GB2481600A

GB2481600A - A method of providing access to a live water main

Info

Publication number: GB2481600A
Application number: GB201010914A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kevin James Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-06-28
Filing date: 2010-06-28
Publication date: 2012-01-04
Anticipated expiration: 2030-06-28
Also published as: GB2481600B; GB201010914D0

Abstract

A method of providing access to a live water main 2 comprises connecting in a sealed manner, a sealable arrangement 8 to an access port 6 of the live water main 2, the arrangement retaining a flexible elongate element 10 suitable for deployment into the live water main 2. The flexible elongate element 10 may be a cable, umbilical, camera or detection member, but most preferably its a hose which is used to clean the interior of the pipe 2. The first end 12 of the hose 2 may include a nozzle (fig 7) which is biased towards the bottom of the pipe 2 and which includes a suction inlet (36, fig 7) to remove sediment from the bottom surface of the pipe 2 and a float arrangement (38, fig 7). The second end of the hose 10 can preferably be opened to the external environment to cause a pressure differential which causes the sediment to be sucked in through the suction inlet (36, fig 7). A bleed air port 16 is preferably provided in the sealable arrangement 8 which can be opened to encourage water flow into the sealable arrangement 8. The flexible elongate element 10 is preferably on a reel.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACCESS TO A LIVE WATER MAIN

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for access (or gaining or providing access) to a live water main, and in particular, although not restricted to, access to a wide-bore main known as a trunk main. More particularly, the invention may be concerned with a method and apparatus for cleaning such a live water main in-situ, and for example without the need to empty or excavate the water main to achieve the cleaning operation.

Water mains are subject to interior build-up of deposits (e.g. in the form of sediment at the bottom of the main), and cleaning is required at regular intervals to remove such deposits.

An existing method for cleaning a water main of such deposits might involve disconnecting the main (or the part to be cleaned) from a water distribution network so that access to the main can be achieved and cleaning undertaken.

Alternatively or additionally, sections of the main to be cleaned may be excavated and cleaned above ground. In either example, cleaning may be undertaken using high pressure fluid or by passing a structure, such as a swab or bladder or the like, through the main. In summary, and in either example, cleaning is undertaken on a dead main (i.e. not a live main which is carrying water for distribution).

Cleaning a dead main is advantageous in some respects. For example, any contamination or the like that is dislodged during the cleaning process will not be carried along the main in water that may ultimately be distributed to homes or the like. However, the requirement for the main to be dead when cleaning is undertaken results in an interruption of water distribution that would otherwise have been provided using that main. Depending on the method of cleaning, 30 excavation of the main may be required which adds disruption not only to the end users depending on the water supply, but also on the environment in the vicinity of the excavation.

Other problems are associated with gaining access to live water mains. For instance, it may be necessary to inspect the inside of a live water main, for instance using a camera or other detection apparatus. Such access is made difficult due to the high pressure environment within the live water main. An access port may be provided to the live water main, and access through that live port may be via a gland or a gland seal. A gland or gland seal usually provides a very tight seal. In order to overcome the gland or gland seal, any structure that needs to be passed through the gland or gland seal needs to be quite rigid in order to maintain its structure when passing through or being surrounded by the gland or gland seal. This may impose undesirable structural limitations on cables or umbilicals or the like that need to be passed through the gland which are in connection with or form part of a camera or sensor or the like. Alternatively or additionally, such a gland or gland seal may prevent the passage of a camera or sensor to which the cable or umbilical is attached.

Thus, in general, it is desirable to provide a new or alternative method and/or apparatus of or for providing access to a live water main. The method and/or apparatus should not require the prevention or limiting of the flow of water through the main in order for the method and/or apparatus to be put into effect.

Furthermore, no excavation of the water main should be required.

According to a first embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of providing access to a live water main, the method comprising: connecting, in a sealed manner, a sealable arrangement to an access port of the live water main, the arrangement retaining a flexible elongate element suitable for deployment into the live water main.

The method may further comprise deploying the flexible elongate element from * 30 the arrangement through the access port of the live water main and into the live water main, preferably in the direction of flow of water in that live water main.

*.**I* * The flexible elongate element may be a hose, a first end of the hose being locatable within the live water main, and a second end of the hose being connected to or forming a part of an access port of the sealable arrangement, and wherein the method may comprise cleaning the live water main with the hose.

Cleaning may comprise: opening the second end of the hose to a pressure that is less than the pressure within the live water main, such as for example atmospheric pressure, to establish a pressure difference between the first end of the hose and the second end of the hose, facilitating extraction of material from within the live water main via the first end of the hose and through the hose.

The second end of the hose may be opened upon insertion of the first end of the hose into the live water main.

Opening of the second end of the hose may comprise opening the access port of the sealable arrangement.

The first end of the hose may be biased toward a/the bottom of the live water main, where for example sediment may accumulate.

Biasing may be achieved by ensuring that the first end of the hose is denser than water prior to deployment of the first end of the hose into water in the live water main. *.IS * S

Biasing of the first end of the hose, and/or preferential material extraction from a lower section of the first end of the hose, may be achieved by an appropriately configured first end of the hose that: is configured to draw the first end of the 30 hose toward a/the bottom of the live water main; and/or is configured to preferentially extract material through a lower section of the first end of the *SS S * hose.

S..... S C'

The method may additionally comprise bleeding air from within the sealable arrangement via a bleed port, preferably after said connection with the access port of the live water main, and/or prior to deployment of the flexible elongate element into the live water main.

After deploying the flexible elongate element from the arrangement and into the live water main via the access port of the live water main, the method may further comprise retracting the flexible elongate element from within the live water main, back through the access port of the live water main.

The method may further comprise disconnecting the sealable arrangement from the access port of the live water main.

Deploying or retracting the flexible elongate element may comprise unwinding or winding of the flexible elongate element from or within the sealable arrangement.

The method may additionally comprise providing the access port of the live water main, prior to connecting the sealable arrangement to the access port of the live water main.

According to a second embodiment of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for providing access to a live water main, the apparatus comprising: a sealable arrangement comprising a connection port for connecting, in a sealed manner, the arrangement to an access port of the live water main, the arrangement retaining a flexible elongate element. * *

The flexible elongate element may be a hose (e.g. for use in cleaning an inside *. 30 of the live water main), a first end of the hose being locatable within the live * water main, and a second end of the hose being connected to or forming a part :.: of an access port of the sealable arrangement.

*s.*.. * *

The first end of the hose may comprise or be in connection with: a chamber with an upper aperture and a lower aperture, e.g. through which material (e.g. water and/or sediment) may pass into the hose; and a float; the chamber and float together being arranged such that when located in water of the live water main, the float floats away from the bottom of the live water main to result in the lower aperture being more open than the upper aperture, such that material may be preferentially extracted from the live water main through the lower aperture of the first end of the hose. Alternatively or additionally, the first end of the hose may comprise or be in connection with: a moveable chamber provided with an aperture, e.g. through which material (e.g. water and/or sediment) may pass into the hose; a float in connection with the chamber or a structure attached to the chamber (which includes the float forming a part of the chamber), the float preferably being connected to the chamber at a location that is substantially opposite to a location of the aperture; the chamber and float together being arranged such that when located in water of the live water main, the float floats away from the bottom of the live water main to result in movement of the chamber and aperture, such that the aperture is oriented toward a/the bottom of the live water main, such that, in use, material may be preferentially extracted from the live water main through a lower region of the chamber.

The float may be located within the chamber; and/or the float may be connected to a structure in the chamber; and/or the structure and/or float may be deformable.

The first end of the hose may comprise, or be in connection with, an opposable *0I surface that opposes a flow of water within the live water main, to, in use, propel the first end of the hose, and thus the hose as a whole, through the live water * S....

* main. The opposable surface may comprise one or more of: a lip; and/or a parachute like structure; and/or an umbrella like structure. The opposable surface may comprise, or be in connection with, a float, such that when located in water of the live water main, the float floats away from the bottom of the live *I.*.*

S S

water main and biases or moves the opposable surface away from the bottom of the live water main.

The sealable arrangement may further comprise a bleed port for bleeding air from within the sealable arrangement.

The hose may be at least partially formed from a material that is able to float within water, and/or from a material which has a density that is in the range of 80% to 120% of the density of water.

The first end of the hose may be provided with a wheeled arrangement. The wheeled arrangement might, for example, unfold from a retracted position upon insertion of the first end of the hose into the live water main.

The sealable arrangement might comprise a driving mechanism for deploying and/or retracting the flexible elongate element.

The connection port of the sealable arrangement (and/or the access port of the live water main) may comprise a gate valve for facilitating the connection between the sealable arrangement and the access port of the live water main, and for allowing the flexible elongate element to pass through the connection.

The connection port of the sealable arrangement may comprise or be in connection with a window, so that material passing from the live water main and into the sealable arrangement might be visible. S...

The sealable arrangement might comprise a reel or a spool or a spindle, around * S....

* which the flexible elongate element may be wound (and from which the flexible elongate element may be unwound). *..

S

* The flexible elongate element may be at least a part of one or more of a hose, :.: an umbilical, a cable, a camera, or a detection arrangement.

S..... *

The live water main may be a trunk main.

The access port of the live water main, and/or the connection port of the sealable arrangement, may be angled in the direction of flow of water within the live water main.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 schematically depicts apparatus for accessing a live water main, in-situ, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 schematically depicts apparatus for accessing a live water main, in-situ, in accordance with a different embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 schematically depicts apparatus for accessing a live water main in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 schematically depicts a modification to the apparatus shown in Figure 3; Figures 5 and 6 schematically depict use of the apparatus shown in previous Figures in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 7-11 schematically depict a configuration provided at an end of a hose, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

*S**SS * S The accompanying Figures have bee provided by way of example only, and are *. 30 not necessarily drawn to any particular scale. Like features appearing in * different Figures have been given the same reference numerals for consistency :.: and clarity. * *

Figure 1 schematically depicts a section-view of a live water main 2 and apparatus for providing access to the live water main 2. Water flows through the live water main 2 in the direction of the arrow 4. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, there is no need to restrict or limit the flow of water 4 through the live water main 2 in order to implement the invention.

