Device for producing a column of material in the ground and method for charging the device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for producing a material column, in particular a vibro-compacting column from a pourable material in the ground, comprising an introduction pipe which is designed to be driven into the ground and has at least one material outlet opening at a lower end, a vibrating drive which is designed to set the introduction pipe in vibrating vibrations and is arranged in particular at a lower region of the introduction pipe, a receiving hopper which is designed to receive a quantity of pourable material and is arranged at an upper region of the introduction pipe, and a compressed air supply device for introducing compressed air into the interior of the introduction pipe.According to the invention, a sensor device is arranged which is designed to detect a fill level of pourable material down to a lower region of the introduction pipe, that the receiving hopper is designed with a closed housing with a closable feed opening for feeding pourable material into the receiving hopper, wherein the feed opening can be closed airtight by means of a closing device, and that a passage between the receiving hopper and the introduction pipe arranged underneath is open when the pourable material is introduced into the ground, wherein the fill level of pourable material in the introduction pipe can be detected by the sensor device. The invention further relates to a method for feeding a device for producing a material column.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for producing a material column, in particular a vibro-compacted column, from a pourable material in the ground, comprising an insertion tube which is designed to be driven into the ground and has at least one material outlet opening at a lower end, a vibrating drive which is designed to set the insertion tube in vibratory vibrations and is arranged in particular at a lower region of the insertion tube, a receiving hopper which is designed to receive a quantity of pourable material and is arranged at an upper region of the insertion tube, and a compressed air supply device for introducing compressed air into the interior of the insertion tube, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] The invention further relates to a method for feeding a device for producing a material column, in particular a vibro-compacting column, by means of a carrier device, wherein the carrier device comprises: a carrier vehicle, a mast which is arranged on the carrier vehicle and is arranged substantially vertically during operation for producing a vibro-compacted column, a mast carriage which is mounted for movement along the mast and on which the device for producing a vibro-compacted column is arranged, and a feeding device for feeding loose material into a receiving hopper of the device for producing a vibro-compacted column, wherein -- a feeding carriage of the feeding device is moved along the mast, -- a feeding chamber formed on the feeding carriage receives loose material, -- a closure device arranged on the feeding carriage, which closes the feeding chamber laterally or at the bottom, is adjusted between a closed travel position, in which the feeding carriage is movable along the mast, and an open discharge position,in which bulk material is discharged from the loading chamber of the loading carriage into the receiving hopper, according to the preamble of claim 15.

[0003] A generic device and a method for producing a material column in the ground are disclosed in EP 0861944 A1. The device comprises an insertion pipe which is driven into the ground by vibration using a drive head arranged on the insertion pipe. After reaching the final depth, the insertion pipe is withdrawn, whereby loose material, such as gravel or sand, is introduced from an upper receiving hopper through the hollow insertion pipe into the exposed borehole to form the material column in the ground. Compressed air can be supplied to the insertion pipe from above to support and ensure the flow of material out of the insertion pipe. The density of the material column can be increased by an axial tamping movement of the insertion pipe and further vibration, whereby a so-called vibro-tamping column can be formed.Such material columns can be used to increase the load-bearing capacity of the soil, in particular of a building site, and / or to improve drainage.

[0004] In the known device, a lock door is arranged between the upper receiving hopper and the feed pipe, allowing the feed pipe to be pressure-tightly sealed off from the upper receiving hopper. This allows pressure to be built up and maintained within the feed pipe when the receiving hopper is open, allowing it to be loaded with new bulk material. The receiving hopper on the feed pipe is fed with bulk material via a container suspended and mounted on a vertically adjustable hoist rope.

[0005] Due to the nature of the process, a machine operator cannot directly view the fill level of the insertion tube when creating a material column in the soil using such a device. It is therefore difficult to estimate whether there is too much, too little, or enough pourable material in the insertion tube to create the desired material column in the soil. This complicates the efficient creation of such a material column and the appropriate use of material.

[0006] In addition, the presence of softer soil layers or soil layers with cavities can result in unexpectedly increased demand for bulk material, which deviates from the theoretically calculated material requirement. To avoid insufficient or incomplete formation of the material column, a certain excess amount of material is often introduced into the insertion tube compared to the theoretically calculated material requirement. Since the insertion tube is always emptied during the construction of the vibro-compaction column, this often results in unnecessary additional consumption from a technical perspective, leading to increased costs and effort.

[0007] EP 1 580 325 B1 discloses a receiving hopper for an insertion pipe, which is provided with a closable flap.

[0008] The invention is based on the TaskThe aim is to provide a device, a carrier device therefor and a method which contribute to a particularly efficient and economical production of a material column in the ground.

[0009] The object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1, a carrier device having the features of claim 9, and by a method having the features of claim 15. Preferred embodiments are specified in the further claims.

