Automated Dual Excavation For Hydro/Pneumatic Vacuum

Excavators

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

This invention relates to the field of excavating, and more specifically to tools and methods used for daylighting and hydro/pneumatic vacuum excavation.

Background Information

Large vertical columns or vertical structures are used to build many types of buildings or structures. Such buildings or structures may include fences, bridges, arches, aqueducts, roadways, buildings etc. In order to create an adequate foundation for these vertical columns, vertical holes are required to be dug into the ground in order to receive a lower end of these vertical columns or structures.

Pilot holes are required to dig vertical holes. In the past, pilot holes have been dug utilizing shovels, post hole shovels and other types of tools that use mechanical force to shovel or remove dirt and other earthy material from the ground in order to form a hole. However, using shovels and other related tools can cause problems. For example, buried assets such as utility cables and conduits may be damaged by a shovel or other tool when digging a hole.

Indeed, for many decades, traditional excavation using hydraulic excavators and backhoes, as well as hand tools, were used to dig around or expose utilities. Operator accidents and underground utility damage were commonplace — especially in crowded, urban development areas. In recent years, vacuum excavation techniques, e.g., hydrovacs, have been used to remove dirt in order to form holes and dig around or expose utilities. By using vacuum excavation techniques, the risks involved in such operations may be reduced, if not substantially eliminated, through the use of high pressure fluid (e.g., water or air) to dislodge the earthy material at the digsite. Conventional hydrovacs, however, are not without some drawbacks. For example, hydrovacs generally require two workers. One worker runs the vacuum boom while the other typically runs the wand that supplies high pressure air or water to the digsite. This means that there are two workers within the potential touch zone if the wand or the vacuum tube comes into contact with an underground power source. Moreover, in some applications it may be difficult for conventional tools to efficiently combine high pressure fluid erosion power with vacuum suction power. For example, the size of the hole may be too narrow to enable a worker to sufficiently vary the angle of the wand relative to the vacuum tube to adequately erode material at the digsite.

Accordingly, there exists a need for improvements over the prior art and more particularly for a hydro/pneumatic excavation vacuum system that addresses the forgoing issues.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present invention, a system is provided for coupling to a working end of a hydrovac boom hose having a longitudinal axis and a perimeter disposed transversely to the axis, the working end configured to vacuum earthy material from a digsite along the axis. The system includes a plurality of high pressure nozzles disposable in spaced relation along the perimeter of the working end, configured to emit high pressure fluid towards the digsite to dislodge the earthy material. The nozzles are angularly actuatable to selectively emit the high pressure fluid along a range of angles relative to the longitudinal axis. The nozzles are also rotationally actuatable to selectively emit the high pressure fluid from a range of locations along the perimeter of the working end. The angular and rotatable actuation is independent of movement of the working end and/or of movement of the hydrovac boom hose.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for producing a system for coupling to a working end of a hydrovac boom hose having a longitudinal axis and a perimeter disposed transversely to the axis, the working end configured to vacuum earthy material from a digsite along the axis. The method includes disposing a plurality of high pressure nozzles in spaced relation along the perimeter of the working end, to emit high pressure fluid towards the digsite to dislodge the earthy material. The method further includes configuring the nozzles for angular actuation to selectively emit the high pressure fluid along a range of angles relative to the longitudinal axis, and configuring the nozzles for rotational actuation to selectively emit the high pressure fluid from a range of locations along the perimeter of the working end. The angular and rotational actuation is independent of movement of the working end and/or of movement of the hydrovac boom hose.

The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive and various embodiments may include some, none, or all of the enumerated advantages. Additionally, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and not to limit the scope of the inventive subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of conventional hydrovac system with which the present invention may be used;

Fig. 2 is a partially schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of various components of the embodiment of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to that of Fig. 3, illustrating movement of the various components;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to those of Figs. 3 and 4, illustrating further movement; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of some of the components of Figs. 2- 5;

Fig. 7 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention showing flow of fluid and excavated material; and

Fig. 8 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing device usable with the foregoing embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood at the outset that, although exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the figures and described below, the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations and techniques illustrated in the drawings and described below. Additionally, unless otherwise specifically noted, articles depicted in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In addition, well- known structures, circuits, and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the understanding of this description. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

