Patent ID: 6543966
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: E02D

Abstract:
A drive system for inserting into the ground an elongate member defining a member axis, comprising:a support plate; a support system that engages the ground and supports the support plate at a substantially fixed height above a desired location; an insertion housing defining an opening through which the elongate member passes as the elongate member is driven into the ground; a suppression system operatively connected between the support plate and the insertion housing to support the insertion housing above the desired location and resiliently oppose relative movement between the support plate and the insertion housing; at least one drive gear mounted to the insertion housing, where the drive gear engages the elongate member such that rotation of the drive gear displaces the elongate member along the member axis; a vibratory system for creating vibratory forces, where the vibratory system is substantially symmetrically arranged within the insertion housing relative to the member axis such that vibratory forces created thereby are transmitted to the elongate member through the at least one drive gear substantially along the member axis; wherein rotation of the drive gear crowds the elongate member into the ground, operation of the vibratory system vibrates the elongate member into the ground, and rotation of the drive gear and operation of the vibratory system together crowds and vibrates the elongate member into the ground.