A machine for extracting a ductile pipe. The machine has a vise which can grip the pipe, and a wire clamp. Each of the wire clamp and vise are supported on a carriage which is movable relative to a frame. This enables the vise to grip and pull the ductile pipe. Additionally, a wire strand may be disposed through the pipe from a far end to the end at which the machine is placed. The wire clamp allows the machine to pre-stress the strand to improve the extraction of the ductile pipe.

A machine for extracting a ductile pipe. The machine has a vise which can grip the pipe, and a wire clamp. Each of the wire clamp and vise are supported on a carriage which is movable relative to a frame. This enables the vise to grip and pull the ductile pipe. Additionally, a wire strand may be disposed through the pipe from a far end to the end at which the machine is placed. The wire clamp allows the machine to pre-stress the strand to improve the extraction of the ductile pipe.

A pipe processing tool that is configured to deform the end of a pipe so that the circumferential shape of the end of the pipe generally matches the circumferential shape of an adjacent pipe end. Matching the circumferential shapes of the pipe ends is advantageous during a pipe attachment process. The pipe processing tool can include a deformation ring with a plurality of pipe deformation members. Each pipe deformation member faces radially inward and is actuatable in a radial direction toward and away from the center of the deformation ring in order to permit engagement with the pipe. Each pipe deformation member is individually and separately actuatable from the other pipe deformation members so that the circumferential shapes of the pipes can be altered by controlling suitable ones of the pipe deformation members.

A pipe processing tool that is configured to deform the end of a pipe so that the circumferential shape of the end of the pipe generally matches the circumferential shape of an adjacent pipe end. Matching the circumferential shapes of the pipe ends is advantageous during a pipe attachment process. The pipe processing tool can include a deformation ring with a plurality of pipe deformation members. Each pipe deformation member faces radially inward and is actuatable in a radial direction toward and away from the center of the deformation ring in order to permit engagement with the pipe. Each pipe deformation member is individually and separately actuatable from the other pipe deformation members so that the circumferential shapes of the pipes can be altered by controlling suitable ones of the pipe deformation members.

A method of installing a trough or trench for containing a cryogenic spill, includes the step of constructing multiple precast concrete sections at a first location, each section having a bottom wall and spaced apart side walls connected to and extending up from the bottom wall. Each section has end portions that enable connection to another concrete section. The method includes (at the first location), preparing multiple panels of polymeric concrete material by filling one or more molds with a slurry or liquid polymeric concrete material and after time allowing the material to cure and harden. At the first location, one or more of the panels is adhered to the bottom wall and side walls of each concrete section using an adhesive. After adhering of the panels to the concrete sections, the concrete sections are transported from the first location to a second location that is remote from the first location. At the second location, the concrete sections are connected together using connections that join one end portion of a concrete section to and end portion of another concrete section. In one embodiment, the trough or trench is placed next to a pipe rack having cryogen containing flow lines. A slab and riser arrangement preferably channel any spill to the trough or trench.

A method of installing a trough or trench for containing a cryogenic spill, includes the step of constructing multiple precast concrete sections at a first location, each section having a bottom wall and spaced apart side walls connected to and extending up from the bottom wall. Each section has end portions that enable connection to another concrete section. The method includes (at the first location), preparing multiple panels of polymeric concrete material by filling one or more molds with a slurry or liquid polymeric concrete material and after time allowing the material to cure and harden. At the first location, one or more of the panels is adhered to the bottom wall and side walls of each concrete section using an adhesive. After adhering of the panels to the concrete sections, the concrete sections are transported from the first location to a second location that is remote from the first location. At the second location, the concrete sections are connected together using connections that join one end portion of a concrete section to and end portion of another concrete section. In one embodiment, the trough or trench is placed next to a pipe rack having cryogen containing flow lines. A slab and riser arrangement preferably channel any spill to the trough or trench.

An apparatus and method for laying pipe in a ditch. The apparatus comprises a mobile platform having a longitudinal central axis. A support extends from the mobile platform and includes a cradle. The cradle supports a weight of a pipe segment in alignment with the central longitudinal axis of the mobile platform as the pipe laying apparatus transports the pipe segment to a location where the pipe segment is to be placed and as the pipe laying apparatus offloads the pipe segment at the location where the pipe segment is to be placed in the ditch.

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 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 method for breaking the friction between a buried pipe section and its surrounding soil. A linear actuator or a pneumatic impact mole pushes on one end of the pipe section while a pipe extractor pulls on the opposing end of the pipe section. In an alternative embodiment, a device is used to excite the pipe section's natural vibrational frequency while a pipe extractor pulls on one end of the pipe section. After the friction between the pipe section and its surrounding soil is broken, the pipe extractor may remove the pipe section from its borehole. In another embodiment, the pipe section may be cut into smaller sections and each section may be individually removed from the ground using a pipe extractor. Alternatively, the smaller pipe sections may be individually loosened from the surrounding soil and then rejoined before being removed from the ground by a pipe extractor.