# US 2014/0151078 A1 · Method and system for controlling the movement of a mast of a drilling machine, in particular for obtaining piles > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0151078 A1 - Document ID: US20140151078A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/911,589 - Filed: 2013-06-06 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-06-08 - Assignees: Soilmec S.p.A. - Applicants: SOILMEC S.p.A. - Inventors: Bruno BETTINI; Massimo MORELLINI - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140151078A1 ## CPC - E21B 7/023: {the mast being foldable or telescopically retractable} - E02D 7/00: Methods or apparatus for placing sheet pile bulkheads, piles, mouldpipes, or other moulds (for both placing and removing E02D11/00; {accessories for coupling driver to piles or the like E02D13/10; for trees or other plants A01G17/16; placing posts E04H17/26}) - E02D 13/10: Follow-blocks of pile-drivers or like devices - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - E02D: FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS (specially adapted for hydraulic engineering E02B); UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES {(tunnels, tunnelling, mining E21)} ## Abstract The method comprises the following operations: delivering a moving power to at least one linear actuator (1, 7) arranged to move a mast (5) mounted so as to swing with respect to a self-propelled structure (3) among a plurality of moving operating configurations; delivering an actuating power to a winch (8) which is supported by said self-propelled structure (3) and adapted to allow the winding or unwinding of a respective traction element which is constrained to a drilling assembly, in particular a bank of telescopic or kelly bars (12) to which a drilling tool can be associated; at least temporarily preventing a relative axial movement between said drilling assembly (12) and said mast (5) during the passage between at least two consecutive operating configurations; and automatically controlling the delivery of said moving power in a coordinated manner with the delivery of said actuating power when said axial movement is hindered. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Method for controlling the movement of a mast (5) of a drilling machine, in particular for obtaining piles; said method comprising the following operations: delivering a moving power to at least one linear actuator (1, 7) arranged to move a mast (5) mounted so as to swing with respect to a self-propelled structure (3) among a plurality of moving operating configurations; and delivering an actuating power to a winch (8) which is supported by said self-propelled structure (3) and adapted to allow the winding or unwinding of a respective traction element which is constrained to a drilling assembly, in particular a bank of telescopic or kelly bars (12) to which a drilling tool can be associated; said method being characterised in that it further comprises the following operations: at least temporarily preventing and at least in a sense along the longitudinal axis of the mast (5) a relative axial movement between said drilling assembly (12) and said mast (5) during the passage between at least two consecutive operating configurations; and automatically controlling the delivery of said moving power in a coordinated manner with the delivery of said actuating power when said axial movement is hindered. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Method according to claim 1, wherein the delivery of said moving power and the delivery of said actuating power are controlled so as to keep said traction element in a predetermined state of tension during the movement of said mast (5) between said operating configurations. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) Method according to claim 1, wherein the delivery of said moving power is allowed when the actuating power delivered to the winch (8) allows the drum of said winch (8) to rotate so as to wind or unwind said traction element during the movement of said mast (5) between said operating configurations. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) Method according to claim 3, wherein said moving power delivered to the mast (5) contributes to the unwinding of said traction element from the drum of said winch (8) during a movement between said operating configurations aimed at lifting or raising said mast (5) with respect to said self-propelled structure (3). ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) Method according to claim 3, wherein said actuating power contributes to impart a rotation of the drum of said winch in a controlled manner so as to wind said traction element on said drum during a movement between said operating configurations with the aim of lowering or descent of said mast (5) with respect to said self-propelled structure (3). ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) Method according to claim 1, wherein, during said movement, said mast (5) remains in a substantially horizontal position and moves between a lowered transportation configuration and a lifted intermediate configuration with respect to the self-propelled structure (3), said moving power being delivered to at least one linear actuator (1) associated to an arm which can be subjected to swinging interposed between said mast (5) and said self-propelled structure (3). ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) Method according to claim 1, wherein, during said movement, said mast (5) swivels between an inclined configuration and a straight configuration. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) Method according to claim 1, wherein, during said movement, said mast (5) moves with a swinging movement between a substantially horizontal position in a lowered transportation configuration or a lifted intermediate configuration with respect to the self-propelled structure (3) and a straight or operating configuration. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) Method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of delivering an auxiliary actuating power to an auxiliary winch (9) which is supported by said self-propelled structure (3) so as to allow the winding or unwinding of a respective auxiliary traction element fixed to said auxiliary winch (9) and removably constrained to said mast (5); said moving power being automatically delivered in a coordinated manner with the delivery of said auxiliary actuating power when the axial movement between said mast (5) and said drilling assembly (12) is hindered at least temporarily and at least in a sense along the longitudinal axis of the mast (5). ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) Method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of detecting information indicating the actuating power delivered to said winch (8); said moving power being delivered as a function of said detected information. ### Claim 11 System for controlling the movement of a mast (5) of a drilling machine for obtaining piles; said system comprising: a movement supply circuit configured so as to be connected, at the inlet, with a power source and for delivering, at the outlet, a moving power to at least one linear actuator (7) so as to move a mast (5) mounted so as to swing with respect to a self-propelled structure (3) among a plurality of moving operating configurations; and an actuating supply circuit configured so as to be connected, at the inlet, with a power source and for delivering, at the outlet, an actuating power to a winch (8) which is supported by said self-propelled structure (3) so as to allow the winding or unwinding of a traction element which is constrained to a drilling assembly, in particular a bank of telescopic or kelly bars (12) to which a drilling tool can be associated; said system being characterised in that it further comprises: locking means (14, 15, 16, 16b, 17) which can be deactivated adapted to at least temporarily prevent and at least in a sense along the longitudinal axis of the mast (5) a relative axial movement between said drilling assembly (12) and said mast (5) during the passage between at least two consecutive operating configurations; and control means configured for automatically controlling the delivery of said moving power in a coordinated manner with the delivery of said actuating power when said locking means prevent said relative axial movement. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) System according to claim 11, wherein said control means are configured for controlling the delivery of said moving power and the delivery of said actuating power by acting on at least one of said drum and said brake of said winch (8) so as to keep said traction element in a predetermined state of tension during the movement of said mast (5) between said operating configurations. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) System according to claim 11, wherein said control means are configured to allow the delivery of said moving power when the actuating power allows the drum of said winch (8) to rotate so as to wind or unwind said traction element during the movement of said mast (5) between said operating configurations. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) System according to claim 11, wherein said locking means (14, 15, 16, 16b, 17) can be supported by at least one from among a rotary assembly or rotary table (10) mounted on said mast (5) and adapted to transfer power to said drilling assembly (12); and a guide assembly (13) mounted on said mast (5) and adapted to guide the movement of said drilling assembly (12) along said mast (5). ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) System according to claim 11, wherein said movement supply circuit, and possibly said actuating supply circuit, can be connected, at the inlet, to a source of pressurised fluid; said control means comprising a valve apparatus configured for controlling the passage of said pressurised fluid through said movement supply circuit in a coordinated manner with said actuating power delivered by said actuating supply circuit. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) System according to claim 11, further comprising an auxiliary actuating supply circuit configured so as to be connected, at the inlet, with a power source and for delivering, at the outlet, an auxiliary actuating power to an auxiliary winch (9) which is supported by said self-propelled structure (3) so as to allow the winding or unwinding of a respective auxiliary traction element fixed to said auxiliary winch (9) and removably constrained to said mast (5); said control means being configured for automatically controlling the moving power delivered in a coordinated manner with the delivery of said auxiliary actuating power. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) System according to claim 11, wherein said control means comprise sensor means, in particular pressure sensors, adapted to detect information indicating said actuating power, in particular the driving pressure assumed by a pressurised fluid delivered to said winch (8) through said actuating supply circuit; said control means being configured for controlling the delivery of the moving power as a function of said detected information. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) System according to claim 11, wherein said control means comprise at least one overcenter valve (53, 61) cooperating with said actuating supply circuit. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) System according to claim 11, wherein said control means comprise means for detecting the end stroke position of the bar guide head, said detection means being configured for controlling the delivery of the actuating power as a function of said detection. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) System according to claim 11, wherein said movement supply circuits and the actuating supply circuit are adapted to be actuated by a single control (24, 25) which acts simultaneously and in a coordinated manner on at least one linear actuator (1, 7) and on at least one winch (8, 9). ### Claim 21 (depends on 11) System according to claim 11, wherein said system comprises an assisted mode monostable switch (19) adapted to assume, following the manual actuation of an operator, an active position wherein said movement supply circuits and the actuating supply circuit are actuatable by a single control (20, 23), which acts simultaneously and in a coordinated manner on at least one linear actuator (1, 7) and on at least one winch (8, 9). ### Claim 22 (depends on 11) System according to claim 11, where, in the case wherein said drilling machine comprises a kinematism (1, 2, 4, 4a, 6, 7) for adjusting the drilling height connected to said mast (5), said system comprises a device for detecting the angular position of the mast (5) arranged on the kinematism (1, 2, 4, 4a, 6, 7), said device for detecting the angular position being adapted for enabling the further descent of the kinematism (1, 2, 4, 4a, 6, 7) beyond the maximum working radius allowed when the mast (5) is in a substantially horizontal configuration.