A cable retention and release mechanism includes a cable gripping device including a cable passage. A cable extends through the cable passage. A cable gripping device collar is movably coupled around the cable gripping device. An outer cable gripping device surface is seated against a cable gripping device receiving inner surface preventing movement of the cable gripping device relative to the cable gripping device collar. The cable gripping device receiving inner surface clamps the cable gripping device on the cable and prevents sliding movement of the cable. A jack is movably coupled with the cable gripping device collar. In a first engaged position the jack is engaged against the cable gripping device proximal end. In a second engaged position the jack unseats the outer cable gripping device surface from the cable gripping device receiving inner surface and releases the clamping of the cable.

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.

Locking and rotating device, twister, for tubular casing elements for vertical excavations. Mechanical locking and rotating device also known as twister, consisting of three elements coaxially connected one inside the other (1, 9, 19), by means of plugs and interpenetrating screws in slots formed on the cylindrical surfaces of the elements, in which a first upper element (1) is used to maneuver the device, a second central element (9) used to rotate the lining tube and a third element (19) deputy to the connection of for connecting to the end of the lining tube.

A helical pile including a heat exchanger is described. The pile is formed from a lead section and one or more extension sections. The interior of the lead and extension sections are hollow and form a heat exchanger cavity. At the lower end of the lead section is a helical blade. Rotation of the lead section causes the helical blade to screw into the ground, thus pulling the lead section downward. Extension sections are added to the lead section and the pile is rotated until it is installed to a desired depth. The pile includes an inflow tube extending a predetermined distance into the heat exchanger cavity and an outflow port connected with the heat exchanger cavity. In operation, a heat carrying fluid is pumped into the inflow tube from a heat source or sink, for example, a heat pump for a building heating and cooling system. The fluid exits the tube at a point near the bottom of the heat exchanger cavity. The fluid flows upward through the heat exchange cavity and exchanges heat with the surrounding soil. The fluid flows out through the outflow port and back to the heat source or sink.

A horizontal pipe ramming system includes a hydraulic crowd system. A hydraulic percussive hammer is mounted on a carriage that is urged forward by hydraulic cylinders acting between the carriage and an abutment. The continuity of crowd is enhanced by a compressive resilient assembly that releases its energy to the hammer to keep it in contact with the pipe after impact.

A cable retention and release mechanism includes a cable gripping device including a cable passage. A cable extends through the cable passage. A cable gripping device collar is movably coupled around the cable gripping device. An outer cable gripping device surface is seated against a cable gripping device receiving inner surface preventing movement of the cable gripping device relative to the cable gripping device collar. The cable gripping device receiving inner surface clamps the cable gripping device on the cable and prevents sliding movement of the cable. A jack is movably coupled with the cable gripping device collar. In a first engaged position the jack is engaged against the cable gripping device proximal end. In a second engaged position the jack unseats the outer cable gripping device surface from the cable gripping device receiving inner surface and releases the clamping of the cable.

A horizontal pipe ramming system includes a hydraulic crowd system. A hydraulic percussive hammer is mounted on a carriage that is urged forward by hydraulic cylinders acting between the carriage and an abutment. The continuity of crowd is enhanced by a compressive resilient assembly that releases its energy to the hammer to keep it in contact with the pipe after impact.

A helical pile including a heat exchanger is described. The pile is formed from a lead section and one or more extension sections. The interior of the lead and extension sections are hollow and form a heat exchanger cavity. At the lower end of the lead section is a helical blade. Rotation of the lead section causes the helical blade to screw into the ground, thus pulling the lead section downward. Extension sections are added to the lead section and the pile is rotated until it is installed to a desired depth. The pile includes an inflow tube extending a predetermined distance into the heat exchanger cavity and an outflow port connected with the heat exchanger cavity. In operation, a heat carrying fluid is pumped into the inflow tube from a heat source or sink, for example, a heat pump for a building heating and cooling system. The fluid exits the tube at a point near the bottom of the heat exchanger cavity. The fluid flows upward through the heat exchange cavity and exchanges heat with the surrounding soil. The fluid flows out through the outflow port and back to the heat source or sink.

A device and a method are for slanting a conductor casing when establishing a petroleum well where a supporting pipe has been inserted into the seabed. The supporting pipe is arranged to receive the conductor casing. The supporting pipe is provided with a casing shoe at a vertical distance below it upper end portion, the casing shoe forming a through casing-shoe opening eccentric relative to the supporting pipe.

Disclosed is a comprehensive excavation process performed on an excavation site. The process includes installing wellpoints for lowering the groundwater level within the excavation site and stabilizing the boundary soil walls of the excavation site by an improved soil nailing method. The improved soil nailing method employs casing pipes that are part of the wellpoint system as reinforcing elements for the stabilization of the soil walls.