Patent Application
20250102098
This disclosure relates to the field of pipe repair. More specifically, this disclosure relates to pipe repair stents comprising pipe-engaging friction elements.
Piping systems, including municipal water systems, can develop breaks in pipe walls that can cause leaking. Example of breaks in a pipe wall can include radial cracks, axial cracks, point cracks, etc. Repairing a break in a pipe wall often requires the piping system to be shut off, which can be inconvenient for customers and costly for providers. Further, repairs can necessitate grandiose construction, including the digging up of streets, sidewalks, and the like, which can be costly and time-consuming.
Repair stents can be inserted into a damaged pipe and sealed against an inner surface of the pipe wall at the site of the damage to prevent leaking. However, fluid flowing through the pipe can creep in between the stent and pipe to weaken the seal therebetween or can even dislodge the stent from the desired location, re-exposing the crack or causing other damage.
It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is to explain and exemplify certain concepts of the disclosure as an introduction to the following complete and extensive detailed description.
Disclosed is a pipe repair stent comprising a gasket defining a first gasket end, a second gasket end opposite the first gasket end, an outer gasket surface, and an inner gasket surface opposite the outer gasket surface, the inner gasket surface defining a main passage, a stent axis extending centrally through the main passage, the outer gasket surface at least partially defining an outer stent surface of the pipe repair stent; a first pipe engagement strip coupled to and extending circumferentially along the outer stent surface proximate to the first gasket end; and a second pipe engagement strip coupled to and extending circumferentially along the outer stent surface proximate to the second gasket end; wherein each of the first and second pipe engagement strips extend radially outward beyond the outer stent surface and are configured to engage an inner wall of a pipe to improve a grip of the pipe repair stent on the inner wall.
Also disclosed is a pipe repair stent comprising a gasket defining a first gasket end, a second gasket end opposite the first gasket end, an outer gasket surface, and an inner gasket surface opposite the outer gasket surface, the inner gasket surface defining a main passage, a stent axis extending centrally through the main passage, the outer gasket surface at least partially defining an outer stent surface of the pipe repair stent; and a first plurality of grippers coupled to and extending radially outward from the outer stent surface proximate to the first gasket end; and a second plurality of grippers coupled to and extending radially outward from the outer stent surface proximate to the second gasket end; wherein each of the first plurality of grippers and the second plurality of grippers are configured to engage an inner wall of a pipe to improve a grip of the pipe repair stent on the inner wall.
Also disclosed is a method of repairing a pipeline comprising providing a pipe repair stent, the pipe repair stent comprising a gasket, a first friction element, and a second friction element, the gasket defining a first gasket end, a second gasket end, an outer gasket surface, and an inner gasket surface, the outer gasket surface at least partially defining an outer stent surface of the pipe repair stent, the first friction element coupled to the outer stent surface proximate to the first gasket end and the second friction element coupled to the outer stent surface proximate to the second gasket end; transporting the pipe repair stent through the pipeline in a collapsed configuration to a location of damage; expanding the pipe repair stent to an expanded configuration to seal the outer gasket surface with an inner wall of the pipeline; and pressing the first friction element and the second friction element between the outer stent surface and the inner wall of the pipeline to increase friction between the pipe repair stent and the inner wall.
Various implementations described in the present disclosure may include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may not necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.
The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present disclosure. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity.
The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, and the previous and following description. However, before the present devices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, and, as such, can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.
The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of the present devices, systems, and/or methods in its best, currently known aspect. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects of the present devices, systems, and/or methods described herein, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present disclosure. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present disclosure can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present disclosure without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present disclosure are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present disclosure. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure and not in limitation thereof.
As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an element” can include two or more such elements unless the context indicates otherwise.
Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.
For purposes of the current disclosure, a material property or dimension measuring about X or substantially X on a particular measurement scale measures within a range between X plus an industry-standard upper tolerance for the specified measurement and X minus an industry-standard lower tolerance for the specified measurement. Because tolerances can vary between different materials, processes and between different models, the tolerance for a particular measurement of a particular component can fall within a range of tolerances.
As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.
The word “or” as used herein means any one member of a particular list and also includes any combination of members of that list. Further, one should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain aspects include, while other aspects do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular aspects or that one or more particular aspects necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular aspect.
Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosed methods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutations of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods and systems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, but not limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a variety of additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each of these additional steps can be performed with any specific aspect or combination of aspects of the disclosed methods.
