Mobile vacuum excavation attachment for vehicle
A mobile, platform mounted excavator which may include a vacuum container and a device which will create a vacuum condition within the vacuum container. A water container, water pump, hoses and spray nozzles may be mounted on the platform and may be used for cleaning, jettering out conduits, and loosening earthen material. An articulated boom may be pivotably mounted on the platform and the articulated boom may have the added feature of having a means for coupling and supporting in stabilizing in place, auxiliary tools which are useful for accessing, servicing or repairing in ground utilities. The mobile platform mounted systems may have sensors to measure the physical quantities of the service or repair operation. A data logger, a PLC, an RFID, a camera, a GPS, a utility mapping program and wireless communication may be used for documenting, displaying and storing data related to a utility servicing operation. The above described mobile platform system may be mounted to a variety of vehicles.
This application is a CIP of U.S. Non Provisional application Ser. No. 11/208,565 filed 22 Aug. 2005 and claims the benefit of U.S. Non Provisional Application Ser. No. 10/217,055 filed 12 Aug. 2002 to include it's 24 Sep. 2002 & 12 Mar. 2003 amendment and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/363,058 filed on 11 Mar. 2002 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/384,719 filed on 3 Jun. 2002. Non Provisional Application Ser. No. 10/217,055 is a parent cases of U.S. Non Provisional application Ser. No. 11/208,565 filed 22 Aug. 2005.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mobile vacuum boring, mud recovery, cleaning and excavation method comprising a platform and having mounted on said platform, a vacuum container and a device which will create a vacuum condition within the vacuum container and the platform mounted vacuum container may be mountable to a skid steer, zero turn radius vehicle, hydraulically driven vehicle and the like. The mobile platform may have a water pump mounted on it or an air compressor mounted on it or a combination of a vacuum container, a vacuum producing means, a vacuum conduit, a water pump, a water tank, an air compressor, a boom, a torque wrench or a hydraulic motor. The vacuum container may be mounted on a sufficient incline to allow debris to be emptied out by gravity and to provide space beneath the debris tank to locate a water storage container and may have a vacuum conduit to transport a liquid and or solids into the vacuum container. A dispensing device may be added to dispense a liquid or a solid from the vacuum container without eliminating the vacuum environment within the vacuum container, and said vacuum container may have the ability to fill, store and dispense its contents simultaneously. The vacuum container may further comprises a means to separate a liquid and from solids. An articulated boom may be mounted on the mobile platform and the articulated boom may have the added feature or attachments chosen from an earth digging bucket, a telescoping vacuum conduit, a sensor to locate buried utilities, monitors and controls to operate the attachments and their function, a water spray nozzle, a man hole cover remover, a cutting tool, a grinding tool, a saw, a blasting tool, a surface cleaning tool, a demolition tool, a torque wrench, a tractor to pull vacuum hose, a jetter nozzle, or a camera and a power source to operate them. The above described platform system may further be mounted on a variety of mobile vehicles, chosen from but not limited to a trailer, a truck, railroad car or a skid steer which includes a fork lift, front loader, a track vehicle or zero turn radius vehicle which may have the added feature of being convertible between a powered vehicle & a trailer. The platform mounted system may document data relative to a utility servicing and repair event; wherein the mobile platform mounted systems may have sensors to measure the physical quantities of the service or repair operation. A data logger, a PLC, an RFID, a camera, a GPS, a utility mapping program and wireless communication may be used for documenting, blue tooth transmitting technology, controlling, displaying and storing data related to a utility servicing or repair operation or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Current state of the art vacuum excavation, boring and mud recovery systems have a vacuum producing means and have a vacuum containers mounted horizontally on a trailer or truck during transport and while being filled. After filling said vacuum container to a predetermined capacity, the vacuum producing device must be discontinued, the filling must discontinue, the vacuum environment within the vacuum container is eliminated, the container opened and the contents dumped out. After the container is emptied, the vacuum-producing device may be restarted and the filling and storing may restart. Currently, vacuum containers capable of vacuuming mud and boring earth are operated as a batch process. The vacuum debris container is mounted horizontal and filled with debris. After it is full of debris a hydraulic jack tilts the tank for unloading. The vacuum tank, water tank, and other support equipment are each mounted separately on a trailer or truck bed, thus consuming a lot of floor space.