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: Disclosed herein is wastewater pipe having a shape that is operable to flow both small and large volumes of wastewater. The wastewater pipe includes a bottom portion with a different diameter than to top portion. The top and bottom portions of the wastewater pipe are connected by side walls that extend tangentially from the bottom portion and intersect tangentially with the top portion. The pipes may also variously include alignment tabs.

Abstract: The invention facilitates provision of a point-to-point cable connection between first and second points separated by an extended span of water including a first region of shallow water and a second region of relatively deep water. A plurality of ducts are provided from the first point through the first region of the extended span to an offshore termination point between the first and second points. Preferably, the ducts are buried in the seabed to prevent damage. At least one first cable is placed in one of the plurality of ducts to provide a connection between the first point and the offshore termination point. A second cable from the second point is received at the offshore termination point. The first cable is connected to the second cable at the offshore termination point to create the point-to-point cable connection. In one embodiment, the offshore termination point is located on the continental shelf near the transition to deep water.

Abstract: A laying device simultaneous lays at least two substantially parallel and axially spaced apart groups of flexible media lines in at least one flat layer in the soil, wherein each group of flexible media lines has at least one flexible media line. The laying device has a cutting device for generating at least one slot in the ground. The cutting device has one or more substantially vertical blades and a substantially horizontal blade connected to a lower end of the one or more vertical blades, or the cutting device, viewed in the cutting direction, has a round, semi-circular, oval, polygonal or Y-shaped configuration. At least two devices for dispensing the groups of media lines are arranged on the side of the laying device that is facing away from the cutting direction.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A laying device simultaneous lays at least two substantially parallel and axially spaced apart groups of flexible media lines in at least one flat layer in the soil, wherein each group of flexible media lines has at least one flexible media line. The laying device has a cutting device for generating at least one slot in the ground. The cutting device has one or more substantially vertical blades and a substantially horizontal blade connected to a lower end of the one or more vertical blades, or the cutting device, viewed in the cutting direction, has a round, semi-circular, oval, polygonal or Y-shaped configuration. At least two devices for dispensing the groups of media lines are arranged on the side of the laying device that is facing away from the cutting direction.

Abstract: A trencher boot includes a boxlike structure formed with a compartment extending from an inlet formed in an upper end of the trencher boot to an outlet formed in a lower end of the trencher boot. A cable-orienting structure is formed within the compartment between the inlet and the outlet. The compartment is to concurrently receive three cables from the inlet, guide the three cable to the cable-orienting structure, which interacts with the three cables to arrange the three cables in a V-shaped orientation comprising two of the three cables positioned side-by-side atop a third one of the three cables, and guide the three cables in the V-shaped orientation from the cable-orienting structure to the lower end of the trencher boot and outwardly through the outlet into the V-shaped receiving area formed in the bottom of the trench, which maintains the three cables in the V-shaped orientation.

Abstract: A tractor attachment for installing tubing beneath the ground includes a frame having a toolbar to which multiple plow assemblies are coupled and spaced apart by rigid spacers. Each plow assembly includes a plow blade and a drop feed tube, mile plow blades extend downwardly in a first direction from the toolbar and the drop feed tubes extend downwardly in a second direction from the toolbar. In operation, the multi-plow attachment is lowered such that the plow blades engage a body of soil at a desired depth. The desired depth at which the plow blades engage the soil is based at least in part on the pitch of the plow blades. The tractor moves forward to cause the plow blades to create trenches in the soil at substantially the desired depth and strands of conduit (e.g., drip irrigation tubing) are fed from the drop feed tubes to the created trenches.

Abstract: A bundle of tubes or pipes is arranged without trenches according to a fluid-assisted drilling method. A bore channel is made in a first boring step and the bore channel is widened when the bore/flushing head is removed therefrom, the bundle of tubes being drawn into the bore channel. The bundle is composed of individual tubes and flanges arranged lengthwise at a distance from and used as spacers for the tubes. A method is also described, wherein a rotational decoupling device prevents the rotational movement of the bore/flushing head produced during the removal process from being transmitted to the bundle of tubes. The bundle of tubes are supported by stabilizing devices inside the bore channel in the same spatial position as that of the tubes in relation to each other and the surrounding environment and are drawn through the bore channel.

Abstract: A method for installing conduits on a mountain is provided. The method includes placing at least one cable longitudinally across a ridge of the mountain and installing the at least one cable on a front side and a back side of the mountain. The front and back sides of the mountain are bounded by the ridge, and the at least one cable crosses over the ridge. The cable is positioned along both the front side and the back side of the mountain. At least one conduit is moored to the at least one cable on the front side of the mountain, and at least one cable is anchored on the back side of the mountain.

