Method and apparatus for backfilling pipeline trenches
First Claim
1. A method of filling a trench after a transmission pipeline has been placed in the trench comprising:
- a. depositing a padding material around the pipe, the padding material comprised of subsoil containing stones having a diameter of not more than 11/2 inches and filling only a portion of the trench;
b. applying over the padding material a geotextile material which permits water to pass while preventing passage of solids; and
c. applying spoil over the geotextile material to backfill the trench.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a method for backfilling pipe placed in a ditch and surrounded by a padding material a geotextile material is placed over the padding material and then spoil is backfilled into the ditch. The geotextile material prevents rocks and other large particles from encroaching upon the padding material which surround the pipe and then scratching the pipe. Preferably, the spoil is separated into layers of increasingly larger diameter particles. The geotextile material can be carried on a padding machine or a frame attached to a tractor or other vehicle. A spreader and optionally a leveler are also provided to evenly place the geotextile material in the ditch.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of filling a trench after a transmission pipeline has been placed in the trench comprising:
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a. depositing a padding material around the pipe, the padding material comprised of subsoil containing stones having a diameter of not more than 11/2 inches and filling only a portion of the trench; b. applying over the padding material a geotextile material which permits water to pass while preventing passage of solids; and c. applying spoil over the geotextile material to backfill the trench. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of filling a transmission pipeline trench having two sides and a bottom comprising:
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a. draping over the sides and bottom of the trench a geotextile material which permits water to pass while preventing passage of solids; b. placing a transmission pipeline in the trench; c. depositing a padding material around the pipeline, the padding material comprised of spoil containing stones having a diameter of not more than 11/2 inches and filling only a portion of the trench; d. folding the geotextile material around the padding material; and e. applying spoil over the geotextile material to backfill the trench. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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- 9. An improved backfilling device of the type which applies a padding material around a transmission pipeline in a trench and then applies a backfill material over the padding material wherein the improvement comprises a supply of geotextile material which permits water to pass while preventing passage of solids on the backfilling device and a roller extending from the backfilling device wherein geotextile material from the supply is routed around the roller and into the ditch at a selected level above the padding material.
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13. An apparatus for placing geotextile material over padding material surrounding a pipeline in a ditch comprising:
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a. a frame sized and configured to be attached to a carrier which moves along one side of the ditch holding at least a portion of the frame over the ditch; b. a supply of geotextile material on the frame which geotextile material permits water to pass while preventing passage of solids; and c. a spreader extending from the frame and under which the geotextile material passes as the geotextile material is placed in the ditch. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification