INTERNAL PIPE SEAL

A pipe sealing assembly, and a method of installing the pipe sealing assembly, for sealing a connection between a pair of underground pipes, including a generally cylindrical seal or gasket having at least three axially spaced sealing portions. Each sealing portion has a plurality of compressible sealing ridges, as well as an annular expansion band seat capable of receiving the expansion band of an expansion band assembly that is used to sealingly compress each sealing portion against a respective inner surface of a pipe. The sealing portions may include a middle sealing portion that may directly sealingly engage about, and bridge, a joint between two pipes, or may directly sealingly engage about, and bridge, a crack in a pipe. Additionally, each sealing portion may include a hollow section which houses the expansion band assembly, and may be provided with a small slit for installing the expansion band assembly. The expansion band assembly includes one or more expansion bands and one or more expansion mechanisms. The expansion bands may be initially installed as part of the pipe sealing assembly, while the expansion mechanisms may be installed after the pipe sealing assembly is brought underground through a structure, such as a manhole, and positioned at an installation site.