Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
A single operator extruder main body dispenses aggregate, pipe and geotextile during a trenching operation. Lifting elements allows the main body to be manipulated by a single operator.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for forming a trench alongside a vehicle (for burying fiber optic cables, electrical conductors, and conduits). A cutting blade is coupled to the vehicle via an offset arm. As the vehicle is advanced along a road, the cutting blade is laterally offset from the vehicle and positioned so as to cut a narrow (e.g., 0.5-1.5 inches) and deep (e.g., 10-12 inches) trench alongside the vehicle (e.g., at the inner face of the street curb between the curb and a sidewalk abutting the curb). The offset arm includes one or more mechanical joints to facilitate adjustment of one or more of a lateral offset distance between the vehicle and the blade, a vertical offset distance between a blade housing and a road surface, and rotation of the blade housing around at least two axes to facilitate appropriate positioning of the cutting blade with respect to the vehicle.
Abstract:
A single operator extruder main body dispenses aggregate, pipe and geotextile during a trenching operation. Lifting elements allows the main body to be manipulated by a single operator.
Abstract:
A pipe replacement system and method are shown. Configurations are shown that include a pulley that does not damage a bursting tool, as the bursting tool is pulled into a pit. Configurations are also shown that include a boom that does not need an extraction cage for the bursting tool.
Abstract:
In the case of a method for laying pipelines in the ground, a drill-hole is produced along a laying line, from a starting pit to a target pit, by a drilling head at the start of a pipeline, the drilling head being connected to a laying vehicle on the ground surface via a narrow vertical connecting device. The soil dislodged by the drilling head is removed from the drill-hole and conveyed to the surface. The force required for the drilling and laying operation is applied by the laying vehicle and/or by a feed device in the starting pit.
Abstract:
A drill rod combination for creating a closed loop geothermal hole in the ground. A combination hollow drill rod and slurry dispenser is connected to a slurry pump and direct slurry through the rod and dispenser while within the geothermal hole. The slurry exits the dispenser surrounding a heat exchange tube removably mounted to the dispenser and left in the hole when the drill rod and dispenser are withdrawn.
Abstract:
A method for installing a geothermal system, comprising boring at least one hole in an earth mass to accept a geothermal column; inserting a geothermal column into each of said at least one hole; excavating trench lines to accommodate connections between said geothermal column in each of said at least one hole and a Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning (HVAC) system; filling said hollow tube with a non-antifreeze fluid; connecting said geothermal column to said HVAC system; and backfilling said at least one hole and said trench lines.
Abstract:
A pipe is installed between a pointed front section and a rear section of a tool, and the rear section is subjected to a drive force in the longitudinal direction, so that the pointed section and the pipe is pushed into loosely packed materials. In response to an inadvertent hindrance in the loosely packed materials, the tool and the pipe connected thereto is pulled back by exerting a tractive force on a line connected to the pointed front section and running through the pipe and rear section.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods for forming a substantially uniform path within a trench, laying tile thereon, and covering the tile with dirt from the trench. One apparatus includes a housing, a hook, a pipe insertion frame extending upwardly from the housing, a sloping support wall inside the housing for directing tile from a top side of the housing to an exit at a rear side of the housing, a blade adjacent the housing rear side above the exit, a grip extending above the housing and the pipe insertion frame, and a rigid curved portion extending beneath the housing for forming a substantially uniform path in the trench as the housing is moved along the trench. The blade extends beyond at least one of the housing sidewalls to obtain dirt from the trench. The hook and the grip are configured to engage a machine bucket.