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a mobile platform having a receiver attachment means for attaching said platform to an attachment fastener present on skid steers which include, a front loader and zero turn radius vehicles, and further including the use of hydraulic hoses and hydraulic quick connects in order to access and use hydraulic power, which is generated by the skid steer, and the hydraulic power may be used to drive one or more hydraulic motors which in turn may power equipment systems which are mounted on said mobile platform and said equipment systems may be chosen from the group consisting of a vacuum container, a vacuum producing means for creating a vacuum environment within said vacuum container; and a vacuum conduit for vacuuming liquid or solids into said vacuum container; a water container, a water pump, a conduit for transporting water, and a hose reel; a boom having one or more articulated arms, and said boom having a first end and a second end; said first end of said boom is mounted adjacent to said mobile platform and a tool attachment means for attaching tools is mounted adjacent to said second end of said boom; wherein said tools are selected from the group consisting of an earth digging bucket, a telescoping vacuum conduit, a sensor to locate buried utilities, a water spray nozzle, a manhole cover remover, a cutting tool, a grinding tool, a saw, a blasting tool, a surface cleaning tool, a demolition tool, a torque wrench, a tractor to pull vacuum hose, a jetter hose reel, a jetter nozzle, a monitor, controls to operate the attachments an their function, or a camera and power source to operate them, and a single hydraulic motor may belt drive one or more equipment systems simultaneously, and each equipment system may use an electric clutch for engaging or disengaging it's operation, and further more an over hung load adapter may be used to reduce side loading of the hydraulic motor bearings.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a means to accomplish a compact, concentrated weight, vacuum excavation system mounted to a mobile platform which may be mounted on a variety of mobile vehicles.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a means to accomplish a compact, concentrated weight, water excavation and drainage conduit jettering system mounted on a mobile platform which may be mounted to a variety of mobile vehicles.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a means to accomplish a compact, concentrated weight, air excavation system mounted on a mobile platform which may be mounted to a variety of mobile vehicles.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a means to accomplish a compact, concentrated weight, articulated boom system mounted on a mobile platform which may be mounted to a variety of mobile vehicles.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a means to accomplish a compact, concentrated weight, vacuum excavation system mounted on a mobile platform which may be coupled to a variety of mobile vehicles, chosen from but not limited to a skid steer, a front loader, or a zero turn radius vehicle which may have the added feature of being convertible between a powered vehicle & a trailer, wherein the mobile vehicle supplies power to operate the platform mounted excavation equipment.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a mobile equipment means for servicing and repairing in ground utilities wherein the mobile equipment means comprises a mobile platform which may be connected to a front loader skid steer type vehicle wherein the mobile platform may have a vacuum excavator system, a water jetter system, an air excavator system, or an articulated boom arm with utility servicing tools attached mounted on it. A further objective is for the utility servicing and repair event to be documented. The mobile platform mounted systems may have sensors to measure the physical quantities of the service or repair operation. A data logger, a PLC, an RFID, a camera, a GPS, a utility mapping program, blue tooth transmitting technology, and wireless communication may be used for documenting, controlling, displaying and storing data related to a utility servicing or repair operation or the like. Graphs, pictures, graphics, and charts relative to the service event may be generated for persons with a need to know.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a means to accomplish a compact, concentrated weight, vacuum excavation system mounted on a mobile platform which may be attached to a variety of mobile vehicles, wherein an RFID tag is positioned adjacent to an in ground access, an in ground valve, an in ground repair, an in ground service point, and in ground wye or tee, or any part of an in ground utility which needs to be located for the purpose of collecting data about the buried utility. An RFID sensor such as an RFID antenna may activate the buried RFID tag. The RFID antenna may be used for gathering data from the RFID TAG for the purpose of location verification and receiving stored data from the RFID tag.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a means to accomplish a compact, concentrated weight, vacuum excavation system mounted on a mobile platform which may have a vacuum container rigidly mounted at a sufficient incline to allow debris to be emptied out by gravity and to provide space beneath the debris tank to locate a water storage container.
