US Patent 9074720 Apparatus and method for repairing pipes

An apparatus and method that accelerates curing of resin in a liner for a buried pipe includes an air inversion unit connected to an air compressor. The apparatus includes an inversion head with an interior inflatable plug. The plug, when inflated, creates a substantially airtight seal thereby maintaining pressure within the liner tube. The inversion head can then be removed from the liner inversion apparatus and a curing cap can be installed. To improve the wetting process, a vacuum head is installed at the inversion head and connected to a vacuum source. One end of the liner tube is attached to the inversion head and curable resin is poured into the opposite end. Vacuum pressure is applied to assist in the movement of the resin through the liner tube, ensuring uniform saturation. The resin is mechanically manipulated through the liner tube as the vacuum pressure is applied.