Lavalley Industries, LLC

Borehead, LLC

Other

Jesse J Kilde

Jason LaValley

Daniel Larson

Matthew Justin Michel

Rodney Wurgler

Jason Lavalley

Roger LaValley

Christopher G Kay

Marvin N Larson

Aaron Faken

David A Ziola

Michael Burgess

Lawrence D Kilpo

Tim Berg

David Cress

Stuart Johnson

Bill Brandt

Roger Lavalley

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.

Pipe processing tool with pipe deformation members

A horizontal directional drilling rig is described. The rig can be entirely electrically powered. The performance (or 'health') and/or the life cycle of individual components of the rig can be electronically monitored. This permits identification of specific individual components that are performing in a substandard manner or are not performing properly or have reached the end of their life cycle. Individual improperly performing components or components at the end of their life cycle can thus be specifically identified. The improperly performing component(s) or components at the end of their life cycle can then be replaced. In some embodiments, when a component is identified as performing improperly, the operation of other, properly functioning components of the rig can be modified accordingly to account for the improperly performing component.

Horizontal directional drilling rig with health monitoring of components

An attachment is described that is configured for attachment to an arm of a piece of heavy construction equipment. The attachment is configured to rotate a section of pipe during break out (i.e. disconnection or disassembly) from another section of pipe and/or make up (i.e. connection or assembly) with another section of pipe. The attachment is configured to break the joint or torque the joint to a predetermined torque value, unthread or thread pipe, and lift the pipe under the power of the heavy construction equipment.

Attachment for making up or breaking out pipe

An attachment that is configured for attachment to an arm of a piece of construction equipment. The attachment includes a pair of grapple mechanisms mounted on a main beam. Each grapple mechanism includes opposing grab arms mounted to a grab arm housing. The grab arm housings of the grapple mechanisms are each individually adjustable separate from one another relative to the main beam in one or more directions generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main beam. The attachment can fine adjust the positions of the pipe ends relative to one another until the ends align with each other, at which point the pipe ends can be welded or otherwise secured to each other while being held in position by the grapple mechanisms.

Position adjustable grapple attachment

A pipe pulling technique where an adaptor is attached to the end of the pipe prior to the pipe being pulled underground, for example through a drilled hole. Attaching the adaptor to the pipe end prior to the pipe being pulled underground is faster and reduces danger to workers compared to the conventional process of attaching the adaptor to the end of the pipe after the pipe has been pulled underground.

Underground pipe pulling process and pipe pull head

A two-piece grab arm housing for a grapple mechanism useable on a grapple attachment is described. The grab arm housing includes a lower arm housing with grab arms mounted to the lower arm housing, and an upper arm housing mounted to the lower arm housing. The upper arm housing and the lower arm housing are movable relative to one another in an x-direction and are moveable together in a y-direction perpendicular to the x-direction. In addition, the upper arm housing includes an opening through which a main beam of the grapple attachment can extend.

Grab arm housing for grapple attachment

Growing community of inventors

Bemidji, MN, United States of America

Jesse J Kilde