Systems and methods for driving large diameter caissons
AssigneeAmerican Piledriving Equipment, Inc.
InventorJohn L. White
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for driving a large diameter caisson into the ground, comprising a crane assembly, a plurality of vibratory devices, a clamp assembly, a suspension assembly, and a timing system. Each vibratory device generates a vibratory force. The clamp assembly rigidly secures each of the vibratory devices to one of a plurality of predetermined angularly spaced locations about the caisson. The suspension assembly connects the vibratory devices to the crane assembly such that transmission of vibratory forces from the vibratory devices to the crane assembly is inhibited. The timing system operatively connects the plurality of vibratory devices to synchronize the vibratory forces generated thereby.
Claims19
A system for driving a large diameter caisson into the ground, comprising:
- a crane assembly;
- a plurality of vibratory devices, where each vibratory device generates a vibratory force;
- a clamp assembly for rigidly securing each of the vibratory devices to one of a plurality of predetermined angularly spaced locations about the caisson;
- a suspension assembly for connecting the vibratory devices to the crane assembly such that transmission of vibratory forces from the vibratory devices to the crane assembly is inhibited;
- and
- a timing system operatively connecting the plurality of vibratory devices to synchronize the vibratory forces generated thereby.
A method of driving a large diameter caisson into the ground, comprising:
- providing a plurality of vibratory devices for generating vibratory forces;
- connecting the plurality of vibratory devices to a crane assembly such that transmission of vibratory forces from the vibratory devices to the crane assembly is inhibited;
- rigidly securing each of the vibratory devices to one of a plurality of predetermined angularly spaced locations about the caisson;
- operating each of the plurality of vibratory devices such that the vibratory devices each generate a vibratory force;
- operatively connecting the plurality of vibratory devices together to synchronize the vibratory forces generated thereby.
A system for driving a large diameter caisson into the ground, comprising:
- a crane assembly;
- a plurality of vibratory devices, where each vibratory device comprises:
- a housing;
- and
- eccentric weights mounted within the housing, where rotating the eccentric weights in opposite directions generate vibratory forces;
- a clamp assembly for rigidly securing each of the vibratory devices to one of a plurality of predetermined angularly spaced locations about the caisson;
- a suspension assembly for connecting the housings of the vibratory devices to the crane assembly such that transmission of vibratory forces from the vibratory devices to the crane assembly is inhibited;
- and
- a timing system comprising at least one gear box, and a plurality of shafts;
- where
- each shaft extends between the eccentric weights of one of the vibratory devices and the at least one gear box;
- and
- rotation of the eccentric weights of one of the vibratory devices is transmitted to rotation of the eccentric weights of another of of the vibratory devices through the at least one gear box and the plurality of shafts such that the vibratory forces generated by the vibratory devices are synchronized.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.