Device and method for preparing a pole in a surface

Abstract

 A device (1) for producing a pile in a ground comprises a hollow penetrating body (2) to be received in the ground. The penetrating body comprises an axial cavity for supplying a curable mass therein with supply means. The supply means comprise a container (3) with a buffer space (5) for holding therein a quantity of curable mass (10) set to an intended pile volume. Using release means the set quantity of curable mass (10) is introduced at least substantially wholly from the buffer space (5) into the cavity.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for producing a pile in a ground, comprising a hollow penetrating body to be received in the ground with an axial cavity for receiving a curable mass therein, and comprising supply means which are adapted to carry the curable mass into the cavity. The present invention also relates to a method for producing a pile in a ground, wherein a hollow penetrating body with an axial cavity for a curable mass is driven to a predetermined pile depth into the ground and the curable mass is carried into the cavity of the penetrating body when a determined penetration depth is reached.

[0002] A device and method of the type stated in the preamble are known from European patent application EP 1686214 of applicant. The device described herein comprises a hollow penetrating body which is driven into a ground and pump means for pumping a curable mass into the cavity of the penetrating body. The device comprises measuring means which measure an already pumped quantity of curable mass. According to the method described herein, the penetrating body is first driven into the ground to a penetration depth, after which the curable mass is pumped with the pump means into the axial cavity of the penetrating body and a quantity of curable mass pumped into the axial cavity is measured.

[0003] Although a pile can be produced in the ground very well with the known device and method, they do however also have a drawback. This is that the device is relatively complex and therefore expensive, and with the method a relatively long time is involved in producing a pile in the ground.

[0004] The present invention has for its object, among others, to provide a device which obviates the stated drawback.

[0005] In order to achieve the stated object a device of the type stated in the preamble has the feature according to the invention that the supply means comprise a container with a buffer space for holding therein a quantity of curable mass set to an intended pile volume, and that the container is provided with release means for introducing the set quantity of curable mass at least substantially wholly from the buffer space into the cavity. Because a size of the applied penetrating body is fixed and the pile depth is usually already predetermined, it is possible to calculate the quantity of curable mass necessary to produce a pile in the ground. By presetting a quantity of curable mass in the buffer space to this calculated quantity and subsequently introducing this set quantity substantially wholly therefrom into the cavity using release means, a correct quantity of curable mass is here carried in simple manner into the cavity without a quantity of mass already introduced into the cavity having to be measured. Relatively complicated and costly measuring means are thus not necessary.

[0006] A preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention has the feature that the release means comprise pump means which introduce the set quantity of curable mass at least substantially wholly from the buffer space of the container into the cavity. The pump means are able to pump a quantity of curable mass out of the buffer space of the container optionally over a distance to the penetrating body in order to introduce the curable mass into the cavity. In a further preferred embodiment the device according to the present invention is characterized in that the pump means comprise adjusting means with which a quantity of curable mass to be pumped at least substantially wholly can be adjusted. The pump means can thus be preadjusted in order to reliably pump all at once the quantity of curable mass set to an intended pile volume.

[0007] For the present invention use can be made as container of for instance a reservoir with a buffer space which is sufficiently large to contain the quantity of curable mass set to an intended pile volume. The reservoir can for instance be a vessel which is located a distance from the penetrating body and from which the quantity of curable mass set to an intended pile volume is pumped with the pump means and carried over the distance via a supply conduit to the axial cavity in the penetrating body. In order to prevent undesirable waste of curable mass the device according to the present invention is characterized in a particular embodiment in that the container is provided on an underside with a pouring opening from which a quantity of curable mass received in the buffer space can be released, and that positioning means are provided to position the container with the pouring opening above a supply opening of the penetrating body. By positioning the pouring opening of the container precisely above the supply opening of the penetrating body using the positioning means the curable mass will be introduced substantially wholly into the axial cavity after being released. No or hardly any curable mass will then be lost here. Possible waste of curable mass is wholly prevented in a further particular embodiment of the device according to the present invention wherein coupling means are provided to couple the container to the penetrating body, wherein the buffer space is in at least substantially leakage-free communication with the axial cavity.

