Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cutting a trench (e.g., for a fiber optic cable or wire conductors) in an existing covering surface (e.g., a road surface). Debris from the cut trench is evacuated (e.g., vacuumed) from the trench as the trench is cut. The trench may be backfilled using a flowable composition. In one example, the flowable composition rigidifies after being flowed into the trench, and thereafter is substantially impermeable (e.g., having a hydraulic permeability of less than 0.0000001 cm/s upon drying), non-compressible and/or non-expanding.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for variable-depth microtrenching (e.g., for burying fiber optic cables, electrical conductors, and conduits beneath a ground surface of a road or other byway). An automated blade adjustment mechanism coupled to a cutting blade adjusts a depth of the microtrench by raising or lowering the cutting blade during the microtrenching operation. The ability to raise or lower the cutting blade in an automated fashion during the microtrenching operation facilitates effective microtrenching through elevated or depressed obstacles (e.g., speed bumps, curbs, water drainage channels) that may be present in a byway for vehicles or pedestrians. In particular, in one example, substantially uninterrupted formation of a microtrench through an elevated or depressed obstacle may be achieved in a single swath without stopping the microtrenching operation and while maintaining a substantially uniform, or minimum prescribed, microtrench depth.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cutting a trench (e.g., for a fiber optic cable or wire conductors) in an existing covering surface (e.g., a road surface). Debris from the cut trench is evacuated (e.g., vacuumed) from the trench as the trench is cut. The trench may be backfilled using a flowable composition. In one example, the flowable composition rigidifies after being flowed into the trench, and thereafter is substantially impermeable (e.g., having a hydraulic permeability of less than 0.0000001 cm/s upon drying), non-compressible and/or non-expanding.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cutting a trench (e.g., for a fiber optic cable or wire conductors) in an existing covering surface (e.g., a road surface), wherein the trench has a depth of approximately 10 to 12 inches and a width of approximately 0.5 to 1.25 inches. Debris from the cut trench is evacuated (e.g., vacuumed) from the trench as the trench is cut. The trench may be backfilled by flowing a non-shrinking composition into at least a portion of the trench and, after hardening of the non-shrinking composition, applying a topping material to a remaining portion of the trench. In one example, the non-shrinking composition is configured to rigidify within one hour of being flowed into the trench, be substantially impermeable thereafter (e.g., having a hydraulic permeability of less than 0.0000001 cm/s upon drying), and be non-compressible and non-expanding.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming a trench alongside a vehicle (for burying fiber optic cables, electrical conductors, and conduits). A cutting blade is coupled to the vehicle via an offset arm. As the vehicle is advanced along a road, the cutting blade is laterally offset from the vehicle and positioned so as to cut a narrow (e.g., 0.5-1.5 inches) and deep (e.g., 10-12 inches) trench alongside the vehicle (e.g., at the inner face of the street curb between the curb and a sidewalk abutting the curb). The offset arm includes one or more mechanical joints to facilitate adjustment of one or more of a lateral offset distance between the vehicle and the blade, a vertical offset distance between a blade housing and a road surface, and rotation of the blade housing around at least two axes to facilitate appropriate positioning of the cutting blade with respect to the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cutting a trench (e.g., for a fiber optic cable or wire conductors) in an existing covering surface (e.g., a road surface), wherein the trench has a depth of approximately 10 to 12 inches and a width of approximately 0.5 to 1.25 inches. Debris from the cut trench is evacuated (e.g., vacuumed) from the trench as the trench is cut. The trench may be backfilled by flowing a non-shrinking composition into at least a portion of the trench and, after hardening of the non-shrinking composition, applying a topping material to a remaining portion of the trench. In one example, the non-shrinking composition is configured to rigidify within one hour of being flowed into the trench, be substantially impermeable thereafter (e.g., having a hydraulic permeability of less than 0.0000001 cm/s upon drying), and be non-compressible and non-expanding.

Abstract: To construct an underground cable line in-situ, cut and immediately evacuate a void in the existing covering surface. Next, lay or apply cable(s) into the void. Then, flow a non-shrinking composition into a portion of the void around the cable to fill a portion of the void. Upon rigidification the cable is encased in the void by the non-shrinking composition. Last, apply a topping material to the exposed surface of the composition in such volume as to fill any remaining portion of the void.

Abstract: To construct an underground cable line in-situ, cut and immediately evacuate a void in the existing covering surface. Next, lay or apply cable(s) into the void. Then, flow a non-shrinking composition into a portion of the void around the cable to fill a portion of the void. Upon rigidification the cable is encased in the void by the non-shrinking composition. Last, apply a topping material to the exposed surface of the composition in such volume as to fill any remaining portion of the void.