Earth drilling device for cable-guided drilling and method for inserting a drill string into the ground using an earth drilling device for cable-guided drilling

Abstract

The invention relates to an earth drilling device for cable-guided drilling with a carriage and a slide movable back and forth on the carriage for moving a drill string having rod sections along a drill rod string axis, wherein the earth drilling device has a clamp for the drill string on the carriage, and a cable movement device is provided for moving an end of the cable, by means of which the end of the cable is movable in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the carriage, wherein the cable movement device is designed for a movement of the end of the cable away from the clamp.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an earth drilling device for cable-guided drilling and to a method for inserting a drill string into the ground using an earth drilling device for cable-guided drilling.

[0002] In order to precisely control an earth drilling operation, it is necessary to determine the position of one end of the drill string as accurately as possible, in particular of a drill head or a region of the drill string located near the drill head in the ground. There are substantially two different methods available for this.

[0003] The position of the drill head can be determined, for example, by a transmitter in or on the drill head using an electromagnetic field through the ground, wherein a method known as the walk-over method is used for this purpose. The walk-over method allows for rapid location and uncomplicated handling. Above ground, the drill head can be located using a signal strength meter (receptacle), wherein the maximum signal strength of the transmitter signal of the transmitter in the drill head can be determined depending on the position of the signal strength meter above ground. The signal strength depends on the transmitter depth in the ground, which also makes depth determination possible. However, the tolerance for deviations increases with increasing drilling depth.

[0004] For great depths, higher accuracy at shallower depths and / or under shielding or completely inaccessible obstacles, cable-guided drilling can be used to locate the end of the drill string in the ground (drill head and / or region near the drill head). In cable-guided drilling, the data from a probe located at the end of the drill string in the ground (drill head or region near the drill head) is transmitted to the region of the earth drilling device via an electrical conduction path along the drill string. To form the conduction path, each section of the drill string, in particular each rod section, can be provided with an internal cable during the drilling process, which can be connected to cables of the adjacent sections of the drill string, in particular further rod sections. The data transmitted by the probe to the region of the earth drilling device can be displayed to an operator to influence the direction of the earth drilling.

[0005] Cable-guided drilling is characterized in particular by the fact that during drilling, each section of drill string to be attached to the drill string already in the ground is equipped with a cable in order to form an electrical conduction path through the rod section to the section of drill string already in the ground, which in turn may also have a cable.

[0006] Previously known methods for establishing a continuous cable connection to the probe through the rod sections are complex and require, among other things, at least two operators at both ends of a rod section to be attached to the drill string and / or an operator who has to run back and forth from one end to the other end of the rod section to establish the connection. The processes to be carried out so far are designed so as to be time-consuming and costly.

[0007] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an earth drilling device and a method with which the effort in terms of time and / or costs, in particular during the insertion of the drill string into the ground, can be reduced.

[0008] The object is achieved by the subject matters of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the respective dependent claims and the following description.

[0009] The core idea of the invention is to perform a cable movement of one end of the cable by means of a device in order to be able to carry out extended automation, wherein in particular, contrary to what one might think, a direction is included which initially runs counter to the insertion of the cable into a rod section or the drill string. Although the cable should be inserted or pushed into the rod section, the invention takes the initially contradictory approach of leading the cable away from a clamp for an already drilled drill string. This movement represents the foundation of the invention. The invention has broken new ground in how the cable is to be handled by means of the aforementioned cable movement. A defined movement at different times during the process of moving in the drill string or the rod section and in between is only made possible by the implementation of the core idea of the invention. The invention sets already in where the cable can be cut to allow for re-attaching another rod section; the end of the cut cable can be handled from the region where the cable is cut. Where the operator has to reconnect the end of the cable—if it has been passed through the rod section to be inserted—to the cable in the drill string, at least partial automation of the cable movement, which can also include movement in the reverse direction, is possible.

[0010] The invention provides an earth drilling device for cable-guided drilling with a carriage and a slide that can be moved back and forth on the carriage for moving a drill string having rod sections along a drill string axis. The earth drilling device has a clamp for the drill string on the carriage. A cable movement device is provided for moving one end of the cable. By means of the cable movement device, the end of the cable can be moved in one direction along the longitudinal direction of the carriage, the cable movement device being designed for movement away from the clamp.

[0011] This creates the possibility of handling the end of the cable in such a way that a forced or defined movement away from the clamp is possible. The forced movement of the cable end can, in addition to the movement away from the clamp—at a later time—also or additionally include a movement towards the clamp. The operator can remain in the region of the clamp, to connect the end of the cable, which is later brought back into the region of the clamp, with the end of the cable that is already present in the drilled drill string present in the ground. The forced movement of the cable end away from the clamp lays the foundation for possible automation, allowing the operator to remain in the region of the clamp and saving at least one additional operator and / or eliminating the need for the operator to constantly walk back and forth between the ends of the rod section to be attached. The actual movement of the cable end may be of less interest than knowing the position of the cable end after moving away from the clamp. The movement away from the clamp can be designed in particular to move the end of the cable to a predetermined position from which further, in particular automated, handling of the end of the cable is possible, in particular for inserting the end of the cable into a new rod section to be attached. The movement of the cable end away from the clamp can occur particularly outside the drill rod axis. This creates increased added value for the company carrying out the earth drilling or the company providing the earth drilling equipment, as cable-guided drilling can be carried out with less financial expenditure and / or faster.

