Trench Cutter Nozzle Control for Directional Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing trench wall cutters face challenges in maintaining precise directional control during trench excavation due to variations in soil density and the presence of rocks, leading to deviations from a vertical milling direction, which affects the efficiency and accuracy of trench production.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using a trench wall cutter with individually controllable fluid nozzles that supply fluid to specific areas of the cutting wheels, allowing for targeted soil removal and alignment adjustments, with each nozzle associated with a cutting wheel or pair of wheels, enabling precise directional control and uniform milling progress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional trench wall cutters are used without individual nozzle control, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision and directional control of the trench deteriorate due to soil density variations and rocks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrench position precisionVSAvoidfluid nozzle control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid nozzle system is segmented into multiple individually controllable nozzles, each associated with specific cutting wheels. This allows independent control of fluid supply to different areas of the trench, enabling precise adjustment of soil removal rates at specific locations to correct trench alignment deviations caused by soil density variations and rocks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different fluid supply quantities are applied to different cutting wheels based on local soil conditions. The control device adjusts the fluid supply individually for each nozzle, creating local variations in soil removal efficiency that compensate for regional differences in soil density and rock presence, thereby maintaining overall trench precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If fluid supply to cutting wheels is not individually adjustable, then the ease of operation is improved, but the productivity decreases due to inability to maintain uniform milling progress in varying soil conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrench production efficiencyVSAvoidfluid supply control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid supply system is made dynamic and adjustable during operation. The control device enables real-time modification of fluid supply quantities to individual nozzles based on observed milling progress and soil conditions, allowing the system to adapt to varying soil densities and maintain optimal productivity throughout the trenching operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the milling progress and trench alignment are monitored, and this information is used by the control device to automatically adjust fluid supply to individual nozzles. This closed-loop control maintains uniform milling progress across all cutting wheels despite variations in soil conditions, maximizing trench production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If uniform fluid supply is provided to all cutting wheels, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to deviations caused by varying soil densities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrench alignment accuracyVSAvoidindividual nozzle control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different fluid supply quantities to different cutting wheels based on local soil conditions. Each nozzle can be independently controlled to provide tailored fluid supply to specific areas, compensating for local variations in soil density and rock presence that would otherwise cause trench alignment deviations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The fluid supply parameter is varied individually for each nozzle based on real-time assessment of soil conditions. The control device adjusts fluid pressure, flow rate, or both for each nozzle independently, changing the physical parameters of fluid supply to match local requirements and maintain precise trench alignment throughout the operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enhances the precision and efficiency of trench production by allowing real-time adjustments to fluid supply based on soil conditions, maintaining alignment and ensuring uniform soil removal, even in varying densities, thereby preventing unfavorable mixing ratios and promoting stable trench formation.

Implementation Method 1

at least one fluid nozzle for feeding a fluid into the trench

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid spray: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 2

soil material is removed to form a trench

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 3

at least one pair of cutting wheels on its lower, ground-side end, which are driven in rotation and soil material is removed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3296468B1Method and trench cutter for creating a slit in the ground
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 BAUER MASCH GMBH
  • EP3296468B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing a trench in the ground using a trench cutter, which has at least one pair of milling wheels at its lower, soil-side end. These milling wheels are rotatably driven and remove soil material to form the trench, with a fluid being introduced into the trench via at least one fluid nozzle on the trench cutter. In the method according to the invention, the position of the trench cutter within the trench is controlled by several fluid nozzles, which are supplied with fluid in a defined manner by a control device. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a trench cutter with a milling frame, particularly for creating a trench in the ground, at the lower, soil-side end of which at least one pair of milling wheels is rotatably mounted and with at least one fluid nozzle for supplying a fluid into the trench.In the device according to the invention, it is provided that several fluid nozzles are provided which can be supplied with fluid differently via a control device, whereby a targeted change in the position of the diaphragm wall cutter can be effected.