Helical piles with sensors and data acquisition unit
AssigneeThe Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
InventorAmy Cerato
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pile for use in a ground pile system has a tubular body and one or more sensor modules attached to the tubular body. Each of the one of more sensor modules includes a sensor guard that has a perimeter and a sensor nested within the sensor guard. The sensor is recessed within the perimeter of the sensor guard to protect the sensor during installation of the pile. A data acquisition unit can be used to receive data from the one or more sensor modules. The data acquisition unit includes a solar panel array, a battery charged by the solar panel array, a modem powered by the battery, and a computer powered by the battery. The computer is configured to receive signals from the sensors and transmit the signals to a remote operation center through the modem.
Claims16
A pile for use in a ground pile system, the pile comprising:
- a tubular body having an exterior surface;
- a plurality of helical discs attached to the tubular body;
- and
- one or more sensor modules attached to the exterior surface of the tubular body, wherein each of the one of more sensor modules comprises:
- a sensor guard that has a perimeter extending away from the exterior surface, the sensor guard comprising:
- one or more cross members attached to the exterior surface of the tubular body;
- and
- a plurality of legs connected to the one or more cross members;
- and
- a sensor nested within the sensor guard, wherein the sensor is recessed within the perimeter of the sensor guard, such that when the pile is in a vertical orientation, the sensor is located above at least one of the one or more cross members.
A ground pile system for use in stabilizing a tower, the ground pile system comprising:
- a data acquisition unit;
- and
- a pile supporting the tower, wherein the pile comprises:
- a tubular body having an exterior surface;
- a plurality of helical discs attached to the tubular body;
- and
- one or more sensor modules attached to the exterior surface of the tubular body, wherein each of the one of more sensor modules comprises:
- a sensor guard extending outward from the exterior surface, the sensor guard comprising:
- one or more cross members attached to the exterior surface of the tubular body;
- and
- a plurality of legs connected to the one or more cross members;
- and
- a sensor nested within the sensor guard, wherein the sensor is recessed within a perimeter of the sensor guard, such that when the pile is in a vertical orientation, the sensor is located above at least one of the one or more cross members.
A system for detecting loads imposed on a ground pile system configurable for supporting or stabilizing a tower or other structure, the system comprising:
- a ground pile, wherein the ground pile comprises:
- a tubular body having an exterior surface;
- a plurality of helical discs attached to the tubular body;
- and
- one or more sensor modules attached to the exterior surface of the tubular body;
- and
- wherein each of the one of more sensor modules comprises:
- a sensor guard extending outward from the exterior surface, the sensor guard comprising:
- one or more cross members attached to the exterior surface of the tubular body;
- and
- a plurality of legs connected to the one or more cross members;
- and
- a sensor nested within the sensor guard, such that when the pile is in a vertical orientation, the sensor is located above at least one of the one or more cross members;
- and
- a data acquisition unit, wherein the data acquisition unit is configured to receive signals from the sensors and transmit the signals to a remote operation center.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.