Patent Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for padding ground below a duct ( 1 ) using excavated soil ( 2 ), wherein said method uses a vehicle ( 6 ) that comprises a soil feeding organ ( 13 ), a transport organ ( 14 ) and soil compacting organs ( 104, 105 ). The vehicle moves along a ground path ( 16 ) which is formed by the soil feeding organ ( 13 ) as it collects excavated soil ( 2 ). This method allows for a reliable orientation of the soil compacting organs ( 104, 105 ) relative to the duct ( 1 ), wherein said compacting organs apply a force on the soil previously deposited in the trench ( 4 ). This invention also relates to a device which is used for padding ground below a duct ( 1 ) and comprises a device ( 106 ) for hanging a soil-compacting mechanism ( 103 ) to the vehicle ( 6 ). The device ( 106 ) includes a disconnection mechanism ( 153 ) that enables the cyclic displacement of the rammer-type compacting organs ( 104, 105 ) in the displacement direction of the vehicle ( 6 ). When compacting soil, the working members ( 171 ) of the compacting organs ( 104, 105 ) are capable of cyclic downward displacement towards each other while simultaneously rotating in a direction in which the angle they define becomes smaller. This system may be used for efficiency compacting soil below a duct ( 1 ) while minimising the stress applied by the soil to the surface of said duct ( 1 ).

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates to the field of technology and hardware for earthmoving operations predominantly in replacement of the insulation coating of ducts, performed at the design elevations of ducts in the trench, predominantly without interrupting the operation of the insulation coating replacement, and more particularly to the methods and devices for padding the ground below a duct using excavated soil, equipment for soil compacting below a duct and soil compacting mechanisms. Furthermore, the invention can find an application in earth-moving operations in construction of new underground ducts. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The advantages of such a technology of replacement of the insulation coating on operating ducts in the trench became obvious long ago to the experts who began making certain efforts for its introduction into practice. Known is the technology of replacement of the insulation coating, in which the duct is held above the trench bottom by stationary supports [S. A. Teylor. “Mechanising the operations on replacement of the insulation coating of operating ducts in the trench” // Neft′, gaz i neftekhimia za rubezohm, 1992, #10, p. 75-83]. In this case padding the ground below a duct is performed by regular earth-moving and construction machinery, due to the use of the above supports. However, the regular construction machinery does not provide a satisfactory solution for the problem of padding the ground below a duct using excavated soil, even when the above supports are applied. It is preferable to replace the insulation coating of the duct during continuous displacement of the entire system of the appropriate equipment without making use of the above supports. This requires more from the technology and equipment for padding the ground below a duct using excavated soil (feeding excavated soil from the dump, its deposition into the trench and compacting below the duct), which requirements cannot be met by the used in practice technology for performing the above-mentioned operations or the construction machinery, or by the other technologies and appropriate hardware which are not used in practice but are known from the state-of-the-art. In this case, the technology of padding the ground below a duct using excavated soil should envisage, and the appropriate device should be capable of, performing its function during its continuous uninterrupted displacement at a velocity which is equal to the velocity of displacement of the entire system (preferably 150 to 100 m/h), and the device should apply a minimal force on the insulation coating, which excludes damage to the coating even at its low strength, as when padding the ground below a duct after a small interval of time (3 to 7 min.) after application of the insulation coating, this time not being enough for some kinds of the coating to acquire its full strength. Furthermore, the device for padding the ground below a duct using excavated soil should have minimal overall dimensions in the direction along the duct for reduction of the length of the unsupported section of the duct to such an extent, as to eliminate or minimize the use of mobile means of supporting a duct. The device should provide a rather high degree of padding the ground below a duct (characterised by a bed coefficient K y  equal to 0.5 to 1 MN/m 3 ) in order to avoid the significant subsequent slumping of the duct and appropriate deformation loads in it. Furthermore, the device for padding the ground below a duct using excavated soil should operate in a reliable manner when displaced over the surface of soil with significant unevenness and a lateral gradient, as well as over soil with low load-carrying capacity, for instance marshland or a layer of loose excavated soil. It is exactly the absence at the present time of such a technology and means for padding the ground below a duct using excavated soil which largely prevents a broad use in practice of the technology of replacement of the insulation coating on the operating ducts in the trench without the use of supports for the duct resting against the trench bottom. Thus, the inventors were faced with a complicated and important problem unsolved in a manner required for practical application, despite the numerous attempts at solving it for many years. 
     Known is a method of padding the ground below a duct which includes picking-up soil, its deposition into the trench from both sides of the duct and soil compacting in the space below the duct by rammer-type soil compacting organs applying a force on the soil previously deposited in the trench, during continuous displacement over the soil surface along the duct of a vehicle carrying soil feeding and soil compacting organs. Unlike the claimed method, in the known method the travelling unit with a wider base of the vehicle, moves along both edges of the trench, over the soil surface formed during uncovering of the duct, and the soil is picked up from the trench edges (Vasilenko S. K., Bykov A. V., Musiiko V. D. “Technology and system of technical means for overhauling the line oil pipelines without lifting the pipe” // Truboprovodni transport nefti, 1994, #2, p. 25-27]. The vehicle displacement along both edges of the trench complicates the process of placement on and removal from the uncovered duct, possibly causing emergency situations if the vehicle falls off the trench edge and non-uniform slumping of the travelling unit of the vehicle. Furthermore, soil picking-up from the trench edges unreasonably increases the scope of earth-moving operations. 
     The closest known method to the claimed method is the method of padding the ground below a duct using excavated soil, which include soil picking-up from the dump, soil transportation in the direction from the dump towards the trench with the duct, soil deposition into the trench from both sides of the duct and filling at least part of the trench space with soil, during continuous displacement over the surface of the soil along the duct of a vehicle carrying the soil feeding and transport organs, and compacting the soil at least in the space below a duct by soil compacting organs applying a force on the soil during continuous displacement over the soil surface along the duct, of a vehicle carrying soil compacting organs. Unlike the claimed method, in the known method the vehicle carrying the soil feeding, transport and soil compacting organs, is displaced over the soil surface from the trench side opposite to the dump, whereas the force is applied to the soil by soil compacting organs made in the form of throwers, prior to its deposition into the trench, which accelerate the soil up to the velocity sufficient for dynamic self-compacting of the soil during its deposition into the trench [USSR Author&#39;s Certificate 855137, IPC E02F 5/12, 1981]. Displacement of the vehicle over unprepared soil surface results in the vehicle, and the soil compacting organs together with it, rocking when passing over uneven ground, with soil particles (in particular, large-sized rocky inclusions) hitting the surface of the duct insulation coating at a high speed, and breaking it. Furthermore, even with a stable position of the vehicle, it is impossible to direct the high-speed flow of soil below a duct with such a precision as to, on the one hand, eliminate formation of a cavity under the duct, and on the other hand, prevent collision of the high speed soil particles with the insulation coating surface. This method does not permit achievement of the required degree of compacting of soil below a duct, which would provide small enough slumping of the duct, and, therefore, its small deformation loading, this being especially important in performance of this work without interruption of the duct operation. This method is difficult to implement when excavated fertile soil is located on the trench side opposite to that of the mineral soil dump location. For its implementation, this method requires an appropriate device with a long extension of soil feeding organ, this being difficult to implement in technical terms. Moreover, this process of padding ground below a duct involves higher power consumption. 
     The closest to the claimed device, is a device known from prior art for padding ground below a duct using excavated soil, which comprises a vehicle with the travelling unit for displacement over the soil surface, carrying the equipment for filling the trench with excavated soil, which includes the soil feeding and transport organs and a device for lifting-lowering of the soil feeding organ relative to the vehicle, and equipment for soil compacting below a duct, including a soil compacting mechanism with drive soil compacting organs and a device for hanging the soil compacting mechanism from the vehicle with the capability of forced displacement and securing relative to the vehicle in a plane which is normal to the direction of its displacement. Unlike the claimed device, in the known device the soil feeding organ is located to the side of the vehicle with a large extension relative to it, for allowing its displacement on the trench side opposite to the dump. The soil feeding and transport organs are designed as one working organ of the screw conveyor hung from the vehicle with a device for hanging the soil compacting mechanism, and the soil compacting organs are made in the form of driven soil throwers whose inlets are connected to the soil outlets of the equipment for filling the trench. Here, the soil compacting mechanism includes the drive mechanism of rocking of the soil compacting organs [USSR Author&#39;s Certificate # 855137, IPC E02F 5/12, 1981]. The known device has all the disadvantages indicated above for the appropriate method. Furthermore, the known device is not stable enough in the transverse plane, has higher power consumption for picking-up the soil, its feeding and deposition into the trench, the screw-conveyor type working organ and the throwers are poorly adapted to operation in boggy sticky soils as a result of the soil sticking to them. 
