PILE DRIVING SYSTEM

Abstract: A pile driving system including a hammer mechanism (40), such as an air or hydraulic impact hammer, for hammering a pile, caisson, or similar article into the ground slidably mounted on a beam (42). The beam (42) is hung at an upper end of a boom (22) pivotally mounted on the turntable (18) of a track crawler (12). The upper end of the beam (42) is movable with respect to the lower end thereof to periodically adjust and correct the angle of entry of the pile into the ground, which can also be done automatically through a sensing system (160). The upper end of the pile is positioned in a bell-shaped member (72) in the hammer and the lower end passes through an opening defined by a plurality of rollers (90). The rollers (90) are positioned for rolling engagement with the pile and are mounted on a template (82) secured to the beam (42).

Description: PILE DRIVING SYSTEM Background of the Invention This invention relates generally to pile driving systems, and to systems for installing wood pile, steel caissons, H-piles, and concrete piles. It also relates to systems for driving pilot holes in frozen terrain followed by the installation of the piling in the holes. In the past it is known to use towers or cranes with leads depending from the outer tips thereof to support the pile driving hammer. The leads and hammers are hung from the crane or tower in a "plum bob" type arrangement. An outer cylinder or grabbing jaws secured to the ground provides the guiding means for the lower end of the pile as it was being driven. Excessive frictional force between the cylindrical grabbing jaws and the pile results from this arrangement thereby damaging to a certain extent the piles and/or the jaws. Also, this frictional engagement dissipates to a limited extent the driving force impacted on the pile. The piles driven by prior art methods tend to angle an undesirable amount when driven and no method for straightening them as they were being driven was available. It is important to readjust the direction of the pile as it was being driven, especially when the upper layer of the ground is soft or unstable such as is experienced with peat moss. Further in the past the cranes and tower structures did not provide the mobility, especially in soft terrain, frequently needed for repositioning the pile driving apparatus to make different pile driving locations more easily and readily accessible. Objects of the Invention Accordingly, it is the principle object of the present invention to provide a novel pile driving system for installing steel pile, wood pile, steel caissons, H- pile, and concrete pile, and also for driving pilot holes in frozen terrain. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved pile driving system which can more easily and readily install pile in soft or swampy terrain. A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel pile driving system which minimizes the frictional contact between the pile holding means of the pile driving system and the pile. A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel means of monitoring and adjusting the direction of entry of the pile into the ground as the pile is being driven into the ground. Another object is to provide a sensing means for determining the deviation of the direction the pile is being driven from the desired direction and automatically adjusting the pile. A further object is to provide a novel pile driving system which can use diesel hammers, air hammers, hydraulic impact hammers, hydraulic vibratory hammers, and steam hammers. A still further object is to provide an improved method for more readily initially positioning the pile underneath the hammer. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those persons having ordinary skill in the art from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus embodying the present invention. Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the pile driving mechanism of the apparatus of Figure 1 illustrated in isolation. Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a partially-exploded perspective view of the positioning member of Figure 3. Figure 5 is an enlarged side view of the bell member of the hammer of Figure 2. Figure 6 is a schematic side view of the vehicular turntable of the apparatus of Figure 1 illustrated in isolation. Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Figure 6. Figure 8 is a schematic view illustrating the tilt adjusting means for the apparatus of Figure 1. Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to Figure 1, a pile driving system embodying the present invention is illustrated generally at 10. System 10 includes generally a motive traction means shown generally at 12. An example of such traction means is the Case 50 Crawler series E Excavator, manufactured by J. I. Case, a Tenneco Company, of Racine, Wisconsin, as modified as hereinafter described. The motive traction means includes a pair of tracks 14 and an upper structure 16 rotatably supported by and positioned above the tracks. The upper structure includes a turntable 18 supporting the operator's station 20, a boom 22, a 750 cfm compressor 24 and a hydraulic cylinder 26 which is pivotally attached at one end 28 to the turntable and at its opposite end 30 to the boom. Pivotally attached at the outer end 32 of boom 22 is the pile driving apparatus shown generally at 40. Apparatus 40 includes an H-beam 42 pivotally attached at 43 to the boom. A hydraulic cylinder 44 is pivotally attached at its lower end 46 to the boom and at its upper end 48 to the upper portion of the H-beam at 50. It is readily seen from the drawings that as hydraulic cylinder 44 extends and retracts, H-beam 42 is caused to rotate about the pivotal connection point 43 at the end of the boom. Apparatus 40 further includes a hammer shown generally at 52 slideably connected to the H-beam by connection assembly shown generally at 54. Hammer 52 can be a diesel hammer, an air hammer, a hydraulic impact hammer, a hydraulic vibratory hammer, or a steam hammer. An example of such a hammer is the McKlernan Terry (MKT) 9B3 hammer, which is connected through air hose 56, best shown in Figure 2, to air compressor 24. Connection mechanism 54 is shown to comprise a pair of guide rails 58, 60 mounted to the outer face 62 of the leg of the H-beam. Mounted on the back side of hammer 52 are a pair of opposed C brackets 64 adapted to slidingly engage the rails. A 10,000 pound hydraulic winch, illustrated in Figure 2 at 68, positions the hammer relative to the H-beam, and a similar 8,000 pound hydraulic winch 70 positions the pile P. Pile P is loosely held at its upper end in beE member 72 of hammer 52. As best illustrated in Figure 5, bell member 72 is shown to comprise a cylinder 74 with flailed extended edges 76. Extended edges 76 provide a guide means for guiding the pile into the opening defined by the bell member. Pile P is positioned in the bell member and the hammer strikes the striker plate 78 on the anvil 80 positioned above the beE member, thereby driving pile P into the ground. The bottom end of pile P is held by a template member 82 welded either to a side or bottom surface of the H-beam. Referring to Figure 4, template member 82 is shown to comprise a base member 84 and a pair of spaced parallel legs 86 OMPI and 88 attached thereto. Four rollers 90, 92, 94 and 96 are mounted in a rectangular manner on the template member to define an opening into which the pile is slideably positioned. RoUer 90 is mounted via brackets 98 and 99 and pins 100 and 102 are inserted in the lower legs of the brackets into the corresponding holes 104 and 106 in the template member. As is illustrated in Figure 4, a series of holes are provided for each roUer so that each can be readily repositioned to accommodate piles of different dimensions. A single U-shaped bracket 108 is provided for mounting roller 92 and mounting pins 110 inserted into the selected holes. A similar U-shaped bracket 112 is provided for roller 94. A pair of angle brackets 114 and U6 similar to that of rollers 90 are provided for the front roller 96. In addition to the inclusion of a series of holes in the legs for mounting the brackets in the desired variable locations, a removable pin shown at 118 is positionable through openings in each of the angle brackets and through the center axis of roller 96. Removable pin 118 has an easily-grasped ring 120 at one end and a hole 122 through the other end. The hole is positioned so that when the removable pin has been inserted through both brackets and the roller a locking pin 124 can be easily inserted in the hole securing the roller in place. This provision for the easy removability of the roller is so that the pile can be readily sHpped between the two legs and positioned between roUers 92 and 94 and the outer roller reattached. When in this position, it is easily seen that the rollers each are in rolling engagement with the sides of the pile thereby minimizing frictional contact with the pile. It is further within the scope of the present invention to provide a second identical template member (not shown) attached to the H-beam and spaced above template 82 when greater accuracy in the positioning of the pile is desired. As best shown in Figures 1 and 2, with template member 82 positioned on the ground and pile P loosely held therein, the angle of the pile to the ground can be varied by tilting the upper end of the H-beam. The H-beam can be tilted in a first pitch direction, that is, in the fore and aft directions, by extending and retracting hydraulic cylinder 44. The H-beam can also be tilted side to side, or in the yaw direction, by tilting turntable 18 relative to the tracks 14. In the previously- mentioned Case 50 Crawler, series E Excavator, it is known to tilt the upper structure from side to side relative to the direction of movement of the tracks. The present invention further includes a means for tilting upper structure 16 from front to rear relative to the tracks. This direction of movement is required when boom 22 is positioned generally 90° to the tracks. A means for tilting the turntable relative to the tracks is best illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. Referring thereto, it is seen that four pairs of hydraulic cylinders 130, 132, 134, and 136 are spaced about the centerline of the turntable. OMPI - - Pair 130, as best shown in Figure 6, is pivotally attached at one end to connection plates 140, 142 and at the other end to pivotal mounting brackets 144, 146 mounted to a triangular bracket plate 148. Bracket plate 148 is mounted to the lower member 150 by pivot pin 152. The race and roller bearings 154 therefor are mounted above lower member 150 and the turntable, or turret, is rotatable thereon in a conventional manner. Similarly cylinder pairs 132 and 134 are pivotally connected at one end to plates 156 and 158 and at their other end through plates 160 and 162 to lower member 150. Thus, for tilting the H-beam from side to side, the two pairs of opposed cyHnders positioned most closely on opposite sides of the boom are actuated in the appropriate manner. It is further within the scope of the present invention to