The live water main 2 is provided with an access port 6. The access port 6 may be provided prior to implementation of the present invention, or as part of the implementation of the present invention. The apparatus providing access to the live water main 2 may be connected to the access port 6 via a connection port of the apparatus.

The apparatus for providing access to the live water main 2 comprises of a sealable arrangement 8 (e.g. in the form of a chamber, container, drum, or the like). The sealable arrangement 8 comprises the previously mentioned connection port for connecting, in a sealed manner, the sealable arrangement 8 to the access port 6 of the live water main 2. The sealable arrangement 8 retains a flexible elongate element 10, which may be selectively deployed from or retracted into the sealable arrangement 8. The flexible elongate element 10 may be or form part of apparatus to be deployed within the live water main, for example for use in cleaning the water main, inspecting the water main, or the like. For instance, the elongate element may be, or form a part of, one or more of a hose, an umbilical, a cable, a camera, or a detection apparatus or arrangement. In a preferred embodiment, the elongate element is a hose for use in cleaning an inside of the live water main. In this Figure, and later Figures, the elongate element is shown as being a hose, although it will now be * appreciated that an elongate element may take one of a number of different forms, as appropriate to the general need to access the live water main. * *.

* A first end 12 of the hose 10 is selectively locatable within the live water main 2 * by appropriate deployment of the first end of the hose 12, for example by I..... * *

unwinding of the hose 10 from a reel, spindle, spool or the like in the sealable arrangement 8. A second end of the hose is connected to or forms part of an access port 14 of the sealable arrangement 8 (which may, for example, comprise a tap or the like). The sealable arrangement 8 may also be provided with a bleed port 16 for bleeding any air located within the sealable arrangement 8.

The live water main 2 may be a trunk main. Trunk mains, also known as wide-bore mains, may have an internal diameter typically from 20 cm to 1 metre or even larger. Mains, trunk or otherwise, may be provided with smooth, polymeric interior surfaces, or the interior surfaces may be formed from metal or plastic forming the main itself (or whichever other material) forms the main itself.

Access to live mains, and in particular live trunk mains, is particularly problematic, for example due to the flow rates and pressures within such live mains (even more so for trunk mains), in addition to the consequences of disrupting or contaminating the flow through such a main. Thus the present invention is particularly applicable to accessing such live mains, and particularly live trunk mains, as will be apparent from the further description below.

Figure 2 schematically depicts substantially the same apparatus as shown in and described with reference to Figure 1. One exception is that the sealable arrangement 8 is now provided with a driving mechanism 18 for deploying and/or retracting the hose 10. In this embodiment, the driving arrangement 18 may comprise gears or the like which grip the hose 10 and move the hose 10 for appropriate deployment or retraction. In another embodiment, not shown, the driving arrangement may drive the rotation of a reel, spindle or spool on *S....

* which the hose is mounted, or around which the hose 10 is wound. In yet another embodiment, the driving arrangement may be a manual driving *. 30 arrangement, for example a crank handle or the like attached to a reel, spool or spindle on which the hose is mounted. * I

In Figures 1 and 2, it can be seen that the access port 6 of the live water main 2 is angled in the direction of flow of water 4 within the live water main 2. This facilitates easier deployment and retraction of the hose 10 into and out of the live water main 2.

Figure 3 shows schematically the same apparatus as shown in Figure 2, but now in perspective view. Figure 3 will be used to describe how the apparatus for providing access to the live water main 2 may be connected to the live water main 2.

Referring to Figure 3, an access port 6 to the live water main 2 may be provided, for example, in a known manner. The access port 6 may form part of a bracket or sleeve 20 which surrounds the live water main 2. A drill or the like may be passed through the access port 6 and used to drill a hole in a wall of the live water main 2 such that the access port 6 now provides access to the interior of the live water main 2. The bracket or sleeve 20 is shown in dotted outline in the Figures, since the provision of this bracket or sleeve 20 is optional, since an access port 6 may already be provided on or to the live water main 2.

The access port 6, and/or a connection port 22 of the sealable arrangement 8 may be provided with a gate valve. The gate valve may prevent water from leaving the live water main 2 when the access port 6 is not connected to the sealable arrangement 8 and/or when the gate valve is closed. At the same time, the gate valve, as opposed to a gland or the like, provides a gate (as opposed to a constriction) through which a hose or the like may readily pass.

