Device and method for pulling pipe

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025035234-A1
Application number	US-202418914962-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 14, 2024
Priority date	Apr 24, 2018
Publication date	Jan 30, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

A pipe puller system and methods of pipe extraction are shown. In one example a pipe to be replaced is pulled by attaching a pulling force to multiple locations along a length of the pipe. In one example pulling forces can be varied between different attachment locations to better control or eliminate tearing of the pipe. In one example, a pipe loosening device may be used prior to pulling the pipe from the ground.

First claim

1 . A method of pipe extraction, comprising:
forcing a deforming die through a pipe to loosen the pipe from the surrounding soil; coupling a puller to a first end of the pipe; coupling the puller to a second end of the pipe; and pulling the loosened pipe from the ground, applying an extraction force at both the first end and the second end of the pipe.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein forcing a deforming die through a pipe includes pulling the deforming die through the pipe with a cable.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein forcing a deforming die through a pipe includes pushing the deforming die through the pipe with a directional drill.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein forcing a deforming die through a pipe includes forcing a die that includes a deforming cylinder portion coupled between a leading end cylinder portion and a trailing end cylinder portion.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein forcing a deforming die through a pipe includes forcing a die that includes one or more hardened inserts.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein forcing a deforming die through a pipe includes forcing a die that includes one or more bronze alloy inserts.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein forcing a deforming die through a pipe includes lubricating and forcing the deforming die.

8 . The method of claim 1 , further including pulling in a new pipe as the old pipe is removed from the ground.

9 . A method of pipe extraction, comprising:
forcing a deforming die through a pipe to loosen the pipe from the surrounding soil; pulling a first end and a second end of the pipe concurrently to pull the pipe from the ground; winding extracted pipe around a drum.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein a pulling force of on the first end is controlled separately from a pulling force on the second end.

11 . The method of claim 10 , further including adjusting a force differential between the first end and the second end.

12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein pulling a first end and a second end of the pipe includes pulling at least one cable.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein pulling a first end and a second end of the pipe includes pulling two cables concurrently, wherein a first cable is coupled to the first end of the pipe, and a second cable is coupled to the second end of the pipe.

14 . The method of claim 9 , further including pulling in a new pipe as the extracted pipe is removed from the ground.

15 . The method of claim 9 , further including removing the extracted pipe from the drum.

16 . The method of claim 9 , wherein winding includes driving with a hydraulic motor.

Assignees

• Tt Technologies Inc

Inventors

• Olander John A

Classifications

• F16L55/1658

  the old pipe being ruptured prior to insertion of a new pipe · CPC title

• F16L1/06

  Accessories therefor, e.g. anchors · CPC title

• B65H2403/93

  Fluid power drive · CPC title

• B65H79/00

  Driving-gear for devices for forwarding, winding, unwinding, or depositing material, not otherwise provided for · CPC title

• B65H54/02

  Winding and traversing material on to reels, bobbins, tubes, or like package cores or formers · CPC title