Apparatus for trenchless laying of pipes, conduits and the like

Abstract

The present application relates to an apparatus (1) for trenchless laying of pipes, lines and the like in soil, comprising a soil displacement hammer (2), a pressure device (3) for providing a pressurized fluid, a pressure hose (4) for fluidically connecting the pressure device (3) to the soil displacement hammer (2), wherein the soil displacement hammer (2) is provided and designed to move from a starting pit (5) through the soil into a target pit (6) in a soil-displacing manner as a result of being driven with the fluid provided via the pressure hose (4). In order to provide an apparatus by means of which it is better possible to locate the soil displacement hammer in the soil during its movement from the starting pit into the target pit, it is proposed that the outer lateral surface of the pressure hose (4) has a length marking (7) which, at least along part of an overall length of the pressure hose (4), marks the running length thereof in relation to a reference point (22) at which the length marking (7) begins with the value zero.

Description

[0001] Device for trenchless laying of pipes, cables and the like

[0002] Description

[0003]

[0001] The present application relates to a device for the trenchless laying of pipes, lines and the like in a soil according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0004]

[0002] The device comprises a so-called earth auger, which is driven by a pressurized fluid, in particular pneumatically or hydraulically, to move from a starting pit below the ground level, i.e., through the ground, to a target pit. The starting pit and the target pit are embedded in the subsurface and can have a depth of several meters, measured from the ground level, for example, in the range between 1.5 m and 4.0 m. The earth auger is advanced through the ground by means of soil displacement, whereby the earth auger moves successively through the ground using impact impulses, displacing soil laterally and locally compacting it.

[0005]

[0003] The device can be used, for example, for laying water pipes and telecommunications lines, especially fiber optic cables. It is primarily used wherever the respective pipe or line cannot be laid using an open-cut method. This can, for example, involve the intersection of a road or other terrain that should not be torn up to install the pipe or line.

[0006] State of the art

[0007]

[0004] For example, a device of this type is known from DE 102016 003 995 A1. Said document deals with a carriage for a soil-penetrating rocket.

[0008]

[0005] In practice, the problem regularly arises that, despite careful alignment of the drilling hammer relative to the respective target pit, the drilling hammer is deflected by the soil during its movement and does not reach the target pit as planned. Since the drilling hammer is not visible underground, in such cases it is initially unclear where it is located.

[0009]

[0006] In order to avoid such incidents as much as possible, it is customary to align the soil hammer relative to the target pit using an alignment aid. For example, a sighting rod is placed in the target pit and aimed at using the alignment aid. The alignment aid can in particular be designed in the form of a sighting tool. The most common reason why a soil hammer does not reach the target pit despite careful alignment can be obstacles or objects in the ground that deflect the soil hammer as it moves through the ground. These can be stones or similar objects, for example. Due to these circumstances, it is generally advantageous if the user of the device knows as precisely as possible where the soil hammer is or should be on its route between the starting pit and the target pit.To this end, in practice, an attempt is often made to localize the vibrations caused by the soil hammer, which spread through the ground as a result of the impact pulses, and in this way to determine approximately where the soil hammer is currently located. In order to at least be able to determine whether the soil hammer should have reached the target pit in the meantime, it is common recommendation and daily practice to measure the shortest distance between the launch pit and the target pit before the soil hammer enters the ground and to mark this distance on the pressure hose using adhesive tape. This at least makes it possible to determine whether the soil hammer should have reached the target pit by now, which is the case when the individually applied marking on the pressure hose penetrates the ground in the launch pit.This indicates that the soil hammer has penetrated the ground as far as the distance between the starting and target pits.

[0010]

[0007] However, this approach does not help to solve the problem of being able to better localize the soil displacement rocket at any time during its movement from the launch pit to the target pit.

[0011] Task

[0012]

[0008] The present application is therefore based on the object of providing a device by means of which it is easier to locate the earth-piercing rocket in the ground during its movement from the starting pit to the target pit.

[0013] Solution

[0014]

[0009] The underlying object is achieved according to the invention by means of a device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the subclaims and the description.

[0015]

[0010] In the context of the present application, an “earth auger” is understood to mean a device for creating a channel in a soil using the soil displacement method.

