US1023243A

US1023243A - Pile-driving engine.

Info

Publication number: US1023243A
Application number: US52876709A
Authority: US
Inventors: Amasa B Clark
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1909-11-18
Filing date: 1909-11-18
Publication date: 1912-04-16
Anticipated expiration: 1929-04-16

Description

A. B. CLARK.

PILE DRIVING ENGINE.

APPLIGATION FILED SEPT. 5, 1905. BBNBWBD'NOV. 1a, 1000.

Patented Apr. 16, 1912.

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@M/Z' www gg mg 31A/uan oz A. B. CLARK.

PILE DRIVING ENGINE.

APPLICATION I'ILBD SEPT. 5, 1905. BBNEWED Nov. 18, 1 909. 1,023,248.

Patented Apr. 16, 1912.

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` PILE DRIVING ENGINE. APPLICATION FILED- SEPT. 5, 1905. RENEWED NOV. 18, 1909.

1,023,243. Patented Apr. 16, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

@3% I l l AMASA B. CLARK, 0F NEW YORK, N.'Y.

PILE-DRIVING ENGINE.

Specification. of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 16, 1912.

Application filed September 5, 1905, Serial No. 276,916. Renewed November 18, 1909. Serial No. 528,767.

gines, of which the following is a full, true,

and concise specification.

My invention is an improvement in pile driving engines and its object is to provide simple, effective and compact apparatus for sinking piles of all kinds, but especially.

tubular steel piles.

A special object of the invention is to proj vide an improved pile driving engine of the kind adapted to be supported, vertically and also laterally, by the pile which it is driving.

A further object is to provide means for driving and jetting tubular piles whereby the water-jet may be used simultaneously or in conjunction with a reciprocating hammer or other kind of ramming device, without necessarily interrupting or disturbing the operation of the latter or requiring special fittings to the pile itself.

Still further objects are to provide a pilesustained pile driving engine that is adapted to be self-sustaining on a variety of sizes of piles, that has its center of gravity near to the head of the pile, and that is capable of operation close up to an existing wall and also of other advantages which will appear below.

A preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the machine shown on the accompanying three sheets of drawings which form part hereof, but it will be understood that the principles of the invention or any of them, can be adapted to other forms of pile-driving apparatus with the same advantage.

Referring to these drawings: Figure 1 is a top plan view of the pile driving engine showing the valve rod in section and the r valve in dotted lines; Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section view on line 2 2 of Fig. l and looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 3 is a similar view taken through the valve mechanism and showing the base of the apparatus in elevation with some of the weights removed; Fig. 1 is a. transverse sectional view on line H of Fig. 2 showing the base and the weights in plan; Fig. 5 is a detail of the follower block and anvil, part of said View being in transverse section through the anvil; Fig. 6 is a detail of the anvil, sections removed; Figs. 7 and 8 are respectively side and plan views of the apparatus of Figs. 1 to 6, supplied with a modified arrangement of weights; Fig. 9 is a detail showing a modiiied form of valve operating means; Fig. 10 is a top -view of a modification of Fig. 1,being partly shown in horizontal section through the valve mechanism, which, in this form, is carried by the cylinder; Fig. 11 is a central longitudinal section of Fig. 10 with parts in elevation, showing relation of the valve ports and feed tube; and Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the cylinder of Fig. 11 showing the valve mechanism in vertical section.

In the machine illustrated in the above described drawings, the hammer element is incorporated with the motor mechanism by which it is operated, and the relatively stationary part of the motor mechanism is attached to or forms the mounting by which the apparatus as a whole is supported upon and by the pile head. Steam or other form of motive power, such as may be transmitted through flexible connections, may be the agency used to operate the motor. In the fluid-pressure motor mechanism of the machine illustrated, the piston-rod 1 and its piston 2 are the stationary members of the motor mechanism, while the cylinder 3 is the reciprocating member, the bottom portion thereof, constituting the hammer face. By using the cylinder as the hammer element, advantage is taken of the larger mass of the cylinder casting. The stationary piston rod 1 is attached at its upper end to a cross-head 7 and the latter is carried on two parallel side rods 8, being bolted thereto against the collars as shown. The two sidev rods are disposed on opposite sides of the piston and cylinder and are connected at their lower ends to the base 9 which is a body of considerable mass adapted to t the end of the pile. In its preferred form the base 9 is formed with van annular skirt or projection which fits or telescopes, like a cap, over' the outside of the end of the pile, extending downwardly thereon a sutlicient distance to sustain the apparatus in substantial alinement with thev pile without other lateral support.y This mode of support, :which may be properly termed telescopic, allows the pile driving engine to be brought into action upon the pile by simply placing it thereon, without previous preparation of the pile or special attachments, and also permits its removal with like facility. The annular portion of the base is adapted to receive an interior filler-ring 10 which is so connected thereto as to be readily removable and therefore interchangeable with other rings of dierent internal diameters, this provision being for the purf pose of accommodating the base 9 to different sizes of piles with the proper lateral support. A filler ring such as shown in the present drawings is required to be secured to the skirt of the base with provisions for vertical movement with respect thereto, and, in t-he present case the connection is made by means of the countersunk pins 11 projecting through vertical slots 12 in the skirt, as shown more clearly in Fig. 3. The ring can, however, be fastened rigidly to the skirt at a proper distance below the top of the pile, if desired. The base 9 rests vertically on the upper edge of the pile through the interposition of the follower block 5,

