Method and Means of Lining a Manhole

Abstract

An apparatus and method is provided for lining the wall of a manhole. The apparatus may include a liner assembly. The liner assembly includes a bladder, a liner holding device, and a liner. The bladder comprises a first end positioned near an opening of the manhole, and a bladder body positioned in the manhole. The liner holding device is positioned at least partially above the opening of the manhole. The liner includes a first end operably connected to the holding device, and a liner body positioned at least partially surrounding the bladder in the manhole. The liner holding device is adapted to feed a portion of the liner body into the manhole during expansion of the liner body.

1 . A liner assembly for repairing a wall of a manhole, comprising:
 a bladder having a first end positioned near an opening of the manhole and a bladder body positioned in the manhole;   a liner holding device positioned at least partially above the opening of the manhole; and   a liner having a first end operably connected to the holding device and a liner body positioned at least partially surrounding the bladder in the manhole.   
     
     
         2 . The liner assembly of  claim 1  wherein the liner holding device is a feeding device adapted to feed a portion of the liner body into the manhole during expansion of the liner body. 
     
     
         3 . The liner assembly of  claim 1  wherein the liner comprises a resin absorbent material. 
     
     
         4 . The liner assembly of  claim 1  wherein the liner comprises a stretchable material wherein when the liner stretches circumferentially, the liner will shrink longitudinally. 
     
     
         5 . The liner assembly of  claim 1  wherein the liner holding device is suspended above the manhole. 
     
     
         6 . The liner assembly of  claim 5  wherein the liner holding device is vertically or longitudinally adjustable. 
     
     
         7 . The liner assembly of  claim 5  wherein the liner holding device includes a winch. 
     
     
         8 . A method of lining a manhole from a bottom of the manhole upwardly, comprising:
 taking a manhole liner capable of stretching circumferentially, the liner comprising a first end, an opposite second end, and a liner body there between;   applying a resinous material capable of curing and hardening to the liner;   positioning the liner in the manhole; inserting a bladder into the liner;   expanding the bladder with a fluid to press the liner against a wall of the manhole, the bladder expanding at the bottom of the manhole first and expanding circumferentially and upwardly towards a manhole opening;   lowering excess liner body into the manhole; and   allowing the resinous material to cure and harden.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the step of removing the bladder from the manhole. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the fluid is water. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the first end of the liner is attached to a liner holding device above the manhole opening. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the excess liner body is inserted into the manhole by lowering the excess liner body into the manhole. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the bladder is inserted into the liner after the liner is positioned in the manhole. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the liner is positioned in the manhole with the first end and an excess liner body at least partially outside the manhole. 
     
     
         15 . A method of lining a manhole from a bottom of the manhole upwardly, comprising:
 taking a manhole liner having a resin absorbent layer and a fluid-impervious layer, the liner having a liner body extending between a first end and an opposite second end and being capable of stretching circumferentially;   applying a resinous material capable of curing and hardening to the liner;   positioning the liner in the manhole;   expanding the liner with a fluid to press the liner against a wall of the manhole, the liner expanding at the bottom of the manhole first and expanding circumferentially and upwardly towards a manhole opening;   lowering the excess portion of the liner body into the manhole; and   allowing the resinous material to cure and harden.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the resin absorbent layer is pressed against the wall of the manhole. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of closing and sealing the second end of the liner. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the step of opening and unsealing the second end of the liner. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the first end of the liner is attached to a liner holding device above the manhole opening. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the excess liner body is inserted into the manhole by lowering the excess liner body into the manhole. 
     
     
         21 . The liner assembly of  claim 19  wherein the liner holding device is a feeding device adapted to feed a portion of the liner body into the manhole during expansion of the liner body. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the liner is positioned in the manhole with the first end and an excess liner body at least partially outside the manhole.