WO2012165942A1

WO2012165942A1 - A method of drilling a multiple number of bore holes in a soil, and a drill

Info

Publication number: WO2012165942A1
Application number: PCT/NL2011/050394
Authority: WO
Inventors: Petrus Mattheus Maria Hoff
Original assignee: Holding P.M.M. Hoff B.V.
Priority date: 2011-06-03
Filing date: 2011-06-03
Publication date: 2012-12-06

Abstract

The invention relates to a drill for realizing a multiple number of bore holes in a soil, specifically in a soil covering a hardpan layer. The drill comprises a multiple number of rotatable drivable drilling units and a frame carrying the drilling units. Further, the frame includes a pair of legs, each leg carrying at least one corresponding drilling unit. The longitudinal axes of the legs have an adjustable angle.

Description

A METHOD OF DRILLING A MULTIPLE NUMBER OF BORE HOLES IN A SOIL, AND A DRILL

The invention relates to a method of drilling a multiple number of bore holes in a soil, in particular in a soil covering a hard layer, so that a seed, plant, bush or tree can be planted in the soil.

In large areas on the earth globe, plants, bushes and trees can not survive due to the lack of water. Such areas include eroded soils, rocks and deserts. In most situations, the top layer is separated from ground water by an impenetrable hardpan layer that blocks the upward capillary transport of water.

It is an object of the invention to provide a method for realizing a multiple number of bore holes in a soil, e.g. in a soil including a hardpan layer such that plants, seeds, bushes and/or trees have an opportunity to benefit from the fresh ground water. Thereto, the method according to the invention comprises the step of providing a multiple number of rotatable drivable drilling units and a frame carrying the drilling units, wherein the frame includes a pair of legs, each leg carrying at least one corresponding drilling unit; and the step of adjusting the angle between the longitudinal axes of the legs.

By adjusting the angle between the longitudinal axes of the legs, the distance between the bore holes can be set, so that the plants, seeds, bushes and/or trees can be planted at a pre-selected offset with respect to each other.

Further, by drilling a hole using a method comprising cutting at positions along a line extending substantially radially and outwardly from a central axis, wherein the hole has downwardly tapered side walls, a relatively large area around the plant, seed, bush and/or tree is available for collecting water that is present in the atmosphere, such as rain water, and providing it to the root structure. An aspect of the invention is partly based on the insight that the water flows to the central bottom of the hole along the tapered side section of the hole, due to the destroyed capillary structure at the hole surface. Therefore, a relatively large amount of water may moisten the root, thereby presenting surviving opportunities for the plant, seed, bush and/or tree. When the organism grows, the root structure can grow to the ground water level or at least to ground capillary structures that are in fluid connection with the ground water, thereby providing further growing opportunities.

Preferably, the drilling step includes drilling a hole through a hardpan layer, thereby providing that the root structure of the plant, seed, bush and/or tree has access to ground under the hardpan layer.

Further advantageous embodiments according to the invention are described in the following claims.

The invention also relates to a drill. According to an aspect of the invention, the drill comprises a multiple number of rotatable drivable drilling units and a frame carrying the drilling units, wherein the frame includes a pair of legs, each leg carrying at least one corresponding drilling unit and wherein the longitudinal axes of the legs have an adjustable angle.

Preferably, the a rotatable drivable unit of the drill is provided with a carrying structure and a multiple number of cutting elements carried by the carrying structure, the multiple number of cutting elements being arranged along a line extending substantially radially and outwardly from a central axis of the rotatable drivable unit, wherein lower ends of cutting elements in a radial inner section are mainly positioned in a plane substantially transversely to the rotation axis of the rotatable drivable unit, while lower ends of cutting elements in a radial outer section are mainly positioned in a downwardly tapered surface having a symmetry axis coinciding with the rotation axis of the rotatable drivable unit.

Further, the invention relates to a vehicle comprising a drill. By way of example only, embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which

Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a drill;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic top view of the drill shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a schematic side view of the drill shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 shows a schematic perspective view in detail of cutting elements provided on the drill shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of the frame of the drill shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 shows a schematic side view of the frame of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 shows a schematic side view of soil including a hardpan layer;

Fig. 8 shows a schematic side view of the soil of Fig. 7 wherein a drill according to the invention is applied;

Fig. 9 shows a schematic side view of the soil of Fig. 7 wherein a plant is planted;

Fig. 10 shows a schematic side view of the soil of Fig. 7 wherein a tree has grown;

Fig. 11 shows a schematic perspective view of a vehicle according to the invention including a multiple number of rotatable drivable drill units;

Fig. 12 shows a schematic side view of the vehicle of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 shows a schematic perspective view of a further

embodiment of the frame of a further embodiment of the drill;

Fig. 14 shows a further schematic view the frame of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15a shows a schematic view of the frame of Fig. 13 from below;

Fig. 15b shows a schematic view of an alternative frame;

Fig. 15c shows a schematic view of a further alternative frame;

Fig. 16 shows a schematic view of the frame of Fig. 13 from below;

Fig. 17 shows a schematic side view of a further embodiment of a drill according to the invention; Fig. 18a shows a schematic top view of yet a further embodiment of a frame in a first position;

Fig. 18b shows a schematic top view of a pattern of holes drilled by rotatable drivable units provided at the frame of Fig. 18a;

Fig. 19a shows a schematic top view of the frame of Fig. 18a in a second position;

Fig. 19b shows a schematic top view of a pattern of holes drilled by rotatable drivable units provided at the frame of Fig. 18a being positioned in the second position;

Fig. 20 shows a wheel provided with a torsion spring for

attachment to the frame of Fig. 18a;

Fig. 21 shows a schematic side view of a frame; and

Fig. 22 shows a schematic side view of a further frame..

It is noted that the figures show merely preferred embodiments according to the invention. In the figures, the same reference numbers refer to equal or corresponding parts.

Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a drill 1. Figures 2 and 3 show a schematic top and side view of the drill, respectively. The drill 1 comprises a rotatable drivable unit 2 that is provided with a carrying structure 3 and a multiple number of cutting elements 4 carried by the carrying structure 3. The carrying structure 3 may e.g. include a truncated cone surface and/or a tube frame whereon the cutting elements 4 are arranged. The unit 2 is driven in a rotation direction R with respect to a rotation axis A for releasing ground particles in order to realize a partially tapered bore hole in a soil covering a hardpan layer. The multiple number of cutting elements 4 are arranged along a line 5a,b extending substantially radially and outwardly from a central axis A of the rotatable drivable unit 2, wherein lower ends 13a,b of cutting elements 4 in a radial inner section 7 are mainly positioned in a plane 10 substantially transversely to the rotation axis A of the rotatable drivable unit 2, while lower ends 13a,b of cutting elements 4 in a radial outer section 8 are mainly positioned in a downwardly tapered surface 9 having a symmetry axis coinciding with the rotation axis A of the rotatable drivable unit 2. The cutting elements 4 in the radial inner section 7 provide a flat bottom part 10 of the hole, in a plane P substantially transversely with respect to the rotation axis A, while the cutting elements 4 in the radial outer section 8 provide a downwardly tapered surface 9. As a result, lower ends of the cutting elements 4 subscribe, during rotation around the central axis A, a truncated cone surface, thereby providing a hole having a truncated cone surface.

As shown in Fig. 1 and 2, the substantially radially extending lines

5a,b are mainly spirally shaped, when seen from a top view, so that ground particles that have been released from the soil, can easily be removed radially outwardly. Thereto, the lines 5a,b are curved radially backwardly when seen in the rotation direction R. As an alternative, in order to simplify the structure of the bore, instead of applying mainly spirally shaped lines, the lower ends of cutting elements may be positioned along a straight line. It is noted that in another embodiment according to the invention, the multiple number of cutting elements are arranged along lines that are mainly spirally shaped in the opposite circumferential direction. Then, the preferred rotation direction of the drill is the rotation direction opposite to the rotation direction R shown in Fig. 2.

Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view in detail of three cutting elements 4a,b provided on the drill 1. The cutting elements 4a,b provided with the lower ends 13a,b are mounted along the radially outwardly extending line 5a, here implemented as a tube frame 5a. The lower ends 13 of the cutting elements 4 are backwardly tilted so that drilling forces can be guided towards the axle 6 in a more stable manner, thereby improve the drilling effect of the drill 1. In another embodiment, however, the lower ends 13 of the cutting elements 4 are oriented substantially parallel to the rotation axis A. In the shown embodiment, the drill 1 comprises two radially outwardly extending lines 5a,b. However, as indicated in Fig. 2 by the dashed lines 5c, d, also another number of radially outwardly extending lines can be applied, viz. four lines, along which cutting elements are positioned. Preferably, the multiple number of lines are substantially evenly distributed in the rotation direction R, so that the drill 1 may operate in a more or stable position wherein drilling forces are evenly exerted on the central axle 6 of the drill 1. Further, in principle, the cutting elements can also be arranged along a single line extending radially outwardly. In order to avoid heavy wear of the cutting elements 4, lower ends 13 of the cutting elements 4 are formed from hardened material, such as hardened steel, diamante or carbon particles.

As can be seen in Fig. 2, corresponding cutting elements 4, when viewed in the rotation direction R, positioned along different radial lines 5a,b, have a slightly different radial offset. As an example, cutting elements positioned along a first line 5a at a radial offset along circles cl, c2 with respect to the rotation axis A, have a slightly different radial offset than corresponding cutting elements along a second line 5b. Preferably, the radial offset of corresponding cutting elements is slightly greater at subsequent lines 5a,b. When rotating the drill 1 along the rotation axis A, ground particles are thus subjected to a force having a radially outwardly component, thereby providing an improved radial removal of the released ground particles, especially when the cutting elements are positioned along more than two lines 5a,b.

As can also be seen in Fig. 2 and 4, a series of multiple cutting elements 4 are arranged in a zigzag profile along a substantially radially extending line 5, thus providing an improved force balance exerted on the carrying structure 3. Instead of arranging the cutting elements 4 in alternating order along the line 5, cutting elements can be positioned on a front side of the line 5. The shown embodiment of the drill 1 further comprises, as an option, soil removing elements, implemented as soil guiding modules 14a,b, arranged behind corresponding radially extending lines 5a,b, seen in the rotation direction R. The passive soil guiding modules move the released soil particles radially outwardly. Alternatively or additionally, the soil removing elements may include an active module such as a conveyor belt. However, the drill 1 can also be provided with addition soil removing elements, since the cutting elements already contribute to a radially outwardly movement of the released soil particles and/or for saving manufacturing costs.

As a further option, the drill 1 includes a multiple number of cutting elements that are arranged at positions having a similar radial offset for forming a saw. By rotating the drill 1, these saw cutting elements generate a circular groove in the soil, thereby improving the drilling performance.

The drill 1 is shown in Fig. 1-4 is further provided with a number of cutting knifes 15a,b located at a position between cutting elements 4, between the radial inner section 7 and the radial outer section 8, the cutting knifes 15a,b extending lower than neighbouring cutting elements 4. The knifes 15a,b have a fixed radial offset regarding the rotation axis R and generate a circular groove marking a transition between said inner and outer sections 7, 8. Similarly, the drill 1 is provided with a multiple number of cutting knifes 15c, d located at a radial outer perimeter of the radial outer section 8, the cutting knifes 15c,d extending lower than neighbouring cutting elements. Upon rotation of the drill 1, the cutting knifes 15c,d define the outer perimeter of the drilled hole. It is noted that the number of cutting knifes 15a-d, both at the radial inner and outer border of the radial outer section 8 can range from 1 to a multiple number, such as 1 knife, 2 knifes, or 10 knifes.

In an advantageous embodiment according to the invention, the drill 1 further includes a separate drilling element 19 for drilling a plant hole. The separate drilling element 19 can e.g. be located right below the axle 6 or can be positioned at another location, e.g. in the radial inner section 7 having a non-zero offset radial offset. The separate drilling element is either fixed to the carrying structure 3 or can be operated independently of rotation of the main drill 1.

Figure 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a frame 16 of the drill 1. In Figure 6, a schematic side view is shown. The frame 16 is arranged for carrying the rotatable drivable unit 2. For the purpose of supporting the frame 16 to the soil, and for balancing the frame 16 in a mainly horizontal manner, supporting elements 22 are provided.

Alternatively or additionally, other elements, such as wheels 21 that can be fixed in a desired vertical position, can serve as supporting and balancing elements. As an option, the supporting elements 22 can be retracted during storage or transport of the drill 1. Further, the frame is provided with transport elements such as wheels 21 and a coupling element 20 for coupling with a car, truck or other pulling vehicle. Another variant of the drill 1 according to the invention includes a motor for driving the wheels 21 and/or the drill 1, so that the drill can move and turn autonomously over the field. However, the drill 1 can also be arranged for being moved by e.g. hand force or a working animal.

In the frame 16, a balancing structure 23 is included for balancing the rotatable drivable unit 2, so that the hole to be drilled is oriented mainly vertically, thereby in a hole having a mainly horizontal bottom. The drill 1 can then also be used in inclined regions, such as hills or mountains. The balancing structure may include a passive evening system. However, in principle, also other balancing structures can be used, e.g. using an active electrically, hydraulically or pneumatically driven actuator. A driving axle 18 for rotatable driving the unit 2 is shown in Fig. 6. The drill 1 can further be provided with a vibrating element 17 for vibrating the cutting elements 4, thereby further improving the drilling performance. Optionally, the frame is provided with additional mass elements for further stabilization and improvement of the drilling performance.

The operation of the drill 1 will be explained in more detail referring to Fig. 7-10.

Figure 7 shows a schematic side view of an area 30 wherein plants and/or trees are hardly or not at all present, such as eroded soils, rocks and deserts. The top layer 31 may include a soil covering a hardpan layer 33. Below the hardpan layer 33, fresh water 35 having a water level 34 is present. However, due to the presence of the hardpan layer 33, plants and/or trees can not reach the fresh water layer 35. A vertical distance dl between the top layer 31 surface and the local water level 34 can be decreased by digging a hole 37 in the soil 31. According to an aspect of the invention, the hole 37 has a hole surface 32 formed as a truncated cone extending through the hardpan layer 33, so that the vertical distance d2 to the local water level 34 reduces significantly. The hole 37 is formed as a funnel having a flat bottom part. More importantly, since the hardpan layer 33 is broken, fresh water now becomes available for any plants to grow in the hole.

Figure 8 shows a schematic side view of the soil wherein a drill 1 is applied. The drill rotates in the rotation direction R around the axle 6 and performs a downwardly drilling movement, thereby obtaining the hole 37 having a substantially flat bottom 10 and a tapered side wall 9, thus forming a truncated cone shaped hole 37. The hardpan layer 33 is locally removed. The released soil particles are removed radially outwardly to form an annular shaped pile of soil particles 36. Thus, a hole 37 is drilled in the soil, through the hardpan layer 33, the hole 37 having downwardly tapered side walls 32b and a substantially flat bottom surface 32a.

Figure 9 shows a schematic side view of the soil wherein the hole 37 has been realized and a plant 39 has been planted. The plant 39 is planted in the substantially flat and horizontal bottom surface 32a, in particular, in the central hole 44 generated by the separate drilling element 19. The plant 39 is surrounded by a plant protection box 38 including a tube 45 surrounding the plant stem at least partially sideways, a water receiving surface 46, a water reservoir 47 and irrigation means 48 for providing the soil with water from the water reservoir. A description of such a plant protection box 38 can e.g. be found in patent publications WO 2006/132526, WO 2009/078721 and NL 2 003 479 in the name of the applicant. It is noted that also other plant protection systems can be applied. After planting the plant 39 and positioning the plant protection box 38, soil particles from the annular shaped pile of soil particles 36 are moved to the hole above the sloped side surface 32b and around the box 38. By refilling the hole with soil, at least above the downwardly tapered side walls 32b, the box 38 and the plant in the subsoil is stabilized.

During growth of the plant 39, rain droplets 40 and other moisture that is present in the atmosphere is collected by the water receiving surface 46, stored in the water reservoir 47 and irrigated to the soil. Water is also received on the sloped side surface 32b. Due to the drilling activities, the hole gets slopes, so that the water flows via the sloped side surface 32b along a path P towards a circular groove 41 that has been arranged at the perimeter of the bottom 32a. Via said groove 41 the water penetrates the soil thereby reaching the root structure of the plant 39. Due to the specific flow path along the sloped surface 32b and the relatively large area, in top view, of the hole 37, a relatively large amount of water becomes available for moistening the plant root structure.

It is noted that instead of planting a plant, also a bush, tree or a seed can be planted in the hole. Further, two or more plants, trees and/or seeds can be planted. Thereto, the drill can be provided with more than one separate drilling elements, e.g. three separate drilling elements. Further, a second circular groove 42 has been arranged at the perimeter of the side wall 9, thereby counteracting that the root structure of the plant is exposed to an excess of incoming water.

Via a capillary structure, also fresh ground water 35, 43 becomes available for the plant root structure. By using a drill having a truncated bottom part, the thickness of the capillary structure at the bottom 32a of the hole is relatively small, so that the ground water can reach the roots after a first growth of the roots. However, due to the capillary structure along the entire bottom of the hole, including the tapered sections, ground water in a capillary column centered with the rotation axis A can not evaporate, thereby preventing unnecessary water loss.

Fig. 10 shows a schematic side view of the soil wherein a tree 39 has grown from the plant. Since the root structure has also grown, the tree is now able to find water sources without artificial means.

By applying the drill according to the invention, plants, bushes, seeds and trees can be planted in regions that currently do not provide enough water for the organisms to survive, such as in sand deserts, thereby opening the opportunity to plant even woods.

Further, the drill according to the invention can be used in moderate climate regions, e.g. for the purpose of removing harmful, overgrowing and/or undesired flora, such as weeds, nettles, field thistles or blackberries.

Figure 11 shows a schematic perspective view of a spider shaped vehicle 50 according to the invention including a multiple number of rotatable drivable drill units 56. The vehicle comprises a motor 51 suspended in the vehicle's chassis 52, preferably at the bottom of the chassis 52 to obtain a low centre of gravity. The motor is arranged for autonomously driving the vehicle 50. In addition, the vehicle 50 comprises eight wheels 54 mounted on corresponding bearing arms 53a-h that are connected to the chassis 52. The arms have at least one degree of freedom. In the shown embodiment, the length of the arms 53 is adjustable, e.g. using telescopic movable arm segments. Thereto, the arms include an actuator, e.g. a hydraulic actuator for adjusting the length of the arm. In a top view, the chassis has a smooth side contour 58, e.g. an ellipsoidal or a circular contour, and the wheel arms 53 are substantially uniformly distributed over said side contour 58 to provide a stable vehicle 50, also in uneven areas, such as rockets, or on sloped surfaces.

In order to render the vehicle 50 even more flexible in moving on rough terrain, the arms may have further degrees of freedom. As an example, the arms 53 may be arranged to be also adjustable in a vertical direction.

As shown in Fig. 11, the wheels 54 are provided, at their outer perimeter, with spikes 55 or other protruding elements to enhance the grip on the ground surface. Due to the edge-shaped spikes 55, the vehicle has an increased grip on sloped surface, see e.g. Figure 12 showing a schematic side view of the vehicle 50 moving on a mountain hill 60. It is noted that in another embodiment, the wheels 54 include standard tires having smooth outer surfaces, e.g. for application in less rough terrain. Preferably, the orientation of all wheels 54 can be adjusted so that each wheel can steer. In addition, preferably, all wheels are drivable, both in forward and backward direction, either by the central motor 51 or by decentralized driving units, e.g. electro motors. Due to the stable and versatile structure of the vehicle 50, sliding along, falling in and capsizing into rough or inclined surfaces is counteracted. For application in a loose surface, e.g. sand, the wheels 54 can optionally be provided with additional gripping elements such as cage wheels.

As an option, the vehicle 50 is provided with a single or a multiple number of balance elements 57a,b movably arranged on the side contour 58 of the vehicle, thereby providing a further means for additionally improving the stability of the vehicle. Preferably, the balance elements 57 are positioned at a highest point on the side contour 58 of the vehicle. In an advantageous embodiment according to the invention, the single or multiple number of balance elements 57a,b move dynamically and automatically to an actual highest point on the side contour of the vehicle, e.g. by using an actuator for moving the balance elements triggered by inclination sensor data, so that stability of the vehicle is further improved and a chance of toppling over further reduces.

Further, the vehicle 50 includes six rotatable drivable drill units 56a-f, each uniti being vertically movable in a vertical direction V to generate partially tapered holes in the ground, as described above. The vehicle can also be provided with another number of rotatable drivable drill units 56 according to the invention, e.g. more than six rotatable drivable drill units such as eight rotatable drivable drill units, or less than six rotatable drivable drill units such as four rotatable drivable drill units or two rotatable drivable drill units. Advantageously, also the one or more rotatable drivable drill units 56 are arranged at a bottom side of the vehicle, in a lower section of the chassis 52, thus contributing to a low centre of gravity and increased stability of the vehicle.

As shown in Fig. 12, the vehicle further includes a cab 61 for the driver of the vehicle. Preferably, the cab 61 is arranged on the chassis 52 such that it can swivel or entirely rotate on a vertical axis for optimal view of the driver.

Advantageously, the vehicle is further provided with a navigation system including information of local inclination of the ground surface. Preferably, the navigation system activates a warning signal if the vehicle approaches an area having a steeper slopes than can safely be passed by the vehicle. The warning signal can activate a visual and/or audible signal to warn the driver, and/or can intervene in a driving system of the vehicle.

In order to get a navigation system provided with local ground surface inclination information, a digital map can be produced using picture based information. In the digital map, planting positions can be determined and the individual drill(s) can be activated when the vehicle arrives at the thus determined plant positions. Thereto, the driving system of the vehicle can operatively be connected to said navigation system.

During operation of the rotatable drivable drill units 56 of the vehicle 50, a first number of rotatable drivable drill units rotate in a first rotation direction while a second number of rotatable drivable drill units rotate in a second, opposite rotation direction. Preferably, the first number of rotatable drivable drill units coincides with the second number of rotatable drivable drill units, so that the position of the vehicle remains stable. Preferably, the vehicle detects when the individual rotatable drivable drill units contact the ground surface, e.g. using contact sensors at the rotatable drivable drill units. In an advantageous embodiment the drilling procedures includes a step of waiting until all rotatable drivable drill units to be activated contact the ground before they start exerting substantial forces on the ground simultaneously, thereby further improving the stability of the vehicle.

Figure 13 shows a schematic perspective view of a further embodiment of the frame 160 of a further embodiment of the drill 1. The frame may be part of a vehicle, e.g. a self propelling vehicle. Alternatively, the frame 160 may be part of an implement 400, e.g. an implement arranged for being carried by a carrying vehicle, such as a tractor. For example, the implement 400 may be arranged for be carried at the front, a side, and/or the back of the carrying vehicle. In the further embodiment, the drill 1 comprises three radially outwardly extending lines, of which one line 5b is shown. However, also another number of radially outwardly extending lines can be applied, e.g. two or four lines, along which the cutting elements 4 are positioned.

The shown further embodiment of the drill 1 further comprises, as an option, three soil removing elements, implemented as soil guiding modules 14a,b,c, arranged behind corresponding radially extending lines 5a,b,c with cutting elements 4 seen in the rotation direction R. However, a drill 1 comprising a first soil removing element behind a first radially extending line with cutting elements 4, does not necessarily comprise a further soil removing element behind every further radially extending line with cutting elements 4.

In Fig. 13 the passive soil guiding modules 14a,b,c each comprise a groove 14a,b,c. Alternatively or additionally, one or more of the passive soil guiding modules may comprise one or more other elements, such as a rib or flange. Besides, as described above, the soil removing elements and/or the drill 1 may include an active module and/or a multiple number of cutting elements that are arranged at positions having a similar radial offset for forming a saw.

As shown in Fig. 13, the soil removing element 14b is substantially radially extending behind the substantially radially extending line 5b. One or a multiple number of the soil removing elements 14a,b,c may be mainly spirally shaped, when seen from a top view, so that ground particles that have been released from the soil, can easily be removed radially outwardly. Thereto, the soil removing elements 14a,b,c may be curved radially backwardly when seen in the rotation direction R. As an alternative, e.g. in order to simplify the structure of the bore, instead of applying mainly spirally shaped grooves, ribs and/or other soil removing elements, the soil removing elements 14a,b,c may be positioned along a straight line. It is noted that in another embodiment according to the invention, e.g. the embodiment wherein the multiple number of cutting elements 4 are arranged along lines that are mainly spirally shaped in the opposite circumferential direction, the soil removing element may be mainly spirally shaped in the opposite circumferential direction as well. Then, the preferred rotation direction of the drill is the rotation direction opposite to the rotation direction R shown in Fig. 13. Besides, a balancing structure 230 may be provided within the frame 160, e.g. for balancing the rotatable drivable unit in a horizontal plane, and/or e.g. for putting and/or keeping e.g. the driving axle 18 and/or the drill into/in a substantially vertical position. For example, the balancing structure 230 may comprise two balancing elements, such as two balancing frames 231,232. A first balancing frame 231 may be pivotably connected to the frame 160, and may be rotatable around a second rotation axis Y, preferably substantially transverse to the first rotation axis A. The first balancing frame 231 may therefore e.g. be hingedly connected to the frame 160, e.g. by one or a multiple number of hinges 233a,b.

Within the first balancing frame 231 a second balancing frame 232 may be pivotably connected. The second balancing frame 232 may be rotatable around a third rotation axis X, preferably substantially transverse to the first rotation axis A and preferably substantially transverse to the second rotation axis Y. Therefore, the second balancing frame 232 may e.g. be hingedly connected the first balancing frame 231, e.g. by one or a multiple number of hinges 234a,b.

By applying the balancing frame structure, also called gimbals, the rotatable drivable unit is oriented transversely with respect to the direction of the gravity force, independently of the orientation of the outer frame 160.

Alternatively or additionally, another balancing structure may be provided, such as a ball shaped joint acting like a ball and socket joint, or a pivotable suspension providing two degrees of freedom to the rotatable drivable unit 2 and/or the driving axle 18 for rotatable driving the unit 2. Such a balancing structure may be an active balancing structure, but may alternatively be a passive balancing structure.

As shown in Fig. 13, the frame 160 may comprise one or a multiple number of coupling elements 201 for coupling with a car, truck or other carrying vehicle. For example, the frame 160 may comprise a carrying arm 200 or carrying element 200 for carrying the rotatable drivable unit 2 at a distance from the carrying vehicle. The coupling elements 201a,b,c may be arranged to be attachable to standard attachment means of a carrying vehicles, such as a standard Quick Hitch and/or a standard three-point linkage, of e.g. a tractor.

For the purpose of additionally supporting the frame 160 and/or the implement 400 to the soil, preferably during drilling, supporting elements may additionally be provided at the frame 160 and/or at the implement 400. Alternatively or additionally, other elements, such as wheels, can serve as supporting and/or balancing elements. Optionally, all or a part of the supporting elements can be retracted during storage or transport of the drill 1.

Figure 14 shows a further schematic perspective view of the frame of Fig. 13.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the balancing structure is provided with a locking mechanism for fixing a specific orientation of the drill. Then, the orientation of the drill is maintained, also during drilling operations, so that a hole having a desired orientation with respect to the gravity direction is obtained. Turning or tilting of the drill is then counteracted.

Figure 15a shows a further schematic view the frame of Fig. 13.

The frame including a locking mechanism for fixing the orientation of the rotatable drivable unit. The locking mechanism includes a multiple number of chains or ropes 250 that are, at one end 250a, fixed to a the second balancing frame 232, preferably at a lower section thereof. The other, second end 250b of the chains or ropes 250 slides via a pulley 251, attached to the frame 160, and is provided with a mass 252. Due to the mass 252, e.g. 20 kg or more, the chains or ropes 250 are tightened. The locking mechanism further includes a blocking element for blocking any sliding of the chains or ropes 250 along the pulley 251. Then, the distance between the first end of the chains or ropes 250 with respect to the respective pulley 251 can not increase anymore. Since, the second balancing frame 232 is provided with a multiple number of ropes or chains 250, at various locations, the orientation of the rotatable drivable unit, and the drill is fixed.

As an example, the blocking element includes a pen that can be driven in an opening enclosed by a chain link.

In a preferred embodiment, the second balancing frame 232 is provided with two pairs of ropes or chains 250 for providing fixation with respect to the X-axis, and two pairs of ropes or chains 250 for providing fixation with respect to the Y-axis. The first ends of a pair of ropes or chains 250 are connected to the second balancing frame 232 at opposite locations. In a specific embodiment, a pair of ropes or chains 250 is integrated in a single rope or chain by connecting the respective first ends 250a and providing pulleys at the second balancing frame 232, preferably at the lower sections thereof, for guiding the rope or chain. In principle, also a single pair of ropes can be applied for fixation with respect to a specific rotation axle.

In preparing the drill for operation, the drill is lowered at a desired drill location. The balancing mechanism enables the drill to have a desired orientation, i.e. with its central axis A parallel to the gravity direction. Then, the orientation of the drill is fixed by operation of the locking mechanism, i.e. by blocking any sliding of the chains or ropes 250 along the pulley 251. Since the drill orientation is now fixed, the drill is ready for drilling the hole.

