Abstract:
Disclosed is a method and system for supporting a pipeline in a trench. The disclosure is directed to the placement of urea-silicate sprayable or pumpable foams into trenches to provide pipeline pillow supports during placement of the pipeline and to form trench breakers in the trench prior to the trench being backfilled. The pillow supports and trench breakers inhibit erosion of the trench prior to and after being backfilled. The urea-silicate foam material has an open cell content of at least 50% to resist floatation, is non-flammable and electrically conductive. Also disclosed is the use of supports for placement between the urea-silicate foam and the bottom of the trench to aid in utilization of the urea-silicate foams in cold weather conditions and in trenches with steeply sloped bottoms. Preferably, the supports are biodegradable and electrically conductive when wet.
Abstract:
Embodiments and methods relate to pulling and installing a product line along an underground arcuate path beneath an obstacle, including pulling the product line for an extended length (i.e. a length that might otherwise be deemed impracticable) along the underground arcuate path beneath the obstacle. Embodiments also relate to a pulling apparatus for installing a product line using a casing along an underground arcuate path beneath an obstacle, having a casing pull head connected to the casing, a product line pull head assembly connected to the product line, and a pull bracket connected to the product line pull head assembly and to the casing pull head sleeve frame. An alternative embodiment relates to an apparatus for installing a product line along an underground arcuate path beneath an obstacle in the ground having a drill pipe including a drill bit, a larger diameter drill pipe surrounding the drill pipe, and a cutting tool connected to the larger diameter drill pipe and surrounding the drill pipe. An additional alternative embodiment relates to an apparatus for installing an inner pipe along an underground arcuate path beneath an obstacle in the ground having a drill pipe, an outer pipe connected to the drill pipe, and a sealing/locking mechanism located at one end of the outer pipe and at an end of the inner pipe at a position within the underground arcuate path.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a structure for repairing conduit, such as drain tile, found in the construction of underground utilities, which conduit severed by the digging of a ditch. A spray-in-place or pre-manufactured a foamed polymer bridge is placed transverse to the longitudinal direction of the underground utility conduit and atop the underground utility conduit. The foamed polymer bridge has a cavity at its top and is semi-circular at its bottom for fitting over the underground utility conduit. Weight is placed in the polymeric foam cavity for countering water buoyancy forces on the polymer foam in the ditch when the ditch is back-filled with dirt. A support is optionally placed atop the foamed polymer bridge and transverse to the longitudinal direction of the underground utility conduit for supporting the repaired pipe spanning the ditch. Additionally, such pre-manufactured foam bridges can be used as breakers to support underground utilities, such as large pipe.
Abstract:
Described is a device (410) for use in removing a conveyance member from a material. The device (410) includes a displacement element (412) for being placed at least partly around a conveyance member and for displacing material as the device is advanced along a conveyance member. The device (410) also includes a driven component for receiving a driving force for driving the device through material. The device can include a coupling element (418) for coupling the device to a shaft and a material loosener (414) including a drilling element. The material loosener can be operable to loosen material ahead of the displacement element as the device is advanced along a conveyance member. The drilling element can be coupled to a first wheel (436) and the coupling element can include a second wheel (434) cooperating with the first wheel to transfer rotational movement of a shaft to the drilling element.
Abstract:
Pre-filled mortar packages (10, 11, 200, 280, 400) are positioned between masonry construction elements (such as stones, blocks or bricks) when forming a wall (such as a dry-stack stone wall). Each mortar package includes an outer covering (12, 212, 284) with a porous outer surface, a mortar mixture (20) covered by the outer covering, and (optionally) an adhesive (16) incorporated onto or in the porous outer surface. Both the adhesive and the mortar mixture are activated by a liquid, such as water. The mortar packages may be pre-wetted before placement or may be dry when placed and then activated by applying water or by wetting from rain water. Toroidal shaped mortar packages (200, 280) are used as footers for posts and poles. Tubular shaped mortar packages (400) are used as drainage ports through masonry construction or to protect buried lines.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a laying machine for laying at least one flexible casing or tube, cable or wire including: - a blade arrangement (2) for making a trench (5) in the ground, a consolidation and laying means (3) being arranged behind the blade arrangement (2), for clearing and safeguarding the trench (5) from collapsing while laying at least one flexible casing or tube, cable or wire into the trench. A blade assembly comprising compartments for cooling fluid.
Abstract:
Replacement drainage structures and methods for replacing drainage structures are disclosed. An example method includes driving a plurality of sections of a replacement drainage structure around a buried drainage structure to be replaced. At least a portion of the drainage structure to be replaced is positioned within the interior of a section of the replacement drainage structure. Portions of the drainage structure to be replaced are removed.
Abstract:
Replacement drainage structures and methods for replacing drainage structures are disclosed. An example method includes driving a plurality of sections of a replacement drainage structure around a buried drainage structure to be replaced. At least a portion of the drainage structure to be replaced is positioned within the interior of a section of the replacement drainage structure. Portions of the drainage structure to be replaced are removed.
Abstract:
A pipe support is disclosed having an outer tubular support wall, an inner tubular support wall, spaced inwardly from the outer tubular support wall, and a connecting portion for maintaining the outer tubular support wall and the inner tubular support wall in a fixed, spaced apart relationship. The pipe support is intended for use in-trench and out-of-trench for supporting a pipeline during assembly, installation, testing and operation.