Jet Grouting Tool Angular Positioning for Gusset Elimination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing jet grouting methods often leave unblasted areas between jet grouting bodies, known as 'gussets,' which reduce the bond between adjacent bodies and compromise tightness, especially when sealing against groundwater pressure.

Innovation Solution

A method and device utilizing at least two jet grouting tools with adjustable depth and angular position control, where the outlet nozzles are aligned to simultaneously inject grout into the soil between the tools, enhancing pore water pressures and erosion performance to minimize gussets and improve bond tightness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional jet grouting methods are used with separate tool operation, then the process is simpler to implement, but unblasted areas (gussets) remain between jet grouting bodies reducing bond tightness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebond tightness between jet grouting bodiesVSAvoidangular position regulation system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two jet grouting tools into a coupled operating system where the tools work simultaneously with coordinated angular positions. The outlet nozzles of both tools are regulated to simultaneously target the same soil area, merging their erosion effects to eliminate gussets and ensure complete blasting coverage between adjacent jet grouting bodies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements angular position regulation that monitors and adjusts the orientation of each tool's outlet nozzle to ensure they simultaneously target the same area. This feedback mechanism maintains precise coordination between the two tools, ensuring consistent overlapping erosion zones and eliminating unblasted gusset areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If tool center distance is increased to reduce the number of bodies, then production efficiency improves, but gusset areas increase reducing bond quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidbond quality in gusset areas
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By combining the erosion effects of two simultaneously operating jet grouting tools with regulated angular positions, the system achieves complete soil blasting even at increased tool center distances. The merged erosion zones from both tools eliminate gussets while allowing greater spacing between tool centers, thereby improving productivity without sacrificing bond quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If angular position regulation is implemented to target the same area simultaneously, then erosion performance and bond tightness improve, but the system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerosion performanceVSAvoidangular position regulation mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The angular position regulation system uses feedback control to monitor and adjust the orientation of each tool's outlet nozzle, ensuring they simultaneously target the same soil area. This precise feedback mechanism achieves superior erosion performance and complete gusset elimination while maintaining automated control that manages the increased system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 achieves higher erosion performance and tighter bond between jet grouting bodies, allowing for greater coverage or increased distance between tools while maintaining sealing integrity, thus reducing the need for additional jet grouting bodies and lowering production costs.

Implementation Method 1

the soil in the area of the borehole is cut open or eroded with the help of a jet of water or cement suspension

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJet erosion: Jet Erosion

Implementation Method 2

By simultaneously injecting the grout into the soil area between the two nozzle tools, higher excess pore water pressures and greater water saturation are achieved here

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPore water pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP2730702B1Method and device for the production of parallel ground bodies using jet nozzle tools
Publication Date: 2015.05.27 KELLER HOLDING GMBH
  • EP2730702B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2730702B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3d
  • EP2730702B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

The method involves adjusting depth (T) of jet tools (8, 9) such that exhaust nozzles of the respective jet tools lie in a plane that is perpendicular to longitudinal axes of the jet tools. The jet tools are rotated around the respective longitudinal axes for applying injection medium into ground based on the depth of the jet tools. Angle position of one of the jet tools is controlled such that the exhaust nozzles of the respective jet tools are aligned simultaneously on an area of the ground, where the area lies between the jet tools. An independent claim is also included for a device for producing parallel ground bodies.