     The closest known equipment to the claimed equipment is the equipment for soil compacting below a duct, incorporating a soil compacting mechanism and a device for hanging the soil compacting mechanism to a vehicle, including an integrated mechanism for forced displacement and rigid fastening of the soil compacting mechanism relative to the vehicle in the plane normal to the vehicle displacement direction [USSR Author&#39;s Certificate 855137, IPC E02F 5/12, 1981]. Because the known device for hanging the rammer-type soil compacting mechanism lacks a disconnection mechanism for a cyclic displacement of soil compacting organs relative to the vehicle in the direction of its movement, it will be impossible to perform continuous displacement of the vehicle during the soil compacting. This is an especially significant disadvantage for a device which is designed for use as part of a complex of earth-moving machinery in replacement of the insulation coating of a duct, performed on design elevations of the duct in the trench, predominantly without the use of supports for holding it, when a continuous and coordinated displacement of all the machinery of the complex along the entire duct is required. 
     The closest known mechanism to the claimed mechanism is a soil compacting mechanism known from prior art, incorporating a base which carries the drive soil compacting organs each of which includes a connecting rod with a soil compacting element at its lower end, lower lever which is connected to the connecting rod by its first hinge, and to the base by the second one, and upper lever which is connected to the upper end of the connecting rod by third hinge. Unlike the claimed mechanism, in the known mechanism, the upper lever is connected to the lever vibration mechanism, whereas the working surfaces of soil compacting elements are located in the radial direction relative to third hinges [USSR Author&#39;s Certificate #1036828, IPC E01C 19/34, E02D 3/46, 1983]. In the known mechanism, the soil compacting elements travel practically in the horizontal transverse direction with connecting rods rotation about the axes of third hinges. In this case, it is impossible to withdraw soil compacting elements from the soil for their displacement along the duct with a stable position of soil compacting mechanism relative to the duct, it is impossible to form below a duct a zone of soil compacting with slopes or provide uniform compacting of soil along the entire height of the space below a duct, especially with rather great above-mentioned height. for instance, of about 0.8 m. Operation of this mechanism is difficult or practically impossible in relatively narrow trenches. Another disadvantage of the known mechanism is its great height. complicating movement into the trench, withdrawing from the trench, and displacement of the vehicle with the soil compacting mechanism hung to it. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The main goal of the invention is to provide a method for padding the ground below a duct using excavated soil to minimize the stress applied by the soil to the surface of the insulation coating of a duct during its deposition while compacting the soil below a duct with a greater degree of soil compaction, and to eliminate damage to the insulation coating or duct by the soil compacting organs by providing a steady vehicle position through preparation of soil surface prior to vehicle displacement, and to reduce the power consumption of the deposition and soil compaction processes. 
     The above goal is achieved by the method for padding ground below a duct using excavated soil, including soil picking-up from the dump, soil transportation in the direction from the dump towards the trench with the duct, soil deposition into the trench from both sides of a duct to fill at least the space below a duct, and soil compacting, at least the space below a duct by applying stress to the soil by soil compacting organs during continuous displacement over the soil surface along the duct of one or two vehicles carrying the soil feeding, transport and soil compacting organs. The vehicle carrying at least the soil compacting organ can be displaced over the ground surface along a ground path formed by the soil feeding organ during soil feeding from the dump while stress is applied by soil compacting organs to the soil which has already been deposited into the trench. 
     Unlike the process of dynamic self-compacting of soil in its feeding under a duct at a high speed, the process of preliminary deposition of soil into the trench at a low velocity and its subsequent compacting, consumes less power, allows reduction of the stress applied by the soil to the insulation coating surface, and increases the degree of soil compacting. The probability of the duct being damaged by soil compacting organs in the claimed method is reduced by providing a stable vehicle position in its displacement over the soil surface which has been prepared by a soil feeding organ. 
     In particular embodiments of the invention, one vehicle is used, which is made in the form of a base frame carrying the soil feeding, transport and soil compacting organs. 
     Furthermore, part of soil from the dump is used to form the above ground path. In addition, in formation of the ground path, its grading in the transverse direction is performed by skewing the soil feeding organ in the plane normal to the direction of its displacement. In addition, in order to counteract an angle of skewing of the vehicle that results from non-uniform subsidence of soil under the vehicle travelling unit, the transverse gradient of the ground path is set equal in value and opposite in its direction to the angle of skewing of the vehicle relative to the surface of the ground path as a result of the non-uniform subsidence of soil under its travelling unit. Furthermore, part of the soil from the transport organ is unloaded on the ground strip located between the vehicle travelling unit and the trench. In addition, the stress is applied to the soil for its compacting in a cyclic manner, the working elements of soil compacting organs being displaced in each compacting cycle in a plane normal to the direction of the vehicle displacement, in the downward direction and towards each other, whereas between the compacting cycles the working elements are moved in the displacement direction of the vehicle. In addition, the above working elements are rotated in the above-mentioned plane in the direction so the angle they define becomes smaller. In addition, during displacement of the working elements in the displacement direction of the vehicle, they are at least partially withdrawn from the soil. Furthermore, with the design force on the working elements, their actual position is determined, which is compared with the appropriate design position, and proceeding from the comparison results, the level of filling the trench with the soil is kept the same, or increased or lowered. In addition, the trench is filled with the soil up to the level which is higher than the level required for padding ground below a duct, while the displacement of the working elements in the displacement direction of the vehicle is performed with the working elements lowered into the soil. In addition with the design force on the working elements, their actual position is determined, which is compared with their appropriate design position, and proceeding from the comparison results, the level of lifting the working elements is kept the same, or increased or lowered. In addition, compacting the soil is performed with a constant maximal force on the working elements and specific pitch of compacting. Furthermore, the specific pitch of compacting is increased when increasing the maximal force on the working elements, and vice versa. In addition, the maximal force on the working elements is increased if the vehicle carrying the soil compacting equipment is skewed in the direction towards the trench, and vice versa. 
     Another goal of the invention is to provide a device for padding ground below a duct using excavated soil, by making rammer-type soil compacting organs which are hung to the vehicle using a disconnection mechanism and placing the soil feeding organ at an end face of the vehicle for formation of the soil surface over which the vehicle moves, to provide a minimal stress application by the soil on the insulation coating surface during padding ground with a greater degree of soil compacting, to lower the power consumption of the ground padding process and to eliminate damaging of the insulation coating by soil compacting organs. 
     The above goal is achieved by the device for padding ground below a duct using excavated soil, incorporating at least one vehicle with the travelling unit for displacement over the soil surface, which carries the equipment for filling the trench with the duct by excavated soil, including soil feeding and transport organs and a device for lifting-lowering the soil feeding organ relative to the vehicle, and equipment for compacting soil below a duct, including a soil compacting mechanism with drive soil compacting organs and a device for hanging soil compacting mechanism from the vehicle with the capability of forced displacement and rigid fastening relative to it in a plane which is normal to the direction of its displacement. According to the invention the soil feeding organ is located at the end face of the travelling unit and is wider than the travelling unit, and the device for hanging the soil compacting mechanism is fitted with a disconnection mechanism for cyclic displacement of soil compacting organs relative to the vehicle in its displacement direction, the soil compacting organs being of the rammer-type and being located behind the zone of soil unloading from the transport organ in the displacement direction of the vehicle. 
     Unlike the throwers, the rammer-type soil compacting organs are less power-consuming and provide a greater degree of soil compaction with a smaller damaging action of the soil on the insulation coating. The disconnection mechanism ensures normal functioning of soil compacting mechanism during continuous displacement of the vehicle whose stabilizing is provided by the soil feeding organ, thus lowering the probability of the damaging action of soil compacting organs on a duct. 
     In particular embodiments of the invention, the equipment for filling the trench with the duct by excavated soil is fitted with a device for forced rotation of soil feeding organ relative to the vehicle in a plane which is normal to the displacement direction of the vehicle. In addition, the equipment for filling the trench with the duct with excavated soil is made with at least two outlets for the soil, whose spacing in the horizontal direction normal to the direction of displacement of the vehicle is greater than the duct diameter. In addition, the device for hanging the soil compacting mechanism from the vehicle includes connected to each other mechanisms for forced lifting-lowering, transverse displacement and rotation of soil compacting mechanism. In addition, soil feeding, transport and soil compacting organs are hung from one vehicle made in the form of a base frame. 
