Machine for uncovering a pipeline and operating element

An apparatus for uncovering a buried pipeline comprising:

• a base underframe;
• a rotary frame pivotally connected to the base underframe such that the rotary frame and the base underframe pivot about a first substantially vertical axis and a second substantially horizontal axis;
• a first power drive connected to the rotary frame and the base underframe wherein the first power drive selectively applies a rotational force in a first and a second direction to the rotary frame whereby the first directional force raises the rotary frame and the second directional force lowers the rotary frame;
• a second power drive disposed proximate the base underframe and the rotary frame wherein the second power drive causes the base underframe and rotary frame to pivot about the first substantially vertical axis;
• an operating element pivotally connected to the rotary frame such that the operating element and the rotary frame pivot about a second substantially horizontal axis, the operating element having chain members rotatable around the operating element, wherein the rotating chain members remove soil from both sides of the buried pipeline;
• a transfer device connected to the rotary frame for transferring the soil removed by the operating element to a dump;
• a third power drive connected to the operating element wherein the third power drive selectively applies a rotational force in a first and a second direction to the operating element whereby the first directional rotational force raises the operating element and the second directional rotational force lowers the operating element;
• an arm pivotally connected to one of the rotary frame and the operating element about a third substantially horizontal axis;
• a following member pivotally connected to the arm wherein the following member pivots about a fourth substantially horizontal axis and a second substantially vertical axis, and the following member is adapted to rest on the buried pipeline such that a longitudinal axis of the following member is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the buried pipeline;
• the arm further comprises first and second arm portions pivotally connected to pivot about a third substantially vertical axis whereby the following member is permitted to move laterally relative to a longitudinal axis of the first arm portion;
• a fourth power drive connected to the arm wherein the fourth power drive prevents spontaneous movement of the arm and secures the arm in a desired position relative to the rotary frame and operating element, and the fourth power drive selectively applies a rotational force in a first and a second direction to the arm and following member whereby the first directional rotational force maintains the following member in contact with the buried pipeline and the second directional rotational force moves the following member away from the buried pipeline;
• a plow connected to the following member wherein the plow removes a top layer of soil from a top edge of the buried pipeline and transfers the removed top layer of soil to the rotating chain members of the operating element;
• a sensor for generating a signal indicative of an angle of the following member relative to the arm;
• and
• a controller for maintaining the operating element in a desired position relative to the buried pipeline in response to the signal.

An operating element of an apparatus for uncovering a buried pipeline, the operating element comprising:

• two frames each having first and second ends;
• a drive shaft disposed at the first end of each of the frames;
• a tension shaft disposed at the second end of each of the frames;
• a chain wrapped around the each of the drive shafts, tension shafts, and the frames;
• a machine transmission connected to the drive shaft for forced rotation of the chain around the outer shaft, frame, and tension shaft;
• each of the drive shafts further includes:
• an inner shaft rotatably connected to the machine transmission, and held by bearings in a rotary frame;
• an outer shaft held by bearings in one of the frames, the outer shaft surrounding a portion of the inner shaft and rotationally connected to the inner shaft wherein the outer shaft is displaceable longitudinally along the inner shaft;
• drive sprockets attached to the outer shaft for engaging the chain;
• a first bearing support disposed on the rotary frame;
• a second bearing support disposed on one of the frames;
• at least one split distance sleeve surrounding the inner shaft and disposed between the first and second bearing supports for positioning the outer shaft in a predetermined longitudinal position from the first bearing support;
• fasteners disposed on the first and second bearing supports adapted to hold a removable power drive;
• a trench slope-forming mechanism comprising:
• two L-shaped arms rotatably mounted on each of the frames between the chain, the L-shaped arms each having first and second ends;
• a telescopic tie bar rotatably connect to each of the first ends of the L-shaped arms;
• two back-slopers each having first and second ends, each of the first ends connected to one of the second ends of the L-shaped arms, and each of the seconds ends of the back-slopers connected to each of the tension shafts wherein each of the back-slopers is held in tension, and wherein the removable power drive displaces the outer shaft longitudinally along the inner shaft causing the telescopic tie bar to expand and contract in response to the longitudinal movement of the outer shaft;
• and
• a lock for locking the telescopic tie bar in a desired position.