US3590501A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Continuous excavating and conveyor mechanism employing sonic energy
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-06-05
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Granted: 1971-07-06
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Expires: 1989-06-05
Abstract
Abstract A combination excavator and conveyor which employs high-power sonic energy to loosen and fluidize the earthen material which is to be removed from the excavating area. Gyrating or orbital-mass sonic oscillators impart resonant standing waves to the earth cutting portion of the excavator as well as to the conveyor which carries the excavated material to a discharge location. Selfpropelled and towed versions are shown. Also illustrated is an integral excavating-conveying device in which the toothed end of a sonically excited conduit is used to ''''nibble'''' the earthen surface and thereafter fluidize and propel the loosened material through the sonically vibrated conduit to a discharge location.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert G Bodine
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:23
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02F; E02F3/00; E02F3/04; E02F3/08; E02F3/10; E02F3/88; E02F3/8858; E02F3/90; E02F3/94; E02F7/00; E02F7/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
An earth excavating and conveyor mechanism comprising: cutter means adapted to engage substantially dry earth to be fluidized and excavated; elastic resonator means acoustically coupled to said cutter means at an antinode of said resonator means; sonic oscillator means acoustically coupled to said elastic resonator means whereby an alternating force is imparted to said resonator means and to said cutter means for loosening earth engaged by said cutter means; means for admitting ambient air through said cutter means to aid fluidization of the earth loosened by said cutter means; a tubular conduit for conveying earth, positioned adjacent said cutter means and continuously operated during operation of said oscillator means; and means for maintaining said loosened earth in a fluidized state while said loosened earth is continuously moving to said conveying means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
An earth excavating and conveyor mechanism comprising: cutter means adapted to engage substantially dry earth to be fluidized and excavated; elastic resonator means acoustically coupled to said cutter means at an antinode of said resonator means; sonic oscillator means acoustically coupled to said elastic resonator means whereby an alternating force is imparted to said resonator means and to said cutter means for loosening earth engaged by said cutter means; means for admitting ambient air through said cutter means to aid fluidization of the earth loosened by said cutter means; a tubular conduit for conveying earth, positioned adjacent said cutter means and continuously operated during operation of said oscillator means; and means for maintaining said loosened earth in a fluidized state while said loosened earth is continuously moving to said conveying means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The mechanism defined by claim 1, further including continuously operated means for delivering a continuous flow of fluidized earth from said cutter means to said conveying means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The mechanism defined by claim 1, wherein said elastic resonator means comprises a tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The mechanism defined by claim 1, wherein said elastic resonator means comprises a first tube, and said conveying means comprises Venturi tube positioned inside said first tube and connected to a cyclone pump.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
171 words
An earth excavating and conveyor mechanism adapted to be mounted on a vehicle and comprising: a frame structure secured to said vehicle; elastic resonator means supported from said frame structure; cutter means acoustically coupled to said resonator means and adapted to engage substantially dry earth to be fluidized and excavated; sonic oscillator means acoustically coupled to said resonator means whereby a resonant standing wave is imparted thereto and to said cutter means for loosening earth engaged by said cutter means; means for admitting ambient air through said cutter means and thus cause fluidization of the earth loosened by said cutter means; a tubular conduit for conveying earth positioned adjacent said cutter means and continuously operated during operation of said oscillator means; means connected to said frame structure and to said resonator means for moving said resonator means upwardly and downwardly in synchronism with respect to said vehicle; and continuously operated means for maintaining said loosened earth in a fluidized state while said loosened earth is continuously moving through said conveying means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
171 words
An earth excavating and conveyor mechanism adapted to be mounted on a vehicle and comprising: a frame structure secured to said vehicle; elastic resonator means supported from said frame structure; cutter means acoustically coupled to said resonator means and adapted to engage substantially dry earth to be fluidized and excavated; sonic oscillator means acoustically coupled to said resonator means whereby a resonant standing wave is imparted thereto and to said cutter means for loosening earth engaged by said cutter means; means for admitting ambient air through said cutter means and thus cause fluidization of the earth loosened by said cutter means; a tubular conduit for conveying earth positioned adjacent said cutter means and continuously operated during operation of said oscillator means; means connected to said frame structure and to said resonator means for moving said resonator means upwardly and downwardly in synchronism with respect to said vehicle; and continuously operated means for maintaining said loosened earth in a fluidized state while said loosened earth is continuously moving through said conveying means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The mechanism defined by claim 5, further including continuously operated means for delivering a continuous flow of fluidized earth from said cutter means to said conveying means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The mechanism defined by claim 5, wherein said elastic resonator means comprises a rigid tube, the elasticity of which is sufficient to permit a sonic standing wave to be propagated therein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
135 words
An earth excavating and conveyor mechanism comprising: cylindrical cutter means having an open end adapted to engage substantially dry earth to be fluidized and excavated; elastic resonator means acoustically coupled to said cutter means at an antinode of said resonator means; sonic oscillator means acoustically coupled to said elastic resonator means whereby an alternating force is imparted to said resonator means and to said cutter means for loosening earth engaged by said cutter means; means for admitting ambient air through said cutter means to aid fluidization of the earth loosened by said cutter means; earth conveying meanS comprising a rigid tubular conduit positioned adjacent said cutter means; and continuously operated means for maintaining said loosened earth in a fluidized state while said loosened earth is continuously moving from said cutter means to said conveying means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
135 words
An earth excavating and conveyor mechanism comprising: cylindrical cutter means having an open end adapted to engage substantially dry earth to be fluidized and excavated; elastic resonator means acoustically coupled to said cutter means at an antinode of said resonator means; sonic oscillator means acoustically coupled to said elastic resonator means whereby an alternating force is imparted to said resonator means and to said cutter means for loosening earth engaged by said cutter means; means for admitting ambient air through said cutter means to aid fluidization of the earth loosened by said cutter means; earth conveying meanS comprising a rigid tubular conduit positioned adjacent said cutter means; and continuously operated means for maintaining said loosened earth in a fluidized state while said loosened earth is continuously moving from said cutter means to said conveying means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-05 | 1975-01-04 | 1975-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-05 | 1979-01-04 | 1979-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-05 | 1983-01-04 | 1983-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |