System for collecting drilling mud

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for collecting excavation mud generated during the operation of a core drilling machine, including a collection device as a functional unit, the collection device being fixable underground using negative pressure, the negative pressure being generated by a vacuum pump which is a component of the drive unit of the system. The drive unit also includes an energy storage unit for supplying power to the drive unit and its components.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for collecting excavation muddy water generated during the operation of a core drilling machine, including a collection device as a functional unit, the collection device can be fixed underground using negative pressure, and the negative pressure can be generated by a vacuum pump which is a component of the drive unit of the system. The drive unit also includes an energy storage unit for supplying power to the drive unit and its components.

Background Art

[0002] In the field of core drilling machines, various devices for collecting the drilling slurry generated during the execution of core drilling operations are known. For example, a water capture ring that can be attached to the base using mechanical fixing means such as clips or clamping means is known. Other devices are attached to the base by the vacuum generated by a suction device. However, mechanical fixing means often have the drawback that they cannot be removed non-destructively from the base, and thus cannot eliminate minor damage to the base.

[0003] When attaching the water capture ring by vacuum, the problem is that the water capture ring can only be attached to and held on the base when the suction device is switched on and operating. However, the implementation of core drilling does not require the continuous operation of the suction device, and the suction device consumes a particularly large amount of power, especially during idle periods. This drawback becomes even more serious when battery-powered suction devices with only a limited amount of on-board power are used due to the power supply from a battery or the like. However, even when a main power supply type suction device is used, it is clear that attaching a conventional water capture ring by a suction device leads to unnecessarily high energy consumption. Furthermore, the continuous operation of the suction device can lead to an increase in noise pollution at the construction site.

[0004] Furthermore, if the water-capturing ring can only be attached to the base when the suction device is operating, it is a further drawback that the drilling site or construction site cannot be prepared for the core drilling to be performed. However, this is desirable for an efficient workflow at the construction site.

[0005] When using a suction device with automatic mis-suction air cleaning for the filter, there is a risk that the water-capturing ring may detach from the wall or substrate due to a decrease in the suction power of the suction device during filter cleaning. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] The fundamental objective of the present invention is to provide a drilling slurry collection system that overcomes the above-mentioned defects and shortcomings of the prior art and can support the execution of core drilling operations in a time and energy efficient manner. In particular, when the provided system is used in conjunction with a battery-powered suction device to remove drilling slurry from the working area of ​​a core drilling machine, the system is intended not to shorten the operating time of the battery-powered suction device, but rather to contribute to increasing the range of "battery charging". Furthermore, the system should be easy and straightforward to mount to a base and should ensure good adhesion to various surfaces, including rough surfaces. Moreover, it would be welcomed by those skilled in the art if the provided system could be used with many different sizes of drill bits of the core drilling machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The above objective is achieved by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the subject matter of independent claim 1 are described in the dependent claims.

[0008] The present invention provides a system for collecting drilling slurry generated during the operation of a core drilling machine. The collection system includes a collection device as a functional unit, the collection device being mountable to a base by vacuum, the vacuum being generated by a vacuum pump which is part of the system's drive unit, the drive unit further including a power supply unit for supplying power to the drive unit and its components.

[0009] The present invention can provide a collection system that can be mounted to a substrate independently of a core drilling machine and / or external suction device. Application tests have shown that the system can be mounted to a substrate particularly easily and quickly at the work site, thus ensuring rapid readiness for use. In particular, the system can be mounted to the substrate before the actual start of core drilling, as the vacuum used for mounting the system is generated by the system itself or its vacuum pump. In this respect, the mounting of the proposed collection system is independent of the use or operation of a suction device used to suck up the drilling slurry. Furthermore, the present invention can reduce noise generation at construction sites and also reduce energy consumption.

[0010] The system includes a drive unit and a function unit, the function unit having a collection device which may be positioned around the drill bit of the core driller or the drilling location. The drilling slurry is collected into the internal space of the collection device when core drilling is being performed, and this drilling slurry may be removed from the internal space of the collection device by a suction device. For this purpose, the collection device may have an extraction opening that opens toward the internal space of the collection device and may be connected to a suction device via a suction hose. The function unit includes a vacuum pump and a power supply device, the power supply device being configured to supply power to the vacuum pump.

[0011] In relation to the present invention, it is preferable that the drive device can be detachably fixed to the functional unit. In other words, the drive unit and the functional unit are two separately formed units, and therefore the proposed collection system may be of a modular design. In relation to the present invention, the term “modular” preferably means that the collection system includes a drive unit having a power supply device and a vacuum pump, and a functional unit having a collection device and optionally a vacuum plate, and that the functional unit and the drive unit are designed to be detachable from each other and can be used individually. For example, a functional unit may be used with different drive units at different construction sites. Alternatively, for example, when creating smaller or larger boreholes using preferably different sized drill bits, the same drive unit can be used with different functional units at the same construction site. By separating the drive unit and the functional unit, the user can use the separate units particularly flexibly and use the system to accommodate a wide range of drill bits of different sizes.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the functional unit includes a vacuum plate for transmitting a vacuum to a substrate. In the operating state of the proposed collection system, the functional unit and the drive unit are mounted to each other such that a vacuum can be generated by the vacuum pump of the drive unit and transmitted by the vacuum plate to the substrate on which the collection system is mounted. The form in which the vacuum is transmitted to the substrate by the vacuum plate preferably means, in relation to the present invention, that the vacuum plate has gaps and / or cavities on its underside, and that these gaps and / or cavities can be evacuated, i.e., discharged, by the vacuum pump. When the vacuum plate is placed on the substrate on which the collection system is mounted, preferably with its underside, the substrate closes the previously open gaps and / or cavities, creating an exhaustable space. This space can be evacuated by the vacuum pump such that a lower pressure exists in the gaps and / or cavities of the vacuum plate than in the environment of the collection system. This lower pressure, preferably also called negative pressure or vacuum in relation to the present invention, allows the collection system to be mounted to the substrate. In relation to the present invention, it is preferable that the proposed collection system is pressed against a substrate by the pressure difference between the pressure in the system environment and the pressure in the vacuum chamber, thereby being securely fixed.

