Device for deep driving of tubes having a large diameter

A tubing device is operatively connectable to an excavation machine. The tubing device comprises a base frame, at least one guiding tower operatively connected to the base frame, and a tube operating unit, operatively connected to the guiding tower. The tube operating unit is slidable along the guiding tower and is provided with engaging means capable of both selectively holding a tube segment, and of transmitting a rotary motion and an axial sliding movement to such a tube segment so as to allow the progressive driving in the ground and subsequent extraction from the ground.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the priority of Italian Patent Application No. MI2014A000407, filed Mar. 13, 2014, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a device for driving in the ground or extracting from the ground tube segments having a large diameter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of foundations it is often required to have excavations having a large diameter, at great depth and with minimal deviations with respect to their vertical axis. An example of application in which such excavations are required consists of making impermeable partitions carried out through intersecting piles. In these cases the guarantee of actual interpenetration of the primary and secondary piles, closely linked to the verticality of the excavations, is an essential condition to carry out the work correctly. The uncertainty of the verticality of the pile leads to onerous corrective choices, the most obvious of which is to reduce the pitch between the axes of the intersecting piles so as to compensate, with greater interpenetration, the possible deviations that can be created between adjacent piles. Of course, this translates into over-consumption of cement mixture and into longer work times in making a partition of known length.

The use of a guide tube to drive to the bottom of the excavation, which can act as a guide for the excavation tool, ensures better verticality of the pile. This is due to the much more rigid configuration of the tube with respect to that of a battery of telescopic rods or of a continuous helix, and the greatest advantages are obtained in the case in which layers of earth of very variable conformity and hardness are crossed. The use of the guide tube, (generally called “casing”), due to the high friction that is generated with the walls of the excavation, requires greater torques and greater pull-push forces at the excavation machines. In particular, such friction increases as the length and diameter of the guide tube increase. This means that above certain diameter and depth values it becomes disadvantageous to make a single machine that performs both the driving of the tube, and the excavation, since such a machine would have to be too big and cost too much. The use of external apparatuses connected to the excavation machine can allow greater diameters and tubing depths, but it greatly limits the mobility and speed of the excavation machine, as well as increasing costs.

Known machinery for making tubed piles can be substantially split into two categories, as a function of the depth of the pile. In order to make piles of medium-low depth, quantifiable in the value of 30-35 meters at most, it is foreseen to use a tracked machine equipped with a vertical tower, along which two rotary tables, commonly called “rotaries”, can slide, one on top of the other, in a constrained or independent manner. The two rotary tables both translate on the same sliding guides present in the tower. The upper rotary table sets a helix in translation and in rotation, said helix being equipped in its lower part with a tip with excavation teeth and has a length substantially equal to that of the tower. The lower rotary table sets a coating tube in translation and in rotation, usually in the opposite sense of rotation to that of the helix. The tube and the lower rotary table have a diameter such as to make the helix transit inside them, actuated by the upper rotary table. The tube is equipped with blades in its lower part and in its thickness in contact with the ground, so as to separate, while moving forward, a core of ground that will later be broken up and lifted by the helix above. The broken up ground is loaded by the auger of the helix and sent outside of the excavation.

The tube has a maximum installable length that is substantially less than that of the helix and that can be determined by subtracting the length of the rotary table that moves the tube itself from the length of the helix. The lower rotary table, commonly called “tubing device”, can generally have a length of about 3 meters. As a result, when the pile is finished, the tubed part represents a fraction of the total length of the excavation, generally not more than ⅔. It is not foreseen, in this type of equipment, to join additional tube or helix elements as the excavation progresses. Consequently, the depth reachable by the helix corresponds to about the length of the tower of the machine and the depth reachable by the tube depends on the maximum loadable length below the lower rotary table.

It is difficult for the maximum depth to exceed 30 meters, because for greater depths the machine would have to have a tower that is too long, which would be too heavy for the machine and could cause instability. On the other hand, it would be necessary to make extremely heavy and bulky machines, but becoming incompatible with all urban works where the spaces available are small. Moreover, a machine with such a long guiding tower would be difficult to transport. As the length of the tube increases, the thrust required to drive it also increases, but such a thrust must be limited based on the weight of the machine, which otherwise would tend to lift at the front. A greater tubed depth implies a greater weight of the battery of tubes and thus requires a greater extraction force of the machine, but also such an extraction force must be limited based on the size of the machine and the resistance of the tracked undercarriage. The maximum usable diameter for the tube depends on the maximum torque able to be delivered by the lower rotary table and also this must be limited based on the torsional resistance of the tower. Such resistance depends on the section and on the thicknesses of the tower. Also in this case, by exceeding certain limit values, the tower would be too heavy.

The driving of a tube having a diameter equal to 1200 millimeters to a depth of 20 meters seems to represent, as things stand, the performance limit that can be obtained by a single machine with two rotary tables. The advantageous aspects of this type of machinery (“cased secant piles” or CSP) for shallow excavations consist of the fact that the machine is relatively light and thus easy to manoeuvre and transport, it does not have support structures at the excavation, such as casing oscillators, and it moves autonomously within the worksite from one point of construction of the pile to another without the help of external transportation means. Moreover, the excavation can take place dry, without the addition of stabilizing liquids to support the walls. The absence of recycling means of such liquids, associated with the absence of vibrations, makes these CSP machines particularly suitable for use in urban settings. The addition of the cement mixture takes place through a conduit inside the shaft of the helix, with the help of an external pump. The extraction of the tube is preferably concurrent to the filling of the hole, so that the pressure exerted by the mixture can prevent the collapse of the walls no longer supported by the tube. In some cases it is possible to extract the tube at the end of filling the hole.

In order to make piles of greater depth, greater than 30/35 meters, a tracked machine with a vertical tower is generally used, along which a single rotary table moves on suitable guides. The rotary table sets a battery of telescopic rods in rotary movement, at the base of which there is an excavation tool, like for example a “bucket” or a drill. This technology, called LDP (acronym for “large diameter pile”) is generally used to make deep non-secant piles, where the limitations required for the deviation from verticality are less stringent. The use of telescopic rods makes it possible to reach much greater excavation depths with the tool with respect to the length of the tower on which the rotary table slides. LDP technology foresees that the final depth is obtained through repeated partial excavations, each of which involves the driving of the tool in the ground and results in an advancement equal to the length of the tool itself. Each partial excavation is obtained by applying a thrust and a rotation on the tool and, when the tool is full, the operator lifts it up from the bottom of the excavation until it is brought above the terrain surface, where it is emptied beside the machine, onto the ground or into a truck.

A drawback of LDP technology consists of the fact that, as the depth reached increases, the duration of the active excavation step, i.e. that for filling the tool, is increasingly short in proportion to the inactive steps of descent and ascent in the excavation. Another drawback is the fact that the pile is usually excavated with the addition of stabilizing materials that prevent the hole from collapsing, such as bentonite or polymers. The use of such stabilizers requires rather complex logistics and apparatus to obtain their recovery and recycling, like for example decanting and containment tanks, sieves, grit separators, etc. These apparatuses are difficult to adapt to use in tight urban spaces or in worksites that extend for many kilometers, requiring continuous movement of the equipment.

The alternative to using stabilizing substances is to use, in combination with LDP technology, a coating guide tube that can support the walls of the hole, preventing it from collapsing. The use of the tube is particularly advantageous when excavating below the water table, since it manages to keep the outflow of ground water inside the excavation to acceptable levels. In this case, excavation is carried out “dry” and there is less need for logistics linked to stabilizing fluids. If the section of hole to be tubed has a limited depth, and in any case compatible with the power of the machine, it is possible to use the rotary table itself, mounting a hauling extension (cup) beneath it, which couples with the tube, to rotate and thrust the tube in the ground. Due to the axial bulk of the telescopic rods, which cannot extend above the head of the guiding tower, the free space for the positioning of the tube beneath the hauling extension is limited to a few meters, in general not more than six or seven. As a result, being forced to use short tubes, even for limited tubed depths it is necessary to drive in one piece of tube at a time, joining it to those already driven in. Therefore a lot of time is spent fixing together the pieces of casing tube, with spanners and bolts that are usually locked by hand.

When the depth and/or the diameter to be made become high, the torque delivered by the rotary table of the machine is insufficient and external apparatuses become necessary, distinct from the machine, to drive the tube segments by rotation and thrusting up to the desired depth and to extract them at the end of the excavation. These apparatuses are usually bulky, heavy and expensive. The external apparatuses most commonly used are casing oscillators or “rotators” (full-rotators). These apparatuses are mainly made up of a monolithic base frame and a second upper frame that is moveable with respect to the first. Both of the frames develop about a central circular passage of large diameter, completely surrounding it. Such a central passage makes it possible to introduce a tube segment from above, crossing the frames, in order to drive it into the ground. Such apparatuses must therefore be positioned at the front of a common pile driving machine, at a lower height with respect to the base of the tower of the machine and aligning their central passage on the drilling axis of such a machine. Such apparatuses are equipped with suitable actuation means that connect the moveable upper frame to the base frame, allowing the upper frame to be made to perform vertical translations and rotations about the vertical axis of the central passage. Once the upper frame, through temporary gripping means, is able to transfer these movements to the tube to be driven. During its limited axial movement, the upper frame is not guided by any structural element of the apparatus, but only by the actuators and by the tube itself. In the casing oscillators the base frame rests directly on the ground. The upper frame is equipped with hydraulic clamps or jaws to grip or release the tube. All of the actuators of the clamp are usually fed by the hydraulic system of the pile driving machine. The thrusting takes place through hydraulic cylinders that bring the upper frame towards the base frame, whereas the rotation takes place, with partial and alternate movements, through a pair of hydraulic rotation cylinders mounted opposite one another. For every partial rotation it is necessary for the jaws to grip the tube, for the rotation cylinders to carry out their limited stroke, for the jaws to release the tube and for the rotation cylinders to carry out a reverse stroke to go back into the start of rotation condition. Therefore, very long cycle times are needed to carry out the excavation.

A “rotator” in brief consists of a rotary table with a passage having a large diameter, which constitutes an upper frame and which is moveable with respect to a monolithic base frame that also extends around the passage of the table to allow the insertion of the tube. The base frame rests on the ground. The rotary table comprises a through sleeve on which geared motors are fitted that allow the rotation thereof. Such a sleeve is provided with hydraulic jaws that wrap around the tube to be driven on its outer surface, transmitting the rotation to it only by means of the friction between jaws and tube. Through hydraulic cylinders that connect the upper rotary table to the base frame it is possible to generate small and limited vertical movements, always less than one meter, and thus exert a thrust or a pull on the tube. The limited vertical movement of the upper frame is not, however, guided by a tower or by elements of the frame, but exploits just the rigidity of the actuators and of the tube itself. In particular, the axial movement is limited because the axial stroke available is always less than the length of the piece of tube that is joined. In some variants, the “rotator” can comprise an autonomous power unit to supply its own actuators. In rare cases the “rotator” is connected to the hydraulic system of the pile driving machine.

The aforementioned external apparatuses for driving such tubes have numerous limitations and drawbacks. Firstly, the cylinders of both types of external apparatuses have limited strokes in the vertical direction, generally of the order of 400-600 millimeters, with consequent limited driving or extraction movements. In particular, the moveable part of these apparatuses, i.e. that capable of transmitting the thrust and the torque, even in the condition of maximum vertical stroke always remains at a height lower than the base of the tower of the machine. This is generally due to the substantial bulk of such apparatuses in the radial direction with respect to the excavation axis. Often, in order to allow the connection of such apparatuses to the machine it is necessary to dismount the lower segment of the tower of the machine. Strokes of greater width could lead to interference or collisions between the mobile part of the external driving apparatuses and the tower of the machine. As a result, in order to drive or extract a few tens of meters of tube a very large number of manoeuvres are needed, each of which comprises the steps of gripping, of translation and of release of the tube, and therefore takes a long time. A second limitation is due to the fact that the aforementioned external apparatuses, gripping the tube laterally through the upper frame, are not able to completely drive the tube until it is flush with the ground surface. In particular, the tube will always extend vertically above the base frame by a minimum amount sufficient to allow it to be gripped laterally. The tube, therefore, always extends at least partially inside such frames of the external apparatuses and, due to the fact that these frames are monolithic and completely surround the tube, the external apparatuses are fixedly connected to the driven tube, not being able to translate horizontally with respect to it. The aforementioned apparatuses, which actively operate only during the driving or extraction steps, are forced to remain on the axis of the pile even during the steps of casting and insertion of the cage that does not involve them. During the inactive steps, the driving apparatuses cannot be moved and exploited on other piles, unless they are lifted through a crane to axially disengage from the driven tube. This solution is, however, complex and not cost-effective.

A further limitation of casing oscillators and of “rotators” is due to the fact that their hydraulic jaws transmit the torque by clamping the tube on its outer surface, only by friction, and this requires the use of very thick tubes or ones with a double wall to prevent it from becoming oval. These tubes are particularly heavy and expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the present invention is therefore to make a device for driving in the ground or extracting from the ground tube segments having a large diameter that is able to solve the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art in a simple, cost-effective and functional manner. The device according to the present invention, working in support of machines for excavating and making piles, is able to drive or extract tube segments having a large diameter in/from the ground through rotation and pushing or pulling, where the tube segments can have lengths equal to at least once the diameter, preferably from 2 to 5 times the diameter.

