FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments described here concern an apparatus for the remediation of ground from metal masses, such as scrap, pipes, explosive devices and/or other remnants of war and otherwise, which are buried at a certain depth in the ground, in order to perform excavations in compliance with current regulations.

The present invention also concerns a method for the functioning of the apparatus for the remediation of ground from metal masses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

From the patent application for industrial invention in Italy UD 2005 A 000137 in the name of the Applicant, an apparatus for the remediation of ground from metal masses is known, indicated below more simply as apparatus, used on an operating machine equipped with an arm consisting of a plurality of elements.

This apparatus comprises a metal detector probe mounted directly on an auger, allowing to simultaneously perform the operations of perforating the ground and of detecting the presence of buried metal masses.

One disadvantage of this known apparatus is that in order to maintain the correct inclination of the auger, in a predefined direction of perforation, inclined with respect to the plane on which the perforation of the ground starts, continuous and repeated manual correction operations are required by an operator.

In fact, if the perforation of the ground does not occur in a perfectly coaxial way to a straight perforation line, parallel to the predefined direction of perforation as above, this generates unwanted frictions of the auger along the walls of the perforation hole.

Consequently, another disadvantage is the greater hydraulic pressure required to dri ve the arm of the operating machine that guides the auger in order to carry out the perforation of the ground. This in tum leads to higher fuel consumption, that is, greater air pollution.

Finally, yet another disadvantage of a perforation of the ground that is not perfectly coaxial to the straight perforation line as above is that cracks and/or breakages of the auger can occur, exposing the operators to possible situations of danger to their safety.

There is therefore the need to perfect an apparatus for the remediation of ground from metal masses that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

One purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which is able to cany out the perforation of ground in a manner that is perfectly parallel to a direction of perforation that is predefined by an operator, in any case inclined with respect to a perforation start plane.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that is simple and economical to manufacture, and that can be mounted, without substantial modifications, on any operating machine whatsoever equipped with an arm, guaranteeing a high level of safety and quality of the work performed.

One purpose of the present invention is, moreover, to provide an apparatus that considerably reduces the time and costs required to perforate the ground and unearth the metal masses.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus able to finalize the remediation operations with the lowest possible environmental impact.

Yet another purpose is to perfect a method for the functioning of an apparatus for the remediation of ground from metal masses that is simple, intuitive and safe for the operator of the operating machine that is equipped for the perforation of ground and also for any other possible operators who may intervene in the area to be remediated.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, embodiments described here concern an apparatus for the remediation of ground from metal masses, hereafter referred to more simply as apparatus, comprising perforation means coupled to means for detecting metal masses in the ground, and a unit for monitoring the position of the perforation means.

The perforation means are configured to be mounted on an operating machine, equipped with an arm formed by a plurality of elements connected to each other in an articulated manner, and to perforate the ground.

The detection means comprise a device for measuring and signaling the metal masses in order to identity their presence in the ground, simultaneously with the operating condition of perforating the gro und itself.

The monitoring unit comprises inclination sensors and a control and command unit, and it is configured to achieve a perforation that is perfectly parallel to a predefined direction of perforation, inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, along a straight perforation line, by continuously and automatically inclining, in correspondence with each joint, the elements of the arm of the operating machine and the perforation means.

The control and command unit is configured to also interface with the measuring and signaling device, with a first maneuvering member and with a second maneuvering member of the perforation means, wherein these maneuvering members are located on the operating machine.

The inclination sensors are configured to be located in correspondence with each element that makes up the arm of the operating machine.

According to some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a geolocation device configured to detect the position of the metal masses.

In this way, an apparatus that overcomes the limits of the state of the art and eliminates the defects present therein is obtained.

In particular, an apparatus is supplied, versatile for use on any operating machine whatsoever equipped with an am, with which perforations of the ground that are parallel to a predefined direction of perforation are automatically obtained, without requiring corrective manual interventions by an operator.

