Office Action 1: Notice of Allowance (2025-01-08)

CLAIMS:
PATENT CLAIMS
1\. A device for generating oscillations for a construction machine, comprising wherein the control unit is configured to actuate the piston in a first operating mode for generating oscillations and in a second operating mode for generating impact pulses, wherein a strike surface is formed on at least one end side of the working chamber, onto which surface the piston strikes when it reaches at least one return point in order to generate an impact pulse.
2\. The device according to claim 1, wherein the control valve is configured as a solenoid valve.
3\. The device according to claim 1, wherein a measuring device is provided for determining a position of the piston in the working chamber.
4\. The device according to claim 3, wherein the measuring device comprises a linear sensor.
5\. The device according to claim 1, wherein a frequency and/or a stroke of the piston can be set and adjusted by means of the control unit.
6\. The device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises a program memory in which control programs for controlling the piston can be stored.
7\. The device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises a selection device by means of which an operating mode can be selected by an operator manually and/or automatically from a detected operating state.
8\. The device according to claim 1, wherein the working chamber is formed with two end sides each having one strike surface, onto which the piston alternately strikes in order to generate impact pulses.
9\. A construction machine, wherein a device for generating oscillations and impact pulses according to claim 1 is arranged.
10\. The construction machine according to claim 9, wherein this machine is configured as a drilling rig for earth and/or rock drilling.
11\. The construction machine according to claim 9, wherein the device for generating oscillations and impact pulses is arranged on a rotary drive for rotationally driving a drilling tool, and a damping element is arranged between the rotary drive and the drilling tool or drill pipes.
12\. A method of operating a device according to claim 1, in which a piston is moved back and forth in a working chamber in a reversing manner between a first return point and a second return point, wherein the piston is set into a reciprocating motion by means of a pressurized fluid and at least one actuatable control valve, in order to generate the oscillations, and the pressurized fluid is introduced into and discharged from the working chamber in the region of the first return point and/or the second return point, and the at least one control valve is actuated by means of a control unit, wherein the movement of the piston in the working chamber is controllable and variable, wherein the control unit is configured to actuate the piston in a first operating mode for generating oscillations and in a second operating mode for generating impact pulses, wherein a strike surface is formed on at least one end side of the working chamber, onto which surface the piston strikes when it reaches at least one return point in the second operating mode, in order to generate an impact pulse.
13\. The method according to claim 12, wherein an operating mode is selected and set by means of a selection device.
14\. The method according to claim 12, wherein the device for generating oscillations and impact pulses is used on a drilling rig with a drilling tool which can be driven in rotation, the device is operated in the second operating mode during sinking-by-drilling a borehole into soil or rock, wherein impact pulses are exerted on the drilling tool, and the device is operated in the first operating mode when the drill pipes are pulled out of the borehole, wherein the drilling tool is induced to oscillate.
15\. The method according to claim 12, wherein an operating state, in particular a sinking-by-drilling or a pulling of a drilling tool in a drilling rig, is detected by means of at least one detection device, and an operating mode is automatically selected and set by the selection device depending on the detected operating state.

OFFICE ACTION:
DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Drawings
The drawings were received on 4/22/2024.  These drawings are accepted.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-15 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
US 4646854 teaches a device similar to that being claimed, with a piston 3, working chamber 2, pressurized fluid supply, and control valve 10 (fig. 1).  However, it is not reasonably taught or suggested that there is a control unit to control the valve and piston.  Nor is it reasonably taught or suggested that the strike surface is on at least one end side of the working chamber (the piston strikes on 4, which is outside of chamber 2).
US 20100051348 teaches a device similar to that being claimed, with a piston 13, working chamber wherein the piston resides, pressurized fluid supply, strike surface 15 in the chamber, and control valve 4 (fig. 2).  However, it is not reasonably taught or suggested that there is a control unit to control the valve and piston, at least not as particularly claimed.  Nor is a first operating mode for generating oscillations reasonably taught or suggested.
US 20180361432 (which is the US equivalent of the X reference in the related PCT application) teaches a device similar to that being claimed, with a piston 20, working chamber 14, pressurized fluid supply, and control valve 36 (fig. 1).  However, it is not reasonably taught or suggested that the strike surface is on at least one end side of the working chamber (the piston strikes on 18, which is outside of chamber 14).
The other cited prior art of record, whether considered alone or in combination, fails to overcome the deficiencies above.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion
The prior art made of record on form 892 and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.



CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US2018031432A1: [content unavailable]
Ref US20100051348A1: Claims:
A rock drilling device including: a piston housing, a first piston movably mounted in the said piston housing and adapted such that it transfers force while in use, principally continuously, directly or indirectly, in the direction of drilling to a drill steel connected to the rock drilling device, a second piston adapted such that it imposes impacts repetitively while in use, either directly or indirectly, onto the connected drill steel, a first control device within the piston housing arranged to control, in collaboration with a second control device within the said second piston, a change-over of the pressure of a first portion of a fluid acting on the said second piston, wherein the rock drilling device has a first control means within the said second piston acting on the said first piston such that it counteracts displacement of the first and second control devices relative to each other at the moment of contact of the second piston onto the drill steel or onto a part connected to this.
a piston housing,
a first piston movably mounted in the said piston housing and adapted such that it transfers force while in use, principally continuously, directly or indirectly, in the direction of drilling to a drill steel connected to the rock drilling device,
a second piston adapted such that it imposes impacts repetitively while in use, either directly or indirectly, onto the connected drill steel,
a first control device within the piston housing arranged to control, in collaboration with a second control device within the said second piston, a change-over of the pressure of a first portion of a fluid acting on the said second piston,
wherein the rock drilling device has a first control means within the said second piston acting on the said first piston such that it counteracts displacement of the first and second control devices relative to each other at the moment of contact of the second piston onto the drill steel or onto a part connected to this.
The rock drilling device according to claim 1 , wherein the said first control means is arranged such that it, in collaboration with a second control means that is fixed positioned in or mounted against the piston housing, detects a relative position between the second piston and the piston housing, and such that it at this position changes its action on the said first piston.
The rock drilling device according to claim 1 , wherein the said relative position is principally achieved at the said moment of impact.
The rock drilling device according to claim 1 , wherein the first piston is adapted such that it converts, during operation of the rock drilling device, pressure in a second portion of the fluid to a force that acts, principally continuously, in the direction of drilling, either directly or indirectly, on a drill rod connected to the rock drilling device or on a part connected to this rod, and where the said first control means is arranged to reduce the pressure in the second portion of the fluid when the second piston is located in a more advanced position, in the direction towards the drill rod, than the said pre-determined relative position of the first and second control devices.
A rock drill rig comprising at least one rock drill device according to claim 1 .
A method for a rock drilling device comprising: a piston housing, a first piston movably mounted in the said piston housing and adapted such that it, during operation of the rock drilling device, converts pressure in a second portion of a fluid into a force that acts, principally continuously, in the direction of drilling, either directly or indirectly, on a drill steel connected to the rock drilling device, a second piston adapted such that it repetitively imposes impacts in the direction of drilling while in use, either directly or indirectly, on the said drill bit connected to the rock drilling device, a first control device within the piston housing and a second control device within the said second piston, where these control devices are caused to control, while in interaction with each other, a change-over of the pressure of a first portion of the fluid that acts on a driving surface on the said second piston in order to achieve the said repetitive impacts, wherein the influence of the said second portion of the fluid on the first piston is caused to be changed at a pre-determined position of the first control device relative to the second control device.
a first piston movably mounted in the said piston housing and adapted such that it, during operation of the rock drilling device, converts pressure in a second portion of a fluid into a force that acts, principally continuously, in the direction of drilling, either directly or indirectly, on a drill steel connected to the rock drilling device,
a second piston adapted such that it repetitively imposes impacts in the direction of drilling while in use, either directly or indirectly, on the said drill bit connected to the rock drilling device,
a first control device within the piston housing and a second control device within the said second piston, where these control devices are caused to control, while in interaction with each other, a change-over of the pressure of a first portion of the fluid that acts on a driving surface on the said second piston in order to achieve the said repetitive impacts,
wherein the influence of the said second portion of the fluid on the first piston is caused to be changed at a pre-determined position of the first control device relative to the second control device.
The method according to claim 6 , wherein a first control means in the second piston causes at a pre-determined position relative to the piston housing the influence of the said second fluid portion on the first piston to be changed.
The method according to claim 6 , wherein that pre-determined position of the first control means relative to the piston housing is determined by means of a second control means placed within or mounted on the piston housing.
The method according to claim 6 , wherein the pressure in the second portion of the fluid is being reduced when the second piston is located at a more forward position, in the direction towards the drill steel, than the said pre-determined position of the first control device relative to the second control device.
The rock drilling device according to claim 3 , wherein the said relative position is principally achieved at the said moment of impact.
