Mobile horizontal directional boring apparatus and method for use in boring from existing utility manholes
First Claim
1. A mobile, horizontal directional boring apparatus connectable to an existing utility manhole for boring from the existing utility manhole, the apparatus comprising:
- a mobile platform locatable on a ground surface adjacent the existing utility manhole; and
boring machinery comprising;
a boring unit positionably supported on the mobile platform, a plurality of rods attachable end-to-end and operable under control of the boring unit to bore a pathway having a diameter and a vertical curvature and a horizontal curvature, the diameter including a diameter of two inches, and the horizontal curvature and the vertical curvature each including a curvature having a radius of ten feet, and a movable hollow arm assembly, the arm assembly having an internal diameter sufficient to receive the plurality of rods attached end-to-end, the arm assembly having a first end supported at the boring unit and located to sequentially receive the rods inserted therethrough, and the arm assembly having a second end connectable to an opening in a wall of a manhole to direct the rods through the opening.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A mobile, horizontal directional boring apparatus and method is provided for boring from an existing utility manhole for the placement of small diameter fiber optic cabling. A mobile platform is located adjacent an existing utility manhole. A boring unit is rotatably and tiltably supported on the mobile platform, and a movable hollow arm assembly is provided from the boring unit to an opening in a wall within the manhole. A plurality of rods attachable end-to-end are operable under control of the boring unit to bore a pathway to the termination point. The rods are inserted through the hollow arm assembly from the boring unit to the opening in the manhole. In this way, the rods do not damage existing equipment within the manhole. A manhole containment unit is provided within the opening in the manhole wall to which the hollow arm assembly is attached and which further serves to protect the manhole. Also, a manhole rim protection device is provided to protect the rim and chimney of the manhole.
27 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A mobile, horizontal directional boring apparatus connectable to an existing utility manhole for boring from the existing utility manhole, the apparatus comprising:
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a mobile platform locatable on a ground surface adjacent the existing utility manhole; and
boring machinery comprising;
a boring unit positionably supported on the mobile platform, a plurality of rods attachable end-to-end and operable under control of the boring unit to bore a pathway having a diameter and a vertical curvature and a horizontal curvature, the diameter including a diameter of two inches, and the horizontal curvature and the vertical curvature each including a curvature having a radius of ten feet, and a movable hollow arm assembly, the arm assembly having an internal diameter sufficient to receive the plurality of rods attached end-to-end, the arm assembly having a first end supported at the boring unit and located to sequentially receive the rods inserted therethrough, and the arm assembly having a second end connectable to an opening in a wall of a manhole to direct the rods through the opening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of horizontally directionally boring from an existing utility manhole to a termination point, the method comprising:
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determining a horizontal and vertical profile for a bore pathway from a manhole to the termination point that avoids existing subterranean utility lines;
providing a mobile platform and boring machinery, the boring machinery comprising;
a boring unit positionably supported on the mobile platform, a plurality of rods attachable end-to-end and operable under control of the boring unit to bore a pathway having a diameter and a vertical curvature and a horizontal curvature, the diameter including a diameter of two inches, and the horizontal curvature and the vertical curvature each including a curvature having a radius of ten feet, and a movable hollow arm assembly, the arm assembly having an internal diameter sufficient to receive the plurality of rods attached end-to-end, the arm assembly having a first end supported at the boring unit and located to sequentially receive the rods inserted therethrough, and the arm assembly having a second end connectable to an opening in a wall of a manhole to direct the rods through the opening;
positioning the boring unit adjacent a manhole;
coring a hole in an interior sidewall of the manhole;
positioning the movable hollow arm assembly with thefirst end adjacent the boring unit and the second end connected to the opening in the wall of the manhole;
sequentially feeding the rods through the arm assemblyand the opening in the manhole;
boring to the termination point; and
placing a duct for cabling along the pathway.- View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A mobile, horizontal directional boring apparatus connectable to an existing utility manhole for boring from the existing utility manhole, the apparatus comprising:
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a mobile platform locatable on a ground surface adjacent the existing utility manhole; and
boring machinery comprising;
a boring unit positionably supported on the mobile platform, a plurality of rods attachable end-to-end and operable under control of the boring unit to bore a pathway having a diameter and a vertical curvature and a horizontal curvature, the diameter sized to receive fiber optic cabling, and the horizontal curvature and the vertical curvature each including a curvature sufficient to extend the pathway from the existing utility manhole to a termination point, a movable hollow arm assembly mounted on the mobile platform, the arm assembly having an internal diameter sufficient to receive the plurality of rods attached end-to-end, and the arm assembly comprising;
an articulating arm having a plurality of flexible joints, a first end supported at the boring unit and located to sequentially receive the rods inserted therethrough, and a second end connectable to an opening in a wall of a manhole to direct the rods through the opening.
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35. A mobile, horizontal directional boring apparatus connectable to an existing utility manhole for boring from the existing utility manhole, the apparatus comprising:
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a mobile platform locatable on a ground surface adjacent the existing utility manhole; and
boring machinery comprising;
a boring unit positionably supported on the mobile platform, a plurality of rods attachable end-to-end and operable under control of the boring unit to bore a pathway having a diameter and a vertical curvature and a horizontal curvature, the diameter sized to receive fiber optic cabling, and the horizontal curvature and the vertical curvature each including a curvature sufficient to extend the pathway from the existing utility manhole to a termination point, a movable hollow arm assembly mounted on the mobile platform, the arm assembly having an internal diameter sufficient to receive the plurality of rods attached end-to-end, the arm assembly comprising;
a flexible chute, a first end supported at the boring unit and located to sequentially receive the rods inserted therethrough, and a second end connectable to an opening in a wall of a manhole to direct the rods through the opening, and a stabilizer arm mounted on the platform locatable to support the flexible chute.
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Specification