Abstract: A rod pushing and pulling machine includes at least one hydraulic cylinder having a front end thereof engagable with a reaction surface at an entry opening of a existing pipeline or borehole, a spindle assembly, and a dual vise assembly. The spindle assembly includes a frame, a spindle shaft rotatably mounted in the frame, a distal end of the spindle shaft being threaded for engagement with a mating thread of a rod, a drive system for rotating the spindle shaft in threading and unthreading directions, the spindle frame being secured to a rear end of the hydraulic cylinder for pushing or pulling of a rod string engaged to the spindle shaft upon extension or retraction of the hydraulic cylinder, and a support assembly for the spindle shaft.

Abstract: In a method and a device for moving a working means in the ground, a coupling means rotatable about an axis of rotation for establishing a drive connection between a push-pull unit and a rod assembly having at least one projection and/or at least one recess is engaged with the projection and/or the recess of the rod assembly such that via a first contact area of the coupling means a first feed force is transmitted from the push-pull unit to the rod assembly. By the counter force opposite to the first feed force a torque acting on the coupling means is generated, which torque presses a second contact area of the coupling means against the rod assembly with a contact force. By the contact force, a non-positive connection is established between the push-pull unit and the rod assembly. Via this non-positive connection, a second feed force is transmitted to the rod assembly. By at least a part of the first and second feed force acting on the rod assembly a linear movement of the rod assembly is caused.

Abstract: In a method for multistage manufacture of a borehole between two earth shafts, a drilling device drills in a first direction a pilot bore between a starting shaft and an end shaft and lines the pilot bore with pipes. Subsequently, the pilot bore is expanded in a second direction opposite to the first direction to form an expansion bore which is simultaneously lined with pipes, while accumulating soil is transported into the end shaft in opposition to the second direction with the aid of a screw conveyor.

Abstract: A cable guide device for a manhole includes a wall supporting plate supported against a wall surface of an entrance part of the manhole, a cable guide body positioned at the bottom part of the wall supporting plate, a rotation shaft mounted vertically to the cable guide body and the wall supporting plate so that the cable guide body can be rotated from side to side with regard to the wall supporting plate, and at least one guide roller which rotates integrally with a roller shaft combined with the cable guide body so as to guide the cable into at least one underground pipe.

Abstract: In a method for producing a cased horizontal string bore extending from a well shaft, a starter drill pipe is driven into the rock mass surrounding the well shaft. A hydraulically driven drill motor is arranged in the starter drill pipe and rotates a drilling tool protruding from the leading end of the starter drill pipe. The drill motor is fixed against rotation and axial displacement by a clamping device. When the final depth of the string bore is reached, the drilling tool is retracted into the starter drill pipe by axial movement of the clamping device and a free space is formed at the drift face of the string bore. The free space is filled and sealed by injection of a quick-setting, expanding filling compound. Afterwards, the clamping device, the drill motor and the drilling tool are removed from the drill pipes.

Abstract: A strand-like material laying device for an appliance for laying any kind of strand-like material into the ground is disclosed. The strand-like material laying device is designed to lay a more rigid strand-like material such as steel pipes into the ground, and assures that the strand-like material to be laid can smoothly be fed into a trench formed in the ground without risking that a bending radius thereof falls below a minimum allowable bending radius which depends on the type of the strand-like material to be laid. The strand-like material laying device can also be immersed into the ground to form a subterranean trench while being moved in a longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for joining a pipe conduit to a drilling device, expanding device or pull-in device, in which a pulling-force generator arranged in the drilling device, expanding device or pull-in device exerts a compressive force on a pipe conduit, to be pulled in, via a pulling means and an adapter and thereby holds the individual short pipes of the pipe conduit together and reduces the mechanical stress to which the short pipes are subjected.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for mounting conduits within spacers for underground installation. Spacers for side loading of conduit, as opposed to older methods of end loading, allow construction workers to easily assemble conduits to a plurality of spacers above-ground. The side loading technique uses spacers having bores that communicate with each other, preferably in a radial manner. Thus, a first plurality of conduits may be assembled or mounted to an inner portion of the spacers and then at least a second plurality of conduits may be assembled and mounted to an outer portion of the spacers. Cables later pulled through the conduits are typically those used for the transmission of electricity or communication signals. Other embodiments use bores that do not communicate with each other but are secured to the spacers with an outer banding saddle.

