Abstract: An oscillator producing vibrations at an operating frequency near, but different from, the resonant frequency of a resonant system is coupled to its input and the resonant system is supported a predetermined distance from its free ringing node(s) at position(s) corresponding to the effective node(s) for the operating frequency. The oscillator is controlled to maintain the operating frequency at a predetermined constant value, which keeps the effective nodes at the same position as the load driven by the output of the resonant system varies.

Abstract: An oscillator for reciprocating tools or other devices. Driving sprockets are mounted for rotation on a frame or in a housing and a pair of driven sprockets are mounted on the frame, each to be driven by a respective driving sprocket. The driven sprockets are outwardly of the driving sprockets, all sprockets having their axes in the same plane. Eccentrically mounted masses are on the shafts of the driven sprockets which when rotated generate forces on the axes of the driven sprockets. These forces are transmitted to the frame through shafts of the driven sprockets. A couple is generated about the axis of the driving sprocket causing the frame to oscillate. A tool attached to the lower end of the frame is thereby reciprocated.

Abstract: An elongated tool is mounted for reciprocal motion on a support frame. A plurality of resonant force transmitting beams each having an input, an output, and at least one resonant node, are supported by the frame so their outputs are spaced apart adjacent to the length of the tool. A sonic generator operating at or near the resonant frequency of the beams is coupled to the beam inputs to produce at the beam outputs resonant vibration about a neutral position. Each beam is pivotally mounted for rotation about its resonant node and such rotation is rigidly limited such that the spacing between the neutral position of the output of each beam and the tool is the same, which synchronizes coupling of force from the beam outputs to the tool. The pivotal node support comprises a closed hollow annular elastic housing and a fluid filling the housing.

Abstract: A vibratory drive system for use in spalling a road surface, cutting rock, etc. Vibratory energy is generated by means of an orbiting mass oscillator, the output of which is rectified by means of a rectifier to provide unidirectional pulses to a cutting tool. In the interests of making the system compact and providing controlled operational parameters, non-resonant operation is employed, optimum drive to the tool being achieved by biasing the oscillator against the tool and by providing a shoulder which fixes the uppermost position of the tool when it is being biased against a load. The tool position and the design of the oscillator are such that the oscillator housing contacts the tool near the mid-down stroke (90.degree.) of the oscillatory vibration cycle, this being the point of highest vibratory velocity and kinetic energy. In this manner, the highest possible delivery of energy to the tool is provided.

Abstract: A ripping tool positioned below the earth's surface is driven by the output of a vibrating, preferably, resonant, force transmitting beam which has lateral dimensions smaller than those of the ripping tool and is positioned below the earth's surface. The beam is configured to have a single resonant node when restrained from vibrating at such node and is supported so that the single node is above the earth's surface and restrained from vibrating. The output of the beam is enlarged in thickness to form a hammer.

Abstract: A force transmitting, preferably resonant, beam having a pair of straight divergent legs meeting at a juncture. A work tool is located adjacent to the end of one leg, which is the beam output. A sonic oscillator is coupled to the end of the other leg, which is the beam input. The beam is supported so as to restrain the juncture from vibrating. In one embodiment, the legs form an angle of approximately 90 degrees and the beam is driven at or near its resonant frequency by the oscillator. An integral ear extends from the juncture along a plane that bisects the angle between the legs. The beam is pivotably supported at its juncture and a stop abuts the ear to position the beam output.

Abstract: Pile extraction apparatus having a clamping device for clamping engagement with a pile. The device is suspended from a section of casing pipe by way of a universal joint. In this way the extraction apparatus may be raised and lowered by a commercially available pipe extraction machine.

