EP2381036B1 - Drill - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a drilling device for a caisson with expanding cross-section. Such caissons, whose cross-section expands, for example, from 7 m to 13 m, are used in the country but also especially in the sea for the establishment of wind turbines and oil rigs for the oil and gas industry. The caissons used in this case with a cross section of about 8 to 15 m are often formed bottle-shaped, i. the upper end of the caisson has a small cross-section, whereas the lower end of the caisson, which is sunk in the ground, has a large cross-section, as it must provide a firm anchorage in the ground.

A drilling apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1 for a caisson with a cylindrical cross section is from the JP 2125022 A known. A similar drilling device is in the JP 2002004296 A known.

The DE 42 14 410 A1 discloses a machine unit for the cross-sectional expansion of vertical mine workings.

In the DE 40 28 596 A1 a shaft excavation method and apparatus for carrying it out is described.

The FR 2 374 504 A1 discloses a device for expanding manholes.

It is the object of the invention to provide a drilling device which is suitable for use in a caisson with widening cross section and can be drilled satisfactorily in the interior of the caisson in the extended cross-section.

The solution of this object is achieved by the features of claim 1 and in particular by the fact that a rotatable drill rod is provided, at whose lower end portion at least one drill arm is articulated, at the end of a cutting head is attached. According to the invention, the cutting head can be moved back and forth relative to a rotation axis of the boring bar with the aid of a control element which pivots the boring arm. In this way, when drilling arm applied to the drill rod, the entire drilling device can be introduced into a caisson through its reduced cross-section. After lowering the drill rod on the bottom of the drill then the drill arm can be pivoted so that it sweeps over the entire inner cross section of the caisson when the drill rod is rotated.

The drilling device according to the invention is thus suitable for caissons with expanding cross section. However, it can also be used in the same way with caissons with a constant cross section, so that the device can be used flexibly.

According to the invention, at least two centering arms are articulated on the boring bar, wherein the centering arms can be pivoted by means of an adjusting element relative to the axis of rotation of the boring bar. With such a centering device, which may in particular comprise three equally spaced centering, the drilling device, ie the drill pipe, the drill arms and attached cutting head, center in the center of the caisson, after the cutting head in its working position brought is. Due to the pivotable design of the actuating elements, these do not hinder the insertion of the drilling device into the caisson. At the same time an adaptation to different cross-sections of the caissons is possible by the pivotable design of the centering.

Since the centering arms are pivotable in a position in which they extend approximately at right angles to the boring bar, the boring bar can be centered with a high force within the caisson.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the description, the drawings and the subclaims.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, at least one cross member may be rigidly secured to the boring bar to transmit torque from the boring bar to the boring arm at a location intermediate the cutting head and the boring bar. With the help of such a cross member, the attachment of the drill arm to the drill rod stiffen, since the torque is then transmitted not only at the point of articulation of the drill arm but also between this point of articulation and the cutting head on the drill. In particular, the cross member may extend approximately at right angles to the boring bar and may, for example, be designed as a double guide, so that the boring bar is supported for each direction of rotation by the crossbeam. A particularly simple embodiment is two parallel and perpendicular to the boring bar extending rails between which the drill arm is arranged.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, a sensor device can be used for monitoring and automating the drilling process be provided, which detects the pivot angle of the drill arm. In this way, it can be reliably determined in which pivot position the drill arm is located. According to an advantageous embodiment, the sensor device may be arranged on the cross member of the boring bar.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the drill arm is pivotable so that the cross member defines the maximum outer contour of the insertable into the caisson part of the drilling device. In other words, the drill arm and the cross member is dimensioned and constructed so that when applied to the boring bar arm the largest clear width of the drilling device is determined essentially by the cross member. In this way the radial extent of the cross member is maximized and the torque transferable to the drill arm is optimized.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the drill rod is mounted vertically adjustable on a base which can be placed on the caisson. As a result, a simple and reliable attachment of the drill rod is secured to the caisson. The vertical adjustment of the drill rod can be done for example by adjusting cylinder, with which the drill rod can perform a lifting movement to bring the cutting head under force in the bottom of the hole.