[0012] The term “ground drilling device” in the sense of the description includes a device which moves a drill string having rod sections in a channel in the ground, which is already existing or has to be created, in order to create or widen a bore, in particular a horizontal bore (HD), or pull pipelines or other long bodies into the ground. The earth drilling device can in particular be an HD device or an HDD device. An earth drilling device can therefore be a device that drives a drill string, which works to displace the ground and introduces the drill string into the ground in a translational manner substantially along the longitudinal axial direction of the drill string. An additional rotational movement of the drill string around the longitudinal axis may be provided.

[0013] In the sense of the description, the term “rod section” includes not exclusively rigid, individual force transmission elements that can be connected to one another indirectly or directly and which can be used in an earth drilling device. A rod section can be designed in particular as a rod and / or a pipe. A rod section can have a connection option, particularly at one end, and most preferably at both ends, by means of which two rod sections can be connected to each other. In particular, the connection option can be a screw thread, part of a plug connection or another mechanical means of engagement.

[0014] The rod section can also be a double-pipe rod section, in which there is an inner rod with an inner pipe and an outer rod with an outer pipe that surrounds the inner rod.

[0015] A drill string with rod sections can be lengthened depending on the drilling progress (in particular in the case of a pilot drilling) or shortened after the end of the drilling (when withdrawing and removing the drill string from the ground). An extension is usually achieved by a rod section (to be attached), which is attached to the drill string already inserted or located in the ground; wherein the drill string extended by one rod section is then driven further into the ground—by the length of this rod section. Similarly, the drill string can be shortened, with the shortening usually being carried out by one rod section. During shortening—the pulling out of the drill string from the ground after drilling has been completed—the drill string is pulled out of the ground for the length of one rod section and the rod section is separated from the drill string that remains in the ground.

[0016] The drill string may have a drill head and, if present, a drill head tip at one end, particularly at a front end. The drill string may include a front-end drill tool.

[0017] The term “drill string axis” includes in particular the axis that can be formed by the longitudinal axes of the individual rod sections of the drill string, wherein, for the purposes of this description, the longitudinal axes of the rod sections that are located in the immediate vicinity of the earth drilling device in the drill rod string are considered. In particular, the rod section that was drilled last or the rod section that will be drilled or connected to the drill string next can be considered. The drill string axis is, in particular, the axis with which the drive engages the new rod section to be drilled and can therefore correspond to the longitudinal axis of the new rod section to be drilled. The axis of the drill rod string can coincide with the longitudinal axis of movement of the means of driving the rod section into the ground, in particular the slide and / or the carriage.

[0018] The term “carriage” encompasses, in the sense of a description, a frame. In particular, a slide can be moved back and forth on the carriage. The frame can be designed to be mobile. The carriage offers the possibility of straight or linear guidance for the slide. The carriage can provide a (guide) plane for the slide, along which the slide can be moved. The (guide) plane can be the surface with / on which the slide is guided. A carriage offers the possibility of exerting great forces on the drill string.

[0019] The term “slide” in the sense of the description encompasses a component that can be moved back and forth relative to the carriage. The carriage represents a stationary part during the insertion of the drill string into the ground; the slide is the part that moves relative to the carriage. A “drill shaft” may be provided on or attached to the slide. The drill shaft can be designed to engage an end of a rod section or to be connected to an end of a rod section in order to exert a translational and / or rotational force on the rod section. Typically, a rod section to be connected to the drill string is engaged with the drill shaft, in order to then connect the rod section connected to the drill shaft with the last rod section of the already drilled drill string and to move the entire drill string with the attached rod section in the ground. The slide typically has a base surface on / above which, for example, the drill shaft is arranged.

[0020] The term “clamp” in the sense of the description includes a device by which the drill string drilled into the ground can be clamped, for example to lengthen the clamped drill string by means of another rod section or to shorten the clamped drill string by one rod section. The clamp is usually located at the end of the carriage in its longitudinal direction and acts on the drill string to hold it in its position, in particular when the drill shaft is no longer connected to the drill string for the purpose of attaching or removing a rod section.

[0021] The term “cable movement device” encompasses, for the purposes of this description, a device by means of which movement of one end of a cable is possible, in particular along a trajectory. The term “trajectory” is used substantially synonymously with the terms curve, route or path in the sense of description. A substantially defined movement of the cable end can be enabled. The cable movement device may in particular include a receptacle for the end of the cable and a drive for moving the receptacle. The cable is not simply pulled away from the clamp, but guided and moved, so that a control, in particular for the drive(s) of the cable movement device, “knows” the location of the receptacle and thus the end of the cable—if it is in the receptacle—and moves the end of the cable according to the instructions of the control. The end of the cable, possibly attached to a receptacle, can be moved along a trajectory, in particular a defined one, wherein the trajectory can be selected appropriately, in particular as a straight path of movement. The end of the cable, possibly with the receptacle attached, can be present in a predetermined position after being moved back.

[0022] The cable movement device can be designed to be compact, so that it does not have to extend over a large region of the carriage; in particular, elements of a guide to support the cable along the longitudinal direction of the carriage can be dispensed with. It is not necessary to provide elements for guiding the cable that are arranged on the carriage. In particular, a further embodiment of the invention enables simple and quick, at least partially automated, handling of the end of the cable based on the basic idea of the invention. The compact design of the cable movement device can be improved or supported by making the cable movement device, together with the carriage, moveable at least in one direction of movement, in particular away from the clamp.

[0023] The term “end of cable” encompasses, in the sense of the description, an end region of a cable. The end region of the cable or the end of the cable can result from the cable being cut, particularly at the end of the drilled drill string or in the region of the clamp, in particular if the drill string has been inserted into the ground and a further rod section is to be attached to the drill string. The end of the cable refers in particular to the part of the cable that is not in the already drilled drill string and may in particular be part of a supply, in particular on a cable reel.

[0024] The term “cable” as used in this description includes a single- or multi-core bundle of conductors sheathed in an insulating material, which serves in particular for the transmission of energy and / or information. Electrical signals can be transmitted via a cable. If the cable has multiple wires or conductors, then parallel or simultaneous transmission of multiple signals is possible. Cables can be joined by stripping one end of a cable to another stripped end of a cable, by clamping the cables together, or by otherwise mechanically and / or materially bonding them together. To protect the connection, the connection point can be insulated, in particular with heat shrink tubing. If a cable is described in the context of the description, then in the drill string for the formation of an electrical connection using a cable, there is a series or connection of individual cable pieces, all of which substantially have the length of a rod section.

[0025] The term “longitudinal direction of the carriage” encompasses, in the sense of the description, a directional or geometric specification to describe the movement of the end of the cable. The longitudinal direction of the carriage can coincide with or run parallel to the direction of movement of the slide. The longitudinal direction of the carriage can correspond to the direction of advance of the drill string or borehole to be formed, particularly in the region of the earth drilling device.

[0026] The term “longitudinal” in the sense of a description encompasses a substantially parallel course between two mentioned directions. Deviations from parallelism are also possible, in which an angle enclosed with the reference direction is in the range of approximately 0° to approximately 45°, preferably between approximately 0° and approximately 40°, more preferably between approximately 0° and approximately 35°, more preferably between approximately 0° and approximately 30°, more preferably between approximately 0° and approximately 25°, more preferably between approximately 0° and approximately 20°, more preferably between approximately 0° and approximately 15°, more preferably between approximately 0° and approximately 10°, particularly preferably between approximately 0° and approximately 8°, particularly preferably between approximately 0° and approximately 6°, particularly preferably between approximately 0° and approximately 5°, particularly preferably between approximately 0° and approximately 4°, particularly preferably between approximately 0° and approximately 3°, most preferably between approximately 0° and approximately 2°, and in particular most preferably between approximately 0° and approximately 1°. Deviations from strict parallelism can result from manufacturing tolerances and a certain flexibility that deliberately allows for deviations.

[0027] The term “away from the clamp” in the context of the description includes a movement directed away from the drilled drill string, in which in particular the end of the cable, which will preferably be guided through the rod section to be attached, can be moved into the rear region of the rod section to be attached. The term “away from the clamp” can, in the sense of the description, encompass a substantially translational movement along the carriage.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment the cable movement device is movable also to move the end of the cable in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the carriage, which is a movement in the direction of the clamp. This allows for increased flexibility by enabling the movement of the cable end for different movements and purposes. Movement of the cable, in particular of the end of the cable, is possible in both directions along the longitudinal axis of the carriage.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the cable movement device has a receptacle for the end of the cable, which provides a simple, and in particular easily detachable, way to fasten or fix the end of the cable to the cable movement device.

[0030] The term “receptacle” as used in this description includes a component or element with a bore, recess, opening, hole, depression, groove or the like, into which the end of the cable can be inserted in order to connect the end of the cable to the cable movement device. The bore can be designed in such a way that it completely penetrates the component or element (through hole) or does not completely penetrate it (blind hole). The term “bore” in the description does not primarily refer to the type of manufacture, but rather to the mere provision of the recess, opening, hole, depression or groove.

[0031] The receptacle may have one or more fixing means in the form of one or more screws, one or more pins, and the like, to fix the end of the cable to the receptacle. The receptacle may have one or more internal threads adapted to the screw(s) and / or one or more through holes adapted to the outer diameter of the screw, and may include one or more nuts to fasten the screw(s). The receptacle may have one or more (pass) holes for the pin(s) in order to fasten the pin(s).

[0032] It may be possible to take into account the conditions on the construction site through the design of the receptacle. The cable fixing in or on the receptacle can be designed to simplify handling, for example, it can be provided that the use of tool-requiring fixing devices is reduced or can be completely eliminated.

[0033] It may be possible to fix the cable to or in the receptacle substantially without tools, by inserting or pressing the cable into or into the receptacle. The receptacle can be designed to allow the cable to be guided through one or more holes on or in the receptacle. A loop-shaped, coil-shaped or arc-shaped arrangement, in which the cable is at least partially routed back into or onto the receptacle or can be routed back (“the cable is present twice in cross-section in a region of the receptacle”), is possible. A loop-shaped, coil-shaped or arc-shaped course or a corresponding arrangement can deflect and reduce any potential pulling force on the cable.

[0034] It is possible that the cable may be guided on or in the receptacle in a guide, which may be designed in a groove shape. The guide, which can be groove-shaped, can have a loop-shaped, coil-shaped or arc-shaped profile. It can be advantageous to avoid creating any protrusion in the receptacle with the cable, so that the outer diameter of the receptacle can be kept as small as possible, for example to allow it to be inserted and / or guided into or through a cavity with a small inner diameter.

