Patents Assigned to TT Technologies, Inc.
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Patent number: 11913588Abstract: A portable winch and method of use is shown. One advantage of winches shown includes an ability to lower a boom or boom sections into limited access exit pit for winching operations such as pipe bursting. Sectional boom designs shown provide the ability to easily raise and lower a boom large distances without the need for a single long boom. Selected winch designs shown include flexible inserts between the boom and the winch frame that help resist damage from unforeseen shifting of the device during operation. Designs and methods shown also include multiple pulleys on a boom end unit. Fasteners are shown that reduce build up of debris.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2022Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: TT Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Michael Tjader
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Patent number: 11898685Abstract: A cable retention and release mechanism includes a cable gripping device including a cable passage. A cable extends through the cable passage. A cable gripping device collar is movably coupled around the cable gripping device. An outer cable gripping device surface is seated against a cable gripping device receiving inner surface preventing movement of the cable gripping device relative to the cable gripping device collar. The cable gripping device receiving inner surface clamps the cable gripping device on the cable and prevents sliding movement of the cable. A jack is movably coupled with the cable gripping device collar. In a first engaged position the jack is engaged against the cable gripping device proximal end. In a second engaged position the jack unseats the outer cable gripping device surface from the cable gripping device receiving inner surface and releases the clamping of the cable.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2022Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: TT Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Michael Tjader
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Patent number: 11735894Abstract: A cable pulling system and associated method are shown. Examples include positioning joints that allows a pulling boom to move up or down and side to side, while maintaining alignment of a pulling cable between pulleys. Example methods include positioning a pulling boom within a conduit box and pulling an electrical cable through a conduit into the conduit box.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2021Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: TT Technologies, Inc.Inventor: John A. Olander
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Patent number: 11725765Abstract: A cable puller and associated methods are shown. Useful example methods include pipe bursting using cable pullers as shown. Cable pullers and methods shown provide a mechanical advantage that increases an amount of cable pulled in one cycle. Selected examples are shown that include a pulley located on a distal end of a moving portion of an extending and contracting beam. The pulley and the mechanical advantage it supplies helps to improve the efficiency of the cable puller and reduce manufacturing cost of the cable puller.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2022Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: TT Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Michael Tjader
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Patent number: 11713630Abstract: A directional drill vice and associated methods are shown. A directional drill and associated methods are also shown. Examples of directional drill stem configurations include gripping jaws configured with a common jaw pivot. Examples of directional drill stem configurations also include a slot in a vice frame to allow lateral insertion of a drill stem segment.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2021Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: TT Technologies, Inc.Inventor: John A. Olander
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Patent number: 11713624Abstract: A directional drill securing device and associated methods are shown. Securing devices and methods shown include a plurality of staking devices on a single lateral side of a directional drill. Using examples shown, a lower force is required to drive multiple staking devices than would be needed for a larger staking device of equivalent area.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2021Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: TT Technologies, Inc.Inventor: John A. Olander
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Patent number: 11703173Abstract: Pipe replacement devices, and systems are shown. Devices and systems may include jointed cutters and floating cutters to navigate difficult pipe replacement conditions. Devices and systems may also include replacement pipe with pre-installed supply hoses, such as lubricant supply and/or pneumatic supply hoses. Methods of pipe replacement are also described, including splitting old pipe and pulling in new pipe behind the equipment as splitting progresses.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2021Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: TT Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Michael Tjader
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Patent number: 11674616Abstract: A pipe puller system and methods of pipe extraction are shown. In one example a pipe to be replaced is pulled by attaching a pulling force to multiple locations along a length of the pipe. In one example pulling forces can be varied between different attachment locations to better control or eliminate tearing of the pipe. In one example, a pipe loosening device may be used prior to pulling the pipe from the ground.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2022Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: TT Technologies, Inc.Inventor: John A. Olander
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Patent number: 11674629Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2022Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: TT Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Michael Tjader
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Patent number: 11578830Abstract: A pipe pulling lubrication apparatus includes a pipe anchor having an anchor body. The anchor body includes a first coupling feature near an anchor body proximal portion and a distal pipe coupling feature near an anchor body distal portion. The distal pipe coupling feature is configured to couple and position a replacement pipe exterior surface near an anchor body exterior surface. The lubrication apparatus further includes a lubrication system including a lubricant conduit extending within the anchor body from the distal pipe coupling feature toward an anchor body intermediate portion between the first coupling feature and the distal pipe coupling feature. The lubrication system includes a lubricant distributor having one or more lubricant passages extending from the lubricant conduit toward the anchor body exterior surface, the lubricant distributor is configured to deliver a lubricant to the replacement pipe exterior surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: TT Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Michael Tjader
