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Excavation apparatus and method

  • US 20060000121A1
  • Filed: 04/22/2005
  • Published: 01/05/2006
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An excavation method, comprising:

  • providing an excavator, the excavator having a powered, rotating cutting head, the cutting head having a plurality of cutting elements;

    contacting the cutting head with a hard rock excavation face, wherein, at any one time, a first set of the cutting elements is in contact with the excavation face and a second set of the cutting elements is not in contact with the excavation face and wherein, in the contacting step, the cutting head excavates the excavation face in at least a first direction; and

    during the contacting step, using an elongated support member extending from the excavator to a powered device to apply a force to the excavator in at least the first direction to provide at least a portion of the cutting force, wherein the powered device is located at a distance from the excavator.

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