The invention is related to a method and a system for producing a bulk material surface, in particular a substructure bulk material surface. Furthermore, the invention is related to a method for producing multiple bulk material surfaces, in particular multiple substructure bulk material surfaces.

Bulk material surfaces, e.g. made of sand or gravel, are in particular needed at construction sites. The bulk material surfaces are oftentimes used for the creation of substructures. In road construction, a substructure is an intermediate layer which is arranged between the ground and the upper structure which comprises the road surfacing. The substructure serves mainly to achieve a uniform smoothness as well as uniform properties as base for the upper structure.

Furthermore, bulk material surfaces may be used to drain peaty grounds. The weight of the bulk material deposited on the peat soil compresses the ground and squeezes the water out of it.

The usual way to produce substructures is the provision of the bulk material by means of trucks, and subsequent distribution of the bulk material by suitable integration devices, such as dumpers. However, this method causes a multitude of problems. A large number of trucks is needed, wherein the driving time of truck drivers is largely limited to 9 hours. Driveways towards the construction site must be provided and maintained. The use of dumpers at the construction site may lead to undesirable compression of the bulk material or othernegative impact on already existing

substructures. In addition, the large number of vehicles on the construction site may lead to traffic jam and/or accidents. Furthermore, the current method may only be used on particular days and times of the day due to the necessary personnel and the high noise level.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a method as well as a system that enable an improved production of bulk material surfaces, and in particular of

substructure bulk material surfaces. The object is met with a method in accordance with claims 1 and 15 and a system in accordance with claim 17.

The method in accordance with the present invention may in particular be used to produce substructure bulk material surfaces. Preferably, sand or gravel is used as bulk material. Initially, the bulk material is provided to the construction site by means of rinsing or in a rinsing operation. Herein, a mixture of bulk material and water is delivered through a pipe. Afterwards, the bulk material is deposited by means of a conveyer, wherein the bulk material is deposited directly at the place of destination of the bulk material surface to be produced. Preferably, the provided mixture of bulk material and water is drained prior to the deposition, wherein a drainage by means of a sieve-like belt of the conveyer is possible. With other words, the production of a bulk material surface in accordance with the present invention occursin the manner that the bulk material is rinsed to the construction site and is transferred to the starting point of a conveyer. This conveyer transports the bulk material directly to the place of destination and drops it there, producing at the same time the bulk material surface to be created.

Instead of the provision of the bulk material by rinsing, it is also possible to provide the bulk material by other means, e.g. by trucks. The provision of the bulk material by rinsing is hence an optional step and not mandatory for the method in accordance with the invention.

With the method in accordance with the invention, it is possible to produce a single layer of a bulk material surface. However, it is also possible to apply several layers of bulk material.

It is an advantage of the deposition of bulk material by means of a conveyer directly at the place of destination of the bulk material surface that in the area of the already produced bulk material surface, or the bulk material surface to be produced, respectively, no or at least less construction site vehicles, like e.g. dumpers, are necessary. If the provision of the bulk material to the construction site occurs by means of rinsing, no trucks are needed, so that the drawbacks discussed above may be avoided. Rinsing tubes may be installed directly towards the construction site, e.g. starting from a gravel plant, and it is not necessary to create and maintain driveways for trucks.

Preferably, the bulk material is deposited by means of a conveyer along a circular path, in particular along a circular section. It is preferred that the center of this circular path or circular section, respectively, is substantially the starting point and/or substantially the position of the conveyer. The position of the conveyer in this context is the point where the conveyer stands on the ground, e.g. by means of a support leg. The bulk material is hence deposited on the ground circularly, or along a circular section, respectively.

To enable the circular deposition of the bulk material or the deposition along a circular section, it is preferred that the dropping point of the conveyer is displaced along a circular path, and in particular along a circular section about the starting point of the conveyer and/or about the position of the conveyer. It is in particular preferred that the whole conveyer is displaced along such circular path or circular section. Consequently, the conveyer follows a kind of movement of a clock hand, wherein the starting point of the conveyer is the center of the clock, and the other end of the clock hand

corresponds to the dropping point of the conveyer. It is in addition possible that the conveyer makes a seesaw movement, such that the clock hand makes a seesaw movement.

It is preferred that the bulk material is deposited along a meandering path, in particular in that way that the substantially straight sections of the meandering path are directed towards the starting point and/or the position of the conveyer.

Preferably, the dropping point of the conveyer is displaced linearly in the direction of the conveyer. It is particularly preferred that the linear displacement of the dropping point is realized by means of a telescopic conveyer.

