EP0388276B1 - Apparatus for making reinforced-earth zones constituted by a mixture of granular material and textile yarns - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to the making of earth zones by means of a machine equipped with a movable arm (2), with means (20, 22, 24, 26) for distributing a granular material and with ejectors (8) supplied with textile yarns (10). According to the invention, the machine is equipped, furthermore, with a supporting frame (6) which is removable from the arm head (2) and on which is mounted a carriage forming a support for the ejectors (8) fastened to a shaft which is mounted so as to oscillate about its axis and, moreover, is subjected to an alternating translational motion parallel to its axis of oscillation. The carriage can also be movable in translational motion perpendicularly to the axis of oscillation of the ejector-carrying shaft. The invention is used for making reinforced earth zones. <IMAGE>

Description

The subject of the invention is an improved machine intended to project textile threads in particular for producing areas of reinforced ground consisting of a three-dimensional mixture of such threads suitably entangled and embedded in a granular material, such as sand, sent to the terrain with a high speed jet.

As described in particular in European patent EP 17 548, a process is already known which consists in intimately mixing a granular material with tangles of synthetic threads. And tests have shown that such a mixture exhibits good qualities of resistance and cohesion, for example by using weight proportions of threads and sand of the order of 1.5 per thousand with threads having for example a count of 330 decitex (it is recalled that a thread having a titer equal to one tex has a weight of 1 g per 1,000 m).

To date, various machines for forming such terrains have already been proposed.

• un véhicule équipé d'au moins un bras orientable en site et en gisement,
• des moyens de distribution du matériau granulaire pour amener ce dernier, qui est chargé au voisinage du sol, jusque vers la tête du bras et pour projeter ce matériau selon un jet rapide en direction de la zone de terrain à former,
• et des éjecteurs alimentés en fils textiles et montés au voisinage de la tête de bras pour éjecter à grande vitesse lesdits fils en direction de la zone de terrain à former.

On the basis of the publication FR-A-2 572 435 filed on October 26, 1984 by the present applicant, there is known in particular a machine making it possible to distribute over a zone of ground a three-dimensional mixture constituted from a granular material and of '' entanglement of textile threads suitably distributed and stretched within the material, this machine comprising:

• a vehicle equipped with at least one adjustable arm in elevation and in bearing,
• means for distributing the granular material to bring the latter, which is loaded in the vicinity of the ground, to the head of the arm and to project this material in a rapid jet towards the area of ground to be formed,
• and ejectors supplied with textile yarns and mounted in the vicinity of the arm head to eject said yarns at high speed in the direction of the area of ground to be formed.

However, it turned out that such a machine had certain drawbacks relating in particular to production difficulties and a lack of flexibility in use.

In fact, it has become apparent, with the help of experience, that the use of a commercial vehicle simply equipped with an arm or a telescopic boom could be entirely envisaged, a "simple" adaptation at reduced cost d 'Such a vehicle (lifting device, vehicle with basket, or even mechanical shovel) being sufficient to implement the method making it possible to obtain reinforced terrains of the type set out above.

The invention therefore has for first object an improved machine making it possible to obtain, at a lower cost and with a high efficiency of use, a suitably reinforced ground.

• un châssis support amovible disposé en tête de bras et comportant un embout d'adaptation équipé de moyens de fixation pour fixer le châssis sur un embout complémentaire dudit bras,
• un chariot de manoeuvre solidaire dudit châssis, le chariot supportant les éjecteurs, lesquels sont montés sur un arbre qui est monté oscillant dans un plan autour de son axe et est soumis à un mouvement alternatif de translation dans une direction sensiblement parallèle à son axe d'oscillation.

More specifically, the machine of the invention which is of the type corresponding to the machine as presented above in document FR-A-2 572 435 is characterized in that it further comprises:

• a removable support frame disposed at the head of the arm and comprising an adapter end piece equipped with fixing means for fixing the frame on a complementary end piece of said arm,
• a maneuvering carriage integral with said chassis, the carriage supporting the ejectors, which are mounted on a shaft which is mounted oscillating in a plane around its axis and is subjected to an alternating movement of translation in a direction substantially parallel to its axis of oscillation.

Preferably, the maneuvering cart will be movable along sliding slides fixed to the chassis and the ejectors will be arranged in a general direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the tree that bears them.

In this way, it will be possible to obtain a quite suitable tension of the threads in the layer of granular material and therefore perfect cohesion of the mixture. In addition, the support frame being removable relative to the arm of the vehicle, its adaptation to a commercial vehicle could be envisaged under the best conditions of profitability and efficiency.