     A goal of the invention is to provide equipment for padding ground below a duct with the capability of normal functioning of rammer-type soil compacting mechanism during continuous displacement of the vehicle by fitting the equipment with a disconnection mechanism. 
     This goal is achieved by the equipment for padding ground below a duct, including soil compacting mechanism and a device for hanging soil compacting mechanism to the vehicle, incorporating an integrated mechanism for forced displacement and rigid fastening of soil compacting mechanism relative to the vehicle in a plane normal to the direction of its displacement. According to the invention, the device is fitted with a disconnection mechanism for cyclic displacement of soil compacting organs relative to the vehicle in its displacement direction, which incorporates a kinematic joint which is included into a sequence of kinematic elements of the above-mentioned integrated mechanism, and has a degree of mobility in a plane which is parallel to the direction of the vehicle displacement. 
     In particular embodiments of the invention, the above-mentioned integrated mechanism incorporates the connected to each other mechanisms for forced lifting-lowering, transverse displacement and rotation of the soil compacting mechanism. In addition, the above-mentioned kinematic joint of the disconnection mechanism is made in the form of a hinge with the axis of rotation located in a plane normal to the direction of the vehicle displacement. In addition, the above-mentioned axis of rotation is located horizontally. In addition, the disconnection mechanism is fitted with at least one elastic element connected with the rigid elements which are connected to each other by the above hinge and form a kinematic pair. In addition, the disconnection mechanism is fitted with a longitudinal feed power drive connected to rigid elements which are connected to one another by the above hinge and form a kinematic pair. In addition, the integrated mechanism is made in the form of a lifting boom which with its root is connected by means of the first hinge and lifting-lowering power drive to the support mounted on the vehicle frame, and an arm which with its first end is connected by a kinematic connection, which includes the second hinge and transverse displacement power drive, to the head part of the lifting boom, and with its second end is connected by means of third hinge and power drive of revolution to the soil compacting mechanism, the above kinematic pair of the disconnection mechanism including the boom head part and a shackle which is connected to the first end of the arm by the above-mentioned second hinge. 
     Another goal of the invention is to provide a soil compacting mechanism by changing the connections and relative position of its elements, to provide displacement of soil compacting elements in the vertical and horizontal directions, which is sufficient for a high degree of compacting the soil below a duct and formation of a zone of soil compacting with slopes, in order to prevent breaking up of the soil with the duct resting on it, to provide soil compacting along the entire height of the space below the duct, in narrow trenches and at a great height, to provide lifting of soil compacting elements above the soil for their longitudinal feed with a stable position of soil compacting mechanism relative to the duct; to reduce the height of soil compacting mechanism for facilitating its introduction into/withdrawal from the trench. 
     This goal is achieved by the soil compacting mechanism incorporating the base which carries the drive soil compacting organs, each of which includes the connecting rod with the working element at its lower end, a lower lever which is joined to the connecting rod by its first hinge and to the base by the second hinge, and an upper lever which is connected by a third hinge to the upper end of the connecting rod. The upper lever is connected by the fourth hinge to the base, the fourth hinge being shifted relative to the second hinge in the direction of the connecting rod, and/or the distance between the first and third hinges is greater than the distance between the second and fourth hinges, and/or the distance between the third and fourth hinges is greater than the distance between the first and second hinges. 
     In particular embodiments of the invention, the working surfaces of the working elements in their upper position arc located horizontally or are facing each other and are located at an angle of not less than 90° to each other. In addition, the working surfaces of the working elements in their lower position define an angle which is in the range of 60 to 120°. Furthermore, the distance along the vertical between the working element of each soil compacting organ in its extreme upper and extreme lower positions is not less that half of the duct diameter, and the appropriate distance along the horizontal is not less than half of the above distance along the vertical. In addition, the base incorporates a beam and brackets which carry at least the upper and lower levers of soil compacting organs, and which are secured on the beam by detachable joints with the capability of placing them into at least two positions along the beam length. Furthermore, the power drive of each soil compacting organ is made in the form of a hydraulic cylinder hinged to the upper lever and the base. In addition, the upper levers are made as two arm and L-shaped levers, the mechanism being fitted with a synchronising tie rod hinged by its ends to second arms of upper levers. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other details and features of the invention will become obvious from the following description of its particular embodiments, with references to the accompanying drawings, which show: 
     FIG.  1 —preferable embodiment of the claimed device in the form of a machine for padding ground below a duct using excavated soil with left-handed position of suspended equipment, side view; 
     FIG.  2 —same, top view; 
     FIG.  3 —machine for padding ground below a duct using excavated soil with right-handed position of suspended equipment, front view of filling equipment; 
     FIG.  4 —same, front view of compacting equipment; 
     FIG.  5 —preferable embodiment of the equipment for filling the trench with excavated soil, side view; 
     FIG.  6 —same, top view; 
     FIG.  7 —component A in FIG. 6; 
     FIG.  8 —B—B cut in FIG. 7; 
     FIG.  9 —C—C cut in FIG. 7; 
     FIG.  10 —soil divider, top view; 
     FIG.  11 —view F in FIG. 10; 
     FIG.  12 —view D in FIG. 10; 
     FIG.  13 —E—E cut in FIG. 10; 
     FIG.  14 —preferable embodiment of the equipment for soil compacting below a duct, rear view; 
     FIG.  15 —component M in FIG. 4; 
     FIG.  16 —Z view in FIG. 15; 
     FIG.  17 —N—N cut in FIG. 16; 
     FIG.  18 —K view in FIG. 14; 
     FIG.  19 —an embodiment of the equipment for soil compacting below a duct, rear view; 
     FIG.  20 —mounting a contactless sensor of the duct position on a belt conveyor; 
     FIG.  21 —mounting a contactless sensor of the duct position and sensor of gravity vertical position on the base of soil compacting mechanism; 
     FIG.  22 —view S in FIGS. 20 and 21; 
     FIG.  23 —mounting the sensor of soil feeding organ rotation; 
     FIG.  24 —block-diagram of the device of machine monitoring and control. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The claimed method of padding ground below duct  1  with excavated soil  2  can be implemented in its preferable embodiment using the appropriate claimed device which in its preferable embodiment is made in the form of machine  3  for padding ground below a duct using excavated soil (further on referred to as machine  3 ), as is described further and explained by the drawings. In this case, the term padding ground below a duct using excavated soil, is used in the sense of filling trench  4  with duct  1  by excavated soil  2  and its compacting, at least, in space  5  below duct  1 . 
     Machine  3  consists of a vehicle which in this case is made in the form of one common base frame  6  with caterpillar unit  7  for displacement over the soil surface, hung to whose frame  8  are equipment  9  for filling the trench with the duct with excavated soil (further on referred to as filling equipment  9 ) and equipment  10  for soil compacting below a duct (further on referred to as compacting equipment  10 ). It is obvious to an expert that the claimed device for padding ground below a duct using excavated soil, can be made as a system of two machines (not shown in the drawing), in which case it will have two vehicles—caterpillar base frames, one of them carrying filling equipment  9  and the other—compacting equipment  10 . 
     Filling equipment  9  is made in the form of an earth-moving and transportation device for picking-up soil and feeding it upwards and in the direction which is normal to longitudinal axis  11  of base frame  6  (further on referred to as transverse direction). Filling equipment  9  includes a device for lifting-lowering soil feeding organ relative to the vehicle (base frame  6 ) which incorporates frame  12  hung to frame  8  of base frame  6 , with the capability of forced lifting and forced or gravity lowering (further on referred to as lifting frame  12 ), soil feeding  13  and transport  14  organs, as well as soil divider  15  located in the zone of soil unloading from transport organ. Soil feeding  13  and transport 14 organs are mounted on lifting frame  12 . Soil feeding organ  13  is made with the capability of continuously feeding excavated soil  2  or newly unturned ground and is located at the end face of base frame  6 , its width L b1 , being greater than the width L b2  of caterpillar travelling unit  7  of base frame  6  so that the surface of the soil formed by the soil feeding organ  13  after its passage, makes a ground path  16  of sufficient width for displacement of travelling unit  7  over it. For grading the path  16  in the transverse direction, soil feeding organ  13  is connected to travelling unit  7  with the capability of its forced rotation in a plane normal to longitudinal axis  11  of base frame  6  (further on referred to as transverse plane). Filling equipment  9  can have different design embodiments, for instance, soil feeding  13  and transport  14  organs can be mounted with the ability of simultaneous rotation about an imaginary geometrical axis of rotation  17  (further on axis of rotation  17 ), or as shown in FIGS. 5,  6 , only the soil feeding organ is mounted with the ability of revolution about axis of rotation  17 . In this case, in order to reduce the lateral linear displacement of lower part of soil feeding organ  13  when forming ground path  16 , in its revolution about axis of rotation  17 , the vertical distance h 1  (FIG. 5) from the axis of rotation  17  to the surface of the ground path  16  should be minimal. 
