SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LINER TENSIONING IN PIPELINE REHABILITATION
A system for liner tensioning according to embodiments of the present invention includes a tubular liner inside a pipeline from a front end of the pipeline to a back end of the pipeline, the tubular liner having a front end and a back end, the tubular liner coupled to the front end of the pipeline, the back end of the tubular liner extending from the back end of the pipeline, as well as a liner clamp coupled to the back end of the tubular liner, and a tensioning element coupled to the liner clamp and the pipeline, the tensioning element configured to apply a tensioning force between the liner clamp and the pipeline. The tensioning element may include one or more braces adjustable in length to accommodate pipes of varying diameters or different lengths of liner extending from the pipe.
1 . A system for liner tensioning in pipeline rehabilitation, the system comprising:
a tubular liner inside a pipeline from a front end of the pipeline to a back end of the pipeline, the tubular liner having a front end and a back end, the tubular liner coupled to the front end of the pipeline, the back end of the tubular liner extending from the back end of the pipeline;
a liner clamp coupled to the back end of the tubular liner; and
a tensioning element coupled to the liner clamp and the pipeline, the tensioning element configured to apply a tensioning force between the liner clamp and the pipeline.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the tensioning element is coupled to the pipeline by one or more supports configured to maintain a fixed distance between the tensioning element and the pipeline, and wherein the tensioning element is further configured to permit axial displacement of the liner clamp with respect to the pipeline as the tensioning force is applied.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the one or more supports are adjustable in length.
4 . The system of claim 2 , wherein each of the one or more supports comprises a longitudinal portion maintaining a fixed distance between the tensioning element and the pipeline, wherein each of the one or more supports further comprises a radial portion maintaining a fixed distance between the tensioning element and the longitudinal portion, and wherein the radial portion is adjustable in length.
5 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the tensioning element is a pneumatic cylinder.
6 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the tensioning element is a spring.
7 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the tensioning element is a wingnut and threaded bolt combination.
8 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the tensioning element is coupled to the liner clamp by one or more chains, and wherein the one or more chains are adjustable in length.
9 . A method for maintaining liner tension in pipeline rehabilitation, the method comprising:
deploying a tubular liner along an inside of a pipeline;
coupling the tubular liner with the pipeline at a front end of the pipeline;
coupling the tubular liner with a liner clamp at a back end of the tubular liner;
pulling the liner clamp away from the pipeline to remove slack in the tubular liner; and
maintaining a tension force between the liner clamp and the pipeline.
10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
coupling the tensioning element to the pipeline by one or more supports configured to maintain a fixed distance between the tensioning element and the pipeline.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the one or more supports are adjustable in length.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein each of the one or more supports comprises a longitudinal portion maintaining a fixed distance between the tensioning element and the pipeline, wherein each of the one or more supports further comprises a radial portion maintaining a fixed distance between the tensioning element and the longitudinal portion, and wherein the radial portion is adjustable in length.
13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein maintaining a tension force between the liner clamp and the pipeline comprises maintaining a tension force between the liner clamp and the pipeline with a pneumatic cylinder.
14 . The method of claim 10 , wherein maintaining a tension force between the liner clamp and the pipeline comprises maintaining a tension force between the liner clamp and the pipeline with a spring.
15 . The method of claim 10 , wherein maintaining a tension force between the liner clamp and the pipeline comprises maintaining a tension force between the liner clamp and the pipeline with a wingnut and threaded bolt combination.
16 . A system for liner tensioning in pipeline rehabilitation, the system comprising:
a liner clamp configured to be coupled to a tubular liner extending from within a pipeline; and
a tensioning element coupled to the liner clamp, the tensioning element configured to apply a tensioning force between the tensioning element and the liner clamp while permitting movement of the liner clamp with respect to the tensioning element; and
one or more braces, the one or more braces coupled to the tensioning element, and the one or more braces configured to be coupled to the pipeline.
17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the one or more braces are adjustable in length.
18 . The system of claim 16 , wherein each of the one or more braces comprises a longitudinal portion configured to maintain a fixed distance between the tensioning element and the pipeline, wherein each of the one or more braces further comprises a radial portion maintaining a fixed distance between the tensioning element and the longitudinal portion, and wherein the radial portion is adjustable in length.
19 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the tensioning element is a pneumatic cylinder.
20 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the tensioning element is a wingnut and threaded bolt combination.