# US 7,585,133 B2 · Method and apparatus for driving a pile into underwater substrates > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,585,133 B2 - Document ID: US7585133B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/910,965 - Filed: 2006-04-04 - Published: 2009-05-21 - Granted: 2009-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2005-04-14 - Assignees: Fast Frames (UK) Limited - Inventors: Clive Jones - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7585133B2 ## CPC - E02D 7/16: Scaffolds {or supports} for drivers {(guide frames for the elements to be driven per se E02D13/04; supports of the artificial island type E02B17/00)} - E02D 13/04: Guide devices; Guide frames {(as parts of the driver scaffold E02D7/16)} - E02D: FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS (specially adapted for hydraulic engineering E02B); UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES {(tunnels, tunnelling, mining E21)} ## Abstract Apparatus (10) for driving a pile into an underwater substrate, comprises a pile guide (11) having a base frame (12) with a guide member (14) mounted thereon, the guide member configured to guide a pile as it is driven into a substrate when the base frame is resting thereon. The base frame (12) defines a substantially rectangular platform (16) for carrying a device for driving a pile into a substrate, and a power supply for supplying power to drive the device, during deployment. Once deployed, a pile (50) is positioned in the guide member (14) and the device (2) is lifted onto the pile (50). The power supply (30) drives the device (2) as the pile (50) is driven into the substrate. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Apparatus for driving a pile into an underwater substrate, comprising: a pile guide comprising a base frame and a guide member mounted on the base frame, the guide member being configured to guide a pile as it is driven into a substrate when the base frame is resting thereon; a device for driving a pile into a substrate; and a power supply for supplying power to drive the device; wherein that the base frame of the pile guide defines a platform configured to carry the device and power supply when the pile guide is being moved into position for pile driving. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the device is a hydraulic hammer for driving piles into the substrate through repeated impacts. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the device is a suction pump for driving suction piles or caissons into the substrate through a pressure differential. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the platform may include a mount for supporting the device when coupled thereto. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) Apparatus according to claim 4, in which the mount is configured to support the device in a predetermined orientation when coupled thereto. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the power supply is configured to supply mechanical or electrical power. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the power supply is configured to supply hydraulic power direct to the device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) Apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a hose for supplying hydraulic power from the power supply to the device during pile driving. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) Apparatus according to claim 8, in which the device includes a protuberant arm for guiding the hose to one lateral side of the device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the power supply is part of a remotely operated vehicle, or a work remotely operated vehicle, detachably mounted on the platform of the pile guide. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) Apparatus according to claim 10, in which the remotely operated vehicle, when mounted on the platform, is configured to provide thrust for control of pile guide orientation during deployment. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) Apparatus according to claim 10, in which the platform of the pile guide includes a docking station for repeated attachment/detachment of the remotely operated vehicle thereto. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) Apparatus according to claim 12, in which the docking station has an interface panel configured to receive power from the remotely operated vehicle when attached to the docking station. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) Apparatus according to claim 13, in which the remotely operated vehicle and interface panel include mating connectors for communication between the power supply and the interface panel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) Apparatus according to claim 14, in which the connectors matingly engage automatically as the remotely operated vehicle attaches to the docking station. ### Claim 16 A method of driving a pile into an underwater substrate, comprising: providing apparatus comprising: a pile guide comprising a base frame and a guide member mounted on the base frame, the guide member being configured to guide a pile as it is driven into a substrate when the base frame is resting thereon; a device for driving a pile into a substrate; and a power supply for supplying power to drive the device, with the base frame of the pile guide defining a platform configured to carry the device and power supply when the pile guide is being moved into position for pile driving; positioning the apparatus on the substrate; positioning a pile in the pile guide member; moving the device from the platform of the base frame to engage the pile; and driving the pile into the substrate by using the power supply to power the device. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A method according to claim 16, further comprising storing the driving device on the platform of the base frame after the pile has been driven into the substrate and before a new pile is driven into the substrate. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) A method according to claim 16, in which the device has a rest position on the platform of the base frame and an operational position on a pile in the pile guide member, with the method further comprising moving the device between its rest position and its operational position by a crane above water level. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A method according to claim 18, further comprising using the crane to raise and lower the pile guide and to position the pile in the pile guide member. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) A method according to claim 16, in which the device is one of a hydraulic hammer and a suction pump, with the piles respectively being one of regular piles and suction piles. ### Claim 21 (depends on 16) A method according to claim 16, in which the power supply is part of a remotely operated vehicle or a work remotely operated vehicle detachably mounted on the platform of the pile guide. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) A method according to claim 21, further comprising detaching the remotely operated vehicle from the platform of the base frame to perform a task associated with pile driving. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) A method according to claim 22, in which the task is selected from the group consisting of: inspecting the pile in the pile guide member; releasing fastenings attaching the device to the base frame; coupling the device to lifting means; inspecting engagement between the device and the pile; inspecting the pile once driven into the substrate; and coupling the pile guide to lifting means. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) A method according to claim 22, in which the platform of the base frame includes a docking station for re-attachment of the remotely operated vehicle to the platform once the or each task is completed. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) A method according to claim 24, in which the docking station has an interface panel configured to receive power from the remotely operated vehicle when attached to the docking station. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) A method according to claim 25, in which the remotely operated vehicle and interface panel includes mating connectors for communication of power from the former to the latter. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) A method according to claim 24, further comprising establishing mating engagement of the connectors by re-attaching the remotely operated vehicle to the platform via the docking station. ### Claim 28 (depends on 21) A method according to claim 21, further comprising using the remotely operated vehicle to provide thrust for control of pile guide orientation and position during deployment. ### Claim 29 (depends on 16) A method according to claim 16, further comprise controlling orientation of the device relative to the pile in the pile guide member when engaging the pile.