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(11) | EP 4 123 118 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | EARTH AUGER DRILLING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC DRILLING OF HOLES IN THE GROUND |
| (57) The invention relates to an earth drilling device for automatically performing a
drilling operation, comprising: - an earth drill comprising one or more earth drill pipes; - a drive; - a rotatable storage device for storing the earth drill pipes which are provided with a connecting end having an end diameter greater than a pipe diameter of a main part of the earth drill pipe, and provided with: ∼ a central shaft; ∼ at least one holder arranged on the central shaft and extending to a peripheral edge provided with receiving openings for receiving an earth drill pipe; - at least one displacing arm provided with a gripper hand with fingers; characterized in that a distance between the receiving openings, as seen in a direction along the peripheral edge, and a thickness of the fingers are equal to the difference between the diameter of the connecting end and the diameter of the main part. The invention further relates to a method for automatically performing a ground drilling. |
[0001] The invention relates to an earth drilling device and a method for automatic drilling of holes in the ground.
[0002] Earth drilling devices are known in practice and are used to drill holes in the ground, for instance for water extraction, geothermal applications or shale gas extraction. To support the borehole, use can be made during drilling of casing pipes and/or other support pipes which are inserted into the ground during drilling. In order to reach a greater depth, a plurality of pipes of a determined length are coupled to each other during the drilling process. The earth drill pipes are for this purpose provided with a connecting end having a greater outer and inner diameter than the main part of the earth drill pipe. The main part of a second or subsequent pipe is slidable into the connecting part so as to make a chain of a plurality of earth drill pipes in order to create a continuous, longer pipe. The drilling depth that can be reached with an earth drilling device thereby depends directly on the number of earth drill pipes stored and brought along in the device.
[0003] In order to enable an automatic drilling process known devices are provided with a storage device in which a number of earth drill pipes are arranged, which are used successively in the drilling process. An example of such a storage device relates to a storage device which is arranged rotatably around a central shaft. The earth drill pipes are positioned in receiving openings of a peripheral edge of a circular holder plate arranged on the central shaft.
[0004] A drawback of this construction is that only a limited number of earth drill pipes can be arranged along the peripheral edge, whereby the drilling depth which can be reached in a single drilling operation is limited to the sum of the lengths of the limited amount of stored earth drill pipes.
[0005] A possible solution for this is to increase the storage device so it can contain more pipes. A larger storage device however entails the drawback that this makes the device larger, heavier and more expensive, and more difficult to utilize in smaller spaces, such as urban environments.
[0006] There is therefore a need for an earth drilling device with an improved storage device. This object is achieved with the earth drilling device for automatically performing a drilling operation, the device comprising:
- an earth drill comprising one or more earth drill pipes;
- a drive for driving the earth drill;
- a rotatable storage device which is configured to store the earth drill pipes which
are provided with a connecting end having an end diameter greater than a pipe diameter
of a main part of the earth drill pipe, and which is provided with:
- a central shaft extending in a first direction;
~ at least one holder which is arranged on the central shaft and which extends substantially perpendicularly of the first direction from the central shaft to a peripheral edge, wherein the peripheral edge is provided with receiving openings for fittingly receiving at least a part of the main part of an earth drill pipe;
- a central shaft extending in a first direction;
- at least one displacing arm for displacing an earth drill pipe from the storage device to a drilling position, wherein the at least one displacing arm is provided at an outer end with a gripper hand with fingers;
[0007] An advantage of the earth drilling device according to the invention is that more earth drill pipes can be stored than in existing storage devices, while the size of the storage device remains substantially the same. In practice, this means that a compact earth drilling device is realized, whereby deeper drillings can be performed than with existing earth drilling devices because more earth drill pipes are brought along. This arises directly from the fact that the earth drill comprises the earth drill pipes, or is even formed wholly thereby, and the depth of a ground drilling thereby depends on the sum of the lengths of the individual earth drill pipes which can be brought along in the storage device.
[0008] This advantage is achieved on the one hand by minimizing the intermediate space between stored earth drill pipes, and on the other by providing the fingers of the gripper hand of the at least one displacing arm with a maximum thickness. Minimizing of the intermediate space is achieved in that the device is configured such that the connecting ends of the earth drill pipes, as seen along the peripheral edge, are positioned substantially lying against each other, whereby the difference between the main parts is limited to the difference in diameter between the main parts and connecting ends of the earth drill pipes. Optimal use is thus made of the available space along the peripheral edge of the holder, and a maximum number of earth drill pipes can be stored on the smallest possible surface area.
