GB2532991A - Apparatus for removing a circular seal from the internal circumfence of a pipe - Google Patents

Apparatus for removing a circular seal from the internal circumfence of a pipe Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2532991A
GB2532991A GB1421662.6A GB201421662A GB2532991A GB 2532991 A GB2532991 A GB 2532991A GB 201421662 A GB201421662 A GB 201421662A GB 2532991 A GB2532991 A GB 2532991A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
tool
pipe
seal
forward movement
winch
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB1421662.6A
Other versions
GB2532991B (en
GB201421662D0 (en
Inventor
Eastwood John
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
FLOWSTOP SERVICES
Original Assignee
FLOWSTOP SERVICES
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by FLOWSTOP SERVICES filed Critical FLOWSTOP SERVICES
Priority to GB1421662.6A priority Critical patent/GB2532991B/en
Publication of GB201421662D0 publication Critical patent/GB201421662D0/en
Publication of GB2532991A publication Critical patent/GB2532991A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2532991B publication Critical patent/GB2532991B/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
    • B25B27/00—Hand tools, specially adapted for fitting together or separating parts or objects whether or not involving some deformation, not otherwise provided for
    • B25B27/0028—Tools for removing or installing seals
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L55/00—Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems
    • F16L55/16—Devices for covering leaks in pipes or hoses, e.g. hose-menders
    • F16L55/179—Devices for covering leaks in pipes or hoses, e.g. hose-menders specially adapted for bends, branch units, branching pipes or the like
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L55/00—Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems
    • F16L55/18—Appliances for use in repairing pipes
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03F—SEWERS; CESSPOOLS
    • E03F3/00—Sewer pipe-line systems
    • E03F3/06—Methods of, or installations for, laying sewer pipes
    • E03F2003/065—Refurbishing of sewer pipes, e.g. by coating, lining

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Cleaning In General (AREA)

Abstract

Apparatus 1 for removing a circumferential seal 3 from the internal wall of a pipe 2, comprises a tool 12 for forward movement into an open entry end of the pipe 2 towards and into contact with the seal 3 in the pipe 2, the tool 12 having means 15 for engaging the seal 3 with the forward movement and with further forward movement of the tool 12 release of the seal 3 from the pipe wall and means 14 for capturing and retaining the released seal 3 with still further forward movement whereby on subsequent rearward movement of the tool 12 the seal is withdrawn from the open entry end of the pipe 2.

Description

Title: Apparatus for Removing a Circular Seal from the Internal Circumference of a Pipe The present invention relates to apparatus for removing a circular seal from the internal circumference of a pipe and is in particular a specific tool to remove a circular seal from the internal circumference of a pipe.
The invention is particularly directed to the removal of large diameter seals eg between 16" and 48" internal diameter from large diameter pipes of the same diameter. These pipes are made of cast iron. The seal may be of rubber or similar flexible material and may be a so called Weko (trade mark) seal. This forms a seal between two adjoining lengths of pipe. The seal may be kept in position by a one or more spring steel split rings which are positioned against the seal to keep it in place. Currently the seal and ring or rings are positioned manually by a man crawling up the pipe from an open end to place the ring in position at the joint between the two lengths of pipe.
The removal of the seals is for the purpose of pushing a plastic pipe through the old cast pipe, the seals are basically in the way of inserting the new plastic pipe and have to be removed before installation of the new plastic pipe.
They are removed in the same way that they are positioned in the first place with a man crawling up the pipe to manually lever off the seal and the associated ring or rings.
These pipes contain the residues of poisonous gases and it is undesirable for a man to crawl up the pipes and breathe in these gases.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide means whereby a seal can be removed without a human having to enter the pipe.
According to the present invention, there is provided apparatus for removing a * * * * circumferential seal from the internal wall of a pipe, the apparatus comprising a * . * tool for forward movement into an open entry end of the pipe towards and into * * contact with the seal in the pipe, the tool having means for engaging the seal with the forward movement and with further forward movement of the tool release of * * * the seal from the pipe wall and means for capturing and retaining the released seal with still further forward movement whereby on subsequent rearward movement of the tool the seal is withdrawn from the open entry end of the pipe. * OW
* * * 000O Preferably the means for engaging and releasing the seal is a nose.
Suitably the means for capturing and retaining the released seal comprises an arm which is pivotally mounted on the tool to rest in a socket and to pivot on the tool with engagement with the seal and capture and retain the released seal with the movement of the arm and its return to the socket.
Conveniently the tool has two ends with at either end means for connection to a winch whereby in use the tool is attachable to winch cables at either end of the tool to pull the tool into the pipe from one open end of the pipe by way of one cable extending through the pipe and to withdraw the tool from another open end of the pipe by way of the other cable extending through the pipe.
Preferably a cradle is provided to locate the tool at the entry end of the pipe, the tool being lowered into the cradle before attachment to the winch cable and movement through the pipe.
Suitably the tool has a body provided with wheels to permit the tool to be moved along the pipe.
Conveniently there are six wheels arranged in two pairs of three equiangularly spaced wheels around the body of the tool.
Preferably the wheels are mounted on arms which are adjustable by screws to engage with the internal wall of the pipe.
Suitably the tool has a camera to permit the internal wall of the pipe to be viewed as the tool is moved along it so as to identify the seal.
An embodiment of the invention will now be particularly described with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a view of a cradle from one end for location at one end of the pipe, Figure 2 is a longitudinal view of the cradle, * ** * * * *** * * * * Figure 3 is an internal view of the pipe showing equiangularly disposed wheels of * the tool engaging the internal wall of the pipe to move the tool through the pipe, * * Figure 4 is a longitudinal view of the tool inside the pipe in use, * * * Figure 5 is a concrete pad on which the cradle is mounted in use and * * * **** Figure 6 is a plan view of the cradle.
Referring to the drawings and particularly Figures 3 and 4, the apparatus comprises a tool 1 which locates within the interior of the pipe 2 which has an internal diameter of between 16" and 48" and has been cut away for access of the tool 1 to the pipe 2. The pipe 2 has a flexible rubber seal 3 joining two sections 4 and 5 of pipe together, which seal 3 is to be removed by the tool 1.
The tool 1 has a central cylindrical body 6 from which there extends two pairs 7, 8 of screw adjustable wheels 9, 10 and 11 mounted on arms. The tool 1 is adjusted to suit the internal diameter of the pipe 2 by means of adjustment of the screw adjusters on the arms to adjust the position of the wheels 9, 10 and 11.
Located at the front end of the tool 1 is a blade-like device 12 with at the front end of the tool 1 a sharp nose 13 which with forward movement of the tool 1 to the right hand side of the pipe 1 engages the seal 3 (and any steel expansion strips if present) and lifts the seal 3 and strips away from their seat in the pipe 2.
Also formed in the blade 12 is a means for capturing and retaining the released seal 3 and any associated expansion strips. The means is in the form of a pivotal arm 14 which is pivoted at one end, rests in a socket 15 at the other end and forms a trap with an aperture 16 in the blade 12. When the tool 1 is moved forward and the seal 3 and associated strips are released by the nose 13, further movement forward of the tool 1 causes the released seal 3 and strips to engage with the arm 14 and tilt it backwards to capture the seal 3 and strips in the aperture 16. The arm 14 then tilts back to locate in the socket 15 and trap the seal 3 and strips.
To move the tool 1 forwards the tool 1 is attached to a cable (not shown) via a winch eye 17 at the forward end of the tool 1. The cable is then pulled through the pipe 2 in the right hand direction by means of a winch (not shown) to move the tool 1 and thereby engage, release and capture the seal 3. * * * * * *
* * * * * After the seal 3 and any associated strip or strips have been removed and * * captured, the rear end of the tool 1 is connected to a cable by a winch cable eye 18 on the body 6 of the tool land the tool 1 is pulled out of the pipe 2 in the left hand * * direction by means of the steel cable wound onto a winch (not shown).
A camera 19 is mounted on the body 6 of the tool 1 to identify the position of the * * * tool 1 with respect to the seal 3 and strips so that the nose 13 can be accurately * * * * * * * positioned to remove the seal 3 and strips, capture them and retain them for removal from the pipe2.
Referring to Figures 1, 2, 5 and 6 initially a cradle 20 from which the tool 1 is launched from the entry end of the pipe 1 is located on a concrete pad 21 (Figure 5) which is constructed so that the top of the concrete is about 10 inches from the bottom of the pipe2. The cradle 20 has two vertical spaced legs 22, 23, a base 24 and a removable top 25 through which the tool 1 can be lowered into position in the cradle20. Then the top 25 can be replaced and secured to the side legs 22, 23.
After the concrete has been allowed to harden the cradle20 is lowered onto the pad 21. The cradle 20 has a collar (not shown) at one end. The collar is placed over the excavated pipe 2 and is centralised, four hydraulic jacks (not shown) being placed under each corner of the cross beams (not shown) of the cradle 20. The jacks are adjusted to raise and level the cradle 20 to the internal diameter of the pipe 2 at which stage the cradle and collar 20 are pushed towards the cut pipe 2, the collar on the end of the cradle 20 being a bigger diameter than the pipe slides over the pipe 150mm, a series of bolts are then tightened to hold the cradle 20 steady.
After the cradle 20 has been raised and centralised to the appropriate height the tool 1 is lowered into the cradie20 and is connected to the front end cable as previously described. The pairs of screw adjusters 7 and 8 on the tool 1 are then adjusted so the position of the tool Us centred within the pipe 2.
The winch assembly (not shown) is a Groundo winch RW-30 for the rear of the tool 1. It is lowered onto the cradle vertical legs 22 and 23 and then bolted down (by a Hiab or crane). A drop arm (of the Grundo Winch RW-30) is fixed on the winch to allow the cable to pull at the centre line of the excavated pipe? and is adjusted to fit a back plate (not shown) on the cradle 20 and is bolted thereto. The cable is then attached to the rear of the tool 1.
At this stage the camera 19 on the tool 1 is switched on and a signal is sent to a smart phone or i-pad to display the interior of the pipe 2. * **
* * * *** * * * * * As previously described the front end winch cable is attached to the eye 17 and * * then pulls the tool 1 from the rear end of the pipe 2 forwardly. The rear end winch is put into free wheel and the tool 1 is pulled to the first seal 3 in the pipe2. The nose 13 engages with the seal 3 and as the tool 1 is winched forward the nose 13 * **** ** * * * lifts the seal 3 away from the bottom of the pipe 2 breaking the bond between the seal 3 and the pipe 2 as the tool lprogresses in a forward motion. The nose 13 comes out from the underside of the seal 3 and the pivotal arm 14 falls back into the socket 15 thus capturing the seal 3 and expansion strips as previously described. This will be repeated two or more times to remove two or more further seals 3 as the tool 1 moves down the pipe 2. Once three seals 3 have been captured the winches are stopped and reversed so the rear winch now pulls the tool 1 back to the cradle 20. The other winch is now in freewheel.
Once the tool 1 is back in the cradle20 the seals 3 and strips can be removed from the pivotal arm 14. * *
* * * ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Claims (10)