General Overview

The disclosed embodiments include a system for retrofitting a working (distal) end of a hydrovac boom hose to address the aforementioned issues associated with conventional tools. As used herein, the term ‘hydrovac’ refers to conventional hydro/pneumatic vacuum excavators that use high pressure fluid, regardless of whether the fluid is air and/or water, to dislodge earthy material at a digsite prior to being vacuumed. The inventive system provides an efficient way to non-destructively dig and remove earthy material at a digsite, to dig holes, etc., while safely unearthing and exposing or daylighting underground pipelines, fiber-optics and utilities, etc., without the need for a worker to use a wand to apply the fluid. These embodiments provide a system that effectively combines the application of high pressure fluid with the application of a vacuum. The system enables the high pressure fluid to be delivered to the digsite by the working end of the hydrovac boom hose, while enabling the direction of fluid application to be controlled independently of the working end. The system addresses issues associated with the prior art by allowing the direction of fluid to be varied relative to the orientation of the working end, even when digging narrow holes with limited clearance, while eliminating the need for a worker to manipulate a wand within the potential touch zone of the hydrovac boom.

Terminology

As used in the specification and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, reference to "an analyzer" includes a plurality of such analyzers.

Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. All terms, including technical and scientific terms, as used herein, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs unless a term has been otherwise defined. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning as commonly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure. Such commonly used terms will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless the disclosure herein expressly so defines otherwise.

Where used in this disclosure, the term “axial” when used in connection with an element described herein, refers to a direction relative to the element, which is substantially parallel to longitudinal axis a of working end 14 as shown in Fig. 2. Similarly, the term “transverse” refers to a direction other than substantially parallel to the axial direction. The terms “transverse cross-section” or “transverse circumference” refers to a cross-section or circumference, respectively, taken along a transverse plane. As used herein, the terms “computer” and “end-user device” are meant to encompass a workstation, personal computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless telephone, or any other suitable computing device including a processor, a computer readable medium upon which computer readable program code (including instructions and/or data) may be disposed, and a user interface. Terms such as “server”, “application”, “engine”, “component”, “module”, “control components/devices”, “messenger component or service,” and the like are intended to refer to a computer-related entity, including hardware or a combination of hardware and, software. Moreover, the various computer-related entities may be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers.

Programming Languages

Aspects of the system and method embodying the present invention can be programmed in any suitable language and technology, such as, but not limited to: Assembly Languages, C, C++; Visual Basic; Java; VBScript; Jscript; Node.js; BCMAscript; DHTM1; XML and CGI. Alternative versions may be developed using other programming languages including, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Active ServerPages (ASP) and Javascript. Any suitable database technology can be employed, such as, but not limited to, Microsoft SQL Server or IBM AS 400, as well as big data and NoSQL technologies, such as, but not limited to, Hadoop or Microsoft Azure.

Referring now to the appended Figures, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. For convenience of explication, these embodiments will be described in the context of hydro excavation, i.e., the application of high pressure water to a digsite, with the understanding that the teachings hereof are similarly applicable to pneumatic excavation, i.e., to vacuum excavation involving the application of high pressure air instead of, or in addition to, water.

As shown in Fig. 1, conventional hydro excavation typically involves a worker applying high-pressure water via a wand 10 to an excavation (e.g., dig) site 12 to loosen soil and dig a hole. The wet, muddy excavated material is then vacuumed into the working (distal) end 14 of a hydrovac boom hose 16 supported by a boom 18 of a hydro excavator truck 20. The vacuumed material is stored in the truck 20 for transport, e.g., to a designated landfill location. This technology allows for relatively quick and precise excavations to advantageously provide for reduced backfill, labor, and environmental impact relative to prior drilling methods. As discussed hereinabove, hydro excavation poses little threat to buried utilities. Disadvantageously, however, this conventional approach also requires personnel to manually direct the water from the high- pressure wand 10 to the excavation site.