     In the general case, soil feeding organ  13  can be made of different types, for instance, chain, rotor, screw-conveyor or combined, the most preferable embodiment, however, being the chain variant of soil feeding organ  13 , with widegrip soil feeding chain  18 . In this case soil feeding organ  13  incorporates frame  19  with inclined flat breast  20  and side panels  21  between which soil feeding chain  18  is located, mounted on drive  22  and tension  23  sprockets of drive  24  and tension  25  shafts. Soil feeding chain  18  is formed in the preferable embodiment, as shown in the drawings (FIGS. 2,  3 ,  6 ), by four hauling chains  26  bending to one side, which are connected to each other by soil transporting beams  27  which are arranged in three rows, with beams in adjacent rows shifted along and overlapping across soil feeding chain  18 . In other embodiments. the number of hauling chains  26  and of rows of soil transporting beams  27 , respectively, can be larger or smaller. Replaceable cutters  29  are mounted on beams  27  in cutter holders  28 . Drive shaft  24  preferably consists of right  30  and left  31  co-axial half-shafts which are connected to each other by gear-type or other coupling  32 . On each of the half-shafts  30 ,  31  two drive sprockets  22  are tightly fitted, outside which bearing supports  33  are located by means of which half-shafts  30 ,  31  are mounted on first transverse beam  34  of frame  19 . Beam  34  is fixedly connected by its end faces to side panels  21 . Longitudinal beams  36  which carry rollers  37  supporting hauling chains  26 , are located between and connected by their end faces to first transverse beam  34  and second transverse beam  35  which is shifted towards tension shaft  25  relative to the first transverse beam. Tension sprockets  23  are mounted by means of bearings on a one-piece tension shaft  25  connected by its ends to side panels  21  by tension mechanisms  38 . In an alternative embodiment (not shown in the drawings) the tension shaft can be absent, and tension sprockets  23  can be mounted on a tension beam connected by its ends to side panels  21  by the tension mechanisms  38 . 
     One of half-shafts  30 ,  31  of drive shaft  24 , for instance, the right one  30  (FIG. 9) is connected to drive  39  which can be made, for instance, in the form of hydraulic motor  40 , as shown in FIG. 1, or as in the preferable embodiment in FIG. 6, in the form of a mechanical transmission  41  connected to the power take-off shaft (PTO) (not shown in the drawings) of base frame  6 . Mechanical transmission  41  incorporates successively arranged in the direction of transfer of the torque and connected to each other first cardan shaft  42 , first reduction gear  43  with input  44  and output  45  shafts normal to each other, second reduction gear  47  with input  48  and output  49  shafts located at an angle to each other, second cardan shaft  50  which is made to be telescopic and enclosed into casing  51 , and third reduction gear  52  with input  53  and output  54  shafts located at an angle to each other. Output shaft  45 , input shaft  48  and the shaft  46 , which is connected to them by its ends, are co-axial with an imaginary geometrical axis  55  of rotation of hinges  56  by which frame  12  of filling equipment  9  is hung to frame  7  of base frame  6 . In this case, the axle  57  of hinge  56  (the right one in FIG.  6 ), is made tubular with a through hole for passing shaft  46  through it. 
     In the preferable embodiment of the invention (FIGS. 5,  6 ), frame  12  includes first part  58  located horizontally as shown in the drawings nominal working position of filling equipment  9  and located normal to the first part and fixedly connected to it second part  59  whose upper end accommodates located normal to it, first brackets  60  which by means of above hinges  56 , are connected to brackets  61  mounted on frame  7 . Made on the upper end of second part  59  are second brackets  62  located opposite to first brackets  60  relative to this part, to which second brackets the rods of hydraulic cylinders  64  for forced lifting-lowering of frame  12 , arc connected by means of axles  63 . The lifting hydraulic cylinders  64  are connected by means of axles  65  to brackets  66  made fast on frame  7 . Fastened rigidly on the front transverse beam  67  of first part  58  of frame  12  is tubular axle  68  whose imaginary geometrical axis is the axis of rotation  17  and is located in all positions in one plane with longitudinal axis  11  of base frame  6 , and in the earlier mentioned nominal working position is approximately parallel to longitudinal axis  11 . In this case, frame  19  of soil feeding organ  13  is fitted with bushing  69  which encloses front cantilever part of tubular axle  68  and is hinged to first part  58  of frame  12  by means of hydraulic cylinders  70  for forced rotation of soil feeding organ  13  about axis of rotation  17 . Hydraulic cylinders  70  of rotation are located under breast  20 , thus making the design of filling equipment  9  compact and preventing soil from falling on the hydraulic cylinders  70 . 
     In the preferable embodiment shown in the drawings, the transport organ  14  has a frame  71  of the belt conveyor  72 located in the transverse plane (normal to longitudinal axis  11  of the base frame), and is fastened on the first part  58  of frame  12  by a detachable joint. In this case, the detachable joint allows placing belt conveyor  72  in one of the two positions with the extension to the right (in FIGS. 3,  4 ,  6 ) or to the left (in FIGS. 1,  2 ) of longitudinal axis  11 . Extension of conveyor  72  corresponds to the nominal distance from longitudinal axis  11  to longitudinal axis  73  of duct  1 . Belt conveyor  72  is of the standard known design and includes continuous belt  74 , two drums  75 ,  76  enveloped by belt  74 , and drive of drum  75  made, for example, in the form of hydraulic motor  77  (FIG.  2 ). 
     Soil divider  15  preferably has the form of a gable roof and incorporates trays  78  inclined in the transverse plane with edges  79 , which are mounted on bushings  80  with the capability of rotation on axle  81  whose end parts  82  are mounted on spherical hinge bearings  83  in holes  84  of brackets  85  which are made on the first ends of levers  86 ,  87 . Second ends of levers  86 ,  87  are hinged to frame  71  of belt conveyor  72  by means of practically vertical axes  88 . Second end of lever  86  is fitted with bracket  89  which is hinged by axle  90  to the rod of hydraulic cylinder  91  for adjustment of the proportion of. soil flows coming out of divider  15 . The hydraulic cylinder of adjustment  91  is hinged to frame  71  of conveyor  72 . Mounted on axle  81  with a shift towards one of its ends, by means of bushings  92  with the capability of rocking, is cutoff shield  93  with brackets  94  which are connected by means of extension springs  95  and adjusting turn buckles  96  to edges  79  of trays  78 . The left (in FIG. 12) end face  97  of cut-off shield  93  comes practically right up to the left edges  79 , whereas the right end face  98  is located approximately half way between the left and right edges  79 . Trays  78  are located at an angle to each other and fixed in such a position by distance piece  99  whose ends are hinged to trays  78 , with a distance L b3  (FIG. 3) between lower end faces of trays  78  which are outlets for soil coming out of filling equipment  9 , the distance L b3  being greater than diameter D of the duct in the horizontal transverse direction. One of edges  79  of one of trays  78  has a welded-on plate  100  with slot  101  which accommodates the rest  102  made on one of brackets  85 . The width of slot  101  is larger than the respective dimension of the rest  102 , thus providing the capability of simultaneous rocking of trays  78  on axle  81  for their gravitational self-positioning at the same angle to the horizon. Levers  86 ,  87  with hydraulic cylinder of adjustment  91  and their appropriate connections, represent a mechanism for displacement of soil divider  15  relative to conveyor  72  in the direction out of the plane of location of the latter. It is obvious that the above mechanism can also be of another design which provides appropriate displacement of divider  15 . Furthermore, it is obvious that the proportion of soil flows can be changed not only by displacement of entire divider  15 , but also by displacement along axle  81  of solely cut-off shield  93  with trays  78  being stationary relative to conveyor  72 . 
     Compacting equipment  10  includes soil compacting mechanism  103  with two drive rammer-type soil compacting organs  104 ,  105  and device  106  for hanging to base frame  6  (vehicle) soil compacting mechanism  103  (further on referred to as suspension device). 
     Suspension device  106  includes integrated mechanism  107  for forced displacement and rigid fastening of soil compacting mechanism  103  relative to base frame  6  in the transverse plane, which preferably includes the connected to each other mechanisms for lifting-lowering  108 , transverse displacement  109  and rotation  110  of soil compacting mechanism  103 . In the preferable embodiment of integrated mechanism  107 , above-mentioned mechanisms  108 ,  109 ,  110  are made as follows. 
