Utilizing Subterranean Feature As Shaping Means Patents (Class 425/59)
  • Patent number: 10513926
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for rock reinforcement are described. The method comprises the steps: to inject a first component and a second component through a first channel and a second channel respectively into a rock hole, wherein the first component and the second component are adapted for rock reinforcement and to inject a blocking agent through a third channel into at least said second channel, wherein said blocking agent provides a barrier in at least said second channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: EPIROC ROCK DRILLS AKTIEBOLAG
    Inventor: Viktor Bergqvist
  • Patent number: 8727755
    Abstract: A system and method for obtaining an impression of an object in a remote environment. An impression block is affixed to a running string and disposed into the remote environment and used to form an impression. The impression block includes an impression section formed of a shape memory material that can be transformed between an original shape and a temporary shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher W. Guidry, Edward O'Malley, Erik Nordenstam
  • Patent number: 8454337
    Abstract: A system for fabricating a septic tank using an outer mold and an inner removable plug, between which hardenable fluid material is poured. Preferably, the plug and mold are positioned with respect to one another in a manner that permits a septic tank to be fabricated in a single pour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventor: Mark W. Murphy
  • Patent number: 8333916
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming desired patterns on ceramic tile from a slurry comprising: a means for preparing a slurry; at least one slurry holding tank for holding at least one type of slurry; at least one pattern forming tray; at least one means for connecting said at least one tank to at least one pattern forming tray and a filter pressing unit; wherein the pattern forming unit dispenses a predetermined type, amount, colors of slurry at a predetermined order into the pattern forming tray to form a desired pattern, said slurry with desired pattern is pressed with the filter pressing unit to form ceramic tiles or slabs with a desired pattern running though its entire thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: SCG Building Materials Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Terdwong Jamrussamee, Arag Himtong, Wittaya Chuajiw, Watthanakun Phabutta
  • Patent number: 8282959
    Abstract: Branched end reactants having two or three functional groups at the ends are disclosed. The branched end reactants are used to prepare crosslinked hydrogel tissue adhesives, which have a good balance of mechanical properties in an aqueous environment. Kits comprising the branched end reactants and methods for applying a coating to an anatomical site on tissue of a living organism are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Actamax Surgical Materials, LLC
    Inventors: Samuel David Arthur, Garret D. Figuly
  • Patent number: 8048346
    Abstract: A system for fabricating a septic tank using an outer mold and an inner removable plug, between which hardenable fluid material is poured. Preferably, the plug and mold are positioned with respect to one another in a manner that permits a septic tank to be fabricated in a single pour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventor: Mark W. Murphy
  • Patent number: 7866968
    Abstract: Installation of a flexible cured in place liner by inverting the liner utilizing an inversion sleeve assembly with an installation apparatus having at least one selectively operable rigid gland. The sleeve assembly includes a sleeve portion of an absorbable material secured in an apparatus with an inversion boot fitted at the distal end with an inlet port for inversion and/or curing fluid. The sleeve assembly and apparatus are particularly well suited for inverting with air and curing the liner with steam introduced through a perforated lay flat hose using an apparatus with two glands. The installation sleeve is the same dimension as the liner to be installed and is reusable thereby substantially reducing the set up time to install using the dual gland apparatus. Preferably, the flexible sleeve is a length of dry cured in place liner inverted on to itself to expose two impregnable surfaces. The sleeve may have a built in fluid inlet port for use with a dual gland apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.
    Inventors: Franklin Thomas Driver, Neil T. Birchler, Kyle M. Costa, Richard C. Polivka, Weiping Wang
  • Patent number: 6708728
    Abstract: A process for lining an existing pipeline or conduit with a flexible resin impregnated cured in place liner by pulling in the liner and inflating an eversion bladder with air and curing the liner with flow-through steam without loss of pressure is provided. The liner includes a resin absorbent material in tubular form with an impermeable membrane forming an outer layer. The absorbent material is saturated with a thermoset resin and pulled into the existing conduit. A flexible inflation bladder is passed through a gland mounted on an eversion apparatus and everted into the collapsed liner. The gland is pressurized to isolate the eversion bladder. As the bladder reaches the distal manhole, it enters a receiving canister where it is punctured while maintaining air pressure within the bladder. Steam is then introduced into the bladder to cure the resin and is exhausted through the receiving canister. The bladder is then removed and lateral service reinstated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Insituform (Netherlands) B.V.