Abstract: A method of driving a pipe into the ground includes steps of placing a pipe to be driven into the ground onto a series of at least two spaced skids each having an upwardly opening cradle thereon so that the pipe spans and is supported by the skid cradles, one skid proximate a front end of the pipe and the other skid proximate a rear end of the pipe, each skid including a vertical jack mechanism for raising and lowering the pipe supported by the skid, positioning the pipe in a position for ramming into the ground by operating the vertical jack mechanisms as needed to raise the pipe into the ramming position, and ramming the pipe using an impact ramming tool applied to push the pipe into the ground.

Abstract: Described is a method for the trenchless underground laying of pipes. According to said method, a shield tunnel boring machine and then subsequently pipes are driven through the ground starting from a starting shaft. The shield tunnel boring machine produces a borehole whose diameter is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the pipes. The annular space between the borehole wall and the pipes thereby obtained is filled with a supporting and lubricating agent. During advance, a continuous and periodical examination of the composition of the ground is carried out in the area of the shield tunnel boring machine or the first pipe following the shield tunnel boring machine or the first lubricating point. Depending on the result of the examination, the ground in the examined area is sealed off and/or solidified by a sealing and/or solidifying agent and/or the composition of the supporting and lubricating agent is adjusted.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a conduit laying system for laying conduit, including a vehicle, a trench former, a conduit feed system and a base material handling system. The trench former is configured for forming a trench. The conduit feed system includes a conduit feed passage having a conduit feed passage inlet for receiving at least one conduit and a conduit feed passage outlet positioned to deposit the at least one conduit in the trench. The base material handling system includes a base material hopper and at least one base material passage. The at least one base material passage is positioned to receive base material from the base material hopper and to discharge base material in the trench around the at least one conduit. The base material handling system, the conduit feed system and the trench former are driven by the vehicle.

Abstract: A pipe setting tool for use with an excavator includes a frame having sidewalls, a lower wall positioned at a lower edge of the side walls and a rear wall positioned at a side edge of the sidewalls. The frame is detachably coupled to the excavator. A cushioning member is disposed on an outer surface of the lower wall and on an inner surface of the rear wall. The cushioning member is in contact with a surface of the pipe as the pipe is displaced to join the pipe with another pipe.

Abstract: Apparatus and corresponding methods for pipe pushing and/or handling in which the auxiliary supply lines of an excavator are used to power a hydraulic clamp for gripping the pipe, and the articulated arm of the excavator is used for manoeuvring the pipe. Such apparatus includes: a pair of jaws having cooperating pipe-gripping surfaces; a hydraulic ram coupled to the jaws and capable of actuating the jaws to grip a pipe between the pipe-gripping surfaces; a connection portion arranged to connect the apparatus to an articulated arm of the excavator; and a hydraulic fluid distributor arranged to distribute pressurised hydraulic fluid from auxiliary hydraulic supply lines of the excavator to the hydraulic ram. Thus, when the apparatus is connected to an excavator the jaws can be actuated by control of the supply of pressurised hydraulic fluid from the auxiliary supply lines of the excavator, and the apparatus (and pipe) can be moved by control of the position and orientation of the excavator arm.

Abstract: A pipe handling apparatus has a base, a main rotating structural member pivotally connected to the base, a pipe handler connected to the main rotating structural member for moving a pipe from a generally horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation, and a jack connected to the pipe handler. The jack exerts a downward force in generally parallel relation to the pipe when the pipe is in the vertical orientation. The pipe handler has a gripping structure for gripping an outer surface of the pipe. The gripping structure has a stab frame. The jack is affixed to the stab frame. The jack has a piston-and-cylinder assembly positioned relative to the stab frame, and a hydraulic actuator connected to the piston-and-cylinder assembly. The hydraulic actuator is suitable for passing hydraulic fluid to the piston-and-cylinder assembly so as to move the piston-and-cylinder assembly from a retracted position to an extended position.

Abstract: A method for pulling pipe using a device that is rectangular in shape and is connected at one end thereof to a pulling vehicle so that pulling force from the pulling vehicle is directed along the longitudinal axis of the puller and which has two pipe connecting holes defined therethrough adjacent to the other end thereof.

