Abstract: A pipe/pulling frame is fitted to the tool end of a movable boom of an excavator, preferably via a quick-attach coupling. The boom first positions the frame in and out of the pit and then secondly holds the frame against twisting movement in the pipe-extraction pit during pulling, thereby obviating the need to provide shoring and other bracing. The frame comprises an actuator and a single reaction plate. The actuator pulls a segmented cable which extends through the pipe while the reaction plate structure bears against the pit wall. The actuator is further operable also to push a stuck pipe, for which the reaction structure is moved to the opposing end of the frame. A swivel is preferably fitted between the tool end and frame to allow the excavator to be positioned independent of the frame. An abutment member at the distal end of the old pipe is replaceable with a ground-reaming tubular pipe for pushing the trailing end of the old pipe and pulling the leading end of a new pipe.

Abstract: A pipe pulling and pushing apparatus and method of operation, which apparatus includes a spring-loaded wedge device seated in a driving apparatus and fitted to a rod or pipe for forcing the rod or pipe beneath a road, pipeline or other barrier where trenching is not feasible. The spring-loaded wedge is characterized by a housing which receives a coil spring positioned to intermittently engage a wedge defined by wedge segments collectively having a rod bore and teeth for selectively gripping the rod or pipe when the spring is fully extended, and releasing the rod or pipe when the spring is compressed. Repetitive gripping and releasing of the rod or pipe by the wedge is effected responsive to operation of the driving apparatus to incrementally drive the rod or pipe through the terrain beneath the barrier. The spring-loaded wedge can also be positioned on the rod or pipe in the driving apparatus to pull the rod or pipe through the terrain beneath the barrier.

Abstract: A post puller and a method of use are described herein. The method of the invention entails lowering a collar over a top end of the post. The collar is carried by a suitable frame. The frame is attached to a bucket which forms a portion of a front end loader attached to a tractor. The bucket of the front end loader is tilted to engage an upper end and a lower end of the collar with the post. The bucket is then raised to pull the post from the earth. The puller is formed from a frame and a collar. The frame has an open upper end, an open lower end, a front side, and a back side. The frame has a longitudinal axis extending from the open upper end to the open lower end. The collar is mounted inside of the frame. The collar has an open upper end positioned near the open upper end of the frame, an open lower end positioned near the open lower end of the frame, a front side positioned near the front side of the frame, and a back side positioned near the back side of the frame.

Abstract: A snubbing configuration for inserting a pipe and/or a tool assembly on a pipe into a live well head employs a telescopic cylinder, e.g. a telescopic snubbing jack, between an upper BOP, e.g. an annular BOP, and a lower BOP, e.g. a double-gate BOP, in place of a conventional stripping BOP and an extended spool which are required in conventional configurations to accommodate long tool assemblies.

Abstract: A drift gauge sticker remover comprises a base, a frame mounted on the base and extending into the pass line of a powered drift gauge rod. The frame has a slot in which is mounted a pin supporting the top ends of a pivoted front plate and a back plate in a manner such that the plates can slidably move within the slot. The back plate is biased by a first spring means and a second spring means holds the front plate at an angle to the pass line in a rest position. An hydraulic cylinder/piston assembly moves the plates away from and toward a casing to be gauged. Each of the plates has an aperture in the pass line, that in the front plate is at an angle to the pass line such that, when the front plate is pivoted toward a vertical position, the edges of the aperture therein grip the drift gauge rod and apply a bending moment thereto to dislodge a stuck drift gauge.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for longitudinally adjusting the position of a rotating rod string, having an upper end and a lower end, in a production well of the type having a downhole rotary pump connected to the lower end of the rod string, means for driving the rotary pump by rotating the rod string, and a lower clamp operably connected to the driving means and releasably fixable near the upper end of the rod string such that operation of the driving means rotates the lower clamp which rotates the rod string. The device is comprised of a tubular inner sleeve having a threaded outer surface and a lower end for removably mounting on the lower clamp such that the rod string is contained therein and rotation of the lower clamp by the driving means rotates the inner sleeve. A tubular outer sleeve having an upper end and a threaded inner surface is mounted about and threadably engaged with the inner sleeve.

Abstract: A pipeline assembling apparatus used in assembling together large diameter PVC pipes into a pipeline includes a gripper assembly having an upright member for placement adjacent a side of an end of a second pipe to be inserted into an adjacent end of a first pipe and a pair of upper and lower horizontal members extending in cantilevered fashion outwardly from the upright member and generally parallel to one another for placement respectively above and below the end of the second pipe, an actuator assembly spaced from the gripper assembly and having a lower yoke of an inverted U-shape formed by a top horizontal member and a pair of vertical side members for placement over the end of the first pipe and a handle fixedly attached to the top horizontal member of the lower yoke, and a link member extending between and pivotally connected at one end to the upper horizontal member of the gripper assembly and at an opposite end to the handle of the actuator assembly such that by manually pulling on an upper extension o

Abstract: A pull cap is positioned about the exposed end of a probe rod and engages a pulling device to remove the probe rod from the ground. The pull cap has a first body section with a first concave surface disposed adjacent one end of the first section and for engaging the exposed end of the rod. The first body section also has a first channel on its outer surface adjacent the other end of the first section. A second body section has a second concave surface disposed adjacent one end of the second section and for engaging the exposed end of the rod. The second body section also has a second channel on its outer surface adjacent the other end of the second section. A hinge arrangement is disposed on both the first and second sections adjacent the other ends of the first and second sections. The hinge arrangement hinges the first and second sections together so that the pull cap has an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: A drift gauge rod pushing device comprises a base, a frame mounted on the base and extending into the pass line of a powered drift gauge rod. The frame has a slot in which is mounted a pin supporting the top ends of a pivoted front plate and a back plate in a manner such that the plates can slidably move within the slot. The back plate is biased by a first spring means and a second spring means holds the front plate at an angle to the pass line in a rest position. An hydraulic cylinder/piston assembly moves the plates away from and toward a casing to be gauged. Each of the plates has an aperture in the pass line, that in the front plate is at an angle to the pass line such that, when the front plate is pivoted toward a vertical position, the edges of the aperture therein grip the drift gauge rod and apply a bending moment thereto to dislodge a stuck drift gauge.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel lifting devices and methods for lifting foundations and slabs. One or more power cylinders is pivotally linked to a pier and to a foundation bracket assembly. The pivotal linkage results in self-alignment between the longitudinal axis of the pier and the axis along which compressive pressure is applied to the pier.

Abstract: A tractor steel post driver comprising an elongated driving assembly having an upper cylindrical pipe and a lower pipe, a bracket formed of two small parallel plates, each of the plates having a free end, each of plates having an aperture therethrough with a pin positioned through the aperture of the plates and apertures at the upper end of the upper pipe with the pipe located between the plates; a pair of collar bolts positioned with their head ends interior of the lower pipes and extending radially outward through lower apertures in the lower pipe; and a collar having a cylindrical upper extent with downwardly extending recesses formed therein adapted to receive the ends of the collar bolts exterior of the tube but interiorly of the nuts with a circular plate at its lower extent having an enlarged diameter to function as a stop when used in driving posts, the collar and plate having an axial aperture for receiving the upper end of a post to be driven by inserting its upper end through the plate and lower ha

Abstract: The rig has a base frame, with powered ground screw anchors, trunnion attached to a tiltable top frame equipped with pipe handling rollers, pipe clamp, power tongs, and crosshead mounted swivel arranged to slide along the frame to transfer axial forces to a drill string situated parallel to and centered above the top frame. The swivel is plumbed to deliver drilling fluids to the drill string. Remote power sources provide drilling fluid processing and hydraulic power to the various controls to operate; a tilt mechanism to tilt the top frame to align with a well bore, power tongs, to move the crosshead, rotate the ground screws, a pipe stabbing roller and a pipe cradle to move pipe sections into and out of the rig working center. Operator cab stations are positioned along the top frame and are bearing mounted to stay vertical when the top frame is tilted.

Abstract: An adapter on the nose of a pneumatic ram engages the end of an underground pipe and under the action of the ram drives the pipe ahead of it for removal. The adapter has a frusto-conical channel at the larger diameter end of a frusto-conical region of a nose section for receiving the end of a pipe upon radial expansion of the pipe end to thereby secure the adapter to the pipe while preventing excessive radial expansion of the pipe end.