[0009] In conjunction therewith, fingers of the gripper hand are provided with a thickness which, in order to be able to reach between the earth drill pipes, is no greater than equal to said difference in diameter between the main parts and connecting ends of the earth drill pipes. In other words, the fingers are at most roughly the same thickness as the intermediate space between the earth drill pipes. This makes it possible also to displace the earth drill pipes from the storage device in efficient manner.
[0010] A further advantage of the earth drilling device according to the invention is that the fingers of the gripper hand are placeable around an earth drill pipe in efficient manner in that they are guided to the correct position by adjacent earth drill pipes, even in the case of some variation. This is caused by the almost exact fit of the fingers in the intermediate space between the earth drill pipes.
[0011] A further advantage of the device according to the invention is that a very compact earth drilling device, with which deeper drillings can be performed, is achieved by application of the storage device according to the invention. This is particularly important when performing (deep) drillings in (densely) populated areas, such as an urban environment.
[0012] In an embodiment of the earth drilling device according to the invention the device can further comprise a locking device which is switchable between an open position, in which an earth drill pipe is displaceable from the storage device to the drilling position by the at least one displacing arm, and a closed position.
[0013] Application of a locking device prevents earth drill pipes from being able to unintentionally fall out of the storage device. An advantage hereof is that the transport of the device can take place more safely because losses due to the earth drill pipes falling off or out of the storage device are prevented.
[0014] A further advantage is that the safety at the work location is increased because it becomes possible to first secure an earth drill pipe with the gripper hand and then open the lock so as to enable removal of the pipe. The earth drill pipe to be removed is hereby held and secured by a part of the device at all times during the work.
[0015] A further advantage is that the locking device can be automatically controlled, whereby it can be achieved that a ground drilling is performed automatically. Use is preferably made here of a control which is configured to control the co-action between the locking device and the gripper hand of the at least one displacing arm.
[0016] In an embodiment of the earth drilling device according to the invention the device can further comprise an upper housing and/or a bottom housing, wherein each housing is connected to the central shaft and is provided with a base wall, a side wall and an inner space defined by the base wall and the side wall, wherein the inner space is configured to at least partially enclose the outer ends of the earth drill pipes.
[0017] An advantage of arranging one or two housings is that the outer ends of the earth drill pipes are enclosed and retained by the side walls of the housings. Although there can be some space between the peripheral edge of the holder (and so the earth drill pipes), this space is insufficient for removing the earth drill pipes from the receiving openings of the holder. The housing (or the housings) hereby functions as safety against unintended removal and/or falling out of the earth drill pipes from the storage device.
[0018] In an embodiment of the earth drilling device according to the invention the inner spaces of the upper housing and the bottom housing can be directed toward each other as seen in the first direction, and wherein the upper housing is preferably positioned above the bottom housing as seen in the first direction.
[0019] This embodiment is based on an operative state of the earth drilling device, wherein the central shaft of the storage device is positioned in a substantially vertical position so that the upper half encloses the upper side of the earth drill pipes and the bottom housing encloses the lower ends of the earth drill pipes.
[0020] In an embodiment of the earth drilling device according to the invention the upper housing can be configured to enclose the connecting ends of the earth drill pipes.
[0021] An advantage of this embodiment is that the connecting ends of the earth drill pipes are positioned on the upper side of the storage device. This is advantageous because the connecting ends must be positioned on the upper side during application in the drilling, so that a subsequent earth drill pipe can be placed in the drilled hole in the connecting end. In other words, it is prevented that when being removed from the storage device, an earth drill pipe must be rotated about a horizontal axis in order for the connecting end to become positioned on the upper side.
[0022] In an embodiment of the earth drilling device according to the invention the upper housing can be provided with a removal opening which extends in the base wall and the side wall and which is configured to remove an earth drill pipe and/or the side wall of the bottom housing can be provided with a removal opening for removing an earth drill pipe.
[0023] An advantage of removal openings in the housing is that removal of the earth drill pipe by the at least one displacing arm becomes simpler. The removal openings are preferably adapted to the diameter of the earth drill pipes so that these pipes can be removed one by one.
[0024] Because the removal opening in the upper housing extends both in the base wall and in the side wall, an earth drill pipe to be removed will not only be moved sideways, i.e. radially outward as seen from the central shaft, but will in some cases also be moved upward. This makes the removal (even) simpler.
[0025] In an embodiment of the earth drilling device according to the invention removal openings of the upper housing and the bottom housing are positioned opposite each other, as seen in the first direction.
[0026] An advantage of this embodiment is that the earth drill pipe to be removed can be moved and removed in a substantially vertical direction.
[0027] In an embodiment of the earth drilling device according to the invention the locking device can be connected to the upper housing and/or the bottom housing, and the locking device can preferably be configured to close the removal openings of the upper housing and/or bottom housing in reclosable manner.
[0028] An advantage of this embodiment is that the locking device is only necessary for closing, preferably reclosable closing, of the removal openings and securing of the earth drill pipe stored at the removal openings. The locking device can hereby take a relatively simple and efficient form.
[0029] In an embodiment of the earth drilling device according to the invention the locking device can comprise a pivot arm which is pivotable between a closed position, in which a removal opening of the associated housing is closed, and an open position in which the removal opening is clear.
[0030] An advantage of this embodiment according to the invention is that the locking device is simple and robust. The mechanical closing has the advantage that it can withstand great forces and is low-maintenance.
[0031] In a further development of the embodiment of the earth drilling device according to the invention the pivot arm can extend in front of the removal opening substantially perpendicularly of the first direction in a closed state, and in the open state the pivot arm can extend adjacently of the removal opening substantially in the first direction.
[0032] In an embodiment of the earth drilling device according to the invention the at least one displacing arm can further comprise a lift device which is configured to displace an earth drill pipe to be removed in the first direction, wherein the at least one displacing arm is connected pivotally to the lift device in a plane lying substantially perpendicularly of the first direction.
[0033] An advantage of the lift device according to the invention is that the earth drill pipe can be taken from the storage device in simple manner and can then be displaced to the drilling position.
[0034] A further advantage is that a (further) increased safety of the drilling location is achieved. Application of the lift device ensures that the earth drill pipe remains secured at all timed during the displacement. This is achieved firstly by the securing with the gripper hand, which need only be released once the earth drill pipe has been secured by the drill or drill head.
[0035] A further advantage of the lift device according to the invention is that it can also be used to load the storage device with earth drill pipes. The loading then takes place in reverse order (picking up first, then placing in the storage device).
[0036] In an embodiment of the earth drilling device according to the invention the at least one displacing arm can be a hydraulic arm and the fingers of the gripper hand can preferably be hydraulically controllable.
[0037] An advantage of a hydraulic displacing arm is that it can be controlled in relatively simple manner. A further advantage is that a relative great pinching or clamping force can be exerted on the earth drill pipe, this (further) increasing safety at the work site.
[0038] In an embodiment of the earth drilling device according to the invention, the at least one displacing arm can be pivotable between a first extreme position, in which the displacing arm extends at least partially adjacently of the storage device, and a second extreme position.
[0039] An advantage of this embodiment is that the gripper hand of the at least one displacing arm travels an arcuate path between the first and second extreme position, such that a clamped earth drill pipe is removable from the receiving opening and transportable to the drilling position (or vice versa). In other words, the performed rotation is achieved with one single pivoting movement.
[0040] In an embodiment of the earth drilling device according to the invention the gripper hand can have a fixedly connected finger and a finger which is movable, preferably pivotable, relative to the displacing arm.
[0041] An advantage of this embodiment is that the fixed finger can be used to catch a subsequent earth drill pipe when the storage device rotates, after which the movable finger is moved until a clamping of the pipe has been achieved. A reliable and robust clamping is hereby realized.
[0042] A further advantage is that a construction with one movable finger is simpler than a construction in which two movable fingers are applied. This also reduces the investment costs and the maintenance costs.
[0043] A further advantage of this embodiment is that displacing of an earth drill pipe, for instance for loading or moving into drilling position for drilling, can take place by merely pivoting the displacing arm and moving the movably or rotatably arranged finger of the gripper hand. In practice this means that only a few steps are necessary, for instance when performing a drilling. For this purpose the displacing arm is moved to a first extreme position so that the fixed finger of the gripper hand is positioned directly adjacently of a receiving opening and, if an earth drill pipe is present in the relevant receiving opening, the fixed finger is at least partially (also) positioned directly adjacently of this earth drill pipe. If an earth drill pipe is not present, it will be supplied by a rotation of the storage device about its rotation axis. Clamping of the earth drill pipe then requires only movement of the movable or rotatable finger about its axis from an open position to a closed position. The pivoting of the at least one displacing arm causes the earth drill pipe to reach the drilling position. After this, the earth drill pipe can be released in simple manner by a single rotation of the movable or rotatable finger from a closed to an open position. A reverse process is otherwise performed when the storage device is loaded.
[0044] In an embodiment of the earth drilling device according to the invention the fixedly connected finger of the gripper hand extends at an angle of about 90° to the longitudinal direction of the displacing arm.
[0045] An advantage of this embodiment is that by the pivoting of the displacing arm the fixed finger is positioned directly adjacently of the earth drill pipe to be removed, so that closing of the movable finger is all that is needed for the clamping. In other words, the combination of the pivot arm between the first and the second extreme position and the positioning of the fixed finger at an angle ensure that the gripper hand is directly inserted in the correct positioning between the earth drill pipes during the movement of the pivot arm.
[0046] In a further advantageous embodiment the fixedly arranged finger has a slightly curved form, the inner side of the curvature of which corresponds at least partially to the peripheral curvature of an earth drill pipe.
[0047] An advantage of this embodiment, preferably embodied in combination with the pivoting movement of the at least one displacing arm between the first and second extreme positions and the fixed finger placed at an angle of 90°, is that an earth drill pipe falls fittingly into the curvature of the fixed finger when the storage device rotates, whereby an improved clamping is realized.
[0048] In an embodiment of the earth drilling device according to the invention the device can have two holders which are arranged at a distance from each other and at a distance from longitudinal ends on the central shaft.
[0049] Arranging the holders at some distance from each other and the outer ends of the central shaft achieves that the earth drill pipes are supported in proper and stable manner. In an embodiment the holder is positioned at 25% and 75% of the length of the earth drill pipe, as seen from an outer end of the earth drill pipe.
[0050] A further advantage is that the earth drill pipes are kept stable and are supported properly over almost the whole length, especially in co-action with the housings. This minimizes the movement of the earth drill pipes in the storage device.
[0051] The invention further relates to a method for performing a drilling, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an earth drilling system according to the invention;
- displacing a pipe for placing from the storage device and to a drilling position with the at least one displacing arm;
- clamping the pipe in the drilling position;
- at least partially drilling a hole, wherein the pipe is placed; and
- rotating the storage device to a subsequent position;
- displacing a second or subsequent pipe for placing from the storage device and to a drilling position with the at least one displacing arm, wherein the second or subsequent pipe is coupled to an immediately preceding pipe; and
- repeating the foregoing steps until a desired drilling depth has been reached.
[0052] The method according to the invention has similar effects and advantages as the earth drilling device according to the invention. It is noted that the embodiments stated for the earth drilling device are freely applicable and/or combinable with the method according to the invention.
[0053] An advantage of the method according to the invention is that deeper drillings can be performed in that the earth drilling device according to the invention can comprise a greater number of earth drill pipes.
[0054] A further advantage of the method according to the invention is that a (deep) ground drilling can be performed wholly automatically, wherein this is also possible in a (densely) populated area.
[0055] In an embodiment of the method according to the invention the step of displacing from the storage device to the drilling position can comprise the steps of moving the fingers of the at least one displacing arm to an intermediate space between mutually adjacently placed pipes such that the fingers are positioned around the pipe for placing, and of closing the gripper hand of at least one displacing arm around the pipe for displacing. The method can further comprise the step of releasing the fingers of the gripper hand of the at least one displacing arm after the pipe has been clamped in the drilling position, and the step of placing the at least one displacing arm back into a rest position, in which position the opened fingers of the gripper hand protrude into the storage device, prior to rotation of the storage device.
[0056] An advantage of this embodiment of the method is that (even better) safety is achieved at the drilling location. This is the result of the fact that an earth drill pipe for displacing is secured in the storage device, in the gripper hand or by the drill head in the drilling position at all times during the work.
[0057] A further advantage of this embodiment is that the gripper hand protrudes into the storage device in the rest position. Rotating the storage device from the free location (from which the preceding earth drill pipe has been removed) to a subsequent position thereby automatically results in the subsequent earth drill pipe for displacing falling into the gripper hand. Displacing of the earth drill pipes is hereby realized in efficient manner. It is also achieved that the subsequent earth drill pipe is immediately secured by the gripper hand, whereby the earth drill pipe is substantially prevented from falling out of the storage device.
[0058] In an embodiment of the method according to the invention the step of displacing the pipe from the storage device can further comprise of:
- unlocking the locking mechanism on the storage device after the gripper hand has closed;
- moving the pipe for displacing to a removal position by means of the lift mechanism prior to displacement of the pipe; and
- locking the locking mechanism after the pipe has been displaced from the storage device.
[0059] An advantage of this embodiment of the method is that (even better) safety is achieved at the drilling location. This is the result of the fact that an earth drill pipe for displacing is secured in the storage device, in the gripper hand or by the drill head in the drilling position at all times during the work.
[0060] The invention further relates to an earth drill assembly comprising an earth drilling device according to the invention, and one or more earth drill pipes, wherein each earth drill pipe is provided with a connecting end having an end diameter greater than a pipe diameter of a main part of the earth drill pipe.
[0061] The assembly according to the invention has similar effects and advantages as the earth drilling device according to the invention. It is noted that the embodiments stated for the earth drilling device and method are freely applicable and/or combinable with the assembly according to the invention.
