Plow Blade with Water Passageway
A plow blade having a fluid passageway and points of fluid ejection is produced with basic manufacturing processes allowing for efficient production. The blade construction has a multiple component assembly for providing the ability to rebuild a blade and replacing a portion of the blade that may be worn. In another aspect of the invention a process of ejecting a specific fluid at specific points along a plow blade the desirable characteristics are maximized, while the volume of ejected fluid is minimized. This method is adaptable in static plowing and vibratory plowing utilities since lubricating the sides of the blade/chute that come into contact with the ground with fluid has been found to greatly reduce the amount of drag (friction).
This application is a divisional of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/396,619, filed Mar. 25, 2003, entitled “PLOW BLADE WITH WATER PASSAGEWAY.”
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMany types of services are delivered to homes through conduits installed in relatively shallow underground trenches. These include telephone, television, natural gas, electricity, and drainage. These utilities are often installed with a plow.
An alternate configuration is illustrated in
Depending on the desired depth, size of utility line, and the ground (soil) conditions (clay, sand, loam, etc.). This process may be slow and require a large amount of power from the tractor 10 to pull the blade/chute through the ground. To reduce this loading various efforts have been made to inject liquid to the plow and to the utility being installed to wet the ground.
In some past designs the liquid was water, ejected in the direction of travel of the plow blade, and at the edge of the plow blade, utilizing the water to assist in the cutting action required to slice the ground.
In other designs, useful for applications as illustrated in
In still other designs water has been directed through long holes 36 drilled into the blade 34 of the plow 30. Additional cross-drilled holes threaded to accept cooperating nozzles 38 are drilled near front edge 32, as illustrated in
The present invention relates to a novel design for a plow blade which provides a fluid passage and points of fluid ejection which is produced with basic manufacturing processes allowing efficient production.
Another aspect of the present invention is a blade construction including a multiple component assembly. This provides the ability to rebuild a blade, replacing a portion of the blade that may be worn.
In another aspect of the present invention a process of ejecting a specific fluid at specific points along a plow blade the desirable characteristics are maximized, while the volume of ejected fluid is minimized. This method is adaptable in static plowing and vibratory plowing utilities. Lubricating the sides of the blade/chute that come into contact with the ground with fluid has been found to greatly reduce the amount of drag (friction).
Referring now to the drawings, like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views. The included drawings reflect the current preferred and alternate embodiments. There are many additional embodiments that may utilize the present invention. The drawings are not meant to include all such possible embodiments.
The blade 110 further includes a front edge 112, a top end 116 and a bottom end 118. The top end 116 includes apertures 117 which will serve as attachment points, to adapt to a power unit. Many different types of power units can be used in conjunction with the preset invention.
The bottom end 118 is adapted to support a variety of points 130. The type of point to be installed may be dependent upon the soil conditions of a particular job.
A component of the present invention is the manner in which the components are assembled to form flow paths for fluid to exit the blade at controlled locations and with a controlled flow rate. The flow paths of this first embodiment illustrated in
As illustrated in
The fluid pressure at a certain point along the blade's length will vary. If the tube 140 terminates at the top of blade 110, the fluid pressure will be highest at that point and will decrease at points closer to the bottom. This is not ideal as there tends to be more resistance from the soils near the bottom of the blade, which requires the highest fluid pressure near that area. This is due to the types of soils typically encountered at lower depths. The surface soils typically include some percentage of organic matter, and higher percentage of air pockets: it is typically less dense. The soils encountered at points deeper can include the more difficult soils including clay. Thus there is an area, illustrated in
In addition to varying the length of tube 140, the number of leading edge sections 120 that are welded onto blade 110 can be varied to match the requirements of a specific job, including specific installation depths. The number of and location of the stitch welds can also be adjusted to tailor a plow 100 for a specific application. In this manner it is possible to provide a nearly infinite variety of configurations in an economic manner.
Another embodiment is illustrated in
In this embodiment varying the nozzles 168 utilized in the assembly allows control of the flow rates and location of the fluid injection. The nozzles 168 can be replaced by plugs (not shown) if there are areas where fluid is not required, and the size of the nozzles 168 can be varied if the there are areas where extra flow is required. It provides a plow that can be modified using hand tools, without welding.
Still another preferred embodiment is illustrated in
Tube end 146 is adapted to attach to a bottom end section 126, as illustrated in
Void 128 intersects void 124 at the bottom-front corner of blade 110. At this point the fluid is transferred to void 124 and will flow along the front edge 112 of blade 110. As described for the previous two embodiments, the fluid can then be allowed to travel to the edge of the blade and out to the soil either through a gap and spaces between stitch welds 150, or through a manifold 160 between the front edge sections 120 and the blade 110.
All the previously described embodiments provide a plow that can be tailored to provide fluid injection characteristics to match specific job requirements. The components are all manufactured with traditional manufacturing processes. The flow paths are defined by stacking together leading edge sections with flow voids, and welding or otherwise attaching them to a blade. This configuration provides appropriate function and provides an easily tailored configuration.
Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
Claims
1-5. (canceled)
6. A plow for use in installing utility lines in the ground comprising;
- (a) a leading edge section comprising: i) a front edge; and ii) a surface opposite the front edge including a sealing surface and fluid passage void.
- (b) a blade comprising a front surface, a top end and a bottom end;
- (c) a manifold comprising a front surface and a rear surface with apertures passing from the front surface to the rear surface;
- (d) wherein a fluid passage is defined by the fluid passage void of the leading edge section and the front surface of the manifold when the leading edge section is secured to the front surface of the manifold such that the terminal end of the apertures at the front side of the manifold align with the fluid passage void of the leading edge sections.
