Trenching system

• US 8,806,784 B2
• Filed: 02/04/2013
• Issued: 08/19/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Charles Machine Works Incorporated The
• Original Assignee: Charles Machine Works Incorporated The
• Inventors: Ruhl, Michael C., Bazzell, David R., Stellman, Vernon T., Seabolt, Steven P., Schuermann, Andrew S.
• Primary Examiner(s): MCGOWAN, JAMIE LOUISE
• Application Number:
  US13/758,233
• Publication Number:
  US 20130145657A1
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• Field of Search: 37/91, 37/92, 37/93, 37/94, 37/95, 37/96, 37/97, 373/47, 379/07
• US Class Current: 37/91
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/183 with digging unit shiftable relative to the frame
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/188 with the axis being horizontal and transverse to the direction of travel
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/241 digging wheels
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/246 drives
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/9212 Mechanical digging means, e.g. suction wheels, i.e. wheel with a suction inlet attached behind the wheel E02F3/9287 takes precedence; active suction heads E02F3/9256
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 5/08 with digging wheels turning round an axis E02F5/109 takes precedence; with digging wheels per se E02F3/18
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 5/101 forming during digging, e.g. underground canalisations or conduits, by bending or twisting a strip of pliable material; by extrusion
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 5/12 with equipment for back-filling trenches or ditches

Abstract

A system for uncovering and sealing a narrow trench. The system comprises several subsystems, including a work machine, a frame for providing a seal with the surface to be trenched, a saw blade, a vacuum system, a system for placing product, and a resealer. The blade includes rotatable tooth bits, which may be rotated and secured to create a blade for narrower or a wider trench. A removable cover and the blade are easily changeable. A surface engaging member on the frame is manipulated to maintain a seal with changing ground surfaces. Additionally, the vertical location of the blade within the frame is adjustable to create a deeper or shallower trench.

Claims

1. A trenching assembly for use with a work machine to cut a trench, the trenching assembly comprising:

a frame;

a blade cover attached to the frame,

wherein the blade cover and the frame define a surface engaging member and a cavity;

a hub, attached to the frame such that a vertical position of the hub relative to the frame is moveable;

a blade, located substantially within the cavity and supported on the hub, wherein the blade extends beyond the cavity; and

a cylinder assembly operatively attached to the work machine and to the frame wherein operation of the cylinder assembly manipulates an orientation of the surface engaging member about three axes relative to the work machine.

2. The trenching assembly of claim 1 further comprising a vacuum system operatively connected to the frame to remove spoils from the cavity during operation of the blade.

3. The trenching assembly of claim 2 further comprising a trench cleaner wherein the vacuum system is operatively connected to the frame proximate the trench cleaner.

4. The trenching assembly of claim 1 wherein the cylinder assembly moves the surface engaging member to stabilize a portion of a surface adjacent the trench.

5. The trenching assembly of claim 1 wherein the blade comprises:

a circumference;

a width; and

a plurality of cutting teeth attached to the circumference of the disc, wherein at least one of the plurality of cutting teeth is positionable in a radial position or an offset position.

6. The trenching assembly of claim 5 wherein at least one of the plurality of cutting teeth comprises a diamond tip.

7. The trenching assembly of claim 5 wherein at least one of the plurality of cutting teeth extends beyond the width of the disc when in the offset position and wherein at least one of the plurality of teeth does not extend beyond the width of the disc when in the radial position.

8. A trenching assembly for use with a work machine, the trenching assembly comprising:

a surface engaging member;

a means for moving the surface engaging member to contact a surface; and

a rotatable blade to cut a trench through the surface;

wherein the surface engaging member is disposed about the rotatable blade and contacts a portion of the surface, while the blade is cutting the trench, to stabilize the surface adjacent the trench; and

wherein the means for moving the surface engaging member comprises a cylinder assembly such that the cylinder assembly manipulates an orientation of the surface engaging member about three axes.

9. The trenching assembly of claim 8 further comprising a vacuum system to clear spoils from the surface and the trench.

10. The trenching assembly of claim 8 wherein the blade comprises:

a circumference;

a width; and

a plurality of cutting teeth attached to the circumference, wherein at least one of the plurality of cutting teeth is movable between a radial position and an offset position.

11. The trenching assembly of claim 10 wherein at least one of the plurality of cutting teeth extends beyond the width of the blade when in the offset position and wherein at least one of the plurality of teeth does not extend beyond the width of the blade when in the radial position.