[0013] The proposed collection system may also be used in conjunction with a core driller. The core driller is designed to cut a substantially cylindrical drilling core from a substrate. The substrate may be, for example, stone, masonry, or concrete, but is not limited to these. After the drilling core is cut, a hollow cylindrical hole remains in the processed substrate, in which a cable shaft, pipe, or line can be laid, for example. In connection with the present invention, the location where the borehole is introduced into the substrate is called the “drilling location” or “drilling site.” To cut a substantially cylindrical drilling core, the core driller may include a drill bit that can be attached to the core driller by a tool holder. The drill bit may include a cutting segment on its front surface, which may be studded with, for example, artificial diamonds or diamond tips, to increase the cutting force of the drill bit. In such cases, the term “diamond drill bit” is often used. The core driller may be a handheld core driller that is held by the user and driven into the substrate. However, in connection with the present invention, it may also be preferable that the core driller is attached to a drill rig during its operation so that the drill rig holds the core driller. In such cases, the thrust can be generated by a so-called feed device. The feed device may be formed, for example, by an automatic add-on module that can be connected to a core driller and / or drill rig. However, the feed device may also be formed as a handle wheel used to drive the core driller into the base. Furthermore, the proposed system may be used in conjunction with a hammer drill. The functional unit may include, for example, a dust collection device or may be formed as a standalone unit.

[0014] In a very particular embodiment, the proposed collection system may operate in conjunction with a core driller and may be connected to the core driller as needed. In relation to the present invention, the collection device of the collection system is preferably designed as a collection ring, which may be positioned around the drill bit of the core driller or around the drilling site. The collection ring preferably has an inner surface that faces the drill bit of the core driller when the collection system and the core driller interact. An extraction opening may be provided on this inner surface of the collection ring, through which drilling slurry and the like can be extracted from the internal space of the collection ring. Drilling slurry is generated, for example, when drilling dust or particles released while the drilling core is being cut out during the operation of a core driller mix with water. In core drilling, water is used, on the one hand, to cool the drill bit, and on the other hand, to bind the drilling dust generated during drilling and prevent it from entering the airway of the core driller user. If a drilling slurry collection system is not used during core drilling, drilling slurry can spread or disperse unimpeded around the drilling site or construction site, resulting in large-scale contamination and water damage. The proposed collection system allows drilling slurry to be removed from the starting point, preferably within the internal space of the collection ring, and thus directly disposed of. This prevents the potential for large-scale contamination and flooding from the outset and significantly reduces the effort required for cleaning and disposal after the completion of core drilling operations.

[0015] After the core drilling is completed, the proposed collection system can be disassembled and removed from the site. For this purpose, the system's drive unit and functional unit can be disassembled and stored and / or transported individually. Core drilling is often performed using drill bits of different diameters, depending on the desired borehole size. Therefore, it is advantageous if the proposed collection system includes collection rings of different sizes and diameters. In this way, optimal extraction of the drilling slurry can be ensured, where the size of the collection ring is advantageously matched to the diameter of the drill bit. In other words, the size of the collection ring can correspond to the diameter of the collection ring. Therefore, the collection system can advantageously be provided as a kit including collection rings of different sizes. The possibility of providing the proposed collection system as a kit is made possible by separating the system's drive unit and functional unit. By making the drive unit and functional unit detachable from each other, the drive unit can be used with different collection rings and / or vacuum plates. In particular, service providers performing core drilling operations only need to purchase the expensive drive unit, which can then be used with different collection rings and / or vacuum plates, and the collection rings and / or vacuum plates can generally be purchased at a lower cost.

[0016] The collection ring and vacuum plate may be designed to be detachably connected. However, the collection ring and vacuum plate can also form a unit with each other. For example, the first end of the suction hose may open into the vacuum plate, and an opening leading to the extraction opening of the collection ring may be provided in the vacuum plate. The extracted drilling slurry is then drawn out through this line from the extraction opening and through the suction hose towards the suction device.

[0017] The drilling slurry is preferably removed by a suction device which can be connected to a collection system, particularly a functional unit or collection ring, via a suction hose. For example, a first end of the suction hose leads to an outlet opening of a collection ring, while a second end of the suction hose is connected to a suction device. The suction device may include a container for holding the drilling slurry. In connection with the present invention, it may be preferable that the drilling slurry be filtered and the filtered water be reused.

[0018] In connection with the present invention, the functional unit preferably includes a vacuum plate for transmitting vacuum to a substrate. Preferably, the vacuum plate has a lower and an upper side. The vacuum plate may have a gap and / or cavity on its lower surface that can form a vacuum chamber in connection with the present invention. A vacuum pump of the drive unit can generate a vacuum in the vacuum chamber of the vacuum plate, and the vacuum is preferably lower than the ambient pressure or atmospheric pressure surrounding the collection system. As a result, the collection system can be mounted on a substrate, which can be machined, for example, by a core drilling machine by drilling holes in the substrate. The drive unit may be provided, for example, as a separate, detachably mountable unit preferably on the plane of the vacuum plate. In connection with the present invention, it is preferable that an interface is used to mount the drive unit to the functional unit or the vacuum plate. In other words, the drive unit can be mounted to the functional unit and / or the vacuum plate of the functional unit by an interface. The interface is preferably a mechanical interface for connecting the drive unit to the functional unit or the vacuum plate.

[0019] In relation to the present invention, the vacuum plate is preferably formed of several components. According to the present invention, the functional unit preferably includes at least one vacuum plate. In relation to the present invention, this at least one vacuum plate may be referred to as the central or main vacuum plate of the functional unit or collection system. The central or main vacuum plate is preferably designed to support the drive unit and / or to guide the suction hose so that it opens into the extraction opening of the extraction ring. In addition to the central vacuum plate, the functional unit may include further vacuum plates, for example, which may be arranged around the collection ring. For the purposes of the present invention, the use of multiple vacuum plates is preferably referred to as the use of a “multiple-component vacuum plate”. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the functional unit may include, for example, a central or main vacuum plate and two additional second vacuum plates. The vacuum plates may be distributed at regular intervals around the collection ring, for example. In relation to the present invention, the central or main vacuum plate may be located on the first side of the collection ring, and the second vacuum plates may be located on the second side or opposite side of the collection ring.

