Patent US4379658A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4379658A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for constructing slurry walls
Assignee: Slurry Systems Inc
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Filing: 1980-12-03
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Granted: 1983-04-12
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Expires: 2000-12-03
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for constructing a slurry wall in a trench utilizing a trenching apparatus equipped with slurry barriers behind the digging chain adapted to slidingly engage the opposite side walls of the trench from the ground level to the bottom of the trench and a trailing unit also behind the trencher straddling the trench and comprising plows near the point at which the digging chain deposits excavated soil at the ground level and a slurry injector for introducing slurry into the trench behind the slurry barriers. In a preferred embodiment, actuators are employed to shift the slurry barriers from a retracted position into an operative position.
Inventors
- 👤 Fred C. Schmednecht
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 22:35
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02D; E02D5/00; E02D5/18; E02D5/187
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
An apparatus for constructing a slurry wall in a trench comprising, in combination: a. a trencher including driving means and a trenching column, the trenching column having a digging chain to excavate soil to form a trench as the trencher is advanced; b. a slurry isolation means disposed immediately behind the trenching column, the slurry isolation means adapted to slidingly engage the opposite side walls of the trench from the ground level to the bottom of the trench; and c. trailing means towed by the driving means and including (i) plow means extending rearwardly and outwardly with respect to both sides of the trench from a point just behind the digging chain in close proximity to the slurry isolation means for displacing the excavated soil laterally away from the formed trench and (ii) slurry injection means for introducing slurry material into the trench behind the slurry isolation means whereby a slurry wall may be constructed simultaneously with the excavation of the trench, and the slurry isolation means prevent the slurry from entering the area of influence of the digging chain.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
180 words
An apparatus for constructing a slurry wall in a trench comprising, in combination: a. a trencher including driving means and a trenching column, the trenching column having a digging chain to excavate soil to form a trench as the trencher is advanced; b. a slurry isolation means disposed immediately behind the trenching column, the slurry isolation means adapted to slidingly engage the opposite side walls of the trench from the ground level to the bottom of the trench; and c. trailing means towed by the driving means and including (i) plow means extending rearwardly and outwardly with respect to both sides of the trench from a point just behind the digging chain in close proximity to the slurry isolation means for displacing the excavated soil laterally away from the formed trench and (ii) slurry injection means for introducing slurry material into the trench behind the slurry isolation means whereby a slurry wall may be constructed simultaneously with the excavation of the trench, and the slurry isolation means prevent the slurry from entering the area of influence of the digging chain.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
98 words
The apparatus of claim 1, the slurry isolation means including: elongate barriers each attached to the trenching column behind the digging chain along lines generally parallel to the planes defined by the cutting path of the digging chain; and actuation means to urge a portion of the barriers outwardly toward the planes defined by the cutting path of the digging chain whereby in operation the barriers slidingly engage the opposite side walls of the trench from the ground level to the bottom of the trench and isolate the area of influence of the digging chain from the slurry.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 2, the elongate barriers including flexible flaps attached along one of their elongate edges to the trenching column along a line generally parallel to and spaced from the planes defined by the cutting path of the digging chain, the actuation means urging a portion of the flaps near their other elongate edges toward the digging chain cutting planes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 3, the flexible flaps being formed of polyurethane sheet material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 3, the actuation means including inflatable tubular members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 5, the tubular members being formed of flexible plastic hose.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
106 words
The apparatus of claim 1, the means for injecting slurry into the trench including a slurry discharge port and a slurry box, the slurry box having substantially closed sides and an open bottom, the slurry box further having a width less than the width of trench formed by the trencher and being mounted to the trailing means to extend below the ground level into the trench, the discharge port communicating with the slurry box above the bottom edge thereof, whereby the slurry box directs the slurry downwardly into the trench while shielding the trench walls from the slurry as it is discharged from the discharge port.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1, the trailing means including a sled pulled by the trencher, the sled including runners spaced to straddle the trench as the sled is pulled behind the trencher.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 1, the slurry injection means extending downwardly beyond the ground level and adapted to travel in the trench formed by the trencher, the slurry injection means being removably mounted to the trailing means to permit the trailing means to be moved laterally from above a formed trench without substantial lifting after removal of the slurry injection means.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for constructing a slurry wall in a trench simultaneously with the excavation thereof comprising the steps of: a. excavating a trench with a trencher comprising a trenching column including a digging chain; b. forming a slurry isolation means behind the digging chaing between the trench side walls and the trenching column and grading the ground surface just behind the slurry isolation means and displacing the graded and excavated soil away from the trench to thereby prevent re-entry of the soil into the trench; and c. injecting slurry material into the excavated trench behind the slurry barrier whereby the slurry isolation means prevents the slurry from entering the area of influence of the digging chain.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for constructing a slurry wall in a trench simultaneously with the excavation thereof comprising the steps of: a. excavating a trench with a trencher comprising a trenching column including a digging chain; b. forming a slurry isolation means behind the digging chaing between the trench side walls and the trenching column and grading the ground surface just behind the slurry isolation means and displacing the graded and excavated soil away from the trench to thereby prevent re-entry of the soil into the trench; and c. injecting slurry material into the excavated trench behind the slurry barrier whereby the slurry isolation means prevents the slurry from entering the area of influence of the digging chain.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-04-11 | 1986-10-11 | 1987-04-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-04-11 | 1990-10-11 | 1991-04-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-04-11 | 1994-10-11 | 1995-04-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |