Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
405184000 | Advancing subterranean length of pipe or cable | 32 |
20080247826 | Method for the Trenchless Laying of Pipes - In a method for the trenchless laying of pipes, a drilling operation ( | 10-09-2008 |
20080267714 | Small-Sized Micro-Cable-Laying Device - An optical cable laying device comprising means for fixing a rotary motor ( | 10-30-2008 |
20080286051 | METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PULLING A PIPE - A method of and apparatus for pulling pipe involves providing a pipe having an exterior surface with a groove circumscribing the exterior surface of the pipe adjacent to one end and an anchoring collar which is segmented into segments and has an inner circumferential surface with an inwardly projecting tongue. The segments of the anchoring collar are secured together to circumscribe the pipe with the inwardly projecting tongue engaging the groove of the pipe. One end of the pipe is capped with an end cap. The end cap is coupled to the anchoring collar. A tow line is secured to the end cap and exerts a pulling force, with the anchoring collar securing the end cap against removal when pulled and the end cap preventing debris from entering the pipe. | 11-20-2008 |
20090097925 | Pipe conveying system - A pipe conveyor system which operates to assemble and disassemble a plurality of pipes. | 04-16-2009 |
20090269142 | PIPE EXTRACTING TOOL - The present application discloses a pipe extracting tool for use with first and second pipes mated together and having a gasket disposed therebetween. The pipe extracting tool includes an arcuate blade and a driving member portion extending radially outwardly from the arcuate blade. The arcuate blade is sized and shaped to surround an outer circumference of the first pipe and slide between the outer circumference of the first pipe and an inner circumference of the second pipe to disengage the gasket from one of the first and second pipes. | 10-29-2009 |
20100086361 | PIPE PUSHING AND HANDLING - Apparatus and corresponding methods for pipe pushing and/or handling in which the auxiliary supply lines of an excavator are used to power a hydraulic clamp for gripping the pipe, and the articulated arm of the excavator is used for manoeuvring the pipe. Such apparatus includes: a pair of jaws having cooperating pipe-gripping surfaces; a hydraulic ram coupled to the jaws and capable of actuating the jaws to grip a pipe between the pipe-gripping surfaces; a connection portion arranged to connect the apparatus to an articulated arm of the excavator; and a hydraulic fluid distributor arranged to distribute pressurised hydraulic fluid from auxiliary hydraulic supply lines of the excavator to the hydraulic ram. Thus, when the apparatus is connected to an excavator the jaws can be actuated by control of the supply of pressurised hydraulic fluid from the auxiliary supply lines of the excavator, and the apparatus (and pipe) can be moved by control of the position and orientation of the excavator arm. | 04-08-2010 |
20100092245 | PIPE SETTING TOOL - A pipe setting tool for use with an excavator includes a frame having sidewalls, a lower wall positioned at a lower edge of the side walls and a rear wall positioned at a side edge of the sidewalls. The frame is detachably coupled to the excavator. A cushioning member is disposed on an outer surface of the lower wall and on an inner surface of the rear wall. The cushioning member is in contact with a surface of the pipe as the pipe is displaced to join the pipe with another pipe. | 04-15-2010 |
20100104374 | Conduit Laying Machine - In one aspect, the invention is directed to a conduit laying system for laying conduit, including a vehicle, a trench former, a conduit feed system and a base material handling system. The trench former is configured for forming a trench. The conduit feed system includes a conduit feed passage having a conduit feed passage inlet for receiving at least one conduit and a conduit feed passage outlet positioned to deposit the at least one conduit in the trench. The base material handling system includes a base material hopper and at least one base material passage. The at least one base material passage is positioned to receive base material from the base material hopper and to discharge base material in the trench around the at least one conduit. The base material handling system, the conduit feed system and the trench former are driven by the vehicle. | 04-29-2010 |
20100183372 | Pipe support system and method for use in underground pipe ramming - A method of driving a pipe into the ground includes steps of placing a pipe to be driven into the ground onto a series of at least two spaced skids each having an upwardly opening cradle thereon so that the pipe spans and is supported by the skid cradles, one skid proximate a front end of the pipe and the other skid proximate a rear end of the pipe, each skid including a vertical jack mechanism for raising and lowering the pipe supported by the skid, positioning the pipe in a position for ramming into the ground by operating the vertical jack mechanisms as needed to raise the pipe into the ramming position, and ramming the pipe using an impact ramming tool applied to push the pipe into the ground. | 07-22-2010 |
