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.

An apparatus for installing multiple strands of hose below a surface of terrain is provided. The apparatus comprises a chassis and rotating trenching blade assemblies connected to the chassis. The trenching blade assemblies are configured to dig parallel trenches when the apparatus is pulled along the terrain. Curved hose guides are connected to the chassis in trailing positions behind the trenching blades. Each hose guide receives hose from a hose reel on reel mounts connected to the chassis and deposits the hose into a trench dug by a trenching blade assembly. Trench fillers connected to the chassis trail the hose guides. Each trench filler is aligned with a respective hose guide and comprises a number of blades configured to push soil excavated from a trench back into the trench when the apparatus is pulled along the terrain.

A method for installing pipeline segments within a conduit. The method includes a step of securing a first pipe segment of the pipeline segments at a top end of the conduit, a step of aligning a main axis of a second pipe segment of the pipeline segments with the main axis of the pipeline, a step of lifting the second pipe segment from a first position associated with a bottom end of the conduit to a second position adjacent to the first pipe segment, a step of abutting a top rim of the second pipe segment against a bottom rim of the first pipe segment, and a step of attaching the top rim of the second pipe segment to the bottom rim of the first pipe segment.

Disclosed herein is an alignment tool 1 for a pipe having a bore with a central axis. The tool 1 comprises a main body 22, 32 having one end 26 conforming with an open end of the pipe in use, and an opposite end 34 having mounted thereto a sighting means, wherein the sighting means is configured to discharge a sighting beam in use coaxially with the central axis of the pipe.

Disclosed herein is an alignment tool 1 for a pipe having a bore with a central axis. The tool 1 comprises a main body 22, 32 having one end 26 conforming with an open end of the pipe in use, and an opposite end 34 having mounted thereto a sighting means, wherein the sighting means is configured to discharge a sighting beam in use coaxially with the central axis of the pipe.

A pipe hanging system for aligned installation of a pipe from a support system without the use of external measuring devices incudes a hanger assembly having one or more hanger members each having a cradle dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the pipe in a supported relation therein. The hanger members include a plurality of alignment marks disposed on and visible along at least a portion of the hanger member to facilitate positioning the hanger member relative to the support members without the use of external measuring devices. A mounting assembly to mount each hanger member to one of the plurality of support members in an aligned orientation, wherein an aligned orientation is at least partially defined by a portion of the cradle disposed a predetermined distance from a preselected portion of the support member onto which the hanger member is mounted.

An alignment apparatus suited for aligning structural members, such as, but not limited to pipes, structural beams, lumber, or any other suitable member. The alignment apparatus comprises a mounting base, an alignment receiver, and a fastening element. The mounting base comprises a first mounting body, a mounting cavity, and a second mounting body. The alignment receiver comprises a first receiver panel, an alignment cavity, a fastening aperture, and a second receiver panel. The mounting base is perpendicularly connected adjacent to the alignment receiver. The first receiver panel and the second receiver panel are vertically connected adjacent to the mounting base. The alignment cavity is positioned between the first receiver panel and the second receiver panel. The fastening aperture traverses through the first receiver panel. The fastening element is selectively connected along the fastening aperture.

An alignment apparatus suited for aligning structural members, such as, but not limited to pipes, structural beams, lumber, or any other suitable member. The alignment apparatus comprises a mounting base, an alignment receiver, and a fastening element. The mounting base comprises a first mounting body, a mounting cavity, and a second mounting body. The alignment receiver comprises a first receiver panel, an alignment cavity, a fastening aperture, and a second receiver panel. The mounting base is perpendicularly connected adjacent to the alignment receiver. The first receiver panel and the second receiver panel are vertically connected adjacent to the mounting base. The alignment cavity is positioned between the first receiver panel and the second receiver panel. The fastening aperture traverses through the first receiver panel. The fastening element is selectively connected along the fastening aperture.

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.