Patent Application
20120031679
The teaching disclosed herein relates to one or more methods and/or apparatuses for excavating, particularly drilling or coring.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,645,084 (Deike) discloses a portable light weight robot arm assembly simulating shoulder, elbow, and wrist movements of a human arm, plus extensions of the upper arm and forearm, accurately positions and holds a power tool for performing driving, drilling, chipping, lifting and the like operations at a work-site. The assembly is self contained having a base easily and quickly mounted on a conventional truck or on the ground at the work-site, a carriage shiftable longitudinally and transversely on the base, an upright pedestal tiltable in all planes relative to the base, an extensible boom or upper arm rotatably and swingably mounted on the pedestal, and an extensible power tool suspension arm or forearm pivoted to the upper arm. Hydraulic jacks control the lowering, raising, and extension of the boom, the tilting of the pedestal, the positioning of the carriage, the extension and positioning of the forearm, and the position of the tool. An hydraulic motor controls the rotation of the pedestal and a hydraulic motor can also operate a winch on the boom. The jacks and motor are selectively activated from a portable station, such as a hand held switch unit, permitting freedom of movement of the operator to best observe the work. The upper arm is swung and tiltable about its shoulder on the pedestal and extended or retracted to position its outer end or elbow. The forearm is suspended on the elbow to position the tool, extended to load the tool, and the tool is held by the wrist end of the forearm in its desired position on the work.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,128,165 (McGivery) discloses a system and method of cutting a core out of a finished surface for keyhole excavation, using a truck with a turret to which a support arm supporting the cutter assembly is mounted, and a stabilizing member remote from the turret, which allows the turret to be rotated about its complete arc of motion while stabilizing the support arm at any desired position about the truck. In a first embodiment the invention comprises an upstanding support rim affixed to or integrated into the bed of the truck. In a further embodiment the invention comprises a support member affixed to the horizontal arm and supported by the truck bed. This is disclosed as making the keyhole excavation procedure safer and more precise, and allowing a larger-depth cutting head to be used in order to penetrate thicker finished surfaces. In the preferred embodiment the cutter head is provided with a pilot which creates a pilot hole in the core that may facilitate removal, manipulation and replacement of the core, and may improve the integrity of the reinstated core.
United States Patent Publication No. 20080277131 (Pollock) discloses an excavation apparatus that includes a support structure mountable to a truck bed, the support structure defining a longitudinal direction extending front-to-back of the truck bed, and a lateral direction extending side-to-side of the truck bed. The apparatus further includes a rotary spindle pivotably supported by the support structure at a first pivot joint defining a generally horizontal first pivot axis, the spindle extending lengthwise along a spindle axis and rotatable thereabout for driving a cutting head; the spindle pivotable about the horizontal first pivot axis between a stowed position wherein the spindle axis is generally horizontal, and a deployed position wherein the spindle axis is generally vertical. The support structure includes a first adjustment device for adjusting the position of the spindle in the longitudinal direction when deployed, and a second adjustment device for adjusting the position of the spindle in the lateral direction when deployed.
In an aspect of this specification, an excavation apparatus comprises: a base structure mountable to a vehicle, and defining lateral, longitudinal and vertical directions; a first supporting member pivotally coupled to the base structure, and pivotable about a pivot axis that is generally parallel to the lateral direction between a retracted position and an advanced position; a second supporting member rotatably coupled to the first supporting member; and a rotary spindle supported by the second supporting member, the spindle extending lengthwise along a cutting axis and rotatable thereabout for driving a cutting element. When the first supporting member is in the advanced position, the second supporting member is rotatable about a rotation axis that is generally parallel to the longitudinal direction between a stowed position in which the cutting axis is generally parallel to the lateral direction and a deployed position in which the cutting axis is generally parallel to the vertical direction.
In an aspect of this specification, an excavation apparatus comprises: a base structure mountable to a vehicle, and defining lateral, longitudinal and vertical directions; a first supporting member pivotally coupled to the base structure, and pivotable about a pivot axis that is generally parallel to the lateral direction between a retracted position and an advanced position; a second supporting member rotatably coupled to the first supporting member; and a motor coupled to the second supporting member and configured to rotatably drive a cutting element about a cutting axis. When the first supporting member is in the retracted position, the second supporting member is positioned above the base structure, and the first supporting member is arranged vertically intermediate the base structure and the second supporting member. When the first supporting member is in the advanced position, the motor is spaced apart from the base structure in the longitudinal direction and the second supporting member is arranged longitudinally intermediate the base structure and the motor so that the cutting axis is presented away from the vehicle. When the first supporting member is in the advanced position, the second supporting member is rotatable about a rotation axis that is generally parallel to the longitudinal direction between a stowed position in which the cutting axis is generally parallel to the lateral direction and a deployed position in which the cutting axis is generally parallel to the vertical direction.
