WO2023194898A1

WO2023194898A1 - Drilling machine

Info

Publication number: WO2023194898A1
Application number: PCT/IB2023/053404
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vittorio Fracca; Lorenzo DOSSO; Igor Visentini
Original assignee: Fraste Spa
Priority date: 2022-04-04
Filing date: 2023-04-04
Publication date: 2023-10-12

Abstract

A drilling machine for carrying out drilling operations by means of a modular boring element including at least one rod and/or at least one tube comprises a first store for receiving rods and a second store for receiving tubes. The drilling machine further comprises a movable head, a first manipulator which is configured to take a rod from the first store and to move it into a configuration parallel with the axis of the movable head and a second manipulator, which is independent of the first manipulator and which is configured to take a tube from the second store and to move it into a configuration parallel with the axis of the movable head. The movable head is configured to lift the rod so as to define, under the rod itself, a space with an extent which is at least equal to that of the tube.

Description

Drilling machine

DESCRIPTION

Technical field

The present invention relates to a drilling machine of the type configured so as to carry out drilling operations by inserting into the ground a modular boring element including at least one rod and/or at least one tube .

Technological background

In the context of the technical field of geothermal energy, it is known to use drilling machines for carrying out boring operations which are intended for applying geothermal sensors .

These drilling machines use a series of rods which are inserted one after the other into the ground, in a state sheathed in respective tubes , which are inserted into the ground until reaching the necessary depth so that the sensor can be inserted up to a depth suitable for providing the thermal gradient required by the geothermal application in question .

Examples of such machines are described in the European Patent EP2016255B1 or in the European Patent Application EP919692A2 .

The machines described in these documents are of the type normally intended for being used on building sites . Generally, such machines are of the sel f-propelled type and support , on a relevant platform, a store with rods and tubes and a relevant drilling head which allows them to be inserted into the ground in order to carry out the drilling operations . The movement on building sites is carried out by means of caterpillar tracks and, for this reason, the transport of the machines on roads is carried out by loading them on trailers .

Other examples are constituted by the documents US 2022 / 003054 , US 2020/291728 , CN 105 569 566 , WO 2007 / 129337 and US 2013/ 341000 .

The main limitation of such known drilling machines is connected with the maximum depth which they allow to be reached, taking into account the limitations in terms of the dimensions resulting from the need to make them transportable .

In fact , it is evident that , the greater are the depths which it is possible to reach, the greater are the application possibilities of the geothermal technology of fered by the drilling machine .

At the same time , however, there is a need to maintain the drilling machine with dimensions which are suf ficiently small to allow it a relatively simple ability to be transported and non-excessive times for carrying out the boring operation .

In fact , it is evident that it is necessary to be able to ensure drilling times and costs which are suf ficiently low so that the geothermal application can be economically advantageous .

Therefore , the Applicant has perceived the need to make available drilling machines which allow boring operations at greater depths with respect to the known solutions , while being kept contained within spatial requirements .

Description of the invention

The problem addressed by the present invention is to provide a drilling machine which is structurally and functionally configured to at least partially overcome one or more of the disadvantages set out above with reference to the cited prior art .

In the context of this problem, an obj ect of the present invention is to provide a drilling machine which is able to carry out boring operations at great depths .

Another obj ect is to provide a machine which can be readily transported with the rods and tubes necessary for boring the ground loaded on-board the machine .

Another obj ect of the present invention is to improve the known drilling machines in the context of an ef ficient solution from the technical and economical point of view .

This problem is solved and one or more of these obj ects is at least partially achieved by the present invention by means of a drilling machine for carrying out drilling operations by means of a modular boring element including at least one rod and/or at least one tube , according to one or more of the features of the appended claims .

In a first aspect , the drilling machine of the present invention comprises a first store for receiving a plurality of rods and preferably a second store for receiving a plurality of tubes . Preferably, the first and second stores are configured so as to store the rods and the tubes with a respective longitudinal axis thereof forming an angle between 0 and 45 ° with respect to the hori zontal .

The drilling machine of the present invention further comprises a movable head which is configured to be moved along a movement axis so as to be li fted with respect to a support surface of the drilling machine .

