SOIL PROCESSING APPARATUS, IN PARTICULAR DIAPHRAGM WALL CUTTER

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2024 107 099.4 filed on Mar. 13, 2024. The entire contents of the above-listed application are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a soil processing apparatus, in particular a diaphragm wall cutter, for creating a trench and to a work-performing machine of such an apparatus. The disclosure also relates to a set and a method for creating a trench.

BACKGROUND

The construction of diaphragm walls is usually carried out by creating trenches using special soil processing equipment and then filling the trenches with concrete, wherein steel reinforcement cages can be inserted into the trenches to stabilise the trench walls. In particular, diaphragm wall cutters or diaphragm wall grabs, which are suspended from machines such as mobile cranes or cable excavators, are used as soil processing apparatuses. Diaphragm wall cutters have one or more cutter wheels as soil processing tool, while diaphragm wall grabs usually have a clamshell bucket as a soil processing tool. The diaphragm walls are typically constructed by producing adjacent diaphragm wall panels sequentially.

SUMMARY

The so-called “pilgrim step” is often used in the production of diaphragm wall panels. In this process, so-called primary panels are created first, which are not placed adjacent to each other, but at a certain distance from each other in the soil. A piece of soil remains in its untouched form between these primary panels. After the primary panels have hardened to a stab-proof state, the connecting sections (so-called secondary panels) can be produced.

The distance between the primary panels is usually slightly smaller than the width of the secondary panels along their long sides (i.e. the secondary panels do not quite fit into the space between the primary panels). As a result, the secondary panels to be produced overlap with the existing primary panels, i.e. there is an overcut in the hardened primary panels. The aim is to create an integrally bonded connection of the final reinforced concrete structure in the floor. An example of such an arrangement of diaphragm wall panels is shown in FIG. 1 in a plan view, wherein a trench for a secondary panel 2 to be constructed is arranged between two already completed primary panels 1, which are each arranged offset by an angle to the trench 2 and overlapped by its corner areas (see areas 3 in FIG. 1), as may be necessary when constructing a shaft, for example. The surrounding ground is labelled with the reference sign 4.

Such a procedure may be necessary, for example, if the produced diaphragm wall is subject to tightness requirements or if the desired strength of the structure requires it. To create this overlapping connection, diaphragm wall cutters are used and their milling tools are used to create an overcut with the already concreted primary panels. However, this must not be too large so as not to damage the steel reinforcement set in concrete.

Diaphragm wall cutters exert a force on the ground in a vertical direction, which is usually generated by their own weight. This so-called feed force is limited on the one hand by the maximum load capacity of the work-performing machine (carrier machine) on which the diaphragm wall cutter is suspended, and on the other hand by the minimum feed force required to keep the diaphragm wall cutter plumb during the working process. The operator must not normally exceed a maximum contact force that is less than the dead weight of the slide cutter under buoyancy. This ensures that the diaphragm wall trencher always realigns itself vertically if its longitudinal axis gradually deviates from the vertical due to the force of gravity. These designs also apply to diaphragm wall grabs.

In order to increase the feed force (for example when creating trenches in hard soil), it is known from the prior art to equip diaphragm wall cutters with clamping devices in order to jam them in the ground during the creation of a trench. By means of a feed mechanism, a downward force (feed force) is generated in the jammed state, which exceeds the weight force of the diaphragm wall cutter under buoyancy. The clamping devices usually comprise outwardly extendable clamping elements that are pressed against the inner walls of the trench in order to jam the diaphragm wall cutter. In known devices, the clamping elements are arranged on the long sides of the usually box-shaped cutter frame.

Jamming of the diaphragm wall cutter to the surrounding ground in the trench leads to a number of problems and challenges. For example, the surrounding ground must be sufficiently resilient to absorb the lateral contact forces of the clamping elements. The contact forces can cause permanent deformation of the ground. The surrounding ground can be affected to an extent that can only be predicted to a limited extent. For example, if there are small distances to existing structures such as foundations or underground transport infrastructure, the resulting deformation can have a negative impact on their stability. In addition, this deformation increases the required concrete volume of the diaphragm wall panels, which increases the material costs. Finally, the varying thickness of the diaphragm wall panels associated with the aforementioned deformation can be a quality-reducing criterion, especially when it comes to wall panels that are later visible in the finished building.

It is therefore the object of the present disclosure to develop soil processing apparatuses and methods of the same type in an advantageous manner and to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages. In particular, an effective and at the same time ground-friendly construction of diaphragm walls is to be made possible.

According to the disclosure, this object is achieved by a soil processing apparatus and by a method as described herein.

The soil processing apparatus proposed according to the disclosure for creating a trench thus comprises a frame extending along a longitudinal axis, which has a rectangular cross-section transverse to the longitudinal axis. In a freely suspended state on a work-performing machine, the longitudinal axis can run vertically. Within the trench, the longitudinal axis can assume an angle to the vertical, especially if the soil processing apparatus is unintentionally or deliberately tilted. The soil processing apparatus can be connected to a work-performing machine and can, for example, be suspended via a cable from the boom of a cable excavator or mobile crane. The soil processing apparatus is in particular a diaphragm wall cutter, but can also be configured as a diaphragm wall grab, for example.

The soil processing apparatus further comprises a soil processing tool arranged on a lower section of the frame, which tool may, for example, comprise one or more cutter wheels or a gripper, as well as a clamping device with at least two clamping elements arranged on opposite sides of the frame. The latter can be actively adjusted relative to the frame, in particular retracted and extended, in order to press the clamping elements against the inner walls of a trench and thus jam or anchor the frame in the ground.

The soil processing apparatus further comprises a feed device for generating a feed force on the soil processing tool within a trench, by means of which the clamping elements and the frame can be actively adjusted relative to each other along the longitudinal axis. If the frame is jammed in the trench via the clamping device, the feed device can be used to generate a feed force that exceeds the weight force resulting from the dead weight of the soil processing apparatus, thereby enabling effective trench creation in a hard substrate or during the production of secondary panels, which requires the partial removal of adjacent primary panels.

According to the disclosure, the clamping elements are arranged on the short sides of the frame. These are the sides of the frame that face the adjacent diaphragm wall panels during the production of a diaphragm wall. A defined surface is created on the short sides of the trench due to the advance of the soil preparation tool, which is arranged underneath the clamping device. If deformations occur in the adjacent ground as a result of the soil processing tool jamming in the currently created trench, these deformations occur in the area of the diaphragm wall to be produced. This minimises the effects of the production process on the ground adjacent to the diaphragm wall.

The arrangement of the clamping elements on the short sides of the frame in accordance with the disclosure is particularly advantageous in the production of trenches in the pilgrim step and, in particular, in the production of trenches for secondary panels. Here, the short sides of the currently produced trench are formed by the adjacent primary panels. As these are already cured, they can be subjected to a greater load for jamming the soil processing apparatus than the surrounding ground, which borders on the long sides of the frame. The clamping elements find defined and reliable clamping partners in the primary panels.

By jamming the frame between adjacent primary panels, it is possible to apply an additional feed force effectively and gently via the feed device. This additional feed force is particularly advantageous in very hard soil when using point-attack chisel cutters or roller-bit cutters. When producing a shaft in particular, the secondary panels are usually produced at a certain angle to the primary panels. As a result, the soil processing tool often does not find uniform conditions in the soil. The resulting forces can vary greatly-even jerkily-over time. This creates forces on the soil processing tool that can significantly influence its position in space.

Jamming of the frame with the primary panels via the clamping device ensures smooth guidance of the soil processing tool, for example the cutter wheels on a diaphragm wall cutter. As a result, the soil processing apparatus moves less erratically (this applies in particular when milling with a diaphragm wall cutter). The forced guidance of the soil processing apparatus or the form fit in the trench improves the vertical guidance of the frame and therefore the vertical course of the trench can be better observed and controlled (and counteracted if necessary).

The clamping elements can comprise a contact plate, the outer side of which contacts an inner wall of the trench in the jammed state. The contact plates can have protrusions such as projections, teeth or the like in order to achieve a more stable contact with the inner walls of the trench.

The verticality of the soil processing apparatus can be controlled during jamming, optionally by means of control flaps optionally installed on the frame and known per se.

In one possible embodiment, it is envisaged that no clamping elements are arranged on the long sides of the frame. All clamping elements of the soil processing apparatus are arranged on the short sides of the frame.

