Trenching system

• US 9,752,301 B2
• Filed: 08/13/2014
• Issued: 09/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Charles Machine Works Inc (Toro)
• Original Assignee: Charles Machine Works Inc (Toro)
• Inventors: Ruhl, Michael C., Bazzell, David R., Stellman, Vernon T., Seabolt, Steven P., Schuermann, Andrew S.
• Primary Examiner(s): MCGOWAN, JAMIE LOUISE
• Application Number:
  US14/459,128
• Publication Number:
  US 20140345169A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,119 Days
• 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 method for cutting a narrow trench in a surface using a rotatable blade moveably attached to a frame and disposed within a cavity defined by a hood assembly, the hood assembly comprising a surface engaging member, the method comprising:

adjusting the blade relative to the surface engaging member to achieve a desired trench depth;

rotating the blade to cut a trench;

positioning the surface engaging member on the surface adjacent the blade; and

applying a downpressure greater than the weight of the hood assembly to the surface bordering the trench at the surface engaging member.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

substantially sealing the cavity and the trench with the surface engaging member; and

applying a vacuum within the cavity to remove spoils from the cavity and the trench.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the trench is less than 1.5 inches in width.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising placing a product within the trench.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising sealing the trench after the product has been placed within the trench.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein a plurality of saw blades having rotatable teeth adjustable between a radial position and an offset position are provided, the method further comprising choosing a saw blade based on a desired trench width.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising moving at least one of the plurality of rotatable teeth between a radial position and an offset position relative to the saw blade.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein downpressure is provided to the portion of the surface adjacent the trench at the surface by a cylinder assembly.

9. A trenching assembly for creating a narrow trench through an existing surface disposed over a subsurface below the existing surface, the assembly comprising:

a blade assembly comprising a blade to cut through the existing surface and into the subsurface to create a trench having a width less than 1.5 inches;

a hood assembly covering at least a portion of the blade;

a surface engaging member provided on the hood assembly proximate the blade; and

a hydraulic cylinder supported by the housing and configured to apply downpressure eater than the weight of the hood assembly against the surface bordering a trench.

10. The trenching system of claim 9 further comprising a grouting assembly for substantially sealing the trench in the existing surface.

11. The trenching system of claim 9 wherein a cutting depth of the blade assembly is adjustable relative to the existing surface.

12. The trenching assembly of claim 9, further comprising:

a vacuum system connected to the hood assembly.

13. A trenching assembly for use with a work machine to cut a narrow trench in a surface, the trenching assembly comprising:

a hood assembly, moveable relative to the work machine, comprising a surface engaging member; and

a rotatable blade disposed within the hood assembly to cut the trench;

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.

14. The trenching assembly of claim 13 wherein the rotatable blade comprises a plurality of teeth, at least one of the plurality of teeth moveable from a first position to a second position.

15. The trenching assembly of claim 13 wherein the trench has a width of less than 1.5 inches.

16. The trenching assembly of claim 13 further comprising:

a vacuum system; and

a vacuum hose extending between the vacuum system and the hood assembly, wherein the vacuum system is not situated on the hood assembly.

17. The trenching assembly of claim 16 further comprising removing spoils away from the blade through the vacuum hose.

18. The trenching assembly of claim 13 further comprising a linkage assembly for connection to a work machine, wherein the surface engaging member may be biased downward by the linkage assembly.

19. A trenching assembly for cutting a narrow trench in a surface, 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; and

equipment configured to provide a downpressure greater than the weight of the hood assembly to a surface adjacent a narrow trench.

20. The trenching assembly of claim 19, further comprising:

a vacuum system, comprising;

a vacuum hose; and

the hood assembly, further comprising;

a port formed in the hood assembly in which the vacuum hose attaches to the hood assembly via the port.

21. The trenching assembly of claim 19, further comprising:

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.

22. The trenching assembly of claim 21 in which the linear actuator is a cylinder assembly.

23. A system, comprising:

the trenching assembly of claim 21; and

a trench formed in the ground in which the cutting blade is partially positioned within the trench and in which the linkage assembly presses the lower surface into the ground.

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

a hood assembly, moveable relative to the work machine, comprising a surface engaging member; and

a rotatable blade disposed within the hood assembly to cut the trench;

wherein the surface engaging member is positioned to the side of the rotatable blade;

wherein the surface engaging member is biased against the surface while the blade is cutting the trench; and

wherein the hood assembly is moveable about three axes relative to the work machine.

25. A system, comprising:

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 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 vacuum hose; 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, and in which the vacuum hose extends through the housing into the trench.