Abstract: Fluid leakage through soil in a region thereof is controlled by sequentially passing over the region to dig a plurality of parallel, laterally displaced grooves in the surface. Soil dug from each groove is temporarily stored, and a strip of sheet material is laid over a groove as it is created during each pass, the width of the strip being greater than the width of the groove. Thereafter, the temporarily stored soil is deposited on the strip such that it is covered with soil except along one edge, the other edge of the strip overlying the uncovered edge of an adjacent strip laid down during a previous pass over the region. As a consequence, a first layer of overlapping strips of sheet material covered with soil is installed over the region.

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, including a shearing blade which automatically adjusts its vertical position in response to the laser.

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: A system for constructing narrow underground walls utilizing the slurry trench method is disclosed wherein a first apparatus excavates from one end of a slurry filled trench and a second apparatus is utilized for filling the trench with a wall forming material and at least a part of the excavating and/or filling apparatus is floated on the slurry in the trench. In one disclosed embodiment, narrow cut-off walls are formed by excavating from one end of a slurry filled trench and backfilling the trench at the opposite end by depositing therein a mixture of excavated soil and bentonite slurry from the trench, and includes a relatively large float adapted to be immersed in the slurry to prevent loading on the trench walls and stabilizing the apparatus for excavating purposes.

Abstract: There is provided a method for subterranean insulation of an area of the ground against water seepage therethrough. The method comprises the steps of forming a first trench of a predetermined depth from the surface of the ground and widening the trench by sequentially forming additional trenches along one side of the previously formed trench while simultaneously applying a water repellent layer substantially along the bottom surface of the previous formed trench and while at least partly covering the layer with earth removed from the additional trench being formed until the entire area of the ground is insulated. The invention also provided a device for carrying out this method.

Abstract: A padding machine is provided for angularly variable attachment to a mobile ground carrier having a hopper into which soil is placed, a vibratory feeder and screen receiving soil from the hopper, a chute receiving screened soil from the vibratory screen and feeder to deliver the same as padding on a pipeline within a ditch and a power source driving the vibratory feeder and screen.

Abstract: An apparatus for laying and burying wire underground having a cutter unit, a tow bar affixed to the front of the cutter unit and a drag plate affixed to the rear of the cutter unit. The cutter unit includes a blade which cuts a slit in the ground into which the wire is layed as the cutter unit is moved over the ground. The drag plate contains a weight and is utilized to repack earth over the slit made by the cutter unit thereby completely burying the wire underground. Motive power for the wire laying/burying apparatus is provided by any suitable vehicle to which the tow bar is attached.

Abstract: A plough for burying cable or pipe comprises at least two cutters laterally spaced apart, one being offset at an angle relative to the other for making two spaced apart cuts in a substrate to form a wedge of material. Means are provided for lifting and moving the wedge upwards and sideways to form a trench and for guiding the cable or pipe into the trench under the lifted wedge.The plough cuts an improved furrow shape, lifts the furrow slice through the minimum height in order to permit the cable or pipe to be inserted below it and allows the material to be replaced with minimun disturbence.

Abstract: An improved high-speed cable-laying apparatus of the type which digs a kerf, lays a cable at the kerf bottom, and refills the kerf with spoil in one pass. The kerf digger is a chainline loop having ground-cutting teeth spaced along its length and restricting elements between the teeth. The chainline is preferably in the form of a narrow upright loop. Rearwardly of the chainline loop are an upright chute for directing cable to the bottom of the kerf and a trailing structure supporting a reel, cable guide means, and angled plow blades for directing spoil back into the kerf on top of the cable. The arrangement of elements is compact and maneuverable and avoids damage to fragile cable even while the device operates at high ground speed.

Abstract: Fluid leakage through soil in a region thereof is controlled by sequentially passing over the region to dig a plurality of parallel, laterally displaced grooves in the surface. Soil dug from each groove is temporarily stored, and a strip of sheet material is laid over a groove as it is created during each pass, the width of the strip being greater than the width of the groove. Thereafter, the temporarily stored soil is deposited on the strip such that it is covered with soil except along one edge, the other edge of the strip overlying the uncovered edge of an adjacent strip laid down during a previous pass over the region. As a consequence, a first layer of overlapping strips of sheet material covered with soil is installed over the region.

Abstract: A machine for depositing pipeline padding material in a pipeline ditch in the form of an attachment for a bulldozer blade which is driven from the hydraulic system of the bulldozer and includes an endless conveyor belt forming the bottom of a horizontally oriented chute or trough which receives padding dirt from a dump truck body or the like and distributes it evenly in the pipeline ditch as the bulldozer with the padding machine mounted thereon moves alongside of the ditch.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for inserting an elongated bendable drainage mat having a rectangular cross section below the surface of the ground in a vertical orientation in an advancing trench segment.

