WO2009035392A1

WO2009035392A1 - Apparatus for driving down or pulling up elongated objects

Info

Publication number: WO2009035392A1
Application number: PCT/SE2008/000505
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bruno Vedin
Original assignee: Bruno Vedin
Priority date: 2007-09-12
Filing date: 2008-09-08
Publication date: 2009-03-19
Also published as: SE0702085L; SE530501C2; EP2225419A4; EP2225419A1

Abstract

Apparatus (1) for driving down or pulling up elongated objects (2), which is intended to be temporarily gripped by a coupler (3) on a vehicle (4) such as an excavator or similar, in which the driving down apparatus (1) consists of an inner housing (11) and an outer housing (12). The apparatus (1) consists of at least one hydraulically driven grapple (5) and at least one hydraulically driven vibration generating unit (26). The invention is characterized by that the inner housing (11) and the outer housing (12) is held together by the vibration dampening organs. The apparatus (1) is further characterized by that the outer housing (12) is equipped with a surface (9) with a centering device (27) for driving down the elongated object (2). The outer housing (12) further contains a surface (10) for positioning of the elongated object's vertical direction.

Description

Apparatus for Driving down or Pulling up Elongated Objects

Technical Field

The present invention concerns an apparatus for driving down or pulling up elongated objects such as poles, piles, pillars, posts or similar and is intended to be temporarily mounted to an excavator or similar vehicle. More specifically the present invention regards an apparatus for driving down or pulling up wooden piles in accordance with the claims.

Background of the Invention

In many instances, particularly in the case of many different types of construction work there exist a need for reinforcing the ground's bearing resistance and for erecting barriers to hold fill such as rock and gravel in place. This is especially true for certain facilities such as docks and the like in or in the vicinity of water, which require stabilization of the ground and the erection of barriers for fill such as rock and gravel. Stabilization is achieved by driving down elongated objects such as poles or piles of wood or the like into the ground or sea floor. A barrier is built by the space created between the piles being filled with rock or other purpose suitable material. There arises a problem during pile-driving of wooden poles, when the poles are to be gripped and moved from an essentially horizontal position to an essentially vertical position.

Several devices and methods for utilizing these devices have been developed in order to facilitate the pile-driving or the driving down of steel beams, pipe and the like. With current methods the work involved in driving down piles is time consuming. The time required is long because the pile must first be gripped and thereafter be raised and aligned and then be driven down into the ground. With the aid of current methods and devices, it is not possible to accomplish all these different aspects of the job with the same machine. Existing designs usually demand that at least two persons are needed to accomplish the job of pile-driving.

Furthermore there exist problems in conjunction with the removal or replacement of existing piles in docks and the like. Piles and poles driven into the sea floor, ground or similar can be difficult or next into impossible to pull-up with known techniques and equipment. There exists a need for versatile equipment and efficient techniques for the removal of and especially for the replacement of existing piles (poles), where so little negative damage as possible is inflicted on building constructions near the piles. Furthermore existing technology is not designed to spare sensitive environments such as for example shorelines and the like, where environmental considerations must be taken during construction. Known designs and equipment are often of such size and weight that significant damage is inflicted on the ground under and around building structures. It can often be difficult if not impossible to move such equipment to construction sites in densely built-up areas in ports, bays (seaways), old city centers and similar congested areas.

There is a clear need for better designs and methods to improve the efficiency of pile-driving work and also to conserve the environment in as much as possible in conjunction with pile- driving.

Prior Art

Different types of pile drivers and the like have been used for pile-driving for a long period of time. These drivers have essentially been intended for use with piles of concrete or the like. Pile drivers consist of a weight which is lifted and dropped down on the end of an essentially vertically standing pile which drives the pile down into the ground. Known types of pile drivers have the disadvantage of being large, heavy and unwieldy and are not able to be used for other purposes without substantially rebuilding the vehicle. Furthermore devices intended for excavators have been developed which utilize vibrations in order to drive down piles and the like. However these devices have the disadvantage of not incorporating a gripping device with which a pile can be gripped and then be moved to the position for pile-driving. To use any of the earlier known designs for driving down poles (piles) of wood is difficult and very time consuming.

Several different types of equipment for driving down elongated objects into the ground have long been known. Patent document US6691797 describes for example a device that drives down poles (piles) and the like into the ground with vibrations. This design differs greatly from the present invention. The design is for example not adapted to the unique problems associated with pile-driving wooden poles (piles).

