said second diameter. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said forming a body portion comprises forming a body portion including a ratcheting mechanism as said locking mechanism. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said forming a body portion comprises forming a body portion including at least one locking tongue and at least one correspondingly placed slotted strap, said locking tongue being configured to engage a slot in said correspondingly placed slotted strap when said body portion is expanded. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said surrounding comprises engaging said locking mechanism with said external layer and said resin. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said curing comprises curing said locking mechanism to said resin, thereby preventing a change of position of said locking mechanism. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 said placing an inflatable packer comprises placing an inflatable packer including:
 a rigid core; 
 an inflatable sleeve surrounding said rigid core; 
 an air supply disposed between said rigid core and said inflatable sleeve for inflating said inflatable sleeve; and 
 a driving mechanism configured to drive said packer within said pipe; 
   said driving comprises using said driving mechanism, delivering said body portion and said external layer to said location in said pipe; and   said inflating comprises using said air supply, supplying air to said sleeve thereby to inflate said sleeve.