[0062] The invention further relates to a conversion kit for converting an earth drilling device into an earth drilling device according to the invention, wherein the conversion kit comprises a rotatable storage device which is configured to store earth drill pipes provided with a connecting end having an end diameter greater than a pipe diameter of a main part of the earth drill pipe, and which is provided with a central shaft extending in a first direction and having at least one holder which is arranged on the central shaft and which extends substantially perpendicularly of the first direction from the central shaft to a peripheral edge, wherein the peripheral edge is provided with receiving openings for fittingly receiving at least a part of the main part of an earth drill pipe. The conversion kit further comprises at least one displacing arm for displacing an earth drill pipe from the storage device to a drilling position, wherein the at least one displacing arm is provided at an outer end with a gripper hand with fingers, wherein a distance between the receiving openings, as seen in a direction along the peripheral edge, is substantially equal to the difference between the diameter of the connecting end of an earth drill pipe and the diameter of the remaining part, and wherein a thickness of the fingers is substantially equal to the difference between the diameter of the connecting end of an earth drill pipe and the diameter of the remaining part. The conversion kit further comprises two supports which are connectable at one outer end to the central shaft and which are configured to be connectable with an opposite outer end to an existing earth drilling device.
[0063] The conversion kit according to the invention results in similar effects and advantages as the earth drilling device and the method according to the invention. It is noted that the embodiments stated for the earth drilling device and method are freely applicable and/or combinable with the conversion kit according to the invention.
[0064] The invention further relates to a method for converting an earth drilling device into an earth drilling device according to the invention, wherein the method comprises of providing an earth drilling device and a conversion kit according to the invention. The method further comprises of arranging the two supports on the central shaft of the storage device, wherein each support is connected at an outer end of the central shaft and wherein the central shaft is rotatable relative to the supports. The method further comprises the steps of connecting the supports to the earth drilling device and replacing the at least one displacing arm of the drilling device, or at least the gripper hand thereof, with the at least one displacing arm, or at least the gripper hand, of the conversion kit. The method also comprises the step of connecting the at least one displacing arm and/or the storage device to a control of the earth drilling device. The method can optionally also comprise the step of updating the control software of the earth drilling device with control software for controlling the components of the conversion kit.
[0065] The method for converting an earth drilling device into an earth drilling device according to the invention has similar effects and advantages as the earth drilling device according to the invention. It is noted that the embodiments stated for the earth drilling device are freely applicable and/or combinable with the method for converting according to the invention.
[0066] Further features, advantages and details of the invention are described on the basis of embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the earth drilling device according to the invention;
Figure 2 shows a detail view of (a top part of) an embodiment of the storage device according to the invention;
Figure 3 shows a schematic front view of an embodiment of the storage device according to the invention in which the housings have been dispensed with;
Figures 4A-4L show a perspective view of an example of the steps of displacing an earth drill pipe from the storage device to the drilling position.
[0067] In an embodiment (see figure 1) earth drilling device 2 is provided with storage device 4 which is configured to store earth drill pipes 6. Earth drill pipes 6 which are applied in earth drilling device 2 are provided with main part 16 with pipe diameter ODH and with connecting end 18 which is connected to the main part 16 and has a diameter ODV which is greater than pipe diameter ODH (see figure 3). Main part 16 of an earth drill pipe 6 is hereby slidable into connecting end 18 of another earth drill pipe 6 so as to form a continuous pipe 6.
[0068] Storage device 4 is provided with central shaft 8 which extends in first direction z (see figure 2). In this embodiment two holders 10 in the form of circular plates 10 are arranged on central shaft 8. In this embodiment central shaft 8 extends through a central point of holders 10. Each holder 10 is provided on peripheral edge 12 with receiving openings 14 in which earth drill pipes 6 are receivable. Receiving opening 14 is formed such that main part 16 of earth drill pipes 6 is receivable fittingly therein. The intermediate distance T between the receiving openings 14 of holders 10 is such that connecting ends 18 of adjacent pipes lie against each other (see figures 3, 4A).
[0069] Storage device 4 is further provided with supports 20 which are arranged on opposite outer ends 8a, 8b of central shaft 8. Upper housing 22 is arranged on central shaft 8 adjacently of (and, as seen in direction z, on the inner side of) outer end 8a. Bottom housing 24 is arranged adjacently of (and, as seen in direction z, on the inner side of) outer end 8b.
[0070] In this embodiment upper housing 22 is provided with base wall 26 and side wall 28 which extends in a first direction z toward bottom housing 24. Base wall 26 is a circular plate which is provided on the side of outer end 8a with tubular part 30. Base wall 26 and side wall 28 form inner space 32 in which connecting ends 18 of earth drill pipes 6 are received in this embodiment. Earth drill pipes 6 and connecting ends 18 thereof are here in this embodiment not in contact with upper housing 22. Upper housing 22 is further provided with removal opening 34, which extends partially in base wall 26 and partially in side wall 28. It is noted here that the part in side wall 28 extends (as seen in vertical direction z) over the whole length of side wall 28. An earth drill pipe 6 can be removed 'through' base wall 26 and sideways through removal opening 34.
[0071] Upper housing 22 is further provided with (a part of) locking device 36, which in this embodiment takes the form of a hydraulically controllable pivot arm 36. In closed position pivot arm 36 extends in front of removal opening 34, and in open position it is parallel to side wall 28 of upper housing 22.
[0072] Bottom housing 24 is formed similarly with base wall 38 and side wall 40 which in this case extends in vertical direction z toward upper housing 22 over a determined length and encloses inner space 41. Bottom housing 24 is provided with removal opening 42 which lies opposite removal opening 34 of upper housing 22 in first direction z. In this embodiment removal opening 42 extends only in side wall 40 over the whole length thereof. Bottom housing 24 is provided with (a second part of) locking device 36, and in this embodiment likewise takes the form of a hydraulically controllable pivot arm 36. In closed position pivot arm 36 extends in front of removal opening 42, and in open position points in direction z partially parallel to side wall 40 of bottom housing 24.
[0073] Earth drilling device 2 is further provided with mast 44 which extends in first direction z and substantially parallel to central shaft 8. Mast 44 is provided with earth drill 46 and drive 48 of earth drill 46. In this embodiment mast 44 is further provided with lift mechanism 50 which is arranged on mast 44 for movement in the first direction z. In this embodiment earth drilling device 2 is provided with two displacing arms 52 which are connected to lift device 50 at a mutual distance in first direction z. Each of the displacing arms 52 is movable in a plane formed by a second direction x and a third direction y, which lie perpendicularly of each other and of the first direction z. The two planes in which displacing arms 52 move are positioned at a mutual distance in first direction z.
[0074] In other words, during use of the device displacing arms 52 are each movable in their own plane, wherein the planes lie in vertical direction at a mutual distance determined by lift device 50. It is the case here that each of the displacing arms 52 is arranged for pivoting about upright shaft 51 between first extreme position U1 and second extreme position U2. In this embodiment (see figures 4A-4L) displacing arms 52 are mutually connected such that they pivot about upright shaft 51 simultaneously. This can be a continuous shaft 51, but can also be embodied as two collinear shafts placed at a mutual distance in the first direction z.
[0075] In first extreme position U1 (see figure 4A) displacing arm 52 extends partially along earth drill pipes 6 of storage unit 4, wherein fingers 56, 58 protrude inward into storage device 4 and clamp around earth drill pipe 6 to be removed. In second extreme position U2 (see figures 4G, 4H) displacing arm 52 is positioned such that earth drill pipe 6 is positioned directly under drill head 46. In practice this means that, when preceding pipes have been inserted into the ground, earth drill pipe 6 is also positioned directly above the last inserted of these pipes previously inserted into the ground.
[0076] Each displacing arm 52 is provided with gripper or gripper hand 54, which is provided with fingers 56, 58. Figure 56 is here a fixedly arranged finger, while finger 58 is rotatable about an axis extending in first direction z. Fixedly arranged finger 56 here preferably has a slightly curved form, the inner side of the curve of which corresponds at least partially to the peripheral curvature of earth drill pipe 6. During pivoting of displacing arm 52 to first position U1 fixed finger 56 of gripper hand 54 is positioned directly adjacently of receiving opening 14 (see figure 2, figure 4J). By a rotation of storage device 4 about its rotation axis a subsequent earth drill pipe 6 connects directly to fixed finger 56 of gripper hand 54 (see figure 4K). It is otherwise the case that, if an earth drill pipe 6 is present in the relevant receiving opening 14 (see figure 4A), fixed finger 56 is (also) positioned at least partially directly adjacently of earth drill pipe 6.
[0077] Clamping of earth drill pipe 6 then requires only movement of movable or rotatable finger 58 about its axis from an open position (see figure 2, figure 4J) to a closed position (figure 4K, figure 4A). After earth drill pipe 6 has been placed in drilling position (see figure 4G), earth drill pipe 6 can be released in simple manner by a single rotation of movable or rotatable finger 58 of gripper hand 54 (see figure 41).
[0078] A reverse process is otherwise performed when storage device 4 is loaded, wherein pipes are transported from the drilling position to the storage position and are there arranged/stored in receiving openings 14 of storage device 4.
[0079] Both for loading and for use during drilling of earth drilling device 2 it is thus the case that this can take place by simply pivoting displacing arm 52 and rotating movable or rotatable finger 58 about its axis. This provides a simple technical solution which is robust and reliable in operation.
[0080] In use of drilling device 2 a number of steps are performed, wherein a distinction can be made between the drilling process and the process of filling storage device 4 (see respective figures 4, 5).
[0081] In use of drilling device 2 during a drilling process, storage device 4 is loaded with earth drill pipes 6. In a first step 1002 displacing arms 52 are displaced toward storage device 4 and gripper hand 54 is inserted in open position into storage device 4. Figure 56 is here positioned against the side wall of earth drill pipe 6, after which movable finger 58 is closed (step 1004). Earth drill pipe 6 is now secured by gripper hand 54 (step 1006). Once earth drill pipe 6 has been secured, the step follows of unlocking 1008 of the locking device 36 on upper housing 22 and bottom housing 24 (see figure 4B). Earth drilling device 2 is now ready to displace earth drill pipe 6 from storage device 4. This comprises of moving 1009 the earth drill pipe 6 for displacing (upward) to a removal position by means of lift mechanism 50 (figures 4C-1, 4C-2, 4C-3), and then placing earth drill pipe 6 by pivoting 1010 to and placing 1010 at the drilling position (figures 4D, 4E-1, 4E-2, 4E-3). Following this, the drill head is placed on the connecting end of earth drill pipe 6, and clamping 1012 or securing 1012 of the pipe in the drilling position follows (figures 4F, 4G). Once earth drill pipe 6 has been secured by the drill head, unlocking 1014 of the locking device 36 follows (see figure 4H).
[0082] Following clamping of earth drill pipe 6, releasing 1016 of the fingers 56, 58 of gripper hand 54 of displacing arms 52 (figure 4I) and moving 1018 the gripper hand to a rest position likewise follow, wherein the fingers are in an open position in order to receive a subsequent earth drill pipe and at least one finger protrudes into the storage device (figure 4J). The at least partial drilling 1020 of a hole, wherein the pipe is placed in the ground surface, takes place simultaneously or subsequently thereto.
[0083] Rotating 1022 of the storage device to a subsequent position also takes place (figure 4K), wherein the subsequent earth drill pipe falls directly into the open fingers, particularly the fixed open finger of the gripper hand, and closing 1024 of the gripper hand follows (figure 4L). The process of the method can then take place once again by displacing 1024 a second or subsequent pipe for placing from the storage device and to a drilling position by means of the at least one displacing arm, wherein the second or subsequent pipe is coupled to an immediately preceding pipe. Repeating 1026 the foregoing steps is carried out until a desired drilling depth has been reached.
1. Earth drilling device for automatically performing a drilling operation, comprising:
in that a thickness of the fingers is no greater than equal to said difference.
- an earth drill, comprising one or more earth drill pipes;
- a drive for driving the earth drill;
- a rotatable storage device which is configured to store the earth drill pipes which are provided with a connecting end having an end diameter greater than a pipe diameter of a main part of the earth drill pipe, and which is provided with:
~ a central shaft extending in a first direction;
~ at least one holder which is arranged on the central shaft and which extends substantially perpendicularly of the first direction from the central shaft to a peripheral edge, wherein the peripheral edge is provided with receiving openings for fittingly receiving at least a part of the main part of an earth drill pipe;
- at least one displacing arm for displacing an earth drill pipe from the storage device to a drilling position, wherein the at least one displacing arm is provided at an outer end with a gripper hand with fingers;
characterized in that a distance between the receiving openings, as seen in a direction along the peripheral edge, is substantially equal to a difference between the diameter of the connecting end of an earth drill pipe and the diameter of the main part; andin that a thickness of the fingers is no greater than equal to said difference.
2. Earth drilling device according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a
locking device which is switchable between an open position, in which an earth drill
pipe is displaceable from the storage device to the drilling position by the at least
one displacing arm, and a closed position.
3. Earth drilling device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an upper housing
and/or a bottom housing, wherein each housing is connected to the central shaft and
is provided with a base wall, a side wall and an inner space defined by the base wall
and the side wall, wherein the inner space is configured to at least partially enclose
the outer ends of the earth drill pipes.
4. Earth drilling device according to claim 3, wherein the inner spaces of the upper
housing and the bottom housing can be directed toward each other as seen in the first
direction, and wherein the upper housing is preferably positioned above the bottom
housing as seen in the first direction.
5. Earth drilling device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the upper housing is provided
with a removal opening which extends in the base wall and the side wall and which
is configured to remove an earth drill pipe and/or wherein the side wall of the bottom
housing is provided with a removal opening for removing an earth drill pipe.
6. Earth drilling device according to any one of the claims 3-5, when dependent on claim
2, wherein the locking device is connected to the upper housing and/or the bottom
housing, and wherein the locking device is preferably configured to close the removal
openings of the upper housing and/or bottom housing in reclosable manner.