    Inventors: Franklin Thomas Driver, Weiping Wang
  • Patent number: 6244846
    Abstract: A pressure containment device enables the installation of an everting liner without requiring a shipping container that can be pressurized. A pressure housing provides an inlet for receiving the liner and an outlet for installing the liner into the borehole. First and second movable belts have first and second sealing surfaces, respectively, for receiving the liner at the inlet of the pressure housing, and first and second interior surfaces for urging the first and second sealing surfaces against the liner when the pressure housing is pressurized. First rollers support the first and second movable belts within the pressure housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Carl E. Keller
  • Patent number: 5950394
    Abstract: A constructed wall structure and method of fabrication that replicates a wall formed by nature. The structure has a plurality of discrete layers, with each layer constructed of concrete and a decorative additive. Every layer has an interface with an adjacent layer to thereby form a plurality of interfaces wherein at least one, and preferably most or all, of the interfaces are non-level. Non-limiting examples of decorative additives are rocks, sea shells, colorants, and mixtures thereof. Methodology for fabricating the wall structure includes pouring a first concrete mixture into a substantially vertical form which can be constructed as a channel within a generally elongate mound of a naturally occurring material and thereafter permitting a top surface of the concrete mixture to assume a non-level configuration. Preferably, a joint forming material is placed on the top surface of this first concrete mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventors: Lee A. Shaw, Ronald D. Shaw
  • Patent number: 5431553
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for installation in a manhole assembly. The mold apparatus is filled with a sealing material to establish a solid bond that blocks inflow of fluids at the joint between abutting components of the manhole assembly. The apparatus includes an open ring, a retaining band for urging the open ring into contact with the manhole so that the open ring defines an annular channel at the joint, and a sealing material dispenser for conveying sealing material into the annular channel. The sealing material hardens in the annular channel to provide the solid bond at the joint between the two manhole components. The manhole components may be an abutting manhole frame and manhole, or two abutting sections of manhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Miller Pipeline Corporation
    Inventor: Henry E. Topf, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5273414
    Abstract: A process for installing a liner in a generally horizontal pipe section includes the steps of: providing a hollow generally cylindrical folded pipe liner having a reduced cross section sized to allow the liner to be slidably drawn into the pipe section from an upstream end to a downstream end; pulling the folded liner through the pipe section leaving end sections of the liner extending from the upstream end and the downstream end of the pipe; snaking a pull wire through the liner; pulling an air hose and a steam hose through the folded liner from the downstream end to the upstream end; providing a floating plug assembly including at least two disk shaped expanders; attaching the steam hose to the floating plug assembly downstream of the disk shaped expanders; attaching the air hose to the floating plug assembly upstream of the disk shaped expanders; inserting the floating plug assembly into the liner at the upstream end; and providing steam to the steam hose and cooling air to the air hose, while pulling the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: American Pipe & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph L. Gargiulo
  • Patent number: 5253955
    Abstract: A slide formwork with a formwork body (10) comprising several formwork segment groups (12, 22, 32) lying adjacent to one another in circumferential direction. Each of the formwork segment groups (12, 22, 32) is rigidly connected with one of several support frames (40) and is mounted onto the remaining support frames in slidable manner. Each formwork segment (14) comprises an outer formwork plate (16) supported on an associated longitudinal carrier (18) via hydraulic elements. The formwork plate (16) and associated longitudinal carrier (18) are coupled with one another in non-shiftable manner in longitudinal direction. Hydraulic presses (52) are arranged between the individual support frames (40), with which each support frame is shiftable with respect to the remaining support frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Inventor: Heinz-Theo Walbrohl
  • Patent number: 5198246
    Abstract: A concrete molding device is provided for settling poured concrete. In a preferred embodiment, the form is composed of a plurality of segments stacked one upon the other, each having at least one strengthening flange located on its inner periphery. A vibratory unit containing a base unit provided with a slot is then attached to a flange in tongue and groove fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Monoform, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth T. Bowen
  • Patent number: 5154936
    Abstract: In a tube eversion apparatus a first chamber in which the eversion pressure is developed is controllably sealed by a sphincter-type valve, the valve being in turn actuated by pressure developed in a preferably separately controllable and adjustable second chamber, another chamber preferably being provided above the sphincter-type valve for containing a supply of liquid and limiting turbulence from any escape of fluid past the sphincter-type valve, the other chamber also providing apparatus for supplying heated fluid to a lay-flat hose adapted to be pulled through the spincter-type valve by the tube being everted. Use of the improved apparatus involves appropriate modifications of the usual eversion process involving applying and controlling the everting pressure and the pressure exerted against the sphincter-type valve by the fluid in the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Insituform Licensees B.V.