In detail, a purpose of the present invention is to make a device for deep driving tubes having a large diameter that makes the driving and extraction steps of the tube faster, at the same time ensuring better verticality.

Another purpose of the present invention is to make a device for deep driving tubes having a large diameter that is able to reduce the idle times, allowing better exploitation and better productivity of the driving apparatus, also thanks to the possibility of the device supporting many pile driving machines within the same worksite.

The embodiments of the device according to the invention favor versatility, making an autonomous means in terms of movement and generation of power and capable of moving by its own means in the area of the worksite. The device has the ability to open a part of its frame at any moment to disengage from the driven tube and move with respect to it, to then be repositioned on it and re-engage at a later time to carry out the extraction. Such a later time is decided by the foreman of the worksite based on economic considerations, and may for example be after the steps of insertion of the reinforcement and of concrete casting. During such steps, which are carried out by independent machinery such as a crane and a concrete pump and that do not require the use of the tubing device, the device itself is able to move autonomously and be positioned on the axis of a second pile to perform the driving of the relative guide tube. At a later time, when the steps of casting and of insertion of the reinforcement of the first pile have ended, the tubing device can go back onto the axis of the first pile to extract the casings. Thanks to this special feature the tubing device can serve more than one LDP machine, being able to go back to and move away from the pile, i.e. being able to disengage from a first tube present on the excavation axis of a first LDP machine to engage on a second pile present on the excavation axis of a second LDP machine. This manoeuvre can be carried out at any stage of excavation desired, and consequently it is possible to drastically reduce the inactive times of the tubing device.

The device according to the invention is advantageous with respect to a generic tubing machine with double “rotary” and continuous helix (CSP), as well as to conventional tubing devices such as casing oscillators or “rotators”. The device according to the invention, indeed, being equipped with its own guiding tower, which is distinct from that of the pile driving machine and is much stronger, makes it possible to install on such a guiding tower a rotary table with much better performances in terms of torque and push-pull with respect to the rotary table that would be installable on the tower of the pile driving machine. Such performances are comparable to or better than that provided by casing oscillators or by “rotators” but, unlike such apparatuses, the device according to the invention makes it possible to drive the tube not through short steps with continuous restarts, but rather through a rotation associated with a continuous thrusting movement, able to be perfectly adjusted, the width of which is determined by the stroke of the rotary table on the guiding tower and is proportional to at least once the diameter of the section of tube to be moved. In particular, the stroke available is preferably greater than the length of the section of tube to be moved. In particular, the rotary table installed on the tower of the tubing device can, during its stroke, go to a height greater than the base of the tower of the machine. In greater detail, the rotary table can slide in front of the guides of the tower of the pile driving machine associated with the tubing device. The presence of the guiding tower ensures better verticality of the tubes during the driving step with respect to casing oscillators and to “rotators”.

A work method and a series of accessories and constructive solutions facilitate the loading and unloading steps of the tube segments, so as to make the operations safe and fast. The careful study of the work method, associated with the use of such accessories, makes a drilling machine that is versatile and of relatively low weight, and thus cost-effective, suitable for carrying out operations that would require much greater resources if carried out with methods of the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference in particular toFIG. 1, an example embodiment of the device for deep driving tubes having a large diameter according to the present invention, or tubing device, is shown wholly indicated with reference numeral100. The tubing device100substantially consists of:a base frame or truck1;at least one guiding tower7, fixedly connected to the base frame1through a tower support15;a unit10for moving the at least one guiding tower7;a tube operating unit11, able to slide on each guiding tower7;a bracketed support frame2; anda power group3.

In particular, with respect to a middle vertical plane of the tubing device100and in the operative condition of the tubing device100itself, the tube operating unit11, the guiding tower7and the base frame1can be assembled in a C-shaped configuration in which, due to stability and proportioning issues of the structures, the guiding tower7is in a slightly backward position with respect to the barycenter of the base frame1.

The tubing device100is preferably self-propelled and, for this purpose, the base frame1can be provided with tracks1A and1B. The base frame1is in turn made up of a central load-bearing frame1C and a moveable or openable front frame1D, which can comprise a preferably telescopic shaft1E. The central frame1C, if observed with respect to a horizontal plane or in a plan view, is characterised, in its front part, by a C-shape or semi-circle shape at the centre of which the driving or drilling axis of the tubing device100passes. Such a shape of the central frame1C determines a space14having a diameter sufficient to allow the passage of the tube300(seeFIG. 3) to be driven in the ground. The front frame1D, when positioned in operative condition, closes the space14in the radial direction. The front frame1D, in its rear part, is shaped like a circular arc complementary to the shape of the space14of the central frame1C so that, in operative position, the space14is circular shaped and can guide the tube300to be driven, keeping it vertical and centred on the driving axis. The base frame1is adapted to allow the dismounting of the tracks1A and1B, so as to reduce the lateral bulk (in width) of the tubing device100during transportation, preferably to a value of less than 3.5 meters.

A bracket support frame2is removably connected to the rear part of the central frame1C to support the power group3. Such a power group3is of the known type and provides the flow rate and pressure of oil necessary to supply all of the hydraulic actuations of the tubing device100. The power group3includes, in a per se known way, a plurality of hydraulic pumps, a motor, preferably but not necessarily an internal combustion engine, to actuate such hydraulic pumps, tanks for the oil and possibly for the fuel and all of the necessary accessory systems. Alternatively, the power group3could also be provided with electric motors, cables and electric actuators.

The base frame1is equipped with stabilizers4, preferably two on each flank of the central frame1C, which move two platforms5A and5B and allow the entire tubing device100to be kept stable on the ground. Preferably, the platforms5A and5B are connected with ball joints to the stabilizers4and each stabilizer4can be actuated independently. In this way it is possible to adapt to the inclinations of the ground and ensure the verticality of the guiding tower7, in order to obtain a vertical excavation. In particular, through the stabilizers4it is possible to vertically move the platforms5A and5B until they are brought into contact with the ground and lift the entire tubing device100, so as to unburden the tracks1A and1B from the loads that are generated during the work step, i.e. during the driving into the ground or extraction from the ground of the tube300. Advantageously, the tracks1A and1B are left over the ground. Each platform5A and5B has a length comparable to that of the central frame1C and has a width such as to be able to be placed between each track1A or1B and the space14of the central frame1C without interfering with the tracks1A and1B or with the tube300. Thanks to their great length, the platforms5A and5B offer a wide contact surface and ensure low contact pressure also in the most difficult conditions, avoiding yielding of the ground that would compromise the stability of the entire tubing device100.

The guiding tower7, with a substantially elongated shape, generally has a larger section and a shorter length with respect to the tower of a common pile driving machine, assuming a squat configuration. The guiding tower7is mounted on a tower support15and is arranged along a vertical axis in the operative conditions of the tubing device100. The guiding tower7is hinged to the tower support15on a first axis8, arranged horizontally, and can be locked in vertical position, for example through pins arranged on a second hinging axis9that engage on the guiding tower7itself and on the tower support15. The guiding tower7is equipped with guides on which a carriage16can slide that supports the tube operating unit11. The guides are arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the guiding tower7and can be located on the front part of the guiding tower7itself or, preferably, both on the front part and on the rear part, so as to offer better guiding and a larger contact surface. The carriage16is moved through an actuation system, which will be described more clearly hereafter, and can transmit to the tube operating unit11forces directed both upwards and downwards. These forces can thus be exploited to push the tube300in the ground or to extract it from the ground.

The tube operating unit11substantially consists of a rotary table equipped with a through sleeve12by means of which there is application of a rotation and thus a torque about an axis parallel to the guiding tower7, as well as of the pulling and thrusting forces in a direction parallel to the guiding tower7. The sleeve12has an internal diameter substantially equal to that of the tube300to be driven, so as to allow the passage of an excavation tool that, after having crossed the tube operating unit11, can remove the ground enclosed in the tube300once it is driven. The sleeve12has, in its lower part, a system13for the automatic hooking and unhooking, of the known type, capable of coupling with or disengaging from the tube300without requiring the manual intervention of an operator. The hooking and unhooking system13allows the transmission of axial forces and torque between the sleeve12and the tube300, for example through pin or peg-type connections. The tube operating unit11is equipped with actuators capable of applying to the sleeve12a torque sufficient to set all of the segments of the tube300in rotation, overcoming the friction that develops between such tube300and the ground during driving. Preferably these actuators consist of hydraulic geared motors fitted onto a toothed crown fixedly connected to the sleeve12, which rotates on a fifth wheel or on a bearing. In particular, such actuators are suitably arranged around the toothed crown so as to obtain the minimum bulk of the rotary table in the frontal direction, i.e. in the opposite direction to the guiding tower7with respect to the excavation axis. In this way, it is possible to apply to the sleeve12, and thus to the tube300connected to the sleeve, continuous complete rotations or partial alternate rotations about the longitudinal axis of the tube itself in both rotation senses. The sleeve12and the hooking system13are thus engaging means capable both of selectively holding the tube300, and of transmitting to said tube300a rotary motion and an axial sliding movement.

FIG. 2shows a preferred embodiment of the actuating system of the sliding of the tube operating unit11on the guiding tower7. Such sliding is left to a mixed pulling and pushing system that exploits the combination of linear actuators and flexible means and is housed inside the guiding tower7. One or more linear actuators30are preferably placed inside the guiding tower7and move a single block32equipped with wheels32A and32B (only one wheel is visible inFIG. 2) on which the flexible means33A and33B wind. The flexible means33A that drive the ascent are connected with one of their ends to the carriage16and, after being transmitted by the upper wheels34and by the wheels32A of the block32, connect with the other end to a first cable end36. The flexible means33B that drive the descent are connected with one of their ends to the carriage16and, after being transmitted by the lower wheels35and by the wheels32B of the block32, connected with the other end to a second cable end37. The two cable ends36and37can be fixed directly to the body of the guiding tower7, or with the interposition of a tensioner38. This arrangement of the actuating system transfers to the carriage16a double stroke and a halved force with respect to those generated by the linear actuators30,31. In the preferred embodiment, the linear actuators30,31consist of hydraulic cylinders, the wheels32A,32B,34and35consist of pulleys and the flexible means are cables. In another embodiment the wheels32A,32B,34and35can consist of toothed wheels and the flexible means33A and33B can consist of chains.

The system for moving the tube operating unit11, with the combined use of flexible means and linear actuators, is advantageous since it allows big displacements in proportion to its longitudinal bulk, greater power and speed with respect to those delivered by a winch and, simultaneously, a smaller transverse bulk that facilitates its insertion inside the guiding tower7. As an example, plausible performance values provided by the push-pull system can be sliding of the carriage16of the order of 5-6 meters, total extraction pull of 200 tons and a thrust of 110 tons. The moving system described up to now allows the tube300to be driven in the ground carrying out a single continuous stroke of the tube operating unit11, since such a stroke has a length comparable to or greater than the length of the tube300to be driven. The tubing device100, equipped with such a moving system, is advantageous with respect to known tube driving means, such as casing oscillators and “rotators”, which on the other hand require driving of the tube with repeated strokes of limited width.

FIG. 3shows the tubing device100that works in support to a known machine200to make piles (LDP). The machine200could also consist of a crane with scooper or any other apparatus suitable for excavating and/or demolishing and removing the ground confined by the tube300. The excavation and/or pile driving machine200, equipped with telescopic rods201and with an excavation tool202actuated by a rotary table203, is located in work position with the excavation tool202completely lifted and arranged on the excavation axis of the pile. The tubing device100is located in the operative condition of start of driving the tube300, with the tube operating unit11completely lifted and arranged on the excavation axis of the pile. In particular, the tube operating unit11is positioned in front of the guides of the tower204of the excavation machine and temporarily at a greater height with respect to the base of such a tower204. The tube300is connected above the sleeve12and can be inserted into the space14of the base frame1that acts as a lower guide for the tube. The tubing device100can go into this position preferably by manoeuvring with its own tracks1A and1B, or it can be positioned through external moving means. During these positioning manoeuvres, the tube300may also not be loaded on the tubing device100. Such loading can take place subsequently according to a procedure that will be described more clearly hereafter.

The tubing device100can mechanically connect to the excavation and/or pile driving machine200through a shaft1E that in its front part is suitably shaped to hook onto attachments that are normally present on the pile driving machines. Suitable attachments to the undercarriage of the machine200can be foreseen as provision for the connection of this external apparatus. This provision serves to discharge onto the undercarriage of the machine200part of the forces generated by the torque delivered by the tube operating unit11of the tubing device100. This allows particularly high torques to be applied to the tube300, since such torques no longer have to be discharged to the ground by the platforms5A and5B, and in this way the risk according to which the tubing device100could rotate with respect to the excavation axis is eliminated. This configuration is particularly advantageous because the tube300, if set in opposite rotation to that of the rotary table203that moves the excavation tool202, can partially compensate these stresses without discharging them all to the ground. In particular, the mechanical connection between the base of the tower204and the front frame1D of the tubing device100is of the friction type or, more advantageously, of the mechanical abutment type so that the excavation torques can be transmitted between the two parts in mechanical abutment.

Preferably, the shaft1E has a telescopic structure moved by a linear actuator installed inside the shaft1E itself, so as to be able to connect to different pile driving machines or to adapt to different work radii of one same excavation and/or pile driving machine200. The shaft1E is constrained to the openable front frame1D through a hinge having horizontal axis, which allows the shaft1E itself to be inclined by lifting its front part with respect to the ground. Such inclination can be adjusted by an actuator and allows quick hooking or unhooking of the shaft1E from the attachments of the undercarriage of the machine200. Preferably, the telescopic elements of the shaft1E have a circular section and can rotate with respect to one another on the longitudinal axis of the shaft1E itself. This rotation, combined with the adjustment of the inclination of the shaft1E, makes it possible to compensate possible differences in inclination between the tracked carriage of the excavation and/or pile driving machine200and the base frame1of the tubing device100. Indeed, in the excavation machine200the carriage has the same inclination as the ground on which it rests, whereas in the tubing device100the base frame1is always kept horizontal by adjusting the stabilizers4and the platforms5A and5B to ensure the verticality of the guiding tower7. In the excavation machine200the verticality of the tower204is obtained by acting on the linkage that connects such a tower204to the frame of the machine200itself.

Again with reference toFIG. 3, it is possible to see how the tubed pile is made by progressively driving the tube300in the ground through the tubing device100and removing the ground from inside it through the excavation tool202actuated by the pile driving machine200, or upon completion of the driving of the tube300or its partial driving when the ground is particularly hard and compact. While the excavation moves forwards, the tube300receives the torque and the thrust of the tube operating unit11, which is moved and guided in the vertical direction on the guiding tower7of the tubing device100. The dimensions of the tube operating unit11are particularly compact with respect to the diameter of the driven tube, in particular in the direction in front of the tower7, and allow the tube operating unit11and the rotary table203to slide in front of the guides of the tower204of the excavation machine200without interfering with it. The distance between the excavation axis and the front guides of the tower204limits the maximum diameter of the tube that it is possible to drive, in the case of coupling of the tubing device100with a pile driving machine of the LDP type. During the emptying step of the tube300, the excavation tool202and the telescopic rods201are inserted inside the tube300itself, crossing the aforementioned tube operating unit11, and receive the torque and the thrust from the rotary table203that is moved and guided in the vertical direction on the tower204of the pile driving machine200. Once the excavation tool202has been loaded with ground moving forward in the excavation, it is made to ascend above the tube operating unit11through closing of the telescopic rods201and then, carrying out a rotation of the tower204with respect to the fifth wheel of the tracked carriage of the pile driving machine200, it is emptied beside the machine itself. The clearance present between the front guides of the tower204and the outer structure of the tube operating unit11allows the rotation of the tower204even when the tube operating unit11is in front of such a tower204. Thereafter, by completely lifting the excavation tool202and rotating the tower204in the opposite direction, it is possible to quickly reposition the tool202on the excavation axis to carry out another partial excavation.

During the thrusting step of the tube300in the ground through the tubing device100, if the excavation machine200is equipped with a foot at the base of its tower204it is preferable for this foot to be rested on the openable front frame1D of the tubing device100. The openable front frame1D is suitably shaped and sized to allow such a manoeuvre. Through this operation it is possible to make part of the weight of the machine200bear down on the base frame1of the tubing device100. In particular, thanks to the mechanical connection of the shaft1E and the resting of the foot of the tower204on the openable front frame1D, the two machines100and200behave like a single rigid body during the thrusting of the tube300. In this way it is possible to apply very large thrusts to the tube300, in particular greater than the weight of the tubing device100itself, since the weight of the machine200also helps with the stability of the assembly. In particular, the tubing device100is prevented from lifting. Preferably, during driving, the tube300is always kept moving forward, i.e. to at greater depths, with respect to the tool202so that the tool202itself works always guided by the tube300. The associated work between the tubing device100and the machine200makes it possible to carry out simultaneous operations that would require much taller, heavier and more expensive machinery.

Once the insertion in the ground of a segment of the tube300has been completed, through the system13for the automatic hooking and unhooking the sleeve12is disconnected from the segment and another segment of the tube segment300is loaded. Such a step will be better described hereafter with reference toFIG. 4. The loading of sections under the tube operating unit11of the tubing device100is preferably left to the excavation and/or pile driving machine200, exploiting the service cable with which it is normally equipped. Such a service cable is actuated by a dedicated winch of the machine200and, after having been transmitted over the head of the tower204, is arranged parallel to the telescopic rods201and to the same work radius. Therefore, through a simple rotation of the tower204, such a cable is arranged on the excavation axis. This solution is advantageous because it does not require the presence of a service crane to support the machines100and200, to the great advantage of the cost-effectiveness of the worksite. Another solution for lifting the tube300is to connect it to the excavation tool202, for example through cables or chains, and exploit the vertical movement of the battery of rods201. In a further embodiment, the tubing device100can be equipped with an articulated crane dedicated to loading and positioning the sections of tube300. Such a crane can be installed for example onto the central frame1C and can be supplied with power by the same power group3of the tubing device100, thus making it autonomous also in this task.

FIG. 4illustrates the tubing device100with the guiding tower7arranged in a configuration such as to allow the loading of another section of tube300to be driven. The tubing device100is hooked (like inFIG. 3) to the undercarriage of the excavation and/or pile driving machine200through its adjustable telescopic shaft1E and rests on the ground through the platforms5A and5B, which make the tubing device100itself perfectly horizontal and coaxial to the pile to be made. Since the section of the tube300to be added can be positioned on the excavation axis keeping it suspended with a cable, it is necessary for the space above the excavation axis to be completely free and allow access both of the tube300, and of the cable. For this purpose, the tubing device100foresees the possibility of moving the tube operating unit11into offset position with respect to the excavation axis, so as to completely free the passage over the space14of the base frame1and over the tube300already driven in the ground. Preferably, such displacement takes place through a rotation of the guiding tower7about its longitudinal axis, which is parallel to the excavation axis.

In the preferred embodiment shown inFIG. 4, the tower support15is fixed to the central frame1C in a rotatable manner about a vertical axis parallel to the excavation axis and is locked in the direction longitudinal to the aforementioned axis so as to be able to transmit to the base frame1both the thrust, and the vertical pull. The tower support15can extend inside the central frame1C to obtain a more rigid connection and rotates on a bearing or on a fifth wheel. The rotation of the tower support15is driven by the unit10for moving the guiding tower7, which includes actuators supplied by the power group3. These actuators can preferably be geared motors, linear actuators or cable systems. The angle of rotation of the tower support15generally has a width of at least 90°, but preferably a complete rotation of 360° is possible, always keeping the possibility of stopping such a rotation also at angles of less than 90°. During the excavation and driving steps of the tube300, the rotation of the tower support15is locked through one or more devices17for blocking the rotation. Such devices17for blocking the rotation are pins or pegs preferably arranged on the central frame1C, moved by linear actuators, which can engage in suitable spaces present on the tower support15so as to couple it with the aforementioned central frame1C. When the devices17for blocking the rotation are engaged, they can support and transmit to the central frame1C the torque that is applied to the guiding tower7. In this way the actuators of the unit10for moving the guiding tower7are prevented from being strained, which can thus be sized only to carry out such a rotation manoeuvre.

During the loading step of another segment of the tube300, the devices17for blocking the rotation are disengaged so as to temporarily decouple the rotation of the tower support15and the guiding tower7with respect to the base frame1, after which the tube operating unit11is translated up to the maximum allowed height. Thereafter, the tower support15, the guiding tower7and the tube operating unit11are moved in rotation until the space above the space14of the central frame1C is completely freed, taking the bulk of the tube operating unit11and of the sleeve12completely outside of the passage required for the tube300. In a less preferred embodiment, it is possible to set the guiding tower7and the tube operating unit11in rotation, after having temporarily decoupled the guiding tower7with respect to the base frame1, with respect to a horizontal axis present in the tower support15, instead of with respect to a vertical axis as described earlier, so as to incline the guiding tower7itself laterally or at the rear with respect to the excavation axis until the bulk of the tube operating unit11and of the sleeve12is completely outside of the passage required for the tube300. The same result can be obtained with a further embodiment in which the guiding tower7is operatively connected to the base frame1directly, without the interposition of a tower support15and in which the guiding tower7is inclined laterally or at the rear setting it in rotation with respect to a horizontal axis present in the base frame1. These solutions are less preferable since they could create unbalancing of the weights and, consequently, a reduction in stability of the tubing device100. In a further embodiment, the tube operating unit11could temporarily be released from the carriage16and rotate about a vertical axis or translate, being guided by a guide present on the carriage16and moving on a horizontal plane until its bulk is brought completely outside the passage required for the tube300. In such a solution it is not necessary for the guiding tower7and the tower support15to be rotatable.

Once the space above the diameter of the excavation has been freed, the excavation and/or pile driving machine200, through its lifting members, positions a new segment of the tube300on the excavation axis, resting it on the segment already driven. At this point the lower end of the new segment is joined to the upper end of the segment already driven through known connection elements, such as screws or pins. Such a connection makes the two segments of the tube300integral, allows the transmission of torques and forces between them. The connection is simple to make by worksite workers, since the joining area is located slightly above the central frame1C of the tubing device100and thus at a height and in a position that are easily accessible. The loading step can proceed by carrying out a reverse rotation of the guiding tower7and of the tower support15so as to take the tube operating unit11and its sleeve12onto the excavation axis. In particular, the sleeve12will be higher up with respect to the upper end of the loaded segment of the tube300. It proceeds by lowering the tube operating unit11along the guiding tower7until the system13for the automatic hooking and unhooking present in the lower part of the sleeve12is made to coincide, in height and in angle with the respective connection points arranged in the upper part of the tube300. The presence of the system13for the automatic hooking and unhooking is advantageous since it makes it possible to carry out the connection between sleeve12and tube300without requiring worksite workers to climb up (for example five or six meters above ground) to manually make the connection. This speeds up the connection operations and makes them safer. The definition of such a system13for the automatic hooking and unhooking is not, however, encompassed in the scope of protection of the invention and the system13itself is not strictly necessary, since the connection can still be carried out in a conventional manner according to the procedures of the prior art.

Once the new segment of the tube300is fixedly constrained with the tube segments already driven and with the rotation and thrusting members of the tubing device100, under the combined effect of these two forces the new segment itself is driven into the ground for a large part of its length, preferably for its entire length, and in any case for the entire stroke available to the rotary table tube operating unit11along the guiding tower7, which is comparable to or greater than the length of the tube segment and that in any case is much greater than the stroke of the cylinders of any known “rotator” or casing oscillator. This special feature represents a strong point of the tubing device100according to the present invention. During driving, the tube300is guided both on top by the sleeve12, in turn guided by the guiding tower7, and at the bottom by the space14of the central frame1C. The fact that these guide elements are very far apart (with respect to the guide elements present in a “rotator” or in a casing oscillator) further improves the verticality of the tube segment and therefore of the excavation. By repeating the aforementioned sequence for how many times are necessary, it is possible to tube the pile by adding new segments to the tube300until the design height is reached, and/or in any case up to a height dependent on the diameter of the tube and on the consistency of the ground. At the same time, the excavation and/or pile driving machine200can excavate the core of ground autonomously from the tube300moving forward. The excavation machine200will stop its excavation work only to carry out the lifting and the positioning of another section of tube300on the column of those already driven. It can be presumed, due to the versatility of the tubing device100according to the present invention, that it is possible to drive sections of tube300with diameters varying between 1000 and 3000 millimeters and with lengths that can be from 1 to 5 times the diameter. Such lengths, therefore, preferably vary between 1.5 meters and 6 meters.

Once the tubed excavation has stopped, the reinforcement cage is inserted and the pile is cast, for example through casting tubes according to the methodology known in the field. Once the casting is complete, it is necessary to carry out the extraction and unloading, i.e. the separation from the battery, of the tube300. Such an operation can be carried out by the tubing device100by reversing the sequence of operations described for the loading of the tube300. In particular, by exploiting the extraction pull of the tube operating unit11, it is possible to lift the entire battery of segments of the tube300so as to completely extract the upper segment of tube that must be unloaded. At this point, through the gripping devices18of the tube mounted on the base frame1and that face onto the space14(visible inFIG. 1), it is possible to grip the tube segment immediately below the one to be unloaded, so as to prevent the vertical translation of the battery of tubes inside the excavation. In this way, the upper tube segment can be disconnected from the sleeve12and from the tube segment below and, after having rotated the guiding tower7to free the passage, it is possible to lift the tube segment and unload it from the tubing device100. After having reconnected the sleeve12to the battery of tubes still in the excavation, the gripping devices18are deactivated and a new extraction is carried out. The operations are repeated until all of the tubes are extracted from the excavation. During the extraction step, the tubing device100can operate totally autonomously, even without the presence of the excavation and/or pile driving machine200if a support crane is available for unloading the segments of the tube300.