[0016] The term "soil displacement hammer" is synonymous with a soil displacement hammer, which in technology is also referred to as a soil penetration rocket. For example, the soil displacement hammer can comprise a housing that is at least essentially circular in cross-section and is propelled in one direction by a percussion piston located within the housing. Propulsion is generally achieved by compressed air, i.e. pneumatically, whereby the percussion piston strikes the housing directly or indirectly due to the exposure to the compressed air, thereby generating the energy required to displace the soil. The direction in which the percussion piston strikes the housing defines the direction of movement of the soil displacement hammer. As an alternative to pneumatics, the propulsion of the soil displacement hammer can also be achieved hydraulically.

[0017]

[0011] Depending on the fluid used (particularly compressed air or oil), the pressure device can be, for example, a compressor or a pump. As a rule, earth-piercing hammers are powered by compressed air, which is provided by a pressure device designed as a compressor. The latter can, for example, be designed as a standalone device that can be operated, in particular, with a liquid fuel, such as gasoline. This eliminates the need to connect the pressure device to a higher-level electrical network, so the device as a whole can also be used away from existing infrastructure.

[0018]

[0012] The pressure hose can in particular be formed from a reinforced fabric hose. For use as part of the device, it is important that the pressure hose is pressure-resistant. If the soil hammer is pneumatically driven, it is usual for the pressure device to provide an operating pressure of approximately 7 bar or 8 bar. Accordingly, it is advantageous if the pressure hose is designed for such an operating pressure. The diameter of the pressure hose is preferably adapted to the respective soil hammer used, with the diameter of the pressure hose correlating with the dimensions of the soil hammer. In other words, the larger the soil hammer, the larger the pressure hose should preferably be. As a rule, the diameter of the pressure hose ranges between 0.5 inches and 2.5 inches. However, when using larger soil hammers, the diameter can also be larger.

[0019]

[0013] As already explained at the beginning, it is particularly advantageous for the soil hammer to have a housing and a percussion piston. The percussion piston is preferably arranged within the housing and is movable relative to the housing in such a way that it can be repeatedly moved back and forth within the housing. The percussion piston is arranged in such a way that it can strike a stop surface of the housing in at least one direction of movement. Driven by the pressurized fluid, for example compressed air, the percussion piston can be driven to repeatedly strike the housing and in this way provide the energy required to move the soil hammer through the ground. The frequency at which the percussion piston strikes the housing can, for example, be in the range between 5 Hz and 50 Hz. The soil hammer is successively “struck” forward in its direction of movement, whereby the soil hammer orwhose housing displaces the soil located directly in front of the soil displacement hammer in the direction of movement and thereby locally compacts it in an area around the housing of the soil displacement hammer. Although the propulsion of the soil displacement hammer does not constitute drilling in the classic sense, the process for creating channels using a soil displacement hammer is nevertheless often referred to in technology as "drilling". In principle, it is conceivable and known to be able to drive soil displacement hammers in two opposing directions of movement. With such soil displacement hammers, it is possible to switch between a "forward gear" and a "reverse gear". A design of the soil displacement hammer with this functionality is also conceivable within the scope of the present invention.

[0020]

[0014] According to the invention, the device is designed such that the pressure hose has a length marking on its outer surface, which marks the running length of the pressure hose at least along a portion of its total length. The length marking can, for example, be printed on the outer surface of the pressure hose or embossed into the outer surface. It is also conceivable to burn the length marking into the outer surface of the pressure hose using a laser. Other methods of applying the length marking to or into the outer surface are also conceivable.

[0021]

[0015] Preferably, the length marking comprises a plurality of individual markings applied at equidistant intervals along the pressure hose on the outer surface. The distances between the individual markings may be, for example, 10 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, 50 cm, or 100 cm and may be labeled accordingly. Other distances are, of course, also conceivable. The length marking preferably extends from a reference point, from which it begins at zero, over at least 10 m, preferably at least 15 m, more preferably at least 20 m, along the pressure hose. Depending on the location of the reference point (see explanation below), the length marking does not begin at zero at an end of the pressure hose facing the soil displacement hammer, but rather already has a starting value corresponding to a distance of the reference point from said end of the pressure hose.

