Abstract: An anode cable installment system in which the apparatus may comprise a plow for creating a tunnel; a conduit for delivering a linear anode to the tunnel; and a chute disposed proximate the conduit, the chute having a non-metallic inner surface, preferably an epoxy film layer having a lower coefficient of friction than steel. The coke breeze may be delivered to the tunnel by passing it over the non-metallic inner surface of the chute; and to the annular space in the tunnel around the linear anode to provide a horizontal encasement or column for the linear anode with reduced void spaces and increased density.

Abstract: The underwater cable burial machine uses a single cable for both towing and lifting. The machine includes a retractable cable, which is connected between a retraction mechanism and the towing cable. There is a cable guide through which the retractable cable passes. The cable guide is located over the center of gravity of the machine. In order to use the towing cable to lift the machine, the retraction mechanism pulls the retractable cable and the towing cable until the point where the retractable cable and the towing cable meet is at the cable guide. At that point the towing cable will be over the center of gravity of the machine, and the machine can be lifted onto the surface vessel to which the towing cable is attached.

Abstract: A pipe laying machine comprises a vehicle carrying a trench excavator followed by a pipe laying box running in the trench. Pipe lengths are stored in the pipe laying box one above another and the lowermost pipe length is periodically released by movement of bars into the bottom of the pipe laying box and is pressed by a ram into the mouth of the last laid pipe length.

Abstract: A method of laying cable such as fiber optic cable which cannot be twisted past an obstacle includes rewinding the cable from the inner end through an excavation under the obstacle from a first reel onto a second reel downstream of the obstacle. Both the first and second reels are of a type having first and second end flanges both of which are removable from the reel and a radially collapsible hub. During the rewinding step, the supply reel from the plough is positioned on end and the cable withdrawn from the inner turns of the winding and pulled off over end thus introducing a turn of twist. The key to the system is that when the second reel is unwound at the obstacle it is inverted relative to the first reel so that the second end is uppermost thus causing the twist to be subtracted and cancelled rather than summated.

Abstract: Cable laying apparatus for burying cable in or adjacent to a railway bed. A cable laying plough is mounted to a rubber tired loader and the loader moves forwardly under its own power while straddling the track. A pair of rail wheels are mounted on the forward and rearward ends of the loader. The cable laying plough is mounted to a bracket or plate spanning the track and pivotally mounted to hydraulically controlled arms extending from the loader. The plough may be attached to the bracket on either side of the track in order to reach cable burying positions located on both sides of the track.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a shallow ditch in wood shavings on the floor of a chicken house and laying a web of paper over the ditch while forcibly pushing the central portion of the web into the ditch with the remainder of the paper disposed at the shoulders of the ditch. The apparatus includes a plow depending downwardly from a frame and a beam pivoted to the frame which supports a wheel behind the plow. A roll of paper may be carried by spindles on the frame between the plow and the wheel. The wheel, in operation, is positioned on the upper surface of a web of paper unwound from the roll to permit the roll to unwind while simultaneously pushing the paper into the ditch.

Abstract: A powered, wheeled vehicle for preparing a trough in crushed stone or similar material layed in a trench, and for covering over a field line drain pipe positioned in the trough with the material previously displaced therefrom, said vehicle comprising a body having a rear section and a front section pivotally connected for body articulation together in a substantially horizontal plane, a stanchion having a vertical position axis and a longitudinal axis, is mounted on the body by cooperating pivot elements on the stanchion and on an outer end portion of the front section, the pivot elements allowing the stanchion to be maintained in a generally upright posture on the front section while providing angular adjustability to the stanchion, the adjustability consisting of individual rotational and tilting paths of motion with respect to the vertical position axis, the stanchion further having a work shaft to which any of the implement means can be affixed, and cooperating elements of a first bearing on the work shaf

Abstract: A trenching bridge mounting interface for a trenching machine that is adjustable to alter the effective length of a fixed length bridge so as to accommodate trenching bars of different lengths. The interface includes a prime mover mounting structure that is releasably secured to the prime mover of the trenching machine and a bridge mounting structure attached to the fixed length bridge. The effective length of the bridge is adjusted between a short length and a long length by reversing of the prime mover mounting structure.

