Cable puller and method
AssigneeTT Technologies, Inc.
InventorMichael Tjader
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cable puller and associated methods are shown. Useful example methods include pipe bursting using cable pullers as shown. Cable pullers and methods shown provide a mechanical advantage that increases an amount of cable pulled in one cycle. Selected examples are shown that include a pulley located on a distal end of a moving portion of an extending and contracting beam. The pulley and the mechanical advantage it supplies helps to improve the efficiency of the cable puller and reduce manufacturing cost of the cable puller.
Claims21
A cable pulling system, comprising:
- a cable pulling device, including:
- an extending and contracting beam including a first end portion and a second end portion;
- a pulley attached at a distal end of the first end portion, such that when in operation, the pulley moves back and forth as the beam extends and contracts;
- and
- a cyclic cable gripper attached to the extending and contracting beam, wherein the cyclic cable gripper is configured to pull a cable through a length of pipe by gripping the cable on a beam extension, and automatically releasing the cable on a beam contraction.
A cable pulling system, comprising:
- a cable pulling device, including:
- an extending and contracting beam including a first end portion and a second end portion;
- a pulley attached at a distal end of the first end portion, such that when in operation, the pulley moves back and forth as the beam extends and contracts;
- a single cyclic cable gripper attached to an end of the extending and contracting beam, wherein the single cyclic cable gripper is configured to pull a cable through a length of pipe by gripping the cable on a beam extension, and releasing the cable on a beam contraction;
- a bursting head;
- and
- a cable coupled between a front end of the bursting head and the cable pulling device.
A method of pipe replacement, comprising:
- placing a cable through a pipe to be replaced;
- coupling a splitter head to a distal end of the cable;
- routing the cable through a frame and around a stationary base pulley;
- routing the cable over a pulley located at a distal, moving end of an extending and contracting beam;
- gripping the cable with a cyclic cable gripper attached to the extending and contracting beam;
- extending a moving end of the extending and contracting beam to pull the cable;
- and
- pulling the splitter head through the pipe to be replaced.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.