7. A plow for use in installing utility lines into the ground comprising:
- a) a blade having a top, a bottom, a one side and an another side, a front and a rear;
- b) a chute disposed behind the blade near the rear edge thereof, the chute having a top portion and a bottom portion and at least one channel between the top portion and the bottom portion thereof for receiving at least one utility line in the top portion above ground and a bottom portion below ground;
- c) an earth engaging leading edge section operatively disposed in front of the blade for cutting through the ground as the blade is forced through the ground;
- d) the rear edge of the leading edge section having a longitudinally disposed groove therein;
- e) a sealing surface disposed on each side of the longitudinally disposed groove;
- f) wherein the sealing surface is operatively attached to at least a portion of the front portion of the blade whereby a passageway is formed between the rear edge of the leading edge section and the front of the blade; and
- g) at least one outlet leading from the passageway to a place adjacent the bottom of the blade and leading edge whereby fluid in the passageway will lubricate the leading edge section and blade as leading edge and blade pass through the ground.
8. The plow of claim 7 wherein the passageway of the plow is sealed on the edges thereof by a weld between the leading edge section and the front of the blade.
9. The plow of claim 7 wherein the passageway of the plow is sealed by a tube disposed in at least a portion of the groove.
10. The plow of claim 7 wherein the passageway is connected to a source of liquid above the ground, whereby the liquid will flow to said at least one outlet to lubricate the leading edge section and blade as leading edge and blade pass through the ground.
11. The plow of claim 8 wherein the passageway is connected to a source of liquid above the ground, whereby the liquid will flow to said at least one outlet to lubricate the leading edge section and blade as leading edge and blade pass through the ground.
12. The plow of claim 9 wherein the passageway is connected to a source of liquid above the ground, whereby the liquid will flow to said at least one outlet to lubricate the leading edge section and blade as leading edge and blade pass through the ground.
13. The plow of claim 7 including a plurality of other outlets fluidly connected to said passageway are disposed between the blade and the leading edge section.
14. The plow of claim 13 wherein said other outlets are disposed in spaced relationship to each other between the top and bottom of the blade.
15. The plow of claim 13 wherein some of the other outlets are on said one side of the blade and others of the other outlets are on said another side of the blade.
16. A plow for use in installing utility lines into the ground comprising:
- a) a blade having a top, a bottom, a one side and an another side, a front and a rear;
- b) a chute disposed behind the blade near the rear edge thereof, the chute having a top portion and a bottom portion and at least one channel between the top portion and the bottom portion thereof for receiving at least one utility line in the top portion above ground and a bottom portion below ground;
- c) an earth engaging leading edge section operatively disposed in front of the blade for cutting through the ground as the blade is forced through the ground;
- d) the front of the blade having a longitudinally disposed groove therein;
- e) a sealing surface disposed on each side of the longitudinally disposed groove;
- f) wherein the sealing surface is operatively attached to at least a front of the blade whereby a passageway is formed between the rear edge of the leading edge section and the front of the blade; and
- g) at least one outlet leading from the passageway to a place adjacent the bottom of the blade and leading edge section whereby fluid in the passageway will lubricate the leading edge section and blade as leading edge and blade pass through the ground.
17. A plow for use in installing utility lines into the ground comprising:
- a) a blade having a top, a bottom, a one side and an another side, a front and a rear;
- b) a chute disposed behind the blade near the rear edge thereof, the chute having a top portion and a bottom portion and at least one channel between the top portion and the bottom portion thereof for receiving at least one utility line in the top portion above ground and a bottom portion below ground;
- c) an earth engaging leading edge section operatively disposed in front of the blade for cutting through the ground as the blade is forced through the ground;
- d) the rear edge of the leading edge section having a longitudinally disposed groove therein;
- e) a sealing surface disposed on each side of the longitudinally disposed groove;
- f) wherein the sealing surface is operatively attached to at least a portion of the front portion of the blade whereby a passageway is formed between the rear edge of the leading edge section and the front of the blade; and
- g) at least one outlet leading from the passageway to a place adjacent the bottom of the blade and leading edge whereby fluid in the passageway will lubricate the leading edge section and blade as leading edge and blade pass through the ground.
- h) a passage extending between the blade and the chute, said passage being fluidly connected to said passageway.
18. The plow of claim 17 wherein the passage is fluidly connected to a source of liquid above the ground, whereby the liquid will flow through said passage to said passageway and to said at least one outlet to lubricate the leading edge section and blade as leading edge and blade pass through the ground.
19. The plow of claim 16 wherein said other outlets are disposed in spaced relationship to each other between the top and bottom of the blade.
20. The plow of claim 16 wherein some of the other outlets are on said one side of the blade and others of the other outlets are on said another side of the blade.
21. The plow of claim 17 wherein said other outlets are disposed in spaced relationship to each other between the top and bottom of the blade.
22. The plow of claim 17 wherein some of the other outlets are on said one side of the blade and others of the other outlets are on said another side of the blade.
23-39. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 27, 2009
Publication Date: Dec 17, 2009
Inventors: Keith A. Hoelting (Allerton, IA), James V. Reeves (Leighton, IA), Brian N. Kenkel (Montezuma, IA)
Application Number: 12/548,833
International Classification: E02F 5/10 (20060101);