In an aspect of this specification, a combination includes: a vehicle having a front and a back, and defining a lateral direction extending from side-to-side of the vehicle, a longitudinal direction extending from the front to the back of the vehicle, and a vertical direction; and an excavation apparatus comprising a base structure mounted to the front of the vehicle, a supporting member rotatably coupled to the base structure, and a rotary spindle supported by the second supporting member, the spindle extending lengthwise along a cutting axis and rotatable thereabout for driving a cutting element. The supporting member is rotatable about a rotation axis that is generally parallel to the longitudinal direction between a stowed position in which the cutting axis is generally parallel to the lateral direction and a deployed position in which the cutting axis is generally parallel to the vertical direction.
Other aspects and features of the teachings disclosed herein will become apparent, to those ordinarily skilled in the art, upon review of the following description of the specific examples of the specification.
The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way. In the drawings:
Various apparatuses or processes will be described below to provide an example of an embodiment of each claimed invention. No embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover processes or apparatuses that are not described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses or processes having all of the features of any one apparatus or process described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses described below. It is possible that an apparatus or process described below is not an embodiment of any exclusive right granted by issuance of this patent application. Any invention disclosed in an apparatus or process described below and for which an exclusive right is not granted by issuance of this patent application may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicants, inventors or owners do not intend to abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.
Referring to
The apparatus 10 includes first and second supporting members 18, 20 that are coupled together. The apparatus 10 further includes a motor 22 coupled to and supported by the second supporting member 20. The motor 22 is configured to rotatably drive a cutting element 24. The cutting element 24 can be a coring or drilling bit, of various sizes and configurations. Optionally, the cutting element 24 can be surrounded at least partially by a shielding enclosure 26.
As described below, the first supporting member 18 is pivotable between a retracted position (as shown, for example, in
In the example illustrated, the apparatus 10 is installed to a front 14 of the vehicle 12, and maintained with the first and second supporting members 18, 20 in the retracted and stowed positions, respectively, for transport. In some examples, while the first and second supporting members 18, 20 are in the retracted and stowed positions, respectively, the apparatus 10 lies generally clear of a front windshield 16 of the vehicle 12, which can permit a driver to operate the vehicle 12 with a generally unobstructed view through the front windshield 16.
In some examples, the apparatus 10 can further include a bumper member 32 that is presented generally away from the vehicle 12 to serve as a bumper for the vehicle when the first and second supporting members 18, 20 are in the retracted and stowed positions, respectively. In the example illustrated, the first supporting member 18 and the bumper member 32 each have a linear extent that generally corresponds with a width of the vehicle 12.
In
Referring particularly to
In the example illustrated, the base structure 42 includes first and second arm portions 44a, 44b that extend generally in the longitudinal direction 36 and are spaced apart in the lateral direction 34. The arm portions 44a, 44b have anchoring ends spaced apart from the pivot axis 48 for mounting to the vehicle. The first and second arm portions 44a, 44b are coupled to the first supporting member 18 at hinge joints 46a, 46b, respectively. The hinge joints 46a, 46b define a pivot axis 48 that is generally parallel to the lateral direction 34.
In the example illustrated, the base structure 42 also includes third and fourth arm portions 44c, 44d fixed adjacent to the anchoring ends of the arm portions 44a, 44b, respectively. The arm portions 44c, 44d extend generally in alignment in the lateral direction 34. The apparatus 10 can include stabilizers 28a, 28b disposed generally at respective opposing ends of the arm portions 44c, 44d. The stabilizers 28a, 28b include feet 30a, 30b, respectively, configured to engage the ground when the apparatus 10 is in use.
The first supporting member 18 is pivotable about the pivot axis 48 relative to the base structure 42 between a retracted position, shown in
The apparatus 10 includes a pivot actuator 70 for pivoting the first supporting member 10 about the pivot axis 48 relative to the base structure 42 (see
In the example illustrated, the first supporting member 18 is generally elongate and extends lengthwise in a direction that is generally parallel to the lateral direction 34 while in the retracted position (see
The bumper member 32 can be generally elongate and extend lengthwise in a direction that is generally parallel to the lateral direction 34. A generally L-shaped bracket member 50a can be mounted between a rear side of the bumper member 32 and the first supporting member 18, and coupled to the first arm portion 44a at the hinge joint 46a. Similarly, a generally L-shaped bracket member 50b can be mounted between the rear side of the bumper member 32 and the first supporting member 18, and coupled to the second arm portion 44b at the hinge joint 46b.
The first supporting member 18 and the bumper member 32 can be configured to pivot about the pivot axis 48 relative to the base structure 42. Referring to
The motor 22 is configured to rotatably drive the cutting element 24 about a cutting axis 40. In the example illustrated, a rotary spindle 68 connects the motor 22 and the cutting element 24 and transfers rotational energy and thrust load therebetween. The spindle 68 extends lengthwise along the cutting axis 40 and is rotatable about the cutting axis 40 for driving the cutting element 24.
In the example illustrated, referring particularly to
The second supporting member 20 is rotatably coupled to the first supporting member 18. When the first supporting member 18 is in the retracted position, the second supporting member 20 is spaced apart from the base structure 42 in the vertical direction 38, and the first supporting member 18 is arranged vertically intermediate the base structure 42 and the second supporting member 20. In the example illustrated, the second supporting member 20 is positioned above the base structure 42 when the first supporting member 18 is in the retracted position. Furthermore, when the first supporting member 18 is in the retracted position, the second supporting member 20 can be centrally positioned (both laterally and longitudinally) relative to the first supporting member 18 so as to reside within the plan view extent of the first supporting member 18 when viewed from above.
Referring to
When the first supporting member 18 is in the advanced position, the second supporting member 20 is rotatable about a rotation axis 52 that is generally parallel to the longitudinal direction 36. The second supporting member 20 is rotatable between a stowed position in which the cutting axis 40 is generally parallel to the lateral direction 36 (see
In some examples, the second supporting member 20 is configured to translate relative to the first supporting member 18 to adjust the positioning of the cutting axis 40 in the lateral direction 36. As illustrated, with reference to
In some examples, as illustrated in
In some examples, as illustrated in
In some examples, the motor 22 can be slidably coupled to the second supporting member 20 so that the motor 22 can be moved generally parallel to the cutting axis 40. As illustrated in
In use, a vehicle with the apparatus 10 with the first and second supporting members 18, 20 in the retracted and stowed positions, respectively, can be driven into an approximate target position at an excavation site. The excavation site can have, for example, a buried plant (such as a valve or joint) to which access is required. The first supporting member 18 can be moved into the advanced position by pivoting the first supporting member 18 outwardly to present the cutting axis 40 generally away from the vehicle. The feet 30a, 30b of the stabilizers 28a, 28b can be lowered to engage the ground and securely support the apparatus 10 over the target position. Next, the second supporting member 20 can be moved from the stowed position into the deployed position by rotating the second supporting member 20 relative to the first supporting member 20 approximately ninety degrees until the cutting axis 40 is generally vertical.
Referring to
Once the cutting element 24 is accurately located in a desired position above the target, the motor 22 can then be initiated to drive the rotating spindle 68 and the cutting element 24, which can be lowered by displacing the slide 60 downwards using the actuator 64. The cutting element 24 can used to cut a cylindrical hole, for example 18 inches in diameter. Once a desired cutting depth is reached, the cutting element 24 can be raised by displacing the slide 60 upwards using the actuator 64. Then, the second supporting member 20 can be rotated approximately ninety degrees back to the stowed position, and the first supporting member 18 can be pivoted back to the retracted position. The vehicle can then be driven to another excavation site.
In some examples, a controller 66 allows an operator to centrally control cutting operation of the apparatus 10 by controlling the motor 22, the stabilizers 28a, 28b, the ball screw mechanism 56, the worm gear mechanism 58, and the pivot actuator 70.
It should be appreciated that the apparatus 10 can include various electrical cables, hydraulic/pneumatic lines and other power connections for controlling the motor 22, the stabilizers 28a, 28b, the ball screw mechanism 56, the worm gear mechanism 58, the pivot actuator 70, and/or other components, which have been omitted from the drawings for the purposes of clarity.
While the above description provides examples of one or more processes or apparatuses, it will be appreciated that other processes or apparatuses may be within the scope of the accompanying claims.