By means of displacing the conveyer, or the dropping point of the conveyer,

respectively, a plane deposition of the bulk material, e.g. as described above along a meandering path becomes possible. No heavy construction site vehicles like dumpers are needed to distribute the bulk material in a plane way. However, after the deposition of the bulk material by means of a conveyer, it is preferred to distribute the bulk material evenly, preferably by megns of a movable excavator and/or a bulldozer. Alternatively or additionally, it is preferred to solidify the bulk material, e.g. by means of a roller. When distributing and/or solidifying the bulk material in such way, it is possible to use lighter construction site vehicles that do not show the disadvantages discussed above, and the negative impact may be minimized.

It is preferred that the conveyer is displaced linearly, in particular stepwise. Preferably, the linear displacement occurs in such a manner that the bulk material is deposited in a rectangular area. For example, in a first step, the deposition of the bulk material occurs along a meandering path as a first step. Subsequently, the conveyer is displaced linearly, followed by a second deposition of the bulk material along a meandering path. Thus, a rectangular bulk material surface of any length can be produced step by step. For example, if at a street construction site a substructure bulk material surface shall be produced, the bulk material is initially deposited along a meandering path.

Subsequently, the conveyer is displaced linearly forward, so that a second surface is created subsequent to the first surface, by depositing bulk material along a meandering path. This process including the stepwise displacement of the conveyer may be repeated until the whole surface is filled with bulk material. For street construction sites, it is preferred that the bulk material is deposited over the full width of the surface to be created along a meandering path. When the conveyer is subsequently displaced, the whole bulk material surface may be produced in a continuous process.

According to a preferred embodiment, the provision of the bulk material at the starting point of the conveyor occurs by means of at least one transportation conveyer. It is particularly preferred that several ranged transportation conveyers are used to provide the bulk material to the starting point of the main conveyer. If the bulk material is provided by rinsing, transportation conveyers are used between the end of the rinsing tube and starting point of the main conveyer.

In particular, a transportation conveyer may be ranged in series with the conveyer, and possibly with further transportation conveyers upstream, in transport direction of the main conveyer. Preferably, this occurs after a stepwise displacement of the conveyer. As a result, it is possible to cover a continuously raising transportation distance of the bulk material by means of an arrangement of transportation conveyers in series. Preferably, the provision of the bulk material upstream of the conveyor occurs by means of a scoop wheel. It is hereby preferred that the provision of the bulk material by means of a scoop wheel occurs downstream in the transport direction subsequent to the rinsing of the bulk material by means of a rinsing tube.

In a preferred embodiment, the bulk material provided by rinsing is drained by means of the scoop wheel. Hence, the provision of the bulk material to the construction site occurs by rinsing, directly followed by draining of the rinsed material by means of a scoop wheel. Afterwards, the drained bulk material may be deposited by means of a conveyer, wherein between the scoop wheel and the conveyer is preferably arranged at least one transportation conveyer.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the scoop wheel is displaced in the direction of the bulk material surface to be produced. It is preferred hereby that the displacement of the scoop wheel occurs essentially linearly, preferably by means of winches. This movement proceeds in particular in the direction in which the conveyer is displaced. The displacement of the scoop wheel by means of a winch may be effected in particular in such a manner that a winch is anchored at a distance from the scoop wheel, wherein at least one rope of the winch is attached to the scoop wheel, by means of which the scoop wheel may be displaced. It is preferred that the winch is attached to a bulldozer or another construction site vehicle that acts as abutment, e.g. by carving or by fixing in any other way. It is also possible to move the scoop wheel by pulling it with construction site vehicles or the like. For this purpose, it is preferred to equip the scoop wheel with a transportation device, like e.g. wheels and/or skids.

In a preferred embodiment, additional rinsing pipe tubes are connected in line downstream to the rinsing pipe, and are hence connected to the rinsing pipe in series. This happens in particular subsequent or during the displacement of the scoop wheel, so that a rising transport distance may be bridged. Preferably, the additional rinsing pipe tubes may be pre-mounted in a previous process step, so that the distance of displacement of the scoop wheel can be bridged immediately. ln particular, the rinsing pressure in the rinsing pipe may be raised by means of at least one pressurizer. Depending on the length of the rinsing pipe, more or less pressurizers or more or less powerful pressurizers may be used.