    Inventors: F. Thomas Driver, Joseph A. Alexander, Lloyd G. Buchanan
  • Patent number: 5108671
    Abstract: A formwork for a draft tube which includes ganged precast forms, each precast form corresponding to a curved segment of the draft tube. The precast forms are molded with continuous side plates extending thereabout and anchored in the precast concrete form and projecting beyond the surface opposite to the contact surface to provide a flange. A fastening means for attaching adjacent forms with a space therebetween to allow for stripping. A method includes determining the outline of the inner surface of the draft tube and dividing it into segments and preparing molds to make precast forms corresponding to each segment. The precast forms are assembled and shored to provide the draft tube ganged formwork, and concrete is poured about the draft tube formwork and is cured. The precast forms are stripped from the set concrete structure and reused in another draft tube formwork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Kiewit Construction Group Inc.
    Inventor: Louis Chapdelaine
  • Patent number: 5059067
    Abstract: A method for forming cementitious material, such as gunite or the like, to a desired cross-sectional profile for an interior structure such as a swimming pool, skateboard bowl or the like. A forming assembly includes a cutting edge, which is formed so as to correspond to the final desired profile of the structure. The forming assembly is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis substantially coincident with the center of the structure being formed. In this manner, when the cementitious material is applied to the side walls and bottom of the excavation to a depth slightly greater than that as finally desired, and the forming assembly pivoted 360.degree. about its pivot axis, the final desired cross-sectional profile of the structure is attained due to the action of the forming assembly striking off the excess material applied to the excavation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Inventor: James M. McCoy
  • Patent number: 5056959
    Abstract: Apparatus for stripping a header from a cast concrete section to which it is adhered adjacent to a site for contiguous concrete section comprising a vertical track in direct association with the header; the track having an opening facing the site; and impact tool adapted to move slidingly within the track to predetermined locations therein; and the impact tool being further adapted to be displaced horizontally within the track to apply a separation force through the track to the header to disrupt adhesion of the header with the concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Soletanche
    Inventors: Paul Cannac, Gerard Geist
  • Patent number: 5017313
    Abstract: A form assembly for casting a lining wall in an existing manhole includes a cylindrical lower form assembly, a circular horizontal form assembly, and a cylindrical upper form assembly. All three assemblies are formed of smaller segments which are assembled together within the manhole and which can be disassembled after the manhole has been repaired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Action Products Marketing Corporation
    Inventor: Carroll O. Trimble
  • Patent number: 4995584
    Abstract: Apparatus for casting poured concrete liners in manholes or the like wherein a collection of sheet-metal, flanged, arcuate panels is provided which panels can be assembled in belts of generally circular cross-section commencing from the bottom of the manhole to provide a complete form structure for casting a concrete liner with a minimum thickness of about three inches and including openings created by sectional cylindrical inserts, all of which can be assembled, then disassembled after the concrete liner has set. An extensive variety of panels to accommodate different shapes of manholes includes panels for forming right conical belts, for forming offset conical belts, and for forming wedge-shaped belts to make transitions between vertical and tilted sections of the manhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: Action Products Marketing Corporation
    Inventor: Carroll O. Trimble
  • Patent number: 4818142
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming a cementitious walled ground excavation outwardly of which ground settling is substantially eliminated. A form wall footing is initially erected and leveled upon the bottom of the excavation inward of the walls thereof and inner form walls are then erected upon the outer margin of the footing and anchored in position relative thereto after which an upstanding skeletal reinforcing rod frame is erected between the excavation and form walls and fluent cementitious material is poured about the skeletal framework between the excavation and form walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Inventor: James C. Cochran
  • Patent number: 4813813
