KR20040063961A - Trenching method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The trenching device comprises a cutting mechanism 23, preferably a circulating chain cutter, mounted to the prime mover to position the cutting mechanism in the trench 18 with a prime mover movable on the ground 22 above the trench. The cutting mechanism is a chain cutter, the buoy projecting forward and downward relative to the direction of digging the trench, the drive means pushing the cutting member upwards around the distal end of the buoy and rearward along the upper run of the circular chain cutter 23. Arranged to drive the chain in the conveying direction. In operation, the distal end of the chain cutter 23 is located relative to the end face of the trench at the bottom of the trench 18; The prime mover 21 advances the chain cutter in the trench while operating the chain cutter to form an undercut 55 in the end face 54 of the trench; The lifting means 25 then lifts the cutting mechanism 23 upwards from the undercut past the material of the end face to dig out material from the end face of the trench.

Description

Trenching Methods and Devices {TRENCHING METHOD AND APPARATUS}

There are many known trenching machines for digging trenches in the soil using prime movers, such as crawler tractors or conventional tractors pulling trailers, where the cutting mechanism is on a boom. Located in the trench. Major examples are cutting rotors that rotate about the transverse axis of a trench known as a ripper cutter, or one or more cuttings that rotate about an axis that is generally aligned along the length of a pour known as a milling cutter. There is a cutting mechanism with upper and lower runs arranged along a boolean, known as a rotor, or chain cutter, and elongate endless support means for conveying a plurality of cutting members. When a cutting rotor is used, the cutting rotor is mounted to the distal end of the bulge projecting forward and downward from the prime mover relative to the direction of digging the trench. When a chain cutter is used, the chain cutter is generally mounted in a boom extending down and back from the prime mover with respect to the cutting direction of the trench. In this arrangement the elongated support moves in a direction in which the cutting member moves down around the distal end of the pour and moves upward and forward along the lower run of the elongated support that moves. All these types of trenching machines are generally provided with a positioning mechanism for moving the distal end of the cutting boom up and down to change the height of the trench. Such trenching machines are described, for example, in CH-A-239498 (Enterprise de Grand Travaux SA) and WO 95/13433 (Mastonbrough & Company Limited; Mastenbroek & Company Limited).

All these types of trenching machines are generally satisfactory for trench cutting in normal soil conditions, but are inadequate for cutting trenches in rock or other hard ground material. In cutting trenches in hard rock, a method that requires a great deal of work is commonly performed using impact equipment and explosions.

In another art not related to trenching, a tunneling machine is known for forming tunnels in rock, in which a cutting rotor known as a ball cutter projects forward from the prime mover on the pour. It is movable in a vertical plane by means of a pour pivot on the prime mover. In use, the cutting rotor descends to the bottom of the tunnel and the prime mover advances to engage the end face of the tunnel at about the bottom, so that the cutting rotor forms an undercut. The cutting pour is then pivoted upwards by a hydraulic ram so that the cutting rotor or cutting rotors are lifted up to cut the material slice from the end face of the tunnel. The cutting buoy is raised by applying a force between the cutting buoy and the bottom of the tunnel. Modifications of this mechanism provide, for example, the form of chain cutters used for mining coal or soft stone and aligned along upper and lower runs around the distal end of the cutting boom along the cutting boom. The circular movement supporting means for conveying the cutter in such a machine is driven in a direction in which the cutter moves up around the distal end of the pour and moves backward along the upper run of the movable support. Examples of these two types of tunnel equipment were published by Hawker Sidley Dosco Overseas Engineering Limited in 1982 and published in DOSCO 1982 "The Twin Boom TB600." And DOSCO 1982 are known as leaflets called "Mark II Heavy Duty Dintheader."

In addition to the foregoing prior art, EP-A-0080802 (Wallace) discloses a machine for cutting trenches in rock using a ripper cutter. EP-A-0080802 describes a trench cutting machine known as prior art comprising a huge chain saw blade mounted on a crawler chassis and having a tungsten carbide bite that literally shaves the rock. However, the machine has the disadvantage of causing significant bounce along the saw blade, especially when cutting hard rock, which reduces the cutting efficiency. This problem mainly occurs because of the length of the long and unsupported cutting arm. EP-A-0080802 also describes the ball cutting machine described above in tunneling, other rock cutting machines are known for mining operations and they are rotatable cuttings that are transported at the ends of the pours pivotally attached to the crawler chassis. Head. However, these known machines cannot be used to cut trenches and are also known to have similar vibration problems because they have long and unsupported booleans for transporting the cutting head.

EP-A-0080802 discloses a machine for cutting trenches in rocks with pivotal buoys having a rotatable cutting head at the distal end and a folding control arm extending between the mobile work platform and the ends of the buoys adjacent to the cutting head. The foldable control arm is a hydraulically actuated pump that moves the cutting head in an arcuate path about the boom's pivot axis. The machine is operated by a hydraulic pump that provides a force with a major vertical component to the cutting head. In operation, the machine is positioned to straddle the lines of the trench and the buoy descends to contact the ground. The cutting head is rotated under force by a hydraulic pump to move the cutting head down in an arcuate path and remove rock from the front end of the trench. The conveyor is located on the bottom of the trench, through which spoils are transported. The buoy is then raised and the machine moves forward and the process is repeated.

Due to the position where the pump is coupled to the boolean adjacent to the cutting head, it provides stability to the cutting head so that the pump is skipped and the vibration due to the considerably long boolean is eliminated the expected vibration and recoil problems if provided by the long boolean. And recoil problems are known to be eliminated. Due to the control arm exerting the required loading of the cutting head and the relatively short distance between the cutting head and the support point, the problems associated with kickback of the cutter head are almost eliminated.

However, as can be seen in EP-A-0080802, this type of machine has the disadvantage that the force applied to the cutting head tends to raise the machine and away from the ground. Although it has been proposed to include additional ballasts, nevertheless, the amount of force that can be applied to move the cutting head into the arcuate path is limited only when the surface mount component of the device is not lifted from the ground. none.

The present invention relates in particular to trenching methods and trenching devices applicable to, but not limited to, digging trenches in rock.

1 and 2 show perspective views of known trench cutting devices disclosed in EP-A-0080802, and FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the cutting mechanism of the device,

3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a trench cutting device implementing the present invention and using a chain cutter,

FIG. 3A is a side view of the distal end of a chain cutter suitable for use in the embodiment of FIG. 3, with other portions omitted to show in detail the side cutting wheel shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 3B shows the front end of the device of FIG. 3 showing a different operating step than FIG. 3 with the cutting boolean raised as the device of FIG. 3;

3c is a rear view of the side clamp assembly of the device of FIG. 3, taken in FIG.

4 is a schematic cross sectional view of the front of the device shown in FIG. 3, taken in FIG. 3 in a direction A;

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the detailed view of the chain cutter shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 5A is a partial plan view taken in direction B of FIG. 5, showing the lower end of the chain cutter of FIG. 5,

6a is a block circuit diagram of a control means programmed to perform a predetermined operating cycle of the apparatus, and FIG. 6b shows a flowchart of the operating cycle,

7A-7G are schematic diagrams illustrating a series of operational steps of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 3-6, and

8 is a schematic side view of another further embodiment of the present invention, wherein the cutting mechanism comprises a milling cutter.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a trench cutting device in which the aforementioned problems are eliminated or reduced.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method, comprising: positioning in a trench a cutting mechanism mounted to a prime mover on a ground above a trench; Engaging the end face of the trench with the cutting mechanism; And moving the cutting tool in a vertical plane while operating the cutting tool to dig out material from the end surface of the trench, wherein the cutting tool is moved to the end surface of the trench below the ground. Advancing the cutting tool within the trench while operating the cutting tool to position oppositely and form an undercut in the end face of the trench; And operating the cutting mechanism during the upward movement to raise the cutting mechanism up from the undercut and to excavate material from the end face of the trench by applying a force between the cutting mechanism and the ground on the trench. Wrenching methods are provided.

While the features of the invention are described in connection with the method according to the invention, it will be appreciated that such features also apply with respect to the device according to the invention and vice versa.

In particular, according to the invention a cutting mechanism; Mounting the cutting mechanism on the prime mover and engaging the end face of the trench to engage with the end face of the trench to dig out material from the end face of the trench, the trench is movable with the prime mover movable on the ground above the trench. A trenching device comprising a mounting means positioned therein is adapted to apply an upward force between the cutting mechanism and the ground above the trench, thereby actuating the cutting mechanism when cutting and engaging the end face of the trench. Lifting means arranged to raise the cutting mechanism upwards, said cutting mechanism including a buoy with a plurality of cutting members and elongated circular support means for conveying upper and lower runs aligned on the buoy; The boolean is relatively forward and downward relative to the intended direction of cutting the trench. Protrudingly mounted, the drive means is arranged to drive the circulation support means in a direction to convey the cutting member up around the distal end of the pour and back along the upper run of the circulation support means.

In another aspect of the invention, a cutting mechanism; Mounting the cutting mechanism on the prime mover and engaging the end face of the trench to engage with the end face of the trench to dig out material from the end face of the trench, the trench is movable with the prime mover movable on the ground above the trench. A trenching device is provided, comprising a mounting means for positioning therein, the lifting arrangement being arranged to raise the cutting mechanism upward while engaging the end face of the trench by applying an upward force between the cutting mechanism and the ground above the trench. Way; And control means arranged to simultaneously operate the lifting means and the cutting mechanism to lift the cutting mechanism when the cutting mechanism is in cut engagement with the end face.