[0008] In yet another particular embodiment the device according to the present invention is characterized in that the release means comprise controllable closing means provided in the pouring opening of the container. From a closed position closing the pouring opening the closing means can be placed manually in an open position in order to release at least substantially the full content of the container outright to the pouring opening. Owing to the closing means the container can already be filled with a quantity of curable mass dimensioned to the intended pile volume before the penetrating body has reached the predetermined pile depth. This avoids the correct quantity of curable mass still having to be measured after the pile depth has been reached. The invention thus provides a device with which a pile can be produced in the ground in an exceptionally short time.

[0009] A further particular embodiment of the device according to the present invention has the feature that the container narrows from a top side toward an underside at which the pouring opening is provided. Owing to this narrowing, which in a particular embodiment has a tapering form, a full release of the curable mass in the container to the pouring opening is enhanced. No or hardly any residual material of the curable mass here remains behind in the container.

[0010] In a further preferred embodiment the device according to the present invention is characterized in that the container is at least partially open on an upper side. A quantity of curable mass can thus be easily arranged in the container from above, and the content of the container can moreover be easily inspected at all times.

[0011] In a further preferred embodiment the device according to the present invention is characterized in that the container is provided with indicator means for the purpose of giving an indication of a quantity of curable mass held in the buffer space. In a particular embodiment hereof the device according to the present invention is characterized in that the indicator means comprise a visually discernible scale division on a side of a container wall directed toward the buffer space. The indicator means, and particularly the scale division, simplify the precise measuring of a quantity of curable mass set to an intended pile volume in the container.

[0012] In a further preferred embodiment the device according to the present invention is characterized in that the container comprises a buffer vessel in which the buffer space has a volume at least substantially corresponding to the intended pile volume. As a result the buffer space can simply be wholly filled in order to arrive at the set quantity of curable mass for the intended pile volume.

[0013] In a further preferred embodiment the device according to the present invention is characterized in that the container comprises a set of mutually separated buffer spaces, each having a volume at least substantially corresponding to the intended pile volume. By filling each buffer space beforehand with a quantity of curable mass set to the intended pile volume a plurality of piles can be produced in the ground with the container before the container has to be refilled. This results in a considerable time-saving when a plurality of piles have to be produced in the ground.

[0014] In a further preferred embodiment the device according to the present invention is characterized in that retracting means are provided to retract the penetrating body from the ground and that monitoring means are provided which are able and adapted to adjust a release speed of the curable mass by the release means to a retraction speed of the retracting means. The penetrating body can be retracted from the ground by the retracting means and can be utilized again to produce a subsequent pile at a further location. The pile volume is in this case greater than a volume of the axial cavity in the penetrating body so that a quantity of curable mass set to the pile volume does not fit wholly in the axial cavity. In order to avoid an excess of the curable mass being lost, the penetrating body has to be retracted during pouring of the curable mass at a retraction speed such that the penetrating body is almost fully retracted from the ground as soon as a final quantity of curable mass is released from the container. Conversely, the retraction speed may not be too high because of the risk of a hole drilled in the ground collapsing before the curable mass is released to the drilled hole. For a correct retraction speed the device is thus provided with monitoring means.

[0015] The present invention also relates to a container which can be applied in a device according to the present invention.

[0016] The present invention further has for its object to provide an efficient method for producing a pile in the ground.

[0017] In order to achieve the intended object a method of the type stated in the preamble has the feature according to the invention that a quantity of curable mass set to an intended pile volume is precisely measured and is introduced at least substantially wholly into the cavity of the penetrating body once the determined penetration depth has been reached. Precise measurement beforehand of a quantity of curable mass set to an intended pile volume and full introduction thereof into the cavity, i.e. in one step, achieve a significant time-saving, since it is not then necessary to first measure a quantity of curable mass already introduced into the cavity and to then introduce a remaining quantity of curable mass in order to arrive at the quantity of curable mass set to an intended pile volume.

[0018] In a particularly practical embodiment the method according to the present invention is characterized in that the penetrating body is removed from the ground after the pile depth is reached while the curable mass flows out of an open outer end of the penetrating body into a cavity left in the ground. No components thus remain behind in the ground, and the whole device can be utilized again to produce a further pile at a further location.

