Apparatus for driving pipes through the ground

US4671703A · kind A · utility

Inventor

• Paul Wayne Schmidt · Lennestadt, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 17, 1984
• Grant date: Jun 9, 1987
• Expiry date: Jul 17, 2004

Classification

• Technology area (CPC E): Fixed Constructions
• CPC primary: E21B10/02
• WIPO field: Civil engineering
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

Apparatus for driving an open-ended pipe 7, which has a driving shoe 6 at its leading end, through the ground comprises a driving member 2, 3 to which percussive driving forces are applied by a driving mechanism. Instead of fitting the part 3 of the driving member directly into the rear end of the pipe 7 as is usual an intermediate component 8 is interposed between the pipe and the part 3. The component 8 has soil outlet openings 10 and a deflector 16 to allow soil which enters the pipe 7 through the shoe 6 as driving proceeds to pass through and out of the pipe without stopping the driving. The passage of the soil through the pipe 7 is assisted by water supplied under pressure through a pipe 11 to an annular duct 12 in the shoe 6, when the water flows inwards through nozzles 13 and then rearwards through the pipe 7 carrying the soil with it.