GB2291911A

GB2291911A - Pile driving apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2291911A
Application number: GB9417750A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bong Wu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-09-02
Filing date: 1994-09-02
Publication date: 1996-02-07
Anticipated expiration: 2014-09-02
Also published as: GB2291911B; GB9417750D0

Abstract

An apparatus for driving piles comprising a vertical support member 12 mounted on a base frame assembly 14 and two hydraulic rams 24, 32. The hydraulic ram 24 is secured to a tubular member 22 which is slidable along the support member 12 while the hydraulic ram 32 is secured either to the bottom or top (Fig 6) portion of the support member 12. The base frame assembly may be replaced by a pair of retaining arms of a mobile vehicle (Fig 5). <IMAGE>

Description

IMPRQVED STRUCTURE FOR PILE DRIVING The present invention relates to an apparatus for driving piles and in particular to an apparatus incorporating a plurality of hydraulic cylinders acting in opposite directions.

Apparatus for driving piles incorporating hydraulic driving means is known to the art. There are various disclosed prior art apparatus that use hydraulic driving means.

In one prior art apparatus, the pile driving apparatus comprises of a vertical frame mounted onto a base frame and includes at least a pair of hydraulic cylinder and piston units mounted on either side of the vertical frame; a spacer means is provided to keep the free ends of the hydraulic pistons spaced apart. The apparatus further includes a pair of telescopically engaging holding and positioning chambers whose once end is secured to the spacer means and the other end is secured to the base frame. Although the last mentioned pile driving apparatus has distinct advantages over the earlier examples, it suffers some disadvantages. Because of the configuration of the apparatus it is relatively expensive to construct.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a pile driving apparatus wherein two hydraulic cylinders acting in opposite or parallel directions are used.

The present invention discloses an apparatus for pile driving comprising of a vertical support member mounted onto a base frame assembly and at least one pair of hydraulic cylinders and piston units. The apparatus further includes a tubular member slidable longitudinally along the vertical support member. At least one other hydraulic cylinder and piston unit is secured to the lower end of the vertical support member and such that the longitudinal axis of the hydraulic cylinder and the vertical support member are parallel. A connecting means secures the lower end of the slidable tubular member and the free end of the second hydraulic piston rod.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which by way of illustration show preferred embodiments of the present invention and the principles thereof and what are now considered to be the best modes contemplated for applying these principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the scope of the appended claims.

The invention will be described by reference to the following drawings wherein : Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the pile driving apparatus with a pile placed in position.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the pile driving apparatus showing a pile being driven into the ground.

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the pile driving apparatus with a pile in position as in Figure 1.

Fig. 4 shows a partial side view of the apparatus.

Fig. 5 shows a side view of the apparatus mounted onto a mobile vehicle.

Fig. 6 shows another embodiment of the apparatus where the hydraulic cylinders are secured to the vertical support member.

The apparatus for pile driving (10) includes a vertical support member (12) mounted firmly onto a base frame (14).

The base frame (14) comprises of a horizontal platform to receive a counter weight means (16), preferably cement blocks to bias against the reaction force produced when force is applied onto the pile (17). The counter weights (16) are distributed evenly on both sides of the vertical support member (12), so that the center of gravity of the whole system is co-axial to the axis of the vertical support member (12).

The base frame is movably mounted onto a wheel and rail system (18) so that the base frame (14) can be shifted along a straight path. Other alternate methods. of mounting the base frame (14) can also be conveniently adopted. Suitable means are provided to hold the vertical support member (12) in position in angular relation to the base frame (14). Such means preferably include hydraulically powered jack means or connecting tie rod (20). The vertical support member (12) can be secured to arms (21) mounted on a mobile vehicle, such as a tractor (23) (see Fig. 5). This enables the pile driving apparatus assembly to be moved from one pile driving point to another pile driving point to position the piles much more easily.

The vertical support member (12) consist of a rigid tubular structure, preferably of steel. The support member (12) can be of any geometrical cross-section, for example, circular or rectangular and is securely attached to the base frame structure (14) preferably by nut and bolt means or by welding - means. A slidable tubular member (22) whose cross-section is identical to the cross-section of the vertical support member but marginally larger, is introduced onto the vertical support member (12), in a manner that tubular member (22) is slidable along the vertical axis of the support member (12).

A first hydraulic cylinder (24) is securely mounted onto the tubular member (22) in a manner such that the respective longitudinal axis are parallel to one another. The hydraulic cylinder is mounted in a manner such that when energised the piston rod (30) extends co-planar to the vertical support member (12). In the embodiment illustrated, the hydraulic cylinder is secured to the tubular member (22) by means of a plurality of brackets (26) which are welded to the cylinder (24) and the tubular member (22). Advantageously the length of the tubular member (22) and the hydraulic cylinder can substantially be the same (Fig. 1). A contact plate (28) secured to the exposed end of the hydraulic piston (30), is in direct contact with the pile end, whilst the pile is driven into the ground.

A second hydraulic cylihder (32) is securely mounted to the lower end of the vertical support member (12) in a manner such that the respective longitudinal axis of the cylinder and the support member are co-planar. The lower end of the vertical support member (12) can be enclosed and secured to a tubular member (23) similar to slidable tubular member (12).

The tubular member (23) can preferably be welded to the lower end portion of the vertical support member. The sub-assembly consisting of the tubular member (23) and the lower end of vertical support member is secured to the base frame (14) or to a holding arm (21 A) of a mobile vehicle (Fig. 5). The second hydraulic cylinder is mounted onto the tubular member (23) by suitable means, including the use of mounting brackets (26). Alternatively the second hydraulic cylinder can be mounted directly to the lowered of the vertical support member (12).

The second hydraulic cylinder (32) is secured to the tubular member (22) by means of a plurality of brackets (26) which are welded to the cylinder (32) and the tubular member (22).

The lower end of the hydraulic cylinder (32) can preferably secured to the base frame (14) (see Figs. 1,2).

The free end of the second hydraulic piston (36) is secured to the lower end of the slidable tubular member (22) by means of a connecting means (34).

The connecting means (34) comprises of a triangular plate (38) secured to a substantially rectangular plate (40) wherein one edge is contoured to fit the circumferential side of the slidable tubular member (22) and the other edge is linear. Both the triangular plate (38) and the rectangular plate (40) are secured to the external side of the slidable tubular member at a side opposite the side where the hydraulic cylinder is secured, preferably by welding means.

The free end of the hydraulic piston (36) is secured to the rectangular plate (40) by any suitable means; preferably by means of nuts and bolts.

In an another embodiment of the invention, the second hydraulic cylinder (32) is securely mounted to the upper end of the vertical support member (12). A terminal end of the vertical support member and the base of the hydraulic cylinder (32) are secured together by the use of a common base plate (27) by suitable means. The base plate (27) can be conveniently welded to the upper end of the vertical support member or be secured by nuts and bolts to the base of the second hydraulic cylinder unit. The end of the hydraulic piston (36) is secured to the base of the second hydraulic cylinder unit (24), or can be secured to the terminal end of a telescopic cylinder member (22) by the adoption of suitable connecting means (29). The second hydraulic cylinder unit (24) is secured to the external surface of the telescopic cylinder member -by bracket joins (26).The telescopic cylinder member (24) is slidable along the vertical axis of the vertical support member (12). As in the earlier embodiment a connecting tie rod (20) is secured to the upper port of the vertical support member and the base frame (14).

The first and second set of hydraulic cylinders can be along the same vertical plane but the each of the hydraulic cylinder being on either side of the vertical support member (see Fig. 6). Alternatively the first and second hydraulic cylinders can lie along the same vertical axis.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the vertical support member (12) consists of a 203 mm diameter X 13 mm thick X 6706mm long (8" X K" thick X 22' long) cylindrical steel pipe. Alternatively the support member (12) can be 203 mm X 203mm X 13 mm thick X 6706 mm long (or 8" X 8" X h" thick and 22' long) steel box pipe. The basal end of the support member (12) is secured to the base frame (14) such that the support member is vertical along a plumb line.

Correspondingly the tubular member (23) can be 2743 mm long X 13 mm thick X 229 mm diameter (9' X 9" X " thick) steel cylinder or 229 mm X 229mm X 13 mm thick X 2743 mm long (9" X 9" X K" thick X 9') box type cylinder. The slidable tubular member (22) can correspondingly be 230 mm diameter X 13 mm thick X 2438 mm long ( a 9 " 6 X K" thick X 8') cylindrical steel pipe. Where the support member (12) is of box type, then the slidable tubular member can be 230 mm X 230 mm X 103 mm thick X 2438 mm (9" X 9" X M" thick X 8') long box pipe. The first hydraulic cylinder (24) can be of 178 mm 2 (7") and the second hydraulic cylinder (32) can be of 152 mm d (6").The other components such as brackets (26), connecting means (34) are appropriately dimensioned.

The workings of the invention will be described now. The apparatus for driving piles is positioned at the site where piles are to be driven. The apparatus is positioned in such a manner that the first hydraulic cylinder (24) is vertically above the spot where the pile beam (17) is to be driven. In a start position, the hydraulic piston (30) of the first hydraulic cylinder is in a retracted position (see Fig. 1), The slidable tubular member (22) is moved vertically upwards along the vertical support member (12), by extending the second hydraulic piston (36). The pile beam (17) is then positioned alongside the vertical support member (12). The second hydraulic cylinder is energised and the piston (36) is retracted, thus bringing the first hydraulic cylinder (24) and the slidable tubular member (22) down.As the hydraulic cylinder (24) is pulled down, the pile beam (17) is pushed down by the downward force applied by the contact plate (28) on the pile beam (17). The pile beam can be driven down initially for the length of the distance trawled by retracting second hydraulic piston (36).

At the second stage, the first hydraulic cylinder (24) is energised and the pile beam is further driven,into the ground by the first hydraulic piston (30) (see Fig. 2). If need to be a dolly is used to drive the pile (17) completed into the ground. (Dolly not shown in illustrations).

In the third stage, the first hydraulic piston (30) is retracted into the cylinder and the second hydraulic piston (36) is extended, thus moving the tubular member (22) upwards along the vertical support member (12).