There are also present a first and a second manipulator . The first manipulator is configured to take a rod from the plurality of rods which are received in the first store and to move it into a configuration parallel with the movement axis of the movable head . The second manipulator, which is preferably independent of the first manipulator, is configured to take a tube from the plurality of tubes which are received in the second store and to move it into a configuration parallel with the movement axis of the movable head .

The movable head is preferably configured to retain a portion of the rod taken by the first manipulator and to li ft the rod retained thereby so as to define , under the rod, along the movement axis , a space with an extent which is at least equal to that of the tube . The second manipulator is further configured to move the tube in such a manner that the relevant longitudinal axis is substantially aligned with the movement axis . Preferably, it is thereby possible to insert the rod in the tube . The Applicant has observed that , by arranging the rods and tubes in a hori zontal configuration, or in any case a nonvertical configuration, and providing manipulators which rotate the rods and the tubes , then allowing them to be aligned along the movement axis , which preferably coincides with the drilling axis , it is possible to optimi ze the dimensions .

In this manner, the machine , while having dimensions which are generally comparable with the known solutions , can transport and use rods and tubes with a greater length, thereby allowing a greater drilling depth for the same number of rods and tubes being used .

Furthermore , the above-mentioned configuration allows the tubes and rods to be loaded on-board the machine , therefore allowing what is necessary for the boring to be received in a single structure which is transportable .

Furthermore , rods and tubes , being able to be loaded on-board the machine , are directly available and consequently it is not necessary to carry out particular assembly or preparation operations when the machine reaches a construction site or more generally the zone in which the boring is intended .

At the same time , the alignment of the tubes and rods along the movement axis allows an increase in speed of the boring operations with respect to the prior art by allowing the insertion of the rod in the tube and the subsequent boring by using a single actuator .

Additionally, the machine according to the present invention also allows the disassembly operations for the modular element formed by rods and tubes to be automated and speeded up, it being possible to manipulate rods and tubes individually . Therefore , once the required depth has been reached, it will be possible to remove the rods , using the actuators , maintaining the tubes in the ground, which will be removed only after the geothermal sensor has been positioned .

On the basis of another aspect , the movable head can be configured to retain a portion of the tube taken by the second manipulator and to li ft the tube which is retained thereby so as to define , under the tube , along the movement axis , a space with an extent which is at least equal to the rod, the first manipulator further being configured to move the rod in such a manner that the relevant longitudinal axis is substantially aligned with the movement axis . Preferably, it is thereby possible to insert the rod in the tube .

It will be appreciated that it is also possible , on the basis of this aspect , to achieve the above-mentioned advantages , substantially by transposing the order and methods with which the rods and tubes are manipulated .

On the basis of a third aspect , the invention also relates to a method for carrying out drilling operations by means of a modular boring element which includes rods and tubes .

The method of the present invention makes provision for providing a plurality of rods which are arranged with a respective longitudinal axis forming an angle between 0 and 45 ° with respect to the hori zontal , and preferably also a plurality of tubes which are arranged with a respective longitudinal axis forming an angle between 0 and 45 ° with respect to the hori zontal . Preferably, the method provides for taking a rod of the plurality of rods and rotating the rod so as to make the longitudinal axis parallel with a movement axis .

Preferably, the method provides for taking a tube of the plurality of tubes and rotating the tube so as to make the longitudinal axis parallel with the movement axis .

There is further provision for li fting the rod or the tube , aligning the rod with the tube along the movement axis and inserting the rod into the tube .

Finally, the boring is carried out by lowering the rod together with the tube along the movement axis inserting the rod together with the tube into the ground .

The above-mentioned passages can be carried out in the order indicated above or also in di f ferent orders .

In any case , it will be appreciated that it is also possible , on the basis of this aspect , to achieve the advantages mentioned above and to enable boring operations with a greater depth by using drilling machines with dimensions which are small or at most comparable with known solutions .

The rods and tubes can be brought into the position provided for in order to carry out the boring of the ground, optimi zing and speeding up the movements .

Once an assembly formed by a rod and tube is inserted into the ground, it is possible to repeat a number of the passages set out above , particularly the ones relating to the rotation of tubes and rods and the alignment thereof , in order to arrange an additional assembly which is formed by a rod and a tube in alignment with the one previously inserted into the ground .

The respective ends of the two assemblies can be j oined to each other, thereby forming a single modular element and thereby carrying out the boring .

Preferred features of the invention which can be combined with one or more of the aspects set out above will further be mentioned below .

In preferred embodiments , the movement axis is located in a plane which divides the machine into two portions , the first and the second stores being arranged in opposite positions with respect to the plane .

This allows best use to be made of the spaces in the platforms with a longitudinal development which are typically intended for constructing the drilling machines .

According to one embodiment , the machine comprises a guide column, on which the movable head is intended to move along the movement axis . The guide column is configured in such a manner that the movable head has a travel range , along the movement axis , with an extent which is at least equal to the total of the lengths of a rod and a tube .

In this manner, it is possible to ensure enough space for aligning rods and tubes with a robust solution which is structurally simple . It is preferable for the rods and the tubes to have substantially the same length .

In preferred embodiments , the first manipulator and/or the second manipulator comprise a gripping member which is configured to selectively retain and release the rod or the tube , respectively .

This allows the rods and tubes to be manipulated in a simple manner .

In some embodiments , the first manipulator and/or the second manipulator comprise a rotatable arm which supports the gripping member .

Preferably, the rotatable arm ( s ) is/are movable about a rotation axis which is substantially perpendicular to the movement axis .

This feature allows a rapid and easily controllable movement of rods and tubes .

Advantageously, at least one of the first manipulator and the second manipulator are configured so as to move the rod or the tube in the direction towards/away from the movement axis .

More speci fically, the at least one of the first manipulator and the second manipulator comprises a quadrilateral mechanism, in particular an articulated quadrilateral or articulated parallelogram mechanism, which is configured to move the rod or the tube in the direction towards/away from the movement axis . This solution allows the rod or tube to be moved while maintaining the orientation thereof parallel with the movement axis , therefore allowing the operations necessary for the tubes and rods to be able to be inserted into the ground to be optimi zed .

It is preferable for the gripping member to be supported on an arm of the quadrilateral mechanism so as to make the manipulation and correct alignment easier .

It is further preferable for the quadrilateral mechanism to be supported on an end of the arm .

In a preferred embodiment , the length of the guide column is greater than or equal to the total of the length of the rod and the tube . As a result of this particular configuration, it is possible to use the dimensions to best ef fect .

Preferably, the movable head is configured so as to lower the rod together with the tube along the movement axis while inserting the rod together with the tube into the ground .

Additional preferred aspects are also defined in the appended claims .

Brief description of the drawings

The features and advantages of the invention will be better appreciated from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof , which is illustrated by way of nonlimiting example with reference to the appended drawings , in which : - Figures 1 to 3 are perspective views of details of a drilling machine according to the present invention;

- Figures 4 to 10 are perspective views of the machine of the preceding Figures in a sequence of operating positions ; and

- Figure 11 is a perspective view of the machine of the preceding Figures in a transport position .

Preferred embodiment of the invention

In the embodiment of Figure 1 , there is generally designated 100 a drilling machine according to the present invention .

The drilling machine 100 comprises a platform 20 which has a preferably rectangular form and which is preferably provided with caterpillar tracks 23 for support on the ground . The drilling machine 100 is therefore advantageously sel f- propelled at least in an anteroposterior direction X which is defined by the caterpillar tracks 23 . In some embodiments , the platform 20 is further provided with retractable stabili zing legs 24 with hydraulic operation .

The drilling machine 100 is intended for carrying out drilling operations by means of a modular boring element 1 including a rod 11 and a tube 12 .

In order to receive rods and tubes , the drilling machine 100 is provided with suitable stores 21 , 22 which are positioned on the platform 20 . In particular, there are provided a first store 21 for receiving a plurality of rods 11 which are stacked one above the other, and a second store 22 for receiving a plurality of tubes 12 which are stacked one above the other . The first and second stores 21 , 22 are configured so as to store the rods and tubes with a respective longitudinal axis XI , X2 thereof forming an angle between 0 and 45 ° with respect to the hori zontal .

In greater detail , rods and tubes are arranged in the respective stores with the longitudinal axes XI , X2 thereof substantially hori zontal , that is to say, parallel with the location plane of the platform 20 , and preferably parallel with the anteroposterior direction X .

The drilling machine 100 further comprises a movable head 3 which is advantageously structured so as to be able to be connected in a rigid and stable manner, but readily releasably, to the upper end of the rod 11 and the tube 12 .