Abstract: A device for backfilling a trench from spoil left alongside it comprises a forecarriage (7) and a main frame (10). The former comprises means (12) for positioning it centrally in the trench (3). The latter is located behind the former and carries one or more angled blades (9) and lateral stabilizers (18,19) adapted to contact the ground outside the spoil.The device is towed rather than pushed and if a long tow-rope is used a pipeline can be trenched and the trench backfilled in a single traverse.

Abstract: A ditch, for example in the form of a cable or pipe channel, is uniformly filled with sand with the aid of a movable, funnel shaped container (1) for the sand, equipped with a conveyor feed screw (6) reaching from the container bottom to a container discharge member at an upper edge of the container. The discharge member includes a discharge opening in the upper container edge (5) below the upper end of the feed screw (6). A second conveyor in the form of a chute (7) is arranged to reach with its upper end to a point below the discharge opening when the chute is provided into its operating condition. The lower end of the chute reaches over the central area of a ditch (11). A guide member (8) at the lower end of the chute reaches into the ditch and slides or rolls along one ditch wall. Thus, the lower end of the chute which is able to swing or journal about a vertical axis, is maintained above the ditch even if the container on a carriage does not move exactly in parallel to the ditch.

Abstract: A compactor for use in compacting the backfill in trenches is disclosed. A rigid ramp, the width of a trench, has an angular foot and is fitted with vibratory plates. The device is placed in a trench, backfill is loaded into the trench from behind the ramp, and the ramp vibrated to compact the fill across the entire width, depth and length of the ramp in a continuous operation. The device may be reinforced, if required, and also includes a supplemental weight distributor fastened above its vibratory plates.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly for a backhoe is disclosed which enables the operator of the backhoe to convey material from the rear of the backhoe to the front thereof for discharge directly into the bucket of the backhoe on command, eliminating the need for rotation of the turret of the backhoe. The conveyor assembly extends longitudinally through the support frame of the backhoe unit. A hopper filled with material to be conveyed is located at the rear end of the conveyor. The power driven conveyor is controlled from the cab of the backhoe.

Abstract: A system for laying a pipeline receiving stone bed in the bottom of a trench into which water may have seeped and there is accordingly some erosion of the trench side walls comprising:moving a stone-filled box along the trench in increments as the trench is dug out ahead of the box while moving earth which has collapsed into the trench forwardly along the trench; and simultaneously dispensing stone out the rear end of the box to form a bed which shores up the sides of the trench and pumping water out of the next section of the trench to receive the bed.

Abstract: An improved mining method for a surface mine has pairs of slurry and water pipes placed from a processing area on the surface to the floor of the mine beneath the mined out material, pairs of pipes (slurry and water) are spaced along the mining trench. A slurry haulage system is connected to the water and slurry pipes at the beginning of the mining operation. As the mining progresses and the haulage system reaches its maximum capabilites, it is disconnected and connected to the next set of pipes and the first set or pair of pipes is extended the width of the mined trench. The overburden is placed on top of the pipes as the mining progresses.

Abstract: Apparatus lays pipe in a trench and joins successive sections thereof. An elongated carriage is of a length sufficient to straddle the trench and includes propelling means for engaging the surface outward from the respective upper sides of the trench and moving the carriage therealong. The propelling means is steerably driven. A crane arises from the carriage and includes an adjustably articulated arm of adjustable length and which has an outer end portion controllably movable both laterally with respect to the trench and between respective positions above and within the trench. The crane is mounted upon the carriage so as to permit tilting relative thereto and, thus, relative to the sidewalls of the trench. A controllable grapple is mounted on the outer end of the arm and is controlled to engage and disengage the pipe.

Abstract: Underwater pipelines connected to at least one point on a coastline are constructed by means of a pipelaying vessel associated with an independent underwater vehicle mounted on caterpillar-tracks and capable of traveling along the sea bed. From within the vehicle, pipe sections can be assembled and rejected as the vehicle moves forward. The pipe sections pass through a wall of the vehicle and into the sea, through a port which is provided with a plurality of inflatable annular sealing rings that selectively sealingly bear against the exterior of the pipeline. One of these sealing rings is associated with an annular piston, and a jack acts between this piston and the vehicle to provide the propulsive force for ejecting the pipe sections from the vehicle. Potential applications include mining operations, off-shore installations and intercontinental tunnels.

Abstract: A mobile conveyor for backfilling trenches, ditches, and the like, in which pipes, wires, and other similar objects are buried, comprises a continuously moving conveyor belt assembly to transport excavated dirt from a digging or deposit point of the trench to a filling point thereof. A separate mobile transport unit or vehicle is provided to intermittently move the conveyor belt assembly along the trench, and laterally position the discharge end of the conveyor belt over the trench filling point. A connector pivotally mounts the upstream end of the conveyor belt assembly on the mobile power unit, and rams rotate the connector and conveyor in a substantially vertical plane to adjust the elevation of the conveyor discharge end over the trench. A telescoping stabilizer extends downwardly from the connector and engages the ground to support the conveyor in cantilevered fashion at a selected position during conveyance of the excavated material.

