Technical Field of the Invention

This invention is related to a probe configuration that enables performing the discharge and compression operations efficiently.

Background of the Invention

Vibro-floatation process compresses the granular surfaces via horizontal vibrations originated from a vibrator inserted into the surface. Thus, the initial space ratio and the compressibility of the granular surface are decreased.

Through the stone columns created by the vibro-floatation machine, depending on the superstructure project loads and the field and surface conditions, the load bearing capacity of the surface is increased, consolidation time is decreased and the surfaces that liquefy or lost strength in case of an earthquake are reinforced.

In the probes used presently, components having conical geometry are installed to the tip of the probe in order to prevent the stone contained within the probe from falling off. Since said component is supported at a single point and since it is constantly subjected to a load, it may deform eventually and may not perform its function.

In the utility model document No. CN202450507 of the known state of the art, a device that is used in vibro-floatation machines and that enables discharge is mentioned.

Objects of the Invention The object of this invention is to embody a probe configuration that enables flowing of gravel coming from the vibro-floatation machine inside the probe and then that enables compressing it efficiently. Another object of this invention is to embody a probe configuration in which both the discharge and the compression operations are performed in a single step.

Yet another object of this invention is to embody a probe configuration wherein the breaking and failure risk is at a minimum since it is made of steel construction.

Brief Description of the Invention

In the probe configuration embodied to achieve the objects of this invention, there is one main body and one tip. Said main body is preferably manufactured in a hollow cylindrical geometry. There is a conical tapered surface on the end of the tip distal to the main body and due to said surface the tip can apply pressure to the component that compresses the surface (ground) effectively and it can apply said pressure in both the vertical and horizontal directions.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The probe configuration that is embodied to achieve the objects of this invention is shown in the appended figures, in which; Figure 1. is the schematic view of the probe configuration along with the probe machine.

Figure 2. is the perspective view of the probe configuration in closed state. Figure 3. is the perspective view of the probe configuration in open state.

Figure 4. is the cross-sectional perspective view of the probe configuration in open state.

Figure 5. is the cross-sectional perspective view of the probe configuration in open state from a different angle.

Figure 6. is the cross-sectional perspective view of the main body. Figure 7. is the perspective view of the tip.

The parts in the figures are individually assigned reference numbers and these numbers correspond to;

1. Probe configuration

2. Main body

2.1. Protrusion

2.2. Tapered surface

2.3. Internal stopper

2.4. Seating surface

2.5. Discharge mouth

3. Pointed tip

3.1. Contact surface

3.2. Restraining surface

3.3. Wing structure

3.4. Motion preventer

3.5. Flowing space In its basic form, the probe configuration (1) that is used in vibro-floatation machines and that enables performing discharging and compressing operations effectively comprises;

at least one main body (2) in which the element that enables compression of the surface is filled and wherein said element can be easily discharged and also that contains a protrusion (2.1) having a diameter larger than its own diameter;

at least one pointed tip (3) that can move back and forth along the main body (2) central axis at the tip of the main body (2), that enables discharge of the element compressing the surface by creating a space when moved away from the main body (2), that enables dispersing the element both in the vertical and the horizontal directions by applying pressure to the element compressing the surface along with the main body (2) when it is closest to the main body (2), that converts the vertical movement to lateral force and of which the part farthest from the main body (2) has a pointed geometry, that enables pushing the main body (2) towards the surface and separating the surface with as minimum force as possible. In one embodiment of the invention, there is a main body (2). Said main body (2) preferably has a cylindrical geometry and its interior is hollow to fill and discharge the element that compresses the surface. There is a protrusion (2.1) on the tip of the main body (2). The diameter of the protrusion (2.1) is larger than the diameter of the main body (2). There is a tapered surface (2.2) on the side of the protrusion (2.1) opposite to the side facing the main body (2). Said tapered surface (2.2) has a conical structure of which the angle decreases starting from the protrusion (2.1). There is a discharge mouth (2.5) in the center of the protrusion

(2.1) and the element that enables compression of the surface passes through said discharge mouth (2.5).

According to one embodiment of the invention, there is a pointed tip (3) that can move back and forth along the central axis of the main body (2) in the space located inside the main body (2). Said pointed tip (3) functions as a cover when preferred, and it also functions as a pressing member when preferred. One side of said pointed tip (3) has a conical geometry and there is a wing structure (3.3) on the other side which limits the back and forth movement and which prevent the pointed tip (3) from coming off the space where it is positioned. There is a contact surface (3.1) on the conic side of the pointed tip (3). Said contact surface (3.1) applies force to the element compressing the surface in pressed state and enables subjecting the element compressing the surface to a force both in the downward and in the lateral directions and thus being compressed thanks to its conical structure. There is also a restraining surface (3.2) in the pointed tip (3) along with the contact surface (3.1). Said restraining surface (3.2) is located on the other side of the contact surface (3.1) and contacts face to face with the seating surface (2.4) located on the main body (2) and thus provides sealing. On the restraining surface

(3.2) of the pointed tip (3), there is one or more than one wing structure (3.3) that lies parallel to the central axis of the pointed tip (3). Due to such implementation of the wing structure (3.3), the wing structure (3.3) is not subjected to any deformation and can be used for a long time even if a very large load is applied to the main body (2). In this embodiment of the invention, preferably, there are four wing structures (3.3) and the angle between said wing structure (3.3) is preferably ninety degrees. As the wing structure (3.3) may comprise of four wings, it may be embodied in preferred angles and numbers. There is a motion preventer (3.4) on one side of said wing structure (3.3). Said motion preventer (3.4) located on the wing structure (3.3) is in face-to-face contact with the internal stopper (2.3) having a similar slope as this motion preventer (3.4) located inside the main body (2). In the case that the motion preventer (3.4) contacts the internal stopper (2.3), the pointed tip (3) cannot move anymore and maintains this position. Limiting the movement of the pointed tip (3) towards the other direction is realized by contact of the seating surface (2.4) with the restraining surface (3.2). The pointed tip (3) can move along the central axis of the main body (2) and between said two regions in the main body (2), thus it is enabled that the element compressing the surface is discharged along the flowing space (3.5) between said wing structures (3.3).

The operation of the probe configuration (1) according to one embodiment of the invention is performed as described below. When the probe configuration (1) is in the first position, the seating surface (2.4) and restraining surface (3.2) is in contact with each other. When the probe configuration (1) is in this position, the pointed tip (3) is in the sealing state and prevents the element discharged into the main body (2) and compressing the surface from flowing out. When the pointed tip (3) is in this position, the element that enables compression of the surface is discharged into the main body (2) and the main body (2) is filled with said element. Then, the main body (2) is slightly moved, but the pointed tip (3) remains stationary during this movement. Said movement continues until the restraining surface (3.2) and the internal stopper (2.3) contacts each other.

In the case that the restraining surface (3.2) and the internal stopper (2.3) contacts each other, the main body (2) cannot move any further. In this case, the element inside the main body (2) compressing the surface tends to go downward by the action of the gravity and/or by applying an air pressure and such that conveyed to the external environment through the discharge mouth (2.5) by following the flowing space (3.5). Then, the element compressing the surface reaches the part where the contact surface (3.1) is located. After the discharge operation is completed, a force is applied to the main body (2) in the opposite direction of the initially applied one. In this case, the main body (2) first moves in the direction of the pointed tip (3). This movement continues until the main body (2) contacts the pointed tip (3). When the main body (2) contacts the pointed tip (3), the restraining surface (3.2) and the seating surface (2.4) contacts each other. After this step, the force applied by the main body (2) and the pointed tip (3) onto the element that is discharged and that compresses the surface is converted to lateral force. Since the pointed tip (3) is tapered, the vertically applied force is converted to compression force and in this way it is enabled that the surface is better compressed and the hole drilled in the surface creates a column with a larger diameter. Due to said applied force, the element enabling the compression of said surface is created. After the compression step is completed, the process steps continue in the same manner and such that the surface can be completely compressed.

The operation of the probe configuration (1) is performed as described below. In the first position, the pointed tip (3) is fully seated inside the main body (2) and in this state seating surface (2.4) and the restraining surface (3.2) contacts each other and nothing passes between the seating surface (2.4) and restraining surface (3.2). When the probe configuration (1) is in this position, the filler material (preferably gravel) is filled inside the main body (2). After completion of filling the filler material into the main body (2), the main body (2) is slightly moved upward. In this case, due to the weight of the filler material, the pointed tip (3) cannot move with the main body (2) and remains stationary in position. When the main body (2) moves upwards, the filler material moves inside the flowing space (3.5) by gravity and is filled around the pointed tip (3) through the discharge mouth (3.5). In order to compress said filler material filled around the pointed tip (3), this time the main body (2) is subjected to a downward motion and in this case it forces the pointed tip (3) to apply pressure to the filler material. At this stage, the main body (2) approaches the pointed tip (2) again. Since the pointed tip (3) has a conical geometry, when it applies pressure to the filler material, this pressure is not applied in vertical direction but in lateral direction. Due to this lateral pressure force, the filler material is subjected to compression not only in vertical direction but also in lateral direction. Thus, the filler material is compressed better. This process steps continues in this manner until the filler material is completely filled into the drilled hole and compressed.