HK1054975B - Device and method for producing columns of particulate matter in the ground of bodies of water - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for the production of material columns in the soil, in particular in the soil of water bodies, e.g. the seabed.

A device with a deep shaker for the production of material columns in the ground is known, for example, from DE 197 07 687 Cl.

198 14 021 A1 also describes a device for the manufacture of material columns in the ground, which has a deep shaker and an extension tube connected to the deep shaker, which can be pressurised. At the top of the extension tube there is a locking chamber with a first seal located between the locking chamber and the extension tube, which places a second seal on a side connected to the extension tube. The second seal allows the first material, such as gravel or gravel, to enter the ground through the known device, which is closed and opened under the second seal. The first seal is used to prevent the shaker from pressurising the water.

DE 198 14 021 A1 describes a device for introducing a foreign substance into soils or for compacting the soil. The device has a deep shaker connected to a locking chamber by an extension tube. The locking chamber has a lower closure between the chamber and the extension tube and an upper closure between the chamber and one of the funnels used to supply the material.

DE 30 24 791 A1 describes a low-grade soil treatment device which has several stirring shafts driven by a drive unit so that adjacent stirring shafts rotate in opposite directions and which is used to mix a soil-based fixative with the subsoil.

The present invention is intended to provide a device for the production of material columns on the bottom of water, particularly in deep water.

This task is solved by a device which satisfies the characteristics of claim 1.

The device according to the invention has a first and second material tank connected to each other and a deep shaker for the release of material into the ground connected to the second material tank. A first seal is placed between the first and second material tank. A first supply line for the supply of material and a second supply line or pressure relief line for the pressure relief in the first material tank are connected to the first material tank.

When material columns are introduced into the water table, the deep shaker and the first and second material tanks are under water, so they are under a pressure higher than the air pressure at the water table. The first supply tube is used to transfer the material to be introduced into the ground from a reservoir at the water table, for example on a ship, under pressure into the first material tank. The second tube, which is also preferably carried to the water table, allows a pressure balance between the air pressure at the water table and the first material tank. The pressure in the first supply line to deliver the material, for example, barrel or concrete, only needs to be sufficiently converted, which is not enough to remove the material from the first material at atmospheric pressure of 7,5 barrel.

The pressure compensation in the first material tank by means of the second line means that for the first supply line to supply the material in the first material tank under atmospheric pressure, a hose designed for pressures sufficient to carry material ashore can be used, without the need for expensive special tubes designed for high pressures.

To keep the end of the second supply line facing the first material tank on the water surface, floaters should preferably be placed in this area of the line.

In order to prevent the excess pressure present in the second material tank during operation and necessary for the release of material into the ground from being reduced when the first closure is opened via the pressure relief line, it is preferable to have at least one additional closure located between the first and second supply lines and at least one area of the first material tank.

In one embodiment, between the first feed line and the first material tank and between the second feed line and the first material tank, second and third closures are arranged, each opening when material is fed to the first material tank via the first feed line. If the second and third closures are closed, the first closure can be opened between the first and second material tank, with the material usually fed to the shredder via a deep pipe through the latter. A compressor is attached to the second material tank to build up a pressure in the second material tank that is greater than the water pressure at the top of the shredder, thus leaving the material at the bottom of the shredder. The pressure is limited to the first shredder, so that no pressure can be maintained in the second shredder - only the pressure can be maintained at the bottom of the first shredder.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the compressor is also connected to the first material tank, which allows the first material tank to build up a pressure equivalent to the pressure in the second material tank after the closure of the first and second closures. The supports of the first closure between the first and second material tank, which are formed, for example, as a slide, are thus relieved when the first closure is opened. This is particularly useful and necessary in circumstances where work is carried out at great depths and a correspondingly high pressure is required in the second material tank to extract the material.

In a further embodiment, the first material tank has a first chamber into which the first and second feed lines flow and a second chamber, with a further closure between the first and second chambers and the first closure between the second chamber of the first material tank and the second material tank. The further closure is thus placed between the first and second feed lines and the second chamber of the first material tank. Closures between each of the feed lines and the first material tank may be omitted in this embodiment. The first chamber of the first material tank is permanently located in this pressure closure form under the pressure exerted by the pressure relief valve. The second material closure is further separated by a shake valve which is inserted into the first material closure, which is located above the ground, and which is then opened in the second material closure, while the first material closure is in operation.

In this embodiment, the amount of material supplied to the second material tank at a time and released into the ground from there is determined by the volume of the second chamber, which fills completely when the further closure is opened if the volume of material held in the first chamber is greater than the maximum volume of the second chamber.

The first closure between the first and second material tank and/or the further closure between the first and second chamber of the first material tank shall preferably be sliding or have a sliding closure.

In order not to overload the bearings of these slide or sliding closures when opened by the pressure differences between the first and second material tank and/or between the first and second chambers of the first material tank, an embodiment of the invention has a first pressure balancer between the first and second material tank and a second pressure balancer between the first and second chambers of the first material tank.

The present invention also relates to a method for the production of material columns in the bottom of water according to claims 15 to 18.

The device and the process of the invention are described in detail in the following illustrations, which show: Figure 1a section of the device according to the invention for the production of material columns in the ground in an overall representation,Figure 2a section of the device according to the invention with a first and second material tank according to a first embodiment,Figure 3a drawing of a movable closing element and its actuator,Figure 4a section of the device according to the invention with a first and second material tank according to a second embodiment,Figure 5a drawing of a movable closing element and its actuator according to another embodiment.

In the figures, unless otherwise indicated, the same reference marks refer to the same parts with the same meaning. Figure 1 shows in an overall picture a device for introducing material columns, especially pebbles, into the bottom of water bodies, especially the seabed. Such columns are used to harden a soft soil layer 14 and are usually pushed down to a solid soil layer 15 below.

The device of the invention is suspended in the example shown in Figure 1 by means of a rope 12 of a level of travel on the beam 20 of a rope excavator 2 with the rope excavator 2 floating on a pontoon 1 on the water surface 100.

The device has a first material tank 8 and a second material tank 10, with a first closure 9 between the first and second material tank 8, 10 and a conveyor tube 10a connected to the second material tank 10 at the bottom, at the end of which a deep shaker 11 is located, with material to be introduced into the ground 14 being supplied via a tube 17 of a shaker tip 18.

The first material tank 8 is connected to a first supply line 5 which is connected at one end facing the first material tank 8 to a material reservoir 3 with a pressure tank 4 also located on the pontoon 1 in the example; the first material tank 8 is also connected to a second supply line 6 serving as a pressure compensation line, whose opposite end in the first material tank 8 is located above the water surface 100 in the example; at this end the supply line 6 is fitted in the example with a snorkel 7 which prevents water from entering the supply line 6 and is for example shaped like a ball.

To keep sections of the feed lines 5, 6 at the water surface 100, floats 13a, 13b, e.g. made of styrene or other material with high buoyancy, are placed at the feed lines 5, 6.

In addition to a float, any other measure is conceivable to keep the end of the pressure relief line 6 facing away from the first material tank 8 above the water surface.

In an embodiment, shown in particular in Figure 2, a second closure 16b is provided between the first supply line 5 and the first material tank 8 and a third closure 16a between the second supply line 6 and the first material tank 8. When the second closure 16a is opened, the second (air) supply line or pressure relief line 6 allows the pressure of the interior of the first material tank 8 to be balanced with the atmospheric pressure at the surface 100, with the first closure 9 preferably closed between the first and second material tank 8, 10. When the second closure 16b is opened, the material entering the ground, such as gravel, can be introduced into the first material tank 8 via the first supply line 5.

Because of the atmospheric pressure in the first material tank 8, the material can be pumped into the first feed line 5 at the same pressure conditions as on land, regardless of the water depth. This means that commercial compressors can be used to generate a suitable supply pressure in the first material tank 4, for example, capable of a maximum pressure of about 7.5 bar in the first material tank 4. If the water pressure in the first material tank 8 had to be overcome by the material's supply pressure, expensive special compressors for high pressure would be required to pump the material.

