# US 5,704,732 A · Deep water piling and method of installing or removing

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- Number: US 5,704,732 A
- Document ID: US5704732A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/564,829
- Filed: 1995-11-29
- Granted: 1998-01-06
- Earliest claimed: 1995-11-29
- Assignees: Deep Oil Technology, Inc.
- Inventors: Edward E. Horton, III
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5704732A

## CPC

- E02D 11/00: Methods or apparatus {specially adapted} for both placing and removing sheet pile bulkheads, piles, or mould-pipes (features relating to placing only E02D7/00, to removing only E02D9/00 {; placing apparatus which without special provisions, can be operated to remove, e.g. vibrating drivers E02D7/00})
- B63B 21/26: securing to bed
- B63B 21/27: by suction
- E02D 7/00: Methods or apparatus for placing sheet pile bulkheads, piles, mouldpipes, or other moulds (for both placing and removing E02D11/00; {accessories for coupling driver to piles or the like E02D13/10; for trees or other plants A01G17/16; placing posts E04H17/26})
- E02D 7/28: Placing of hollow pipes or mould pipes by means arranged inside the piles or pipes {(E02D13/08 takes precedence)}
- E02D 2250/0053: using suction or vacuum techniques
- E02D: FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS (specially adapted for hydraulic engineering E02B); UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES {(tunnels, tunnelling, mining E21)}
- B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06)

## Abstract

A deep water pile and installation and removal method that eliminates the need for underwater hammers or pile drivers. The pile is a hollow tube that is open at the lower end and provided with a fitting at the upper end for attachment to a lowering pipe. The fitting at the upper end also for fluid communication between the lowering pipe and the pile. Injecting air into the lowering pipe draws water from the lowering pipe and pile. This creates a hydrostatic pressure differential whereby the greater pressure on the outside of the pile head forces the pile into the sea floor. Removal of the pile may be accomplished by injecting high pressure water into the pile through the pile head. The high pressure water injection aids in overcoming the hydrostatic pressure on the outside of the pile head.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for driving a pile into the sea floor, comprising:
a. providing a surface vessel having air injection means and a derrick having means for raising and lowering pipe;
b. attaching the upper end of the pile to a lowering pipe such that the pile and lowering pipe are in fluid communication and using the derrick in conjunction with the lowering pipe to lower the pile toward the sea floor;
c. closing the upper end of the lowering pipe and injecting air into the lowering pipe to force water from the lowering pipe and pile before the lower end of the pile contacts the sea floor;
d. lowering the pile to the sea floor; and
e. bleeding air from the upper end of the lowering pipe to create a pressure differential which pushes the pile into the sea floor.

### Claim 2

A method for driving a pile into the sea floor, comprising:
a. providing a surface vessel having air injection means and a derrick having means for raising and lowering pipe;
b. providing a pile having a stand pipe through the upper end of the pile;
c. attaching the upper end of the pile to a lowering pipe such that the pile and lowering pipe are in fluid communication and lowering the pile to the sea floor;
d. injecting air into the pile through the lowering pipe, forcing water in the pile out through the stand pipe; and
e. bleeding air in the pile out through the lowering pipe to create a pressure differential that pushes the pile into the sea floor.