Method and apparatus for repairing post-tensioned concrete

Abstract

A combination end cap and tubular member for use in repairing post-tensioned concrete, including a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment. The first segment has a first end and a first opening, where the first segment is substantially cylindrical in shape. The second segment is substantially frustoconical in shape. The third segment has a second end and a second opening and is substantially cylindrical in shape. The second segment is disposed between and integral with the first segment and the third segment. A cavity is formed by the first, second, and third segments, where the first end is arranged to be secured to a tubular member and at least one cable is disposed longitudinally within the cavity.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A combination end cap and tubular member for use in repairing post-tensioned concrete, comprising:
 the end cap including:
 a first segment, having a first end and a first opening; 
 a second segment; 
 a third segment, having a second end and a second opening, wherein the second segment is disposed between the first segment and the third segment; and, 
 a cavity formed therein and bounded by the first, second, and third segments, 
   wherein the first end is secured to the tubular member, the tubular member having at least one splice coupler disposed therein and secured to at least one cable and the at least one cable disposed longitudinally within the cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The combination end cap and tubular member of  claim 1 , wherein the first segment is substantially cylindrical in shape, the second segment is substantially frustoconical in shape, and the third segment is substantially cylindrical in shape. 
     
     
         3 . The combination end cap and tubular member of  claim 2 , wherein the second segment is integral with the first segment and the third segment. 
     
     
         4 . The combination end cap and tubular member of  claim 1 , wherein the first segment has a first diameter (D 1 ) and the third segment has a second diameter (D 2 ), and the first diameter is larger than the second diameter. 
     
     
         5 . The combination end cap and tubular member of  claim 4 , wherein the first diameter (D 1 ) is approximately 2.375 inches and the second diameter (D 2 ) is approximately 0.67 inches. 
     
     
         6 . The combination end cap and tubular member of  claim 4 , wherein the end cap has an outer surface and an inner surface and the tubular member has an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end, and a second end, and the first end of the first segment is secured to the first end of the tubular member such that the inner surface of the end cap contacts the outer surface of the tubular member. 
     
     
         7 . The combination end cap and tubular member of  claim 6 , wherein the first end of the tubular member has a third diameter (D 3 ) and the third diameter (D 3 ) of the first end of the tubular member is smaller than the first diameter (D 1 ) of the first segment. 
     
     
         8 . The combination end cap and tubular member of  claim 1 , wherein a second end cap is secured to a second end of the tubular member. 
     
     
         9 . The combination end cap and tubular member of  claim 1 , wherein the end cap is made of plastic. 
     
     
         10 . The combination end cap and tubular member of  claim 9 , wherein the end cap is made of polypropylene. 
     
     
         11 . A combination end cap and tubular member for use in repairing post-tensioned concrete, comprising:
 the end cap including:
 a first segment, having a first end and a first opening; 
 a second segment; 
 a third segment, having a second end and a second opening, wherein the second segment is disposed between the first segment and the third segment; and, 
 a cavity formed therein and bounded by the first, second, and third segments, 
   wherein the first end of the first segment is secured to a first end of the tubular member, a second end cap is secured to a second end of the tubular member, and at least one cable is disposed longitudinally within the cavity.   
     
     
         12 . The combination end cap and tubular member of  claim 11 , wherein the first segment of each end cap is substantially cylindrical in shape, the second segment of each end cap is substantially frustoconical in shape, and the third segment of each end cap is substantially cylindrical in shape. 
     
     
         13 . The combination end cap and tubular member of  claim 11 , wherein the first segment of each end cap has a first diameter (D 1 ) and the third segment of each end cap has a second diameter (D 2 ), and the first diameter is larger than the second diameter. 
     
     
         14 . The combination end cap and tubular member of  claim 13 , wherein each end cap has an outer surface and an inner surface, the tubular member has an outer surface and an inner surface, the first end of the first segment of the first end cap is secured to the first end of the tubular member such that the inner surface of the first end cap contacts the outer surface of the tubular member, and the first end of the first segment of the second end cap is secured to the second end of the tubular member such that the inner surface of the second end cap contacts the outer surface of the tubular member. 
     
     
         15 . The combination end cap and tubular member of  claim 14 , wherein the first end of the tubular member has a third diameter (D 3 ) and the third diameter (D 3 ) of the first end of the tubular member is smaller than the first diameter (D 1 ) of the first segment. 
     
     
         16 . A combination end cap and tubular member for use in repairing post-tensioned concrete, comprising:
 the end cap including:
 a first segment, having a first end and a first opening; 
 a second segment; 
 a third segment, having a second end and a second opening, wherein the second segment is disposed between the first segment and the third segment; and, 
 a cavity formed therein and bounded by the first, second, and third segments, 
   wherein the first end is secured to the tubular member; and,   a sealing member, having a first end, a second end, and a throughbore disposed therein, wherein the second end of the third segment of the end cap is secured to the first end of the sealing member and at least one cable is disposed longitudinally within the cavity.   
     
     
         17 . The combination end cap and tubular member of  claim 16 , wherein the sealing member and the end cap form a watertight seal. 
     
     
         18 . The combination end cap and tubular member of  claim 16 , wherein the first segment has a first diameter (D 1 ) and the third segment has a second diameter (D 2 ), and the first diameter is larger than the second diameter. 
     
     
         19 . The combination end cap and tubular member of  claim 18 , wherein the end cap has an outer surface and an inner surface and the tubular member has an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end, and a second end, and the first end of the first segment is secured to the first end of the tubular member such that the inner surface of the end cap contacts the outer surface of the tubular member. 
     
     
         20 . The combination end cap and tubular member of  claim 19 , wherein the first end of the tubular member has a third diameter (D 3 ) and the third diameter (D 3 ) of the first end of the tubular member is smaller than the first diameter (D 1 ) of the first segment.