In the context of the use of the machine of the invention, it will be noted that, in order to promote the cohesion of the mixture constituting the terrain, it may in particular be carried out both a pouring of the granular material onto said area of terrain and overlapping this area with said textile threads, this with a substantially sinusoidal distribution of the threads in the direction of the width of the area.

In practice, this sinusoidal movement of distributing the wires may be combined with an axial translational movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the width of the area of land to be produced.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique d'ensemble de la machine de l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue de dessus dans le sens de la flèche II de la figure 1 illustrant essentiellement le châssis de la machine et ses éléments constitutifs qui viennent s'adapter sur la tête du bras télescopique,
• la figure 3 est une vue de côté de ce même châssis dans le sens de la flèche III de la figure 2,
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective et en éclaté des principaux éléments constitutifs du chariot de manoeuvre qui porte les éjecteurs de fils et l'essentiel des moyens de distribution du matériau granulaire,
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe transversale illustrant la façon dont les éjecteurs de fils sont montés sur l'arbre oscillant,
• la figure 6 est un schéma de principe montrant l'entraînement en translation du chariot de manoeuvre,
• la figure 7 est un schéma de principe du circuit hydraulique de la machine,
• et la figure 8 illustre schématiquement la partie repérée VIII sur la figure 3, montrant le principe de montage sur le chariot de la crosse de distribution du matériau granulaire.

the invention and its implementation will appear in more detail from the description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic overview of the machine of the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a top view in the direction of the arrow II in FIG. 1 essentially illustrating the chassis of the machine and its constituent elements which come to fit on the head of the telescopic arm,
• FIG. 3 is a side view of this same chassis in the direction of the arrow III in FIG. 2,
• FIG. 4 is a perspective and exploded view of the main constituent elements of the maneuvering carriage which carries the wire ejectors and most of the means for distributing the granular material,
• FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the way in which the wire ejectors are mounted on the oscillating shaft,
• FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the drive in translation of the maneuvering carriage,
• FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the hydraulic circuit of the machine,
• and FIG. 8 schematically illustrates the part marked VIII in FIG. 3, showing the principle of mounting on the carriage of the stock for distributing the granular material.

The invention will be described by first referring to Figures 1 to 3.

The machine illustrated in these figures essentially comprises an autonomous motorized vehicle 1 equipped with an arm 2, which can consist of a telescopic boom. The arm 2 is orientable both in elevation (vertically) and in bearing (horizontally). In FIG. 1, a site angle α has been identified and the vertical axis is marked at 4 around which the arm 2 can be oriented in bearing. It will be noted that these two degrees of freedom make it easy to reach the area of land to be produced, without having to move the vehicle 1 too frequently, which can for example be mounted on wheels.

At the top of the arm (marked 2a) is adapted and fixed a removable support frame identified as a whole 6 on which is mounted, as will be seen in more detail below, a series of ejectors 8 supplied with textile threads 10 from schematic coils 12 housed in housings or canters, 14 fixed to the chassis by support legs 15. The wires 10 having to be ejected at high speed towards the area of land 16 to be produced, the ejectors 8 are supplied with pressurized fluid (such as water) from pipes such as 18 connected to a tank 19 for storing the fluid, with interposition of a pump 21.

And the granular material, generally sand, is distributed through a pipe of large diameter 20 which ends on the side of its end close to the chassis 6 by a discharge stick 22 fixed under the chassis. The other end of the pipe 20 is connected to a compressor 24 making it possible to send the granular material at high speed from a loading hopper 26 to the discharge butt 22.

As can be seen more clearly in FIG. 2, the support frame 6 comprises an adapter end piece 28 in which are formed orifices 30 which, when the frame is installed and the machine is ready to operate, come opposite orifices 32 formed in a complementary end piece 34 rigidly secured to the head 2a of the arm of the vehicle. Fasteners (not shown) such as screws or the like maintain the two ends 28, 34 in relative position.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, we will also note the provision on the chassis of a maneuvering carriage 36 with which the ejectors 8 and their supply means are attached, as well as the butt 22.

The carriage 36 is mounted movable in translation in an alternating movement along two tubes 38, 40 forming sliding slides which are fixed at their opposite ends on two beams 42, 44 of the chassis and extend along parallel axes 46a, 46b which can be oriented substantially parallel to the axis of the arm 2 of the vehicle.

