US20040128869A1 - Trencher - Google Patents
Trencher Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20040128869A1 US20040128869A1 US10/728,623 US72862304A US2004128869A1 US 20040128869 A1 US20040128869 A1 US 20040128869A1 US 72862304 A US72862304 A US 72862304A US 2004128869 A1 US2004128869 A1 US 2004128869A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- digging chain
- trench
- digging
- carriage
- sprocket wheel
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F5/00—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes
- E02F5/02—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes for digging trenches or ditches
- E02F5/06—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes for digging trenches or ditches with digging elements mounted on an endless chain
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
- E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
- E02F3/08—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging elements on an endless chain
- E02F3/10—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging elements on an endless chain with tools that only loosen the material, i.e. with cutter-type chains
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
- E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
- E02F3/76—Graders, bulldozers, or the like with scraper plates or ploughshare-like elements; Levelling scarifying devices
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
- E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
- E02F3/76—Graders, bulldozers, or the like with scraper plates or ploughshare-like elements; Levelling scarifying devices
- E02F3/7609—Scraper blade mounted forwardly of the tractor on a pair of pivoting arms which are linked to the sides of the tractor, e.g. bulldozers
- E02F3/7613—Scraper blade mounted forwardly of the tractor on a pair of pivoting arms which are linked to the sides of the tractor, e.g. bulldozers with the scraper blade adjustable relative to the pivoting arms about a vertical axis, e.g. angle dozers
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
- E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
- E02F3/76—Graders, bulldozers, or the like with scraper plates or ploughshare-like elements; Levelling scarifying devices
- E02F3/78—Graders, bulldozers, or the like with scraper plates or ploughshare-like elements; Levelling scarifying devices with rotating digging elements
- E02F3/783—Graders, bulldozers, or the like with scraper plates or ploughshare-like elements; Levelling scarifying devices with rotating digging elements having a horizontal axis of rotation
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F5/00—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes
- E02F5/02—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes for digging trenches or ditches
- E02F5/12—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes for digging trenches or ditches with equipment for back-filling trenches or ditches
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F9/00—Component parts of dredgers or soil-shifting machines, not restricted to one of the kinds covered by groups E02F3/00 - E02F7/00
- E02F9/08—Superstructures; Supports for superstructures
- E02F9/0841—Articulated frame, i.e. having at least one pivot point between two travelling gear units
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a trencher that can dig a curved trench.
- a trencher includes a carriage and a trencher boom that carries a digging chain having a series of digging blades.
- the digging chain is carried by a motor driven sprocket wheel and an idler pulley wheel which are mounted to a frame that can be moved into a digging position.
- the frame that carries the digging chain pivots at its base to tilt into contact with a working surface of soil or clay so that the digging chain can excavate a trench as the trencher moves across the working surface.
- Caldwell's trencher includes a boom that pivots relative to a carriage so that it can dig at various angles and depths. If a shallow trench is desired, an operator of Caldwell's trencher would pivot the trencher boom by a shallow angle. If a deep trench is desired, an operator would pivot the trencher boom of the Caldwell trencher until it reaches a steep angle.
- a digging chain penetrating a working surface at a shallow or moderate angle will interfere with the walls of the trench if a curved section of trench is attempted.
- the digging chain is cantilevered away from the trencher carriage so that the center of the digging chain will swing through an arc as the carriage turns. Because it is not practical to turn a prior art trencher along a tightly curved path while it is digging a trench, intersecting trench sections must be dug to make a trench around an obstacle. Generally, significant amounts of material will accumulate where sections of the trench intersect. Material that accumulates at these intersections must be removed by hand digging. What is needed is a trencher that can easily dig circular or curved trenches and which can also smoothly transition from digging a straight trench to digging a curved trench when an obstacle is encountered.
- an object of the present invention is to provide a trencher that can dig a curved trench. It is another object of the present invention to provide a trencher that can smoothly transition between excavating a straight section of trench and a curved section of trench. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a trencher that has attachments for moving excavated material away from a trench as the trench is being excavated. It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a trencher having adjustable earth moving blades that can be positioned for returning excavated material to a trench, for directing excavated material away from a trench or for scraping or smoothing a working surface.
- an improved trencher which includes a carriage, a digging chain, a digging chain support frame and an upright boom structure.
- the carriage includes wheels for rolling across a working surface and a steering mechanism for turning the carriage.
- the digging chain support frame carries the digging chain and is mounted to the upright boom structure for upward and downward movement relative to the upright boom structure.
- the digging chain is carried by a pair of wheels that are rotatably mounted to the digging chain support frame and that are disposed so that the digging motion of the chain describes an upright path.
- the wheels include a sprocket wheel at the upper end of the digging chain support frame and an idler pulley wheel at the lower end of the digging chain support frame.
- a chain drive motor powers the movement of the sprocket wheel and the digging chain.
- a digging chain support frame actuator operatively coupled to the digging chain support frame, raises and lowers the digging chain support frame relative to the upright boom structure and the trencher carriage. It is preferable to locate the upright boom structure and the digging chain support frame so that the path of the digging chain is close to the carriage when the digging chain is excavating a trench.
- the trencher is operated by activating the chain drive motor and by also activating the digging chain support frame actuator to move the digging chain to penetrate a working surface.
- the carriage moves in a backward direction so that the digging chain follows the carriage as it excavates a trench.
- the carriage is turned to follow a curved path.
- the upright orientation of the path of the digging chain facilitates the excavation of a curved trench.
- the upright digging chain does not interfere with the walls of the trench by a degree that is sufficient to significantly impede its operation.
- the proximate location of the digging chain relative to the carriage also minimizes the degree by which the digging chain will swing against one of the walls of the trench if the trencher transitions from a straight path to a curved path. Accordingly, it is relatively easy to execute a smooth transition from excavating a straight trench to excavating a curved trench. If the operator gradually turns the s carriage to a curved path, the digging chain will smoothly transition to following a curved path.
- an auger assembly is adjustably mounted to the digging chain support frame.
- Such an auger assembly includes transversely mounted augers that are powered by an auger sprocket wheel that engages the digging chain. As the digging chain is removing material from a trench, the rotating augers move excavated material away from the trench and the trencher. The location of the augers can be changed to correspond to a desired trench depth.
- the earth moving blades are adjustably mounted on arms that can be interconnected to rotate in unison relative to the trencher carriage.
- the earth moving blades can be placed in various positions suitable for pushing material away from an excavated trench, pushing material into an excavated trench or when locked together to define a single blade, smoothing or scraping a working surface.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the trencher of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a right side view of the trencher of the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing one of two an earth moving blade assemblies.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the earth moving blade assemblies joined together to move earth.
- FIG. 5 is a schematic of the hydraulic system of the trencher of the present invention.
- Trencher 10 generally includes a wheeled carriage 12 , a boom 60 and a power system 100 .
- Carriage 12 includes a forward portion 14 and a rear portion 16 which are articulated about a pivot joint 18 .
- Wheeled carriage 12 is powered by a pair of hydraulic motors 30 and 32 .
- Boom 60 includes a digging chain 72 that can be moved up and down past the end of carriage 12 to make contact with and to penetrate a working surface.
- Power system 100 includes an internal combustion engine 102 that drives hydraulic pumps 104 A and 104 B for supplying hydraulic power to the various hydraulic motors and cylinders that operate trencher 10 . The configuration, arrangement and operation of the hydraulic system will be described in greater detail below.
- Forward portion 14 and rear portion 16 of carriage 12 are articulated about carriage pivot joint 18 located at the center of carriage 12 .
- a hydraulic steering cylinder 20 bridges between front portion 14 and rear portion 16 at one side of carriage pivot joint 16 .
- forward portion 14 and rear portion 16 pivot so that forward portion 14 moves relative to rear portion 16 in a clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 1.
- forward portion 14 and rear portion 16 pivot so that forward portion 14 moves in a counter-clockwise direction relative to rear portion 16 .
- two hydraulic cylinders such as hydraulic cylinder 20 arranged to move in an opposite corresponding manner on opposite sides of pivot joint 18 can be used to articulate carriage 12 .
- Carriage 12 rides on two forward wheels 22 A and 22 B mounted to forward axle 24 and two rear wheels 26 A and 26 B mounted to rear axle 28 .
- Forward axle hydraulic drive motor 30 turns forward axle 24 while rear axle hydraulic drive motor 32 turns rear axle 28 .
- Forward wheels 22 A and 22 B can freely turn on forward axle 24 or can be separately engaged with forward axle 24 to be powered by drive motor 30 .
- rear wheels 26 A and 26 B can freely turn on rear axle 28 or can be engaged with rear axle 28 to be powered by hydraulic drive motor 32 .
- Upright boom 60 includes an upright boom structure 62 and a digging chain support frame 64 .
- Digging chain support frame 64 carries a digging chain 72 in an upright position.
- Digging chain 72 moves with digging chain support frame up and down relative to upright boom structure 62 . Accordingly, digging chain 72 is lowered to a desired digging depth along an upright path rather than pivoted to a desired digging depth through a series of angled positions. This greatly reduces interference with the walls of a trench when digging chain 72 is excavating a trench along a curved path. This is especially true when digging chain 72 is excavating a relatively shallow trench. In fact, digging chain 72 can excavate a curved trench having an even smaller radius if the excavation is shallow where the opposite is true for a digging chain that is pivoted into a shallow digging position.
- upright boom structure 62 includes two upright columns 62 A and 62 B which are secured to forward portion 14 of carriage 12 .
- Digging chain 72 is carried in an upright position by digging chain support frame 64 .
- Digging chain support frame 64 carries digging chain 72 on two wheels which include a sprocket wheel 70 and an idler pulley wheel 71 .
- Digging chain support frame 64 includes a truck portion 66 and a digging chain support member 68 .
- Truck portion 66 slides up and down upon upright columns 62 A and 62 B on collars 66 A and 66 B.
- Truck portion 66 supports a transverse sprocket wheel shaft 67 that carries sprocket wheel 70 .
- Sprocket wheel shaft 67 and sprocket wheel 70 are powered by a sprocket drive motor 76 mounted on one side of truck portion 66 .
- Digging chain support member 68 is mounted to the bottom of truck portion 66 in an upright position.
- Digging chain support member 68 carries idler pulley wheel 71 at its lower end. The vertical position of idler pulley wheel 71 which can be adjusted to remove slack from digging chain 72 by adjusting changing the extension of a slack adjustment cylinder 68 A.
- Digging chain 72 engages sprocket wheel 70 and idler pulley wheel 71 , so that, when sprocket wheel 70 it is turned by sprocket wheel drive motor 76 , digging chain 72 describes an upright path as it rotates in a clockwise direction as indicated by direction arrow 72 D in FIG. 2.
- Digging chain 72 is fashioned from links 73 that carry blades 74 . Blades 74 are designed to separate and remove material from a trench as shown in FIG. 2.
- Sprocket wheel 70 is a conventional sprocket wheel that has teeth for engaging the openings between the links of digging chain 72 .
- Idler pulley wheel 71 has a plain, flat shape.
- the links of digging chain 72 are shaped to present a continuous length-wise channel for receiving the edge of idler pulley wheel 71 .
- a plain, flat wheel is preferred for idler pulley wheel 71 over a sprocket wheel because the teeth of a sprocket wheel operating in the bottom of a trench will clog with dirt.
- the upright orientation of digging chain support member 68 should not deviate more than 20° from a vertical orientation and should most preferably be set at 10° from a vertical orientation.
- the path of digging chain 72 is also slightly angled relative to digging chain support member 68 by an auger drive sprocket 78 A of an auger assembly 78 so that blades 74 of digging chain 72 move along a sloped path as they lift material from a trench.
- the upright orientation of digging chain 72 makes it possible to move digging chain 72 along a curved path without causing digging chain 72 to interfere with the walls of the trench to an extent that would be sufficient to impede the operation of digging chain 72 .
- Auger assembly 78 is adjustably mounted to digging chain support member 68 by a lockable collar.
- Auger drive sprocket wheel 78 A of auger assembly 78 engages digging chain 72 so that it turns when digging chain 72 is moving.
- a pair of augers 78 C and 78 D mounted to auger drive sprocket wheel 78 A are configured to transfer material removed from an excavated trench away from the trench and trencher 10 .
- Auger assembly 78 can be adjusted and positioned on digging chain support member 68 at a location that corresponds to the desired trench depth. The lower edges of augers 78 C and 78 D should be positioned to correspond to the top of the working surface.
- Augers 78 C and 78 D are removable so that both augers may be removed or so that one auger or both augers may be employed.
- digging chain 72 can be moved up and down past one end of carriage 12 by a digging chain support frame actuator 80 .
- Digging chain support frame actuator 80 includes a hydraulic cylinder 82 which has an extending and retracting piston rod 82 A.
- Piston rod 82 A carries a pair of sprockets 82 B and 82 C that engage a pair of chains 84 A and 84 B.
- Chains 84 A and 84 B are each fastened at one end to truck portion 66 of digging chain support frame 64 and at the other end to a support member 86 fixed to forward portion 14 of carriage 12 .
- the path of digging chain 72 can be positioned to pass through an opening in the trencher carriage. If the path of digging chain is positioned to pass through an opening in the trencher carriage that is between the forward and rear wheels of the carriage, then, it is very easy for the carriage to transition from a straight path to a curved path while the digging chain is excavating a trench. This is because a centrally located digging chain will not swing relative to the carriage as the carriage articulates into a turn. Instead, as the carriage transitions to a curved path, the front and rear portions of the carriage will tend to turn about the centrally positioned digging chain.
- a trencher having an upright, centrally located digging chain is well adapted for digging trenches that transition between straight and curved sections.
- the digging chain when the digging chain is located near the center of a trencher between the front and rear axles of the trencher, the digging chain will deposit excavated material under the trencher where it can not be easily removed and where it can build up in the path of at the trailing trencher wheels. It is possible to use augers or deflecting plates to push moderate amounts of excavated soil from under the trencher. However, it is difficult to remove large amounts of material while digging a relatively wide, deep trench.
- a centrally located digging chain has another disadvantage.
- digging chain support frame As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 so that digging chain 72 can operate slightly forward of forward axle 24 as trencher 10 moves in a backward direction as shown in FIG. 2.
- Digging chain support member 68 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, is located forward of axle 24 and as close as possible to forward axle 24 and forward wheels 22 A and 22 B.
- digging chain 72 can excavate a curved trench because it is upright and because it moves up and down relative to trencher 10 along an upright path.
- FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 With the configuration shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
- digging chain 72 when digging chain 72 is excavating a straight trench and carriage 12 is then articulated to begin moving along a curved path, digging chain 72 will swing slightly against a wall of the trench. Accordingly, it is preferable to locate digging chain 72 as close as possible to the center of carriage 12 to minimize this swinging motion while also locating digging chain 72 far enough away from forward wheels 22 A and 22 B to allow excavated material to be rejected away from an excavated trench. If the operator gradually transitions trencher 10 from a straight path to a curved path, the effects of the above described swinging movement of digging chain 72 diminish so that trencher 10 can be smoothly transitioned from a straight path to a curved path.
- a platform 16 A is provided at the back of rear portion 16 of carriage 12 .
- Platform 16 A accommodates an operator who operates controls 110 A, 110 - 116 .
