Patent EA-001981-B1 (EA)
Title: Method and apparatus for pipeline trench padding
IPC: E02F7/06
Filed: 2000-02-18
Abstract: 1. A trench-padding apparatus for efficiently and cost-effectively maximizing conversion of excavated material to trench-padding material, wherein the trenchpadding apparatus includes a lead assembly, comprising a feeder housing having a front rotating unit with protrusions, wherein the front rotating unit is attached to a frame of the trench-padding apparatus immediately in front of an elevator device, and the front rotating unit forces clumps of the excavated material between the front rotating unit and a base of the feeder housing to aid in reducing clump size. 2. The trench-padding apparatus of claim 1 wherein the front rotating unit is a rotating drum with protrusions that are one of: blades, fingers, and teeth. 3. The trench-padding apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elevator device is a belttype elevator with paddles. 4. The trench-padding apparatus of claim 1 further including a cover that is detachably attached to the frame and covers at least part of the elevator device. 5. The trench-padding apparatus of claim 1 further including a rear rotating unit, pivotally attached to a rearward portion of the frame of the trench-padding apparatus, that rotates in a direction to increase backward flow of excavation material too large to be used as padding material. 6. An apparatus for efficiently and cost-effectively maximizing conversion of excavated material to trench-padding material, comprising: a frame adapted for movement along a trench being formed by the apparatus; a lead assembly, comprising a feeder housing having a rotating toothed/bladed drum that is attached to the frame immediately in front of an elevator device, for retrieving and reducing clump size of the excavated material; the elevator device, being attached to the frame immediately behind the drum, for receiving and transporting the excavated material to at least a first mesh screen; the at least first mesh screen, attached to the frame and situated to receive the excavated material from the elevator device, for separating the excavated material into at least two grades of material; means for transporting and pulverizing material that passes through the at least first mesh screen to the trench; and means for transporting material that fails to pass through the at least first mesh screen. 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the elevator device is a bel-type elevator with paddles. 8. The apparatus of claim 6 further including a cover that is detachably attached to the frame and covers at least part of the elevator device and the mesh screen. 9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the at least first mesh screen is approximately 3 inches by 3.5 inches and is coated with a preselected ceramic coating. 10. The apparatus of claim 6 further including a second mesh screen having a mesh smaller than the mesh of the first mesh screen, wherein material that fails to pass through the second mesh screen is passed to a pulverizer, then to a first conveyor to the trench and wherein material that passes through the second mesh screen is passed to a second conveyor to the trench. 11. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the means for transporting material that fails to pass through the at least first mesh screen is a rotating drum, attached to the frame of the apparatus, that rotates in a direction to increase backward flow of particles too large to pass through the at least first mesh screen. 12. A method for trench-padding that efficiently and cost-effectively maximizes conversion of excavated material to trench-padding material, comprising the steps of: using a trench-padding apparatus that includes a lead assembly with a feeder housing to pick up the excavated material; and  using a front rotating unit with protrusions, the front rotating unit being attached to a frame of the trench-padding apparatus immediately in front of an elevator device to force clumps of the excavated material between the front rotating unit and a base of the feeder housing to aid in reducing clump size. 13. The method of claim 12 wherein using the front rotating unit includes using a rotating drum with protrusions that are one of: blades, fingers, and teeth. 14. The method of claim 12 further including providing a cover that is detachably attached to the frame and covers at least part of the elevator device. 15. The method of claim 12 further including a rear rotating unit, pivotally attached to a rearward portion of the frame of the trench-padding apparatus, that rotates in a direction to increase backward flow of excavation material too large to be used as padding material. 16. A trench-padding-excavating apparatus for efficiently and cost-effectively maximizing conversion of excavated material to trench-padding material, wherein the trench-padding apparatus comprises a lead assembly having a feeder housing, wherein the feeder housing is configured to excavate material and having a front rotating unit with protrusions, wherein the front rotating unit is attached to a frame of the trench-padding apparatus immediately in front of an elevator device, and the front rotating unit forces clumps of the excavated material between the front rotating unit and a base of the feeder housing to aid in reducing clump size. 17. The trench-padding-excavating apparatus of claim 16 wherein the front rotating unit is a rotating drum with protrusions that are one of: blades, fingers, and teeth. 18. The trench-padding apparatus of claim 16 wherein the elevator device is a belt-type elevator with paddles. 19. The trench-padding apparatus of claim 16 further including a cover that is detachably attached to the frame and covers at least part of the elevator device. 20. The trench-padding apparatus of claim 16 further including a rear rotating unit, pivotally attached to a rearward portion of the frame of the trench-padding apparatus, that rotates in a direction to increase backward flow. of excavation material too large to be used as padding material. 21. The apparatus of claim 16 further including an at least first mesh screen for receiving excavated material from the elevator, wherein the at least first mesh screen is approximately 3 inches by 3.5 inches and is coated with a preselected ceramic coating. 22. The apparatus of claim 21 further including a second mesh screen below the first mesh screen, wherein the second mesh screen has a mesh smaller than a mesh of the first mesh screen, wherein material that fails to pass through the second mesh screen is passed to a pulverizer, then to a first conveyor to the trench and wherein material that passes through the second mesh screen is passed to a second conveyor to the trench. 23. An apparatus for efficiently and cost-effectively excavating a trench and maximizing conversion of excavated material to trench-padding material, comprising: a frame adapted for movement along/astride a trench being formed by the apparatus; a lead assembly, comprising a feeder housing configured to excavate the trench and having a rotating toothed/bladed drum that is attached to the frame immediately in front of an elevator device, for retrieving and pulverizing the excavated material; the elevator device, being attached to the frame immediately behind the drum, for receiving and transporting the excavated material to at least a first mesh screen; the at least first mesh screen, attached to the frame and situated to receive the excavated material from the elevator device, for separating the excavated material into at least two grades of material; means for transporting material that passes through the at least first mesh screen to the trench; and means for pulverizing and transporting material that fails to pass through the at least first mesh screen. 24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the elevator device is a belt-type elevator with paddles. 25. The apparatus of claim 23 further including a cover that is detachably attached to the frame and covers at least part of the elevator device and the mesh screen. 26. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the mesh screen is approximately 3 inches by 3.5 inches and is coated with a ceramic coating. 27. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the means for transporting material that fails to pass through the at least first mesh screen is a rotating drum, attached to the frame of the apparatus, that rotates in a direction to increase backward flow of particles too large to pass through the at least first mesh screen.