[0020] In connection with the present invention, it is preferable that the vacuum plates may be connected to each other via vacuum lines. In connection with the present invention, it is preferable that further or second vacuum plates also have vacuum chambers which may be formed as gaps and / or cavities. Preferably, the vacuum chambers are provided on the underside of the vacuum plate, the underside of the vacuum plate rests on a substrate processed by a core drilling machine. This makes it possible to adsorb the vacuum plate itself to the substrate, and thus make it possible to mount the collection system to the substrate. The vacuum for mounting the collection system is preferably generated by a vacuum pump which is part of a drive unit. The drive unit is preferably located on the central or main vacuum plate, and preferably there is a fluid communication between at least one vacuum chamber of the central or main vacuum plate and the vacuum pump of the drive unit. The vacuum generated by the vacuum pump is transmitted to the vacuum chambers through the fluid communication. In connection with the present invention, this preferably means that at least one vacuum chamber of the vacuum plate may be evacuated or discharged through the fluid communication to the vacuum pump. The vacuum pump of at least one vacuum chamber of the central or main vacuum plate and / or the drive unit of the collection system may be connected via a vacuum line to another second vacuum plate or its vacuum chamber. This allows the vacuum generated by the drive unit's vacuum pump to be transmitted to the vacuum chamber of the second vacuum plate. In relation to the present invention, this preferably means that the vacuum chamber of the second vacuum plate may be evacuated or discharged via a vacuum line. The vacuum for this purpose is generated by the drive unit's vacuum pump and preferably uniformly distributed by the vacuum line within the vacuum chamber of the functional unit's vacuum plate. The preferably uniform distribution of vacuum to the various vacuum plates and the corresponding application of vacuum at several locations make it possible to achieve particularly good and uniform mounting of the collection system to the substrate from which the core bore is created.

[0021] Furthermore, by providing multiple vacuum plates, it is advantageous to increase the space available for mounting other items on the base. For example, the vacuum plates of the proposed collection system may be used to mount tools, auxiliary equipment, or other items used at construction sites onto the base. For example, measuring instruments or laser line equipment can be mounted on the vacuum plates. Mounting tools, auxiliary equipment, or other items is particularly useful when the collection system is mounted on a vertical wall, and therefore the items can be positioned, for example, at the working height or eye level of the user of the collection system. Moreover, the load capacity of the system can be increased by using multiple vacuum plates, especially when the vacuum area increases with an increase in the number of vacuum plates.

[0022] In relation to the present invention, it should be noted that two different vacuum systems are distinguished from one another. Firstly, a first vacuum is provided, generated by a vacuum pump in the drive unit of the collection system, and this first vacuum generated by the vacuum pump is used to mount a vacuum plate or the collection system or its components to a substrate. The first vacuum can be distributed under the vacuum plate of the collection system by a vacuum line, so that the collection system can be mounted to the substrate in a particularly uniform and effective manner. Furthermore, in relation to the present invention, a second vacuum can be provided, generated by a suction device. This second vacuum can be used to remove the drilling slurry from the collection ring, and the second vacuum is transmitted from the suction device to the collection system by a suction hose. In relation to the present invention, this preferably means that the suction hose connects the suction device to the functional unit of the collection system, and the suction hose is connected to or guided through the vacuum plate so that the drilling slurry can be removed from the internal space of the collection ring through the removal opening. The drilling slurry is preferably removed by the second vacuum generated by the suction device, and the collection system may be connected to the suction device as an external auxiliary device. Preferably, the suction device does not constitute part of the proposed collection system. Preferably, the core driller described above is also not part of the proposed collection system. Preferably, the proposed collection system includes a functional unit having a collection device and optionally at least one vacuum plate, and a drive unit having a vacuum pump and a power supply device for generating a first vacuum to fix the system to a substrate.

[0023] By providing two different vacuum systems, the proposed collection system can be mounted on a substrate independently of the operation of the suction device. This is not true of many systems known from the prior art. Rather, conventional systems involve mounting a water or drilling slurry collection device to a substrate using the same vacuum that is also used to extract drilling slurry. However, such a method has several drawbacks. Firstly, mounting the collection device to the substrate can only be ensured when the suction device is switched on and running. However, this means that when starting the suction device, the collection device must always be removed from or reattached to the substrate. This is cumbersome, time-consuming, and therefore costly. Instead, the suction device may remain on even when it is not in use. However, this method involves very high unnecessary energy consumption and is particularly disadvantageous if the suction device is also a battery-powered suction device. This is because the described method significantly reduces the uptime of the power supply device of the suction device or significantly shortens the interval between two battery replacement operations. In this regard, a notable advantage of the present invention is that the second vacuum of the suction device is used to extract the drilling slurry, and the first vacuum for mounting the collection system is generated by the vacuum pump of the collection system, thus not placing a load on or shortening the operating time of the power supply device of the suction device. In connection with the present invention, a vacuum chamber of a vacuum plate in which the first vacuum for mounting the collection system is dominant is referred to as the first vacuum chamber.

[0024] The collection device from which drilling slurry is extracted from its internal space may also have at least one vacuum chamber, which is preferably referred to in relation to the present invention as a "second vacuum chamber." The second vacuum chamber can be formed, for example, by closing the internal space of the collection device not only downward but also upward from the environment by a base. For this purpose, the collection device may have, for example, a cover device that closes this second vacuum chamber from above. The cover device preferably has an opening from which a drill bit of a core driller can be guided. If the cover device contains a conformable elastic material, drill bits of different sizes can be used with openings of the same diameter, and an acceptable sealing and suction effect of the suction device can still be achieved. The conformable elastic material can, for example, form a sealing disc through which the drill bit is guided when preparing for core drilling. Thus, there is no need to use a different collection device for each individual drill bit, and the conformable elastic material from which the cover device of the collection device is at least partially made makes it possible to use a range of different drill bits with a particular extraction ring. This means that if the user wishes to perform several core drilling operations of different diameters, they do not need to have many different collection devices. Naturally, the second vacuum chamber can also be sealed downwards, i.e., toward the base, by a seal. This prevents air from flowing into the second vacuum chamber from around the collection system or out of the second vacuum chamber to around the collection system, and thus the vacuum in the second vacuum chamber can be maintained with less effort.

[0025] In connection with the present invention, the second vacuum chamber may preferably also be referred to as the extraction chamber. The terms "top" and "bottom" are not terms that are unclear to a person skilled in the art. This is because the term "bottom" or "lower surface" or "downward" in the spatial direction is used in connection with the present invention for the side facing the base of the collection system, while the term "top" or "upper surface" or "upward" in the spatial direction is used in connection with the present invention for the side facing opposite to the base of the collection system. In this way, the terms are clearly defined not only when the collection system is used on the ground and a horizontal base, but also when the proposed collection system is used on a vertical base such as an outer wall or an inner wall.

[0026] In connection with the present invention, the separation of removal and attachment is achieved in particular by providing in the system at least two vacuum chambers: a first vacuum chamber formed by the voids and / or cavities of the vacuum plate and evacuated by the vacuum pump of the drive unit, and a second vacuum chamber formed by the internal space of the collection device and from which the drilling slurry is removed by an external suction device. For this purpose, the collection device may include a suction channel or a suction nozzle to which the external suction device can be connected. Preferably, the two vacuum chambers are fluidically separated from each other so that air cannot flow from one vacuum chamber to the other or vice versa. Similarly, the drilling slurry or water should not be able to flow from the second vacuum chamber into the first vacuum chamber. This is because this would contaminate the first vacuum chamber, which could impair the installation of the proposed system. The fluid separation of the two vacuum chambers can be further improved by means of a seal or the like.

[0027] The power supply device of the drive unit is preferably provided to supply power to the drive unit or components of the collection system. In relation to the present invention, the collection system preferably has a vacuum pump. However, in relation to the present invention, the collection system may also preferably include two or more vacuum pumps or additional pumps. The pumps are electrical loads that draw the power necessary for their operation from the power supply device of the drive unit. The power supply device may be a rechargeable battery having multiple energy storage cells. Preferably, the power supply device may also be called an accumulator battery or “accumulator”. In relation to the present invention, the power supply device of the drive unit is preferably charged while it remains in the proposed collection system or its drive unit. For this purpose, the power supply device may be connected to a charger or a public or construction site power supply. However, in relation to the present invention, the power supply device may also preferably be removed from the system for charging and connected to an external charger.

[0028] In addition to the vacuum pump and power supply device, the drive unit may include electronics for controlling the drive unit of the collection system. The electronics of the drive unit may also preferably obtain the energy required for its operation from the power supply device of the drive unit of the collection system. In this regard, in relation to the present invention, the electronics of the drive unit may also preferably constitute a consumer. For example, the electronics of the system may be used for closed-loop control and / or open-loop control of the active components of the system, such as the vacuum pump. For example, the system may include a two-point controller that can be used to maintain the vacuum in the first vacuum chamber of the vacuum plate within a predetermined pressure range. The open-loop and closed-loop control of the proposed collection system may include a two-point controller designed to maintain the first vacuum in the vacuum chamber of the vacuum plate between a desired lower limit and a desired upper limit of the vacuum. In relation to the present invention, the vacuum pump of the proposed system is preferably turned on or off when these thresholds of the desired pressure range are above or below. Preferably, the vacuum pump is turned on to increase the difference from the vacuum, i.e., pressure = 0 bar, and when the vacuum pump is switched off, the vacuum decreases continuously. In relation to the present invention, "decreased vacuum" refers to an increase in pressure in an absolute sense, where the difference relative to pressure = 0 bar decreases, and "increased vacuum" refers to a decrease in pressure in an absolute sense, where the difference relative to pressure = 0 bar increases, in relation to the present invention.

[0029] Furthermore, the drive unit may include a switching device for turning on and off the collection system or the drive unit. The switch may be a switch, such as a slide switch or a pressure switch. This enables the collection system to operate independently of the core drill and / or the suction device. For example, the user can prepare the proposed collection system before its use and before operating the core drill, and can already attach the collection device to the substrate on which the core hole is to be drilled. The suction device for removing the drilling slurry need only be switched on later, for example only during the core drilling operation, so that the entire core drilling process can be carried out in an optimized manner in terms of time and energy.

[0030] In connection with the present invention, at least one vacuum plate preferably has a seal. Preferably, the seal of the vacuum plate is provided on the lower surface of the vacuum plate and is designed to seal at least one vacuum chamber of the vacuum plate. While atmospheric or ambient pressure prevails within the environment of the collection system, the collection system is attached to the substrate by vacuum, which is generated by the vacuum pump of the collection system and prevails within at least one vacuum chamber of the vacuum plate in the attached state of the system. A seal can be used to seal the vacuum chamber from the environment of the collection system to prevent air from the environment from flowing into or out of the vacuum chamber of the vacuum plate. Advantageously, the seal helps to attach the collection system particularly well to rough surfaces.

[0031] In relation to the present invention, it is preferable that the seal has a nonlinear sealing profile. When the collection system is connected to the substrate in which the core hole is drilled, the vacuum plate is initially placed on the substrate around the drilling location. At this point, the average distance between the vacuum plate and the substrate is, for example, 1. When the vacuum pump of the collection system is now switched on and the vacuum chamber of the vacuum plate is evacuated, the vacuum plate is sucked further toward the substrate, and the average distance between the vacuum plate and the substrate decreases, i.e., to less than 1. The distance or path by which the distance between the vacuum plate and the substrate decreases may preferably be called the suction path l in relation to the present invention. In relation to the present invention, it is preferable that the sealing effect or suction force F changes as the suction path increases, and these changes in the sealing effect or suction force F depend on the suction path l, which is called the sealing profile. In relation to the present invention, it is particularly preferable that the sealing profile is nonlinear. In relation to the present invention, this preferably means that the sealing effect or suction force F does not increase linearly with increasing suction path l, but rather increases more rapidly or more abruptly with increasing suction path l, for example. In this situation, the function of the sealing effect or suction force F, which depends on the suction path l, can be, for example, an n-th degree polynomial function, an exponential function, or a function composed of different parts, such as a linear part, for example, a first part with a first gradient m1 and a second part m2, where the second gradient m2 preferably represents a function greater than the first gradient m1. In connection with the present invention, it is preferable that the composite function of linear parts with different gradients itself is called a “nonlinear” function.

[0032] A nonlinear sealing profile can be achieved, for example, by combining two seal rings having different sealing properties and / or material properties, for example by stacking them one above the other, rather than using conventional seal rings. Alternatively, seal rings having a non-circular shape or notched area in their cross-sectional profile can be used. Such seal rings may have a triangular shape in their profile, for example, the shape of the seal ring profile is preferably tapered from top to bottom. Furthermore, two seal rings having different heights can also be combined by placing the seal rings adjacent to each other, for example. Preferably, the first seal ring may have a first height h1, and the second seal ring may have a second height h2, with the first height h1 being greater than the second height h2. Thus, when discharging the vacuum chamber of a vacuum plate, the taller first seal ring having the first height h1 contributes first to sealing the vacuum chamber. Within this first region where only the first seal ring contributes to sealing, the sealing effect or suction force F is determined by the first seal ring. As the suction increases, the distance between the vacuum plate and the substrate decreases further, and at some point the lower second seal ring, having a second height h2, also contributes to the seal. In this second region, where both the first and second seal rings contribute to the seal, the sealing effect or suction force F is advantageously determined by both seal rings. Preferably, the sealing effect of the seal rings in this second region is added such that the sealing effect or suction force F in the second region is greater than that in the first region. This results in a function having a first substantially linear region with a first gradient m1 and a second substantially linear region with a second gradient m2, where the second gradient m2 is greater than the first gradient m1 due to the added sealing effect of the seal rings. Such a function or sealing profile extending in this manner is referred to in relation to the present invention as a "nonlinear sealing profile".Preferably, such a nonlinear sealing profile can be achieved by using a sealing ring or material having a shape that is adjusted to correspond to a nonlinearly changing sealing effect or suction force F during the suction process, for example, a change in the stiffness of the sealing material during the removal process.

[0033] In relation to the present invention, the system preferably has an interface for connecting a drive unit and a functional unit, and the interface preferably includes a line interface for transmitting vacuum from the drive unit to the functional unit.

[0034] Preferably, the interface may include a line interface for transmitting vacuum from the vacuum pump of the drive unit to the vacuum chamber of the functional unit. Preferably, the line interface is designed as a removable, quick-installable, and leak-free fluid line capable of transmitting the vacuum generated by the vacuum pump from the drive unit to the vacuum plate of the functional unit. In connection with the present invention, it is preferable that the air present in the vacuum chamber of the vacuum plate can be drawn out toward the vacuum pump through the line interface.

[0035] In one embodiment also disclosed herein, the functional unit of the collection system may be used without a drive unit, in which case the functional unit side of the line interface may be connected to an external suction device such as a vacuum cleaner or a wet / dry vacuum cleaner, and in this embodiment, the vacuum chamber of the vacuum plate of the functional unit can be evacuated using the suction device. In relation to the present invention, it is preferable that the line interface be designed to self-lock on its functional unit side. As a result, the vacuum chamber of the vacuum plate of the functional unit is well sealed from the environment even when the drive unit is disassembled, i.e., when the functional unit is used without the drive unit.

[0036] In relation to the present invention, the vacuum plate is preferably part of a drive unit. In this embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum plate is preferably part of a drive unit rather than part of a functional unit. In this embodiment of the present invention, the functional unit includes a collection device, particularly designed as a collection ring or water capture ring. In this embodiment, the vacuum plate is preferably called a vacuum fixed base plate. In this embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum plate is present in a securely connected state to a drive unit, and the drive unit may exist as, for example, a self-contained module positioned above the preferably flat upper side of the vacuum fixed base plate. In this embodiment of the present invention, the drive unit also includes a vacuum pump and a power supply device for supplying power to the vacuum pump. Furthermore, the drive unit may include a switch for switching it on and off, and electronic equipment. In this embodiment, since the vacuum fixed base plate and the drive unit are not intended to be detached from each other, in this embodiment, the fluid line between the drive unit and the vacuum fixed base plate may be a single fluid line. In particular, the fluid line between the vacuum pump and the vacuum chamber of the vacuum fixed base plate may be designed to be particularly robust and easy to implement. The fluid line draws air from the vacuum chamber of the vacuum-fixed baseplate toward a vacuum pump, thus evacuating the vacuum chamber. The vacuum created in the vacuum chamber causes the vacuum-fixed baseplate to adhere to the substrate, thereby fixing it to the substrate. In embodiments where the vacuum-fixed baseplate is part of a drive unit, the system formed by the collection device and the drive unit having the vacuum-fixed baseplate may include a mechanical interface for connecting the vacuum-fixed baseplate to the collection device. This mechanical interface is preferably designed so that the drive unit having the vacuum-fixed baseplate can be connected to collection devices of different sizes. Preferably, the connection between the collection device and the vacuum-fixed baseplate is made tool-free. For example, a water capture ring can be clamped to the vacuum-fixed baseplate.In embodiments of the present invention in which the vacuum-fixed base plate is part of the drive unit, the exhaust of at least one vacuum chamber of the vacuum-fixed base plate is performed by a first vacuum generated by the vacuum pump of the drive unit. The excavation slurry is removed by a second vacuum generated by an external suction device such as a vacuum cleaner or a wet / dry vacuum cleaner. The collection device or water-capturing ring may have a suction nozzle for attaching a suction hose, or other means for connecting a suction hose to the suction device.

[0037] In this embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum-fixed base plate may also be formed from several components. Furthermore, the vacuum-fixed base plate, which is part of the drive unit, may also have a seal to the substrate, and the seal has a nonlinear sealing profile.

[0038] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the figures. The figures, this specification, and the claims include a combination of numerous features. Those skilled in the art will, as appropriate, also consider the features individually and combine them to form further appropriate combinations.

[0039] In the diagram, identical and functionally identical components are shown with the same reference numerals. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0040] [Figure 1] A diagram shows a preferred embodiment of the collection system with the functional unit and the drive unit connected. [Figure 2] A diagram shows a preferred embodiment of the collection system in which the functional unit and the drive unit are separated. [Figure 3] A schematic top view of a preferred embodiment of the collection system is shown. [Figure 4] A schematic side view of a preferred embodiment of the collection system is shown. [Figure 5] A schematic top view of a preferred embodiment of a collection system having several vacuum plates is shown. [Figure 6]Schematic diagrams of different nonlinear ceiling profiles are shown. [Figure 7] A top view of a preferred embodiment of a collection system in which the vacuum plate is part of the drive unit is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0041] Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the collection system 10 with the functional unit 20 and the drive unit 30 connected. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 1, the functional unit 20 includes a water capture ring 20 as a collection device 20 and a vacuum plate 40 on which the collection system can be attached to a substrate U. The substrate U can be machined by a core driller 100 in the sense of drilling a core hole in the substrate U. For this purpose, the core driller 100 may include a drill bit shown in Figure 1, representing the core driller 100. When the core drilling operation is performed, a drilling slurry B is generated as a mixture of cooling water or flushing water, dust and drilled material. This drilling slurry B is collected in the internal space 26 of the collection device 22. The internal space 26 of the collection device 22 can be connected to an external suction device 80 via a suction nozzle 84 and a suction hose 82 so that the drilling slurry B can be removed from the internal space 26 of the collection device 22 by vacuum. This means that the internal space 26 of the collection device 22 can be exposed to a vacuum generated by the suction device 80. As a result, the internal space 26 of the collection device 22 becomes a vacuum chamber, which in relation to the present invention is called a second vacuum chamber 26. Possible paths of the drilling slurry B are shown by arrows in Figure 1. The internal space 26 of the collection device 22 can be closed by a cover device 28 to form a vacuum chamber 26. Thus, the internal space 26 of the collection device 22 can be closed downward, i.e., in the direction of the base U, by the base U itself, and the seal 24 helps to seal the vacuum chamber 26 particularly effectively. The cover device 28 is preferably provided on the side of the collection device 22 facing "upward," i.e., opposite to the base U, which is in a spatial direction. The cover device 28 may include, for example, a conformable elastic material that can form a sealing disc. The cover device 28 may have an opening surrounded by the collection device 22, which can guide the drill bit of the core drilling machine 100 to carry out core drilling.

[0042] In the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 1, the vacuum plate 40 is part of the functional device 20. The vacuum plate 40 also has a vacuum chamber 46, which in relation to the present invention is referred to as the first vacuum chamber 46. The first vacuum chamber 46 can be exposed to a vacuum that can be generated by the vacuum pump 32 of the drive unit 30 of the collection system 10. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 1, the functional unit 20 and the drive unit 30 of the system 10 are separate units 20 and 30, with units 20 and 30 connected to each other in Figure 1 and separated from each other in Figure 2. This separation allows, for example, the drive unit 30 to be used in combination with different functional units 20, which may have, for example, different diameters of the collection ring 22. In this way, the collection system 10 can be adapted to core drillers 100 and drill bits having different diameters, particularly in a simple and easy-to-use manner.

[0043] The vacuum plate 40 may be sealed to the substrate U by a seal 44, and the collection device 22 may be sealed to the substrate by a seal 24. A seal may also be provided in the transition region between the vacuum plate 40 and the collection device 22, and is referred to in relation to the present invention as “seals 24, 44”. The seals 24, 44 ensure that there is no exchange of air or drilling slurry between the first vacuum chamber 46 of the vacuum plate 40 and the second vacuum chamber 24 of the collection device 22. In other words, the seals 24, 44 seal the vacuum chambers 26, 46 to each other. The seal 24 seals the second vacuum chamber 26 of the collection device 22 from the environment of the collection system 10 or atmospheric pressure within the environment of the collection system 10, and the seal 44 seals the first vacuum chamber 46 of the vacuum plate 40 from the environment of the collection system 10 or atmospheric pressure within the environment of the collection system 10. A first vacuum in the first vacuum chamber 46 is used to mount the system 10 to the base U, and a second vacuum in the second vacuum chamber 26 is used to discharge the excavation slurry B from the internal space 26 of the collection device 22. The first vacuum can be generated by the vacuum pump 32 of the drive unit 30, and the second vacuum can be generated by the external suction device 80. The seals 24, 44 may have a nonlinear sealing profile to allow for improved sealing effect of the seals 24, 44.

[0044] In addition to the vacuum pump 32, the drive unit 30 of the collection system 10 includes a power supply device 34 for supplying power to the vacuum pump 32. Electrical lines 37 may be wired within the drive unit 30 to electrically connect, for example, the power supply device 34, the vacuum pump 32, a switch 36, and / or electronic equipment 38 of the drive unit 30 to each other. The switch 36 may be used to switch the system 10 or the drive unit 30 and its components, such as the vacuum pump 32, on or off. The electronic equipment 38 of the drive unit 30 may be used for closed-loop control and / or open-loop control of the drive unit 30 and / or the vacuum pump 32. For example, the operation of the vacuum pump 32 may be controlled to ensure that the vacuum in the first vacuum chamber 46 of the vacuum plate 40 always remains within a desired pressure range. This ensures that the vacuum plate 40 and the water capture ring 22 connected to the vacuum plate 40 are always securely attached to the substrate U. The power supply device 34 is preferably a rechargeable battery having multiple energy storage cells. The power supply device 34 may be in the form of an accumulator battery ("accumulator") that can be recharged by either the drive unit 30 or an external charger (not shown).

