Patent ID: 6179527
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: E02D,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus for inserting flexible members downwardly into underlying earth, said apparatus including:an articulatable mast to be arranged above underlying earth;an elongated earth penetrating mandrel carried by said mast for guided movement therealong and for receiving a flexible member for movement with said mandrel to insert flexible members in underlying earth;a drive mounted on said mast and engaged with said mandrel for driving said mandrel into and out of underlying earth;a vibrator mounted for imparting vibrations to said mandrel to assist movement of said mandrel in underlying earth when said vibrator is energized;the improvement comprising said vibrator including a circular gear mounted for concentric rotation on an axis and supported for rotation about its axis on a frame carried by said vibrator and meshed with a gear rack on said mandrel for imparting vibrations to said mandrel through said gear; andflywheel mass engaged with said gear for simultaneous rotation therewith to impart increased rotational mass momentum to said gear for thereby transmitting vibratory forces from said vibrator to said mandrel through inertial reaction force.