The method according to the invention is that the force exerted between the cutting instrument and the ground during the ascending stroke of the cutting is limited only by the force generated and applied, and the trench is trenched from the ground as in the prior art where the cutting is affected at the down stroke of the cutting instrument. The advantage is that it is not limited by the potential rise of parts of the device. As in the case where the lifting means presses down the cutting mechanism during the cutting stroke, it is not necessary to provide a substantial weight to the part of the device on which the lifting means is mounted.

Many preferred features of the invention will now be described. Preferably, in the step of producing the undercut, the cutting mechanism is positioned at the bottom of the trench to substantially join the ends. Further, preferably, the cutting mechanism is mounted on a pivoted pour that extends relatively forward with respect to the cutting direction of the trench, and the lifting step comprises the cutting mechanism along an arcuate path formed by the pivotable movement of the pour. By moving it. In this arrangement, the lifting up of the cutting device is preferably performed by applying a force between the cutting device and the ground region which is spaced forwardly along the trench from the pivot axis of the pour. Further, preferably, the step of raising the cutting mechanism upward is performed by applying a force between the ground and the cutting mechanism in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the pour, and the step of raising the cutting mechanism upward to the cutting mechanism. This is done by applying a force to the ends of adjacent booleans. Preferably, the step of raising the cutting mechanism up is carried out by applying a force in a direction inclined relative to the vertical, in a forward direction relative to the cutting direction of the trench. This arrangement increases the stability of the device and makes the most efficient use of the upward force applied to the cutting mechanism.

Although many different cutting mechanisms can be used in embodiments of the present invention, cutting the material from the end face of the trench is performed by moving the plurality of cutting members along the upper and lower runs of the long circular support means aligned along the pour. Preferably, the cutting member is driven in such a way that at the distal end of the cutting boom the member moves upwards around the end of the cutting boom and along the upper run relative to the cutting direction of the trench. This arrangement is particularly advantageous because the cutting member engages the undercut in the upward and backward directions at the distal end of the pour to cooperate with the lifting force that cuts and engages the cutting teeth with the ground material. In the case of hard rock this allows an effective cutting action in which the movement of the cutting member cooperates with the upward movement of the lifting means and the forward movement of the prime mover during cutting. In addition, the upper run of the long circulation support means is effective to transport the waste, so that although additional conveyors may be provided behind the chain cutter in some circumstances, a separate circulation conveyor, or other means, may be provided to remove the waste from the trench. no need.

In another arrangement, the cutting mechanism may comprise a cutting rotor mounted at the end of the pour, and cutting the material from the end face of the trench may rotate the cutting rotor about an axis aligned across the trench length, or By rotating the cutting rotor about an axis aligned along the pour length.

In a preferred form the lifting means is configured to provide a strong power stroke in the upward direction, a return stroke in the downward direction, and to provide greater force in the movable stroke than in the recovery stroke.

Although in some arrangements the lifting means are mounted on the prime mover, the means comprise a mobile base unit spaced forward from the prime mover and coupled to the prime mover for movement with the prime mover, the lifting means being a cutting mechanism. And between the prime mover and / or the moving base to apply the lifting force. In a particularly preferred form, the movable base unit is coupled to the prime mover by a framework, the lifting means being pivoted about the prime mover and extending forwardly from the prime mover, one end of which is coupled to the front end of the pivot arm and the other. A pivot link and a lifting force source, the end of which is coupled to the beam of the cutting device, the source being between the arm at an intermediate position at both ends of the arm and a framework at an intermediate position at both ends of the framework. Are combined in. Preferably, the lifting means comprises a hydraulic ram.

According to a particularly preferred feature of the invention, the apparatus may comprise control means programmed to perform a predetermined operating cycle, as follows:

(Iii) the mounting means positioning the cutting mechanism at the bottom surface of the trench opposite the end surface of the trench,

(Ii) the prime mover moving the cutting tool forward in the trench by a predetermined distance while operating the cutting tool to create an undercut in the end face of the trench,

(Iii) the lifting means lifting the cutting mechanism up from the undercut through the material of the end face while operating the cutting mechanism;

(Iii) the prime mover moving the cutting mechanism backwards by a predetermined distance,

(Iii) the lifting means lowering the cutting mechanism to the bottom of the trench, and

(Iii) The previous step is repeated.