Abstract: A wagon pulled along a plant bed for retrieving buried drip tape includes a cultivator disc for loosening the soil to free the drip tape which is then drawn upward and onto the wagon through the use of a rotating drum that rotates at such a speed that its surface moves at the ground speed of the wagon. A wringer wheel that bears against the drum extracts water and air from the drip tape, which is then wound onto a reel under the control of an operator for subsequent storage and reuse. This mode of retrieval is considerably faster than manual retrieval thereby reducing labor cost, and the reuse of the drip tape saves disposal costs as well as material costs and results in conservation resources of the resources used in manufacturing the drip tape.

Abstract: A cable laying attachment for an engine driven tiller has a cutter wheel with a plurality of countersunk carbide tips in the teeth of the cutter wheel; the cutter wheel being connected to a tine drive shaft connected to a transmission for transferring power from the engine for automatically cutting a trench to a desired depth as the tiller is driven forwardly by a pair of engine driven wheels and a trailing arm and feed tube are connected to a protective cowl on the transmission housing that guards the cutter wheel; the trailing arm and feed tube receiving and placing wire from a spool into the trench; the trailing arm serves to displace the cut trench material while positioning the outlet end of the feed tube so as to locate a wire or cable at the bottom of the trench formed by the cutter wheel.

Abstract: A vibratory plow assembly 201 incorporates a vertical ground parting blade 202 with a front cutting edge 203 and a ripper tooth 208. The blade 202 is bifurcated rearwardly of the cutting edge 203, the blade 202 being formed by two spaced-apart side plates 214. The upper part of the plates 214 constitute a support frame which is pivotally connected by a pin 205 to a base plate 240. Attached rearwardly of the pivot pin 205 and preferably cantilevered beyond the plates 214 is a vibrator unit 232. The vibrator unit 232 when operational provides a vibratory frequency of between 5 Hz and 17 Hz to the ripper tooth 208 in both a vertical and arcuate path. The pivot pin 205 is preferably located above or forwardly of the cutting edge 203. The base plate 240 and supply frame, by virtue of the vibratory unit 232, experience relative movement in the manner of a pair of jaws the mouth of which extends rearwardly.

Abstract: A rotatable apparatus for placing lengths of flexible pipe and cable a distance beneath the surface of the ground leaving the soil substantially intact. The pipe laying apparatus includes a shaft having an exterior, a plurality of cutting bits removably mounted on the shaft and a device for securing the cutting bits on the shaft. The cutting bits each have a base, a tool bit, and an attachment device to prevent any rotation by the cutting bits relative to the shaft. The tool bits have a leading cutting edge, a cutting surface extending from the leading cutting edge, and an inclined surface separating the cutting surface and the base. As the shaft rotates, the leading cutting edge and the cutting surface cut through the soil and push it in towards the inclined surface, which in turn displaces the soil in an axial direction. The pipe laying apparatus also includes a plurality of spacers removably mounted to the shaft separating the cutting bits.

Abstract: A device for installing pipe is provided comprised of a chassis and pivotal shoe connected to such a chassis. The chassis is formed with a metallic frame supported above the ground by a pair of wheels and at its forwardmost portion by a hitch and skid plate. The chassis includes an upright beam and at least one support beam as well as a main beam which extends longitudinally from the front of the frame until it engages with the shoe. A pair of cylinders connect the main beam to the upright beam and shoe respectively. The shoe is preferably hollow with a pipe channel interconnecting the front and rear walls. Preferably the device includes a laser system of the type known in the art.

Abstract: A cable feed subassembly for use with a vibratory plow in placing a cable or tube in the earth. The plow includes a plow blade and an associated vibratory unit. A cable guide assembly is mounted on the rear side of the plow blade and an incremental cable feed subassembly is mounted in association with the vibratory unit so as to be oscillated in synchronism with the vibratory cycles of the vibratory unit. The cable feed subassembly includes a pair of cooperating rollers through which the cable is passed, and by which it is forced downwardly by the periodic, incremental rotation of at least one of the rollers.