Abstract: A post puller configured to grasp a post from the side. The post puller includes a first member having a main body portion and a generally U-shaped section extending from the main body portion and a second member pivotally secured to the first member and having a main body portion and a bent section which extends from the main body portion at an obtuse angle. The second member is movable between a first position where a forward side surface of the bent section and an inner side surface of the generally U-shaped section define an opening sized to receive the post therein and a second position where the post is frictionally engaged between the inner side surface of the generally U-shaped section and the forward side surface of the bent section.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for removing fence posts and related posts form the ground or other media. The invention is designed to be used primarily with tractors and any other mechanical devices fitted with a three-point hitch and capable of lifting the three-point hitch and attachments. The machine includes two gripper blades arranged in V-shaped pattern and pivotally attached to a substantially pyramidical structure. When the post is gripped by the gripper blades, lifting of the base frame causes the gripper blades to pivot downward into the post. Further use of lifting force from the tractor or other related machine lifts the post out of the ground. After the post is removed from the ground, the post can be placed on the ground by lowering the apparatus which allows the post to drop at no greater angle than the arc created by the V-shaped opening formed by the gripper blades and the housing.

Abstract: Underground pipe is withdrawn in a continuous pipe portion without excavating the full length of the pipe by positioning in an opening at one end of the pipe portion a boom mounted on a vehicle. The boom carries a lower reaction member which projects forwardly from a rear end of the opening into contact with a brace at the front face of the opening. A winch mounted on the vehicle operates on a cable passing over pulleys carried on the boom including a pulley at the lowermost end of the boom at the rear end of the reaction member. The cable is passed through the pipe portion to an abutment member on the far end so the whole of the pipe portion can be pulled in one action. The abutment member can carry a plug or guide for a replacement pipe portion.

Abstract: Extraction apparatus 10 for tubes and like elongated articles comprises a tiltable gripping collar 64 of fixed internal dimension to engage and grip the article to be extracted. The collar has internal dimensions somewhat larger than those of the articles to be gripped, and is mounted so as to tilt when in use and to engage and grip the article as a result of this tilting action. The collar be used either as non-return means for the article being extracted, or may be used for applying the extraction level itself. A collar assembly is however preferably used to apply the extraction load separate and apart from the tilting collar. The collar jaws a axially spaced from the end of the tubular piston rod of the ram and connected to it by a collar head whereby the assembly is removable on a quick attach basis for servicing.

Abstract: A frame (20) which open at the bottom has supporting plates (22, 24, 26) and a bottommost support piece (28) connecting at least two support plates (22, 24, 26). The frame is designed to fit over lengths of pipes to be aligned. Two sets of (40, 41) clamps consisting of at least one clamp each are mounted on the frame (20). The sets of clamps (40, 41) are translatable with respect to one another. One set of clamps (40) engages one of the pipes (13) to be aligned. The other set of clamps (41) engages the other pipe (11) to be aligned. Once the pipes (11, 13) are engaged the facing ends are brought together by translating the sets of clamps (40, 41) toward each other. A roller (30) is affixed to one end of the frame (20) to facilitate movement of the apparatus (10) along a length of pipe.

Abstract: A method of replacing an existing underground pipe (44) with a new pipe (48) comprises the steps of moving a pipe removing tool (70) along the existing pipe (44) to remove the existing pipe and dragging the new pipe (48) behind the tool (70) to replace the existing pipe while imparting vibratory motion to the tool (70) or continuously applying a dressing material ahead of the new pipe to act as lubricant or to fill in the annular space between the new pipe and the surrounding soil. According to another embodiment, the method comprises the steps of pushing out the old pipe (126) in one direction by means of a pipe removing tool (110) connected to a hydraulic unit (10) through a stem and replacing the old pipe (126) by means of a new pipe (48) by dragging the new pipe along behind the stem moving in the opposite direction during a return run.

Abstract: An apparatus including an elongate base having a first hydraulic cylinder to pivotally direct clamp members laterally of the base. A second hydraulic cylinder includes a cylinder rod and piston projecting longitudinally of the base to direct pipe in a pushing and assembling procedure. The clamp structure permits lateral stability and positioning of the organization in use.

