Pendular device for driving a profile, the device comprising at least one geolocation beacon for measuring the driving of the profile

Abstract

The invention relates to a pendulum-like device (100, 100', 100" and 100‴) for driving a profile (3) into the ground. The device comprises a driving tool (10) connected to a main body of the device by at least one retaining cable (2). The driving tool is intended to be mounted on the profile so as to drive the profile into the ground. The device includes at least one first geolocation beacon (20) arranged so as to be fixed to the profile or to maintain a fixed average position relative to the profile during the driving of the profile. In particular, the first geolocation beacon is located on the tool or is intended to be located on the profile.

Description

Domaine technique

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of civil engineering, more particularly the insertion of profiles into the ground by driving using a driving tool, for example a driving hammer, or by vibratory driving, for example using a vibrator.

[0002] The invention relates more specifically to a pendulum device for driving a profile into the ground, as well as a kit comprising such a device and a profile.

[0003] The invention also relates to a method of driving a profile using such a pendulum driving device and allowing the measurement of the driving and / or the inclination of the profile. Technique antérieure

[0004] Driving a profile into the ground can be achieved in particular by hammering, i.e. by applying blows to the profile, or by vibratory driving, i.e. by applying vibrations to the profile by means of a vibrator.

[0005] The driving and vibratory hammering of profiles can be carried out in two ways. In the first option, the vibratory hammer or driving tool can be fixed to a mast attached to a carrier machine, such as a mobile lattice boom crane. In the second option, the tool can be mounted in a pendulum configuration, that is, suspended from one or more retaining cables of the carrier machine, which could be, for example, a mobile lattice boom crane or a cable excavator.

[0006] When using a mast, it acts as a guide along which the hammer or vibratory hammer slides with the profile, allowing the profile to be oriented during driving. The mast is usually equipped with sensors to measure certain parameters necessary for the operation to run smoothly, such as the profile's inclination and depth, the energy input, the applied force, the number of blows in the case of hammering, the vibration frequencies, etc. Throughout the driving operation, the profile is guided by the mast, and its position relative to the carrier vehicle is known.

[0007] During the driving process, the mast, and therefore the carrying equipment, must remain stationary relative to the location where the profile is driven. Furthermore, the distance between the equipment and the ground location of the profile cannot exceed a certain limit determined by the equipment's geometry. This can make certain tasks difficult or even impossible, particularly for non-terrestrial work such as maritime or river works.

[0008] The pendulum mounting of the driving or vibratory driving tool allows for driving operations with less constraint on the distance between the machine and the profile location. The pendulum mounting also eliminates the need for a rigid connection between the machine and the profile: the link between the carrier machine and the driving tool is achieved by one or more flexible retaining cables forming a restraint system. The restraint system is tensioned at the start of operations, particularly when the driving tool is positioned on the profile, to ensure the profile is vertical and / or oriented. The restraint system can be released once the tool is in place on the profile or when the tool is sufficiently driven or held in position to prevent the transmission of shocks or vibrations to the machine.

[0009] During driving, the driving tool, which is therefore not attached to the carrier machine, is generally controlled and supplied by flexible conduits coming for example from a hydraulic power unit, compressed air or a diesel engine positioned near the carrier machine, for example on land or on a floating pontoon in the case of non-land work.

[0010] Some hammering tools (for example, hammers) can also run on diesel or other fuels (piston-type within a cylinder). In this case, the power is generated directly within the tool and does not come from a nearby power unit.

[0011] Various driving tool technologies are known.

[0012] The absence of a guide mast makes measuring certain data difficult or even impossible.

[0013] Indeed, while some sensors can be mounted on the carrier vehicle or the power unit, certain measurements must be taken on the profile and / or the driving tool, where very high mechanical stresses are present. Relevant parameters may include the profile's inclination, its exact location, the continuous driving depth, and, in the case of vibratory driving, the vibratory driving frequency, the vibration amplitude, the profile driving time, and, in the case of hammering, the number of blows or the energy delivered per blow. For example, currently, inclination and driving depth measurements are typically taken by an operator using manual tools such as spirit levels or theodolites.

[0014] We illustrated at the figure 1 a pendulum device for driving 1 of a profile 3 according to the prior art.

[0015] Device 1 comprises a main body, not shown, configured to support a driving tool 10 by means of a retaining cable 2. The main body may, in particular, be a lattice boom crane or a cable excavator or any other device enabling the restraint of the assembly

[0016] The pendulum-type indentation device 1 is shown in the figure 1 in a working configuration. In this configuration, the profile 3 is guided by a guide zone 5 of a driving guide 4. As illustrated, the profile 3 may have markings, for example horizontal lines at regular intervals, to facilitate monitoring of the driving by an operator.

[0017] Profile 3 is embedded in soil 7. A body of water 6 may be present above soil 7 in the case of non-terrestrial works.

[0018] In working configuration, the driving tool 10 is mounted on an upper end of the profile 3. It may or may not be fixed to the profile 3.

[0019] In the example shown, the driving tool 10 is a vibratory driving tool, or vibrator, and allows the profile to be driven by vibratory driving. The vibrator is fixed rigidly to the profile in order to efficiently transmit the vibrations. The driving tool 10 can also be a hammering tool, comprising a fixed part disposed on an upper end of the profile 3, the fixed part being, for example, a helmet mounted on the upper end, and a striking mass, movable relative to the fixed part and configured to hammer the upper end of the profile 3. The fixed part of the hammering tool is not necessarily fixed rigidly to the profile and can simply be arranged (for example, placed) on an upper end of the latter, without being fixed to it.

[0020] With such a pendulum-type driving device 1, monitoring the profile's penetration, including its inclination and penetration depth, is performed manually by a human operator. This complicates monitoring the penetration during the operation.

[0021] Application JP 2003 119784 A discloses a profile driving system in which a driving hammer is guided by a mast.

[0022] US patent 10,458,091 B2 describes a system for measuring one or more parameters of a large profile during its indentation.

[0023] There is therefore a need to improve the monitoring and control of profile driving operations, in particular by facilitating the measurement of relevant parameters.

[0024] The invention aims to address at least part of this need. Summary of the invention

[0025] To this end, the invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a pendulum device for driving a profile into the ground, the device comprising a driving tool connected to a main body of the device by at least one retaining cable, the driving tool being intended to be mounted on the profile so as to drive the profile into the ground, the device comprising at least one first geolocation beacon arranged so as to be attached to the profile or to keep a fixed average position relative to the profile during the driving of the profile, the first geolocation beacon being in particular arranged on the driving tool or intended to be arranged on the profile or any other part attached to the profile.

[0026] Thus, according to the invention, one or more geolocation beacons are arranged so as to be fixed to the profile or to maintain a fixed position relative to the profile during its insertion. Since the position of the geolocation beacons relative to the profile is known, it is possible to measure the exact position of the profile by measuring the position of the geolocation beacons. The geolocation beacon(s) are therefore arranged to allow the measurement of the profile's insertion depth.

[0027] Advantageously, the use of geolocation beacons to measure the profile's positioning overcomes the drawbacks of prior art pendulum driving devices: indeed, it allows for precise measurement (with typical accuracy on the order of centimeters, but potentially more precise), automatic measurement (i.e., without operator intervention), independent of the device's main body position, in real time and continuously. In particular, the invention eliminates the need for operator intervention, which requires momentarily halting the driving process to allow for measurements and which can pose risks of measurement errors or safety hazards for operators.

[0028] Thanks to the invention, driving operations can be monitored in real time and the driving tool can be used optimally.

[0029] A "pendulum driving device" is defined as a driving device in which the driving tool is connected to the main body of the device by one or more retaining cables. The retaining cable is flexible. It is under tension when the driving tool is suspended. When the driving tool is fixed to the profile, the retaining cable may not be under tension, for example, when the profile is guided or able to maintain its inclination during the driving phase.

[0030] Within the scope of the invention, a geolocation beacon may, in particular, be a satellite geolocation antenna or beacon (GNSS beacon), using one or more satellite networks, for example, the GPS satellite network. A geolocation beacon is typically connected, notably by a wired or wireless communication means, to a receiver that enables the beacon's location based on the data collected by the beacon. Several geolocation beacons may be connected, notably by a wired or wireless communication means, to a single receiver or to multiple receivers.

[0031] By "a marker positioned to be fixed to a profile," we mean that the marker is attached to the profile, either by direct contact or via another element such as the driving tool, so that the marker's position varies with the profile's position. The connection between the marker and the profile may be rigid, in which case the marker's position is fixed relative to the profile. The marker's position may also not be strictly fixed relative to the profile: this is the case, for example, when the marker is positioned on the suspension bracket of a vibratory driving tool, the profile being connected to the vibratory driving tool's housing. The connection between the suspension bracket and the vibratory housing may not be completely rigid in order to limit the transmission of vibrations from the vibratory housing to the suspension bracket.However, the variation in the position of the beacon relative to the profile remains small (typically less than 5 cm regardless of the direction) and zero on average.

[0032] By "a marker positioned to maintain a fixed average position relative to the profile during the driving of the profile," we mean that the average position of the marker remains constant relative to the profile during its driving. The exact position of the marker may vary slightly over time, for example, due to vibrations or elasticity in the connection between the marker and the supporting element. These variations remain small, typically less than 5 cm, and are zero on average, so that the average position of the marker remains constant relative to the profile. This is particularly the case when the geolocation marker is positioned on a part of a driving tool that is arranged on the profile during driving without being attached to the profile: although the driving tool is not permanently fixed to the profile, its position relative to the profile remains constant during the driving process.

[0033] According to one variant, the driving tool is a vibrator configured to drive the profile by vibratory driving.

[0034] The term "vibratory driving" refers to its usual technical meaning: the use of vibrations by a vibratory driving tool, or vibrator, to drive an element into the ground. A vibrator may consist of a suspension bracket and a vibrating housing, these two components being connected in such a way as to dampen the transmission of vibrations from the vibrating housing to the suspension bracket. This connection can be achieved using vibration isolators such as elastomer isolators or spring boxes.

[0035] Thus, the driving tool may include a suspension bracket connected to the retaining cable and a vibrating housing configured to generate vibrations, with the geolocation beacon preferably placed on the suspension bracket.

[0036] According to another variant, the driving tool is a hammering tool configured to drive the profile by hammering.

[0037] By "driving," we mean the usual technical sense, that is, the use of a solid element to strike the upper end of a piece in order to drive the latter into the ground. The driving tool may consist of a part, called for example a helmet, which is arranged, for example, placed on the upper end of the profile, optionally by being fixedly attached to the profile, and a movable part, generally sliding, or hammer, which can be lifted and can strike the upper end of the profile (the moving parts of the hammer, for example the piston, may be inserted within a housing, for example a cylinder, so that no moving parts are visible).

[0038] According to an advantageous feature, the device is configured to drive a profile whose diameter is less than 5 m, 4 m, 3 m, 2 m, 1.5 m or 1 m, in particular greater than 10 cm or 50 cm and / or less than 90 cm or 50 cm.

[0039] Thus, the device is designed to drive in profiles of medium diameter, generally between 100 and 5000 mm, or even between 200 and 4000 mm, or between 300 and 3000 mm, or even between 500 and 1500 mm. Such profiles are suitable, for example, for the construction of closed quay walls, deep foundations for open quay decks, or dolphins for berthing and mooring berths.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the first geolocation beacon is attached to the driving tool, via a first vibration isolation device.

[0041] For example, the first geolocation beacon is outside the driving tool. Alternatively, it can be located inside the driving tool.

[0042] A vibration isolation device is defined as a mechanical device designed to reduce the transmission of vibrations between a vibrating source (such as an engine, a machine, a road, etc.) and a structure or component to be protected. It fulfills this function through the combination of two fundamental properties (in other words, by implementing the following two functions): An elastic function, which allows for the storage and release of mechanical energy in the form of deformations. A damping function, which dissipates some of this energy, thus reducing the transmitted vibration amplitudes. This vibration isolation device or component is used to reduce vibrations from vertical movements of the driving tool, including vibrations or shocks that could damage the first geolocation beacon.

[0043] Depending on the arrangement of the first vibration isolation element, in the working configuration of the pendulum driving device (in other words: in operation of the pendulum driving device), the vertical movements of the driving tool can cause crushing (in other words compression) and / or shearing of the first vibration isolation element.

[0044] Crushing occurs, for example, when the first vibration isolation element is under the first geolocation beacon in operation of the pendulum penetration device.

[0045] We have a shear, for example, when the first vibration isolation element is positioned laterally to the first geolocation beacon in operation of the pendulum driving device.

[0046] For example, the pendulum driving device includes a support, the first geolocation beacon being attached to the driving tool via this support.

[0047] The first vibration isolation element can include a piston damper, a spring, or a solid part (e.g., a block) or a perforated part (e.g., a ring) made of elastomer. Ideally, it can combine an element with an elastic function and an element with a damping function.

[0048] According to the embodiment, the pendulum driving device includes a protection element for the first geolocation beacon surrounding the first geolocation beacon, including for example one or more protection bars, a protection cage or a protection dome.

[0049] This protective device protects the first geolocation beacon from shocks, for example when the driving tool is stored lying on the ground.

[0050] This protective component can be made of any material capable of withstanding mechanical and vibratory stresses.

[0051] According to one embodiment, in operation of the pendulum driving device, the first geolocation beacon rises above or is flush with the driving tool.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the first geolocation beacon is attached to the driving tool by means of one or more magnets.

[0053] In one particular embodiment, the device further comprises a second geolocation beacon positioned to be fixed to the profile or to maintain a fixed average position relative to the profile during the profile's insertion. The device may also include a third geolocation beacon positioned to be fixed to the profile or to maintain a fixed average position relative to the profile during the profile's insertion.

[0054] Using a single geolocation beacon allows the vertical penetration of the profile to be measured, but may not allow the tracking of the profile's inclination or rotation.

[0055] Although a driving guide can be used to maintain the profile's inclination during the driving process, maintaining this inclination can be compromised. The driving guide may not be sufficiently rigid or may deform, resulting in poor guidance. It is also possible that the driving guide may not be able to guide the profile over a sufficient length.

[0056] The profile's inclination can be measured by an operator using manual measuring devices such as spirit levels or other sighting equipment, with or without the intervention of a surveyor. However, this presents all the drawbacks associated with human intervention.

[0057] The use of two geolocation beacons, or preferably three or more, advantageously allows continuous and precise tracking not only of the profile's penetration but also its inclination along any axis.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the second geolocation beacon is attached to the driving tool, via a second vibration isolation device.

[0059] For example, the second geolocation beacon is outside the driving tool. Alternatively, it can be located inside the driving tool.

[0060] Depending on the arrangement of the second vibration isolation element, in the working configuration of the pendulum driving device (in other words: in operation of the pendulum driving device), vertical movements of the driving tool can cause crushing and / or shearing of the second vibration isolation element.

[0061] Crushing occurs, for example, when the second vibration isolation device is under the second geolocation beacon in operation of the pendulum penetration device.

[0062] We have a shear, for example, when the second vibration isolation element is positioned laterally to the second geolocation beacon in operation of the pendulum driving device.

[0063] For example, the pendulum driving device includes a support, the second geolocation beacon being attached to the driving tool via this support.

[0064] The second vibration isolation element can include a piston damper, a spring, or a solid (e.g., a block) or perforated (e.g., a ring) elastomer component. Ideally, it can combine an element with an elastic function and an element with a damping function.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the pendulum driving device includes a protection element for the second geolocation beacon surrounding the second geolocation beacon, including for example one or more protective bars, a protective cage or a protective dome.

[0066] This protective device protects the second geolocation beacon from shocks, for example when the driving tool is stored lying on the ground.

[0067] This protective component can be made of any material capable of withstanding mechanical and vibratory stresses.

[0068] According to one embodiment, in operation of the pendulum driving device, the second geolocation beacon surmounts or is flush with the driving tool.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the second geolocation beacon is attached to the driving tool by means of one or more magnets.

[0070] According to an advantageous feature, the device also includes at least one accelerometer located on the driving tool.

[0071] When the driving tool is a vibratory driving tool, the accelerometer can be mounted on the vibratory housing of the tool. Alternatively, it can be placed on the yoke. In this case, the vibrations are less intense, making it easier to measure the inclinations. When mounted on the vibratory housing, measuring the inclinations is more difficult (due to the stronger vibrations), but useful data for characterizing the driving action, such as frequency and amplitude, can still be extracted.

[0072] When the driving tool is a hammering tool, the accelerometer can be installed on the helmet, on the hammer, or on the profile.

[0073] In the case of vibratory driving, the accelerometer allows, in particular, the measurement of the frequency and amplitude of the vibrations produced by the vibratory driving tool. In the case of pile driving, it allows, in particular, the measurement of the characteristics of the blows, including the number of blows and their energy.

[0074] Advantageously, the accelerometer allows the inclination of the profile to be measured along two horizontal axes by measuring the projection of the acceleration of gravity on the three axes.

[0075] The combined use of one or more geolocation beacons and an accelerometer allows for the precise measurement of all the characteristics of a penetration process. From these characteristics, it is notably possible to calculate the bearing capacity of the profiles inserted into the ground.

[0076] The invention also relates to a kit comprising a pendulum driving device as described above and a profile. The first geolocation beacon, the second geolocation beacon, and / or the third geolocation beacon are preferably arranged on the driving tool or on the profile.

[0077] The invention further relates to a method of driving a profile into the ground using a pendulum driving device as described above to drive the profile, the method comprising measuring the penetration of the profile by locating at least the first geolocation beacon.

[0078] The invention further relates to a method for driving a plurality of profiles, comprising driving each of the plurality of profiles according to the method described above. The plurality of profiles are, for example, driven in such a way as to be aligned in a row.

[0079] The invention further relates to a method of driving a profile into the ground using a pendulum driving device as described above, the method comprising measuring the inclination of the profile by locating at least the first and second geolocation beacons.

[0080] The invention further relates to a method of driving a profile into the ground using a pendulum driving device as described above, the method comprising measuring the inclination of the profile by measuring the projection of the acceleration of gravity using the accelerometer and / or the method comprising measuring the vibrations of the driving tool using the accelerometer.

[0081] The invention also relates, according to a second aspect, to a device for driving a profile into the ground, the device comprising a driving tool connected to a main body of the device, the driving tool being intended to be mounted on the profile so as to drive the profile into the ground, the device comprising at least one accelerometer disposed on the driving tool.

[0082] The driving device may in particular be a pendulum driving device, the driving tool being connected to the main body by at least one retaining cable.

[0083] The driving tool can be a vibrator configured to drive the profile by vibratory driving or a hammering tool configured to drive the profile by hammering.

[0084] The device can be configured to drive in a profile with a diameter of less than 5m, 4m, 3m, 2m, 1.5m or 1m, in particular greater than 10cm or 50cm and / or less than 90cm or 50cm.

[0085] The invention also relates to a kit comprising a pendulum driving device as described above and a profile.

[0086] The invention further relates to a method of driving a profile into the ground using a driving device as described above to drive the profile, the method comprising measuring the inclination of the profile by measuring the acceleration of gravity using the accelerometer and / or the method comprising measuring the vibrations of the driving tool using the accelerometer.

[0087] The invention further relates to a method for driving a plurality of profiles, comprising driving each of the plurality of profiles according to the method described above. The plurality of profiles are, for example, driven in such a way as to be aligned in a row. Brève description des dessins

[0088] [ Fig 1 ] There figure 1 represents a pendulum-type driving device according to the prior art. Fig 2 ] There figure 2 is a detailed view of a first embodiment of a pendulum driving device according to the invention comprising a vibrator. Fig 3 ] There figure 3 is a profile view of the device shown in the figure 2 . [ Fig 4 ] There figure 4 is a detailed view of a second embodiment of a pendulum driving device according to the invention comprising a vibrator. Fig 5 ] There figure 5 is a profile view of the device shown in the figure 4 . [ Fig 6 ] There figure 6 is a detailed view of a third embodiment of a pendulum-driven driving device according to the invention comprising a driving hammer. Fig 7 ] There figure 7 is a detailed view of a fourth embodiment of a pendulum-type driving device according to the invention comprising a driving tool. Fig 8 ] There figure 8 is a detailed view of a first variant of the third embodiment. Fig 9 ] There figure 9 is a detailed view of the first variant of the third embodiment in operation of the hammering hammer. Fig 10 ] There figure 10 is a detailed view of a second variant of the third embodiment. Fig 11 ] There figure 11 is a detailed view of the second variant of the third embodiment in operation of the hammering hammer. Fig 12 ] There figure 12 is a detailed view of a third variant of the third embodiment. Fig 13 ] There figure 13 is a detailed view of a third variant of the third embodiment. Fig 14 ] There figure 14 is a detailed view showing several variants of the protective device. Description détaillée

[0089] Throughout this application, the terms "horizontal" and "vertical" are to be understood by reference to the orientation of a pendulum driving device in its working configuration. For example, when the driving tool is suspended by the device's tensioned retaining cable, the retaining cable extends along a vertical axis, denoted Z. X and Y are two perpendicular horizontal axes, as shown in the diagram. figure 2 .

[0090] There figure 1 has already been described in the preamble and will not be commented on further below.

[0091] The same numerical references have been retained in the following to designate identical or similar elements.

[0092] We illustrated to figures 2 And 3 a first embodiment of a pendulum driving device 100 according to the invention.

[0093] The main body of the pendulum driving device 100 can be identical to that of the pendulum driving device 1 according to the prior art.

[0094] The pendulum driving device 100 comprises one or more retaining cables 2 connected to a driving tool 10 by a fastening device 19 such as a ring. The driving tool 10 is a vibrator in the illustrated example.

[0095] The retaining cable 2 is tensioned at the beginning of the driving operation, particularly when the driving tool 10 is placed on the profile 3, to ensure the verticality and / or orientation of the profile. The retaining cable can be slackened when the profile is sufficiently driven into the ground or correctly guided.

[0096] The vibrator 10 may include a suspension bracket 11 to which the retaining cable 2 is attached. The vibrator 10 may also include a vibrating housing 12 connected to the suspension bracket 11 via, in particular, vibration isolators 13, notably made of elastomer, which are configured to attenuate the vibrations transmitted from the vibrating housing 12 to the suspension bracket 11. Other embodiments of vibrators may also be implemented within the scope of the invention.

[0097] The vibrating housing 12 has two clamps 14 (there may be one or more) configured to rigidly hold the profile 3 while transmitting the vibrations generated by the rotation of the masses 15, which are rotated at a frequency ω during the driving process. These vibrations enable the vibratory driving of the profile 3.

[0098] Alternatively, the two clamps can be replaced by a single clamp or more than 2 clamps, or by an electromagnetic device.

[0099] The power supply, for example the electrical supply, of the vibrator 10 as well as the transmission of control or data signals is ensured by one or more cables passing through a flexible conduit 16 which connects the vibrator 10 to a power supply and / or control station.

[0100] Alternatively, the power supply for vibrator 10 can be of a different nature, for example hydraulic.

[0101] The vibrator 10 also includes two geolocation beacons 20. In the illustrated example, the geolocation beacons 20 are arranged on the suspension bracket 11 (via the support 17): this advantageously limits disturbances due to vibrations of the vibrating housing 12. The geolocation beacons 20 can however be arranged on the vibrating housing 12 or directly on the profile 3.

[0102] One or more power and data transmission cables 21 are connected to the geolocation beacons 20 to power them and enable the transmission of signals to and from the beacons, including to and from a geolocation receiver configured to determine the position of the beacons from the data they collect. Advantageously, the cables 21 pass through a flexible conduit 16.

[0103] In a particularly advantageous embodiment that improves measurement accuracy, the position of each of the geolocation beacons 20 is determined differentially with respect to a reference geolocation station whose position is fixed. Alternatively, a network of permanent ground stations from a GNSS network, such as the Orphéon network, can be used to correct the measurements of the geolocation beacons.

[0104] We represented at figures 4 And 5 a second embodiment of a 100' pendulum driving device according to the invention.

[0105] This 100' pendulum-type driving device differs from the 100 device shown in the figures 2 And 3 in that it includes an accelerometer 30 arranged on the vibrating housing 12 of the vibrator 10.

[0106] Alternatively, the accelerometer 30 could be placed on the bracket 11 or on the profile 3.

[0107] The accelerometer 30 is configured to measure the vibrations of the vibrator, specifically to determine the frequency and amplitude of the vibrations. It can also measure the acceleration due to gravity, and from these measurements, it is possible to measure the inclination of the profile along the horizontal X and Y axes.

[0108] We represented at the figure 6 a third embodiment of a 100" pendulum driving device according to the invention.

[0109] This 100" pendulum driving device differs from the 100 device shown in the figures 2 And 3 in that: The vibrator 10 is replaced by a driving tool 110 comprising a hammer 111 and a helmet 112. The geolocation beacons 20 are attached to the driving tool by means of elastic elements 118 positioned laterally to the geolocation beacons 20 during operation of the pendulum driving device 100, and working in shear when the pendulum driving device 100 is operating, to isolate the geolocation beacon 20 from the driving tool 110. The 20 geolocation beacons are surrounded and protected by a steel cage (or device) 130 (or any material with sufficient mechanical resistance). Wireless transmission of signals to and from the 20 geolocation beacons, including to and from a geolocation receiver configured to determine the position of the beacons from the data they collect.

[0110] Vibration isolation devices 118 may include, for example, a piston damper, a spring, or a solid (e.g., a pad) or perforated (e.g., a ring) elastomer component. Ideally, it may combine an element with an elastic function and an element with a damping function.

[0111] The pendulum driving device 100" may also include the accelerometer 30 arranged on the hammer 111.

[0112] Alternatively, the accelerometer 30 could be placed on the helmet 112 or on the profile 3.

[0113] We represented at the figure 7 a fourth embodiment of a 100" pendulum driving device according to the invention.

[0114] This 100" pendulum driving device differs from the 100" device shown in the figure 6 in that: It includes a single geolocation beacon 20, without support, on the driving tool 110. The vibration isolation element 118 is under geolocation beacon 20 in operation of the pendulum driving device 100', and works in compression when the pendulum device 100'' operates, to isolate the geolocation beacon 20 from the driving tool 110. The geolocation beacon 20 is protected by a steel protection bar 130'.

[0115] We represented figure 8 , a support 17 fixed to the driving tool 110, elastic elements 118, and a geolocation beacon 20 according to a first variant of the third embodiment shown figure 6 (without the protective cage 130). The elastic elements 118 are, according to this first variant, elastomeric pads positioned laterally to the geolocation beacon 20 during operation of the pendulum driving device 100. Also, according to this first variant, the geolocation beacon 20 is attached to the driving tool 110 by means of magnets 119.

[0116] As shown figure 9 , the elastic organs 118 according to the first variant shown figure 8 work in shear when the 100" pendulum device is operating.

[0117] We represented figure 10 , a support 17 fixed to the driving tool 110, elastic elements 118, and a geolocation beacon 20 according to a second variant of the third embodiment shown figure 6 . According to this first variant, the vibration isolation element 118 is an elastomer pad, positioned under the geolocation beacon 20 during operation of the pendulum driving device 100".

[0118] As shown figure 11 , a vibration isolation device 118 according to the second variant shown figure 10 works in crushing (a: in compression, b: in tension) when the 100" pendulum device is operating.

[0119] We represented figure 12 , a support 17 fixed to the driving tool 110, a vibration isolation device 118, and a geolocation beacon 20 according to a third variant of the third embodiment shown figure 6 The vibration isolation element 118 comprises, according to this first variant, a spring, positioned under the geolocation beacon 20 in operation of the pendulum penetration device 100". The vibration isolation element 118 may also include a piston damper (not shown), for example inside the spring.

[0120] We represented figure 13 , a support 17 fixed to the driving tool 110, elastic elements 118, and a geolocation beacon 20 according to a fourth variant of the third embodiment shown figure 6 . According to this fourth variant, the elastic elements 118 are springs positioned laterally to the geolocation beacon 20 during operation of the pendulum penetration device 100".

