Earth working apparatus

Abstract

An earth working apparatus, for laying a pipe or cable underground. The earth working apparatus comprises a plurality of trenching modules. Each trenching module is arranged sequentially in a first plane and comprises a cutter in communication with a conveyor. In a second aspect, each trenching module cuts a layer of earth and conveys said layer of earth to a collection device or to a collection area.

Claims

1. An earth working apparatus for laying a pipe or cable underground, comprising: a plurality of trenching modules, each trenching module comprising: a housing encapsulating a conveyor; a motor and drive system fixed to said housing; and a plurality of rotary road planer cutters partially contained within said housing and in operative communication with said motor through said drive system, wherein each said cutter is in communication with a conveyor, wherein said plurality of trenching modules are arranged on top of one another in a first plane, wherein, each cutter further comprises one or more cutting surfaces which are rotatable 360 degrees around a central axis of the cutter and configured to cut earth when in use, wherein each said housing, motor, and drive system, during use, occupies a strata cut by a cutter of an adjacent trenching module, and wherein the speed of the cutters relative to the conveyors and vice versa is adjustable.

2. The earth working apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each said conveyor is attached to or in the region of the part of the one of said cutters where the earth is deposited during the cutting process.

3. The earth working apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first plane is a vertical first plane.

4. The earth working apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first plane is defined by the direction of travel of the apparatus, in use.

5. The earth working apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the trenching modules of the plurality of trenching modules are pivotal about the first plane.

6. The earth working apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the trenching modules of the plurality of trenching modules are pivotal about a second plane running perpendicularly to the first plane.

7. The earth working apparatus according to claim 6 wherein one or more of the trenching modules may be pivoted away from the direction of travel in use.

8. The earth working apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the trenching modules within the plurality of trenching modules are pivoted away from the direction of travel of the apparatus in use.

9. The earth working apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the trenching modules are activated or deactivated with respect to the plurality of trenching modules.

10. The earth working apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each cutter is displaced on top of or below its nearest neighbor cutter.

11. The earth working apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each cutter is staggered horizontally with respect to neighboring cutters, but within the first plane.

12. The earth working apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the central axis of each cutter is within the first plane.

13. The earth working apparatus according to claim 1, wherein any of the ends of the conveyors are in communication with one or more refill chutes and/or compactors.

14. The earth working apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each trenching module is independently operable.

15. The earth working apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each conveyor is independently operable.

16. The earth working apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each cutter is independently operable.

17. The earth working apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a framework to support the trenching modules, conveyors and cutters.

18. The earth working apparatus according to claim 17, wherein each individual trenching module, conveyor and cutter is pivoted on said framework.

19. The earth working apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to deposit and bury pipe or cable in a trench created thereby during the operation thereof.

20. The earth working apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said pipe or cable is supplied by a vehicle independent from said earth working apparatus.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a three dimensional view of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention wherein the apparatus is mounted on a lorry.

(3) FIG. 3 shows schematic view of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention wherein the apparatus is mounted on a lorry and is retained in its transport position.

(4) FIG. 4 shows schematic frontal view of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention wherein the apparatus is mounted on a lorry.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

(5) FIG. 1A shows a side view of the apparatus generally designated 1. The apparatus 1 comprises a plurality of trenching modules 10 each containing a material conveying device driven by a motor and drive system 11.

(6) Each trenching module 10 is arranged sequentially about a substantially vertical first plane and comprises a cutter 20, with each cutter 20 in communication with a conveyor 30. FIG. 1B is a detailed representation of the area marked on FIG. 1A and shows a close up of the cutter 20. Looking through line A-A on FIG. 1A one would see what is represented in FIG. 1C. FIG. 1C shows the vertical first plane V-V referred to above. FIG. 1D shows a close up of the highlighted region of FIG. 1C and provides detail of the cutting parts of the cutters 20. The cutter 20 has cutting edges 50 (FIG. 1B). The cutter 20 is a rotary first planer type cutter and is surrounded by a housing 52. The cutter 20 is driven by a motor 54 via a drive system 56. The conveyors 30 are all belt conveyors enclosed within a housing. Each conveyor 30 is driven by a motor 31. The conveyors 30 are each in a number of portions and are positioned on top of one another in a vertical first plane (V-V in FIG. 1C). At the ends of each conveyor 30 (i.e. those ends not with the cutters on) there is a chute 70 and a compactor 80. As can be seen in FIG. 1D each cutter is arranged so that its diameter overlaps its nearest neighbour. This presents a continuous cutting surface throughout the whole depth of the trench. Therefore looking along line A-A in FIG. 1A the cutters each cut a layer of earth to collectively make up a trench. The width of each cutter 20 is also different so that in this embodiment a tapered trench is worked.

(7) In use, the trenching modules 10 are each mounted on a frame 100 shown in FIG. 2. The frame 100 is fitted to a working/operating platform such as a lorry 110. The frame 100 is capable of being rotated using hydraulics (not shown) in order to raise and lower the trenching modules 10. In alternative embodiments, the frame 100 is rotated using electric motors driving a rack and pinion type device or other drive mechanism. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 the trenching modules 10 are lowered into a position which is parallel with the direction of travel (T) of the lorry but offset from the line of travel. Such an embodiment is particularly useful for digging trenches and laying pipe or cable very close to an obstruction such as a wall. It will be appreciated however that the trenching modules 10 do not need to be offset and a vehicle could be used which carries the modules in its body along the line of travel. The frame 100 is made of steel and is counterbalanced by a weight 120. Power for the trenching modules 10 is provided by hydraulic motors and electric motors and driven from the lorry 110. Each of the trenching modules 10 is operable independently and can be lowered and angled at varying different angles, depths and inclinations. In use, the trenching modules 10 are lowered as shown and the lorry 110 is driven in direction T. The trenching modules 10 are operated and earth is cut in layers by the cutters 20 as the apparatus moves forward. Each of the layers of earth then travels along the respective conveyor 30 and is deposited at the rear via the chutes 70 in the same orientation as they were cut. After cutting and before deposition of the earth, cable is laid in the bottom of the trench. The lorry 110 provides a source for the cable. In an alternative embodiment the cable is laid from an independent vehicle. In this way each trenching module cuts a layer of earth and replaces said layer of earth in substantially the same location from where it was cut with respect to neighbouring layers.

(8) After the operation has been completed or when transport is required the trenching modules 10 are raised using the frame 100 so as to be placed within the confines of the lorry 110 (see FIG. 3).

(9) FIG. 4 shows the vertical first plane v-v of the invention (running into and out of the page). The trenching modules 10 are mounted on a frame 100 on a lorry 110. When the trenching operation is offset as shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus can either work very close to an object or the trenching does not interfere with the surface where the wheels of the device carrying the apparatus are traveling, for example a railway track or narrow country lane. Consequently, control of slew and tilt is required. This is achieved using the counterbalance weight 120 (shown in FIG. 2). However, in use, the apparatus cuts a trench, lays a cable or pipe into said trench, the earth is replaced and all these main tasks completed in one operation.