The base unit may comprise a structure mounted on a skid that slides over the ground when propelled forward by the prime mover. In another arrangement, the base may be mounted on a wheel, or in other cases on a second prime mover arranged to cooperate with the first prime mover when moving the cutting tool along the trench.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 and 2 show known trench cutting devices for cutting trenches in the rocks disclosed in EP-A-0080802. The two crawler chassis 3 and 5 are joined to each other by tie bars 7, and the rear crawler 3 has a cutting boom 2 pivotally mounted at 6. The front end of the pour 2 has a cutting rotor 7 which is driven to rotate about an axis across the trench to be dug. The distal end of the pour 2 is coupled to the front crawler 5 by a foldable control arm 8 comprising a telescopically extending sleeve coupled to the pour by the coupling 9 and a hydraulic pump. In operation, the machine is positioned to straddle the lines of the trench and the pour 2 is lowered to contact the ground. The cutting head 7 is rotated by applying a force by the hydraulic pump 8 to move the cutting head 7 downward in an arcuate path and to remove rock from the front end of the trench. A circular chain conveyor 4 is located behind the cutting rotor 7 through which spoils are conveyed. The pour 2 is then raised and the machine moves forward and the process is repeated.

In this machine, there is a disadvantage in that the force applied to the cutting head 7 causes the front crawler 5 to rise and fall from the ground. In an attempt to solve this problem, the first hydraulic pump 8 may be mounted in a heavy and independent crawler chassis 5 and the second additional ballast may be included in either or both of the front crawler 5 and the rear crawler 3. have.

3 to 4 illustrate a trench cutting device embodying the present invention. In general, the components of embodiments of the invention known in the prior art are described in the specification of EP-A-0080802 described above, and may be modified as necessary in light of the features of the invention implemented in the illustrated apparatus. Referring first to FIG. 3, a trench arrangement for digging trenches in rocks and the like has a first prime mover 21 having a cap 35, and the movable base unit 26 is comprised of a second prime mover without a cap. . Each prime mover consists of a crawler chassis for movement over ground 22. The cutting mechanism, shown generally at 23, is mounted to the prime mover 21 by mounting means, generally at 24. The lifting means, shown generally at 25, is coupled to the cutting mechanism 23 in the distal region of the cutting mechanism 23. The movable unit 26 is coupled to the first prime mover 21 by a framework 27. The overall operation of the machine is controlled by control means, shown schematically at 34, located in the cap 35 of the prime mover 21.

Considering the detailed structure of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 now, the cutting mechanism 23 is a long circular support means 28 such as a chain for conveying the cutting teeth 29 shown in more detail in FIG. 3A. It consists of a circular chain cutter having a. Chain 28 is moved along upper and lower runs 30 and 31, run on pour 32. The cutting teeth 29 pass through the distal end of the pour 32 around the pulley 33. The member 29 is upwards around the distal end of the pour and rearward along the upper run 30 at the distal end of the pour 32 in relation to the intended forward movement direction of the prime mover 21 shown in direction X in FIG. 3. It is driven by the upper pulley 33 in a manner that moves to. 3A shows a detailed view of the distal end of the pour 32 and the mounting state of the teeth 29 on the circulation support means 28. The chain cutter 23 is driven by drive means comprising, for example, a hydraulic drive motor and an upper drive pulley 49 mounted in or on the prime mover 21. The chain cutter described in the patent application WO 95/13433 is driven in a direction opposite to the chain cutter shown in the present invention in the direction of movement so that the direction arrangement of the teeth is in the opposite direction to the above-mentioned publication, but generally cutting The mechanism 23 may be a chain cutter as shown in the above publication.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the mounting means 24 for mounting the pour 32 to the prime mover 21 is a pivot shaft 33A mounted between two mounts mounted on the main frame of the prime mover 21. ). The lifting means 25 comprise a pivot arm 59 which is pivoted about the prime mover 21 in the pivot 61 and extends forward from the pivot 61. The pivot link 59A, at one end, engages the front end of the pivot arm 59 and, at the other end, engages the beam 32 of the cutting device 23. A source of lifting force consisting of the hydraulic pump 40 is coupled between the arm 59 and the framework 27. The pump 40 couples to the arm 59 at an intermediate position at both ends of the arm 59 and to the framework 27 at an intermediate position at both ends of the framework 27. Drive piston 43 (FIG. 3B) extends down from pump 40 and is coupled to framework 27 at pivot 44. The cutting mechanism 23 is shown in solid lines in the lower position of the base of the trench (FIG. 3) and in dashed lines in the raised position (FIG. 3B).

3 and 3c show an additional and optional assembly of components for stabilizing the pivot of the main cutting pour 32. Attached to the cutting buoy 32 is a side clamp assembly, shown generally at 80. The main part is a transverse hydraulic pump, which is shown generally at 81 and extends across a trench perpendicular to the direction of movement of the prime mover 21. At both ends of the hydraulic pump 81 there is a circular pressure plate 83 which is supported toward the inner side of the trench. During the lifting phase of the cutting cycle, the hydraulic pump 81 is extended and the clamp plate 83 is pressed outwards with respect to the side of the trench.

The clamp plate 83 is coupled to the pour 32 by a second clamp pump 85 and a strut including the pump 84. The strut 84 couples between the first clamp motor 81 and the pivot point 86 on the pour 32. The second clamp motor 85 pivotally couples between the pivot point 87 between the ends of the strut 84 and the pivot 88 on the pour 32. During the movable stroke of the main motor 40, the clamp motor 84 extends to stabilize movement and contributes to the formation of an upward arced cutting path. As the main motor 40 exerts an upward force between the pour 32 and the ground 22, the clamp motor 84 pours between the fixed position of the side clamp plate 83 and the pour 32. It will be contemplated that the plate 83 is held in position by the extended pump 81, exerting an upward force acting on the phase.

As shown in Fig. 4, the conventional cutting mechanism 23 extends laterally from the pulley 33 at the distal end of the cutting pour, in order to widen the channel dig out by the cutting means, in addition to the cutting chain 28. drums 46 and 47. The elongated drum is replaceable and removable to vary the width of the trench by using drums with different widths. 5A shows a detailed view of the cutting mechanism 23. Below the distal end of the pour 32 is a deflection plate assembly 48 which collects debris excavated by the cutting chain 28 and the elongating drums 46, 47. The deflection plate assembly 48 directs the waste inwards towards the central area where the waste is conveyed up and back by the chain cutter 23. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 5A, at the top of the cutting pour 32, the chain cutter 23 passes through the upper pulley 49 and loads waste onto the side discharge conveyor 50 by means of the pour discharge hopper 51. Put on.

The operation of the embodiment is particularly described with reference to FIGS. 7A-7G and also with reference to FIGS. 3-5B. 7A-7G show schematic representations of different stages of an operating cycle. 7A and 7B show the initial stage of initiation of the trench. This may be done as shown, or alternatively, may be excavated by hand, explosion, impact equipment, or other means. However, referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the cutting mechanism 23 initially descends from the ground 22 and is operated under force. This may be done by reversely operating the lifting mechanism 25, which is typically described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5A. As shown in FIG. 7B, the result is an initial cutting of the trench with an arcuate cross section 54. During the steps shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the cutting mechanism 23 is operated in the manner described in the known machine of EP-A-0080802, ie by cutting down stroke. Instead, the starting hole can be provided by conventional means or rock hammers, such as drill operations or blasting operations.

As shown in FIG. 7C, the cutting mechanism 23 is operated with the prime mover 21 advancing to form an undercut in the end face 54 of the trench in the next step. In the next step, the cutting mechanism 23 is actuated while the lifting means 25, for example as shown in FIG. 3, to excavate material from the end face of the trench 54, cutting up from the undercut 55. It is operated to pivot the instrument 23. This cutting operation is shown in detail in FIG. 5, where the material 56 is excavated from the end face 54 by the lifting means 25 during the upward movement of the cutting mechanism 23. This creates a new end face 54 of the trench as shown in FIG. 7D. When this operation is complete, the cutting mechanism 23 descends to the bottom 19 of the trench 18 as shown in FIG. 7E. The process is then repeated by operating the cutting mechanism and advancing the prime mover as shown in FIG. 7F to create a new undercut 55. The cutting mechanism 23 is in turn raised from the undercut 55 again to dig a new end face 54 as shown in FIG. 7G.

The main advantage of the embodiment of the invention described is that the force generated between the cutting instrument 23 and the ground 22 through the moving base 26 during the upward cutting stroke of the cutting instrument 23 is applied to the lifting means 25. Limited only by the force generated by it and limited by the possibility that the base 25 from above the ground can float above the ground, as in the instrument shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (where the cutting is effective at the down stroke of the cutting instrument). It doesn't work. As in the case where the lifting means presses down the cutting mechanism during the cutting stroke, it is not necessary to provide a significant weight to the part of the device on which the lifting means is mounted.