As an alternative to chains or ropes 250, the locking mechanism may include other fixation means, e.g. a lockable bars or lockable

telescoping tubes. Further, the locking mechanism can be provided with blocking elements that are operable by hand, such as a pen, or blocking elements that are machine operable, e.g. hydraulic elements.

Figure 15b shows a schematic view of an alternative frame. Here, the locking mechanism includes telescoping tubes 260. Figure 15c shows a schematic view of a further alternative frame. Here, the locking mechanism includes telescoping tubes 260 provided with a pen hole fixation mechanism. A locking pen 261 may fit into one of a number of holes 262 to fix the mutual position of the telescoping tubes 260. The pen hole fixation mechanism includes a spring 263 for driving the pen into the corresponding hole 262. The pen can be withdrawn e.g. by hand or an actuator for setting another mutual distance or for allowing mutual movement of the telescoping tubes. Here, in total, two pairs of telescoping tubes 260 are applied for fixing the orientation of the bore with respect to the horizontal plane.

Figure 16 shows a schematic view of the frame of Fig. 13 from below.

Figure 17 shows a schematic side view of a further embodiment of a drill 1 according to the invention. Here, the separate drilling element 19 for drilling a plant hole protrudes relatively far downwardly from the radial inner section 7. For example, the protrusive separate drilling element 19 may protrude from the radial inner section 7 over a protruding distance 303 being e.g. 15, 20, 25 or 30 cm. Therefore, the protrusive separate drilling element 19 may already be driven relatively far in the soil before the cutting elements 4 starts to cut into the soil. As a result, the protrusive separate drilling element 19 can contribute to stabilization of the frame 16 and/or the drill 1 and improvement of the drilling performance. In an advantageous embodiment, the relatively long drilling element 19 may make other balancing elements superfluous, thereby providing a relatively cheap alternative balancing element.

Alternatively or additionally, as shown in Fig. 17, the separate drilling element 19 may be flanked by one or a multiple number of flanking cutting elements 304, e.g. two or five flanking cutting elements 304, so that a relatively large central hole 44 may be formed. As a result, relatively many plants 39 can be planted in the central hole 44, e.g. three, five or eight plants in one central hole.

Preferably, the flanking elements 304 protrude over a relatively long distance 305 downwardly from the radial inner section 7, e.g. 10, 15 or 20 cm. More preferably, the protruding distance 305 of the flanking cutting elements 304 is smaller than the protruding distance 303 of the separate drilling element 19, e.g. the protruding distance 305 of the flanking cutting elements 304 is half or three quarter of the protruding distance 303 of the separate drilling element 19.

The supporting elements 22 of the frame 16 may comprise a base plate 300. By providing supporting elements with height adjusting means for adjusting the height of said elements, also the final depth of the rotatable drivable unit 2 can be set, in advance. Then, a desired drilling depth can be set by supporting elements that are close to the drilling element 19. For the purpose of preventing that the supporting elements 22 will warp, e.g. when a pulling and/or carrying vehicle accidentially moves while the frame 16 is at least partially supported by the supporting elements, the supporting elements may be provided with a supporting wheel 301 attached to a lower end of a supporting element. Advantageously, at least the supporting elements which are located relatively close to the vehicle are provided with supporting wheels 301.

Alternatively or additionally, one or a multiple number of supporting elements 22 may be provided with height adjusting means, such as a spindle element 302, for adjusting the supporting height.

Figure 18a shows a schematic top view of yet a further embodiment of a frame 310 in a first position. The frame 310 is suitable for moving in a moving direction 315. For example, the frame may be part of a apparatus 311 such as e.g. a vehicle 311 or an implement 311 arranged for being carried by e.g. a carrying vehicle. The frame, which may be a V-shaped frame, is an adjustable frame 310 and includes a multiple number of rotatable drivable units 2 according to the invention. Here, the adjustable frame 310 is provided with three rotatable drivable units 2a-c. Therefore, the apparatus 311 can be used to drill a multiple number of holes, e.g. three holes 319, at the same time. Further, the frame 310 is arranged to adjust a transverse distance 316 between two neighboring rotatable drivable units 2a,c, i.e. a component of the total distance between the two neighboring rotatable drivable units 2a, c, which component is substantially transverse to the moving direction 315. Therefore, the adjustable frame 310 may comprise two elongated connection elements 312, 313, each arranged to rotate around a respective pivot 314 located near a first distal end of the respective elongated connection element 312, 313. Here, each of the elongated connection elements 312, 313 is rotatably connected to an own pivot 314a, 314b. However, alternatively, both of the elongated elements may be rotatable around a single shared pivot.

Advantageously, the adjustable frame 310 is arranged to rotate a first elongated connection element 312 together with a second elongated connection element 313, so that the size of a first angle 312a between the first elongated connection element 312 and the driving direction stays substantially equal to the size of a second angle 313a between the second elongated connection element 313 and the driving direction, when the second angle is adjusted. As a result, the transverse distance between the left rotatable drivable unit 2a and the middlemost rotatable drivable units 2b will be substantially equal to the transverse distance between the middlemost rotatable drivable unit 2b and the right rotatable drivable unit 2c.

For example, the elongated connection members 312, 313 may be arranged for keeping the centers of the outermost rotatable drivable units 2a,c circa 3 meters away from the center of the middlemost rotatable drivable unit 2b. Then, the transverse distance 316 between two

neighboring rotatable drivable units will be 3 meters at most; when the first and second angle are adjusted to 90°. The transverse distance 316 between two neighboring drills may also be adjusted to e.g. circa 2 meters, e.g. when the first and second angle are both adjusted to circa 42°. Advantageously, the angle of the elongated members are steplessly adjustable. However, the angle may alternatively be adjustable in discrete steps.

Alternatively, more than tree rotatable drivable units may be provided. For example, one or a multiple number of intermediate rotatable drivable units 2d may be provided at the elongated connection element. Preferably, the intermediate rotatable drivable unit are evenly distributed over the elongated connection element. As a result, the transverse distance 316b between any two neighboring rotatable drivable units may be substantially equal to the transverse distance 316b between any two other neighboring rotatable drivable unit.

It is noted that, although here the moving direction is chosen such that the middlemost rotatable drivable unit 2b is in the front of the apparatus 311, the moving direction may be another direction, e.g. an opposite direction.

It is further noted that a multiple number, or even all, of the rotatable drivable units can e.g. mechanically or hydraulically be driven by a single motor. However, each of the rotatable drivable units may alternatively be driven by an own motor.

Furthermore, one apparatus 311 may be provided with a multiple number of V-shaped frames. For example, the frames may be located behind each other in the moving direction 315 or may be located next to each other in the direction transverse to the moving direction.

Preferably, the pair of legs are oriented substantially transverse with respect to a drilling direction of the rotatable drivable drilling units.

Optionally, the legs are pivotable with respect to a basis frame part. Further, preferably, the pair of legs form a mainly V-shaped frame part. More preferably, the pair of legs are arranged substantially symmetric with respect to a moving direction of the drill frame. As described above, a multiple number of leg pairs can be provided carrying rotatable drivable drilling units.

Figure 18b shows a schematic top view of a pattern of holes 319 drilled by rotatable drivable units 2 provided at the frame 310 of Fig. 18a. After the apparatus 311 has been used to drill a first set of holes 319a, 319b, 319c, the apparatus can be moved in the moving direction 315 and subsequently drill three more holes 319a', 319b', 319c'. By repeating this process, three lines 320 of holes are created forming a pattern such as the shown pattern 318.

Advantageously, the onward longitudinal movement is over a distance 321 which is substantially equal to transverse distance 316. As a result, a hole pattern may be provided with holes that both in the

longitudinal direction and the transverse direction are substantially evenly distributed.

Figure 19a shows a schematic top view of the frame of Fig. 18a in a second position. Here, the elongated elements are rotated outwardly to such an extent that the three rotatable drivable units 2a-c are lying in one line.

Figure 19b shows a schematic top view of a pattern of holes drilled by rotatable drivable units provided at the frame of Fig. 18a being positioned in the second position. Since the rotatable drivable units are in the second position positioned in one line, the holes of one set, such as the holes 319a, 319b, 319c of the first set, are now in one line.

Figure 20 shows a wheel 330 provided with a torsion spring 331 for attachment to the frame of Fig. 18a. For example, one or a multiple number of wheels may be located on both sides of the frame. Additionally or alternatively, a wheel 330 may be provided in front and/or behind the middlemost rotatable drivable unit. Advantageously, the torsion spring 331 has a relatively long arm 332, which allows the resiliently attached wheel to diverge relatively far, preferably in a substantially vertical direction. As a result, the spring may prevent the frame from tilting and/or falling over, and therefore the frame may be moved relatively stably over relatively rough soil. The wheel 330 can be relatively large, and may have a diameter 334 of e.g. one, two, three or four meter, in order to reduce the risk that rocks hinder frame movement. For example, the torsion spring may allow the wheel to move upwardly at most for at least e.g. half of the diameter of the wheel. Advantageously the wheel is a spoke wheel.

Figure 21 shows a schematic side view of a frame 350 and a wheel 330 connected thereto via a supporting arm 332 that is pivotable around an axis 335 attached to the frame 350. The wheel 330 is attached to the arm 332 at a first end thereof. The supporting arm extends via the axis 335 also in opposite direction, forming a lever 340. The end that is opposite to the wheel 330 is resiliently connected to the frame via a spring construction. The spring construction includes a first and second spring 341 pulling said to opposite directions, thus determining a stabilized position of the wheel 330. Also other spring constructions can be applied, e.g. a single spring driving said end of the lever 340 to a predetermined rest position.

Figure 22 shows a schematic side view of a further frame 350. Here, the wheel 330 is connected to the frame via a series of resilient members so as to allow easy replacement of the wheel's position with respect to the frame 350. The wheel is supported via a first supporting arm 332a connected to a first torsion spring 344 in a rubber housing 343 connected to a second supporting arm 332b that is attached to a second torsion spring 346 in a second rubber housing 345. The second rubber housing 345 is rigidly fixed to the frame 350.

Furthermore, the wheel is preferably provided with spikes 333. More preferably, a relatively small number of spikes is provided around the wheel, e.g. sixteen, twenty or twenty-four spikes. Since there are relatively few spikes touching the soil and since the spikes have a relatively small surface area, the pressure provided by the frame and/or the drills may cause the spikes to pin into the soil to some extent, thereby providing a relatively firm hold.

In an advantageous embodiment, each drill can independently be moved upwardly and downwardly. For example, each drill may be hung up in an independently adjustable parallelogram. Besides, the drill depth of each drill may be adjustable by means of an adjustable support element. As a result, a machine, in particular a vehicle or a wagon, may be provided which can ascend relatively steep inclines without falling over and/or gliding away and can be used for creating holes in the soil having relatively steep inclinations. The invention is not restricted to the embodiments described herein. It will be understood that many embodiments are possible.

The frame construction including the balancing structure as described in view of Fig. 13 can be applied to another drill machine including the drill according to the invention. Specifically, the multiple number of drills provided on the vehicle that is described in view of Fig. 11 can be provided with such a balancing structure. As such, each drill can be oriented vertically, independently of the local position of the vehicle with respect to the ground, also if the vehicle is positioned on a slope. In principle, also a limited number of drills can be provided with a balancing structure, e.g. to save costs.

These and other embodiments will be apparent for the person skilled in the art and are considered to lie within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A method of drilling a multiple number of bore holes in a soil, the method comprising the steps of:

- providing a multiple number of rotatable drivable drilling units and a frame carrying the drilling units, wherein the frame includes a pair of legs, each leg carrying at least one corresponding drilling unit; and

- adjusting the angle between the longitudinal axes of the legs.

2. A method according to claim 1, further including the steps of:

- drilling bore holes in the soil, the holes having downwardly tapered side walls and a substantially flat and horizontal bottom surface; and

- planting a seed, plant, bush or tree in the substantially flat bottom surface of the respective bore holes,

wherein the step of drilling the holes comprises the step of:

- rotating carrying structures carrying a multiple number of cutting elements, the multiple number of cutting elements being arranged along a line extending substantially radially and outwardly from a central axis, wherein lower ends of cutting elements in a radial inner section are mainly positioned in a plane substantially transversely to the rotation axis, while lower ends of cutting elements in a radial outer section are mainly positioned in a downwardly tapered surface having a symmetry axis coinciding with the rotation axis.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the step of placing a tube at least partially sideways surrounding the seed, plant, bush or tree.

4. A method according to any of the claims 1-3, further comprising the step of refilling the holes with soil, at least above the downwardly tapered side walls.

5. A method according to any of the claims 1-4, wherein the drilling step includes drilling a hole through a hardpan layer.

6. A drill for realizing a multiple number of bore holes in a soil, comprising a multiple number of rotatable drivable drilling units and a frame carrying the drilling units, wherein the frame includes a pair of legs, each leg carrying at least one corresponding drilling unit and wherein the longitudinal axes of the legs have an adjustable angle..

7. A drill according to claim 6, wherein the pair of legs are oriented substantially transverse with respect to a drilling direction of the rotatable drivable drilling units.

8. A drill according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the legs are pivotable with respect to a basis frame part.

9. A drill according to any of the preceding claims 6-8, wherein the pair of legs form a mainly V-shaped frame part.

10. A drill according to any of the preceding claims 6-9, wherein the pair of legs are arranged substantially symmetric with respect to a moving direction of the drill frame.

11. A drill according to any of the preceding claims 6-10, including a multiple number of leg pairs carrying rotatable drivable drilling units.

12. A drill according to any of the preceding claims 6-11 for realizing a multiple number of partially tapered bore holes in a soil covering a hardpan layer, wherein a rotatable drivable unit is provided with a carrying structure and a multiple number of cutting elements carried by the carrying structure, the multiple number of cutting elements being arranged along a line extending substantially radially and outwardly from a central axis of the rotatable drivable unit, wherein lower ends of cutting elements in a radial inner section are mainly positioned in a plane substantially transversely to the rotation axis of the rotatable drivable unit, while lower ends of cutting elements in a radial outer section are mainly positioned in a downwardly tapered surface having a symmetry axis coinciding with the rotation axis of the rotatable drivable unit.

13. A drill according to any of the preceding claims 6-12, wherein the substantially radially extending line is mainly spirally shaped.

14. A drill according to any of the preceding claims 6-13, wherein the multiple number of cutting elements carried by the carrying structure are arranged along a multiple number of lines substantially radially extending outwardly from the rotation axis of the rotatable drivable unit and substantially evenly distributed in the circumferential direction.

15. A drill according to any of the preceding claims 6-14, wherein lower ends of the cutting elements subscribe, during rotation around the central axis, a truncated cone surface.

16. A drill according to any of the preceding claims 6-15, wherein corresponding cutting elements on subsequent lines, when viewed in a circumferential direction, have a slightly greater radial offset.

17. A drill according to any of the preceding claims 6-16, wherein lower ends of the cutting elements are formed from hardened material.

18. A drill according to any of the preceding claims 6-17, wherein a series of multiple cutting elements are arranged in a zigzag profile along the substantially radially extending line.

19. A drill according to any of the preceding claims 6-18, wherein a lower end of the cutting element is backwardly tilted.

20. A drill according to any of the preceding claims 6-19, further comprising soil removing elements.

21. A drill according to any of the preceding claims 6-20, wherein a multiple number of cutting elements are arranged at positions having a similar radial offset for forming a saw.

22. A drill according to any of the preceding claims 6-21, further comprising a vibrating element for vibrating a multiple number of cutting elements.

23. A drill according to any of the preceding claims 6-22, wherein the rotatable drivable unit is further provided with a cutting knife located at a position between cutting elements, between the radial inner section and the radial outer section, the cutting knife extending lower than neighbouring cutting elements.

24. A drill according to any of the preceding claims 6-23, wherein the rotatable drivable unit is further provided with a cutting knife located at a radial outer perimeter of the radial outer section, the cutting knife extending lower than neighbouring cutting elements.

25. A drill according to any of the preceding claims 6-24, further comprising a balancing structure for balancing the rotatable drivable unit in a horizontal plane.

26. A drill according to any of the preceding claims 6-25, further comprising a frame for carrying the rotatable drivable unit wherein the frame is provided with supporting elements for supporting the frame on the soil and balancing the frame in a substantially horizontal manner.

27. A drill according to any of the preceding claims 6-26, further comprising a separate drilling element for drilling a plant hole.

28. A vehicle, comprising a drill according to any of the preceding claims 6-27.

29. A vehicle according to claim 28 that is arranged such that a first number of rotatable drivable drill units rotate in a first rotation direction while a second number of rotatable drivable drill units rotate in a second, opposite rotation direction.

30. A vehicle according to claim 29, wherein the first number of rotatable drivable drill units coincides with the second number of rotatable drivable drill units.

31. A vehicle according to any of the preceding claims 28-30 that is arranged for detecting when the individual rotatable drivable drill units contact the ground surface, e.g. using contact sensors at the rotatable drivable drill units.

32. A vehicle according to any of the preceding claims 28-31, wherein the vehicle is arranged for waiting until all rotatable drivable drill units to be activated contact the ground before they start exerting substantial forces on the ground, simultaneously.

33. A vehicle according to any of the preceding claims 28-32, further comprising a single or a multiple number of balancing elements movably arranged on a side contour of the vehicle.

34. A vehicle according to claim 33, wherein the single or multiple number of balance elements are dynamically positioned at a highest point on the side contour.

35. A vehicle according to claim 33 or 34, further being arranged for moving the single or multiple number of balance elements 57a,b

automatically to an actual highest point on the side contour of the vehicle.

36. A drill according to claim 25, further comprising a locking mechanism for fixing the orientation of the rotatable drivable drilling unit.