Suction hood for scarifier tool, scarifier tool comprising such a hood and operating machine including such a tool

Abstract

The present invention relates to a scarifying machine comprising: at least one operator arm (15) rotatable with respect to a carriage about a horizontal axis Y', at least one scarifier tool (20) positioned at the distal end of said arm (15); the scarifier tool (20) comprises a frame (30) and a milling cutter (40) supported by said frame, in a rotatable position about a milling cutter axis Y' ' wherein the milling cutter axis has at least a horizontal orientation; characterised by the fact that: the scarifier tool (20) comprises a suction hood (100) arranged to partially surround the milling cutter, the hood (100) comprises an inlet (110) defining in front of itself a milling and suction zone (112), through which the milling cutter is exposed to the surface to be scarified: the inlet 110 has an adjustable opening (ALFA) around the milling cutter axis Y' ' '.

Description

[0001] Applicant: GROTTI S.R.L. , Via XXX aprile, 9 - 47025 Mercato Saraceno (FC) , Italy- Vat number: 03769080403 Title: Suction hood for scarifier tool, scarifier tool comprising such a hood and operating machine including such a tool .

[0002] ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

[0003] DESCRIPTION

[0004] The present invention relates to a suction hood for a scarifier tool, a scarifier tool comprising such a hood, and an operating machine comprising such a tool. The invention has been developed with particular reference to scarification in the construction and infrastructure sector, as defined below. In particular, the invention is directed to the removal of material such as concrete from curved surfaces, such as road tunnel vaults .

[0005] PRIOR ART

[0006] In the construction and infrastructure sector, it is often necessary to carry out special scarifying operations, as the removal of precision material. Scarifying can have different reasons. For example, it is used for the restoration of artefacts where part of the concrete or asphalt is removed to be replaced with new layers. The surface to be restored can be of any type, e.g. the curved vault of a road tunnel, the kerb of a viaduct, a flat wall of a retaining wall, etc.

[0007] The precision scarifying of road tunnel vaults is particularly problematic for a number of reasons, including the curved shape, falling debris on the operating machinery, the likelihood of excavating toxic materials such as asbestos, etc.

[0008] The applicant has developed a very versatile machine and related milling equipment capable of ensuring a high degree of scarifying precision, which has already been the subject of several patent applications, some of which have not yet been published, such as Italian patent application No. 102021000007049, and international applications No. PCT / IB2022 / 062198, PCT / IB2022 / 060185, PCT / IB2022 / 062199.

[0009] The general layout of this machine comprises a carriage on which an articulated arm is attached, at the distal end of which is a milling cutter.

[0010] For scarifying tunnel vaults, it is necessary to vacuum the excavated material in order to limit the problems listed above.

[0011] The applicant tested common suction systems on its machines, of which a common BA end suction nozzle is shown in figures 1 and 2.

[0012] Such installations have proven to be of very disappointing performance, and even an impediment to the completion of scarification.

[0013] In particular, it is easy to note that the BA suction nozzle is positioned in relation to the milling cutter in such a way that it captures the excavated material mainly when the tool is in a vertical inclination, in the centre of the vault (figure 1) , but immediately loses this capacity when the inclination of the tool changes (figure 2) . Furthermore, although not depicted, the suction nozzle is an obstacle to scarify the end surface of the vault at the junction with the roadway, as it must be positioned on the underside of the milling cutter in order to have any effectiveness, and therefore stands between it and the road. As if this were not enough, the nozzle is connected to a flexible suction duct (not shown) that forms a further obstruction interposed between the milling cutter and the road at the end of the vault.

[0014] In general, the suction equipment used is separated from the operating machine and associated with it, which does not exclude the use of a suction service provider different from the scarifier supplier, so that the flexible duct appears necessary to follow the machine in its progress and movements.

[0015] In the patent literature, suction systems for road milling machines are known, e.g. from US8955919 and US2002 / 012572 .

[0016] These systems, however, are suitable for milling machines operating on flat surfaces, and cannot be used for tunnel vaults.

[0017] The purpose of the present invention is to solve all or part of the problems of the prior art.

[0018] In particular, a preferred purpose of the present invention is to enable an effective suction associated with the scarifying of curved surfaces such as road tunnel vaults.

[0019] A further purpose of the present invention is to allow effective suction at every point of the vault.

[0020] A further purpose of the present invention is to allow effective suction in the end parts of the vault at the connection to the roadway.

[0021] A further scope of the present invention is to allow an association of the scarifying machine with a separate suction system, without work impediments for the machine and the scarifying tool.

[0022] A further scope of the present invention is to provide a scarifying suction system which is easy and inexpensive to implement.