[0010] The device according to the invention is characterized in that a sensor device is arranged which is designed to detect a fill level of pourable material down to a lower region of the introduction pipe, that the receiving hopper is designed with a closed housing with a closable feed opening for feeding pourable material into the receiving hopper, wherein the feed opening can be closed airtight by means of a closing device, and that a passage between the receiving hopper and the introduction pipe arranged underneath is open when the pourable material is introduced into the ground, wherein the fill level of pourable material in the introduction pipe can be detected by the sensor device.

[0011] A first aspect of the invention is to use a sensor device to monitor the fill level of pourable material not only in the receiving hopper, but in the introduction pipe as a whole. This means that, particularly at the end of the creation of a material column in the ground, a current fill level can also be detected at the lower end of the introduction pipe and monitored by a machine operator or a control system. According to the invention, the sensor device is arranged and designed such that it can detect a fill level even down to a lower region of the introduction pipe. This can ensure, for example, that if the fill level is too low, a sufficient amount of pourable material is still fed into the introduction pipe in good time. In this way, a material column in the ground can be created efficiently and with higher quality.

[0012] According to a further aspect of the invention, a passage between the receiving hopper and the insertion pipe located below it is open during the introduction of the loose material into the ground, so that the fill level in the insertion pipe can be detected during the process. In particular, the sensor device is arranged in the receiving hopper above the insertion pipe.

[0013] In order to ensure a sufficient supply of compressed air and a sufficient build-up of overpressure in the feed pipe, even if a lock door is omitted at the passage between the receiving hopper and the feed pipe, a sufficiently tight pressure chamber is created by designing the receiving hopper with a closed housing with a closable feed opening, wherein the feed opening can be closed airtight by means of a closing device. The feed opening, which can comprise a door or a flap, serves to feed the pourable material into the receiving hopper. Due to the design of the preferably funnel-shaped receiving hopper, a further quantity of pourable material can be held and made available at the feed pipe in addition to the receiving volume of the feed pipe.

[0014] With the device according to the invention, in particular a required quantity of pourable material can be kept ready in the feed pipe and the receiving hopper and the consumption of pourable material can be reliably monitored during the construction of the material column.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, it is preferred that the closing device on the receiving hopper has an opening flap which can be adjusted by means of an adjusting drive between an open position for supplying loose material into the receiving hopper and a closed position in which the receiving hopper is hermetically sealed. By means of an adjustable opening flap, the opening and, in particular, the air- or pressure-tight closing of the receiving hopper can be reliably ensured. The adjustment of the opening flap can be passive via spring preload or actively, preferably by means of an adjusting drive. This can have a rotary drive or at least one axial actuator, in particular a hydraulic cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder. In particular, an electric motor can be arranged as the rotary drive, which can adjust the opening flap via a corresponding gear.

[0016] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is advantageous for the compressed air supply device to have a line arrangement with one or more supply openings that open into the receiving hopper and / or the introduction pipe. The compressed air supply device is connected, in particular, to a compressed air source on the device and, in particular, to a carrier device. The compressed air source can, in particular, be a compressor and / or a pressure accumulator.

[0017] When the insertion pipe is driven into the ground, internal pressure can be generated, which counteracts the penetration of soil material through a lower material outlet opening on the insertion pipe. When the insertion pipe is inserted or driven into the ground, it can preferably already be filled with the loose material or even still be empty. By supplying compressed air when withdrawing the insertion pipe from the ground, the loose material can be expelled from the insertion pipe into the resulting borehole. An overpressure can be generated within the insertion pipe, preferably between 1 bar and 10 bar.

[0018] To detect the fill level, the sensor device can in principle comprise any suitable detection device. According to one embodiment of the invention, it is preferred that the sensor device comprises a fill level sensor, which is designed in particular as a radar sensor, an ultrasonic sensor and / or a laser sensor. With a radar sensor or an ultrasonic sensor, a distance measurement between the fill level sensor and a surface of the pourable material in the feed pipe can be detected using radar waves or ultrasonic waves. The same applies to a laser sensor, with one or more laser light beams being used for this purpose. In particular, a fan-shaped laser beam can also be used to detect an upper fill level surface. The respective fill level sensor should preferably be adapted to the geometric conditions of the feed pipe or the receiving hopper and calibrated.Preferably, two or more different sensor types can be installed. This allows particularly reliable and accurate level measurements to be achieved by overlaying different detection data.

[0019] In principle, a single fill level sensor may be sufficient to detect a fill level in the feed pipe and also in the receiving hopper. According to a further development of the invention, it is advantageous for at least one further fill level sensor to be arranged in the receiving hopper for detecting a fill level in the receiving hopper, in particular a maximum fill level in the receiving hopper. In particular, a further fill level sensor can be arranged which is designed exclusively for detecting a maximum fill level in the receiving hopper. This allows overfilling of the receiving hopper by loose material to be detected early and thus particularly reliably prevented.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, particularly efficient operation can be achieved by arranging a control unit which is connected to the sensor device. The control unit is designed to control a movement of the introduction pipe and / or a discharge of pourable material into the ground via the at least one material outlet opening depending on a fill level of the pourable material in the introduction pipe detected by the sensor device. Reliable detection of the fill level in the introduction pipe enables a controlled or, in particular, regulated movement of the introduction pipe together with or dependent on a discharge of pourable material into the ground. This can ensure that a minimum amount of pourable material and / or a precise specified amount and / or a maximum amount is introduced for approximately each linear meter of a material column to be created.This increases the consistent quality and strength of the material column to be created in the ground.

[0021] In particular, according to a further development of the invention, it is advantageous for the control unit to be configured to detect when a lower and / or upper limit fill level of bulk material in the feed pipe has been reached and to indicate this to a machine operator and / or to initiate or terminate the feeding of additional bulk material into the receiving hopper. This allows, in particular, a demand-based feeding of bulk material into the receiving hopper and the feed pipe.

[0022] For quality assurance and quality monitoring of the material column to be created, according to a further embodiment of the invention, it is preferred that the control unit is designed to determine the current actual fill level of pourable material in the introduction pipe via a depth of the introduction pipe in the ground and, in particular, to store this information. This makes it particularly easy to monitor at which depth which quantity of pourable material has been dispensed. This allows conclusions to be drawn about the structure of the soil, for example the presence of soft soil layers or cavities in the soil. Furthermore, the pourable material can be introduced at different depths, for example if there is a softer or harder soil layer. The proper creation of a material column in the ground can also be monitored and documented.Saving the data collected during the production of the material column can be used for later proof of quality and for an exact determination of the strength or load-bearing capacity of the material column.

[0023] The invention further relates to a carrier device for a device according to the invention for producing a material column, in particular a vibro-compacting column, with a carrier vehicle, a mast which is arranged on the carrier vehicle and is arranged substantially vertically during operation for producing a vibro-compacted column, a mast carriage which is mounted for movement along the mast and on which the device for producing a vibro-compacted column is arranged, and a feeding device for feeding loose material into a receiving hopper of the device for producing a vibro-compacted column, wherein the feeding device comprises: -- a feeding carriage which is movable along the mast, -- a feeding chamber formed on the feeding carriage which is designed to receive loose material, -- a closure device arranged on the feeding carriage which closes the feeding chamber laterally or at the bottom and can be moved between a closed travel position in which the feeding carriage can be moved along the mast,and an open discharge position in which bulk material can be discharged from the loading chamber of the loading carriage into the receiving hopper, wherein the carrier device is characterized in that that a measuring device is arranged with which an actual filling quantity and / or a change in the actual filling quantity of pourable material in the charging chamber can be detected, that an actuator is arranged on the closure device with which the closure device can be opened and closed in a defined manner, and that a control unit is arranged which is connected to the measuring device and the actuator and is designed for the controlled feeding of a specific quantity of pourable material from the charging chamber of the charging device into the receiving hopper of the device for producing a vibratory compaction column.

[0024] A basic idea of the carrier device according to the invention can be seen in the detection of an actual fill quantity and / or the change in the actual fill quantity in the loading chamber of the loading carriage. By means of a control unit, a specific quantity of bulk material can be fed from the loading chamber on the loading carriage into the receiving hopper of a device for producing a vibro-compacted column, whereby the removal of bulk material in the loading chamber corresponds to the feed quantity into the receiving hopper.

[0025] According to a further aspect of the invention, the control unit controls a closure device on the charging chamber. The closure device is initially opened and then closed again by the control unit when the specified discharge quantity is reached. This allows the receiving hopper to be filled as needed by the charging device. Thus, an insertion pipe can be provided with the required amount of pourable material to create a material column in the soil with particularly high precision. This enables efficient and particularly economical creation of the material column in the soil.

[0026] In principle, the control unit can be operated manually by a machine operator, with the control unit indicating, for example via a display screen, when the desired amount of pourable material has been dispensed. According to a further development of the invention, efficient automatic operation is achieved in that the control unit can specify a defined filling quantity of pourable material to be dispensed from the feeding device to the receiving hopper, and in that the control unit opens the closure device and closes it again depending on a change in the actual filling quantity of pourable material in the feeding chamber detected by the measuring device when the defined filling quantity of pourable material has been dispensed.A corresponding automatic control program is stored in the control unit so that bulk material can be discharged automatically and very precisely from the feeding device into the receiving hopper.

[0027] In principle, any suitable measuring device can be used to detect the actual fill level in the loading chamber, such as an optical level gauge, in particular with a laser measuring device, or an optical camera with suitable image analysis software. According to one embodiment of the invention, it is particularly preferred that the measuring device is designed to detect a weight force of the loading device. The measuring device can thus, in particular, detect a change in the weight of the loading device, with a decrease in the weight force being a measure of how much pourable material is being delivered to the receiving hopper.

[0028] According to a further development of the invention, it is particularly expedient for the loading carriage to be guided along a linear guide of the mast and to be movable along the mast by means of a hoist cable. The hoist cable is guided, in particular, over the mast head and can be moved by means of a hoist winch to raise and lower the loading carriage. During or after the loading carriage is lowered, it can be filled with bulk material, for example, by an excavator or other device. By moving the loading carriage upwards to a discharge position on the receiving hopper, the bulk material can then be discharged into the receiving hopper.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, it is particularly advantageous that the hoist rope on the mast is guided over a roller on which the measuring device is arranged, which detects a weight force as a measure of the actual fill level. A force measuring device can be arranged, in particular, on an axle of the roller, with which the load on the roller is measured, which is exerted on the roller by the weight of the loading carriage. Thus, a change in the weight of the loading device can be detected and determined particularly reliably using this force measuring device.

[0030] The invention further relates to a method for producing a filling plug column from a pourable material in the ground, with an introduction pipe which is designed to be driven into the ground and has at least one material outlet opening at a lower end, and a receiving hopper which is arranged at an upper region of the introduction pipe, wherein the insertion pipe is driven into the ground, the insertion pipe is filled with a quantity of loose material via the receiving hopper and the loose material is discharged into the ground via at least one material outlet opening on the insertion pipe, whereby the insertion pipe is vibrated by means of a vibrating drive and compressed air is introduced into the interior of the insertion pipe by means of a compressed air supply device to support the material flow in the insertion pipe, whereby it is provided that a sensor device is arranged in the area of the receiving hopper, with which a fill level of loose material down to a lower area of the introduction pipe can be detected, that the receiving hopper is designed with a closed housing with a closable feed opening for feeding loose material into the receiving hopper, wherein when compressed air is introduced by means of the compressed air feed device, the feed opening is hermetically sealed by means of an opening flap, and that when the loose material is introduced into the ground, the fill level of loose material in the introduction pipe is detected by the sensor device, wherein a passage between the receiving hopper and the introduction pipe arranged below is open when the loose material is introduced into the ground

[0031] The method allows the previously described advantages to be achieved with the device according to the invention. The method can be carried out, in particular, by the device according to the invention for producing a material column, in particular a vibro-compacted column made of a loose material in the ground.

[0032] Finally, the invention relates to a method for feeding a device for producing a material column, in particular a vibro-compacting column, by means of a carrier device according to the invention, wherein the carrier device comprises: a carrier vehicle, a mast which is arranged on the carrier vehicle and is arranged substantially vertically during operation for producing a vibro-compacted column, a mast carriage which is mounted for movement along the mast and on which the device for producing a vibro-compacted column is arranged, and a feeding device for feeding loose material into a receiving hopper of the device for producing a vibro-compacted column, wherein -- a feeding carriage of the feeding device is moved along the mast, -- a feeding chamber formed on the feeding carriage receives loose material, -- a closure device arranged on the feeding carriage, which closes the feeding chamber laterally or at the bottom, is adjusted between a closed travel position, in which the feeding carriage is movable along the mast, and an open discharge position,in which bulk material is discharged from the loading chamber of the loading carriage into the receiving hopper, whereby it is provided that an actual filling quantity and / or a change in the actual filling quantity of pourable material in the charging chamber is detected by means of a measuring device, that the closure device is opened and closed in a defined manner by means of an actuator from a control unit, and that a control unit is connected to the measuring device and the actuator and a supply of a certain quantity of pourable Material is directed from the feeding chamber of the feeding device into the receiving hopper of the device for producing a vibratory compaction column.

[0033] The method allows the previously described advantages to be achieved with the device according to the invention. The method can be carried out, in particular, by the carrier device according to the invention.

[0034] The invention will be further described below with reference to preferred embodiments, which are schematically illustrated in the drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1A carrier device with a device according to the invention for producing a material column in side view; Figures 2 - 4Detail views of a loading carriage of the carrier device according to Figure 1 in different operating conditions; Figure 5 a detailed cross-sectional view of the loading carriage according to Figure 1 when loading a device according to the invention; Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the loading carriage according to the illustration of Figure 5; Figure 7 shows a detailed view of an opening flap on a receiving hopper of a device according to the invention; Figure 8 shows a schematic representation of a first sensor arrangement on a device according to the invention; Figure 9 shows a view of a second sensor arrangement in a device according to the invention; Figure 10 shows a possible screen display of a control unit when carrying out a method according to the invention; Figure 11 shows a further screen view corresponding Figure 10 .