Abstract: A method for opening the taphole of a shaft furnace by withdrawing a rod, held in the hardened sealing compound of the taphole, includes engaging a coupling device onto the end of the rod, gripping the rod using a clamp longitudinally displaceable by a hydraulic jack, pulling out the rod by a length corresponding to the stroke of the jack and repeating this operation until the rod is completely withdrawn from the taphole.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for the single handed installation of an electrical fence pole (100) having a threaded end (103) and a stabilizing collar (104); wherein, the apparatus (10) has: a platform member (20) including a lower shelf element (21) adapted to receive the collar (104) and shaft (101) of the fence pole (100); an upper shelf element (22) adapted to transmit a downwardly directed force to the lower shelf element (21); and spring biased means (30) associated with the lower shelf element (21) for applying a downwardly directed force on the collar (104) to maintain the shaft (101) of the fence pole (100) in a vertical orientation, as the fence pole (100) is forced into penetrating engagement with the ground.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for removing underground telecommunications cable which involves excavating the earth at predetermined intervals, such as 100 to 150 feet, to expose a segment of cable, severing the exposed segment of cable, placing an air-tight cap on each end of the cable to be removed, evacuating the air out of the cable until the cable has collapsed via a vacuum device coupled to one of the caps, removing the caps from both ends and hitching a winch to one end, and applying a pulling force with the winch. If the cable is being removed for scrap, it may be necessary to cut the cable into pieces of a size which is sufficient for transportation. It may also be deemed necessary to remove and reapply the hitch as the cable is being removed. The same method may be used to remove telecommunications cable from manholes without the excavation step.

Abstract: A tool comprising a temporary attachment to a rod being driven into the ground. The tool has jaws to grip the rod and has a pressure or impact receiving surface so a kelly bar may be brought to bear on the attachment. The jaws hold the rod coaxially with the kelly bar so that application of pressure does not bias the rod, possibly causing the rod to bend or to enter the ground at an unintended angle. An extension of the frame of the attachment coaxially penetrates the kelly bar to assure alignment therebetween. The jaws are spring biased to relax the grip on the bar, and are automatically repositioned on the rod upon each successive application of force by the kelly bar. An attached chain provides a lifting handle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a foundation shoring and stabilizing apparatus comprising a support bracket extending longitudinally under the structure to be supported, a yoke assembly disposed in a vertically spaced relationship above the support bracket, a lifting cradle engageable upon the bottom surface of the support bracket, a pair of generally upright members to which the lifting cradle and yoke assembly are removably attached, and a pile driving means attached to the yoke assembly and engageable upon a piling to be driven into the ground into a supporting relationship with the support bracket and the foundation.

Abstract: A pier driving assembly is disclosed which supports the foundation under compression forces. The pier driving assembly includes a driving pier bracket which drives the pier pipes into the ground, a pier head which is placed on the pier pipe after the pipe has been driven to bedrock and the pier driving bracket assembly has been removed, and a loading bracket which gives the final lift to the foundation to make it level. When complete, all that is left in the ground is the pier and the pier head. The pier driving bracket and loading bracket are removed when their use is completed. This assembly allows for easy access to the pier should the building settle again.

Abstract: A hydraulic apparatus for pushing pipe into an underground pipe comprises a hydraulic cylinder mounted on two longitudinally spaced sets of three radially extending, equally spaced legs. The legs have adjustable locking devices for locking the hydraulic cylinder in place as required inside the one part of an underground pipe. The hydraulic cylinder also has a lock plate of a length longer than the diameter of the underground pipe which acts to anchor the hydraulic cylinder in place when the hydraulic cylinder is activated. The apparatus has a head or push plate attached to a ram or piston extending from the hydraulic cylinder and a hydraulic control valve controlling actuation of the cylinder. With the two sets of legs attached, the hydraulic cylinder is placed inside one part of an existing underground pipe which is near the part in need of repair and the legs adjusted to center the cylinder in place. The lock plate presses against the end of the underground pipe in which the cylinder is secured.

Abstract: A body member has an upright bore for receiving a stake to be pulled. When the body member is tilted, edges of the bore grip the stake. A flexible link has one end connected to the body member and its other end arranged to receive a lever that is used to impart an upward lift on the flexible link which in turn tilts the body member for gripping the stake and applying an upward pulling force to the stake.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for handling a pipe to be used in a pipeline replacement operation or the like. The apparatus includes upper and lower semicircular pipe-gripping sections slidably received on a base and drive pistons connected to the lower pipe-gripping section for moving the pipe-gripping sections from a pipe-releasing position to a pipe-gripping position and then to extended positions in which the gripped pipe has been moved axially with respect to the base. The apparatus also includes a collar affixed to the base for receiving a pipe from the pipe-gripping sections. The collar includes offset cams movable between a first position allowing axial movement of the pipe in an axially forward direction and an axially rearward direction and a second position allowing movement only in the axially forward direction.

