U.S. patent application number 15/878945 was filed with the patent office on 2018-06-07 for buried device identifier fill and method of identifying a burried device using the device identifier fill.
This patent application is currently assigned to CORBEL COMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRIES, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is CORBEL COMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRIES, LLC. Invention is credited to Angelo J. Pino, Daniel Urban.
Application Number | 20180156357 15/878945 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62242954 |
Filed Date | 2018-06-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180156357 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pino; Angelo J. ; et
al. |
June 7, 2018 |
BURIED DEVICE IDENTIFIER FILL AND METHOD OF IDENTIFYING A BURRIED
DEVICE USING THE DEVICE IDENTIFIER FILL
Abstract
Provided is a method of identifying a location and/or type of
buried device by a device identifier fill covering the buried
device. Also provided is a buried device under the device
identifier fill.
Inventors: |
Pino; Angelo J.; (New York,
NY) ; Urban; Daniel; (Austin, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CORBEL COMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRIES, LLC |
Bronx |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
CORBEL COMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRIES,
LLC
|
Family ID: |
62242954 |
Appl. No.: |
15/878945 |
Filed: |
January 24, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15785967 |
Oct 17, 2017 |
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15878945 |
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62432428 |
Dec 9, 2016 |
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62458370 |
Feb 13, 2017 |
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62537723 |
Jul 27, 2017 |
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62551311 |
Aug 29, 2017 |
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62554562 |
Sep 5, 2017 |
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62409486 |
Oct 18, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02G 9/02 20130101; E02F
5/226 20130101; H02G 1/06 20130101; H02G 9/025 20130101; E02F 5/101
20130101; F16L 1/028 20130101; F16L 1/11 20130101; E02F 9/245
20130101; E02F 5/10 20130101; E02F 5/12 20130101; H02G 9/06
20130101; E02F 5/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16L 1/11 20060101
F16L001/11; E02F 5/10 20060101 E02F005/10; E02F 5/12 20060101
E02F005/12; F16L 1/028 20060101 F16L001/028; H02G 1/06 20060101
H02G001/06; H02G 9/02 20060101 H02G009/02; H02G 9/06 20060101
H02G009/06 |
Claims
1. A method of identifying a buried device comprising: covering a
device with a device identifier fill to provide a warning that when
digging and removing the device identifier fill that there is a
buried device in a location under the device identifier fill.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the device identifier
fill identifies a type of the buried device.
3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising forming the
device identifier fill by adding at least one color to a fill
material to form the device identifier fill.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the buried device is a
communications device and a color of the device identifier fill
identifies that the buried device is a communications device.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the buried device is at
least one of a sewar, a water, an electrical, or a communication
device.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein a color of the device
identifier fill identifies a type of the buried device.
7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising applying a
colored fill over the device identifier fill, the colored fill
comprises a coloring agent so that a color of the colored fill when
cured substantially matches a color of a surface next to the
colored fill.
8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising applying a
colored sealant over the device identifier fill, the colored
sealant comprises a coloring agent so that a color of the colored
sealant when cured substantially matches a color of a surface next
to the colored fill.
9. The method according to claim 1, further laying the device in a
trench.
10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising forming the
trench.
11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising using at
least a portion of spoil from forming the trench as the device
identifier fill.
12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising
continuously laying cable or innerduct/microduct comprising:
continuously using a micro-trencher to cut a micro-trench in ground
and create spoil; continuously transporting at least a portion of
the spoil from the micro-trencher to a first container constructed
to contain spoil using at least one spoil transporting device;
continuously laying the cable and/or innerduct/microduct in the
trench from a reel device; and continuously filling the trench with
the device identifier fill from the fill device.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the steps of
continuously transporting the spoil from the micro-trencher to a
first container constructed to contain spoil using a first spoil
transporting device and continuously laying the cable and/or
innerduct/microduct in the trench from a reel device are conducted
using a micro-trencher using a multifunctional reel carrier, spoil
material handling container device comprising: a first truck or
first trailer; the first container constructed to contain spoil
being on the first truck or first trailer; and the at least one
spoil transporting device constructed to transfer spoil from a
micro trencher and deposit the spoil in the first container.
14. The method according to claim 12, further comprising using at
least one spoil transporting device to transport at least a portion
of the spoil from the first container to the fill device, wherein
the device identifier fill comprises at least a portion of the
spoil.
15. The method according to claim 1, further comprising dispensing
an optical fiber from a support, the optical fiber having a first
end and a second end; laying the dispensed optical fiber on a
surface; covering the dispensed optical fiber with a protection
device that protects the optical fiber from footwear or vehicle
traffic; connecting the first end to a feed; connecting the second
end to a desired user to provide a temporary optical fiber network;
using the temporary optical fiber network for a period of time;
determining that a location of the temporary optical fiber network
is acceptable; and making the temporary optical fiber network a
permanent optical fiber network by burying the optical fiber under
the device identifier fill to form the permanent optical fiber
network.