Disclosed is a repair stent for repairing a damaged pipeline and associated methods, systems, devices, and various apparatus. Example aspects of the repair stent can comprise one or more friction elements configured to engage and grip an inner wall of the pipeline. It would be understood by one of skill in the art that the repair stent is described in but a few exemplary embodiments among many. No particular terminology or description should be considered limiting on the disclosure or the scope of any claims issuing therefrom.
The pipe repair device 100 can be formed as a repair stent 105, for example. Repairing pipe damage with a stent can reduce costs and construction requirements. Stents can be flexible and/or foldable and/or collapsible to decrease the stent's size for transport through the piping system to the location of the damage. However, the flexibility, foldability, and/or collapsibility of the stent can reduce the structural integrity of the stent, and stents commonly become displaced or are swept away under high flow conditions. The repair stent 105 of the present disclosure can be reinforced to improve the structural integrity of the repair stent 105 while still allowing for collapsibility and can also improve comprise friction elements to increase the friction between the repair stent 105 and the inner wall of the pipeline to retain the repair stent 105 in position at the site of damage.
According to the present aspect, the repair stent 105 can comprise a gasket 120 and a structural chassis 150 for reinforcing the gasket 120 and biasing the gasket 120 to the expanded configuration. The gasket 120 can define a first gasket end 122 and a second gasket end 124. A length L of the repair stent 105 can be defined between the first gasket end 122 and the second gasket end 124. The gasket 120 can be substantially cylindrical in the expanded configuration and can be formed as a continuous, tubular sleeve structure, as shown. The repair stent 105 can define a width W/diameter D, which can be maximized in the expanded configuration of the repair stent 105 and reduced in the collapsed configuration of the repair stent 105. In various example aspects, the gasket 120 can initially be manufactured as a substantially flat or planar piece of material that can be wrapped into the substantially cylindrical shape and sealed at a gasket seam 142 to retain the repair stent 105 in the cylindrical shape. In example aspects, the width W/diameter D of the repair stent 105 can be substantially consistent from the first gasket end 122 to the second gasket end 124. However, in other aspects, the width W/diameter D of the repair stent 105 at an axial center 144 thereof may be reduced in comparison to the width W/diameter D of the repair stent 105 at the first and second gasket ends 122, 124. That is, the width W/diameter D of the repair stent 105 can taper radially inwards from the first and second gasket ends 122,124 towards the axial center 144 of the gasket 120.
The gasket 120 can further define an outer gasket surface 126 and an inner gasket surface 128. The inner gasket surface 128 of the gasket 120 can define a main passage 130 therethrough. Fluid in the pipeline can be configured to flow through the main passage 130 of the gasket 120 in the expanded configuration. The inner gasket surface 128 can be substantially smooth in example aspects, as shown. A stent axis 110 of the repair stent 105 can extend centrally through the main passage 130 from the first gasket end 122 to the second gasket end 124. In example aspects, the length L of the gasket 120 can taper generally from the outer gasket surface 126 to the inner gasket surface 128 at each of the first gasket end 122 and the second gasket end 124 to define a first tapered end portion 132 at the first gasket end 122 and a second tapered end portion 134 at the second gasket end 124. The first tapered end portion 132 and the second tapered end portion 134 can help guide fluid in the pipeline through the main passage 130 and reduce the likelihood of fluid creeping in between the gasket 120 and the inner wall of the pipeline, which can displace the repair stent 105, and in some cases can drag the repair stent 105 downstream. In some example aspects, a plurality of the repair stents 105 can be joined together in series in the axial direction, relative to the stent axis 110, to form a lengthened repair stent 105 for repairing larger cracks or damage in the pipeline.
Example aspects of the gasket 120 can comprise a flexible, resilient, and/or compressible material. In the present aspect, the gasket 120 can comprise a synthetic rubber material, such as, for example, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) rubber. In other aspects, the gasket 120 can be formed from another rubber material such as neoprene, natural rubber, foam, epoxy, silicone, a resin-soaked cloth, a rubber glue, or any other suitably flexible rubber or non-rubber material or combination of materials. In some aspects, the outer gasket surface 126 can be substantially smooth, as shown in the embodiment of
For example, the outer gasket surface 126 can define a plurality of raised ridges 136 extending radially outward relative to the stent axis 110 and a plurality of recessed dimples 140 formed between and disposed radially inward of the raised ridges 136, relative to the stent axis 110. In the present aspect, the raised ridges 136 can be arranged in a crisscross or waffle pattern. For example, the raised ridges 136 can comprise a plurality of generally circumferential ridges 136a and a plurality of generally axial ridges 136b arranged perpendicular to and intersecting the circumferential ridges 136a. In other aspects, the raised ridges 136 can be arranged to define any other suitable pattern. In some aspects, each of the raised ridges 136 can define a substantially square or rectangular cross-section having substantially angular edges. However, in other aspects, such as the present aspect, each of the raised ridges 136 can be curved or chamfered at a radially outer end 138 thereof, relative to the stent axis 110. In some aspects, the curved radially outer ends 138 of the raised ridges 136 can provide an improved grip with the inner wall of the pipeline, as compared to ridges 136 defining a substantially square or rectangular profile, as the curved radially outer ends 138 may more easily conform to variations on the inner wall of the pipeline.