The connection port 22 may be connected to the access port 6 in any known S.....

manner, for example by sealably connecting opposing flanges 24 and securing them using one or more fixing elements, such as bolts, screws, adhesive or the * I. *.. . e. * * .* * . I I.. S

I

*S.S.I * I Once the connection port 22 is connected to the access port 6, water from the live water main 2 may flow under pressure (e.g. the mains pressure, for instance 5-25 kN/m2) into the sealable arrangement 8. The one or more gate valves referred to above may open automatically under this pressure, or may be opened manually. Water will begin to fill the sealable arrangement 8. Filling may be facilitated, or more readily facilitated, by the bleeding air located within the sealable arrangement via the bleed port 16 (which may, for example, comprise a tap or the like). Once water has substantially filled the sealable arrangement 8, the hose 10 located within the sealable element 8 will be in water which is at the same pressure as water within the live water main 2. Due to this pressure equalisation, there is no differential pressure or excessive force applied to the hose, and thus the hose may readily pass through the connection port 22 and access port 6 and into the live water main 2 by appropriate rotation or the like of a reel on which the hose may be mounted.

Other than the bleed port 16 and connection port 22, there are no other ports into or out of the environment within the sealable arrangement 8. While there is an access port 14 which provides access to a second end of the hose, this does not provide access to the environment within the sealable arrangement, but instead only provides access to the environment within the hose. Thus, when fitted, the environment within the sealable arrangement 8 comprises the same water as located in the live water main 2, and at the same pressure.

Figure 4 shows substantially the same apparatus as described above in relation to Figure 3, but now shows that a window 26 is additionally provided in-between the access port 6 to the live water main 2 and the connection port 22 of the sealable arrangement 8. The presence of a window 26 may allow a user to *.SS..

* determine the position of the hose 10 (e.g. an end of the hose 12), for example, and may allow a user to determine whether the hose has been suitably *. 30 deployed or retracted and/or may, if the hose 10 is substantially transparent, : allow the user to determine the contents of material flowing through the hose *** * 10 ****** S * Figure 5 shows substantially the same live water main 2 and sealable arrangement 8 as shown in Figure 1. However, and in contrast with Figure 1, the live water main 2 is now shown containing sediment 28 at the bottom of the live water main 2. Such sediment 28 may be deposited during normal use of the live water main 2.

In use, once the sealable arrangement 8 has been connected to the access port 6 of the live water main 2, the hose 10 may be deployed through the access port 6 and into the live water main 2, in the direction of flow of water 4. The presence of the hose 10 in the live water main 2 may disturb sediment 28 or the like which may flow along with the water 4 and onto homes or offices or the like.

This is undesirable. For this reason, the access port 14 of the sealable arrangement 8 may be opened immediately upon insertion of the hose 10 into the live water main 2. Opening the access port 14 effectively opens the second end of the hose 10 to a pressure that is less than the pressure within the live water main 2. The reduced pressure may be, for example, atmospheric pressure. A pressure difference is established between the first end of the hose 12 located within the live water main 2 and the second end of the hose. This pressure difference facilitates extraction of material (e.g. water and/or sediment or the like) from within the live water main 2 through the hose 10 and out via the access port 14. Such extraction may be used to remove sediment or other deposits or the like from the live water main 2, and may thus be used to clean the live water main 2.

In another embodiment, opening the second end of the hose to provide the pressure differential (and thus suction) may be undertaken at another time, for S.....

* example when the first end of the hose 12 is at an appropriate location within the live water main 2.

* The hose 10 may be at least partially formed from material that is able to float :.: within water, and/or from a material which has a density within the range of 80% *.. * S

to 120% of the density of water. This means that the hose 10 will have a tendency to float, or at least the density of the hose 10 will result in a reduction of a dragging effect of the hose 10 on the bottom of the live water main 2. This may prevent sediment 28 or the like from being disturbed and/or stirred up, and/or prevent damage to, for example, lining or the like of the live water main 2.

Although it might be desirable for at least a part of the hose 10 to be substantially buoyant, it may not be desirable for the first end of the hose 12 to be located within an upper part of the live water main 2. This is because such location of the first end of the hose 12 will make it difficult or impossible to extract sediment 28 from the bottom of the live water main 2. Thus, it is preferable to ensure that the first end of the hose 12 is at least partially biased toward the bottom of the live water main 2, where the sediment 28 is located and/or where sediment 28 may accumulate.

When the first end of the hose 12 is not biased, this first end of the hose 12 may take up any one of a number of positions within the live water main 2, possibly dictated by the flow of water 4 within the live water main 2. For example, Figure 5 shows the first end of the hose 12 located in an upper region of the live water main 2. If, however, the first end of the hose 12 is biased towards the bottom of the live water main 2, the first end of the hose 12 will, or will preferably, take up a position at or adjacent to the bottom of the live water main 2, where the sediment 28 is located.

Biasing of the first end of the hose 12 may be achieved by ensuring that the first end of the hose is denser than water prior to the deployment of the first end of S.....