Now refer to Figure 4 to see illustrated in more detail the constitution of the carriage 36. In this figure 4, there is therefore shown the carriage in exploded view.

This carriage is firstly constituted by a general frame 48 of which are rigidly secured the two sleeves 50, 52 inside which must pass the sliding tubes 38, 40 (not shown in Figure 4).

Between two support plates 54, 56, integral with the sleeves and arranged substantially perpendicular to the axes of these sleeves, are mounted two connecting rods 58, 60 which are articulated so as to both be able to oscillate in a general plane 62 directed substantially perpendicular to the axis movement in translation of the carriage (axis 46a or 46b).

In FIG. 4, it will be noted that the head of each connecting rod 58, 60 has a U shape, the two branches 61 of which allow engagement in articulation of the connecting rods on the support plates 54, 56, with the interposition of silent blocks of which l one has been identified 64 and shown schematically.

On the side of their feet, the two connecting rods have two arms 63 which move away from one another so as to form an inverted V. At the lower end of the arms 63, holes 66 are provided, each suitable for receiving a silent block 64 allowing, at the level of holes 68, the articulation mounting of a connecting piece 70 forming a swing and which can therefore oscillate. in the general plan 62 of oscillation of the connecting rods.

It will be noted that the oscillation control is ensured by means of an eccentric 72 which engages in a lumen 73 of the connecting piece 70, which eccentric is connected by a screw or equivalent 74 to the output shaft 76 of a motor, for example of the hydraulic type 78. A plate 80 ensures the positioning of the motor 78 on the frame 48 of the carriage, via fixing means (not shown).

On the connecting part forming a swing 70, a second motor 82 is also provided, the output shaft 83 of which extends substantially parallel to the plane 62 of oscillation of the "swing".

On the shaft 83 is articulated a first link 84 which carries a second link 86 mounted articulated on a shaft 88 carrying the ejectors 8 of which only two have been shown for the sake of clarity.

As can be clearly seen in FIG. 4, the shaft 88 along which the ejectors 8 will be fixed one after the other, preferably in alignment, is mounted oscillating at 91 on two lateral arms 90 of the swing, with interposition articulation bearings 92 and along an axis 89 directed substantially perpendicular to the axis of displacement in translation of the carriage.

The shaft 88 will therefore impart to the ejectors an oscillatory movement oriented in the direction of a general plane 94 substantially parallel to the axis of displacement in translation of the carriage.

Now refer to Figure 5 to briefly describe how the ejectors 8 are mounted on their support shaft 88.

The ejector illustrated is connected to the carrier shaft by means of a body 96 secured to a sheath 98 inside which is mounted a ring 100 surrounding the shaft 88. A protective plate 102 is interposed between the body 96 and the sheath 98 so as to protect the carrier shaft from soiling, which will in practice be housed inside a box shown diagrammatically at 104.

In FIG. 5, it will also be noted that the ejector 8 is extended at the bottom by a tube or nozzle 9 inside which one of the wires 10 passes, after the latter has engaged in an orifice 11 , preferably with ceramic walls.

As for the pressurized fluid which will make it possible to eject the wires at high speed (approximately 10 to 25 m / s), it emerges from one of the conduits 18 in the body 96 inside which passages 99 were reserved, each in the direction of the orifice 11 of the corresponding ejector 8, with an adapted slope.

In FIG. 6, a schematic representation has been made of the principle which has been adopted in the invention for ensuring the alternative drive in translation of the carriage 36 along its slides 38, 40.

For driving this carriage, a cylinder 106 was first of all provided comprising a body 108 fixed to the chassis 6 of the machine, for example on one of the beams 42, 44.

The body 108 contains a piston 110 which defines, inside said body, chambers 112, 114 each supplied with pressurized fluid, such as oil, from two pipes 116, 118 connected to a hydraulic pump ( not shown in this figure 6).

In addition, on either side of the central piston 110 extend two cylinder rods 120, 122 protruding in a sealed manner from the chambers 112, 114 and extending so that the piston 110 can, under the pressure of the fluid, drive them in the same schematic direction 124, alternately in one direction or the other.

Towards each free end of the jack rods is mounted a pulley, respectively 126, 128. On each pulley passes a cable 130, 132. The cables are each fixed at their opposite ends, on one side at the free end (respectively 126a, 128a) of the corresponding rod, after passing over a return pulley 134, 136 secured to the body 108 of the jack and, on the other side, on the carriage 36 (at 36a, 36b). Additional pulleys 138, 140, 142, 144 are further provided for guiding the cables 130, 132 and ensuring their return.