[0022]

[0016] It may be advantageous if the length marking begins at a connection point where the pressure hose is connected to the soil hammer, for example by means of a connection coupling. In this variant, which is also shown in the exemplary embodiment below, the connection point is the reference point for the length marking. This embodiment has the particular advantage that a respective length measurement, which can be read at any time using the length marking on the pressure hose, can be interpreted as synonymous with how far the pressure hose as such is located within the ground or how far it has been pulled into the ground by means of the soil hammer starting from the launch pit. Preferably, the connection point is defined by a connection coupling, which is arranged at one end of the pressure hose and by means of which the pressure hose is coupled to the soil hammer.This coupling can be formed directly on the housing of the soil hammer or on a connecting hose described below. Defining the reference point at the connection point has the further advantage that the length marking is fundamentally independent of the soil hammer the pressure hose is connected to. If the reference point were to refer to points on the soil hammer itself, as explained below, the length marking would have to be tailored to a specific soil hammer. Since soil hammers of different sizes are used, the pressure hose would therefore be tailored to a specific soil hammer, which would make the pressure hose, or at least its length marking, less flexible in its use.

[0023]

[0017] The device according to the invention has many advantages. In particular, it allows a user of the device to make a qualified statement about how far the hammer has already penetrated into the ground from the launch pit based on direct visual inspection. This allows the user to accurately estimate where the hammer is likely to be located between the launch pit and the target pit at the time the length marking is read. To do so, all that is required is to read the length marking applied to the pressure hose and measure the read length above ground from the launch pit using a measuring device, such as a tape measure. For a rough localization of the hammer, it is also possible to walk along the length marked on the pressure hose without using a measuring device. In any case, determining where the hammer is at any given time is significantly simplified.The hammer must be located approximately at a point on a circular arc drawn at a radius determined from the entry point where the hammer penetrated the ground in the launch pit, around the entry point. The radius is read from the length marking at the location of the pressure hose and, if necessary, modified by a known fixed dimension. The latter depends on the location of the reference point to which the length marking refers, i.e., the zero point from which it is based. Depending on the location of the reference point, for example, the length of the hammer may or may not have to be mentally added, in whole or in part, to the read value.

[0024]

[0018] Accordingly, to accurately determine the current position of the soil hammer, it is only necessary to know a reference point for the length marking, from which the length of the pressure hose is plotted on the outer surface of the pressure hose, starting at the value "zero." In other words, the reference point marks the point at which the length marking begins and from which the current length of the pressure hose is plotted on its outer surface. As already explained above, in a preferred embodiment of the device, the reference point can be the connection point at which the pressure hose is connected to the soil hammer. This connection point represents a "starting point" from which the pressure hose extends from the soil hammer toward the pressure device.However, other reference points are also conceivable, for example a front end of the soil penetrating rocket, a rear end of the soil penetrating rocket or a “center” of the soil penetrating rocket, which is defined as half the length of the soil penetrating rocket when viewed from the front end of the soil penetrating rocket in the longitudinal direction of the soil penetrating rocket.

[0025]

[0019] The connection point at which the pressure hose is connected to the earth auger can be arranged directly on a housing of the earth auger, in which case this is preferably a rear end of the housing, viewed in the direction of movement of the earth auger. Alternatively, it is also conceivable for the earth auger to have a connecting hose that is firmly connected to a housing of the earth auger and, in turn, has a connecting coupling that is intended and configured for connection to a complementary connecting coupling of the pressure hose. In such a configuration, the connecting hose preferably extends starting at a rear end of the housing of the earth auger, viewed in the direction of movement of the earth auger.In a preferred embodiment, the reference point for the length marking applied to the pressure hose can be arranged either at a rear end of the housing in the direction of movement of the soil displacement rocket or at an end of the connecting hose facing away from the housing.

[0026]

[0020] It is also conceivable that the reference point for the length marking is a front end of the earth-moving hammer housing, viewed in the direction of movement of the earth-moving hammer, or a center of the earth-moving hammer housing, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the earth-moving hammer. In these embodiments, the length marking includes a length of the earth-moving hammer housing, measured in the direction of movement of the earth-moving hammer, either entirely or partially (half). In these embodiments, the length marking on the pressure hose does not start at zero, but has a non-zero starting value that corresponds to the distance of the end of the pressure hose facing the earth-moving hammer from the respective reference point.

