GB2273142A - Renewing underground pipes - Google Patents

Renewing underground pipes Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2273142A
GB2273142A GB9225544A GB9225544A GB2273142A GB 2273142 A GB2273142 A GB 2273142A GB 9225544 A GB9225544 A GB 9225544A GB 9225544 A GB9225544 A GB 9225544A GB 2273142 A GB2273142 A GB 2273142A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
pipe
passageway
shank
cut
existing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB9225544A
Other versions
GB9225544D0 (en
Inventor
Charles John Ashdown
Stephen James Kent
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
British Gas PLC
Original Assignee
British Gas PLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by British Gas PLC filed Critical British Gas PLC
Priority to GB9225544A priority Critical patent/GB2273142A/en
Publication of GB9225544D0 publication Critical patent/GB9225544D0/en
Publication of GB2273142A publication Critical patent/GB2273142A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23D—PLANING; SLOTTING; SHEARING; BROACHING; SAWING; FILING; SCRAPING; LIKE OPERATIONS FOR WORKING METAL BY REMOVING MATERIAL, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23D21/00—Machines or devices for shearing or cutting tubes
    • B23D21/02—Machines or devices for shearing or cutting tubes otherwise than in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the tube, e.g. for making mitred cuts, for making bicycle frames
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B7/00—Special methods or apparatus for drilling
    • E21B7/20—Driving or forcing casings or pipes into boreholes, e.g. sinking; Simultaneously drilling and casing boreholes
    • E21B7/201—Driving or forcing casings or pipes into boreholes, e.g. sinking; Simultaneously drilling and casing boreholes with helical conveying means
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B7/00—Special methods or apparatus for drilling
    • E21B7/28—Enlarging drilled holes, e.g. by counterboring
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L55/00—Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems
    • F16L55/16—Devices for covering leaks in pipes or hoses, e.g. hose-menders
    • F16L55/162—Devices for covering leaks in pipes or hoses, e.g. hose-menders from inside the pipe
    • F16L55/165—Devices for covering leaks in pipes or hoses, e.g. hose-menders from inside the pipe a pipe or flexible liner being inserted in the damaged section
    • F16L55/1658—Devices for covering leaks in pipes or hoses, e.g. hose-menders from inside the pipe a pipe or flexible liner being inserted in the damaged section the old pipe being ruptured prior to insertion of a new pipe

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Excavating Of Shafts Or Tunnels (AREA)

Abstract

A method for removing a ground embedded piped 2 from the passageway it forms in the ground comprises cutting the wall of the pipe 2 outwardly from its internal surface while the pipe is still in the ground and withdrawing the cut pipe 2 along the passageway. The pipe 2 may be cut helically. A new pipe may be fed in at the end the cut pipe is removed. The cutter 1 may pull a new pipe behind it and may just remove deposit from a pipe. <IMAGE>

Description

TITLE: Removal and Replacement of Ground Embedded Pipes This invention relates to the removal and replacement of ground embedded pipes.
Service pipes carry gas and water from a feeder main to premises such as a domestic dwelling, commercial and industrial premises.
Such pipes are over most if not all of their length laid underground. Those which were laid several decades ago are in many cases becoming partially blocked with deposits and scale or are beginning to leak due to corrosion especially if they are of lead or steel. Consequently they are increasingly being replaced by pipes which are usually of polyethylene. In addition, due to the danger of their contaminating drinking water, there is a general policy of removing lead water service pipes.
A common technique of replacement involves digging up the existing service pipe to remove it and then laying a new one in its place. This is extremely labour intensive and is therefore expensive.
Another method involves inserting a replacement pipe into the existing pipe so that the#replacement pipe takes over from the existing pipe. While this obviates the need to dig up the entire existing service pipe, necessarily the internal bore diameter of the replacement pipe is smaller than that of the existing pipe so that the rate of flow of fluid or gas through the replacement pipe is less than that of the existing pipe.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to permit removal of the existing service pipe without digging it up and to permit the replacement of such pipes without digging the pipe up or providing a replacement with a reduced internal bore diameter.
According to one aspect of the present invention, we provide a method for removing a ground embedded pipe from the passageway it forms in the ground, the method comprising cutting the wall of the pipe while the pipe is still in the ground and withdrawing the cut pipe along the passageway.
Preferably the pipe is cut outwardly from its internal surface.
Suitably the pipe is cut helically.
Conveniently during the cutting process the pipe is expanded outwardly radially.
According to a second aspect of the present invention we provide a method for replacing an existing ground embedded pipe with a replacement pipe, the method cqrqprising withdrawing the existing pipe along and out of one end of the passageway occupied by the existing pipe and moving the replacement pipe into the passageway by way of that one end.
Preferably the replacement pipe is moved into the passageway after the existing pipe has been withdrawn therefrom.
According to a third aspect of the present invention we provide a method for replacing an existing ground embedded pipe with a replacement pipe, the method comprising cutting the wall of the pipe, withdrawing the cut pipe along the passageway it once occupied and moving the replacement pipe into the passageway.
Preferably the pipe is cut outwardly from its internal surface.
Suitably during the cutting process the pipe is expanded radially outwardly.
Conveniently the pipe is cut helically and the replacement pipe may be moved into the passageway after the existing pipe has been withdrawn therefrom.
Preferably the pipe is withdrawn from one end of the passageway and the replacement pipe is moved into the passageway by way of that end.
The existing pipe may be of lead or a lead alloy, ductile steel, copper, pvc or polyethylene.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention we provide apparatus for removing a ground embedded pipe from a passageway occupied by the pipe, the apparatus comprising a shank for insertion into one end of the pipe and means to engage the shank to cause it to rotate about its longitudinal axis, the shank having a surface at least part of which in use engages the internal surface of the pipe in such a manner that on rotation of the pipe is cut into at least one portion.
Preferably means is provided for driving the shank along the existing pipe from one end to the other end. Alternatively the shank may merely be rotated in use and pull itself through as it cuts the pipe.
Preferably the surface of the shank is formed with at least one continuous helical thread adapted to engage the internal surface of the pipe and on rotation of the shank cut the pipe wall outwardly into a strip or strips of helical form.
Suitably a sleeve is provided to surround the rear end of the shank.
Conveniently the shank has an axial bore extending therealong for connection to a source of compressed air.
Embodiments of the invention will now be particularly described with reference to the drawings in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal view partly in section of one form of an apparatus for removing an existing ground embedded pipe, the apparatus shown in use removing such a pipe, Figure 2 is a section along lines II-II of Figure 1 and Figure 3 is another form of the apparatus shown in Figure 1.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the apparatus comprises an externally threaded shank 1 for insertion into one end of the existing ground embedded pipe 2 to be removed and means in the form of a drive shaft 3 engaging the rear end of the shank 1 to cause it to rotate about its longitudinal axis and if desired be driven forwardly.
The shank 1 has a rearward portion 4 which tapers conically forward to meet a forward portion 5 which is cylindrical in form. Projecting from the surface 6 of the shank 1 is a continuous helical cutting or slitting thread 7 for engaging the internal surface 8 of the pipe 2. The thread 7 may be machined out from the shank 1. The shank can be used to ream out any corrosion deposits tending to narrow the bore of the pipe so as to widen the pipe bore. Subsequently a liner pipe can be moved into the widened bore of the pipe.
The shaft 3 is mounted within a bearing collar 9 and is rotated by means of a motor (not shown). The shaft 3 can also be driven forwardly by a DRIVE 10 which can be any convenient drive motor but it is not essential to provide a forward drive.
A sleeve or shield 11 is provided to guard or protect the lowermost end of the shank 1 and in effect trap any pipe strip produced by the thread portion adjoining the sleeve 11. The sleeve 11 is mounted on three stays 12 extending radially outwardly from the collar 9 and arranged at 1200 to each other.
The drive shaft 3 and the shank 1 are each provided with axially extending aligned bores 13 and 14, bore 14 being connected a source of compressed air.
Figure 3 shows a version of the apparatus similar to that in Figures 1 and 2 except that the thread 7 comprises two turns located at the rear end of shank portion 4 as we have found that this is normally sufficient to form a helical strip.
In use of the apparatus a launch pit is dug at one end of the pipe and a receiving pit is dug at the other end of the pipe.
The shank 1 is then inserted into the pipe 2 at the launch pit end to the extent necessary for a leading thread portion to engage the internal surface 8 of the pipe 2 to be removed.
The shank 1 is then rotated in an anti-clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2 and is driven forwardly if required. In Figure 1 the internal wall is engaged by all the turns of the thread and in Figure 3 by two turns. By continued rotation and with or without forward drive of the shank 1 the pipe 2 is cut into the form of a helical strip which is trapped between the sleeve 11 and surface 4 of the shank 1 and discharged from the back end of the apparatus where it can be removed. During the operation, compressed air may be blown up the bore 14 so that on emerging from the tip 15 of the shank 1 is blows any dirt away which may have fallen in from the passageway occupied by the pipe to block the passageway.
Where the external diameter of the shank is greater than the diameter of the passageway, the bore diameter of the passageway will be greater after the existing pipe has been removed. The existing pipe can therefore be replaced by a replacement pipe of larger internal diameter than the existing pipe.
When the shank 1 has emerged into the receiving pit it may be uncoupled from the drive shaft 3 which may be withdrawn through the passageway left behind by removal of the pipe.
If the earth forming the passageway is capable of retaining the shape of the passageway a new replacement pipe may now be moved into the passageway by pushing the new pipe into a passageway or by winching it into the passageway.
However, if the earth forming the passageway is not capable of retaining the shape of the passageway the apparatus can be modified to draw in behind the shank a replacement pipe while the existing pipe is being cut. In this case the apparatus would be modified for coupling to it the new pipe.
While only a single start thread has been shown and described the shank could be provided with two or more independent threads which in use would produce a corresponding number of helical strips.
The method is suitable for removing or replacing any existing ground embedded service pipe which is capable of being cut or slit. Thus service pipes consisting of lead of lead alloys, plastics materials e.g. pvc or polyethylene, ductile steel and copper can be removed or replaced using the method described.
It will be appreciated that the diameter of the replacement pipe can be smaller than, larger than or the same diameter as the external diameter of the existing pipe.