    Abstract: The known method for constructing a tunnel of the type in which a shield tunnelling machine is shoved by means of a concrete lining jack and a shield jack equipped on the shield tunnelling machine with reaction forces received by concrete for lining placed in a space delimited by an inner form assembled within a tunnel bore successively dug by the shield tunnelling machine, a shield tail and an already placed concrete lining, as well as by the inner form, is improved in order to construct a main tunnel body as a reinforced concrete structure. The improvements include in that a reinforcing steel cage is mounted to a combined spreader and end form of the concrete lining jack via metal mounts, the placed concrete for lining is compressed while the reinforcing steel cage is moved, and thereby the reinforcing steel cage is disposed at a predetermined position within the concrete for lining by adjusting the stroke of the concrete lining jack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignees: Minoru Yamamoto, Sato Kogyo Kabushuki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Yamamoto, Yoshiharu Kiritani
  • Patent number: 4806043
    Abstract: A vertical drainage element is constructed and laid in position while at the same time forming a narrow vertical channel in the ground by means of an excavating machine or trencher by performing the following successive operations:a strip of filtering material is unwound from a rotating roll of strip behind the trencher;the strip is introdued within the channel formed in the ground while being shaped in the form of a trough, the bottom of the trough being placed at the bottom of the channel while the side walls of the trough are placed against the channel walls;the top edges of the trough are held in position one against the other while filling the trough with bulk material in granular form which subsequently constitutes a vertical filtration block;the top edges of the trough of filtering material are closed on top of the completed block and are fastened together so as to form a closed jacket around the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: Fournier Drainage S.A.
    Inventor: Christian Fournier
  • Patent number: 4799872
    Abstract: A slip-form of the kind for defining at least one surface of a wall-space into which concrete is to be poured. The slip-form includes a plurality of spaced apart upwardly extending members and to facilitate the locating of reinforcing rods at selected positions in the wall-space the slip-form includes roller assemblies releasably engaged with at least some of the support members to form within the wall space a height adjustable horizontal race and an inclined race feeding down to said horizontal race. The inclined race being adapted to transport reinforcing rods onto the horizontal race for onward transport to a location adjacent the selected position in the reinforcing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Inventor: Paul A. Dowdle
  • Patent number: 4793736
    Abstract: Disclosed is a continuous tunneling and lining machine. The machine is capable of simultaneously boring and lining a tunnel through a solid medium. The machine comprises four major components including: (1) an excavation system; (2) a debris removal system; (3) a lining system; and (4) a liner material retrieval system. The excavation system comprises a rotary excavator that excavates the tunnel bore. The lining system mixes liner materials at the bulkhead and pumps the mixed material into slipform. The slipform comprises an inner form, an outer form and a wall connecting the inner and outer form and at least one mandrel. The mandrels form cast in place passageways to accommodate liner component retrieval and excavation debris removal. The debris removal system pumps excavation debris through the excavated area into the mandrels and out the cast in place passageways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Inventors: Louis J. Thompson, Peter M. McIntyre, James K. Carta
  • Patent number: 4769192
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming wet concrete employing a slip form having a radially expandable elastic outer shell comprising pouring concrete around the exterior surface of the outer shell and applying a fluid under pressure to the interior surface of the outer shell. The pressure of the fluid is pulsated so that the outer shell expands and contracts to reduce the friction between the outer shell and the concrete. The reduction in friction allows the form to be moved longitudinally along the concrete with reduced tearing of the surface of the concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Blaw Knox Corporation
    Inventor: Henry P. Cerutti
  • Patent number: 4708533
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for guiding a concrete feeding hose in connection with the grout feedin rock bolting. The concrete feeding hose is therein passed by means of a feeder froma reel into a guide head supported on a feeding beam of a drilling equipment and further through the guide head into a hole drilled in the rock, and is passed back on to the reel in proportion as the hole is filled. In order to protect the feeder of the concrete feeding hose against dirt and mechanical damage, the concrete feeding hose is pushed into the guide head through a flexible guiding means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: Oy Tampella AB