The water depth at which the device of the present invention can be operated is limited only by the stability of the first and second supply lines 5, 6, which are usually formed as hoses. Preferably, hoses are used in which metal coils are incorporated between a rubber coat and a rubber mixer, whereby the metal coils increase the stability of the hose against crushing due to water pressure and allow working depths of more than 100 m. When using special hoses, working depths of 200 m and more are possible.

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional representation of a section of the device according to the invention comprising the first material tank 8 and the upper part of the second material tank 10. The first and second tubes are connected to the first material tank at the top and are lockable by first and second valves 16b, 16a. These valves 16b, 16a are shown in Figure 2 as flaps, but they may be of any other design. The example shown in Figure 2 provides a closing arrangement 9 between the first and second material tank, which has a separation 97 with an opening 98 and a movable closing 90 in the trunk. The closing element is mounted in a material flow direction which is opened in the direction of the R-switch at the front of the first material 9 which is locked in the direction of the second material.

The closing element is, as shown in Figure 3, in the example shown above, rectangular in shape and has an opening 91 in one half. By moving the closing element 90, either the half without opening can be moved into the opening 98 of the partition 97 to close the closing, or the opening can be at least partially covered with the opening 98 of the partition to open the closing 9.

The closing element 90 is hydraulically removable, for which the example provides for two hydraulic units 93, 95 each having a hydraulic cylinder 92, 94 and each having a hydraulic cylinder 92, 94 attached to one end of the closing element 90.

In the example shown in Figure 3, the hydraulic units 93, 95 are arranged in the direction of motion B in extension to the locking element 9, 40. Figure 5 shows in the foreground a different arrangement in which the hydraulic units 93, 95 are arranged in the direction of motion B opposite the locking element 90. Each hydraulic cylinder 92, 94 is coupled to one of the narrow sides of the locking element by means of a coupling element 92', 94'. The hydraulic units are in another, not shown, embodiment so formed that their hydraulic cylinders engage on the same narrow side of the locking element 90.

A method for producing material columns in the floor 14 by means of the apparatus shown in Figure 2 is briefly explained below using the figure. First, with the first closure 9 closed and the second and third closures 16b, 16a open, material is pumped under pressure from the reservoir 3.4 via the first supply line 5 into the first material tank 8. In the first material tank 8 there is 100 atmospheric pressure due to the connection via the second supply line 6 to the water surface. The usual pressure to propel the material in the first supply line 5 is about 3-6 bar.

The second and third closures 16b, 16a are then closed and the third closure 9 is then opened to bring the material from the first material tank into the second material tank 10 and from there via the conveyor tube 10a and the connecting line 17 to the top of the deep shaker 11 where it is released into the ground and compacted by the shaker 11.Preferably, this compressor or a second compressor is connected to the first material tank 8 in order to build up a pressure in the first material tank 8 corresponding to the higher pressure in the second material tank 10 after the closure of the second and third closures 16b, 16a to the supply lines 5, 6 and before the opening of the first closure 9 to the second material tank 10. This will prevent a pressure drop in the second material tank when the first seal 9 is opened and, secondly, the bearings of the first seal 9 and 10 are opened.In the case of a large depth work, this pressure may even be necessary between the first and second material tanks, since hydraulic cylinders may not provide sufficient force to move the slide 9 in case of large pressure differences.

Figure 4 shows another example of the device of the invention for the production of material columns in the bottom of water bodies, in which case the first material tank 8 has a first chamber 81 into which the first and second supply lines 5, 6 and a second chamber flow, with a further closure 46 between the first and second chambers and with the first closure 9 between the second chamber 82 of the first material tank 8 and the second material tank 10.

The structure of the second closure 46 corresponds in the illustrated example to the first closure, the structure and function of which have already been explained above in connection with Figures 2,3 and 5.

In the example shown in Figure 4, the operation of which is explained below, separate closures for the supply lines 5, 6 and 6 may be omitted, but the function of these closures, designated in Figures 1 and 2 by 16b, 16a, is taken over by the additional closure 46 between the first and second chambers 81, 82.