In a further possible embodiment, it is provided that the clamping device comprises at least one clamping actuator by means of which the clamping elements can be actively adjusted relative to the frame. The at least one clamping actuator is optionally configured as a hydraulic cylinder. It is conceivable that opposing clamping elements can be adjusted via a common clamping actuator. However, an embodiment is one in which each clamping element is adjustable via at least one separate clamping actuator, which is connected to the associated clamping element on the one hand and to the frame on the other. The clamping actuator can be articulatedly connected to the clamping element and frame.

In another possible embodiment, the clamping elements can be adjusted transversely to the longitudinal axis. The clamping elements are extended laterally to jam with the inner walls of the trench. Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the clamping elements are linearly adjustable, i.e., can be retracted and extended linearly. Retraction and extension is performed in particular by at least one, optionally several hydraulic cylinders (clamping actuators).

In a further possible embodiment, it is provided that the clamping elements can be actively adjusted in their orientation relative to the longitudinal axis in order to influence the orientation of the soil processing apparatus relative to the trench. In other words, the angular position of the clamping elements relative to the longitudinal axis can optionally be changed in order to thereby change the alignment of the entire soil processing apparatus within the trench. This may be necessary, for example, to correct a deviation from the vertical or to deliberately deviate from the vertical.

In order to be able to actively adjust the orientation of the clamping elements relative to the longitudinal axis, in an embodiment each clamping element can be adjusted via at least two clamping actuators (e.g. a first and a second hydraulic cylinder). The angular position of the respective clamping element can be changed by selectively controlling the clamping actuators.

In a further possible embodiment, it is provided that the feed mechanism comprises at least one feed actuator, by means of which the frame can be displaced relative to the clamping elements in a state in which it is jammed in the trench via the clamping elements. The at least one feed actuator is optionally configured as a hydraulic cylinder. The at least one feed actuator can always be aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame.

In particular, the soil processing apparatus does not have an intermediate frame on which the clamping elements are arranged and which is jammed together with these in the trench, wherein the rest of the frame, including the soil processing tool, can be adjusted relative to the jammed intermediate frame via the feed system. Instead, the clamping elements are mounted on the frame so as to be adjustable, in particular displaceable, parallel to the longitudinal axis, so that in the jammed state the entire frame of the soil processing apparatus can be displaced relative to the clamping elements by means of the at least one feed actuator in order to generate the desired feed force. This results in a more compact design than a solution that requires an additional intermediate frame.

In principle, it is conceivable that the frame is moved relative to the jammed clamping elements via a single feed actuator. However, an embodiment is one in which each clamping element is connected to the frame via a separate feed actuator, in particular an articulated connection, and the frame is moved by actuating all the feed actuators connected to the respective jammed clamping elements.

Optionally, the at least one feed actuator is arranged completely within the frame. This means that the feed mechanism is better protected against damage and stress.

In a further possible embodiment, it is provided that the frame has a modular structure and comprises a lower frame part, an upper frame part and a centre frame part installed between the lower and upper frame parts.

In this case, the soil processing tool is arranged on the lower frame part. In the event that the soil processing apparatus is a diaphragm wall cutter and the soil processing tool comprises one or more cutter wheels, the lower frame part can comprise at least one drive unit and/or at least one gear unit, by means of which the at least one cutter wheel can be driven. Furthermore, the lower frame part can comprise at least one suction opening and a feed pump connected thereto for feeding excavated material produced by the soil processing tool. The at least one suction opening can be formed on a suction box formed between pairs of cutter wheels.

The upper frame part can be connected to a work-performing machine and can comprise a connecting element on an upper side for this purpose, to which, for example, a suspension cable of a work-performing machine can be connected in order to suspend the soil processing apparatus from a boom of the work-performing machine. Alternatively or additionally, the upper part can have connections for connecting hydraulic and/or electrical lines.

The frame parts can be detachably connected to each other via connecting elements (e.g. bolt connections), wherein the upper and lower frame parts can optionally be detachably connected to each other both directly and via the centre frame part that can be arranged between them. In this way, the centre frame part can optionally be installed between the upper and lower frame parts, thereby increasing the overall length of the frame or the soil processing apparatus. Alternatively, the centre frame part can be removed and the upper and lower frame parts connected directly to each other, resulting in a shortened frame or a soil processing apparatus with a shorter length. The components of the soil processing apparatus that are absolutely necessary for soil processing operation are therefore optionally not located in the centre frame part, but in the lower and possibly also in the upper frame part.

