Columnar Structure (e.g., Pier, Pile) Patents (Class 405/231)
  • Patent number: 11959241
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an assembly, and a method of use for the assembly, for staging a pile on the ground, including: at least one stand having a mainframe assembly on the ground, having a front end and a rear end, wherein each stand has: a roller assembly slidably mounted on the main frame assembly, wherein the roller assembly further has a roller located towards the front end; and a pivoting arm assembly having a pivoting arm configured for pivoting towards the ground and away from the ground; and a second roller connected to an end of the pivoting arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Quanta Associates, L.P.
    Inventor: Jonathan Pipsair
  • Patent number: 11788248
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an assembly for staging a pile, and a method of use for the assembly, the assembly having at least one stand having a base, having a front end and a rear end, wherein each stand includes: a lower arm assembly slidably connected to the base, wherein the lower arm assembly is configured to move laterally away and towards the pile, and further wherein the roller assembly further comprises a roller located towards the front end; and an upper arm assembly connected to the base, the upper arm assembly having a pivoting arm configured for pivoting towards and away from the base; and a second roller connected to an end of the pivoting arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Quanta Associates, L.P.
    Inventor: Jonathan Pipsair
  • Patent number: 11661717
    Abstract: Provided are a pile press-in device and a pile press-in method that allow an efficient construction even when electrically powered devices and hydraulic devices coexist in order to give drive members a driving force. A pile press-in device (1) comprises a chuck (5) for gripping and rotating a pile (4) in order to press the pile (4) into a ground while rotating the pile (4). The pile press-in device (1) causes electric motors (6) corresponding to the electrically powered device of the invention to give the chuck (5) a driving force for the rotation. The chuck (5) is moved up and down by lift cylinders (7) which are hydraulically powered hydraulic devices. An integrated control board (50) controls the electric motors (6) and the lift cylinders (7) in an interlocked manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: GIKEN LTD.
    Inventors: Masaaki Ono, Katsuhiko Ono, Yoshihiro Morioka, Kengo Nonaka
  • Patent number: 11585063
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an assembly for staging a pile on the ground, including: at least one stand having a mainframe assembly on the ground, having a front end and a rear end, wherein each stand has: a roller assembly slidably mounted on the main frame assembly, wherein the roller assembly further has a roller located towards the front end; and a pivoting arm assembly having a pivoting arm configured for pivoting towards the ground and away from the ground; and a second roller connected to an end of the pivoting arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Quanta Associates, L.P.
    Inventor: Jonathan Pipsair
  • Patent number: 11346070
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pile-driving device and a method for driving driving material into a ground, wherein, for the purpose of driving-in, the driving material is clamped and held by means of a clamping means on a pile-driving power unit and prior to clamping the driving material is connected by means of a flexible securing element, in particular a securing chain, to the pile-driving power unit. In accordance with the invention a pressing element is provided which is displaced relative to the pile-driving power unit towards the driving material and, in doing so, a pressing force is applied onto an upward-directed front face of the driving material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: BAUER Maschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Dimitri Shevtsov, Robert Kulzinger, Stefan Zepmeisel, Josef Stockl
  • Patent number: 11001981
    Abstract: A method and apparatus place an auger grouted displacement pile or helical pile in soil. The pile has an elongated shaft with at least one lateral compaction protrusion which establishes a regular circumference in the supporting medium. The pile also has a helical blade configured to move the pile into the supporting medium. The bottom of the shaft includes means for forming irregularities in the circumference after compaction by the lateral compaction protrusion. The bore is filled with grout while leaving the pile in the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Inventor: Benjamin G. Stroyer
  • Patent number: 10876267
    Abstract: A method and apparatus place an auger grouted displacement pile or helical pile in soil. The pile has an elongated shaft with at least one lateral compaction protrusion which establishes a regular circumference in the supporting medium. The pile also has a helical blade configured to move the pile into the supporting medium. The bottom of the shaft includes means for forming irregularities in the circumference after compaction by the lateral compaction protrusion. The bore is filled with grout while leaving the pile in the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Inventor: Benjamin G. Stroyer
  • Patent number: 10865539
    Abstract: Soil displacement piles having a shaft and one or more soil displacement assemblies secured to the shaft are provided. If more than one soil displacement assembly is utilized, each soil displacement assembly is separated by a longitudinal distance. Each soil displacement assembly has an upper helical plate, a lower helical plate and separated from the upper helical plate by a longitudinal plate distance, and at least one soil displacement plate positioned relative to the shaft, the upper helical plate and the lower helical plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: HUBBELL POWER SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Alex Joseph Raposo, Matthew Alan Conte, Gary Leonard Seider, Timothy Michael Kemp, Shawn David Downey