During operation, the first chamber 81 in which atmospheric pressure is applied over the pressure relief line is supplied with material, in particular sand, gravel or the like, which can be supplied continuously and is limited only by the maximum capacity of the first chamber 81. In a subsequent step, the additional closure 46 is opened when the first closure 9 is closed to introduce material from the first chamber 81 into the second chamber 82 below. The additional closure 46 is preferably kept open until the second chamber is fully filled and then closed.

After closing the second closure 46, the first closure 9 is opened to introduce material from the second chamber of the first material tank 8 into the second material tank 10 under pressure and from there into the ground. The amount of material entering the second material tank after the second closure is opened is approximately determined by the volume of the second chamber 82. The volume of this second chamber 82 is preferably smaller than that of the first chamber 81 in order to allow sufficient material to be carried in the first chamber 81 to rapidly fill the second chamber 82 after the opening of the first closure.

After the material is introduced and the second material tank 46 is closed, atmospheric pressure or at least a pressure lower than the pressure in the second material tank is initially present in the second chamber. In order to prevent the first chamber 9 being loaded with the load of the 90th material in the example shown in Figure 4 and the hydraulics being overloaded by the pressure difference between the second chamber 82 and the second material tank 10, it is preferable to provide a first pressure compensating element between the second material tank 10 and the second material tank 82, which is only schematically shown in Figure 4 as a conductive connection 50 with a valve 51. This pressure compensating element results in a pressure difference between the second material tank 10 and the second material tank 10 before the first valve is opened. The pressure loss is usually much less than the pressure in the second material tank 82 because the volume of the second material 10 is normally produced in the second material tank 10 and the pressure is usually much lower than the pressure in the second material tank 82 because the second material 10 is normally compressed in the second material.

After the first closure 9 has been opened or after the pressure equalisation has been performed, the second chamber is usually subjected to a pressure which is considerably higher than atmospheric pressure. Preferably, there is also a pressure equalisation element between the first and second chambers, which is shown in Figure 4 as a line 60 with a valve 61, and which is used to establish a pressure equalisation between the first chamber 81 and the second chamber 10 after the second chamber 82 has been emptied and the first closure 9 has been reopened, before the closure 46 is reopened for the re-input of material into the second chamber 82. This reduces the load on the bearings and hydraulics of the closure 46.

Preferably, there is a device connected to the hydraulics, not shown in detail, which allows operation, in particular opening of the closures, only after pressure equalisation has taken place.

The formation of the closures 9, 46 between the first and second material tanks 8, 10 and between the first and second chambers 81, 82 as closures with movable closing elements 90, 40 shown in Figures 2 and 4 is only a possible formation of the closures.

List of reference marks

2Construction apparatus 3, 4Material reservoir 5First supply line 6Second supply line 7Snorch 8First supply tank 9First closure 10Second supply tank 11Deep shaker 12Rope 13a, 13bSwimmer 14Soft ground 15Solid ground 16Adriatic closure 16Second closure 17Flow line 18Top of the deep shaker 20Exhaust 46Extended closure 40, 90Sluster elements 41, 91Openings of the closure elements 42, 44Hydraulic cylinder 43, 45Hydraulic units 47, 97Separator winding 48, 98Openings 92, 94Hydraulic cylinder 93, 95Hydraulic units 100Water surface flow direction

Claims (18)

1. A device for producing material columns in the ground below waters, comprising the following features:

   - a first material tank (8), and a second material tank (10) that is connected with the first material tank,

   - a deep vibrator (11) that is connected with the second material tank (10),

   - a first supply line (5) for supplying material, that is connected to the first material tank (8),

   characterized by

   - a second supply line (6) that is connected to the first material tank (8) for effecting a pressure equalization in the first material tank (8),

   - a first closure means (9) provided between the first material tank (8) and the second material tank (10).
2. Device according to Claim 1, wherein floats (13a) are provided in the area of an end of the second supply line (6) opposite to the first material tank (8).
3. Device according to Claim 1, wherein at least one additional closure means (16b, 16a; 46) is provided, which is provided between the first and second supply lines (5, 6) and at least an area (8; 82) of the first material tank (8).
4. Device according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a second closure means (16b) is provided between the first material tank (8) and the first supply line (5) and a third closure means (16a) is provided between the second supply line (6) and the first material tank (8).
5. Device according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the first material tank (8) includes a first chamber (81), in which the first and second supply lines (5, 6) end, and a second chamber (82), wherein a further closure means (46) is provided between the first and second chamber (80, 81) and wherein the first closure means (9) is provided between the second chamber (82) of the first material tank (8) and the second material tank (10).
6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a material supply device (3, 4) is connected to the first supply line (5) on the end opposite the first material tank (8).
7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the compressor is also connected to the first material tank (8) .
8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first and second supply lines (5, 6) are designed for discharge pressures of less than 7.5 bar.
9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the third closure means (9) includes a closure element (90), which is mounted slideable transverse to the direction (R) of material flowing from the first to the second material tank (8, 9).
10. Device according to Claim 9, in which the first closure means between the first and second material tank (8, 10) includes a separating wall (97) with an opening (98), wherein the closure element (90) is mounted slideable in the separating wall (97).
11. Device according to Claim 9 or 10, in which the closure element (90) is plate shaped and includes a closed area and an area with an opening (91), wherein the closure element (90) is mounted such that for opening the closure means (9) the opening (98) can be brought to at least partially overlap with the opening of the separating wall.
12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the additional closure means (46) includes a closure element (40), which is mounted slideable transverse to a direction of flow (R) of material from the first chamber (81) to the second chamber (82) of the first material tank (8).
13. Device according to Claim 12, in which the additional closure means between the first and second chamber (81, 82) of the first material tank (8) includes a separating wall (47) with an opening (48), wherein the closure element (40) is mounted slideable in the separating wall (47).
14. Device according to Claim 12 or 13, in which the closure element (90) is plate shaped and includes a closed area and an area with an opening (91), wherein the opening (98) for opening of the closure means (46) can be brought into at least partial overlap with the opening of the separating wall.
15. Method for producing material columns in the ground below waters, comprising:

    - providing a device having a first material tank (8), a second material tank (10) connected with the first material tank, a deep vibrator (11) connected with the second material tank (10), a compressor connected to the second material tank (10), a first supply line (5) and a second supply line connected to the first material tank (8), and a first closure means (9) provided between the first and the second material tank (8, 10), - supplying material to the first material tank (8) via the first supply line (5),

    - closing of first and second closures (16a, 16b) between the first and second supply lines (5, 6) and the first material tank (8),- producing pressure in the second material tank (10), - opening the first closure means (9) between the first and second material tank (8, 10).
16. Method according to Claim 15, in which following the closure of the first and second closure means (16a, 16b) and prior to the opening of the third closure means (9) a pressure is established in the first material tank (8).
17. Method for producing material columns in the ground below waters, comprising:

    - providing a device having a first material tank (8), a second material tank (10) connected with the first material tank, a deep vibrator (11) connected with the second material tank (10), a compressor connected to the second material tank (10), a first supply line (5) and a second supply line connected to the first material tank (8), and a first closure means (9) provided between the first and the second material tank (8, 10), the first material tank (8) comprising a first chamber (81) in which the first and second supply lines (5, 6) end, and a further closure (46) provided between the first and second chamber (81, 82)

    - supplying material to the first material tank (8) via the first supply line (5),

    - opening the further closure (46) with the first closure (9) being closed, for supplying material to the second chamber (92),

    - producing pressure in the second material tank (10),

    - opening the first closure means (9) between the first and second material tank (8, 10) and closing the further closure (46) prior to opening the first closure (9).
18. Method according to one of claims 15 to 17, in which the pressure produced in the first and/or second material tank (8, 10) is greater than the water pressure at the material outlet opening at a tip (18) of the deep vibrator (11).