Ground Excavation Preparation System

Abstract

A ground excavation preparation apparatus for thawing a frozen ground surface prior to excavation, consisting of a trailer; a housing connected to the trailer; mobility means attached to the trailer for moving the apparatus; heat generation means above the housing for supplying thawing energy; heat distribution means within the housing for transferring heat into the ambient air within the housing; and hydraulic means connecting the trailer to the housing for raising and lowering the housing at an excavation site.

1 . A ground excavation preparation apparatus comprising:
 a trailer;   a housing connected to the trailer;   mobility means attached to the trailer for moving the apparatus;   heat generation means above the housing for supplying thawing energy;   heat distribution means within the housing for transferring heat into the ambient air within the housing; and   hydraulic means connecting the trailer to the housing for raising and lowering the housing at an excavation site.   
     
     
         2 . The ground excavation preparation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a rectangular, open-bottomed box. 
     
     
         3 . The ground excavation preparation apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the housing is between 6 and 10 feet wide, and between 12 and 30 feet long. 
     
     
         4 . The ground excavation preparation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mobility means comprises a frame and hitch assembly for connection of the apparatus to a towing vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The ground excavation preparation apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the mobility means further comprises a wheel assembly having at least one pair of wheels joined by an axle, the assembly pivotally connected to the second end of the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The ground excavation preparation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the heat generation means comprises a diesel burning unit and a diesel fuel storage tank. 
     
     
         7 . The ground excavation preparation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the heat distribution means comprises heat transfer piping within the housing having a first end connected to the heat generation means and a second end connected to an exhaust pipe. 
     
     
         8 . The ground excavation preparation apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the heat transfer piping extends is between 45 and 90 feet long. 
     
     
         9 . The ground excavation preparation apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the heat transfer piping extends is approximately 65 feet long. 
     
     
         10 . The ground excavation preparation apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the heat transfer piping has a diameter of between 8 and 12 inches, and the exhaust pipe has a diameter of between 2 and 6 inches. 
     
     
         11 . The ground excavation preparation apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the heat transfer piping has a diameter of approximately 10 inches, and the exhaust pipe has a diameter of 4 inches. 
     
     
         12 . The ground excavation preparation apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the heat transfer piping has a diameter at least 50% greater than the diameter of the exhaust pipe. 
     
     
         13 . The ground excavation preparation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hydraulic means comprise an engine and a hydraulic pump for lowering and raising the housing at an excavation site. 
     
     
         14 . A method of ground excavation preparation comprising the steps of:
 transporting the ground excavation preparation apparatus of  claim 1  to a site;   lowering the housing by hydraulic means until the housing rests on the surface of the ground, forming an enclosed space within the housing above the ground surface;   starting the diesel burning unit to generate hot exhaust distribution into the heat transfer piping and out the exhaust pipe to effect thawing of the adjacent ground surface;   raising the housing by hydraulic means;   transporting the apparatus away from the thawed site; and   excavating the thawed site.