Auger Pressure Control for Defect-Free Soil Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for forming soil elements like foundation piles in permeable soils or soils with cavities result in excessive concrete usage and defects due to concrete flowing into adjacent soil layers, leading to instability and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A pressure sensor at the auger's lower end controls the retraction movement and feeding of curable material to maintain a target pressure, ensuring accurate filling of the borehole and minimizing material displacement into voids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high amount of curable mass is fed into the borehole to compensate for material loss in permeable soils, then the risk of defects is reduced, but concrete consumption increases and soil swelling occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where a pressure sensor continuously monitors the pressure of the curable mass in the borehole, and the control device adjusts the feeding rate accordingly. When pressure exceeds the threshold, feeding is reduced or paused; when pressure is sufficient, feeding resumes. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures optimal concrete usage while preventing defects caused by insufficient filling in permeable soils.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the feeding parameter (concrete supply rate) based on real-time pressure conditions. By adjusting the feeding rate as a variable parameter rather than using a constant high supply, the system adapts to changing borehole conditions, reducing unnecessary concrete consumption while maintaining reliability.
2Productivity
If the drill auger is retracted quickly to improve productivity, then construction time is reduced, but the curable mass may not fill the borehole properly causing defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the retraction speed dynamic rather than constant. The control device adjusts the retraction speed based on real-time pressure feedback from the sensor. When curable mass pressure is insufficient, retraction slows down to allow proper filling; when pressure is adequate, retraction accelerates to improve productivity. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between speed and quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback control system monitors curable mass pressure and uses this information to regulate retraction speed. The control device receives pressure signals and automatically adjusts the auger withdrawal rate, creating a closed-loop system that ensures proper filling while maximizing construction speed.
3Quantity of substance
If pressure control is implemented to optimize curable mass feeding, then material usage is optimized and defects are reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to be relatively self-regulating. Once the pressure sensor and control device are installed, the system automatically adjusts feeding and retraction based on real-time pressure conditions without requiring constant operator intervention. The control algorithm autonomously makes decisions about when to feed, when to pause, and at what speeds to retract, reducing the need for complex manual control procedures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach ensures high-quality, defect-free soil elements by optimizing concrete usage and maintaining structural integrity, reducing construction defects and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor (50) arranged at the lower end of the auger, in particular at the outlet opening (38) for the curable mass (9)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device and a method for forming a soil element in the ground with a drilling device with a drill drive, by which a drill screw with a hollow inner tube can be driven in a rotating manner, wherein a borehole in the ground can be created by the drill screw while removing soil material, a feeding device for feeding a curable mass through the hollow inner tube and an outlet opening at a lower end region of the drill screw into the borehole when the drill screw is withdrawn from the borehole, a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure of the curable mass during feeding and a control device for controlling a withdrawal movement of the drill screw when feeding the curable mass.According to the invention, the pressure sensor is arranged at the lower end region of the auger, in particular at the outlet opening for the curable mass, the control unit has a storage unit in which at least one setpoint for a pressure is stored as the target pressure in the area of the outlet opening for the curable mass during feeding, and the control unit is connected to the pressure sensor and is designed to control the retraction movement of the auger and/or the feeding of curable mass by the feeding device in such a way that, during retraction, the pressure of the curable mass in the area of the pressure sensor corresponds to the predetermined target pressure.