It may be advantageous according to a further embodiment of the invention, when the lower end of the drill rod is provided with a drill bit. As a result, a drilling operation can be carried out in the center of the caisson, even if this area can not be swept by the cutting head.

Furthermore, it may be advantageous if a lower end of the boring bar is provided with an outlet opening for rinsing liquid, since in this way the area not reachable by the cutting head can be supplied in a simple manner with rinsing liquid.

According to a further aspect of the invention, this relates to a drilling method using a device of the type described above, wherein the drill rod is rotated about the axis of rotation and is pivoted after rotation by at least 180 ° of the drill arm. This makes it easy to cover the almost complete inner cross section of the caisson. According to a first variant of the method, in this case, the boring bar can be rotated continuously in a direction of rotation about the axis of rotation, while the boring arm is continuously pivoted radially inwards and outwards. Alternatively, it is possible to reverse the direction of rotation of the boring bar after a rotation of about 180 ° and in each case at a direction reversal, i. before, during or after the reversal of the direction of rotation of the drill arm radially only slightly to pivot. In this embodiment, can be dispensed with the use of expensive rotary seals for the cutting heads and liquid lines, so that when performing this method, the drilling device can be made much cheaper.

When using a drilling device of the type mentioned above in connection with a caisson with widening cross-section, the drilling device can be dimensioned so that when swiveled Bohrarm the drilling device is lowered through the smallest cross section of the caisson in this, the drill arm after insertion of the drilling device in the extended cross-sectional area from this position into a further position is pivotable, in which the cutting head is in the region of the inner circumferential surface of the caisson.

As a result, the entire inner cross-sectional area of the caisson can be painted over with the cutting head.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the drill arm can be pivoted at the open bottom of the caisson into a position in which the cutting head projects radially beyond the inner contour of the caisson, while the drill pipe is located centrally in the caisson. In other words, the cutting head can be pivoted so far radially outward that it is positioned below the wall of the caisson. As a result, the reason below the wall of the caisson can be removed without the need for additional funds must be provided.

Fig. 1

einen Querschnitt durch eine Bohrvorrichtung in einem Senkkasten mit sich erweiterndem Querschnitt;

Fig. 2

eine vergrößerte Darstellung einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer Bohrvorrichtung;

Fig. 3

den Bewegungsablauf des Schneidkopfs nach einer ersten Verfahrensvariante; und

Fig. 4

den Bewegungsablauf des Schneidkopfs nach einer zweiten Verfahrensvariante.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described purely by way of example with reference to an advantageous embodiment and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a cross section through a drilling device in a caisson with expanding cross section;

Fig. 2

an enlarged view of another embodiment of a drilling device;

Fig. 3

the movement of the cutting head according to a first method variant; and

Fig. 4

the movement of the cutting head according to a second variant of the method.

Fig. 1 shows a caisson 10 with a top-to-bottom flared cross section, wherein the caisson 10 has an upper cross-sectional area with a small cross section, a transition region with conically widening cross section and a lower end portion with a large cross section. The inner cross section of the upper portion may be about 6 to 7 m and the cross section of the lower portion may be about 12 to 13 m. As Fig. 1 shows, the wall of the caisson 10 may be tapered in its lower end, so that the caisson 10 can easily bring into the bottom G.

In the illustrated embodiment, the caisson 10 is rotationally symmetrical, i. its interior in the area with smaller and larger cross section is cylindrical.

In the interior of the in Fig. 1 illustrated caisson 10 is a drilling device introduced, comprising a boring bar 12 which is rotatable by means of a rotary table 14. The boring bar may be formed solid or as a hollow tube with a sufficiently high resistance moment, wherein the boring bar can be composed of individual shots in both cases. The drilling table 14, which is provided with a rotary drive for the drill rod 12, not shown, is movable by means of adjusting cylinders 16 in the vertical direction by a setting stroke, so that the lower end of the drill rod can be adjusted in height. The actuating cylinder 16 are mounted on a base 18 which is placed on the upper opening of the caisson.

In the region of the lower end portion of the boring bar 12, at the lower end of a drill bit 20 is provided, in the illustrated embodiment, two spaced 180 ° apart drill arms 22, 24 articulated, wherein at the end of the respective Bohrarms 22, 24 respectively a cutting head or cutter head 26, 28 is attached. The two drill arms 22 and 24 are hinged to a sleeve 30 which is fixed to the drill rod 12.

Each drill arm 22 and 24 is reciprocable about its pivot point and relative to the axis of rotation R of the boring bar 12, ie, pivotable, for this purpose, in each case a hydraulic cylinder 32 and 34 is used. Each hydraulic cylinder 32 and 34 is attached with its one end at the lower end of the drill rod 12 in the region of the drill bit 20 and with its respective other end approximately in the center of the associated Bohrarms 22 and 24. By actuating the hydraulic cylinders 32 and 34, each drill arm can thus be pivoted independently of the respective other drill arm, so that the cutting head arranged at the end of the drill arm reciprocates relative to the axis of rotation R. The points of articulation of the hydraulic cylinders 32 and 34 on the boring bar are located approximately at the level of the cutting heads 26 and 28, so that in the in Fig. 1 illustrated position of the drill arms 22 and 24 of the hydraulic cylinders 32 and 34 and of the drill arms 22 and 24 a parallelogram is included. By completely retracting the hydraulic cylinders 32 and 34, the drill arms 22 and 24 can be applied to the drill rod 12 so that they extend approximately parallel or at only a very small acute angle to the central axis R of the drill rod 12. In this pivoted-in position, the radial distance of the cutting heads 26 and 28 located at the outermost end of the drill arms 22 and 24 is smaller than the small inner cross section of the caisson 10, so that the drilling apparatus can be inserted and removed through the upper opening of the caisson.

To stabilize the drill arms 22 and 24, two cross members 36 are attached to the drill rod 12, which are perpendicular to the axis of rotation R extend the drill rod and parallel to each other. The cross member 36, of which only one can be seen, are spaced so that between these the drill arms 22 and 24 can be pivoted. In the illustrated embodiment, the cross member 36 are attached approximately at the height of the articulation points of the hydraulic cylinders 32 and 34 on the drill arms 22 and 24, so that even with fully outwardly pivoted drill arms 22 and 24 still a guide is ensured by the cross member 36.

In the region of the cross member 36, the drilling device has a sensor device with a plurality of position sensors 38, with which the pivot position of the drill arms 22 and 24 can be detected and forwarded to a control and monitoring control.

For centering the boring bar 12 within the caisson 10 at least two, in the illustrated embodiment, three centering arms 40 are articulated to the boring bar 12, wherein the centering arms 40 by means of adjusting cylinders 42 relative to the axis of rotation R of the boring bar 12 can be pivoted. The adjusting cylinders 42 are located axially above the centering and are articulated approximately in the middle of the centering of these. At the respective outer end of each centering arm 40, a roller 44 is arranged, whose axis of rotation runs parallel to the axis of rotation R of the boring bar 12. During a rotation of the boring bar 12, the roller 44 thus rolls on the inner circumference of the caisson 10.

From the in Fig. 1 shown centering position in which the centering arms 40 extend at right angles to the boring bar 12, these are pivotable by extending the actuating cylinder 42 and so far applied to the boring bar 12 that the drilling device through the tapered area of the caisson 10 and can be executed. In the circumferential direction, the centering arms 40 and the drill arms 22 and 24 are offset from each other so that they do not interfere.