Claims (20)

1. A method for removing a ground embedded pipe from the passageway it forms in the ground, the method comprising cutting the wall of the pipe while the pipe is still in the ground and withdrawing the cut pipe along the passageway.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the pipe is cut outwardly from its internal surface.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which during the cutting process the pipe is expanded radially outwardly.
4. A method as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the pipe is cut helically.
5. A method for replacing an existing ground embedded pipe with a replacement pipe, the method comprising withdrawing the existing pipe along and out of one end of the passageway occupied by the existing pipe and moving the replacement pipe into the passageway by way of that one end.
6. A method as claimed in claim 5 in which the replacement pipe is moved into the passageway after the existing pipe has been withdrawn therefrom.
7. A method for replacing an existing ground embedded pipe with a replacement pipe, the method comprising cutting the wall of the pipe, withdrawing the cut pipe from the passageway it once occupied and moving the replacement pipe into the passageway.
8. A method as claimed in claim 7 in which the pipe is cut outwardly from its internal surface.
9. A method as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 in which during the cutting process the pipe is expanded radially outwardly.
10. A method as claimed in any of claims 7 to 10 in which the pipe is cut helically.
11. A method as claimed in any of claims 7 to 10 in which the replacement pipe is moved into the passageway after the existing pipe has been withdrawn therefrom.
12. A method as claimed in any of claims 7 to 11 in which the pipe is withdrawn from one end of the passageway and the replacement pipe is moved into the passageway by way of that end.
13. A method as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the existing pipe is of lead or a lead alloy, a plastics material, ductile steel or copper.
14. Apparatus for removing a ground embedded pipe from a passageway occupied by the pipe, the apparatus comprising a shank for insertion into one end of the pipe and means to engage the shank to cause it to rotate about its longitudinal axis, the shank having a surface at least part of which in use engages the internal surface of the pipe in such a manner that on rotation of the shank the pipe is cut into at least one portion.
15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 in which means is provided for driving the shank along the existing pipe from one end to the other end.
16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15 in which the surface of the shank is formed with at least one continuous helical thread adapted to engage the internal surface of the pipe and on rotation of the shank cut the pipe wall outwardly into a strip of helical form.
17. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 14 to 16 in which a sleeve is provided to surround the rear end of the shank.
18. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 14 to 17 in which the shank has an axial bore extending therealong for connection to a source of compressed air.
19. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.
20. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the drawings.
GB9225544A 1992-12-07 1992-12-07 Renewing underground pipes Withdrawn GB2273142A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9225544A GB2273142A (en) 1992-12-07 1992-12-07 Renewing underground pipes