Abstract: In the present invention, a cable 105 is laid along sewer branch 101 to point B and then travels through a dedicated conduit directly to point C. As the cost of laying cable through a sewer can be cheaper and is usually less disruptive than laying cable in a dedicated conduit, the method of the present invention may reduce the cost of providing a cable link in situations such as A-C wherein a convenient sewer extends only part way between the cable end points.

Abstract: A bore hole reaming apparatus characterized by one or more cleaning devices such as bursting heads attached to a pull rod and typically having one or more mandrels attached thereto in tandem for pulling a length of pipe through a pre-bored opening using a pulling apparatus. In a typical embodiment the bore hole reaming apparatus is characterized by a pair of bursting heads mounted in spaced-apart relationship in tandem on the pull rod and fitted with one or more mandrels attached to a third bursting head. The mandrel(s) is typically secured to a fourth bursting head by a cable and the fourth bursting head is attached to a string of typically HDPE pipe to be pulled through the bore hole. The mandrel(s) straighten irregularities and clean, smooth and enlarge the bore hole to facilitate pulling the pipe string through the bore hole with minimum friction on the pipe.

Abstract: The present application discloses a pipe extracting tool for use with first and second pipes mated together and having a gasket disposed therebetween. The pipe extracting tool includes an arcuate blade and a driving member portion extending radially outwardly from the arcuate blade. The arcuate blade is sized and shaped to surround an outer circumference of the first pipe and slide between the outer circumference of the first pipe and an inner circumference of the second pipe to disengage the gasket from one of the first and second pipes.

Abstract: An improved method of forming a trenchless flow line is provided. The method includes support of the boring tool at each sight relief hole using a hook extending downwardly into the hole so as to overcome the force of gravity on the tool during the pilot hole drilling step. Then, a back reaming tool is connected to the end of the boring tool, and the pipe is connected to the reaming tool, such that the reaming tool reams the pilot hole to a larger diameter ahead of the pipe, which is pulled through the hole with the reaming tool. Drilling fluid is supplied during the reaming process to form a slurry which is pushed ahead of the pipe and upwardly into the sight relief holes, as the pipe is pulled through the reamed hole.

Abstract: A pipe conveyor system which operates to assemble and disassemble a plurality of pipes.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for pulling pipe involves providing a pipe having an exterior surface with a groove circumscribing the exterior surface of the pipe adjacent to one end and an anchoring collar which is segmented into segments and has an inner circumferential surface with an inwardly projecting tongue. The segments of the anchoring collar are secured together to circumscribe the pipe with the inwardly projecting tongue engaging the groove of the pipe. One end of the pipe is capped with an end cap. The end cap is coupled to the anchoring collar. A tow line is secured to the end cap and exerts a pulling force, with the anchoring collar securing the end cap against removal when pulled and the end cap preventing debris from entering the pipe.

Abstract: An optical cable laying device comprising means for fixing a rotary motor (10), at least one friction drive roller (60, 70) for driving the cable (200), and a compressed air inlet (130) for driving the cable (200). The motor fixing means, said at least one roller (60, 70) and the compressed air inlet (130) are disposed so that the axis of the motor (10), the compressed air arrival direction (130), and the cable (200) driven by the roller (60, 70) are substantially parallel to one another.

Abstract: In a method for the trenchless laying of pipes, a drilling operation (5) is firstly carried out by means of controlled heading from a starting point (1) to a finishing point (6). Then the drilling head (3) is disconnected from the heading pipes (4) and the heading pipe run is connected by means of a special connecting pipe to the product pipe run (9), which is prefabricated above ground at the finishing point (6). Subsequently, the heading pipes (4) are drawn back from the drill hole to the starting point (1), the product pipe run (9) simultaneously being drawn into the drill hole. The method is suitable in particular for laying large-caliber, tension-resistant pressure pipelines (for example of steel or polyethylene) in soils that are not suitable, or only with reservations, for other laying methods (for example gravels, crushed stones, rock).

Abstract: A tool for use in the installation of electrical conduit. The tool consists of a probe having a tapered end, an anvil end and a central body. Pipe is slid over the central body forming a pipe and probe assembly which can be installed in soil traversing beneath an immovable structure by impacting the anvil end, such as with a jack hammer. A method for installing using the tool is also contemplated herein.