Abstract: A method for installing conduits etc. on a mountain using cables, comprising the steps of (1) having at least one cable cross over the ridge of the mountain, installing said at least one cable on a mountainside and another mountainside opposite that mountainside that is bounded by the ridge of the mountain from that mountainside, positioning the cable along both mountainsides, (2) directly or indirectly mooring conduits, underground multi-purpose ducts, inlets (“conduits etc.”), through which water, fuel gases, electric wiring etc. pass, to the longitudinal cable that is installed on one mountainside, (3) directly or indirectly mooring a base plate or a frame member to the longitudinal cable that is installed on one mountainside, fixing on the base etc. or the side plates conduits, underground multi-purpose ducts, or inlets, through which water, fuel gases, electric wiring etc.

Abstract: A method for installing conduits on a mountain is provided. The method includes placing at least one cable longitudinally across a ridge of the mountain and installing the at least one cable on a front side and a back side of the mountain. The front and back sides of the mountain are bounded by the ridge, and the at least one cable crosses over the ridge. The cable is positioned along both the front side and the back side of the mountain. At least one conduit is moored to the at least one cable on the front side of the mountain, and at least one cable is anchored on the back side of the mountain.

Abstract: A utility line guide chute disposed behind a plow for installing multiple utility lines. Divider members disposed between guide chute-side walls are provided for guiding the multiple utility lines in the top of the guide and out a lower rearward portion of the guide whereby utility lines can be laid into the ground at predetermined depths in vertically spaced relationships with respect to each other as the plow and guide chute move forward. A sidewall of the guide chute is composed of separate parts, the shape of respective ones of said separate parts corresponding at least in part to the position of each of more than one respective utility line within the guide whereby the separate parts of the second wall can be selectively removed to facilitate removal of selected ones of the utility lines without removing other ones of the utility lines.

Abstract: An excavation apparatus comprising: a wedge member for driving through the ground and for slidingly contacting and lifting an overburden located beneath the surface of the ground substantially toward the surface of the ground; a driving attachment member for driving the wedge member below and substantially parallel to the surface of the ground; and a lateral support member attached to the wedge member for guiding the overburden across the wedge member. The apparatus may remove an existing utility line, install a new utility line, apply bedding material beneath a new utility line, or form a trench.

Abstract: To lay an underground cable, a first drum is stationarily positioned and supplies the cable to a trench that is dug in the ground. A hauling pig is connected to the leading end of the cable. A second drum, mounted to a movable tractor, supplies a tube to the trench and is intended to receive the cable. The tractor also has a plowshare mounted to its forward end for forming the trench as the tractor moves. A compressor is connected to a tube section, rearwardly of the pig, for propelling the leading end of the cable to a predetermined point in a turn of a rolled tube as stored on the second drum. In the event an obstacle is encountered by the tractor, the compressor is interrupted and a length of tube, at least as long as one turn on the second roll, is payed out from the second drum and temporarily remains unoccupied by cable. The payed out length of tube is cut at an end so that the tractor becomes free to move around the obstacle.

Abstract: A multiple pipe chute installation for continually and progressively excavating a trench, laying flexible utility pipe a predetermined vertical distance apart, refining and refilling the soil around the laid pipes, and compacting the refilled soil is disclosed. The installation includes a trenching chain assembly pivotably mounted to the rear of a vehicle for excavating a trench. A multiple pipe chute assembly including a plurality of chutes is pivotably attached to a support frame extending from the trenching chain assembly. A support arm is pivotably attached to the support frame and extends rearwardly of the chute. A backfiller assembly is attached to the end of the support arm and a compacting rod is attached to the support arm adjacent the backfiller assembly. A hydraulic cylinder is attached between an extension of the support frame and the support arm. The chute assembly may be selectively linked to either the trenching chain assembly or the support arm.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for laying conduit within a trench, using a separable boxlike structure with end walls, side walls, a fill bin compartment internal of the boxlike structure for receiving fill material and dispensing fill material onto the bottom of the trench, and a conduit laying compartment through which conduit is fed for positioning on the bottom of the trench. The boxlike structure has a rigidly mounted tow bar which facilitates application of vertical, longitudinal and lateral forces on the boxlike structure to thereby enable an operator of the apparatus to maneuver it on grade and in alignment along the bottom of the trench. The boxlike structure is maintained on grade and in alignment with the assistance of a laser transmitter/receiver assembly and several grade-maintenance features. When an obstacle is encountered, the boxlike structure may be separated into an upper portion and lower portion so that the upper portion can be unconnected and removed from the lower portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for installing cable underground is disclosed herein along with its method of operation. The apparatus utilizes a power driven land vehicle and a cable laying plow blade supported by and for movement with the vehicle in a way which places a bottom end portion of the blade in the ground so as to plow through the soil. A supply of cable is also supported on and movable with the vehicle along with a cable feed arrangement cooperating with the blade for laying a continuous length of the cable from its supply into the ground at a fixed depth relative to and along the path of the plow blade. The feed arrangement itself includes a feed shoe which makes it easy to bring up to ground level intermittent sections of the cable as the latter is installed and without withdrawing the plow blade. These spaced above ground cable sections serve as terminals for ready access to the buried cable.