[0027]

[0021] In a further advantageous embodiment, the device further comprises a compressed air lubricator, which is provided and configured to enrich the compressed air supplied from the pressure device to the earth-moving hammer with oil for lubricating the earth-moving hammer. In this embodiment, the pressure device of the device is designed and configured to compress air. In particular, the pressure device in this embodiment can be formed by a compressor. The oil transported by the compressed air from the compressed air lubricator into the earth-moving hammer can be deposited on sliding surfaces in the earth-moving hammer, which are formed on plain bearings. This can particularly relate to a percussion piston, which is movably arranged within a housing of the earth-moving hammer in the manner described above and is responsible for providing energy for propelling the earth-moving hammer.Particularly preferably, the compressed air lubricator is integrated into the pressure hose between the pressure device and the soil displacement hammer. For example, the compressed air lubricator can be located in close proximity to the pressure device, so that it is preferably located outside the launch pit and thus exposed to as little dirt as possible during use.

[0028] Examples of implementation

[0029]

[0022] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment illustrated in the figures. It shows:

[0030] Fig. 1: A schematic diagram of a device according to the invention when used as intended,

[0031] Fig. 2: A detail of a soil rocket of the device according to Figure 1, Fig. 3: A schematic diagram of the soil rocket according to Figure 2 together with a pressure hose connected to it,

[0032] Fig. 4: A detail of the pressure hose according to Figure 3 in an end section facing the soil rocket.

[0033]

[0023] An embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 shows a device 1 according to the invention for the trenchless laying of pipes, lines, and the like in the ground. The device 1 comprises an earth auger 2, which is particularly clearly shown in Figure 2. The earth auger 2 is connected to a pressure device 3 by means of a pressure hose 4. In the example shown, the pressure device 3 is formed by a compressor designed and configured to compress air and thus provide compressed air or compressed air. This compressed air can be fed to the earth auger 2 by means of the pressure hose 4, so that the earth auger 2 and the pressure device 3 are fluidly connected to one another by means of the pressure hose 4. The compressed air serves to drive the earth auger 2 in such a way that it propels itself into the ground as a result of the impact pulses it generates.The objective is to drive the soil hammer 2 from a starting pit 5 through the ground to a target pit 6. The soil hammer 2 penetrates the ground and gradually displaces the soil that is in its path on its way to the target pit 6, thereby locally compacting the soil around the soil hammer 2. In this way, a channel is formed in the ground whose diameter at least substantially corresponds to the diameter of a housing 10 of the soil hammer 2. This housing 10 has a circular cross-section. When the soil hammer 2 reaches the target pit 6, a channel is created from the starting pit 5 to the target pit 6, which channel is suitable for laying pipes, cables, and the like. As can be seen from Figure 1, in the example shown, this channel is created over a distance (here approximately 20 m) beneath trees and a two-lane road.

[0034]

[0024] Before the soil hammer 2 enters the ground from the launch pit 5, it is aligned relative to the target pit 6 using an alignment aid in the example shown. In the example shown, the alignment aid is formed by a sighting tool 21, which is provided and configured to sight a sight rod 20 placed in the target pit 6. A lower end of the sighting tool 21 interacts in a form-fitting manner with the housing 10 of the soil hammer 2 such that the soil hammer 2 is aligned in the direction in which the sighting tool 21 is aimed. Accordingly, if the operation proceeds as planned, the soil hammer 2 should reach the target pit 6 after covering the distance between the launch pit 5 and the target pit 6, as shown by way of example in Figure 1.

[0035]

[0025] In practice, however, this is not always the case, as the soil hammer 2 may encounter obstacles on its way through the ground and be deflected from its intended path. Therefore, it is possible that the soil hammer 2 may have already traveled a distance in the ground corresponding to the distance between the launch pit 5 and the target pit 6, but still not reached the target pit 6. Especially in this case, it is very helpful to be able to determine at least approximately where the soil hammer 2 might be.

[0036]

[0026] To simplify the localization of the soil hammer 2 after it has been inserted into the ground, the pressure hose 4 is provided with a length marking 7 according to the invention. This length marking is applied to an outer surface of the pressure hose 4, with the length marking 7 marking a running length of the pressure hose 4. This running length is measured starting from a reference point 22, where the length marking 7 begins with the value zero. In the example shown, the reference point 22 is defined at a rear end of the soil hammer 2.

[0037]

[0027] In the example shown, the soil hammer 2 comprises the aforementioned housing 10 and a percussion piston 11 arranged therein. This piston is intended and configured to cyclically strike a tip 18 of the soil hammer 2 under the action of the compressed air provided by the pressure device 3, wherein the impact energy released in this process results in the soil hammer 2 being driven in a direction of movement 13 into or through the ground. In the example shown, the soil hammer 2 has a connecting hose 12 at a rear end 16 of the housing 10, at the end of which hose 12 facing away from the housing 10 a connecting coupling 14 is arranged. This connecting coupling 14 is intended and configured to cooperate with a complementary connecting coupling 23 of the pressure hose 4, so that the pressure hose 4 can be connected to the connecting coupling 14 of the soil hammer 2 as intended and in an at least substantially pressure-tight manner.In this way, the desired fluidic connection between the pressure hose 4 and the connecting hose 12 or the soil auger 2 is established.

[0038]

[0028] In the example shown, the reference point 22, from which the length marking 7 begins, is defined at a connection point 8, at which the pressure hose 4 is connected to the soil hammer 2 in the manner described, namely by connecting one connection coupling 23 of the pressure hose 4 to the other connection coupling 14 of the soil hammer 2. According to the above explanation, the connection point 8 is defined in the present example by the connection coupling 23 of the pressure hose 4, which is arranged at the end of the pressure hose 4 facing the soil hammer 2. Since this connection point 8 marks, in a sense, a beginning of the pressure hose 4, the length marking 7 in the example shown refers almost exclusively to the pressure hose 4 as such.Alternatively (although not shown here), the reference point 22 may also be defined at another location, for example and preferably at the rear end 16 of the housing 10, at a front end of the housing 10 or the tip 18, or in a center of the housing 10 of the earth-penetrating rocket 2. Other locations for the reference point 22 are also conceivable.

[0039]

[0029] In the example shown, the length marking 7 comprises a plurality of individual markings 9, which are applied at an equidistant distance from one another along the pressure hose 4. In the example shown, this distance is 25 cm. This is particularly clear from Figure 4. However, the distance can also assume a different value, for example 50 cm or 100 cm. The length marking 7 can, but does not have to, extend along the entire length of the pressure hose 4. As a rule, it is sufficient if the length marking 7 extends at least as far along a part of the entire length of the pressure hose 4 or is applied to its outer surface as the soil displacement rocket 2 of the device 1 typically penetrates into the ground before reaching a respective target pit 6.In most cases, the distances between a respective starting pit 5 and a corresponding target pit 6 are selected in the range between 10 m and 25 m. Accordingly, it may be sufficient if the length marking 7 is applied along 10 m, 15 m, 20 m, or 25 m along the pressure hose 4. In the example shown, the length marking 7 or the individual markings 9 are printed on the outer surface of the pressure hose 4. Alternative methods for applying the length marking 7 to the pressure hose 4 are also conceivable.

[0040]

[0030] To locate the soil hammer 2 in the ground, it is now particularly easy for a user of the device 1 to read the length marking 7 applied to the pressure hose 4 in the area of ​​a starting point 24 at which the soil hammer 2 first penetrated the ground in the starting pit 5, and to determine, based on the read value of the length marking 7, how far the soil hammer 2 has already penetrated the ground from the starting point 24. Therefore, the soil hammer 2 must be located at least substantially on a circular arc extending within a radius around the starting point 24, wherein the radius corresponds at least substantially to the read value of the length marking 7.