Abstract: A method of installing an underground pipe includes a step of placing a leading end of a pipe section at an entry point for the underground pipe. An arcuate soil shoe is attached to an inside surface of the pipe section at or near the leading end of the pipe section, which soil shoe has a passageway therein with one or more outlets. A conduit is positioned to feed a lubricating liquid into the passageway, which liquid passes through the outlets to enter the inside of the pipe section. A driver such as a pneumatic impact tool is placed at a trailing end of the pipe section and used to drive the pipe section into the earth. A lubricating liquid is supplied through the conduit, which liquid passes into the passageway and through the outlets into the inside of the pipe section.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for forming an underground passageway and simultaneously laying therein a conduit or other elongate components comprises a rotary drill member coupled to a rotary and axially movable drill stem. The coupling is one which virtually automatically enables the drill stem to be coupled to and uncoupled from the drill member and comprises interlocking driving lugs carried by the drill stem and the drill member. The driving lugs are sandwiched between telescoped portions of the drill member and the drill stem and thereby are reinforced by such portions of the drill stem and the drill member in such manner as to preclude movement of the driving lugs in both radially inward and radially outward directions.

Abstract: An apparatus for slip-lining a pipeline with plastic pipe including a slip-line cable having four sections—a forward navigation section, an intermediate locking section connected to a back end of the forward navigation section, a rearward drive section connected to a back end of the intermediate locking section, and an impact driver connected to the rearward drive section. Also disclosed is a method for slip-lining a pipeline with plastic pipe.

Abstract: A method of installing a non metallic pipeline segment along with a tracer wire segment using a horizontal directional drilling process includes positioning a horizontal directional drilling machine in a selected position on one side of the obstacle. A drill bit is attached to an end of a flexible steel pipe. The flexible steel pipe engages and is driven by the horizontal directional drilling machine that forces the drill bit and the flexible pipe from the first side of the obstacle to a second side of the obstacle thereby drilling a bore underneath the obstacle. The drill bit is removed and a reamer is attached to the end of the flexible pipe. An end of a pipeline segment along with an end of a tracer wire segment having a high carbon steel core and a copper cladding with a high density polyethylene jacket is attached to the reamer.

Abstract: A fiber optic installation structure and method therefor includes a duct having an inner tube, at least one optical waveguide, and a jacket and is disposed within a channel of a paved surface. The jacket generally surrounds the inner tube. When the duct is disposed within a channel defined by a paved surface, a friction fit is created between the duct and the channel for holding the duct in place. Thereafter, a filling material is used for overlying the duct and at least partially filling the channel. In other embodiments, the jacket is capable of being compressed when installed into the channel. The duct may include an armor layer disposed between the inner tube and the jacket for protecting the inner tube. Moreover, at least one optical waveguide may be disposed within at least a portion of the inner tube of the duct and may be introduced after the duct is installed in the paved surface.

Abstract: In a method for installing underground piping, a pipe installation apparatus is temporarily positioned at one end of a pipe trench, in which bedding sand has been placed. The apparatus has a pipe opening through which pipe can pass, and a plurality of rubber-tired pipe wheels arrayed around and biased radially inward toward the pipe opening. At least one wheel is a motor-operated drive wheel. A section of pipe introduced into the pipe opening will be tractively engaged by the drive wheels and pushed through the pipe opening and into the trends The drive motors are disengaged as required for connection of additional pipe sections, or for placing temporary spacers in the pipeline to facilitate subsequent installation of required pipeline fittings. The leading end of the pipeline engages a sled which rides over and levels die bedding sand while preventing the pipe from digging into the sand.

Abstract: A circulation system in which a drilling fluid flows from the surface, through a pipe, through a motor and a drill bit, and returns to the surface through the annular area between the outside diameter of the pipe and the internal diameter of the hole being drilled, to urge the drilling system forward by providing a seal which engages the internal diameter of the hole being drilled, providing a booster pump to pump the drilling fluids between the seal and the outer diameter of the drilling system such that the pressure downstream of the booster pump is higher than the pressure upstream of the booster pump by a differential pressure giving a force generally proportionate to the area within the diameter of the sealing engagement with the internal diameter of the bore times the differential pressure to urge the drilling system forward.

Abstract: A vehicle (1) for installing a cable (2) in a ground formation, in particular in a seabed, comprising a frame (3), propulsion means (4, 6), a cutter assembly (8) for forming a trench and a guide (15) for placing the cable (2) in the trench. The guide (2) is releasably connected to the vehicle (1). The vehicle and guide according to the present invention facilitate installing a cable in a ground formation, in particular in a seabed, as well as interrupting installation.