- trencher 10 when it is digging, moves in a backward direction with rear wheels 26 A and 26 B leading forward wheels 22 A and 22 B.
- the wheels of trencher 10 turn in the direction indicated by direction arrow 26 D in FIG. 2.
- digging chain 72 As trencher 10 moves in a backward direction, digging chain 72 , as seen in FIG. 2, rotates in a clockwise direction as indicated by direction arrow 72 D in FIG. 2.
- Digging chain 72 scoops up material from under working surface 5 to form trench 5 A and deposits that material in front of carriage 12 . If a relatively deep trench is being dug, augers 78 C and 78 D can be located to be even with surface 5 and used to push excavated material away from trencher 10 and the excavated trench.
- FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 illustrate an optional split earth moving blade assembly 402 .
- FIG. 3 only illustrates one side of this arrangement. The other side of the earth moving blade assembly is symmetrically identical to the one shown in FIG. 3.
- Earth moving blade assembly 402 is mounted to forward portion 14 of carriage 12 on a pair of arms 404 A and 404 B that are actuated by hydraulic cylinders 410 A and 410 B.
- Hydraulic cylinders 410 A and 410 B connect between a pair of upright supports 412 A and 412 B and arms 404 A and 404 B.
- Shaft 402 C is pivotably mounted to forward portion 14 of carriage 12 .
- blades 406 A and 406 B are both pivotably and slidably mounted at the ends of their respective arms 404 A and 404 B. They can be adjustably rotated with respect to the end of each arm about pivot joints 407 A and 407 B and they can be adjustably slid in a transverse direction about slide mounts 408 A and 408 B with respect to the end of each arm. Because blades 406 A and 406 B are adjustably mounted to arms 404 A and 404 B, they can be positioned to push material away from a trench or back into a trench. Earth moving blades 406 A and 406 B can be also be joined together to present a single, flat blade for scraping or smoothing a surface as shown in FIG. 4.
- a plate assembly 200 is mounted to the front of truck portion 66 of digging chain support frame 64 .
- the purpose of plate assembly 200 is to reduce the amount of loose material left in the bottom of an excavated trench by pushing such loose material forward so that it can be captured and removed by digging chain 72 .
- Plate assembly 200 moves with truck portion 66 and digging chain 72 .
- Plate assembly 200 includes an adjustable arm 202 that carries a plate 204 . When in use, adjustable arm 202 is positioned so plate 204 is at the same level as the lower end of digging chain 72 . As digging chain excavates a trench, loose material will accumulate in front of plate 204 until the loose material is removed from the trench by digging chain 72 .
- power system 100 is one of many possible power systems. Mechanical linkages might be more efficient than a hydraulic system but more cumbersome. An electrical system including a generator that powers various electric motors might be less cumbersome but more expensive and less energy efficient. Hydraulic power system 100 is intended to present a simple and practical system.
- Power system 100 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 5. Power system 100 is carried primarily by rear portion 16 of carriage 12 . Power system 100 includes an internal combustion engine 102 that drives primary and secondary hydraulic pumps 104 A and 104 B. Primary and secondary hydraulic pumps 104 A and 104 B receive hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic fluid reservoir 106 and supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to control valves 110 , 112 , 114 , 116 and 118 which supply hydraulic fluid to the various hydraulic cylinders and hydraulic motors that operate trencher 10 .
- Switching valve 110 A switches power system 100 between a digging mode and a non-digging mode.
- switching valve 110 A directs the output of primary hydraulic pump 104 A which converts most of the power output of engine 102 to control valve 110 .
- Control valve 110 controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from sprocket wheel drive motor 76 which powers digging chain 72 .
- the operation of digging chain 72 is the most energy intensive operation performed by trencher 10 .
- Secondary pump 104 B converts a smaller portion of the power output of engine 102 into hydraulic power.
- switching valve 110 A is in the digging mode position, during the operation of digging chain 72 , secondary pump 104 B supplies hydraulic fluid via control valves 112 - 118 to power functions other than the operation of digging chain 72 .
- switching valve 110 A can be positioned to switch power system 100 to the non-digging mode.
- switching valve 110 A diverts the output of primary hydraulic pump 104 A away from control valve 110 to a flow splitter 108 .
- Flow splitter 108 also receives fluid from secondary hydraulic pump 104 B and, as noted above, provides hydraulic fluid to control valves 112 - 118 which control the various functions of trencher 10 other than the operation of digging chain 72 .
- these other functions of trencher 10 can operate at higher speeds and with more power.
- FIG. 5 provides a schematic diagram of power system 100 .
- power system 100 includes switching valve 110 A and control valves 110 through 118 .
- Switching valve 110 A directs flow from primary pump 104 A to first control valve 110 when in the digging mode position or to flow splitter 108 that feeds control valves 112 - 118 when in the non-digging mode position.
- First control valve 110 controls the operation of sprocket wheel drive motor 76 which drives digging chain 72 .
- Second control valve 112 controls axle drive motors 30 and 32 .
- Third control valve 114 controls hydraulic cylinder 82 which is used to move digging chain support frame 64 and digging chain 72 up and down.
- Fourth control valve 116 controls the flow of fluid to and from steering cylinder 20 .
- the extension of steering cylinder 20 causes forward portion 14 and rear portion 16 to pivot so that rear portion 16 moves in a counter-clockwise direction relative to forward portion 14 when viewed from the perspective of FIG. 1.
- the contraction of steering cylinder 20 causes an opposite movement.
- Fifth control valve 118 controls hydraulic cylinders 410 A and 410 B that move earth moving blades 406 A and 406 B up and down.
- Third, fourth and fifth control valves 114 , 116 and 118 control functions that should respond to positive control inputs from an operator and therefore should be biased in a neutral position to return fluid to reservoir 106 when not activated.
- switching valve 110 A When switching valve 110 A is positioned to activate the non-digging mode, switching valve 110 A cuts off the flow of fluid from primary hydraulic pump 104 A to first control valve 110 which serves sprocket wheel drive motor 76 and diverts that flow via flow splitter 108 to second, third, fourth and fifth control valves 112 , 114 , 116 and 118 . As shown in FIG. 5, control valves 112 , 114 , 116 and 118 respectively control axle drive motors 30 and 32 , hydraulic cylinder 82 of digging chain support frame actuator 80 , steering cylinder 20 and hydraulic cylinders 410 A and 410 B that actuate earth moving blade assembly 402 .
- control valves 112 , 114 , 116 and 118 When switching valve 110 A is positioned to activate the non-digging mode, the functions controlled by control valves 112 , 114 , 116 and 118 , such as for example (and most importantly) the operation of forward axle hydraulic drive motor 30 and rear axle hydraulic drive motor 32 , can be conducted with more power and at a much greater speeds.
- trencher 10 When power system 100 is in the non-digging mode, trencher 10 can travel at a higher rate of speed, turn rapidly and quickly perform earth moving operations.
- a rope or a chain may be connected from a center point at a construction site to a guide bracket 98 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.
- An operator observing the degree of slack in the chain or rope may adjust fourth valve 116 to cause trencher 10 to follow a desired curved path.
- Guide bracket 98 could be mounted to a tension sensor means that would automatically adjust the flow of hydraulic fluid to steering cylinder 20 in response to changes in tension so that trencher 10 might automatically maintain a constant distance from a center point as it describes a circular path about the center point.
- Trencher 10 is operated to dig a curved trench such as trench 5 A shown in side view in FIG. 2 in a working surface such as working surface 5 shown in FIG. 2 by executing the following steps: (1) Auger assembly 78 is positioned upon digging chain support member 68 to corresponds to the desired depth of the trench. (2) Switching valve 110 A is positioned in the digging mode position so that fluid from primary pump 104 A flows to control valve 110 . (3) Control valve 110 is positioned so that hydraulic fluid is directed from pump 104 A to sprocket wheel drive motor 76 . This action causes digging chain 72 to rotate upon digging chain support member 68 in a clockwise direction as indicated by a direction arrow 72 D in FIG. 2.
- Digging chain support member 68 and digging chain 72 are lowered past carriage 12 by moving third control valve 114 into a position so that fluid is directed from secondary pump 104 B to digging chain support frame actuator 80 to cause cylinder 82 to contract. This action causes digging chain 72 to dig into a working surface 5 .
- the operator can select the depth of a trench such as trench 5 A shown in FIG. 2 by releasing neutrally biased third valve 114 when digging chain 72 has descended to the desired depth. When neutrally biased control valve 114 is released, digging chain 72 will remain in the selected position.
- Power is provided to forward axle hydraulic drive motor 30 and rear axle hydraulic drive motor 32 by moving second control valve 112 into a position that causes wheels 22 A and 26 B to turn in a counter-clockwise direction as indicated by direction arrow 26 D in FIG. 2.
- at least one wheel on each axle is engaged with its axle and it is also preferred that the selected engaged wheels are on the same side of carriage 12 .
- Trencher 10 will move in a backward direction as an operator standing on platform 16 A shown in FIG. 2 leads trencher 10 .
- the turning radius of trencher 10 is adjusted by providing fluid to one side of steering cylinder 20 by manipulating fourth control valve 116 until the curved path of trencher 10 follows the desired path.
- third control valve 114 can be manipulated to raise trencher frame 70 to pull digging chain 72 out of the finished trench.
- An operator can also transition trencher 10 from excavating a straight trench section to excavating a curved trench section. This might be done, for example, to dig curved sections around an obstacle.
- an operator should gradually initiate such a transition by slowly moving control valve 116 while trencher 10 is moving.
- a sudden, large movement of steering cylinder 20 will articulate carriage 12 and swing digging chain 72 into a wall of the excavated trench.
- digging chain 72 is upright and located close to carriage 12 , a gradual transition to a curved path as trencher 10 is moving can be easily accomplished by gradually adjusting the position of steering cylinder 20 as trencher 10 moves.
- Such a gradual transition allows digging chain 72 to smoothly transition from a straight path to a curved path as it removes material.
- trencher 10 also has an optional split earth moving blade assembly 402 and pivoting frame 404 shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.
- split blade assembly 402 can be used to push excavated soil back into an excavated trench as trencher 10 moves in a direction that is reversed from that described above.
- split blade assembly 402 can be used to smooth excavated soil.
- digging chain 72 is retracted and inactive and switch valve 110 A is turned in the non-digging mode position so that hydraulic fluid from primary pump 104 A is directed to control valves 112 through 118 .
- This allows for the rapid and energetic operation of hydraulic motors 30 and 32 which power carriage 12 , steering cylinder 20 which turns carriage 12 and hydraulic cylinders 410 A and 410 B which actuate earth moving blade assembly 404 .
- Trencher 10 meets the objects noted above by providing a trencher that can easily excavate curved trenches of varying depths.
- the trencher of the present invention can be operated to transition from excavating a straight section of trench to a curved section of trench.
- the problems associated with excavating and back filling curved trenches have been eliminated permitting those practicing this invention to create shallow and moderately deep trenches having various circular or curved shapes.
- the above described trencher also has adjustable augers for transferring excavated material away from a trench.
- the trencher described above also includes earth moving blades which can be positioned to direct material away from or toward a trench or which can be positioned together for earth smoothing operations.
- the trencher described above includes a versatile hydraulic power system that can operate in a digging mode where most of the hydraulic power is directed toward the digging chain and a non-digging mode where the hydraulic power is distributed to functions that do not involve the operation of the digging chain.
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Abstract
The trencher of the present invention includes a wheeled carriage which has a steering mechanism and a digging chain which operates along an upright path. The trencher includes an upright boom structure that is mounted to the carriage and a digging chain support frame that can be raised and lowered relative to the trencher carriage along an upright path. The digging chain is mounted to the digging chain support frame by a powered sprocket wheel and a freely turning pulley wheel. The sprocket wheel the pulley wheel are positioned so that the digging chain describes an upright path. The path described by the digging chain is sufficiently upright so that the trencher can excavate a curved trench without the digging chain interfering with the walls of the trench to a degree that is sufficient to impede the operation of the trencher.
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/147,834 filed May 17, 2002.
- U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/147,834 claimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/292,216 filed May 19, 2001 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/346,040 filed Jan. 4, 2002.
- The present invention relates to a trencher that can dig a curved trench.
- Trenchers that use digging chains have long been known in the prior art. Generally, a trencher includes a carriage and a trencher boom that carries a digging chain having a series of digging blades. Typically, the digging chain is carried by a motor driven sprocket wheel and an idler pulley wheel which are mounted to a frame that can be moved into a digging position. Generally, the frame that carries the digging chain pivots at its base to tilt into contact with a working surface of soil or clay so that the digging chain can excavate a trench as the trencher moves across the working surface.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,084 by Caldwell et al. is exemplary of the prior art. Caldwell's trencher includes a boom that pivots relative to a carriage so that it can dig at various angles and depths. If a shallow trench is desired, an operator of Caldwell's trencher would pivot the trencher boom by a shallow angle. If a deep trench is desired, an operator would pivot the trencher boom of the Caldwell trencher until it reaches a steep angle.
- The disadvantages of prior art trenchers arise when an operator wishes to dig a curved trench. For example, relatively shallow, circular trenches are needed for receiving the concrete footing of the foundation of a circular structure such as a grain bin or a tank. Trenches of greater depth that are excavated for water or electric power lines must often be dug around obstacles. Because the digging chains of prior art trenchers must generally pivot into a digging position, the digging chain of a prior art trencher contacts a work surface at a shallow angle when it is digging a shallow trench and often penetrates a work surface at a moderate angle when digging a deeper trench. If the trench is to be circular or curved, it becomes very difficult if not impossible to guide a shallow angled digging chain around a curved path while it is digging. A digging chain penetrating a working surface at a shallow or moderate angle will interfere with the walls of the trench if a curved section of trench is attempted. Moreover, in a prior art trencher, the digging chain is cantilevered away from the trencher carriage so that the center of the digging chain will swing through an arc as the carriage turns. Because it is not practical to turn a prior art trencher along a tightly curved path while it is digging a trench, intersecting trench sections must be dug to make a trench around an obstacle. Generally, significant amounts of material will accumulate where sections of the trench intersect. Material that accumulates at these intersections must be removed by hand digging. What is needed is a trencher that can easily dig circular or curved trenches and which can also smoothly transition from digging a straight trench to digging a curved trench when an obstacle is encountered.
- Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention is to provide a trencher that can dig a curved trench. It is another object of the present invention to provide a trencher that can smoothly transition between excavating a straight section of trench and a curved section of trench. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a trencher that has attachments for moving excavated material away from a trench as the trench is being excavated. It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a trencher having adjustable earth moving blades that can be positioned for returning excavated material to a trench, for directing excavated material away from a trench or for scraping or smoothing a working surface.
- These and other objects of the present invention are attained in an improved trencher which includes a carriage, a digging chain, a digging chain support frame and an upright boom structure. The carriage includes wheels for rolling across a working surface and a steering mechanism for turning the carriage. The digging chain support frame carries the digging chain and is mounted to the upright boom structure for upward and downward movement relative to the upright boom structure. The digging chain is carried by a pair of wheels that are rotatably mounted to the digging chain support frame and that are disposed so that the digging motion of the chain describes an upright path. The wheels include a sprocket wheel at the upper end of the digging chain support frame and an idler pulley wheel at the lower end of the digging chain support frame. A chain drive motor powers the movement of the sprocket wheel and the digging chain. A digging chain support frame actuator, operatively coupled to the digging chain support frame, raises and lowers the digging chain support frame relative to the upright boom structure and the trencher carriage. It is preferable to locate the upright boom structure and the digging chain support frame so that the path of the digging chain is close to the carriage when the digging chain is excavating a trench.