The movable head 3 is further configured to move along a movement axis Z so as to be li fted with respect to a support surface S of the drilling machine 100 . As will become evident below, the movement axis Z is parallel with, and preferably coincident with, a boring axis of the machine .

The drilling machine 100 further comprises a first manipulator 41 and a second manipulator 42 which are preferably independent of each other and which are preferably provided with hydraulic operation .

The first manipulator 41 is configured to take a rod 11 from the plurality of rods which are received in the first store 21 and to move it into a configuration parallel with the movement axis Z of the movable head 3 . The second manipulator 42 is configured to take a tube 12 from the plurality of tubes received in the second store 22 and to move it into a configuration parallel with the movement axis Z of the movable head 3 . In preferred embodiments , such as , for example , the one illustrated, the movable head 3 is configured to retain a portion of the rod which is taken from the first manipulator 41 and to li ft the rod 11 which is retained thereby so as to define , under the rod 11 , along the movement axis Z , a space with an extent which is at least equal to the extent of the tube 12 . Furthermore , the second manipulator 42 is configured to move the tube 12 in such a manner that the relevant longitudinal axis X2 is substantially aligned with the movement axis Z .

In a construction variant , the movable head 3 is configured to retain a portion of the tube which is taken by the second manipulator 42 and to li ft the tube 12 retained thereby so as to define , under the tube 12 , along the movement axis Z , a space with an extent which is at least equal to the rod 11 . Furthermore , the first manipulator 41 is configured to move the rod 11 in such a manner that the relevant longitudinal axis XI is substantially aligned with the movement axis Z .

It may be noted that , in this context , the term " space under the rod 11" ( or the tube 12 ) is preferably intended to be understood to be the space between the rod ( or tube ) and the support surface S of the machine , along the movement axis Z .

In some embodiments , the drilling machine 100 further comprises a guide column 5 which is preferably rectilinear and on which the movable head 3 can be suspended and can be moved at least along the movement axis Z . Preferably, the length of the guide column 5 is greater than or equal to the total of the length of the rod 11 and the tube 12 .

Preferably, the movement axis Z is located in a vertical reference plane P which divides the machine 100 into two portions , the first and the second store 21 , 22 being arranged in opposite positions with respect to the reference plane P .

Rods and tubes are stored in the respective stores in planes which are preferably inclined with respect to the hori zontal , that is to say, with respect to the location plane of the platform 20 , and in particular so as to slope from the vertical reference plane P towards the opposite lateral edges of the platform itsel f in such a manner that the rods and tubes tend, as a result of gravitational force , to slide towards a predetermined position which facilitates the removal thereof by respective manipulators .

The first and second manipulators 41 , 42 are preferably mounted to be movable on the platform 20 so as to be able to traverse parallel with the vertical reference plane P in which the guide column 5 is located and moves .

In particular, the first manipulator 41 is configured to traverse between a removal position (not illustrated) , in which the first manipulator 41 is lowered into a preferably hori zontal position inside the first store 21 , in such a manner that the gripping member 6 which is fixed to the end of the first manipulator can grip one of the rods 11 which are stored in this store , and a trans fer position ( example of Figure 7 ) , in which the first manipulator 21 is arranged substantially parallel with the guide column 5 which is fixed in an operating position so as to arrange the rod 11 at the side of the guide column 5 with the longitudinal axis XI of the rod parallel with and spaced apart from the movement axis Z and in particular substantially coincident with the axis of the movable head 3 .

Similarly, the second manipulator 42 is preferably configured to traverse between a removal position ( example of Figure 11 ) , in which the second manipulator 42 is lowered into a preferably hori zontal position inside the second store 22 , in such a manner that the gripping member 6 which is fixed to the end of the second manipulator can grip one of the tubes 12 which are stored in this store , and a second position ( example of Figure 6 ) , in which the second manipulator 22 is arranged substantially parallel with the guide column 5 which is fixed in an operating position so as to arrange the tube 22 at the side of the guide column 5 with the longitudinal axis X2 of the tube parallel with and spaced apart from the movement axis Z .

Furthermore , the quadrilateral mechanism 422 is configured to move the second manipulator 42 from the second position ( example of Figure 6 ) to a trans fer position ( example of Figure 7 ) , in which the gripping member 6 of the second manipulator positions the tube 22 in front of the guide column 5 with the longitudinal axis X2 of the tube substantially coincident with the axis of the blocking element 8 .

As shown in the embodiment of Figure 1 , the quadrilateral mechanism 422 is of the articulated parallelogram type comprising a carrier segment 423 which is rigidly fixed to an end of the arm 421 of the first manipulator, an opposite connecting rod 424 , on which the gripping member 6 is mounted, and a pair of cranks 425 which connect the connecting rod to the carrier segment by means of rotoidal pairs so as to allow the connecting rod 424 to move in translation, remaining parallel with itsel f , transversely to the vertical reference plane P . A hydraulic cylinder 426 , in particular with a double ef fect , is advantageously interposed between the carrier segment 423 and one of the cranks 425 so as to be able to adj ust the inclination of the cranks with respect to the carrier segment 423 so as to move the connecting rod 424 in a direction towards/away from the movement axis Z . As a result of this particular configuration, therefore , it is possible to vary as instructed the distance which separates the gripping member 6 of the second manipulator from the movement axis Z .

As shown in the embodiment of Figure 6 , the movable head 3 is preferably fixed to the guide column 5 with the possibility of moving in translation, as instructed and temporarily, in a translation direction Y which is perpendicular to the vertical reference plane P in which the guide column 5 is located and moves , so as to proj ect in an overhanging manner from the lateral flank of the guide column 5 towards the first manipulator 41 , always remaining parallel with itsel f ( that is to say, always remaining with the axis of the movable head 3 parallel with the movement axis Z ) , and to be aligned with the rod 11 which the first manipulator 41 has previously raised and brought alongside the guide column 5 . To this end, there is preferably interposed between the guide column 5 and the movable head 3 a carriage 7 which develops longitudinally in the translation direction Y and which is configured to vary as instructed, in the longitudinal direction thereof , the distance of the movable head 3 from the guide column 5 .

The blocking element 8 is structured so as to grip and support the upper end of the rod 11 fixed alongside the guide column 5 when the first manipulator 41 releases this rod and the movable head 3 returns to being aligned with the guide column 5 , carrying the rod with it .

When it returns to being aligned with the movement axis Z , the movable head 3 arranges the rod 11 to be coaxial with the movement axis Z , immediately above the tube 12 which is presented by the second manipulator 42 , therefore allowing the rod 11 to be inserted into the tube 12 so as to form a modular boring element 1 .

Naturally, there is also provision for the transposed process , according to which the rod 11 is withdrawn from the tube 12 in order then to replace the rod and tube in the respective stores 21 , 22 . This transposed process can readily be inferred from what has been described above and advantageously allows automation of the sensor insertion method, by initially removing only the rods and completely extracting the tubes . It is further evident that , by means of transposed movements with respect to those described above , it is possible to replace rods and tubes in the respective stores automatically .

There are further preferably provided a movement member which is able to move , as instructed, the movable head 3 along the guide column 5 so as to vary the distance existing between the head and the lower end 5a of the guide column; and preferably a blocking member 43 for gripping the modular boring element 1 , which is fixed rigidly to the lower end 5a of the guide column and aligned with the movable head 3 .

The movable head 3 is preferably provided with a blocking element 8 which is directed towards the lower end 5a of the guide column 5 and which rotates about an axis parallel with the movement axis Z .

In preferred embodiments , the blocking element 8 is formed by a pair of threaded sleeves , on which a corresponding thread which is constructed at one end of the rod and the tube is fitted .

The movable head further comprises a traction motor, preferably with hydraulic operation, which is connected to the threaded sleeves or more generally to the blocking element 8 so as to be able to rotate them about the axis thereof .

The threaded element 8 is configured to block the rod 11 and/or the tube 12 in order to then be able to rotate them about the axis thereof .

