NL2020352B1

NL2020352B1 - Assembly of a segmented lance and a handling tool therefore

Info

Publication number: NL2020352B1
Application number: NL2020352A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Cornelis Maria Stork Dries
Original assignee: Boskalis Bv Baggermaatschappij
Priority date: 2018-01-31
Filing date: 2018-01-31
Publication date: 2019-08-07

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly of a segmented lance and a handling tool therefore, wherein the handling tool comprises an installation mast, a guide channel along the mast, a drive assembly and a guide assembly for guiding the lance along a curved path, wherein the lance comprises a series of interconnected lance segments, wherein the lance segments comprise an elongate duct, wherein two consecutive lance segments comprise a hinged. connection, wherein. the lance segments comprise a cable guide externally from the duct parallel thereto, wherein the hinged connection and the cable guide are spaced. apart, wherein. two consecutive lance segments are hingeable between a straight condition and a kinked condition, wherein the lance comprises a tensioning cable running along the cable guides outside the ducts and which is secured. to a distal lance segment, wherein. the cable forces consecutive lance segments towards or into the straight condition.

Description

Assembly of a segmented lance and a handling tool therefore BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a segmented lance and provisions to penetrate the lance in a subsoil. The lance may for example be used to install vertical drains, to perform cone penetration tests or to inject fluids into the subsoil.

Lances are normally penetrated in the subsoil by an installation rig. A typical installation rig comprises an excavator or crane body outfitted with an installation mast along which the lance extends. The height of the installation mast at least equals the required penetration depth of the lance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An installation rig may be as high as 60 meters. Due to the height of the installation rig it cannot operate below or near for example bridges, flyovers or overhead powerlines. Furthermore the installation rig has, as a result of its height, a high center of gravity and therefore a reduced stability which makes it less suitable for use on soft soil or on a vessel.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an assembly of the abovementioned type which has a limited height.

According to a first aspect, the invention provides an assembly of a segmented lance and a handling tool therefore, wherein the handling tool comprises an installation mast that is arranged to be supported above a subsoil, a guide channel along the installation mast for guiding the segmented lance along a straight first axis, a drive assembly for driving the segmented lance in its longitudinal direction and a guide assembly for guiding and constraining the segmented lance along a curved path between the straight first axis and a straight second axis, wherein the second axis is at an angle with respect to the first axis, wherein the segmented lance comprises a series of interconnected lance segments, wherein the lance segments comprise an elongate duct having a first end, a second end and a longitudinal central axis, wherein two consecutive lance segments comprise a hinged connection between the respective first end and second end, wherein the hinged connection has a hinge axis perpendicular to the central axis of the ducts, wherein the lance segments comprise a cable guide externally from the duct and along the duct substantially parallel to the central axis thereof, wherein the hinge axis and the cable guide are spaced apart from each other, wherein two consecutive connected lance segments are hingeable about the mutual hinge axis between a straight condition wherein the respective central axes are in line with each other and a kinked condition wherein the respective central axes are at an angle with respect to each other, wherein the segmented lance comprises a tensioning cable which runs along the cable guides of the consecutive lance segments and which is secured to the segmented lance near the distal end thereof and kept under tension by a cable tensioner, wherein the cable guides keep the tensioning cable outside the ducts, wherein the tensioning cable is arranged to force consecutive lance segments towards or into the straight condition .

The assembly according to the invention comprises an installation mast along which a segmented lance is slidable guided. The segmented lance comprises interconnected lance segments and hinged connections between consecutive lance segments which allow two consecutive lance segments to hinge with respect to each other. The hinged connections allow the lance segments and thereby the segmented lance to be guided from along a first straight axis to along a second straight axis. Therefore the installation mast may be orientated in a different direction than the penetration direction of the lance. This allows for example to orientate the installation mast horizontally above the subsoil while the lance penetrates the soil vertically. This reduces the overall height of the assembly considerably. The tensioning cable forces the lance segments towards or into the straight condition in stable, defined abutment to each other. The force applied by the tensioning cable is sufficient to prevent the segmented lance from kinking when it is inserted into the subsoil and to overcome the influence of contaminations between the lance segments.

In an embodiment the hinged connection and the cable guide are positioned at opposite sides of the central axis of the duct, thereby increasing the torque applied on the hinged connection by the tensioning cable to straighten the segmented lance.

In an embodiment the duct comprises a front wall, a back wall and two side walls forming a rectangular cross section, wherein at the first end the duct comprises two cams projecting from the side walls in the plane of the front wall and an abutment member positioned along the inner edge of the front wall and protruding therefrom, wherein the abutment member comprises an abutment surface which extends from the front wall and which is recessed with respect to the front wall over a distance that is equal to the wall thickness of the front wall, wherein at the second end the duct comprises catcher plates which are attached to the outer side of the side walls and which protrude therefrom in the longitudinal direction, wherein the catcher plates have a recess near the edge of the front wall which has a depth with respect to the outer surface of the front wall which is equal to the wall thickness of the front wall, wherein the hinged connection between the respective first end and second end of two consecutive lance segments comprises the cams positioned in the corresponding recesses and the protruding abutment member positioned inside the corresponding consecutive duct, wherein in the straight condition the cams and corresponding recesses are in defined tight engagement with each other, the corresponding first end and second end are in stable abutment to each other and the abutment surface is in abutment with an inner surface of the front wall, and wherein in the kinked condition the cams and corresponding recesses are in engagement with each other. The hinged connection between consecutive lance segments provided by the cams, recesses and abutment member allows for rotational freedom between the lance segments while keeping them engaged with each other.

In an embodiment the cable guide is arranged centrally along the length of the duct, wherein the cable guide comprises an elongate guide tube substantially parallel to the central axis and a connection plate which connects the guide tube to the duct. In this manner it is assured that the tensioning cable runs properly along the cable guide.

In an embodiment the guide tube has a closed circumference and encloses the tensioning cable. The closed tube protects the tensioning cable from dirt which reduces the wear of the tensioning cable.

In an embodiment the drive assembly comprises a drive cable along the installation mast and an actuator for moving the drive cable in its longitudinal direction, wherein the drive cable is connected to the segmented lance near the proximal end thereof for driving the segmented lance in its longitudinal direction.

In an embodiment the guide assembly comprises a series of inner wheels and a series of outer wheels which are arranged along the curved path, wherein the inner wheels and outer wheels support and guide the lance segments along opposite sides of the ducts. The series of wheels guide the passing lance segments along the curved path and prevent them from kinking too far.

In an embodiment at least two inner wheels of the series of inner wheels are arranged in a bogie, wherein the bogie is rotatable about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the inner wheels.

In an embodiment at least two outer wheels of the series of outer wheels are disposed in a bogie, wherein the bogie is rotatable about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the outer wheels. The rotatable bogies adjust to the actually passing surface of the lance segments which provides a smooth passage of the lance segments along the curved path.

In an embodiment the outer wheels are arranged in pairs, wherein the outer wheels are arranged at either side of the cable guide. This arrangement allows the outer wheels to support and guide the passing ducts without interfering with the cable guides.

In an embodiment the assembly is supported on the subsoil by wheels or tracks. The assembly may be easily moved around by a vehicle, even in rough terrain.

In an embodiment the first axis is orientated substantially horizontal and substantially parallel to the subsoil, thereby reducing the overall height of the assembly as much as practically possible.

In an embodiment the second axis is orientated substantially vertical and perpendicular to the subsoil.

In an embodiment the second axis is orientated substantially perpendicular to the second axis.

In an embodiment the ducts are made of steel.

In an embodiment a continuous drain strip runs through the ducts of the interconnected series of lance segments, wherein at the first end of the distal lance segment the drain strip is connected to an anchor plate, wherein the anchor plate covers the first end of the distal lance segment. The assembly installs the drain strip in the soil by penetrating the lance to the required depth. When the lance is retracted the anchor plate and drain strip are left behind in the soil.

In an embodiment the distal lance segment of the interconnected series of lance segments comprises cone penetration test (CPT) equipment to determine the properties of soils.

The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, can be made subject of divisional patent applications .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows an assembly of a segmented lance and a handling tool thereof according to the invention;

Figures 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D show lance segments of the segmented lance in detail, and;

Figures 3A and 3B are respectively a cut away view of a guide assembly of the handling tool and a detail of a cross section of the segmented lance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows a track dumper 4 on a subsoil 2 carrying a hydraulic power pack and towing an assembly 1 of a segmented lance 100 and a handling tool 20 therefore according to the invention. The assembly 1 is supported by wheels 3 and the track dumper 4 and extends substantially horizontally above the subsoil 2.

The handling tool 20 comprises an elongate box shaped hollow straight mast body 21, a drive assembly 25 on one end thereof and a guide assembly 50 on the opposite end. The mast body 21 comprises in the longitudinal direction along its top surface two angle bars 22. As best shown in figures 3A and 3B these angle bars 22 and the mast body 21 define a straight elongate guide channel 23 between them. The opposite angle bars 22 define a longitudinal slot 24 on top. The segmented lance 100 is enclosed in the guide channel 23 and is slidable guided along a straight horizontal first axis A longitudinally along the mast body 21. The segmented lance 100 extends from the guide assembly 50 along a second axis B perpendicular to the first axis A and the subsoil 2.

The guide assembly 50 comprises two vertically oriented support plates 51 which are welded to and extend from the mast body 21 in the longitudinal direction, a head plate 60 is welded perpendicular to the end of the support plates 51 and a stiffener plate 61 is welded to the side of the head plate 60 facing away from the mast body 21.

In figure 3A the front support plate 51, the head plate 60 and stiffener plate 61 are cut away for illustrative purposes only. Figure 3A shows that the support plates 51 suspend two rotatable inner wheels 54, and in between a series of rotatable inner bogies 52 comprising inner bogie wheels 53, a pair of rotatable outer wheels 57 and a series of rotatable outer bogies 55 comprising outer bogie wheels 56. The series of wheels 53, 54, 56, 57 facilitate a curved path C for the segmented lance 100 between the first straight axis A and the second straight axis B.

The drive assembly 25 comprises, in this example, a first pulley 26 which is disposed at the end of the mast body 21 opposite to the guide assembly 50, and a not shown second pulley which is disposed inside the mast body 21 near the guide assembly 50. The first pulley 26 and the second pulley guide a drive cable 27, which forms a longitudinal closed loop along the interior of the mast body 21. The drive cable 27 is connected to the end of the segmented lance 100, e.g. via a not shown slot in the upper wall of the mast body 21, and is movable in its longitudinal direction by a not shown hydraulically powered actuator. The actuator is in this example provided with hydraulic power by the hydraulic power pack 5.

The segmented lance 100 comprises a series of multiple identical hollow lance segments 101. As best shown in figures 2A and 2B the lance segment 101 comprises a elongate duct 102 having a plate shaped front wall 103, a plate shaped back wall 104 and two plate shaped side walls 105 which define a longitudinal channel 110. The duct 102 has a first end 120, a second end 140 and a central axis Q. The duct 102 comprises at the first end 120 two cams 121 projecting from each side wall 105 in the plane of the front wall 103, and a conically wedge shaped abutment member 122 positioned along the inner edge of the front wall 103 and protruding therefrom. The abutment member 122 comprises a flat abutment surface 123 that extends longitudinally from the front wall 103 parallel thereto and that is recessed with respect to the outer surface of the front wall 103 over a distance that is equal to the wall thickness of the front wall 103. The abutment member 122 further comprises a curved surface 124 with a slot 125 through the center parallel to the central axis Q.

The duct 102 comprises at the second end 140 catcher plates 141 which are attached to the outer side of each side wall 105 and protrude therefrom in the longitudinal direction. Each catcher plate 141 has a recess 142 near the edge of the front wall 103 for receiving the corresponding cam 121 of a consecutive lance segment 101. The recess 142 has a depth with respect to the outer surface of the front wall 103 equal to the wall thickness of the front wall 103.

The duct 102 of the lance segment 101 comprises along the length of the outer surface of the back wall 104 a cable guide 106 for guiding a tensioning cable 30 externally from the channel 110. The cable guide 106 comprises in this example a closed guide tube 107 parallel to the central axis Q and a connection plate 108 connecting the guide tube 107 to the back wall 104.

As best shown in figures 2C and 2D the segmented lance 100 comprises a head lance segment 150, or tool, which is in this example longer than the regular lance segments 101. The second end 140 and cable guide 106 of the head lance segment 150 are similar to those on the lance segments 101. The head lance segment 150 comprises a elongate duct 152 having a plate shaped front wall 153, a plate shaped back wall 154 and two plate shaped side walls 155 defining a longitudinal channel 160. At the second end 140 the head lance segment 150 comprises two catcher plates 141 which are attached to the outer side of each side wall 155 and protrude therefrom in the longitudinal direction. Each catcher plate 141 has a recess 142 near the edge of the front wall 153 for receiving the corresponding cam 121 of a lance segment 101. The recess 142 has a depth with respect to the outer surface of the front wall 153 equal to the wall thickness of the front wall 153. The duct 152 of the head lance segment 150 comprises partly along the center of the back wall 154 a cable guide 106 for guiding a tensioning cable 30 externally from the channel 160. The cable guide 106 comprises a closed guide tube 107 parallel to the elongate duct 153 and a connection plate 108 connecting the guide tube 107 to the back wall 154. In this example the head lance segment 150 has a straight cut first end 156. It is to be understood that the segmented lance may be equipped with various tools to suit the application it is used for. Therefore the head lance segment 150 may have alternative configurations dependent on the application .

The series of lance segments 101 of the segmented lance 100 is interconnected. An example of a connection between the lance segment 101 and the head lance segment 150 is shown in figures 2C and 2D. It is to be understood that two consecutive lance segments 101 are connected to each other in the same manner. The cams 121 of the lance segment 101 are positioned in the corresponding recesses 142 of the head lance segment 150. The not shown abutment member 122 is hooked inside the corresponding duct 152 of the head lance segment 150. The engaged cams 121 and recesses 142 create a form-closed hinged connection between the lance segments 101, 150 which has a hinge axis D along the inner edge of the front walls 104, 154 perpendicular to the central axis Q. The consecutive lance segments 101, 150 can have a straight condition in which their central axes are in line with each other, and a kinked condition in which the central axes Q of the consecutive segments 101, 150 are at an angle with respect to each other about kink axis D. In both conditions the cams 121 and recesses 142 are engaged with each other. In the straight condition the corresponding first end 120 and second end 140 are in stable, defined abutment to each other and the abutment surface 123 of the abutment member 122 of the lance segment 101 is in abutment with the inner surface of the front wall 153 of the head lance segment 150. Consecutive segments 101, 150 may be moved to the kinked condition by hinging one or both of the segments 101, 150 about the hinge axis D in a kink direction K from the back walls 104, 154 towards the front walls 103, 153. The consecutive segments 104, 154 remain connected to each other by the engaged cams 121 and recesses 142. In the kinked condition the corresponding first end 120 and second end 140 are in abutment along the inner edges of the corresponding front walls 103, 153 and the edges of the corresponding back walls 104, 154 are spaced apart. The edges of the front walls 103, 153 are chamfered towards the outer surface thereof to accommodate kinking of the segmented lance 100.

Consecutive lance segments 101 are normally held in or forced towards the straight condition by a tensioning cable 30. The tensioning cable 30 runs through the cable guides 106 of the linked lance segments 101 and is fixed to the first lance segment 101 and the head lance segment 150 of the segmented lance 100. A not shown hydraulically powered cable tensioner applies a constant tension to the tensioning cable 30 with respect to the driven lance segment 101. The cable tensioner comprises for example a hydraulic cylinder positioned along the segmented lance 100 and mounted thereto at the driven lance segment 101. The force applied to the lance segments 101 by the tensioning cable 30 pulls the respective ends of the cable guides 106 of the consecutive lance segments 101, 150 against each other and brings the first end 120 and second end 140 in stable, defined abutment to each other. The engaged cams 121 and recesses 142 keep the front walls 103, 153 against each other. It is to be understood that depending on the tolerances of the first end 120 and second end 140 specific parts may be in abutment, such as the side walls 105, 155, the back walls 104, 154, the guide tubes 107 or the connection plates 108. Contamination of the first end 120 and second end 140 may also influence the specific abutment of the consecutive lance segments 101, 150. The force applied by the cable tensioner is sufficient to prevent the segmented lance 100 from kinking when it is inserted into the subsoil and to overcome the influence of contamination between the lance segments 101.

As best shown in figure 3B the ducts 102 of the lance segments 101 of the segmented lance 100 are enclosed by the angle bars 22 of the guide channel 23. The front wall 103 of the lance segments 101 is supported by the mast body 21. The connection plate 108 extends through the longitudinal slot 24 between the angle bars 22 and the guide tube 107 is located outside the guide channel 23. As best shown in figure 3A the lance segments 101 extending longitudinally from the guide channel 23 are guided and constrained along the curved path C by the series of wheels 53, 54, 56, 57. The inner wheels 54 and inner bogie wheels 53 support and guide the lance segments 101 at the front wall 103 thereof. The outer wheels 57 and outer bogie wheels 56 support and guide the lance segments 101 at the back wall 104 thereof. The outer wheels 27 and outer bogie wheels 56 are positioned at either sides of the cable guide 106 of the lance segment 101. The inner bogies 52 and outer bogies 55 are rotatable which allows them to adjust to the actually passing surface of the lance segments 101. This enables a smooth passage of the segmented lance 100 along the curved path C and prevents the segmented lance 100 from kinking too far. The segmented lance 100 extends vertically from the guide assembly 50 along the second straight axis B.

Prior to insertion of the segmented lance 100 into the subsoil 2 the lance head segment 150 is in a retracted position above the subsoil 2. This allows the track dumper 4 to station the handling tool 20 at a desired location with the head segment 150 above an intended insertion point of the segmented lance 100.

To insert the segmented lance 100 into the subsoil 2 the not shown actuator moves the segmented lance 100 horizontally along the first axis A in a direction towards the guide assembly 50. As a result the head lance segment 150 at the end of the segmented lance 100 moves vertically downwards along the second axis B towards and subsequently penetrates the subsoil 2. When the segmented lance 100 reaches the required depth in the subsoil 2 the actuator stops. To retract the segmented lance 100 from the subsoil 2 the actuator moves in the opposite direction.

As best shown in figure 2C the assembly 1 may be used to insert a vertical flexible drain strip 6 in the subsoil 2. Therefore the drain strip 6 is led through the channels 110 of the interconnected lance segments 101. The drain strip 6 is attached to an anchor plate 7 near the first end 156 of the head lance segment 150. The anchor plate seals the first end 156 of the head lance segment 150. The drain strip 6 runs from the head lance segment 150 through the ducts 102 of the consecutive lance segments 101 to the top of the segmented lance 100. The segmented lance 100 with the drain strip 6 is then driven into the subsoil 2 to the required depth. Subsequently the segmented lance 100 is retracted from the subsoil 2 leaving the anchor plate 7 with the attached drain strip 6 in the subsoil 2. Subsequently the drain strip 6 is cut off and a new anchor plate 7 is attached to the drain strip 6 protruding from the segmented lance 100 and the method described above is repeated to place the next vertical drain strip 6.

The assembly 1 may alternatively be used to perform cone penetration tests in the subsoil 2. Therefore an instrumented cone 8 may be attached to the first end 156 of the head lance segment 150 as shown in figure 2D. Alternatively the instrumented cone 8 may be integrated in the head lance segment 150. To perform the cone penetration tests the segmented lance 100 is inserted into the subsoil as described above .

It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the scope of the present invention.

Claims

An assembly of a segmented lance and a handling tool therefor, wherein the handling tool is provided with an installation mast which is adapted to be supported above a surface, a guide channel along the installation mast for guiding the segmented lance along a first straight axis, a drive assembly for driving the lance in the longitudinal direction thereof and a guide assembly for guiding and limiting the segmented lance along a curved path between the straight first axis and a straight second axis, the second axis being angled with respect to of the first axis, wherein the segmented lance comprises a series of interconnected lance segments, the lance segments comprising an elongated tube having a first end, a second end and a longitudinal central axis, wherein two consecutive lance segments have a hinge connection between the respective first end and second end, wherein the scha has a pivot axis perpendicular to the central axis of the tubes, the lance segments comprising a cable guide that is external to the tube and along the tube substantially parallel to the central axis thereof, the pivot axis and the cable guide being are spaced apart, wherein two consecutive interconnected lance segments are pivotable about the joint pivot axis between a straight state in which the respective central axes are aligned with each other and a kinked state in which the respective central axes are at an angle with respect to each other, the segmented lance comprises a tension cable that runs along the cable guides of the successive lance segments and which is attached to the segmented lance near the distal end thereof and which is kept under tension by a cable tensioner, the cable guides keeping the tension cable outside the tube, tension cable has been used to force the successive lance segments towards or in the straight state.

Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the hinge connection and the cable guide are positioned on opposite sides of the central axis.

3. Assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the tube is provided with a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls that form a rectangular cross-section, the tube being provided at the first end with two projections protruding from the side walls in the plane of the front wall and a abutment member positioned along the inner edge of the front wall and protruding therefrom, the abutment member including an abutment surface extending from the front wall and recessed from the front wall over a distance equal to the wall thickness of the front wall, wherein at the second end the tube is provided with catch plates which are attached to the outer sides of the side walls and project therefrom in the longitudinal direction, the catch plates having a recess at the edge of the front wall having a depth with respect to the outer surface of the front wall which is equal to the wall thickness of the front wall, the hinge connection between the respective wall The first end and second end of two consecutive lance segments include the cams positioned in the corresponding recesses and the protruding abutment member positioned in the corresponding consecutive tube, the cams and corresponding recesses in defined tight engagement with each other in the straight state the corresponding first end and second end are in stable abutment with each other and the abutment surface abuts with an inner surface of the front wall, and wherein in the buckled state the cams and the corresponding recesses are in engagement with each other.

Assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the cable conductor is placed centrally along the length of the tube, the cable conductor being provided with an elongated guide tube which is substantially parallel to the central axis and a connecting plate which connects the guide tube to the tube .

Assembly according to claim 4, wherein the guide tube has a closed periphery and encloses the tensioning cable.

Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive assembly is provided with a drive cable along the installation mast and an actuator for moving the drive cable in the longitudinal direction thereof, wherein the drive cable is connected to the segmented lance at the proximal end thereof for the driving the segmented lance in the longitudinal direction thereof.

Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide assembly is provided with a series of inner wheels and a series of outer wheels placed along the curved path, the inner wheels and outer wheels supporting and guiding the lance segments along opposite sides of the tubes.

An assembly according to claim 7, wherein at least two inner wheels of the series of inner wheels are placed in a bogie, the bogie being rotatable about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the inner wheels.

Assembly as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein at least two outer wheels of the series of outer wheels are placed in a bogie, the bogie being rotatable about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the outer wheels.

10. Assembly as claimed in claims 6-8, wherein the outer wheels are placed in pairs, the outer wheels being placed on both sides of the cable guide.

11. Assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the assembly is supported on the ground by wheels or tracks.

12. Assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the first axis is oriented substantially horizontally and substantially parallel to the substrate.

Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second axis is oriented substantially vertically and perpendicularly to the substrate.

Assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the first axis is oriented substantially perpendicular to the second axis.

Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tubes are made of steel.

An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a continuous drainage strip passes through the tubes of the interconnected series of lance segments, wherein at the first end of the distal lance segment the drainage strip is attached to an anchor plate, the anchor plate being the first end of the distal lance segment covered.

The assembly of claims 1-15, wherein the distal lance segment of the interconnected series of lance segments comprises cone penetration test (CPT) equipment.

An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, obtained by additive manufacture.