It is yet another objective of the invention to provide a means of separating the stored contents by predetermined category and dispense them without stopping the vacuum fill and store operation or eliminating the vacuum environment within the vacuum container.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide an articulated powered vacuum conduit boom with sufficient structural strength to allow an operator to move and control the location of the suction end of the vacuum conduit and said suction end of said vacuum conduit have an earth digging bucket mounted adjacent it, and said conduit boom with said earth digging bucket being mounted on a mobile vehicle, and a preferred vehicle being a powered zero turn radius vehicle having the ability to be converted into a towable trailer configuration for the purpose of transporting from job to job.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a vacuum conduit boom with sufficient structural strength, power and articulated movement to allow an operator to move and control the location of the suction end of the vacuum conduit into a manhole lateral line along with a jetter spray nozzle.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide an articulated powered vacuum conduit boom with sufficient structural strength to allow an operator to remotely move and control the location of the suction end of the vacuum conduit with one or more tool attachments adjacently attached to the suction end of said vacuum conduit and said attachments selected from the group consisting of an earth digging bucket, a telescoping vacuum conduit, sensor to locate buried utilities, monitors and controls to operate the attachments and their function, water spray nozzle, manhole cover remover, cutting tool, grinding tool, saw, blasting tool, surface cleaning tool, demolition tool, torque wrench, tractor to pull vacuum hose, jetter nozzle, or camera and power source to operate them.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to separate hydrocarbons from the contents vacuumed into the vacuum container.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a means to purify or sterilize the contents vacuumed into the vacuum tank.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe above described objectives and others are met by a method comprising a device which will create a vacuum condition within a vacuum container and the vacuum container being mounted on a mobile platform which may be mounted to a mobile vehicle. A powered mobile vehicle may provide power to operate the platform mounted equipment or a power source may be mounted on the mobile platform. It is common for powered mobile vehicles such as a skid steer, which includes a zero turn radius vehicle, a fork lift, a front loader or the like to have quick connects for attaching platform mounted equipment and to have quick connects for attaching hydraulic hoses and for supplying power to platform mounted equipment.
A vacuum container may be mounted at a sufficient incline angle to allow debris to be emptied out by gravity and to provide space beneath the debris tank to locate a water storage container and may have a vacuum conduit to transport liquid or solids into the vacuum container. A dispensing device may be added to dispense a liquid or a solid from the vacuum container without eliminating the vacuum environment within the vacuum container, and a vacuum container may have the ability to fill, store and dispense its contents simultaneously. The vacuum container may further comprise a means to separate a liquid from solids. A vacuum conduit boom may be used to transport debris into the vacuum container and may have the added feature of being an articulated powered vacuum conduit boom with sufficient structural strength to allow an operator to remotely move and control the location of the suction end of the vacuum conduit. An articulated boom may be mounted on the mobile platform and may have one or more tool attachment means adjacently mounted to the boom and said attached tools are selected from the group consisting of an earth digging bucket, a telescoping vacuum conduit, a sensor to locate buried utilities, monitors and controls to operate the attachments an their function, a water spray nozzle, a manhole cover remover, a cutting tool, a grinding tool, a saw, a blasting tool, a surface cleaning tool, a demolition tool, a torque wrench, a tractor to pull vacuum hose, a jetter hose reel, a jetter nozzle, or a camera and power source to operate them.
Using the drawings, the present invention will now be explained.