[0023] GENERAL INTRODUCTION

[0024] According to its first general aspect, the present invention concerns a scarifying machine comprising : a carriage (5) and an undercarriage (10) configured to allow movement over the ground;

[0025] - at least one operator arm (15) rotatable with respect to the carriage about a horizontal axis Y',

[0026] - at least one scarifier tool (20) positioned at the distal end of said arm (15) ;

[0027] - the scarifier tool (20) comprises a frame (30) and a milling cutter (40) supported by said frame, in a rotatable position about a milling cutter axis Y' ' ' , wherein the milling cutter axis has at least a horizontal orientation; characterized by the fact that: the scarifier tool (20) comprises a suction hood (100) arranged to partially surround the milling cutter, the hood (100) comprises an inlet (110) defining in front of itself a milling and suction zone (112) , through which the milling cutter is exposed to the surface to be scarified:

[0028] - the inlet 110 has an opening with an adjustable ALFA angle around the milling cutter axis Y' ' ' ;

[0029] - the scarifier tool comprises a frame (30) , and the hood comprises a main body (101) comprising at least two parts (102, 103) rotatable with respect to each other around the milling axis Y' ' ' and with respect to the frame to vary said angle ALFA.

[0030] This makes it possible to maintain suction efficiency in the event of a change in tool inclination. Furthermore, it is advantageous to follow curves in which the hood adapts to the curved surface to be scarified, even in the case of irregularities or changes in curvature or misalignment.

[0031] It is noted that the road milling machine for flat surfaces of US8955919, has neither an adjustable inlet opening, as it is defined by the moving part (52) , which always has the same opening, but positioned at different heights from the milling cutter to accommodate different excavation depths, nor does it have an adjustable opening around the milling cutter axis.

[0032] The milling machine of US2002 / 012572 is also different in that it is a machine for treating contaminated soil comprising a milling cutter and a hood that is used to inject anti-pollution products into the soil and suck out the gases. This milling machine therefore also operates on a flat surface, and adds nothing to the teaching of the previous patent. On the contrary, it even has a one-piece hood, which, as the only movement is reversible in order to be slightly inclined with respect to the direction of advance of the roller, which is reversible.

[0033] On the other hand, since the hood has injection nozzles and fixed partitions to contain the injected gases, it cannot have two movable parts, so it deviates from the solution of the present invention.

[0034] According to some preferred forms of implementation, the hood (100) defines an adaptive milling and suction zone as it comprises:

[0035] - a main body (101) comprising at least two parts (102, 103) rotatable with respect to each other about the milling cutter axis Y' ' ' to vary said opening (ALFA) of the inlet, recall means (105) of said rotatable parts (102, 103) arranged to recall them in a direction of reduction of said opening (ALFA) of the inlet (110) ; the recall means (105) can be disabled or weakened to allow a bigger opening (ALFA) of the inlet than the condition in which they are active.

[0036] This makes it possible to cope with sudden changes in the contour of the surface of the structure to be milled, such as steps at the end of the vault and at the beginning of the road surface. Due to the larger opening, the hood reduces its interference with the step and essentially allows the milling of the vault to be completed .

[0037] According to some preferred implementation forms, the scarifying tool comprises a frame (30) , and the hood comprises a main body (101) comprising at least two parts (102, 103) rotatable with respect to each other around the milling cutter axis Y' ' ' and with respect to the frame .

[0038] This advantageously allows for greater adaptability of both the preceding (102) and the following (103) parts of the hood in relation to the direction of treatment.

[0039] According to some possible forms of implementation, the hood comprises double (105) acting actuator means that act as recall (105) means according to a first effect and as opening increase (ALFA) means according to a second effect.

[0040] In general, it is preferable to build the hood in such a way as to include at least one suction nozzle (115) that can be rotated around the milling axis Y' ' ' .

[0041] This advantageously makes the nozzle movable in relation to possible obstacles such as the step (4) at the end of the vault (2) and the beginning of the roadway (3) , so that it does not obstruct the advancement of the milling cutter in the last sections of the vault.

[0042] Preferably, the suction nozzle includes at least one of the following characteristics: is projected radially with respect to the milling cutter axis Y' ' ' by a main body of the hood (101) ; supports at least one connector (140) configured for connection to an inlet duct (130) , where the connector (140) :

[0043] • is a rigid, curved duct,

[0044] • is rotatable connected to nozzle 115 around an axis Z lying in a plane orthogonal to the milling cutter axis Y' ' ' .

[0045] In this way, the nozzle and / or connector can advantageously crawl over the roadway 3 when the step 4 at the end of the vault 2 is reached during the treatment, facilitating the increase of the ALFA opening of the mouth 110 instead of hindering it.

[0046] Preferably the operator arm (15) is configured to define a direction of treatment of the scarifying tool (20) along a vertical arc of a circle and with a direction from top to bottom, with respect to which the hood (100) comprises a preceding zone (102) and a following zone (103) , wherein the suction nozzle (115) is arranged at the preceding zone (102) of the hood.

[0047] Advantageously, this means that the movement of the nozzle also influences the displacement of a suction duct 130, also of a known type and possibly part of a third-party suction system. Advantageously, such a duct 130 also does not impede the advancement of the tool in the final sections of the vault.

[0048] Preferably :

[0049] - the suction nozzle (115) is arranged to suction in a direction substantially tangent to the suction inlet (110)

[0050] - the milling cutter (40) comprises a direction of scarifying rotation (W) according to which it enters and exits the hood through the inlet (110) , and the nozzle (115) lies on the side of the inlet (110) corresponding to the entry side of the milling cutter (40) , thus corresponding to an exit area of the milling cutter from the material to be scarified.

