Abstract:
A multi-function machine for drilling, boring, driving and lifting comprising a translation system ( 2 ) which supports a turret ( 3 ) motorized and provided with driving cab. A lattice tower type arm is hinged to the frame of the turret and movable between substantially raised and inclined positions. In at least a first configuration the arm is used as a lifting arm. The free upper end of the arm has a head ( 9 ) having a system of pulleys and/or transmissions for rope ( 10 ). The arm ( 4 ) can rotate with respect to the turret ( 3 ) to acquire a second configuration of mounting/transport wherein its longitudinal axis is substantially horizontally arranged and turned over toward the front. Ropes and rods are provided ( 14,16 ) for bringing the arm from the first to the second configuration and vice-versa. The arm ( 4 ) can acquire a third operating configuration wherein its longitudinal axis is substantially vertically arranged; in said third configuration the arm ( 4 ) is a guide for a digger/drill ( 27 ) sliding in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the arm; being also provided an actuator ( 8 ) for maneuvering the arm ( 4 ) at least in the third configuration.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims benefit of Serial No. TO2009A001004, filed 21 Dec. 2009 in Italy and which application is incorporated herein by reference. To the extent appropriate, a claim of priority is made to the above disclosed application. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a multi-function machine for drilling, boring and lifting. In particular, it describes a tracked crane provided with a lattice tower arm configurable as structural element for the lifting as crane version or configurable as guiding antenna in the usage as drilling machine. 
         [0003]    In the field of foundation machines, in particular the drilling ones, it is known the use of a tracked crane as base of the machine, wherein the arm, generally a lattice tower arm, supports an additional supporting and guiding antenna, of lattice tower or box type too, for different drilling, boring, piling devices; a machine of this type is shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0004]    These machines are generally used for realizing drilling having limited diameter but very relevant depths (even higher than 30-40 m), converting an operating machine dedicated to the lifting into a version suitable for drilling. In this way, the cost of the investment required for the realization of the foundation works is reduced. In view of this economy, it has to be considered that the machines referred above have generally big sizes, very relevant weights and must be demounted for being transported on the road by suitable road loaders. 
         [0005]    Typically, the arm, the ballast and the crane caterpillars are demounted from the base machine and transported separately from it. Similarly, the guiding antenna is demounted in a plurality of elements and transported separately on a respective loader too. Finally, at least three big-sized trucks or articulated-lorries are necessary for transporting one of these machines demounted. 
         [0006]    Another issue of the above described machines lies in the high times required for their mounting, demounting to be carried out in construction site and with the help of additional service means which become necessary for carrying out these operations. The complexity of the transformation into drilling machine requires also the handling of the main ropes which, initially wounded in the crane winches, must be unrolled and let them pass in a series of pulleys provided on an antenna head and in various blocks with pitches having more than one transmission. The above described steps imply a plurality of operations which must be partially manually carried out by operators and which are physically demanding, tiring and dangerous. Finally, the addition of another guiding tower implies higher weights and costs required in the transformation and determines limited operating capacities of the crane which has to work with higher masses in relevant working radii. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    A purpose of the present invention is to simplify the mounting of the cranes in the version as foundation machines, for drilling and boring, in particular by increasing the versatility and usage flexibility. 
         [0008]    Another purpose is to obtain a crane which is easy and quick to install as drilling machine in such a way as to significantly reduce the time necessary for the transformation, with the consequent reduction of managing costs. 
         [0009]    Another purpose is to realize a machine whose mounting/demounting requires a reduced number of manual operations, of limited physical demand for the operators and of low risk degree. 
         [0010]    Another purpose too is to realize a machine which has compacted size and a limited encumbrance once it is demounted in such a way as to permit an easy road transport. 
         [0011]    Finally, there is the purpose of obtaining a machine having a compacted and strong structure, sure and reliable functioning and able to precisely and accurately position the guiding antenna in a vertical and/or tilted operating position. 
