Underground pipe replacement method
OwnerW. Harry McConnellinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The underground pipe replacement method and apparatus includes placing a ripping tool having cutting blades into the bore of one end of the existing pipe; pulling the ripping tool through the bore of the existing pipe and cutting a plurality of slots through the wall of the existing pipe; disposing a length of rods throughout the existing pipe as the ripping tool passes through the existing pipe; plugging one end of the ripped pipe and allowing water to pass through the open end of the pipe; allowing the water to stand in the existing pipe and flow through the slots in the pipe and into the formation; softening the earth formation around the pipe; and crushing the existing pipe with a crushing tool.
Claims11
A method for softening earth prior to replacing an existing, frangible underground pipe disposed in an earth formation comprising:
- placing a ripping tool into one end of the existing pipe;
- engaging the existing pipe with a plurality of cutting members disposed on the ripping tool;
- cutting a plurality of slots through the existing pipe;
- plugging one end of the cut pipe;
- causing a fluid to flow into the cut pipe;
- allowing the fluid to pass through the cuts and into the formation around the existing pipe to soften the earth formation around the existing pipe.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.