WO2025056240A1 - Trench cutting apparatus and method for cutting a trench in the ground - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a trench cutting apparatus comprising a trench cutter, which is constructed from at least two cutter modules, and a support structure for suspending and moving the trench cutter vertically in order to form a trench in the ground, wherein the support structure is designed to horizontally advance the separate cutter modules to a working region in which the trench is to be created, and the support structure is formed with module units which each have an operating unit for operating the trench cutter in a support frame. The invention provides for the support frames of the module units to be positionable in a line in order to form a rectilinear support structure and at an angle relative to one another in order to form an angled support structure. The invention relates to a method for cutting a trench in the ground in particular by means of such a trench cutting apparatus.

Description

Diaphragm wall milling device and method for milling a

MILLING SLOT IN THE GROUND

The invention relates to a trench wall milling device with a trench wall milling machine which is constructed from at least two milling modules, and a supporting structure for suspending and moving the trench wall milling machine in a vertical direction to form a milling slot in the ground, wherein the supporting structure is designed to feed the separate milling modules to a working area in which the milling slot is to be created, and the supporting structure is formed with modular units which each have an operating unit for operating the trench wall milling machine in a supporting frame, according to the preamble of claims 1, 8 and 11.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for milling a milling slot in the ground with a diaphragm wall milling device, in which a supporting structure is formed and assembled from modular units, and a diaphragm wall cutter is arranged on the supporting structure and lowered into the ground in a vertical direction, wherein soil material is milled away in a working area and the milling slot is thus formed, wherein the diaphragm wall cutter is constructed from at least two cutter modules which are fed separately from one another along the supporting structure to the working area and are connected to one another at the working area to form the diaphragm wall cutter, and wherein, for operating the diaphragm wall cutter, the modular units are each provided with an operating unit in a supporting frame, according to the preamble of claims 13, 16 and 17.

For creating slits in the ground, it is known to provide slurry wall cutters, as described, for example, in DE 10 2004 013 790 A. In this case, a so-called slurry wall cutter is mounted on a mast or boom arm. vertically adjustable. The masts or boom arms on the carrier machines are typically 15 m to 30 m or more high. The height of the mast is largely determined by the height of the trench cutter.

Such diaphragm wall cutters are used to create diaphragm walls or cut-off walls that can reach depths of up to 100 meters or more. Such diaphragm walls or cut-off walls are used, for example, to support excavations or to create groundwater barriers. Such cutters can also be used to extract mineral resources.

In certain cases, it is necessary to construct a cut-off wall in or near a structure, in a tunnel, or in confined spaces. Carrier machines with large booms and large diaphragm wall cutters cannot be used for these applications.

EP 05 18 297 B1 discloses a compact trench wall cutter for creating trenches. This trench wall cutter comprises a rail-guided carriage with a frame and a boom arm, which is only slightly higher than the vertical length of a trench wall cutter. A cable drum for a support cable, as well as connecting cables and a hose reel for a supply hose, are mounted close to the ground on the support frame. The trench wall cutter is limited to the essential components, such as cutting wheels, drives, and pumps, with a small guide frame.

Another compact trench wall cutter is disclosed in EP 3 208 384 B1. In this device, a compact trench wall cutter is adjustably mounted beneath a yoke formed by two carrier units arranged side by side. The two carrier units are connected to each other via a pivot joint.

With these known compact trench wall cutters, the operating height is essentially limited by the height of the trench wall cutter. A trench wall cutter cannot be made smaller at will, as a certain size is required for the cutter wheels, the drives, the pump, and especially for the guide frame. DE 60 2004 008 375 T2 discloses a trench cutter that allows for shortening the maintenance time for changing the cutting teeth on the cutter wheels. This is achieved by replacing not individual cutting teeth, but rather the entire cutting head on the cutter frame.

A generic diaphragm wall milling device is disclosed in EP 3 719 207 B1.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a diaphragm wall milling device and a method for milling a slit in the ground, with which efficient milling is possible even under particularly confined space conditions.

