HYDRO BORING SYSTEMS AND METHODS

Abstract

A hydro boring system includes a hydro boring head and a vacuum tube. The hydro boring head includes a fluid nozzle that is configured to dispense a fluid during a boring process. The vacuum tube is in fluid communication with the hydro boring head, and the hydro boring system is configured to pull air through the hydro boring head and the vacuum tube during the boring process. A method of installing underground pipe using a hydro boring system includes positioning a hydro boring head adjacent to a material to be bored. The method also includes boring the material by activating a fluid nozzle such that a fluid is dispensed against the material to be bored process and pulling air through the hydro boring head while boring.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to systems and methods for underground pipe installation and, more particularly, to systems and methods for pipe installation through hydro boring.

BACKGROUND

Various applications require the installation of underground pipe without creating a trench along the entire length of the pipe installation. For example, the installation of underground pipe for water lines, sewer lines, power lines, and/or other utility lines often must cross under various infrastructure such as roads, highways, other underground pipe, etc., which makes a trench impractical or unsuitable. In such cases, the installation of underground pipe has traditionally been accomplished using an auger boring machine. An auger boring machine runs along a track and is aligned with a steel casing pipe. Augers situated inside the steel casing pipe transfer torque from a drive of the auger boring machine to a cutting head of the auger boring machine. The cutting head excavates the earth just in front of the casing, and rotating augers transport the excavated material to a location where it is removed by hand or machine. A drive plate of the auger boring machine pushes the casing pipe forward as the material is being excavated. After the boring machine finishes the assigned track (e.g., the casing pipe is pushed forward a predetermined distance), the machine is disconnected and the first section of auger remains inside the case. The machine is brought back to the starting point, and another piece of casing (pre-loaded with auger) is set in place attached to the machine on one end and hooked together on the other end that attaches the first auger to the second auger. The casing is welded together. The process is continued until the entire pipeline is completed.

While traditional boring machines can be used to install underground pipe, such machines are both costly and dangerous to operate. For example, such machines require numerous mechanical parts (e.g., track, drive plate, drive, augers, etc.) to install a single size of pipe, and the number of parts required (and thus cost and complexity) is greatly increased should the operator want to be able to install different sizes of pipe. In addition, traditional boring machines pose a safety risk because they have the potential to flip over and/or seriously damage the equipment or operator(s) should they drill into an existing utility such as gas, water, and telecommunication cables, and/or foreign objects that resist excavation and potentially cause explosions, water distribution system interruptions, communications interruptions, etc.

SUMMARY

The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “the present invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various embodiments of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings, and each claim.

According to some examples, a hydro boring system includes a hydro boring head and a vacuum tube. The hydro boring head includes a fluid nozzle that is configured to dispense a fluid during a boring process. The vacuum tube is in fluid communication with the hydro boring head, and the hydro boring system is configured to pull air through the hydro boring head and the vacuum tube during the boring process.

According to certain examples, a hydro boring head for a hydro boring system includes a sidewall and a fluid nozzle. The sidewall includes a connecting end and an engaging end, and further defines a central opening extending from the connecting end to the engaging end. The fluid nozzle is mounted on the sidewall and within the central opening and is configured to dispense a fluid through the engaging end of the sidewall during a boring process.

According to various examples, a method of installing underground pipe using a hydro boring system includes positioning a hydro boring head adjacent to a material to be bored. The hydro boring head includes a fluid nozzle. The method also includes boring the material by activating the fluid nozzle such that a fluid is dispensed against the material to be bored and pulling air through the hydro boring head while boring.

Various implementations described in the present disclosure can include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which cannot necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present disclosure. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures can be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity.

FIG. 1 is a schematic of hydro boring system according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is another schematic of the hydro boring system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a hydro boring head according to aspects of the current disclosure.

