Method and apparatus for underwater pile driving
AssigneeHollandsche Beton Groep N.V.
InventorJoost W. Jansz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Underwater pile driving is implemented by a pile-driving apparatus 14 releasably coupled to a guide sleeve 5 secured to the top of a pile 10. The assembly may be performed on the surface vessel 1 through an opening 4 in a laterally extending platform 2 with the aid of a crane 13, or underwater. The components are lowered on guide cables 8, 9, and after the driving operation is completed, the coupled apparatus 14 and sleeve 5 are raised together. The striking plate 22 for the pile-driving hammer is carried by the apparatus 14.
Claims7
In an apparatus for underwater piledriving including a surface vessel having lifting means for lowering a pile and for manipulating a pile-driving apparatus, said pile-driving apparatus comprising a casing with a vertically movable pile hammer disposed therein, means for driving said pile hammer and a striking plate, said plate being disposed in the lower part of the casing, said casing below the striking plate being provided with a sleeve member, said member adapted to fit on the upper end of the pile, the improvement comprising:
- a quick-acting coupling device for detachably connecting and locking said sleeve member and said casing, and wherein the sleeve member may be supported independently of the casing by the vessel at a region concentric with the center line of the path of the pile, said vessel being provided with flexible guide means, said guide means running from the vessel parallel to the center line of the path of the pile towards the sea bed location where the pile is to be driven, and the guide means cooperating with guide eyes on the pile and the sleeve member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.