The object is achieved, on the one hand, with a trench wall milling device according to claims 1, 8 or 11 and, on the other hand, with a method according to claims 13, 16 or 17. Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the respective dependent claims.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a trench wall milling device is characterized in that the support frames of the module units can be arranged in a line to form a straight support structure and at an angle to each other to form an angled support structure.

The method is characterized in that the module units are arranged at an angle to one another to form an angled support structure. In particular, the module units can be moved or offset during the process, with individual or all module units being moved one after the other through an angled section of, for example, a tunnel. The support structure can assume a rectilinear arrangement during operation and an angled arrangement before or afterward. However, the support structure can also assume an angled arrangement during operation.

The angled support structure can have one or more angles or angle ranges. An angle range lies between two sections of the support structure, with each section comprising at least one module unit. The sections of the support structure can be mechanically connected via special angle pieces. be connected or mechanically separated, in which case a connection can only be provided via one or more lines, in particular at least one hose line, a power line and/or a data line. In the angular areas, line extensions can preferably be inserted if required and/or one or more running elements for the lines can be suspended or arranged. The support structure can comprise exclusively two sections with one or more support frames for the modular units with an angular range, so that the support structure has a hook shape, such as an L or V shape. More than two sections with one or more support frames for the modular units with multiple angular ranges can also be arranged, whereby the support structure can have a C, U, W or S shape. In particular, the individual sections or the individual support frames can be aligned differently to one another, so that the support structure can take on an arc-shaped course, in particular a circular arc-shaped course, or another curved or wave-shaped course. The support structure can thus be flexibly adapted to different spatial conditions, for example in tunnels or galleries.

Passageways for pedestrians can be provided within the supporting structures of the modular units. In the corner areas, these passageways can be connected by walkways, either insertable or extendable from the supporting structures, with or without railings.

Preferably, the support frames of the modular units can have the same cross-sectional dimensions and can be detachably connected to one another via connecting devices, in particular plug-in pin or screw connections. In particular, a central modular unit can be designed for suspending and moving the trench wall cutter in a vertical direction. Additional modular units with their support frames can be designed to be compatible for arrangement on both sides of the central modular unit and/or in different sequences relative to one another, which allows for high flexibility. A defined ratio of length to width of the modular units can be specified, in particular, in principle, the container size is based on standard container dimensions and subdivisions thereto. Preferably The length of the modular units can be between one and three times the width of the modular units or the standard containers.

The angle can be any desired angle; it is preferably an acute angle, in particular a 90-degree angle. In particular, a rotating device and/or a transfer device can be arranged in or on the trench wall milling device or on the subsoil, with which at least one module unit can be moved into an angled position. The angle can also relate to a main longitudinal direction, in particular a direction of travel of the trench to be created.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is that the support structure has a single angle to form a hook shape or several angles, wherein in particular an arc-shaped or wave-shaped course of the support structure is formed. The individual subsections or the individual support frames of the modular units can each be aligned at the same or different angles to one another, so that the support structure as a whole can assume an arc-shaped course, in particular a circular arc-shaped course, or another curved or wave-shaped course. Each support frame of a modular unit can be at an angle to the support frame of an adjacent modular unit, including a row of modules with a large radius. In particular, it is possible to line up two or more, preferably relatively short, support frames or modular units in virtually any order during operation.

The plan is for the trench cutter to be able to create a trench in both the straight and angled support structures. This allows work to be carried out even in confined corner areas, such as in a tunnel.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a trench wall milling device is characterized in that each module unit has a lifting device for substantially vertically raising and lowering the support frame of the module unit between having an operating position and a travel position, and at least two module units have a travel device for essentially horizontally moving the module unit in the travel position. This also makes it possible, in particular, to move the trench wall milling device around corner areas.

The method for this purpose is characterized in that each module unit has a lifting device with which the support frame of the module unit is raised or lowered substantially vertically between an operating position and a travel position, and in that at least two module units have a travel device with which the module unit is moved substantially horizontally in the travel position.

