Abstract: A tool has a hollow elongated body 10 made up of a leading section 12 attachable to a tow-cable by a clevis 28, an intermediate section 14 and a trailing section 20 housing a hydraulic cylinder 24 and attachable to a main liner 30. The intermediate section includes a frusto-conical wall in two parts 16 and 18, each of 180.degree. angular extent. The ram 24 operates a wedge 22 longitudinally to move the first part 16 outwardly or inwardly transversely of the body. The parts 16, 18 are slidably trapped to the wedge by slide components projecting into grooves. The tool is pulled by the two cable into the main with the part 16 retracted. Then the part 16 is moved outwardly to burst and enlarge the main, allowing the tool to advance further after retraction of the part 16. The parts 16, 18 each have an external longitudinal rib 68, 70. The part 16 has longitudinal marginal extensions overlapping the longitudinal margins of the part 18.

Abstract: A cable removing apparatus having a sheave with a fixed, annular, channel-shaped circumferential groove which is intermittently interrupted. The cable is held in frictional engagement with a portion of the circumference of the sheave. A motor is provided for rotating the sheave with the cable engaged in the channel-shaped groove thereof so as to cause the cable to pass about a portion of the circumference of the sheave. In one embodiment, a plurality of teeth are formed in the groove to penetrate the cable to assist in gripping it for removal. Also disclosed is a method utilizing the apparatus to remove continuous lengths of underground cable.

Abstract: A method for lining a sewer pipe incorporate the steps of continuously forming a liner of helically wound strip, the strip having complementary engaging side formations, and feeding the liner into the sewer pipe. The ends of the liner are sealed to the sewer pipe and cementitious grout is pumped under pressure into the space between the liner and the sewer pipe to bond the liner is position.

Abstract: A device for removing irregularities in or enlarging a buried duct comprises a cylindrical housing corresponding approximately in diameter to the required diameter of the duct, an expandable sheet comprising a plurality of tapered leaf members pivotally attached at their rear ends to the front of the housing, and remotely controllable drive means for moving the leaf members between contracted and expanded configurations. In operation, the apparatus is drawn through the duct with the leaf members in a contracted configuration in which they enter a portion of the duct of a diameter less than the required diameter. The drive means is operated to force the leaf members outwardly against the sides of the duct to expand the duct. The leaf members are then retracted and the apparatus is drawn forward. The apparatus is particularly intended for preparing damaged sewers prior to fitting an inner, lining pipe.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing articles in which the articles are partially fabricated in a work area which is in portion of a buoyant platform and at least partially below the level of water within which the platform is located, the partially fabricated article being moved rearwardly through a seal or gland into the water, the seal or gland preventing water ingress to the work area. The article is supported by the rearward portion of the platform which fabrication can continue in the work area.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of performing remotely-manipulated ntenance work on upwardly extending conduits in a radioactively-ladened cell such as a large-area cell of a nuclear facility for reprocessing irradiated nuclear fuel. A conduit segment is sawn out of a vertical conduit and a new conduit segment welded into place. The removal of cutting chips from the lower vertical end portion of the conduit after the conduit segment has been sawn out is achieved by freezing the liquid medium in the conduit to form frost plugs above and below the tube portion to be removed. A third frost plug is formed in the lower portion of the vertical conduit above the frost plug which has already been produced therein. Thereafter, the tube portion to be removed is cut and separated from the conduit. Then an anchor member is lowered into the lower end portion of the conduit onto the third frost plug.

Abstract: In laying an electric cable underwater, the finishing end of the cable is brought ashore by laying the cable end portion (from the cable laying ship) along a course parallel to the shore and as close to the shore as the ship can reach, then pulling the cable end to shore using a rope, pulling the cable end along the shore to the intended landing point, and then pulling the cable end in-land along the intended laying line until the whole cable is positioned along this line. Buoyancy devices are attached at intervals to the cable end portion for the duration of the landing process, to facilitate the sliding movement of the cable over the bottom.

Abstract: A filament or tape winding machine equipped with an automatically retractable mandrel for constructing in place the wall of a pipeline in a continuous and uninterrupted manner. The winding and the building up of the pipeline wall progress at a velocity equal to that of the extraction of the mandrel from inside of the completed pipeline. The filament or tape reinforcing material is bonded in place with a resin system applied and cured at fabrication stations, during the pipeline manufacturing process, located where the mandrel is supporting the pipeline wall. This mandrel supporting function ceases at a point where the pipeline wall has enough strength to support itself. The reinforcement material winding mechanism, the mandrel extracting mechanism and the resin curing equipment are all mounted on a vehicle or train of vehicles propelled to move forward and leave in place behind the finished fabricated pipeline ready for use.

Abstract: A tile layer can be opened to expose its interior for tile loading and unloading. The layer is functional to handle both arched and round tile, and is used in conjunction with a trenching apparatus.

Abstract: A mole 1 for replacing an existing main, for example a cast iron gas main, with a new main. The mole 15 is of steel and is inserted into and along the existing main 94. The mole 51 has a front portion comprising a head 52 and a cylindrical body portion and a rear portion 53 having a clamp 54 for clamping a new main to the mole 51. The head 52 has a cutting face 55 for engaging the internal wall of the existing mole 51 therealong. The new main which in use is clamped to the mole 51 is towed along behind the mole 51 to replace the fractured old main 94.

