A method for controlling the movement of an articulated hose mount having at least n>2 members, wherein a change in angle can be induced between neighboring members with the help of a respective drive includes:

a) determining the starting position of the n members with the help of sensors;
b) input of a direction vector and a velocity parameter;
c) determining a target position, which should be taken by a suction crown, on the free end of the last member;
d) determining n angle changes which must be carried out on the n members in order to reach the target position while maintaining the following condition: d.i. the suction crown moves into the target position along a straight path of movement;
e) controlling the drives associated with the n members in order to perform the predetermined angle change on the n members; and
f) cyclically repeating the aforementioned method steps until the direction vector and/or the velocity parameter are zero.

The invention relates to a suction excavator having a vehicle chassis, a suction fan, and a dumpable material collection container. The material collection container has a collection chamber and is swivelable about a tilt axis that extends parallel to the vehicle longitudinal axis, between a working position and an emptying position. Furthermore, a filter unit is provided which is situated in a filter chamber in the material collection container and through which suction flow passes. The filter unit is rotatably mounted on a rotational axis that extends parallel to the tilt axis of the material collection container, wherein in an unlocked state, swiveling of the filter unit about the rotational axis is enabled in order to swivel the filter unit out of the filter chamber, at least in sections.

A material collection system is provided. The system can include a vacuum generator having a fan to develop an airflow and draw material into a conduit. The system can also include a transmission, a power source to selectively power at least one of the vacuum generator and the transmission, a variable power divider to divide a power output from the power source to the transmission and the vacuum generator, and a control system to control the variable power divider in a first mode and a second mode.

The disclosure relates to a mobile working machine comprising a driver's cab for accommodating an operator of the mobile working machine, a control station for the operator arranged in the driver's cab, a primary steering system arranged in front of the control station in the direction of travel of the mobile working machine, and a secondary steering system, arranged laterally offset from the control station in the direction of travel of the mobile working machine, wherein the primary steering system has a steering column section, which cooperates with a steering column mount to transmit a steering actuation to a control unit implementing the desired steering movement, wherein the steering column section and the steering column mount can be connected to each other in a rotationally fixed manner via a plug-in connection, such that the operator is able to dismount the primary steering system depending on a perceived visual restriction.

A dredge head assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes: a shroud having a generally open bottom end and a top end; a screen structure covering the generally open bottom end of the shroud; a suction pipe with a first end connected to the top end of the shroud and a second end configured to be operatively connected with a pump which induces suction; a handle connected to and extending from the shroud and having at least one grasping portion; and one or more vacuum relief valve assemblies, each comprising a valve, at least one opening configured to be in communication with water, and an actuation mechanism positioned to be accessible to a diver. Dredging systems and methods of dredging are also disclosed.

The invention relates to a material collection container of a suction excavator, having a suction connection at its rear end-face wall and a suction flow duct that leads from the suction connection through a collection chamber and a filter unit. The suction connection is positioned at the rear end-face wall in such a way that its cross section is intersected by the plane of symmetry of the material collection container. After passing through the collection chamber, the suction flow is divided into at least two subflows that are conducted in air ducts situated on both sides of the plane of symmetry.

The invention further relates to a suction excavator having this type of material collection container.

Apparatuses that include a nozzle, vacuum units, and vacuum trucks for excavating material, for instance, around buried utility lines. Multiple embodiments include an (e.g., air and water) nozzle, for instance, that breaks up material (e.g., earth) that is picked up with vacuum. Various embodiments include vacuum, compressed air, and water systems. Various nozzles include two passageways or tubes (e.g., one inside the other), exit orifices (e.g., from each passageway), or a combination thereof. Tubes may be concentric or a passageway may be between inner and outer tubes. Nozzles may be configured to be hand guided by an operator while excavating the material. Embodiments may include air and water valves, controls, or both.

A system and a method for vacuum excavation of local transmission are provided. The system for vacuum excavation of local transmission may include an end effector coupled to a vacuum hose. The end effector may include a manifold coupled to one or more valves and one or more pipes, each coupled to one of the one or more valves. The excavator head may include a nozzle array coupled to the one or more pipes, wherein the nozzle array may include one or more nozzles, each coupled to one of the one or more pipes. The one or more valves may be controlled to actuate individually, as a subset, or collectively, thus changing an air pattern exhausted from the nozzles.

Vacuum units and vacuum trucks, for example, for excavating material, for instance, around buried utility lines. Multiple embodiments include an air and water nozzle that provides air and water to break up material (e.g., earth) that is picked up by a vacuum system. Various embodiments include a vacuum system, a compressed air system, a water system, and an air and water nozzle configured to be hand guided by an operator while excavating the material. In a number of embodiments, the air and water nozzle can include a body that is hand held by the operator while excavating the material, an air passageway through the body, a water passageway through the body, an air valve, a water valve, an air control that opens and closes the air valve, and a water control that opens and closes the water valve.

A material collection system is provided. The system can include a vacuum generator having a fan to develop an airflow and draw material into a conduit. The system can also include a transmission, a power source to selectively power at least one of the vacuum generator and the transmission, a variable power divider to divide a power output from the power source to the transmission and the vacuum generator, and a control system to control the variable power divider in a first mode and a second mode.