Walter C Thompson

US Patent:

20180073311, Mar 15, 2018

Filed:

Oct 13, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/512717

Inventors:

- Oconomowoc WI, US
Robert F. Crane - Oconomowoc WI, US
Walter George Thompson - Janesville WI, US

International Classification:

E21B 19/00
E21B 17/00
E21B 19/08
E21B 19/06

Abstract:

A system for pushing and pulling rod strings through the ground or an underground pipe. The apparatus has a downhole tool attached to the distal end of the rod string. The push/pull machine has a stationary frame that is placed against the ground to provide a reaction surface. The stationary frame has an opening for the rod string to pass through. A rod gripping assembly is supported on the machine frame and moveable relative to the stationary frame. The push/pull machine has a powered rod section spinner to add or remove rod string sections from the rod string. An actuator powers movement of jaws into a spinner bowl to cause a powered gripping of the rod string section. With the rod string section gripped a motor is activated to rotate the rod string section to connect it to a rod string or disconnect it from the rod string.

US Patent:

20150198279, Jul 16, 2015

Filed:

Mar 25, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/668383

Inventors:

- Oconomowoc WI, US
Robert F. Crane - Oconomowoc WI, US
Walter George Thompson - Janesville WI, US

International Classification:

F16L 55/18
F16L 1/028
F16L 1/26

Abstract:

An apparatus for replacing an existing pipe. The apparatus comprises a slitter and expander which surround a wire rope. The wire rope is attached to the expander, and the expander abuts either the slitter or a separation tube disposed between the expander and slitter, such that the slitter and expander are pivotable relative to each other. The apparatus is placed in a pipe to be replaced and pulled. While being pulled, blades on the slitter slit the pipe, while a sloped surface of the expander moves the slit sections apart into surrounding soil. A replacement pipe may be pulled by a pipe putter attached to the expander. A beacon may also be disposed within the apparatus to emit a signal for locating the apparatus white underground.

US Patent:

20150098765, Apr 9, 2015

Filed:

Oct 8, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/509859

Inventors:

- Oconomowoc WI, US
Robert F. Crane - Oconomowoc WI, US
Walter George Thompson - Janesville WI, US

International Classification:

F16L 1/06
F16L 1/028

US Classification:

4051843

Abstract:

A pipe expander assembly for replacing an existing pipe with a new pipe. The expander assembly has a slitter disposed about a wire rope and abutting an expander at a spherical joint. The expander comprises a cone to expand a slit pipe and is internally connected to the wire rope by jaws that expand and contract about the wire rope due to threading of a jam nut into the cone. A pipe puller is connected to the back of the expander at a clevis and is adapted for connection to a new pipe, either through a jaw system, an adaptor, or fusion to the pipe.