[0051] According to some preferred forms of implementation, the hood (100) comprises one or more contact wheels (150) , which are arranged to run along the surface (2, 3) of the item to be scarified.

[0052] According to some preferred implementation forms, the hood (100) is integrated into the scarifying tool through the following characteristics: the scarifying tool (20) comprises a forkshaped frame (30) configured to support the milling cutter (40) on two opposite sides with respect to the milling cutter axis Y' ' ' wherein the hood is interposed between the frame and the milling cutter, supported by the frame in an at least partially rotatable manner about the milling cutter axis Y' ' ' .

[0053] Preferably, the milling cutter (40) comprises a cavity (47a, 47b) at each axial end wherein rotating coupling means (50, 52) are at least partially housed with respect to the frame (30) , the tool (20) comprises a cylindrical shielding body (54, 55) at each of said ends, arranged to shield said cavities (47a, 47b) , where the cylindrical shielding bodies (54, 55) :

[0054] - are fixed with respect to the fork (34) and coaxial to the milling cutter (40)

[0055] - support the hood (100) in rotation.

[0056] According to some preferred implementation forms the machine comprises at least one of the following characteristics : the scarifying tool (20) and the associated hood (100) are coupled to the distal end of the operator arm (15) in a rotatable manner about a horizontal axis for adjusting the treatment trajectory Y' ' ;

[0057] - the operator arm is telescopic.

[0058] This facilitates treatment accuracy in the case of unevenness of the surface or non-perfect coincidence of the trajectory of the tool with the surface of the vault. Indeed, consider that tunnel vaults are concrete products made with very little precision, and often they are not even exactly circular, but simply curved, more like ellipses, and often their curvature changes from area to area.

[0059] These features avoid frequent repositioning of the machine, in the case of vaults with particularly different contours from an arc .

[0060] Thanks to its design features, the hood adapts perfectly to these treatment adjustment shifts.

[0061] According to its second general aspect, the present invention concerns a suction hood (100) arranged to partially surround a milling cutter housing area (40) around a milling cutter axis Y' ' ' and comprising an inlet (110) defining in front of it a milling and suction area (112) , through which the milling cutter is exposed to the surface to be scarified:

[0062] - the inlet 110 has an adjustable opening (ALFA) around the milling cutter axis Y' ' ' .

[0063] Preferably said hood (100) defines an adaptive milling and suction zone as it comprises:

[0064] - a main body (101) comprising at least two parts (102, 103) rotatable with respect to each other about the milling cutter axis Y' ' ' to vary said opening (ALFA) of the inlet, recall means (105) of said rotatable parts (102, 103) arranged to recall them in a direction of reduction of said opening (ALFA) of the inlet (110) ; the recall means (105) can be disabled or weakened to allow a bigger opening (ALFA) of the inlet than the condition in which they are active.

[0065] According to some possible implementation forms, the hood comprises double (105) acting actuator means that act as recall (105) means according to a first effect and as opening increase (ALFA) means according to a second effect.

[0066] Preferably said hood comprises;

[0067] - at least one suction nozzle 115 adjustable by rotation about the milling cutter axis Y' ' ' .

[0068] According to some preferred implementation forms the suction nozzle comprises at least one of the following characteristics: is projected radially with respect to the milling cutter axis Y' ' ' by a main body of the hood (101) ; supports at least one connector (140) configured for connection to an inlet duct (130) , where the connector (140) :

[0069] • is a rigid, curved duct,

[0070] • is rotatable connected to nozzle 115 around an axis Z lying in a plane orthogonal to the milling cutter axis Y' ' ' .

[0071] Preferably said hood (100) comprises one or more contact wheels (150) , which are arranged to run along the surface (2, 3) of the item to be scarified.

[0072] According to its third general aspect, the invention concerns a scarifying tool (20) comprising a milling cutter (40) rotatable about a milling cutter axis Y' ' ' , the tool comprising a suction hood according to any claim from 11 to 16, within which said milling cutter (40) is housed.

[0073] Preferably said milling cutter comprises a milling rotation direction (W) with respect to which a milling cutter treatment direction (40) is defined, with respect to which the hood (100) comprises a preceding zone (102) and a following zone (103) , wherein the suction nozzle (115) is arranged at the preceding zone (102) of the hood.

[0074] According to some preferred implementation forms said tool (20) is characterized by the fact that:

[0075] - the suction nozzle (115) is arranged to suction in a direction substantially tangent to the suction inlet (110)

[0076] - the milling cutter (40) comprises a direction of scarifying rotation (W) according to which it enters and exits the hood through the inlet (110) , and the nozzle (115) lies on the side of the inlet (110) corresponding to the entry side of the milling cutter (40) , thus corresponding to an exit area of the milling cutter from the material to be scarified. Preferably the hood (100) is integrated into the scarifying tool through the following characteristics: the scarifying tool (20) comprises a forkshaped frame (30) configured to support the milling cutter (40) on two opposite sides with respect to the milling cutter axis Y' ' ' wherein the hood is interposed between the frame and the milling cutter, supported by the frame in an at least partially rotatable manner about the milling cutter axis Y' ' ' .