20110044762 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MOVING A WORKING MEANS IN THE GROUND - In a method and a device for moving a working means in the ground, a coupling means rotatable about an axis of rotation for establishing a drive connection between a push-pull unit and a rod assembly having at least one projection and/or at least one recess is engaged with the projection and/or the recess of the rod assembly such that via a first contact area of the coupling means a first feed force is transmitted from the push-pull unit to the rod assembly. By the counter force opposite to the first feed force a torque acting on the coupling means is generated, which torque presses a second contact area of the coupling means against the rod assembly with a contact force. By the contact force, a non-positive connection is established between the push-pull unit and the rod assembly. Via this non-positive connection, a second feed force is transmitted to the rod assembly. By at least a part of the first and second feed force acting on the rod assembly a linear movement of the rod assembly is caused. | 02-24-2011 |
20110164925 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REPLACING OLD UNDERGROUND CONDUITS - In a method and an apparatus for replacing old underground conduits ( | 07-07-2011 |
20110280664 | Methods and apparatus for installing conduit underground - Apparatus and methods for forming an underground passageway and simultaneously laying therein a conduit or other elongate components comprises a rotary drill member coupled to a rotary and axially movable drill stem. The coupling is one which virtually automatically enables the drill stem to be coupled to and uncoupled from the drill member and comprises as one embodiment interlocking driving lugs carried by the drill stem and the drill member. The driving lugs are sandwiched between telescoped portions of the drill member and the drill stem and thereby are reinforced by such portions of the drill stem and the drill member in such manner as to preclude movement of the driving lugs in both radially inward and radially outward directions. Other couplings can be used. | 11-17-2011 |
20120087738 | EARTH DRILLING DEVICE - The invention relates to an earth drilling device ( | 04-12-2012 |
20120177444 | Method For Laying Pipes And A Machine For Actuating The Method - A method for laying a pipe includes predisposing first and second releasable gripping devices for firmly gripping or releasing the pipe. The gripping devices are located along the longitudinal direction of the pipe. The gripping devices when activated grip and move the pipe so that only a predetermined longitudinal pipe section is received in the laying site. The gripping devices are rearranged and activated, instant by instant, so that the pipe is at all times solidly gripped by at least one gripping device. The above step is repeated until multiple longitudinal sections are housed in the laying site. A machine for laying pipe has gripping devices independently activatable for firmly gripping or releasing the pipe and also for moving the first and/or second gripping devices a predetermined number of times while gripping the pipe, for moving multiple longitudinal pipe sections into the laying site. | 07-12-2012 |
20120230771 | PIPELINE INSERTION SYSTEM - A pipeline insertion system ( | 09-13-2012 |
20120282032 | GEOTHERMAL FLEXIBLE CONDUIT LOOP SINGLE PASS INSTALLATION SYSTEM FOR DENSE SOILS AND ROCK - A geothermal flexible conduit loop single pass installation system for dense soil or rock. A conduit loop attachment is secured behind the soil penetrating head and has an engageable element adapted to hook a loop end portion of a flexible conduit loop and draw the conduit loop in a bore hole as it is being formed by the soil penetrating head as it descends in a soil under the influence of a downward force applied to a hollow force transmission shaft. A pressurized medium is released in the bore hole as it is formed. At least the force transmission is withdrawn with the flexible conduit loop retained in the bore hole by surrounding soil or a cement released through the shaft as it is withdrawn. | 11-08-2012 |
20130028664 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORCING A PIPELINE INTO OR OUT OF A BOREHOLE - A pipe thrusting apparatus for inserting and removing a pipe from a borehole, comprising a collar configured to releasably grip the pipe; a support frame having at least one anchor securable to the ground; and a bi-directional driver coupled between the collar and the support frame, the driver configured to drive the collar toward and away from the borehole to insert and remove the pipe from the borehole. | 01-31-2013 |