Abstract: A continuous concrete encased conduit laying apparatus is attached to the rear of a tractor in a cantilevered fashion and can be raised and lowered into the ground by the tractor. The apparatus has two sections which are pivotally attached to each other. The forward section is the gouger, and it has a vertical bar having a sharp leading ripper edge. At the base of the bar are attached a wedge and a cone-shaped expander for creating a cavity in the ground as the apparatus is being pulled through the ground.The rear section which is the conduit layer, has a vertical guide tube, a concrete chute attached behind it, and a second expander forming the base of the layer. There is a hopper for holding the fresh concrete at the top of the chute. A quantity of conduit is fed through the guide tube as the apparatus is in operation. The cavity created by the two expanders is filled with fresh concrete as the conduit is laid in the cavity.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved apparatus and process for manufacture of tunnel modules and tunnel sections used to build underwater tunnel tubes. A collapsible fixture is used to roll up a steel plate into a cylindrical shell. Cables wrapped around channels on the outer ends of fixtures are used to roll up the fixture along the plate. After the fixture with the shell on it is placed on pedestals for further fabrication, cables placed in the channels are used to rotate the shells. After the fixture is collapsed within the shell, it is raised up by pedestal lifting mechanisms, and wheels provided on the fixture are lowered into place to aid in removal of the fixture from the shell, and onto a roll-out table. Roller mechanisms are also used to aid in the removal of the fixture from the shell. The roll-out table is situated between two sets of pedestals and used in the removal of fixtures from single modules or sets of modules.

Abstract: An improved collapsible fixture for fabrication of tunnel modules and tunnel sections for building underwater tunnel tubes is provided. The fixture has a series of shell-like support members along its length, each member having a stationary base portion, two rotatable side portions and a connecting foldable linkage portion. A common truss is connected to each of the foldable linkage portions and is activated by a plurality of hydraulically operated cylinders connected to the wheel core member of the fixture. In order to collapse the fixture, moveable radial spoke members in the shell-like support members are connected to sliding plate members which are moveably attached to hub plates on the wheel core member.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved apparatus and process for manufacture of tunnel modules and tunnel sections used to build underwater tunnel tubes. A collapsible fixture is situated to roll up flat steel plate into a circular shell for the tunnel modules. A hydraulic cylinder is utilized to adjust the diameter of the fixture without collapsing it, in order to close any gaps between the ends of the plate when it is rolled into a shell.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously burying a plurality of cables in a previously excavated trench in a spaced relationship to each other and for protectively surrounding those spaced apart cables with sand comprises a cable supply vehicle from which the plurality of cables is unreeled, a cable guide boom assembly for spatially aligning the cables, a sanding sled that is positioned within the trench for guiding the cables into the desired spatial relationship and for distributing sand to a desired depth around the plurality of cables, a sand supply vehicle for providing a source of sand at a controlled rate of flow to the sanding sled, and a tractor vehicle for pulling both the sand supply vehicle and the sanding sled along the path of the trench.

Abstract: A buried cable laying apparatus to lay a cable in an open trench in the ground in a relaxed or tension-free state. The apparatus progressively forms a trench and then buries detensioning line and a cable in the trench. The detensioning line is in tension and the cable is in a relaxed state. The detensioning line and the cable are both unreeled from drums moving at the same rotational speed. The drum of the detensioning line is of a smaller diameter than the drum of the cable whereby the detensioning line drum will feed more cable than is required but slip relative to the cable until the cable gets tight.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for laying carrier cables, more particularly telephone lines, comprising the steps of burying a bundle of pipes connected to a connection box supplied by a main cable, severing certain of the pipes forming part of the bundle to constitute a local opening therein at the suitable spot, connecting one end of a secondary connection pipe to the severed opening of the pipe forming part of the bundle, the opposite end of said secondary connection pipe terminating at the apparatus to be supplied, passing a secondary branch cable in the severed pipe extended by the secondary connection pipe, one side of which cable thus terminates at the connection box and the other at the apparatus to be connected to the system. The invention also concerns a bundle of pipes for carrying out the method.