Method and apparatus for embedding a pipe in a trench in weak ground
OwnerFrancis R. Courinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A trench is dug under the pipe. A collapsible means formed by a supple and deformable envelope is conveyed into the trench as it is dug in a state folded or coiled upon itself. The envelope is filled with water by a pump assembly and unfolded in a diverging cone, and progressively substituted for materials extracted as the trench is dug. The pipe is then lowered into and positioned in the trench by the escape of water out of the envelope through orifices or valves.
Claims25
A method of embedding a pipe in ground consisting of materials having poor cohesion, comprising the steps of:
- continuously digging a trench having lateral walls progressively lengthwise under said pipe, replacing materials removed from said trench by continuously delivered collapsible wall-supporting means in the entire trench, in such a manner that said collapsible wall-supporting means applies pressure against said lateral walls of said trench to prevent said walls from collapsing, and then continuously reducing the volume of said collapsible wall-supporting means to allow the descent and positioning of said pipe in said trench and to allow said lateral walls of said trench to collapse, at a point remote from the delivering point of said collapsible wall supporting means.
Apparatus embedding a pipe in a trench having lateral walls in ground consisting of materials having poor cohesion, which appartus comprises a device for delivering continuously collapsible wall-supporting means for replacing materials removed from said trench to prevent the lateral walls of said trench from collapsing, means for maintaining said collapsible means in expanded state for filling entirely the trench, and means for collapsing said wall supporting means at a point remote from the delivering point.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.