16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising forming a
trench, laying the temporary optical fiber network in the trench,
and covering the temporary optical fiber network with the device
identifier fill.
17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the device identifier
fill identifies more than one type of buried device.
18. An identified buried device comprising: a buried device; and a
device identifier fill covering the buried device.
19. The identified buried device according to claim 18, wherein the
buried device is a telecommunications device.
20. The identified buried device according to claim 18, wherein the
device identifier fill comprises at least one color that identifies
a type of the buried device.
21. The identified buried device according to claim 18, wherein the
device is a telecommunications device.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention generally relates to a buried device
identifier and a method of identifying a buried device using the
device identifier fill.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Conventional devices for the trenching and laying cable or
duct cannot be used continuously. The micro trencher saw usually
creates a pile of spoil (dirt, asphalt, concrete, etc.) alongside
the formed trench and the trench must be cleaned before laying the
cable in the trench. The pile of spoil must then be removed. A
fill, also referred to as cement or grout, is inserted into the
trench on top of the cable or innerduct/microduct. Large industrial
vacuum trailers have been used to remove the piled up spoil.
However, many hours are wasted by having to dump the spoil from the
trailers.
[0003] There is a great need for a device that can be used to
continuously remove and in some instances recycle the spoil to in
effort to increase the speed for placing the cable and/or
innerduct/microduct and to reduce the down time of roadways, and
also to reduce production costs.
[0004] While the Vacuum truck concept is known in the industry,
there is no current vacuum system that allows one to use a second
vacuum or one vacuum to expel the cutting spoils into a cement/zim
mixer or container allowing for the material to be recycled.
[0005] Installing new optical fiber networks to a location is
expensive and time consuming. There is a great need for faster and
less expensive installation of optical fiber networks.
[0006] Construction often inadvertently destroys buried devices,
such as water, sewer, power, and telecommunications devices. There
is a need to provide a warning to construction workers that device
is buried.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] An objective of the invention is to provide a warning that a
device is buried.
[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide a warning that
a telecommunications cable is buried, during installation of the
telecommunications cable underground.
[0009] The above objectives and other objectives can be obtained by
using a device identifier fill to identify a buried device, and
also by a method of uwing the device identifier fill to identify
the buried device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a multifunctional reel
carrier, spoil material handling container device.
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a multifunctional reel
carrier, spoil material handling container device.
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a view of the multifunctional reel
carrier, spoil material handling container device connected to a
micro trencher and a fill device.
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a view of the multifunctional reel
carrier, spoil material handling container device connected to a
micro trencher and a fill device.
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a view of another embodiment of the
multifunctional reel carrier, spoil material handling container
device connected to a micro trencher and a fill device.
[0015] FIG. 6A illustrates a container device having an intake
system.
[0016] FIG. 6B illustrates a container device having a sloping
floor.
[0017] FIG. 6C illustrates a container device having a mechanical
moving system.
[0018] FIG. 6D illustrates a container device having a moving inlet
device.
[0019] FIG. 6E illustrates a container device having a dump
body.
[0020] FIG. 7 illustrates a reel.
[0021] FIG. 8A illustrates an embodiment of the truck 124 showing
how the container device can be dumped.
[0022] FIG. 8B illustrates an embodiment of the truck 124 showing
how the container device can be dumped.
[0023] FIG. 8C illustrates an intake system for the container
device.
[0024] FIG. 8D illustrates an embodiment of the truck 124 showing
how the container device can be dumped.
[0025] FIG. 8E illustrates an intake system for the container
device
[0026] FIG. 9A illustrates an embodiment of spoil transport
device.
[0027] FIG. 9B illustrates an embodiment of spoil transport
device.
[0028] FIG. 10 illustrates a marker line.
[0029] FIG. 11A illustrates a sidewalk and curb having a temporary
optical fiber network and micro-trenches cut to move the temporary
optical fiber network into a permanent position.
[0030] FIG. 11B illustrates a box having optical fiber that can be
dispensed as needed.
[0031] FIG. 11C illustrates a reel of optical fiber connected to a
splitter.
[0032] FIG. 11D illustrates a reel of optical fiber connected to a
splitter.
[0033] FIG. 11E illustrates a reel of optical fiber.
[0034] FIG. 11F illustrates a reel of optical fiber.
[0035] FIG. 11G illustrates a loose coil of optical fiber.
[0036] FIG. 12 illustrates a device identifier fill over a buried
device.