- The trencher is operated by activating the chain drive motor and by also activating the digging chain support frame actuator to move the digging chain to penetrate a working surface. As the digging chain travels around the powered sprocket wheel and the idler pulley wheel, the carriage moves in a backward direction so that the digging chain follows the carriage as it excavates a trench. To dig a curved trench, the carriage is turned to follow a curved path. The upright orientation of the path of the digging chain facilitates the excavation of a curved trench. When following a curved path, the upright digging chain does not interfere with the walls of the trench by a degree that is sufficient to significantly impede its operation. The proximate location of the digging chain relative to the carriage also minimizes the degree by which the digging chain will swing against one of the walls of the trench if the trencher transitions from a straight path to a curved path. Accordingly, it is relatively easy to execute a smooth transition from excavating a straight trench to excavating a curved trench. If the operator gradually turns the s carriage to a curved path, the digging chain will smoothly transition to following a curved path.
- Preferably, an auger assembly is adjustably mounted to the digging chain support frame. Such an auger assembly includes transversely mounted augers that are powered by an auger sprocket wheel that engages the digging chain. As the digging chain is removing material from a trench, the rotating augers move excavated material away from the trench and the trencher. The location of the augers can be changed to correspond to a desired trench depth.
- It is also preferable to mount a pair of earth moving blades on either side of the digging chain support frame. The earth moving blades are adjustably mounted on arms that can be interconnected to rotate in unison relative to the trencher carriage. The earth moving blades can be placed in various positions suitable for pushing material away from an excavated trench, pushing material into an excavated trench or when locked together to define a single blade, smoothing or scraping a working surface.
- The invention and its many attendant objects and advantages will become better understood upon reading the following description of the preferred embodiment in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein:
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the trencher of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a right side view of the trencher of the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing one of two an earth moving blade assemblies.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the earth moving blade assemblies joined together to move earth.
- FIG. 5 is a schematic of the hydraulic system of the trencher of the present invention.
- Turning now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify identical or corresponding elements, and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, a
trencher 10 is shown.Trencher 10 generally includes awheeled carriage 12, aboom 60 and apower system 100.Carriage 12 includes aforward portion 14 and arear portion 16 which are articulated about a pivot joint 18.Wheeled carriage 12 is powered by a pair ofhydraulic motors Boom 60 includes a diggingchain 72 that can be moved up and down past the end ofcarriage 12 to make contact with and to penetrate a working surface.Power system 100 includes aninternal combustion engine 102 that driveshydraulic pumps trencher 10. The configuration, arrangement and operation of the hydraulic system will be described in greater detail below. -
Forward portion 14 andrear portion 16 ofcarriage 12 are articulated about carriage pivot joint 18 located at the center ofcarriage 12. Ahydraulic steering cylinder 20 bridges betweenfront portion 14 andrear portion 16 at one side of carriage pivot joint 16. Ashydraulic steering cylinder 20 is extended,forward portion 14 andrear portion 16 pivot so thatforward portion 14 moves relative torear portion 16 in a clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 1. Similarly, ashydraulic steering cylinder 20 is retracted,forward portion 14 andrear portion 16 pivot so thatforward portion 14 moves in a counter-clockwise direction relative torear portion 16. Alternatively, two hydraulic cylinders such ashydraulic cylinder 20 arranged to move in an opposite corresponding manner on opposite sides of pivot joint 18 can be used to articulatecarriage 12. -
Carriage 12 rides on twoforward wheels axle 24 and tworear wheels rear axle 28. Forward axlehydraulic drive motor 30 turns forwardaxle 24 while rear axlehydraulic drive motor 32 turnsrear axle 28.Forward wheels forward axle 24 or can be separately engaged withforward axle 24 to be powered bydrive motor 30. In the same way,rear wheels rear axle 28 or can be engaged withrear axle 28 to be powered byhydraulic drive motor 32. -
Upright boom 60 includes anupright boom structure 62 and a diggingchain support frame 64. Diggingchain support frame 64 carries a diggingchain 72 in an upright position. Diggingchain 72 moves with digging chain support frame up and down relative toupright boom structure 62. Accordingly, diggingchain 72 is lowered to a desired digging depth along an upright path rather than pivoted to a desired digging depth through a series of angled positions. This greatly reduces interference with the walls of a trench when diggingchain 72 is excavating a trench along a curved path. This is especially true when diggingchain 72 is excavating a relatively shallow trench. In fact, diggingchain 72 can excavate a curved trench having an even smaller radius if the excavation is shallow where the opposite is true for a digging chain that is pivoted into a shallow digging position. - As can be seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2,
upright boom structure 62 includes twoupright columns portion 14 ofcarriage 12. Diggingchain 72 is carried in an upright position by diggingchain support frame 64. Diggingchain support frame 64carries digging chain 72 on two wheels which include asprocket wheel 70 and anidler pulley wheel 71. Diggingchain support frame 64 includes atruck portion 66 and a diggingchain support member 68.Truck portion 66 slides up and down uponupright columns collars Truck portion 66 supports a transversesprocket wheel shaft 67 that carriessprocket wheel 70.Sprocket wheel shaft 67 andsprocket wheel 70 are powered by asprocket drive motor 76 mounted on one side oftruck portion 66. Diggingchain support member 68 is mounted to the bottom oftruck portion 66 in an upright position. Diggingchain support member 68 carriesidler pulley wheel 71 at its lower end. The vertical position ofidler pulley wheel 71 which can be adjusted to remove slack from diggingchain 72 by adjusting changing the extension of aslack adjustment cylinder 68A. Diggingchain 72 engagessprocket wheel 70 andidler pulley wheel 71, so that, whensprocket wheel 70 it is turned by sprocketwheel drive motor 76, diggingchain 72 describes an upright path as it rotates in a clockwise direction as indicated bydirection arrow 72D in FIG. 2. - Digging
chain 72 is fashioned fromlinks 73 that carryblades 74.Blades 74 are designed to separate and remove material from a trench as shown in FIG. 2.Sprocket wheel 70 is a conventional sprocket wheel that has teeth for engaging the openings between the links of diggingchain 72.Idler pulley wheel 71 has a plain, flat shape. The links of diggingchain 72 are shaped to present a continuous length-wise channel for receiving the edge ofidler pulley wheel 71. A plain, flat wheel is preferred foridler pulley wheel 71 over a sprocket wheel because the teeth of a sprocket wheel operating in the bottom of a trench will clog with dirt. - Preferably, it should be possible to remove
blades 74 from diggingchain links 73 and replace them with other blades having different widths for excavating trenches of correspondingly different widths. Preferably, the upright orientation of diggingchain support member 68 should not deviate more than 20° from a vertical orientation and should most preferably be set at 10° from a vertical orientation. The path of diggingchain 72 is also slightly angled relative to diggingchain support member 68 by an auger drive sprocket 78A of anauger assembly 78 so thatblades 74 of diggingchain 72 move along a sloped path as they lift material from a trench. The upright orientation of diggingchain 72 makes it possible to move diggingchain 72 along a curved path without causing diggingchain 72 to interfere with the walls of the trench to an extent that would be sufficient to impede the operation of diggingchain 72. -
Auger assembly 78 is adjustably mounted to diggingchain support member 68 by a lockable collar. Auger drive sprocket wheel 78A ofauger assembly 78 engages diggingchain 72 so that it turns when diggingchain 72 is moving. A pair ofaugers trencher 10.Auger assembly 78 can be adjusted and positioned on diggingchain support member 68 at a location that corresponds to the desired trench depth. The lower edges ofaugers Augers - As can be seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, digging
chain 72 can be moved up and down past one end ofcarriage 12 by a digging chainsupport frame actuator 80. Digging chainsupport frame actuator 80 includes ahydraulic cylinder 82 which has an extending and retractingpiston rod 82A.Piston rod 82A carries a pair ofsprockets chains Chains truck portion 66 of diggingchain support frame 64 and at the other end to asupport member 86 fixed toforward portion 14 ofcarriage 12. Whenpiston rod 82A extends,sprockets 82 C engaging chains chain support frame 64. Whenpiston rod 82A retracts, the opposite motion occurs and diggingchain support frame 64 drops. The purpose of this arrangement is to permit diggingchain support frame 64 to move twice the stroke distance ofhydraulic cylinder 82. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many other actuator arrangements could be considered for moving diggingchain support frame 64. Such arrangements might include other hydraulic cylinder arrangements or other devices such as a powered winch. - Determining the best location for digging
chain support frame 64 and diggingchain 72 relative tocarriage 12 involves a careful balancing of design trade-offs. For example, the path of diggingchain 72 can be positioned to pass through an opening in the trencher carriage. If the path of digging chain is positioned to pass through an opening in the trencher carriage that is between the forward and rear wheels of the carriage, then, it is very easy for the carriage to transition from a straight path to a curved path while the digging chain is excavating a trench. This is because a centrally located digging chain will not swing relative to the carriage as the carriage articulates into a turn. Instead, as the carriage transitions to a curved path, the front and rear portions of the carriage will tend to turn about the centrally positioned digging chain. Accordingly, a trencher having an upright, centrally located digging chain is well adapted for digging trenches that transition between straight and curved sections. However, when the digging chain is located near the center of a trencher between the front and rear axles of the trencher, the digging chain will deposit excavated material under the trencher where it can not be easily removed and where it can build up in the path of at the trailing trencher wheels. It is possible to use augers or deflecting plates to push moderate amounts of excavated soil from under the trencher. However, it is difficult to remove large amounts of material while digging a relatively wide, deep trench. A centrally located digging chain has another disadvantage. With a centrally located digging chain, It is not possible to excavate a trench up to the edge of a structure as is often required during construction projects. So, while the present invention can be practiced with a centrally located digging chain, it is preferable to locate the digging chain where excavated material will not interfere with the operation of the trencher and so that the trencher can excavate a trench up to the edge of a structure. - Because of the above described disadvantages of locating
digging chain 72 toward the center of a carriage, it is preferable to locate the digging chain support frame, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 so that diggingchain 72 can operate slightly forward offorward axle 24 astrencher 10 moves in a backward direction as shown in FIG. 2. Diggingchain support member 68, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, is located forward ofaxle 24 and as close as possible to forwardaxle 24 andforward wheels chain 72 can excavate a curved trench because it is upright and because it moves up and down relative to trencher 10 along an upright path. However, with the configuration shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, when diggingchain 72 is excavating a straight trench andcarriage 12 is then articulated to begin moving along a curved path, diggingchain 72 will swing slightly against a wall of the trench. Accordingly, it is preferable to locate diggingchain 72 as close as possible to the center ofcarriage 12 to minimize this swinging motion while also locatingdigging chain 72 far enough away fromforward wheels trencher 10 from a straight path to a curved path, the effects of the above described swinging movement of diggingchain 72 diminish so thattrencher 10 can be smoothly transitioned from a straight path to a curved path. - As can be seen in FIG. 2, a
platform 16A is provided at the back ofrear portion 16 ofcarriage 12.Platform 16A accommodates an operator who operatescontrols 110A, 110-116. As shown in FIG. 2,trencher 10, when it is digging, moves in a backward direction withrear wheels wheels trencher 10 turn in the direction indicated bydirection arrow 26D in FIG. 2. Astrencher 10 moves in a backward direction, diggingchain 72, as seen in FIG. 2, rotates in a clockwise direction as indicated bydirection arrow 72D in FIG. 2. Diggingchain 72 scoops up material from under workingsurface 5 to formtrench 5A and deposits that material in front ofcarriage 12. If a relatively deep trench is being dug,augers surface 5 and used to push excavated material away fromtrencher 10 and the excavated trench. - FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 illustrate an optional split earth moving
blade assembly 402. FIG. 3 only illustrates one side of this arrangement. The other side of the earth moving blade assembly is symmetrically identical to the one shown in FIG. 3. Earth movingblade assembly 402 is mounted to forwardportion 14 ofcarriage 12 on a pair ofarms hydraulic cylinders Hydraulic cylinders arms hydraulic cylinders arms shaft 402C.Shaft 402C is pivotably mounted toforward portion 14 ofcarriage 12. - As shown in FIG. 3, mounted to the ends of
arms earth moving blades Blades respective arms pivot joints 407A and 407B and they can be adjustably slid in a transverse direction about slide mounts 408A and 408B with respect to the end of each arm. Becauseblades arms Earth moving blades - As is shown in FIG. 2, a
plate assembly 200 is mounted to the front oftruck portion 66 of diggingchain support frame 64. The purpose ofplate assembly 200 is to reduce the amount of loose material left in the bottom of an excavated trench by pushing such loose material forward so that it can be captured and removed by diggingchain 72.Plate assembly 200 moves withtruck portion 66 and diggingchain 72.Plate assembly 200 includes an adjustable arm 202 that carries aplate 204. When in use, adjustable arm 202 is positioned soplate 204 is at the same level as the lower end of diggingchain 72. As digging chain excavates a trench, loose material will accumulate in front ofplate 204 until the loose material is removed from the trench by diggingchain 72. - The configuration of
power system 100 is one of many possible power systems. Mechanical linkages might be more efficient than a hydraulic system but more cumbersome. An electrical system including a generator that powers various electric motors might be less cumbersome but more expensive and less energy efficient.Hydraulic power system 100 is intended to present a simple and practical system. -
Power system 100 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 5.Power system 100 is carried primarily byrear portion 16 ofcarriage 12.Power system 100 includes aninternal combustion engine 102 that drives primary and secondaryhydraulic pumps hydraulic pumps hydraulic fluid reservoir 106 and supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to controlvalves trencher 10. -
Switching valve 110A switchespower system 100 between a digging mode and a non-digging mode. Whenpower system 100 is in the digging mode, switchingvalve 110A directs the output of primaryhydraulic pump 104A which converts most of the power output ofengine 102 to controlvalve 110.Control valve 110 controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from sprocketwheel drive motor 76 which powers diggingchain 72. The operation of diggingchain 72 is the most energy intensive operation performed bytrencher 10.Secondary pump 104B converts a smaller portion of the power output ofengine 102 into hydraulic power. When switchingvalve 110A is in the digging mode position, during the operation of diggingchain 72,secondary pump 104B supplies hydraulic fluid via control valves 112-118 to power functions other than the operation of diggingchain 72. - When digging
chain 72 is inactive, switchingvalve 110A can be positioned to switchpower system 100 to the non-digging mode. When in the non-digging mode position, switchingvalve 110A diverts the output of primaryhydraulic pump 104A away fromcontrol valve 110 to aflow splitter 108.Flow splitter 108 also receives fluid from secondaryhydraulic pump 104B and, as noted above, provides hydraulic fluid to control valves 112-118 which control the various functions oftrencher 10 other than the operation of diggingchain 72. Whenpower system 100 is in the non-digging mode, these other functions oftrencher 10 can operate at higher speeds and with more power. - FIG. 5 provides a schematic diagram of
power system 100. As can be seen in FIG. 5,power system 100 includes switchingvalve 110A and controlvalves 110 through 118.Switching valve 110A directs flow fromprimary pump 104A tofirst control valve 110 when in the digging mode position or to flowsplitter 108 that feeds control valves 112-118 when in the non-digging mode position.First control valve 110 controls the operation of sprocketwheel drive motor 76 which drives diggingchain 72. As is the case with all of the control valves, whenfirst control valve 110 is in the neutral position, the hydraulic fluid received bycontrol valve 110 is returned to ahydraulic fluid reservoir 106.Second control valve 112 controlsaxle drive motors Third control valve 114 controlshydraulic cylinder 82 which is used to move diggingchain support frame 64 and diggingchain 72 up and down.Fourth control valve 116 controls the flow of fluid to and from steeringcylinder 20. The extension of steeringcylinder 20 causesforward portion 14 andrear portion 16 to pivot so thatrear portion 16 moves in a counter-clockwise direction relative toforward portion 14 when viewed from the perspective of FIG. 1. The contraction of steeringcylinder 20 causes an opposite movement.Fifth control valve 118 controlshydraulic cylinders earth moving blades fifth control valves reservoir 106 when not activated. - When switching
valve 110A is positioned to activate the non-digging mode, switchingvalve 110A cuts off the flow of fluid from primaryhydraulic pump 104A tofirst control valve 110 which serves sprocketwheel drive motor 76 and diverts that flow viaflow splitter 108 to second, third, fourth andfifth control valves control valves axle drive motors hydraulic cylinder 82 of digging chainsupport frame actuator 80, steeringcylinder 20 andhydraulic cylinders blade assembly 402. When switchingvalve 110A is positioned to activate the non-digging mode, the functions controlled bycontrol valves hydraulic drive motor 30 and rear axlehydraulic drive motor 32, can be conducted with more power and at a much greater speeds. Whenpower system 100 is in the non-digging mode,trencher 10 can travel at a higher rate of speed, turn rapidly and quickly perform earth moving operations. - To dig a circular trench, a rope or a chain may be connected from a center point at a construction site to a
guide bracket 98 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. An operator observing the degree of slack in the chain or rope may adjustfourth valve 116 to causetrencher 10 to follow a desired curved path.Guide bracket 98 could be mounted to a tension sensor means that would automatically adjust the flow of hydraulic fluid to steeringcylinder 20 in response to changes in tension so thattrencher 10 might automatically maintain a constant distance from a center point as it describes a circular path about the center point. -
Trencher 10 is operated to dig a curved trench such astrench 5A shown in side view in FIG. 2 in a working surface such as workingsurface 5 shown in FIG. 2 by executing the following steps: (1)Auger assembly 78 is positioned upon diggingchain support member 68 to corresponds to the desired depth of the trench. (2)Switching valve 110A is positioned in the digging mode position so that fluid fromprimary pump 104A flows to controlvalve 110. (3)Control valve 110 is positioned so that hydraulic fluid is directed frompump 104A to sprocketwheel drive motor 76. This action causes diggingchain 72 to rotate upon diggingchain support member 68 in a clockwise direction as indicated by adirection arrow 72D in FIG. 2. (4) Diggingchain support member 68 and diggingchain 72 are lowered pastcarriage 12 by movingthird control valve 114 into a position so that fluid is directed fromsecondary pump 104B to digging chainsupport frame actuator 80 to causecylinder 82 to contract. This action causes diggingchain 72 to dig into a workingsurface 5. The operator can select the depth of a trench such astrench 5A shown in FIG. 2 by releasing neutrally biasedthird valve 114 when diggingchain 72 has descended to the desired depth. When neutrallybiased control valve 114 is released, diggingchain 72 will remain in the selected position. (5) Power is provided to forward axlehydraulic drive motor 30 and rear axlehydraulic drive motor 32 by movingsecond control valve 112 into a position that causeswheels direction arrow 26D in FIG. 2. Preferably, at least one wheel on each axle is engaged with its axle and it is also preferred that the selected engaged wheels are on the same side ofcarriage 12.Trencher 10 will move in a backward direction as an operator standing onplatform 16A shown in FIG. 2 leadstrencher 10. (6) The turning radius oftrencher 10 is adjusted by providing fluid to one side of steeringcylinder 20 by manipulatingfourth control valve 116 until the curved path oftrencher 10 follows the desired path. As noted above the operator can guidetrencher 10 with great precision along a desired circular path by observing the slack in a flexible line such as a chain or a rope secured at one end to a member at the center of the circular path and at the other end to guidebracket 200. When the trench is finished,third control valve 114 can be manipulated to raisetrencher frame 70 to pull diggingchain 72 out of the finished trench. - An operator can also transition
trencher 10 from excavating a straight trench section to excavating a curved trench section. This might be done, for example, to dig curved sections around an obstacle. Preferably, an operator should gradually initiate such a transition by slowly movingcontrol valve 116 whiletrencher 10 is moving. A sudden, large movement of steeringcylinder 20 will articulatecarriage 12 andswing digging chain 72 into a wall of the excavated trench. However, since diggingchain 72 is upright and located close tocarriage 12, a gradual transition to a curved path astrencher 10 is moving can be easily accomplished by gradually adjusting the position of steeringcylinder 20 astrencher 10 moves. Such a gradual transition allows diggingchain 72 to smoothly transition from a straight path to a curved path as it removes material. - The above described operations may be also be enhanced with other operations if
trencher 10 also has an optional split earth movingblade assembly 402 and pivoting frame 404 shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. With that added equipment a trench can be excavated as described above for the purpose of receiving for example a water or electric line and then filled using splitblade assembly 402. When in a lowered, split configuration, splitblade assembly 402 can be used to push excavated soil back into an excavated trench astrencher 10 moves in a direction that is reversed from that described above. When in a lowered, joined condition, splitblade assembly 402 can be used to smooth excavated soil. Whentrencher 10 is executing earth moving tasks, diggingchain 72 is retracted and inactive and switchvalve 110A is turned in the non-digging mode position so that hydraulic fluid fromprimary pump 104A is directed to controlvalves 112 through 118. This allows for the rapid and energetic operation ofhydraulic motors power carriage 12, steeringcylinder 20 which turnscarriage 12 andhydraulic cylinders -
Trencher 10, as described above, meets the objects noted above by providing a trencher that can easily excavate curved trenches of varying depths. The trencher of the present invention can be operated to transition from excavating a straight section of trench to a curved section of trench. The problems associated with excavating and back filling curved trenches have been eliminated permitting those practicing this invention to create shallow and moderately deep trenches having various circular or curved shapes. The above described trencher also has adjustable augers for transferring excavated material away from a trench. The trencher described above also includes earth moving blades which can be positioned to direct material away from or toward a trench or which can be positioned together for earth smoothing operations. The trencher described above includes a versatile hydraulic power system that can operate in a digging mode where most of the hydraulic power is directed toward the digging chain and a non-digging mode where the hydraulic power is distributed to functions that do not involve the operation of the digging chain. These features complete a trencher that is extremely versatile and highly adapted for a broad range of excavating and earth moving processes that occur during construction operations. - The skilled reader, in view of this specification may envision numerous modifications and variations of the above disclosed preferred embodiment. Accordingly, the reader should understand that these modifications and variations, and the equivalence thereof, are within the spirit and scope of this invention as defined in the following claim.