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the hydro boring head of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an end view of the hydro boring head of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an end view of a hydro boring head according to aspects of the current disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described. Directional references such as “up,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “front,” and “back,” among others, are intended to refer to the orientation as illustrated and described in the figure (or figures) to which the components and directions are referencing.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an example of a hydro boring system 100 that can be used to install underground pipe 102 having pipe segments 103A-B. The number of pipe segments 103A-B should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure, as the hydro boring system can be used to install a single pipe segment or a plurality of pipe segments. In various examples, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the hydro boring system 100 bores a tunnel or passageway 104 into the earth or material 106, and the pipe 102 can be installed in the passageway 104. Through the hydro boring system 100, the pipe 102 can be installed underground and cross under infrastructures such as roads 108 and/or other infrastructure without needing to dig a trench or otherwise disrupt the infrastructure. FIG. 1 illustrates the hydro boring system 100 after one pipe segment 103A has been installed, and FIG. 2 illustrates the hydro boring system 100 after both pipe segments 103A-B have been installed.

The hydro boring system 100 includes a hydro boring head 110 and a vacuum tube 112. In various examples, the hydro boring system 100 may also include a track 114 that supports the pipe 102 during installation. The hydro boring system 100 may further include a driving base 109 and a pushing device 111 that is movable along the track 114 (see arrow 116) such that the pipe 102 can be advanced into the passageway 104 during the installation process.

The hydro boring head 110 includes a sidewall 118 having a connecting end 120 and an engaging end 122. During the boring process, the engaging end 122 is the end proximate to the material 106 to be bored. As described below, the connecting end 120 may connect with the vacuum tube 112 of the hydro boring system 100. The sidewall 118 further defines a central opening 124 that extends from the engaging end 122 to the connecting end 120. The sidewall 118 may have various suitable shapes as desired, and the shape of the sidewall 118 should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure. In some aspects, a diameter of the connecting end 120 may be the same as or different from a diameter of the engaging end 122. For example, the connecting end 120 may have a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the engaging end 122, the same as the diameter of the engaging end 122, or greater than the diameter of the engaging end 122. In certain aspects, the diameter of at least the engaging end 122 (and optionally the connecting end 120) may be controlled based on a size of a pipe to be installed. As some non-limiting examples, the engaging end 122 may be controlled to have a diameter of about 14 inches, about 16 inches, about 18 inches, about 20 inches, and/or about 22 inches. In other examples, the diameter may be less than 14 inches and/or greater than 22 inches. As used herein, the term diameter refers to the widest dimension of the ends (or other locations on the hydro boring head) and is not meant to limit the shape of the ends to a circular shape. For example, the ends 120, 122 may have rectangular shapes, polygonal shapes, triangular shapes, or various other closed shapes as desired. Moreover, in some examples, the engaging end 122 may have a shape that is the same as or different from the shape of the connecting end 120. In various examples, the sidewall 118 may also define one or more air openings (not shown in FIG. 1, but see FIGS. 3 and 4). As described below, during the boring process, air may be pulled through the air openings (and optionally through the engagement end 122) and through the hydro boring head 110.

The hydro boring head 110 includes a fluid nozzle 126 that dispenses a fluid 128 through the engaging end 122 and against the material 106 to be bored. The fluid nozzle 126 is in in fluid communication with a fluid supply (not shown) through one or more supply lines 130. In various aspects, the fluid nozzle 126 dispenses the fluid 128 at suitable pressures, flow rates, etc. such that the fluid 128 can bore into the material 106. The fluid nozzle 126 may dispense the fluid 128 with various desired patterns suitable for boring, including, but not limited to, spiral patterns, wave patterns, fan patterns, and/or other patterns as desired. In some examples, the fluid nozzle 126 is mounted at a fixed location on the sidewall 118. In other examples, the fluid nozzle 126 may be movable along the sidewall 118 through a track, bearing, rollers, or various other suitable movement mechanisms. The fluid nozzle 126 is mounted within the central opening 124 in some examples. In other examples, one or more of the fluid nozzles 126 may be mounted at various other suitable locations or combinations of locations on the sidewall 118, including outside of the central opening 124.