The frame of the soil processing apparatus can have a modular structure as disclosed in EP 3 683 361 A1. Explicit reference is made to this teaching.

In a further possible embodiment, it is provided that the centre frame part comprises the clamping device, i.e. the clamping elements are arranged on the short sides of the centre frame part. Alternatively or additionally, the centre frame part may comprise the feed device. Optionally, both the clamping device and the feed device are accommodated completely in or on the centre frame part. Optionally, the centre frame part can comprise the clamping and feed actuators and, in particular, corresponding hydraulic lines and possibly other hydraulic components.

This makes it advantageously possible to retrofit and dismantle the clamping and feed system according to the disclosure. Depending on the application or soil conditions, another centre frame part that does not have these devices can be installed instead of the centre frame part with the clamping and/or feed device (or the soil processing apparatus can be used without the centre frame part). Instead of having to maintain several different soil processing apparatuses (e.g. several diaphragm wall cutters), a single apparatus with one, two or more different centre frame parts can be used, which reduces the capital investment costs.

As explained above, the use of the centre frame section with integrated clamping and/or feed device increases the quality of the trench creation, as drifting of the soil processing apparatus perpendicular to the diaphragm wall plane can be better detected and thus reduced. The extent of the overcut with primary panels can also be better controlled and influenced when the centre frame section is installed. This reduces the risk of excessive damage/wear to the soil processing tool caused by reinforcing steel.

In a further possible embodiment, it is envisaged that the clamping device comprises at least two clamping elements on each of the short sides of the frame. These can be arranged one above the other on each side. In total, the clamping device can therefore comprise at least four clamping elements. The clamping elements can optionally be actuated alternately via the feed device in such a way that a feed force can be generated by means of first feed actuators by jamming via a first opposite pair of clamping elements (e.g. the upper clamping elements), while a second opposite pair of clamping elements (e.g. the lower clamping elements) are moved freely relative to the frame by means of second feed actuators. This allows a continuous feed force to be generated along the longitudinal axis, as the clamping elements are activated alternately on each side and thus one clamping element is active alternately (“milking movement”).

Each clamping element is optionally connected to the frame via a feed actuator. To generate a feed force, the feed actuators of the jammed clamping elements can be extended (soil processing tool is pressed downwards), while the “inactive” clamping elements are brought into position for the next clamping phase via retracting feed actuators. This process is then repeated for the other pairs of clamping elements.

In a further possible embodiment, the clamping elements are adjustable via separate clamping actuators and the clamping elements are mounted so that they can be moved directly or indirectly in guide elements of the frame that run parallel to the longitudinal axis. The clamping actuators are optionally supported directly or indirectly on the guide elements in order to press the clamping elements against the inner walls of the trench. This results in a compact structure and, at the same time, defined guidance of the clamping elements or the frame relative to the jammed clamping elements.

In a further possible embodiment, it is provided that slides are displaceably mounted in the aforementioned guide elements, to which the clamping actuators are in turn connected, in particular articulatedly, in order to be supported thereon and thereby generate the lateral contact pressure forces. Optionally, the feed actuators are connected to the slides, in particular in an articulated manner.

The disclosure also relates to a work-performing machine with a soil processing apparatus according to the disclosure. The work-performing machine can be a cable excavator, but also, for example, a mobile crane or hydraulic excavator. The work-performing machine can comprise a mobile undercarriage, for example with crawler tracks, and a superstructure mounted on the undercarriage so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis, with a pivotable boom. The soil processing apparatus can be suspended from the work-performing machine via a suspension cable, which is guided to a suspension cable winch on the superstructure via one or more deflection pulleys at the end of the boom, for example. The soil processing apparatus is optionally a diaphragm wall cutter.

The disclosure also relates to a set comprising a soil processing apparatus according to the disclosure, the frame of which has a modular structure as described above, as well as at least one further centre frame part which can optionally be installed between the upper and lower frame parts instead of the centre frame part comprising the clamping and/or feed device. This results in the features and advantages described above in this regard. At least one further centre frame part can comprise neither a clamping device nor a feed device. Alternatively or additionally, at least one further centre frame part can have a differently configured clamping device, e.g. with two clamping elements on each side instead of only one clamping element in each case or with a design for larger/smaller feed forces.