Abstract: A sonic generator produces a reciprocating force that is transmitted to a tool by a resonant or nonresonant force transmitting member having an output that reciprocates about a neutral position responsive to the force of the sonic generator. A continuous unidirectional force is applied to the sonic generator by a tool carrier. The tool advances intermittently along a work path through a medium responsive to the continuous unidirectional force and the reciprocating force. A gap is held between the neutral output position of the transmitting member and the tool when the tool is unable to advance through the medium responsive to the continuous unidirectional force and the reciprocating force. Specifically, the force of the sonic generator is sufficiently large relative to the unidirectional force to overcome the latter, and to drive the tool holder back away from the tool when the tool is unable to advance along the work path, thereby establishing a protective gap.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting centrifugal energy into percussive energy is operated by a motor continuously rotating a driven shaft whereby a rocking shaft is caused to oscillate about a pivot axis under the influence of the centrifugal force produced by a weight body during rotation of the driven shaft. The rocking shaft has a slot at its pivot axis and a bar extends through the slot and radially beyond opposite sides of the rocking shaft. Upon the rocking shaft oscillating in opposite directions, the opposite ends of the bar are deflected in opposite directions, so that one end of the bar urges a spring biased striker away from an anvil when the shaft rocks clockwise while the other end of the bar acts on the striker in a similar manner when the shaft rocks counter-clockwise.

Abstract: A multi-vibro pile hammer comprising a plurality of vibro pile hammers having vibration generating units adapted to generate vibrations with different phases and in synchronism with one another, and the arrangement is made such that vibrations to be transmitted through the ground between the piles or sheet piles held by the hammers so as to be driven underground or pulled out therefrom can be counteracted thereby reducing the vibration transmitting region remarkably.

Abstract: An improved drill rig having an auger and casing driver assembly, in combination, wherein a weight assembly is provided in combination with the drill rig assembly to be sequentially impacted upon a casing to be driven simultaneously with operation of the auger which is defining the well hole so that a casing is inserted into the well hole at the same time the well hole is being defined.

Abstract: A uniaxial vibratory force generator especially adapted for use as a pile driver, which comprises a rigid frame structure having a power actuated clamp at its bottom by which the frame structure grips a pile, and attachment means at its top by which the frame structure is suspended from above. In the frame structure are two superimposed pairs of counter-rotating eccentric weights, each of which is driven by a hydraulic motor. Simultaneous rotation of all of the eccentric weights produces a uniaxial force of a magnitude determined by the phase relationship between the superimposed pairs of eccentric weights. An adjustable coupling between the superimposed pairs of eccentric weights enables that phase relationship to be selectively varied.

Abstract: A pile driver in which a weight is reciprocated in a frame along a vertical path. The weight is suddenly retarded just before the weight reaches its lowermost position and the resulting high force is transmitted to the pile without an impact occurring. In one embodiment, the weight is connected to the frame by two pivotal links and these links are used to retard the weight. In another embodiment, the weight is driven upwardly and retarded by a cam mounted on a drive shaft.

Abstract: A machine for driving and extracting piling and the like having a horizontal support member and frame coupled so that the frame may move toward and away from the support member in a vertical direction, a pair of races located side by side in the frame and defining a corresponding pair of paths of travel spaced horizontally from each other and located in a common vertical plane, a relatively heavily weighted roller mounted for rotation within each race, each roller being rotatable about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the common vertical plane, means for rotating the weighted rollers in synchronism such that the horizontal components of the forces generated on the frame by the rollers cancel one another and the vertical components of the forces are in phase to thereby simulate the impact of a conventional reciprocating pile hammer.

Abstract: A grab bucket for a grab dredger having a vibrator of waterproof construction mounted on the interior of a bucket shell for causing forced vibration of the grab bucket.

Abstract: A whole tree extraction device is mounted on a prime mover. The extraction device is comprised of a load frame which is carried and supported by the prime mover. Slidably mounted on one side of the load frame is the power frame to which is attached at least one power cylinder for moving the power frame with respect to the load frame. Mounted on the power frame forwardly thereof is a vibrator frame to which is attached a pair of cooperating shearing blades together with a pair of cooperating gripping extractor arms. A pair of upper gripper arms are mounted on the load frame and open and close in response to a command signal independently of the shearing blades and gripping extractor arms. Means to vibrate the shearing blades and the gripping extractor arms relative to the power frame in a substantially vertical plane during the shearing and extracting modes are operable on a command signal.