    Inventor: Jarmo Leppanen
  • Patent number: 4708532
    Abstract: A device for storing a concrete feeding hose in a rock bolting device, comprising a reel for a hose, which reel is mounted rotatably on a supporter, and that end of the hose which is attached to the reel is connected to concrete feeding means. In order that the coiling device could be used for passing the hose into a drill hole and for drawing it out of the hole, the reel is surrounded by a ring-shaped supporting wall against which the hose is positioned when the reel is rotated in the uncoiling direction. An unrotative guiding means is provided beside the supporting wall so as to guide the hose out of the reel by the action of an axial expulsive force exerted on the hose due to the rotary movement of the reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: Oy Tampella Ab
    Inventor: Jarmo Leppanen
  • Patent number: 4629363
    Abstract: A continuous concrete encased conduit laying apparatus is attached to the rear of a tractor in a cantilevered fashion and can be raised and lowered into the ground by the tractor. The apparatus has two sections which are pivotally attached to each other. The forward section is the gouger, and it has a vertical bar having a sharp leading ripper edge. At the base of the bar are attached a wedge and a cone-shaped expander for creating a cavity in the ground as the apparatus is being pulled through the ground.The rear section which is the conduit layer, has a vertical guide tube, a concrete chute attached behind it, and a second expander forming the base of the layer. There is a hopper for holding the fresh concrete at the top of the chute. A quantity of conduit is fed through the guide tube as the apparatus is in operation. The cavity created by the two expanders is filled with fresh concrete as the conduit is laid in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Inventors: Timothy M. Rose, J. Ken Rose
  • Patent number: 4564314
    Abstract: A self-propelled machine for casting in place heavy concrete sewer pipes in a pre-dug trench employing a detachably mounted winch on the forward end of the machine for connection to a deadman for pulling the machine along the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1986
    Assignee: Fullerform, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger W. Gallagher
  • Patent number: 4544515
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing in-situ concrete piles with enlarged bases. The method includes the steps of: driving into the ground a tube provided at its lower end with a shoe which is larger than the diameter of the tube, and with an outer casing attached around its lower portion; filling fresh concrete into the gap between the tube and the soil as fast as the opening in the soil is formed; expelling the shoe and a plug of concrete to form the enlarged base; and extracting the tube together with the outer casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: Compagnie Internationale des Pieux Armes Frankignoul
    Inventor: Ian H. Braatvedt
  • Patent number: 4540358
    Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing a hollow concrete slab by a slide casting operation. The slab is formed with one or more cavities through the use of tubes of flexible material into which a pressurized medium, particularly water, is fed. The apparatus comprises a stationary base and a casting device arranged to travel in the longitudinal direction of the base. A number of parallel shaping pipes forming part of the travelling casting device and having a cross section corresponding to the desired cross section of the cavities to be formed are opened at both ends. The flexible tubes, which are fastened at their rear ends, to a pressured liquid source pass during the casting process from reels in the casting device through the pipes so as to give the cavities their final form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Inventor: Pentti Virtanen
  • Patent number: 4507069
    Abstract: A method of lifting and stabilizing a concrete slab having an opening therein in which a plate is attached to the top surface of the slab, the plate having an opening coinciding with the opening in the slab, a hydraulic jack having a downwardly extending piston is removeably secured to the plate and a series of tubular shafts are forced downwardly through the opening in the plate and the slab to penetrate the earth beneath the slab and apply lifting force. When the slab has been lifted to the desired elevation, grout, such as a concrete slurry, can be injected below the slab so that the slab is stabilized in the selected elevational position. After the plate is removed the hole in the slab is filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1985
    Assignee: Foundation Control Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Clarence L. Murray, John T. Bright
  • Patent number: 4407609