With such an arrangement, the movement of the carriage takes place as follows:

Suppose that a given quantity of pressurized fluid is delivered through the pipe 116. The piston 110 is then moved in the direction of the arrow 146, carrying with it the pulleys 126 and 128 by through the cylinder rods 120 and 122. By the pulleys 138-144, the displacement of the cylinder rods and therefore the cables 130-132, will affect the carriage 36 which will, in this case, be driven a corresponding distance in the direction of arrow 148, along its guide rails. Of course, an increase in pressure in the other chamber 114 of the jack, via line 118, would cause translation in the opposite direction of the carriage.

We will now look at Figure 7 to briefly present the hydraulic control circuit of the machine of the invention.

As illustrated, this circuit firstly comprises a hydraulic pump 150 connected to a reservoir 152 for fluid, such as oil.

From this reservoir leaves a distribution pipe 154 which circulates successively through a first solenoid valve 156 (or equivalent) for controlling the translational travel of the carriage 36, then a second solenoid valve 158 for controlling the motor 78 (which ensures the drive in "lateral" oscillation of the ejectors 8, perpendicular to the axis of translation of the carriage 36) and finally, a third solenoid valve 160 for controlling the motor 82 (which ensures the oscillation drive of these same ejectors in the general plane 94 of the Figure 4, parallel to the axis of translation of the carriage). At the outlet of the third solenoid valve 160, the part 155 of the line 154 comes to loop on the pump 150. It will be noted that the provision of a pressure regulator 174 will preferably be provided on the line 176 which connects, between the nodes 178 and 180, the line 155 to the line 154 leaving the tank 152. In addition, preferably place on the lines 162, 164, 166 which connect the solenoid valves 156, 158 and 160 respectively to the carriage 36 and to the motors 78 and 82, flow restrictors shown diagrammatically in 168, 170 and 172.

The operation of the hydraulic circuit will not be described since it appears to be completely different. classic fact.

On the other hand, reference will now be made to FIG. 8 to present the method of attachment to the maneuvering carriage 36 of the stock for discharging the granular material.

In this FIG. 8 which is an enlarged simplified perspective view with cutaway of the part marked VIII in FIG. 3, it will be noted that the distribution stock 22 is fixed under the frame 48 of the carriage 36 by two complementary means 182, 184.

The first attachment means 182 comprises an anchoring lug welded in 186 to the stick and connected at its upper part to a transverse rod 188 which engages towards its two opposite ends in two series of notches 190, 190 ′ formed in two support beams 192, 194 fixed under the frame 48 of the carriage. Taking into account the planned arrangement of the series of orifices 190, 190 ′ which extend parallel to the axis of movement of the carriage, it will thus be possible to ensure adjustment of the stock 22 relative to the carriage in the direction of its movement.

To ensure adjustment of the angle β of discharge of the granular material, provision has been made for the second attachment means 184 to consist of a rod of adjustable length articulated on the one hand on a collar 196 enclosing the butt 22 and d on the other hand, at its opposite end, on a hinge ball joint 198 (or equivalent) fixed to the frame 48 (fixing not shown).

By way of conclusion, we will now present the operation of the machine of the invention which has just been described.

We will first of all quickly pass over the general principle on which the creation of the reinforced area of land is based (marked 16 in FIG. 1), namely the fact of coming to deposit on this area a three-dimensional mixture formed from, firstly, a granular material (such as sand) which is poured at the end of the butt 22 in a jet at relatively high speed (of the order of 1 to 3 m / s) and on the other hand, a set of textile threads ejected, generally under water pressure, by the ejectors 8.

On the basis of this principle, the peculiarity of the present invention consists in reality of covering the area of land in progress with son in a sinusoidal distribution, this of course at the same time as a quantity is delivered on this same area. suitable and suitable granular material, so that the son are embedded in the material and suitably entangled.

Taking into account the planned construction of the machine, the general axis of the sinusoids will be directed along the width l (FIG. 1) of the area of the ground, that is to say substantially perpendicular to the axis of displacement in translation of the carriage on the chassis 6 of the machine, this sinusoidal movement resulting from the oscillation and alternating displacement of the ejectors 8 parallel to the planes 62 and 94 of FIG. 4, via the beat movements of the shaft 88 and of the part forming swing 90, respectively.