In some cases, the hydro boring head 110 includes a plurality of fluid nozzles 126, and the number of fluid nozzles 126 should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure. In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the hydro boring head 110 includes two fluid nozzles 126. In certain examples, the fluid nozzle 126 is a waterjet, although various other suitable nozzles may be used as the fluid nozzles 126. In examples where a plurality of fluid nozzles 126 are provided, each fluid nozzle 126 may be independently controlled and/or may be controlled with another nozzle 126. In some cases, the plurality of fluid nozzles 126 may be evenly spaced along the sidewall 118, although they need not be in other examples.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hydro boring head 110 is provided within the pipe 102 that is being installed during the boring process. In some cases, the hydro boring head 110 is self-supported within the pipe 102, meaning that relative position of the hydro boring head 110 within the pipe 102 can be maintained without mechanical engagement between the boring head 110 and the pipe 102. In other examples, the hydro boring head 110 may include clips, hooks, wedges, pins, and/or various other suitable mechanisms that engage the pipe 102 to maintain the position of the hydro boring head 110 relative to the pipe 102 during boring. In some optional examples, various sensors or indicators such as cameras, proximity sensors, temperature sensors, etc. may be provided at various locations on the hydro boring head 110 that may aid in the boring process.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the vacuum tube 112 is in fluid communication with the hydro boring head 110. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, at least a portion of the vacuum tube 112 runs through the pipe 102 that is being installed. In some aspects, the vacuum tube 112 may be at least partially supported by the driving base 109, although it need not be in other examples. In certain cases, the vacuum tube 112 is connected to the connecting end 120 such that the vacuum tube 112 is in fluid communication with the central opening 124. The vacuum tube 112 is connected with a vacuum supply (not shown in FIG. 1), such as a vacuum truck or other suitable vacuum supply. During the boring process, the vacuum supply pulls air through the hydro boring head 110, such as through the engaging end 122 and/or the air openings, and through the vacuum tube 112 (see arrows 132). The vacuum created by the hydro boring system 100 transports fluids and materials dislodged by the hydro boring head 110 out of the passageway 104 as the passageway 104 is formed. In some cases, a single supply component or device may supply both the vacuum and the fluid. As one non-limiting example, a single truck or other suitable device or component may supply both the vacuum and the fluid during boring. In other examples, a plurality of supply devices may be utilized for one or both of the fluid supply and the vacuum supply, and/or the fluid supply may be separate from the vacuum supply.

During a boring process, an installation trench 134 may be initially formed within the earth 106 such that the pipe 102 can be installed at the desired depth underground. The track 114 may be installed within the installation trench 134 along with the driving base 109 and pushing device 111. The pipe 102 may be supported on the track 114 such that the pushing device 111 abuts one end of the pipe 102 and the other end of the pipe 102 is adjacent to the material to be bored. In some examples, the hydro boring head 110 and/or vacuum tube 112 may be provided within the pipe 102 before it is positioned on the track 114. In other examples, the hydro boring head 110 and/or the vacuum tube 112 may be provided within the pipe 102 after it is positioned on the track 114.

The fluid nozzle(s) 126 of the hydro boring head 110 are activated such that the fluid 128 is dispensed against the material 106 to bore into the material 106 and form the passageway 104. In various aspects, as the fluid nozzles 126 dispense the fluid 128, the vacuum supply pulls air and materials through the hydro boring head 110 and through the vacuum tube 112 and away from where the fluid 128 is boring into the material 106. As the hydro boring head 110 cuts more of the material 106 and extends into the passageway 104, the pushing device 111 is driven by the driving base 109 to position the pipe 102 within the passageway 104. In various examples, after the pipe 102 is advanced a predetermined amount within the passageway 104, another pipe 102 can be joined to the existing pipe 102, and the boring process is continued until the entire pipeline is completed. Optionally, the vacuum tube 112 can be extended as additional pipes 102 are added to the pipeline.