The recessed dimples 140 can be defined between adjacent pairs of the circumferential ridges 136a and the axial ridges 136b. Each of the recessed dimples 140 can be substantially square shaped in the present aspect, though in other aspects, the recessed dimples 140 can define any other suitable shape, including but not limited to rectangular, circular, triangular, or the like. The recessed dimples 140 can be arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. The columns of the recessed dimples 140 and the circumferential ridges 136a can extend circumferentially about the gasket 120, relative to the stent axis 110. The rows of the recessed dimples 140 and the axial ridges 136b can extend axially along the gasket 120, relative to the stent axis 110. According to example aspects, biasing the raised ridges 136 against the inner wall of the pipeline in the expanded configuration can create a suction force within the recessed dimples 140, which can aid in retaining the repair stent 105 against the inner wall. In other aspects, the outer gasket surface 126 may not comprise the raised ridges 136 as described, but can be otherwise textured, uneven, bumpy, rough, or non-smooth. For example, in other aspects, the outer gasket surface 126 of the gasket 120 can comprise an abrasive material, or can comprise projections, spikes, or grippers, or the like extending therefrom for improving the grip of the gasket 120 on the inner wall of the pipeline. In other aspects, the outer gasket surface 126 can be substantially smooth.
The outer gasket surface 126 of the gasket 120 can further define one or more
circumferential grooves 305 (shown in
In some aspects, such as aspects wherein the first and annular reinforcement rings 410 comprise a spring rubber or hard rubber reinforcement material, the annular reinforcement rings 410 can be slipped over the first and/or second gasket ends 122,124 and into the corresponding first or second circumferential grooves 305 respectively. In aspects wherein the annular reinforcement rings 410 comprise an epoxy reinforcement material, the first and second reinforcement rings 410a,b can be formed by applying an uncured epoxy material within the first and second circumferential grooves 305a,b. The epoxy reinforcement material can be substantially flexible when initially applied within the first and second circumferential grooves 305a,b, which can allow the repair stent 105 to fold, bend, compress, and/or collapse to the collapsed configuration. The epoxy reinforcement material can be cured once the repair stent 105 is positioned at the desired location in the pipeline in the expanded configuration. As the epoxy reinforcement material cures, the first and second reinforcement rings 410a,b can become more rigid and can provide even, circumferential support to the repair stent 105 at the first gasket end 122 and the second gasket end 124. The epoxy reinforcement material can be configured to cure on its own over time or can be cured with UV (ultraviolet) radiation or any other suitable type of radiation or curing technique.
Further, in some aspects, the structural chassis 150 can comprise an annular first groove cover 154 and an annular second groove cover 156. Such annular reinforcement rings 410 and groove covers 154,156 are described in U.S. application Ser. No. 18/072,654, filed Nov. 30,2022, which is hereby specifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The first groove cover 154 can extend circumferentially about the gasket 120, relative to the stent axis 110, and can cover and protect the first circumferential groove 305a and the first reinforcement ring 410a at the first gasket end 122. The second groove cover 156 can extend circumferentially about the gasket 120, relative to the stent axis 110, and can cover and protect the second circumferential groove 305b and the second reinforcement ring 410b at the second gasket end 124. In other aspects, the first and second reinforcement rings 410a,b and/or the first and second groove covers 154,156 can extend only partially about the circumference of the gasket 120. In some aspects, the structural chassis 150 can further comprise one or more axial reinforcement rods for further reinforcing the repair stent 105, as also disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 18/072,654.