Abstract: A tool used for installing water systems. The tool consists of a probe having a central body, a tapered end, and an anvil end. Pipe is slid over the central body forming a pipe and probe assembly which can be installed in soil traversing beneath an immovable structure by impacting the anvil end, such as with a jack hammer. A method for installing water systems using the tool is also contemplated herein.

Abstract: A method for installing water pipe beneath nonmoving objects with a presence in the earth with a tool for installing water pipe made of a central body, a ring encircling the central body, a tapered end, an anvil end, and a ring. The method further comprises selecting a water pipe and sliding the water pipe over the tapered end and the ring to contact without covering the anvil end and forming a gap and the water pipe forming a tool and water pipe combination. Orienting the tool and water pipe combination to position the tapered end which the water pipe is to be installed and impacting the anvil end of the tool and water pipe combination with pressure causing the combination to travel beneath the nonmoving object. Pulling the tool by the anvil end to remove the tool from the water pipe.

Abstract: A tool for installing water pipe made of a central body, a ring encircling the central body, a tapered end, and an anvil end. Water pipe slides over the tapered end, over the ring and is stopped by the anvil in for impact installation in soil enabling water pipe to be installed beneath an immovable structure by impacting the anvil end.

Abstract: A pipe installation device and a method for laying consecutive lengths of bell and spigot pipe. The pipe installation device installs sequential pipe lengths. The pipe installation device includes a pipe supply system and a pipe alignment system attached to a carriage. The pipe alignment system is positioned to receive a pipe length from the pipe supply system and align the pipe length with a pipe length previously positioned in the pipe alignment system. The pipe installation device also includes a pipe joining system for joining the two pipe lengths positioned in the pipe alignment system. A pipe restraint system applies a restraining force against one pipe length while the pipe joining system joins the two pipe lengths.

Abstract: A method and apparatus employing an axially elongated ground piercing tool for forming an in-ground tunnel under a surface structure with forward axial movement of the tool in the ground under the structure with a pipe carried by the tool for depositing in the tunnel after a removal of a tip of the tool and a rearward pulling of the remainder of the tool from the tunnel.

Abstract: An electrician's tool generally comprises a plate having a hole formed therein, the hole defined by an inner edge. The edge includes means for safely sliding wire through the hole and past the edge. In one embodiment the means for safely sliding the wire includes at least one roller rotatably positioned adjacent the inner edge for safely sliding the wire past the edge. In another embodiment of the invention, the means for safely sliding comprises a round bar or curled inner edge providing a curved surface for safely sliding the wire across the edge.

Abstract: A cable pulling machine of the invention includes a frame, a mechanical linkage including first and second links having first and second cable gripping shoes disposed thereon respectively in opposed positions, a latching cylinder actuable to cause the mechanical linkage to pivot on multiple axes to bring the shoes into engagement with a cable disposed therebetween, a main cylinder having one end mounted on the frame and actuable to move the linkage in a manner effective to pull the cable in a pulling stroke once the latching cylinder has brought the shoes into engagement with the cable, and a mechanism for extending and retracting the main and latching cylinders. The machine may also include a mechanism for holding the cable in tension between pulling strokes, such as a pivoting wedge mechanism as described hereafter.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for setting medium or high power electric cables (2) in the ground, which consists in digging a trench (14) evacuating the materials derived from the trench (14) towards a treatment device, for example by crushing, depositing at least a duct or an assembly of three installation ducts in the trench (14), backfilling the trench (14) with the treated materials and setting in said installation duct (1), at least a medium or high power electric cable (2) by pushing it while injecting water (6a) under pressure into the installation duct (1) so as to use the water (6a) as carrier and discharge fluid for the heat energy resulting from friction between the cable (2) and the installation duct (1).

Abstract: A rod pushing and pulling machine includes at least one hydraulic cylinder having a front end thereof engagable with a reaction surface at an entry opening of a existing pipeline or borehole, a spindle assembly, and a dual vise assembly. The spindle assembly includes a frame, a spindle shaft rotatably mounted in the frame, a distal end of the spindle shaft being threaded for engagement with a mating thread of a rod, a drive system for rotating the spindle shaft in threading and unthreading directions, the spindle frame being secured to a rear end of the hydraulic cylinder for pushing or pulling of a rod string engaged to the spindle shaft upon extension or retraction of the hydraulic cylinder, and a support assembly for the spindle shaft.

