Apparatus for and a method of laying a pipe line

摘要

Apparatus for and a method of laying a pipe line utilizes a drive shield for excavating an open trench and a receptacle for receiving the individual pipe sections. The receptacle has a rear wall with an opening provided with a seal engaging on part of the circumference of a pipe section extending into the interior of the receptacle. A plate is attached to the rear wall and has a seal which engages on the remaining part of the circumference of the pipe section so that the interior of the receptacle is sealed with respect to the exterior and the receptacle can be moved up to follow the progress of the drive shield. A pipe section employing an access tube projecting from its circumference can be accommodated by using a hollow unit having a seal also engageable on the circumference of the pipe section previously installed and communicating with the interior of the receptacle when the plate is removed or displaced. The unit then receives the access tube of the pipe section as the receptacle is moved up. Subsequently the plate can be relocated to re-establish the seal inwardly of the unit which can then be removed.