[0041]

[0031] Here and preferably, the device 1 further comprises a compressed air lubricator 17, which is integrated into the pressure hose 4 between the pressure device 3 and the soil hammer 2. This is particularly clear from Figure 1. The compressed air lubricator 17, which here and preferably is designed as part of a control unit of the device 1, is arranged as close as possible to the pressure device 3 so that the compressed air lubricator 17 can be operated outside the launch pit 5. It serves to enrich the compressed air provided by the pressure device 3 with oil, so that this oil is transported with the compressed air to the soil hammer 2, where it serves to lubricate various bearings of the soil hammer 2.

[0042]

[0032] The control unit can also have at least one valve or throttle, by means of which the compressed air pressure can be adjusted. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the earth-piercing hammer 2 can be switched between a forward gear and a reverse gear, whereby the earth-piercing hammer 2 can move in reverse gear opposite to the direction of movement 13 shown in Figure 2.

[0043] List of reference symbols

[0044] 1 device

[0045] 2 soil hammers

[0046] 3 Printing device

[0047] 4 pressure hose

[0048] 5 Starting pit

[0049] 6 Target pit

[0050] 7 Length marking

[0051] 8 Junction

[0052] 9 Single marking

[0053] 10 housings

[0054] 11 percussion pistons

[0055] 12 connecting hose

[0056] 13 Direction of movement

[0057] 14 Connection coupling

[0058] 15 Length of the connecting hose

[0059] 16 End of the housing

[0060] 17 compressed air lubricators

[0061] 18 lace

[0062] 19 End of the connection coupling

[0063] 20 dipstick

[0064] 21 locating tool

[0065] 22 Reference point

[0066] 23 Connection coupling

[0067] 24 Starting point

Claims

Claims 1. Device (1) for the trenchless laying of pipes, lines and the like in a ground, comprising an earth auger (2), a pressure device (3) for providing a pressurized fluid, a pressure hose (4) for fluidically connecting the pressure device (3) to the earth auger (2), wherein the earth auger (2) is provided and configured to move in a ground-displacing manner starting from a starting pit (5) through the ground into a target pit (6) as a result of a drive with the fluid provided via the pressure hose (4), characterized in that the pressure hose (4) has a length marking (7) on its outer surface, which marks at least along part of an overall length of the pressure hose (4) its running length relative to a reference point (22) at which the length marking (7) begins with the value zero.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the earth auger (2) comprises a housing (10) forming a displacement body and a percussion piston (11) located in the housing (10), wherein the percussion piston (11) is provided and designed to impact the housing (10) directly or indirectly cyclically as a result of the application of the pressurized fluid and thereby provides the energy required for the movement of the earth auger (2) through the ground.

3. Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the earth auger (2) comprises a connecting hose (12) which is connected to a rear (16) end of the housing (10) as viewed in the direction of movement (13) of the earth auger (2) and comprises at its end facing away from the housing (10) a connecting coupling (14) by means of which the pressure hose (4) is connected to the earth auger (2).

4. Device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the reference point (22) is located at the rear end (16) of the housing (10) of the earth rocket (2) is defined so that a length (15) of the connecting hose (12), which is measured from the rear end (16) of the housing (10) to an end (19) of the connecting coupling (14) facing away from the housing (10), is taken into account in the length marking (7) of the pressure hose (4).

5. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the reference point (22) is defined at a connection point (8) at which the pressure hose (4) is connected to the earth auger (2), wherein preferably the connection point (8) is defined by a connection coupling (23) which is arranged at one end of the pressure hose (4).

6. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the reference point (22) is defined at a front end of the earth-penetrating rocket (2) viewed in the direction of movement of the earth-penetrating rocket (2).

7. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the reference point (22) is defined in a center of the earth rocket (2).

8. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length marking (7) has a plurality of individual markings (9) which are distributed at equidistant intervals along the pressure hose (4).

9. Device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the distances are 10 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, 50 cm or 100 cm.

10. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure device (3) is formed by a compressor which is provided and arranged to provide compressed air as a pressurized fluid.

11. Device (1) according to claim 10, characterized by a compressed air oiler (17) which is provided and designed to enrich the compressed air conducted from the pressure device (3) to the earth auger (2) with oil for lubricating the earth auger (2), wherein the compressed air oiler (17) is preferably integrated into the pressure hose (4) between the pressure device (3) and the earth auger (2).

Images