Patent document US6386295 describes a device for driving down pipes in the ground. The design contains a vibration-generating unit which is hung to an attachment on an excavators arm (boom) or the like. The design can not be used to drive down piles or pull up piles of wood. This design differs significantly from the present invention. Even patent document EP0648297 describes a device intended to be attached to an excavator. The design contains a grapple with which an object that is to be driven down into the ground can be gripped. The design can not be used for both driving down piles and pulling up piles respectively in accordance with the present invention. Another variant of a device intended to be used for driving down piles or the like into the ground is described in patent document EP0496167B1. The device contains a vibration- generating unit. This design differs greatly from the present invention.

Even if the above designs can fulfill their proposed purposes, none of them contain technology with which piles (poles) of wood can be driven down with the same cost efficiency as the present invention.

Brief Description of the Invention Concept

One purpose of the present invention is to create a substantially improved apparatus for driving down piles (poles) of wood. Another more specific purpose of the present invention is to create an apparatus which significantly reduces the time needed for driving down piles (poles) of wood into the sea floor or ground. Yet another purpose is to create an apparatus with which piles (poles) of wood can be driven down and be pulled up respectively from the sea floor, ground or the like. A further purpose is to create an apparatus that is friendlier toward sensitive environments than existing technology.

Description of the Invention The invention will be described in detail in the following text with reference to the enclosed schematic drawings that in an exemplifying purpose show the current preferred embodiment of the invention. Dimensions and details may vary within the scope of the patent application.

Figures 1 A-ID show the apparatus according to the first embodiment. Figures 2A-2B show the apparatus in perspective diagonally from above. Figure 3 shows the apparatus in perspective diagonally from underneath.

Figure 4 shows the inner housing and the outer housing included in the apparatus.

Figure 5 shows an example of how the apparatus can be used for driving down an elongated object. With reference to figures 1 to 3 and more specifically to figure 1 , an apparatus 1 is shown primarily intended to be used for driving down or pulling up elongated objects 2 such as piles (poles) of for example wood. The apparatus 1 is intended to be temporarily mounted to a coupler 3 on a vehicle 4 such as an excavator or similar. The apparatus is preferably mounted to the coupler 3 in a rotating and tilting device 30 shown in figure 1 A, of previously existing design such as a so called Rototilt® sold by the company Indexator, which is mounted to the vehicle 4. Alternatively the apparatus 1 may be mounted on another for the purpose suitable vehicle which is preferably equipped with a so called boom or stick (arm).

Figure 2 shows the apparatus 1 in more detail according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 1 is comprised of at least one first grapple 5 and a second grapple 6. The first grapple 5 and the second grapple 6 each contain a first claw 7 and a second claw 8. Furthermore the driving down apparatus 1 contains at least one surface 9 for driving down piles (poles) 2, essentially in the piles vertical direction, and at least one surface 10 intended to be used for adjustment and alignment of the pile's vertical direction when these piles are partially driven down into the ground.

In figure 3 the apparatus 1 is shown containing an inner housing 11, encasement (covering) or the like and an outer housing 12, encasement (covering) or the like. The outer housing 12 is connected to the inner housing 11 via at least six, preferably twelve vibration dampening organs 13. The outer housing 12 and the inner housing 11 are held together solely by the vibration dampening organs 13. Because the outer housing 12 and the inner housing 11 are held together solely by the vibration dampening organs 13, an optimal dampening of vibration of the inner housing 11 in relation to the outer housing is achieved. The inner housing 11 contains a frame 14, and an attachment device 15 with which the apparatus 1 can temporarily be coupled together with the coupler 3 of the vehicle (excavator or similar) 4. Furthermore the inner housing 11 contains fasteners 16 for the vibration dampeners 13. The attachment device 15 contains firstly for example two joining organs 18 and one second joining organ 17. The attachment device 15 is comprised of an earlier generally known design and therefore will not be further described in this patent application.