20130028665 | METHOD AND PORTABLE APPARATUS FOR FORCING A PIPELINE INTO OR OUT OF A BOREHOLE - A portable pipe thrusting apparatus for inserting and removing a pipe from a borehole, comprising a collar configured to releasably grip the pipe; and a bi-directional driver coupled between the collar and the support frame, the driver configured to drive the collar toward and away from the borehole, to insert and remove the pipe from the borehole, wherein the support frame is portable and is transportable by a truck to the drilling site. | 01-31-2013 |
20130216316 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING UNDERGROUND COMMUNICATION CABLE INSTALLATION UTILIZING SOIL EROSION TECHNIQUES - A technique for aiding an underground communications cable installer in the installation such cable in underground utilities neighborhoods. The technique manages the problem presented by a surface-visible, underground-pathway obstruction such as a sidewalk, which lies across the path of installation. The technique, or method, is useful with any kind of cable, such as fiberoptic cable or copper wire cable. Hydraulic water pressure is applied through a biased, flexible conduit to erode a pathway under the obstruction from ground surface on one side to ground surface on the opposite side of the obstruction, thereby forming a tunnel under the obstruction through which the cable can be easily pulled. In alternative embodiments, the cable can be inserted directly into and through the conduit while it is underground, the conduit then acting as a sleeve for the cable which is subsequently removed prior to burying the cable in a trench dug from street-located handhole to house. Special apparatus connects a water hose to the flexible conduit (PVC plastic) to provide watertight operation while allowing manual flow control. | 08-22-2013 |
20130243530 | Deep Trench Rod Loader Apparatus - The present invention relates to a pipe handling assembly for use with a rod pushing and pulling machine in pipe bursting and pipe replacement operations. The assembly uses a rod transport assembly to transport a rod from a vertical receiving position to a horizontal receiving position. A rod transfer assembly then axially advances the rod in a horizontal receiving position to the rod pushing and pulling machine where the rod can be incorporated into a drill string. The rod handling assembly also can be used for transporting rods out of an excavation pit after they have been broken off from a rod string by a rod pushing and pulling machine. | 09-19-2013 |
20130315675 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING DRAINAGE PIPE INSTALLED UNDERGROUND - A pipe protection apparatus includes a sheet of permeable material having an inner surface and an outer surface and a longitudinal direction and a width direction defined by two edges of the sheet along the longitudinal direction. A fastening structure is configured to join the two edges to form a seam as the sheet of permeable material is wrapped in the width direction around a drain pipe configured to be installed underground to form a sock along the longitudinal direction. The sock is configured to be installed underground with the drain pipe about which it is wrapped, yet to remain for a service life in non-bonding contact with the pipe. | 11-28-2013 |
20140030025 | DEVICE FOR APPLYING A PUSH OR PULL ACTION ON TUBES TO BE LAID UNDERGROUND FOR OVERCOMING WATER COURSES OR OBSTACLE OF OTHER TYPE | 01-30-2014 |
20140056647 | Pipe Retriever - A pipe retriever for retrieving an unsecured pipe has a head connectable to a drilling pipe and defines a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis of the head is arranged substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the drilling pipe when connected. A tail extends from the head at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. The tail defines a hook shape having inward and outward surfaces. The inward hook surface defines a pipe recess sized to receive the unsecured pipe. | 02-27-2014 |
20140119835 | Casing Puller - A casing puller includes a body and at least one arm. The body has first and second ends, at least one end connectable to a drill pipe. The body defines a longitudinal axis and sized for insertion into a casing pipe. The at least one arm is disposed on the body and moves between a stowed position and a deployed position. The at least one arm extends away from the longitudinal axis when in its deployed position and is arranged to engage an arm receiver defined by the casing pipe. | 05-01-2014 |
20140133920 | PIPELINE INSERTION SYSTEM - A pipeline insertion system may include an insertion device outside a tunnel that includes an insertion device frame and a movable clamp device in slidable engagement with the insertion device frame. A drive may cause the movable clamp device engaged with a pipeline to move between a first position and a second position along the frame. Inside the tunnel, the system may also include a plurality of support frames remote from the insertion device and remote from each other which support the pipeline on bearings as the pipeline is pushed (or pulled) by the insertion device through the bores of a plurality of housing segments mounted in the tunnel. A controller is operative to control the drive and the movable clamp device responsive to transducers which measure pipeline slippage, thrust force, and clamping pressure. | 05-15-2014 |