The disclosure also relates to a method for creating a trench by means of a soil processing apparatus according to the disclosure. In this case, the soil processing apparatus is optionally configured as a diaphragm wall cutter. In the method, two spaced-apart diaphragm wall panels (primary panels) are first produced. This is done in particular by creating two trenches with the same soil processing apparatus and then filling them with concrete. Reinforcement cages can be used for this. The distance between the primary panels is optionally selected so that it is smaller than the width of the secondary panel to be produced in between along its long side. This means that part of the primary panels must be removed, in particular milled off, to produce the secondary panel.

Subsequently, especially after the concrete of the primary panels has cured, a trench connecting the primary panels is created between the primary panels using the soil processing apparatus by milling or excavating. Optionally, the overlapping edge sections of the primary panels are also milled off. When creating the trench, a feed force is generated by means of the feed device, while the clamping elements of the clamping device are supported on the adjacent diaphragm panels. This is possible because these are arranged on the short sides of the frame of the soil processing apparatus facing the milled sides of the primary panels and not on the long sides of the frame facing the ground.

The contact pressure exerted by the clamping elements (generated by at least one clamping actuator) can optionally be controlled independently of the feed force (generated by at least one feed actuator). For this purpose, the soil processing apparatus optionally comprises at least one control unit that controls the aforementioned actuators.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further features, details and advantages of the disclosure are shown in the exemplary embodiment explained below with reference to the figures, in which:

FIG. 1: shows a schematic top view of a trench for a secondary panel arranged between two primary panels;

FIG. 2: shows a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the soil processing apparatus according to the disclosure within the trench according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3: shows a side sectional view through the soil processing apparatus according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4: shows an enlarged view of the clamping and feed device of the soil processing apparatus in a side sectional view; and

FIG. 5: shows the clamping and feed device with the frame moved downwards.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a schematic top view of a trench 2, which is arranged between two previously manufactured primary panels 1, and has already been explained in the introduction to the description. The overlapping areas 3 can be seen, which result from the fact that the primary panels 1 are arranged at an angle to the trench 2 and are also spaced less apart than the width of the trench 2.

FIGS. 2-5 show an exemplary embodiment of the soil processing apparatus 10 according to the disclosure, which is configured here as a diaphragm wall cutter and is located within a trench 2 in an arrangement as shown in FIG. 1. However, the disclosure is not limited to diaphragm wall cutters and to the arrangement of diaphragm wall panels shown and could, for example, also be used with diaphragm wall grippers.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the diaphragm wall cutter 10, while FIG. 3 shows a side sectional view along the dotted line in FIG. 2. The diaphragm wall cutter 10 has a frame 14 (also referred to as a cutter frame), which has a box-shaped structure with a rectangular cross-section in plan view (i.e. transverse to its longitudinal axis, see FIG. 3) and carries a soil processing tool 15 at its lower end. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, this comprises several cutter wheels 16, for example two pairs of cutter wheels 16 arranged next to each other. These can be driven via gear shields, which are located on an underside of the frame 14. The diaphragm wall cutter 10 can be attached to a work-performing machine, for example to the boom of a cable excavator (not shown), via a suspension cable (not shown) and can be raised and lowered via this.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the end sections of the primary panels 1 that overlap with the trench 2 are milled off to create the trench 2 for the secondary panel to be produced, resulting in two flat side walls facing the short sides 14a of the frame 14, which form stable, load-bearing inner walls of the trench 2. FIG. 3 shows the longitudinal axis 19 of the diaphragm wall cutter 10, which runs vertically in the freely suspended state or when creating a vertical trench 2.

The diaphragm wall cutter 10 has a clamping device 20 and a feed device 30, which interact in such a way that a feed force can be generated in a targeted manner within the trench 2, which acts on the milling tool 15 and thereby supports the milling of the trench 2 and the edge areas of the primary panels 1. The clamping device 20 and the feed device 30 are shown in greater detail in FIGS. 4-5.

The clamping device 20 comprises several clamping elements 22 (in the exemplary embodiment shown, one clamping element 22 per side, wherein two clamping elements 22 per side would also be conceivable), which are arranged on the short sides of the frame 14. Optionally, there are no clamping elements on the long sides 14b of the frame 14. In this exemplary embodiment, the clamping elements 22 are configured as contact plates which can be moved laterally outwards, i.e. extended, via clamping actuators 24. The extension is optionally linear and in particular perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 19. The clamping actuators 24 are in particular configured as hydraulic cylinders (clamping cylinders), which press the clamping elements 22 outwards by extending the piston rods. Two clamping actuators 24 can be provided per clamping element 22.