In a second embodiment of the invention shown in
In a third embodiment of the invention shown in
The recycled liquid 2 along with solids 6 washed from drain pipe 38 are vacuumed up by the vacuum conduit 17 which is shown as an articulated powered vacuum conduit boom 36. The articulated powered boom 36 also has means to place the jetter 39 into location down a manhole 59 and into a lateral drainage conduit 38 and dispense the jetter conduit 58. In this example, telescoping cylinder 41 is used to articulate the vacuum conduit boom 36 and jetter 39. Vacuum boom structure 44 allows the vacuum conduit 17 to be rigid enough to move, support weight and force in order to articulate and operate attachments such as the vacuum conduit tractor 51 which is articulated into a starting position by the vacuum conduit boom 36. Vacuum conduit powered tractor 51 then moves vacuum conduit 17 to debris 45 to be vacuumed. Vacuum hose reel 54 unreels and retracts vacuum hose 17 as needed. Vacuum conduit tractor 51 can have a sensor controller means 52 attached so as to monitor and control the vacuuming process. Vacuum conduit tractor 51 can also be fitted with an articulating suction head means 53, which allows the vacuum conduit tractor to access debris 45 in multiple degrees. Although the articulating boom 36 is shown vacuuming debris from a drain pipe, said vacuum conduit boom 36 works equally well vacuuming substances from railcars, barges, tankers, silos, or shavings and dung from the barn and stables.
In a fourth embodiment of the invention shown in
In
The water jettering system as shown in example
In the
The vacuum container 12 has an access opening for emptying solids 6 or liquid 2. An access door 18 is opened or closed by means of a powered telescoping cylinder 63, and the powered telescoping cylinder 63 may be chosen from an electric powered linear actuator and a hydraulic powered cylinder.
It is recognized that while each of the figures show different types of vacuum methods, vacuum booms, vacuum container arrangements, different types of solid or liquid separation and dispensing, and different types of vehicles, the various apparatuses are interchangeable and can replace one another. Further more, although some of the articulated powered booms are shown with vacuum containers having liquid or solid dispensers, it is recognized that the articulated powered boom and its' attached tools can be used alone or in conjunction with any type of vacuum system arrangement.
The preceding description has been presented to illustrate and describe the invention. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.
The sample embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application. The preceding description is intended to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims.
# DEFINITION
- 1—Dispensing means
- 2—Liquid
- 3—Liquid Discharge conduit from Hydro cyclone 25
- 4—Solids Discharge conduit from Hydro cyclone 25
- 5—Discharge conduit from Liquid transfer pump 7
- 6—Solids
- 7—Liquid Transfer pump
- 8—Container to hold dispensed liquids
- 9—Container to hold dispensed solids
- 10—Solids dispenser
- 11—Vacuum producing means
- 12—Vacuum container
- 13—Conduit to connect Vacuum container 12—vacuum producing means 11
- 14—Discharge conduit from Vacuum producing means 11
- 15—In ground Utility such as a pipe, a valve or a tee
- 16—Inlet conduit to Hydro cyclone 25
- 17—Vacuum conduit
- 18—End door to Vacuum container 12
- 19—Means to secure end door 18
- 20—Hinge for End door 18
- 21—Screen
- 22—Spring on Screen 21
- 23—Vibrator
- 24—Support for Springs 22
- 25—Hydro cyclone
- 26—Liquid spray nozzle
- 27—Grinder
- 28—Pivot support for Vacuum container 12
- 29—Cylinder to Raise and Lower Vacuum Container 12
- 30—Wheels
- 31—Mobile Platform—a moveable or transportable surface which may be used to support things
- 32—Attachment tools—a tool which may be attached to something. Such as a tool that is attached to a boom arm
- 33—Utility Sensor—an earth penetrating means for locating a buried utility
- 34—Monitor and/or Controller, which may include but not be limited to a GPS signal receiver, an RFID, a data logger, a PLC, a sensor, a wireless transmitter, a touch-screen interface, a phone, interne connection, a camera, or the like.
- 35—Ground Surface being dirt, asphalt, stone, or concrete
- 36—Articulated boom
- 37—Hose Reel
- 38—Drain Conduit
- 39—Jetter
- 40—Water Jet
- 41—Means to power the Articulating Vacuum Boom
- 42—Telescoping Vacuum conduit
- 43—Digging Bucket
- 44—Structural Means to Support and Articulate Vacuum Conduit
- 45—Debris
- 46—Manhole Cover
- 47—Means to Remove Manhole Cover such as Electric Magnet, suction, mechanical fastener
- 48—Power to Manhole Cover removal means 47
- 49—Solids Conveyer
- 50—Boom Section
- 51—Vacuum conduit Tractor
- 52—Vacuum conduit Tractor Sensor, Controller, Camera, or light
- 53—Vacuum conduit Tractor Articulating Suction Head
- 54—Vacuum Hose Reel
- 55—Purification Elements such as ozone, activated carbon or zealite
- 56—Hydro carbon Absorbing means
- 57—Sterilization means
- 58—Jetter Hose
- 59—Man Hole
- 60—Articulating Jetter Boom
- 61—Telescoping Jetter Conduit
- 62—Solids Debris Drag Bar
- 63—Telescoping Rear Door Closure means
- 64—Filter Housing
- 65—Filter
- 66—Scraper Blade/Jack
- 67—Pivot able Towing Tongue
- 68—Pivot able/Swivel Wheels
- 69—Pivot Axle for Combination Tongue 67 and Wheels 68
- 70—Towing Vehicle
- 71—Boom Platform
- 72—Hydraulic Drive Motor
- 73—Operator Seat
- 74—Skid Steer type vehicle—a skid steer is a vehicle maneuvered by skid steering, a method of steering through braking or engaging tracks or wheels on one side of a vehicle. The skid steering vehicle is turned by generating differential velocity at the opposite side of the vehicle, as the wheels or tracks are non-steer able (fixed position). Skid steers can pivot steer which is the ability to change direction on the same place without going through any distance in forward or reverse direction. A zero turn radius vehicle and a skid loader are also a skid steer.
- 75—Indention in the suction end if the vacuum conduit 17
- 76—Power Plant
- 77—a standard predetermined type skid steer quick connect type receiving attachment fastener means for connecting implements to a skid steer
- 78—Lifting arm
- 79—Clutch
- 80—Drive Pulley
- 81—Drive Belt
- 82—Over Hung Load Adapter
- 83—Hydraulic motor
- 84—Hydraulic supply hoses
- 85—Attachment means to attach tools 32 to articulated boom arm 36
- 86—Telescoping section of a boom arm
- 87—Air inlet hole
- 88—(Wireless communication) is the transfer of information over a distance without the use of electrical conductors or wires. It includes antennas for transmitting and receiving information.
- 89—(GPS)—is any devise that receives Global Positioning System signals thus the devise may be known as a GPS signal receiver. The GPS signals include data which is use full to locate a present location, which may include time, latitude, longitude and elevation. The GPS signal receiver system may be hand held or mounted on the platform 31.
- 90—(RFID)—Radio-frequency identification is the use of an object (typically referred to as an RFID tag) applied to, incorporated into a product, or applied by a person for the purpose of identification using radio waves. Most RFID tags contain at least two parts. One is the integrated circuit for storing and processing information, modulating and demodulating a radio-frequency (RF) signal, and other specialized functions. There are generally three types of RFID tags, which contain a battery and can transmit signals autonomously, passive RFID tags, which have no battery and require an external source to provoke signal transmission, and battery assisted passive (BAP) which require an external source to wake up but have significant higher forward link capacity providing great read range. Item 90 RFID includes using the type RFID tag best suited for the specific field application. The RFID tag may be hand held or mounted on the platform 31. The RFID tag be mounted on a utility access opening, a buried valve or the like for the purpose of finding and or identifying the utility item.
- 91—RFID antenna—for receiving and transmitting the signal. The RFID antenna may be hand held or mounted on the platform 31.
