An assembly, a system, and a method for protecting a portion of a pipeline from an impact in an excavation operation creating a void around the portion of the pipeline with a shell assembly are described. The shell assembly includes two half cylinders and fasteners to couple the two half cylinders together. Each half cylinder has a pipe cover shell, an inner shell, and an outer shell. The pipe cover shell is sized to conform to an outer surface of the pipeline. The inner shell is spaced apart from the pipe cover shell and coupled to the pipe cover shell by radially extended inner supports. Each inner support has a crumple component that is weaker than adjacent portions of the inner support. The outer shell is spaced apart from the inner shell with the inner shell disposed between the outer shell and the pipe cover shell.

This invention relates to an improved component (10) for replacing pipes, in particular underground pipes. The invention also relates to a trenchless method of removing pipes using the improved component, and a kit of parts for use in removing pipes. The improved component (10) is securable to a cable (14) and has a body (30) with a recess (26) to accommodate the end (18) of the pipe (12) in use, the recess being surrounded by a collar (24). The improved component is a two-part component, the first part (20) being securable to the cable (14) and the second part (22) including the body, the two parts being made of different materials. There is also provided a kit of parts including cooperating alignment elements of standard dimensions, and a method of removing an underground pipe.

Techniques for implementing and/or operating a pipe handling system that includes an inboard bore plug assembly and an outboard bore plug assembly, which facilitate plugging a pipe bore in a flexible pipe. The inboard bore plug assembly includes a first inflatable plug having a first inflatable bladder that defines a first fluid cavity and a first inflation port opening and a first inflation fluid port secured within the first inflation port opening. The outboard bore plug assembly includes a second inflatable plug having a second inflatable bladder that defines a second fluid cavity, a second inflation port opening, and a bore port opening, a second inflation fluid port secured within the second inflation port opening, and a bore fluid port secured in the bore port opening to enable the pipe bore in the flexible pipe to be pressurized to an elevated fluid pressure.

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.

A pull head assembly for quick attachment to a flexible pipe is provided. The pull head assembly has three subsections. A collet assembly is mounted to the end of a flexible pipe. A mandrel assembly is adapted to go over the collet assembly. A lead screw assembly positions the mandrel assembly over the collet assembly and acts as an attachment point for pulling the flexible pipe and pull head assembly from one location to another. After pulling the flexible pipe and pull head assembly from one location to another, the mandrel assembly and lead screw assembly can be removed, and the collet assembly can act as a temporary fitting for the flexible pipe.

A system for enclosing a utility line under a roadway or footway includes a plurality of modular walls formed from a polymer material, wherein the modular walls combine to form a duct unit defining an interior volume therewithin and having open axial ends. The system further includes a polymer plate overlaying the duct unit, a quantity of granular base material overlaying the polymer plate, and a plurality of interlocking paving blocks overlaying the granular base material, wherein the plurality of paving blocks combine to form a surface for accommodating foot or vehicular traffic. Further, the system includes one or more brackets removably fixed in the duct unit for holding the utility line within the interior volume.

A system for enclosing a utility line under a roadway or footway includes a plurality of modular walls formed from a polymer material, wherein the modular walls combine to form a duct unit defining an interior volume therewithin and having open axial ends. The system further includes a polymer plate overlaying the duct unit, a quantity of granular base material overlaying the polymer plate, and a plurality of interlocking paving blocks overlaying the granular base material, wherein the plurality of paving blocks combine to form a surface for accommodating foot or vehicular traffic. Further, the system includes one or more brackets removably fixed in the duct unit for holding the utility line within the interior volume.

A multidirectional runner assembly for positioning a carrier pipe within a surrounding casing pipe. Each multidirectional runner assembly has at least one ball transfer assembly at least partially protruding from the runner assembly, in order to contact an inner surface of a surrounding casing pipe. The ball transfer assemblies reduce static and/or kinetic friction forces during installation of a carrier pipe within the central bore of a casing pipe, permit multidirectional orientation of the runners within the casing pipe, and provide greater load support.

The present invention relates to a utility support framing system for structurally suspended concrete slab over void form foundation systems. The inventive utility support framing system avoids problems created by expansive soils which damage utility lines under foundation systems. The inventive utility support framing system permits suspending utility pipes within an interior space of the foundation system while avoiding the problems of the prior art.

The present invention relates to a utility support framing system for structurally suspended concrete slab over void form foundation systems. The inventive utility support framing system avoids problems created by expansive soils which damage utility lines under foundation systems. The inventive utility support framing system permits suspending utility pipes within an interior space of the foundation system while avoiding the problems of the prior art.