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Patent number: 11448353Abstract: A cable retention and release mechanism includes a cable gripping device including a cable passage. A cable extends through the cable passage. A cable gripping device collar is movably coupled around the cable gripping device. An outer cable gripping device surface is seated against a cable gripping device receiving inner surface preventing movement of the cable gripping device relative to the cable gripping device collar. The cable gripping device receiving inner surface clamps the cable gripping device on the cable and prevents sliding movement of the cable. A jack is movably coupled with the cable gripping device collar. In a first engaged position the jack is engaged against the cable gripping device proximal end. In a second engaged position the jack unseats the outer cable gripping device surface from the cable gripping device receiving inner surface and releases the clamping of the cable.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2021Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: TT Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Michael Tjader
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Patent number: 11441722Abstract: A portable winch and method of use is shown. One advantage of winches shown includes an ability to lower a boom or boom sections into limited access exit pit for winching operations such as pipe bursting. Sectional boom designs shown provide the ability to easily raise and lower a boom large distances without the need for a single long boom. Selected winch designs shown include flexible inserts between the boom and the winch frame that help resist damage from unforeseen shifting of the device during operation. Designs and methods shown also include multiple pulleys on a boom end unit. Fasteners are shown that reduce build up of debris.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2020Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: TT Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Michael Tjader
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Patent number: 11378218Abstract: A cable puller and associated methods are shown. Useful example methods include pipe bursting using cable pullers as shown. Cable pullers and methods shown provide a mechanical advantage that increases an amount of cable pulled in one cycle. Selected examples are shown that include a pulley located on a distal end of a moving portion of an extending and contracting beam. The pulley and the mechanical advantage it supplies helps to improve the efficiency of the cable puller and reduce manufacturing cost of the cable puller.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2021Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: TT Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Michael Tjader
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Patent number: 11346464Abstract: A pipe puller system and methods of pipe extraction are shown. In one example a pipe to be replaced is pulled by attaching a pulling force to multiple locations along a length of the pipe. In one example pulling forces can be varied between different attachment locations to better control or eliminate tearing of the pipe. In one example, a pipe loosening device may be used prior to pulling the pipe from the ground.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2021Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: TT Technologies, Inc.Inventor: John A. Olander
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Patent number: 11293579Abstract: A pipe loosening device and methods are shown. In one example, the pipe loosening device enables a method wherein a pipe to be replaced is deformed but not burst, and a portion of a sidewall of the pipe is forced outward into the surrounding soil to compact a local region of the surrounding soil and loosen the existing pipe. The pipe may then pulled from the ground along an axis of the pipe.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2020Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: TT Technologies, Inc.Inventor: John A. Olander
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Patent number: 11293235Abstract: A directional drill stem loader and associated methods are shown. In one example, the drill stem loader operates in a linear motion. In one example, a drill stem gripper is configured to move the completely to one side of a drill stem during a retraction operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2020Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: TT Technologies, Inc.Inventor: John A. Olander
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Patent number: 11236852Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2020Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: TT Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Michael Tjader
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Patent number: 11231127Abstract: A pipe replacement system and cable guide frame are shown. Configurations are shown that include plurality of guide pulleys attached to the cable guide frame to define a curved path between a pipe to be replaced and a cable pulling system. Configurations are shown where a pipe breaking tool is pulled over the plurality of guide pulleys for ease of removal after a replacement operation. Configurations are also shown that include a stationary splitter adjacent to the cable pulling system to prevent jamming of the cable pulling system.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2020Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: TT Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Michael Tjader
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Patent number: 11209111Abstract: A pipe pulling lubrication apparatus includes a pipe anchor having an anchor body. The anchor body includes a first coupling feature near an anchor body proximal portion and a distal pipe coupling feature near an anchor body distal portion. The distal pipe coupling feature is configured to couple and position a replacement pipe exterior surface near an anchor body exterior surface. The lubrication apparatus further includes a lubrication system including a lubricant conduit extending within the anchor body from the distal pipe coupling feature toward an anchor body intermediate portion between the first coupling feature and the distal pipe coupling feature. The lubrication system includes a lubricant distributor having one or more lubricant passages extending from the lubricant conduit toward the anchor body exterior surface, the lubricant distributor is configured to deliver a lubricant to the replacement pipe exterior surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2018Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: TT Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Michael Tjader
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Patent number: 11125377Abstract: Pipe splitting apparatuses and systems including a replaceable blade, and methods therefor, are provided. In various examples, a cable retention and release mechanism is configured to releasably engage a cable and includes one or more segments of a pipe splitting apparatus including a cable passage. A segmented collet includes tapered segments and is disposed within a tapered portion of a cable passage of the one or more segments. Channel surfaces of the tapered segments together form a cable channel through the segmented collet. The cable channel is configured to widen in a disengaged position of the segmented collet and narrow in an engaged position of the segmented collet. A spring is disposed within the spring pocket of the one or more segments to bias the segmented collet distally in the engaged position.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2018Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: TT Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Michael Tjader