During the casting step, which can take a very long time as a function of the diameter and depth made, the tubing device100can disengage from the tube of the pile and move onto the axis of a new pile. Such an advantageous characteristic can be better explained with reference toFIG. 5.FIG. 5indeed highlights the ability of the tubing device100to move part of its base frame1to release from the driven tube300, irrespective of the height of tube that protrudes from the ground surface and crosses the central frame1C through the space14.

The front frame1D, in the preferred embodiment, is coupled with the central frame1C through two hinges19A and19B with vertical axis, in which respective pins20A and20B are inserted. Such hinges19A and19B are positioned at the front end of the central frame1C, where it takes up the characteristic C-shape, and arranged on the two opposite lateral flanks. In order that the tubing device100can disengage from the tube300it is necessary first of all for the sleeve12to disconnect from the tube300through the hooking and unhooking system13. The sleeve12and the tube operating unit11must be lifted by a small amount along the guiding tower7, so as to be certain not to come back into contact with the tube300at the moment when the tubing device100rest back on its tracks1A and1B. Thereafter, if the tubing device100is connected to the excavation and/or pile driving machine200arranged in front of it, the telescopic shaft1E is manoeuvred so as to unhook it from the attachments present on the excavation and/or pile driving machine200itself. The platforms5A and5B are then lifted through the stabilizers4, thus allowing the tubing device100to rest back on its tracks1A and1B. At this point just one of the two vertical pins is extracted, for example the pin20B, so that the front frame1D remains hinged to the central frame1C in a single hinge19A. Starting from this condition it is possible to move the front frame1D making it rotate, together with the shaft1E, about the pin20A that remained engaged in the corresponding hinge19A. The arc followed by the aforementioned components is sufficient to create a front opening in the central frame1C and, in particular, in its space14such as to allow the passage, in a direction longitudinal to the base frame and parallel to the ground and to the tracks1A and1B, of the tube300firmly driven into the ground through the tubing device100it moves back, taking its guiding tower7away from the excavation axis. Said front opening that is created is clearly visible in figureFIG. 5B. The rotation of the front frame1D is preferably generated by actuators, such as hydraulic cylinders or geared motors, suitably coupled with the front frame1D and with the fixed frame1C so as to generate relative motion. It is thus possible to use the translation itself of the tubing device100to generate the movement of the front frame1D. Another possible solution, not preferred but able to be used in emergencies, is that of disconnecting both pins20A and20B so as to completely separate the front frame1D from the load-bearing frame1C.

FIG. 5Bshows a view from above of the tubing device100in the operative step in which the front frame1D is opened to allow the tubing device100itself to disengage from the tube300driven into the ground even when such a tube300extends inside the base frame1, at least partially crossing it, and in particular inside the space14. For the sake of greater clarity and in order to allow better visibility of the front opening,FIG. 5Bdoes not show the tube operating unit11. In greater detail,FIG. 5Bclearly shows that the arc followed by the front frame1D is sufficient to create a front opening in the fixed frame1C such as to allow the passage, in a longitudinal direction and parallel to the tracks1A and1B, of the tube300.

In another embodiment, the front frame1D can be hinged to the central frame1C through hinges having horizontal axis, so that it can be inclined with respect to the ground until it is rotated by 90°, taking the shaft1E into substantially vertical position. Also in this case a front opening is produced that is sufficient to make the tube300come out from the space14, but with the drawback that the tube must protrude from the ground by a limited height, such as to be able to pass beneath the front frame1D.

In a further embodiment, the front frame1D can be coupled with the central frame1C through vertical guides that allow it to slide vertically up to a height greater than the central frame1C, so that the offsetting creates a front opening of the space14allowing the disengagement of the tube300. This embodiment also has the drawback that the tube300must protrude from the ground by a limited height, such as to be able to pass beneath the front frame1D.

In the same way as what is described, the tubing device100can temporarily open the front frame1D to couple on a tube driven into the ground and then enclose the front frame1D to proceed with the extraction step of the tube.

Irrespective of the embodiment, the load-bearing frame1C, in its C-shaped front part, is sized so as to be able to support the loads generated by the translation of the tubing device100even when the front frame1D is temporarily disconnected from the load-bearing frame1C.

Another variant foresees that the shaft1E stays coupled with the excavation machine200and the two pins20A and20B detach to free the tubing device100, which can thus move back and release. A second excavation machine, if necessary, could have a second shaft on which the tubing device100engages, or furthermore the shaft could be dismounted from the first excavation machine200and it could be assembled on the tubing device100or on the second excavation machine.

In a further variant embodiment, the tubing device100could be equipped with many guide towers7, preferably two, coupled with the base frame1. In this variant embodiment the tube operating unit11can slide, being guided on many guide towers through one or more carriages16. The guide towers7are in opposite positions with respect to the driving axis of the tube and/or with respect to the middle planes of the tube operating unit11. In this way, the guide towers7and the tube operating unit11form portal structures that are advantageous since, thanks to their symmetry, they reduce the flexional loads acting on the guide towers7themselves and on the bearing of the sleeve12.

FIG. 6shows how the tubing device100can be partially disassembled to promote its road transportation on a low loader or on a generic trailer for a truck. Since the at least one guiding tower7must allow a stroke of the tube operating unit11proportional to at least once the diameter of the tube300, typically at least equal to the length of the tube300itself, such a guiding tower7has maximum vertical overall dimensions, when arranged in operative conditions of driving or extraction, not compatible with the limitations of road transportation. In order to take the tubing device100into a rest configuration or a configuration compatible with transportation it is possible to temporarily release the guiding tower7with respect to the base frame1and move it so that it is arranged in a condition of minimum vertical overall dimensions. In the preferred embodiment, starting from the operative condition shown inFIG. 1, it is necessary first of all to completely lower the tube operating unit11, making it slide on the guiding tower7. During such descent, the sleeve12inserts inside the space14of the base frame1until the body of the tube operating unit11rests on suitable abutments present on the central frame1C. At this point it is possible to disconnect the tube operative unit11from the carriage16disengaging the connection pins, preferably actuated by remotely driven actuators. It proceeds by lifting the carriage16until it is brought above the bulk of the tube operating unit11. At this point the carriage16is connected to the tower support15through at least one rigid element19that is shaped like a connecting rod. The rigid element19has one end hinged to the carriage16and the other end hinged to the tower support15through pins. The devices17for blocking the rotation of the tower support15are disengaged and, through the tower moving unit10, a rotation of 180° of the tower support15and of the guiding tower7is performed.