In some aspects, an outer cover surface 158 of each of the first and second groove covers 154,156 can be substantially smooth, as shown in the embodiment of
In some aspects, the raised ridges 136 and/or the recessed dimples 140 of the first and second groove covers 154,156 can be similar to the same in size and/or shape to the raised ridges 136 and the recessed dimples 140 of the gasket 120. In other aspects, the raised ridges 136 of the first and second groove covers 154,156 can be arranged to define any other suitable pattern. Additionally, in other aspects, the raised ridges 136 and/or the recessed dimples 140 of the first and second groove covers 154,156 can define any other suitable size and/or shape. Furthermore, in some example aspects, the outer cover surface 158 of each of the first and second groove covers 154,156 can be substantially flush with the outer gasket surface 126 of the gasket 120, while in other aspects, the outer cover surface 158 may not be substantially flush with the outer gasket surface 126. For example, in the present aspect, the outer cover surface 158 of each of the first and second groove covers 154,156 can extend slightly radially outward beyond the outer gasket surface 126, as best seen in
The first and second groove covers 154,156 can comprise a resilient, flexible metal material, such as rubber, for example and without limitation. In some aspects, the rubber material of the first and second groove covers 154,156 can be EPDM rubber. In other aspects, the rubber material can be, for example and without limitation, NBR (nitrile butadiene rubber) or polyurethane. In other aspects, the first and second groove covers 154,156 can comprise any other suitable resilient, flexible rubber or non-rubber material or combination of materials. Optionally, the material of the first and second groove covers 154,156 can be an NSF certified material that can comply with various public health safety standards. For example, in some aspects, the material can be approved as safe for use in drinking-water applications. Other aspects of the repair stent 105 may not comprise the first and second groove covers 154,156, and the first and second reinforcement rings 410a,b can be exposed.
Example aspects of the repair stent 105 can further comprise one or more of the friction elements 160 applied to the outer stent surface 106 of the repair stent 105. The friction elements 160 can be configured to engage the inner wall of the pipeline in the expanded configuration to further improve the grip of the repair stent 105 on the inner wall of the pipeline. In the present aspect, the friction elements 160 can comprise a first friction element 160a disposed generally at or near the first gasket end 122 and a second friction element 160b disposed generally at or near the second gasket end 124. Example aspects of the friction elements 160 can be formed as pipe engagement strips 162. The first friction element 160a can be a first pipe engagement strip 162a, and the second friction element 160b can be a second pipe engagement strip 162b. In other aspects, the friction elements 160 can have an alternative design, such as the friction elements 160 illustrated in
In other aspects, the pipe engagement strips 162 can be applied at any other suitable location on the outer stent surface 106 of the repair stent 105, such as to the outer gasket surface 126 of the gasket 120. For example, in aspects of the repair stent 105 not comprising the groove covers 154,156, the first and second pipe engagement strips 162a,b can be applied to the outer gasket surface 126 adjacent to the first and second gasket ends 122,124, respectively. In other aspects, the pipe engagement strips 162 can extend axially along the repair stent 105. Moreover, other aspects of the repair stent 105 can comprise more or fewer of the pipe engagement strips 162.
Each of the first and second pipe engagement strips 162a,b can be formed from, for example and without limitation, an epoxy material. In other aspects, the first and second pipe engagement strips 162a,b can comprise glue, putty, or any other suitable material. Similar to the first and second reinforcement rings 410a,b, the first and second pipe engagement strips 162a,b can be formed by applying an uncured epoxy material to the outer cover surface 158 of the first and second groove covers 154,156, respectively. The epoxy material can be substantially flexible when initially applied to the outer cover surface 158, which can allow the repair stent 105 to fold, bend, compress, and/or collapse to the collapsed configuration. Additionally, the flexible nature of the uncured epoxy material can allow the epoxy material to exude into the recessed dimples 140 of the first and second groove covers 154,156 in some aspects. Like the first and second reinforcement rings 410a,b, the epoxy material of the first and second pipe engagement strips 162a,b can be cured once the repair stent 105 is positioned at the desired location in the pipeline in the expanded configuration. As the epoxy material cures, the first and second pipe engagement strips 162a,b can become more rigid. The epoxy material can be configured to cure on its own over time or can be cured with UV (ultraviolet) radiation or any other suitable type of radiation or curing technique.
The repair stent 105 can be configurable in the expanded configuration and the collapsed configuration. In the collapsed configuration, the repair stent 105 can be folded, bent, compressed, collapsed, and/or otherwise reconfigured to reduce the width W and/or diameter D of the repair stent 105 as compared to the expanded configuration. The flexibility of the gasket 120, the first and second groove covers 154,156, and the uncured epoxy material of the reinforcement rings 410 and the pipe engagement strips 162 can facilitate arranging the repair stent 105 in the collapsed configuration. The reduced width W and/or diameter D of the repair stent 105 in the collapsed configuration can allow the repair stent 105 to be easily inserted into and transported through the pipeline to the location of damage.