Abstract: An extension rod has an interior end and an exterior end. The exterior end is formed with male screw threads. A primary bit has a cylindrical interior end and a conical exterior. Female threads at the interior end releasably couple with the extension rod. A secondary bit has a cylindrical interior end and a conical exterior end. Female threads at the interior end releasably couple with the extension rod. A length of line is coupled to the exterior end of the secondary bit. A coupler has a rearward end couplable to a linear member. A forward end is couplable to the rearward end of the secondary bit. In this manner the line, secondary bit and linear member may be pulled through the bore hole.

Abstract: A method for installation of an underground pipe includes an initial step of boring a pilot hole through the ground at a predetermined grade angle by extending a drill string having a steerable boring bit mounted thereon through the ground. Upon reaching an end location for the pilot hole, the bit is removed from the drill string, and an expander having a diameter greater than the pilot hole is attached to the drill string, which expander is backed by an impact device such as a pneumatic impactor including a striker that delivers repeated impacts to a rearwardly facing surface of the expander, and by a pipe drawn along behind the expander. The expander is pulled back through the pilot hole at the grade angle while the impactor is operated to aid progress of the expander through the ground and pull the pipe into place behind the expander.

Abstract: An apparatus for pulling a first pipe into contact with a stationary second pipe includes a strut having a first end and second end. A force generating apparatus is mounted to the strut, and is configured for pulling the first pipe relative to the second pipe.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation may include providing heat from one or more heaters to an opening in the formation. A first end of the opening may contact the earth's surface at a first location and a second end of the opening may contact the earth's surface at a second location. The heat may be allowed to transfer from the opening to at least a part of the formation. The transferred heat may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the formation. In certain embodiments, providing the heat to the opening may include providing heat, heated materials, and/or oxidation products from at least one heater to the opening.

Abstract: A device for replacing lines without excavation including an annular overdrilling head and a drive for rotating a front module arranged on the drilling head.

Abstract: An auto-advancing pipe installation device and a method for laying consecutive lengths of bell and spigot pipe. The auto-advancing pipe installation device installs sequential lengths of pipe in a trench. The auto-advancing pipe installation device includes a locomotion system adapted for advancing engagement within the trench, a pipe feed system, a pipe alignment system and a pipe joining system. The pipe feed system positions a pipe length on a forward section of the pipe alignment system. The pipe alignment system aligns the forward pipe length with a rearward pipe length positioned in a pipe alignment system rearward section. The pipe joining system applies a force to a first end of the forward pipe length as a pipe restraint applies a restraining force against the rearward pipe length, joining the forward and rearward pipe lengths.

Abstract: When a glass fiber cable emerging from a main channel (1) is guided into a domestic channel line (2), in order to prevent this glass fiber cable from unacceptably having an excessively small radius of curvature in the direction-changing area (6), and thus being damaged, and in order to ensure that the glass fiber cable (3) is in the correct position, this glass fiber cable (3) is guided in a rigid guide tube (7) whose longitudinal axis runs essentially along a cylindrical envelope surface in its central section (7??). The rigid guide tube (7) is fixed in a pipe connecting stub (10) which can be widened elastically and thus, after insertion into the domestic channel line (2), rests on the wall thereof in a stressed manner, and is fixed in its position. That end of the guide tube (7) which projects into the domestic channel line (2) is connected via a sleeve (8) to a flexible pipe, tube (5) or the like.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for pipeline rehabilitation. The methods and systems disclosed herein permit the rehabilitation of long lengths of previously installed pipe and minimize the need for creating multiple access points to the pipeline. The disclosed systems and methods are particularly suited for rehabilitating buried and undersea pipelines or pipelines installed in areas of restricted access.

Abstract: An apparatus for pulling a first pipe into contact with a stationary second pipe includes a frame and a strut pivotally mounted to the frame about a first pivot axis, the strut having a first end and second end. A pivot assembly is pivotally mounted to the frame about the first pivot axis. A pair of wheels is rotatably mounted to the pivot assembly about a wheel axis. A force generating apparatus is also mounted to the frame, the force generating apparatus configured for pulling the first pipe relative to the second pipe.