With the hydro boring system 100, the need for augers is eliminated, as well as the need for cutting heads that physically engage the earth to bore into it. The reduced number of parts needed for boring, and particularly the reduced number of moving parts (e.g., no augers or cutting heads), improves the safety of the hydro boring system 100 while also reducing costs associated with the boring system. Moreover, the possibility of drilling into a utility or other unwanted material, and the resulting possibility of flipping and/or seriously damaging the equipment, is minimized or eliminated because the hydro boring head 110 does not physically engage the material to create the passageway 104. In other words, the actual equipment of the hydro boring system 100 does not need to engage the material to create the passageway 104, as only the fluid 128 engages the material to create the passageway 104.

In addition to being safer and less costly compared to traditional boring systems, the hydro boring system 100 also provides improved control during the boring process. In particular, because the fluid nozzles 126 can be independently controlled, the fluid nozzles 126 can be selectively activated or deactivated to control a direction of the boring and a direction of the passageway 104. For example, if the operator wanted the passageway 104 to extend downwards in FIG. 1, the operator may deactivate the upper fluid nozzle 126 and activate the lower fluid nozzle 126 such that only the lower fluid nozzle 126 removes material. Conversely, if the operator wanted the passageway to extend upwards in FIG. 1, the operator may deactivate the lower fluid nozzle 126 and activate the upper fluid nozzle 126 such that only the upper fluid nozzle 126 removes material. It will be appreciated that the operator could cause the boring to extend in various other directions depending on the number of nozzles 126, position of the nozzles 126, the particular nozzles that are activated, etc.

FIGS. 3-5 illustrate another example of a hydro boring head 210 that is substantially similar to the hydro boring head 110 except that the hydro boring head 210 includes hooks 236 that engage the pipe 102 to maintain the position of the hydro boring head 210 relative to the pipe 102 during boring. As mentioned, the hooks 236 (or other fastening means) may be omitted in various other examples.

In the example of FIGS. 3-5, the hydro boring head 210 includes four fluid nozzles 126. The four fluid nozzles 126 are spaced evenly along the sidewall 118 in this example, although they need not be in other examples. In the example of FIGS. 3-5, each nozzle is configured to dispense the fluid in a spiral pattern. As illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, the sidewall 118 of the hydro boring head 210 defines four air openings 238. The number or location of the air openings 238 should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure. As mentioned, during the boring process, air is pulled through the air openings 238 and creates a vacuum within the central opening 124 to transport the material away from the hydro boring head 210 as it is cut.

In the example of FIGS. 3-5, the hydro boring head 210 also includes a coupling device 242 that connects the hydro boring head 210 with a vacuum tube. In other examples, the coupling device 242 is omitted, and the vacuum tube may connect directly with the hydro boring head 210.

FIG. 6 is an example of a hydro boring head 310 that is substantially similar to the hydro boring head 210 except that the hooks 236 are omitted. In addition, compared to the hydro boring head 210, the hydro boring head 310 includes alignment ribs 311 on the hydro boring head 310. The alignment ribs 311 are optionally on an outer surface of the sidewall 118, although they need not be in other examples. The number, location, and shape of the alignment ribs 311 should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure The alignment ribs 311 may be integrally formed with the hydro boring head 310 or may be separate components that are removable from the hydro boring head 310 as desired. In various aspects, the alignment ribs 311 may position and/or maintain the position of the hydro boring head 310 within the pipe 102.

In various examples, a hydro boring system includes the hydro boring head 210 (or the hydro boring head 110). The hydro boring system 500 is substantially similar to the hydro boring system 100. In some examples, a supply truck is provided as both the vacuum supply and the fluid supply (e.g., the supply truck provides both the vacuum and the fluid during boring). In other examples, various other suitable supply devices may be utilized for the fluid supply and/or the vacuum supply. Fluid from the hydro boring head may cut through the material to be bored. By using the fluid to cut through the material, the hydro boring head turns the material (e.g., dirt) into a slurry, which may make it easier for the vacuum to pull out without the vacuum tube getting stopped up. The hydro boring head may also provide cost savings and/or safety improvements compared to existing boring systems, as plastic (or other suitable material) vacuum tubes can be used to remove the slurry debris, and using water to excavate dirt significantly reduces and/or eliminates the danger of damaging existing utilities and/or users of the boring machine.

A collection of exemplary examples, including at least some explicitly enumerated as “ECs” (Example Combinations), providing additional description of a variety of example types in accordance with the concepts described herein are provided below. These examples are not meant to be mutually exclusive, exhaustive, or restrictive; and the invention is not limited to these example examples but rather encompasses all possible modifications and variations within the scope of the issued claims and their equivalents.

EC 1. A hydro boring system comprising: a hydro boring head comprising a fluid nozzle, wherein the fluid nozzle is configured to dispense a fluid during a boring process; and a vacuum tube in fluid communication with the hydro boring head, wherein the hydro boring system is configured to pull air through the hydro boring head and the vacuum tube during the boring process.

EC 2. The hydro boring system of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the hydro boring head comprising a sidewall having an engaging end and a connecting end, wherein the hydro boring head defines a central opening extending from the engaging end to the connecting end, and wherein the engaging end is connected with the vacuum tube such that the vacuum tube is in fluid communication with the central opening.

EC 3. The hydro boring system of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the fluid nozzle is mounted on the sidewall within the central opening.

EC 4. The hydro boring system of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the fluid nozzle is at a fixed position on the sidewall, and wherein the fluid nozzle is configured to dispense the fluid in a predetermined pattern.

EC 5. The hydro boring system of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the sidewall defines an air opening between the engaging end and the connecting end, and wherein the hydro boring system is configured to pull air through the air opening and through the hydro boring head and vacuum tube during the boring process.

EC 6. The hydro boring system of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein a diameter of the engaging end is different from the diameter of the connecting end.

EC 7. The hydro boring system of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the fluid nozzle is a first fluid nozzle, and wherein the hydro boring system comprises a plurality of fluid nozzles.

EC 8. The hydro boring system of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the fluid nozzle is movable relative to the hydro boring head.

EC 9. The hydro boring system of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the hydro boring head further comprises at least one mounting clip.

EC 10. The hydro boring system of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, further comprising at least one of: a pushing device configured to push a casing pipe; and a track.

EC 11. A hydro boring head for a hydro boring system, the hydro boring head comprising: a sidewall comprising a connecting end and an engaging end, wherein the sidewall defines a central opening extending from the connecting end to the engaging end; and a fluid nozzle mounted on the sidewall and within the central opening, wherein the fluid nozzle is configured to dispense a fluid through the engaging end of the sidewall during a boring process.

EC 12. The hydro boring head of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the fluid nozzle is at a fixed position on the sidewall, and wherein the fluid nozzle is configured to dispense the fluid in a predetermined pattern.

EC 13. The hydro boring head of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the fluid nozzle is movable relative to the sidewall.

EC 14. The hydro boring head of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the sidewall defines an air opening between the engaging end and the connecting end such that air can be pulled through the air opening and through the hydro boring head during the boring process.

EC 15. The hydro boring head of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein a diameter of the engaging end is different from the diameter of the connecting end.

EC 16. The hydro boring head of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the fluid nozzle is a first fluid nozzle, and wherein the hydro boring system comprises a plurality of fluid nozzles.

EC 17. The hydro boring head of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, further comprises at least one mounting clip.

EC 18. A method of installing underground pipe using a hydro boring system, the method comprising: positioning a hydro boring head adjacent to a material to be bored, wherein the hydro boring head comprises a fluid nozzle; and boring the material by activating the fluid nozzle such that a fluid is dispensed against the material to be bored process and pulling air through the hydro boring head while boring.