[0037] FIG. 13 illustrates a device for applying the device
identifier fill.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0038] In the following description, for purposes of explanation
and not limitation, specific details are set forth, such as
particular networks, communication systems, computers, terminals,
devices, components, techniques, data and network protocols,
software products and systems, operating systems, development
interfaces, hardware, etc. in order to provide a thorough
understanding of the present invention with reference to the
attached non-limiting Figures.
[0039] However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that
the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that
depart from these specific details. Detailed descriptions of
well-known networks, communication systems, computers, terminals,
devices, components, techniques, data and network protocols,
software products and systems, operating systems, development
interfaces, and hardware are omitted so as not to obscure the
description.
[0040] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the multifunctional reel carrier,
spoil material handling container device 100 comprises a trader or
truck bed 102 so that the device 100 can be moved along with a
micro trencher 2. The size of the trailer or bed 102 can be any
desired size, for example from 5 to 40 feet. The reel
loader/carrier device 100 includes at least a first container 104
sized to hold spoil 12 created by the cutting wheel 10 cutting a
trench 11, for example from 50 to 4,000 cubic feet in size. The
first container 104 is constructed to hold the spoil 12. A first
vacuum device 110 has an inlet 111 disposed at the micro trencher 2
to suck up the spoil 12, and optionally to also remove spoil 12
from the trench 11. An outlet 112 of the first vacuum device 110
deposits the spoil 12 into the first container 104. A second vacuum
device 114 has an inlet 115 connected to the first container 104 to
remove spoil from the first container 104 and an outlet 116
connected to a fill device 200. Thus, the multifunctional reel
carrier, spoil material handling container device 100 is
constructed to move spoil 12 from the micro trencher 2 to the first
container 104 and then to the fill device 200. Instead of the fill
device 200, the second vacuum device 114 can move the spoil to a
truck or other vehicle 300 for removal of the spoil from the job
site or to recycle the spoil back into the microtrench. The first
container 104 has at least one outlet 118 can have a filter to
prevent spoil from being ejected into the air. The outlet 118 can
allow air to enter or leave the first container 104. The reel
loader 104 includes at least one reel holder 120 constructed to
hold a reel of cable or innerduct/microduct 121. The reel
loader/carrier 104 preferably includes a plurality of reel holders
that can be adjusted in height and moved manually or
mechanically/hydraulically from front to back, back to front, side
to side, or up and down 120.
[0041] To facilitate vacuuming of the spoil 12 from the container
104, different methods to move the spoil 12 within the container
104 can be utilized. Examples of suitable methods include, but are
not limited to a sloping floor 119 or mechanical moving systems 117
such as augers or conveyors or a tilting mechanism such as a dump
body 129. Alternatively, an inlet moving device 123 for moving an
inlet hose 127 within the container 104 can be utilized. In another
embodiment the outlet 112 can be connected to the inlet 115 using a
connection such as a valve.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 7, the reel holders 120 can be adjustable
in height and location either manually or mechanically 143, such as
using a tread or locking rail system, to accommodate different size
reels. Multiple reel holders 120 can be utilized so that multiple
cables and/or ducts 121 can be laid in the trench 11
simultaneously. The reel holders can also have manual or
mechanical/automatic winding systems 145 allowing the cable,
innderduct/microduct to be easily removed from the reels 121 and
placed in the trench 11.
[0043] Any suitable micro trencher 2 can be utilized in the present
invention. Non-limiting examples of suitable micro trenchers
include those made and sold by Ditch Witch, Vermeer, and Marais. A
micro trencher is a "small rock wheel" specially designed for work
in rural or urban areas. The micro trencher 2 is fitted with a
cutting wheel 10 that cuts a microtrench 11 with smaller dimensions
than can be achieved with conventional trench digging equipment.
Microtrench widths usually range from about 6 mm to 130 mm (1/4 to
5 inches) with a depth of 500 mm (20 inches) or less. Other widths
and depths can be used as desired. For example, up to 30 inches
deep can be used.
[0044] With a micro trencher 2, the structure of the road,
sidewalk, driveway, or path is maintained and there is no
associated damage to the road. Owing to the reduced trench size,
the volume of waste material excavated is also reduced. Micro
trenchers 2 are used to minimize traffic or pedestrian disturbance
during cable laying. A micro trencher 2 can work on sidewalks or in
narrow streets of cities, and can cut harder ground than a chain
trencher, including cutting through for example but not limited to
solid stone, concrete, and asphalt. The term ground as used herein
includes, soil, asphalt, stone, concrete, grass, dirt, sand, brick,
cobblestone, or any other material the trench 11 is cut into and
the optical fiber buried within.