There is an additional advantage with respect to the cutting of the undercut 55. Since the cutting area of the distal end of the cutting mechanism 23 is relatively limited, and the prime mover 21 advances during cutting of the undercut, the problem of penetration effect into hard rock is compared with the difficulty of penetrating from above during the downward cutting stroke. Is relatively reduced. This advantage arises because the number of cutting tools or teeth that contact hard rock is limited by the number of cutting tools or teeth at the distal end of the beam. In the arrangement disclosed in EP 0080802, the entire cutting surface of the chain cutter is brought into contact with the rock to be dug out. In an embodiment of the present invention, as a result of more power being applied for each tool, the available power can be concentrated on a few working tools.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the block circuit diagram of FIG. 6A and the flowchart of FIG. 6B will be disclosed. In FIG. 6A, the control means 34 is shown as being composed of a microprocessor 90 which receives information from a series of sensors, the sensors comprising a clamp sensor 91 (the clamp assembly 80 having the side wall of the trench). For detecting when it is fixed in a position opposite to the; Clamp feed sensor 92 (for detecting feed amount of clamp pumps 81 and 85); Engine load control sensor 93 (for detecting load applied to the engine at various stages of the cycle); Cutting depth sensor 94 (for detecting cutting depth of cutting means 23); Cutting depth reference sensor 95 (for sensing the maximum cutting depth of the device relative to the required reference plane); And front / rear movement sensor 96 (for detecting the direction of movement of the two crawler chassis of prime movers 21, 26). The microprocessor is also connected to an operator control unit 97 which allows the operator to set requirements for the seven functions of the apparatus, for example the following seven functions.

1. Moving forward.

2. Move backward.

3. Maximum cutting depth.

4. Minimum cutting depth.

5. Trench clamp on / off.

6. System On / Off.

7. Manual / Auto.

The operation of the device in a scheduled automatic operation cycle is incorporated in the program flow diagram of FIG. 6B and operates in the following typical use. First, the machine is manually moved to the proper position. Then, in order to dig the first part of the trench into the virgin rock, the cutting pour 32 is lowered into the surface while digging to the required depth, the required depth being manually or published in prior patent application No. As in WO95 / 13433, for example, it is determined from a reference signal provided by a laser. After that, automatic operation is selected. In steps 1 and 2, the device advances a predetermined distance. The forward travel speed is automatically controlled and adjusted by load control between the required cutting power and the available engine power to ensure maximum performance. When the preset distance is reached, forward movement will stop and a signal will automatically be sent to the lifting cylinder 40. In steps 3 and 4, the lifting cylinder 40 will push the cutting device up while cutting the front portion of the trench. The upward movement speed will be controlled automatically by the load control and will adjust the available engine power and the required cutting power until the cutting device reaches a preset distance (minimum cutting depth set relative to the reference plane). In steps 5 and 6, the machine is moved back toward the preset distance. Thereafter, in steps 7 and 8, the lifting cylinder 40 will lower the cutting device down to a previously set depth. If thereafter, the coordinator wishes to stop, a manual stop command will be entered in step 9. If not, the cycle will then repeat from step 1.

For improved stability during cutting to the trench face, a clamp assembly 80 is added and clamped between the sides of the trench. The control means 34 can also be extended to control the operation of the clamp assembly. This will be released and withdrawn during the lowering of the cutting boom and back movement of the machine, but will clamp and assist during the up cutting and forward movement of the cutting instrument. It will also work automatically within the operating sequence of the machine. The adjustment of the machine can be done manually or automatically by, for example, signals from pre-installed wires, lines or lasers. The verticality of the trench can be adjusted by a side tilt system installed in the machine track frame.

Now, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 8, wherein the chain cutter of FIGS. 1 to 6 is replaced by a milling cutter, which milling cutter is mounted on the cutting rotor mounted on the distal end of the cutting pour. It is generally rotated about an axis arranged along the longitudinal direction of the buoy. Parts corresponding to the above-described parts are indicated by reference numerals and the like. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the cutting mechanism 23 comprises a cutting buoy 32 with a milling cutter 71 mounted to the distal end of the cutting buoy 32. Mounted behind the milling cutter 71 is a circular conveyor belt 73 for removing waste excavated by the milling cutter 71. In the embodiment shown, the movement base 26 of the device moves on the track 72. The general structure and operation of the milling cutter 71 and the waste removal conveyor 73 are as described in the specification of the prior European patent A-0080802. The general structure and operation of the lifting means 25 of FIG. 8 and the general structure and operation of the overall operation of the trench device are as described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7 of the present application. In another arrangement, the conveyor 73 of the embodiment of FIG. 8 may be used with the chain cutter of FIGS. 3-5B.

In addition, features of the present invention are generally described in the introductory part of the specification, in which a trenching method stabilizes upward cutting movement of the cutting mechanism by engaging the sides of the trench by side components of the device and Applying to the cutting mechanism an upward force acting between the cutting mechanism and the side components during an upward cutting movement can be provided as a preferred aspect of the present invention. Advantageously, the method comprises pressing side components in an outward direction opposite a side of said trench during an upward cutting movement of said cutting mechanism.