  1. Claims 1. Apparatus for removing a circumferential seal from the internal wall of a pipe, the apparatus comprising a tool for forward movement into an open entry end of the pipe towards and into contact with the seal in the pipe, the tool having means for engaging the seal with the forward movement and with further forward movement of the tool release of the seal from the pipe wall and means for capturing and retaining the released seal with still further forward movement whereby on subsequent rearward movement of the tool the seal is withdrawn from the open entry end of the pipe.
  2. 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the means for engaging and releasing the seal is a nose.
  3. 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the means for capturing and retaining the released seal comprises an arm which is pivotally mounted on the tool to rest in a socket and to pivot on the tool with engagement with the seal and capture and retain the released seal with the movement of the arm and its return to the socket.
  4. 4. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 in which the tool has two ends with at either end means for connection to a winch whereby in use the tool is attachable to winch cables at either end of the tool to pull the tool into the pipe from one open end of the pipe by way of one cable extending through the pipe and to withdraw the tool from another open end of the pipe by way of the other cable extending through the pipe.
  5. 5. Apparatus as claimed in any of claim 4 in which a cradle is provided to locate the tool at the entry end of the pipe, the tool being lowered into the cradle before attachment to the winch cable and movement through the pipe.
  6. 6. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the tool has a body provided with wheels to permit the tool to be moved along the pipe.
  7. 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which there are six wheels arranged in two pairs of three equiangularly spaced wheels around the body of the tool.
  8. 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 in which the wheels are mounted on arms which are adjustable by screws to engage with the internal wall of the pipe. * * *
    * * * *** * * * * * *
  9. 9. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the tool has a camera to permit the internal wall of the pipe to be viewed as the tool is moved along it so as to identify the seal.
  10. 10. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings. * MO* * * M40 * * OlF4dme * * * * * * OM * * * 7016'
GB1421662.6A 2014-12-04 2014-12-04 Apparatus for removing a circular seal from the internal circumfence of a pipe Active GB2532991B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1421662.6A GB2532991B (en) 2014-12-04 2014-12-04 Apparatus for removing a circular seal from the internal circumfence of a pipe

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1421662.6A GB2532991B (en) 2014-12-04 2014-12-04 Apparatus for removing a circular seal from the internal circumfence of a pipe

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201421662D0 GB201421662D0 (en) 2015-01-21
GB2532991A true GB2532991A (en) 2016-06-08
GB2532991B GB2532991B (en) 2021-06-02

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Family Applications (1)

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GB (1) GB2532991B (en)

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2003113993A (en) * 2001-10-02 2003-04-18 Kubota Corp Rubber ring removing tool of tube coupling

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2003113993A (en) * 2001-10-02 2003-04-18 Kubota Corp Rubber ring removing tool of tube coupling

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2532991B (en) 2021-06-02
GB201421662D0 (en) 2015-01-21

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