Conveyance member removal method and device

Abstract

Described is a device ( 410 ) for use in removing a conveyance member from a material. The device ( 410 ) includes a displacement element ( 412 ) for being placed at least partly around a conveyance member and for displacing material as the device is advanced along a conveyance member. The device ( 410 ) also includes a driven component for receiving a driving force for driving the device through material. The device can include a coupling element ( 418 ) for coupling the device to a shaft and a material loosener ( 414 ) including a drilling element. The material loosener can be operable to loosen material ahead of the displacement element as the device is advanced along a conveyance member. The drilling element can be coupled to a first wheel ( 436 ) and the coupling element can include a second wheel ( 434 ) cooperating with the first wheel to transfer rotational movement of a shaft to the drilling element.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of removing an elongated conveyance member from a material, the method including the steps of:
 a. loosening or displacing material adjacent to the conveyance member; and   b. applying with a directional drilling unit a substantially longitudinal force to the conveyance member, thereby drawing the conveyance member out of the material.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further including the steps of:
 a. placing an annular clamp over the conveyance member, and 
 b. applying a force to the clamp, the force being directed radially inwardly with respect to the annulus of the clamp. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further including the step of coupling the annular clamp to a drilling rod driven by the directional drilling unit. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  further including the step of operating the directional drilling unit to pull the drilling rod. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further including the steps of:
 a. placing an annular clamp over the conveyance member, wherein an internal diameter of a first end of the annular clamp is greater than an external diameter of the conveyance member; 
 b. placing a block between the clamp and the conveyance member; and 
 c. applying a force to the clamp in a direction toward which the first end of the clamp is facing, thereby moving the conveyance member; 
 wherein the block and/or the annular clamp includes a taper, whereby the force on the clamp causes the clamp to press the block against the conveyance member. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the block:
 a. is a wedge, and 
 b. is placed between the clamp and the cable with a thicker end of a taper of the wedge facing the direction in which the force is applied. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further including the steps of:
 a. placing a device on the conveyance member at or near a first end thereof, the device including a displacement element situated at least partly around the conveyance member; 
 b. advancing the device towards a second end of the conveyance member, with the displacement element loosening material adjacent to the conveyance member between the first end and a second end of the displacement member. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 :
 a. wherein the device includes a rotatable material loosener, and   b. further including the step of rotating the material loosener of the device to loosen material adjacent to the conveyance member.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the step of advancing the device includes advancing a shaft coupled to the device. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the shaft is a drilling rod driven by the directional drilling unit. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7  further including the step of excavating material around the first end of the conveyance member:
 a. to allow the device to be placed onto the conveyance member, and 
 b. to allow the directional drilling unit to be attached to the conveyance member to apply the longitudinal force. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further including the step of excavating material around the second end of the conveyance member. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7  further including the steps of:
 a. excavating material around a section of the conveyance member, and 
 b. cutting the conveyance member in the section to define one of the first and second ends of the conveyance member. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further including the step of capping one of the first and second ends of the conveyance member. 
     
     
         15 . A method of removing an elongated conveyance member from a material, the method including the steps of:
 a. advancing a displacement element through the material and along the conveyance member, the displacement element dislodging material adjacent to the conveyance member;   b. pulling the conveyance member from the dislodged material,   wherein the advancing step and the pulling step are performed by a directional drilling unit.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the advancing step and the pulling step are performed by a drilling rod driven by the directional drilling unit. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the pulling step further includes the steps of:
 a. fitting a clamp about the conveyance member, the clamp and conveyance member having a block situated therebetween; 
 b. pulling the clamp with the directional drilling unit to:
 (1) urge the block against the conveyance member, thereby affixing the conveyance member to the clamp, and 
 (2) pull the conveyance member from the dislodged material. 
 
 
     
     
         18 . A method of removing an elongated conveyance member from a material, the method including the steps of:
 a. fitting a clamp about the conveyance member, the clamp and conveyance member having a block situated therebetween;   b. pulling the clamp with a directional drilling unit to:
 (1) urge the block against the conveyance member, thereby affixing the conveyance member to the clamp, and 
 (2) pull the conveyance member from the material.