Patent Application
20210395963
The invention generally relates to a microtrencher system having a vacuum hose support and a method of microtrenching using the microtrencher system.
The microtrencher saw usually creates a pile of spoil (dirt, asphalt, concrete, etc.) alongside the formed microtrench and the microtrench must be carefully cleaned before laying the cable in the trench. The pile of spoil must then be removed. A fill, also referred to as cement or grout, is inserted into the trench on top of the cable or innerduct/microduct.
Industrial vacuum trailers have been used to remove the piled up spoil or suck up the spoil as it being created by the saw. However, the industrial vacuum trailers are slow, inefficient and do not provide a clean microtrench, especially when creating a microtrench more than 16 inches deep. Furthermore, the vacuum hoses are bent, often dragged and are in the way causing undesirable delays in microtrenching.
Installing new optical fiber networks in a city is expensive and time consuming. Many installations require a far deeper microtrench to provide enhanced protection, such as more than 16 inches deep, and often up to 26 inches deep. When cutting a deep microtrench, cleaning spoil from the microtrench is far more difficult. There is a great need for faster and less expensive installation of optical fiber networks.
The invention relates to a microtrencher system having hose supports to provide a vacuum hose having straighter path between the vacuum inlet near the microtrencher and the vacuum device. The hose supports prevent the vacuum hose from dragging on the roadway surface. The hose supports keep the vacuum hose out of the way of the working crew to avoid undesirable disruptions in cutting the microtrench.
The above objectives and other objectives can be obtained by a microtrencher system configured for continuously cutting a microtrench in a roadway and cleaning spoil from the microtrench comprising:
The above objectives and other objectives can also be obtained by a method of continuously cutting a microtrench in a roadway comprising:
In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth, such as particular networks, communication systems, computers, terminals, devices, components, techniques, data and network protocols, software products and systems, operating systems, development interfaces, hardware, etc. in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention with reference to the attached non-limiting figures.
However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. Detailed descriptions of well-known networks, communication systems, computers, terminals, devices, components, techniques, data and network protocols, software products and systems, operating systems, development interfaces, and hardware are omitted so as not to obscure the description.
During installation of the optical fiber, a microtrencher system is used to cut a microtrench in the roadway, vacuum the spoil from the microtrench, lay an optical fiber and/or innerduct/microduct in the microtrench, and then filling the microtrench with a fill and sealant over the optical fiber and/or innerduct/microduct to protect them from the environment. The microtrencher system includes a vacuum truck, a motorized vehicle, a microtrencher, and a shroud.
Microtrenchers, other devices used in microtrenching, and methods of microtrenching that can be utilized in the present invention include the devices and methods described in my previous U.S. patent publication Nos. 20190226603, 20190086002, 20180292027, 20180156357, and 20180106015, the complete disclosures of which are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference.
Any suitable microtrencher 2 can be utilized in the present invention. Non-limiting examples of suitable micro trenchers include those made and sold by Ditch Witch, Vermeer, and Marais. A Vermeer RTX 1250 tractor can be used as the motorized vehicle for the microtrencher 2. A microtrencher 2 is a “small rock wheel” specially designed for work in rural or urban areas. The microtrencher 2 is fitted with a cutting wheel 10 that cuts a microtrench 11 with smaller dimensions than can be achieved with conventional trench digging equipment. Microtrench 11 widths usually range from about 6 mm to 130 mm (¼ to 5 inches) with a depth of 750 mm (about 30 inches) or less. Other widths and depths can be used as desired.
With a microtrencher 2, the structure of the road, sidewalk, driveway, or path is maintained and there is no associated damage to the road. Owing to the reduced microtrench 11 size, the volume of waste material (spoil 12) excavated is also reduced. Microtrenchers 2 are used to minimize traffic or pedestrian disturbance during cable laying. A microtrencher 2 can work on sidewalks or in narrow streets of cities, and can cut harder ground than a chain trencher, including cutting through for example but not limited to solid stone, concrete, and asphalt. The term ground as used herein includes, son, asphalt, stone, concrete, grass, dirt, sand, brick, cobblestone, or any other material the trench 11 is cut into and the optical fiber buried within.
As shown in
The First support 60 can have at least one wheel 65 for driving on the roadway 15 and at least one hose holder 64. The first support 60 can be connected to the first vehicle 124 by a first connector 62. The connector 62 can also support the vacuum hose 50. The first support 60 can be connected to the first connector 62 by a hinge 63 so that the first support 60 can fold up into a storage position on the first vehicle 124 as shown in
The second support 66 can be mounted to the second vehicle 20 and have at least one associated hose holder 64. The second support 66 can have a hinge 67 to allow the second support 66 to move into a storage position as shown in
The third support 70 can be mounted to the second vehicle 20 have at least one associated hose holder 64. The third support 70 can include a third connector 72 connected to the second vehicle 20. The third support 70 and/or the third connector 72 can have at least one hinge 69 to allow the third support 70 and third connector 72 to move into a storage position as shown in
In an alternative embodiment, the vacuum hose supports can slide out from a support storage container as shown in
As shown in
In another embodiment, as shown in
Alternatively, the first hose support 60 can be connected to the second hose support 66 support by a movable connector 77 that allows the first motorized vehicle 124 and the second motorized vehicle 20 to move independent of each other. The movable connector 77 can allow pivoting between the first hose support 60 and the second hose support 66. In an additional embodiment, shown in
The purpose of this hose stabilization system is to allow the hose to be straight thus cutting back on clogs from all the dips it makes the current way it is used. This also helps cut down manpower because one or two workers have to constantly move the hose with the saw and vac to help if from getting clogged up with the debris.
The source of vacuum 130 can be any desired vacuum device, such as those made by SCAG Giant Vac., DR Power, Vermeer, and Billy Goat. A preferred vacuum truck 124 is a Guzzler vacuum truck, www.guzzler.com. The Guzzler type vacuum truck 124 has a large storage container 110 for holding spoil 12 and a vacuum device 130 for creating a vacuum in the storage container 110. The storage container 110 is sized to hold spoil 12 created by the side-discharge cutting wheel 10 cutting a microtrench 11 in the roadway 15.
To facilitate an understanding of the principles and features of the various embodiments of the present invention, various illustrative embodiments are explained below. Although example embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated. Accordingly, it is not intended that the present invention is limited in its scope to the details of construction and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or examples. The present invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways.
As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, reference to a component is intended also to include composition of a plurality of components. References to a composition containing “a” constituent is intended to include other constituents in addition to the one named.
Also, in describing the example embodiments, terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. It is intended that each term contemplates its broadest meaning as understood by those skilled in the art and includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.
It is also to be understood that the mention of one or more method steps does not preclude the presence of additional method steps or intervening method steps between those steps expressly identified. Similarly, it is also to be understood that the mention of one or more components in a composition does not preclude the presence of additional components than those expressly identified. Such other components or steps not described herein can include, but are not limited to, for example, similar components or steps that are developed after development of the disclosed technology.
It is to be understood that the foregoing illustrative embodiments have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the invention. Words used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. In addition, the advantages and objectives described herein may not be realized by each and every embodiment practicing the present invention. Further, although the invention has been described herein with reference to particular structure, materials and/or embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein. Rather, the invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may affect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63041153 | Jun 2020 | US |