Claims (4)
1. A trencher, comprising,
(a) a carriage for guided movement over a working surface, the carriage including a boom structure,
(b) a digging chain support frame mounted to the boom structure of the carriage such that the digging chain support frame may be translated to a lowered position suitable for excavating a trench and such that the digging chain support frame may be oriented in a generally upright fashion at least when it is in a lowered position suitable for excavating a trench,
(c) an endless digging chain engageable with wheels rotatably mounted to the digging chain support frame,
(d) a chain drive motor for causing rotation of the wheels and movement of the digging chain,
(e) an auger assembly adjustably mounted to the digging chain support frame for placement in a position corresponding to a desired trench depth, the auger assembly including at least one auger drive sprocket wheel for engaging the digging chain and at least two augers each mounted to the at least one auger drive sprocket wheel on opposite sides thereof, the augers for transferring material away from the digging chain as the digging chain excavates material from a trench,
whereby the substantially upright digging chain may excavate a trench as the augers of the auger assembly push excavated soil away from the trench and whereby the upright digging chain may also be guided to dig a curved while the digging chain does not sufficiently interfere with the walls of the trench to impede the operation of the trencher.
2. In combination with a powered carriage of the type adapted for movement across a working surface and of the type having a translating boom structure capable of translation between a raised position and a lowered position along a substantially upright path, a trenching device for mounting to the carriage boom comprising;
(a) a digging chain support frame adapted to be carried by the boom structure of the carriage in a substantially upright orientation,
(b) an endless digging chain engageable with wheels rotatably mounted to the digging chain support frame,
(d) a chain drive motor for causing rotation of the wheels and movement of the digging chain,
(e) an auger assembly adjustably mounted to the digging chain support frame for placement in a position corresponding to a desired trench depth, the auger assembly including at least one auger drive sprocket wheel for engaging the digging chain and at least two augers each mounted to the at least one auger drive sprocket wheel on opposite sides thereof, the augers for transferring material away from the digging chain as the digging chain excavates material from a trench,
whereby the substantially upright digging chain may be lowered into the working surface by movement of the carriage boom to excavate a trench as the augers of the auger assembly push excavated soil away from the trench and whereby the upright digging chain may also dig a curved trench as the carriage follows a curved path while the digging chain does not sufficiently interfere with the walls of the trench to impede movement of the digging chain.
3. A digging chain support frame comprising;
(a) a truck portion suitable for mounting to the boom structure of powered steerable carriage, the truck portion including a generally transverse sprocket wheel shaft rotatably mounted thereto, a sprocket wheel mounted to the sprocket wheel shaft and a motor for turning the sprocket wheel shaft and the sprocket wheel in relation to the truck portion,
(b) a digging chain support member mounted to the truck portion,
(c) an idler pulley wheel mounted to the digging chain support member toward the end thereof opposite the sprocket wheel of the truck portion,
(d) an endless digging chain carried by the sprocket wheel of the truck portion and the idler pulley wheel for movement in response to the rotation of the sprocket wheel,
(e) the digging chain support member and the digging chain arranged for substantially upright orientation when lowered into a position suitable for excavating a trench,
(f) an auger assembly adjustably mounted to the digging chain support member for placement in a position corresponding to a desired trench depth, the auger assembly including at least one auger drive sprocket wheel for engaging the digging chain and at least two augers each mounted to the at least one auger drive sprocket wheel on opposite sides thereof, the augers for transferring material away from the digging chain as the digging chain excavates material from a trench,
whereby the augers of the auger assembly push excavated soil away from the trench thus preventing return of such excavated soil into the trench thus permitting the generally upright orientation of the digging chain support member and the digging chain while in a lowered position suitable for digging and whereby the generally upright digging chain may be guided along a curved path to excavate a curved trench while the generally upright digging chain does not sufficiently interfere with the walls of the trench to impede movement of the digging chain.
4. The digging chain support frame of claim 3 wherein,
the idler pulley is mounted to the digging chain support member in an adjustable manner to take up slack in the digging chain.
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US10/728,623 US20040128869A1 (en) | 2001-05-19 | 2004-01-30 | Trencher |
US10/771,800 US7096609B2 (en) | 2003-02-04 | 2004-02-04 | Trencher unit |
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US34604002P | 2002-01-04 | 2002-01-04 | |
US10/147,834 US6658768B1 (en) | 2001-05-19 | 2002-05-17 | Trencher |
PCT/US2003/015565 WO2003097946A2 (en) | 2002-05-17 | 2003-05-15 | Trencher |
US10/728,623 US20040128869A1 (en) | 2001-05-19 | 2004-01-30 | Trencher |
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PCT/US2003/015565 Continuation-In-Part WO2003097946A2 (en) | 2001-05-19 | 2003-05-15 | Trencher |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US10/771,800 Continuation-In-Part US7096609B2 (en) | 2003-02-04 | 2004-02-04 | Trencher unit |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20040128869A1 true US20040128869A1 (en) | 2004-07-08 |
Family
ID=29716005
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/147,834 Expired - Lifetime US6658768B1 (en) | 2001-05-19 | 2002-05-17 | Trencher |
US10/728,623 Abandoned US20040128869A1 (en) | 2001-05-19 | 2004-01-30 | Trencher |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US10/147,834 Expired - Lifetime US6658768B1 (en) | 2001-05-19 | 2002-05-17 | Trencher |
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US (2) | US6658768B1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
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CN102848473A (en) * | 2012-09-12 | 2013-01-02 | 徐州中部矿山设备有限公司 | Elevation-type material-fetching device for mining-use automatic-feeding concrete jet machine |
US20130192095A1 (en) * | 2011-12-29 | 2013-08-01 | Dymax, Inc. | Undercutter self adjusting and shock absorbing device |
CN107653829A (en) * | 2017-10-27 | 2018-02-02 | 南昌华学科技有限公司 | A kind of winter bridge surface deicer |
US20190136487A1 (en) * | 2017-06-06 | 2019-05-09 | Liebherr-Werk Nenzing Gmbh | Work machine having an attachment device, in particular a trench cutter, and attachment device, in particular a trench cutter |
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US20080023235A1 (en) * | 2003-01-24 | 2008-01-31 | Smollock Michael J | Portable auger with a two-stage hydraulic pump |
US7096609B2 (en) * | 2003-02-04 | 2006-08-29 | Wesley Allen Bainter | Trencher unit |
US20070089329A1 (en) * | 2005-10-22 | 2007-04-26 | Sigmund Richard W Sr | Walk behind trencher for limited depth installations |
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US7644524B2 (en) | 2007-09-11 | 2010-01-12 | The Toro Company | Walk-behind trenching machine |
US7654017B2 (en) * | 2008-05-09 | 2010-02-02 | Allan Black | Trenching attachment having an internal combustion engine |
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WO2020089251A2 (en) * | 2018-10-29 | 2020-05-07 | Mastenbroek Ltd | Trenching apparatus and a method of trenching |
AU2020322791B2 (en) | 2019-07-29 | 2023-11-02 | Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc. | Compact utility loader |
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Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20130192095A1 (en) * | 2011-12-29 | 2013-08-01 | Dymax, Inc. | Undercutter self adjusting and shock absorbing device |
US9487921B2 (en) * | 2011-12-29 | 2016-11-08 | Dymax, Inc. | Undercutter self adjusting and shock absorbing device |
CN102848473A (en) * | 2012-09-12 | 2013-01-02 | 徐州中部矿山设备有限公司 | Elevation-type material-fetching device for mining-use automatic-feeding concrete jet machine |
US20190136487A1 (en) * | 2017-06-06 | 2019-05-09 | Liebherr-Werk Nenzing Gmbh | Work machine having an attachment device, in particular a trench cutter, and attachment device, in particular a trench cutter |
US11248363B2 (en) * | 2017-06-06 | 2022-02-15 | Liebherr-Werk Nenzing Gmbh | Work machine having adjustable hydraulic motors |
CN107653829A (en) * | 2017-10-27 | 2018-02-02 | 南昌华学科技有限公司 | A kind of winter bridge surface deicer |
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