which is held by or in the chamber within I the base in such manner that it may move i vertically therein to follow the pile under When the hamthe stroke of the hammer. mer is at rest or during its upstroke, the interior annular ledge 13, overhanging the margin of the follower block forms the bearing by which the base rests on the block and pile. In the present instance, the follower block is movably held in place by several counter sunk pins 14, (Fig. 3) which project through vertical slots in the skirt o-f the base. It will be understood that the length of these slots is suiiicient to accommodate the full normal movement of the follower block so that the impact of the hammer will be at no time exerted against the part which I have termed the base or against any part rigidly connected thereto, or to the piston.

According to this invention the organization of motor, hammer and supporting elements, related as above described or in any other way, is provided with a longitudinal aperture, preferably extending from end to end thereof and separate from the operating mechanism to provide an isolated passageway leading through the pile driving engine, from t-he outside of the tubular pile to the interior thereof and affording a means fwhereby'water or a water-jet-pipe may be introduced to loosen the soil at the point of the pile and thus aid its descent in the well .known manner. This aperture is desirably, but not necessarily, provided with a lateral vent or opening for the escape of the mixed water and soil which is forced out by the jetting water. In the organization above described the jet-ting aperture is provided in part by the piston rod 1, which is hollow and in part by a hollow tail rod 15 which is extended from the piston 2 through the hammer face 4, and into the follower block 5 which is annular for this purpose. The tail rod 15 being fast to the piston, is st-ationary and the follower block has therefore a sliding or telescopic engagement therewith, as will be readily understood. Below the end of the tail rod the follower block is formed with a lateral opening 16 constituting the vent above mentioned which normally registers with a corresponding opening 17 in the skirt of the base. A jet pipe J is intended, to be inserted into the tubular pile while the driving mechanism is in place on the pile, or in actual operation, and the water therefrom, hav-ing dislodged the soil at the point of the pile, escapes through the follower block and the opening 17 in the skirt. It may, however, be allowed to escape over the top of the jet-pipe aperture, if preferred, in which case means should be provided to conduct it away from the operating mechanism. f

The motor mechanism in the illustrated machine, being intended for operation by fluid pressure, is provided with a valve-box 19 formed on or attached to the cross-head 7 in Figs. 1 to 3 and containing a suitable valve or valves which are adapted to be actuated by means of a cam and groove engagementwith the valve-rod 20, which latter is 100 carried by the arm 20" fast on the reciprocating hammer cylinder. Fluid pressure enters the valve-box by way of feed-pipe 21 and is alternately introduced, by means of the valve, into the

ports

22 and 23 which 105 lead respectively to the parallel lfeed tubes 24 and 25, the latter having sliding engagement in suitable channels in the side of the cylinder. From these tubes the fluid pressure passes through