provide a circular pattern of cylinders and a means for determining the proper cylinders to be extended and retracted depending on the location of the boom relative to the tracks and cylinders. To determine whether the H-beam, and thus the pile, deviates from the desired angle relative to the ground, or to the level, it is only necessary to place a conventional level against the sides of the H-beam and note the degree of level as indicated. However, it is also within the scope of the present invention to provide an automatic system illustrated schematically at 160 in Figure 8 for sensing the variation of the pitch angle of the H-beam to the desired angle, and automatically adjusting it. Pitch sensor 162, such as a variable resistor, is secured to a side of the H-beam and connected through a line 164 to a solenoid 166 which activates the servo-motor 168 pumping the desired amount of fluid through line 170 to cylinder 44. A similar system illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 senses and adjusts the beam in the yaw direction. Resistors 172 and 174 are mounted 90° to each other on the upper structure. This avoids lengthy, cumbersome lines necessary if the sensor were mounted on the H-beam. Resistors 172, 174 activate the solenoids 174, 176 which start the servo-motors 178, 180, respectively, which then pump fluid to and thus controllably extend or retract their hydraulic cylinders, as was done for the pitch sensor means. Additionally a pile alignment device is provided as shown at 190 in Figure 2. It comprises a U-shaped member having a base and two spaced legs extending therefrom. The legs are positioned to extend horizontally from the H-beam. A bracket is attached to the back of the base. The bracket has a couple of C- clamps which slidingly grasp the guide rails. The pile is positioned between the legs, and a chain is connected to outer points of the legs and extending between them securing the pile in the U-shaped member. A cat line 192 is attached to the OMPI pile alignment device and the line is pulled up the H-beara. When the line 192 pulls the device up the H-beam, it is apparent that the pile is pulled towards and adjacent the H-beam positioning it for engagement in the bell member. From the foregoing detailed description, it will be evident that there are a number of changes, adaptations and modifications of the present invention which come within the province of those persons having ordinary skill in the art. However, it is intended that all such variations not departing from the spirit of the invention be considered as within the scope thereof as limited solely by the appended claims.

Claims: The Claims 1. A pile driving system comprising: a hammer mechanism for hammering a pile into the ground, a supporting means for supporting said hammer mechanism, a holding means associated with said supporting means for holding the pile as said hammer mechanism impacts the pile, and an adjusting means connected to said holding means for adjusting the position of the pile so that it is positioned at the desired angle relative to the ground as said hammer mechanism hammers the pile. 2. The pile driving system of Claim 1 including, said adjusting means including a first adjusting means for adjusting the pile held by said holding means in the yaw direction relative to said desired angle and a second adjusting means for adjusting the pile in the opposite pitch direction relative to said desired angle. 3. The pile driving system of Claim 1 including, said adjusting means moving an upper portion of said holding means spaced above the ground relative to the lower portion of said holding means supported on the ground. 4. The pile driving system of Claim 1 including, said supporting means including at least a portion of said holding means. 5. The pile driving system of Claim 1 including, said supporting means including a beam member and a guide rail means attached to said beam member, and said hammer mechanism including a sliding attachment means adapted to grasp and slide along said guide rail means. 6. The pile driving system of Claim 5 including, said beam member being an H-beam, and said guide rail means being positioned on an outside face of a leg of said H-beam. 7. The pile driving system of Claim 1 including, said hammer mechanism including a bell member providing a downwardly disposed opening into which the upper end of the pile can be positioned, and said holding means including in part said bell member. 8. The pile driving system of Claim 1 including, said adjusting means including a motive traction means, an upper structure supported on said traction means, a boom connected at one end to said upper structure and at a second end to said supporting means, a first moving means for moving an upper end of said supporting means relative to said boom, and a second moving means for moving said upper structure relative to said traction means. 9. The pile driving system of Claim 8 including, said second moving means moving said boom relative to said traction means. 10. The pile driving system of Claim 8 including, an operator's station mounted on said upper structure. 11. The pile driving system of Claim 8 including, said upper structure including a turntable and a rotating means for rotating said turntable relative to an upper structure axis passing through it. 12. The pile driving system of Claim U including, said second moving means tilting said turntable about a first axis fixed relative to said traction means. 13. The pile driving system of Claim 12 including, said second moving means tilting said turntable about a second axis generally perpendicular to said first axis. 14. The pile driving system of Claim 13 including, said first and second axes being generally perpendicular to said upper structure axis. 15. The pile driving system of Claim 13 including, said traction means having a direction of travel, and said first axis being generally perpendicular to said direction of travel. 16. The pile driving system of Claim 8 including, a boom moving means for moving said boom relative to said upper structure. 17. The pile driving system of Claim 8 including, said hammer mechanism being an air hammer, and an air compressor mounted on said upper structure and operatively connected to said air hammer. 18. The pile driving system of Claim 8 including, said motive traction means including a track means. 19. The pile driving system of Claim 1 including, a sensing means associated with said holding means for sensing the position of said pile relative to said desired angle and determining the angular difference therebetween, an activating means for activating said adjusting means, and a transmitting means for transmitting the angular difference from said sensing means to said activating means thereby causing said adjusting means to reposition said holding means by said angular difference. 20. The pile driving system of Claim 1 including, said hammer mechanism being a hydraulic impact hammer. 21. The pile driving system of Claim 1 including, S ^fc R£^7 . OMPI - -- said holding means including a positioning member attached to said supporting means, said positioning member including a roUer means configured to define at least in part an opening through which a pile can pass, and positioned to be in rolling engagement with a pile positioned in said opening. 22. A pile driving system comprising: a hammer mechanism for hammering a pile into the ground, a supporting means for supporting said hammer mechanism relative to the pile, and a positioning member attached to the lower end of said supporting means and, as said hammer mechanism hammers the pile into the ground, holding the pile in position for generally nonrotational entry into the ground at the desired location, said positioning member including a roller means configured to define at least in part an opening through which a pile can pass, and positioned to be in rolling engagement with a pile positioned in said opening. 23. The pile driving system of Claim 22 including, said roller means including a first pair of parallel spaced rollers and a second pair of parallel spaced roHers positioned generally perpendicular to said first pair. 24. The pile driving system of Claim 22 including, said positioning member including a pair of spaced legs, said opening being positioned between said spaced legs, and said roller means including a roller extending between said spaced legs, a mounting means for mounting said roller between said spaced legs, said mounting means including a removable means for moving said roller out of position so that a pile can be positioned between said legs. 25. The pile driving system of Claim 24 including, said mounting means including a pin means extending through said roller and a locking means removably connectable to one end of said pin means. 26. The pile driving system of Claim 22 including, a second positioning member spaced above said positioning member and extending from said supporting means, said second positioning member including a second roller means configured to define a second opening through which the pile passes and positioned to be in rolling engagement with a pile positioned in said second opening. 27. The pile driving system of Claim 26 including, said hammer mechanism including a bell member providing a downwardly- disposed opening into which the upper end of the pile can be positioned, and said positioning member and said second positioning member self-aligning the upper end of the pile directly beneath said downwardly disposed opening when the pile is positioned in said positioning member opening and said second opening. 28. The pile driving system of Claim 22 including, said roller means including at least one roller and a mounting means for mounting said roller to said positioning member, and an altering means for altering the position of said mounting means and thus said roller to thereby alter the dimensions of said opening to accommodate piles of different cross-sectional dimensions. 29. A pile driving system comprising: a hammer mechanism for hammering a pile into the ground, a supporting means for supporting said hammer mechanism, a guide rail means attached to said supporting means, said hammer mechanism being adapted to slide along said guide rail means, a holding means for holding the pile as said hammer mechanism impacts the pile, and a pile alignment device comprising a U-shaped member with a pair of spaced legs and a base member interconnecting said legs, an attachment means for slidingly attaching said base member to said guide rail means in a horizontal manner with said legs extending out from said supporting means, a chain means attachable to outer points of said legs, extending between them and securing therein a pile positioned between said legs, and a pile line means attachable to said U-shaped member for pulling said U-shaped member up along said guide rail means, when a pile is secured between said legs, by said chain means thereby positioning the upper end of the pile beneath said hammer mechanism. OMPI

Inventors: DEAN MILES, DEAN, MILES
Applicants: DEAN MILES, DEAN, MILES
Application year: 1984
Main classification: E21C11
IPC codes: E02D7