     Lifting-lowering mechanism  108  is made in the form of lifting boom  111  which with its root  112  by means of first hinge  113  is connected to bracket  114  with base plate  115  which has pin  116  in its center, located in the hole of horizontal base plate  117  of a support which is rigidly fastened on frame  8  of base frame  6  and is made in the form of gantry  118 . Base plates  115 ,  117  are fastened to each other by bolts  119  with nuts  120  and washers  121 , with elongated slots  122  made in base plate  114  for above bolts  119 , thus providing the capability of rotation of bracket  114  about imaginary geometrical axis  123  of pin  116  when nuts  120  are loosened. Lock  124  is provided for a reliable securing of bracket  114  against rotation about axis  123 , the lock being made in the form of plate  125  with toothed quadrant  126 , tooth  127  and slots  128  for bolts  129 . Scale  130  and toothed quadrant  131  are made on base plate  115  for engagement with toothed quadrant  126 , while gantry  118  has welded to it base plate  132  with radial slot  133  for accommodating tooth  127  and threaded holes  134  for bolts  129 . Base plate  115  has additional toothed quadrant (not shown in the drawings) which is shifted relative to main toothed quadrant  131  by an angle of 180°, thus providing for positioning of lifting boom  111  with extension to the left or to the right of longitudinal axis  11  of base frame  6 . By means of lifting-lowering hydraulic cylinder  135 , boom  111  is hinged to left  136  or right  137  posts of gantry  118 , respectively. 
     The mechanism of transverse displacement  109  is made in the form of arm  138  whose first end  139  is connected to head part  140  of boom  111 , which is made L-shaped. In this case, the above-mentioned connection includes second hinge  141 , and hydraulic cylinder  142  of transverse displacement. Brackets  143 ,  144  are made on first end  139  of arm  138  and head part  140  of boom  111 , the brackets being connected by hinges  145 ,  146  to rod and case of hydraulic cylinder  142 , respectively. Second (lower) end  147  of arm  138  is connected by means of a third hinge  148  to base  149  of soil compacting mechanism  103 . 
     Rotation mechanism  110  is made in the form of above-mentioned hinge  148  and hydraulic cylinder  150  of rotation, whose rod and case are connected by means of hinges  151 ,  152  to base  149  and arm  138 , respectively. 
     Suspension device  106  further incorporates a disconnection mechanism  153  for cyclic displacement of soil compacting organs  104 ,  105  relative to base frame  6  in its displacement direction, thus providing the capability of soil compacting during continuous displacement of base frame  6 . Disconnection mechanism  153  is made in the form of hinge  154  which connects to each other head part  140  of boom  111  and shackle  155  which has lugs  156  connected by hinge  141  to arm  138 . That is, in this embodiment of suspension device  106  the connection of arm  138  with head part  140  of boom  111  includes, beside hinge  141  and hydraulic cylinder  142 , hinge  154  and shackle  155 . In other embodiments, however, hinge  154  can be connected at another point into the sequence of kinematic elements join in soil compacting organs  104 ,  105  to base frame  6 . The geometrical axis of hinge  154  is located in the transverse plane, and is practically horizontal in the working position of compacting equipment  10  (FIGS. 4,  14 ). Geometrical axes of all hinges  113 ,  141 ,  148  of integrated mechanism  107  are located longitudinally, i.e. normal to the above transverse plane. Thus, in forced closure of hinges  113 ,  141 ,  148  by means of hydraulic cylinders  135 ,  142 ,  150  a rigid connection of soil compacting mechanism  103  with base frame  6  in the transverse plane is in place, i.e. any kind of its spontaneous displacement is eliminated. In this embodiment disconnection mechanism  153  is serviceable without any additional elements. It, however, can include elastic elements, made, for instance, in the form of spring adjustable shock absorbers  157 . Each shock absorber  157  is made in the form of rod  158  with threaded  159  and smooth  160  sections which carry stationary  161  and mobile supports  162  between which compression spring  163  is mounted. Mobile support  162  has spherical pivot  164  supported by plate  165  with a hole, which is welded on shackle  155 , whereas rod  158  has lug  166  connected by axle  167  to bracket  168  which is welded on head part  140 . 
     Soil compacting mechanism  103  includes base  149  on which are mounted soil compacting organs  104 ,  105  and power drive  169  of soil compacting organs  104 ,  105 . Each soil compacting organ  104 ,  105  includes connecting rod  170  which has flat working element  171  attached to its lower end, lower lever  172  which is connected by first hinge  1773  to connecting rod  170 , and by second hinge  174  to base  149 , and upper lever  175  which by third hinge  176  is connected to upper end of connecting rod  170 , and to base  149  by fourth hinge  177 . In this case, in order to provide downward displacement towards each other of elements  171 , at least one of the following three conditions must be satisfied: the fourth hinge  177  should be shifted relative to second hinge  174  towards the connecting rod  170 , or; the distance between first  173  and third  176  hinges should be greater than the distance between second  174  and fourth  177  hinges, or; the distance between third  176  and fourth  177  hinges should be greater than the distance between first  173  and second  174  hinges. It is natural that simultaneous satisfying of two or preferably three of the above-mentioned conditions is possible, as in the preferable embodiment of the soil compacting mechanism shown in FIGS. 4,  14 ,  19 . Base  149  is made composite and includes beam  178  and two brackets  179 ,  180  which carry all the elements of soil compacting organs  104 ,  105 . Brackets  179 ,  180  are fastened by flange joints  181  through replaceable inserts  182  on end faces of beam  178 . Replaceable inserts  182  are designed for changing the spacing of brackets  179 ,  180 , when the mechanism is set up for a particular duct diameter. Power drive  169  of each soil compacting organ  104 ,  105  is made in the form of hydraulic cylinder  183  whose rod and case are connected by hinges  184 ,  185  to upper lever  175  and bracket  179  or  180 , respectively. 
     In the above described and shown in FIG. 14 embodiment, soil compacting mechanism is fully serviceable; for synchronism the displacement of soil compacting organs  104 ,  105 , however, it is rational to make upper levers  175  as two-arm and L-shaped levers, and fit the mechanism with synchronising tie rod  186 , connected by its ends to second arms  188  of upper levers  175  by hinges  187 , as shown in FIGS. 4,  19 . It is rational to make hinges  145 ,  151 ,  152 ,  184  using standard spherical hinge bearings, and to make hinges  146 ,  185  using double hinges of Hooke&#39;s joint type. 
     FIG. 19 shows another embodiment of compacting equipment  10 , in which suspension device  106  includes load-carrying structure  189  which is made in the form of a cantilever beam-made fast on base frame  6 , or in the form of a semi-gantry cross-bar resting at one end (for instance right end, FIG. 19) on frame  8  of base frame  6  which is located, for instance, on the right berm of the trench, and at the second end supported by its own caterpillar carriage which is located on the opposite (left) berm of trench  4 . In this case, mechanism  109  of transverse displacement is made in the form of a carriage  190  that is mobile along a load-carrying structure  189  and hydraulic cylinder  191  of transverse displacement. Lifting-lowering mechanism  108  is made in the form of a hinged to the carriage  190  two-arm L-shaped lever  193  whose first arm  194  is hinged to lifting-lowering hydraulic cylinder  195 , and whose second, arm  196  is hinged to cross-piece  197 . Rotation mechanism  110  is made in the form of a hinge joining second arm  196  of lever  193  to cross-piece  197  and hydraulic cylinder  198  of rotation. Disconnection mechanism  153  is made in the form of hinge joint  199  of cross-piece  197  with base  149  of soil compacting mechanism  103  and hydraulic cylinder  200  hinged to cross-piece  197  and base  149 . In this case, axis of rotation of hinge joint  199  in the nominal working position shown in FIG. 19 is located horizontally and in the transverse plane (plane of the drawing in FIG.  19 ). 
     Soil compacting mechanism  103  represented in FIG. 19, differs from the one described above and shown in FIG. 14 in that brackets  178 ,  180  are fastened on lower plane of beam  178  of base  149  with the ability of moving them into several positions along the length of beam  178 . Hydraulic cylinders  183  are connected by hinges  201  of a standard design to additional brackets  202  made fast on upper plane of beam  178 . 
     It is rational to make soil compacting mechanism so that working surfaces  203  of working elements  171  in their upper position I (FIGS. 14,  19 ) were located horizontal or faced each other at angle β 1  which is not less than 90°. Furthermore, it is rational for working surfaces  203  of working elements  171  in their lower position II to be located at angle β 2  to each other, which is in the range of 60° to 120°. In addition, it is rational to assume such a ratio of the dimensions of the elements of soil compacting mechanism, that vertical displacement h 2  of working elements  171  was not less than half of diameter D of the duct, horizontal displacement L b4  was not less than half of vertical displacement h 2  and in the extreme lower position II, at least the greater part of working surface  203  of working elements  171  was located below duct  1 . 