[0077] According to some preferred implementation forms the milling cutter (40) comprises a cavity (47a, 47b) at each axial end wherein rotating coupling means (50, 52) are at least partially housed with respect to the frame (30) , the tool (20) comprises a cylindrical shielding body (54, 55) at each of said ends, arranged to shield said cavities (47a, 47b) , where:

[0078] - the cylindrical shielding bodies (54, 55) are fixed with respect to the fork (34) and coaxial to the milling cutter (40) support the hood (100) in rotation.

[0079] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0080] Further features and advantages of the present invention will best be seen from the following detailed description of preferred implementation forms of the invention, made with reference to the attached drawings and given by way of indication and not limitation. In said drawings:

[0081] - figures 1 and 2 show the end of an arm of a scari fying machine associated with a suction noz zle of a known type , the di f ference between the two figures being in the inclination of the scari fying tool ;

[0082] - figure 3 shows a scari fying machine associated with a suction hood according to the present invention, wherein the machine is in a working position of the top part of a tunnel ; figure 4 shows a detail of figure 3 on an enlarged scale in which the scari fying tool and its suction hood are visible ;

[0083] - figure 5 is like figure 3 where , however, the machine is in a working position at the end of the tunnel vault where it connects to the roadway; figure 6 shows a detail of figure 5 on an enlarged scale in which the scari fying tool and its suction hood are visible ;

[0084] - figures 7 and figure 9 show the suction noz zle of the suction hood of figures 3 to 6 , from two di f ferent perspective viewpoints figures 9 and 10 show the suction hood of figures 3 to 9 integrated with a scari fying tool and arranged in a first operating configuration;

[0085] - figures 11 and 12 are like figures 9 and 10 but with the hood arranged in a second operating configuration; figure 13 is an axial section of the hood integrated into a scari fying tool of figures 9 to 12 .

[0086] With reference to figure 1 , a scari fying machine according to the present invention is shown, indicated as a whole by reference number 1.

[0087] Hereafter we will conventionally refer to vertical and horizontal as the traditional directions in relation to the ground.

[0088] The machine 1 is overall a vehicle provided with an undercarriage 5 movable with respect to the ground, on which is mounted, preferably pivoting about a vertical axis X, a carriage 10. The latter supports and drags in rotation with itself an operator arm 15 and a scarifying tool 20 placed at the distal end of said arm.

[0089] The operator arm 15 is rotatable with respect to the carriage about a horizontal axis Y' . In particular, arm 15 can be rotated in a vertical plane between a lowered and a raised operating position.

[0090] The scarifying tool 20 is preferably coupled to the distal end of the operator arm 15 in a rotatable manner around a horizontal adjustment axis Y' ' .

[0091] This allows trajectory adjustments if vault 2 to be scarified deviates from an arc of a circle or if the axis Y' is not positioned at the center of the vault.

[0092] In association with or as an alternative to the presence of the Y' ' pivot axis, a telescopic operating arm 15 can be adopted.

[0093] With reference to figure 13, the scarifying tool 20 comprises a frame 30 and a milling cutter 40 supported by said frame, in a rotatable position about a cutter axis Y' ' ' . The milling cutter axis has at least one horizontal orientation, and preferably may be oriented in a plurality of other orientations.

[0094] The scarifying tool comprises a suction hood 100 comprising a main body 101 arranged to partially surround the milling cutter, and defining an inlet 110 through which the milling cutter 40 i s left exposed to the surface to be scari fied . The inlet 110 defines in front of itsel f a milling and suction zone 112 . We conventionally define the opening of the inlet 110 through an angle ALFA centred on the milling cutter axis Y ' ' ' . The angle ALFA is adj ustable to increase and decrease the exposed area of the milling cutter, for example between a predetermined minimum angle and a predetermined maximum angle , preferably the maximum angle is greater than or equal to 160 degrees , more preferably 180 degrees , while the minimum angle is greater than or equal to 100 degrees , more preferably 120 degrees .

[0095] In this way, the hood is adaptive with respect to variations in the geometry of the surfaces to be scari fied, in particular allowing the scari fy of a vault to be completed even at the end step present between the end of the vault and the beginning of the roadway .

[0096] More speci fically, the main body 101 comprises at least two parts 102 and 103 rotatable about the milling cutter axis Y ' ' ' and one relative to the other to vary said angle ALFA. Preferably, the two parts 102 and 103 are generally rotatable with respect to the frame 30 . For this purpose , each part 102 and 103 comprises respective seats 160 and 170 for rotationally coupling to the scari fying tool , in particular to a cylindrical portion 180 , wherein said seats 160 and 170 are concentric so as to be disposed around the milling cutter axis Y ' ' ' . The cylindrical portion 180 is , for example , a portion of frame 30 or, equivalently, a portion integral with frame 30, such as a milling cutter bearing cup (see screens 54 and 55 described below) .

[0097] The hood 100 also comprises means of recall 105 of said rotatable parts 102 and 103 arranged to recall them towards the minimum angle configuration (figures 7 and 8) , or more generally of reduction of the inlet opening 110.

[0098] Preferably, the recall means 105 can be activated and deactivated, or weakened, for example hydraulically.

[0099] In this case, control means 106 (figure 5) configured to deactivate or weaken the recall means 105 when the end of a vault 2 is reached at its junction with a roadway 3 may be provided.

[0100] The control means may comprise, for example, hydraulic or pneumatic or electric circuitry provided with one or more consent valves or switches to provide, stop or reduce pressure, or more generally thrust, to at least one hydraulic or pneumatic or electric shock absorber (i.e. provided with a single-acting piston) , or even to reverse the operation of at least one doubleacting actuator such as a hydraulic or pneumatic (i.e. provided with at least one double-acting piston) or electric jack.

[0101] In the case of a shock absorber 105 deactivated or weakened by the control means 106, when the hood 100 is located at the step 4 between the end of the vault 2 and the beginning of the roadway 3, the opening angle ALFA is increased simply by interference with the surfaces of the structure to be scarified. In the case of a double-acting actuator, however, the increase in the angle ALFA can be imposed by command .

[0102] We now see that the hood 100 preferably is also oriented with respect to the tool due to the following characteristics .

[0103] The cuf f comprises a suction noz zle 115 arranged to suck from an internal space of the hood wherein the milling cutter 40 is contained and in a direction substantially tangential to said inlet 110 . Preferably, with reference to an ideal plane P passing through the milling cutter axis Y ' ' ' and through the bisector of the angle ALFA, said noz zle 115 lies , or lies predominantly, lateral to said plane P .

[0104] In particular, the milling cutter 40 has a working direction of rotation W, according to which it enters and exits the surface to be scari fied, the noz zle 115 lies on the side of the inlet 110 corresponding to that of the exit of the milling cutter 40 from the material to be excavated .

[0105] The noz zle 115 preferably comprises an external surface 120 facing the surface to be scari fied, at least at the minimum opening value of the angle ALFA. Said sliding surface 120 is therefore substantially tangential to said outlet 110 . It is , for example , flat .

[0106] The noz zle 115 comprises an outlet 125 connected or connectable to a suction duct 130 , preferably flexible , by means of a connector 140 . The connector 140 is generally a rigid movable duct above , or to remain predominantly above , an ideal plane T tangent to the facing surface 120 . The outlet 125 is preferably oriented in a direction parallel to or divergent from the facing surface 120 . For example , said outlet 125 is in the form of a cylindrical connection placed in continuation of said noz zle 115 with axial development parallel to or divergent from the facing surface 120 .

[0107] Connector 140 is a rigid, curved duct , e . g . to form an elbow section to divert the direction of exit of debris from noz zle 115 . The connector 140 is rotatable connected, preferably freely, to the noz zle 115 . The axis of rotation of the connector is an axis Z in an ideal plane orthogonal to the cutter axis Y ' ' ' .

[0108] Preferably the noz zle 115 is made entirely on one of said two parts 102 and 103 of the main body 101 .

[0109] In use , the connector 140 may advantageously be used to connect the flexible suction hose 130 of a suction system, possibly of a known and pre-existing type , and to orient it in a direction T tangent to or divergent from the facing surface 120 that avoids its crushing under the hood 100 when the latter reaches the step between the vault to be milled 2 and the roadway 3 , as clearly shown in figure 6 .

[0110] In turn, in such a working area, when the recall means 105 are activated to allow the opening of the inlet 110 , ( either in the case of deactivation i f they are single-acting actuators or reversal of thrust i f doubleacting actuators are used) , the facing surface 120 is free to arrange itsel f according to the plane of the road surface , favouring the opening of the inlet 110 and thus the adaptation of the hood .

[0111] Considering the above , it is clear that the orientation of the hood cooperates with the adaptive characteristics to allow them to function more smoothly and effectively.

[0112] Optionally, in order to facilitate the adaptive opening and closing of the inlet 110 the hood 100 may comprise one or more contact wheels 150, arranged to travel along the surface of the part on which the work is being performed. For example, the hood comprises at least one, preferably at least two contact wheels 150, for each of the two parts 102 and 103 of the main body.

[0113] Finally, we note that the hood 100 is preferably advantageously integrated with the scarifying tool 20, for example by means of the following characteristics.

[0114] With reference to figure 13, the frame 30 of the scarifying tool 20 preferably comprises a coupling portion 32 for coupling to the operator arm 15, and a fork 34 for coupling to the milling cutter 40.

[0115] The frame 30 may comprise, for example, two parts 36 and 37, each comprising a respective fork arm 38 and 39, preferably joined together in a separable manner, for example by bolts.

[0116] The milling cutter 40 is supported by both arms 38 and 39 of the fork, rotatable in relation to said Y' ' ' axis of the milling cutter.

[0117] The assembling of the scarifying tool 20 on the operator arm 15 is such that preferably the Y' and Y' ' ' axes are parallel, so that the Y' ' ' axis is preferably horizontal .

[0118] A cutter is generally understood to be a rotating cutting tool that removes material in a direction perpendicular to its axis of rotation Y ' ' ' .

[0119] For this reason, the milling cutter 40 has a substantially cylindrical body 42 with a substantially cylindrical outer surface 44 coaxial to the Y ' ' ' axis and equipped with a plurality of knives 46 .

[0120] The cylindrical body 42 has a cavity 47a and 47b at least at each axial end, and preferably cylindrical . Preferably said end cavities 47a and 47b are part of a single cavity 47 running axially through the cyl indrical body 42 .

[0121] The cylindrical body 42 is supported near both of its axial ends by respective fork arms 38 and 39 , by the interposition of respective rotational coupling means 50 and 52 , wherein said rotational coupling means 50 and 52 are at least partially housed within said respective cylindrical end cavities 47a and 47b .

[0122] The rotational coupling means 50 and 52 each comprise a first body 54 , 55 and a second body 64 , 65 rotatable with respect to each other about the Y ' ' ' axis .

[0123] The first body 54 , 55 serves as a shield of the respective cylindrical end cavity 47a, 47b and for this reason has a cyl indrical shape . It is fixed relative to the fork 34 and coaxial to the milling cutter 40 .

[0124] Each screen body 54 and 55 is separated from the milling cutter by at least one gap 90 .

[0125] Preferably each screen body 54 , 55 is coupled to the respective fork arm 38 and 39 in the axial direction (with reference to the Y ' ' ' axis ) .

[0126] Each second body 64 to 65 is fixedly coupled to the cylindrical body 40 within the respective end cavities 47a and 47b .

[0127] According to a preferred example , the first coupling means 50 comprise a motor, preferably a hydraulic motor, wherein the screen body 54 comprises the motor housing and wherein the corresponding second body

[0128] 64 comprises the motor shaft .

[0129] The shaft 64 in particular is coupled inside the cavity 47a by means of a radial flange 74 .

[0130] The second coupling means 52 , according to a preferred example , comprise a bearing 80 , preferably an oscillating bearing with a radially outer slewing ring and a radially inner slewing ring, wherein the shield housing 55 comprises the outer slewing ring or provides a seat for it , and wherein the corresponding second housing

[0131] 65 comprises the inner slewing ring or provides a seat for it .

[0132] According to a possible variant , both coupling means 50 and 52 are motors and the cylindrical body is preferably divided into two parts that can be rotated with respect to each other, each rotated by one of the two motors .

[0133] The hood 100 is generally built within the fork 34 , supported by the frame 30 , preferably by means of the screen bodies 54 and 55 , which provide a rotational coupling with it to allow the opening and closing of the inlet 110 .

[0134] In particular, at least one of the main parts 102 and 103 of the hood 100 are rotatable coupled to the outer surface of said screen bodies 54 and 55 by means of respective bearings . In general , it is preferable for the scarifying tool 20 to include means of defining the scari fying depth 190 , such as one or more wheels coaxial to the milling cutter 40 and of predetermined diameter .

[0135] In use , the scari fying tool 20 , complete with a hood 100 , is built at the distal end of the arm 15 of the scari fying machine 1 . The machine places the tool 20 on the surface 2 of the vault to be scari fied with the inlet 110 open according to the minimum angle ALFA and with the suction noz zle 115 arranged on the side of the milling cutter 40 exiting the material , with reference to the direction of rotation of the mi lling cutter, so as to receive the excavated material . The machine operates the milling cutter 40 and moves the arm 15 to make a treatment in the direction approaching the step 4 , then in a circumferential downward direction . In this treatment , the facing surface 120 is facing the vault 2 .

[0136] When during the treatment the milling cutter 40 arrives in the area of step 4 , the recall means 106 are controlled to allow the opening of the inlet 100 up to a maximum ALFA angle , e . g . i f these means are single-acting actuators they are deactivated or weakened, i f they are hydraulic or pneumatic shock absorbers this can be done by removing or reducing their pressure .

[0137] Such an operation may be performed by issuing a manual command or in an automatic manner, for example by means of a program piece stored in a memory of the control means 106 . In the case of automatic control , the control means 106 may comprise one or more sensors for recognising the position of the scari fying tool 20 , such as position sensors.

[0138] Therefore, the draft 110 can reach an ALFA opening greater than the allowed one with the active or maximum-force recall means, up to the maximum ALFA angle.

[0139] In the case of single-acting actuators 105, when the facing surface 120 interferes with the step 4, it generates a relative rotational thrust between the parts 102 and 103 of the hood 100 and thus increases the opening of the inlet 110 to allow the milling cutter to continue the treatment. As mentioned, the same opening can be imposed with double-acting actuators.

[0140] In this position, the connector 140 interfering with the step 4 rotates to keep the flexible conduit 130 in such a position that it does not interpose itself between the facing surface 120 and the roadway 3.

[0141] GENERAL MEANING OF TERMS

[0142] In understanding the purpose of the present invention, the term "comprising" and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended as open-ended terms specifying the presence of the declared characteristics, elements, components, groups, integers and / or phases, but not excluding the presence of other undeclared characteristics, elements, components, groups, integers and / or phases. The above also applies to words with similar meanings such as the terms "including", "having" and their derivatives. In addition, the terms "part", "section", "portion", "member" or "element" when used in the singular may have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts. As used herein to describe the form(s) of implementation mentioned above, the following directional terms "forward", "backward", "above", "below", "vertical", "horizontal", "underneath" and "transverse", as well as any other similar directional terms refer to the form of implementation described in the operative position. Finally, grade terms such as "substantially", "about" and "approximately" as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed.

[0143] While only selected implementation forms have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, from this description it will be clear to those experts in the field that various modifications and variations may be made without departing from the purpose of the invention as defined in the attached claims. For example, the size, shape, position or orientation of the various components may be modified as needed and / or desired. Components shown directly connected or in contact with each other may have intermediate structures interposed between them. The functions of one element can be performed by two and vice versa. The structures and functions of one form of implementation can be adopted in another one. It is not necessary that all advantages are present in a particular form of implementation at the same time. Each characteristic that is original compared to the prior art, alone or in combination with other characteristics, should also be considered a separate description of further inventions by the applicant , including structural and / or functional concepts incorporated by those characteristics . Therefore , the previous descriptions of implementation forms according to the present invention are provided for illustrative purposes only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the attached claims and their equivalents .

Claims

CLAIMS1. Scarifying machine comprising: a carriage (5) and an undercarriage (10) configured to allow movement over the ground;- at least one operator arm (15) rotatable with respect to the carriage about a horizontal axis Y',- at least one scarifier tool (20) positioned at the distal end of said arm (15) ;- the scarifier tool (20) comprises a frame (30) and a milling cutter (40) supported by said frame, in a rotatable position about a milling cutter axis Y' ' ' , wherein the milling cutter axis has at least a horizontal orientation; characterised by the fact that: the scarifier tool (20) comprises a suction hood (100) arranged to partially surround the milling cutter, the hood (100) comprises an inlet (110) defining in front of itself a milling and suction zone (112) , through which the milling cutter is exposed to the surface to be scarified:- the inlet 110 has an opening with an adjustable ALFA angle around the milling cutter axis Y' ' ' ;- the scarifier tool comprises a frame (30) , and the hood comprises a main body (101) comprising at least two parts (102, 103) rotatable with respect to each other around the milling axis Y' ' ' and with respect to the frame to vary said angle ALFA.

2.

2. Machine according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the hood (100) defines an adaptive milling and suction zone because it comprises:- a main body (101) comprising at least two parts (102, 103) rotatable with respect to each other about the milling axis Y' ' ' to vary said opening (ALFA) of the inlet, recall means (105) of said rotatable parts (102, 103) arranged to recall them in a direction of reduction of said opening (ALFA) of the inlet (110) ; the recall means (105) can be disabled or weakened to allow a bigger opening (ALFA) of the inlet than the condition in which they are active.

3. Machine according to claim 2, characterised by the fact that the hood comprises double acting actuator means (105) acting as recall means (105) according to a first effect and as opening (ALFA) increase means according to a second effect.

4. Machine according to any of the previous claims, characterised by the fact that the hood (100) comprises ;- at least one suction nozzle (115) adjustable by rotation about the cutter axis5. Machine according to claim 4, characterised by the fact that the suction nozzle includes at least one of the following characteristics: is projected radially with respect to themilling cutter axis Y' ' ' by a main body of the hood (101) ; supports at least one connector (140) configured for connection to an inlet duct (130) , where the connector (140) :• is a rigid, curved duct,• is rotatable connected to nozzle 115 around an axis Z lying in a plane orthogonal to the milling cutter axis Y' ' ' .

6. Machine according to claim 4 or 5, characterised by the fact that the operator arm (15) is configured to define a direction of treatment of the scarifying tool (20) along a vertical arc of a circle and with a direction from top to bottom, with respect to which the hood (100) comprises a preceding zone (102) and a following zone (103) , wherein the suction nozzle (115) is arranged at the preceding zone (102) of the hood.

7. Machine according to any claim from 4 to 6, characterised by the fact that:- the suction nozzle (115) is arranged to suction in a direction substantially tangent to the inlet (110)- the milling cutter (40) comprises a direction of scarifying rotation (W) according to which it enters and exits the hood through the inlet (110) , and the nozzle (115) lies on the side of the inlet (110) corresponding to the entry side of the milling cutter (40) , thus corresponding to an exit area of the milling cutter from the material to be scarified.

8. Machine according to any one of the previous claims, characterised by the fact that the hood (100) comprises one or more contact wheels (150) arranged to travel along the surface (2, 3) of the item to be scarified.

9. Machine according to any one of the previous claims, characterised by the fact that the hood (100) is integrated with the scarifying tool by means of the following characteristics: the scarifying tool (20) comprises a forkshaped frame (30) configured to support the milling cutter (40) on two opposite sides along the milling cutter axis Y' ' ' wherein the hood is interposed between the frame and the milling cutter, supported by the frame in an at least partially rotatable manner about the milling cutter axis Y' ' ' .