The present invention also concerns a method for the functioning of an apparatus for the remediation of ground from metal masses which comprises the following steps of:

- setting the operating and safety parameters on a device for measuring and signaling metal masses;

- seting, by means of a user interface of a control and command unit, a desired direction of perforation, inclined with respect to a horizontal plane;

- positioning a terminal of the perforation means of the apparatus, which are connected to the arm, in contact with a plane on which the perforation starts;

- pressing a button of a second maneuvering member of the perforation means;

- determining, by means of the control and command unit, a straight line passing through the ends of a main body of the perforation means, through inclination sensors, positioned along the arm;

- modifying, by means of the control and command unit and the signals coming from the inclination sensors, the inclination of the perforation means, in order to position them in a manner parallel to the desired direction of perforation, defining a straight perforation line, inclined with respect to the perforation start plane;

- storing the position of the main body, in axis with the straight perforation line and in contact with the perforation start plane (“reset position”);

- while maintaining the button pressed, simultaneously driving a first maneuvering member and the second maneuvering member in order to perform the step of perforating the ground in a downward direction;

- continuously processing the signals coming from the inclination sensors in order to maintain the axis of the perforation means coincident with the straight perforation line;

- interrupting the step of perforating the ground in the event that the operating and safety parameters set on the measuring and signaling device are exceeded, or in the event that buried metal masses are identified, allowing the operator to carryout only the step of perforating in an upward direction of the perforation means, moving away from the metal masses (“blocking step”);

- possibly , storing the position of the metal masses identified, with respect to the perforation start plane, by means of a geolocation device;

- while continuing to maintain the button pressed, driving only the second maneuvering member in order to carry ⁷ out the step of perforating in an upward direction of the perforation means along the straight perforation line, until completely extracting the main body from the ground.

In this way, a functioning method is obtained that is simple, intuitive and above all secure for the safety of the operators that are present in the work environment to be remediated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the atached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus for the remediation of ground from metal masses, according to embodiments of the present invention, associated with an operating machine equipped with an arm, during a first operating condition;

- fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the apparatus of fig. 1, during a second operating condition;

- fig. 3 shows an enlarged detail of the components of the apparatus for the remediation of ground from metal masses, shown in figs. 1 and 2;

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings.

It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be combined r incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

We will now refer in detail to the possible embodiments of the invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings, by way of a non-limiting illustration. The phraseology and terminology used here is also for the purposes of providing non- limiting examples.

The attached drawings are used to describe some embodiments of an apparatus for the remediation of ground from metal masses 11, hereafter referred to as apparatus and identified with reference number 10.

By metal mass 11, here and hereafter in the description, we mean any object whatsoever at least partly made of metal material, such as, for example, a pile of scrap, a pipe, a pipeline, an unexploded bomb or remnant of war, or suchlike.

The apparatus 10 comprises means 12 for perforating the ground, means 13 for detecting metal masses 11 and a unit 14 for monitoring the position of the perforation means 12.

In particular, the apparatus 10 is configured to be used and mounted on any operating machine 15 whatsoever equipped with an arm, consisting of at least two elements connected to each other in an articulated manner, at the free end of which the perforation means 12 can be mounted.

In the following description, we will refer by way of a non-limiting example to figs. 1 and 2, in which the operating machine 15 is equipped with an arm consisting of three elements which are called, starting from the attachment joint of the arm, first arm, intermediate arm and rocker arm.

The detection means 13 comprise a probe 13a and a measuring and signaling device 13b.

The measuring and signaling device 13b is electrically connected to the probe 13a and is configured, in a known manner, to select and set the safety parameters and to display the measurements made by the probe 13a itself (for example, through a push-button panel and a display or by means of a touch screen).

According to some embodiments, the measuring and signaling device 13b can comprise a metal detector, a magnetometer or, in any case, a device capable of detecting the presence of metal masses 11 inside objects of another nature, in particular buried metal masses 1 1.

The perforation means 12 comprise a main body 16, configured to perforate the ground, and a drive device 17.

The main body 16 is hollow and comprises, inside it, a housing channel 18 and, at the end that comes into contact with the ground, a pointed terminal 16a.

According to some embodiments, the main body 16 can have a smooth external surface, or one with grooves with a preferably helical profile. Furthermore, preferentially, the main body 16 can be configured to be interchangeable, for example, in case of maintenance or to gradually increase the depth of perforation of the ground.

The drive device 17 is configured to connect, on one side, to the end of the rocker arm of the operating machine 15 and, on the opposite side, to the upper end of the main body 16.

Furthermore, the drive device 17 is configured to make the main body 16 rotate during the operations of perforating the ground, as a result of an operator driving a first maneuvering member 19 and a second maneuvering member 20, both located on the operating machine 15.

According to some embodiments, the first 19 and the second 20 maneuvering member can comprise any lever device whatsoever that can be driven with one hand, for example, one of the joystick type.

Furthermore, the first maneuvering member 19 can also comprise any lever device whatsoever that can be driven with the pressure of a foot, such as, for example, a pedal.

The drive device 17 can comprise, for example, a gearmotor, a rotary actuator, or suchlike, with hydraulic or electric drive.

The housing channel 18 is configured to accommodate a tubular element 21 inside it, which is also hollow'.

The tubular element 21 is, in turn, configured so that the probe 13a can be positioned inside it.

Furthermore, the probe 13a and the tubular element 21 are configured to be mounted in such a way that, during the rotation of the main body 16, they do not rotate together with it.

According to a preferential embodiment, the main body 16 and the tubular element 21 are made of non-magnetic material, such as, for example, plastic, brass, bronze, aluminum, special stainless steel, or another material that, in any case, has mechanical characteristics that allow to carry out a perforation in the ground.

This solution has the advantage of preventing the generation of magnetic field interference between the probe 13 a, the main body 16 and the tubular element 21.

The unit 14 for monitoring the position of the perforation means 12 is configured to obtain a perforation that is perfectly parallel to a predefined direction of perforation, inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, along a straight perforation line X, by continuously and automatically inclining the elements of the arm of the operating machine 15 and the perforation means 12.

According to some embodiments, the monitoring unit 14 comprises inclination sensors 22 and a control and command unit 23, which is configured to automatically manage the functioning of the apparatus 10.

Furthermore, the control and command unit 23 is configured to interface with the device 13b for measuring and signaling the metal masses 1 1, with the inclination sensors 22 of the elements of the arm, with the first maneuvering member 19 and with the second maneuvering member 20 of the perforation means 12.

In particular, the control and command unit 23 is configured to process the information coming from the inclination sensors 22 and to consequently command, in a continuous and automatic manner, the movement of the elements of the arm and of the perforation means 12, in order to obtain a perforation of the ground that is perfectly parallel to the predefined direction of perforation.

The control and command unit 23 can also be configured to be programmable, by means of a user interface, and to automatically and progressively coordinate the speed of rotation and of advance of the perforation means 12 in the ground, as a function of the distance from the metal masses 11 detected by the detection means 13 and/or as a function of other parameters set selectively by the operator.

The inclination sensors 22 are configured to be located in correspondence with each joint present between the elements that make up the arm of the operating machine 15, or in correspondence with each element of the arm itself and of the perforation means 12.

With reference to figs. 1 and 2, in particular, in the case of an operating machine 15 with an arm consisting of three elements, the apparatus 10 comprises four inclination sensors 22.

These inclination sensors 22 can comprise absolute encoders, incremental encoders, inclinometers, or in any case a transducer capable of generating an electrical signal, which can be processed by the control and command unit 23, which is proportional to the relative displacement between the elements of the arm and the perforation means 12.

The second maneuvering member 20 comprises a button 20a which has to be kept pressed by the operator together with the first maneuvering member 19 in order to drive the perforation means 12 into rotation and advance.

Furthermore, at the beginning of the operating condition of perforation, once the terminal 16a has been positioned in contact with a perforation start plane P, by pressing only the button 20a the control and command unit 23 is able to determine a straight line passing through the ends of the main body 16. Subsequently, by means of the signals coming from the inclination sensors 22, the control and command unit 23 intervenes to move the elements of the arm and the perforation means 12 in order to position the latter in axis with the straight perforation line X, which is in any case inclined with respect to the perforation start plane P, for example, perpendicular with respect to a horizontal plane.

The apparatus 10 can comprise a geolocation device 24 that interfaces with the control and command unit 23 and is configured to detect the position of buried metal masses 11 during the operating conditions of perforating the ground.

In accordance with other embodiments, the apparatus 10 can comprise a safety switch 25.

The safety switch 25, for example of the mushroom-shaped type, is configured to allow ⁷ the operator, once it has been driven, to carry out emergency maneuvers after the operating condition of perforation has been blocked, after the operating parameters (for example, maximum perforation depth) and safety parameters set on the measuring and signaling device 13b have been exceeded, or as soon as buried metal masses 11 are identified.

The apparatus 10 can also comprise visual signaling means 26 and acoustic signaling means 27, which are configured to signal the functioning status of the apparatus 10 itself in the different operating conditions.