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for eliminating the necessity of providing hold-down devices, such as spuds and anchors, for opposing buoyancy in tunnel forms. The method comprises providing a movable counterweight car which preceeds the flow of fluid concretes, as it slopes from the crown of the tunnel forms downward and thus provides negative buoyancy at that area where there is the most fluid concrete and in that area where the most uplift occurs as well as the natural area where there are no forces of the crown helping to prevent flotation. The movable counterweight car is a hollow container curved to match the curvature of the excavated tunnel and clearing the movement of the forms. It has wheels that run on single track rails carried on the inside of the tunnel forms, the container being wholly or partly filled with steel scrap or punchings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1983
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry P. Cerutti, Robert A. Cannon, George G. Lindbloom
  • Patent number: 4400108
    Abstract: A mobile reinforced pipe machine for producing and laying concrete pipe on site in a ditch or the like. The machine comprises a frame structure capable of supporting the machine for movement along a ditch; hydraulically positionable outrigger wheels carried by the frame for machine guidance along the ditch; a pair of rotating nested sleeves with compactor vibrators therebetween which receive solidifiable cementitious material, such as concrete, vibrate the entering mixture to assure uniformity of mix; longitudinal and circumferential reinforcing wire fed between the sleeves for embedding within the solidifiable cementitious material for reinforcing the solidified pipe leaving the machine; plates or slip forms are attached to the frame adjacent the sleeves for receiving and supporting partially solidified pipe as it exits the machine as the machine moves forward; motor and transmission to transport the machine along the ditch and rotate the sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1983
    Inventor: Victor L. Freeman
  • Patent number: 4370113
    Abstract: An apparatus for repairing leaks in underground pipe which comprises a carriage movable axially along the pipe, a flexible and stretchable tubular cover sheet surrounding a portion of the carriage, a plurality of power driven back-up plates supported by the carriage and expandable radially to press the sheet into intimate contact with the internal wall surface of the pipe, and retractable radially for separating the sheet from the pipe wall, and a conduit inside the cover sheet for delivering grout radially outwardly through the cover sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1983
    Inventor: Yasushi Nakashin
  • Patent number: 4324539
    Abstract: A concrete pressure monitoring device in an apparatus for continuously forming an elongated monolithic concrete structure within a prepared excavation. The device includes a pressure sensitive membrane exposed to wet concrete between a bottom surface of the excavation and an inner form member of the apparatus. The membrane covers an open end of a fluid filled housing so that variations in concrete pressure adjacent the membrane will flex the membrane to cause displacement of fluid within the housing. A remote indicator responsive to displacement of fluid within the housing is operatively connected to the housing to indicate the concrete pressure variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1982
    Assignee: R. A. Hanson Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Hanson
  • Patent number: 4314775
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for the construction of structures for tunnels, culverts, and pressure pipes of any size and shape, straight or curved, constant or variable cross section. The method requires very little formwork, with all work done on site. The method discloses the casting of a lower half of the structure as a continuous element, and the method of utilizing this half as a form in which modular lengths of the upper half of the structure are cast, lifted, inverted, and lowered to form the complete structure. Various methods are disclosed for joining the modules comprising the upper half of the structure to provide various degrees of structural continuity and fluid tightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1982
    Inventor: Delp W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4298296
    Abstract: A system is described whereby a large elongated monolithic conduit is formed within an excavation of a single continuous pour of concrete. The open core of the conduit is formed by an interconnected group of tubular form members, forming a static line within the excavation. The system includes a slipform mechanism that is progressively moved along the static line, molding wet concrete about the inner form sections. Successive inner form sections are disconnected from the rearward end of the static line (after the adjacent formed concrete has hardened), reduced in cross-sectional dimension, and transported forwardly through the static line to a forward conduit end. There the individual sections are expanded, cleaned and reattached to the front of the line as the slipform moves along. The successive inner form sections are disconnected, moved forwardly and re-expanded by a self-steering wheel supported transporter. The transporter is powered to move longitudinally within the static line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1981
    Inventor: Raymond A. Hanson
  • Patent number: 4270876
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a cylindrical retainer form spaced inwardly of the wall of the shaft by the desired thickness of the liner to be poured and having overlapping edges which seal against concrete flow but permit the form to be contracted to a smaller circumference after the liner has hardened and is self-supporting. A curb ring extends downwardly and outwardly toward the shaft wall from the bottom of the retainer form to define the bottom surface of each poured liner section. An inflatable toroid forms a seal between the curb ring and the shaft wall. A form support gripper ring having gripper shoes laterally extendable under hydraulic power to engage the shaft wall supports the retainer form, curb ring and liner until the newly poured liner section becomes self-supporting. Adjusting hydraulic cylinders permit the curb ring and retainer form to be properly aligned relative to the form support gripper ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1981
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: James D. Eklund, Joseph M. Halter, Donald E. Rasmussen, Robert G. Sullivan, Robert B. Moffat
  • Patent number: 4261541
    Abstract: An improved manhole concrete blockout for forming sewer pipe openings in the cast-concrete wall of a manhole where a hole is dug in the ground and at least one vertical hollow form is positioned within the hole and spaced apart from the surface which defines the hole and concrete is poured between the surface defining the hole and the form for forming a manhole wall. A plurality of form sections are connected together so that their outer surfaces can be positioned to become a longitudinal extension of the outer surface of the form. A blockout member is connected to the outer surface of at least one of the sections for forming an opening in the manhole wall, the end adjacent to the section being shaped to engage and conform to the outer surface of the section and the other end being shaped to conform to and engage the corresponding portion of the surface defining the hole so that an opening in the shape of the blockout member will extend through the wall when it is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1981
    Inventor: Otis L. Morrow
  • Patent number: 4261542
    Abstract: This invention relates to U-shaped tunnel-type forms for poured concrete having an upper horizontal panel resting on two spaced vertical sides which, in turn, are separated on the ground by a combination of jacks and wheels. The bottom portions of the two sides are connected by plural horizontal retractile tie beams. The upper horizontsl panel is supported by articulated horizontal beams pivotal at their ends and in the middle to permit the panel to be deformed by curving it downward, thereby pulling toward each other the spaced corners or edges of the dihedrons formed by the junctures of the spaced vertical sides and the horizontal panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1981
    Assignee: Outinord-St.-Amand, S.A.
    Inventor: Louis Lefebvre
  • Patent number: 4205949
    Abstract: A slipform apparatus is described for forming a continuous upright monolithic lining within a preformed upright shaft. The slipform is provided in three independently movable sections that may be lowered into the shaft. Wet concrete is delivered to the sections and dispensed outwardly of the sections to form the lining. The formed sections hold the wet concrete against the walls of the shaft and progressively form a cylindrical upright bore within the shaft. As concrete is delivered to the slipform, the individual sections are moved in an "inchworm" effect in conjunction with an expansion mechanism to automatically lift itself upwardly within the shaft as the lining is being formed. A steering mechanism is provided to enable selective angular movement of the slipform in a nonvertical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1980
    Inventor: Raymond A. Hanson
  • Patent number: 4181484
    Abstract: Apparatus for building underground pipelines by forming a casing in a hole from a forming material which is compacted in the direction from the center of the hole towards its walls. The hole is first filled with the forming material throughout its cross-sectional area and then the material is compacted in the direction towards the walls of the hole. Compaction is effected by a device comprising a rod-shaped body adapted for moving through the hole, the front end of the body being provided with a system of radial ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1980
    Inventors: Alexandr D. Kostylev, Konstantin S. Gurkov, Vladimir D. Plavskikh, Vladimir V. Klimashko, Leonid G. Rozhkov, Vladimir A. Grigoraschenko, Vasily V. Filippov, Lazar M. Lipovetsky, Valentin N. Ardyshev, Khaim B. Tkach