By extending the clamping elements 22, they can be pressed against the inner walls of the trench 2, thereby jamming the frame 14 in the trench 2. In the application shown, the clamping elements 22 are pressed against the milled walls of the adjacent primary panels 1, which provide stable, load-bearing clamping partners. This prevents deformation of the surrounding ground 4 and avoids the disadvantages described above.

The clamping elements 22 are mounted on the frame 14 so that they can be moved parallel to the longitudinal axis 19 and are connected to the frame 14 via feed actuators 32 of the feed system 30. The feed actuators 32 can be configured as hydraulic cylinders (feed cylinders). In the jammed state, the entire frame 14 can be pressed downwards in the direction of the trench by actuating the feed actuators 32, thereby generating the feed force. The clamping elements 22 are then retracted again, the feed actuators 32 are moved to the starting position and the process starts again from the beginning.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 4-5, the frame 14 can have two guide elements 35 or guide rails running parallel to the longitudinal axis 19, on or in each of which a slide 36 is displaceably mounted. The clamping actuators 24 can be supported on the slide 36 and thus on the guide elements 35 (and thus simultaneously on the frame 14) in order to generate the contact pressure required to press the clamping elements 22 against the inner walls of the trench 2. The feed actuators 32 can be connected to the slides 36 and to the frame 14. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the feed actuators 32 are always aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis 19 and are articulatedly connected to first connecting means 34 of the frame 14 and articulatedly connected to second connecting means 37 of the slides 36.

FIG. 5 shows the clamping elements 22 in a jammed state, wherein the feed actuators 32 are retracted. By extending the feed actuators 32 (see FIG. 4), the frame 14 is moved downwards. In the process, the slides 36 move upwards along the guide elements 35. The guide elements 35 can have lower and upper mechanical stops for the slides 36 in order to limit the travel path.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the slides 36 and the feed actuators 32 are arranged entirely within the frame 14 and are thus protected from the harsh conditions in the trench.

As indicated in FIG. 3, the frame 14 can have a modular structure and comprise, for example, a lower frame part 11, a centre frame part 12 and an upper frame part 13, which are detachably connected to each other via connecting elements, not shown in detail. The lower frame part carries the cutter wheels 16 and can, for example, comprise gear shields, a suction box with suction openings and a feed pump. The upper frame part 13 can comprise a retaining element for connection to a support cable of a work-performing machine.

Optionally, all components of the clamping device 20 and the feed device 30 are arranged in or on the centre frame part 12 (see FIGS. 4-5). This makes it possible to operate the diaphragm wall cutter 10 without the clamping and feed device 20, 30 if necessary and to remove the centre frame part 12 (in this case, either another centre frame part can be installed as an extension or with a different function, or the lower and upper frame parts 11, 13 can be connected directly to each other). Alternatively, the clamping and feed devices 20, 30 could be arranged in the lower frame part 11, in the upper frame part 13 or distributed in several frame parts 11, 12, 13.

Optionally, each clamping element 22 can be actuated via at least two clamping actuators 24, so that the orientation of the clamping elements 22 relative to the frame 14 can be changed. As a result, the alignment of the diaphragm wall cutter 10 and the resulting feed direction of the feed actuators 32 can be advantageously adjusted independently of the verticality of the clamping partner (ground 4, primary panels 1).

The diaphragm wall cutter 10 can optionally have additional control flaps in order to be able to influence the inclination of the diaphragm wall cutter 10. These can be arranged on the long and/or short sides 14a, 14b of the frame 14.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

• • 1 primary panel
  • 2 trench
  • 3 overlap area between trench and primary panel
  • 4 ground
  • 10 soil processing apparatus (diaphragm wall cutter)
  • 11 lower frame part
  • 12 centre frame part
  • 13 upper frame part
  • 14 frame
  • 14a short side
  • 14b long side
  • 15 soil processing tool
  • 16 cutter wheel
  • 19 longitudinal axis
  • 20 clamping device
  • 22 clamping element
  • 24 clamping actuator
  • 30 feed device
  • 32 feed actuator
  • 34 first connecting element
  • 35 guide element
  • 36 slide
  • 37 second connecting element