Drilling machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a drilling machine (10) for making an excavation in ground in a drilling direction, said drilling machine comprising: an anchor module (12) having an anchor device for preventing the anchor module from moving in the drilling direction relative to the ground by bearing against one of the walls of the excavation; a drilling module (20) provided with cutter members connected to the anchor module while being movable in translation relative to the anchor module; and movement means (35) for moving the cutter members in translation relative to the anchor module. The drilling module is also hinged relative to the anchor module, and the drilling machine comprises first path correction means (40) for causing the drilling module to pivot relative to the anchor module about a pivot axis (X) perpendicular to the drilling direction.

Claims

1. A drilling machine for making an excavation in ground in a drilling direction, said excavation having walls and said drilling machine comprising: an anchor module having at least one anchor device for preventing the anchor module from moving in the drilling direction relative to the ground by bearing against one of the walls of the excavation; a drilling module provided with cutter members, the cutter members being connected to the anchor module while being movable in translation relative to the anchor module; and a movement device for moving the cutter members in translation relative to the anchor module; wherein the drilling module is hinged relative to the anchor module, and wherein the drilling module further comprises at least a first path correction device configured to cause the drilling module to pivot relative to the anchor module about a pivot axis perpendicular to the drilling direction.

2. The drilling machine according to claim 1, wherein the anchor module includes the first path correction device that is configured to exert thrust on the drilling module in a direction extending transversely relative to the drilling direction, whereby actuating the first path correction device causes the drilling module to pivot relative to the anchor module.

3. The drilling machine according to claim 2, wherein the drilling machine has a bottom section carrying the cutter members, and a top section extending at least in part inside the anchor module, and wherein the first path correction device is arranged between the anchor module and the top section of the drilling module.

4. The drilling machine according to claim 3, wherein the drilling machine further comprises a second path correction device that is situated on the bottom section of the drilling module and that are configured to exert thrust on one of the walls of the excavation transversely relative to the drilling direction.

5. The drilling machine according to claim 1, wherein the first path correction device comprises at least one thrust pad.

6. The drilling machine according to claim 5, wherein the thrust pad is actuated by an actuator mounted on the anchor module.

7. The drilling machine according to claim 1, wherein the first path correction device is arranged on the drilling module and is configured to exert thrust on one of the walls of the excavation in a direction that extends transversely relative to the drilling direction, whereby actuating the first path correction device causes the drilling module to pivot relative to the anchor module.

8. The drilling machine according to claim 1, wherein the movement device is mounted to pivot relative to the anchor module.

9. The drilling machine according to claim 1, wherein the movement device comprises a thrust device for exerting downwardly directed thrust on the cutter members along the drilling direction.

10. The drilling machine according to claim 9, wherein the thrust device includes at least one thrust actuator arranged between the anchor module and the drilling module.

11. The drilling machine according to claim 1, wherein the anchor device has at least one anchor pad suitable for bearing against one of the walls of the excavation to prevent the anchor module from moving along the drilling direction relative to the ground.

12. The drilling machine according to claim 1, wherein the drilling machine also has a damper device for damping the vibration generated by the cutter members while drilling.

13. The drilling machine according to claim 1, including a lift cable, with the drilling module being suspended from the bottom end thereof.

14. The drilling machine to claim 13, wherein the top section of the drilling module passes through the anchor module and the lift cable is fastened to the top end of the top section of the drilling module.

15. The drilling machine according to claim 1, wherein the drilling machine is a milling machine in which the cutter members comprise two pairs of drums that are rotatable about axes of rotation that are parallel, distinct, and perpendicular to the drilling direction.

