Trenching system with hydraulically adjustable hub
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for cutting a narrow trench in a surface comprising:
- rotating a blade within a hood comprising an opening circumscribed by a surface engaging member;
adjusting the blade relative to the surface engaging member to achieve a trench depth;
positioning the surface engaging member on the surface adjacent the blade;
placing a downpressure greater than the weight of the hood on the surface adjacent the blade;
advancing the rotating blade in a direction of desired trench length to cut a trench; and
adjusting the position of the blade relative to the surface engaging member to change the trench depth.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for uncovering a trench. The system comprises several subsystems, including a work machine and a frame for providing a seal with the surface to be trenched with a saw blade contained therein. The blade is supported on a hub which is slidably movable relative to the frame by operation of a linear actuator, which may be a hydraulic cylinder or the like. The vertical location of the blade within the frame is continuously adjustable to create a deeper or shallower trench. A monitoring system is provided to monitor the vertical location from an operator station.
47 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for cutting a narrow trench in a surface comprising:
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rotating a blade within a hood comprising an opening circumscribed by a surface engaging member; adjusting the blade relative to the surface engaging member to achieve a trench depth; positioning the surface engaging member on the surface adjacent the blade; placing a downpressure greater than the weight of the hood on the surface adjacent the blade; advancing the rotating blade in a direction of desired trench length to cut a trench; and adjusting the position of the blade relative to the surface engaging member to change the trench depth. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A trenching assembly for use with a work machine to cut a narrow trench in a surface, the trenching assembly comprising:
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a hood assembly, moveable relative to the work machine, comprising a surface engaging member; a rotatable blade disposed within the hood assembly to cut the trench; and an actuator disposed between the hood assembly and the rotatable blade to adjust a position of the rotatable blade relative to the hood assembly; wherein the surface engaging member is positioned to the side of the rotatable blade and wherein the surface engaging member is biased against the surface and applies a downpressure greater than the weight of the hood assembly to the surface bordering the trench while the blade is cutting the trench. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system comprising:
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a trenching assembly, comprising; a hood assembly, having a planar lower surface in which an opening is formed, the opening characterized by an enclosed shape entirely framed around its perimeter by the lower surface; a rotatable blade at least partially positioned within the hood assembly, in which the blade extends through the opening; a blade actuator for adjusting a vertical position of the rotatable blade relative to the opening; and a linkage assembly, comprising; a support frame; and a linear actuator having a first end attached to the support frame and a second end attached to the hood assembly; and a trench formed in the ground in which the blade is partially positioned within the trench, in which the linkage assembly presses the lower surface into the ground.
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Specification