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: A railroad right-of-way trench plowing machine which includes a locomotive 11, standard flat car 12, a hydraulic boomed vehicle, such as a backhoe 13, attached to flat car 12, a steerable plowing blade 15 attached to the hydraulic boom 16 and a cable 14 attached at one end to the plowing blade 15 and the other end to the locomotive 11. The plowing blade 15 is pivotally attached to hydraulic boom 16 and has tooth 29 located at its bottom end, foot 28, which is disposed to point in the direction to be trenched. A cable guide 17, consisting of a J-shaped tube, is attached to trailing edge 26 of vertical blade 18 and is disposed such that utility cable 1, fed into the top end of cable guide 17, is automatically directed to the base of the trench.An optional feature provides a hydraulic ram 30 attached between pivoting blade 18 and the hydraulic boom 16 for hydraulically pivoting blade 18 about boom 16. Hydraulic ram 30 provides additional steering capabilities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laying cable at an obstruction comprises a collapsible reel, an unwind guide and a rewinding device. The reel is removable from the laying vehicle when it reaches the obstruction and has an end flange which can be removed and radially collapsible surface segments which allow the inner end of the cable to be found and withdrawn, passed through an excavation under the obstruction and rewound onto a new reel. In one arrangement, the rewind device is arranged to introduce a twist into the cable in a direction opposite to that inserted by the unwinding. In this case the rewind device includes an arm rotatable around a stationary reel with traverse means for wrapping the cable onto the reel in similar manner from that which it is withdrawn from the first reel. In a second arrangement the twisted cable is wound onto the new reel and then is withdrawn from the reel in a manner which ensures it is laid without twist.

Abstract: A highly mobile and accurately positionable trenching tool approaches the surface below which the trench is to be dug at an angle of substantially 90.degree., enters the earth while maintaining the angle of substantially 90.degree., and continues its path of travel into the earth while maintaining the angle of substantially 90.degree., until the trenching tool reaches the intended depth of digging operation. Further, the horizontal or width displacement of the trenching tool is limited so that the entry point of the trenching tool occupies a small surface area.

Abstract: Linkage apparatus for connecting a use device, preferably a vibrating cable plow, to a ground-engaging vehicle. The linkage apparatus comprises a first arm member having a first mechanism for connecting the first end to the vehicle, a second arm member having a second mechanism for connecting the second end to the use device, a third mechanism for pivotally connecting the first and second arm members, and a mechanism for dampening vibrations between the first and second arm members perferably including resilient members such as air cushion bags.

Abstract: A cable guiding chute assembly suitable for attachment to a vibratory plow blade to dispense a cable at a selected drop radius. The cable chute assembly includes a pair of generally vertical side wall members joined by a forward wall to define a cable passageway and interchangeable gate members extending the length of the passageway to define cable guiding conduits having different radii. Each gate member is releasably secured to the side walls of the chute to permit expeditious removal and replacement. Further, the chute assembly is constructed with minimal surface area to reduce drag and a leading edge to reduce the build-up of material between the chute and plow blade. Moreoever, the chute assembly includes a downwardly directed bottom opening which permits pulling of the cable when the plow blade is removed from the ground without damaging the cable exterior.

Abstract: A root cutting cable laying plow adapted for attachment to a tractor is provided. The plow includes a shank having a longitudinal blade formed in the leading edge of a lower portion of the shank and having a flat transverse cutting surface above the blade. A cutter having a sharpened lower end is movable with respect to the shank into engagement with the flat cutting surface by a double acting hydraulic cylinder. The cutter and the cylinder rod move between parallel mounting flanges of the tractor, allowing the hydraulic cylinder itself to be attached to the shank above the mounting flanges.

Abstract: A replaceable wear parts assembly for attachment to the plow shank of a cable laying machine is disclosed that is particularly effective in the environment of vibratory plowing action. The replaceable wear parts are preferably in the form of a shank guard and a plow point which are adapted for attachment either directly to a plow shank, or indirectly to a nose/shank weldment that is welded to the plow shank. The shank guard and plow point are compressively forced against the plow shank or the nose/shank weldment by studs that pass longitudinally through the nose/shank weldment or plow shank in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the impact forces generated by the vibratory plowing action.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding the plow blade of a railroad car-mounted cable laying device which includes support means on the railroad car for supporting the plow blade thereon and stop means on the support means for prohibiting the plow blade from sliding off the support means. When more than one plow blade is provided, tethering means is also provided between the plow blades for constraining the plow blades and prohibiting the plow blades from sliding off the support means.

Abstract: The claimed pipeline is made of coaxially arranged envelopes rigidly connected to each other, in which case the internal envelope is made of nonhermetic layers and hermetically sealed layers (3, 4) and the whole set of envelopes is impregnated with a binder (5) and forms a monolithic structure, the external envelope (1) being made of a ground (2).The method consists in forming hole (11) in the ground and insertion into the ground of the nonhermetic layers and hermetically sealed layers (3, 4) of the internal envelope, impregnation of its ground (2) with a binder (5) and followed by expansion and densing of the envelopes by producing an excess pressure of the working medium in the pipeline (9).

Abstract: Optical fibre cable laying apparatus comprising a mobile carrier for paying out cable from a reel and laying the cable in a trench formed by a tyne on the carrier. The reel is rotated, to effect paying out, in a fashion such as to control the tension in the cable. A slack loop is formed in the cable during paying out and the amount of cable in that slack loop is monitored. When the amount of cable in the slack loop decreases, the rate of paying out is increased, and when there is a greater amount of cable in the slack loop, the rate of paying out is decreased. Tension rollers are employed to further minimize tension in the cable as laid.

Abstract: A self-loading plough assembly comprises a plough (2) having a channel (16) for the passage of a cable or pipe (8) and a cutter or cutters (5) for cutting and lifting a wedge of material from a substrate to form a trench into which the cable or pipe (8) is laid. The assembly also comprises a jib (11) for supporting the plough (2) and a carrier (7) for supporting the jib (11). The plough (2) is rotatably mounted under the jib (11) and the jib (11) is slideably mounted on the carrier (7) in such manner that the jib (11) can be raised or lowered and the plough (2) can be rotated about a horizontal axis to scoop the cable or pipe (8) into the channel (16).The assembly can pick up cable or pipe from the ground, e.g., the sea bed, and load it into the plough without manual intervention for burial, and reverse the procedure if need be.

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: 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: 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: The present invention relates to a process for determining the position in a substantially vertical plane of a supple pipe, such as a drain, in the course of being buried in the ground at the bottom of a trench by a working tool. According to the invention, this process is characterized in that the inclination of at least one sensor element connected to the tool is continuously detected, said inclination being indicative of the gradient of the increment of section of supple pipe which has just been laid in the bottom of the trench. The invention is applicable to the laying of drains in trenches.

Abstract: Apparatus for simultaneously burying multiple strands of tubing in a plowed field. The plowed field includes spaced, elongate, generally parallel upstanding beds. A furrow lies in between each adjacent pair of beds. The apparatus buries tubing in the beds. The conduit has an oblong cross sectional area. The apparatus is designed to prevent the tubing from twisting while being buried in the beds.

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: A device at a combined bucket and frozen soil scarifier (/cable plough), where the bucket (13) and scarifier (10) are intended to be attached to a digger arm of an excavator or corresponding machine, and the width of the scarifier (10) is substantially smaller than the width of the bucket (10), and the bucket in digging position is intended to rest at its rear edge (14) against the scarifier (10), and the bucket at its upper portion is hingedly suspended by means of an axle (19) or corresponding member, and preferably by hydraulic means, for example at least one hydraulic cylinder (21), can be folded in the direction from the scarifier, whereby the scarifier can be utilized without the bucket being engaged.