* the hose 12. This may be achieved, for example, by forming the first end of the hose from a material that is denser than water, or attaching a weight to the first end of the hose 12, or the like. Alternatively or additionally, biasing of the first * end of the hose 12, and/or preferential material extraction from a lower section :.: *: of the first end of the hose 12, may be achieved by an appropriately configured I..... * *

first end of the hose 12. In one example, the first end of the hose 12 may be configured to draw the first end of the hose 12 towards the bottom of the live water main 2, for example by direction extraction of material through the hose first end of the hose 12. Alternatively or additionally, the first end of the hose may be configured to preferentially extract material from a lower section of the first end of the hose. Figures 7-11 describe an exemplary configuration.

Figure 7 schematically depicts a side-on view of an exemplary first end of the hose 12. The end of the hose 12 is provided with a collar 30. Attached to the collar is a chamber defined by struts 32. The struts 32 define apertures for the chamber, and specifically define upper apertures 34 and lower apertures 36.

Located within the chamber is a float 38. The float 38 is configured to float in water. In this embodiment, the float is made from a flexible, open-ended rubber cone. In other embodiments, the float may take different forms, for example a ball or the like, and/or may be located outside of the chamber.

Figure 8 shows a partial cross-section view of the first end of the hose 12 shown in Figure 7. Referring to Figure 8, the float 38 is shown as being provided with an air pocket 40 for providing, or promoting, buoyancy of the float 38. In other embodiments, a dedicated air pocket 40 may not be required. The float 38 is pivotally mounted 42 to an end of the chamber.

Figure 9 shows the first end of the hose 12 when immersed in water, The float 38 rises, relative to pivotable mounting 42, to the top of the chamber. As a result, the float 38 at least partially blocks upper apertures 34, while leaving lower apertures 36 open, or at least more open than the upper apertures 34.

This may be more clearly seen in Figures 10 and 11, which show end-on views * of the first end of the hose 12 as shown in and described with reference to Figure 8, and as shown in and described with reference to Figure 9, *. 30 respectively. * ** * * * a.. * *.*

S S

Once the upper apertures 34 are blocked, or at least blocked to a greater extent than the lower apertures, material (e.g. water and/or sediment) extraction in a preferential direction is obtained. In Figures 9 and 11, the configuration is such that material is preferentially extracted through the hose via the lower apertures 36. One advantage of this is that if the hose is lying on the bottom of the live water main, the material will be preferably extracted from the underside of the hose, where the sediment is usually located, as opposed to the top of the hose, where only water will be located. A second advantage is that the extraction of water and/or sediment from the bottom part of the first end of the hose 12 may propel the first end of the hose in a direction opposite to the direction of extraction -i.e. at least downward, toward the bottom of the live water main.

This may provide the biasing of the first end of the hose discussed above.

In the embodiment shown above, the float is shown as being located within a chamber. In another embodiment, the float may be located outside of the/a chamber, and be connected to a structure in the/a chamber which may be moved with the float to close upper apertures as appropriate. In any embodiment, the float, or the structure to which the float is attached, may be rigid or deformable. Increased rigidity or deformability may be advantageous or advantageous depending on the overall design of the configuration. For example, referring to Figure 11, a flexible nature for the float 38 may be advantageous, since this might result in a better seal being provided with struts 32 forming the apertures 34, or a greater degree of closure of the apertures 34 being provided.

Other configurations for the first end of the hose are, of course, possible. A potentially simpler embodiment of such an alternative configuration is shown in * ***** * Figures 12-16. ** * * * ***

Figure 12 schematically depicts a side-on view of an exemplary first end of the * hose 12. The end of the hose 12 is provided with a collar 50. Attached to (and :.: o potentially forming part of) the collar 50 is a chamber defined by struts 52. The a..... S *

struts 52 define apertures for the chamber, and specifically define upper apertures 54 and lower apertures 56. The struts 52 form a cage-like structure.

Located within the chamber is a float 58. The float 58 is configured to float in water. In this embodiment, the float 58 is a rigid half-cylinder that is, in some way buoyant in water (e.g. contains air, or is formed from a buoyant material).

In other embodiments, the float may take different forms, for example a ball or the like, and/or may be located outside of the chamber.

Figure 13 shows a partial cross-section view of the first end of the hose 12 shown in Figure 12. Referring to Figure 13, the float 58 is shown as being attached to a spindle 60. The float 58 is moveable (rotatable) around the spindle Figure 14 shows the first end of the hose 12 when immersed in water. The float 58, being buoyant, rises, rotating about spindle 60, to the top of the chamber.

As a result, the float 58 at least partially blocks upper apertures 54, while leaving lower apertures 56 open, or at least more open than the upper apertures 34. This may be more clearly seen in Figures 15 and 16, which show end-on section views of the first end of the hose 12 as shown in and described with reference to Figure 13, and as shown in and described with reference to Figure 14, respectively.