[0035] It may be provided that the receptacle has a groove-shaped guide for the cable on the outer surface of the receptacle, into which the cable can be inserted. In a preferred embodiment, at least one barbed arrangement can be provided in the groove-shaped guide, with the aid of which movement of the cable out of the guide can be reduced or prevented. The cable can be removed from a guide, particularly one with a barbed arrangement, by lifting the cable out of the guide without exerting substantial tension on the cable in the direction of action of the barbed arrangement.

[0036] In a guide, particularly a groove-shaped one, for the end of the cable in or on the receptacle, several barbed arrangements can be present which can act in different directions (pulling or pushing).

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the cable movement device has one or more drives which can be controlled by means of a control. The drive(s) can also be referred to as motors, wherein one or more gearboxes may also be present. The drive(s) can be designed as a rotary drive and / or a linear drive.

[0038] The term “control” as used in this description includes an electrical and / or electronic device that can influence the behavior of the cable movement device in a targeted manner. Therefore, the term “control” can refer to a physically existing means. In the context of the use of the term in this description, it is also possible that the term is used for the process of control, in particular by means of a sequence of commands that are executed by the electrical and / or electronic device. At least partially automated movement of the cable end can be achieved. The control for the cable movement device can also be designed to control the processes of the earth drilling device. The control for the earth drilling device can, for example, be supplemented by the control for the cable movement device. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible to provide an additional control for the cable movement device to control the earth drilling device, wherein an interface between the two controls may be provided if necessary. The control(s) can be designed to execute a sequence of commands, particularly within the context of a program or application to be processed. The program may be stored in a type of memory, particularly non-volatile memory. This allows a high flexibility to be achieved. It may be stipulated that only authorized operators have access to the sequence of commands or to changes in the sequence of commands, particularly in the form of a program or application.

[0039] An embodiment in which the control of the earth drilling device also controls the cable movement device is particularly preferred, since the control of the cable movement device can take place, if necessary, after and during processes that are effected by the control of the earth drilling device, for example, moving the section of drill string to be inserted into the region of the drill string axis. Thus, it is possible to “embed” or “merge” the process of controlling the cable movement device and the components of this cable movement device into the control of the earth drilling device.

[0040] The drive(s) of the cable movement device enable a high degree of flexibility in handling the cable. It may be provided that the cable, in particular the end of the cable, can be moved together with the cable movement device or the part of the cable movement device that receives the end of the cable, by moving the cable movement device or the corresponding part of the cable movement device that receives the end of the cable in space. The end of the cable can remain at rest relative to the cable movement device or the corresponding part of the cable movement device. The drive(s) enable not only the movement of the cable end, in which the cable movement device itself is moved, but also an additional imposition of movement on the cable end without movement of the cable movement device itself in space.

[0041] It may be provided that one of the drives is intended for causing a movement of the receptacle for the end of the cable. In a simplified design, the drive can be configured to cause a substantially linear direction of movement. It may be provided that, by means of the drive for moving the receptacle, a force can be exerted substantially only along one axis, whereby the drive may be designed to impose a movement along both directions of the axis.

[0042] The receptacle, particularly when the receptacle is arranged on a shear-resistant element, preferably on its end face, can be moved indirectly or directly by the action of two opposing rollers, between which the shear-resistant element is arranged and one of which is driven. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible to use two chains between which the shear-resistant element is arranged, one of which is driven to move the shear-resistant element. The person skilled in the art, with knowledge of the invention, can choose any configurations in which the receptacle and / or the shear-resistant element can be moved. For example, it may be possible to move the receptacle and / or shear-resistant element alternatively or additionally by means of a “cyclic application” of a movement by a linear motor.

[0043] A drive for movement for the receptacle may include a device for determining the length of the receptacle movement. It is possible to determine, for example, how far forward the receptacle was shifted. The length of the movement can be adjusted to the length of the rod section into which the receptacle or the end of the cable is to be inserted. Automation of the process is possible.

[0044] It may be provided that one or more drives are available for aligning the receptacle. It may be preferred that the entire cable movement device is moved by means of the drive or multiple drives for aligning the receptacle. Alternatively or additionally it may be provided that the one or multiple drives moves or move the drive for moving the receptacle relative to the cable movement device for aligning the receptacle.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the cable movement device is translationally movable relative to the carriage and / or the cable movement device is pivotable relative to the carriage. This allows a high degree of flexibility to be achieved. A handling of the entire cable movement device initially contradicts a simple design of the device, but has advantages in handling the cable.

[0046] It may be provided that the translational movement relative to the carriage also includes a translational movement relative to the slide. It may be provided that pivoting the cable movement device relative to the carriage also includes pivoting relative to the slide.

[0047] The translational movement of the cable movement device and / or the pivoting of the cable movement device can be carried out in particular to align the receptacle with a rod section to be attached. A drive may be provided which can move the receptacle relative to the slide and / or carriage in order to shift the receptacle with its longitudinal direction relative to the longitudinal direction of the carriage while maintaining substantially the same angle between the longitudinal direction of the receptacle and the longitudinal direction of the carriage (translationally). A drive may be provided which pivots the receptacle relative to the slide and / or the carriage, thereby changing the angle enclosed between the longitudinal direction of the receptacle and the longitudinal direction of the carriage.

[0048] If the movement of the cable movement device is described, it may be a movement of the receptacle together with a drive designed for the movement of the receptacle, so that the movement of the cable movement device also results in a movement of the receptacle, without moving the receptacle as such relative to the cable movement device.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment, the cable movement device is movable with the slide, thereby enabling a simplified movement that is indirectly effected by the movement of the slide. The cable movement device can be arranged on the slide. In particular, the cable movement device can be directly or indirectly connected to the slide. An indirect connection is possible in which the cable movement device is connected to the slide via a support which, for example, enables movement of the cable movement device relative to the slide in order to in particular align the cable movement device, in particular the receptacle of the cable movement device, with respect to the direction of movement for the receptacle. The alignment can simplify the design of the drive for moving the receptacle.

[0050] The movement of the cable movement device can inevitably result from the movement of the slide if the cable movement device is arranged on the slide. Since the slide is used to move the drill string, the joint movement of the cable movement device with the slide can result in a simplification of the components, equipment, devices and the like to be moved. The necessary movement of the slide can be used to move the cable movement device; the energy required for the movement of the slide can also be used to move the cable movement device. In particular, it may be provided that the end of the cable is moved away from the clamp by means of a movement of the cable movement device. The movement away from the clamp can substantially be achieved by moving the slide.

[0051] If it is described that the cable movement device is movable with the slide, it is not excluded that the cable movement device—in particular after or before a movement together with the slide—can move independently of the slide.

[0052] Furthermore, movement together with the slide can provide for a further simplification of the design of the cable movement device, since the end of the cable which is moved with the cable movement device can be in the region of the drill shaft and thus an end of a rod section to be attached, due to the arrangement of the cable movement device on the slide.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment, the cable movement device has a kink-resistant, shear-resistant and / or bendable element, on which the receptacle for the end of the cable is preferably arranged, in particular at the end. This allows the end of the cable to be moved easily by utilizing the properties of the element, in particular not to kink when being inserted into a cavity of a rod section and to follow the direction of movement in the longitudinal direction of the cavity of the rod section. Therefore, the adjectives used to describe the element can be used interchangeably or synonymously in the sense of description, in particular in that the element can exhibit high elasticity, particularly high shear elasticity. The element can exhibit particularly high shear stability. Such an element can bring about a further improvement and / or simplification in accordance with the invention, since such an element, which is arranged at the end of the receptacle, enables the receptacle to be fed forward without being deflected and to follow the cavity. Those skilled in the art are aware of a wide variety of materials for a shear-resistant and / or bendable element which, in particular under shear stress and in the presence of a possible obstacle, does not buckle but bends in such a way that it avoids the obstacle, wherein in particular a fiber composite material, glass fiber, carbon fiber or similar material may be used. It is known that shear strength cannot be achieved solely by selecting a suitable material, for example by elements or sections of an arrangement that can form or belong to the element being able to “lock together” when subjected to a force (push) in one direction, so that, for example, a form-fitting can be achieved when subjected to force in that direction. When pressure is applied in the other direction (“pull”), the locking / form-fitting can be released and elements or sections of such an element can be unlocked and be flexibly positioned relative to each other.

[0054] The receptacle can optionally be detachable from the element, so that the receptacle can be separated from the element. This can take into account the fact that the element may wear out due to abrasion or other mechanical stress and can be easily replaced. For example, it is possible that the receptacle and the element can be screwed together. In particular, the receptacle can have an internal thread and the element an external thread which is adapted to the internal thread of the receptacle. Other connection options are readily known to the skilled in the art.

[0055] A guide head may be present for the element, which supports the element in a position. This position can be part of the drive for moving the element with the end-mounted receptacle. The guide head can be moved and / or pivoted with respect to its position in space in order to align the guide head. The guide head can support a region of the element which may be close to the receptacle attached to the element. The guide head allows the receptacle to be indirectly aligned and / or positioned via the element. It is possible in particular to simplify the insertion of the receptacle into the cavity of a rod section by combining the shear stiffness of the element with a suitable positioning of the guide head, in particular by imposing only a movement, in particular a linear one, on the element, provided that the guide head with the receptacle and the element is in a corresponding position at the entrance of the cavity of the rod section and a force for the movement is imposed on the element.

[0056] There are substantially two possible alternatives. Firstly, the guide head can assume a defined and fixed position in space without the need for drives to move the guide head relative to a reference, which may be specified by a reference on the slide. It is preferred if a rod section, through which the cable is to be moved, can be moved in front of the guide head. Such a design may be preferred because the cable movement device can be simple in design and the alignment of the rod section to the receptacle or guide head can be taken over by the handling device for the rod section.

[0057] Secondly, the guide head can be moved relative to a reference, which can be defined by a reference on the slide. In the latter alternative, the guide head can be moved to the end of the newly attached rod section, which may already be located in the drill rod string axis. A pivoting, rotating and / or translational movement of the guide head is possible.

[0058] It is possible that the guide head has a sensor to determine the position of the guide head relative to the end of a rod section. For example, it may be provided that the cable movement only starts if there is sufficient alignment with the rod section. Automation of the process is possible.

[0059] In a preferred embodiment, a supply for the element, in particular a movable drum for the element, is provided, wherein the element can be wound on the drum. This allows for a particularly simple design, which can also permit a compact layout. Although the element can allow directed movement of the receptacle, it is possible to reduce it to a smaller volume and / or smaller dimensions.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment, the cable movement device is arranged in the region of the drill shaft, whereby the cable movement device can be arranged in the region which is adjacent to the region reached by the rod section to be attached. The position makes it possible to easily insert the end of the cable from this position into the rod section to be attached to the drill string. In particular, it may be preferred that the cable movement device is arranged in the region of the drill shaft on the slide.

[0061] In a preferred embodiment, the cable movement device is arranged outside the drill rod string axis, which allows for increased flexibility, as free space available outside the drill rod string axis can be utilized. In particular, the cable movement device does not need to have any parts passing through the drill shaft.

[0062] The directional specification “outside the drill rod string axis” includes the indication that, in particular, the receptacle of the cable movement device does not have to be aligned coaxially with the drill shaft. The cable movement device, in particular the receptacle of the cable movement device and, if applicable, the drive and, if applicable, the element, may be located outside a plane that has the drill string axis and runs substantially parallel to a (guide) plane of the carriage for the slide and / or the base surface of the slide on the carriage. In particular, the receptacle of the cable movement device can be arranged outside the drill rod string axis; particularly preferably, the receptacle, the drive for moving the receptacle and the element that may be present can be arranged outside the drill rod string axis.

[0063] In particular, the cable movement device can be arranged above the drill rod string axis, most preferably above the drill shaft, whereby the earth drilling device equipped with the cable movement device is extended in a direction in which a disturbance or impairment of other, in particular already existing, facilities, devices and the like is virtually excluded.

[0064] For the purposes of this description, the term “outside the drill rod string axis” includes not only the particularly preferred embodiment “above” but also an arrangement to the right or left of the drill rod string axis. An arrangement below the drill rod string axis is also possible. Despite the preferred embodiment, an arrangement in the drill rod string axis is not excluded.

[0065] In a preferred embodiment, a cable reel is provided for the cable, allowing for a large supply of cable. Furthermore, further automation is possible by allowing at least partial automatic access to the cable reel and enabling the cable to be unwound to the required length. The supply of cable can be in a manageable, compact form and protected from tangling or knotting. Furthermore, it is possible to determine the length when winding the cable onto the cable reel and / or to detect the used portion of the cable when unwinding the cable. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cable supply comprises a cable with a length that corresponds at least to the length of three, four or more rod sections. The cable supply can include a cable with a length of at least 50 m, preferably at least 60 m, preferably at least 70 m, preferably at least 80 m, preferably at least 90 m, preferably at least 100 m. Depending on the length of the borehole to be drilled, cable lengths of more than 100 m from a cable supply may also be possible.

[0066] It may be provided that the cable reel is arranged around the drill rod string axis, thereby creating a particularly simple design and arrangement, which makes handling simpler.

[0067] For the purposes of this description, the term “arranged around the drill rod string axis” is to be understood as meaning that the central axis of the cable reel of the cable supply is aligned concentrically with the central axis of the connection, which substantially coincides with the drill rod string axis. In particular, the cable supply or cable reel can be located on the outside and surround the drill rod string axis. Such an external feed may be preferable and allows for a simple design with minimal effort when replacing or refilling the cable reel with a supply of cable, as external access facilitates handling. This allows for a space-saving setup.

[0068] It is preferably possible that a cable feed with at least one guide roller, which may be designed as a deflection roller, is provided, which serves to ensure an orderly feed of the cable. This enables a feed system in which the cable supply can be arranged independently of the drill rod string axis and / or in which a flexible arrangement of the cable supply is possible.

[0069] It is preferably possible to design the cable feed, in particular in the form of a rotary feedthrough, for axial feeding into the drill rod string axis. There may be several guide rollers that redirect the cable into the desired orientation and / or position.

[0070] A seal at the cable feed for flushing fluid which can be fed to the drill string is preferably possible. In particular, a seal can be used that substantially permanently closes a feed opening for the cable from the cable supply. In particular, the opening may be an opening arranged in a rotary feedthrough, which is coaxial to the rod section to be attached, which is connected to the drill shaft. It is possible to further simplify handling steps by eliminating the need to manually form the seal each time. Drilling fluid—even under pressure—can be supplied to the drill shaft, which does not escape from the drill shaft.

[0071] A rotary feedthrough can be used to align the cable axially with the drill rod string axis. In particular, the cable can be guided through the rotary feedthrough in a substantially centered manner, in particular aligned substantially with the central axis of the drill rod string. The rotary feedthrough can have an opening at one end for the cable coming from the cable supply. On the other hand, the rotary feedthrough can have a connection that is connected to a section of the drill string or to a new section that is to be connected to the already drilled drill string. The connection can rotate along with the drill string, in particular if a rotational movement is imposed on the drill string. The drill shaft can be connected to the drill string directly or indirectly.

[0072] The cable supply can be arranged at the end of a rotary feedthrough, spaced apart from the drill shaft that comes into contact with a rod section, either directly or indirectly. This allows the cable of the cable supply to pass through the rotary feedthrough or the connection from behind, or to extend at least partially or completely through the rotary feedthrough.

[0073] A traction element may be present. The traction element can be functionally connected to and designed with the cable supply to keep the cable under tension. This largely prevents the cable from being pinched, for example when connecting the rod sections. By using a potentially substantially concentric cable routing, the cable can be kept outside the region relevant for the mechanical connection of the rod sections or the sections of the drill string. The cable can be kept outside the elements intended for connecting the rod sections; cable breakage and / or cable tearing can be avoided.

[0074] The invention also provides a method for inserting a drill string into the ground using an earth drilling device for cable-guided drilling. The earth drilling device has a carriage, a slide that can be moved back and forth on the carriage for moving, by pushing or pulling, the drill string having rod sections along a drill rod string axis and a clamp on the carriage. By means of the cable movement device, the end of the cable is moved in one direction along the longitudinal direction of the carriage, wherein the end of the cable is moved away from the clamp.

[0075] The method can be carried out in particular using the control described in the description.

[0076] The invention is described in the context of the description by means of the design of a device and the design of a method. The explanations of the individual aspects of the invention complement each other seamlessly. Descriptions of the device, which are described by device-related features, also apply to the method, since in particular the method steps carried out by means of the device can be considered part of the method.

[0077] The above statements, like the following description of an exemplary embodiment, do not represent an exclusion of certain embodiments or features.

[0078] In the following, the invention will be explained in greater detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawing.

[0079] In particular, in the drawing:

[0080] FIG. 1 shows in schematic isometric representation an earth drilling device for cable-guided drilling with a slide and a drill shaft arranged on the slide;

[0081] FIG. 2 shows a schematic isometric view of a detailed view of the earth drilling device according to FIG. 1;

[0082] FIG. 3a shows in schematic isometric representation the earth drilling device according to FIG. 1 after the slide has moved in the direction of a clamp and has drilled the drill string;

[0083] FIG. 3b shows a section of FIG. 3a in an enlarged view;

[0084] FIG. 4a shows a schematic isometric view of a detail after the separation of the drill shaft from the drilled drill string according to FIG. 3, in which a cable is exposed;

[0085] FIG. 4b shows the detailed view according to FIG. 4a after the cable has been cut and one end of the cable has been fixed in a receptacle;

[0086] FIG. 5 shows a schematic isometric view of a detail after the drill shaft and the holder have been moved away from the clamp and a rod section to be attached to the drill string has been brought into the region of the drill string axis;

[0087] FIG. 6 shows in a schematic sectional view the situation of FIG. 5, after the receptacle has been pushed with the end of the cable through the rod section to be attached to the drill string;

[0088] FIG. 7 shows a schematic isometric view of a detail after the end has been connected to the cable present in the drill string and the receptacle has been moved back through the drill string;

[0089] FIG. 8 shows a schematic isometric view of a detail of the earth drilling device after the rod section to be attached to the drill string of FIG. 7 has been moved into the drill rod string axis; and

[0090] FIG. 9 shows a schematic isometric view of a detail of the earth drilling device of FIG. 8 after the drill shaft has been connected to the rod section and the drilled drill string.

[0091] FIG. 1 shows a schematic isometric representation of an earth drilling device 1 for cable-guided drilling. The earth drilling device 1 has a carriage 2 and a slide 3 that can be moved back and forth on the carriage 2. The carriage 2, together with the guide of the slide 3, defines a guide plane that runs substantially parallel to a base surface of the slide 3.

[0092] Using the slide 3, a drill string can be inserted into the ground or pulled out of the ground. The drill string can be assembled from rod sections 4, which are stored in a rod magazine 5. A transfer device 7 is provided for transferring a rod section 4 from the rod magazine 5, by means of which a rod section 4 can be moved from the rod magazine 5 into a drill rod string axis L, as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1. The transfer device 7 can also hold a rod section 4 in an intermediate position between the rod magazine 5 and the drill rod string axis L.

[0093] From the position or location of the rod section 4 shown in FIG. 1, it can be connected to a drill string already in the ground and, together with the drill string already in the ground, driven further into the ground.

[0094] A clamp 14 is provided, by means of which the already drilled drill string can be clamped in order to detach the drill shaft 6 from the already drilled drill string and, for example, to attach another rod section 4 to the drill string. Such a situation is shown in FIG. 1. The rod section 4, located in the drill rod string axis L, can be connected to the drill string to extend it and to insert it into the ground.

[0095] A drill shaft 6 is arranged on the carriage 3, which can be brought into engagement with the rod section 4 located in the drill rod string axis L. The drill shaft 6 can engage in the right end of the rod section 4 shown in FIG. 1 and connect it to the last rod section 4 of the already drilled drill string and push it further into the ground.

[0096] FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the earth drilling device 1 of FIG. 1, showing a view from the other side of the earth drilling device, in particular omitting the rod magazine 5 and the transfer device 7 for better illustration of the other elements. FIG. 2 substantially shows the slide 3 with the drill shaft 6, a cable movement device 8 and a supply for a cable 10. The supply for cable 10 is designed as cable reel 9. The cable movement device 8 has a receptacle 11 for one end of the cable 10, an element 12 and a drive 13 for the element 12.

[0097] FIG. 3a shows the earth drilling device 1 (substantially reduced to carriage 2 and slide 3) after the insertion of the rod section 4 into the ground, with the region of the earth drilling device 1 marked with a dashed rectangle Q shown enlarged in FIG. 3b. In the situation shown in FIGS. 3a and b, the drill shaft 6 is still connected to the drill string or the last rod section 4 of the drill string. The cable 10 is routed through the rod section 4 and extends through the drill shaft 6 to the cable reel 9.