  • Patent number: 4159890
    Abstract: A paving material extrusion molding apparatus for continuously laying or molding a paving material wherein the paving material supplied into hoppers is conveyed into a molding element by a plurality of screw conveyors, the paving material is compacted or consolidated by screw thrusts equal to the frictional force produced by the dead weight of the extrusion molding apparatus, a reaction force created by the compaction or consolidation is utilized to float off the entire extrusion molding apparatus, and a reaction force created by the conveyance of the paving material being continuously fed serves to move the extrusion molding apparatus along the predetermined path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1979
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Koji Ogaki, Katsu Hirosawa, Masashi Kaminishi, Yoshinori Nozawa, Hiroshi Kakuta, Akio Aoki
  • Patent number: 4153398
    Abstract: Continuous concrete pipe is produced in an open trench by drawing a sled along the trench. The sled has a fresh concrete intake chute which supplies the concrete to a pipe-forming mechanism that generates the pipe. The lower pipe half is supported by the trench. To support the upper pipe half, a plastic material is given a convex shape complementary to the concave interior of the pipe. The plastic material is formed over a convex mandrel carried by the sled forward (in the direction of movement of the sled) of the intake means so that the plastic material hardens before contacted by wet concrete from the intake means. The mandrel extends rearwardly past the intake means to provide support for the plastic mold while the pipe is formed. Alternative ways for making the plastic mold are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1979
    Inventor: George M. Keller
  • Patent number: 4148193
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are described for producing underground installations of concrete pipe, in which a shaft is sunk into the ground at each of two spaced locations between which the concrete pipe is to be installed, an annular slipform-shield is disposed in one shaft, holes are bored through the ground from the other shaft to the slipform-shield, and cables are passed through the holes and are attached to the slipform-shield. The cables are then used for pulling the slipform-shield towards the other shaft while concrete is simultaneously fed to the trailing section of the slipform-shield to thereby fill the resulting void by a cast tubular layer of concrete embedded in and supported by the ground. After the cast concrete has set as a hardened tubular layer, the soil from within it may be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1979
    Inventor: Samuel Mottes
  • Patent number: 4125579
    Abstract: A slip form apparatus for the in place formation of a continuous concrete pipe in an open trench. The concrete material is supplied under high pressure to obtain a good and uniformly compacted pipe. The apparatus is automatically moved forward along the trench only when a properly compacted continuous pipe is being formed within the apparatus. Provided in the construction of the apparatus is the ability to temporarily stop the movement and formation of the pipe and then subsequently continue with the formation of the pipe without having to remove the apparatus from the trench. Also utilized in conjunction with the apparatus is a unique deployment arrangement for an inflatable film means located at a stationary position behind the apparatus to automatically supply support for the wet cementitious material as the pipe is being formed along the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1978
    Assignee: Donovan Construction Company
    Inventors: Thomas W. Barber, Miles W. Proctor
  • Patent number: 4106300
    Abstract: Cast-in-place concrete pipe reinforced with fibers and the method of making such reinforced cast-in-place concrete pipe is disclosed. The apparatus used in making such reinforced cast-in-place concrete pipe is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1978
    Assignee: No-Joint Concrete Pipe Co.
    Inventor: Charles T. McNeill
  • Patent number: 4093410
    Abstract: A slip form or mule for continuously laying concrete along one or more adjacent lanes on the sloping side of a contoured drainage ditch. The slip form is affixed to or movably mounted from a construction machine that travels along the top berm of the ditch. A tool frame support slideably contains a form having an open top and bottom with longitudinally adjustable and segmented side walls and is suspended from cooperating derrick and pivotal frame supports along the side of the machine for registry with and travel spaced above the sloping side of the ditch. A flexible finishing pan follows the form means in the plane of its bottom edges and includes adjustable supports suspending or compressing the pan in relation to the concrete slab being laid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1978
    Assignee: Miller Formless Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Charles P. Miller