Method of installing a pipeline

Claim 1

A method of installing a pipeline, made up of a plurality of pipe lengths, to extend along a predetermined path and to follow a precise grade, said method comprising the steps of forming a ground surface below said grade and along said path, positioning a pipe length along said path and at said grade, selectively injecting a hardenable substance under pressure into separate internal compartments of a flexible walled bag arranged between the pipe length and the underlying ground surface, controlling the flow of said substance into said compartments to move said pipe length to the left or to the right to bring it precisely into proper alignment with other pipe lengths along said path and holding said pipe length while said substance hardens and provides a temporary support for said pipe length, thereafter, and in succession, similarly positioning and temporarily supporting additional pipe lengths along said path and following said grade, and, after the substance has hardened in said bags, filling in the spaces between said bags, the lengths of pipe supported thereby and the underlying ground surface with a granular supporting backfill material to provide a permanent support for said pipeline.

Claim 2

A method of installing a pipeline, made up of a plurality of pipe lengths, to extend along a predetermined path and to follow a precise grade, said method comprising the steps of forming a ground surface below said grade and along said path, positioning a pipe length along said path and at said grade, selectively injecting a hardenable substance under pressure into separate internal compartments of a flexible walled bag arranged between the pipe length and the underlying ground surface, controlling the flow of said substance into said compartments to move said pipe length to the left or to the right to bring it precisely into proper alignment with other pipe lengths along said path and holding said pipe length while said substance hardens and provides a temporary support for said pipe length, thereafter, and in succession, similarly positioning and temporarily supporting additional pipe lengths along said path and following said grade, and, after the substance has hardened in said bags, filling in the spaces between said bags, the lengths of pipe supported thereby and the underlying ground surface with a granular supporting backfill material to provide a permanent support for said pipeline.