The outer housing 12 contains a forward side 19, a rear side 20 and a bottom plate 21. The forward side 19 and the rear side 20 are joined with one another via the plates 22 and 23. The forward side 19, the rear side 20 and the bottom plate 21 can be manufactured in one bent piece. Alternatively they can be comprised of separate parts that are welded together or are in another manner attached, for example through welding, screwing, bolting or the like. Furthermore the outer housing 12 is equipped with mountings 24 in which one end of hydraulic cylinders 25 can be attached to the mounting. The hydraulic cylinders 25 are comprised of some variant of earlier known, for the purpose suitable, design of hydraulic cylinders. Double acting hydraulic cylinders are preferably used. The hydraulic cylinders are in their other ends joined with the grappling organs claws. Claws 7 and 8 respectively are hinged via an axle in two mountings in the forward side 19. During extension of the hydraulic cylinders, the claws are pressed in toward a pile (pole) and are then able to grip the pile (pole). During retraction of the hydraulic cylinders, the claws release their grip on the pile (pole or any other object held). The apparatus 1 consists of at least one vibration generating unit 26 with which the outer housing 12 is brought to vibrate. The vibration generating unit 26 is attached, for example, by screwing, bolting or the like, preferably on the inside of the bottom plate 21. The vibration generating unit 26 is preferably hydraulically driven according to earlier know technology. In alternative embodiments other forms of vibration generation, suitable for the purpose may be used. The vibration generating unit 26 creates vibrations which together with a downward pressure on the pile (pole) 2, or the like, drive the pile (pole) into the ground.

The outer housing is equipped with a function for pressing down piles (poles) 2, or the like, by applying pressure and vibrations against the pile's end. This function is achieved by at least one surface 9 which is preferably essentially level and suitable for this is the outside of the bottom plate 21. In order to minimize the risk of the pile 2 slipping against the surface 9 and that the pile 2 is centered in relation to the apparatus 1, the surface 9 is preferably equipped with a centering device 27. The centering device 27 may in its simplest form be comprised of a ring-shaped unit 28. The ring-shaped unit 28 is preferably attached by welding. Alternatively the centering device 27 may consist of another for the purpose suitable design. Furthermore the centering device 27 may be attached in another for the purpose suitable manner and in accordance with earlier known technology.

The outer housing 12 even consists of a surface (plane) 10 which is intended to be used for adjusting the pile's position in the vertical direction, when the pile (pole) has been partially driven into the ground. Adjustment of the pile (pole) is achieved by the surface 28 being pressed against the side of the pile (pole) after which pressure is brought against the pile (pole). This pressure allows for the pile (pole) to move sideways.

-c In order to hinder slippage between the pile (pole) 2 and the apparatus 1, when the pile is grappled by the grappler and driven down, the applied surfaces 29 are toothed or equipped with protruding segments. Alternatively, other for the purpose suitable designs of the applied surfaces may be used which minimize the risk for slippage between the pile and the applied surfaces 29.

When using the apparatus 1, the attachment device 15 of the apparatus is gripped with the aid of the excavator's coupler 3 after which these are joined. The coupler 3 is preferably attached to a rotating and tilting device 30 shown in figure 1 A, of previously existing design such as a so called Rototilt® sold by the company, Indexator. This will allow the apparatus considerable flexibility to be twisted, turned and perpendicularly adjusted as shown in figures 1 C and 1 D. For example, the apparatus can be rotated around its own axle. After the apparatus has been gripped and temporarily affixed, the necessary hydraulic hoses (not shown in the figures) are connected. After this the apparatus is ready to use.

With the rotating and tilting device 30 the apparatus can be rotated and positioned, so it is possible to grapple a pile (pole), resting in a principally horizontal position on the ground or in a stack with the grapplers. After a pile (pole) has been grappled by the grapplers 5 and 6, the pile (pole) is rotated into an essentially vertical direction, after which the pile (pole) is positioned in the place where the pile (pole) is to be driven into the sea floor, ground or the like. After the pile (pole) is positioned in the place where it is to be driven down, the work of driving it down is started. The pile (pole) is held fast by the grapplers during the driving down process. The vibration generating unit makes the outer housing vibrate. The vibrations in the outer housing, in conjunction with the downward force from the excavator's weight, drive the pile (pole) into the sea floor, ground or the like. After the pile (pole) has been driven down a ways, the grapples 5 and 6 can take a new hold on the pile (pole) if needed, after which a continued driving down of the pile (pole) can commence.

While driving down the pile (pole) it may be necessary to adjust the pile's vertical direction. This can be accomplished with the aid of surface 10 pressing against the side of the pile (pole) after which the pile (pole) can be moved in the desired direction. When the pile (pole) has been driven down so that the remaining length of the pile (pole) that is to be driven down is shorter than the distance between the top grapple and the underside of the bottom plate, it may be difficult to drive down the last part of the pile (pole). In this case the surface of the underside of the bottom plate can be used to press and vibrate down the pile (pole) the last distance.

The apparatus can even be used to pull up wooden piles (poles) that are to be removed or replaced by new piles (poles). When pulling up piles (poles) the pile is gripped with at least one of the grapples 5 or 6, after which a force is exerted in the pile's upward direction simultaneously as the vibration generating unit 26 is engaged to vibrate. The upward force is achieved by engaging the excavator's hydraulic system to exert a force in the vertical direction on the coupler. This is accomplished in the usual manner via maneuvering the excavator's hydraulic cylinder, for example in the boom, stick and coupler. The apparatus contains preferably at least one sensor (not shown in the figures) for sensing the direction of the apparatus in relation to the vertical and horizontal plane. The information (data) from the sensor (sensors) is relayed to a display or the like inside the cab of the vehicle. Through this display the operator can receive information on the direction of the apparatus. Relaying can be achieved by cable (wire) or other for the purpose suitable transference method such as for example wireless communication.

Even if certain preferred embodiments have been described in detail, variations and modifications can within the scope of the invention become evident for specialists in the field and all such are regarded as falling within the scope of the following claims. The apparatus is for example optimized for essentially round objects such as poles of wood but the apparatus can even be used for driving down elongated objects with other cross-section shapes such as for example sheet piles.

The apparatus is preferably hydraulically driven. In alternative embodiments the apparatus 1 can be driven by other types of technology suitable for the purpose. Furthermore the apparatus may contain one or more additional grapples. These can be placed so that they can be used to further ease the handling of piles (poles) when these for example are lying on the ground. The present invention may even comprise a method in accordance with the above description.

Despite that certain, for specialists, obvious components, according to earlier known technology, have been omitted in the figures and the description, these are included to the extent needed to achieve the intended function of the apparatus. Thus the apparatus 1 contains hydraulic hose and the electrical wiring necessary to achieve the intended function of the apparatus. Advantages of the invention

Several advantages are achieved through the present invention. The most obvious is that wooden piles (poles) can efficiently be driven down or pulled up with one and the same apparatus and excavator. The apparatus may be connected to and disconnected from an excavator in a short time and thus very cost efficient in use. Thanks to the outer housing 12 and the inner housing 11 only being held together by the vibration dampening unit 13, a substantially improved vibration dampening of the apparatus in relation to the excavator the apparatus is mounted on is achieved. Another advantage is that a pile (pole) can easily be gripped and positioned and driven down or pulled up with one and the same apparatus. The invention is also, thanks to its design, suitable for use in confined and sensitive environments where care must be taken not to harm existing building structures or nature.

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Claims

1. Apparatus (1) for driving down or pulling up elongated objects (2), which is intended to be temporarily gripped by an coupler (3) on a vehicle (4) such as an excavator or similar, in which the apparatus (1) consists of an inner housing (11), equipped with an attachment device (15) which is designed to be gripped by an coupler (3) on a vehicle (4) in which the inner housing (11) is connected with an outer housing (12), said outer housing (12) consisting of at least one hydraulically driven grapple (5) and at least one hydraulically driven vibration generating unit (26) characterized by a combination of the following;

- the inner housing (11) and the outer housing (12) are held together only by the vibration dampening organs (13),

- the outer housing (12) is equipped with a surface (9) with a centering device (27) for driving down the elongated object (2),

- the outer housing (12) is equipped with a surface (10) for positioning of the elongated object's (2) vertical direction.

2. Apparatus (1) for elongated objects (2) according to claim 1 characterized by that the elongated objects (2) are comprised of wooden piles (poles).

3. Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the previous claims characterized by that the number of vibration dampening organs (13) are at least six.

4. Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the previous claims characterized by that the number of vibration dampening organs (13) are twelve.

5. Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the previous claims characterized by that the apparatus (1) is connected to a rotating and tilting device (30) which is intermediately connected between the apparatus (1) and the coupler (3) in the vehicle (4).

6. Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the previous claims characterized by that the apparatus contains at least one sensor for sensing the direction of the apparatus in relation to the vertical and/or horizontal plane.