[0045] FIG. 5 shows another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. A micro trencher 2 is used to cut a micro trench 11. The
multifunctional reel carrier, spoil material handling container
device 100 can comprise a truck 124 and trailer 125 so that the
device 100 can be moved along with a micro trencher 2. The trailer
125 can be a separate truck if desired instead of a trailer. The
reel loader/carrier device 100 includes at least a first container
104 sized to hold spoil 12 created by the cutting wheel 10 cutting
a trench 11. The first container 104 is constructed to hold the
spoil 12. A vacuum device 130 has an inlet 111 disposed at the
micro trencher 2 to suck up the spoil 12, and optionally to also
remove spoil 12 from the trench 11. The inlet 111 comprises a hose.
The inlet 111 can be connected to the container 104 and the vacuum
device 130 connected to the container 104 so that when a vacuum is
pulled on the container 104, the spoil 12 is sucked through the
inlet 111 into the container 104. In this instance, the container
104 can be constructed to substantially maintain its shape when a
vacuum is pulled. A safety valve can be present to prevent too much
of a vacuum being pulled on the container 104. Alternatively, the
inlet 111 can be connected to the vacuum device 130 and the spoil
deposited into the container 104. The vacuum device 130 has an
intake system 113 or inlet 127 inside the container 104 to suck up
spoil 12 inside the container 104. An outlet 116 of the vacuum
device 130 transfers the spoil 12 to the fill device 200 or to
another vehicle 300 as shown in FIG. 4. Alternatively, the truck
124 can be fitted with two vacuum devices 110 and 114 as shown in
FIG. 4 in place of the single vacuum device 130. Thus, the
multifunctional reel carrier, spoil material handling container
device 100 is constructed to move spoil 12 from the micro trencher
2 to the first container 104 and then to the fill device 200.
[0046] As shown in FIGS. 6A-6E, the container 104 can be any
desired shape, such as square, rectangular, or tubular and hold
anywhere from 1 cu yard of spoil to 100 yds of spoil 12. The spoil
intake, inlet 111, can be any desired location on the container
104, such as on the top, back, front or side of the container 104
or connected to the container 104 via the vacuum 110 or 130. Spoil
removal intake system 113 or inlet 127 can be located in any
desired position in the container 104, such as on the bottom, side,
front or rear. The intake system 113 can have one large opening or
multiple smaller openings spread out to remove the spoil 12 evenly
from the container 104. The container 104 can have an opening and a
lifting device 129, such as hydraulics, to lift or tilt the
container 104 to move the spoil within the container 104 or to
remove the spoil from the container. For example, the container 104
can be part of dump truck. Thus, the container 104 can have the
ability to off load spoil 12 by tilting to either side to dump the
spoil 12 through a door 183 or can be raised, expelling the spoil
12 from the rear. The side wall(s) and or back of the container 104
can be locked manually or hydraulically to ensure no spoil 12 or
dust can leak out during the vacuum intake or outtake process. A
fill gauge 161 can be installed showing how full the container 104
is. An air valve 163 can be installed to adjust the air pressure
inside of the container 104, such as allowing air to be removed
during and after operation when spoil 12 passes through the vacuum
device and then into container 104 as shown in FIG. 4, or to allow
air into the container 104 to prevent too low of a vacuum in the
container 104 when the spoil 12 is sucked directly into the
container as shown in FIG. 5. An air filter 167 can be installed
allowing air to be released reducing pressure build up in the
container 104 while containing dust inside of the container 104.
Pressure gauge 161 can be installed to monitor the pressure in the
container 104. The interior of the container 104 can have a
stationary slant in the bed 119 or a mechanical bed 117 to help
move the spoil 112 to a designated release point.
[0047] A conventional vacuum truck can be modified to remove spoil
12 from the container 104 by adding the intake system 113, adding
an outlet 116 to fill device 200, and modifying the vacuum device
130 and/or adding an additional vacuum device to transfer spoil 12
from the saw 10 to the container 104 and to the fill device 200.
FIGS. 8A-8E illustrate a modified vacuum dump truck 124.
[0048] The reel loader 104 includes at least one reel holder 120
constructed to hold a reel of cable or innerduct/microduct 121. The
reel loader/carrier 100 preferably includes a plurality of reel
holders that can be adjusted in height 143 and moved manually or
mechanically/hydraulically from front to back, back to front, side
to side, or up and down 120. To reduce the overall height of the
device, the reel holders 120 can be mounted on a separate trailer
125 that is towed by the truck 124.
