Excavation Device Suction Distribution Unit

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing civil engineering devices face limitations in efficiently removing soil material as the depth of the hole increases, requiring more powerful and cost-intensive suction pumps, which are often constrained by limited installation space, leading to reduced removal rates and construction delays.

Innovation Solution

A civil engineering device with a distribution unit connected to the suction line, featuring a sieve that separates soil particles by size, allowing smaller particles to be returned to the hole while larger particles are removed with the suction pump, thereby optimizing the suction pump's capacity and reducing the liquid volume to be pumped.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If the trench depth increases, then the conveying length and discharge head increase, but the suction pump power requirement increases and installation space becomes limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrench depthVSAvoidsuction pump power
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the liquid flow into two separate paths: a first liquid path for returning most of the liquid locally to the lower end region, and a second liquid path for pumping only a portion of the liquid upwards. This segmentation allows the suction pump to handle reduced liquid volumes, decreasing power requirements while maintaining effective soil removal capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the liquid return function from the suction pump by introducing a separate liquid return line that bypasses the pump. This allows the pump to focus solely on removing soil material while the liquid is returned through gravity or pressure differential, significantly reducing the pump's workload and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If more powerful suction pumps are provided to handle increased trench depth, then the removal performance is maintained, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremoval rateVSAvoidpump system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the liquid handling into two separate systems: a high-volume liquid return system that operates independently from a lower-volume soil removal system. This segmentation allows each system to be optimized for its specific function, reducing overall complexity while maintaining high removal rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a distribution unit as an intermediary component that separates the liquid flow into different paths. This mediator component simplifies the overall system by providing a clear division between liquid return and soil removal functions, making the system easier to operate and maintain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the suction pump capacity is reduced to adapt to installation space limitations, then the device complexity is reduced, but the removal rate decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepump system simplicityVSAvoidremoval rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the liquid return function from the pump system, allowing the suction pump to be smaller and simpler while maintaining high removal rates. The liquid return line independently handles the bulk of liquid circulation, freeing the pump to focus on soil removal efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically optimizes liquid flow distribution through the distribution unit, which can adjust the proportion of liquid returned locally versus pumped upwards based on operational requirements. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain high productivity with a smaller, simpler pump.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution enables efficient operation with high removal rates and reduced burden on the suction pump, even with limited suction power, by concentrating soil material and minimizing the liquid volume to be pumped, thus overcoming the limitations of existing technologies.

Implementation Method 1

a suction pump arranged on the device frame for suctioning excavated soil material together with a liquid located in the hole upwards by means of a suction line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

the distribution unit has a sieve which is designed for the passage of liquid with smaller removed soil material either to the return line or to the discharge line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP4286593B1Excavation device and method for creating a hole
Publication Date: 2024.07.03 BAUER OFFSHORE TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
  • EP4286593B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4286593B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4286593B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a civil engineering device for creating a hole in the ground, comprising a device frame, a holding device on an upper region of the device frame for holding the civil engineering device on a support cable or support rod, a removal device which has at least one rotatably driven removal element and is arranged on a lower end region of the device frame and is designed for removing soil material, a drive arranged on the device frame for rotating the at least one removal element, and a suction device for suctioning removed soil material together with a liquid located in the hole upwards by means of a suction line, wherein the suction device comprises at least one suction opening on the lower end region of the device frame and a suction pump which is arranged on the device frame.According to the invention, the suction line terminates in a distribution unit, which is arranged on the device frame and to which an upwardly leading discharge line and a return line for returning a portion of the suctioned liquid to the lower end area of ​​the device frame are connected, and the distribution unit has a sieve which is designed to allow liquid with smaller removed soil material to pass through either to the return line or to the discharge line.