16. The drilling machine according to claim 15, wherein the first path correction device is configured to cause the drilling module to pivot relative to the anchor module about a pivot axis that is perpendicular to the drilling direction and to the axes of rotation of the drums.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention can be better understood on reading the following description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first variant of a first embodiment of the drilling machine in accordance with the invention, the drilling module being in its retracted position, the anchor device being deactivated;

(3) FIG. 2 is a face view of the FIG. 1 machine;

(4) FIG. 3 is a side view of the FIG. 1 machine;

(5) FIG. 4 is a side view of the FIG. 1 machine with the anchor device activated;

(6) FIG. 5 is a side view of the FIG. 1 machine with the anchor device activated and with the drilling module pivoted relative to the anchor module in a first direction;

(7) FIG. 6 is a side view of the FIG. 1 machine, with the anchor device activated and with the drilling module pivoted relative to the anchor module in a second direction opposite to the first direction;

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a first variant of the first embodiment of the drilling machine, the drilling module being in the deployed position;

(9) FIG. 8 is a face view of the FIG. 7 machine;

(10) FIG. 9 is a side view of the FIG. 7 machine;

(11) FIG. 10 is a side view of the FIG. 7 machine with the anchor device activated;

(12) FIG. 11 is a side view of the FIG. 7 machine, with the anchor device activated and with the drilling module pivoted relative to the anchor module in a first direction;

(13) FIG. 12 is a side view of the FIG. 7 machine, with the anchor device activated and with the drilling module pivoted relative to the anchor module in a second direction, opposite to the first direction;

(14) FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a second variant of the first embodiment of the drilling machine, the drilling module being in its retracted position;

(15) FIG. 14 is a face view of the FIG. 13 machine;

(16) FIG. 15 is a side view of the FIG. 13 machine;

(17) FIG. 16 is a side view of the FIG. 13 machine, with the anchor device activated;

(18) FIG. 17 is a side view of the FIG. 13 machine with the anchor device activated and with the drilling module pivoted relative to the anchor module in a first direction;

(19) FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the second variant of the first embodiment of the drilling machine, the drilling module being in its deployed position;

(20) FIG. 19 is a side view of the FIG. 18 machine;

(21) FIG. 20 is a side of the FIG. 18 machine, with the anchor module activated; and

(22) FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the drilling machine of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(23) With reference to FIGS. 1 to 12, there follows a description of a first variant of a first embodiment of the drilling machine 10 in accordance with the present invention. The drilling machine 10 serves to make an excavation E in ground S along a drilling direction DF. In the figures, the vertical direction is referenced V. As can be understood from, the drilling direction DF may be vertical, or may slope a little relative to the vertical direction V.

(24) Considered in a horizontal plane, the excavation E presents the shape of a trench that is substantially rectangular and that defines walls referenced P1, P2, P3, and P4 that are substantially vertical. The machine presents a height H, a length L, and a width 1. As can be understood from FIGS. 2 and 3 the height H of the machine extends substantially vertically, while the length L and the width 1 extend in a plane that is substantially horizontal and they define substantially the length and the width of the cross-section of the excavation E.

(25) In this example, the drilling machine 10 is a milling machine suspended from the bottom end of a lift cable C that is carried by a boom of a hoist (not shown) itself known.

(26) In this example and as explained in greater detail below, the drilling machine 10 has an anchor module 12 that is provided with four anchor devices 14 that are configured to prevent the anchor module 12 from moving in the drilling direction relative to the ground S by bearing against the walls P1 and P2 of the excavation E.

(27) The anchor devices 14 comprise anchor pads 16 that are suitable for bearing against the walls P1 and P2 of the excavation, as shown in particular in FIGS. 4 to 6 and 10 to 12, so as to prevent the anchor module from moving in the drilling direction relative to the ground during the drilling operation. The anchor pads 16 are actuated by actuators 18 that are configured to exert horizontal thrust on the anchor pads 16 so that they become pressed against the facing walls P1 and P2 so as to prevent the anchor module from moving in the ground.

(28) In this example, the anchor module has four pads 16 extending over substantially the full height of the anchor module 12. Without going beyond the ambit of the present invention, provision could be made for some other number of pads, providing the number of pads and their surface area are sufficient for preventing the anchor module from moving in the ground during drilling operations.