The rock drilling device according to claim 2 , wherein the first piston is adapted such that it converts, during operation of the rock drilling device, pressure in a second portion of the fluid to a force that acts, principally continuously, in the direction of drilling, either directly or indirectly, on a drill rod connected to the rock drilling device or on a part connected to this rod, and where the said first control means is arranged to reduce the pressure in the second portion of the fluid when the second piston is located in a more advanced position, in the direction towards the drill rod, than the said pre-determined relative position of the first and second control devices.
The rock drilling device according to claim 3 , wherein the first piston is adapted such that it converts, during operation of the rock drilling device, pressure in a second portion of the fluid to a force that acts, principally continuously, in the direction of drilling, either directly or indirectly, on a drill rod connected to the rock drilling device or on a part connected to this rod, and where the said first control means is arranged to reduce the pressure in the second portion of the fluid when the second piston is located in a more advanced position, in the direction towards the drill rod, than the said pre-determined relative position of the first and second control devices.
The rock drilling device according to claim 10 , wherein the first piston is adapted such that it converts, during operation of the rock drilling device, pressure in a second portion of the fluid to a force that acts, principally continuously, in the direction of drilling, either directly or indirectly, on a drill rod connected to the rock drilling device or on a part connected to this rod, and where the said first control means is arranged to reduce the pressure in the second portion of the fluid when the second piston is located in a more advanced position, in the direction towards the drill rod, than the said pre-determined relative position of the first and second control devices.
A rock drill rig comprising at least one rock drill device according to claim 2 .
A rock drill rig comprising at least one rock drill device according to claim 3 .
A rock drill rig comprising at least one rock drill device according to claim 4 .
A rock drill rig comprising at least one rock drill device according to claim 10 .
A rock drill rig comprising at least one rock drill device according to claim 11 .
The method according to claim 7 , wherein the pressure in the second portion of the fluid is being reduced when the second piston is located at a more forward position, in the direction towards the drill steel, than the said pre-determined position of the first control device relative to the second control device.
The method according to claim 8 , wherein the pressure in the second portion of the fluid is being reduced when the second piston is located at a more forward position, in the direction towards the drill steel, than the said pre-determined position of the first control device relative to the second control device.
Ref US7404449B2: Claims:
A pile driving control apparatus comprising: a hydraulic control system operable to control a throttle of a pile driving hammer to thereby control an impact velocity of the hammer with a pile; and a controller operatively coupled to the hydraulic control system and operable to determine sound pressure at a control location during a hammer stroke, and to provide to the hydraulic control system a control signal based on the determined sound pressure, the hydraulic control system controlling an impact velocity of the hammer during a subsequent hammer stroke based on the control signal.
a hydraulic control system operable to control a throttle of a pile driving hammer to thereby control an impact velocity of the hammer with a pile; and
a controller operatively coupled to the hydraulic control system and operable to determine sound pressure at a control location during a hammer stroke, and to provide to the hydraulic control system a control signal based on the determined sound pressure, the hydraulic control system controlling an impact velocity of the hammer during a subsequent hammer stroke based on the control signal.
The pile driving control apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further operable to determine an impact velocity of the hammer during the hammer stroke by receiving a reading from a velocity sensor for measuring the impact velocity of the hammer.
The pile driving control apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is operable to determine the sound pressure by receiving a reading from a sound pressure sensor for measuring the sound pressure at the control location.
The pile driving control apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control location comprises one of: a location on the hammer, a location on the pile, a location on ground into which the pile is to be driven, and a location on a structure near the pile.
The pile driving control apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further operable to determine vibration at a vibration control location during the hammer stroke, and to generate the control signal based on the determined sound pressure and the determined vibration.
The pile driving control apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the control location and the vibration control location comprise the same physical location.
The pile driving control apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the controller is further operable to determine an impact velocity of the hammer during the hammer stroke by receiving a reading from a velocity sensor for measuring the impact velocity of the hammer.
The pile driving control apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the controller is operable to determine the vibration by receiving a reading from a vibration sensor for measuring the vibration at the vibration control location.
The pile driving control apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the vibration control location comprises one of: a location on the hammer, a location on ground into which the pile is to be driven, and a location on a structure near the pile.
The pile driving control apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the controller is further operable to provide the control signal by comparing the determined vibration to a maximum allowable vibration, and generating, as the control signal, a control signal to cause the hydraulic control system to adjust the throttle so as to adjust the impact velocity of the hammer for the subsequent hammer stroke based on the comparison.
The pile driving control apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further operable to provide the control signal by comparing the determined sound pressure to a maximum allowable sound pressure, and generating, as the control signal, a control signal to cause the hydraulic control system to adjust the throttle so as to adjust the impact velocity of the hammer for the subsequent hammer stroke based on the comparison.