According to one embodiment , the guide column 5 is pivoted in a lever-like manner on the platform 20 at one of the lateral edges thereof so as to be able to rotate about an articulation axis A which is preferably hori zontal , that is to say, parallel with the location plane of the platform 20 and preferably perpendicular to the movement axis Z . In some embodiments , the articulation axis A is substantially parallel or aligned with the rotation axis T of the arms 411 , 421 , as illustrated in Figure 2 . Preferably, the drilling machine 100 further comprises a movement device 50 of the guide column 5 about the articulation axis A thereof between a transport position ( illustrated in the example of Figure 11 ) , in which the guide column 5 is at least partially interposed between the stores 21 , 22 so as to reduce the dimensions , and an operating position ( illustrated in the other Figures ) , in which the guide column 5 has the lower end 5a in support of , or in any case behind, the support surface S , and is inclined with respect to the support surface itsel f at a predetermined angle , preferably between 5 ° and 90 ° .

Therefore , it will be appreciated that the vertical reference plane P which divides the machine 100 into two portions is preferably the same plane in which the guide column 5 is located and can move . The plane P is therefore preferably perpendicular to the articulation axis A and/or the location plane of the platform 20 .

The movement device 50 of the column preferably comprises at least one hydraulic cylinder 51 for controlling the inclination of the guide column ( two hydraulic cylinders beside each other in the example illustrated) which is interposed between the platform 20 and the guide column 5 so as to be able to vary, as instructed, the inclination angle of the guide column 5 with respect to the platform 20 . Advantageously, the at least one hydraulic cylinder 51 is interposed between the stores 21 , 22 so as to optimi ze the space available .

In the operating position, the guide column 5 extends in an overhanging manner upwards from the upper face of the platform 20 in the region of one of the lateral edges thereof .

The movement device 50 of the guide column 5 advantageously allows an arrangement of the column 5 in such a manner that the movement axis 5 has di f ferent inclinations in the operating position . It is thereby possible to carry out not only vertical boring operations but also inclined boring operations with respect to the support surface S . In preferred embodiments , the machine according to the present invention is able to carry out boring operations with an inclination up to 30 ° with respect to the vertical .

As mentioned above , the guide column 5 is configured in such a manner that the movable head 3 has a travel range , along the movement axis Z , with an extent which is at least equal to the total of the lengths of a rod 11 and a tube 12 .

Preferably, the rods 11 and the tubes 12 have substantially the same length .

Preferably, the first and second manipulators 41 , 42 comprise respective gripping members 6 which are configured to selectively retain and release the rod 11 and the tube 12 .

Preferably, the first and second manipulators 41 , 42 further comprise respective rotatable arms 411 , 421 which support the respective gripping members 6 .

As may be observed in the Figures , the rotatable arms 411 , 421 are movable about a rotation axis T which is substantially perpendicular to the movement axis Z . As shown in the example of Figure 2 , the rotatable arm 411 of the first manipulator comprises a carrier beam or spar 401 which is bent substantially in an L-shaped manner and which is located in a plane which is substantially parallel with the vertical reference plane P in which the guide column 5 moves , and has the distal end of the smaller segment hinged to the top of a casing 400 which extends in an overhanging manner upwards from the platform 20 , beside the guide column 5 , so as to be able to rotate with respect thereto about the rotation axis T which is parallel with and preferably coincident with the articulation axis A of the guide column; and preferably at least one hydraulic double-ef fect cylinder 402 which is interposed between the spar 401 and the casing 400 so as to be able to adj ust the inclination of the spar with respect to the vertical .

As shown in the example of Figure 3 , the rotatable arm 421 of the second manipulator comprises a spar 403 which is located in a plane which is substantially parallel with the vertical reference plane P in which the guide column 5 moves , and has the distal end of the smaller segment hinged to the top of a casing 404 which extends in an overhanging manner upwards from the platform 20 , beside the guide column 5 , so as to be able to rotate with respect thereto about the rotation axis T which is parallel with and preferably coincident with the articulation axis A of the guide column; and preferably at least one hydraulic double-ef fect cylinder 405 which is interposed between the spar 403 and the casing 404 so as to be able to adj ust the inclination of the spar with respect to the vertical .

According to one embodiment , the gripping members 6 each comprise a pivoting beam 61 and two sets of pincers 62 which, as instructed, are able to grip and retain securely the substantially cylindrical body of rods and tubes .

More generally, it may be observed that the second manipulator 42 is configured so as to move the tube 12 in a direction towards/away from the movement axis Z , respectively .

Preferably, the second manipulator 42 comprises a quadrilateral mechanism 422 , in particular an articulated parallelogram, which is configured to move the tube 12 in the direction towards/away from the movement axis Z .

Preferably, the gripping member 6 of the second manipulator is supported on the quadrilateral mechanism 422 , which is in turn preferably supported on the end of the arm 421 .

The operation of the drilling machine 1 is described below with reference to the examples of Figures 4 to 10 .

Initially, a plurality of rods 11 and tubes 12 are provided in the respective stores . Advantageously, rods and tubes are mutually parallel and are all arranged with the respective longitudinal axis at an angle forming an angle between 0 ° and 45 ° with respect to the hori zontal . It will be appreciated that the Figure illustrates an embodiment in which the longitudinal axis of the tubes is hori zontal .

The insertion operations start by taking a rod 11 from the store and rotating it so as to make the longitudinal axis XI thereof parallel with the movement axis Z , as may be observed in Figure 4 . Similarly, a tube is taken from the respective store and is also rotated and moved parallel with the movement axis Z .

Furthermore , as illustrated in Figure 5 , the movable head 3 is raised along the movement axis Z up to a position higher than the upper end of the rod 11 which is taken from the manipulator 21 ( Figure 5 ) .

As illustrated in Figure 6 , once it has been raised, the movable head 3 is preferably caused to move in translation laterally, that is to say, in a direction transverse , and preferably perpendicular, to the axis Z .

In this manner, the movable head 3 can be aligned with the longitudinal axis XI of the rod 11 .

At the same time , the tube 12 can be moved so as to align the longitudinal axis X2 thereof with the movement axis Z ( Figure 7 ) .

At this point , the movable head 3 with the relevant rod 11 fixed thereto can be further raised, preferably until the rod is completely arranged above the tube 12 , and again moved transversely in such a manner that it is also aligned with the axis Z and, consequently, with the tube 12 ( Figure 8 ) . In this step, the rod 11 has been released from the gripping member of the relevant manipulator 41 which is therefore ready to be able to retrieve another rod from the store .

By lowering the movable head, the rod 11 can be inserted inside the tube 12 forming the boring element 1 which is formed by the two components ( Figure 9 ) . Both the rod 11 and the tube 12 are therefore fixed to the movable head 3 and also the second gripping member 62 of the manipulator 42 can release the rod, by moving away from the axis Z ( Figure 10 ) . In this manner, the second manipulator 42 is also arranged to take an additional tube 12 .

After having introduced the boring element 1 into the ground by means of the movable head 3 being lowered, the head can release the rod 11 and tube 12 and return to the configuration of Figure 4 in order to repeat the steps set out previously .

It will be appreciated that the method may also be used by inverting the rods and tubes , that is to say, first fixing the tube to the head and subsequently moving the head with the tube fixed in a direction transverse to the axis Z .

Furthermore , the steps can be carried out in the reverse order in order to allow the machine to be unloaded, that is to say, in order to extract the rods and tubes from the ground .

As indicated above , the manipulators allow action individually on rods and tubes and, in this manner, it will be advantageously possible to extract only the rods so as to allow the insertion of the geothermal sensor before the tubes are also removed .

The invention thereby solves the problem proposed and achieves a number of advantages , including a drastic reduction in the machine downtimes necessary for moving rods and tubes , and the facilitated movement thereof , which can also be carried out by a single operator .

Claims

Patent claims

1. A drilling machine (100) for carrying out drilling operations by means of a modular boring element (1) including at least one plurality of rods (11) and at least one plurality of tubes (12) , the drilling machine (100) comprising :

- a first store (21) for receiving the plurality of rods (11) and a second store (22) for receiving the plurality of tubes (12) , the first and second stores (21, 22) being configured so as to store the rods and the tubes with a respective longitudinal axis (XI, X2) thereof forming an angle between 0 and 45° with respect to the horizontal,

- a movable head (3) which is configured to be moved along a movement axis (Z) so as to be lifted with respect to a support surface (S) of the drilling machine (100) ,

- a first manipulator (41) which is configured to take a rod (11) from the plurality of rods which are received in the first store (21) and to move it into a configuration parallel with the movement axis (Z) of the movable head (3) and a second manipulator (42) which is independent of the first manipulator (41) and which is configured to take a tube (12) from the plurality of tubes which are received in the second store (22) and to move it into a configuration parallel with the movement axis (Z) of the movable head (3) ,

- the movable head (3) being configured to retain a portion of the rod taken by the first manipulator (41) and to lift the rod (11) retained thereby so as to define, under the rod

(11) , along the movement axis (Z) , a space with an extent which is at least equal to that of the tube (12) , the second manipulator (42) further being configured to move the tube

(12) in such a manner that the relevant longitudinal axis (X2) is substantially aligned with the movement axis (Z) so as to insert the rod (11) in the tube (12) ; or

- the movable head (3) being configured to retain a portion of the tube taken by the second manipulator (42) and to lift the tube (12) which is retained thereby so as to define, under the tube (12) , along the movement axis (Z) , a space with an extent which is at least equal to the rod (11) , the first manipulator (41) further being configured to move the rod (11) in such a manner that the relevant longitudinal axis (XI) is substantially aligned with the movement axis (Z) so as to insert the rod (11) in the tube (12) .

2. A drilling machine (100) according to claim 1, wherein the movement axis (Z) is located in a plane which divides the machine (100) into two portions, the first and the second stores being arranged in opposite positions with respect to the plane.

3. A drilling machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a guide column (5) , on which the movable head (3) is intended to move along the movement axis (Z) , the guide column (5) being configured in such a manner that the movable head (3) has a travel range, along the movement axis, with an extent which is at least equal to the total of the lengths of a rod (11) and a tube (12) .

4. A drilling machine (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rods (11) and the tubes (12) have substantially the same length.

5. A drilling machine (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first manipulator (41) and/or the second manipulator (42) comprise a gripping member (6) which is configured to selectively retain and release the rod (11) or the tube (12) , respectively.

6. A drilling machine (100) according to claim 5, wherein the first manipulator (41) and/or the second manipulator (42) comprise a rotatable arm (411, 421) which supports the gripping member (6) .

7. A drilling machine (100) according to claim 6, wherein the rotatable arm(s) (411, 421) is/are movable about a rotation axis (T) which is substantially perpendicular to the movement axis ( Z ) .

8. A drilling machine (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first manipulator (41) and the second manipulator (42) are configured so as to move the rod (11) or the tube (12) in the direction towards/away from the movement axis (Z) .

9. A drilling machine (100) according to claim 8, wherein the at least one of the first manipulator (41) and the second manipulator (42) comprises a quadrilateral mechanism (422) which is configured to move the rod (11) or the tube (12) in the direction towards/away from the movement axis (Z) .

10. A drilling machine (100) according to claim 9 when dependent on any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the gripping member (6) is supported on the quadrilateral mechanism (422) .

11. A drilling machine (100) according to claim 9 or 10 when dependent on claim 6 or 7, wherein the quadrilateral mechanism (422) is supported on an end of the arm (411, 421) .

12. A drilling machine (100) according to claim 3 or according to any one of the preceding claims when dependent on claim 3, wherein the length of the guide column (5) is greater than or equal to the total of the length of the rod (11) and the tube (12) .

13. A method for carrying out drilling operations by means of a modular boring element (1) , including at least one plurality of rods (11) and at least one plurality of tubes

(12) comprising:

- providing the rods (11) which are arranged with a respective longitudinal axis (XI) forming an angle between 0 and 45° with respect to the horizontal;

- providing the tubes (12) which are arranged with a respective longitudinal axis (X2) forming an angle between 0 and 45° with respect to the horizontal;

- taking a rod of the plurality of rods;

- rotating the rod (11) so as to make the longitudinal axis (XI) parallel with a movement axis (Z) ;

- taking a tube of the plurality of tubes;

- rotating the tube (12) so as to make the longitudinal axis (X2) parallel with the movement axis (Z) ;

- lifting the rod (11) or the tube (12) ;

- aligning the rod (11) with the tube (12) along the movement axis ( Z ) ;

- inserting the rod (11) into the tube (12) ;

- lowering the rod (11) together with the tube (12) in the movement axis (Z) inserting the rod (11) together with the tube (12) into the ground.

14. A method for carrying out drilling operations according to claim 13, wherein the rod (11) or the tube (12) are lifted by means of movement along the movement axis (Z) .

15. A method for carrying out drilling operations according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the rod (11) or the tube (12) is retained at one end when it is lifted and at an intermediate portion when it is rotated.