7. Earth drilling device according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the displacing
means further comprise a lift device which is configured to displace an earth drill
pipe to be removed in the first direction, wherein the at least one displacing arm
is connected pivotally to the lift device in a plane lying substantially perpendicularly
of the first direction.
8. Earth drilling device according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the at
least one displacing arm is a hydraulic arm and wherein the fingers of the gripper
hand are preferably hydraulically controllable.
9. Earth drilling device according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the gripper
hand has a fixedly connected finger and a finger which is movable, preferably pivotable,
relative to the displacing arm; and/or wherein the device has two holders which are
arranged at a distance from each other and at a distance from longitudinal ends on
the central shaft.
10. Method for automatically performing a ground drilling, comprising the steps of:
- providing an earth drilling device according to any one of the foregoing claims;
- displacing a pipe for placing from the storage device and to a drilling position with the at least one displacing arm;
- clamping the pipe in the drilling position;
- at least partially drilling a hole, wherein the pipe is placed; and
- rotating the storage device to a subsequent position;
- displacing a second or subsequent pipe for placing from the storage device and to a drilling position with the at least one displacing arm, wherein the second or subsequent pipe is coupled to an immediately preceding pipe; and
- repeating the foregoing steps until a desired drilling depth has been reached.
11. Method according to claim 10, wherein the step of displacing from the storage device
to the drilling position comprises the steps of:
- moving the fingers of the at least one displacing arm to an intermediate space between mutually adjacently placed pipes, such that the fingers are positioned around the pipe for placing;
- closing the gripper hand of the at least one displacing arm around the pipe for displacing;
and wherein the method further comprises of:- releasing the fingers of the gripper hand of the at least one displacing arm after the pipe has been clamped in the drilling position; and
- placing the at least one displacing arm back into a rest position prior to rotation of the storage device, in which position the fingers of the gripper hand are in an open position so as to receive a subsequent earth drill pipe and at least one finger protrudes into the storage device.
12. Method according to claim 11, wherein the step of displacing the pipe from the storage
device further comprises of:
- unlocking the locking mechanism on the storage device after the gripper hand has closed;
- moving the pipe for displacing to a removal position by means of the lift mechanism prior to displacement of the pipe; and
- locking the locking mechanism after the pipe has been displaced from the storage device.
13. Earth drill assembly comprising:
- an earth drilling device according to any one of the claims 1-9; and
- one or more earth drill pipes, wherein each earth drill pipe is provided with a connecting end having an end diameter greater than a pipe diameter of a main part of the earth drill pipe.
14. Conversion kit for converting an earth drilling device into an earth drilling device
according to any one of the claims 1-9, the conversion kit comprising:
wherein a thickness of the fingers is substantially equal to the difference between the diameter of the connecting end of an earth drill pipe and the diameter of the remaining part; and
- a rotatable storage device which is configured to store earth drill pipes which are provided with a connecting end having an end diameter greater than a pipe diameter of a main part of the earth drill pipe, and which is provided with:
~ a central shaft extending in a first direction;
~ at least one holder which is arranged on the central shaft and which extends substantially perpendicularly of the first direction from the central shaft to a peripheral edge, wherein the peripheral edge is provided with receiving openings for fittingly receiving at least a part of the main part of an earth drill pipe;
- at least one displacing arm for displacing an earth drill pipe from the storage device to a drilling position, wherein the at least one displacing arm is provided at an outer end with a gripper hand with fingers;
wherein a distance between the receiving openings, as seen in a direction along the peripheral edge, is substantially equal to the difference between the diameter of the connecting end of an earth drill pipe and the diameter of the remaining part; andwherein a thickness of the fingers is substantially equal to the difference between the diameter of the connecting end of an earth drill pipe and the diameter of the remaining part; and
- two supports which are connectable at one outer end to the central shaft and which are configured to be connectable with an opposite outer end to an existing earth drilling device.
15. Method for converting an earth drilling device into an earth drilling device according
to any one of the claims 1-9, the method comprising of:
- providing an earth drilling device;
- providing a conversion kit according to claim 14;
- arranging the two supports on the central shaft of the storage device, wherein each support is connected at an outer end of the central shaft and wherein the central shaft is rotatable relative to the supports;
- connecting the supports to the earth drilling device;
- replacing the at least one displacing arm of the drilling device, or at least the gripper hand thereof, with the at least one displacing arm, or at least the gripper hand, of the conversion kit;
- connecting the at least one displacing arm and/or the storage device to a control of the earth drilling device; and
- optionally updating the control software of the earth drilling device with control software for controlling the components of the conversion kit.