[0049] The first vacuum device 110 and second vacuum device 114,
and vacuum device 130 are constructed to suck up and expel the
spoil. Commercial examples of suitable vacuum devices 110, 114, 130
are those made by SCAG Giant Vac., DR Power, and Billy Goat. The
inlets 111, 115, 130 and outlets 112, 116 of the vacuum devices can
be conventional hoses, such as 4 to 16 inch diameter hoses. The
vacuum devices 110, 114 can also have a water misting system 148
that is attached to a 150 water tank. The misting system 148 can be
engaged manually or electronically programmed to emit a water mist
inside the container 104 minimizing dust. The vacuum devices 110,
114, 130 can run on gas, diesel, electric or solar power. The
vacuum devices 110, 114, 130 can have a steel impeller inside that
will allow for any debris to be pulverized or chopped into smaller
pieces. The vacuum devices 110, 114, 130 can be mounted on a truck
or can be on a trailer and hitched to a vehicle for transportation.
The vacuum devices 110, 114, 130 can be hooked up directly to a
vehicle gas tank in order to eliminate a separate fueling
mechanism. The vacuum fuel tank can have its own independent gas
tank fueling mechanism. If one vacuum is used to do both intake and
outtake, a secondary outtake valve 156 can be used for the spoil to
be expelled. The intake valve 154 may need to be closed or shut off
so no spoils will be expelled out of the saw connection. The intake
system 113 can also have a valve 152 for controlling the amount of
spoil 12 to be removed from the container 104. The vacuum can have
a CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) throttle allowing the intake and
outtake speeds to be adjusted based on the operators
requirements.
[0050] The present invention also relates to a method of laying
cable and/or innerduct/microduct 140. An exemplary method is shown
in FIGS. 3 and 4. A micro trencher 2 is used to dig a trench 11 and
create spoil 12. The first vacuum device 110 is used to vacuum the
spoil 12 from the trencher 2, preferably also from the trench 11,
and deposit the spoil 12 in the first container 104. Cable or duct
140 is spooled from the reel 121 and laid in the trench 11. A fill
device 200 is then used to fill the trench 11 with fill 212 from an
outlet 210 to cover the cable or duct 140. The second vacuum device
114 can be used to vacuum at least a portion of the spoil 12 from
the first container 104 and transfer the spoil 12 to the fill
device 200 to form the fill 212 from the spoil 12. The trench can
be filled with one or more of the following examples, but not
limited to, cement, grout, sand, self-leveling sealer, expansion
joint, epoxy which is inserted into the trench on top of the cable
or innerduct/microduct.
[0051] A further exemplary method is shown in FIG. 5. A micro
trencher 2 is used to dig a trench 11 and create spoil 12. The
vacuum device 130 is used to vacuum the spoil 12 from the micro
trencher 2, preferably also from the trench 11, and deposit the
spoil 12 in the first container 104. Cable or duct 140 is spooled
from the reel 121 and laid in the trench 11. A fill device 200 is
then used to fill the trench 11 with fill 212 from an outlet 210 to
cover the cable or duct 140. The vacuum device 130 can be used to
vacuum at least a portion of the spoil 12 from the first container
104 and transfer the spoil 12 to the fill device 200 to form the
fill 212 from the spoil 12.
[0052] One or more spoil transport devices are utilized in the
present invention to transfer spoil from the micro trencher 2, and
optionally also the trench 11, and move the spoil 12 to first
container 104, fill device 200, trucks, and/or any other devices
utilized in the present invention. FIGS. 1-8 illustrate embodiments
of the spoil transport devices comprising vacuum devices, as
discussed above. Instead of vacuum devices, the spoil transport
devices can be a conveyor 300, a screw 302, or any other spoil
moving device as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. Preferably, the spoil
transport device for removing spoil from the micro trencher 2 and
trench 11 comprises a vacuum device.
[0053] A particularly preferred fill 212 comprise bonding agent
comprising a polymer additive, concrete mixture and a coloring
agent to complete the micro trench or shallow trench backfilling
operation. The spoil 12 can be used as part of the concrete
mixture. A commercial example of the bonding agent is SC polymer by
SureCrete, which can be found at
https://www.surecretedeseign.com/product/liquid-concrete-polymer/.
The bonding agent can be added to the concrete backfill mixture in
conjunction with substituting sand and/or spoil for conventional
gravel aggregate to allow for use in the micro trench or shallow
narrow trench application. By altering the slump or viscosity of
the concrete by altering the water content we were able to control
the flow rate and application of the mixture into the narrow
trench. There are other commercially available bonding agents that
will perform similar the product above. Bonding agents for concrete
are well-known in the art and any desired bonding agent can be
utilized.
[0054] One of ordinary skill in the art will be able to adjust the
viscosity of the bonding agent/concrete mixture fill 212 so that
the fill 212 can flow into the shallow narrow trench, such as less
than 2'' in width and from 2'' to 20'' in depth.
