Abstract: An adapter may be used to impart ramming force on a pipe having a larger diameter than the ramming tool. The adapter has a set of collets which interface with a conical nose on the ramming tool. The adapter further has a split ring that engages with the pipe and either the collet set or an intermediate cone. The split ring has gaps which are bridged by a cam connector. The cam connector may, through rotation of a cam pin, modify the size of the gaps in the split ring. Expansion of the split ring within a pipe allows the ring to hold its position without relying on a weldment or other more permanent connection.

Abstract: A reversible pipe ramming tool used in horizontal pipe replacement operations. The tool is powered by a pneumatic hose attached to a rear end of the tool. The tool has forward and rearward fluid paths, which can either communicate with one another or stand in isolation. Fluid flow along the forward fluid path, when it is maintained in isolation from the reverse fluid path, causes the tool to move in a forward direction. Fluid flow along the forward fluid path, when it is maintained in communication with the reverse fluid path, causes the tool to move in a rearward direction. The tool is switched between forward and reverse by flowing fluid through a pilot fluid path in fluid communication with a valve. Movement of a shuttle within the valve selectively isolates the forward fluid path from the reverse fluid path.

Abstract: A system for pushing and pulling rod strings through the ground or an underground pipe. The apparatus has a downhole tool attached to the distal end of the rod string. The push/pull machine has a stationary frame that is placed against the ground to provide a reaction surface. The stationary frame has an opening for the rod string to pass through. A rod gripping assembly is supported on the machine frame and moveable relative to the stationary frame. The push/pull machine has a powered rod section spinner to add or remove rod string sections from the rod string. An actuator powers movement of jaws into a spinner bowl to cause a powered gripping of the rod string section. With the rod string section gripped a motor is activated to rotate the rod string section to connect it to a rod string or disconnect it from the rod string.

Abstract: A method for enlarging a crushed section of a ductile pipe. A wire rope having a bead or plurality of beads attached to the rope is placed in a ductile pipe. When a series of beads is used, each of the beads is sequentially larger. The wire rope is pulled through the crushed section, and the ductile pipe conforms to the larger diameter of the beads. The crushed section of pipe may be expanded so that a larger wire rope suitable for pipe extraction may be passed through. Alternatively, the pipe may be reformed and expanded to near or greater than its original size. The pipe may then be coated or a smaller slip-lined pipe may be placed within the original pipe.

Abstract: A hinged cover overlays an opening that provides access to a pressurized inversion drum. A releasable latch assembly holds the cover in a closed and locked position. The latch assembly comprises a plurality of first knuckles formed in the cover that are interlaceable with a plurality of second knuckles formed in the body adjacent the opening. The latch assembly further comprises a rotatable latch pin that may be installed within the first and second knuckles. The latch assembly is moved from an unlocked to a locked position by rotation of the latch pin within the knuckles.

Abstract: An adapter may be used to impart ramming force on a pipe having a larger diameter than the ramming tool. The adapter has a set of collets which interface with a conical nose on the ramming tool. The adapter further has a split ring that engages with the pipe and either the collet set or an intermediate cone. The split ring has gaps which are bridged by a cam connector. The cam connector may, through rotation of a cam pin, modify the size of the gaps in the split ring. Expansion of the split ring within a pipe allows the ring to hold its position without relying on a weldment or other more permanent connection.

Abstract: A pipe extraction machine can be used to remove a buried pipe from the ground. The machine has a carriage with jaws that grip the buried pipe. While gripped, the carriage moves relative to a support structure to pull the pipe out of the ground. Jaws are actuated by rotating clamp plates and maintained in opposition by static horizontal grooves. The jaws remain opposed and aligned during rotation of the clamp plates. A pipe shear may remove the pipe one piece at a time. A pipe puller can be used at the back end of the pipe being removed to simultaneously install a new pipe along the same path.

Abstract: A method for pushing and pulling rod strings through the ground or an underground pipe. A grip assembly is supported on a stationary frame and moveable relative to the stationary frame. The grip assembly has a slip bowl tapering from a large opening to a small opening in a first direction, a plurality of slips, and an actuator. The actuator powers relative axial movement between the slip bowl and the slips. A positioning assembly carries the grip assembly and powers its reciprocating and straight-line movement to urge the grip assembly in either a first or second direction. The grip assembly will work when operated to push or pull the pipe, irrespective of the is direction of the slips.

Abstract: A system for pushing and pulling rod strings through the ground or an underground pipe. The apparatus has a downhole tool attached to the distal end of the rod string. The push/pull machine has a stationary frame that is placed against the ground to provide a reaction surface. The stationary frame has an opening for the rod string to pass through. A rod gripping assembly is supported on the machine frame and moveable relative to the stationary frame. The push/pull machine has a powered rod section spinner to add or remove rod string sections from the rod string. An actuator powers movement of jaws into a spinner bowl to cause a powered gripping of the rod string section. With the rod string section gripped a motor is activated to rotate the rod string section to connect it to a rod string or disconnect it from the rod string.

Abstract: A drill bit for use with a pneumatic hammer used in horizontal directional drilling operations. A compact forward face is formed on the first end of the drill bit. The forward face reciprocates against a face of a borehole. A steering face is disposed behind the forward face and is concave adjacent its first end and convex adjacent its second end, with a smooth transition between the two regions. The body has a circular profile at its second end. The drill bit displaces cobble and small rocks encountered, rather than breaking them, enhancing steering in mixed conditions.

