# US 2019/0169813 A1 · Vibrator assembly for creating stone columns, and method for creating stone columns > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0169813 A1 - Document ID: US20190169813A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/317,604 - Filed: 2017-07-17 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-15 - Inventors: Alexander Degen; Wihelm Degen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190169813A1 ## CPC - E02D 3/054: involving penetration of the soil, e.g. vibroflotation - E02D 3/08: by inserting stones or lost bodies, e.g. compaction piles (sand drains for soil compaction E02D3/10; stressing soil while forming foundations E02D27/28) - E02D 5/66: Mould-pipes or other moulds {(for plant use B28B)} - E02D 7/18: Placing by vibrating {(vibrators for soil compacting E02D3/046)} - E02D 11/00: Methods or apparatus {specially adapted} for both placing and removing sheet pile bulkheads, piles, or mould-pipes (features relating to placing only E02D7/00, to removing only E02D9/00 {; placing apparatus which without special provisions, can be operated to remove, e.g. vibrating drivers E02D7/00}) - E02D 27/12: Pile foundations - E02D: FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS (specially adapted for hydraulic engineering E02B); UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES {(tunnels, tunnelling, mining E21)} ## Abstract A vibrator assembly comprising a feed pipe that has a longitudinal axis as well as a first end and a second end. The vibrator assembly may further comprise a vibrator unit that is mechanically coupled to the feed pipe, and a filling assembly which extends into the feed pipe at the first end and is designed to pick up material and direct same into the feed pipe. The feed pipe may have at least two separate channels from the first end to the second end and parallel to the longitudinal axis. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vibrator assembly, comprising: a silo pipe with a longitudinal axis and with a first end and a second end; a vibrator unit, which is coupled mechanically to the silo pipe; and an introduction arrangement, which opens out into the silo pipe at the first end and is designed to accommodate material and direct it into the silo pipe, wherein the silo pipe has at least two separate channels running from the first end to the second end and parallel to the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the silo pipe has at least two supply channels, which open out into in each case one of the channels and are designed to direct compressed air into the channels. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 2, in which pressure and volume flow of the directed compressed air can be controlled separately for each channel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the silo pipe has three or more channels. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the at least two channels are separated from one another in a gas-tight manner. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the channels are separated from one another by one or more crosspieces. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the introduction arrangement has at least two chambers, of which each opens out in each case into one of the at least two channels. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 7, in which each of the at least two chambers has at least two valves. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 1, also having: at least one upper compressed-air infeed, which opens out into one of the at least two channels in the region of the first end of the silo pipe and is designed to direct compressed air into the interior of the one channel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 9, having a number of upper compressed-air infeeds which corresponds to the number of channels, wherein each of the upper compressed-air infeeds opens out into in each case one of the at least two channels in the region of the first end of the silo pipe. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 1, also having: at least one lower compressed-air infeed, which opens out into one of the at least two channels in the region of a plane of the silo pipe and is designed to direct compressed air into the interior of the one channel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 11, having a number of lower compressed-air infeeds which corresponds to the number of channels, wherein each of the lower compressed-air infeeds opens out into in each case one of the at least two channels in the region of the second end of the silo pipe. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the silo pipe has at least one supply channel, which runs parallel to the longitudinal axis, and in the interior, of the silo pipe. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 13, in which the at least one supply channel is designed to accommodate at least one compressed-air line or an electric line. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the vibrator unit is fitted at the second end of the silo pipe. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the at least two channels of the silo pipe have at least more or less identical surface areas in a cross-sectional plane which runs perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the silo pipe. ### Claim 17 A vibrator assembly, comprising: a silo pipe with a longitudinal axis and with a first end and a second end; a vibrator unit, which is coupled mechanically to the silo pipe; an introduction arrangement, which opens out into the silo pipe at the first end and is designed to accommodate material and direct it into the silo pipe; and a supply unit, which is designed to deliver material into the introduction arrangement of the vibrator assembly, wherein the supply unit is arranged on the silo pipe or on the introduction arrangement at least such that it can move parallel to the longitudinal axis of the silo pipe. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 17, in which the supply unit is arranged on the silo pipe or on the introduction arrangement at least such that the center of gravity of the supply unit moves along the longitudinal axis of the silo pipe. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 17, also having: guide elements, which guide the supply unit at least on the introduction arrangement or on the silo pipe. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 17, in which the supply unit has at least one material container, which is designed to accommodate material and discharge it into the introduction arrangement. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 20, in which the at least one material container is a feed hopper. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 21, in which the feed hopper has two material cavities, which are surface-symmetrical in relation to one another and are designed such that material introduced is distributed uniformly between the two material cavities and, even in a filled state, the center of gravity of the supply unit coincides with the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 22, in which the material cavities are connected to one another via a run-off plate. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 23, in which the material cavities together with the run-off plate form a u-shaped feed hopper. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 21, in which the feed hopper is designed to enclose the silo pipe or the introduction arrangement in a u-shaped or horseshoe-shaped manner. ### Claim 26 (depends on 21) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 21, in which the feed hopper is connected mechanically to a spring strut via a framework and is designed to cushion placement of the supply unit on an underlying surface which is to be worked on. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 26, in which the supply unit has two guide arms, which each enclose half of the silo pipe and are designed to guide the supply unit on the silo pipe. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 27, in which the two guide arms are scissors-linkage mechanisms with gas-pressure dampers, which are designed to push the guide arms in the direction of the silo pipe. ### Claim 29 (depends on 17) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 17, in which the material containers have a closure, via which the material can be emptied at least to some extent into the introduction arrangement or the silo pipe. ### Claim 30 (depends on 17) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 17, in which the feed hopper has a closure, via which the material can be emptied at least to some extent into the introduction arrangement or the silo pipe. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 29, in which the closures are flap valves or slide valves. ### Claim 32 (depends on 29) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 29, in which, in the closed state, the closures are prestressed in the closing direction or in the opening direction under the action of force of a spring. ### Claim 33 (depends on 29) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 29, in which the closures are connected to a hydraulic, electric or pneumatic linear drive, which is designed to open and to close the closures. ### Claim 34 (depends on 17) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 17, having a carrying frame, which is connected mechanically to the introduction arrangement and has at least one winch. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The vibrator assembly as claimed in claim 34, in which the supply unit is connected at least to the carrying frame or the introduction arrangement via the winch. ### Claim 36 A method for operating a vibrator assembly having a silo pipe with a longitudinal axis and with a first end and a second end, having a vibrator unit coupled mechanically to the silo pipe, and having an introduction arrangement that opens out into the silo pipe at the first end and is designed to accommodate material and direct it into the silo pipe, wherein the silo pipe has at least two separate channels running from the first end to the second end and parallel to the longitudinal axis, the method comprising: placing the silo pipe on an underlying surface; creating a drill hole by movement of the silo pipe cyclically up and down at least on the underlying surface or in the drill hole; and supplying the silo pipe, by way of the supply unit, with material for filling the drill hole, wherein the movements of the supply unit along the silo pipe are controlled independently of the movements of the silo pipe.