(29) The drilling machine 10 also has a drilling module 20 that is provided with cutter members 22. In this example, the cutter members 22 comprise two pairs of drums 24 that are rotatable about axes of rotation A1 and A2 that are parallel, distinct, and perpendicular to the drilling direction DF.

(30) With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be understood that the axes of rotation A1, A2 extend across the width 1 of the drilling machine 10.

(31) As can be understood from FIGS. 2 and 8, the cutter members are connected to the anchor module while being movable in translation relative to said anchor module. For this purpose, the drilling machine 10 has movement means 35 for moving the cutter members 22 in translation relative to the anchor module 12.

(32) The drilling module 20 has a bottom section 26 that carries the cutter members 22, and a top section 28. The top section 28 has both a bottom portion 30 and also a top portion 32 that passes longitudinally through the anchor module 12. As can be understood from FIGS. 2 and 8, the bottom section 26 of the drilling module is mounted to be slidably movable relative to the bottom portion 30 of the top section 28 of the drilling module 20. The movement means, which are configured to move the drilling members relative to the anchor module 12, comprise a thrust device 36, specifically thrust actuators 37 configured to exert thrust on the cutter members, which thrust is directed downwards along the drilling direction DF.

(33) In FIGS. 1 to 6, the drilling module is in its retracted position, i.e. the distance between the drilling tools 22 and the anchor module 12 is at a minimum. In this retracted position, the bottom section 26 of the drilling module has a top portion 27 that is engaged in the bottom portion 30 of the top section 28 of the drilling module. In FIGS. 7 to 12, the drilling module is in the deployed position, i.e. the distance between the drilling tools 22 and the anchor module 12 is at a maximum.

(34) In accordance with the invention, the drilling module 20 is also hinged relative to the anchor module 12. In this example, the hinge consists in a pivot connection about a pivot axis X defined between the anchor module 12 and the drilling module 20. The pivot axis X is perpendicular to the drilling direction DF, and in this example it extends substantially horizontally. In this first embodiment, the pivot axis X is situated between the bottom portion 30 and the top portion 32 of the top section 28 of the drilling module 20. It can also be seen that the pivot axis X is arranged at the bottom end of the anchor module 12. Furthermore, the top portion 32 of the top section 28 of the drilling module 20 extends inside the anchor module 12 and projects above the top end 12a of the anchor module 12. It can thus be understood that the top section 28 of the drilling module 20 is mounted to pivot about the pivot axis X relative to the anchor module 12. This hinging serves to correct the drilling path by enabling the drilling module to pivot. For this purpose, the drilling machine also has first and second path correction means 40 that are configured to cause the drilling module 20 to pivot relative to the anchor module 12 about the pivot axis X. It is also specified that the thrust actuators 37 pivot with the cutter members 22.

(35) With reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, it can be seen that in this first variant of the first embodiment, the first path correction means 40 are arranged on the anchor module 12 at its top end 12a, and they are configured to exert thrust along a first direction T1 or along a second direction T2 opposite to T1, these two directions extending transversely relative to the drilling direction DF, whereby actuating the first path correction means 40 causes the drilling module to pivot relative to the anchor module about the pivot axis X in one direction or the other. It can also be seen that the movement means 35, specifically the thrust actuators 37, are pivotally mounted relative to the anchor module 12 to pivot about the pivot axis X.

(36) More precisely, in this first variant, the first path correction means 40 that are situated at the top end 12a of the anchor module 12 are arranged between the top end of the anchor module and the top portion of the top section 28 of the drilling module, such that thrust exerted by the first path correction means 40 has the effect of causing the drilling module to pivot about the pivot axis X. As can be seen in FIG. 7, the first path correction means 40 are arranged on either side of the top portion of the top section 28 of the drilling module.

