Automated Dual Excavation For Hydro/Pneumatic Vacuum Excavators

A system for coupling to a working end of a hydrovac boom hose, the working end having a longitudinal axis and a circumference disposed transversely to said axis, the hydrovac boom hose configured to vacuum earthy material through the working end from a digsite along said axis, the system comprising:

• a collar couplable concentrically with, and configured for axial rotation relative to the working end;
• the collar further supporting a pneumatically driven motor thereon to effect said axial rotation;
• a plurality of high pressure nozzles pivotably disposed in spaced relation along the collar, wherein the nozzles are configured to emit high pressure fluid including water and/or air towards the digsite to dislodge the earthy material;
• said nozzles configured for angular actuation by pivoting the nozzles to selectively emit the high pressure fluid along a range of angles relative to the longitudinal axis;
• said nozzles configured for rotational actuation as the collar rotates to selectively emit the high pressure fluid from a range of locations along the circumference of the working end;
• wherein said nozzles are configured for said angular actuation and for said rotational actuation independently of movement of the working end and/or independently of movement of the hydrovac boom hose;
• an electronically actuatable pneumatic controller communicably coupled to said nozzles to actuate the nozzles and to effect said angular actuation and said rotational actuation;
• the controller configured to control supply of the high pressure fluid to the nozzles.
• wherein the nozzles are configured to emit the high pressure fluid at a plurality of rates and/or pressures ranging from 0 pounds per square inch (PSI) to 3000 PSI and from 0 gallons per minute (GPM) to 80 GPM, to dislodge the earthy material at the digsite while the working end vacuums the dislodged earthy material.

A method for producing a system for coupling to a working end of a hydrovac boom hose, the working end having a longitudinal axis and a perimeter disposed transversely to said axis, the working end configured to vacuum earthy material from a digsite along said axis, the method comprising:

• disposing a plurality of high pressure nozzles in spaced relation along the perimeter of the working end, the nozzles configured to emit high pressure fluid towards the digsite to dislodge the earthy material;
• configuring the nozzles for angular actuation to selectively emit the high pressure fluid along a range of angles relative to the longitudinal axis;
• 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;
• wherein the nozzles are configured for said angular actuation and for said rotational actuation independently of movement of the working end and/or independently of movement of the hydrovac boom hose.