Method and apparatus for creating support columns using a hollow mandrel with upward flow restrictors
AssigneeGeopier Foundation Company, Inc.
InventorsKord J. Wissmann, Brian C. Metcalfe
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for installing aggregate piers is provided. A cylindrical hollow mandrel is driven to a desired depth. Aggregate is fed through the mandrel in steps. The mandrel is raised and driven to tamp the aggregate. Physical members in a tamping head of the mandrel allow aggregate to remain in a cavity formed by the mandrel, and prevent aggregate from entering the mandrel during driving.
Claims36
A system for constructing aggregate piers, comprising:
- a mandrel having an upper portion and a tamper head, and a passage extending therethrough for feeding aggregate through the mandrel to the tamper head;
- and
- said tamper head being open to provide a passage for aggregate to pass through the tamper head out of the mandrel, and having a plurality of structural members connected therein for allowing substantially unimpeded free flow of aggregate therethrough when the mandrel is raised during operation, and for preventing aggregate flow back into the mandrel during downward tamping.
A method of constructing aggregate piers comprising use of a mandrel having an upper portion and a tamper head, the upper portion and the tamper head being for allowing flow of aggregate therethrough, the method comprising:
- providing a plurality of structural members connected inside the tamper head in a configuration for allowing aggregate to remain in a cavity formed by driving of the mandrel, and for allowing substantially unimpeded free flow of aggregate through the tamper head when the mandrel is raised during operation;
- and
- preventing aggregate flow back into the mandrel during tamping operations through engagement between said structural members and said aggregate.
A system for constructing aggregate piers, comprising:
- a mandrel having an upper portion and a tamper head, and a passage extending therethrough for feeding aggregate through the mandrel to the tamper head;
- and
- said tamper head being open to provide a passage for aggregate to pass through the tamper head into a cavity, and having a plurality of moveable mechanical flow restrictors which allow for substantially unimpeded flow of aggregate through the tamper head when the mandrel is raised and move to block the tamper head passage into the mandrel for preventing aggregate from flowing into the mandrel during tamping.
A system for constructing aggregate piers, comprising:
- a mandrel having an upper portion and a tamper head, and a passage extending therethrough for feeding aggregate through the mandrel to the tamper head;
- and
- said tamper head being open to provide a passage for aggregate to pass through the tamper head into a cavity, and having immobile passive flow restrictors for allowing substantially unimpeded flow of aggregate through the tamper head when the mandrel is raised and for preventing aggregate from flowing into the mandrel during tamping.
A system for constructing aggregate piers, comprising:
- a mandrel having an upper portion and a tamper head, and a passage extending therethrough for feeding aggregate through the mandrel to the tamper head;
- and
- said tamper head being open to provide a passage for aggregate to pass through the tamper head out of the mandrel, and having a plurality of moveable mechanical flow restrictors connected therein for allowing substantially unimpeded free flow of aggregate therethrough when the mandrel is raised during operation, and for preventing aggregate flow back into the mandrel during tamping.
A method of constructing aggregate piers, comprising use of a mandrel having an upper portion and a tamper head, the upper portion and the tamper head being for allowing flow of aggregate therethrough, the method comprising:
- providing a plurality of moveable mechanical flow restrictors connected inside the tamper head in a configuration for allowing aggregate to remain in a cavity formed by driving of the mandrel, and for allowing substantially unimpeded free flow of aggregate through the tamper head when the mandrel is raised during operations;
- and
- preventing aggregate flow back into the mandrel during tampering operations through engagement between said moveable mechanical flow restrictors and said aggregate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.