WO2023174685A1

WO2023174685A1 - Mobile construction machine and method for operating the construction machine

Info

Publication number: WO2023174685A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/055124
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthias Knoll; Stefan Hackl
Original assignee: Bauer Maschinen Gmbh
Priority date: 2022-03-15
Filing date: 2023-03-01
Publication date: 2023-09-21
Also published as: DE102022105947A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a mobile construction machine, in particular a civil engineering machine, with a running-gear unit, a superstructure arranged on the running-gear unit, a construction work device, which is arranged on the superstructure, at least with a gas-operated drive and at least one changing unit for storing gas that is mounted on the superstructure in a readily releasable and interchangeable manner, wherein the changing unit mounted on the superstructure has a plurality of gas containers line-connected to one another and, in a construction mode, is connected to the drive for the supply of gas. According to the invention, there is provision that furthermore a stationary unit is fixedly arranged on the superstructure and is designed to store a predetermined minimum quantity of gas and by means of which an operation of the drive of the construction machine in a driving mode and/or in a construction mode is made possible without the at least one changing unit.

Description

MOBILE CONSTRUCTION MACHINE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE CONSTRUCTION MACHINE

The invention relates to a mobile construction machine, in particular civil engineering machine, with a chassis, a superstructure arranged on the chassis, a construction work device which is arranged on the superstructure, at least with a gas-operated drive and at least one exchange unit for storing gas, which is easily detachable and replaceable on the superstructure , wherein the changing unit attached to the superstructure has a plurality of gas containers connected to one another by lines and is connected to the drive in a construction operation for supplying gas, according to the preamble of claim 1.

The invention further relates to a method for operating a mobile construction machine according to the preamble of claim 10.

Such a construction machine is known, for example, from ITTO 0020120803 A1. This document describes a carrier device for a trench wall cutter, with a gas engine being provided. To supply gas, a large number of gas bottles are bundled together as so-called gas bottle bundles in a frame as a box-like exchange unit. The exchange unit is detachably held at the rear of the carrier device. Filled exchange units can be fed to the carrier unit via a crane or a wheel loader for quick changes. The exchange unit therefore represents the actual tank for an energy gas for operating the construction machine. The exchange units are very large and can impair movement of the construction machine. The invention is based on the object of specifying a mobile construction machine and a method which enable particularly efficient operation when using a gas drive.

The task is solved on the one hand by a mobile construction machine with the features of claim 1 and on the other hand by a method with the features of claim 10. Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

The mobile construction machine according to the invention is characterized in that a stationary unit is further fixedly arranged on the superstructure, which is designed to store a predetermined minimum amount of gas, through which the drive of the construction machine can be operated in a ferry operation and / or in a construction operation without the at least an exchange unit is possible, e.g. B. to enable ferry operations and/or construction operations.

A basic idea of the invention can be seen in the fact that the mobile construction machine not only has removable exchange units for storing energy gas. Rather, the construction machine according to the invention has a fixed stationary unit which is designed to store a predetermined minimum amount of gas. There is therefore a machine-internal tank unit for gas for a predetermined minimum quantity, which is sufficient for the drive to be operated, e.g. B. for moving the construction machine in a ferry operation for moving the construction machine, which is common at construction sites. This ensures the possibility of movement to and from a heavy transport that is used for a longer transport route. The stationary unit can preferably have a holding volume for gas of 100 liters to 2,000 liters.

This makes it possible for the construction machine to be moved, for example when transporting the construction machine to a construction site and when transporting it away, even if the at least one exchange unit has not yet been installed or has already been dismantled. The construction machine can also be moved flexibly without the relatively large exchange units when moving on the construction site from one work site to a second work site. A first construction operation can preferably take place at the work site, i.e. the operation of processing facilities. The invention is based on the knowledge that a relatively small amount of energy is required for a process involving even large construction machines in ferry operations. However, if the actual construction work begins, for example creating a borehole with a drilling machine or creating a milling slot with a trench wall cutter, the energy requirement of the at least one drive increases significantly, in particular many times over, compared to a ferry operation. Furthermore, the invention is based on the knowledge that, particularly when unloading or loading the construction machine onto a low-loader, for example, with the large changing units removed, automatic movement of the construction machine is advantageous for a quick workflow.

In particular, the stationary unit can be arranged in a protected manner with one or more gas containers inside the superstructure, so that they are well secured against damage, particularly during unloading and loading. On the other hand, in a construction company, the exchange units arranged on the superstructure can be easily accessible and easily replaceable. This means that sufficient energy is available for construction operations. Particularly preferably, the stationary unit can be similar or identical in construction to the interchangeable units, but can be permanently installed, in any case not easily detachable. The exchange unit can be detachably connected.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is that the at least one changing unit is attached to a rear of the superstructure, in particular in the area of counterweights. The changing units can at least partially take on the function of counterweights, so that the tipping stability of the construction machine is further increased.

According to a further development of the invention, it is advantageous that the construction work device, in particular on a mast, is arranged on a front of the superstructure. The construction work device can in particular be a drilling drive with a drilling tool, in particular for creating holes in the ground. Furthermore, the construction work device can also be a trench wall cutter, a vibrator or a ram, as are used in particular in civil engineering. The mast is preferably connected to the superstructure in an adjustable manner via an adjustment mechanism. The superstructure itself can be mounted fixedly or rotatably on a chassis, which is preferably a crawler chassis or a wheeled chassis.

According to a further development of the invention, it is advantageous that a central distribution device is provided, to which the stationary unit and the at least one changing unit are connected, and that the central distribution device is used to control gas distribution between the at least one changing unit and the stationary unit and for supplying gas to the at least one drive is formed. The distribution device can include a line system with various controllable valves, which can be controlled via a controller. The control can in particular ensure that after connecting an exchange unit to the construction machine, the stationary unit is filled with gas, while at the same time, if necessary, gas is supplied to the at least one drive of the construction machine. In particular when using several exchange units, the distribution device with the control can ensure that when an exchange unit is emptied by the at least one further exchange unit, sufficient gas is available, so that construction operations can continue when the emptied exchange unit is changed and replaced by a filled exchange unit is exchanged. In construction operations, the chassis or the carrier device is typically located in one place and essentially only the superstructure and/or the construction work device is actuated and moved.

Furthermore, the distribution device with the control can be designed in such a way that, if necessary, a short-term construction operation, for example for a few minutes, is ensured by the stationary unit if the at least one exchange unit is emptied or space is very limited. The control can preferably be designed in such a way that the stationary unit is not completely emptied during construction, but rather the construction operation is stopped by the control when a lower filling level is reached. This can ensure that a minimum amount of gas is always available on the construction machine for at least a limited movement of the construction machine.

In principle, efficient operation of the construction machine can be achieved with just the stationary unit and a single exchange unit. Particularly According to a further development of the invention, it is advantageous that several exchange units are connected parallel to one another to the central distribution device. The exchange units each have a large number of gas containers, in particular so-called gas bottles, and represent a gas bottle bundle. There is well-established logistics at construction sites, particularly when using common energy gases. This ensures that a sufficient amount of gas is reliably provided via the exchange units. The individual gas containers are combined in a preferably box-like frame and connected to one another via lines. A common connection connection is provided on each exchange unit or on each gas cylinder bundle, via which the exchange unit can be connected to a corresponding connection connection on the construction machine. Furthermore, the exchange unit can have its own filling connection for filling the exchange unit with gas.

A further preferred embodiment of the invention is that the distribution device comprises a pressure adjustment device in order to adjust, in particular increase and/or reduce, a pressure of the gas. The pressure adjustment device can preferably comprise one or more throttle valves, which in particular can be controlled. Particularly when storing the gas in a liquid state, a pressure release can be set, with which the gas in the feeds changes into the gaseous state desired for the drive.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is particularly expedient for the pressure adjustment device to have a compressor. A compressor can be used to specifically increase the pressure and, if necessary, also change the state of the gas. This can be particularly useful if the stationary unit is to be filled with gas from the changing device.

For the purposes of the invention, a gas is an energy gas that is used as a gaseous fuel for a drive such as. B. is supplied to a gas engine. For storage purposes, the gas can have a gaseous or liquefied state, as is common with so-called liquid gases. In principle, any gaseous fuel can be used as gas for operation, in particular natural gas, liquid petroleum gas (LPG), Biogas, methane, ethane or another gas with an appropriate energy content.

According to one embodiment variant of the invention, it is particularly advantageous that hydrogen is provided as the gas. This has a particularly high energy content. In addition, hydrogen is a common technical gas that is used in a variety of ways on construction sites and for which there is also well-established storage and delivery logistics.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is that the drive is designed as a gas engine or as a fuel cell. The drive can in particular be a gas engine, which is driven in a known manner with a gas as fuel, in particular natural gas, liquid gas or a biogas. Alternatively, the drive in the sense of the invention can also be designed as a fuel cell, through which the supplied gas, in particular hydrogen, is converted into electrical energy in an electrochemical reaction, which can be used to operate electric motors.

The method according to the invention is characterized in that in a construction operation, at least one exchange unit is attached to the superstructure, from which gas is supplied to the at least one drive, and that in a ferry operation and / or a construction operation, the at least one exchange unit is removed from the superstructure and Gas from the stationary unit is supplied to the at least one drive.

The method according to the invention can be carried out in particular with one of the previously described mobile construction machines according to the invention. The advantages described above can be achieved.

According to the invention, a preferred method variant is that gas from the at least one changing unit and the stationary unit is supplied to the drive in a controlled manner via a distribution device. A defined gas supply to the drive can take place via a control system, in particular in accordance with a predetermined control program in a construction company. Gas can largely be provided from the connected exchange unit to supply the drive. At the same time, during construction operations, the distribution device can be controlled in such a way that if the container or containers of the stationary unit are empty or partially empty, this or these are filled completely or at least to a minimum level, so that a later ferry operation or other further construction operation of the construction machine can be carried out to a desired extent is ensured even after removing the exchange unit.

The invention is further described below using preferred exemplary embodiments, which are shown in the drawings. Shown in the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a construction machine according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a superstructure of a construction machine according to the invention;

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a gas distribution system according to the invention.

A mobile construction machine 10 according to the invention, which is designed, for example, as a civil engineering machine and in particular as a drilling device, is shown in FIG. A superstructure 14 is preferably rotatably mounted on a chassis 12, which can be designed as a crawler chassis. A mast 20 can be arranged on a front side of the superstructure 14 with an operating cabin 16 via an articulation mechanism 22. The mast 20 can be designed as a leader with a front linear guide 24, along which a carriage 26 with a drill drive 28 can be moved and guided vertically by means of a feed winch 27.

To form a construction work device 30, a drilling tool 34 is preferably arranged on the underside of a Kelly bar 32. The Kelly rod 32 can be driven in rotation in particular via the drill drive 28 and is held on the mast 20 in a vertically adjustable manner via a rope 36. At the rear of the superstructure 40, counterweights 15 and an exchange unit 40 for gas supply can be arranged. The design of a construction machine 10 according to the invention as a drilling device according to FIG. 1 is merely an example, although the construction machine 10 can also be designed in a different way, in particular with other construction work devices 30 for civil engineering, for example with a trench wall cutter, a ram or a vibrator.

A possible embodiment of a superstructure 14 for a construction machine 10 according to the invention is shown in more detail in FIG. The superstructure 14, which can have an operating cabin 16 on its front and counterweights 15 on its rear, is provided with at least one drive 18. To supply the drive 18 with gas, a box-shaped changing unit 40 with a large number of gas containers 42, in particular so-called gas bottles, and a stationary unit 50 are arranged on the superstructure 14, preferably at the rear. The stationary unit 50 can also have a large number of gas containers for holding gas.

The changing unit 40 is arranged on the superstructure 14 in an easily detachable and replaceable manner, so that when it is emptied, for example by means of a crane or a wheel loader, it can be replaced relatively easily and quickly with a filled changing unit 40.

During the change of changing units 40 and/or in a ferry operation with the changing unit 40 removed, the drive 18 can be supplied with gas from the stationary unit 50.

A possible connection arrangement or a possible distribution system for connecting several exchange units 40 is shown schematically in FIG. For this purpose, a distribution device 60 is provided, to which, in the example shown, a total of three exchange units 40 with gas containers can be connected via corresponding detachable line connections. Furthermore, a stationary unit 50 permanently provided on the superstructure and the at least one drive 18 are connected to the distribution device 60.

The distribution device 60 can be provided with a control with which a defined supply and supply of gas from the changing units 40 and the stationary unit 50 to the drive 18 is made possible. For example, if no changing unit 40 is connected to the distribution device 60, the distribution device 60 ensures that the drive 18 is supplied with gas via the stationary unit 50. Corresponding control valves to the changing units 40 and the stationary unit 50 can be opened or closed via the control of the distribution device 60.

When changing units 40 are connected, the distribution device 60 can ensure that the drive 18 is sufficiently supplied with gas from the changing units 40. Furthermore, the control of the distribution device 60 can ensure that the stationary unit 50 is also filled with gas again if necessary through the connected exchange units 40, so that self-sufficient operation of the construction machine 10, in particular for ferry operations, is possible when the exchange units 40 are dismantled . Furthermore, the distribution device can be provided with a pressure adjustment device, in particular throttle valves and/or a compressor, in order to bring about a defined pressure change when supplying or distributing gas. Hydrogen can preferably be used as the gas. The drive 18 can be designed as a gas engine or a fuel cell.

Claims

II* Wunderlichs heim il PATENT ATTORNEYS - 10- B3560 PATENT CLAIMS

1. Mobile construction machine, in particular civil engineering machine, with a chassis (12), a superstructure (14) arranged on the chassis (12), a construction work device (20) which is arranged on the superstructure (14), at least one gas-operated drive (18) and at least one exchange unit (40) which is easily detachably and interchangeably attached to the superstructure (14) for storing gas, the exchange unit (40) attached to the superstructure (14) having a plurality of gas containers (42) which are connected to one another in a line and in a construction operation for supply of gas is connected to the drive (18), characterized in that a stationary unit (50) is further fixedly arranged on the superstructure (14), which is designed to store a predetermined minimum amount of gas, through which the drive (18 ) in a driving mode and / or in a construction operation without the at least one changing unit (40) is possible.

2. Mobile construction machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one changing unit (40) is attached to a rear of the superstructure (14), in particular in the area of counterweights (15).

3. Mobile construction machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the construction work device (30), in particular on a mast (20), is arranged on a front side of the superstructure (14). Mobile construction machine according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a central distribution device (60) is provided, to which the stationary unit (50) and the at least one changing unit (40) are connected and that the central distribution device (60) is used for control a gas distribution between the at least one changing unit (40) and the stationary unit (50) and for supplying gas to the at least one drive (18). Mobile construction machine according to claim 4, characterized in that a plurality of changing units (40) are connected parallel to one another to the central distribution device (60). Mobile construction machine according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the distribution device (60) comprises a pressure adjustment device in order to adjust, in particular to increase and/or reduce, a pressure of the gas. Mobile construction machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the pressure adjustment device has a compressor. Mobile construction machine according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that hydrogen is provided as the gas. Mobile construction machine according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the drive (18) comprises a gas engine or a fuel cell. Method for operating a mobile construction machine (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that in a construction operation, at least one exchange unit (40) is attached to the superstructure (14), from which gas is supplied to the at least one drive (18), and that in a driving mode in / or a construction operation, the at least one exchange unit (40) of the superstructure (14) is removed and the at least one drive (18) is supplied with gas from the stationary unit (50). Method according to claim 10, characterized in that gas from the at least one changing unit (40) and the stationary unit (50) is supplied to the drive (18) in a controlled manner via a distribution device (60).