Roadway access hole cutter and method of cutting a square or rectangular roadway access hole

Abstract

A roadway access hole drill for cutting a square or rectangular access hole in a roadway having a first saw opposing a second saw and a third saw opposing a fourth saw. A method of cutting a microtrench in which the buried utility is exposed by opening a square or rectangular access hole in a roadway above the buried utility using the roadway access hole drill that is controlled by a computer system connected to an under-roadway detection unit that detects a buried utility and stops movement of the drill to avoid damaging the buried utility.

1 . A roadway access drill configured to reduce damage to a utility buried under a roadway comprising:
 a four saw head comprising a first saw opposing a second saw and a third saw opposing a fourth saw, wherein the four saw head is configured to cut a square or rectangular roadway access hole;   at least one motor configured to drive the first, second, third and fourth saws; and   a lifting device for lifting and lowering the roadway access drill.   
     
     
         2 . The roadway access drill according to  claim 1 , further comprising a computer system configured to control movement of the four saw head; an under-roadway detection unit connected to the computer system and configured to measure in real time a distance between the four saw head and a buried utility under the roadway; and the computer system being configured to automatically at least one of providing warning to an operator of the roadway access drill or stopping movement of the four saw head towards a buried utility at a set distance between the four saw head and the buried utility to avoid damaging the buried utility. 
     
     
         3 . The roadway access drill according to  claim 2 , further comprising a debris containment collar comprising a vacuum attachment for attaching a source of vacuum to a hollow chamber configured to at least partially surround the roadway access drill. 
     
     
         4 . The roadway access drill according to  claim 2 , wherein the computer system being configured to automatically stopping movement of the four saw head towards a buried utility at a set distance between the four saw head and the buried utility to avoid damaging the buried utility. 
     
     
         5 . The roadway access drill according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first, second, third and fourth saws comprises a circular saw blade driven by an associated motor. 
     
     
         6 . The roadway access drill according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth saws comprises a circular saw blade driven by an associated motor. 
     
     
         7 . The roadway access drill according to  claim 1 , wherein all of the first, second, third and fourth saws comprises a circular saw blade driven by one motor. 
     
     
         8 . The roadway access drill according to  claim 1 , wherein the set distance comprises 2-24 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The roadway access drill according to  claim 1 , wherein the set distance comprises 4-12 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The roadway access drill according to  claim 1 , wherein the first, second, third and fourth saws are configured to cut through asphalt or concrete. 
     
     
         11 . The roadway access drill according to  claim 1 , wherein the first, second, third and fourth saws are configured to cut simultaneously. 
     
     
         12 . The roadway access drill according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first, second, third and fourth saws is mounted on an associated saw movable mount that allows a saw blade to move along a cutting plane. 
     
     
         13 . The roadway access drill according to  claim 1 , wherein at least two of the first, second, third and fourth saws is mounted on an associated saw movable mount that allows a first saw blade to move along a first cutting plane and a second saw blade to move along a second cutting plane. 
     
     
         14 . The roadway access drill according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first, second, third and fourth saws is mounted on an associated saw rotatable mount that allows a saw blade to move along a cutting plane. 
     
     
         15 . The roadway access drill according to  claim 1 , wherein at least two of the first, second, third and fourth saws is mounted on an associated saw rotatable mount that allows a first saw blade to move along a first cutting plane and a second saw blade to move along a second cutting plane. 
     
     
         16 . A drill configured to cut a square or rectangular hole in concrete or asphalt comprising:
 a four saw head comprising a first saw opposing a second saw and a third saw opposing a fourth saw, each of the first, second, third and fourth saws having an associated saw blade, wherein the four saw head is configured to cut a square or rectangular hole in concrete or asphalt; and   at least one motor configured to drive the first, second, third and fourth saws.   
     
     
         17 . The drill according to  claim 16 , wherein the first, second, third and fourth saws are configured to cut simultaneously. 
     
     
         18 . The drill according to  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the first, second, third and fourth saws is mounted on an associated saw movable mount that allows a saw blade to move along a cutting plane. 
     
     
         19 . The drill according to  claim 16 , wherein at least two of the first, second, third and fourth saws is mounted on an associated saw movable mount that allows a first saw blade to move along a first cutting plane and a second saw blade to move along a second cutting plane. 
     
     
         20 . The drill according to  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the first, second, third and fourth saws is mounted on an associated saw rotatable mount that allows a saw blade to move along a cutting plane. 
     
     
         21 . The drill according to  claim 16 , wherein at least two of the first, second, third and fourth saws is mounted on an associated saw rotatable mount that allows a first saw blade to move along a first cutting plane and a second saw blade to move along a second cutting plane.