EC 19. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, further comprising positioning the hydro boring head within a casing pipe prior to positioning the hydro boring head adjacent to the material to be bored.

EC 20. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, further comprising advancing the casing pipe with a pushing device while boring the material.

EC 21. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein activating the fluid nozzle comprises causing the fluid nozzle to dispense the fluid in a predetermined pattern against the material to be bored.

The above-described aspects are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications can be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims that follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the described invention, nor the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A hydro boring system comprising: a hydro boring head comprising a fluid nozzle, wherein the fluid nozzle is configured to dispense a fluid during a boring process; anda vacuum tube in fluid communication with the hydro boring head, wherein the hydro boring system is configured to pull air through the hydro boring head and the vacuum tube during the boring process.

2. The hydro boring system of claim 1, wherein the hydro boring head comprises a sidewall having an engaging end and a connecting end, wherein the hydro boring head defines a central opening extending from the engaging end to the connecting end, and wherein the engaging end is connected with the vacuum tube such that the vacuum tube is in fluid communication with the central opening.

3. The hydro boring system of claim 2, wherein the fluid nozzle is mounted on the sidewall within the central opening.

4. The hydro boring system of claim 3, wherein the fluid nozzle is at a fixed position on the sidewall, and wherein the fluid nozzle is configured to dispense the fluid in a specific pattern.

5. The hydro boring system of claim 2, wherein the sidewall defines an air opening between the engaging end and the connecting end, and wherein the hydro boring system is configured to pull air through the air opening and through the hydro boring head and vacuum tube during the boring process.

6. The hydro boring system of claim 2, wherein a diameter of the engaging end is different from the diameter of the connecting end.

7. The hydro boring system of claim 1, wherein the fluid nozzle is a first fluid nozzle, and wherein the hydro boring system comprises a plurality of fluid nozzles.

8. The hydro boring system of claim 1, wherein the fluid nozzle is movable relative to the hydro boring head.

9. The hydro boring system of claim 1, wherein the hydro boring head further comprises at least one mounting mechanism.

10. A hydro boring head for a hydro boring system, the hydro boring head comprising: a sidewall comprising a connecting end and an engaging end, wherein the sidewall defines a central opening extending from the connecting end to the engaging end; anda fluid nozzle mounted on the sidewall and within the central opening, wherein the fluid nozzle is configured to dispense a fluid through the engaging end of the sidewall during a boring process.

11. The hydro boring head of claim 10, wherein the fluid nozzle is at a fixed position on the sidewall, and wherein the fluid nozzle is configured to dispense the fluid in a predetermined pattern.

12. The hydro boring head of claim 10, wherein the fluid nozzle is movable relative to the sidewall.

13. The hydro boring head of claim 10, wherein the sidewall defines an air opening between the engaging end and the connecting end such that air can be pulled through the air opening and through the hydro boring head during the boring process.

14. The hydro boring head of claim 10, wherein a diameter of the engaging end is different from the diameter of the connecting end.

15. The hydro boring head of claim 10, wherein the fluid nozzle is a first fluid nozzle, and wherein the hydro boring system comprises a plurality of fluid nozzles.

16. The hydro boring head of claim 10, further comprises at least one mounting clip.

17. A method of installing underground pipe using a hydro boring system, the method comprising: positioning a hydro boring head adjacent to a material to be bored, wherein the hydro boring head comprises a fluid nozzle; andboring the material by activating the fluid nozzle such that a fluid is dispensed against the material to be bored process and pulling air through the hydro boring head while boring.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising positioning the hydro boring head within a casing pipe prior to positioning the hydro boring head adjacent to the material to be bored.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising advancing the casing pipe with a pushing device while boring the material.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein activating the fluid nozzle comprises causing the fluid nozzle to dispense the fluid in a predetermined pattern against the material to be bored.