  • Patent number: 10836080
    Abstract: Systems and methods for constructing concrete foundations are provided which allow for rapid and high-precision placement and alignment of anchor bolts across large distances. A frame system is constructed outside of an excavation and then suspended, using supports, over an excavation. The frame system can include a frame having one or more templates for anchor bolts, a form suspended from the frame, and a mat and cage assembly tied to the frame. The frame system can be aligned in proper position and the anchor bolts placed in the frame system before the concrete is placed. In this way, the anchor bolts can be cast in place as the footing is placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Goss Construction, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Goss
  • Patent number: 10808372
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides helical ground anchors or piles designed to cut through rock. The helical ground anchors have a shaft, one or more helical plates attached to the shaft and at least one cutting tip attached to the distal end of the shaft in order to make a first cut through rock along the axis of rotation of the shaft. The distal end of the shaft is tapered and the at least one cutting tip can be attached to the longer end of the shaft. The helical shaped plates are attached to the shaft at a distance above the at least one cutting tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: HUBBELL INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jonathan Michael Wilson, Timothy Michael Kemp, Gary Leonard Seider
  • Patent number: 10435857
    Abstract: The frost heave prevention system is configured for use with a piling. The piling further comprises a stanchion and a frost pad. The stanchion anchors to the frost pad. The frost pad is a concrete pad that is buried below the frost line such that frost will not cause the frost pad and the stanchion to heave or otherwise shift. The frost heave prevention system comprises a skirt structure and the piling. The skirt structure encloses the piling such that the skirt structure inhibits water from flowing towards the anchor joint between the stanchion and the frost pad thereby inhibiting a common source of failure when using a frost pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Inventor: Mary Michlig
  • Patent number: 10329729
    Abstract: A concentrically loaded foundation pier system which includes several concentrically stacked steel pipes filled with concrete. The entire pier is installed centrally beneath the footing of the structure. Shims are placed between the top-most pier element and a pier cap which prevents shifting when the soil expands and contracts. The final structure is end-loaded and pressed to the bedrock or other load-bearing strata. An alternative embodiment includes a temporary lifting assembly which can be fastened about the structural pier without need for bolts or other fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Teague, Vincent E. Branaman
  • Patent number: 9963852
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method to test friction resistance at inner and outer sidewalls of pipe pile through in-situ test. The method comprises embedding a strain sensor at inner or outer sidewalls of pipe pile to measure strain variation generating on pipe pile body under the action of load; carrying out static load test with the soil plug remaining in the pipe pile to obtain the strain variation ?p1j,i of the pipe pile body at the ith soil layer; taking out the soil plug remaining in the pipe pile and carrying out static load test to obtain the strain variation ?p2j,i of the pipe pile body at the ith soil layer; and obtaining the friction respectively at the outer and inner sidewalls of the pipe pile at the ith soil layer according to the measured strain variation, ?p1j,i and ?p2j,i.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Inventors: Wenhua Chen, Haifeng Qi, Jing Hou, Zhenqian Jiang, Yongyong Zhang, Guobin Wang
  • Patent number: 9637882
    Abstract: A system for constructing a support column includes a mandrel with an upper portion and a tamper head. A feed tube extends through the mandrel for feeding flowable material to the head. The tamper head includes a lower enlarged chamber with a reducing surface at an upper portion and includes a plurality of chain links for compacting material and restricting upward flow of aggregate. The tamper head is of a size providing an enclosed region for allowing cementitious materials to be placed therein. A non-moveable sealed top plate and a separate flowable material supply tube is included via a sealed connection. A pressure gauge for monitoring air pressure within the tube portion is included and allows a support column including a cementitious inclusion on top of an expanded base to be built with a known unitary expanded base volume calculated based on pressure drop indications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: GEOPIER FOUNDATION COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: Kord J. Wissmann
  • Patent number: 9551127