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9225544A GB2273142A (en) 1992-12-07 1992-12-07 Renewing underground pipes

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9225544D0 GB9225544D0 (en) 1993-01-27
GB2273142A true GB2273142A (en) 1994-06-08

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ID=10726246

Family Applications (1)

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GB9225544A Withdrawn GB2273142A (en) 1992-12-07 1992-12-07 Renewing underground pipes

Country Status (1)

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GB (1) GB2273142A (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0839297A1 (en) * 1995-07-17 1998-05-06 John G. Nowak Method for replacing buried pipe
GB2467203B (en) * 2009-11-26 2013-05-29 Andrew Woodgate Railway track drilling
ITBO20120192A1 (en) * 2012-04-12 2013-10-13 Enereco S P A METHOD TO REMOVE FROM THE GROUND AN UNDERGROUND CONDUCT AND CUTTING MACHINE USED TO IMPLEMENT THE METHOD

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3181302A (en) * 1959-08-28 1965-05-04 William R Lindsay Pipe splitier and spreader
EP0159573A1 (en) * 1984-04-02 1985-10-30 Witte Bohrtechnik GmbH Process and device for the controlled advancing of under-ground pipes in inaccesible cross-sectional areas
US4925344A (en) * 1989-01-03 1990-05-15 Peres Steve U Method and apparatus for replacing buried pipe
US5076731A (en) * 1989-03-30 1991-12-31 Diga Die Gasheizung Gmbh Apparatus for bursting an existing pipe and widening the bore thereof
US5078546A (en) * 1990-05-15 1992-01-07 Consolidated Edison Company Of New York, Inc. Pipe bursting and replacement method
US5098225A (en) * 1990-12-31 1992-03-24 Brooklyn Union Gas Cutting/expanding tool

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3181302A (en) * 1959-08-28 1965-05-04 William R Lindsay Pipe splitier and spreader
EP0159573A1 (en) * 1984-04-02 1985-10-30 Witte Bohrtechnik GmbH Process and device for the controlled advancing of under-ground pipes in inaccesible cross-sectional areas
US4925344A (en) * 1989-01-03 1990-05-15 Peres Steve U Method and apparatus for replacing buried pipe
US5076731A (en) * 1989-03-30 1991-12-31 Diga Die Gasheizung Gmbh Apparatus for bursting an existing pipe and widening the bore thereof
US5078546A (en) * 1990-05-15 1992-01-07 Consolidated Edison Company Of New York, Inc. Pipe bursting and replacement method
US5098225A (en) * 1990-12-31 1992-03-24 Brooklyn Union Gas Cutting/expanding tool

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0839297A1 (en) * 1995-07-17 1998-05-06 John G. Nowak Method for replacing buried pipe
EP0839297A4 (en) * 1995-07-17 1998-10-21 John G Nowak Method for replacing buried pipe
GB2467203B (en) * 2009-11-26 2013-05-29 Andrew Woodgate Railway track drilling
ITBO20120192A1 (en) * 2012-04-12 2013-10-13 Enereco S P A METHOD TO REMOVE FROM THE GROUND AN UNDERGROUND CONDUCT AND CUTTING MACHINE USED TO IMPLEMENT THE METHOD
WO2013153508A1 (en) * 2012-04-12 2013-10-17 Enereco S.P.A. A method for removing from a terrain a buried pipe and a cutting machine used for actuating to method
AU2013246581B2 (en) * 2012-04-12 2017-08-10 Enereco S.P.A. A method for removing from a terrain a buried pipe and a cutting machine used for actuating to method
US9851021B2 (en) 2012-04-12 2017-12-26 Enereco S.P.A. Method for removing from a terrain a buried pipe and a cutting machine used for actuating the method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9225544D0 (en) 1993-01-27

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)