         [0012]    For these and other purposes which will be better understood hereinafter, the invention proposes to realize a machine. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    It will be now described the machine according to the invention with reference to the attached drawings, which show a non limiting realization example, wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is the lateral view of a known machine for drilling of the tracked crane type with additional tower; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a lateral view of the machine according to the invention in an assembled condition as lifting crane; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a lateral view of the machine according to the invention assembled in one of the possible conditions using it as drilling machine; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a section of a particular of the machine of the previous figures; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  shows the machine in transport condition; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 6 and 7  show two steps of the mounting of the machine; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  shows the machine according to the invention in a condition assembled as drilling machine installed for continuous screw; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  shows the arm of the crane with a lateral tilt; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  shows the arm of the crane with a front tilt; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 11 ,  11   a - c  show perspective views and sections of a particular of the machine according to the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 11   d  shows a perspective view of a particular of the machine according to the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11   e  shows a variant to the solutions shown in the other  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  shows the machine in a constructive variant. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    In  FIG. 2  it is shown machine  1  according to the invention in a known crane version, with a lorry  2  upon which it is mounted a rotating turret  3  which supports arm  4  directly assembled without interpositions of kinematic elements and pivoting on axis  4 A. Joint  17  shown as mounted in arm  4 , is of rotating disengageable type, but in this version it is lock mounted on base  5  of arm  4 . 
         [0028]    The need of arm  4  to be directly connected is for ensuring the maximum structural rigidity which would be lost in case of applications through kinematic elements. 
         [0029]    The insertion of movable structures with pins or fifth wheels constitutes the insertion of clearances which can become dangerous when the it is used as crane. 
         [0030]    As a matter of fact, a lifting crane must be absolutely rigid for lifting and waving very heavy workloads: it is to be considered that a “X” tons weight crane generally lifts “X” load tons. On the other hand, a piling machine can lift loads that generally do not exceed ⅕, 1/10 of the total weight of the equipment and the purpose for which they are used aims only at the obtainment of the technology, therefore for handling tools, rods, reinforcement cages, small compressors, and so on and generally with a vertical work and small forwarded load-lifting radius required for exiting from the rotary encumbrance. 
         [0031]    For making this lifting characteristic possible and for handling objects with an elongated shape (a few tens of meters) and/or for positioning loads at high heights, cranes are realized by modular arms (extendable) with a lattice tower shape and a transversal section considerably higher than the ones of the corresponding paling machines (nearly the double). 
         [0032]    The lattice tower element permits to relieve the loads which heavily influence the stability mainly when the arm acquires work operating conditions (lifting) with very strong tilt angles. 
         [0033]    The angle of the arm can vary from a substantially almost vertical configuration (nearly 80° on the horizontal line) to values very near to the horizontal line (nearly 15°-20°). When the arm is horizontally loaded (with minimum angles between 15° and 20°) the values of the overturning moment generated by the suspended load and by the own weights of the arm, would be very high if this arm were heavy, at the expense then of the real loading capacity. For this reason, even if a paling antenna can pass through a configuration tilted toward the front to enter the transport condition, it cannot be used for the lifting. The lower part of arm  6  is connected to joint  17  on hinge  6 A and remains fixed locking between them the parts in a movable manner with suitable connections (for instance of screw or thrust type) here not shown. Joint  17  could be also installed when the version for the foundation machine is assembled; as a matter of fact, it is not essential for the use as crane version (in fact it is locked) but if available (i.e. mounted on arm  4  and locked in rigid position for the above mentioned reasons) the conversion step can be advantageously simplified. 
         [0034]    The central part of arm  7  is rigidly connected to lower part  6  (generally through pins and/or bolts) and connects itself to the frame of turret  3  with two telescopic rafters  8  put side by side through hinge  8 A on the arm and  8 B on the turret and in this configuration of lifting machine they act as bumpers. 
