Excavation machine including cutting discs and corresponding cutting method

Abstract

The application relates to an excavation machine including a cutting head with a first drum and a second drum positioned side by side, in proximity to one another, and configured to turn respectively around a first and a second axis of rotation, the first drum and the second drum including, according to their respective axis of rotation, a proximal end connected to the cutting head, and a distal end opposite to the proximal end. The application also relates to a cutting disc for an excavation machine of this type, as well as a corresponding cutting method.

1 . An excavation machine including:
 a vertical frame having a lower end;   a cutting head mounted at said lower end of the frame, said cutting head comprising a first drum and a second drum positioned side by side, in proximity to one another, and configured to turn respectively around a first and a second axis of rotation, the first drum and the second drum including, according to their respective axis of rotation, a proximal end connected to the cutting head, and a distal end opposite to the proximal end,   wherein:   said first drum includes, at its distal end, a first cutting disc or a first mounting means configured to allow mounting a first cutting disc,   said second drum includes, at its distal end, a second cutting disc or a second mounting means configured to allow mounting a second cutting disc,   wherein said first and second cutting discs respectively have a diameter greater than or equal to that of said first and second drums,   and wherein the first and second cutting discs are positioned in the same plane,   or the first and second mounting means are configured to position the first and second cutting discs in the same plane.   
     
     
         2 . The excavation machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second drums include said first and second mounting means, and wherein each of said first and second mounting means include: a bearing surface for the cutting disc, and fasteners configured to attach the cutting disc. 
     
     
         3 . The excavation machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the bearing surface also includes openings configured to allow access to the fasteners of the drum on the cutting head. 
     
     
         4 . The excavation machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second drums include said first and second mounting means, and wherein the excavation machine also comprises a first cutting disc mounted on said first drum and a second cutting disc mounted on said second drum. 
     
     
         5 . The excavation machine according to  claim 4 , wherein the first and second cutting discs include, on their peripheral rim, a cutting material. 
     
     
         6 . The excavation machine according to  claim 4 , wherein the first and second cutting discs also include first and second openings configured to cooperate with a lifter, and or include first and second openings for attachment to the first and second mounting means. 
     
     
         7 . The excavation machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second drums include said first and second cutting discs, and wherein the first and second cutting discs include, on their peripheral rim, a cutting material and/or openings configured to allow access to the fasteners of the drum on the cutting head. 
     
     
         8 . The excavation machine according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said first and second drums include said first and second cutting discs, and the first and second cutting discs are positioned in the same plane with a radial spacing less than or equal to 30 mm.   
     
     
         9 . The excavation machine according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said first and second drums include said first and second mounting means, and the first and second mounting means are configured to position the first and second cutting discs in the same plane with a radial spacing less than or equal to 30 mm.   
     
     
         10 . The excavation machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the cutting head further comprises a third drum and a fourth drum positioned side by side, in proximity to one another and configured to turn respectively around the first and the second axes of rotation, the third drum and the fourth drum including, according to their respective axis of rotation, a proximal end connected to the cutting head, and a distal end opposite to the proximal end;
 wherein:   said third drum includes, at its distal end, a third cutting disc or a third mounting means configured to allow the mounting of a third cutting disc,   said fourth drum includes, at its distal end, a fourth cutting disc or a fourth mounting means configured to allow the mounting of a fourth cutting disc,   wherein said third and fourth cutting discs respectively have a diameter greater than or equal to that of said third and fourth drums,   and wherein the third and fourth cutting discs are positioned in the same plane,   or the third and fourth mounting means are configured to position the third and fourth cutting discs in the same plane.   
     
     
         11 . The excavation machine according to  claim 1 , also comprising at least one suction port attached to the cutting head between the first and second drums, and a suction device connected to the suction port for removing cuttings excavated by the first and second drums. 
     
     
         12 . The excavation machine according to  claim 5 , wherein the cutting material is tungsten carbide. 
     
     
         13 . The excavation machine according to  claim 5 , wherein the cutting material is diamond powder. 
     
     
         14 . The excavation machine according to  claim 7 , wherein the cutting material is tungsten carbide. 
     
     
         15 . The excavation machine according to  claim 7 , wherein the cutting material is diamond powder. 
     
     
         16 . A cutting disc configured to be mounted on a first drum of a cutting head of an excavation machine, wherein the cutting disc has a diameter greater than or equal to that of the first drum, wherein the cutting disc is configured to be positioned in the same plane as a second cutting disc mounted on a second drum of the cutting head. 
     
     
         17 . A method for cutting a metal element with an excavation machine having a cutting head comprising a first drum and a second drum positioned side by side, the method comprising:
 rotating the first drum and the second drum in opposite directions, with their lower ends moving away from or approaching one another, wherein the cutting head is translated downward when it is positioned above the metal element.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein first and second cutting discs are attached, after having removed teeth from the first drum and the second drum, to the first drum and the second drum of the excavation machine, the first and second cutting discs extending in the same plane. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein first and second cutting discs are attached, after having removed teeth from the first drum and the second drum, to the first drum and the second drum of the excavation machine, the first and second cutting discs extending in the same plane. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the first and second cutting discs are attached to the first drum and the second drum via a bearing surface and tapped holes.