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US 6,719,494 B1Granted
Cable and pipe burial apparatus and method
AssigneeCoelexip, S.A.
InventorJonathan B. Machin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for burying cables and pipes in soil includes a support structure adapted for movement across a surface of the soil. A water jetting machine is provided for producing a source of pressurized water. At least two jetting arms are in fluid communication with the source of pressurized water. The jetting arms have vertical adjustment structure for varying at least the vertical position of each jetting arm relative to the support structure so as to adjust for varying soil conditions. A method for burying cables and pipes in soil is also disclosed.
Claims21
An apparatus for burying cables and pipes in soil, comprising:
- a support structure adapted for movement across a surface of the soil;
- a source of pressurized water;
- at least two jetting arms in fluid communication with said source of pressurized water and having vertical adjustment structure for varying at least the vertical position of each jetting arm relative to the support structure;
- and
- a control system, which control system is adjustable during said movement depending on soil conditions, said control system linked to said vertical adjustment structure of said jetting arms so as to vary the vertical position of each jetting arm as a trench is cut to vary the depth of trench created depending on the soil conditions, wherein said control system is operable for performing a soil strength test during said moving step.
2 more elements
An apparatus for burying cables and pipes in soil, comprising:
- a support structure adapted for movement across a surface of the soil;
- a source of pressurized water;
- at least two jetting arms in fluid communication with said source of pressurized water and having vertical adjustment structure for varying at least the vertical position of each jetting arm relative to the support structure;
- a control system, which control system is adjustable depending on soil conditions, said control system linked to said vertical adjustment structure of said jetting arms so as to vary the vertical position of each jetting arm as a trench is cut to vary the depth of trench created depending on the soil conditions;
- and
- wherein at least one of said jetting arms comprises a large diameter nozzle at the lower end of said jetting arm and a plurality of smaller diameter nozzles substantially at a lower end of said jetting arm.
3 more elements
A method for burying cables and pipes in soils, comprising the steps of:
- moving a water jetting apparatus across the surface of the soil, the water jetting apparatus comprising a source of pressurized water and having vertical adjustment structure for varying at least the vertical position of each jetting arm relative to the support structure;
- and
- during said moving step, adjusting the vertical position of said jetting arms as a trench is cut using a control system, which control system is adjustable depending on soil conditions, said control system linked to said vertical adjustment structure of said jetting arms so as to vary the depth of the trench, depending on soil conditions, said control system performing a soil strength test during said moving step.
A method for burying cables and pipes in soils, comprising the steps of:
- moving a water jetting apparatus across the surface of the soil, the water jetting apparatus comprising a source of pressurized water and having vertical adjustment structure for varying at least the vertical position of each jetting arm relative to the support structure;
- and
- during said moving step, adjusting the vertical position of said jetting arms as a trench is cut using a control system, which control system is adjustable depending on soil conditions, said control system linked to said vertical adjustment structure of said jetting arms so as to vary the depth of the trench, depending on soil conditions, wherein said control system performs said adjusting step automatically in response to said soil conditions.
A method for burying cables and pipes in soils, comprising the steps of:
- moving a water jetting apparatus across the surface of the soil, the water jetting apparatus comprising a source of pressurized water and having vertical adjustment structure for varying at least the vertical position of each jetting arm relative to the support structure;
- and
- during said moving step, adjusting the vertical position of said jetting arms as a trench is cut using a control system, which control system is adjustable depending on soil conditions, said control system linked to said vertical adjustment structure of said jetting arms so as to vary the depth of the trench, depending on soil conditions, further comprising the step of providing at least one of said jetting arms with a large diameter nozzle at the lower end of said jetting arm and a plurality of smaller diameter nozzles substantially at a lower end of said jetting arm.
An apparatus for burying cables and pipes in soil, comprising:
- a support structure adapted for movement across a surface of the soil;
- a source of pressurized water;
- at least two jetting arms in fluid communication with said source of pressurized water and having vertical adjustment structure for varying at least the vertical position of each jetting arm relative to the support structure;
- and
- a control system, which control system is adjustable during said movement depending on soil conditions, said control system linked to said vertical adjustment structure of said jetting arms so as to vary the vertical position of each jetting arm as a trench is cut to vary the depth of trench created depending on the soil conditions, wherein said control system performs said adjustment automatically in response to said soil conditions.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.