[0035] A carrier device 10 according to the invention with a device 50 according to the invention for producing a material column in the ground is shown in a highly schematic manner in Figure 1The carrier device 10 has a carrier vehicle 12 with a mast 20. The carrier vehicle 12 can comprise a crawler track 14 on which a superstructure 16 can be mounted, preferably rotatably. The mast 20 can preferably be adjustably mounted on the carrier vehicle 12 via a linkage mechanism 18. During operation, the mast 20 can preferably be directed substantially vertically, although the mast 20 can be arranged at a different angle of attack via the linkage mechanism 18, or even horizontally for transport purposes.

[0036] The mast 20 is preferably designed as a leader, wherein a linear guide 22 may be formed on the front of the mast 20. A mast carriage 24 may be displaceably guided along the mast 20 by means of the linear guide 22. The mast carriage 24 can be adjusted via an actuator, which may preferably comprise a control cable (not shown) and a cable winch.

[0037] The device 50 according to the invention for creating a material column in the ground is attached to the mast carriage 24. The device 50 has an elongated introduction pipe 52, at the upper end of which is formed a funnel-like, enlarged receiving hopper 54 for receiving loose material to form a material column in the ground. At a lower end region of the introduction pipe 52, at least one material outlet opening 56 is formed, from which the loose material can emerge to form a material column in the ground. Furthermore, a vibrating drive 58 is arranged in the lower region of the introduction pipe 52 above the material outlet opening 56, with which the introduction pipe 52 as a whole can be set in a vibrating or oscillating movement. When the vibrating drive 58 is activated, the device 50 can thus be driven vertically into the ground by its own weight and / or by an additional force applied via the mast carriage 24.

[0038] After reaching a final depth, the insertion pipe 52 is retracted, whereby bulk material, in particular gravel or sand, located in the insertion pipe 52 can be introduced into the created free space in the ground via the material outlet opening 56 to form a material column. The material flow in the insertion pipe 52 can be supported by the targeted introduction of compressed air from a compressed air supply device 60. A further vibrating movement and / or a cyclic downward movement (plugging) can cause the formed material column to be compacted in the ground, whereby the material column thus formed can also be referred to as a so-called vibro-plugging column.

[0039] The basic structure of a device 50 as well as the basic method for producing such a column of material in the ground are known.

[0040] At the latest after the insertion pipe 52 has been driven into the ground, it is filled with loose material via the receiving hopper 54. For this purpose, a loading device 30 with a loading carriage 32 is arranged on the carrier device 10. The loading carriage 32 can preferably also be guided displaceably on the linear guide 22 on the mast 20. To raise and lower the loading carriage 32, it is connected to a hoist cable 26, which is guided via at least one roller 28 on a mast head 21 of the mast 20 and is connected to a cable winch 27.

[0041] To load a loading chamber 34 of the loading carriage 32, the loading carriage 32 is moved downward along the mast 20 to a loading position at or near the ground. In this position, the loading chamber 34 can be filled with bulk material through an opening on its top, for example, via a wheel loader. The loading carriage 32 is then moved upward by means of the cable winch 27 and the hoist cable 26 to a loading position in the area of the receiving hopper 54, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0042] The structure and function of the feeding device are described in more detail below in connection with the Figures 2 to 4 described.

[0043] In Figure 2The feeding device 30 is shown in a feeding state. At a lower end of the feeding chamber 34, which can preferably have a funnel-like housing that tapers downwards, a chute 36 is extended downwards and radially outwards, preferably by means of a first actuating cylinder 37. A closure device 40 is opened, wherein a closure plate 41 is moved upwards by means of an actuator 42, which in particular comprises a second actuating cylinder, thus exposing a discharge opening at the lower end of the receiving chamber 34. In this state, pourable material can be discharged from the feeding chamber 34 via the chute 36 into a receiving hopper (not shown here) of a device for producing a material column in the ground.

[0044] A closed state of the feeding device 30 is in Figure 3shown. In this state, the chute 36 is retracted radially via the first actuating cylinder 37 and moved upwards into a retracted position. By means of the actuator 42, the closure plate 41 is moved downwards into a closed position, so that the loading chamber 34 is closed at the bottom. In this closed state, the loading device 30 can be moved along the mast and, in particular, reloaded via the top-open loading chamber 34 to receive new bulk material.

[0045] According to Figure 4 It is illustrated that the loading device 30 can have a loading carriage 32 with a base carriage, on which the funnel-like loading chamber 34 is adjustable along a linear guide. This allows the loading chamber 34 to be finely adjusted to form a receiving hopper without the loading carriage 32 having to be moved relative to a mast 20.

[0046] The loading condition is further evaluated in relation to Figure 5 The loading device 30 with the filled loading chamber 34 is located at a defined loading position in the area of the receiving hopper 54 on a feed pipe 52. The representation of Figure 5 It can be seen in particular that a passage 55 between the receiving hopper 54 and the introduction pipe 52 can be open.

[0047] The receiving hopper 54 is formed with a housing 66 that is generally pressure- or airtight and has a closable feed opening 67. A closing device 75 with a hinged opening flap 76 is provided for opening and closing the feed opening. Via an adjusting drive 78, which can in particular be another actuating cylinder, the opening flap 76 can be adjusted between the illustrated, inwardly pivoted open position and a closed position in which the feed opening 67 is pressure- or airtight.

[0048] In the illustrated opening position, the chute 36 of the feeding device 34 can be extended and retracted to or into the feed opening 67, as shown in Figure 5can be clearly seen. By opening the loading chamber 34, pourable material can flow from the loading chamber 34 via the downwardly directed chute into the receiving hopper 54 and thus into the feed pipe 52.

[0049] The loading device 30 is suspended from the hoisting cable 26, which is guided over at least one roller 28 on the mast head 21 of the mast 20. A measuring device, in particular a force measuring pin, can be arranged, in particular, on the axis of the roller 28, so that the weight of the loading device 30, which decreases during the unloading of the loading chamber 34, can be directly detected. The measuring device is connected to a control device (not shown), by which the loading process can be stopped when a certain discharge quantity is reached. For this purpose, the control device can actuate the closure device 40 and close the loading chamber 34 at the bottom. A certain, small amount of pourable material can preferably be filled directly from the loading device onto the column to be produced.Using the measuring device, particularly the force measuring pin on the hoist rope, the weight and quantity of the material can be recorded and added to the total column quantity in the control unit. This can improve quality assurance.

[0050] A modified arrangement of a feeding device 30 is shown schematically in Figure 6 In particular, it is shown that, in order to feed the receiving hopper 54, the chute 36 is extended and retracted into the receiving hopper 54. An opening flap 76 for access to the interior of the receiving hopper 54 can be pushed open and opened solely by the extension movement of the chute 36. When the chute 36 is retracted, the opening flap 76 can be returned to the closed position solely by gravity and / or by spring tension.

[0051] A detailed view of a possible closing device 75 for opening and closing the feed opening 67 on the housing 66 of the receiving hopper 54 is shown in Figure 7 The feed opening 67 can be closed pressure-tight and / or air-tight by a plate-like opening flap 76. By means of an adjusting drive 78, which can be designed as an actuating cylinder, which can be pneumatically, hydraulically or electrically operated, the opening flap 76 can be adjusted inwardly about an upper pivot joint into an open position, as shown in Figure 7 is shown. In this opening position, the chute 36 of the feeding device 30 can be pushed through the feed opening 67 on the housing 66 of the receiving hopper 54, thus transferring pourable material from the feeding chamber 34.

[0052] A detail of a device according to the invention for producing a material column is shown in Figure 8shown. A sensor device 70 with a first fill level sensor 71 is arranged in an upper region of a receiving hopper 54 of a device 50. The sensor device 70 is designed to detect a fill level of pourable material up to the underside of an introduction pipe (not shown here), which is arranged below the receiving hopper 54 and is connected via a passage 55. With the sensor device 70 and in particular the first fill level sensor 71, a current fill level in the introduction pipe 52, the passage 55, and the receiving hopper 54 can be detected.

[0053] A further possible embodiment of a device 50 according to the invention is shown in Figure 9The sensor device 70 at the upper end of the receiving hopper 54 has two level sensors 71, 72. The first level sensor 71 can detect the level in the receiving hopper 54, the passage 55 and in particular up to a lower region of the introduction pipe 52. The first level sensor 71 can in particular be a radar sensor or a laser sensor, which generates an approximately conical detection area, which is schematically shown in Figure 9 is shown.

[0054] It is generally true that a detection range of the first level sensor 71 must be adapted to the geometric conditions of the introduction pipe, in particular its length and diameter, and calibrated accordingly.

[0055] In this embodiment, the sensor device 70 can additionally have a second fill level sensor 72, which is designed to detect a fill level in the receiving hopper 54. This allows, in particular, a maximum fill level in the receiving hopper 54 to be reliably detected. The second fill level sensor 72 thus serves as a type of safeguard against overfilling of the receiving hopper 54 when it is filled with pourable material from a loading device 30.

[0056] In Figure 9 a possible loading position is further illustrated, in which the loading device 30 with the loading carriage 32 is moved directly from below to the mast carriage 24, on which the device 50 with the insertion pipe 52 is mounted.

[0057] The data acquired by the sensor device 70 and / or the measuring device, which is preferably arranged on a roller 28 on the mast 20, can be transmitted to a control device for monitoring and controlling the operation of the device 50 and the method for producing a material column. The acquired data and / or control processes can be displayed and visualized by the control device to an operator of the device via a display device, in particular at least one screen. Figures 10 and 11 possible types of visualization are shown on a screen.

[0058] Figure 10shows a possible screen display 80, in which a symbolic sketch 81 of the device 50 with the introduction pipe 52 is shown in a right-hand area. A symbol 82 for the air supply indicates to the operator whether the compressed air supply device is in operation or not. A symbol 83 for the position of the opening flap visually indicates to the operator whether the opening flap on the receiving hopper 54 is open or closed. A current operating pressure can be indicated in a field for a pressure display 84. A fill level of pourable material can be indicated to the operator both as a numerical value and in the sketch 81 as a fill level in the introduction pipe 52. In two fields, a display 86 for a target installation quantity and an actual installation quantity for creating the material column in the ground can be shown.

[0059] In a left-hand area of the screen display 80, various setting parameters can be indicated numerically in displays 87. The setting parameters can, in particular, indicate a hydraulic pressure, a column diameter, and a bulk density of the pourable material. Preferably, the setting parameters in these fields can be entered and changed by the machine operator using a setting function.

[0060] In a central area of the screen display 80, a column production display 88 may be shown, which will be described in more detail below in Figure 11 is specified.

[0061] An advertisement for column production 88 according to Figure 11can include a target quantity display 91 in which a quantity of pourable material to be introduced is visually illustrated for each depth, wherein a minimum introduction quantity (dotted vertical line) and a target or maximum introduction quantity (continuous vertical line) are shown in the graphic representation. In an adjacent actual quantity display 92, the actual quantities of pourable material introduced at the respective depth can be displayed for the corresponding depths. This display is particularly advantageous when the quantity of pourable material for each depth is fed into the ground in several steps, for example during introduction and withdrawal or during repeated tamping processes with withdrawal and reinsertion of the introduction pipe 52.Repetitions of one or more process steps can be predefined and carried out by the control unit if, for example, the installation quantity or the hydraulic pressure at the tool tip, such as a vibrator tip, is not reached.

[0062] Furthermore, an actual depth relative to the ground surface can be indicated in a display 93, and the remaining depth until the target depth is reached can be indicated in a display 94. An operating pressure, in particular a pressure at the vibrator tip, can be displayed in a further display field 95.

Claims

1. Device for producing a material column, in particular a vibro-compacted column from a pourable material in the ground, comprising - an introduction pipe (52) which is designed to be driven into the ground and has at least one material outlet opening (56) at a lower end, - a vibrating drive (58) which is designed to set the introduction pipe (52) in vibratory vibrations and is arranged in particular at a lower region of the introduction pipe (52), - a receiving hopper (54) which is designed to receive a quantity of pourable material and is arranged at an upper region of the introduction pipe (52), and - a compressed air supply device (60) for introducing compressed air into the interior of the introduction pipe (52), characterized by - that a sensor device (70) is arranged, which is designed to detect a fill level of pourable material down to a lower region of the introduction pipe (52), - thatthe receiving hopper (54) is designed with a closed housing (66) with a closable feed opening (67) for feeding pourable material into the receiving hopper (54), wherein the feed opening (67) can be closed airtight by means of a closing device (75), and - that a passage (55) between the receiving hopper (54) and the introduction pipe (52) arranged underneath is open when the pourable material is introduced into the ground, wherein the fill level of pourable material in the introduction pipe (52) can be detected by the sensor device (70).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized by thatthe closing device (75) on the receiving hopper (54) has an opening flap (76) which can be adjusted by means of an adjusting drive (78) between an opening position for supplying pourable material into the receiving hopper (54) and a closing position in which the receiving hopper (54) is hermetically sealed.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the compressed air supply device (60) has a line arrangement with one or more supply openings which open into the receiving hopper (54) and / or the introduction pipe (52).

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the sensor device (70) comprises a fill level sensor (71), which is designed in particular as a radar sensor, an ultrasonic sensor and / or a laser sensor.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized by thatat least one further fill level sensor (72) is arranged in the receiving hopper (54) for detecting a fill level in the receiving hopper (54), in particular a maximum fill level in the receiving hopper (54).

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that a control unit is arranged which is connected to the sensor device (70), and that the control unit is designed to control a movement of the introduction pipe (52) and / or a discharge of pourable material into the ground via the at least one material outlet opening (56) depending on a fill level of the pourable material in the introduction pipe (52) detected by the sensor device (70).

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized by thatthe control unit is designed to detect when a lower and / or upper limit fill level of pourable material in the feed pipe (52) has been reached and to indicate this to a machine operator and / or to initiate or terminate the feeding of further pourable material into the receiving hopper (54).

8. Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by that the control unit is designed to determine and in particular to store the current actual fill level of pourable material in the introduction pipe (52) via a depth of the introduction pipe (52) in the ground.