In accordance with the method for producing multiple bulk material surfaces, in particular multiple substructure bulk material surfaces, each bulk material surface is produced by means of a method for producing a bulk material surface as described above, in particular simultaneously.

It is preferred that one conveyor is used for each of the bulk material surfaces to be produced. The provision of the bulk material for each conveyor is effected in particular by means of one single, common scoop wheel. It is possible to use one or several transportation conveyors between the single scoop wheel and each of the conveyers to provide bulk material to the conveyers starting from the scoop wheel. It is also possible to connect further transportation conveyers in line to bridge raising distances when the conveyer is displaced. If the distance shortens, it is also possible to take out

transportation conveyers to adapt the bridged distance.

The system for producing a bulk material surface in accordance with the invention is described hereafter. Features described herein in connection with the method for producing a bulk material surface in accordance with the invention or in connection with the system for producing a bulk material surface in accordance with the invention may be applied to the system and method in the same way, respectiv/ely.

The system for producing a bulk material surface in accordance with the present invention, in particular for producing a substructure bulk material surface, comprises a rinsing pipe and a conveyer. The rinsing pipe serves for rinsing the bulk material to the construction site. The bulk material can be deposited at the place of destination of the bulk material surface by means of the conveyer. The rinsing pipe is connected to the conveyer in such a manner that the rinsing pipe provides the bulk material at the starting point of the conveyer. It is possible to connect the rinsing tube directly to the conveyer, or it is possible that a rinsing basin is arranged between the rinsing tube and the conveyer. It is also possible to arrange further components between the rinsing tube and the conveyer to enable the provision of the bulk material from the rinsing tube to the conveyer. The conveyer may be suitable for draining water from the bulk material. For such purpose, the conveyer may have a sieve-like belt through which the water may drop down.

In a preferred embodiment, the dropping point of the conveyer, and in particular the whole conveyer, is displaceable. This may in particular be in a manner that a plane deposition of the bulk material at the place of destination, preferably along a

meandering path, is possible.

Preferably, the conveyer includes a transportation device, like wheels and/or skids. The transportation device enables in particular a displacement of the conveyer in the direction of transportation of the bulk material. In this way, large areas may be covered with bulk material. Alternatively or additionally, it is preferred that the transportation device enables a circular displacement of the conveyer, in particular along a circular section. The conveyer may hence pivot and the bulk material may be distributed circularly.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the conveyer comprises a telescopic belt, so that the dropping point of the conveyer may be displaced telescopically.

By means of the transportation device and/or the telescopic device of the conveyer is hence a plane deposition of the bulk material, in particular along a meandering path, at the place of destination of the bulk material surface possible. Moreover, it is possible by means of the transportation device to produce several, in particular subsequent bulk material surfaces.

In a preferred embodiment, the rinsing tube departs upstream from a gravel plant and/or a gravel storage. If the rinsing tube departs from a gravel plant, it is possible to connect the rinsing tube directly to a suction excavator in such a way that the bulk material is transported directly from the excavation point to the construction plant. Preferably, the rinsing tube is connected to at least one pressurizer and /or at least one security basin. In such a way, it is ensured that the bulk material may be rinsed, respectively transported safely over a large distance.

Preferably, the system for producing a bulk material surface comprises a scoop wheel. The scoop wheel may in particular be able to drain water from the bulk material. The scoop wheel is arranged between the rinsing tube and the conveyer. A rinsing basin may be arranged downstream from the rinsing tube from where the scoop wheel conveys the mixture of bulk material and water. Such a rinsing basin downstream from the scoop wheel may compensate variations in the water backflow. It is preferred that the rinsing basin is connected to the scoop wheel via a closed, in particular straight pipe to lead the bulk material water mixture to the scoop wheel. With such a piping, bows reducing the efficiency may be eliminated. If the scoop wheel is able to drain water from the bulk material, the bulk material is drained and transported to the conveyer in one step.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the scoop wheel comprises a transportation device and /or a handling device. A transportation device may preferably be wheels and /or skids to displace the scoop wheel.

The handle device may in particular be a winch device. The wingh device may either be a winch or a fixing device for a rope or a winch. With such devices, it is possible to displace the scoop wheel to proceed at another place with the production of a bulk material surface. It is also possible that the scoop wheel comprises an eye or the like to displace the scoop wheel by towing, e.g. by means of a towing device and a vehicle.

In a preferred embodiment, the system for production of a bulk material surface includes a winch that is preferably mounted at a bulldozer or a similar construction site vehicle. The winch may be connected to the scoop wheel that may be displaced in this way.