Abstract: A vibratory pile driver and extractor is provided in combination with a yoke means above and movable relative to said driver and extractor and resilient rubber support means between opposed abutments on said driver and extractor and said yoke means whereby said driver and extractor is resiliently connected to said yoke means through said abutments, said abutments acting to prevent separation of the yoke means and driver and extractor in case of failure of the resilient rubber means.

Abstract: A vibratory tool in which, to reduce vibration of the handle, a vibration isolation mechanism is provided to connect the handle to the tool body. In the preferred embodiment, the mechanism comprises two beams associated with respective torsionally-resistant members which convert translational oscillation of the tool body into forced angular oscillation of the beams about respective induced nodal axes. The tool handle is connected to the beams at these nodal axes.

Abstract: An improved vibrodriver for sinking a vertically elongated element of substantially uniform horizontal cross-section into or extracting such an element from the ground. The element is one of a plurality of like elements arranged side-by-side along a straight or curved line. The vibrodriver includes at least one pair of eccentrics with each eccentric or a portion thereof situated on a different side of the element. The vibrodriver has a waist which is narrower than the width of an element along the line; beyond the waist and toward its lateral ends the vibrodriver has at least one portion of each side thereof which is wider than the width of an element, thereby enabling the vibrodriver to be of relatively short horizontal length perpendicular to said line and yet to exert a substantial vertical vibratory force during the sinking or extraction of an element juxtaposed to at least one other element.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for driving metal pins into a rock face in an underground mine to strengthen rock surfaces such as stratified overburden, or rock ribs, against failure. A cylinder containing a pin with its head resting on a driven member, and having lateral support within the apparatus, is positioned against the rock face to be pinned. The pin is then driven into the rock by a combination of pressure and vibration at sonic frequencies applied longitudinally to the pin to thus strengthen the rock face against collapse.

Abstract: A roof pin-or-bolt setting machine which applies sonic energy to drive bolts which may be of non-circular section or helical into the roof of a coal mine. The energy is supplied by a bar which is set into sonic vibration in its bending mode so that there is a standing wave along the bar having nodes and anti-nodes. The bolt is supported vertically at an anti-node position of the bar and is driven into the roof as the bar is vibrated. Continuous vertical force is applied to the bar to maintain the bolt in engagement with the roof under pressure.

Abstract: A hydraulically driven vibrator, for example, of the kind used for driving or extracting sheet piles comprises a number of out-of-balance masses which are all rotatably mounted side by side for rotation about a common axis. The masses are arranged in at least two pairs, one pair being rotated synchronously with the other pair, but in an opposite direction in such a way that on rotation the masses produce vibratory forces which are additive in a direction longitudinally of the vibrator, but mutually cancel each other out in a direction transversely of the vibrator. The pairs of masses are coupled by driving chains or toothed driving belts to oppositely rotatable drive outputs of a hydraulic motor which is offset longitudinally of the vibrator from the common rotational axis of the pairs of masses. Preferably one pair of masses is keyed on a drive shaft and another pair of masses are rotatable around the drive shaft and are mounted between the two masses forming the first pair.

Abstract: A method and equipment for constructing a fluid-impervious underground wall by vertically sinking an elongated web member into the ground where the wall is to be created, the sinking being performed with the aid of vertical vibration of the web member at a frequency that loosens the structure of the soil. The web member thereafter is vertically withdrawn while being vibrated vertically at the same or a higher frequency. As the web member is being sunk, liquid grout is introduced under pressure beneath the downwardly moving lower edge of the web member, such grout being forced into the surrounding soil structure by the tamping effect of said vibrating lower edge.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating penetration of a ground engaging member, such as a plowshare or fence post, into the ground is disclosed which employs a vibrator having a rotatable mass eccentrically mounted to provide a cyclical motion to the member being caused to penetrate the ground. The apparatus is adapted to independently vary the amplitude and frequency of the cyclical motion imparted to the ground engaging member to adjust for varying soil conditions. One embodiment employs a pair of interconnected balanced vibrators which produce a resultant force acting generally along the longitudinal axis of the ground engaging member.