Efficient method and pulverizer for pipeline trench padding
First Claim
1. A trench-padding apparatus for maximizing conversion of excavated material to trench-padding material, wherein the trench-padding apparatus includes a lead assembly, comprising a feeder housing having a front rotating unit with protrusions, wherein the front rotating unit is attached to a frame of the trench-padding apparatus immediately in front of an elevator device adapted to receive and transport said excavated material to at least a first mesh screen attached to said frame, said screen configured and adapted for separating the excavated material into at least two grades of material, wherein the front rotating unit is adapted to force clumps of the excavated material between the front rotating unit and a base of the feeder housing to aid in reducing clump size, and wherein said apparatus further comprises means for transporting material that fails to pass through said at least first mesh screen to a location removed from said screen.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A trench-padding method and apparatus provide a more efficient, cost efficient process of obtaining a maximal amount of padding material from material excavated from a trench, and where selected, provide for trenching. The trench-padding apparatus includes a lead assembly that includes a feeder housing having a front rotating unit with protrusions. The feeder housing may be configured to excavate the trench or alternatively, to scoop up previously excavated material. The front rotating unit is attached to a frame of the trench-padding apparatus immediately in front of an elevator device, and the front rotating unit forces clumps of the excavated material between the front rotating unit and a base of the feeder housing to aid in reducing clump size. The method operates in the manner of the trench-padding apparatus.
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Citations
27 Claims
- 1. A trench-padding apparatus for maximizing conversion of excavated material to trench-padding material, wherein the trench-padding apparatus includes a lead assembly, comprising a feeder housing having a front rotating unit with protrusions, wherein the front rotating unit is attached to a frame of the trench-padding apparatus immediately in front of an elevator device adapted to receive and transport said excavated material to at least a first mesh screen attached to said frame, said screen configured and adapted for separating the excavated material into at least two grades of material, wherein the front rotating unit is adapted to force clumps of the excavated material between the front rotating unit and a base of the feeder housing to aid in reducing clump size, and wherein said apparatus further comprises means for transporting material that fails to pass through said at least first mesh screen to a location removed from said screen.
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6. An apparatus for maximizing conversion of excavated material to trench-padding material, comprising:
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a frame adapted for movement along a trench being formed by the apparatus;
a lead assembly, comprising a feeder housing having a rotating toothed/bladed drum that is attached to the frame immediately in front of an elevator device, for retrieving and reducing clump size of the excavated material;
the elevator device, being attached to the frame immediately behind the drum, for receiving and transporting the excavated material to at least a first mesh screen;
the at least first mesh screen, attached to the frame and situated to receive the excavated material from the elevator device, for separating the excavated material into at least two grades of material;
means for transporting and pulverizing material that passes through the at least first mesh screen to the trench; and
means for transporting material that fails to pass through the at least first mesh screen. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for trench-padding that maximizes conversion of excavated material to trench-padding material, comprising the steps of:
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using a trench-padding apparatus that includes a lead assembly with a feeder housing to pick up the excavated material;
using a front rotating unit with protrusions to a frame of the trench-padding apparatus immediately in front of to force clumps of the excavated material between the front rotating unit and a base of the feeder housing to aid in reducing clump size, the front rotating unit being attached to a frame of the trench-padding apparatus immediately in front of an elevator device adapted to receive and transport said excavated material to at least a first mesh screen attached to said frame, said screen configured and adapted for separating the excavated material into at least two grades of material; and
transporting excavated material that fails to pass through said at least a first screen to a location removed from said screen. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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- 15. A trench-padding-excavating apparatus for maximizing conversion of excavated material to trench-padding material, wherein the apparatus comprises a lead assembly having a feeder housing, wherein the feeder housing is configured to excavate material and has a front rotating unit with protrusions, wherein the front rotating unit is attached to a frame of the apparatus immediately in front of an elevator device adapted to receive and transport said excavated material to at least a first mesh screen attached to said frame, said screen configured and adapted for separating the extracted material into at least two grades of material, wherein the front rotating unit is adapted to force clumps of the excavated material between the front rotating unit and a base of the feeder housing to aid in reducing clump size, and wherein said apparatus further comprises means for transporting material that fails to pass through said at least first mesh screen to a location removed from said screen.
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22. An apparatus for excavating a trench and maximizing conversion of excavated material to trench-padding material, comprising:
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a frame adapted for movement along/astride a trench being formed by the apparatus;
a lead assembly, comprising a feeder housing configured to excavate the trench and having a rotating toothed/bladed drum that is attached to the frame immediately in front of an elevator device, for retrieving and pulverizing the excavated material;
the elevator device, being attached to the frame immediately behind the drum, for receiving and transporting the excavated material to at least a first mesh screen;
the at least first mesh screen, attached to the frame and situated to receive the excavated material from the elevator device, for separating the excavated material into at least two grades of material;
means for transporting material that passes through the at least first mesh screen to the trench; and
means for pulverizing and transporting material that fails to pass through the at least first mesh screen. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A trench-padding apparatus for maximizing conversion of excavated material to trench-padding material, wherein the trench-padding apparatus includes:
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a lead assembly, comprising a feeder housing having a front rotating unit with protrusions, wherein the front rotating unit is attached to a frame of the trench-padding apparatus immediately in front of an elevator device, and the front rotating unit is adapted to force clumps of the excavated material between the front rotating unit and a base of the feeder housing to aid in reducing clump size; and
a rear rotating unit, pivotally attached to a rearward portion of the frame of the trench-padding apparatus, that rotates in a direction to increase backward flow of excavation material too large to be used as padding material.
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Specification