     Device of monitoring and control of machine  3  is fitted with means  204  for monitoring the position of base frame  6  relative to duct  1  in the vertical and horizontal transverse directions. It is obvious that the means  204  can be made in the form of a mechanical tracking system which has means for mobile contact with the duct surface, for instance, rollers connected with displacement sensors (not shown in the drawings). Such a mechanical system, however, would be too inconvenient in service, prone to damage and different malfunctions in operation. In the preferable embodiment of the invention, means  204  is made in the form of block of receiving aerials  204  which are usually used in devices such as pipe finders, cable finders or pipeline route finders, and which use the electromagnetic field induced around the duct by alternating electric current passing through it. Block of receiving aerials  204  consists of a tubular rod  205 , at the ends of which are mounted two cases  206  with magnetic receivers which are inductance coils. 
     Block of receiving aerials  204  is mounted on cantilever  207  which is made fast on frame  71  of conveyor  72 , with cases  206  located symmetrical to axle  81  of soil divider  15 . 
     Device of monitoring and control of machine  3  is fitted with means  208  for monitoring the angle of transverse inclination of base frame  6  and means  209  of monitoring the angle of rotation of soil feeding organ  13  relative to base frame about axis  17 . The means  208  is made in the form of a unified measurement module which is applied in systems of stabilisation and control of the position of working organs of road construction machinery and is used for measurement of the angle relative to gravity vertical. Module  208  is fastened on frame of base frame close to filling equipment  9 . Means  209  is made in the form of sensor  210  of angle of rotation, which is secured on frame  19  of soil feeding organ  13  and is connected by lever  211  and hinged tie rod  212  to lifting frame  12  (FIG.  23 ). 
     Device for monitoring and control of machine  3  has means  213  for monitoring the position of soil compacting mechanism  103  relative to duct  1  in the vertical and horizontal transverse directions. Means  213  can be made in the form of a mechanical tracking system; proceeding from similar considerations, however, as pointed out above for means  204 , in the preferable embodiment means  213  is made similar to means  204  in the form of block of receiving aerials  213  (FIG. 21) which is mounted on base  149  with cases  206  arranged symmetrical to a vertical plane of symmetry common with the soil compacting organs  104 ,  105 . 
     In addition, device for monitoring and control of machine  3  has means  214  for control of transverse gradient of soil compacting mechanism  103 , which is made similar to means  208  in the form of a unified measurement module for measurement of the angle relative to gravity vertical, which is mounted on base  149 . 
     Device for monitoring and control of machine  3  has block  215  of information processing and generation of control signals, whose data inputs are connected to the means  204 ,  208 ,  209 ,  213 ,  214 , whereas data outputs to means of indication of panels  216 ,  217  of control are mounted, respectively, in cabin  218  of vehicle  6  and on remote control panel which can be located on working platform  219 . Outputs of control signals of above block  215 , are connected to electric magnets of electric hydraulic distributors which perform control of hydraulic cylinders  70 ,  135  or  195 ,  142  or  191 ,  150  or  198 . 
     Device for monitoring and control of machine  3  can have system  220  for automatic control of base frame  6 , whose inputs are connected to outputs of block  215 . 
     Soil compacting mechanism  103  is fitted with electric system  221  for automatic reversal of hydraulic cylinders  183 , whose inputs are connected to means  222  for monitoring of, at least, upper extreme position of soil compacting organs  104 ,  105 , means  223  for monitoring the highest specified pressure in the piston cavities of hydraulic cylinders  183 , and, at least, one control signal output of block  215 . Means  222 ,  223  can be made in the form of a limit switch and pressure relay, respectively. Outputs of the above-mentioned system  221  are connected to electric magnets of electric hydraulic distributors of hydraulic cylinders  183 . 
     In a particular embodiment of machine  3  filling equipment  9  can have means  224  for soil unloading from transport organ  14 , which forms third outlet of soil. The third outlet of soil from filling equipment  9  is located with a shift towards base frame  6  relative to first two soil outlets (lower edges of trays  78  of divider  15 ). In this case, distance L b5  between vertical plane of symmetry of first two outlets of soil, to which axis  73  of duct  1  belongs, and the third soil outlet, is greater than half the width L b6  of trench  4 , and distance L b7  between third outlet of soil and longitudinal axis  11  of base frame  6  is greater than half the width L b2  of travelling unit  7 . 
     The means  224  can be made in the form of a working organ  225  for soil displacement across conveyor  72  located with clearance h 4  above belt  74  of conveyor  72 . The means  224  can be made in the form of an A-shaped breast (FIGS. 2,  3 ) or a flat breast mounted at an angle to conveyor  72 , or screw conveyor, or chain element (not shown in the drawings). 
     For adjustment of clearance h 4 , the breast is secured by means of a hinge  226  on bracket  227  of gantry  228  and is connected to gantry  228  by hydraulic cylinder  229 . Gantry  228  is fastened on frame  71  of conveyor  72 . It is preferable for electric magnets of electric hydraulic distributors of hydraulic cylinders  229 ,  64  to be connected to control signal outputs of block  215 , and instead of means  222 ,  223  or in addition to them, to have means  230  for monitoring the current positions of soil compacting organs  104 ,  105  and means  231  for monitoring the current values of pressure in piston cavities of hydraulic cylinders  183 . The means  230 ,  231  can be made in the form of displacement sensor and pressure sensor, respectively, and can be connected to data inputs of block  215 . 
     It is preferable for control signal outputs of block  215  to be connected to electric magnets of electric hydraulic distributors of hydraulic cylinder  200  of longitudinal feed of working elements  171 . 
     It is preferable for device of monitoring and control of machine  3  to have sensor  232  of path S of base frame  6  or sensor  232  of speed V of base frame  6  and timer  233  for monitoring time T of operating cycle of soil compacting mechanism  103 , which are connected to data inputs of block  215  whose control signal outputs are connected to means  234  of adjustment of the flow rate of working fluid of hydraulic cylinders  183 . 
     In implementation of the method of padding ground below a duct using excavated soil the appropriate apparatus made in the form of machine  3  operates as follows. 
     Machine  3  is placed at the end of the system of technical means (not shown in the drawings) for replacement of insulation coating of duct  1 , performed at design elevations of duct  1  in trench  4  without interruption of its operation, which in addition to machine  3  includes means for uncovering, digging under, and cleaning of duct  1  and application of new insulation coating on it (not shown in the drawings). In this case by maneuvering base frame  6 , machine  3  is positioned so that soil divider  15  and soil compacting mechanism  103  are located above duct  1 , whereas soil feeding organ  13  was located at an end face of soil dump  2 . In this case, owing to means  204 ,  213  for monitoring the position of base frame  6  and soil compacting mechanism  103  relative to duct  1  being made in the form of block of receiving aerials and not requiring mechanical contact with the duct in operation, the base frame  6  can be maneuvered in a section of uncovered duct  1  behind excavated soil  2  in the automatic mode by an automatic control system  220  of base frame  6  or in the manual mode by the operator who is guided by readings of indication means of control panel  216 . After base frame  6  has been moved into the required position, filling equipment  9  is brought from the transportation position I (FIG. 1) into working position II (FIGS. 1,  2 ,  3 ,  5 ,  6 ), lowering frame  12  by its rotation about axis  55  of hinges  56  by means of lifting hydraulic cylinders  64 ; drives  39 ,  77  of soil feeding  13  and transport  14  organs are switched on and displacement of base frame  6  in the direction from the soil feeding organ  13  to soil dump  2  is begun. The soil feeding chain  18  cutters  29  loosen excavated soil  2  (or unbroken soil), and beams  27  scoop up and transport soil along breast  20 . Having passed upper edge of breast  20 , the soil under the action of the forces of inertia and gravity, moves along a curvilinear path and is lowered on the moving belt  74  of conveyor belt  72  by means of which soil is transported towards duct  1  and under the action of the forces of inertia and gravity, is discharged onto soil divider  15 . Part of soil flow falls on the left (FIGS. 3,  10 ,  11 ) tray  78 , and part of the flow is stopped by cut-off shield  93  and falls on right tray  78 . The left and right soil flows under the impact of the forces of gravity, move along inclined trays  78  and having passed their lower edges are thrown into trench  4 . As distance Lb 3  between lower edges of trays  78  is greater than diameter D of duct  1 , the soil as it falls into trench  4  does not hit duct  1 , thus preventing the damage of its insulation coating which may not have a high strength in the first minutes after its application. Cut-off shield  93  oscillates under the impact of the flow of soil and springs  95 , thus reducing the amount of soil sticking to it. In order to reduce soil sticking to trays  78  and facilitate soil displacement along them, soil divider  15  can be fitted with vibrators (not shown in the drawings). For many types of soil, however, the oscillatory motions made by trays  78  under the action of unstable, variable, inertia and gravity forces on axle  81  are sufficient. In this case, in the extreme positions of trays  78  edges of slot  101  of plate  100  hitting rest  102  and shaking of trays  78 , respectively take place, thus promoting trays cleaning from soil and displacement of the latter along them. In order to achieve the required ratio of the right and left flows of soil, cut-off shield  93  (together with all of divider  15 ) by means of hydraulic cylinders  91  of regulation, is moved across the flow of soil which is thrown off conveyor  72 , thus increasing or reducing the amount of soil which is held up by cut-off shield  93  and fed onto right tray  78 . In order to increase volume Q 1  of soil which is deposited into trench  4 , soil feeding organ  13  is lowered or lifted relative to base frame  6 , respectively, turning lifting frame  12  about axis  55  of hinges  56  by means lifting hydraulic cylinders  64 . In the embodiment of machine  3  which is fitted with means  224  for unloading soil from transport organ  14 , the means  224  is used for accurate adjustment of volume Q 1  of soil deposited in the trench. For instance, to reduce volume Q 1  of soil deposited in the trench, breast  225  is lowered by means of hydraulic cylinders  229 , thus, reducing gap h 4 , so part of the soil is held up by the breast  225 , moved across the conveyor  72  and thrown off it onto the edge of trench  4 . In addition, breast  225  uniformly distributes soil across the width of belt  74  of conveyor  72 , thus increasing the accuracy and simplifying (or practically eliminating the need for) regulation of soil division by divider  15 . Availability of means  224  allows soil feeding organ  13  to be used mainly for grading ground track  16 , having largely relieved it of the function of regulation of volume Q 1  of soil deposited in the trench. Control of hydraulic cylinders  64 ,  229  in regulation of the volume of soil can be carried out both in the manual and automatic modes using block  215 , as will be described further on. 