According to a preferential embodiment, the visual signaling means 26 comprise a green indicator light 26a, a yellow/orange indicator light 26b and a red indicator light 26c.

According to a preferred embodiment, the visual signaling means 26 are installed outside the operating machine 15, in a clearly visible position.

In accordance with some embodiments, there is provided a method for the functioning of an apparatus 10 for the remediation of ground from metal masses 11, which comprises the steps of:

- setting the operating and safety parameters on a device 13b for measuring and signaling metal masses 11 ;

- setting, by means of a user interface of a control and command unit 23, a desired direction of perforation, inclined with respect to a horizontal plane;

~ positioning a terminal 16a of the perforation means 12, which are connected to an arm of an operating machine 15, in contact with a perforation start plane P; - pressing a buton 20a of a second maneuvering member 20 of the perforation means 12;

- determining, by means of a control and command unit 23, a straight line passing through the ends of a main body 16 of the perforation means 12, through inclination sensors 22, positioned along the arm;

- modifying, by means of the control and command unit 23 and the signals coming from the inclination sensors 22, the inclination of the perforation means 12, in order to position them in a manner parallel to the desired direction of perforation, defining a straight perforation line X, inclined with respect to the perforation start plane P;

- storing the position of the main body 16, in axis with the straight perforation line X and in contact with the perforation start plane P (“reset position”);

- while maintaining the button 20a pressed, simultaneously driving a first maneuvering member 19 and the second maneuvering member 20) in order to perform the step of perforating the ground in a downward direction;

- continuously processing the signals coming from the inclination sensors 22 in order to maintain the axis of the perforation means 12 coincident with the straight perforation line X;

- interrupting the step of perforating the ground in the event that the operating and safety parameters set on the measuring and signaling device 13b are exceeded, or in the event that buried metal masses 11 are identified, allowing the operator to carry out only the step of perforating in an upward direction of the perforation means 12, moving away from the metal masses 11 (“blocking step”);

- while continuing to maintain the button 20a pressed, driving only the second maneuvering member 20 in order to carry out the step of perforating in an upward direction of the perforation means 12 along the straight perforation line X, until completely extracting the main body 16 from the ground.

In alternative embodiments, when the button 20a is released by the operator, the step of perforating the ground is interrupted and the method for the functioning of the apparatus 10 can comprise the steps of:

- pressing the button 20a in order to automatically determine, by means of suitable functioning parameters pre-set on the control and command unit 23, a new straight perforation line X to be followed in order to complete the step of perforating the ground, both in the downward and also in the upward direction;

- manually activating on the control and command unit 23 a release function and pressing the buton 20a in order to reposition the main body 16 in correspondence with the “reset position” as above;

- while maintaining the button 20a released, carrying out the step of perforating in an upward direction by driving the second maneuvering member 20.

In accordance with some embodiments, the method for the functioning of the apparatus 10 can also provide to store the position of the metal masses 11, once identified, with respect to the perforation start plane P, by means of a geolocation device 24.

According to other embodiments, the method for the functioning of the apparatus 10 can comprise the steps of:

- pressing a safety switch 25 in order to allow' an operator emergency maneuvers, possibly deactivating the “blocking step” as above;

- releasing the safety switch 25 in order to restore the steps of perforating the ground both in the downward and also in the upward direction.

According to possible embodiments, the control and command unit 23 can be configured to signal to the operators in the immediate vicinity of the operating machine 15 the different steps of the method for the functioning of the apparatus 10 by means of visual 26 and/or acoustic 27 signaling devices.

In accordance with some embodiments, the method for the functioning of the apparatus 10 can comprise the steps of:

- switching on and maintaining switched on a green indicator light 26a in order to signal that the apparatus 10 is active;

- switching on a yellow/orange indicator light 26b, while maintaining the green indicator light 26a switched on, in order to signal that the apparatus 10 is active with a situation of alert for operators;

- switching on a red indicator light 26c, while maintaining the yellow/orange 26b and green 26a indicator lights switched on, and activating the acoustic signaling means 27, so that they emit an intermittent audible signal, in order to signal that the apparatus 10 is active with a situation of danger for operators (for example, during the “blocking step” and/or with the safety switch 25 pressed).

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts or steps may be made to the apparatus 10 and to the corresponding functioning method as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present in vention as defined by the claims.

In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate reading: they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection claimed in the specific claims.