- 92—Data Logger—is an electronic devise that records data over time or in relation to location either with a built in instrument or sensor or via external instruments and sensors. Increasingly, but not entirely, they are based on a digital processor (or computer). The data logger may be small, battery operated, portable, or equipped with a microprocessor, internal memory for data storage, or sensors. The data logger may interface with a personal computer and utilize software to activate the data logger and view and analyze the collected data, or may have a local interface device (keypad, LCD) and can be used as a stand-alone device. One of the benefits of using the data logger is the ability to automatically collect data even on a 24-hour 7-day bases. Upon activation, the data logger may measure and record information for the duration of a monitoring period. This allows an accurate picture of the conditions being measured, such as RFID info.; GPS info.; hydraulic flow, pressure or temperature; water flow, pressure or temperature; air flow, pressure and temperature; evaluate process equipment system measurements against predetermined conditions and standards. A USB flash memory data storage device may be used for data storage. The data logger may include or be coupled to a display and soft ware in order to display gathered data in a meaningful, user friendly manor. The data logger may be hand held or mounted on the platform 31.
- 93—(PLC)—programmable logic controller—is a digital computer used for automation of electromechanical processes, such as opening or closing valves or turning switches on or off based or predetermined measurements. A PLC is a real time system wherein output results are produced in response to input conditions within a boundary time. The PLC may be hand held or mounted on the platform 31.
- 94—Sensor—a sensor is a device that measures a physical quantity and converts it into a signal which can be read by an observer or by an instrument such as a data logger, PLC or the like. Examples of a sensor included but are not limited to a volt meter, an amp meter, a flow sensor, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a level sensor, a speed sensor or the like.
- 95—Hand held electronic device. Is an electronic device which may be held in the hand of an operator. It may be a type of (PDA) Personal Digital Assistant which may include but not be limited to a GPS signal receiver, an RFID, a data logger, a PLC, a sensor, a wireless transmitter, a touch-screen interface, a phone, internet connection, a camera, or the like. It may be keep by the operator person or stored on the mobile platform.
- 96—Camera—is a device that records images, either as a still photograph or as a moving image known as a video or movie. The camera may work with the visual spectrum or with other portions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
- 97—Utility Mapping System to include a GIS Mapping system—A Geological Information System captures, stores, analyzes, edits, manages, displays and presents data that links to location. It includes merging of cartography and database technology. A GIS is a system which includes mapping software and its application to remote sensing, land surveying, water utility piping system surveying, aerial photography, mathematics, photogrammetry, geography, and tools that can be implemented with GIS software.
- 98—Utility Valve—generally an in ground water valve
- 99—Valve stem—generally the portion of a valve which is turned in order to open or close a valve.
- 100—Valve stem extension rod—which may be telescoping.
Claims
1. A platform mounted, vacuum system for mounting to a skid steer comprising: a mobile platform; a connection means for connecting said mobile platform to a skid steer; a vacuum container means for storing solids or liquid; a vacuum producing means for creating a vacuum environment within said vacuum container; and a vacuum conduit means for conveying air, liquid or solids into said vacuum container; wherein said vacuum container means, said vacuum producing means, said vacuum conduit means and said skid steer connection means are adjacently mounted on said mobile platform; whereby said mobile platform mounted vacuum system may be quick connected to said skid steer and said vacuum system may be used to vacuum up earthen materials.
2. A platform mounted water jettering system for mounting to a skid steer comprising: a mobile platform; a connection means for connecting said mobile platform to a skid steer; a water container; a water pump; a conduit means for transporting water; and a hose reel; wherein said water container, said water pump, said conduit means for transporting water, said hose reel and said skid steer connection means are adjacently mounted on said mobile platform; whereby said mobile platform mounted water jettering system may be quick connected to said skid steer and said water jettering system may be used for cutting through earthen material and cleaning drainage pipes.