     After placing the soil compacting mechanism  103  over uncovered and padded with soil duct  1 , its base  149  is positioned by means of lifting-lowering mechanism  108  at a specified height H above axis  73  of duct  1 , by means of transverse displacement mechanism  109  symmetrical (transverse displacement ΔB of base  149  relative to axis  73  of duct  1  in the transverse direction is zero or is within tolerance) to longitudinal axis  73  of duct  1  and horizontally by means of mechanism of rotation  110  (angle α of skewing of base  149  relative to gravitation horizontal or vertical is zero or is within tolerance). The positioning of base  149  of soil compacting mechanism  103  by height, in the horizontal transverse direction and relative to gravity horizontal (vertical) can be performed in the manual mode by the operator, based on visual observation of soil compacting mechanism  103  and readings of the means of indication of appropriate parameters (height H, transverse displacement ΔB and angle α of skewing) of control panel  217 , or in the automatic mode by means of block  215 . In this case, block  215 , having processed the information coming from means  213  for control of the position of soil compacting mechanism  103  relative to duct  1  and means  214  for control of transverse gradient of soil compacting mechanism  103 , determines parameters H, ΔB and α, compares them with those assigned, and proceeding from the comparison results, generates at its outputs the signals for control of hydraulic cylinders  135  ( 195 ),  142  ( 191 ),  150  ( 198 ). 
     After the base  149  of soil compacting mechanism  103  has been positioned as required, the power drive  169  of soil compacting organs  104 ,  105  is switched on. In this case hydraulic cylinders  183  perform cyclic drawing out and in of the rod, while working elements  171  perform downward cyclic movement from upper position I (FIGS. 14,  19 ) into lower position II towards each other with simultaneous rotation, decreasing the angle β from β 1  value to β 2  value and vice versa from position II into position I. Reversal of hydraulic cylinders  183  is performed by electric system  221  when working elements  171  are placed into the upper I and lower II positions or assigned pressure P max  of working fluid is achieved in the piston cavities of hydraulic cylinders  183 . When at least one of parameters H, ΔB, α goes beyond the tolerance or in the case of their inadmissible combination, block  215  generates a signal for switching off power drive  169  (of hydraulic cylinders  183 ), stopping the base frame  6  and giving an audible signal. 
     Disconnection mechanism  153  (FIGS. 1,  14 ,  18 ) operates as follows. When working elements  171  are lowered as a result of their interaction with the soil being compacted, the movement of elements  171  relative to soil in the direction of displacement of base frame  6  under the action of the force of adhesion of elements  171  to the soil stops, and rotation in hinge  154  through angle y, and displacement of elements  171  relative to base frame  6  in the direction opposite to its displacement direction into the rear position I (FIG. 1) takes place. After completion of soil compacting at the start of lifting of elements  171 , when the force of their adhesion to the soil becomes small enough, the hinge  154  rotates in the reverse direction under the action of gravity forces and forces of compression of springs  163  of shock absorbers  157 , and elements  171  move relative to the soil and base frame  6  in its displacement direction, i.e. longitudinal feed of elements  171  occurs. In this case, shock absorbers  157  can be adjusted in such a way that in the front position II (FIG.  1 ), the soil compacting mechanism  103  with arm  138  and shackle  155  will be located in the vertical plane or in such a way that they will deviate forward from the vertical by angle γ 2  which can be equal to angle γ 1 . In an embodiment of disconnection mechanism  153  (FIG.  19 ), longitudinal feed of working elements  171  is performed at the required moment by hydraulic cylinder  200 . In this case, the soil compacting can be performed without lifting working elements  171  in their lower position II above level  235  of soil deposition in trench  4 . However, lifting of elements  171  in their upper position I above level  235  of soil in the trench, and their longitudinal feed in exactly this position, are rational to prevent their moving so along the duct and possible resultant damage of the insulation coating by rather large and sharp stones or other inclusions present in the soil. 
     Now let us consider the process of soil compacting in more detail. It is possible to achieve sufficient compacting of the soil below duct  1  with sufficiently soft impact of the soil being compacted on the surface of the insulation coating, by plane-parallel displacement of elements  171  along a rectilinear trajectory inclined at a small enough angle to the horizon, for instance 45°. In order to implement it, in soil compacting mechanism  103  it is enough for fourth hinge  177 -to be shifted relative to second hinge  174  in the horizontal direction towards connecting rod  170 , and for the straight lines passing through the centers of hinges  173 ,  174 ,  176 ,  177 , to form a parallelogram. It is, however, impossible to be implemented in narrow trench  4  in view of lack of space. Therefore, for narrow trenches it is rational and sufficient for the spacing of first  173  and third  176  hinges to be greater than the spacing of second  174  and fourth hinges  177  and/or spacing of third  176  and fourth  177  hinges to be greater. than the spacing of first  173  and second  174  hinges. This allows displacement of working elements  171  along a curvilinear trajectory with their simultaneous rotation and fitting into the overall dimensions of narrow trench  4 . In the shown in the drawings embodiment of soil compacting mechanism  103 , elements  171  in the upper part of the trajectory mainly move in the vertical direction, with an angle β 1  between their working surfaces  203  large enough to prevent displacement of soil along working surfaces  203  towards duct  1  or damage of its insulation coating by soil. In the lower part of the path, elements  171  move mainly in the horizontal direction, within angle β 2  between their working surfaces, that on the one hand, should be small enough to provide for soil compacting directly below duct, and on the other hand, a too great reduction of angle β 2  is not rational because of concurrent increase of angle φ of slope of the compacted zone of soil and possibility of its breaking up when duct  1  rests against it. Proceeding from these considerations, it is rational for angle φ to be approximately equal to the angle of the natural sloping of soil, and, therefore, angle β 2 =2×(90°−φ). In the opinion of the authors, the following values of angles β 1  and β 2  satisfy the above conditions: β 1 ≧90°; 60°≦β 2 ≦120°. 
     In order to ensure soil compacting along the entire height h 3  of the space below a duct, which can be of the order of 0.8 m, lifting of elements  171  in their upper position I above level  235  of soil in the trench and location of the greater part of working surface  203  of elements  171  in their lower position II below duct  1 , it is necessary for vertical displacement h 2  of soil compacting elements to be not less than half of diameter D of duct  1 . For soil compacting directly below duct  1  it is rational for horizontal displacement Lb 4  of elements  171  to be not less than half of vertical displacement h 2 . 