[0019] In an alternative particular embodiment the method according to the present invention is however characterized in that, once the pile depth has been reached, the axial cavity of the penetrating body is filled with the precisely measured quantity of curable mass and the penetrating body is left behind in the ground. By making use for each pile of a penetrating body left behind in the ground a device used with which the penetrating body is driven into the ground need not wait until the axial cavity has been filled with curable mass but can be immediately utilized at a subsequent location in order to there drive a further penetrating body in the ground. The container with a set quantity of curable mass therein can then for instance be positioned with separate positioning means above the penetrating body already arranged in the ground in order to introduce the curable mass into the axial cavity. Because a subsequent penetrating body can thus already be driven into the ground during pouring of the curable mass, this results in a considerable time-saving, whereby a greater number of piles can be produced in the ground within a relatively short period of time.

[0020] The invention will now be further elucidated on the basis of a number of exemplary embodiments and an accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

Figures 1A-1D show a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention in respectively a first, second, third and fourth position during a method according to the invention.

Figures 2A-2B show respectively a cross-section and perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a container which can be applied in the device according to the invention.

[0021] The figures are otherwise purely schematic and not drawn to scale. Some dimensions in particular may be exaggerated to greater or lesser extent for the sake of clarity. Corresponding parts are designated as far as possible in the figures with the same reference numeral.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention as shown in figures 1A-1D device 1 comprises a penetrating body 2 which can be driven into the ground in order to provide therein a space in which a curable mass can be arranged in order to produce a pile. Using device 1 a method according to the present invention can be performed wherein, in a first step as shown in figure 1A, a mobile vehicle 4 of device 1 positions penetrating body 2 above a ground location where a pile, such as for instance a foundation pile, must be produced in the ground. In a second step of the method, shown in figure 1B, penetrating body 2 is driven into the ground in order to provide a shaft-like space therein. The penetrating body can be embodied here as drill body provided with blades to be driven into the ground with a rotating movement, but use is made in this exemplary embodiment of a smooth tube 2 which can be driven into the ground by being vibrated, pressed or rammed. A container 3 already filled with a quantity of curable mass, for instance a concrete mixture, set to the pile volume is then positioned above an open outer end of the penetrating body, as shown in figure 1C. This can for instance be achieved using additional positioning means. Used for this purpose however in this exemplary embodiment is the same mobile vehicle 4 with which the penetrating body has been positioned at the correct location. The curable mass is then poured wholly in one step out of container 3 via the open outer end into an axial cavity of the penetrating body. At an opposite outer end of penetrating body 2 the curable mass 10 is released via a further opening from the axial cavity to the shaft-like space. Finally, as shown in figure 1D, the penetrating body is retracted from the ground while leaving curable mass 10 behind in the shaft-like space. The mass thus forms a pile in the ground after curing. Device 1 can be provided with monitoring means which are able and adapted to monitor and adjust a speed of retraction of penetrating body 2 to a release speed of the curable mass from the container. This prevents the penetrating body being retracted too quickly before the curable mass is released from the axial cavity to the shaft-like space or, conversely, the penetrating body being retracted too slowly so that the set quantity of curable mass does not fit in the axial cavity all at once and is wasted above the ground.

[0023] Although in this exemplary embodiment the penetrating body is withdrawn from the ground so that it can subsequently be utilized at a further location to produce a further pile in the ground, it is also possible in an alternative method according to the present invention to leave the penetrating body in the ground and fill the axial cavity with curable mass. During filling of the axial cavity vehicle 4 can hereby already be driven to a further location with a further penetrating body in order to there produce a further pile in the ground. In this case additional positioning means, for instance a mobile lifting crane, are employed to position the container above the penetrating body already arranged in the ground.

[0024] An exemplary embodiment of a container which can be applied in the device according to the invention is shown in figures 2A and 2B. In this exemplary embodiment container 3 comprises a buffer vessel open on an upper side with a buffer space 5 bounded by a container wall for receiving a quantity of curable mass therein. The required curable mass can be arranged in the buffer space in simple manner through the open upper side. The buffer space is funnel-shaped in order to enhance release therefrom of curable mass received therein. On an underside buffer vessel 3 is provided in a pouring opening 9 with manually operated closing means, a shut-off valve 8 adjustable along a rotation shaft 6, with which a quantity of curable mass received in buffer space 5 can be manually released. On a side of the container wall directed toward the buffer space the buffer vessel 3 is provided with indicator means 7 in the form of a visually discernible scale division for the purpose of giving an indication of a quantity of curable mass held in the buffer space. Container 3 preferably comprises a buffer space with a volume at least substantially corresponding to the intended pile volume, so that the buffer space can be filled up to the edge in simple manner for a precise setting of the quantity of curable mass required for a pile.

[0025] Although the container is in this exemplary embodiment described as a separate component, i.e. separate from the penetrating body, use can be made instead of a container which is fixed to an open outer end of a penetrating body. A metal container can for instance thus be welded onto the open outer end of a metal penetrating body and then be driven into the ground as an assembly. The container hereby no longer need be positioned precisely above the penetrating body, and possible waste of curable mass during pouring thereof into the cavity is thus prevented.

[0026] In a further exemplary embodiment of a device according to the present invention the container comprises a vessel which is placed on the ground some distance from the penetrating body. Curable mass is pumped out of the vessel using pump means and then guided via a supply conduit, for instance a concrete hose, to a supply opening of the penetrating body. The pump means can be adjusted with adjusting means to pump a quantity of curable mass set to the pile volume wholly, i.e. all at once, at least substantially without intervals, out of the buffer space to the supply opening and introduce it into the axial cavity of the penetrating body. A correct quantity of curable mass is carried into the cavity in simple manner by precisely preadjusting the set quantity of curable mass using the adjusting means and then introducing this quantity therefrom at least substantially wholly into the cavity using the pump means. Relatively complicated and costly measuring means, which measure a quantity of curable mass introduced into the cavity in order to determine therefrom how much curable mass still has to be added to the cavity, can hereby be omitted. The invention thus provides a device with which a pile can be produced in the ground in a short time and in simple manner.

[0027] Although the invention has been further elucidated with reference to only a few exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent that the invention is by no means limited thereto. On the contrary, many other variations and embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention for the person with ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

1. Device for producing a pile in a ground, comprising a hollow penetrating body to be received in the ground with an axial cavity for receiving a curable mass therein, and comprising supply means which are adapted to carry the curable mass into the cavity, characterized in that the supply means comprise a container with a buffer space for holding therein a quantity of curable mass set to an intended pile volume, and that release means are provided for introducing the set quantity of curable mass at least substantially wholly from the buffer space into the cavity.

2. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the release means comprise pump means which introduce the set quantity of curable mass at least substantially wholly from the buffer space of the container into the cavity.

3. Device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the pump means comprise adjusting means with which a quantity of curable mass to be pumped at least substantially wholly can be adjusted.

4. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the container is provided on an underside with a pouring opening from which a quantity of curable mass received in the buffer space can be released, and that positioning means are provided to position the container with the pouring opening above a supply opening of the penetrating body.

5. Device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the release means comprise controllable closing means provided in the pouring opening of the container.

6. Device as claimed in claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the container narrows from a top side toward an underside at which the pouring opening is provided.

7. Device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the container is at least partially open on an upper side.

8. Device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the container is provided with indicator means for the purpose of giving an indication of a quantity of curable mass held in the buffer space.

9. Device as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the indicator means comprise a visually discernible scale division on a side of a container wall directed toward the buffer space.

10. Device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the container comprises a buffer vessel in which the buffer space has a volume at least substantially corresponding to the intended pile volume.

11. Device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the container comprises a set of mutually separated buffer spaces, each having a volume at least substantially corresponding to the intended pile volume.

12. Device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that retracting means are provided to retract the penetrating body from the ground and that monitoring means are provided which are able and adapted to adjust a release speed of the curable mass by the release means to a retraction speed of the retracting means.

13. Container which can be applied in a device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims.

14. Method for producing a pile in a ground, wherein a hollow penetrating body with an axial cavity for a curable mass is driven to a predetermined pile depth into the ground and the curable mass is carried into the cavity of the penetrating body when a determined penetration depth is reached, characterized in that a quantity of curable mass set to an intended pile volume is precisely measured and is introduced at least substantially wholly into the cavity of the penetrating body once the determined penetration depth has been reached.

15. Method as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the penetrating body is removed from the ground after the pile depth is reached while the curable mass flows out of an open outer end of the penetrating body into a cavity left in the ground.

16. Method as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that, once the pile depth has been reached, the axial cavity of the penetrating body is filled with the precisely measured quantity of curable mass and the penetrating body is left behind in the ground.

Drawing