Abstract: An underground cable installing apparatus is disclosed herein along with its method of operation. The apparatus utilizes a power driven land vehicle and an elongated cable laying plow handle supported by and for movement with the vehicle in a way which places a lowermost end portion of the blade in the ground with its cutting edge disposed in the direction of movement of the vehicle. In accordance with one operational feature of the apparatus disclosed herein, a plurality of high impact fluid jets are used to aid the cable laying plow blade in cutting through the earth. In accordance with another feature, the blade is also subjected to vibration, preferably by placing a vibratory member on the in-ground portion of the blade.

Abstract: A machine for installing drip irrigation conduit consisting of a horizontally extended hose and upright risers spaced along the hose, the machine being adapted to move along a predetermined track of conduit installation; the machine having a pair of coulters and a moldboard disposed to generate a furrow having a vertical wall and an opposite wall at an acute angle to the vertical; a reel for transporting preprepared conduit which is drawn from the reel by previously buried conduit as the machine moves along the track; a pair of downwardly convergent, planar guards extended along the furrow and individually upwardly along respective walls; a wheel disposed between the guards for rotation in a plane parallel to such opposite wall, the wheel having fingers spaced about it circumferentially and extended toward the guard along the vertical wall; elements for guiding the hose from the reel for engagement by the fingers at the lower sector of the wheel to lay the conduit in the bottom of the furrow; elements for gui

Abstract: Apparatus for simultaneously burying multiple strands of conduit in a plowed field. The plowed field includes spaced, elongate, generally parallel upstanding beds. A furrow lies in between each adjacent pair of beds. The apparatus buries conduit in the beds.

Abstract: A plow arrangement is disclosed for inserting continuous lengths of foldable conduit in the ground. A plow forms a cavity in the ground for receiving the conduit. Folded conduit is conveyed from a reel to an inlet end of a feeder or boot. As the conduit passes through the feeder, it is unfolded. The feeder discharges the unfolded conduit horizontally behind the plow. Soil lifted by the plow falls around the unfolded conduit constraining it to its unfolded configuration. A vehicle advances the plow and feeder through the ground. The feeder includes a surface for engaging the base of the conduit and guides for engaging the top. The surface and guides converge adjacent the outlet of the feeder to unfold the conduit passing inbetween. Further the surface and guides have arcuate portions that bend the conduit about its apex to urge it to its unfolded configuration.

Abstract: A trencher for escavating narrow channels in soil comprises a power driven wheel rotating about a transverse, horizontal axis and a plurality of buckets disposed about its periphery. The wheel includes a pair of circular gear racks disposed inwardly from its periphery and symmetrically about the vertical midplane of the wheel. A pair of pinions, engaging the pair of racks, symmetrically applies driving energy to the wheel. Each of the buckets comprises an arcuate cutter face and undercut, arcuate, longitudinal body portion which is secured to the wheel by a flat spoke extending radially outwardly from the vertical midplane of the wheel. The trencher also includes two pairs of arms disposed on opposite sides of the wheel and bucket spokes. As the wheel and buckets rotate, soil is engaged, lifted above ground level and emptied from the buckets by the pairs of arms.

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: A plow assembly and method useful for burying an elongated flexible member at a predetermined depth beneath ground level. The arrangement utilizes a frame assembly adapted to be pulled by a tractor type vehicle and which frame assembly has a vertically-extending plow support unit. A dynamic plow unit is mounted at the lower end of the plow support unit and includes a generally horizontal base. The forward end of the plow unit includes a plow nose portion having an inclined top surface. The top of the plow unit is defined by a plate member having an upper surface which extends rearwardly from the nose generally parallel to the base. The plate member is mounted about a transverse axis closely adjacent the nose portion for pivotal oscillating movement by hydraulic cylinder means. Such oscillation is between a first position generally parallel to the plow unit base and a second position spaced angularly upward therefrom.