9. Carrier device for a device (50) for producing a material column, in particular a vibro-compacting column, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 8, with - a carrier vehicle (12), - a mast (20) which is arranged on the carrier vehicle (12) and is arranged substantially vertically during operation for producing a vibro-compacting column, - a mast carriage (24) which is mounted so as to be movable along the mast (20) and on which the device (50) for producing a vibro-compacting column is arranged, and - a feeding device (30) for feeding pourable material into a receiving hopper (54) of the device (50) for producing a vibro-compacting column, wherein the feeding device (30) comprises: -- a feeding carriage (32) which is movable along the mast (20), -- a feeding chamber (34) formed on the feeding carriage (32), which is for designed to hold bulk material,-- a closure device (40) arranged on the loading carriage (32), which closes the loading chamber (34) laterally or at the bottom and is adjustable between a closed travel position, in which the loading carriage (32) can be moved along the mast (20), and an open discharge position, in which pourable material can be discharged from the loading chamber (34) of the loading carriage (32) into the receiving hopper (54), , characterized by - that a measuring device is arranged with which an actual filling quantity and / or a change in the actual filling quantity of pourable material in the charging chamber (34) can be detected, - that an actuator (42) is arranged on the closure device (40), with which the closure device (40) can be opened and closed in a defined manner, and - thata control unit is arranged which is connected to the measuring device and the actuator (42) and is designed for the controlled feeding of a certain amount of pourable material from the charging chamber (34) of the charging device (30) into the receiving hopper (54) of the device (50) for producing a vibratory compaction column.

10. Carrier device according to claim 9, characterized by that a defined filling quantity can be specified by the control unit, which is to be delivered by the feeding device (30) of pourable material to the receiving hopper (54), and that the control unit opens the closure device (40) and closes it again depending on a change in the actual filling quantity of pourable material in the charging chamber (34) detected by the measuring device when the defined filling quantity of pourable material has been dispensed.

11. Carrier device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by thatthe measuring device is designed to detect a weight force of the loading device (30).

12. Carrier device according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized by that the loading carriage (32) is guided along a linear guide (22) of the mast (20) and can be moved on the mast (20) by means of a lifting cable (26).

13. Carrier device according to claim 12, characterized by that the hoisting rope (26) is guided on the mast (20) over a roller (28) on which the measuring device is arranged, which detects a weight force as a measure of the actual filling quantity.

14. A method for producing a vibro-compacted column from a pourable material in the ground, in particular with a device (50) according to one of claims 1 to 8, with an introduction pipe (52) which is designed to be driven into the ground and has at least one material outlet opening (56) at a lower end, and a receiving hopper (54) which is arranged at an upper region of the introduction pipe (52), wherein - the introduction pipe (52) is driven into the ground, - the introduction pipe (52) is filled with a quantity of pourable material via the receiving hopper (54), and - the pourable material is discharged into the ground via the at least one material outlet opening (56) on the introduction pipe (52),wherein the introduction pipe (52) is set into vibrating vibrations by means of a vibrating drive (58) and compressed air is introduced into the interior of the introduction pipe (52) by means of a compressed air supply device (60) to support the material flow in the introduction pipe (52), , characterized by - that a sensor device (70) is arranged in the area of ​​the receiving hopper (54), with which a fill level of pourable material can be detected down to a lower area of ​​the feed pipe (52), - that the receiving hopper (54) is designed with a closed housing (66) with a closable feed opening (67) for feeding pourable material into the receiving hopper (54), wherein when compressed air is introduced by means of the compressed air supply device (60), the feed opening is hermetically closed by means of an opening flap (76), and - thatwhen the bulk material is introduced into the ground, the fill level of bulk material in the introduction pipe (52) is detected by the sensor device (70), wherein a passage (55) between the receiving hopper (54) and the introduction pipe (52) arranged thereunder is open when the bulk material is introduced into the ground.

15. A method for feeding a device (50) for producing a material column, in particular a vibro-compacted column, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 8, by means of a carrier device (10), in particular according to one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the carrier device comprises: - a carrier vehicle (12), - a mast (20) which is arranged on the carrier vehicle (12) and is arranged substantially vertically during operation for producing a vibro-compacted column, - a mast carriage (24) which is mounted so as to be movable along the mast (20) and on which the device (50) for producing a vibro-compacted column is arranged, and - a feeding device (30) for feeding pourable material into a receiving hopper (54) of the device (50) for producing a vibro-compacted column, wherein - a feeding carriage (32) of the feeding device (30) is moved along the mast (20),-- a loading chamber (34) formed on the loading carriage (32) receives bulk material, -- a closure device (40) arranged on the loading carriage (32), which closes the loading chamber (34) laterally or at the bottom, is adjusted between a closed travel position, in which the loading carriage (32) is movable along the mast (20), and an open discharge position, in which bulk material is discharged from the loading chamber (34) of the loading carriage (32) into the receiving hopper (54), , characterized by - that an actual filling quantity and / or a change in the actual filling quantity of pourable material in the loading chamber (34) is recorded by means of a measuring device, - that the closure device (40) is opened and closed in a defined manner by a control unit by means of an actuator (42), and - thata control unit is connected to the measuring device and the actuator (42) and controls the feeding of a certain amount of pourable material from the feeding chamber (34) of the feeding device (30) into the receiving hopper (54) of the device (50) for producing a vibratory compaction column.

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