Abstract: A system for pushing and pulling rod strings through the ground or an underground pipe. The apparatus has a downhole tool attached to the distal end of the rod string. The push/pull machine has a stationary frame that is placed against the ground to provide a reaction surface. The stationary frame has an opening for the rod string to pass through. A rod gripping assembly is supported on the machine frame and moveable relative to the stationary frame. The push/pull machine has a powered rod section spinner to add or remove rod string sections from the rod string. An actuator powers movement of jaws into a spinner bowl to cause a powered gripping of the rod string section. With the rod string section gripped a motor is activated to rotate the rod string section to connect it to a rod string or disconnect it from the rod string.

Abstract: A system for pushing and pulling rod strings through the ground or an underground pipe. The apparatus has a downhole tool attached to the distal end of the rod string. The push/pull machine has a stationary frame that is placed against the ground to provide a reaction surface. The stationary frame has an opening for the rod string to pass through. A rod gripping assembly is supported on the machine frame and moveable relative to the stationary frame. The push/pull machine has a powered rod section spinner to add or remove rod string sections from the rod string. An actuator powers movement of jaws into a spinner bowl to cause a powered gripping of the rod string section. With the rod string section gripped a motor is activated to rotate the rod string section to connect it to a rod string or disconnect it from the rod string.

Abstract: A method for pushing and pulling rod strings through the ground or an underground pipe. A grip assembly is supported on a stationary frame and moveable relative to the stationary frame. The grip assembly has a slip bowl tapering from a large opening to a small opening in a first direction, a plurality of slips, and an actuator. The actuator powers relative axial movement between the slip bowl and the slips. A positioning assembly carries the grip assembly and powers its reciprocating and straight-line movement to urge the grip assembly in either a first or second direction. The grip assembly will work when operated to push or pull the pipe, irrespective of the is direction of the slips.

Abstract: A pullback system to install or replace underground utilities that is used with a hammer used in horizontal directional drilling operations. The system comprises a drill bit attached to the hammer. The drill bit comprises a cutting face comprising a first and second passage. The system further comprises a pullback adapter comprising an attachment member, a first member, and a second member. The attachment member may be secured to the cutting face of the drill bit by inserting the first member of the pullback adapter through the first passage of the cutting face and inserting the second member of the pullback adapter through the second passage of the cutting face. The first member secures to the second member within an internal cavity of the drill bit to hold the attachment member for movement with the drill bit. A new pipe may be secured to a shackle on the pullback adapter. The drilling machine will then pull the hammer rearwardly through the borehole which in turn pulls the new pipe into the borehole.

Abstract: A pipe expander assembly for replacing an existing pipe with a new pipe. The expander assembly has a slitter disposed about a wire rope and abutting an expander at a spherical joint. The expander comprises a cone to expand a slit pipe and is internally connected to the wire rope by jaws that expand and contract about the wire rope due to threading of a jam nut into the cone. A pipe puller is connected to the back of the expander at a clevis and is adapted for connection to a new pipe, either through a jaw system, an adaptor, or fusion to the pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus for replacing an existing pipe. The apparatus comprises a slitter and expander which surround a wire rope. The wire rope is attached to the expander, and the expander abuts either the slitter or a separation tube disposed between the expander and slitter, such that the slitter and expander are pivotable relative to each other. The apparatus is placed in a pipe to be replaced and pulled. While being pulled, blades on the slitter slit the pipe, while a sloped surface of the expander moves the slit sections apart into surrounding soil. A replacement pipe may be pulled by a pipe putter attached to the expander. A beacon may also be disposed within the apparatus to emit a signal for locating the apparatus white underground.

Abstract: A backreaming assembly having an elongate rotatable tool shaft and a plurality of cutting elements. The tool shaft is disposed on a tool axis and has a first end and a second end. Each cutting element is supported on the shaft in side-to-side relationship. Each cutting element is rotatable with respect to the shaft and with respect to each other. Each cutting element has a center offset from the tool axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for replacing an existing pipe. The apparatus comprises a slitting apparatus towed by a wire rope. The apparatus has an elongate body having opposed first and second ends and a hollow region extending end-to-end. A pair of wings is supported on the body. Each wing has a recessed inner surface having a sharpened edge and an outer surface. The outer surface does not have an edge as sharp as the sharpened edge of the recessed inner surface. The sharpened edge slits the existing pipe and the outer surface is positioned to engage any adjacent pipes without causing damage to the adjacent pipe as the apparatus is towed. through the ground.

Abstract: A system for pushing and pulling rod strings through the ground or an underground pipe. The apparatus has a downhole tool attached to the distal end of the rod string. The push/pull machine has a stationary frame that is placed against the ground to provide a reaction surface. The stationary frame has an opening for the rod string to pass through. A grip assembly is supported on the stationary frame and moveable relative to the stationary frame. The grip assembly has a slip bowl, a plurality of slips, and an actuator. The actuator does not engage the internal surface of any slip and powers relative axial movement between the slip bowl and the slips. A positioning assembly carries the grip assembly and powers its reciprocating and straight-line movement to urge the grip assembly in either a first or second direction.