10. Machine according to claim 9, characterised by the fact that the milling cutter (40) comprises a cavity (47a, 47b) at each axial end wherein said coupling means are at least partially housed in rotation (50, 52) with respect to the frame (30) , the tool (20) comprises a cylindrical shielding body (54, 55) at each of said ends, arranged to shield said cavities (47a, 47b) , wherein the cylindrical shielding bodies (54, 55) :- are fixed with respect to the fork (34) and coaxial to the milling cutter (40)- support the hood (100) in rotation.

11. Machine according to any of the previous claims, characterised by the fact that it comprises at least one of the following characteristics: the scarifying tool (20) and the associated hood (100) are coupled to the distal end of the operator arm (15) in a rotatable manner about a horizontal axis for adjusting the treatment trajectory Y' ' ;- the operator arm is telescopic.

12. Suction hood (100) arranged to partially surround a milling cutter housing area (40) around a milling cutter axis Y' ' ' and comprising an inlet (110) defining in front of it a milling and suction area (112) , through which the milling cutter is exposed to the surface to be scarified:- the inlet 110 has an opening with an adjustable ALFA angle around the milling cutter axis Y' ' ' .- the hood comprises a main body (101) comprising at least two parts (102, 103) both rotatable around the milling cutter axis Y' ' ' and one relative to the other to vary said angle ALFA.

13. Hood (100) according to claim 12 characterised by the fact that: the at least two parts (102, 103) are configured to both rotatable couple also to a scarifying tool (20) , for this purpose each part (102, 103) comprises respective seats (160, 170) for rotatablecoupling to a scarifying tool (20) , wherein said seats (160, 170) are concentric so as to be arranged around the milling cutter axis Y' ' ' .

14. Hood (100) according to claim 12 or 13, characterised by the fact that it defines an adaptive milling and suction zone because it comprises:- a main body (101) comprising at least two parts (102, 103) rotatable with respect to each other about the milling cutter axis Y' ' ' to vary said opening (ALFA) of the inlet, recall means (105) of said rotatable parts (102, 103) arranged to recall them in a direction of reduction of said opening (ALFA) of the inlet (110) ; the recall means (105) can be disabled or weakened to allow a bigger opening (ALFA) of the inlet than the condition in which they are active.

15. Hood according to claim 14, characterised by the fact that it comprises double acting actuator means (105) acting as recall means according to a first effect and as opening (ALFA) increase means according to a second effect.

16. Hood according to any claim from 12 to 15, characterised by the fact that it comprises;- at least one suction nozzle 115 adjustable by rotation about the milling cutter axis Y' ' ' .

17. Hood according to claim 16, characterised bythe fact that the suction nozzle includes at least one of the following characteristics: is projected radially with respect to the milling cutter axis Y' ' ' by a main body of the hood (101) ; supports at least one connector (140) configured for connection to an inlet duct (130) , where the connector (140) :• is a rigid, curved duct,• is rotatable connected to nozzle 115 around an axis Z lying in a plane orthogonal to the milling cutter axis Y' ' ' .

18. Hood according to any claim from 12 to 17, characterised by the fact that the hood (100) comprises one or more contact wheels (150) arranged to travel along the surface (2, 3) of the item to be scarified.

19. Scarifying tool (20) comprising a milling cutter (40) rotatable about a milling cutter axis Y' ' ' , the tool comprising a suction hood according to any claim from 12 to 16, within which said milling cutter (40) is housed .

20. Tool according to claim 19, characterised by the fact that said milling cutter comprises a milling rotation direction (W) with respect to which a milling cutter treatment direction (40) is defined, with respect to which the hood (100) comprises a preceding zone (102) and a following zone (103) , wherein the suction nozzle(115) is arranged at the preceding zone (102) of the hood .

21. Tool according to any claim from 19 to 20, characterised by the fact that:- the suction nozzle (115) is arranged to suction in a direction substantially tangent to the inlet (110)- the milling cutter (40) comprises a direction of scarifying rotation (W) according to which it enters and exits the hood through the inlet (110) , and the nozzle (115) lies on the side of the inlet (110) corresponding to the entry side of the milling cutter (40) , thus corresponding to an exit area of the milling cutter from the material to be scarified.

22. Tool according to any claim from 19 to 21, characterised by the fact that the hood (100) is integrated with the scarifying tool by means of the following characteristics: the scarifying tool (20) comprises a forkshaped frame (30) configured to support the milling cutter (40) on two opposite sides along the milling cutter axis Y' ' ' wherein the hood is interposed between the frame and the milling cutter, supported by the frame in an at least partially rotatable manner about the milling cutter axis Y' ' ' .

23. Tool according to claim 22 , characterised by the fact that the milling cutter (40) comprises a cavity (47a, 47b) at each axial end wherein coupling means areat least partially housed in rotation (50, 52) with respect to the frame (30) , the tool (20) comprises a cylindrical shielding body (54, 55) at each of said ends, arranged to shield said cavities (47a, 47b) , wherein the cylindrical shielding bodies (54, 55) :- are fixed with respect to the fork (34) and coaxial to the milling cutter (40)- support the hood (100) in rotation.

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