Turning now to Fig. 2, embodiments of the present invention include a system 28 that automates the application of high-pressure fluid (e.g., water) by securing one or more gun nozzles 32 to the working end 14 of the hydrovac boom hose 16. The nozzles 32 are fed with water from high-pressure lines 34 to emit high pressure fluid towards the digsite to dislodge/erode the earthy material. In particular embodiments, the nozzles 32 are secured to working end 14 by a collar 30 that fits around and engages the working end 14 as discussed in greater detail hereinbelow.

As shown, working end 14 has a longitudinal axis a and a perimeter (e.g., circumference) in a plane disposed transversely to axis a. Working end 14 is configured to vacuum earthy material from the digsite along axis a in a substantially conventional manner, such as shown and described with respect to Fig. 1. In particular embodiments, a plurality of nozzles 32 are disposable in spaced relation along the perimeter of working end 14, and are configured for angular (e.g., pivotable) actuation to selectively emit the high pressure fluid towards the digsite along a range of angles b relative to axis a. In addition to the angular/pivotable actuation, nozzles 32 may be configured for rotational actuation about axis a to selectively emit the high pressure fluid from a range of locations along the perimeter of working end 14. For example, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 4, nozzles 32 are configured to move along the perimeter (e.g., circumference) of working end 14 as shown at arrow c. In particular embodiments, this rotational/circumferential actuation is provided by configuring collar 30 to rotate, along with the nozzles 32 carried thereon, about the perimeter of working end 14. For example, this ability to rotate may be provided by mounting collar 30 on rollers 42 that ride along the perimeter of working end 14. In addition, collar 30 may be provided with a motor 31 as shown, which is actuatable to effect the rotation, such as by rotating a drive wheel 50 that is engageable with the perimeter of working end 14. Drive wheel 50 may be selectively moved between engagement (Figs. 2-4) and disengagement (Fig. 5) with the perimeter of working end 14. The skilled artisan will recognize that disengaging the drive wheel 50 as shown in Fig. 5 helps to provide sufficient clearance to enable collar 30 to be easily installed and removed from working end 14, such as for servicing, etc. In particular embodiments, motor 31 may be a conventional electric motor, while alternate embodiments may employ a pneumatically driven motor, as discussed in greater detail hereinbelow.

Embodiments of system 28 thus provide one or more nozzles 32 configured for both angular/pivotable actuation towards and away from axis a, and rotational actuation about the perimeter of working end 14 and axis a. This dual-mode actuation of nozzles 32 is thus independent of movement of the working end 14 and/or of the hydrovac boom hose, since the direction of fluid application is selectable within a range of positions relative to axis a of working end 14. It should be recognized that the angular/pivotable actuation of the nozzles may be provided in any suitable manner known to those skilled in the art, such as by pivoting the nozzles. In the example shown, the nozzles are mounted to collar 30 with pivotable mounts, and linear actuators (e.g., pneumatic actuators) 35 serve to pivot the nozzles relative to the longitudinal axis a. Alternatively, or in combination with the foregoing, a series of fixed nozzles may be respectively disposed at various angles relative to axis a. These fixed nozzles may then be selectively supplied with water as desired to select the spray direction and effectively provide the angular/pivotable actuation, nominally without any pivoting of the nozzles themselves.

Turning to Fig. 6, alternate embodiments of the collar and motor are shown at 30’ and 31’, respectively. For clarity, additional components such as nozzles 32, and lines 34 and 37 are not shown, though the skilled artisan will recognize that these components may be installed on collar 30’ in substantially the same manner as they are installed on collar 30 as shown and described with respect to Figs. 2-5. Collar 30’ and motor 31’ operate in substantially the same way as collar 30 and motor 31, while having a comparatively longer axial dimension and lower radial profile relative to axis a. Those skilled in the art will recognize that such a configuration may be desirable for particular applications by mitigating torsional forces generated by the nozzles 32 when angled obliquely to axis a. The lower profile tends to reduce such torsional forces, while the longer axial dimension tends to help the collar 30’ to resist such torsional forces. In addition, the lower radial profile may be useful in tight confines such as when daylighting or otherwise excavating around closely spaced utility lines.

Referring back to Fig. 2, embodiments of system 28 include a controller 38 (shown schematically) communicably coupled to the nozzles 32 to effect both the angular actuation and the rotational actuation. In particular embodiments controller 38 also controls supply of the high pressure water to the nozzles. Controller 38 is configured to actuate the nozzles 32, i.e.: to start, stop and control the volume of water sprayed from the nozzles, and to control the direction of spray by rotating the nozzles about axis a, e.g., using motor 31, and by pivoting the nozzles using linear actuators 35. Particular embodiments optionally include an electronic control panel, shown in phantom at 40, which is communicably coupled, e.g., via wireless network 36, to controller 38, to enable a user to remotely operate controller 38.

It is also noted that the nozzles are configured to emit the high pressure fluid at a plurality of rates and/or pressures. For example, particular embodiments are configured to spray water from 0-3,000psi at a rate of 0-80 gallons per minute (gpm), and/or to emit air from 50-250psi, with the water and/or air being fed from a conventional pressure blasting system of truck 20 (Fig. 1). The nozzles are configured to emit the high pressure fluid from a range of positions extending plus or minus 180 degrees along the circumference of the working end 14 as shown at arrow c (Fig. 3), and in particular embodiments, up to a full 360 degrees, e.g, by rotating collar 30. Nozzles 32 are configured to emit the high pressure fluid along a range of angles b from -20 degrees in to +20 degrees, and in particular embodiments, from -20 to +70 degrees out from longitudinal axis a of the vacuum hose, e.g., by pivoting the nozzles. These embodiments thus enable remote control of nozzles 32 to spray high pressure fluid at a digsite along a plurality of notional concentric circles disposed transversely to axis a., with diameters that may be adjusted in real time by an operator using panel 40.

In particular embodiments, controller 38 includes conventional pneumatic valves coupled by pneumatic lines 37 to actuators 35 and to a pneumatic motor 31. Controller 38 may also include hydraulic valves coupled to water lines 34 to selectively feed the high pressure fluid (e.g., water) to nozzles 32. Moreover, in particular applications, the combination of controller 38 and control panel 40 includes a conventional electronic-to- pneumatic control system commercially available from Clean Harbors, Inc. (Norwell, MA), in which the aforementioned pneumatic and hydraulic valves are actuated at controller 38 in response to electronic signals from control panel 40.

In should be noted that while the collar 30 is configured to rotate along with nozzles 32 about the perimeter of working end 14 in the embodiments shown and described, the skilled artisan will recognize that the nozzles 32 may rotate relative to a fixed collar, without departing from the scope of the present invention. It should also be recognized that rather than, or in addition to pneumatic controls, controller 38 may be used to electronically control electrically actuatable nozzles 32, and/or an electric motor 50, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Optionally, particular embodiments may also include an onboard locating sensor device 215 mounted on the working end 14, such as on collar 30, as shown in phantom. The onboard locating sensor device may include, for example, a transmitter, receiver, and a warning alarm. This device 215 may emit a magnetic frequency into the ground which then bounces back to the receiver, for monitoring, locating, detecting, and actuating the alarm as working end 14 approaches utilities, conduits, or other buried assets at the digsite. In some embodiments, as the device approaches closer to such utilities, conduits, and buried assets, alarm volume increases. In addition, sensor 215 may be communicably coupled to controller 38 and/or control panel 40, to notify the operator via the controller and/or control panel of any underground utility or cable, etc. Examples of such sensors that would be suitable for use in these embodiments are well known to those skilled in the art and may include a resistivity sensor, a permittivity sensor, a conductivity sensor, and a magnetometer, etc. Additionally, other sensors and circuitry may be used and are within the scope of the present invention. The alarm may be a visual or a sound alarm, however other types of alarms are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 2-5, in operation, an operator that intends to excavate a digsite may attach collar 30, 30’ of system 28 to working end 14 of a hydrovac boom hose 16 of a hydro excavator truck 20 (Fig. 1). Next, the operator will position the working end 14 proximate to the digsite to be excavated. Thereafter, the operator will activate nozzles 32 to feed pressurized fluid (e.g., water) to the digsite to erode earthy material. During this nozzle operation, the operator also activates the vacuum of truck 20 so that suction force along axis a will vacuum the eroded earthy materials, water, and air into the working end 14 and into truck 20.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating electrical components of system 28 and the flow of fluid and earthy material therethrough. As discussed hereinabove, the controller 38 may include a processor that is communicably coupled to the motor 31, nozzles 32, water source 160, and optionally, onboard locating sensor device 215. Line A represents the flow of earthy material, water, and air pulled into the working end 14 of the hydrovac boom hose 16 by the vacuum 140 of truck 20. Such material may be moved in the direction of Line C and stored in a reservoir or storage bin area 170 of truck 20. Water is moved in the direction of Line B from the water source 160 and emitted from nozzles 32 to erode the earthy material at the digsite, prior to being vacuumed along with the earthy material by the working end 14 of the hydrovac boom hose. Filters may also be used at different parts of the device to filter the air, water, etc. Additionally, filters may be used to filter the earthy material so that water may be returned to the water supply via a return conduit 430.

