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(11) | EP 1 983 150 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Drilling machine designed to tilt the mast in any direction |
| (57) This invention relates to a drilling machine of the type consisting of a self-propelled
vehicle on which is mounted the support mast (2) of a drilling rod, said mast being
designed to move from a substantially horizontal transport position to an operational
position in which the mast takes up a substantially vertical position, said drilling
machine also being fitted with means (10, 11) designed to position said mast with
a pre-determined inclination along a pair of vertical planes which are orthogonal
to one another. In particular, under operational conditions the support mast (2) of the drilling rod is mounted on the machine via a joint designed to allow said mast (2) to perform limited rotations around a pair of substantially horizontal axes which are perpendicular to one another, said mast being subject to the action of a pair of hydraulic cylinders (10, 11) located on opposite sides thereof, which can be activated independently of one another and are connected on one side to the structure of the machine and on the other to the mast via ball joints (12, 15). This solution enables the mast to be tilted sideways, forwards or backwards in order to drill holes with a non-vertical axis. |
[0001] This invention relates to a drilling machine of the type consisting of a self-propelled vehicle on which is mounted the support mast of a drilling rod, said mast being designed to move from a substantially horizontal transport position to an operational position in which the mast takes up a substantially vertical position, said drilling machine also being fitted with means designed to position said mast with a pre-determined inclination along a pair of vertical planes which are orthogonal to one another.
[0002] In particular, under operational conditions the support mast of the drilling rod is mounted on the machine via a joint designed to allow said mast to perform limited rotations around a pair of substantially horizontal axes which are perpendicular to one another, said mast being subject to the action of a pair of hydraulic cylinders located on opposite sides thereof, which can be activated independently of one another and are connected on one side to the structure of the machine and on the other to the mast via ball joints.
[0003] This solution enables the mast to be tilted sideways, forwards or backwards in order to drill holes with a non-vertical axis.
[0004] Known drilling machines are used, for example, to make micropiles or to insert pipes into the ground for drainage or geothermal purposes; said machines consist of a self-propelled vehicle, often track-mounted, to which a drilling rod support mast and the corresponding drive systems are fitted.
[0005] In these known machines the mast is hinged to the structure of the machine so that it can move from a transport position in which it is substantially horizontal, resting on the structure of the machine, to an operational position in which the mast is raised until it is in a substantially vertical position.
[0006] In these known machines the operational position of the mast is therefore the vertical position, except for the possibility of slight inclinations (a few degrees) from the vertical on a plane that passes through the axis of the machine.
[0007] However, there are some situations in which it would be useful for the mast to have a certain inclination, not only on the plane of the machine axis but also on a plane orthogonal to it, so that the mast can be tilted laterally on both sides.
[0008] For example, this need may arise when the machine is operating on hilly terrain, or when holes are drilled for the insertion of geothermal probes, where a series of pipes of considerable length (up to 200 metres or more) must be inserted in the ground in diverging directions.
[0009] With known machines this operation is impossible or can only be performed with great difficulty, by positioning the machine suitably for each hole drilled.
[0010] The need is therefore felt in the industry for a drilling machine in which the drilling rod support mast can rapidly be given a certain inclination in any direction, with no need to change the position of the machine every time.
[0011] This problem is solved by the present invention, which offers a drilling machine wherein the drilling rod support mast is mounted via a joint which allows it to rotate around a pair of orthogonal axes, and wherein the movements of said mast are controlled by a pair of hydraulic cylinders installed on opposite sides of the mast and connected to the mast via ball joints.
[0012] This invention will now be described in detail, by way of example but not of limitation, by reference to the annexed figures wherein:
- figure 1 schematically illustrates a side view of the structure of a drilling machine according to the invention;
- figure 2 shows a front view of the structure of the drilling machine shown in figure 1;
- figure 3 is a cross-section along line A-A in figure 1;
- figure 4 is a cross-section along line B-B in figure 1;
- figures 5 and 6 are cross-sections along lines C-C and D-D respectively in figure 1;
- figures 7, 8 and 9 are three views that illustrate in greater detail the joint via which the arm is connected to the machine.
[0013] As shown in figure 1, a drilling machine according to the invention consists of a self-propelled vehicle shown as 1 (the figure only illustrates the structure, without the engine or casing), on which is mounted the support mast 2 of a drilling rod (not illustrated).
[0014] Chassis 3 of the vehicle is integral with a support 4 on which is mounted a slide 5, to which drilling mast 6 is fitted. The slide also includes guides 7 along which mast 6 can slide, driven by a hydraulic cylinder 8 which allows the mast to slide with the drilling rod and the corresponding operating devices, in order to raise or lower it.
[0015] Slide 5 is mounted on a support 4 via a joint which allows said slide to rotate around a pair of orthogonal axes, which said joint will be described in greater detail hereafter. The movements of slide 5 are controlled by a pair of hydraulic cylinders 10 and 11, located on opposite sides of the slide.
[0016] At the base (see figure 6) the cylinders are hinged, via ball joints 12, to a pair of pins 13 and 14 connected to support 4.
[0017] At the top (fig. 2), cylinders 10 and 11 are connected, via ball joints 15, to a pair of pins 16 and 17 connected to the structure of slide 5.
[0018] Pins 13, 14, 16 and 17 are inclined in relation to the corresponding supports, with a suitable inclination to ensure that when the slide tilts, ball joints 12 and 15 do not collide with the structure of support 4 or slide 5 respectively.
[0019] The slide, as mentioned, is mounted on a support via a joint which allows limited rotations around a pair of orthogonal axes. Said joint is shown in figures 4, 7, 8 and 9.
[0020] As shown in figure 4, slide 5 is mounted on a body 18 which in turn is mounted, via a pair of pins 19, on structure 4.
[0021] In this way body 18 can rotate in relation to the structure around a first substantially horizontal axis.
[0022] Slide 5 is not mounted rigidly on support 18, but is hinged to a shaft 20, orthogonal to pins 19, so that slide 5 can rotate around said shaft, in such a way that it is inclined in relation to body 18.
[0023] Due to the combination of said two movements, during operations the slide can tilt forwards by up to 5°, backwards by up to 10°, and sideways by up to ± 15°. It can also be folded flat for transport purposes. By suitably combining these two movements, the slide and therefore the drilling rod can therefore be placed in the most suitable position for the work to be performed.
[0024] The invention also includes a series of safety devices, details of which are shown in figures 7 to 9.
[0026] Curved cam 22 (fig. 8) has a width which increases from one end to the other and is designed to interact with a pair of proximity sensors 24 when slide 5 tilts sideways.
[0027] In particular, when the slide is in a substantially vertical position, the narrowest part of cam 22 will be positioned in correspondence with sensors 24, and said cam will only interact with the sensors when the inclination of the slide approaches 15°; conversely, when the slide is in the transport position or being folded flat onto the body of the machine, cam 22 ensures that the range of use of ball joints 12 and 15 is not exceeded by the sensors, which emit a signal that controls the locking of the activation valves of cylinders 10 and 11 to prevent movements of the mast in the exit direction from said range; however, retraction movements are allowed.
[0028] Lower cam 23 engages two hydraulic sensors 30 (fig. 8) which cut off the oil supply to cylinders 10 and 11, and serves as a further safety device in the event of malfunction of sensors 24.
[0029] Further proximity sensors 25 and hydraulic sensors 26 interact with a bracket 27 attached to body 18; the hydraulic sensor cuts off the oil supply to the cylinders when the slide reaches the maximum forward inclination, and the electric sensor locks the outward movements and allows retraction movements. A further cam 29 (fig. 9) interacts with a sensor 28 to send a signal to the control systems of the machine when the mast is in the transport position, so as to limit the pressure of the hydraulic fluid and prevent damage to the machine if the driver accidentally knocks the levers that control cylinders 10 and 11.
1. Drilling machine of the type consisting of a self-propelled vehicle with a drilling
rod support mast (2), which said mast is designed to move from a substantially horizontal
transport position to an operational position in which the mast takes up a substantially
vertical position, characterised in that it includes means designed to position said mast, in the operational position, tilted
on a vertical plane passing through the machine axis and on a vertical plane orthogonal
to the preceding plane.
2. Drilling machine as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that it includes means (10, 11) designed to position said mast (2) with a lateral inclination
of ± 15°.
3. Drilling machine as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said mast (2) is mounted on a support (4) integral with the machine, via a joint
designed to allow said mast to perform limited rotations around a pair of substantially
horizontal axes which are perpendicular to one another, said mast being subject to
the action of a pair of hydraulic cylinders (10, 11) located on opposite sides, means
designed to activate said cylinders independently of one another being fitted.
4. Drilling machine as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that said hydraulic cylinders (10, 11) are connected via ball joints (12, 15), on one
side to support (4) of mast (2) and on the other side to slide (5) on which said mast
is mounted.
5. Drilling machine as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that said hydraulic cylinders (10, 11) are connected to the support of slide (5) and to
said slide respectively via pairs of pins (13, 14, 16, 17) so that they are inclined
in relation to the planes along which the mast moves.
6. Drilling machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein slide (5) on which drilling rod mast
(2) is mounted is hinged to a body (18) so that it can rotate around a first axis,
said body (18) being hinged to a support (4) integral with the structure of the machine
so that it can rotate around a second axis orthogonal to the preceding one.
7. Drilling machine as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that it includes a first cam (22) connected to said slide (5), said cam being associated
with a pair of sensors (24) designed to generate a signal that stops cylinders (10,
11) and only allows the retraction movement, said cam (22) having a variable width,
so that when the mast is in the operational position said cam (22) engages said sensors
(24) when the mast reaches its maximum inclination on one side or the other, whereas
it engages them in such a way that they do not overrun the operating range of the
ball joints when it is in the horizontal transport position or the mast is being folded
flat onto the body of the machine.
8. Drilling machine as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that it includes a second cam (23) designed to engage, when mast (2) reaches its maximum
inclination, a pair of hydraulic sensors designed to cut off the oil supply to said
cylinders (10 and 11).
9. Drilling machine as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that it includes a sensor (25) designed to be engaged by a bracket (26), integral with
said body (18) on which slide (5) is mounted, when the mast reaches the maximum forward
inclination.
10. Drilling machine as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that it also includes a hydraulic sensor (26) designed to be engaged by a bracket (27),
integral with said body (18) on which slide (5) is mounted, when the mast reaches
the maximum forward inclination.
11. Drilling machine as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that it includes a sensor (29) designed to be engaged by a cam (28) when the mast is in
the transport position and to generate a signal designed to control pressure reduction
in the hydraulic circuits.