Once the upper apertures 54 are blocked, or at least blocked to a greater extent than the lower apertures, material (e.g. water and/or sediment) extraction in a preferential direction is obtained. In Figures 14 and 16, the configuration is such that material is preferentially extracted through the hose via the lower apertures S.....

* 56. One advantage of this is that if the hose is lying on the bottom of the live water main, the material will be preferably extracted from the underside of the 30 hose, where the sediment is usually located, as opposed to the top of the hose, where only water will be located. A second advantage is that the extraction of :.. water and/or sediment from the bottom part of the first end of the hose 12 may *S.s.I

S S

propel the first end of the hose in a direction opposite to the direction of extraction -i.e. at least downward, toward the bottom of the live water main.

This may provide the biasing of the first end of the hose discussed above.

In the embodiment just described above, the float is shown as being located within a chamber. In another embodiment, the float may be located outside of the/a chamber, and be connected to a structure in the/a chamber which may be moved with the float to close upper apertures as appropriate.

In any embodiment, the float, or the structure to which the float is attached, may be rigid or deformable. Increased rigidity or deformability may be advantageous* or advantageous depending on the overall design of the configuration.

In another embodiment (not shown) the first end of the hose may comprise or be in connection with a moveable chamber provided with an aperture, e.g. through which material (e.g. water and/or sediment) may pass into the hose. A float is also provided that is in connection with the chamber or a structure attached to the chamber (which includes the float forming a part of the chamber). The float is preferably connected to the chamber at a location that is substantially opposite to a location of the aperture. The chamber and float are together arranged such that when located in water of the live water main, the float floats away from the bottom of the live water main to result in movement of the chamber and aperture, such that the aperture is oriented toward a/the bottom of the live water main. Thus, in use, material may be preferentially extracted from the live water main through a lower region of the chamber, where sediment is more likely to be located. This embodiment may be similar to that shown in and described with reference to Figures 12 to 16. A difference I.....

would be that the float is connected to the chamber in the form of the cage-like structure, and that the cage-like structure is free to rotate, for example about a spindle or via bearings or the like in the collar. * S. * r I..

I

Although not shown in the Figures, the first end of the hose may be provided with or be in connection with a wheeled arrangement. The wheeled arrangement may comprise wheels which are configured to at least partially separate the first end of the hose from the bottom of the main, for example to prevent the first end of the hose becoming stuck to the main, and/or to prevent or to reduce the risk of the first end of the hose ploughing through and disturbing sediment or the like prior to extraction of such sediment through the hose. The provision of wheels may also facilitate the movement of the first end of the hose, and thus the hose as a whole, through the live water main. The wheeled arrangement might, for example, unfold from a retracted position upon insertion of the first end of the hose into the live water main.

A cage or gantry or the like may be used instead of or as well as the wheeled arrangement, for example to at least partially separate the first end of the hose from the bottom of the main, for example to prevent the first end of the hose becoming stuck to the main.

Although not shown in the Figures, the first end of the hose may be provided or be in connection with an opposable surface that opposes the flow of water within the live water main. Such opposition to the flow can be used to partially propel the first end of the hose, and thus the hose as a whole, through the live water main. The opposable surface could be, for example, a lip or the like at least partially surrounding the first end of the hose, or a parachute-like structure or an umbrella-like structure. The opposable surface may comprise, or be in connection with a float (the same float as described above, or a different float to S... that described above). This float may be provided such that, when located in the water of the live water main, the float floats away from the bottom of the live S.....

* S water main, and biases or moves the opposable surface away from the bottom ri of the live water main. This may be advantageous, since this may prevent or reduce damage caused to the main by the opposable surface, or may prevent or reduce the disturbance of sediment by the opposable surface.

S

Although not shown in the Figures, the first end of the hose might comprise or be in connection with a piston or the like. The piston might for example act in such a way as to crawl along the bottom of the main by expansion and contraction in a caterpillar type motion of the said piston. The piston may be controlled from outside of the main by an electrical or hydraulic connection extending along the hose. The piston may have such external arrangements as fins, to grip the bottom of the main and aid its progress in one direction.

Alternative arrangements are, of course, possible. For example, any device that can be controlled to cause motion of the first end of the hose along the bottom of the main might be useful.

Although not shown in the Figures, the a reel, spool or spindle of the sealable arrangement may form a part of or be in connection with the hose, for example a part of the second end of the hose. The reel, spool or spindle may be configured to allow passage of the hose (e.g. through the reel, spool or spindle), and through to a wall of the sealable arrangement. Such passage may be via a watertight gland or the like, to maintain the sealable arrangement in a sealed state. The hose may pass out of the sealable arrangement via the reel, spool or spindle and the gland. The watertight gland or gland may also serve as bearings on which the reel, spool or spindle may rotate to permit the hose (or other elongate element) to be inserted or retracted from the main.

