Method and apparatus for the underground installation of pipelines
US4673312A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 24, 1985 |
| Grant date | Jun 16, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 24, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B21/12
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method and apparatus for the underground installation of pipelines. The underground installation of pipelines is carried out by driving pipe sections into the ground. The earth is loosened at the driving face via a liquid jet, and the excess earth is transported away from the removal zone. Only so much of the earth that has been loosened and mixed with the liquid is removed, such that the removal zone is always completely filled with the earth-liquid mixture. The larger earth aggregates or obstructions in the ground are forced outwards. In this way, the driving face does not require any special support. A receiving device with entry orifices for the earth-liquid mixture is located behind a nozzle head provided for discharging the liquid jet. A sluice serves to pass the mixture into a removal pipe in a controlled manner.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.