GB2510360A

GB2510360A - Articulated Vacuum Excavation Unit

Info

Publication number: GB2510360A
Application number: GB201301713A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Ball; John Patrick Mee
Original assignee: VAC EX Ltd
Current assignee: VAC EX Ltd
Priority date: 2013-01-31
Filing date: 2013-01-31
Publication date: 2014-08-06
Also published as: GB201301713D0; HK1200511A1

Abstract

A vacuum excavation unit for removing soil close to utility services such as gas and electric pipelines more safely than a digger or spade comprising a driver for driving the unit 114, a vacuum suction device 118, a power unit 112 for powering the vacuum suction device, a hose connected to the vacuum suction device for receiving earthen material under influence of the suction, and a debris container 116 for receiving earthen material from the hose. The unit has a first module and a second module that is connected by an articulated joint 104, and each of the first module and second module includes one or more rolling members such as tracks 120. The unit is compact, preferably less than 1.5m wide and the driver 114, such as an internal combustion engine, may also provide power to the suction device.

Description

Articulated Vacuum Excavation Unit [0001] This invention relates to a vacuum excavation unit, and in particular to an articulated vacuum excavation unit suitable for the safe removal of earthen material in hazardous excavation sites.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Vacuum excavation units are used for the removal of earthen material such as soil, rock and other debris. They are particularly useful when excavating a site at or close to live utility services such as gas and electric mains since earthen material can be removed much more safely compared with a mechanical digger or a spade.

[0003] Vacuum excavation units typically include some form of vacuum suction device for creating suction that is used to remove material from the excavation site via a hose. Often, the excavation site is agitated using high pressure water or air to loosen and break the earthen material prior to removal.

[0004] An example of a known vacuum excavation unit 10 is shown in Figure 1. The unit 10 includes a vacuum suction device 12 for creating suction for removing material via a hose 18.

Excavated material enters a debris container 16 disposed at the front of the unit 10. The unit additionally has an engine 14 mounted on its side (i.e. projecting perpendicularly relative to the forward direction of travel) for driving the unit 10, and all of the vacuum suction device 12, the driver 14, the debris container 16 and the hose 18 are mounted on a pair of rotating tracks (for example, similar to the caterpillar tracks found on armored vehicles) allowing the unit 10 to move along the ground when driven by the engine 14.

[0005] The location of the engine 14 on the side of the unit 10 increases the overall width of the unit 10 and makes it impractical for travel down narrow passageways such as footpaths.

However, locating the engine 14 at another position on the unit 14 will lead to an undesirable imbalance of the unit 10 making it unstable, due to the heavy weight of the engine 14.

Additionally, it is found that the maneuverability of the unit 10 is lacking and not suitable for operation in tight spaces, in which it is often required for use. Mounting the engine 14 in front or behind the debris container 16 would considerably increase the length of the unit 10 and the single pair of tracks 20, which in turn would considerably reduce maneuverability and increase unwanted vibrations when skewing.

[0006] Another example of a known vacuum excavation unit 10 is shown in Figure 2. The unit 10' also includes a vacuum suction device 12', an engine 14', a debris container 16' and a hose 18' mounted on a pair of rotating tracks 20'. However, in contrast to the unit 10 of Figure 1, the unit 10' of Figure 2 is arranged with its components (12,14,16') side-by-side relative to the forward direction in which the unit will travel (i.e. along the length of its tracks 20'). In particular, the vacuum suction device 12' and engine 14' are disposed on one side of the unit and the debris container 16' is disposed on the other.

[0007] The vacuum excavation unit 10' of Figure 2 has a wide construction making it unsuitable for tight passageways such as walkways and footpaths. Additionally, the distribution of heavy components such as the engine 14 on one side of the unit 10' make the unit 10' unbalanced and consequently unsuitable for towing (e.g. when travelling long distances not under the influence of its own engine 14'). Also, the like the unit 10 of Figure 1, the unit 10' of Figure 2 lacks adequate maneuverability that is required when operating in tight spaces.

[0005] There exists a need to provide an improved vacuum excavation unit that overcomes at least some of the problems associated with the prior art units (e.g. 10.10' described above).

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0009] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a vacuum excavation unit comprising: a driver for driving the unit; a vacuum suction device for creating suction; a hose connected to the vacuum suction device for receiving earthen material under influence of the suction; and a debris container for receiving earthen material from the hose; the unit having a first module and a second module that is connected to the first module by an articulated joint, wherein each of the first module and second module include one or more rolling members for allowing the first module and second module to move along the ground when the unit is driven by the driver, and each of the driver, vacuum suction device, hose and debris container is arranged on one of the first module and second module.

[0010] In one optional embodiment, the first module is a front module and the second module is a rear module, where the rear module is rearward of the front module when the unit is driven in a forward direction, and wherein the driver is arranged on the rear module and the debris container is arranged on the front module.

[0011] Additionally or alternatively, the vacuum excavation unit further comprises bellows extending between the first module and second module.

[0012] The debris container may include a filtration system for filtering earthen material entering the debris container.

[0013] In one embodiment, the driver comprises an internal combustion engine.

[0014] In a further or alternative embodiment, the driver provides power to the vacuum suction device.

[0015] In one embodiment, each of the one or more rolling members comprises a wheel.

[0016] In an alternative embodiment, each of the one or more rolling members comprises a continuous track, wherein, optionally, each of the first module and second module includes a pair of continuous tracks.

[0017] Each of the first module and second module may have a width of 1.5 metres or less in a direction perpendicular to a forward direction of travel of the unit, and preferably have a width of 1.4 metres or less in a direction perpendicular to a forward direction of travel of the unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 (PRIOR ART) is a side view of a first known vacuum excavator unit; Figure 2 (PRIOR ART) is a perspective view from the rear of a second known vacuum excavator unit; Figure 3A is a side view of a vacuum excavator unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 3B is a plan view of the vacuum excavator unit of Figure 3A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] A vacuum excavation unit 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 3A and 3B, where Figure 3A is a side view and Figure 3B is a plan view. The unit 100 has a first (front) module 102 and a second (rear) module 103 that are connected to one another by an articulated joint 104. The articulated joint 104 may be any suitable joint that connects the first and second modules 102,103 together but permits relative movement therebetween in at least one degree of freedom. Preferably, the articulated joint 104 is a pivot joint that permits the second module 103 to pivot relative to the first module 102. The pivot joint may be a ball and socket joint or a hook in eye joint, for example.

[0020] Each module 102,103 includes a pair of tracks 120 permitting movement of the modules 102,103. The movement of each module 102,103 on the tracks 120 is independent of the movement of the other as far as is permitted by the articulated joint 104. In other embodiments, any suitable one or more rolling members such as rollers, wheels or tracks, or combinations thereof may be used on either or both modules 102,103. Providing each module 102,103 with independent rolling members 120 accommodates the articulation therebetween and decreases the turning circle of the unit compared with prior art units (e.g. 10,10') that comprise a single module. Additionally, the rolling member 120 arrangement of the present invention reduces the need for so-called "skewing" where a unit turns or changes direction by rotating one rolling member (e.g. track) of a pair of rolling members faster than the other rolling member of the pair. Furthermore, the rolling member 120 arrangement of the present invention reduces unwanted vibrations when skewing. This is in stark contrast to prior art arrangements having long rotating continuous tracks (e.g. 20,20') which encounter jumping and significant vibration when skewing. This unwanted motion when skewing reduces the lifespan of component parts on the unit. The shorter rolling member 120 arrangement permitted by the dual module nature of the present invention thus improve the long term performance and life time of the unit 100 compared with prior art arrangements, in addition to improving maneuverability.

[0021] The first module 102 has a tapered rear surface 102a and the second module has a tapered front surface 103a that facilitate rotation of the second module 103 about the articulation joint 104 (e.g. in the case where the articulation joint 104 is a pivot joint) relative to the first module 102 whilst avoiding unwanted contact between the modules 102,103.

[0022] The unit 100 includes a driver 114 for driving the unit 100 in a forward direction F, a vacuum suction device 112 for creating suction for removal of earthen material from an excavation site via a hose 118, and a debris container 116 for receiving excavated material from the hose 118.

[0023] In a preferable embodiment, the driver 114, which is typically a heavy component, is arranged on the second (rear) module 103, and the debris container 116 (and, optionally. the vacuum suction device 112) is arranged on the first (front) module 103. This preferable arrangement provides an optimum weight distribution for towing of the unit 100.

[0024] The first module 102 has a length Ml and the second module 103 has a length M2 which may or may not be equal to Ml. In the preferable embodiment shown in the Figures, each of the first module 102 and second module 103 has the same width W, although in alternative embodiments, this may not be the case. In particularly preferable embodiments, the width W (or, at least, the widest width of the unit 100) is 1.5 meters or less, or further preferably, 1.4 meters or less. The lengths Ml, M2 of the modules 102,103 are preferably 1.3 meters or less, or further preferably, 1 meter or less. An overall length U of the unit 100 is preferably 3 meters or less, and further preferably 2.5 meters or less. These preferable dimensions provide a particularly maneuverable unit 100 that is suitable for use on narrow passageways such as footpaths.

[0025] The unit 100 may include one or more connections (e.g. power or airways) between the first and second modules 102,103 (not shown in the Figures). Optionally, the unit 100 may include a set of bellows between the first and second modules 102,103 that protect the articulate joint 104 (and any other connections present) from dust and debris and prevent any foreign objects coming between the first and second modules 102,103 that may affect operation.

[0026] In a preferable embodiment, the debris container 116 includes a filtration system for filtering earthen material entering the debris container.

[0027] The driver 114 may be any suitable apparatus capable of driving the unit 100. In one preferable embodiment, the driver 114 is an internal combustion engine. Additionally or alternatively, the driver 114 provides power to the vacuum suction device 112. Alternatively, a separate power unit may be employed for powering the vacuum suction device 112.

[0028] The present invention permits a unit 100 that is balanced and therefore capable of being towed. Improved balance arises due to the in-line arrangement of the driver 114 and debris container 116 (and any filtration system present). Vacuum excavation units 100 according to the present invention may be configured to be narrower than existing prior art arrangements, thus enabling the unit 100 to be operated on up to 90% of the footpaths in the UK. The unit 100 may be configured to be lower in height compared with existing prior art arrangements and has improved maneuverability. All these benefits are realized by the present invention without a compromise in power, with vacuum excavation units 100 according to the present invention being comparable to existing 26t vacuum excavation units.

[0029] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of them mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

[0030] Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

[0031] The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A vacuum excavation unit comprising: a driver for driving the unit; a vacuum suction device for creating suction; a hose connected to the vacuum suction device for receiving earthen material under influence of the suction; and a debris container for receiving earthen material from the hose; the unit having a first module and a second module that is connected to the first module by an articulated joint, wherein each of the first module and second module include one or more rolling members for allowing the first module and second module to move along the ground when the unit is driven by the driver, and each of the driver, vacuum suction device, hose and debris container is arranged on one of the first module and second module.
2. A vacuum excavation unit according to claim 1, wherein the first module is a front module and the second module is a rear module, where the rear module is rearward of the front module when the unit is driven in a forward direction, and wherein the driver is arranged on the rear module and the debris container is arranged on the front module.
3. A vacuum excavation unit according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising bellows extending between the first module and second module.
4. A vacuum excavation unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the debris container includes a filtration system for filtering earthen material entering the debris container.
5. A vacuum excavation unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the driver comprises an internal combustion engine.
6. A vacuum excavation unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the driver provides power to the vacuum suction device.
7. A vacuum excavation unit according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the one or more rolling members comprises a wheel.
8. A vacuum excavation unit according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein each of the one or more rolling members comprises a continuous track.
9. A vacuum excavation unit according to claim 8, wherein each of the first module and second module includes a pair of continuous tracks.
10. A vacuum excavation unit according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the first module and second module has a width of 1.5 metres or less in a direction perpendicular to a forward direction of travel of the unit.
11. A vacuum excavation unit according to claim 10, wherein one or both of the first module and second module has a width ot 1.4 meties or less in a direction perpendicular to a forward direction of travel of the unit.
12. A vacuum excavation unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying diawings.