A pipe-laying system and method includes assessing an environment and placing of a pipe from an excavator to a trench. The system comprises a frame, a boom assembly, and an implement. The boom assembly includes a large boom and a dipper stick. The implement is detachable coupled to the dipper stick and moveable relative to the dipper stick. The system also includes at least one sensor operable to sense a position or a direction of movement of the large boom, dipper stick, or implement. The system also includes a stereo camera to obtain visual data. A controller is adapted to receive the visual data signal, identify an edge of the pipe, receive a signal from the sensor, associate the visual data with corresponding data, create visual feedback and an input signal the position of the boom assembly.

A pipe-laying system and method includes assessing an environment and placing of a pipe from an excavator to a trench. The system comprises a frame, a boom assembly, and an implement. The boom assembly includes a large boom and a dipper stick. The implement is detachable coupled to the dipper stick and moveable relative to the dipper stick. The system also includes at least one sensor operable to sense a position or a direction of movement of the large boom, dipper stick, or implement. The system also includes a stereo camera to obtain visual data. A controller is adapted to receive the visual data signal, identify an edge of the pipe, receive a signal from the sensor, associate the visual data with corresponding data, create visual feedback and an input signal the position of the boom assembly.

Pipe replacement devices, and systems are shown. Devices and systems may include jointed cutters and floating cutters to navigate difficult pipe replacement conditions. Devices and systems may also include replacement pipe with pre-installed supply hoses, such as lubricant supply and/or pneumatic supply hoses. Methods of pipe replacement are also described, including splitting old pipe and pulling in new pipe behind the equipment as splitting progresses.

Pipe replacement devices, and systems are shown. Devices and systems may include jointed cutters and floating cutters to navigate difficult pipe replacement conditions. Devices and systems may also include replacement pipe with pre-installed supply hoses, such as lubricant supply and/or pneumatic supply hoses. Methods of pipe replacement are also described, including splitting old pipe and pulling in new pipe behind the equipment as splitting progresses.

A rotary drill bit for use with a horizontal directional drill string. A coupler at a proximal axial end is configured to attach the rotary drill bit to a drill head at a distal end of the drill string. A cutting portion at a distal axial end is provided with a plurality of vanes with respective cutters that operate to cut a hole in earth when the rotary drill bit is rotated about a central axis. The plurality of vanes project radially outwardly from a surface of the cutting portion such that the surface forms respective troughs circumferentially interspersed with the plurality of vanes. A plurality of engagement features is positioned axially within the cutting portion and radially inward of an outer cutting diameter to facilitate attachment of a product pullback device between the plurality of vanes without removing the rotary drill bit, or any portion thereof, from the drill head.

A rotary drill bit for use with a horizontal directional drill string. A coupler at a proximal axial end is configured to attach the rotary drill bit to a drill head at a distal end of the drill string. A cutting portion at a distal axial end is provided with a plurality of vanes with respective cutters that operate to cut a hole in earth when the rotary drill bit is rotated about a central axis. The plurality of vanes project radially outwardly from a surface of the cutting portion such that the surface forms respective troughs circumferentially interspersed with the plurality of vanes. A plurality of engagement features is positioned axially within the cutting portion and radially inward of an outer cutting diameter to facilitate attachment of a product pullback device between the plurality of vanes without removing the rotary drill bit, or any portion thereof, from the drill head.

De-trenching apparatus (100) for extracting a buried line, such as a cable or pipeline, is disclosed. The de-trenching apparatus comprises a channel (112) configured to receive a buried line to be extracted, the channel comprising a first flared opening (114) at a front end of the de-trenching apparatus and a second flared opening (115) at the rear end of the de-trenching apparatus, the first and second flared openings each having a curved surface (111) configured to support the line during extraction, and material removal means for removing material from around the buried line ahead of the de-trenching apparatus.

Embodiments and methods relate to pulling and installing a product line along an underground arcuate path beneath an obstacle, including pulling the product line for an extended length (i.e. a length that might otherwise be deemed impracticable) along the underground arcuate path beneath the obstacle. Embodiments also relate to a pulling apparatus for installing a product line using a casing along an underground arcuate path beneath an obstacle, having a casing pull head connected to the casing, a product line pull head assembly connected to the product line, and a pull bracket connected to the product line pull head assembly and to the casing pull head sleeve frame.

A filled trench is disclosed. The filled trench comprises: a pair of conduits (3a, 3b) for delivering fluid with a different temperature in each of the conduits (3a, 3b), the pair of conduits (3a, 3b) being surrounded by filling material; a first section (5a) filled with a filling material of a first type (4a), wherein the first filled section (5a) of the filled trench occupies a space in between the pair of conduits (3a, 3b); and a second section (5b) filled with a filling material of a second type (4b). The filling material of the first type (4a) has a first thermal conduction coefficient and the filling material of a second type (4b) has a higher second thermal conduction coefficient. Further, a method for filling such a filled trench is disclosed.

A filled trench is disclosed. The filled trench comprises: a pair of conduits (3a, 3b) for delivering fluid with a different temperature in each of the conduits (3a, 3b), the pair of conduits (3a, 3b) being surrounded by filling material; a first section (5a) filled with a filling material of a first type (4a), wherein the first filled section (5a) of the filled trench occupies a space in between the pair of conduits (3a, 3b); and a second section (5b) filled with a filling material of a second type (4b). The filling material of the first type (4a) has a first thermal conduction coefficient and the filling material of a second type (4b) has a higher second thermal conduction coefficient. Further, a method for filling such a filled trench is disclosed.