Patent Publication Number: US-7713002-B2

Title: Drilling device and method for producing a drilling column in the soil

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention relates to a drilling device for producing a drilling column in the soil, comprising a mast, a drill drive arranged on a carriage, which is movably supported along the mast, a drilling tube, which can be driven in a rotating manner by the drill drive and is movable along the mast in order to produce a drill hole, and a tube hopper, which is connected to the drilling tube and comprises a storage space for filling material to fill the drill hole during the extraction of the drilling tube. 
   The invention further relates to a method for producing a drilling column in the soil, in which a drilling tube is introduced in a rotating manner into the soil by means of a drill drive arranged on a carriage, which can be moved along a mast in a drilling direction, and on reaching a desired depth the drilling tube is extracted and the drill hole is filled with filling material from a tube hopper via the drilling tube. 
   2. Related Art 
   A generic device and a generic method are known from EP 1 580 325 A1. This printed publication discloses a construction apparatus having a mast, on which a rotary drive is movable in the longitudinal direction. On the underside of the rotary drive a multi-part drill tubing is arranged. In an upper portion of the drill tubing a tube hopper is provided, which serves to receive filling material, which can be introduced via the tubing into the hollow space developed during the extraction of the drill tubing. 
   According to EP 1 580 325 A1 provision is made for the multi-part drill tubing to be extracted in several steps. Through an upward movement of the carriage on the mast a tubing section is extracted from the soil and removed thereafter, while the carriage is moved downwards again and connected to the tube section lying below. The length of the tube section extracted in each step and consequently the working speed are restricted by the stroke of the carriage and therefore by the length of the mast. 
   A further drilling device with a tube hopper is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,690. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The object of the invention is to provide a generic drilling device and a generic method, which permit a particularly high working speed whilst being highly versatile and economical. 
   In accordance with the invention the object is solved by a drilling device having a mast, a drill drive arranged on a carriage, which is movably supported along the mast, a drilling tube, which can be driven in a rotating manner by the drill drive and is movable along the mast in order to produce a drill hole, and a tube hopper, which is connected to the drilling tube and comprises a storage space for filling material to fill the drill hole during the extraction of the drilling tube, wherein the tube hopper is arranged in the drilling direction above the drill drive and is connected to the drilling tube; and a method in which a drilling tube is introduced in a rotating manner into the soil by means of a drill drive arranged on a carriage, which can be moved along a mast in a drilling direction, and on reaching a desired depth the drilling tube is extracted and the drill hole is filled with filling material from a tube hopper via the drilling tube, wherein the tube hopper is arranged on the carriage in a torque-proof manner thereto and is moved therewith. 
   The drilling device according to the invention is characterized in that the tube hopper is arranged in the drilling direction above the drill drive and is connected to the drilling tube. 
   A fundamental idea of the invention resides in the fact that the tube hopper is arranged on the upper side of the drill drive, which faces away from the drilling tube and in particular from its tip, whereby it is possible to advance the drilling tube directly towards the drill drive without requiring any elements lying in-between for storing filling material. 
   Compared to the prior art, according to which the tube hopper is provided below the rotary drive, it is therefore possible in accordance with the invention to move the drill drive with the carriage closer to the edge of the drill hole without this movement being obstructed by the tube hopper. Whilst having the same mast length the possible stroke of the carriage is therefore increased so that longer drilling tube sections can be employed. Consequently, the number of required installation and de-installation processes of drilling tube sections is reduced and the working speed is increased. 
   In principle, it is possible to arrange the tube hopper to rotate with the drilling tube, whereby a drilling device with a particularly simple construction is created. However, a particularly preferred embodiment resides in the fact that the tube hopper is connected in a rotation-proof manner to the carriage and is supported in a manner to allow rotation of the drilling tube relative thereto. This allows for a particularly easy filling of the tube hopper, since its position is not changed during the drilling operation. It is suitable for the tube hopper to be connected directly to the carriage. 
   For an especially versatile operation it is suitable for the drilling tube to be designed of several parts, in which case the individual tube sections are connected to one another by detachable couplings. In this way it is possible to build e.g. a reinforcing cage into the drilling tube, which is then introduced together with the filling material into the soil through the lower end of the drilling tube. 
   Especially when making use of drilling tubes that consist of several parts it is of advantage that a closing device is provided, by which a passage for filling material from the tube hopper to the drilling tube can be closed. The closing device can be provided for example above the drill drive, more particularly between the tube hopper and the drill drive. It has a locking flap in particular. Alternatively or additionally a closing device can also be arranged below the drill drive. 
   Advantageously, the working stroke of the drilling device can be enhanced further in that the tube hopper can be moved axially, especially together with the drilling tube, and fixed with respect to the carriage. For instance a linear drive can be provided on the carriage for the movement of the tube hopper. 
   The versatility of the drilling device according to the invention can be increased in that below the rotary drive the drilling tube is coupled in a manner to rotate with and in a detachable manner to an output shaft of the rotary drive. To this end a detachable drill tube coupling can be provided. 
   An especially reliable operation of the drilling device is rendered possible in that a filling level sensor is provided in the tube hopper. More particularly, the filling level sensor can have a display device, which is spaced from the tube hopper. The filling level sensor can include an ultrasonic sensor for example. 
   A drilling device with an especially simple construction is provided in that the output shaft of the drill drive is designed as a hollow shaft, on the one side of which the drilling tube extends at least in sections and on the other side of which the tube hopper is arranged. In this case the transport of filling material between tube hopper and drilling tube can take place in a particularly easy way through the hollow shaft. For the introduction of the torque the output shaft can be toothed, for example, more particularly a toothed spline. 
   Furthermore, in accordance with the invention the tube hopper has a substantially cylindrical storage portion, below which a substantially conical outlet portion is arranged. The drilling tube can be connected to this conical outlet portion in particular via the output shaft. The tube hopper has a funnel-shaped design and is open at the top. It can also have a cover. 
   The method according to the invention is characterized in that the tube hopper is arranged on the carriage in a rotation-proof manner thereto and is moved therewith. The method can be carried out in particular with a drilling device in accordance with the invention, whereby the advantages set out in this connection can be attained. 
   In particular, a tube hopper can mean a filling material storage device, which can be attached to a drilling tube in extension, i.e. axial direction of the drilling tube, preferably in a coaxial manner. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the following the invention will be described in greater detail by way of preferred embodiments which are shown schematically in the Figures, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  shows a first embodiment of a drilling device according to the invention; 
       FIG. 2  shows a second embodiment of a drilling device according to the invention; 
       FIG. 3  shows a detailed view of the drilling device from  FIG. 2  in the portion of the drill drive; and 
       FIG. 4  shows a tube hopper for use in a drilling device according to the invention. 
   

   Elements having the same or analogous functions are designated throughout the Figures with the same reference signs. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   A first embodiment of the drilling device according to the invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . The drilling device has a chassis  1 , on which a mast  2  is arranged in a pivotable manner. On the mast  2  a carriage  22  is provided, which is movable in a drilling direction along the mast  2 . 
   On the carriage  22  a drill drive  11  designed as a rotary drive is provided, at the output shaft  19  of which a drilling tube  6  is arranged in a manner for rotation therewith and e.g. in an axially fixed manner. By operating the drill drive  11  the drilling tube  6  can be set into rotation. Through a movement of the carriage  22  the drilling tube  6  can be moved axially by means of the drill drive  11  in the drilling direction. The drilling tube  6  is coupled to the output shaft  19  through a detachable tube coupling  18  arranged on a lower end of the output shaft  19 . 
   The drilling tube  6  is designed of several parts comprising a number of tube elements, which are connected to one another by detachable tube couplings. At the bottom of the drilling tube  6  a displacement drilling head  80  is provided. 
   The drill drive  11  has a drive part  12 , in which a hydraulic rotary motor is arranged, as well as a ring-shaped gear part  13  arranged at the bottom of the said drive part, which serves to transmit the torque from the hydraulic motor to the drilling tube  6 . 
   For the storage of filling material a tube hopper  30  is provided above the drilling tube  6  in the extension of its longitudinal axis. The tube hopper  30  has a cylindrical storage portion  33  for receiving filling material, which is followed underneath by a conical outlet portion  34 . The tube hopper  30  is arranged above the drill drive  11  and the carriage  22 , i.e. on the side facing away from the drilling tube  6  and in particular from the tip of the drilling tube  6 . Therefore the drill drive  11  can be moved towards the soil as far as the tube coupling  18 , that is the drill drive  11  can be moved down to the soil surface with the tube coupling  18 . 
   For the introduction of filling material from the tube hopper  30  into the drilling tube  6  an extension tube  40  is arranged at the bottom of the outlet portion  34  of the tube hopper  30 . This extension tube  40  runs centrally through the drive part  12 , the gear part  13  and the output shaft  19  of the drill drive  11 , which is designed as a hollow shaft, and merges into the drilling tube  6 . Hence, the filling material can be introduced from the tube hopper  30  through the extension tube  40  and the output shaft  19  into the drilling tube  6 . 
   To permit a rotational decoupling of the tube hopper  30  from the drilling tube  6  e.g. a rotary coupling, which can also be referred to as a flush joint, may be provided on the extension tube  40 . 
   The tube hopper  30  depicted in  FIG. 1  can be height-adjustable with regard to the carriage  22  and the drill drive  11 , i.e. it can be supported on the carriage  22  in an axially adjustable manner in the drilling direction. For an active adjustment the connecting tube  40  may be designed for example as a Kelly bar that has longitudinal ribs for the torque transmission and locking pockets for applying axial forces. 
   Another embodiment of the drilling device according to the invention is shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The embodiment of  FIGS. 2 and 3  mainly differs from the embodiment of  FIG. 1  in that a support  50  is provided that is located so as to connect the carriage  22  and in particular the drill drive  11  on the one hand with the tube hopper  30  on the other hand and extends in the drilling direction for rotation-proof support of the tube hopper  30  and preferably also for the active height adjustment of the tube hopper  30 . 
   In accordance with the embodiment of  FIGS. 2 and 3  a rotary coupling  60  is arranged on the connecting tube  40  between the drilling tube  6  and the tube hopper  30 . The rotary coupling is retained by a lateral arm of the support  50 . It permits a rotational decoupling of the drilling tube  6  from the tube hopper  30 . By means of the support  50  the tube hopper  30  is rotation-proof with regard to the drill drive  11  and the carriage  22 . 
   A further embodiment of a tube hopper  30  for use in a drilling device according to the invention is shown in  FIG. 4 . The tube hopper  30  of  FIG. 4  is closed at the upper end of the storage portion  33  by a conical cover  36 . In the cover  36  filling holes  37  for the filling of filling material into the storage portion  33  are provided. Furthermore, on the cover  36  various eyelets  38 ,  38 ′ are provided for lifting the cover  36  and/or the tube hopper  30  by means of an auxiliary crane. 
   On the outlet side of the tube hopper  30  a closing device  71  designed as a flap is provided on the connecting tube  40  for blocking the flow of filling material between tube hopper  30  and drilling tube  6 .