FIG. 8 shows a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the exemplary form of a computer system 300 within which a set of instructions, for causing the machine to perform any one of the methodologies discussed above, including those of controller 38 and/or control panel 40, may be executed. In alternative embodiments, the machine may include a network router, a network switch, a network bridge, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a web appliance or any machine capable of executing a sequence of instructions that specify actions to be taken by that machine.

The computer system 300 includes a processor 302, a main memory 304 and a static memory 306, which communicate with each other via a bus 308. The computer system 300 may further include a video display unit 310 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma, cathode ray tube (CRT), etc.). The computer system 300 may also include an alpha-numeric input device 312 (e.g., a keyboard or touchscreen), a cursor control device 314 (e.g., a mouse), a drive (e.g., disk, flash memory, etc.,) unit 316, a signal generation device 320 (e.g., a speaker) and a network interface device 322.

The drive unit 316 includes a computer-readable medium 324 on which is stored a set of instructions (i.e., software) 326 embodying any one, or all, of the methodologies described above. The software 326 is also shown to reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 304 and/or within the processor 302. The software 326 may further be transmitted or received via the network interface device 322. For the purposes of this specification, the term "computer-readable medium" shall be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing or encoding a sequence of instructions for execution by the computer and that cause the computer to perform any one of the methodologies of the present invention, and as further described hereinbelow.

Certain aspects of the present invention include process steps and instructions described herein in the form of an algorithm. It should be noted that the process steps and instructions of the present invention could be embodied in software, firmware or hardware, and when embodied in software, could be downloaded to reside on and be operated from different platforms used by real time network operating systems. Moreover, the particular naming of the components, capitalization of terms, the attributes, data structures, or any other programming or structural aspect is not mandatory or significant, and the mechanisms that implement the invention or its features may have different names, formats, or protocols.

Moreover, unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the above discussion, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as "processing" or "computing" or "calculating" or "determining" or "displaying" or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.

Embodiments of the present invention also relate to an apparatus for performing the operations herein. This apparatus may be specially constructed for the required purposes, or it may comprise a computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored on a computer readable medium that can be accessed by the computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a tangible, non-transitory, computer readable storage medium, such as, but is not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, magnetic- optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), any other appropriate static, dynamic, or volatile memory or data storage devices, or other type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions, and each coupled to a computer system bus. Furthermore, the computers referred to in the specification may include a single processor or may be architectures employing multiple processor designs for increased computing capability.

In addition, the present invention is not described with reference to any particular programming language. It is appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to implement the teachings of the present invention as described herein, and any references to specific languages are provided for disclosure of enablement and best mode of the present invention.

The present invention is well suited to a wide variety of computer network systems over numerous topologies. Within this field, the configuration and management of large networks comprise storage devices and computers that are communicatively coupled to dissimilar computers and storage devices over a network, such as the Internet.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the components of the systems and apparatuses may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein may be performed by more, fewer, or other components and the methods described may include more, fewer, or other steps.

Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable order. It should be further understood that any of the features described with respect to one of the embodiments described herein may be similarly applied to any of the other embodiments described herein without departing from the scope of the present invention. As used in this document, “each” refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set.

To aid the Patent Office and any readers of any patent issued on this application in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants wish to note that they do not intend any of the appended claims or claim elements to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is: