Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting wheel for a trench cutter with a drum-like base body, on the outer periphery of which stationary holders are arranged in at least one peripheral row, in which cutting tools for removing ground are received. In the at least one peripheral row chisels with a substantially pointed removal tip and also cutting teeth with a substantially linear cutting edge are arranged as cutting tools. The invention also relates to a method for making a trench in the ground.

Abstract: A digging system includes a machine having a machine frame, and an implement assembly mounted to the machine frame. The implement assembly includes an elongate boom and a trenching mechanism having a plurality of drawing cutters coupled with an endless drive chain movable about a drive system mounted to an elongate boom. The implement assembly further includes an undercutting mechanism having first and second rotating cutters projecting in opposite axial directions from the distal boom end. The implement assembly defines a compound projection profile in a plane which includes first and second axes of rotation of a drive wheel and guide wheel of the drive system. The compound projection profile includes a relatively narrow proximal stem segment corresponding to the trenching mechanism and a relatively broad distal footing segment corresponding to the undercutting mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device serving both to lay thin layers of powder and to compact them, the device being suitable for being located inside an apparatus containing a powder or powder mixture while it is subjected to the action of a laser. The device comprises a circular cylinder (12) provided with a longitudinal groove (15) formed in an outside surface of the cylinder (12). The cylinder also has a surface (12a) adapted to compact the powder that has been deposited on a deposition zone. By moving the cylinder in rotation and translation, the powder is brought to and deposited on a tray, on which the powder is then compacted by rotating the cylinder in the opposite direction. The invention enables very thin layers of ceramic or metallic powder to be laid in accurate and uniform manner inside a sealed thermal enclosure at a temperature lying between ambient temperature and about 1200° C.

Abstract: The quad track vehicle includes a chassis including a front end, a rear end and a left side and a right side. The chassis is supported on a plurality of tracks. Each of the tracks defines a generally triangular shape. The plurality of tracks includes a front left track at the left side of the chassis, a front right track at the right side of the chassis, a rear left track at the left side of the chassis rearward of the front left track and a rear right track at the right side of the chassis rearward of the front right track. The rear tracks have rearward portions that project a first distance rearwardly beyond the rear end of the chassis. The front tracks have forward portions that project a second distance forwardly beyond the front end of the chassis. The second distance is less than the first distance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making a trench wall in the soil, in which a trench wall cutter having at least one rotatably driven cutting wheel is lowered into the soil, whereby soil material located below the cutting wheel is stripped and a cut trench is made and a settable liquid is supplied into the cut trench. For this purpose it is intended that a gas is supplied into the cut trench. The invention further relates to a trench wall cutting device for making a trench wall.

Abstract: A communications ducting system, and method of laying a communications duct assembly below a surface, usually in a carriageway or footpath, using an open slot which is subsequently backfilled. The width of the slot is preferably not substantially greater than the narrowest outer cross sectional width of the duct assembly. In at least one direction, the duct assembly has a dimension of less than 20 mm and thus the slot need be no more than 20 mm wide. The duct assembly can be laid along the bottom of the slot, preferably on a layer of sand or other bedding material. Access chambers may provide fibre blowing points along the slot for installing optical fibre in the duct assembly after the assembly is in place, either for the original installation of the fibres or for repair purposes. The access chambers can also be used to accommodate changes in direction of the slot and for repairs in the duct assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting wheel for trench wall cutter, having a cutting wheel hub and at least one cutting tooth holder, which is located in substantially radially projecting manner on the cutting wheel hub. The cutting wheel according to the invention is characterized in that there is at least one mixing blade on the outside of the cutting wheel hub.

Abstract: A cutting device for cutting trenches in the ground having at least one cutting wheel drivable in rotary manner and at least one first cutting element, located on the cutting wheel, for removing soil material during a rotation of the cutting wheel in one rotation direction. On said cutting wheel is provided at least one second cutting element for removing soil material in an oppositely directed, second rotation direction, at least one of the cutting elements is displaceably mounted between a first position for removing soil material and a retracted, second position and a control device is provided for the displacement of the cutting element between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A fiber optic installation structure and method therefor includes a duct having an inner tube, at least one optical waveguide, and a jacket and is disposed within a channel of a paved surface. The jacket generally surrounds the inner tube. When the duct is disposed within a channel defined by a paved surface, a friction fit is created between the duct and the channel for holding the duct in place. Thereafter, a filling material is used for overlying the duct and at least partially filling the channel. In other embodiments, the jacket is capable of being compressed when installed into the channel. The duct may include an armor layer disposed between the inner tube and the jacket for protecting the inner tube. Moreover, at least one optical waveguide may be disposed within at least a portion of the inner tube of the duct and may be introduced after the duct is installed in the paved surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a relatively shallow drainage ditch diagonally across crop rows, the apparatus, drawn or fitted to a tractor, incorporates a rotating cutting disk set semi-vertical and at obtuse angles to the direction of travel. The disk is adjustable in two planes and is driven either by direct drive from the tractor's PTO or by hydraulic motor. The replaceable disk is fitted with slinger plates to insure proper removal of the excavated earth. An adjustable cutting tooth is provided in front of the disk for breaking the soil prior to being cut by the rotating disk. A trailing wheel or foot skid, in conjunction with a flexible upper connection of the three point hitch, is provided to control the cutting depth of the tooth and cutting disk, thereby allowing the tooth and cutting disk to follow the contour of the earth. The apparatus is also mountable to the front of a tractor, if desired, when the disk is driven hydraulically.

Abstract: A process for introducing an optical cable, in the form of a microcable or minicable (1), in solid ground (17) with the aid of a laying unit (23). The microcable or minicable (1) used for this purpose comprises a homogeneous and pressurized-water-tight tube (8) which has an external diameter of from 2.0 to 10 mm and into which optical waveguides (3) are introduced.

Abstract: A self-propelled rotary excavator having a plurality of booms forming a boom assembly attached to a chassis, with a rotary cutting device attached to the end of the boom assembly. The boom assembly positions the rotary cutting device at a desired position in regard to the chassis or moving portion of the self-propelled rotary excavator. The position of the rotary cutting device is maintainable (preferably controlled by lasers) so as to provide a ditch which has a constant grade regardless of the undulations of the land upon which the self-propelled rotary excavator traverses. An operator of the self-propelled rotary excavator can also independently control both the depth of the cut produced by the rotary cutting device and the distance in a direction perpendicular to the depth of the cut produced by the rotary cutting device.

Abstract: A device for digging and backfilling of ditches, in particular for laying pipes, comprising an automotive travelling mechanism (2) carrying a machine frame (4) with an upper structure, a boom (6) pivoted on the machine frame (4) and having a plurality of boom arms (8, 10, 12) connected with each other with hinges and an excavator bucket (16) pivoted on the free end of the boom (6) is provided with a milling/mixing rotor (22) mounted to the excavator bucket (16).

Abstract: A method of operation to effectively excavate an underdrain in the field ground having a long service life and ensuring that the underdrain will not be closed after a long period of time and a device for such operation. The method includes attaching a plurality of buckets to an endless chain, driving the endless chain to excavate a slit in the field ground, reforming inner side walls of the slit by a reformer, pressing soil from both sides of the slit later ally inwardly by a pressing member attached to the reformer to form a block to separate the slit into an upper space and a Iover space, and charging the upper space with discarded dirt.