Thereafter the process is repeated for subsequent piles to be driven at adjacent piling spots. It will be appreciated modifications and appendages can be built into the basic apparatus just described. For example, pile positioning guides or chambers canbe attached to the lower end of the vertical support member (12), to enable the pile to be positioned in a ready-to-be-driven manner.

In areas where the ground is soft and where it is easy for the pile beam to be driven into the ground, the first hydraulic piston (30) can be extended simultaneously with retracting of the second hydraulic piston (36). This doubleaction of both the hydraulic pistons would reduce the time to drive the pile down.

The pile driving apparatus described incorporates only one set of downward retracting hydraulic cylinder (32). If required at least two sets of hydraulic cylinders can be attached to the slidable tubular member (22).

The second embodiment of the invention (see Fig. 6) works along similar principles as the first embodiment. In one manner of operation of the apparatus, the first and second hydraulic cylinders (32,24) are in a withdrawn position where the hydraulic piston rods are not extended. A pile structure (17) is positioned directly beneath the piston rod (30) of the first hydraulic cylinder (24). The second hydraulic cylinder is then energised, causing the first hydraulic cylinder to move downwards towards the ground surface, simultaneously driving the pile structure (30) downwards.

After the first hydraulic piston rod is fully extended, the second hydraulic cylinder is energised causing the hydraulic piston to extend downwards. This causes the pile structure to be driven further into the soil substratum. Dollys can be used to fully drive the pile structures down.

Alternatively the first hydraulic cylinder unit can be energised first, driving the pile structure (with or without the dolly on top of the pile strucutre) down, and at the second stage energise the second hydraulic cylinder unit.

Numerous characteristics and advantages of the invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, and the novel features thereof are pointed out in the appended claims. The disclosures, however is illustrative only, and the charges may be made in detail, especially in the manner of shape, size and arrangement of the parts within the principle of the invention, to the full extend indicated by the board general meaning in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for pile driving (10) comprising a vertical support member (12) mounted onto a base frame assembly (14) and at least one pair of hydraulic cylinder and piston units (24, 32) characterised in that the apparatus includes : a tubular member (22) slidable longitudinally along the vertical support member (12) at least one hydraulic cylinder and piston unit (24) secured to the slidable tubular member such that the longitudinal axes of the hydraulic cylinder (24) and the vertical support member (12) are parallel; at least one hydraulic cylinder and piston unit (32) secured to one end of the vertical support member (12) and such that the longitudinal axes of the hydraulic cylinder and the vertical support member are parallel ; and a connecting means secured to one end of the slidable tubular member and to the free end of the second hydraulic piston rod.

2. An apparatus for pile driving (10) comprising a vertical support member (12) mounted onto a base frame assembly (14), characterised in that the apparatus includes: a tubular member (22) slidable longitudinally along the vertical support member (12) at least one hydraulic cylinder and piston unit (24) secured to the slidable tubular member such that the longitudinal axes of the hydraulic cylinder (24) and the vertical support member (12) are parallel at least one hydraulic cylinder and piston unit (32) secured to a tubular member (23) which is enclosingly secured to the lower end of the vertical support member (12) and such that longitudinal axes of the hydraulic cylinder and the vertical support member are parallel ; and a connecting means secured to the lower end of the slidable tubular member and to the free end of the second hydraulic piston rod.

2. An apparatus for pile driving (10) comprising a vertical support member (12) mounted onto a base frame assembly (14) and at least one pair of hydraulic cylinder and piston units (24, 32) characterised in that the apparatus includes a tubular member (22) slidable longitudinally along the vertical support member (12) at least one hydraulic cylinder and piston unit (24) secured to the slidable tubular member such that the longitudinal axes of the hydraulic cylinder (24) and the vertical support member (12) are parallel at least one hydraulic cylinder and piston unit (32) secured to a tubular member (23) which is enclosingly secured to the lower end of the vertical support member (12) and such that longitudinal axes of the hydraulic cylinder and the vertical support member are parallel ; and a connecting means secured to the lower end of the slidable tubular member and to the free end of the second hydraulic piston rod.

3. An apparatus for pile driving (10) as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the longitudinal axis of the first hydraulic cylinder and piston unit (24) the slidable tubular member (22) and the second hydraulic cylinder and piston unit (32) lie along the same vertical plane.

4. An apparatus for pile driving (10) as claimed in any of the Claims 1 to 3 wherein the assembly excluding the base frame assembly is mountable on a mobile vehicle (25).

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS 1. An apparatus for pile driving (10) comprising a vertical support member (12) mounted onto a base frame assembly (14), characterised in that the apparatus includes: a tubular member (22) slidable longitudinally along the vertical support member (12) at least one hydraulic cylinder and piston unit (24) secured to the slidable tubular member such that the longitudinal axes of the hydraulic cylinder (24) and the vertical support member (12) are parallel; at least one hydraulic cylinder and piston unit (32) secured to one end of the vertical support member (12) and such that the longitudinal axes of the hydraulic cylinder and the vertical support member are parallel ; and a connecting means secured to one end of the slidable tubular member and to the free end of the second hydraulic piston rod.