Abstract: A method of forming an underground pipeline comprising depositing an inner component section of the pipeline on a pipe-laying apparatus and at least partially supporting the inner component section on the apparatus. The inner component section is forced from the apparatus onto an independent support, and the apparatus is advanced to receive another inner component section. After the inner component sections have been transferred to the independent supports, a formable outer component is provided at least part way around and beneath such inner component sections to form the pipeline.

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: An excavating and pipeline installation system includes an excavating vehicle, an excavating wheel assembly and a plurality of conveyors. The excavating wheel assembly includes a pair of excavating wheels for excavating a pipeline receiving trench at a predetermined location beneath the surface of the earth. The excavating wheel assembly is supported at the front end of the vehicle on a subframe mounted for pivotal movement relative to the vehicle between excavating and traveling positions. The excavating wheels are mounted for rotation about angularly disposed axes and are positioned to receive the pipeline therebetween. Bolster rollers are mounted on the excavating wheel assembly for initially lifting the pipeline, and pipeline rollers are mounted on the vehicle for exerting a downwardly directed force on the pipeline upon insertion thereof into the pipeline receiving trench.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed to be used in the trenching operation necessary for burying utility facilities such as water, sanitary pipes or gas mains. The machine includes an elongated, boom-like body having a large earth receiving hopper and a conveyor belt for transporting the earth to the rear and discharging it. It is equipped with a power plant in front and, while in operation at a trenching site, a hydraulically powered propulsion unit which pulls the machine along the trench. Its rear end is shaped and elevated such that earth moving equipment can operate beneath it and thus lay pipe, backfill and compact the trench between the ends of the machine using the earth discharged by the machine at its rear end. The rear portion of the machine is equipped with wing-like legs provided with wheels which support the rear of the machine while it is bridged over the trench.

Abstract: Apparatus for laying conduit, cable and the like, most advantageously in a trench, features a hopper embodied in a frame adapted to be placed within a trench and loaded with gravel or other embedment material. The construction and placement of the hopper provides for discharge therefrom of the embedment material as the frame is moved the length of the trench, the discharge being to the bottom and at one end of the frame and to a level metered by a readily adjustable control blade. A feed tube extended through the frame and the hopper, to position within the body of the embedment material introduced therein, is provided with a mount enabling its substantially universal adjustment. This feed tube serves to guide and discharge the conduit, cable or the like to be laid simultaneously with the discharge of the embedment material and within and at a predetermined level with respect thereto.

Abstract: An excavating and pipeline installation system includes an excavating vehicle, an excavating wheel assembly and a plurality of conveyors. The excavating wheel assembly includes a pair of excavating wheels for excavating a pipeline receiving trench at a predetermined location beneath the surface of the earth. The excavating wheel assembly is supported at the front end of the vehicle on a subframe mounted for pivotal movement relative to the vehicle between excavating and traveling positions. The excavating wheels are mounted for rotation about angularly disposed axes and are positioned to receive the pipeline therebetween. Bolster rollers are mounted on the excavating wheel assembly for initially lifting the pipeline, and pipeline rollers are mounted on the vehicle for exerting a downwardly directed force on the pipeline upon insertion thereof into the pipeline receiving trench.

Abstract: This invention provides apparatus and a method for laying flexible irrigation tubing underground, the apparatus comprising a plow attached to a frame, means located on the frame to support and unreel a spool of flexible tubing, a rigid tube affixed to the frame adapted to accept the flexible tubing at its upper end and bent so that its lower portion extends rearward of the plow generally parallel to the ground and in the trench dug by the plow, hillers affixed to the frame adapted to force the dirt plowed by the plow back into the formed trench immediately behind the rigid tube, and a compacting means attached to and trailing the hillers to compact the dirt into the trench, provided that the trailing end of the rigid tube extends rearward to a point behind the point of compaction of the compacting means such that, in operation, as the apparatus is pulled across the ground and the flexible tubing is drawn into the rigid tube, the flexible tubing exits the trailing end of the rigid tube and is laid into the und

Abstract: An excavating and pipeline installation system includes an excavating vehicle, an excavating wheel assembly and a plurality of conveyors. The excavating wheel assembly includes a pair of excavating wheels for excavating a pipeline receiving trench at a predetermined location beneath the surface of the earth. The excavating wheel assembly is supported at the front end of the vehicle on a subframe mounted for pivotal movement relative to the vehicle between excavating and traveling positions. The excavating wheels are mounted for rotation about angularly disposed axes and are positioned to receive the pipeline therebetween. Bolster rollers are mounted on the excavating wheel assembly for initially lifting the pipeline, and pipeline rollers are mounted on the vehicle for exerting a downwardly directed force on the pipeline upon insertion thereof into the pipeline receiving trench.