20140241812 | BURSTING HEAD DEVICE - Embodiments of the present disclosure provide improvements in bursting head designs and methods of use for pulling cable or pipe through space underground. | 08-28-2014 |
20140255103 | Directional Drill Hammer Pullback Device - A pull back system to install or replace underground utilities that is used with a hammer used in horizontal directional drilling operations. The system comprises a drill bit attached to the hammer. The drill bit comprises a cutting face comprising a first and second passage. The system further comprises a pull back adapter comprising an attachment member, a first member, and a second member. The attachment member may be secured to the cutting face of the drill bit by inserting the first member of the pull back adapter through the first passage of the cutting face and inserting the second member of the pull back adapter through the second passage of the cutting face. The first member secures to the second member within an internal cavity of the drill bit to hold the attachment member for movement with the drill bit. A new pipe may be secured to a shackle on the pull back adapter. The drilling machine will then pull the hammer rearwardly through the borehole which in turn pulls the new pipe into the borehole. | 09-11-2014 |
20140294512 | Powered Slip Actuation - A system for pushing and pulling rod strings through the ground or an underground pipe. The apparatus has a downhole tool attached to the distal end of the rod string. The push/pull machine has a stationary frame that is placed against the ground to provide a reaction surface. The stationary frame has an opening for the rod string to pass through. A rod gripping assembly is supported on the machine frame and moveable relative to the stationary frame. The rod gripping assembly has a slip bowl, jaws, a thrust member and an actuator. The actuator powers movement of the jaws into the slop bowl to cause a powered gripping of the rod string by the machine. With the rod string gripped a cylinder assembly is activated to push the rod gripping assembly toward the stationary frame thereby pushing the rod string into the ground. | 10-02-2014 |
20140321921 | SCREW-IN GEOTHERMAL HEAT EXCHANGER SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A method of installing a tubular heat exchanger into soil includes providing the tubular heat exchanger and screwing the tubular heat exchanger into the soil with an installation apparatus. The installation apparatus may be removed from the soil without removing the tubular heat exchanger from the soil. | 10-30-2014 |
20150300528 | METHOD FOR THE TRENCHLESS LAYING OF A PIPELINE - A method is disclosed for the trenchless laying of a pipeline, the medium pipe, from a starting location to a target location. First of all a protective pipe is introduced into the ground between the starting location and the target location in a trenchless method. A medium pipe whose outside diameter is smaller than the inside diameter of the protective pipe is introduced into the protective pipe starting from the starting location and moved forward as far as the target location. The medium pipe is stabilized in its spatial position with respect to the protective pipe in the radial direction. The protective pipe is finally removed from the ground again while maintaining the spatial position of the medium pipe. | 10-22-2015 |
20150369395 | FLUSH JOINT PIPE - A pipe has a tubular body with a male end and a female end. The male end has an external surface with a first engagement groove. The female end has an internal surface with a second engagement groove, and an aperture extending from an outer surface of the tubular body to the second engagement groove. The female end receives the male end of another pipe such that the first engagement groove of the male end axially aligns with the second engagement groove of the female end to establish a spline engagement groove having a groove length, L | 12-24-2015 |
20160161023 | Powered Slip Actuation - A system for pushing and pulling rod strings through the ground or an underground pipe. The apparatus has a downhole tool attached to the distal end of the rod string. The push/pull machine has a stationary frame that is placed against the ground to provide a reaction surface. The stationary frame has an opening for the rod string to pass through. A grip assembly is supported on the stationary frame and moveable relative to the stationary frame. The grip assembly has a slip bowl, a plurality of slips, and an actuator. The actuator does not engage the internal surface of any slip and powers relative axial movement between the slip bowl and the slips. A positioning assembly carries the grip assembly and powers its reciprocating and straight-line movement to urge the grip assembly in either a first or second direction. | 06-09-2016 |