3. A platform mounted, articulated boom system for mounting to a skid steer comprising: a mobile platform; a connection means for connecting said mobile platform to a skid steer; an articulated boom having a first end and a second end; and said first end of said boom being pivot ably mounted on said mobile platform and said second end of said articulated boom having an attachment means for attaching a tool; wherein said tool is selected from the group consisting of an earth digging bucket, a telescoping vacuum conduit, a sensor for locating a buried utility, a water spray nozzle, a manhole cover remover, a cutting tool, a grinding tool, a saw, a blasting tool, a surface cleaning tool, a demolition tool, a torque wrench, a tractor to pull a vacuum hose, a jetter hose reel, a jetter nozzle, a monitor, controls to operate the attachments and their function, and a camera and power source to operate it, whereby said platform system may be quick connected to said skid steer and said skid steer can mobilize said platform mounted boom and said articulated boom may move said tool into a position to service an in ground utility and said boom may secure said tool in position as the service work is being performed.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 or 3, wherein a water jettering system comprising a water container, a water pump, a conduit for transporting water, and a hose reel are adjacently mounted on said mobile platform; whereby said water jettering system may be used for loosening earthen material in order to improve it's vacuum ability and the water jettering system may be used for cutting through earthen material and cleaning drainage pipes.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, and further comprises an articulated boom having a first end and a second end; said first end of said articulated boom is pivot ably mounted adjacent to said mobile platform and said second end of said articulated boom having an attachment means for mounting a tool; wherein said tool is selected from the group consisting of an earth digging bucket, a telescoping vacuum conduit, a sensor for locating a buried utility, a water spray nozzle, a manhole cover remover, a cutting tool, a grinding tool, a saw, a blasting tool, a surface cleaning tool, a demolition tool, a torque wrench, a tractor to pull a vacuum hose, a jetter hose reel, a jetter nozzle, a monitor, controls to operate the attachments an their function, and a camera and power source to operate it.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a water jettering system comprising a water container, a water pump, a conduit for transporting water, and a hose reel are adjacently mounted on said mobile platform; whereby said water jettering system may be used for loosening earthen material in order to improve it's vacuum ability and the water jettering system may be used for cutting through earthen material and cleaning drainage pipes; and wherein said mobile platform further comprises an articulated boom having one or more articulated arms; and said boom having a first end and a second end; and said first end of said articulated boom is pivot ably mounted adjacent to said mobile platform and said second end of said articulated boom having an attachment means for mounting a tool; wherein said tool is selected from the group consisting of an earth digging bucket, a telescoping vacuum conduit, a sensor for locating buried utilities, a water spray nozzle, a manhole cover remover, a cutting tool, a grinding tool, a saw, a blasting tool, a surface cleaning tool, a demolition tool, a torque wrench, a tractor to pull vacuum hose, a jetter hose reel, a jetter nozzle, a monitor, controls to operate the attachments and their function, and a camera and power source to operate it; whereby said mobile platform systems may be used to service in ground utilities.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said vacuum producing means is powered by a hydraulic motor and said hydraulic motor is adjacently mounted on said mobile platform, whereby said hydraulic motor is powered by pressurized hydraulic fluid which is supplied from said skid steer via hydraulic hoses which flow hydraulic fluid from said skid steer to said hydraulic motor and then return said fluid to said skid steer.
9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said water pump is powered by a hydraulic motor and said hydraulic motor is adjacently mounted on said mobile platform, whereby said hydraulic motor is powered by pressurized hydraulic fluid which is supplied from said skid steer via hydraulic hoses which flow hydraulic fluid from said skid steer to said hydraulic motor and then return said fluid to said skid steer.
10. The apparatus of claim 6, and further comprising a hydraulic motor adjacently mounted on said mobile platform; and further comprising an over hung load adapter adjacently mounted to said hydraulic motor; and further comprising a multi grove pulley adjacently mounted to said over hung load adapter; and further comprising an electric clutch mounted pulley mounted to said vacuum producing means, and further comprising an electric clutch mounted pulley mounted on said water pump, and further comprising drive belts adjacently mounted to said multi grove pulley and said electric clutch mounted pulleys, whereby a single hydraulic motor may belt drive the vacuum producing means and the water pump simultaneously and the electric clutch driven pulleys may be activated or deactivated if on operator chooses to only operate one or the other clutches.