         [0035]    A head  9  is connected to the top of arm  7 , where there is a system of pulleys with transmissions for maneuvering ropes  10 . Actuating means  12  of arm  4  are known art and comprise respective motor means  13  adapted to handle through further ropes  14  rod means  15  hinged to a first end  15 A generally positioned on the frame of turret  3  or, as shown in figure, also fixed to base  5  of arm  4  and connected to the remaining second end  15 B to head  9  through tie rod means  16 . The arm lifting movements occur by motorizing ropes  14  which, put in traction, lower gantry  15  which rotates around  15 A. This movement produces a displacement of tie rods  16  which in turn lift the whole arm, which rotates directly around the frame, around hinge  4 A. The lifting of arm  4 , which in all of its component elements ( 5 ;  6 ;  7 ;  21 ;  9 ) moves monolithically, brings to an increasing of the angle between the horizontal line and the direction of the axis of the arm itself (detectable with A 1 ). 
         [0036]    The maximum value of this angle is limited around 80° (90° would correspond to the vertical condition) and the mechanical buffers  8 , provided with inner damping elements (springs or elastic devices), act as stops avoiding that the arm continues its lifting further than the predefined maximum value. 
         [0037]    On the other hand, the descent occurs using the weight force of the arm itself or of the arm with its lifted load which create a positive moment (overturning) around hinge  4 A, which is balanced by the pitch of tie rods  16  (negative balancing moment). By loosening ropes  14 , the gantry raises, tie rods  16  reduce their force and the arm lowers moved by the weight force. In this case we can talk about controlled descent. 
         [0038]    The lifting work angle is never near 90° because the soil slopes which add themselves to the ones of the arm have to be considered and there could be a combined action for which the arm could not anymore lower because the active moment of the weight forces has become negative too as the one exerted by the tie rod. The whole system would find itself locked by the buffers and the arm could not anymore lower. 
         [0039]    In  FIG. 3  it can be noticed machine  1 A according to the invention assembled in version for drilling, with base  5  of arm  6  rigidly fixed to the turret and oriented substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of turret A 2  with its own longitudinal axis A 1 . 
         [0040]    The part of joint  17  assembled on base  5  of arm  6  can rotate on axis A 1  through suitable motor means (linear actuators  8 , preferably of hydraulic type). The lower part of arm  4  is pivotedly connected to joint  17  through hinge  6 A. 
         [0041]    The central part of arm  7  is rigidly connected to lower part  6  and connects itself to turret  3  with two telescopic rafters  8 , preferably of hydraulic type, which in this machine configuration support arm  4  in a mainly perpendicular position with respect to the theoretical plane of the soil. It is possible to correct the verticality of the arm according to the real planarity of the soil upon which works the machine or it is possible to tilt it in a working position up to the reaching of the desired tilt. 
         [0042]    In this case, unlike what has been shown for machine  1 , hydraulic rafters  8  act as motor means on the lifting and lowering of the arm and tie rods  16  can follow the movement of the rafters themselves or can be moved (in case of traction) contemporarily with the rafters for increasing the lifting capacity and not losing the operating usage area as crane when one is working in very tilted conditions, with operating radii very high. A foot element  18 , rigidly connected to the lower part of arm  6  and eventually constrainable (at least temporarily) also to rotating part  17   a  of joint  17 , can bear a telescopic part  19  to which it is fixed a pad  20  which lies on the ground for improving the stability of the machine during the working steps. 
         [0043]    The upper part of arm  21  is rigidly connected on central part  7  and can be in a single piece or in more parts variables among them for adapting the height of the arm to the various construction site requirements and to the typologies of the works to be carried out. 
         [0044]    These parts are common to the crane version and are used for increasing the heights and the work operating load-lifting radii of the lifting machine. A head  9  is rigidly connected to the upper part of arm  4  where there is a system of pulleys with transmissions for maneuvering ropes  10  of the drilling tools. 
         [0045]    A handling system  22  of operating head  27 , preferably of single winding (for the lifting pitch of the drilling battery or for the thrust) or closed revolution winch type (lifting and thrust on the drilling battery) comprises upper transmission pulleys  23  mounted in proximity of head  9  and on the lower part on foot  18  upon which slide the maneuvering ropes. The lower pulleys when necessary (used for the thrust) can be positioned also on lower arm  6  and remain installed even if the machine is in crane version. 
         [0046]    In  FIG. 4  it is shown a not binding possible section for arm  25  which shows a typical shape of lattice tower arms of cranes with the addition of guiding elements  26  for the excavation equipment, which are integral with the existing ones (longitudinal tubular elements). These guiding tubular elements can be advantageously realized with a unique section which ensures in its mounted whole, a guide for the longitudinal movements along the axis of arm  4  and a constraint of the movements on the transversal section. In a further variant, the guide for the sliding could be realized using all the longitudinal tubular elements instead of only the front ones. 
         [0047]    In  FIG. 5  it can be noticed a possible configuration of machine  1 B, with the transparent cab on sight, in an assembly common to the crane or drilling machine versions adapted for being transported on a road loader. 
         [0048]    The parts  5 ,  6  e  17  of arm are in a position rigidly connected among them and are directly fixed to the turret with a system of pins on hinges  4 A and  5 A in such a way as to prevent movements. Telescopic rafters  8  in minimum extension condition are fixed in point  8 C obtained on the lower part of arm  6  avoiding to find itself in unstable or free positions during the transport. 
         [0049]    In this way the other components which play a part in the completion of the machine in the various versions are easily transportable on the road without the need of special and/or lowered road loaders. 
         [0050]    With reference to the  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7  it is now described the sequence of operations needed for the installation of machine  1 C arranged as drilling machine. The tracked lorry (if demountable due to the crane size) is assembled to the remaining of the machine with known working methodologies. The base of arm  5  directly connected to the turret to hinge  4 A is secured in a second axis  5 A permitting to keep longitudinal axis A in a preferably horizontal position. 
         [0051]    The central part of arm  7  is added with known fastening systems (for instance pins, screws, . . . ) and the eventual modular parts of arm  21 , necessary for reaching the height of the arm necessary for the specific working requirement. Tie rod means  16  of modular type are mounted in such a way as to permit the correspondence with the length of the arm installed. Telescopic rafters  8  are fixed on hinges  8 A, head  9  is added including the system of pulleys with transmissions for maneuvering ropes  10 . 
         [0052]    At this point it is assembled traction-thrust system  22  with winch including the related rope revolution. It is then mounted at preferably the half of the length of the arm, a junction element  28  for the suspension of hydraulic pipes  29  necessary for the supply and for the piloting of excavation equipment  27 . Another support to the base of arm  5  for unloading the loads on the ground could be added as element additional and specific for this version or as element constantly present on base  5  itself and lowerable by means of a control preferably hydraulic. 
         [0053]    Using actuating means  12 , arm  4  is lifted, by rotating it with respect to hinge  6 A, up to bring it in vertical position as shown in  FIG. 7 . This rotation could occur also by actuating hydraulic rafters  8  which can collaborate with means  12  for obtaining the lifting of the arm. Foot  18  with the already associated excavation equipment  27  (of the rotation type for the drilling, and/or vibration or driving sledgehammers) can be assembled to the remaining of the machine without the help of other lifting means. By positioning the machine with lower arm  6  in correspondence to the foot and after having connected the equipment (preferably of hydraulic and electrical type) it is possible to actuate telescopic handling  19  up to reach the foot bringing the two elements in contact and permitting the carrying out of the mechanical connections between foot  18  and the lower part of arm  6 . A further connection, at least temporary, could be realized also with rotating part  17   a  of joint  17 . 
         [0054]    For installing the machine as crane of version  1 , with reference to  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  2 , the tracked lorry is assembled to the remaining of the machine with known working methodologies. It is freed hinge fastening point  5 A in such a way as to permit arm  4  to rotate on hinge  4 A. The central part of arm  7  and the eventual additional parts of arm  21  are added for reaching the height of the arm necessary for the specification of the construction site. Tie rods means  16  of modular type are mounted in such a way as to permit the correspondence with the length of the arm installed. Telescopic rafters  8  are fixed on hinge  8 A, head  9  is added including the system of pulleys with transmissions for maneuvering ropes  10 . Using actuating means  12 , arm  4  is lifted by bringing it in working position as in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0055]    The described operations are carried out at heights near to the ground, keeping the safety of the involved operators in these mounting steps. 
         [0056]      FIG. 8  shows machine  1 D in operating configuration for continuous screw pile types. To foot  18  is associated an openable guide  29  typically used for this type of drilling technology but it is possible to equip the foot with other elements for carrying out other excavation types not shown, for instance a group of vices for carrying out micro-piles or with other types of guides for the carrying out of mechanical mixing treatment of soils or compaction or driving or vibro-compaction. 
         [0057]      FIG. 9  shows how the arm of the crane can have a lateral tilt with a angle generated by the differential movements of the two telescopic rafters  8  (generally hydraulic), whereas  FIG. 10  shows how the arm of the crane can have a front tilt with β angle by acting with synchronized closing or opening of the two telescopic rafters  8 . 
         [0058]    In another variant, shown in  FIG. 11   e , rotating part  17   a  of joint  17  can be motorized with respect to the fixed one 17b, through the intermediation of a motorized element  33  (linear actuator, motor, reduction gear, preferably of hydraulic type) which permits to orientate around axis A 1 , the tilt (α angle) of arm  6  which moves integrally with rotating part  17   a . When used as machine  1 , this motor element would be then locked for making rigidly fixed the relative position of parts  17   a  and  17   b  such that arm  4 , in the group of its component elements ( 5 ,  17 ,  6 ,  7 ,  21 ,  9 ) behaves as a monolithic object. 
         [0059]    In  FIGS. 11 ,  11   a - d  it can be observed in detail how joint  17  can be realized, that is with a fixed part  17   b , integral with base  5  of the arm, disengageable in rotation around axis A 1 , with respect to a rotating part  17   a  of the same joint, which is fixed to lower arm  6 . Fixed part  17   b  of the joint is mounted on base  5  through fastening systems of movable type such for instance: pins on hinges  17   c  and screw fastening means  35 . 
         [0060]    Advantageously, the fastening interface (hinge  17   c  with screws  35 , only pins or only screws) between base  5  and fixed part  17   b  is the same which is present between rotating part  17   a , arm  6  and foot  18 , in such a way so that joint  17  in its whole, if demounted, can permit the direct fastening between base  5  and the lower part of arm  6  for the crane application shown in  FIG. 2 . Fixed part  17   b  of the joint is centrally characterized by a surface of cylindrical guide whose axis is substantially coincident with the axis A 1 . Rotating part  17   a  of the joint couples with the rotating part of the guide and is axially locked by mechanical striking elements  31 , shown in figure as lunettes, which are fixed with screws  36  to fixed part  17   b . In this way part  17   a  is free to rotate around A 1 , guided by fixed part  17   b . The cylindrical guide among the elements in relative rotation can be realized with steel-to-steel contact or with bushings or bearings; the essential characteristic is that it keeps free the rotation around axis A 1 . A part of joint  17  will be then fixed to the base of arm  5 , whereas a front part of the joint can rotate around axis A 1 . Furthermore, it is to be considered as equivalent the solution in which the fixed body of guide  17   b  is external and rotating body  17   a  is internally positioned with reference to the position of the cylindrical guide. 
         [0061]    In  FIGS. 11 and 11   b  are also shown fastening pins  34  which lock rotating part  17   a  and fixed part  17   b  of joint  17 , when it remains mounted on arm  4  also in crane version (in this case the joint must be rigidly fixed because it is not allowed any torsion tilt of the arm). Rotating part  17   a  of joint  17  bears hinge  6 A which disengages arm  6  around axis  6 A when arm  4  is to be lifted or tilted. 
         [0062]    Rotating part  17   a  of joint  17  bears also the additional striking and fastening elements (not shown in figure, but of the type previously described, with pins or screws) for foot  18  used in the drilling machine version. 
         [0063]      FIG. 12  shows a detail of the base of the arm realized with telescopic extension  32  for allowing the spacing out of the lower part of the arm used as guide from the machine and the drilling with higher tilts. 
         [0064]    This variant can be realized by including a preferably hydraulic telescopic element which is connected between the base of arm  5  and joint  17 , or which is directly connected to the frame of turret  3  in correspondence with fastening points  4 A and  5 A, replacing the base of arm  5  or finally which is connected between the frame and the base of the arm and letting the whole base  5  and joint  17  integral with it translating. 
         [0065]    One base of the machine with an opportunely modified and extensible arm can be assembled with simplicity as crane or drilling machine increasing the usage flexibility according to the specific construction site. 
         [0066]    The machine can be assembled with variable and flexible lengths of the arm in such a way as to vary the heights of the lifting in the crane version and the performances as drilling machine, adapting it to the various needs of the construction sites, for instance a short arm for works in lowered environments (overbridges or bridges) or a long arm configuration for increasing the excavation depths in only one movement. 
         [0067]    The machine in drilling assembling can be provided with a traction-thrust system with winch, increasing the number of possible transformations for the different drilling technologies. This winch, joint  17  and other dedicated parts of the version suitable for drilling, can be left installed on the arm for avoiding mounting and demounting, to advantage of the simplicity and the reduction of the times required in the transformations. With respect to the known technologies of  FIG. 1 , wherein the road transport needs different transport means, the base machine of the machine object of this invention requires only one, whereas the other components which concur in completing the machine can be transported with ordinary means. 
         [0068]    The operating capacities of the machine used in the drilling machine version are increased with respect to what is possible to do nowadays using the known solutions. The possibility of using the arm of the crane as drilling guide reduces the front weights and the crane is more stable. Furthermore, the excavation axis is much reduced if compared to the known version with the additional tower. This involves an increase of the excavation depths being equal the operating load or with a reduction of the masses (requiring lower rear ballasts of load balancing) to advantage of the maneuverability and the reduction of the working encumbrances of the machine. The variant with the telescopic element positioned in proximity of the base arm permits to increase the working radii and to work anyway with even relevant working tilts. 
         [0069]    By using the arm as guide, the solution allows for savings, not being necessary to have an additional drilling tower. 
         [0070]    Finally, in a first aspect of the invention, it is provided a machine comprising a tracked lorry which supports a turret containing the propeller group (which could be also separated and external in some applications which require a high power) and the driving cab, to which it is connected an arm, generally of lattice tower type, with the possibility of being used in an assembling configuration, as a lifting arm for the function as crane and in a second configuration, as sliding guide for the drilling devices. Thanks to the double usage of the arm, it is possible to reduce the big-sized components which compose the machine significantly reducing the mounting/demounting/transforming times. 
         [0071]    A second aspect of the invention is the modular composition of the lattice tower arm/guide with the possibility of being installed in various lengths, for increasing the usage flexibility of the machine. 
         [0072]    In the condition of drilling machine (see for instance  FIG. 3 ) it is shown a condition wherein arm  4  is forwarded with respect to machine  1   a  and lies on the ground. It can be assumed, however, that arm  4  could be also positioned on the machine frontally with respect to turret  3  or above it, still in forwarded position. 
         [0073]    As a matter of fact, it aims only to opportunely size the machine and the turret, but no conceptual variant is necessary to the rotation devices of arm  4  for bringing it into the vertical position in front of or above the turret.