[0121] Of course, vibration isolation devices can be used with a vibratory driving tool. Thus, the figures 6 à 13 these methods relate to pile driving, but the skilled person will of course be able to adapt these methods of implementation to vibratory driving.

[0122] Finally, the figure 14 shows several variants of the 130 protective cage.

[0123] Other variations and improvements may be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. The penetration device may, for example, comprise a single geolocation beacon or more than two beacons, in combination or not with an accelerometer or with a plurality of accelerometers.

[0124] When implemented to drive a plurality of profiles, the invention also makes it possible to improve the reliability of estimates obtained from geotechnical models. While vibratory driving can be a particularly effective method for driving profiles into certain types of soil, there are currently no reliable correlations between driving times by vibratory driving, or even other measured values ​​such as vibrations (e.g., harmonics, frequency, amplitude, damping, and their evolution over time), intrinsic soil parameters, or the bearing capacities of profiles in soils.

[0125] However, the continuous recording of vibro-driving parameters, made possible by the invention, allows the creation of a database on the basis of which improved geotechnical models can be built.

[0126] In particular, continuous recording of parameters for profiles whose driving by vibratory driving is followed by a hammering operation is particularly advantageous for the improvement of geotechnical models.

Claims

1. Pendulum-type device (100, 100', 100", 100"') for driving a profile (3) into the ground, the device comprising a driving tool (10, 110) connected to a main body of the device by at least one retaining cable (2), the driving tool (10, 110) being intended to be mounted on the profile (3) so as to drive the profile into the ground, the device (100, 100', 100'', 100''') comprising at least one first geolocation beacon (20) arranged so as to be fixed to the profile (3) or to maintain a fixed average position relative to the profile (3) during the driving of the profile (3), the first geolocation beacon (20) being in particular arranged on the driving tool or intended to be arranged on the profile (3), the first beacon of geolocation being attached to the driving tool by means of one or more magnets.

2. Device according to claim 1, the driving tool (10, 110) being a vibrator configured to drive the profile by vibro-driving.

3. Device according to claim 1, the driving tool (10, 110) being a hammering tool configured to drive the profile by hammering.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims configured to drive in a profile whose diameter is less than 5m, 4m, 3m, 2m, 1.5m or 1m, in particular greater than 10cm or 50cm and / or less than 90cm or 50cm.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first geolocation beacon (20) is attached to the driving tool, via a first vibration isolation member (118).

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a protection element (130, 130') of the first geolocation beacon surrounding the first geolocation beacon, comprising for example one or more protection bars, a protection cage or a protection dome.

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second geolocation beacon arranged so as to be attached to the profile (3) or to maintain a fixed average position relative to the profile (3) during the driving of the profile, the second geolocation beacon being attached to the driving tool by means of one or more magnets, the device comprising in particular a third geolocation beacon arranged so as to be attached to the profile (3) or to maintain a fixed average position relative to the profile during the driving of the profile (3).

8. Device according to the preceding claim, in which the second geolocation beacon (20) is attached to the driving tool, by means of a second vibration isolation member (118).

9. Device according to claim 7 or 8 comprising a protection element (130) of the second geolocation beacon surrounding the second geolocation beacon, comprising for example one or more protection bars, a protective cage or a protective dome.

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one accelerometer (30) disposed on the driving tool (10).

11. Kit comprising a device (100, 100') according to one of the preceding claims and a profile (3), the first geolocation beacon (20) being disposed on the driving tool or on the profile.

12. Method of driving a profile (3) into soil employing a pendulum driving device (100, 100') according to one of the preceding claims for driving the profile, the method comprising measuring the driving of the profile by locating at least the first geolocation beacon (20).

13. Method for driving in a plurality of profiles (3), comprising driving in each of the plurality of profiles according to the method of claim 12.

14. Method of driving a profile (3) into soil employing a pendulum driving device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, the method comprising measuring the inclination of the profile by locating at least the first and second geolocation beacons.

15. Method of driving a profile (3) into soil employing a pendulum driving device according to claim 10, the method comprising measuring the inclination of the profile by measuring the projection of the acceleration of gravity by means of the accelerometer (30) and / or the method comprising measuring the vibrations of the driving tool by means of the accelerometer (30).

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