Abstract: Apparatuses for lifting and supporting a structure comprising a support collar disposable on a support shaft, a jackstand with a support ledge disposable under the structure, and a lifting head for use with a support collar. A method for using the apparatuses comprising disposing a portion of the jackstand under the structure, driving the support shaft with a jack supported on the jackstand, and removing the jackstand. A support collar is disposed on the support shaft, and the structure lifted with a lifting head device secured to the support collar. The collar is secured to the shaft.

Abstract: Rods, tubes, posts, and the like rod structures are driven into the ground by a device which is successively clamped to selected intermediate portions of the lengths of these rods to avoid heretofore involved awkwardness, instability, and unsafe driving conditions encountered when the top ends of long rods are engaged to force the rods into the ground. The device is easily and quickly clamped to the rod at a level close to the ground to be impacted by a driving tool such as a jackhammer at a convenient reachable height. When the device is driven to ground level, it is easily released from the rod and raised to a starting level and then reclamped for the next driving increment. The successive raising and driving steps are repeated until the rod is driven to a desired depth in the ground. When the top end of the rod approaches ground level, the device can be mounted over this end and impacted to drive the rod further into the ground.

Abstract: Apparatus for simultaneously driving two parallel pile members that function to raise and reposition building foundation structures. The apparatus consists of a foundation support member, a frame assembly removably attached to the foundation support member, and a hydraulic ram and pile gripping assembly supported within said frame assembly. Alternately, the apparatus consists of a founation support member, a pile gripping assembly and a hydraulic ram removably interconnected between said foundation support member and said pile gripping assembly. As the hydraulic ram is actuated, the pile gripping assembly grips the pile members upon the start of downward movement relative to the pile members and completion of the stroke drives the pile members into the earth to a predetermined point of resistance. The apparatus then functions to raise and reposition the foundation after which the foundation is held in place by the pile members.

Abstract: The stake driving tool is comprised of an angled plate having first and second identical portions each of which is provided with a laterally extending slot. A stake to be driven into the ground is inserted into a slot in one of the portions with the edges of the slot frictionally gripping the stake whereby the other portion will extend outwardly from the stake for engagement by foot pressure to drive the stake into the ground.

Abstract: An under ground pipe installation apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart, longitudinally directed I-beams and a carriage slidable longitudinally along upper horizontal surfaces of the I-beams. A pair of hydraulic cylinders, one mounted with respect to each beam, reciprocate longitudinally extended rods, the free ends of which are secured to the carriage. A pair of opposed jaw assemblies are mounted pivotally relative to the carriage about respective transverse pivot axes, to enable their movement into and out of a closure position about a longitudinally extended pipe section. A pair of longitudinally extended coil springs, each attached at its rearward end to an associated one of the hydraulic cylinders, have free ends positioned to engage jaw actuator pins parallel to and laterally outward of the pivot axes, once the rearward traveling carriage reaches a predetermined location along the beams.

Abstract: This invention relates generally as indicated to ground rods, and more particularly to one piece ground rods of substantial length, and a method and apparatus for forming and placing such rods. Ground rods are normally steel rods having a copper cladding.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for raising and supporting the foundation or slab of a building, in which a lifting arm assembly engages the lower surface of the foundation or slab and is secured thereto. A piling assembly is disposed in a support sleeve adjacent the lifting assembly and is engaged by a clamping assembly. A hydraulic ram is connected between the clamping assembly and the lifting arm assembly in the expanded position of the ram so that when the ram is retracted, the piling is driven into the ground until it encounters a predetermined resistance. A drive plate is placed in operative relation to the piling assembly and over a pair of rods attached to the lifting arm assembly. The ram is further actuated after the predetermined resistance is encountered to raise the lifting arm assembly, the rods, and the foundation or slab a predetermined distance relative to the drive plate, after which the rods are secured to the piling assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for seating a wheel stud in a hub, the apparatus preferably comprising a cylindrical spacer sleeve having an axial bore, a stud coupling and a cylinder coupling adapted to be coaxially adapted within the axial bore, and a hydraulic cylinder; the cylinder coupling and stud coupling being further adapted to releasably engage the wheel stud to the hydraulic cylinder, and the hydraulic cylinder being adapted to exert sufficient pulling pressure on the wheel stud relative to the hub to fully seat the wheel stud in the hub.

