Patent ID: 9080305
Filing Date: 2015-07-14
Classification: E02B,E02D,F03D,F05B,Y02E

Abstract:
1. Method of providing a foundation for an elevated mass, whereby the foundation comprises a plurality of piles, driven into a substrate according to a geometric pattern, the method comprising the sequential steps of: providing an assembly of a jack-up platform having spud poles and a framed template, the template having a plurality of interconnected sleeve guide members for receiving the piles, arranged according to the geometric pattern, and means for slidably moving the template along the spud poles of the platform, which means comprise a plurality of tension cables that are at one end attached to the template and at another end to winches, provided on the jack-up platform, as well as slidable connections to the spud poles of the platform that are distinct from the sleeve guide members; locating a pile position for at least one pile of the foundation in view of an envisaged position of the plurality of piles; positioning the assembly in a correct position determined by the envisaged position of the plurality of piles by positioning the assembly such that at least one sleeve guide of the template is above and aligned with said pile position; lowering the framed template by varying the length of the tension cables such that the slidable connections slide along the spud poles from an in-operative position close to the deck of the platform towards the substrate to an operative position whereby, apart from its vertical position, the position of the template relative to the platform does not substantially change during the lowering of the template such that the template is automatically positioned correctly in the operative position when the platform is in said correct position, driving a first pile through the at least one sleeve guide with the template in the operative position to fixate the template; driving the piles into the substrate through the sleeve guide members of the template in its operative position; and removing the template once the piles have been installed, whereby removing the template is carried out by lifting it along the spud poles from the operative position towards its in-operative position close to the deck of the platform.