[0055] In comparison, previous to the bonding agent/concrete
mixture, we used concrete mixtures or asphalt mixtures as a the
primary backfill in the trench and then a chemical compound was
utilized over top of the mixture to seal the roadway from water
intrusion. By using the concrete with the bonding agent in the
trench we have eliminated the need for multiple passes as the
bonding agent will bond to the trench and provide the necessary
seal to the roadway. The chemical compounds utilized previously in
sealing the trenches are costly, slow to deploy in some cases, and
was required installation crews to complete multiple steps in
completing an operation. Furthermore, by coloring the bonding
agent/concrete mixture to match the roadway color we have further
reduced the cost of installation by completing the backfill in once
step and the coloring is similar to that of an existing roadway.
The bonding agent provided the adhesion to the existing surface
which in the past was completed with different much more expensive
chemicals. The bonding agent/concrete mixture allows for the
installation of a cement based product with adhesive
characteristics. Filling a microtrench in one step using a color
matched bonding agent/concrete mixture instead of multiple steps
has not been done heretofore.
[0056] By pumping or using commercially available concrete
installation tools, substituting sand and/or spoil for conventional
stone aggregate, regulating the viscosity of the concrete product
by adjusting the water content, adding the coloring agent to the
concrete, and adding a bonding agent, we have developed a method of
completing the shallow narrow trench that is far faster and
significantly more cost effective than prior solutions that are
utilized in the industry. This allows for significant cost savings
compared to other methods of backfilling a shallow narrow
trench.
[0057] The Figs. show exemplary devices for practicing the claimed
invention that are now being used by the inventor to install
optical fiber cable for Google. The present invention allows
surprisingly far faster and more efficient installation of the
optical fiber, for example multiple crews installing optical fiber
cable for Google are installing from 4000 to 6000 feet of optical
fiber cable per day. We believe up to 7000 feet per day can be
achieved. Conventional methods only allow about 1000 feet per day.
The present invention causes far less disruption of roads and
pathways. The present invention can also return the roads and
pathways to their original state with the same colored fill. The
present invention is not limited to the order of the devices and
methods illustrated in the Figs. and any desired order of devices
and steps can be utilized to practice the claimed invention.
[0058] In another embodiment, a marker line 400 as shown in FIG. 10
can be applied to the surface 402 of the ground to be cut by the
micro trencher. In this manner, utilities can see where the micro
trench 11 will be formed so that the utilities can mark locations
of their infrastructure 410, such as electrical lines, optical
cable, water lines, sewar lines, or any other infrastructure. The
marker line 400 can have start 406 and stop 408 locations, and can
identify the depth. The maker line can be a solid line, dashed,
dotted, contain letters, numbers or symbols, and can be any desired
color with white being the most preferred.
[0059] In another embodiment of the invention, a temporary fiber
optic cable network can be laid out on the surface and utilized as
a temporary optical fiber network. The temporary optical fiber
network can be protected with any desired protection device, such
as conduit, tarps, tape or other type of cover, that can be skid
proof, and constructed for outdoor use which can withstand foot and
vehicle traffic. For example, the tape can be heated to activate an
adhesive, or peelstick, silicone, epoxy glue or any desired type of
adhesive. The surface can be a street, sidewalk, driveway, asphalt,
concrete, dirt, interior floor, or any other desired surface.
[0060] As shown in FIGS. 11A-11G, the temporary optical fiber
network 500 includes at least one optical fiber cable 502, and
preferably a plurality of optical fiber cables 502. The optical
fibers 502 can be coiled on a reel 504 or loosely coiled 506. Each
end of the optical fiber cables 502 can have a connector 510
installed thereon, or a connector can be installed in the field by
a technician. The optical fiber 502 can be uncoiled to a desired
distance and a protection device 512, such as tape, applied
thereover. A first end of the optical fiber cable 502 can be
connected to a desired feed using the first connector 514. The
second end of the coil can be connected to any desired location
using the second connector 516. The connectors 514, 516 can be
connected to splitters 518 or any desired device. The desired
location can be dwelling, sporting event, military site, or any
other desired location.
[0061] The reel 504 and loose coil 506 allows the fiber cable 502
to be deployed to any desired length and also to be recoiled if
necessary. The second end connector 516 can be constructed so that
the second end connector 516 can remain connected while the reel
504 is rotated, similar in design to the Cam plex reels.
Alternatively, the second end connector 516 can be disconnected
while the reel 504 is rotated so that the connector 516 can rotate
with the reel 504. The loose coil 506 or wound reel 504 can be
installed within a box 520. The box 520 can contain multiple reels
504 or coils 506. The box 520 can be formed from plastic, metal,
galvanized, stainless steel, concrete, fiberglass, rubber or any
other suitable material. The reels 504 can be mounted on bracket(s)
or rod(s) 522 that can be placed from side to side (horizontal) or
from bottom to top (vertical). Spacers can be placed in between the
reels so they can spin independently of each other. The box 520 can
have any desired shape, such as tubular, square, triangular,
rectangular or any other desired shape. The box 520 can have a lid
or door that can be locked or otherwise secured. The box 520 can be
mounted on a roller. The box 520 can be buried, mounted pole, or
secured in any desired location.