In an alternative embodiment, reel, spool or spindle may allow passage for an elongate element other than a hose, for example a cable or the like. The reel, ** 25 spool or spindle may comprise one or more watertight glands, through which the elongate element may pass from the inside of the sealable arrangement to outside of the sealable arrangement. An elongate element in the form of a cable : may terminate externally to the sealable arrangement in the form of one or more *. S slip rings, via which electronic signals may be transmitted or received. Such signals may be or comprise video or photographs, or may comprises control signals to be passed to a device at a first end of the elongate element in (or locatable within) the main.

The reel, spool or spindle has been shown as being mounted horizontally within the sealable arrangement. The reel, spool or spindle may be mounted with a different orientation, and for example be mounted vertically within the sealable arrangement.

Although not shown in the Figures, the sealable arrangement may have an external pressure gage to show the pressure within the sealable arrangement.

The second end of the hose, or an access port to which the second end of the hose is connected, may contain a one way valve to prevent backflow.

The hose can be deployed along an appropriate length of live water main by appropriate winding and unwinding of the hose from the sealable arrangement that is connected to the live water main. For example, the hose may be deployed over a distance of 0-2km, 0-1km, 0-500m, or the like. Unwinding of the hose may, in itself, be sufficient to propel the first end of the hose along and through the live water main for cleaning of further sections of the live water main. Additionally or alternatively, the pressure differential established by exposing a second end of the hose to a lower pressure (e.g. atmospheric pressure) that is used during the cleaning process may also provide a degree of propulsion for the hose along the live water main. Furthermore, the flow of water within the live water main may also provide a degree of propulsion for the hose, with or without the provision of a specifically included/provided opposable *.*S surface as discussed above.

S..... * .

It will be appreciated from the above-described embodiment that access can now be gained to a live water main, and an elongate element passed into and S..

* through that live water main, without the need to restrict, limit or stop the flow of water through that main, and/or without the need to excavate any sections of *....: the live water main.

Once the elongate element (e.g. the hose described above) has been appropriately deployed within the live water main, the elongate element, for example in the form of the hose, may be retracted back into the sealable arrangement. One or more valves can then be closed either manually or automatically, for example the one or more gate valves discussed above. The bleed port or access port for the sealable arrangement may, optionally, be opened to allow water to be drained from the sealable arrangement, for example to reduce the weight of the sealable arrangement for movement and/or transport. Once the one or more valves have been closed, the live water main is sealed off from the sealable arrangement. The sealable arrangement can then be disconnected from the live water main without risk of contaminating the live water main.

It will be appreciated that various modifications may be made to the embodiment described above, and embodiments not described herein although apparent to a skilled person, without departing from the invention. The invention is thus not strictly limited to the description of the embodiment provided herein, but is instead defined by the scope of the claims that follow. * .S* * * *

* ***** * * *. * * * **. *** * * ** * * . *** * *

S.....

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method of providing access to a live water main, the method comprising: connecting, in a sealed manner, a sealable arrangement to an access port of the live water main, the arrangement retaining a flexible elongate element suitable for deployment into the live water main.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises deploying the flexible elongate element from the arrangement through the access port of the live water main and into the live water main, preferably in the direction of flow of water in that live water main.
3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the flexible elongate element is a hose, a first end of the hose being locatable within the live water main, and a second end of the hose being connected to or forming a part of an access port of the sealable arrangement, and wherein the method comprises cleaning the live water main with the hose.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein cleaning comprises: opening the second end of the hose to a pressure that is less than the pressure within the live water main, such as for example atmospheric pressure, * S...... 25 to establish a pressure difference between the first end of the hose and the second end of the hose, facilitating extraction of material from within the live water main via the first end of the hose and through the hose. S..
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the second end of the hose is opened : 30 upon insertion of the first end of the hose into the live water main.SS S
6. The method of claim 4 or claim 5, wherein opening the second end of the hose comprises opening the access port of the sealable arrangement.
7. The method of any of claims 3 to 6, wherein the first end of the hose is biased toward a bottom of the live water main, where for example sediment may accumulate.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the biasing is achieved by ensuring that the first end of the hose is denser than water prior to deployment of the first end of the hose into water in the live water main.
9. The method of any of claims 3 to 8, wherein biasing of the first end of the hose, and/or preferential material extraction from a lower section of the first end of the hose, is achieved by an appropriately configured first end of the hose that: is configured to draw the first end of the hose toward a bottom of the live water main; and/or is configured to preferentially extract material through a lower section of the first end of the hose.
10. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the method comprises bleeding air from within the sealable arrangement via a bleed port, preferably after said connection with the access port of the live water main, and/or prior to deployment of the flexible elongate element into the live water main. 25
11. The method of any preceding claim, wherein after deploying the flexible elongate element from the arrangement and into the live water main via the * .: access port of the live water main, the method further comprises retracting the flexible elongate element from within the live water main, back through the :.:. 30 access port of the live water main.S..... * S
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising disconnecting the sealable arrangement from the access port of the live water main.
13. The method of any preceding claim, wherein deploying or retracting the flexible elongate element comprises unwinding or winding of the flexible elongate element from or within the sealable arrangement.
14. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the method comprises providing the access port of the live water main, prior to connecting the sealable arrangement to the access port of the live water main.
15. Apparatus for providing access to a live water main, the apparatus comprising: a sealable arrangement comprising a connection port for connecting, in a sealed manner, the arrangement to an access port of the live water main, the arrangement retaining a flexible elongate element.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the flexible elongate element is a hose, a first end of the hose being locatable within the live water main, and a second end of the hose being connected to or forming a part of an access port of the sealable arrangement.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first end of the hose comprises or is in connection with: a chamber with an upper aperture and a lower aperture; and I.....* * a float; :. the chamber and float together being arranged such that when located in * water of the live water main, the float floats away from the bottom of the live water main to result in the lower aperture being more open than the upper :.:. 30 aperture, such that, in use, material may be preferentially extracted from the live water main through the lower aperture of the first end of the hose.
18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first end of the hose comprises or is in connection with: a moveable chamber provided with an aperture; a float in connection with the chamber or a structure attached to the chamber, the float preferably being connected to the chamber at a location that is substantially opposite to a location of the aperture; the chamber and float together being arranged such that when located in water of the live water main, the float floats away from the bottom of the live water main to result in movement of the chamber and aperture, such that the aperture is oriented toward a bottom of the live water main, such that, in use, material may be preferentially extracted from the live water main through a lower region of the chamber.
19. The apparatus of claim 1701 claim 18, wherein: the float is located within the chamber; or the float is connected to a structure in the chamber; and/or wherein the structure and/or float is/are deformable.
20. The apparatus of any of claims 16 to 19, wherein the first end of the hose comprises, or is in connection with, an opposable surface that opposes a flow of water within the live water main, to, in use, propel the first end of the hose, and thus the hose as a whole, through the live water main.
21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the opposable surface comprises one or more of: * * a lip; and/or :. a parachute like structure; and/or * * an umbrella like structure.S

:.:. 30
22. The apparatus of claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the opposable surface comprises, or is connection with, a float, such that when located in water of the live water main, the float floats away from the bottom of the live water main and biases or moves the opposable surface away from the bottom of the live water main.
23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the float is separate to, or the same as, the float of claim 16, or any claim dependent thereon.
24. The apparatus of any of claims 16 to 23, wherein the sealable arrangement further comprises a bleed port for bleeding air from within the sealable arrangement.
25. The apparatus of any of claims 16 to 23, wherein the hose is formed from a material that is able to float within water, and/or from a material which has a density that is in the range of 80% to 120% of the density of water.
26. The apparatus of any of claims 16 to 25, wherein the first end of the hose is provided with a wheeled arrangement.
27. The apparatus of any of claims 16 to 26, wherein the sealable arrangement comprises a driving mechanism for deploying and/or retracting the flexible elongate element.
28. The apparatus of any of claims 16 to 27, wherein the connection port of the sealable arrangement comprises a gate valve for facilitating the connection between the sealable arrangement and the access port of the live water main, 0*** and for allowing the flexible elongate element to pass through the connection.

* ***** * * :.
29. The apparatus of any of claims 16 to 28, wherein the connection port of * *:. the sealable arrangement comprises or is in connection with a window.
30. The apparatus of any of claims 16 to 29, wherein the sealable arrangement comprises a reel or a spool or a spindle, around which the flexible elongate element may be wound.
31. The method or apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the flexible elongate element is one or more of a hose, an umbilical, a cable, a camera, or a detection arrangement.
32. The method or apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the live water main is a trunk main.
33. The method or apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the access port of the live water main, and/or the connection port of the sealable arrangement is/are angled in the direction of flow of water within the live water main. * * S..,S..... * . * . * **. ** e * .. * . * S.. **..*.. S **::r: INTELLECTUAL . ... PROPERTY OFFICE 28 Application No: GB1010914.8 Examiner: Mr Rliodri Evans Claims searched: 1-33 Date of search: 22 October 2010 Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17 Documents considered to be relevant: Category Relevant Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance to claims X 1-9,11-GB2460823A 16, 20, (Smith) all figures and lines2O-23 of page 9.21, 25-28, 30-33 Categories: X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive A Document indicating technological background and/or state step of the art.Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if P Document published on or after the declared priority date but combined with one or more other documents of before the filing date of this invention.same category.& Member of the same patent family E Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:Search of GB, EP, WO & US patent docuirients classified in the following areas of the UKCX: Worldwide search of patent documents classified in the following areas of the IPC BO8B The following online and other databases have been used in the preparation of this search report I WPI, EPODOC International Classification: Subclass Subgroup Valid From BO8B 0009/035 01/01/2006 BO8B 0009/027 01/01/2006 BO8B 0009/043 01/01/2006 Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk