Patent Abstract:
An apparatus and method for deep earth grounding includes positioning a power driver at a site, the power driver comprising a frame and an impact hammer operatively connected to the frame, adjusting placement of the impact hammer, raising the impact hammer, driving 10 foot sectioned grounding rods down into the ground at the site using the hammer, testing resistance, and determining if more additional grounding rods are necessary based on the resistance. A power driver device includes an open frame, guide rails operatively connected to the frame, an impact hammer operatively connected to the guide rails and moveable along the guide rails, and a hand crank assembly operatively connected to the frame and configured for raising the guide rails and the impact hammer up and down along the frame.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of a provisional application Ser. No. 61/022,711 filed Jan. 22, 2008, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to grounding. More particularly, the present invention relates to deep earth grounding. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Proper earth grounding has become increasingly important with increased use of electronic equipment in residences and businesses. Electronic and computer equipment are continuously upgraded and require better grounding to eliminate production problems. In fact, proper earth grounding is needed to reduce or eliminate static charge build-up and power surges, including those from lightning, which can cause power failures, damage electronic equipment, or otherwise creates costly and inconvenient problems. 
         [0004]    Although it is generally recognized that grounding rods are preferable to methods such as using the water supply line, there is often little understanding regarding how deep grounding rods must be for a particular location. This can result in installing grounding rods at insufficient depths which fail to adequately reduce or eliminate static charge build-up and power surges, and further provide adequate grounding. In addition, due to a lack of understanding regarding how deep grounding rods must be for a particular location, especially considering the all the different types of sub-terrain materials resulting in different electrically conductivity, often times engineers and electricians fail to properly diagnose insufficient grounding as the problem. 
         [0005]    Where grounding rods are installed, grounding rods are generally installed by one of four methods, with all of these methods operator personal safety is a prevailing concern. 
         [0006]    According to a first method, a truck mounted power driver may be used. There are several problems with such a method. First, there needs be proper accessibility at the site for this type of large equipment. In addition, there may be availability issues for such equipment and the use of such equipment is often costly. 
         [0007]    According to a second method, a commercial driver may be used which is generally a variation of the post driver. A third method is to construct tools that resemble fence post drivers or shortened sledge hammers. A fourth method is to use sledge hammers. These methods are not easy to use, labor intensive, and time consuming. Furthermore, these methods entail exposing the operator to varying degrees of danger. For example, with the third and fourth methods, the operator must position him/herself above the ground at the height of the rod. If a 10 foot rod is being driven into the ground, the operator must be able to access the top of the rod. This typically is done using a ladder and can be very dangerous as the operator is on a ladder trying to drive the rod into the earth. The installation process can be even more dangerous where a single operator without assistance of another is practicing these methods, which is typically is the case in the field as companies try to conserve resources, time, money and manpower. Needless to say, significant injury and even death has occurred on occasion where the operator has lost his/her balance and fallen upon the rod or been struck by the tool used to impact and drive the rod into the earth. 
         [0008]    The combination of not understanding the proper depth for grounding rods in addition to the labor intensiveness of installing grounding rods tends to compound the problem of not providing sufficient deep earth grounding. 
         [0009]    What is needed is an efficient and effective method, system and apparatus for deep earth grounding. 
         [0010]    Therefore, it is a primary object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to improve over the state of the art. 
         [0011]    It is a further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide state of the art methods, systems and apparatuses for deep earth grounding. 
         [0012]    Another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide for effective deep earth grounding. 
         [0013]    A still further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide an easy and safe method for driving deep grounding rods. 
         [0014]    Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a driver for grounding rods which allows for safe and rapid installation. 
         [0015]    A still further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a method, system and equipment for deep earth grounding which allows for installing ground rods to a sufficient depth to assist in preventing grounding problems. 
         [0016]    Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide equipment to assist in deep earth grounding which is easy to maneuver, user friendly, and safe to operate and install ground rod. 
         [0017]    A still further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide equipment which allows deep earth grounding to be performed by a single individual. 
         [0018]    Another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a method, system and equipment for deep earth grounding that accounts for the various types of earth in which the ground rod is installed. 
         [0019]    These and/or other objects, features, or advantages of the present invention will become apparent. No single embodiment of the present invention need achieve all or any particular number of the foregoing objects, features, or advantages. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    According to one aspect of the present invention a method of deep earth grounding is provided. The method includes positioning a power driver at a site, the power driver comprising a frame and an impact hammer operatively connected to the frame, adjusting placement of the impact hammer, raising the impact hammer, driving at least one or more grounding rods down into the ground at the site using the hammer, testing resistance, and determining if at least one or more additional grounding rods are necessary based on the resistance. 
         [0021]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a power driver device is provided. The power driver device may include a frame having vertical members extending from top to bottom and horizontal members, the horizontal members extending away from the vertical members at the bottom such that the frame is an open frame; guide rails operative connected to the frame. The device may also include an impact hammer operatively connected to the guide rails and moveable along the guide rails, and a hand crank assembly operatively connected to the frame and configured for raising the guide rails and the impact hammer up and down along the frame. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a side view of one embodiment of a driver device. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the driver device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is another side view of the driver device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the driver device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5A  is a front view of another driver device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5B  is a side view of another driver device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of the earth at an installation site using the driver device to install the grounding rod. 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  is a front elevation view of the driver device in a position for trailering and transporting. 
           [0030]      FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of a funneling device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 8B  is an underside view of the funneling device shown in  FIG. 8A . 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a test cart device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0033]    The present invention is directed towards a device and related methods for deep earth grounding. 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a device  10 . The device  10  has a frame  12  which includes upright or vertical members  16  operatively connected to horizontal members  18 . In operation, an impact hammer assembly  19  is raised or lowered. 
         [0035]    An impact hammer  20  (or impact driver) is supported on rails  22 . The impact hammer  20  is preferably electric, but could be pneumatically, hydraulically or gas driven. Straps  24  allow for the impact hammer  20  to be moveably positioned along the rails  22  and secured in place as best illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The ability of the impact hammer  20  to be positioned horizontally along the rails  22  is advantageous as it enhances accessibility to different site locations that may not be otherwise reached. For example, the impact hammer  20  may be positioned right up against or along side a vertical wall or in other locations which would otherwise be inaccessible using other methods. Straps  24  are shown for moving the impact hammer  20  horizontally along the rails  22 . 
         [0036]    The frame  12  allows for open front access which assists in maneuverability of the device  10  as shown in FIG.  4  &amp;  5 A-B. The open front access can be highly advantageous. The impact hammer  20  may be lifted up, and jacks  30  may be raised and the power driver  10  may then be backed away from a rod  46  extending from the ground. Thus, for example if a rod  46  cannot be driven into the earth all the way because of some underground obstruction, the rod  46  does not need to be removed before the device  10  can be moved. This allows the operator to access the point where the rod  46  and earth junction without having the device  10  hanging overhead to prevent possible injury or harm to the operator if an accident were to occur. 
         [0037]    In the case of device  10  shown in  FIG. 4 , the handle  38  attached to tug bar  40  detaches from the front of the device  10  to open the front of the device  10 . When not in the open face configuration shown in  FIG. 4 , the handle  38  attached to tug bar  40  may be used to assist in moving the device  10  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Because there is no axle extending between and connecting the front wheels  34 , removal of tug bar  40  provides an open front  64  of device  10 , allowing for open front access. Such open front access can be particularly useful for moving the device  10  away from a rod  46  protruding from the ground (as best illustrated in  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0038]      FIG. 5A-B  show another embodiment of device  10  having a continuously open front  64 . In  FIG. 5A-B , horizontal members  18  extend forward from vertical members  16  of device  10  and are supported by casters  62  at the open front  64 . The open front  64  of device  10  shown in  FIG. 5A-B  allows device  10  to be moved into position and away from and overtop the work area even when an obstruction, such as rod  46  is protruding from the ground without having to alter the configuration of device  10 . The open front  64  of device  10  also provides for better maneuverability in tight areas, such as for example where device  10  is maneuvered around comers, through hallways and doors to access or be correctly positioned at the worksite. Device  10  may configured to have a narrower stance (shorter distance between horizontal members  18 ) and wheelbase, and vertical members  16  may be reduced in height so that device  10  can be maneuvered and operated easier in tight or restrictive quarters. 
         [0039]    There is a wheel  34  at one end of each horizontal member  18  and another wheel  34  at the opposite end of each horizontal member  18 , which could be attached to either the horizontal member  18  or vertical member  16  of frame  12 . Each wheel  34  allows for swivel movement over a full 360 degree range. In the case of device  10  shown in  FIG. 5A-B , front wheels (casters  62 ) and rear wheels  34  are substantially in plane with horizontal member  18  so that the overall width of device  10  is no wider than needed. This enhances maneuverability of the device  10  and ensures that device  10  can be maneuvered through tight spaces, even a standard size door, to access the installation site  56 , such as for example where the installation site  56  is only accessible by passing through a building or other structure. 
         [0040]    Akin to outriggers, jacks  30  may be extended and used to elevate the device  10  off of the wheels and provide stabilizing support  34  during the driving process as shown in  FIG. 6 . Jacks  30  are preferably removably and rotatably attached to horizontal members  18 . For example, jacks  30  may be rotated between transport  66  and working positions  68  as shown in  FIG. 3 ,  4 , and  5 A-B. In working position  68 , jacks  30  may also be extended outward away from horizontal members  18  or frame  12  to provide a larger support, base or footing for supporting operation of and leveling for device  10 . In the transport position  66 , jacks  30  may be rotated and pinned in position, such as for example as shown in  FIG. 1 . Jacks  30  may also be unpinned from frame  12  or horizontal members  18 , removed and set aside or temporarily hinged or pinned out of the way and/or to frame  12 , such as shown in  FIG. 5A-B . Removal of jacks  30  from horizontal members  18  or frame  12  allows the overall width of device  10  to be no wider than needed. This allows device  10  to be maneuvered through and operated in tight or confined areas. The present invention further contemplates that horizontal members  18  may be removably mounted to frame  12  for storage and/or transport of device  10  in the reclined position (shown in  FIG. 7 ). Wheels  34  could also include wheel locks for securing device  10  whether while in operation or in transit between installation sites  56 . 
         [0041]    A crank assembly  42  with manual hand crank  44  is used to raise and lower the impact hammer on driver  20  up and down vertical members  16 . The present invention contemplates that hammer  20  may be electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically raised and lowered about vertical members  16 . Ideally, the impacting end of hammer  20  is lowered at a rate during impacting such that a ½ inch to 1 inch gap is continually maintained between the impacting surface of the hammer  20  and the end of rod  46 . This is ideal as is maximizes the impacting efficiency of hammer  20  and thereby minimizes the time required to impact the rod  46  into the ground. Device  10  may include one or more leveling indicators to indicate to the operator when device  10  is level relative to the installation site  56 . 
         [0042]    Device  10  includes a carriage  70  having rails  22  for supporting hammer  20 . As previously mentioned, hammer  20  is attached to rails  22  by straps  24 . Opposing handles of hammer  20  are inserted into elastomeric bushings, which are secured within straps  24 . Elastomeric bushings help cushion operation of and absorb the vibrations from hammer  20 . Carriage  70  also includes rollers  72  for rotatably supporting vertical translation of hammer  20  during impacting. Rollers  72  are adjustable along horizontal all thread members, whereby rollers  72  may be adjusted to a position directly adjacent the barrel of hammer  20  for sandwiching hammer  20  between the rollers  72 . The present invention also contemplates that hammer  20  may be rotated or inclined within carriage  70  by altering the position of rollers  72  along the horizontal all thread members; however, it is preferable to keep hammer  20  vertical relative to the installation site  56  at all times to maximize the impacting efficiency of the hammer  20  and reduce wear and tear on the hammer  20  and the rod  46  being installed. 
         [0043]      FIG. 2  provides a front view of the device  10  of  FIG. 1 . Note that two jacks  30  are present on opposite sides of device  10  for raising and supporting the device once device  10  is in position at the installation site  56 . Jacks  30  may be removed thereby narrowing the width of device  10  to increase the maneuverability of device  10  in tight quarters. 
         [0044]    As best illustrated in  FIG. 6 , in operation, the device  10  provides for driving rod  46  to use as a ground electrode. Before using the device  10  to drive rod  46  at a particular site, it is recommended that the site be surveyed and marked for underground utilities and other possible obstructions that will impede or cause danger to the operator and/or electrode installation. Overhead obstructions should also be identified. In one embodiment of the present invention, the device  10  can extend to approximately 15.6 feet and can be used to drive 10 foot sections of rod  46 . If overhead obstructions are present which would limit extension of the machine, then shorter sections of rods  46  (and increased number of couplings  48 ) may be used. If the area where the rod  46  is to be driven is within a confined area, such as a basement utility room, jacks  30  may be removed from device  10 , the hammer  20  lowered (and the vertical members  16  potentially collapsed) to permit device  10  to be maneuvered into the work area, even including an elevator providing access to the installation site  56 . 
         [0045]    In the case where rod is impacted into the earth as opposed to boring/drilling the hole  58 , the impact hammer  20  may be configured with a tapered starter bit  54  (illustrated in  FIG. 3 ). The tapered starter bit  54  is a drive bit which is tapered to prepare a correct sized earth hole (starter hole) for insertion and holding a tapered plastic funnel (not shown) firm for bentonite application while simultaneously impacting rod  46  into the earth. Thus, the first section of rod  46  to be impacted into the earth is inserted through the tapered plastic funnel resting within the starter hole formed by the tapered starter bit  54 . 
         [0046]    In all cases where the earth at the installation site  56  permits driving rod  46  through it, device  10  may be positioned over the installation site  56  and the jacks  30  extended (like outriggers) in the outmost position and lowered until they make contact with the ground in preparation for using the hole formed by tapered starter bit  54  as a guide. After the jacks  30  are all touching the ground, the leveling of the device  10  begins until all weight is off the wheels  34  and the device  10  is balanced on the jacks  30  as indicated by the leveling device (not shown) located under the lift crank handle  44 . The device  10  must be level and seated firmly on the ground as installing rod at any angle impedes performance of the hammer  20 , the driving of rod  46  into the earth, and bentonite flow around the rod  46  while being impacted into the earth. In fact, the present device  10  allows for level installation of rod  46  and a firm platform from which to drive rod  46  into the earth. 
         [0047]    An electrical cord is extended from the device  10  to a supply. For example, a generator is started and the electrical cord  80  is plugged into the appropriate outlet. Electrical cord surplus on the device  10  may be corralled within a housing  78  such that the cord  80  collects within the housing  78  as the hammer  20  is lowered and drawn from the housing  78  as the hammer  20  is raised. The collection and dispersal of electrical cord  80  from the housing  78  protects the cord from accidentally being damaged or causing shock to the operator. 
         [0048]    The impact hammer  20  is then turned on and the starter bit  54  is driven into the ground by turning the lift handle  44  counterclockwise. The starter bit  54  should be driven into the ground until the bit retaining collar is even with grade level. After the starter hole is complete, the impact hammer  20  may be raised by turning the lift handle  44  clockwise and so that the starter bit  54  may be removed. The ground electrode/rod drive bit  74  and close bit retaining collar are then installed in place of the starter bit  54 . A case hardened drive tip  50  may then be installed to the end of a stainless steel ground rod  46 . The end of the rod  46  with drive tip  50  may then be positioned in the starter hole  58  and the impact hammer  20  is raised high enough to clear the end of the rod  46 . Then the impact hammer  20  may be lowered down onto the rod  46 . The funnel is then filled with dry processed bentonite until just the neck of the funnel is filled. The hammer  20  is turned on and a first section of stainless steel electrode or rod  46  is driven into the earth by lowering the weight of hammer  20  onto the rod  46 . As the drive process continues the bentonite level in the funnel may be monitored and more added as needed. The impact hammer  20  should be turned on and a first section of stainless steel electrode or rod  46  driven into the earth by lowering the weight of the impact hammer  20  onto the rod  46 . As rod  46  is driven into the earth, the bentonite in the funnel travels downward into the hole  58  with the rod  46 . Because the drive tip  50  has a greater diameter than rod  46 , there is a gap that exists between the hole  58  created in the earth by the drive tip  50  and the outer circumference of rod  46 . This gap is filled by the bentonite as the rod  46  is driven into the earth. The bentonite surrounding the rod  46  is hydrated by water existing naturally within the surrounding earth. The bentonite acts as “earth glue” and provides an adhesive effect to adhere ground rod  46  to the surrounding earth of hole  58 . 
         [0049]    After the first section of rod  46  is installed, resistance of the installed rod  46  may be tested, such as according to National Electric Code (NEC) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) recommendations. Test probes may also be installed between 250 and 500 feet in total distance from the installation site  56  in accordance with NEC and IEEE testing recommendations. 
         [0050]    As each section of ground rod  46  is impacted, a tapered coupling  48  may be added in preparation for the next section of ground rod  46 . The tapered coupling  48  is designed such that as the connection between the adjoining rods  46  (coupled by the tapered coupling  48 ) become more secure and bound together with each impact by hammer  20 . For example, the inner walls of the hole passing through the tapered coupling  48  may have a taper of 1.5% from each end to the middle of the coupler  48 . The coupling  48  is designed so that adjoining ends of rods  46  attached by the coupling  48  are separated by a gap, such as for example a ⅝ inch gap that is reduced to ˜⅜ inch after impacting. During impacting, coupling  48  expands to receive adjoining rods  46  and preserve the integrity of coupling  48 . Consecutive rods  46  are installed using coupling  48  until a depth is reached providing the desired minimum resistance reading. It may take up to 100 feet deep or more to reach the minimum resistance required, such as a resistance better than ˜3 ohms. Resistance at the start of installation can be as high as 150 to 200 ohms. 