ports

26 and 27, re- 110 spectively, to the interior of the cylinder on opposite sides of the piston, the charges being properly exhausted therefrom by the same paths and through the exhaust port 28 in the cross-head. The two parallel tubes 115 24 and 25 may be secured to the cross-head as shown in Fig. 3, a little to one side of the cylinder, and in order to avoid .the danger of distortion of the tubes during the operation of the machine, the cylinder is 12@ provided with a lug or lugs 29 having a sliding and steadying engagement with the siderods S to keep it from turning on its piston. The annular hammer 4 imparts its energy to the pile through the follower block 5 and 125 the latter may receive the blow of the hammer upon an anvil which may be secured to its upper face within the annular supporting base 9, in any convenient manner. The present invention, however, includes a novel 139 mode of attachment of the anvil, which is especially serviceable where the anvil is required to be of annular shape, as in the case in hand. Referring to Figs. 2 to 6, the anvil is composed of several sections or circular segments 30 which together make up a sectional ring with the sections divided on substantially radial lines. Each segment is wider at the base than at the top so that the bases will be adapted to fit in the undercut groove or recess 31 in the top of the follower block 5. The segments are placed in proper relation in the recess 31 and the insertion of a key 32 between two of them causes the whole to spread or expand outwardly, binding against the outer circular wall of the recess. The key 32, when inserted, is pinned to a lug 33 on the follower block, the several segments being thereby locked in expanded position beneath the undercut wall of the recess, or at least in locking engagement therewith.

The weights 34 which provide inertia to the device and absorb the energy of the hammer cylinder at the end of its upward stroke l are located around the outside of the skirt of the base 9, in part at least below the level of the pile end, being preferably separably connected thereto by means of links 35 which links are fastenedA to the bosses 36 of the cap, there being one weight on each side of the machine arranged diametrically opposite each other so that the apparatus may be used without interference on piles which have to be driven close to some existing wall or other structure. In Figs. 7 and 8, which show the same kind of a pile-driving engine, four weights are located symmetrically at equal distances around the cap, but the advantage of additional weights may be also secured in themachine shown in Figs. 1 to 3, if desired, by means of theradditional weights 37 which rare secured to an upward extension 35 of the links 35 and fit over the lower weights 34.

Fig. 9 shows a modification of the valve operating means of Figs. 1-3. In this figure the part having the cam groove is carried by the reciprocating hammer cylinder and serves to rock the valve-rod 37, fulcrumed on stud 38 carried by bracket 39 on the cross-head, the upper end of cam-rod 37 being connected with the projected end of the valve stem so as to reciprocate the same. This form of valve operation may, of course, be supplied to the machine of Figs. 1 3 in obvious manner.

The modification shown in Figs. 10-12 differs from the machine previously described in having the valve mechanism carried bodily by the reciprocating hammer cylinder instead of upon the cross-head, the advantages of this construction being mainly that the mass of the valve casing is thereby added to that of the cylinder providing greater momentum, and that but a single tube is required to conduct the pressure from the cross-head or other stationary part of the apparatus to the reciprocating cylinder. The valve casing is formed as an integral part of the cylinder casting and the piston-valve 40 therein is horizontally disposed. Compressed air or other motive fluid is supplied from the feed-pipe 41 of the cross-head to the single tube 42 which is secured to the latter and has a sliding or telescopic connection in a channel 43 at the side of the cylinder adjacent to the valve (see Fig. 10). The channel 43 opens into the valve-chamber, and from thence the fluid pressure is directed alternately into the

ports

44 and 45 which lead into the cylinder respectively on opposite sides of the piston. The valve is shown herein as a piston-valve moved by the fluid pressure, but inasmuch as this invention does not concern the specific style o-f valve, it will be sufficient for the purposes hereof to note that the appropriate timing of the same may be effected by means of the two

cam surfaces

46 and 47 which are carried respectively by the two cam rods 48, the latter being fast on the cross-head, and that the exhaust may take place directly from the valve casing to the atmosphere, as shown at 89. Other valve mechanism and operating means therefor may be employed, however, with equal effect. In this form of apparatus the cylinder is provided with two

removable heads

49, 50 which are held in place by means of four tie bolts. One or both heads may be supplied with stuffing boxes, if desired, and a separate striking face may be secured to the lower head 49 to preserve it from upsetting or swelling against the tail rod 15, which it surrounds.

I claim- 1. A pile driving engine comprising a follower block adapted to rest on the end of the pile, a base resting on the follower' blo-ck and having telescopic supporting engagementwith the pile, and motor and hammer elements carried by the base in operative relation with the follower block.

2. A pile driving engine comprising a follower block forming the solevertical support for the pile driving engine upon the end of the pile, a base movably resting on the follower block with a downward extension below the same forming the sole lateral support for the pile driving engine and motor and hammer elements carried by the base in operative relation to the follower block.

3. A pile driving engine comprising a pile-supported base extended downwardly below the top of the pile for lateral support on the sides thereof and independent of the hammer element in combination with a piston carried by the base, a reciprocating hammer cylinder inclosing the piston and' means for conducting fiuid pressure to the cylinder to reciprocate the same.