Abstract: An hydraulic apparatus is provided for pushing and pulling rod or pipe underground. The apparatus includes a frame for mounting an hydraulic cylinder and a carriage. The carriage is mounted for reciprocating movement along rails attached to the frame. The carriage includes a lower carriage plate, an upper guide plate, and left and right side plates for retaining an actuator slide connected to the hydraulic cylinder. The slide rides on a plurality of thrust roller disposed in a race between the slide and a wear plate mounted in the lower carriage plate. The top of the slide comprises a cam surface that cradles a pair of actuator rollers which bear against a corresponding cam surface on the bottom of an actuator key. The top portion of the actuator key extends through a slot in the upper guide plate and is attached to a lower clamp plate that cradles the rod or pipe.

Abstract: A refurbishing method for an existing pipeline under the sea or on the ground by inserting a rigid inner pipe having its front end temporarily blocked includes (a) driving the rigid pipe by increasing the volume of the fluid filled and sealed in the new pipe, (b) driving the new pipe by an axial force with the aid of a holder at the rear rim of the new pipe, and (c) regulating the movement of the new pipe. An apparatus to carry out the above-mentioned method is also provided. After inserting one pipe, all defines of the apparatus are detached, then another new pipe is connected, and repeated insertions end up as complete pipeline.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for remotely inserting and positioning a sleeve-loaded mandrel within a damaged tube mounted in the tubesheet of a nuclear steam generator is disclosed herein. The apparatus of the invention generally comprises a frame, a mounting mechanism for detachably and pivotally mounting the frame to the open end of one of a first tube in the tubesheet, an advancing assembly supported by the frame for remotely inserting and advancing the sleeve-loaded mandrel to a position across a damaged section of the selected tube, and a drive train for pivotally positioning the advancing assembly into alignment with the open end of the selected tube. In the preferred embodiment, the advancing means is formed from the pair of hydraulically operated grippers, one of which is reciprocably movable with respect to the other.

Abstract: An apparatus for propelling a plurality of pipes arranged in series comprises basic thrusting means for generating a thrust to be applied to the pipes and intermediate thrusting means for receiving the thrust from the basic thrusting means and applying the received thrust to one of the pipes. The intermediate thrusting means includes a press head provided with a portion displaceable to a position where the portion is capable of abutting against the rear end face of one of the pipes when the intermediate thrusting means is advanced while displaceable to another position where the portion does not interfere with the advance of the following pipes when the intermediate thrusting means is removed and an intermediate body extending rearward from the press head such as to receive the thrust from the basic thrusting means and apply the received thrust to the press head.

Abstract: An extractor for pulling individual tubes from a tube sheet in a heat exchanger. The extractor includes a pair of serrated, drive wheels or drivers mounted in a housing on parallel rotating shafts. The tube drivers have inclined teeth which project into opposite sides of a passageway along which a tube is drawn. The spacing between the drivers is adjustable to accommodate different sized tubes, and the drivers are spring biased towards each other, to provide a constant gripping force on a tube within the passageway. The drivers are respectively rotated by two hydraulic motors, with the hydraulic power supply connected in series, thereby providing substantially synchronous rotation of the drivers.

Abstract: A pipe propelling device comprises two sets of jack assemblies spaced from each other and arranged in the direction of propelling the pipe in a vertical shaft having a reacting shaft wall so that small diameter pipes such as water supply and drainage pipes, gas pipes and cable lying pipes can be propelled from the interior to the exterior of the vertical shaft by the extension of two sets of the jack assemblies. To reduce the dimension of the vertical shaft to propel the pipe, eliminate the interposition of a strut in propelling the pipe and secure an operative space in the vertical shaft, the jack assemblies comprise a plurality of first stage jacks connected to the reacting shaft wall and at least one second stage jack, a cylinder of the second stage jack being connected to cylinders of the first stage jacks.