It may be provided as a preferred aspect of the invention that the trenching device according to the invention comprises a stabilizing assembly extending rearwardly from the cutting instrument in order to stabilize the upward cutting movement of the cutting instrument, wherein the stabilizing assembly is a During the up-cutting movement, the side parts and the side parts adapted to engage both sides of the trench are coupled to the cutting mechanism and arranged to apply an upward force to the cutting mechanism, which acts between the cutting mechanism and the side parts during the upward movement of the cutting device. And powered linkages. Preferably, the stabilization assembly comprises a powered transverse component that extends between the side components and is arranged to press outwardly the side components against the side of the trench during an upward cutting movement of the cutting instrument.

Claims (29)

Positioning a cutting mechanism in the trench mounted to the prime mover on the ground above the trench; Engaging the end device of the trench with the cutting device; And Moving the cutting tool in a vertical plane while operating the cutting tool to dig out material from an end face of the trench, the trenching method comprising: Advancing the cutting tool within the trench while operating the cutting tool to position the cutting tool at an end face of the trench below the level of ground and to form an undercut in the end face of the trench; And Operating the cutting mechanism during an upward movement to lift the cutting mechanism up from the undercut and to excavate material from the end face of the trench by applying a force between the cutting mechanism and the ground above the trench, Trenching method. The method of claim 1, In the step of forming the undercut, the cutting mechanism is positioned to abut the end face at the bottom of the trench, Device. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The cutting mechanism is mounted on a pivot buoy extending forward with respect to the cutting direction of the trench, the lifting step being performed by moving the cutting mechanism along an arced path formed by the pivotable movement of the buoy, Trenching method. The method of claim 3, wherein Lifting the cutting mechanism upwards is performed by applying a force between the cutting mechanism and a ground region spaced apart from the pivot axis of the boom forward along the trench, Trenching method. The method according to claim 3 or 4, Lifting the cutting mechanism upwards is performed by applying a force between the cutting mechanism and the ground in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the boolean, Trenching method. The method according to claim 3, 4 or 5, Lifting the cutting mechanism upwards is performed by applying a force to the distal end of the pour adjacent the cutting mechanism, Trenching method. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, Lifting the cutting mechanism upwards is performed by applying a force in a direction inclined relative to a vertical line while being forward with respect to the cutting direction of the trench, Trenching method. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, Digging out material from the end face of the trench is performed by moving a plurality of cutting members along the upper and lower runs of the elongated circulating support means aligned along the boolean, the cutting members being at the distal end of the cutting pour, The member is driven in such a way as to move upwards around the end of the cutting boom and back along the upper run relative to the direction of digging the trench, Trenching method. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The cutting mechanism includes a cutting rotor mounted to an end of the pour, and digging material from the end face of the trench is performed by rotating the cutting rotor about an axis that is laterally aligned with respect to the length of the trench. felled, Trenching method. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The cutting mechanism includes a cutting rotor mounted to an end of the pour, and digging material from the end face of the trench is performed by rotating the cutting rotor about an axis that is generally aligned along the length of the trench, Trenching method. Cutting mechanism; Mounting means for mounting the cutting mechanism on the prime mover and positioning the cutting tool in the trench with the prime mover movable on a ground above the level of the trench, the cutting mechanism being adapted to excavate material from an end face of the trench. A trenching device comprising a mounting means moveable in a substantially vertical plane when engaged to an end face of a trench, wherein: And lifting means arranged to lift the cutting tool up while applying the upward force between the cutting device and the ground on the trench to operate the cutting device in a cut engagement with the end surface of the trench, The cutting mechanism includes a buoy having a plurality of cutting members and elongated circular support means for transporting the upper and lower runs aligned on the buoy, wherein the buoy protrudes forward and downward relative to the intended direction of digging the trench. And a drive means is arranged to drive the circulation support means in the direction of transporting the cutting member upwardly from the periphery of the end of the buoy and backward along the upper run of the circulation support means, Trenching device. The method of claim 11, The lifting means is mounted to exert a lifting force in use in an inclined direction with respect to the vertical plane and in a forward direction with respect to the cutting direction of the trench, Trenching device. The method according to claim 11 or 12, The cutting mechanism is mounted on a pivot buoy extending forward with respect to the intended cutting direction of the trench, and the lifting means is arranged to move the cutting mechanism along an arcuate path formed by the pivotable movement of the buoy. , Trenching device. The method of claim 13, The lifting means is mounted to exert a lifting force between the ground and the cutting mechanism in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the buoy, Trenching device. The method according to claim 13 or 14, The lifting means is mounted at a predetermined position to apply a lifting force to the distal end of the buoy adjacent to the cutting mechanism, Trenching device. A device according to any of claims 11 to 15, comprising a prime mover for movement on the ground above the level of the trench, The cutting mechanism is mounted on the prime mover for movement along the trench, Trenching device. 