Abstract: A method of installing a liner within an underground pipe from a surface above the pipe wherein an excavation provides access to the pipe comprising installing a liner installation tool on an end portion of the liner to induce a distal curve in the liner, lowering the installation tool and liner into the excavation to induce a proximal curve in the liner and advancing the liner through the installation tool and into the underground pipe.

Abstract: A trench is dug under the pipe. A collapsible means formed by a supple and deformable envelope is conveyed into the trench as it is dug in a state folded or coiled upon itself. The envelope is filled with water by a pump assembly and unfolded in a diverging cone, and progressively substituted for materials extracted as the trench is dug. The pipe is then lowered into and positioned in the trench by the escape of water out of the envelope through orifices or valves.

Abstract: Re-rounding generally horizontally installed, covered, below-ground flexible conduits with eccentrically deflected upper walls, correcting over-belling, and obtaining primary compaction of soil in the vicinity of the conduits. A casing assembly has a central cylindrical tubular gauging portion nearly filling the conduit diameter, a tapered forward nose portion welded thereto and an off-center smaller-diameter cylindrical tubular rear portion welded thereto and providing continuity along the bottom of said casing assembly but recessed at the top and sides. An air-jet-driven ball-type vibrator is rigidly secured to the bottom of the rear portion, and is actuated by air through an inlet tangentially to the vibrator.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for efficiently installing lines, pipes or cables underground. In operation, a boring head which forms an elongated bore underground along with the movement of a boring device is disposed underground. A flat plastic sheet is continuously reeled out and is formed into a rigid plastic tube. A hauling rope is simultaneously reeled out into the rigid plastic tube, such plastic tube and hauling rope have their front extremities connected to the rear end of the boring head. The plastic tube is continuously installed underground along with the movement of the boring head. The movement of the boring head also provides simultaneous extending of the hauling rope in and along a installed plastic tube. The front portion of the line, pipe or cable is connected to the tail portion of the extended hauling rope. Finally, only the hauling rope is pulled or hauled within and along the plastic tube so as to install the line, pipe or cable in and along the plastic tube.

Abstract: This invention contemplates method and apparatus for laying rodent-protected cable from a moving vehicle, using unprotected cable to which sheathed cementitious material is applied prior to subterrain burial. The sheathing serves only to retain shape of fresh, unset cementitious material around the cable in the course of handling and transport within and from the vehicle structure, to the buried position of the cable. The sheathing being degradable (in the course of time) and no longer needed once the sheathed cementitious material has set, after burial.

Abstract: The method of providing submarine pipeline adapted for connecting and repairing, providing flanges therealong at intervals and means to repair an interval length of pipeline by connecting repair pieces to part of said flanges, including preferred steps of submarine removal of a damaged interval length with surface preparation and subsequent submarine installation of a replacement interval length.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for substantially reconstituting the internal diameter of sewer, water or drain line plastic pipes after being located in situ comprising a movable housing, sized preferably to at least 95 percent of the inside diameter of the pipe, and housing carried vibration means for causing such reconstitution of said pipe diameter substantially by virtue of vibration induced reallocation of the pipe encompassing earth or filler bed material.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming and installing underground drainpipe in subterranean passages. The pipe is formed from a web of porous or non-porous sheet plastic which is drawn from a dispensing roll through curling and shaping devices protected by a transparent shield to provide a tube, these devices being mounted on a frame positionable in a trench or other depression in the soil. The end of the tube is attached to a mole at the end of a power driven blade, with the mole forming an underground passage for the following tube. Tensioning and positioning rollers are carried on the frame to feed the web to the tube forming devices at a predetermined angle and tension. A pressor roller and its support bracket interengage complimentary tongues and slots formed along the edges of the web for holding the web in its tubular form.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a corrugated pipe fabricator and installer which in its preferred embodiment comprises a conventional mole plow modified to the extent that a sheet of corrugated material which is mounted on a spool mounted on the frame carrying the mole is fed to a rotating shaping cylinder operably mounted coaxially with the mole. The corrugated material is fed at an appropriate angle and forms corrugated pipe in the proccess which is dispensed into the channel formed by the mole.

Abstract: A pipeline crawler mechanism for increasing the effective length of smaller-diameter gas main which can be inserted into an existing larger-diameter gas main utilizing the techniques described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,845,789 and 4,090,534. The mechanism for extending the length of such an insertion includes two self-centering carriers for insertion into the larger-diameter gas main. Each carrier includes an apparatus for attaching a semirigid rod to it so that the carrier may be pushed into the larger-diameter gas main section to a distance determined by the flexibility, weight, etc., of the rod. Each carrier includes a coupler. One coupler includes a male member and the other includes a female member. When the carriers approach each other from opposite ends of the larger-diameter main section upon which an insertion is being conducted, the couplers automatically couple, permitting both carriers and both lengths of the semirigid fiberglass rod to be pulled back toward one end of the larger-diameter main section.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with methods of and apparatus for constructing cylindrical structures such as large-diameter pipes for the transport of materials in ocean mining and the like, whereby one or more rolls of previously prepared sheet materials are wound around a core in a cross-wise fashion and bonded and treated by chemical and physical processes from a special floating platform that enables such construction operation in situ on the high seas.