At the in Fig. 1 and 2 illustrated arrangement is located above the bottom G a body of water W, in which a floating pump 50 is provided with the help of a line 52 water can be pumped into the caisson 10. Alternatively or additionally, a closable opening 54 may be provided to admit water into the caisson. The water contained within the caisson serves as a supply for pumps 56 and 58, which are provided in the region of the cutting heads 26 and 28 and with their help cuttings, ie a mixture of soil components and water via hose lines 60 and 62, parallel to the boring bar from the Sink box 10 are led out, for example, is pumped into a gully on land. Furthermore, in a hollow drill rod 12 flushing fluid can be introduced into the interior of the drill rod under pressure, which flushing liquid can then exit at the lower end of the drill rod 12 via outlet nozzles 64.

If the reason G is as in the illustration in Fig. 1 made of relatively soft material, such as sand, the caisson can be evenly lowered into the ground by its own weight and by drilling the interior of the caisson. In many applications, however, the reason is stratified and has various moor, loam or clay layers. Fig. 2 shows a corresponding situation with a clay layer L, which is relatively hard, so that the caisson 10 does not lower by its own weight. In this embodiment of the drilling device, in which the same reference numerals are used for the same parts, the drill arms are dimensioned so that these are pivotable at the open bottom of the caisson 10 in a position in which the cutting head (in Fig. 2 the cutting head 26) protrudes radially beyond the inner contour of the caisson 10, while the drill pipe 12 is located centrally in the caisson 10. As a result, the cutting head can be moved under the wall of the caisson 10, so that there removes the substrate and the lowering of the caisson can be ensured. As Fig. 2 shows, the cutting head 26 cuts in the illustrated position of the Bohrarms 22 below the wall of the overlying caisson 10, the cutting head 26 can be brought into this position alone by pivoting the Bohrarms 22. At the same time a stabilization by the cross member 36 is present in this position.

When the cutting heads in the in Fig. 2 shown position immediately below the wall of the caisson 10 and the caisson unexpectedly lowers, it could be exerted on the hydraulic cylinder 32, an extremely high peak pressure. In order to prevent damage here, a safety valve 33, 35 is provided, which is designed as a pressure relief valve.

To initiate the drilling or cutting process, the caisson 10 is deposited on the water bottom and the centering arms 40 and the drill arms 22 and 24 are applied to the boring bar 12. In this position, the drilling device can be inserted through the tapered portion of the caisson in this and lower to the bottom of the water. Subsequently, the actuating cylinder 42 can be actuated so that the centering arms 40 in the in Fig. 1 shown position to be moved, in which the boring bar 12 is centered in the center of the caisson 10. Subsequently, the boring bar 12 can be rotated and the hydraulic cylinders 32 and 34 can alternately or simultaneously be activated so that the cutting heads 26 and 28 pass over the inner cross section of the caisson and thereby remove or drill the bottom. By filling the interior of the caisson 10 with water, the resulting cuttings can be pumped off with the aid of the pumps 56 and 58. At the same time, flushing liquid leaving through the nozzles 64 can ensure that the central region of the inner cross section is also flushed out.

With the device according to the invention various drilling methods are possible. So how can in Fig. 3 illustrated, the boring bar 12 continuously in a rotational direction (in Fig. 3 clockwise) about the axis of rotation so that the cutting heads 26 and 28 rotate clockwise. Meanwhile, the drill arms 22 and 24 can be continuously pivoted from the outside radially inwardly, so that they perform a spiral movement.

In an alternative procedure, which in Fig. 4 is shown, the direction of rotation of the drill rod 12 can be reversed after rotation through 180 °, with the direction of rotation, the drill arms 22 and 24 are slightly pivoted. Fig. 4 illustrates this procedure, with first the cutting heads 26 and 28 are pivoted radially outward completely. After a first half turn by 180 ° clockwise, the drill arms can then be pivoted slightly inwards, for example by 80 cm. If then the boring bar 12 is rotated in the reverse direction of rotation, a further inner ring of the inner cross section of the caisson 10 is painted over. After the entire inner contour has been drilled out, the boring bar 21 can be further lowered by means of the adjusting cylinder 16, wherein this can also take place during rotation of the boring bar 12. In this way, the reason within the caisson 10 drill out easily, without that seals, cable couplings and the like would be required, which allow a 360 ° rotation.

To monitor the drilling device described above, an automatic control can be provided with which the drilling progress and the respective position of the drilling arms 22 and 24 can be monitored by means of the sensor elements 38.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

caisson

12

drill rod

14

Drilling

16

actuating cylinder

18

Base

22, 24

drilling arm

26, 28

cutting head

30

cuff

32, 34

hydraulic cylinders

33

Pressure relief valve

36

crossbeam

38

sensors

40

centering

42

actuating cylinder

44

role

50

pump

52

management

54

lockable opening

56, 58

pump

60, 62

management

64

outlet opening

G

reason

L

layer of clay

R

Rotation axis of the drill rod

W

water

Claims (13)

1. A drilling apparatus for a caisson (10) having an expanding cross-section of bottle shape, comprising a rotatable drill bar (12) at whose lower end section at least one drill arm (22, 24) is pivotally connected at whose end a cutting head (26, 28) is fastened, wherein the cutting head (26, 28) is movable to and fro relative to an axis of rotation (R) of the drill bar (12) with the aid of an adjustment element pivoting the drill arm, and wherein at least two centring arms (40) are provided at whose outer ends a roller (44) is provided,
   characterised in that
   the centring arms (40) are pivotally connected to the drill bar (12) and can be laid on the drill bar (12) and are pivotable relative to the axis of rotation (R) of the drill bar (12) with the aid of an adjustment element (42) pivoting the centring arms into a position in which they extend approximately at right angles to the drill bar (12).
2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1,
   characterised in that
   at least one cross-member (36) is rigidly fastened to the drill bar (12) to transmit torque from the drill bar (12) to the drill arm (22, 24) at a point which is located between the cutting head (26, 28) and the drill bar (12), with the cross-member (36) in particular extending approximately at right angles to the drill bar (12).
3. An apparatus in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   a sensor device (38) is provided which detects the pivot angle of the drill arm (22, 24).
4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 3,
   characterised in that
   the sensor device (38) is arranged at a cross-member (36) of the drill bar (12).
5. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 or claim 4,
   characterised in that
   the drill arm (22, 24) is pivotable so that the cross-member (36) defines the maximum outer contour of the part of the drilling apparatus which can be introduced into the caisson (10).
6. An apparatus in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the drill bar (12) is fitted vertically adjustable on a base (18) which can be placed onto the caisson (10).
7. An apparatus in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   a lower end of the drill bar (12) is provided with a drill bit (20).
8. An apparatus in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   a lower end of the drill bar (12) is provided with an outlet opening for flushing liquid.
9. A drilling method using an apparatus in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the drill bar (12) is rotated about the axis of rotation (R); and in that the drill arm (22, 24) is pivoted by at least 180° after a rotation.
10. A drilling method in accordance with claim 9,
    characterised in that
    the drill bar (12) is continuously rotated in a direction of rotation about the axis of rotation (R); and in that the drill arm (22, 24) is continuously rotated in the meantime.
11. A drilling method in accordance with claim 9,
    characterised in that
    the direction of rotation of the drill bar (12) is reversed after a rotation by 180°; and in that the drill arm (22, 24) is pivoted a little on a direction reversal.
12. A combination of a caisson having an expanding cross-section of bottle shape and a drilling apparatus in accordance with at least one of the claims 1 to 8,
    characterised in that
    the drill arm (22, 24) is pivotable into a position in which the drilling apparatus can be inserted into the caisson (10) through the smallest cross-section thereof; and in that the drill arm (22, 24) can be pivoted after the insertion of the drilling apparatus into the expanded cross-sectional area from this position into a further position in which the cutting head (26, 28) is located in the region of the inner jacket surface of the caisson (10).
13. A combination in accordance with claim 12,
    characterised in that
    the drill arm (22, 24) is pivotable at the open base of the caisson (10) into a position in which the cutting head (26, 28) projects radially beyond the inner contour of the caisson (10), while the drill pipe (12) is located centrally in the caisson (10).

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