In practice, this "lateral" sinusoidal movement will be combined with the movement resulting from the translational movement of the carriage 36, with the result of a progressive displacement of the sinusoids in the direction of the length L (FIG. 1) of the zone and therefore a uniform total coverage of the entire area of the ground to be produced, all the more so since the position of the stock and the angle ß of the granular material discharge can be adjusted as desired (cf. FIG. 8).

It will be noted that, as a general rule, taking into account the tests that may have been carried out, when the chassis 6 of the machine is approximately 1 m above the ground, the jets of wires and granular material meet just at the level soil, ensuring the best possible mix.

By way of example, it may be noted that good results have been obtained by adjusting the oscillation of the ejectors 8 parallel to their beat plane 94 (that is to say along the axis of movement of the carriage) with an angle of around 18 ° and an oscillation frequency of around 25 Hz. During these tests, the "lateral" beat of these same ejectors along the perpendicular plane 62 had been adjusted with an amplitude d 'about 6 cm and a frequency of the order of 2 Hz. The threads were then properly stretched with perfect and regular coverage of the area and the mixture exhibited perfect cohesion.

It will also be noted that during these tests, a centralized control unit, marked 3 in FIG. 1, was provided, ensuring the start-up of the machine from a distance and the adjustment of the stroke of the carriage 36 as a function of the depth. L of the area of land to be realized.

Claims (6)

1. Machine for forming on an area of land a zone (16) comprising a three-dimensional mixture of a granular material and suitably interlocked textile threads embedded in the material, of the type comprising:

- a vehicle (1) provided with at least one arm (2) which can be directed according to the elevation and deposit;

- means (20, 22, 24, 26) for distributing granular material so as to bring the latter, which is charged in the vicinity of the ground, to the head of the arm (2), and to spray this material in a rapid jet in the direction of the zone (16) of the area of land to be formed; and

- ejectors (8) supplied with textile threads (10) and mounted in the vicinity of the head of the arm (2) in order to eject the said threads at high speed in the direction of the area of land to be formed;
the said machine being characterized in that it further comprises:

- a movable supporting chassis (6) disposed at the head of the arm (2) and comprising and adapter joining piece (28) provided with means (30, 32) for securing the chassis to a complementary joining piece (34) of the said arm:

- a manoeuvring carriage (36) integral with the said chassis (6), this carriage supporting the ejectors (8) which are secured on a shaft (88) which oscillates about its axis (89) and is subjected to an alternating translation movement in a direction which is substantially parallel to its axis of oscillation (89).

2. Machine according to Claim 1, characterised in that the carriage (36) can be moved along slide rails (38, 40) secured to the chassis (6) and the ejectors are disposed in a general direction substantially perpendicular to the axis (89) of the shaft (88) which carries them.

3. Machine according to Claim 2, characterised in that the thread ejectors (8) are mounted such that they are aligned on the shaft (88) which supports them, which shaft, so as to impart to the injectors an oscillating movement directed according to a plane (94) substantially parallel to the carriage displacement axis, is mounted so as to oscillate on a connection part forming a swing (70) which is articulated on connection rods (58, 60) which are themselves articulated on the carriage (36) such that the said swing (70) can move in a direction (62) substantially perpendicular to the carriage displacement axis (36), on the one hand, and to the oscillation plane (94) of the ejectors (8), on the other hand, under the effect of a cam (72) driven by a motor (78).

4. Machine according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the means (20, 22) for distributing the granular material terminate at the head of the arm (2) in a discharge member (22) which is secured under the carriage (36) by fastening means (188) which engage in the series of notches (190, 190′) provided in succession in directions substantially parallel to the axis of movement of the carriage (36) in the parts forming supports (192, 194) which are secured to the said carriage so as to enable the position of the discharge member (22) to be adjusted relative to the carriage parallel to the axis of movement thereof.

5. Machine according to Claim 4, characterised in that the discharge member (22) is further secured to the carriage (36) by means of a small connection rod (184) of adjustable length which can vary the angle (ß) of inclination of the discharge member and thus the direction in which the granular material is sprayed.

6. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it further comprises a jack (106) comprising a body (108) which is secured to the chassis (6) and comprises a piston (110) which inside the body defines two chambers (112, 114), each supplied with pressurised fluid such that the piston (110) drives alternately in translation in a given direction (124) two jack rods (120, 122) each being integral at its free end with a roller (126, 128) over which there passes a cable (130, 132) which is secured at its opposite ends on the one hand to the free end of the corresponding rod (120, 122), after passing over a guide roller (134, 136) secured to the jack body and, on the other hand, to the carriage (36) with the interposition of additional guide rollers (138, 140, 142, 144).

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