[0062] The box 520 can have one or more optical fiber extenders,
such as reels 504 or loose coils 506, for input 534 to allow
optical fiber 502 to be unwound for a temporary or final
installation. The box 520 can have one or more optical fiber
extenders, such as reels 504 or loose coils 506, for output 532 to
allow optical fiber 502 to be unwound for a connection(s) to and
additional box(es) 520 for temporary or final installation. The box
520 can have one or more optical fiber extenders, such as reels 504
or coils 506, for fiber drops 530 to allow optical fiber 502 to be
unwound for connections to customers for temporary or final
installation.
[0063] After using the temporary optical fiber network 500, once
the desired location of the optical fiber 502 and box(s) 520 are
known, the optical fiber network can be made permanent by removing
the protection device 512, creating slack in the optical fiber 502
by uncoiling the optical fiber from the extenders in the box 520,
creating a microtrench as described herein, burying the optical
fiber and covering the optical fiber with a fill, and permanently
mounting or burying the box(s) 520.
[0064] Fiber optic converter/extenders on a 1000 foot reel are
known. Commercial examples are cmx-tacngo-sdi tac-n-go 3G sdi fiber
optic converter/extender, TAC1 Simplex LC fiber optic tactical
cable reel, and Tac-N-Go fiber optic by Camplex. www.camplex.com.
These are field deployable optical fiber reel systems. Corning
systems also provides fiber optic convert/extenders at any desired
length, any number of connectors, such as 1 strand to 864 strands,
usually from 6 strands to 432 strands, and the fiber optic cables
can be connectorized in field or already have a connector applied.
The known reels can be utilized in the present box 520 and
permanently mounted.
[0065] The temporary taped optical fiber installation can be
utilized to provide an optical fiber network 500 to a desired user,
such as a neighborhood, business, sporting event, military complex,
or any other desired location. Once the desired location of the
optical fiber is determined, slack can be provided in the optical
fiber 502, the tape 512 removed, a nanotrench or microtrench 11 can
be formed, the optical fiber 502 installed in the trench 11, and
then the trench 11 can be filled 212 using any desired method, such
as the methods described herein above. Instead of the microtrench
11, the optical fiber can be mounted in conduits, drills, core
drill, hung, walls, hydrovac, and/or directional drill. If the
optical fiber 502 is on a reel 504 within the box 520, the box 520
and reel 504 can be permanently mounted. In addition to the fill
212 described above, the buried fiber cable 502 can be covered with
self leveling grout, caulking, asphalt, tar, SL1, cold patch,
concrete, sterling Loyd, of other fill products.
[0066] The fill 212 can be covered with a spray on waterproofing
sealer. A preferred example is the TRANSLINE SOLVENT-BASED SOLID
COLOR WATERPROOFING SEALER AND TREATMENT--BLACK developed as a
modification to the Black Gorilla Paint, 22A-E001, to help with
spraying the material easier. The TRANSLINE SOLVENT-BASED SOLID
COLOR WATERPROOFING SEALER AND TREATMENT--BLACK can be changed to
the same formula as the Black Gorilla Paint, 22A-E001.
Alternatively, the Black Gorilla paint can be utilized.
[0067] The present invention includes a system, method and device
for connecting a fiber optic feeder cable 502, by the second
connector 516, that supplies one or more signal types, such as
television (TV), data (e.g., internet access), and telephone (fixed
wireline or cellular), to a plurality of units (offices or
dwellings) in a multi-unit building. In some example embodiments,
the device may be used to connect a new feeder line 502 to existing
internal wiring (twisted pair, coaxial cable, etc.). In addition or
alternatively, the device can be used to connect a feeder line 502
to a wifi, local network, telephone network, or any other desired
connection within the building. The invention can also be used to
supply a neighborhood. For example, if coax is already connected to
an existing neighborhood, the coax can be connected to cards in a
box and an optical fiber 502 can be inputted into the box so that
coax does not have to be replaced saving considerable time and
expense. In this manner the box can be placed on a telephone pole
or near an optical fiber connection so that and optical fiber 502
input can be connected to the multiple existing coax cables.
