Patents by Inventor Robert Ward Carter

Robert Ward Carter has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11009174
    Abstract: A pipe bursting system and method, and components thereof, are described wherein a bursting head assembly pulled by a cable employs a relatively small pneumatic impactor (hammer) and a relatively large cable tension to impose a cyclical stress on the pipe being burst to cause fatigue failure of the pipe, resulting in lower size and power requirements, and higher efficiency for a given set of job requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Inventors: Robert Ward Carter, David B Crafts, Maxwell Frank Darrow
  • Publication number: 20200284389
    Abstract: A pipe bursting system and method, and components thereof, are described wherein a bursting head assembly pulled by a cable employs a relatively small pneumatic impactor (hammer) and a relatively large cable tension to impose a cyclical stress on the pipe being burst to cause fatigue failure of the pipe, resulting in lower size and power requirements, and higher efficiency for a given set of job requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Ward Carter, David B. Crafts, Maxwell Frank Darrow
  • Patent number: 10598306
    Abstract: A pipe bursting system and method are described wherein a bursting head pulled by a cable employs a relatively small pneumatic hammer and a relatively large cable tension to impose a cyclical hoop stress on the pipe being burst to cause fatigue failure of the pipe, resulting in lower size and power requirements, and higher efficiency for a given set of job requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Ward Carter, David B Crafts, Maxwell Frank Darrow
  • Publication number: 20180245726
    Abstract: A pipe bursting system and method are described wherein a bursting head pulled by a cable employs a relatively small pneumatic hammer and a relatively large cable tension to impose a cyclical hoop stress on the pipe being burst to cause fatigue failure of the pipe, resulting in lower size and power requirements, and higher efficiency for a given set of job requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Ward Carter, David B. Crafts, Maxwell Frank Darrow
  • Patent number: 8702349
    Abstract: Apparatus for replacing underground pipe is described, including a resistance plate from which a pair of hydraulic cylinders extend perpendicularly in parallel with each other. The cylinders operate cyclically with a pulling bridge having a cable gripper to provide a sequence of pulling strokes to a cable pulling a mole. The mole pulls a replacement pipe behind it through the old pipe, which has been burst, slit, or otherwise expanded by the mole. The resistance plate is provided with a slot, and the cylinders are positions such as to allow the mode to be pulled substantially completely into the apparatus. A holding bridge is releasably mounted spanning the slot in the reaction plate to position a second cable gripper for holding the cable on return stroke of the pulling bridge. The holding bridge may be removed at the end of the pulling operation to accommodate the mole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Tric Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Ward Carter, Robert Ding
  • Publication number: 20120170980
    Abstract: Apparatus for replacing underground pipe is described, including a resistance plate from which a pair of hydraulic cylinders extend perpendicularly in parallel with each other. The cylinders operate cyclically with a pulling bridge having a cable gripper to provide a sequence of pulling strokes to a cable pulling a mole. The mole pulls a replacement pipe behind it through the old pipe, which has been burst, slit, or otherwise expanded by the mole. The resistance plate is provided with a slot, and the cylinders are positions such as to allow the mode to be pulled substantially completely into the apparatus. A holding bridge is releasably mounted spanning the slot in the reaction plate to position a second cable gripper for holding the cable on return stroke of the pulling bridge. The holding bridge may be removed at the end of the pulling operation to accommodate the mole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Ward Carter, Robert M.J. Ding
  • Publication number: 20110250020
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention comprises a pipe parting mole, a length of cable that is engagable to the mole, a cable pulling device and a cable pulling device engagement frame that provides a mounting structure for the cable pulling device. The cable pulling device engagement frame comprises a reaction plate and an annulus member for removably engaging the cable pulling device with the frame. The frame is configured for the sideways engagement of the cable within the frame and the annulus member. Two pairs of cable engagement collets are preferably utilized; a first pair being disposed within the cable pulling device to engage the cable on a pulling stroke, and a second pair may be disposed within the frame or the cable pulling device to engage the cable on a recovery stroke. In an embodiment the cable pulling device comprises a post tensioning ram (PTR).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Robert Ward Carter, Frank Geshwind, Nicolae Neag
  • Patent number: 6799923