     Model investigations of soil compacting mechanism were performed for compacting loam soil below a duct of diameter D=1220 mm at a height h 3 =0.84 m with the following values of soil compacting mechanism parameters: h 2 =0.8 m, L b4 =0.64 in, β 1 =140°, β 2 =90°. As a result, it was found that the claimed soil compacting mechanism is characterised by insignificant forces on working elements  171  due to coincidence of their movement direction and the required direction of soil deformation. So, applying to each element  171  force R equal to 4 tons, it is possible to achieve bed coefficient Ky equal to 1 MN/m 3  with specific pitch of compacting (determined as the ratio of pitch L at , of longitudinal feed of elements  171  to their length L, measured along duct axis) t=1.1-1.2. Power consumption in such a compacting mode at the speed of displacement along the duct V=100 m/h is 12 to 15 KW (not taking into account the efficiency factor of the hydraulic drive and soil compacting mechanism  103 ). Due to the presence of disconnection mechanism displacement of soil compacting mechanism requires the pulling force of not more than 1 to 2 tons. 
     If in the upper position, elements  171  are completely withdrawn from the soil, the level of filling trench  4  with soil should be not arbitrary, but strictly specified and adjusted so that at the moment when pressure P max  is reached in the piston cavities of hydraulic cylinders, at which force R max  on elements  171  is equal to the design value, elements  171  did not quite reach extreme lower position II and besides that were in a certain optimal design position relative to the duct. If at the moment of the pressure in hydraulic cylinders  183  rising up to P max , elements  171  will be significantly short of lower position II, i.e. they will be located higher than the above design position, the degree of soil compacting below a duct will decrease, here in order to restore the degree of soil compacting, it is necessary to reduce volume Q 1  of soil deposited into the trench. If elements  171  come to the extreme lower position II at a pressure lower than P max , the degree of soil compacting will also become smaller, in this case volume Q 1  of soil deposited in the trench should be increased to restore the degree of soil compacting. In order to provide the appropriate regulation of volume Q 1  of soil deposited into the trench, it is preferable for machine  3  to have displacement sensor  230  and pressure sensor  231 , the information from which comes to the input of block  215 , having processed which (preferably taking into account the information of means  213 ) block  215  determines the position of working elements  171  at the moment pressure P max  is reached and compares it with the required pressure. Proceeding from the results of comparison, block  215  generates at its outputs the signals which can be sent to the appropriate means of indication of panel  216  or to the electric magnets of electric hydraulic distributors of hydraulic cylinders  64 ,  229  in the automatic control mode. 
     If the disconnection mechanism  153  incorporates a hydraulic cylinder  200  (FIG. 19) for a forced longitudinal feed of elements  171 , and displacement sensor  230  and pressure sensor  231  are available, control of filling  9  and compacting  10  equipment can be performed as follows. In this case filling equipment  9  feeds soil into trench in an excess amount, whereas volume Q 2  (Q 2 ≦Q 1 ) of soil which undergoes compacting, is regulated by increasing or decreasing height h 2  of lifting of elements  171  and providing their forced longitudinal feed by hydraulic cylinder  200 , when they are lowered into the soil. The soil left above elements  171  is not used during compacting. In this case block  215  having processed the information of sensors  230 ,  231  (preferably taking into account information of means  213 ) determines the required (design) upper position of elements  171  and at the moment when elements  171  reach the upper design position, generates at its outputs the signals for stopping hydraulic cylinders  183  and switching on hydraulic cylinder  200  for longitudinal feed of elements  171 . Reversal of hydraulic cylinders  200 ,  183  can be performed independently by electric system  221 . 
     The degree of soil compacting under a duct, characterised by bed coefficient K y , depends on the greatest force R max  on elements  171 , which is determined by pressure P max  in piston cavities of hydraulic cylinders  183 , and on specific pitch of compacting t which is determined by path S or speed V of displacement of base frame  6  along duct  1  and duration of time T of operation of soil compacting mechanism, i.e. t=L at /L al =S/L al =V×T/L al . Machine  3  moves in synchronism with other machinery of the system for replacement of insulation coating of a duct, i.e. its speed V can change for reasons independent of it. Therefore, in order to ensure a constant bed coefficient K y  it is rational to envisage in the device for monitoring and control of the machine the capability of regulation of specific pitch of compacting t and/or maximal pressure P max  in hydraulic cylinders  183 . Thus, it is rational for reversal of hydraulic cylinders  183  to be performed by signals of block  215  which having processed the information of sensor  232  of speed V or path S covered by base frame  6  during time T, which path is equal to pitch L at  of longitudinal feed of elements  171 , will assign the required ratio of parameters t and P max  Here block  215  can allow for angle φ 1  of skewing of base frame  6  relative to gravity vertical, which is entered into it from appropriate device  204  so that in the case of skewing of base frame  6  towards trench  4  pressure P max  can be increased with a simultaneous increase of pitch t, and in the case of skewing of base frame  6  in the opposite direction P max  can be lowered with a simultaneous reduction of pitch t. 
     Extremely important is the fact that machine  3  prepares itself the path for displacement of travelling unit  7  of base frame  6  over it. The soil surface can have unevenness (pits, mounds, etc.), riding over which of travelling unit  7  can lead to an abrupt skewing of base frame  6 , displacement of soil compacting mechanism  103  from the set position relative to duct  1 , which cannot be compensated by mechanisms of lifting-lowering  108 , transverse displacement  109  or rotation  110 . which may lead to damage of duct  1  or of its insulation coating, and in the best case to stoppage of machine  3 , and with it the entire system of machinery for replacement of the insulation coating. In the claimed method of padding ground below a duct such a situation is impossible, as travelling unit  7  of base frame  6  moves over the surface of ground path  16  which is formed by soil feeding organ  13  when feeding excavated soil  2 . In this case mounds are cut off by soil feeding organ, and pits remain filled with excavated soil  2 . In addition, by means of skewing of soil feeding organ about axis  17 , machine  3  is capable of providing the required transverse gradient of path  16 , in order to maintain a stable horizontal position of base frame  6  in the transverse plane, and thereby create favourable conditions for operation of compacting equipment  10 , also in areas with a considerable transverse gradient. As trench  4  is filled with soil not completely, part of excavated soil  2  remains, and it can be used for forming even and horizontal in the transverse direction path  16 , this being especially beneficial in an area with considerable unevenness of the soil or with its considerable transverse gradient. However, as a result of movement of travelling unit  7  over a layer of loose excavated soil  2 , skewing of base frame  6  may occur, because of a non-uniform subsidence of soil under the right and left caterpillars of travelling unit  7 , this being promoted by cyclic variation of the ratio of bearing pressure in the right and left caterpillars as a result of operation of soil compacting mechanism. In this case, by appropriate skewing of the soil compacting organ  13  relative to the base frame  6 , path  16  is formed with a transverse gradient which is opposite in direction and equal in value to skewing of base frame  6  as a result of non-uniform subsidence of soil under the right and left caterpillars. Likewise, it is possible to maintain a stable position of base frame  6  in movement of travelling unit  7  over any soil with a low load-carrying capacity, and compensate for the adverse influence of soil compacting mechanism  103 . Control of skewing of soil feeding organ  13  can be performed either in the manual mode by the operator by the readings of the means of indication of angle φ 1  of base frame  6  skewing relative to gravity vertical; and angle φ 2  of skewing of soil feeding organ relative to base frame  6 , which are located on panel  216 , or in the automatic mode by means of block  215  which forms at its outputs the signals of control of hydraulic cylinders  70  of rotation. In this case, angle φ 2  of skewing of soil feeding organ  13  relative to base frame  6  is initially set to be opposite in direction and equal in value to angle of skewing of base frame  6 . If after a certain lapse of time angle φ 1  does not start decreasing, angle φ 2  increased up to the value at which decrease of angle φ 1  is found, and after straightening of base frame  6  (at φ 1 =0) angle φ 2  is reduced to the previous value at which a stable position of base frame  6  was preserved. 
     For optimal operation of compacting equipment  10 , it should be located strictly in the transverse plane (normal to the direction of displacement of base frame  6 ). The position of compacting equipment  10  is regulated by adjustment of the position of bracket  114  relative to gantry  118 . In this case, nuts  120  and bolts  129  are loosened, toothed quadrant  126  of plate  125  is brought out of engagement with toothed quadrant  131  of base plate  115  of bracket  114 , and bracket  114  is rotated about axis  123  of pin  116  through the required angle, in keeping with scale  130 . After that, toothed quadrant  126  is bought into engagement with toothed quadrant  131  and bolts  129  and nuts  120  are tightened.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4