A pile driving system comprising: a pile driving hammer comprising a throttle; a pile driving control apparatus, operatively coupled to the throttle, comprising a hydraulic control system operable to control the throttle to thereby control an impact velocity of the hammer with a pile and a controller operatively coupled to the hydraulic control system and operable to determine sound pressure at a control location during a hammer stroke, and to provide to the hydraulic control system a control signal based on the detennined sound pressure, the hydraulic control system controlling an impact velocity of the hammer during a subsequent hammer stroke based on the control signal; and a sound pressure sensor, operatively coupled to the controller, and operable to measure the sound pressure at the control location and to provide to the controller an indication of the measured sound pressure.
a pile driving hammer comprising a throttle;
a pile driving control apparatus, operatively coupled to the throttle, comprising a hydraulic control system operable to control the throttle to thereby control an impact velocity of the hammer with a pile and a controller operatively coupled to the hydraulic control system and operable to determine sound pressure at a control location during a hammer stroke, and to provide to the hydraulic control system a control signal based on the detennined sound pressure, the hydraulic control system controlling an impact velocity of the hammer during a subsequent hammer stroke based on the control signal; and
a sound pressure sensor, operatively coupled to the controller, and operable to measure the sound pressure at the control location and to provide to the controller an indication of the measured sound pressure.
The pile driving system of claim 12 , wherein the sound pressure sensor comprises a system for analyzing the sound pressure at the control location, the indication of the measured sound pressure comprising a sound pressure analysis output.
The pile driving system of claim 12 , wherein the controller is further operable to determine vibration at a vibration control location during the hammer stroke and to generate the control signal based on the determined sound pressure and the determined vibration, and wherein the pile driving system further comprises: a vibration sensor, operatively coupled to the controller, and operable to measure the vibration at the vibration control location and to provide to the controller an indication of the measured vibration.
a vibration sensor, operatively coupled to the controller, and operable to measure the vibration at the vibration control location and to provide to the controller an indication of the measured vibration.
The pile driving system of claim 14 , wherein the vibration sensor compnses a system for analyzing the vibration at the vibration control location, the indication of the measured vibration comprising a vibration analysis output.
Ref US4646854A: Claims:
A hydraulic striking device comprising: means defining a pressure conduit for receiving hydraulic fluid at a first pressure; means defining a return conduit for releasing the hydraulic fluid at a second pressure that is lower than said first pressure; means for providing an operating cylinder; a percussion piston having first and second faces of different sizes and having a circumferential groove between said faces, said first face being smaller than said second face, said piston being movably disposed in said operating cylinder with the faces thereof being charged to move in opposite directions, said first face being constantly connected to said pressure conduit; a bit which is struck by said piston; means for providing a control conduit having first and second sections, said first section communicating with said operating cylinder; control valve means, communicating with said second section of said control conduit, for alternately connecting said second face of said piston with said pressure conduit and with said return conduit, said control valve means including a movably mounted valve body with first and second different sized faces which can be charged in the respective direction of movement, said first face of said valve body being smaller than said second face thereof and being constantly connected to said pressure conduit, said second face of said valve body being alternately connected with said return conduit via said circumferential groove and with said pressure conduit; a holding valve connected to said operating cylinder via said first section of said control conduit and to said control valve means via said second section of said control conduit, said holding valve including a further valve body and means for providing a cavity in which said further valve body is movably disposed, said further valve body having a cross-section that is smaller than the cross-section of said cavity, said cavity having an axis and a pair of axially oriented outlets, one of which communicates with said first section of said control conduit; and means for providing a conduit between the other of said axially oriented outlets of said cavity and said return conduit.
means defining a pressure conduit for receiving hydraulic fluid at a first pressure;
means defining a return conduit for releasing the hydraulic fluid at a second pressure that is lower than said first pressure;
means for providing an operating cylinder;
a percussion piston having first and second faces of different sizes and having a circumferential groove between said faces, said first face being smaller than said second face, said piston being movably disposed in said operating cylinder with the faces thereof being charged to move in opposite directions, said first face being constantly connected to said pressure conduit;
a bit which is struck by said piston;
means for providing a control conduit having first and second sections, said first section communicating with said operating cylinder;
control valve means, communicating with said second section of said control conduit, for alternately connecting said second face of said piston with said pressure conduit and with said return conduit, said control valve means including a movably mounted valve body with first and second different sized faces which can be charged in the respective direction of movement, said first face of said valve body being smaller than said second face thereof and being constantly con
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