4. A pile driving engine comprising a base adapted for vertical support on a pile end and extended downwardly for engagement with the sides o-f the pile independent of the hammer element, in combination with a piston rod and piston on the base, a reciprocat-ing hammer cylinder on the rod and piston, and valve gearing adapted to introduce fluid pressure into said cylinder' alternately on opposite sides of the piston therein.

5. A pile driving engine comprising a base provided with an annular depending skirt adapted to engage the end of a tubular pile telescopically in combination with motor mechanism normally supported in the vertical direction upon the base, and a hammer element actuated by said mechanism to impart its energy to the pile independently of the base.

6. A pile sustained pile driving engine having a base with a portion adapt-ed to extend below the top of the pile and provided with upright side members supported by the base, in combination with a piston fastened to the side members and vertically supported thereon and a hammer cylinder inclosing the piston, having Iron-rotative sliding engagement with the upright side members.

7. A pile driving engine comprising a base forming a containing chamber adapted to embrace'the pile end and a follower block in the chamber vertically supporting the base on the pile end, in combination with motor mechanism secured to the base and includ.- ing a hammer element adapted to impart its energy to the follower block.

8. Al pile driving engine comprising a base forming a chamber and containing a movable follower block upon which the base is supported, in combination with a piston rod and piston fixed to the base, a hammer cylinder inclosing the piston and means for reciprocating the cylinder against the follower block, comprising a fluid pressure medium and valve gearing to introduce the same alternately to opposite sides of the said piston.

9. A pile driving engine comprising a base forming a chamber and containing a movable follower block upon which said base is vertically supported on the pile end, in combination with upright side members rising from the base, double-acting fluid pressure motor mechanism carried on the upright part, including a cylindrical hammer having non-rotative sliding connection with the upright part and adapted to impart its energy to the follower block.

10. In a pile driving engine, the combination with a motor driven hammer mechanism of a supporting means therefor com prising a cap for the end of the pile, a follower-block adapted to rest on the end of y the pile and support the cap thereon, said block being free for longitudinal movement with respect to said cap under the impact of the hammer element of the mechanism.

11. In a pile driving engine, a stationary piston rod and piston, a reciprocating hammer cylinder surrounding the same and means for supporting said piston rod and piston on the pile comprising a base with a circular skirt fitting around the end of the pile and a longitudinally movable follower block interposed between the base and the end of the pile, adapted to transmit the downward pressure of the former to the latter.

12. In a pile driving engine, a pile-sustained motor mechanism, including a hammer element, a base on which said mechanism is carried and a follower block supporting said base, provided with a raised striking-face or anvil in the path of said hammer element.

13. In a pile-driving engine, a stationary piston rod and piston and means for supporting the same on a pile comprising a follower block adapted to rest on the pile, an annular base resting on the margin of said block and having side members connected with said piston rod, in combination with a raised striking-face or anvil on said follower block within t-he annular base and a hammer cylinder surrounding the piston and adapted to be reciprocated against said anvil, to impart its energy through thefollower block to the pile.

14C. In a pile-driving engine, a supporting base therefor provided with a depending portion adapted to extend below the top of the pile and a removable and interchangeable filler piece secured to said depending portion, in combination with motor mechanism carried by the base and including a hammer element operative to drive the pile.

15. In a pile driving engine, a pile-sustained annular base, a filler piece removably secured thereto, a follower block in the base and motor mechanism including a hammer element operative to strike the block.

16. In a pile driving engine, a base, motor mechanism carried thereon including a tail rod extended within the base and an annular follower block adapted for vertical play between the tail rod and base and adapted to impart its movement to the pile.

17. As a means for driving tubular piles, a motor-driven hammer mechanism adapted to be supported by the pile which it drives and having an aperture through which a jet pipe may be projected into the interior of said pile.

18. As a means for driving tubular piles, a motor-driven hammer mechanism adapted to close the end of the Vpile upon which it is supported and having a longitudinal aperture, extending from endV to end through said mechanism suitable for the reception of a jet-pipe.

19. As a means for driving tubular piles, a motor-driven hammer-mechanism adapted to iit over and close the end of the pile upon which it is supported and having a longitudinal jet-pipe aperture and a lateral orice for the escape of the contents of said tubular pile.