11. The apparatus of claim 3, and further comprising one or more hydraulic hoses, hydraulic hose quick connects and hydraulic flow control means for adjusting the flow of hydraulic fluid to said articulated boom arm mounted tools, wherein said hydraulic hose, quick connect and flow control means are adjacently mounted on said mobile platform, whereby hydraulic power is supplied to said tool by pressurized hydraulic fluid which is supplied from said skid steer via said hydraulic hoses which flow hydraulic fluid from said skid steer to said hydraulic tool and then return said fluid to said skid steer.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising an air filter housing means adjacently mounted on said mobile platform, and further comprising a vacuum hose reel means for storing said vacuum conduit, wherein said filter housing and said vacuum hose reel are adjacently mounted on said mobile platform, whereby said filter housing may have filters positioned within it for removing solids from air and said vacuum hose reel may have a rotary joint and connecting vacuum conduit adjacently mounted so as to allow said vacuum hose to vacuum solids or liquid into said vacuum container while said vacuum hose is partially rolled up on said hose reel.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, 2 or 3 and further comprising an attachment means for mounting said mobile platform to an attachment receiving means of said skid steer wherein said attachment means is adjacently mounted on said mobile platform, whereby said mobile platform attachment means is made to fit and couple with a predetermined skid steer attachment receiving means for attaching implement tool.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, 2 or 3 and further comprising a wireless communication transmitter/receiver adjacently mounted on said mobile platform whereby the operating functions of said mobile platform mounted systems may have remote wireless transfer of data.
15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said vacuum container further comprises an access opening, an access door and a powered telescoping cylinder wherein said access door is adjacently mounted to said vacuum container access opening and said powered telescoping cylinder has a first end and a second end and said first end of said cylinder is mounted adjacent to said vacuum container and said second end of said cylinder is mounted adjacent to said access door, whereby said access door is opened or closed by retracting or extending said powered telescoping cylinder.
16. A mobile vacuum excavation and data documenting system comprising: a mobile platform means for transporting said system; a vacuum container means for storing solids or liquids; a vacuum producing means for creating a vacuum environment within said vacuum container; a vacuum conduit means for vacuuming air, liquid or solids into said vacuum container; a sensor means for measuring a physical quantity; a GPS signal receiver means for documenting a position; and a data logger means for recording data over time; wherein said vacuum container, said vacuum producing means, said vacuum conduit, said sensor, said GPS signal receiver, and said data logger are adjacently mounted on said mobile platform, whereby said mobile vacuum excavation and data documenting system may excavate an access to a utility and document data relative to the event such as the physical location of the event, when the event started, what took place during the event, and when the event was completed.
17. The apparatus of claim 1, 2, 3 or 16, wherein said platform mounted system, further comprises a data gathering means for documenting the operation of said system and said data gathering means is selected from the group consisting of an RFID tag means for establishing identification; an RFID transmitter means for use with said RFID tag; a GPS signal receiver means for documenting a position; a data logger means for recording data over time; a PLC means for producing output responses relative to input conditions; a sensor means for measuring a physical quantity and converting the measurement into output data; a camera means for recording images; a wireless communication means for transferring information without electrical conductors or wires; and a utility mapping system means for capturing, storing, analyzing, editing, managing, or displaying geological information; whereby the mobile platform mounted system may have sensors for measuring physical quantities relative to a utility service event or repair operation; a data logger; a PLC; an RFID; a camera; a GPS; a utility mapping program; or wireless communication; for documenting, controlling, displaying or storing data related to said service event, repair operation or the like; thus documenting who did the service, the physical location of the service, when the service started, what took place during the service event, when the service was completed, how the service event effected the overall utility system, update the utility data storage archives, and generate reports to those with a need to know.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 19, 2009
Publication Date: Apr 22, 2010
Inventor: Lynn A. Buckner (Flintstone, GA)
Application Number: 12/592,142
International Classification: E02F 5/00 (20060101);