[0045] The fluid line 33 may be located between the vacuum pump 32 and the first vacuum chamber 46 of the vacuum plate 40 and may include a line interface 52. The line interface 52 may be part of a mechanical interface 50 for connecting the functional unit 20 to the drive unit 30. The interface 50 allows for easy separation of the drive unit 30 from the functional unit 20 without tools, and the line interface 52 allows for easy separation of the fluid line 33. The line interface 52 can self-lock on the vacuum plate 40 side and / or the drive unit 30 side so that the fluid line 33 is sealed when the unit 20 and the unit 30 are separated.

[0046] Figure 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the collection system 10 with the functional unit 20 and the drive unit 30 separated.

[0047] Figure 3 shows a schematic top view of a preferred embodiment of the collection system 10. A functional unit 20 having a collection device 22 and a drive unit 30 are shown. The collection device 22 may be annular so as to form an internal space 26. When core drilling is performed, the drilling slurry B is collected in this internal space 26 and can be removed by a suction device 80 through an extraction opening 23 of the collection device 22. For this purpose, the collection device 22 may be connected to the suction device 80 via a suction hose 82. The suction device 80 is designed to generate a vacuum for extracting the drilling slurry B, and the vacuum acts on the internal space 26 of the collection device 22, thus functioning as an extraction or vacuum chamber 26. The internal space 26 of the collection device 22 may be closed at the top by a cover device 28 (see Figures 1 and 2). Below, the internal space 26 of the collection device 22 is closed by a base U from which the core bore is created. The suction hose 82 may extend through the functional unit 20 until it opens into the internal space 26 of the collection device 22 in the area of ​​the extraction opening 23. This extension of the suction hose 82 within the functional unit 20 is shown by dashed lines in Figures 3 to 5.

[0048] The drive unit 30 of the collection system 10 may include electronic equipment 38 for closed-loop and / or open-loop control of the components of the drive unit 30. For example, the vacuum pump 32 and / or power supply device 34 or each of its operations may be subject to open-loop and / or closed-loop control by the electronic equipment 38 of the drive unit 30. In the embodiment of the collection system 10 shown in Figure 3, the vacuum plate 40 is part of the functional unit 20. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 3, the vacuum plate 40 is integrally formed, and one of the vacuum plates 40 in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 3 is preferably called the central or main vacuum plate 40.

[0049] Figure 4 shows a schematic top view of a preferred embodiment of the collection system 10, particularly the collection system 10 shown in Figure 3. In particular, possible arrangements of the drive unit 30 of the system 10 on the functional unit 20 are shown. For example, the drive unit 30 may be located above the functional unit 20 or above the vacuum plate 40 of the functional unit 20. In Figure 4, the internal space 26 of the collection device 22 and the extension of the suction hose 82 within the functional unit 20 are shown with dashed lines because they are not visible from the outside in the side view. The drive unit 30 and the functional unit 20 may be connected to each other by an interface 50, which is preferably a mechanical interface. The interface 50 may include a line interface 52 designed to connect fluid lines 33 to each other on the side of the drive unit 30 and on the side of the vacuum plate 40 of the functional unit 20, or, when separated, to hermetically seal the fluid lines 33 on the side of the drive unit 30 and on the side of the functional unit 20.

[0050] Figure 5 shows a schematic top view of a preferred embodiment of a collection system 10 having a plurality of vacuum plates 40, 48. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 5, the vacuum plates 40, 48 are part of a functional unit 20. The functional unit 20 includes a main vacuum plate 40, on which, for example, a drive unit 30 can be placed. Furthermore, the exemplary embodiment of the collection system 10 shown in Figure 5 includes an additional vacuum plate 48, which may be located, for example, on the opposite side of the functional unit 20 of the collection system 10. As a result, the vacuum plates 40, 48 of the exemplary embodiment of the collection system 10 shown in Figure 5 have a multi-part design, i.e., the collection system 10 shown in Figure 5 has a plurality of vacuum plates 40, 48, and in particular, the collection system 10 shown in Figure 5 has a central or main vacuum plate 40 and two additional vacuum plates 48. The additional vacuum plates 48 also have a vacuum chamber 46, which can be evacuated by a vacuum pump 32 of the drive unit 30. The vacuum plates 40 and 48 can be connected to each other and / or to the vacuum pump 32 of the drive unit 30 via a vacuum line 42. The vacuum chambers 46 of the vacuum plates 40 and 48 can be evacuated via the vacuum line 42 or exposed to a vacuum. In this way, the collection system 10 can be mounted on the substrate U.

[0051] To remove the drilling slurry B from the internal space 26 of the collection device 22, the collection system 10 may be connected to an external suction device 80, and a suction hose 82 may be used for this connection. The functional unit 20 or the collection device 22 may have a suction nozzle 84 (see Figures 1 and 2) to which the suction hose 82 may be attached. A vacuum for removing the drilling slurry B may be introduced into the area of ​​the extraction opening 23 of the collection device 22 via the suction hose 82 and the possible extension of the suction hose 82 through the functional unit 20, so that the drilling slurry B can be removed from the internal space 26 of the collection device 22 through the extraction opening 23.

[0052] Figure 6 shows schematic diagrams of various nonlinear sealing profiles. The left half of Figure 6 shows a cross-section of a schematic exemplary sealing arrangement. The right half of Figure 6 shows the corresponding sealing profile, with the sealing effect or suction force F plotted against the suction path l in each case. In relation to the present invention, the suction path l is preferably a path in which the distance between the vacuum plate and the substrate decreases when the vacuum pump 32 of the collection system 10 is switched on and the vacuum chamber 46 of the vacuum plate 40 is evacuated. This is because applying vacuum to the vacuum chamber 46 of the vacuum plate 40 causes the vacuum plate 40 to be sucked toward the substrate U and thereby attached to the substrate U. The upper right quarter of Figure 6 shows, for example, a sealing profile F(l) having an exponential or quadratic progression. The sealing effect and suction force F increase slowly at first, and then increase more rapidly as the suction path increases. Such a progression of the sealing profile can be achieved, for example, by a tapering sealing arrangement (roughly a triangular cross-sectional profile of the sealing arrangement) or by two sealing rings, one positioned on top of the other, which may, for example, contain different materials or have different material compositions.

[0053] The lower right quarter of Figure 6 shows a sealing profile F(l) composed of two substantially linear sections with different gradients m. The gradient m2 of the larger suction path l is greater or greater than the gradient m1 for the smaller or shorter suction path l. The sealing effect and suction force F increase slowly first with gradient m1, and then increase with gradient m2 from the kink point, where m2 > m1. Such a progression of the sealing profile can be achieved, for example, by a sealing arrangement consisting of two seal rings placed adjacent to each other, the seal rings may have different heights h1 and h2. On the other hand, in the smaller suction path l, initially only the first seal ring with height h1 contributes to the sealing effect, and from the kink point both seal rings contribute to the sealing effect, so that the sealing effect is added together and therefore increases more rapidly from the kink point. In the example shown at the bottom of Figure 6, the height h1 of the first seal ring is greater than the height h2 of the second seal ring. It has been shown that by using a sealing arrangement with a nonlinear sealing profile, a particularly effectively sealed vacuum chamber 46 can be obtained, which may enable a particularly stable, robust, and reliable mounting of the collection system 10 to the substrate U being machined.

[0054] Figure 7 shows a schematic side view of a preferred embodiment of the collection system 10 in which the vacuum plate 40 is part of the drive unit 30. In this embodiment of the present invention, the collection device 22 of the system 10 can be particularly easily maintained. The water capture ring 22 may be covered by a cover device 28 and sealed to the vacuum chamber 46 of the substrate U and / or the vacuum plate 40 by a water capture seal 24. The water capture ring 22 may be connected to an external suction device 80 via a suction nozzle 84 and a suction hose 82 so that drilling slurry B generated during the execution of core drilling work can be removed from the internal space 26 of the water capture ring 22. The water capture ring 22 may be attached to the drive unit 30, in particular to the vacuum plate 40 of the drive unit 30, by an interface 60 to form the collection system 10. In this exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum plate 40 of the drive unit 30 may preferably be called a vacuum fixed base plate 40. The vacuum fixed base plate 40 may be sealed to the substrate U by a seal 44 and its vacuum chamber 46 may be exposed to a vacuum from the vacuum pump 32 of the drive unit 30. As a result, the vacuum fixed base plate 40 adheres to the substrate U, and the collection system 10 can thus be fixed to the substrate U. The drive unit 30 of the system 10 includes, in addition to the vacuum pump 32, a power supply device 34 and optionally an on / off switch 36 and / or electronics 38 for open-loop and / or closed-loop control of its active components such as the collection system 10, the vacuum pump 32, or the power supply device 34. The electrical components of the drive unit 30, such as the power supply device 34, the switch 36, the vacuum pump 32, or the electronics 38, can be electrically connected to each other via an electrical line 37. The vacuum pump 32 and the vacuum chamber 46 of the vacuum plate 40 can be fluidly connected to each other via a fluid line 33. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 10 Collection System 20 Functional Units 22 Collection devices 23 Removal opening 24 Seal on collection device 26 Second vacuum chamber of the collection device 28 Cover Devices 30 Drive Unit 32 Vacuum pump 33 Fluid lines 34 Power Devices 36 Switching Devices 37 Electrical lines 38 Electronic equipment 40 Vacuum Plates 42 Vacuum Line 44. Sealing the vacuum plate 46. ​​First vacuum chamber of the vacuum plate 48 Further vacuum plate 50 Interface between the function unit and the drive unit 52-line interface 60 Interface between the collection device and the vacuum plate 80 Suction devices 82 Suction hose 84. Suction nozzle of the collection device 100 core drilling machines, especially drill bits B Excavation slurry U-Base

Claims

1. In a system (10) for collecting drilling slurry (B) generated during the operation of a core drilling machine (100), The system (10) includes a functional unit (20) and a drive unit (30), The functional unit (20) includes a collection device (22) having an internal space (26) into which excavation slurry (B) is collected, and at least one vacuum plate (40) for transmitting vacuum to a substrate. The vacuum plate (40) has a first vacuum chamber (46), The drive unit (30) includes a vacuum pump (32) for generating a vacuum and a power supply device (34) for supplying power to the drive unit (30). The first vacuum chamber (46) can be exposed to a vacuum that can be generated by the vacuum pump (32) so that the collection device (22) can be attached to the substrate (U) by the vacuum. The system (10) is characterized in that the internal space (26) of the collection device (22) can be connected to an external suction device (80) via a suction nozzle (84) and / or suction hose (82) so that the excavation slurry (B) can be removed from the internal space (26) of the collection device (22) by vacuum, thereby allowing the internal space (26) of the collection device (22) to function as a second vacuum chamber (26).

2. The system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive unit (30) is detachably attached to the function unit (20).

3. The system (10) according to claim 1, comprising an interface (50) for connecting the drive unit (30) and the function unit (20), wherein the interface (50) includes a line interface (52) for transmitting the vacuum from the drive unit (30) to the function unit (20).

4. The system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising at least one vacuum plate (40) for transmitting the vacuum to the substrate, wherein the vacuum plate (40) is part of the drive unit (30).

5. The system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the vacuum plate (40) is made from several parts.

6. The system (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the vacuum plates (40) can be connected to each other and / or to the vacuum pump (32) via vacuum lines (42).

7. The system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one vacuum plate (40) has a seal (44).

8. The system (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the seals (24, 44) have a nonlinear sealing profile.

Images