Small diameter pipe repair device
View Patent ↗A tube shaped and fluid inflatable and electrically heatable in-situ pipe repair device comprising a first outer elastomeric tube layer and a resistive heating component comprised of electrically conductive fibers braided over an elastomeric core. The tube shaped device also contains an inner annulus. The device is fluid sealable and is connectible to a fluid supply and vacuum source. It is also connectible to an electrical power source. The device may also comprise two tube shaped layers configured to fit snuggly together with a resistive heating component held between the two layers. The resistive heating component may be a braided fiber-elastomeric core combination or a conductive fiber configured in a sinusoidal wave or similar pattern.
1. A tube shaped and fluid inflatable and electrically heatable in situ pipe repair device comprising:
a) a first outer elastomeric layer;
b) an resistive heating component;
c) a second elastomeric foam layer;
d) an annulus;
e) a first end component containing electrical contacts for the resistive heating component wherein the end component forms a fluid seal with a first end of at least one layer; and
f) a second end component comprising electrical contacts for the resistive heating component to a power source and further comprising a port for conveying fluid into the annulus wherein the second end component forms a fluid seal with a second end of at least one layer.
2. The device of claim one wherein the first elastomeric layer is silicone.
3. The device of claim one wherein the second elastomeric layer is a closed cell foam.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein the closed cell foam is comprised of silicone.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein the resistive heating component comprises fibers.
6. A tube shaped and fluid inflatable and electrically heatable in situ pipe repair device comprising:
a) a first outer elastomeric tube a longitudinal axis of orientation and having a fluid sealed first end and a fluid sealable second end wherein the second end comprises a port connectible to a fluid source and a component connectible to a power source;
b) a second inner elastomeric tube comprising foam;
c) a plurality of heating components positioned parallel to the axis of orientation and between the first tube and the second tube wherein the heating components a sinusoidal shape; and
d) electrical contacts for the resistive heating components to a power source and further comprising a port for conveying fluid into an annulus within the second elastomeric tube wherein the first and second end tube component forms a fluid seal.
7. The repair device of claim 6 wherein at least one heating component can be energized separately from the other heating units.