Systems, methods, and machines for constructing solar foundations
AssigneeOjjo, Inc.
InventorsJack West, Charles Almy, Steven Kraft, Ian Capsuto, Tyrus Hudson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Improved masts for solar pile driving machines are provided that incorporate inline drilling as well as alignment and assembly devices that enable greater positional accuracy than possible with conventional equipment. In some cases, a jig, holder, or other device on the mast of the machine can be used to place a bearing assembly for a single-axis tracker while the foundation is being installed. Also disclosed are various multi-piece foundation piles that enable positional adjustment between below and above-ground components to compensate for misalignment.
Claims10
A pile driving machine comprising:
- a motorized tracked chassis;
- a mast movably attached to the tracked chassis;
- a pile driver assembly comprising a rotary driver that is operable to move along the mast and to drive a pile into the ground along a driving axis;
- a drilling instrument that is operable to move between a first orientation overlapping with the driving axis of the rotary driver and a second orientation offset from the driving axis of the rotary driver;
- a target on a portion of the pile driver assembly;
- and
- a pile cap holder attached to the pile driver assembly, the pile cap holder operable to orient a pile cap over a driven pile at a position relative to a reference on the target.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.