Combined excavation and conveyance device

Abstract

A combined excavation and conveyance device for granular material.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to excavation and granular material conveyance devices and methods used to collect and convey granular material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The current methods for combined excavation and conveyance systems include:

• • 1) Dredgers with material storage capacity.
  • 2) Excavators with material storage capacity.

Current combined excavation and conveyance devices often have limited scope, aggressive material handling methods, and are open systems unsuitable for materials that have to be conveyed within an enclosed system.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The combined excavation and conveyance device may be embodied by a device comprised of a helical pipe, hollow excavation teeth to allow for excavation and ingress of granular material, and an exit point for said granular materials. Upon rotation of the helical pipe, hollow teeth, almost perpendicular to the helical pipe's direction, excavate and allow for granular material to enter the interior of the helical pipe. Continued rotation of the helical pipe cause the granular material to be conveyed away from the hollow excavation teeth until it exits at the far end of the helical pipe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified side view of one example of a combined excavation and conveyance device employed in an excavation and conveyance application wherein a helical pipe 2, hollow excavation teeth 10, motor 3, chain 4 and sprocket 5 excavate and convey granular material 6 to an exit point 7.

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial side view of a combined excavation and conveyance device showing multiple staggered hollow excavation teeth 10 and a helical pipe 2.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross section of the helical pipe 2 showing a hollow excavation tooth 1 at the top of the helical pipe 2, granular material 6, rotation direction 8, and opening to the interior of helical pipe 9.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section of the helical pipe 2 showing a hollow excavation tooth 1, helical pipe 2, granular material 6, rotation direction 8, and opening to the interior of helical pipe 9.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross section of the helical pipe 2 showing a hollow excavation tooth 1, helical pipe 2, granular material 6, rotation direction 8, and opening to the interior of helical pipe 9.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross section of the helical pipe 2 showing a hollow excavation tooth 1, helical pipe 2, granular material 6, rotation direction 8, and opening to the interior of helical pipe 9.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross section of a partial side view of a combined excavation and conveyance device showing the axis of the helix 11 and the helical pipe 2.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-6 show a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral 2. An exemplary embodiment of this disclosure is described below and illustrated in the accompanying figures, in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the views. The embodiment described provide an example and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention. Other embodiments, and modifications and improvements of the described embodiment, will occur to those skilled in the art and all such other embodiments, modifications and improvements are within the scope of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the combined excavation and conveyance device comprises of a helical pipe 2, hollow excavation teeth 10 to allow for excavation and ingress of granular material 6, and an exit point 7 for said granular material 6. The helical pipe 2 can be rotated by mechanical means such as a motor 3, chain 4 and sprocket 5 or by manual means about the axis of the helix 11. Upon rotation of the helical pipe 2, hollow excavation teeth 10, almost perpendicular to the pipe's direction, excavate and allow for granular material 6 to enter the interior of the helical pipe 2. Continued rotation of the helical pipe 2 cause the granular material 6 to be conveyed away from the hollow excavation teeth 10 until it exits at the exit point 7 at the far end of the helical pipe 2. The combined excavation and conveyance device can be formed by material with flexible properties allowing for changes in the helical pipe 2 direction along the axis of the helix 11.

Claims

1. A combined excavation and conveyance device comprised of a helical pipe rotated about the axis of the helix by mechanical or manual means, hollow excavation teeth to allow for excavation and ingress of granular material to the interior of the helical pipe, and an exit point for conveyed granular material.