[0098] FIG. 4a shows how the drill shaft 6 is separated from the rod section 4 and the cable 10 is exposed between the end of the drill string and the drill shaft 6 in the region of the clamp 14. The cable 10 can now be handled in such a way that the cable 10 is cut as sketched in FIG. 4b and the end 15 of the cable 10 connected to the cable reel 9 is fixed with or in the receptacle 11 of the cable movement device 8. The slide 3 moves back together with the cable movement device 8 and a rod section 4 to be attached to the drilled drill string is brought from the rod magazine 5 into a position shown in FIG. 5. The rod section 4 shown in FIG. 5 is in a position outside the drill rod string axis L, substantially parallel to it, and is held in this position by the transfer device 7.

[0099] The receptacle 11 is located outside the drill rod string axis L. The receptacle 11 is located in front of a guide head 17, with the help of which the element 12 is guided in the region of the guide head 17. The receptacle 11 is substantially aligned with the end opening of the rod section 4 and can be inserted into the rod section 4 in a longitudinal direction to the drill rod string axis L by means of the drive 13 together with the end 15 of the cable 10. A movement of the receptacle 11 or the guide head 17 can lead to a change in the orientation of the receptacle 11 relative to the rod section 4.

[0100] The receptacle 11, aligned with the rod section 4, is driven by means of the drive 13, which moves the element 12 longitudinally axially out through the guide head. The receptacle 11 moves in a direction along the drill rod string axis L through the rod section 4 together with the end 15 of the cable 10. The element 12 is shear-resistant and wound on a drum 16. When the receptacle 11 is moved by the rod section 4 towards the clamp 14, the element 12 is unwound from the drum 16.

[0101] FIG. 6 shows in a cutaway view the situation in which the receptacle 11 was carried with the end 15 of the cable 10 through the rod section 4. An operator present in the region of the clamp 14 can connect the end 15 of cable 10 with the cable 10 located in the drilled drill string by removing the end 15 of cable 10 from the receptacle 11 and connecting it to the other cable 10 in the drill string. The receptacle 11 can be guided through the rod section 4 again by retracting the element 12, which is done by the drive 13. The receptacle 11 is guided away from the clamp.

[0102] FIG. 7 shows the situation in which the retracted receptacle 11 is located outside the rod section 4 and the cable 10 extends from the drill shaft through the rod section 4 into the drilled drill string.

[0103] FIG. 8 shows the situation after the transfer device 7 has moved the rod section 4 into the drill rod string axis L. The cable 10 can be tensioned using a pulling device. The cable 10 runs substantially straight through the drill shaft 11, the rod section 4 and the already drilled drill string.

[0104] FIG. 9 shows the situation after the drill shaft 6 has been engaged with the rod section 4 and the rod section 4 can be inserted into the ground together with the already drilled drill string.

Claims

1. An earth drilling device (1) for cable-guided drilling with a carriage (2) and a slide (3) movable back and forth on the carriage (2) for moving a drill string having rod sections (4) along a drill rod string axis (L), wherein the earth drilling device (1) has a clamp (14) for the drill string on the carriage (2), characterized in that a cable movement device (8) is provided for moving an end (15) of the cable (10), by means of which the end (15) of the cable (10) is movable in a direction along the longitudinal direction (L) of the carriage (2), wherein the cable movement device (8) is designed for a movement of the end (15) of the cable (10) away from the clamp (14).

2. The earth drilling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cable movement device (8) is movable also to move the end (15) of the cable (10) in a direction along the longitudinal direction (L) of the carriage (2), which is a movement in the direction of the clamp.

3. The earth drilling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cable movement device (8) has a receptacle (11) for the end (15) of the cable (10).

4. The earth drilling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cable movement device (8) has one or more drives (13) which can be controlled by means of a control.

5. The earth drilling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cable movement device (8) is translationally movable relative to the carriage (2) and / or the cable movement device (8) is pivotable relative to the carriage (2).

6. The earth drilling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cable movement device (8) is movable with the slide (3).

7. The earth drilling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cable movement device (8) has a kink-resistant, shear-resistant and / or bendable element (12) on which a receptacle (11) for the end (15) of the cable (10) is preferably arranged.

8. The earth drilling device (1) according to claim 7, wherein a supply for the element (12), in particular a movable drum (16) for the element (12), is provided, wherein the element (12) can be wound on the drum (16).

9. The earth drilling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cable movement device (8) is arranged in the region of a drill shaft (6), which is arranged on the slide (3).

10. The earth drilling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cable movement device (8) is arranged outside the drill rod string axis (L).

11. The earth drilling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein a cable reel (9) for the cable (10) is provided.

12. A method for inserting a drill string into the ground by means of an earth drilling device (1) for cable-guided drilling, wherein the earth drilling device (1) has a carriage (2), a slide (3) movable back and forth on the carriage (2) for moving, by pushing or pulling, the drill string having rod sections (4) along a drill rod string axis (L), and a clamp (14) for the drill string on the carriage (2), characterized in that an end (15) of the cable (10) is moved, by means of a cable movement device (8) in a direction along the longitudinal direction (L) of the carriage (2), wherein the end (15) of the cable (10) is moved away from the clamp (14).

Images