Preferably, each modular unit has a displacement device. The displacement unit can be configured in any suitable manner, in particular comprising at least one thrust cylinder, in particular a hydraulic cylinder, and/or a roller drive. The modular units can preferably be mounted on rollers for displacement, which are guided in particular along rails on the floor and/or on a ceiling area.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a trench wall milling device is characterized in that at least one module unit has a hydraulic unit as an operating unit, which is designed to generate hydraulic energy, in particular to drive cutting wheels of the trench wall milling machine and/or a suction pump for sucking out cuttings.

The hydraulic unit is thus directly integrated into the supporting structure of the diaphragm wall cutter. According to a further development, it is particularly advantageous for the hydraulic unit to have at least one hydraulic pump, which is driven by at least one electric motor to generate hydraulic energy. This avoids the need for long hose lines, especially in confined tunnels.

The method for this purpose is characterized in that at least one module unit is equipped as an operating unit with a hydraulic unit, by means of which hydraulic energy is generated, in particular for driving the cutting wheels of the trench wall cutter and/or a suction pump for sucking out cuttings.

Another basic idea can be seen in dividing the trench wall cutter into at least two cutter modules that are detachably connected to one another. Furthermore, a support structure is provided for suspending and moving the trench wall cutter in a vertical direction to create the milling slot, wherein the support structure additionally has a guide device for feeding the separate cutter modules. It is therefore no longer necessary to transport a fully operational trench wall cutter to a work area where the milling slot is created. Instead, the trench wall cutter is divided into its cutter modules and fed to the work area and only there assembled to form the trench wall cutter. For this purpose, the support structure can be designed with a corresponding guide or transport device. The support structure can preferably have a construction height that is less than the height of the operational trench wall cutter. The support structure only needs to be the same height as or higher than the height of the individual cutter modules.

This means that milling can also be carried out at worksites where only a very low working height is available, even less than the height of the assembled trench cutter. This can be particularly useful if a so-called guide slot, which can be approximately 1 m to 4 m deep, is prefabricated in the work area, so that one or more cutter modules can be inserted into the guide slot when assembling the trench cutter.

However, the diaphragm wall milling device according to the invention can be used not only in tunnels or buildings. Due to its very low installation height, which can be less than 5 m and even less than 3 m, the diaphragm wall milling device can be provided with or surrounded by a privacy screen, dust protection, and/or soundproofing enclosure. This even makes it possible to permanently install the entire diaphragm wall milling device in one or two to three standard containers. This can be particularly advantageous when milling in cities, residential areas, airports, or other infrastructure projects, buildings, or other sensitive construction sites. According to a further development of the invention, to form a diaphragm wall in the ground, at least one milled slot is filled with a settable suspension, which hardens to form the diaphragm wall. Filling with a settable suspension can be performed during milling in a so-called single-phase process or by subsequently replacing a support suspension with a settable suspension in a so-called two-phase process.

To produce the settable suspension, at least a portion of the milled soil material can be used, which is mixed directly in the slot or in a treatment plant outside the milled slot with a settable liquid to form the settable suspension.

The invention will be further described below with reference to preferred embodiments, which are schematically illustrated in the drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a trench wall milling device according to the invention in a first arrangement of modular units;

Fig. 2 is a side view of a trench wall milling device according to the invention in a second arrangement of modular units;

Fig. 3 is a side view of a trench wall milling device according to the invention in a third arrangement of modular units;

Fig. 4 is a side view of a trench wall milling device according to the invention in a fourth arrangement of modular units;

Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view of a module unit during a displacement around a corner area according to the invention in different phases;

Fig. 6 is a further schematic plan view of a module unit during a displacement according to the invention around a corner area in different phases; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a displacement device on a module unit for a trench wall milling device according to the invention;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a first cutter module of the trench wall cutter device of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a second cutter module of the trench wall cutter of Fig. 1.

Figures 1 to 4 illustrate various possible arrangements of modular units 60 for forming a trench wall milling device 10 according to the invention. In the illustrated embodiments, the trench wall milling device 10 comprises a total of six modular units 60a to 60f. The central modular unit 60a, which is positioned directly above a trench slot, contains the milling module 40, while the adjacent second modular unit 60b contains the second milling module 50 for forming the trench wall milling machine 30.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 1, the second module unit 60b is followed by a third module unit 60c, which is provided with an operating unit for controlling the trench wall milling device 10. In the further module units (fourth to sixth) 60d to 60f, at least one drum is rotatably mounted, which can be configured to supply supply hoses, suction hoses, and/or power lines and data lines. Furthermore, a seventh module unit (not shown) with a hydraulic unit can be arranged adjacent to the sixth module unit 60f.

The modular units 60 each have a scaffold-like support frame 62, which may have different lengths but the same cross-section. The support frames 62 of the individual modular units 60 can be connected to one another in a longitudinal direction via detachable connecting devices to form the support structure 20 of the trench wall milling device 10.

The arrangement according to Fig. 2 largely corresponds to the trench wall milling device 10 of Fig. 1 , wherein the sixth module unit 60f is provided with a hose reel due to a compatible design of the module units 60 on the axially opposite above the central first module unit 60a and is attached thereto to form the supporting structure 20.

In the modified arrangement according to Fig. 3, the third module unit 60c with the operating unit is also arranged offset from the right side to the left side with respect to the central first module unit 60a due to a compatible design of this module unit 60c. In this way, due to the modularity and interchangeability of individual module units 60, almost any configuration of the module units 60 can be achieved to form a trench wall cutting device 10.

To displace the trench wall milling device 10, the sixth module unit 60e, but also any other module unit 60, can be detached from the remaining support structure 20 and individually moved, displaced and rotated, as shown schematically in Fig. 4.

Due to the modular design of the diaphragm wall milling device 10, it can be efficiently moved and relocated, particularly in a tunnel 5 with angled tunnel sections 7, in particular corner sections, as schematically illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. Due to the modular design of the diaphragm wall milling device 10 with individual module units 60, these can be moved individually and transported efficiently around an angled tunnel section 7. A rotating device or transfer device (not shown) can be arranged in the angled tunnel section 7, which can be designed separately from the diaphragm wall milling device 10 or as a part thereof.

Due to its modular design, the diaphragm wall cutting device 10 can also be positioned and used in an angled arrangement, particularly in a tunnel 5, or on or along an angled tunnel section 7. The support structure 20 can also be designed with multiple angles.

To move the individual module units 60, a displacement device 70 can be arranged on individual or all module units 60, which is schematically illustrated and explained in connection with Fig. 7. A displacement device 70 can in particular have a positioning carriage 72, which is linearly guided on the support frame 62 via linear guides 76 and at whose lower end a roller 74 is rotatably mounted. For movement, the roller 74 can be provided with a roller drive (not shown) for rotating the roller 74

Via at least one lifting device 78, which can in particular be designed with a hydraulic cylinder, the adjusting carriage 72 can be vertically adjusted between a lower travel position and an upper rest or storage position. If the lifting device 78 and thus the adjusting carriage 72 are retracted upwards, the module unit 60 rests on the floor and is thus secured. By extending the lifting device 78, the adjusting carriage 72 with the roller 74 is pressed downwards, preferably against a rail (not shown). This lifts the support frame 62 up and down from the floor, so that the module unit 60 can now be moved.

The first milling module 40 is shown in more detail in Fig. 8. Two pairs of milling wheels 42 are rotatably mounted on a base frame 44 with an approximately U-shaped cross-section. Each pair of milling wheels 42 is rotatably mounted on a central milling blade 43, which is attached to an underside of the base frame 44. The milling wheels 42 are provided on their outer sides with removal teeth for removing soil material, in a generally known manner.

Between the two pairs of milling wheels 42, which rotate in opposite directions to the center, a suction nozzle 45 is provided for sucking away the milled soil material along with the surrounding support or milling fluid. A milling drive 46 is attached to the base frame 44 for each pair of milling wheels 42. In principle, the drive could also be integrated into the milling wheels 42. Furthermore, vertical and horizontal surfaces on the base frame 44 are provided as the first connecting surface 48, with through holes 49 for bolt connections being provided. Receptacles 41 serve for connection to a supply or operating unit.

According to Fig. 9, a second milling module 50 is shown, which consists of a box-shaped guide frame 54. The guide frame 54 corresponds in its cross-section approximately to the milling cross-section of the first milling module 40, so that the trench wall cutter guides itself through the guide frame 54 in the milling slot. For a position correction, in a basically known manner by means of Plate-shaped adjusting elements 56 which can be extended by hydraulic cylinders are provided, with which a certain positional adjustment relative to the walls of the milling slot is made possible.

Second connecting surfaces 58 are provided on the guide frame 54, which enable a precisely positioned connection with the first connecting surfaces 48 on the first milling module 40. A drive unit 52, which is designed as a pumping device, is mounted within the guide frame 54. A holding device 55 for attaching a support cable is provided in a central region on an upper side of the guide frame 54.

The first milling module 40 and the second milling module 50 can be mechanically connected to each other.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1 Diaphragm wall milling device with a diaphragm wall milling machine, which is constructed from at least two milling modules (40, 50), and a support structure (20) for suspending and moving the diaphragm wall milling machine in a vertical direction to form a milling slot in the ground, wherein the support structure (20) is designed for feeding, in particular horizontally, the separate milling modules (40, 50) to a work area in which the milling slot is to be created, and the support structure (20) is formed with modular units (60), which each have an operating unit for operating the diaphragm wall milling machine in a support frame (62), characterized in that the support frames (62) of the modular units (60) can be arranged in a line to form a rectilinear support structure (20) and at an angle to one another to form an angled support structure (20). Diaphragm wall milling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the support frames (62) of the modular units (60) have the same cross-sectional dimensions and can be connected to one another via connecting devices. Diaphragm wall milling device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a central modular unit (60a) is designed for suspending and moving the diaphragm wall milling machine in a vertical direction, and that further module units (60b to 60f) with their support frames (62) are designed to be compatible for arrangement on both sides of the central module unit (60a) and/or in different sequences relative to one another. 4. Diaphragm wall milling device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the angle is an acute angle, in particular a 90-degree angle. 5. Diaphragm wall milling device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a rotating device and/or a transfer device is arranged, with which at least one module unit (60) can be moved into an angled position. 6. Diaphragm wall milling device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the support structure (20) has a single angle for forming a hook shape or several angles, wherein in particular an arcuate or wave-shaped course of the support structure (20) is formed. 7. Diaphragm wall milling device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in the straight support structure (20) and in the angled support structure (20) the diaphragm wall milling machine can be operated to create a milling slot. 8. Diaphragm wall milling device, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 7, with a diaphragm wall milling machine, which is constructed from at least two milling modules (40, 50), and a support structure (20) for suspending and moving the diaphragm wall milling machine in a vertical direction to form a milling slot in the ground, wherein the support structure (20) is designed to feed the separate milling modules (40, 50) to a working area in which the milling slot is to be created, and the support structure (20) is formed with modular units (60), each having an operating unit for operating the trench wall cutter in a support frame (62), characterized in that each modular unit (60) has a lifting device (78) for substantially vertically raising and lowering the support frame (62) of the modular unit (60) between an operating position and a travel position, and in that at least two modular units (60) have a travel device (70) for substantially horizontally moving the modular unit in the travel position. Trench wall cutter device according to claim 8, characterized in that each modular unit (60) has a travel device (70). Trench wall cutter device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the travel device (70) has at least one thrust cylinder and/or a roller drive for a roller (74). A trench wall milling device, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a trench wall milling machine constructed from at least two cutter modules (40, 50), and a support structure (20) for suspending and moving the trench wall milling machine in a vertical direction to form a milling slot in the ground, wherein the support structure (20) is designed to feed the separate cutter modules (40, 50) to a working area in which the milling slot is to be created, and the support structure (20) is formed with module units (60), each of which has an operating unit for operating the trench wall milling machine in a support frame (62), characterized in that that at least one module unit (60) has a hydraulic unit as an operating unit, which is designed to generate hydraulic energy, in particular to drive cutting wheels (42) of the trench wall cutter and/or a suction pump for sucking out cuttings. 12. Diaphragm wall milling device according to claim 11, characterized in that the hydraulic unit has at least one hydraulic pump which is driven by at least one electric motor to generate hydraulic energy. 13. A method for milling a milling slot in the ground with a diaphragm wall milling device (10), in particular according to one of claims 1 to 12, in which - a supporting structure (20) is formed and assembled from modular units (60), and - a trench cutter is arranged on the supporting structure (20) and lowered into the ground in a vertical direction, whereby soil material is removed in a working area and the trench cutter is thus formed, - wherein the trench wall cutter is constructed from at least two cutter modules (40, 50) which are fed separately from one another along the supporting structure (20) to the working area and are connected to one another at the working area to form the trench wall cutter, and - wherein, for operating the trench wall cutter, the module units (60) are each provided with an operating unit in a support frame (62), characterized in that the module units (60) are arranged at an angle to one another to form an angled support structure (20). 14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the milling is carried out in a tunnel (5) with at least one angled tunnel region (7) and the angled support structure (20) is arranged on the angled tunnel region (7). 15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that a rotating device and/or a transfer device is arranged in the angled tunnel area (7), with which at least one module unit (60) is rotated and/or transferred by the angle in order to pass through the angled tunnel area (7). 16. Method for milling a milling slot in the ground, in particular according to one of claims 13 to 15, with a diaphragm wall milling device (10), in particular according to one of claims 1 to 12, in which - a supporting structure (20) is formed and assembled from modular units (60), and - a trench cutter is arranged on the supporting structure (20) and lowered into the ground in a vertical direction, whereby soil material is removed in a working area and the trench cutter is thus formed, - wherein the trench wall cutter is constructed from at least two cutter modules (40, 50) which are fed separately from one another along the supporting structure (20) to the working area and are connected to one another at the working area to form the trench wall cutter, and - wherein, for operating the trench wall cutter, the module units (60) are each provided with an operating unit in a support frame (62), characterized in that each module unit (60) has at least one lifting device (78) with which the support frame (62) of the module unit (60) is raised or lowered substantially vertically between an operating position and a travel position, and in that at least two module units (60) have a travel device (70) with which the module unit (60) is moved substantially horizontally in the travel position. 17. Method for milling a milling slot in the ground, in particular according to one of claims 13 to 16, with a diaphragm wall milling device (10), in particular according to one of claims 1 to 12, in which - a supporting structure (20) is formed and assembled from modular units (60), and - a trench cutter is arranged on the supporting structure (20) and lowered into the ground in a vertical direction, whereby soil material is removed in a working area and the trench cutter is thus formed, - wherein the trench wall cutter is constructed from at least two cutter modules (40, 50) which are fed separately from one another along the supporting structure (20) to the working area and are connected to one another at the working area to form the trench wall cutter, and - wherein, for operating the trench wall cutter, the module units (60) are each provided with an operating unit in a support frame (62), characterized in that at least one module unit (60) is equipped as an operating unit with a hydraulic unit, by means of which hydraulic energy is generated, in particular for driving cutting wheels (42) of the trench wall cutter and/or a suction pump for sucking out cuttings. 18. A method for creating a milling slot in the ground from a tunnel, using a diaphragm wall milling device (10), in particular according to one of claims 1 to 12, in which the module units are brought individually or connected to the working area, in particular on rails, the diaphragm wall milling device (10) is assembled at the working area, a milling slot is created, optionally a hardening material and preferably a reinforcement are introduced into the milling slot, the milling modules are separated, at least two module units are separated, at least one module unit is moved to an angled tunnel area and rotated there and then moved into another straight tunnel area, the separated module units are reconnected to one another, the separated milling modules are reconnected and a new milling slot is created.