    Abstract: The trenchless water pipe replacement device includes a cable pulling device, a pipe splitter, a length of cable and a cable end piece. The cable is fished through a pipe that is to be replaced, and a length of replacement pipe is attached to the end piece. The pipe splitter is disposed at the front end of the pipe and the cable pulling device is disposed behind the pipe splitter. When the cable pulling device is activated, the end piece makes contact with the rear end of the pipe and sufficient pulling force is applied to the cable to dislodge the pipe and pull it onto the pipe splitter, which splits the pipe as it is pulled from the ground. The replacement pipe is pulled behind the end piece, such that when the end piece is entirely pulled through the ground, the replacement pipe is disposed in its place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: TRIC Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Williams Carter, Robert Ward Carter
  • Patent number: 6793442
    Abstract: The basic features of the invention include a pipe parting mole, a length of cable that is engagable to the mole, a cable pulling device and a cable pulling device engagement means that provides a mounting structure for the cable pulling device. The cable pulling device engagement means generally includes a reaction plate and a structure for removably engaging the cable pulling device therewithin. A cable pulling frame may be advantageously used to facilitate the removal of the cable from a relatively small hole that is created at the pulling end of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: TRIC Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Ward Carter, Robert Williams Carter
  • Publication number: 20030147700
    Abstract: The basic features of the invention include a pipe parting mole, a length of cable that is engagable to the mole, a cable pulling device and a cable pulling device engagement means that provides a mounting structure for the cable pulling device. The cable pulling device engagement means generally includes a reaction plate and a structure for removably engaging the cable pulling device therewithin. A cable pulling frame may be advantageously used to facilitate the removal of the cable from a relatively small hole that is created at the pulling end of the pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Robert Ward Carter, Robert Williams Carter
  • Publication number: 20030044237
    Abstract: The trenchless water pipe replacement device includes a cable pulling device, a pipe splitter, a length of cable and a cable end piece. The cable is fished through a pipe that is to be replaced, and a length of replacement pipe is attached to the end piece. The pipe splitter is disposed at the front end of the pipe and the cable pulling device is disposed behind the pipe splitter. When the cable pulling device is activated, the end piece makes contact with the rear end of the pipe and sufficient pulling force is applied to the cable to dislodge the pipe and pull it onto the pipe splitter, which splits the pipe as it is pulled from the ground. The replacement pipe is pulled behind the end piece, such that when the end piece is entirely pulled through the ground, the replacement pipe is disposed in its place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Robert Williams Carter, Robert Ward Carter
  • Patent number: 6524031
    Abstract: A trenchless pipe replacement device including a pipe parting mole, a length of cable that is engagable to the mole, a cable pulling device and a cable pulling device engagement device that provides a mounting structure for the cable pulling device. The cable pulling device includes a reciprocating cable engagement mechanism that grips the cable on a pulling stroke and holds the cable on a recovery stroke. The cable pulling device engagement device generally includes a reaction plate and a structure for removably engaging the cable pulling device therewithin. A cable pulling frame may be used to facilitate the removal of the cable from a relatively small hole that is created at the pulling end of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: WRB Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Ward Carter, Robert Williams Carter
  • Publication number: 20020067954
    Abstract: The basic features of the invention include a pipe parting mole, a length of cable that is engagable to the mole, a cable pulling device and a cable pulling device engagement means that provides a mounting structure for the cable pulling device. The cable pulling device engagement means generally includes a reaction plate and a structure for removably engaging the cable pulling device therewithin. A cable pulling frame may be advantageously used to facilitate the removal of the cable from a relatively small hole that is created at the pulling end of the pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Robert Ward Carter, Robert Williams Carter
  • Patent number: 6305880
    Abstract: The basic features of the invention include a pipe parting mole, a length of cable that is engagable to the mole, a cable pulling device and a cable pulling device engagement frame that provides a mounting structure for the cable pulling device. The cable pulling device engagement frame generally includes a reaction plate and an annulus member for removably engaging the cable pulling device with the frame. The frame is configured for the sideways engagement of the cable within the frame and the annulus member. Two pairs of cable engagement collets are preferably utilized; a first pair being disposed within the cable pulling device to engage the cable on a pulling stroke, and a second pair may be disposed within the frame or the cable pulling device to engage the cable on a recovery stroke. The cable pulling device is preferably a post tensioning ram (PTR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: WRB Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Ward Carter, Robert Williams Carter