[0068] Specifically, in many buildings it may be cost prohibitive
and/or impractical to run fiber 502 to each unit. In addition, the
various owners of units may want to purchase services that require
different drop connections (i.e., the wiring (twisted pair, fiber,
coax, etc.) that connects the unit to the feeder line 502. In
addition, it may be more economical to use an existing drop
connection (e.g., twisted pair) for some services (e.g.,
telephone). For example, one dwelling unit may purchase only
telephone service (which may employ a twisted pair drop
connection), another dwelling unit may purchase telephone and
television service (which may employ a coaxial cable or coax cable
and twisted pair drop connection), and yet another dwelling unit
may purchase only internet access (which may employ a fiber
conductor or coaxial cable drop connection). Embodiments of the
present invention may be used to service buildings to supply
service to units using any of various media including twisted pair,
coaxial cable, fiber optics, CAT-5 (Ethernet), and/or others. The
disclosure in my previous U.S. Pat. No. 9,485,468 is incorporated
herein by reference.
[0069] While the device for cutting a microtrench device is
preferably utilized to bury the temporary optical fiber network,
any trenching device can be utilized. For example, the trench can
be 1/8 inch to 1.5 inch wide and up to 6 inches deep when using the
microtrenched, or 0.75 to 3 inches wide, and as deep as 24 inches
for larger trenching devices.
[0070] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the device identifier fill 902
below the surface can comprise any desired fill material, for
example, but not limited to dirt, spoil, sand, concrete, or
flowable fill that has been colored, so that one or more specific
color(s) identifies that a device 900 is buried below the device
identifier fill 902. The color(s) of the device identifier fill 902
can also identify the specific type of buried device 900. For
example, the device identifier fill 902 can be tinted, dyed, or
painted to any color(s) to signify the location and/or type of
buried device(s) 900. For example, a first color for electrical, a
second color for water conduit, a third color for sewer conduit, a
fourth color for cable, a fifth color for gas, a sixth color for
telecommunication devices, and additional colors can be used to
identify combinations of these buried devices 900 and/or other
buried devices 900. The communications devices can include any of
optical fibers, connectors, amplifiers, and any device utilized in
communications, including but not limited to television, radio,
voice, and internet. The buried devices 900 includes the multiple
cables 140 and/or ducts or conduits 121. Orange or yellow is
preferred for buried telecommunication equipment and cables. Thus,
when workers are digging, if they see the device identifier fill
902 in the ground or on the digging device they can stop digging to
avoid damaging the buried device(s) 900. The device identifier fill
902 can be used in any application and is not limited to
microtrenching. In this instance, the device identifier fill 902
can be the fill 212, dirt or any material to which a coloring agent
can be added and then used to cover the buried device. The device
identifier fill 902 can be used during burying any device 900 to
identify the location and/or type of the buried device 900. In
addition, when microtrenching, the surface of the trench can be
filled with the fill 212 or surface coating having a color to
substantially match the surface, such as black for asphalt and
white for cement, the below ground device identifier fill 902 can
be utilized to identify the type and/or location of the buried
device(s) 902. Preferably, the coloring agent is non-toxic,
environmentally friendly, and will not contaminate ground water.
Coloring agents, from paints and dyes, are now well known and any
suitable coloring agent can be utilized in the device identifier
fill 902.
[0071] When utilizing the device identifier fill 902 in the
microtrenching, the fill device 200 can fill the trench with the
device identifier fill 902 and then simply spray or apply a coating
or top surface of fill 212 over the device identifier fill 902.
FIG. 13 illustrates the device 200 applying the device identifier
fill 902 first in the trench 11 above the cable 140, and then
applying the colored fill 212 to match the surface. Alternatively,
a coating can be sprayed or applied over the device identifier fill
902 and/or over the fill 212.
[0072] The device identifier fill 902 can be any desired thickness
above the buried device 900. Preferably, the device identifier fill
902 fills most of the trench to provide a warning to construction
workers digging over the buried device 900. Examples of suitable
thickness are from 1 to 36 inches, preferably from 1 to 24
inches.
[0073] In addition to or in place of color, the device identifier
fill 902 can incorporate other means to provide location and/or
identification of the buried device 200.
[0074] When burying telecommunications cable, such as optical
fiber, additional protection can be added such steel plate above
the cable and or a steel conduit around the cable.
[0075] It is to be understood that the foregoing illustrative
embodiments have been provided merely for the purpose of
explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the
invention. Words used herein are words of description and
illustration, rather than words of limitation. In addition, the
advantages and objectives described herein may not be realized by
each and every embodiment practicing the present invention.
Further, although the invention has been described herein with
reference to particular structure, materials and/or embodiments,
the invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars
disclosed herein. Rather, the invention extends to all functionally
equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the
scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the
benefit of the teachings of this specification, may affect numerous
modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing
from the scope and spirit of the invention.
* * * * *
References