17. An apparatus according to claim 16, comprising a moving base unit spaced forward from the prime mover and coupled to the prime mover for movement with the prime mover. The lifting means is mounted to exert the lifting force between the cutting mechanism and the prime mover and / or the moving base, Trenching device. The method of claim 17, The movable base unit is coupled to the prime mover by a framework, the lifting means being pivoted about the prime mover and extending forward from the prime mover, at one end coupled to the front end of the pivot arm and at the other end of the pivot arm. A pivoting link coupled to the beam of the cutting mechanism, and a lifting power source coupled between the arm at an intermediate position of both ends of the pivot arm and the framework at an intermediate position of both ends of the framework, Trenching device. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 18, Said lifting means comprising a hydraulic pump, Trenching device. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 19, (Iii) the mounting means positions the cutting mechanism at the bottom of the trench with respect to the end face of the trench; (Ii) the prime mover moves the cutting mechanism forward by a predetermined distance from the trench while operating the cutting mechanism to form an undercut in the end face of the trench; (Iii) the lifting means lifting the cutting mechanism upwards from the undercut past the material of the end face while operating the cutting mechanism; (Iii) the prime mover moves the cutting mechanism backwards by a predetermined distance; (Iii) the lifting means lowers the cutting mechanism to the bottom of the trench; And (Iii) control means programmed to execute a predetermined operating cycle of repeating the above steps, Trenching device. Cutting mechanism; Mounting means for mounting the cutting mechanism on the prime mover and positioning the cutting tool in the trench with the prime mover movable on the ground above the level of the trench, the cutting mechanism being adapted to excavate material from the end face of the trench. A trenching device comprising mounting means moveable in a substantially vertical plane when engaged with an end face of a trench, Lifting means arranged to lift the cutting mechanism upward while engaging the end face of the trench by applying a lifting force between the cutting mechanism and the ground above the trench; And And control means arranged to actuate the cutting mechanism and the lifting means simultaneously for lifting the cutting mechanism upon cutting engagement with the end face, Trenching device. The method of claim 21, The control means is programmed to perform a predetermined operating cycle, The scheduled operation cycle (Iii) the mounting means positions the cutting mechanism at the bottom of the trench with respect to the end face of the trench; (Ii) the prime mover moves the cutting mechanism forward by a predetermined distance from the trench while operating the cutting mechanism to form an undercut in the end face of the trench; (Iii) the lifting means lifting the cutting mechanism upwards from the undercut past the material of the end face while operating the cutting mechanism; (Iii) the prime mover moves the cutting mechanism backwards by a predetermined distance; (Iii) the lifting means lowers the cutting mechanism to the bottom of the trench; And (Iii) repeating the above steps, Trenching device. The method of claim 21 or 22, The cutting mechanism includes a buoy having an elongated circular support means for carrying a plurality of cutting members, the elongated circular support means being aligned along the upper and lower runs of the buoy and the buoy intended to dig out the trench. Mounted so as to protrude forward and downward relative to the driving means, the driving means driving the circulation support means upwardly around the distal end of the pour and rearward along the upper run of the circulation support means. Arranged, Trenching device. The method of claim 21 or 22, The cutting mechanism includes a cutting rotor mounted to the distal end of the buoy for rotation about an axis aligned transversely to the length of the buoy, Trenching device. The method of claim 21 or 22, The cutting mechanism includes a cutting rotor mounted to the distal end of the buoy for rotation about an axis generally aligned in the longitudinal direction of the buoy, Trenching device. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, Stabilizing the upward cutting movement of the cutting mechanism 23 by engaging the side of the trench by side components 83 of the device and the cutting mechanism 23 and during the upward cutting movement of the cutting mechanism 23. Applying a lifting force acting between the side parts 83 to the cutting mechanism 23, Trenching method. The method of claim 26, Pressing the side component 83 outward relative to the side of the trench during an upward cutting movement of the cutting mechanism 23, Trenching method. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 25, A stabilizing assembly 80 extending rearward from the cutting mechanism 23 to stabilize the upward cutting movement of the cutting mechanism 23, The stabilization assembly comprises side components (83) engaging the sides of the trench during the up cutting movement of the cutting mechanism (23); And The cutting mechanism 23 connects the side component 83 to the cutting mechanism 23 and exerts a lifting force acting between the cutting mechanism 23 and the side component 83 during the upward movement of the cutting mechanism 23. Comprising a power linkage arranged to apply on Trenching device. The method of claim 28, The stabilization assembly extends between the side components 83 and engages the power transverse component 81 arranged to press the side components 83 outward with respect to the sides of the trench during an upward cutting movement of the cutting mechanism 23. Included, Trenching device.