Moreover, the system for producing a bulk material surface may preferably comprise a transportation conveyer between the scoop wheel and the conveyer. This

transportation conveyer consists of at least one transportation conveyer and transports bulk material starting from the scoop wheel in the direction of the conveyer. If the transportation length changes, for example because of a displacement of the conveyer, further transportation conveyers are added to the transportation conveyer to bridge the raised transportation length. When the transportation length shortens due to the displacement of the conveyer, it is possible to remove transportation conveyers to adapt to the shorter length to be bridged. If no scoop wheel is used, it is possible to use the system of transportation conveyers between the rinsing tube and the conveyer. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one transportation conveyer comprises a transportation device for displacement of the transportation conveyer and/or at least one handle device. The transportation device may preferably be wheels and/or skids. The handle device may enable the lifting of the transportation conveyer, e.g. by means of a crane. Alternatively or additionally, the handle device may enable the displacement of the transport conveyer by towing, e.g. by means of a rope.

The system for producing a bulk material surface may in particular comprise a buffer device. The buffer device may in particular be a further conveyer. Such conveyer may be added to the transportation path of the bulk material between the rinsing tube and the conveyer dropping point, and branching off from the bulk material provision path. In this way, it is possible, e.g. during the displacement of a particular component, to transport bulk material deviating from the main way of transportation to the place of construction of the bulk material surface. Thus, the remaining system which shall not be displaced may remain in operation. It is in particular desirable to keep the rinsing tube in operation since it has long start-up and shutdown cycles.

In the following, the invention is described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the system in accordance with the present invention, and

Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the system in accordance with the present invention for the production of a bulk material surface of figure 1 during the displacement of components of the system.

The system for producing a bulk material surface 100 in accordance with the invention, in particular for producing a substructure bulk material surface in accordance with figure 1 , comprises a rinsing tube 10 for the provision of bulk material to the

construction site. Bulk material in the form of a bulk material water mixture is supplied to the construction site in a rinsing process. The rinsing tube 10 continues upstream of the section represented in the drawing. It is possible to connect the rinsing tube 10 by means of further tubes to a suction excavator or the like in a gravel plant. Depending on the length of the tubing system, it may be necessary to include a pressurizer in the rinsing tube 10 to achieve the necessary pressure. It is in addition possible to provide security basins along the rinsing tube 10.

A rinsing basin 12 is arranged downstream of the rinsing tube 10 at the construction site, where the mixture of bulk material and water is washed up. Subsequent to the rinsing basin 12, a scoop wheel 14 is arranged. It is also possible to surrender the rinsing basin 12 and to connect the rinsing tube directly to the scoop wheel 14.

The scoop wheel 14 comprises skids 66 and two eyes 62 to displace the scoop wheel 14 e.g. by means of winches. The rinsed bulk material is drained by means of the scoop wheel 14. This may e.g. be effected by means of plastic sieves that include the scoops of the scoop wheel. The drained bulk material is hence released at the dropping point 15 of the scoop wheel.

In the embodiment of figure 1 , the further transport of the bulk material at the dropping point of the scoop wheel is effected by a transportation conveyer 16 that is connected to the scoop wheel 14. Depending on the distance to be bridged, a transportation conveyer system 31 is connected to the transportation conveyer 16, consisting of several transportation conveyers 30. These transportation conveyers 30 each have a starting point 32 and a dropping point 34 for receiving and dropping the bulk material. The transportation conveyers 30 further comprise transportation _' devices 36 that may e.g. be wheels to move the transportation conveyers 30 in a rolling way. Furthermore, the represented transportation conveyers 30 comprise eyes as handle devices 38. The transportation conveyers 30 may be moved by means of these handle devices by means of cable winches. The handle device 38 may also be a fixing point for the winch of a crane to displace the transportation conveyers 30 by means of a crane. At the end of the transportation conveyer system 31 , the bulk material is transferred to the starting point 42 of a conveyer 40.

The conveyer 40 comprises a transport device 46. By means of this transportation device 46, the main conveyer 40 may be moved forwardly in the direction of arrow 47. In addition, the transport device 46 enables the movement of the conveyer 40 along a circular path about the center 49. It is possible that the transport device 46 of the conveyer includes two sets of wheels that are arranged perpendicularly to each other to enable a movement in the direction of arrow 47 as well as in the direction of arrow 48. It is also possible to place a panel beneath the conveyer 40 like e.g. a steel plate, to enable a pivoting movement of the conveyer in the direction of arrow 48.