(37) By way of example, in FIG. 5, the first path correction means 40 exerting transverse thrust T1 directed towards the wall P2 of the excavation E, has the effect of causing the drilling module to pivot about the pivot axis X in a pivot direction S1, thereby causing the cutter members 22 to move closer towards the opposite wall P1, as shown in FIG. 5. Considered in a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis X, the drilling direction DF presents an angle 1 relative to the bottom direction. Conversely, as shown in FIG. 6, thrust exerted by the first path correction means 40 in a direction T2, opposite to the direction T1, has the effect of causing the drilling module to pivot relative to the anchor module through an angle 2 about the pivot axis X in a pivot direction S2 opposite to the pivot direction S1, thereby causing the cutter members to tend to move towards the wall P2 of the excavation E.

(38) The first path correction means 40 comprise thrust pads 42 that are actuated by the actuators 44 mounted at the top end 12a of the drilling module 12.

(39) With reference once more to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the lift cable C is fastened at its bottom end C1 to a fastener member 41 that is secured to the top end of the top portion 32 of the top section 28 of the drilling module 20. As mentioned above, the top end of the top portion of the top section of the drilling module projects above the top end 12a of the anchor module 12.

(40) With reference to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the drilling machine also has second path correction means 43 that are situated on the bottom section 26 of the drilling module 20 and that are configured to exert thrust against the excavation walls P1, P2 transversely relative to the drilling direction DF. Thus, combined actuation of the first and second path correction means 40 and 43 serves to facilitate pivoting the drilling module 20 relative to the anchor module 12 above the pivot axis X.

(41) In this example, the second path correction means 43 are pads arranged on the front and rear faces of the bottom section of the drilling module 20.

(42) In this example, the drilling machine 10 has damper means 45 for damping the vibration generated by the cutter members 22 while drilling. In this variant, the damper means 45 comprise a hydraulic damper device that is connected to the hydraulic circuits powering the thrust actuators 37.

(43) There follows a description of an example of the use of the drilling machine 10. While drilling ground, after the drilling machine 10 has been inserted into the ground, the anchor devices are actuated in order to hold the anchor module 12 stationary, as shown in FIG. 4. Thereafter, with the cutter members activated, the thrust actuators 37 are actuated in order to push against on the cutter members. Finally, the drilling module is caused to pivot in order to correct the drilling direction DF, should that be necessary. In another use, the drilling direction is corrected and then the anchor devices are actuated prior to activating the cutter members and actuating the thrust actuators.

(44) With reference to FIGS. 13 to 20, there follows a description of a second variant of the first embodiment of the drilling machine 110 of the invention. The drilling machine 110 has an anchor module 112 that is provided with four anchor devices 114 to prevent the anchor module 112 from moving relative to the ground S in the drilling direction, in particular during a drilling operation, by bearing against the walls P1 and P2 of the excavation E.

(45) The anchor devices 114 comprise a plurality of deployable anchor pads 116 that are suitable for bearing against the walls P1, P2 of the excavation E in order to prevent the anchor module from moving vertically relative to the ground S. In this second embodiment, the anchor devices 114 extend over the full height of the anchor module, the anchor pads forming four rows that extend along lateral ends of the front and rear faces of the drilling module.

(46) The drilling machine 110 also has a drilling module 120 that is provided with a cutter member 112 similar to the cutter members of the first embodiment. These cutter members are connected to the anchor module 112 while being movable in translation relative to said anchor module.

(47) The drilling machine 110 has movement means 135 for moving the cutter members 122 relative to the anchor module 112, these movement means including a thrust device 136 comprising thrust actuators 137 arranged between the anchor module and the drilling module. The thrust device 136 is configured to exert thrust on the cutter members 122 downwardly along the drilling direction DF. The drilling module has a bottom section 126 carrying the cutter members 122, and a top section 128 that extends inside the anchor module 112.

(48) More precisely, the top section 128 of the drilling module is mounted to slide inside the anchor module 112 along the longitudinal direction of the anchor module. Actuating the thrust actuators 137 has the effect of moving the assembly constituted by the bottom section 126 and the top section 128 of the drilling module relative to the anchor module, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20.

(49) Like the first variant, the thrust actuators 137 are preferably actuated only after the anchor module 112 has been held stationary in the ground. In FIGS. 16 and 20, it can be seen that the drilling machine 110 is stationary in the ground S as a result of actuating the anchor devices 114. FIG. 20 shows the module of FIG. 16 after the thrust actuators 137 have been actuated so as to exert downward thrust on the cutter members 122.

(50) In accordance with the invention, the drilling module 120 is also hinged relative to the anchor module 112. Like the first embodiment, this hinge consists in a pivot connection about a pivot axis X enabling the drilling module 120 to pivot relative to the anchor module 112 as in the first variant, the pivot axis X being substantially horizontal.

(51) With reference to FIG. 13, it can be seen that the top section 128 of the drilling module 120 is in the form of a longitudinal bar that is engaged in a sleeve 160 that is hinged relative to the body 161 of the drilling module 112. It can be understood that the sleeve 160 forms part of the anchor module 112 and forms a tube in which the top section 128 of the drilling module 120 can slide. The sleeve 160 is mounted to pivot relative to the body 161 of the anchor module about the pivot axis X.

(52) The drilling module 120 is pivoted relative to the anchor module 112 by causing the sleeve 160 to pivot relative to the body 161 of the anchor module 112 about the pivot axis X, the pivoting of the sleeve 160 causing the top section 128 of the drilling module to pivot and thus causing the drilling module 120 to pivot in pivot direction S1 or in pivot direction S2.

(53) It is specified that the thrust actuators 137 are arranged between the sleeve 161 and the bottom section of the drilling module, such that the thrust device 136 pivots together with the drilling module 120.

(54) In order to perform this pivoting, the drilling machine has first path correction means 140 that can be seen more clearly in the detail view of FIG. 17, and that can be actuated and configured so as to cause the sleeve 160 to pivot relative to the body 161 of the anchor module about the pivot axis X. In the example of FIG. 17, the drilling direction DF corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the top section 128 of the drilling module, and thus also corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the sleeve 160. It can be understood that the pivot axis X is perpendicular to the drilling direction DF. It can also be seen in FIG. 17 that the movement means 135, specifically thrust actuators 137, are mounted to pivot relative to the anchor module 112 about the pivot axis X.

(55) The anchor module 112 has the first path correction means 140, which are configured to exert thrust on the drilling module 120 along a direction T that extends transversely relative to the drilling direction DF, such that actuating the first path correction means causes the drilling module to pivot relative to the anchor module. For this purpose, the first path correction means 140 are arranged between the sleeve 160 and the body 161 of the anchor module so that actuating the first path correction means 140 in the direction T has the effect of causing the sleeve 160 to pivot relative to the body 161 of the anchor module about the pivot axis X.

(56) In this example, the first path correction means 140 comprise thrust pads 142 that are actuated by actuators 144 mounted on the sleeve 160 of the anchor module.

(57) FIG. 21 shows a second embodiment of the drilling machine 210 of the invention. The drilling machine 210 is similar to the second variant of the first embodiment.

(58) Elements of the machine 210 shown in FIG. 21 that correspond to elements of the drilling machine 110 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 are given the same references, plus a value of one hundred.

(59) The drilling machine 210 differs from the machine of FIG. 18 essentially by the fact that, in this second embodiment, the first path correction means 280, 282 are arranged on the drilling module 220, and more particularly on the front face 271 and on the rear face 273 of its bottom section 226.

(60) The first path correction means 240 are configured to exert thrust against one or the other of the walls P1 and P2 of the excavation in a direction that extends transversely to the drilling direction.

(61) In the example of FIG. 21, the first path correction means comprise thrust pads that extend along the height to the bottom section 226 of the drilling module 220 and that are configured to be deployed transversely so as to push against one or the other of the walls P1 and P2 in the desired pivoting direction. In this example, each of the front and rear faces has a pair of thrust pads.

(62) Actuating the first path correction means has the effect of causing the drilling module to pivot relative to the anchor module about the pivot axis X.