         [0051]    Preferably, after each 10 foot section of rod  46  is installed, resistance tests should be conducted with an earth megger to indicate resistance readings to the earth. Ideally, resistance continues to drop as the rods  46  are installed deeper into the earth. Resistance also drops as the bentonite in the hole  58  hydrates, expands filling the gap between hole  58  and rod  46 , and adheres the rod  46  to the surrounding earth. A typical desired resistance is 3 ohms or less for computer equipment and lightning protection. The tests for resistance may be performed by using a three point fall-of-potential test or two-point testing depending on the site and availability of open ground to perform the tests. The tests may be performed according to National Electrical Codes and IEEE Standards and facilitated using a test cart, such as test cart  82  shown in  FIG. 9 . The test cart  82  includes two 1,200 foot reels  84  of test cable  86 . The test cable  86  is pulled outward from where the rod  46  is installed to a distance beyond the sphere of influence of the newly installed rod to accurately assess the resistance and perform other tests according to NEC and IEEE standards. 
         [0052]    Depending on the hardness of the earth at the installation site  56 , in some instances a hole  58  must be drilled or bored into the earth as an alternative method to impacting for installing ground rod  46 . Currently, many commercial units exist and businesses provide services for drilling or boring a hole  58  into the earth using commercially available devices, such as a drilling rig. During drilling or boring of the hole  58 , an earth megger can be hooked up to the drill stem to indicate resistance to earth at varying depths of the drill bit to determine the proper depth of hole  58 . The hole  58  drilled/bored in the earth is typically ˜6 inches in diameter. The larger diameter of the hole  58  simplifies the bentonite application process. After hole  58  has been formed, the water level in the hole  58  can be checked with a tape to ensure that enough water exists in the hole  58  to begin the bentonite application process. If the water level in hole  58  is insufficient, the operator may manually add water to hole  58 . Using device  100  shown in  FIGS. 8A-B  bentonite may be carefully poured into the bore hole  58 . Device  100  consists of a holding basin  102  for containing the bentonite to be poured into hole  58 . The floor  104  of device  100  is preferably a screen for filtering the bentonite (separating the chips/fines from bentonite dust) before moving the chips and fines portion of bentonite leftover in the device  100  into hole  58 . An aperture  106  in floor  104  is positioned at one end of device  100 . The floor  104  of device  100  may be inclined or angled toward the aperture  106  to encourage movement of bentonite chips and fines toward aperture  106 . Attached to the aperture  106  is funnel  108  with ribbed sidewalls. A dispensing tube  110  is removably attached to device  100  so that funnel  108  is received in the mouth of the dispensing tube  110 . Dispensing tube  110  is removably attached to device  100  by clips  112 . Clips  112  allow dispensing tube  110  to be partially removed from device  100  whereby access is gained to hole  58  through dispensing tube  110  for troubleshooting purposes. Clips  112  also keep dispensing tube  110  from separating from device  100  and falling down into bore hole  58 . The funnel  108  is designed having ribbed sidewalls to assist in metering specific amounts of bentonite into hole  58  to prevent the hole from becoming occluded at a point above the fill level thereby creating voids within hole  58  where rod  46  would not be grounded to the surrounding earth. This is accomplished, at least in part, as the concentrically narrowing ribbed sidewalls of funnel  108  cause the fines and chips of bentonite to begin rolling down the ribbed sidewalls of the funnel  108  as they are directed by the concentricity of funnel  108  to the center of the bore hole  58 . Bentonite is poured into bore hole  58  using device  100  until the sound of the bentonite hitting water is no longer detected. The process of adding water, if needed, and bentonite to the bore hole  58  using device  100  is continued until the bentonite/water mixture is within 10-20 feet of the mouth of the bore hole  58 . The device  100  may then be removed from the bore hole  58  and the remaining bentonite that was screened away (such as accumulated dust particles) poured into the hole  58  until full. The process of backfilling the bore hole  58  with bentonite is typically performed before device  10  is used to drive rod  46  into bore hole  58 . In effect, the bentonite poured in bore hole  58  fills the void that would otherwise exist between the rod  46  and the sidewalls of hole  58  and provides a glue to adhere and ground rod  46  to the surrounding earth of hole  58 . Thus, once hole  58  has been filled adequately with bentonite, consecutive sections of rod  46  may be driven through the bentonite in bore hole  58  until the desired resistance reading is attained by measuring as set forth in the preceding paragraphs. 
         [0053]      FIG. 7  shows how the device  10  may be turned over on its back so as to be supported by wheels  60  and  34  for trailering and transporting to another installation site  56 . 
         [0054]    Therefore a device for deep earth grounding and related systems and methods has been disclosed. The present invention contemplates numerous variations, options, and alternatives and is not to be limited to the specific embodiment described herein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4