Patent ID: 6536993
Filing Date: 2003-03-25
Classification: E02D,E21B

Abstract:
A method of installing a pile into the ground underwater to create a mooring anchorage, said method comprising:i. providing a hollow pile and an elongate drive member extending within the pile; ii. supporting a drill bit at an end of the elongate drive member and exteriorly of the hollow pile by means of a rotary bearing assembly mounted within the hollow pile adjacent the drill bit; iii. providing a releasable connection between the drill bit and the elongate drive member said releasable connection being disposed within the hollow pile and inwardly of the bearing assembly relative to the hollow pile; iv. providing a mooring connection on the exterior of the pile in a pre-determined location remote from the drill bit, the mooring connection having an opening disposed laterally of the pile for receiving a mooring termination and v. utilizing drive means to impart rotary motion only to the drill bit, via the drive member and the bearing assembly, relative to the pile while engaging the drill bit with the ground underwater to produce a hole into which the pile is sunk.