Pipeline padding machine

Abstract

A padding machine for separating padding from residue and depositing the padding in a ditch. The padding machine may include a material collection assembly for collecting excavated material, an escalator assembly for lifting the excavated material, a separator for separating the padding from the residue, a conveyor assembly for conveying the padding to the ditch, a transport assembly for moving the padding machine and a wireless telemetry receiver for controlling functions of the padding machine. The separator may include a screen belt and at least one drive chain attached to the screen belt.

1 . A padding machine for separating padding from residue and depositing the padding in a ditch, the padding machine comprising:
 a material collection assembly for collecting excavated material;   an escalator assembly for lifting the excavated material;   a separator for separating the padding from the residue;   a conveyor assembly for conveying the padding to the ditch;   a transport assembly for transporting the padding machine; and   a wireless telemetry receiver for controlling functions of the padding machine.   
   
   
       2 . The padding machine of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless telemetry receiver is capable of receiving signals from a wireless telemetry transmitter. 
   
   
       3 . The padding machine of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless telemetry receiver is capable of receiving radio frequency signals. 
   
   
       4 . The padding machine of  claim 1 , wherein signals received by the wireless telemetry receiver are capable of controlling functions of each of the material collection assembly, escalator assembly, separator, conveyor assembly, and transport assembly. 
   
   
       5 . The padding machine of  claim 1 , wherein signals received by the wireless telemetry receiver are capable of controlling functions of at least one of the material collection assembly, escalator assembly, separator, conveyor assembly, and transport assembly. 
   
   
       6 . The padding machine of  claim 1 , wherein the separator includes a screen belt and at least one drive chain attached to the screen belt. 
   
   
       7 . The padding machine of  claim 6 , wherein the drive chain is directly driven by a motor and sprocket. 
   
   
       8 . The padding machine of  claim 1 , wherein the separator includes a screen belt and at least two drive chains attached to the screen belt on opposite sides of the screen belt. 
   
   
       9 . The padding machine of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one water dispensing nozzle for spraying water on the residue. 
   
   
       10 . The padding machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a conveyor belt for collecting the padding which falls through the separator, the conveyor belt being driven by friction between the conveyor belt and a screen belt of the separator. 
   
   
       11 . A padding machine for separating padding from residue and depositing the padding in a ditch, the padding machine comprising:
 a material collection assembly for collecting excavated material;   an escalator assembly for lifting the excavated material;   a separator for separating the padding from the residue, the separator including a screen belt and at least one drive chain attached to the screen belt;   a conveyor assembly for conveying the padding to the ditch; and   a transport assembly for moving the padding machine.   
   
   
       12 . The padding machine of  claim 11 , wherein the drive chain is directly driven by a motor and sprocket. 
   
   
       13 . The padding machine of  claim 11 , wherein the separator includes at least two drive chains attached to the screen belt on opposite sides of the screen belt. 
   
   
       14 . The padding machine of  claim 11 , further comprising at least one water dispensing nozzle for spraying water on the residue. 
   
   
       15 . The padding machine of  claim 11 , further comprising a conveyor belt for collecting the padding which falls through the separator, the conveyor belt being driven by friction between the conveyor belt and the screen belt. 
   
   
       16 . The padding machine of  claim 11 , further comprising a wireless telemetry receiver for controlling functions of the padding machine. 
   
   
       17 . The padding machine of  claim 16 , wherein the wireless telemetry receiver is capable of receiving signals from a wireless telemetry transmitter. 
   
   
       18 . The padding machine of  claim 16 , wherein the wireless telemetry receiver is capable of receiving radio frequency signals. 
   
   
       19 . The padding machine of  claim 16 , wherein signals received by the wireless telemetry receiver are capable of controlling functions of each of the material collection assembly, escalator assembly, separator, conveyor assembly, and transport assembly. 
   
   
       20 . The padding machine of  claim 16 , wherein signals received by the wireless telemetry receiver are capable of controlling functions of at least one of the material collection assembly, escalator assembly, separator, conveyor assembly, and transport assembly.