Because of the pivoting of the conveyer 40 in the direction of arrow 48, the dropping point 44 of the conveyer 40 is displaced along the section of a circle, and the bulk material is deposited along such circular section. The conveyer 40 is a telescopic conveyer, where the dropping point 44 may be displaced in the direction of the arrow 43. A combination of the movement along a circular section along arrow 48 and the telescopic displacement in the direction of arrow 43, the bulk material is deposited along a meandering path. The bulk material surface 1 10 is created, wherein the substantially straight meander sections 1 12 are oriented towards the pivoting point 49 of the conveyer 40.

The bulk material deposited along a meandering path in the section 110 of the bulk material surface may be distributed by means of construction site vehicles 50 and /or may be solidified. It is possible to use movable excavators and /or bulldozers and/or wheel loaders and/or earthmovers and/or rollers or the like. After solidification and/or distribution of the bulk material deposited along a meandering path 1 10, a new section of the bulk material surface 100 is created. Following the creation of this section of the bulk material surface, the conveyer 40 is displaced by means of the displacement devices 46, so that the bulk material surface 100 may be continued in the direction of arrow 48. In order to bridge the raising transport distance because of the movement of the conveyer 40, further transportation conveyers 30 are added to the transportation conveyer system 31 and are arranged in line with this system, between the

transportation conveyer system 31 and the conveyer 40.

During the arrangement of further transportation conveyers 30 and the displacement of the conveyer 40, the bulk material is branched off at the dropping point 15 of the scoop wheel 14 and directed to the additional conveyer 22 which transports the bulk material during this time on the stock pile 24. The rinsing of the bulk material via the rinsing tube does not need to be interrupted.

The system for producing a bulk material surface 100 makes it possible to continuously produce a bulk material surface 100 step by step from several bulk material surface sections 1 10, wherein the bulk material is rinsed to the construction site by means of a rinsing tube. The delivery of the bulk material by trucks is not necessary.

It is also possible to connect to the scoop wheel 14 to further transportation conveyer systems 31 with subsequent main conveyers 40 and to produce this way several bulk material surfaces 100 simultaneously. It is for example also possible to produce a further bulk material surface on the bulk material surface 100 which is produced by means of the system represented in figure 1. This is for example possible by

connecting a further transportation conveyer system 31 to he dropping point 15 of the scoop wheel 14, that is directed in the opposite direction of the transportation conveyer system 31 represented in the figure. A further conveyer is then connected to the additional transportation conveyer system that effects a further deposition of bulk material along a meandering path in the direction of arrow 80 on the existing bulk material surface 100.

The two broken lines in the middle represent a discontinuity line in the representation of figure 1. Further, not represented transportation conveyers 30 may be connected in line with the represented transportation conveyer system 31.

The bulk material surface 100 which is in the view of figure 1 on the left hand side of the meandering bulk material surface section 1 10, is an already produced bulk material surface 100. The section on the right hand side of the meandering bulk material surface 1 10 (in the direction of arrow 48) is a surface on which so far no bulk material surface has been deposited.

Figure 2 shows the system for producing a bulk material surface 100 in accordance with figure 1 , during the displacement of the scoop wheel 14. During the displacement of the scoop wheel 14, no further bulk material is rinsed via the rinsing tube 10. It is hence advantageous to displace the scoop wheel 14 at the end bf a working week, and to bridge the raising distance during the week by adding further transportation conveyers 30. The transport or the displacement of the scoop wheel 14 is carried out by means of a transportation device 60 of the scoop wheel 14. In the embodiment shown in the figure, ropes 64 are fixed to the eyes 62 of the scoop wheel 14. These ropes 64 are connected to construction site vehicles that move the scoop wheel in the direction of arrow 68. It is also possible to use winches and anchoring devices instead of towing the scoop wheel 14 with construction site vehicles 51 . The scoop wheel comprises skids and/or wheels 66 to facilitate its displacement.

During the displacement of the scoop wheel 14, the transportation conveyers 30 are stored in the environment of the construction site. The conveyers 30 may hence be added in line to the other transportation conveyers once the scoop wheel 14 is displaced, to transport the drained bulk material to the conveyer 40. The increasing transportation distance between the rinsing tube 10 and the scoop wheel 14, or the basin 12, respectively, is bridged by additional rinsing tube sections 1 1.

By means of such systems for the production of bulk material surfaces, it is possible to produce a bulk material surface, for example for road construction purposes, in a continuous way, and over large distances.