20. In an apparatus for driving tubular piles, a motor comprising a piston and cylinder, and a hammer element operated thereby, said piston and hammer element being provided with a longitudinal aperture to receive a jet-pipe.

21. Apparatus for driving tubular piles comprising a stationary piston rod and piston provided with a cent-ral aperture to receive a jet pipe and a reciprocating hammer cylinder surrounding said piston, .adapted to impart its energy to the pile. n

22. Apparatus for driving tubular piles comprising an annular base adapted to be supported by the end of the pile, an annular hammer element, and a cylinder and a hollow piston for reciprocating the same, in combination with a hollow tail rod on said piston extended toward said annular base, and providing in conjunction with said hollow piston a continuous aperture through the said apparatus leading into the interior of the pile.

23. In a pile-driving engine for tubular piles, the combination with a motor-driven hammer-mechanism, of means for supporting the same comprising a base adapted to close the end of the pile and provided with a discharge orifice leading from the interior of said pile.

24. In a pile driving engine for tubular piles, the combination with a motor hammer mechanism provided with a longitudinal aperture suited for the recept-ion of a jet pipe, and means for supporting the said mechanism comprising a base adapted to be supported on the end of said pile, of a follower block having longitudinal movement with respect to said base, said block and base being provided with lateral apertures lforming a discharge passage from the interior of the pile.

25. In a pile-driving engine for tubular piles, a motor-driven hammer-mechanism and means for supporting the same on the end of the pile, comprising a cap adapted to fit over said pile and having a lateral discharge oriiice, an apertured follower block within the cap, the apertures in said cap and base providing an escape passage from the interior of the pile.

26. In a pile-driving engine for tubular piles, a follower block adapted to rest on the pile having a vertical aperture for the reception of a jet pipe, and a lateral aperture for the escape of the contents of the pile.

27. In a pile-driving engine for tubular piles, a motor-driven hammer mechanism comprising a hollow piston rod and piston, a cylinder therefor and means for supporting said mechanism on the pile, in combination with an annular follower block and a tubular. extension on said piston extending within said annular block.

28. In a pile-driving engine for tubular piles, a hollow piston rod and piston and means for supporting the same on the pile comprising an annular follower block, in combination with a tubular extension on said piston located within said annular block, and a hammer cylinder surrounding said piston and adapted to impart its energy through said block to the pile. y

29. In a pile-driving engine for tubular piles, a stationary piston rod and piston, means for supporting the same comprising a cross-head, a reciprocating hammer cylinder surrounding said piston, in combination with a feed tube connecting said crosshead with the cylinder and means for supplying fluid pressure through said tube to the said cylinder.

30. In a pile-driving engine for tubular piles, a stationary piston rod and piston, a cross-head to which said piston rod is secured in combination with a hammer cylinder surrounding said piston and a feed tube secured to said cross-head and having sliding engagement with said cylinder to afford communication between the same and said cross-head.

31. In a pile-driving engine, a motordriven hammer mechanism and means for supporting the same, comprising a cap adapted to tit over the end of the pile, and a weight secured to said supporting means adjacent to the skirt of said cap.

v32. In a pile-driving engine, a motordriven hammer mechanism and means for supporting the same on the end of a pile in alinement therewith, in combination with a plurality of weights secured to said supporting means and located in part at least below the level of the pile end.

88. In a pile-driving engine, a motordriven hammer mechanism and a follower block therefor having a recess, in combina- `tion with an anvil for said block comprising a plurality of expanding sections and a key for holding the same in expanded relation in locking engagement with the wall of said recess.

34. In a pile-driving engine, a motordriven hammer mechanism, and a follower block therefor, having an undercut recess in combination with an annular anvil for said block comprised of a plurality of segments and a key for forcing said segments relatively apart into engagement with the undercutl wall of said recess.

35. In a pile-driving engine, the combination with a supporting base therefor formed as a cap adapted to surround the end of the pile, and a filler ring confined within said cap but having freedom for movement relative thereto.

36. A pile driving engine having a hollow follower block adapted to rest on the end of the pile, a hollow base portion resting on the follower block and having telescopic engagement with the pile and motor and hammer elements for acting on said follower block provided with an aperture .therethrough. 4

37. A motor driven hammer mechanism having a support-ing base adapted to close I name to the specification in the presence of Y two subscribing witnesses.

AMASA B. CLARK.

Witnesses:v

A. HARRISON, D. ODAY.

Copies of this patent may Vbe obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, DJG.