The bracketed support frame2is then disconnected from the load-bearing frame1C. The group formed by the support frame2and the power group3is moved for example laterally to the load-bearing frame1C, through external lifting means, without interrupting the hydraulic connections between the power group3and the actuators of the tubing device100. Then the pins arranged on the second hinging axis9of the guiding tower7are disengaged, so as to release the guiding tower7from the base frame1, freeing its rotation with respect to the first hinging axis8. By lowering the carriage16it is possible to load the rigid elements19by compression and generate a tilting moment with respect to the first hinging axis8of the guiding tower7, so that such a guiding tower7inclines by rotating with respect to the first hinging axis8. Continuing in the descent manoeuvre of the carriage16along the guiding tower7, the guiding tower7itself inclines increasingly until the substantially horizontal transportation configuration is reached. In this final transportation configuration the guiding tower7is lowered, i.e. it has a minimum bulk in height lower than the vertical work condition. The push-pull system of the carriage16allows such a carriage16to be stopped in any intermediate position of the guiding tower7, avoiding uncontrolled movements of the guiding tower7itself during the descent. The weight of the tube operating unit11for moving the tube, bearing down directly on the central frame1C, contributes to maintaining the stability of the tubing device100during the lowering of the guiding tower7. Once this configuration has been reached it is possible to disconnect the tracks1A and1B from the load-bearing frame1C so as to reduce the lateral bulk.

The tubing device100, in the transportation configuration without the tracks1A and1B, without the support frame2and without the power group3, has a weight and dimensions such as to allow transportation on a standard low loader, i.e. of the same type normally used for conventional pile driving machines. This is particularly advantageous because it allows the tubing device100to be transported without special permits for road transportation. The group formed by the remaining components1A,1B,2and3is in turn transportable on a second truck respecting the weight and bulk limits set for road transportation. Once the worksite has been reached, exploiting the upward movement of the carriage16and the connection through the rigid elements19, it is possible to again lift the guiding tower7, taking it back into vertical condition. By repeating the steps described earlier in reverse, the tubing device100is brought back into the conditions ofFIG. 1. The possibility of exploiting the movement of the carriage16to lift or lower the guiding tower7is advantageous, since it avoids having to use a support crane and it allows the guiding tower7to always be kept connected to the tubing device100. Moreover, the fact that the carriage16can remain mounted on the guiding tower7also in the transportation step is advantageous, since it avoids having to disconnect the flexible means33A and33B from the carriage16.

In a further variant embodiment the guide tower(s)7could be released from the base frame1, separating them completely from the latter so that they can be arranged with a yet lower vertical bulk on the means of transport, for example by resting them on the same plane on which the base frame1lies. In a further variant embodiment the guide tower(s)7could consist of many telescopic sections, so that their length can be reduced by limiting the vertical bulk when they are not in operative configuration.

It has thus been seen that the device for deep driving tubes having a large diameter according to the present invention achieves the purposes outlined earlier, in particular obtaining the following advantages:the tubing device100makes it possible to make tubed piles of great depth and diameter, also secant, starting from a base apparatus totally independent from the excavation machine but associated with it during the operative excavation step, thus operating in close collaboration with it. It is possible to make impermeable diaphragms at great depths with good precision in terms of verticality. The driving can be carried out dry, without addition of stabilizing mixtures. The maximum reachable depth of the guide tube does not depend on a geometric limit, such as the length of the tower or of the battery of telescopic rods, but it is determined as a function of the power of the tubing device100, of the diameter of the tube and of the consistency of the ground passed through;the part of the tubing device100dedicated to driving the tubes or portions of tubes can be temporarily hooked to the excavation and/or pile driving machine and can be detached at any time, returning the machine to its primary function, without any other provision, said function being that of making an excavation and/or piles of large diameter that are not tubed;the possibility of hooking the shaft of the tubing device100to suitable attachments made in the excavation and/or pile driving machine makes it possible to make the shaft react to the high torque provided by the device itself, discharging part of the forces to the excavation and/or pile driving machine and avoiding undesired rotations of the tubing device100. This external hooking point makes it possible to provide high torque values with a relatively light tubing device100;a support bracket, with a strong structure and obtained in the upper part of the openable front frame, allows the foot of the tower of the excavation and/or pile driving machine to be supported. The tubing device can thus provide high thrust values to the tube, since the weight of the excavation and/or pile driving machine helps with the stability of the tubing device100, fully exploiting the associability of the two machines;in the extraction step of the tubes, the tubing device100can operate autonomously and it is not obligatory for the excavation machine to be present, provided that a support crane is available that is capable of lifting the single tube segment after it has been extracted from the ground and separated from the battery of tubes. This crane could, in an alternative solution, form part of the same tubing device100;the excavation and/or pile driving machine can be of the standard type, not requiring modifications in order to be able to operate in combination with the tubing device100. The tubing device100is not restricted to use combined with a particular model of pile driving machine and, with the due distinctions, it can be associated with many models of pile driving machines and with cranes equipped with excavation means (cylindrical buckets, chisels, etc.), even of different brands;the ability of the guiding tower7to rotate by 360° allows the tubes to be loaded by taking them from both side of the apparatus, facilitating the awkward manoeuvres in worksites;the preferred use of a system13for the automatic hooking and unhooking between the lower part of the sleeve12of the tube operating unit11and the upper part of the sections of tube ensures that the only fixing operations to be carried out manually can be carried out at the level of the work platform, which coincides with the upper part of the frame of the tubing device100;the possibility for the tubing device100of moving or opening part of its frame, at any moment of the excavation, and of leaving the tube partially driven, reduces the idle times. With correct time planning, a single tubing device100could serve more than one excavation and/or pile driving machine, provided that they are at reasonable distance apart;with careful designing of the components, it is possible to make a tubing device100that, when configured for transportation, is just wider than the tube that it is able to drive. The loads to be moved to reach such a configuration have relatively low weights and are easy to assemble. The heaviest and bulkiest parts of the device, i.e. the guiding tower7and the tube operating unit11, are self-mounting, whereas the remaining parts, such as the support frame2, the power group3and the two tracks, can be mounted with means normally available on a worksite such as forklift trucks;thanks to the C-shape, in which the tube operating unit11is frontally canti-levered, and by virtue of the narrow radial bulks thereof, it is possible to make the tubing device100associable with an excavation machine equipped with a vertical tower without creating interference between the tube operating unit11of the tubing device100and the guiding tower of the excavation machine.

The device for deep driving tubes having a large diameter of the present invention thus conceived can in any case undergo numerous modifications and variants, all of which are covered by the same inventive concept; moreover, all of the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as the shapes and sizes, can be whatever according to the technical requirements. The scope of protection of the invention is therefore defined by the attached claims.