Abstract: Thrust pipe for disposition in a passage in the ground by advance of the pipe axially through the passage includes a plurality of pipe segments disposed in end-to-end relation one to the other. Each pipe segment includes an inner pipe section having a diametrically enlarged end for telescopically receiving the opposite end of an adjacent inner pipe section. The pipe segments each include an outer pipe section, substantially enveloping a corresponding inner pipe section. The outer surface of the pipe segments is smooth and substantially continuous. Each outer pipe section at one end terminates short of the end of the corresponding inner pipe seciton and is spaced from the outer pipe section of the adjacent pipe segment whereby compressive loadings from thrusting the pipe axially through the passage are carried by the inner pipe sections and not be the outer pipe sections.

Abstract: A steel pipeline to be driven through an earth section without disturbing the overlying earth is made up of a plurality of serially arranged axially extending pipe sections each having a leading end and a trailing end. The leading end of each pipe section abuts the trailing end of the pipe section previously driven into the earth section. A pressure-tight pipe connection between the abutting ends of the pipe sections is formed by a steel ring secured within the trailing end of the pipe section and projecting axially out of the trailing end. The steel ring has an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the section. The leading end of the next pipe section has an elastic material sealing ring secured to its inside surface with the sealing ring projecting radially inwardly beyond the outside surface of the steel ring.

Abstract: A tool for inserting sleeve blanks in damaged steam-generator tubes of light weight capable of being manipulated by ROSA, a remotely operated service arm. ROSA permits the tool to be attached externally of the channel head of the steam generator.The tool includes a fixed gripper and a moveable gripper. The gripping member of each gripper is a flexible sheet or bladder which conforms readily to the surface being engaged. For insertion, the sleeve blank is mounted on a mandrel. The insertion is carried out by operating the grippers repeatedly through the following cycle until the sleeve blank is inserted into the damaged tube:(a) The moveable gripper is set in the lowermost position.(b) The fixed gripper is open.(c) The moveable gripper engages the sleeving assembly.(d) The moveable gripper raises the sleeving assembly to the uppermost position.(e) The sleeving assembly is engaged by the fixed gripper.(f) The moveable gripper is disengaged from the sleeving assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for raising and supporting the foundation or slab of a building, in which a lifting assembly engages the lower surface of the foundation or slab and is secured thereto. A piling is disposed adjacent the lifting assembly and is engaged by a driving assembly. A hydraulic ram is connected between the driving assembly and the lifting assembly in the expanded position of the ram so that when said ram is retracted, the piling is driven into the ground until it encounters a predetermined resistance. The ram is further actuated after the predetermined resistance is encountered to raise said foundation or slab a predetermined distance.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is disclosed for advancing a rod or pipe through the ground using a compressive force. The invention includes the use of a displaceable tray supported within a frame assembly for carrying a rod or pipe segment. A driving mechanism is included which is supported within the assembly and parallel and adjacent the rod or pipe segment to be driven. Using a removeable end plate insertable within the tray, the rod or pipe segment may be sequentially advanced in a stepwise fashion with a minimal size driving mechanism and frame assembly. Using a jaw assembly mounted on an end of the tray, the rod may be sequentially withdrawn in a stepwise fashion also.

Abstract: A foundation is stabilized with a pier that extends downwardly from the foundation into the underlying surface material and at its lower end preferably bears against bedrock. At its upper end the pier is attached to the foundation through a bracket having a sleeve and a rod directed generally radially from the sleeve. To drive the pier, a hole is first drilled into the foundation wall, and the rod of the bracket is inserted into the hole, so that the sleeve lies along the wall. A jacking apparatus is fitted to the bracket, and it includes a lift member that actually engages the sleeve and a hydraulic cylinder that is located above the lift member and sleeve. The pier comprises sections which are fitted individually into the sleeve and are driven downwardly with the cylinder, with all but the first section being coupled to the section immediately below it.

Abstract: A machine for extracting an elongate work piece from a medium in which it is imbedded. The machine includes a vertical gripping plate in opposed gripping relating with an eccentrically pivoted gripper. These gripping elements are carried on a rigid frame adapted for attachment to the three point hitch lifting mechanism found on tractors. When the work piece is gripped between the gripping elements, lifting of the frame by means of the lifting mechanism of the tractor, will extract the work piece. Auxiliary lifting force may be provided with optional fluid power operated cylinders. Linkages may optionally be provided to remotely move the pivoted gripper into and out of gripping relation. The linkages may be operated manually or with a hydraulic or other power operated cylinder.