Soil extraction/grouting device

Abstract

An extraction/grouting device which includes a fluid conduit having a longitudinal extent and a cutting nozzle in fluid communication with the fluid conduit. The cutting nozzle provides an at least partially lateral spray relative to the longitudinal extent. At least one guide is connected to the fluid conduit.

1 . An extraction/grouting device, comprising: 
 a fluid conduit having a longitudinal extent;    a cutting nozzle in fluid communication with said fluid conduit, said cutting nozzle providing an at least partially lateral spray relative to said longitudinal extent; and    at least one guide connected to said fluid conduit.    
   
   
       2 . The extraction/grouting device of  claim 1 , wherein said cutting nozzle is a rotating nozzle providing an at least partially radial spray.  
   
   
       3 . The extraction/grouting device of  claim 1 , further including a casing, said fluid conduit being within said casing.  
   
   
       4 . The extraction/grouting device of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one guide is between said casing and said fluid conduit, said at least one guide maintaining at least one channel between said fluid conduit and said casing.  
   
   
       5 . The extraction/grouting device of  claim 4 , further including a discharge outlet connected to both said casing and said at least one channel.  
   
   
       6 . The extraction/grouting device of  claim 4 , wherein said at least one guide maintains said fluid conduit approximately coaxial with said casing.  
   
   
       7 . The extraction/grouting device of  claim 4 , wherein each of said at least one guide includes a plurality of spokes extending radially between said fluid conduit and said casing.  
   
   
       8 . The extraction/grouting device of  claim 3 , further including a cap at one end of said casing, said cap providing a seal between said end and said fluid conduit.  
   
   
       9 . The extraction/grouting device of  claim 3 , further including a canister for insertion into said casing, said canister including a deformable container.  
   
   
       10 . The extraction/grouting device of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid conduit is a high pressure flexible hose.  
   
   
       11 . The extraction/grouting device of  claim 1 , further including an approximately cylindrical sled connected to said fluid conduit.  
   
   
       12 . The extraction/grouting device of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one guide comprises at least one annular apron on a perimeter of said cylindrical sled.  
   
   
       13 . The extraction/grouting device of  claim 1 , further including a backthruster nozzle in fluid communication with said fluid conduit, said backthruster nozzle providing an at least partially longitudinal spray relative to said longitudinal extent.  
   
   
       14 . An extraction/grouting device, comprising: 
 a fluid conduit having a longitudinal extent;    a cutting nozzle in fluid communication with said fluid conduit, said cutting nozzle for providing an at least partially lateral spray relative to said longitudinal extent; and    a backthruster nozzle in fluid communication with said fluid conduit, said backthruster nozzle providing an at least partially longitudinal spray relative to said longitudinal extent.    
   
   
       15 . The extraction/grouting device of  claim 14 , wherein said cutting nozzle is a rotating nozzle providing an at least partially radial spray.  
   
   
       16 . The extraction/grouting device of  claim 14 , further including a casing, said fluid conduit being within said casing.  
   
   
       17 . The extraction/grouting device of  claim 16 , wherein said at least one guide is between said casing and said fluid conduit, said at least one guide maintaining at least one channel between said fluid conduit and said casing.  
   
   
       18 . The extraction/grouting device of  claim 17 , further including a discharge outlet connected to both said casing and said at least one channel.  
   
   
       19 . The extraction/grouting device of  claim 17 , wherein said at least one guide maintains said fluid conduit approximately coaxial with said casing.  
   
   
       20 . The extraction/grouting device of  claim 17 , wherein each of said at least one guide includes a plurality of spokes extending radially between said fluid conduit and said casing.  
   
   
       21 . The extraction/grouting device of  claim 16 , further including a cap at one end of said casing, said cap providing a seal between said end and said fluid conduit.  
   
   
       22 . The extraction/grouting device of  claim 16 , further including a canister for insertion into said casing, said canister including a deformable container.  
   
   
       23 . The extraction/grouting device of  claim 14 , wherein said fluid conduit is a high pressure flexible hose.  
   
   
       24 . The extraction/grouting device of  claim 14 , further including an approximately cylindrical sled connected to said fluid conduit.  
   
   
       25 . The extraction/grouting device of  claim 24 , wherein said at least one guide comprises at least one annular apron on a perimeter of said cylindrical sled.  
   
   
       26 . A method of extraction and grouting, comprising the steps of: 
 driving a casing terminated in a sacrificial point into a soil, the driven casing being in proximity to a structure;    separating said casing from said sacrificial point by moving said casing upwardly from said sacrificial point;    inserting an extraction/grouting device in said casing, said extraction/grouting device including a fluid conduit having a longitudinal extent, a cutting nozzle in fluid communication with said fluid conduit, said cutting nozzle providing an at least partially lateral spray relative to said longitudinal extent, and at least one guide connected to said fluid conduit;    mechanically forming a cavity in said soil above said sacrificial point using said nozzle and a cutting fluid; and    extracting an excavated soil from said cavity.    
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said extracting step occurs simultaneously with said mechanically forming step.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said excavated soil is extracted through at least one channel between said fluid conduit and said casing.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 26 , further including the step of pneumatically purging at least a part of said cavity of a remaining said excavated soil by conducting a compressed air through said fluid conduit and said nozzle.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 26 , further including the step of pre-grouting with a chemical grout prior to said mechanically forming step.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 26 , further including the step of pre-grouting said cavity with a chemical grout  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said chemical grout is sprayed into said cavity using said fluid conduit and said nozzle.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 26 , further including the step of removing said extraction/grouting device from said casing.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 33 , further including the step of pumping a grout through said casing and into said cavity under a pressure.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 34 , further including the step of densifying soils surrounding said cavity.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 35 , further including the step of raising said structure.  
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 36 , further including the steps of inserting a canister into said casing, said canister including a deformable container, and pumping a grout through said casing and into both said cavity and said deformable container, said deformable container containing said grout within said cavity.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said structure is a building.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said structure is a road.  
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said structure is a pipeline.  
   
   
       41 . A method of extraction and grouting, comprising the steps of: 
 drilling a hole in a soil, said hole being at least partially under a structure;    filling said hole with a slurry;    pulling an extraction/grouting device into said hole and a grouting zone in proximity to said hole, said extraction/grouting device including a fluid conduit having a longitudinal extent, a cutting nozzle in fluid communication with said fluid conduit, said cutting nozzle providing an at least partially lateral spray relative to said longitudinal extent; and at least one guide connected to said fluid conduit, and a backthruster nozzle in fluid communication with said fluid conduit, said backthruster nozzle providing an at least partially longitudinal spray relative to said longitudinal extent; and    at least one of washing said soil and mixing said soil with a grout through said rotating nozzle.    
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein said extraction/grouting device includes an approximately cylindrical sled connected to said fluid conduit, said at least one guide comprises at least one annular apron on a perimeter of said cylindrical sled.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 42 , further including the steps of forcing debris away from said sled and pushing said sled using said back thruster muzzle.