A force (e.g., a pushing or pulling force) can be applied to the repair stent 105 to fold or otherwise configure the repair stent 105 in the collapsed configuration. In some aspects, the first gasket side 146 of the gasket 120 can be pushed radially inward, relative to the stent axis 110, towards an opposite second gasket side 148 of the gasket 120 to fold the repair stent 105 into a C-shape, as shown in
When the force biasing the repair stent 105 to the collapsed configuration is removed, the resiliency of the gasket 120 and the resiliency of the first and second groove covers 154,156 can bias the repair stent 105 back to the expanded configuration. The first and second reinforcement rings 410a,b can reinforce the first and second gasket ends 122,124, respectively, to hold the outer gasket surface 126 and the outer cover surface 158 against the inner wall of the pipeline. Additionally, the first and second pipe engagement strips 162a,b can be pressed between the groove covers 154,156 and the inner wall of the pipeline to further increase the friction between the repair stent 105 and the inner wall, particularly at the first and second gasket ends 122,124. The repair stent 105 can thereby be held in place within the pipeline and can be less susceptible to slipping or dislodging from the desired location. In aspects wherein the first and second reinforcement rings 410a,b and/or the first and second pipe engagement strips 162a,b comprise a glue or epoxy material, the first and second reinforcement rings 410a,b and/or the first and second pipe engagement strips 162a,b can cure and stiffen once in the expanded configuration.
According to example aspects, the gasket 120 can define a first sealing lip 320 extending radially outward at the first gasket end 122 and a second sealing lip 322 extending radially outward at the second gasket end 124, relative to the gasket axis 110. The first circumferential groove 305a can be defined axially between the first sealing lip 320 and the textured portion 308 of the gasket 120, relative to the stent axis 110. The second circumferential groove 305b can be defined axially between the second sealing lip 322 and the textured portion 308 of the gasket 120, relative to the stent axis 110. In example aspects, the width W/diameter D of the repair stent 105 (shown in
Each of the first circumferential groove 305a and the second circumferential groove 305b can define a central reinforcement notch 310 extending circumferentially about the gasket 120. The central reinforcement notch 310 of the first circumferential groove 305a can be configured to receive the first reinforcement ring 410a (shown in
Each of the first circumferential groove 305a and second circumferential groove 305b can further define an outer snap notch 312 and inner snap notch 314 extending circumferentially about the gasket 120. Each of the central reinforcement notches outer and inner snap notches 312,314 can extend radially into the gasket 120, relative to the stent axis 110, at a depth D2. The depth D2 of the outer and inner snap notches 312,314 can be less than the depth D1 of the central reinforcement notch 310 in some aspects. In other aspects, the depth D2 can be about equal to or greater than the depth D1. In some aspects, the outer snap notch 312 and the inner snap notch 314 can be formed as dovetail notches, the cross-sectional shape of which can generally define an isosceles trapezoid, as further described in U.S. application Ser. No. 18/072,654. In other aspects, the outer and inner snap notches 312,314 may not be formed as dovetail notches.
Each central reinforcement notch 310 can be disposed axially between the corresponding outer snap notch 312 and inner snap notch 314, relative to the stent axis 110. The outer snap notch 312 can be configured to receive an outer snap tab 518 (shown in
According to example aspects, the friction elements 160 (e.g., the first and second pipe engagement strips 162a,b) can be applied or coupled to the outer stent surface 106 of the repair stent 105. Specifically, in the present aspect, the first and second pipe engagement strips 162a,b can be applied to the outer cover surface 158 of the first and second groove covers 154,156 proximate to the first and second gasket ends 122,124, respectively. Both of the first and second pipe engagement strips 162a,b can be positioned on the first gasket side 148 of the gasket 120. In the present aspect, the first pipe engagement strip 162a strip can be axially aligned with the second pipe engagement strip 162b, relative to the stent axis 110. In other aspects, the friction elements 160 can be arranged at any other suitable location on the outer stent surface 106.
Referring now to
The first groove cover 154 can overlay the first reinforcement ring 410a. The outer snap tab 518 of the first groove cover 154 can engage the outer snap notch 312 of the first circumferential groove 305a, and the inner snap tab 520 of the first groove cover 154 can engage the inner snap notch 314 of the first circumferential groove 305a, which can retain the first groove cover 154 on the gasket 120. In some aspects, the outer and inner snap notches 312,314 and the outer and inner snap tabs 518,520 can define the isosceles trapezoid cross-sectional shape to allow for dovetail connection therebetween. In other aspects, the outer and inner snap notches 312,314 and the outer and inner snap tabs 518,520 may not define the dovetail shape, and can define simple rectangular or square shapes, or any other suitable shapes. In some aspects, the outer and inner snap tabs 518,520 can be retained in the outer and inner snap notches 312,314, respectively, via friction, and/or the first groove cover 154 can be glued or otherwise coupled to the gasket 120 by any suitable fastener or fastening technique.
Furthermore, as shown, the first pipe engagement strip 162a can be applied to the outer stent surface 106 of the repair stent 105, and more specifically, can be applied to the outer cover surface 158 of the first groove cover 154 in the present aspect. A thickness T of the first pipe engagement strip 162a strip can be such that the first pipe engagement strip 162a strip can extend radially outward beyond the outer stent surface 106 of the repair stent 105. Thus, the width W and/or diameter D (shown in
Also illustrated in
A force (e.g., a pushing or pulling force) can be applied to the repair stent 105 to fold or otherwise configure the repair stent 105 in the collapsed configuration. In the present aspect, the first gasket side 146 can be pushed radially inward, relative to the stent axis 110 (shown in
In the present aspect, the outer gasket surface 126 or portions thereof can be textured. The textured outer gasket surface 126 can improve the grip of the outer gasket surface 126 on the inner wall of the pipeline. For example, as previously described, the outer gasket surface 126 can define a plurality of the raised ridges 136 extending radially outward relative to the stent axis 110 and a plurality of the recessed dimples 140 formed between and disposed radially inward of the raised ridges 136, relative to the stent axis 110. In some aspects, the raised ridges 136 can be arranged in a crisscross or waffle pattern, as shown, or can be arranged to define any other suitable pattern. Each of the raised ridges 136 can be curved or chamfered at the radially outer end 138 thereof. In other aspects, the outer gasket surface 126 may not comprise the raised ridges 136 as described, but can be otherwise textured, uneven, bumpy, rough, or non-smooth. In other aspects, the outer gasket surface 126 can be substantially smooth.
The outer gasket surface 126 of the gasket 120 can further define the first circumferential groove 305a (shown in
Example aspects of the repair stent 105 can further comprise one or more of the friction elements 160 extending from the outer stent surface 106 of the repair stent 105. The friction elements 160 can be configured to engage the inner wall of the pipeline in the expanded configuration to further improve the grip of the repair stent 105 on the inner wall of the pipeline. In the present aspect, the friction elements 160 can comprise a plurality of grippers 1110. Each of the grippers 1110 can comprise one or more teeth 1116 extending radially outward from the repair stent 105 and configured to dig into the inner wall of the pipeline in the expanded configuration. According to example aspects, a first set 1112 of the plurality of grippers 1110 can be spaced circumferentially about the repair stent 105 proximate to the first gasket end 122, and a second set 1114 of the plurality of grippers 1110 can be spaced circumferentially about the repair stent 105 proximate to the second gasket end 124. The first set 1112 of the grippers 1110 can be coupled to the outer cover surface 158 of the first groove cover 154, and the second set 1114 of the grippers 1110 can be coupled to the over cover surface 158 of the second groove cover 156. In other aspects, the grippers 1110 can be arranged at any suitable location on the outer stent surface 106, including on the outer gasket surface 126 of the gasket 120. Other aspects of the repair stent 105 can comprise more or fewer grippers 1110.
In example aspects, a plurality of mounting studs 1120 can extend radially outward from the outer cover surface 158 of each of the first and second groove covers 154, 156. Each of the mounting studs 1120 can be substantially circular in shape in the present aspect. Each of the grippers 1110 can define a substantially circular stud opening 1510 (shown in
The outer cover surface 158 can be substantially smooth in the present aspect, and a plurality of the mounting studs 1120 can extend radially outward from the substantially smooth outer cover surface 158. In the present aspect, the plurality of mounting studs 1120 can be arranged in a first annular row 1310 proximate to the first cover end 512 and a second annular row 1312 proximate to the second cover end 514.
One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular embodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any process descriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included in which functions may not be included or executed at all, may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and all combinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspects discussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.