    Abstract: For supporting a foundation of other structure, there is provided a system for driving a pile into the ground using a rotary power device. In one example, a system includes a first member with a first end connecting to a drill and a second end having a keyed protrusion; and a second member having a hollow pile adapted to receive the first member therein, one or more blades along a perimeter of a lower portion, and a keyed opening for receiving the keyed protrusion. In use, a drill is connected with the first member, and the first member is inserted into the second member, and the drill drives the first member into and through the ground. The drill and the first member are removed, leaving the second member positioned into the ground at its desired depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Inventor: Bernard J. Gochis
  • Patent number: 9097112
    Abstract: A method for anchoring a device in multilayer soil includes analyzing the soil to determine the depth, hardness and density of at least two layers of soils. The anchoring device is prepared for positioning by attaching a self-drilling bit to a bottom end of a hollow rod, attaching a drilling disc to the rod at a position above the self-drilling bit, attaching at least one helical disc to the rod above the drilling disc, and attaching a positioning plate to the rod at a distance from the drilling disc such that the distance from the bottom of the drilling disc to the bottom of the positioning plate is approximately equal to the depth of a first layer of soil. The anchoring device is drilled into the soil until the drilling disc rests on top of the second layer and the positioning plate rests on top of the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Societe Industrielle de Produits Mecaniques Ancr'Est
    Inventor: Christian Meline
  • Patent number: 8998540
    Abstract: A remotely operable drilling apparatus (6) comprises a body such as frame (10) and drive means arranged to drill annular pile (8), which is loaded in the drilling apparatus (6) into the floor of a body of water. The annular pile comprises a cutting shoe (24). The drive means comprises a power swivel (12) which attaches to the top of the annular pile (8) by means of a drive head. Delivery means is also provided which comprises at least one nozzle to enable flushing fluid and grout to be injected around annular pile (8). The power swivel (12) is raised and lowered by rack and pinion means 14 disposed on either side of the power swivel (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Blade Offshore Services Ltd..
    Inventors: John Swingler, Neil McNaughton
  • Patent number: 8985908
    Abstract: Forcing equipment meant for forcing piles, steel profiles and other elongated objects into the ground which forcing equipment comprises a body (1) which can be attached to a working machine, a vibration device (6) attached to the body (1) with the help of damper cushions (9) and moveable grip jaws (10) adjusted to the mentioned vibration device (6) in order to grip the object to be forced at least with a side grip. The body (1) comprises an upper part (2) including an attachment arrangement (4), (5) for attaching it to the working machine and side parts directed from the upper part (2) downwards between which side parts the vibration device (6) and grip jaws (10); (17, 18) can be attached through cassette (7) comprising damping rubbers (9) in which case the attachments comprise pin/hole attachments (11, 23, 14); (20, 8) or (21, 8) which can be opened by detaching the mentioned pins (11, 20, 21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Movax Oy
    Inventors: Pentti Kuivamäki, Mikko Lindeman
  • Patent number: 8974150
    Abstract: The disclosure describes, in part, apparatuses and methods for installing structures (e.g., foundations, footings, anchors, abutments, etc.) at work sites, such as difficult-access work sites. In some instances, a rotating drill assembly is assembled over a target location in order to excavate a radial array of batter-angled shafts associated with the target location in preparation for the installation of a radial array of micropiles. An operator utilizes the rotating drill in combination with a foundation pile schedule/decision matrix to design and install the radial array of batter-angled micropiles. This disclosure also describes techniques for designing, fabricating and installing structural caps to be coupled to the installed radial array batter angled micropiles. These structural caps are lightweight and, thus, more portable to difficult-access sites where they are coupled to the micropiles forming a foundation for structure to be installed at the difficult-access site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Crux Subsurface, Inc.
    Inventors: Nickolas G. Salisbury, Scott R. Tunison, Freeman A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8944724
    Abstract: A system and method for securely cradling a subsea pipeline is claimed that lands on one side of the pipeline, is embedded into the sea floor, reaches under the pipeline, positions the cradling structure, and then lifts the pipeline. The system typically comprises a gravity driven pile based device, comprising a pile tower, a roller carriage assembly, and a jacking assembly that engages the roller carriage assembly and pile tower rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Oceaneering International, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Gregory Restivo, Nikunj Patel, Kinton Lowell Lawler, Donald C. Nelson, Jason Ray Pollick
  • Patent number: 8931219
    Abstract: A foundation system includes a security boot selectively coupled to a pier having a notched upper end. The security boot includes first, second, and third portions complementary to the pier upper end. The security boot third portion includes a configuration complementary to a foundation sill plate and is selectively coupled thereto. The foundation system includes a sleeve configured to be received on a pier, the security boot configured to surround the sleeve and be slidable therealong. The system includes at least one lifting device having a base member and rod configured to engage the sill plate and is movable between a retracted configuration not urging movement of the sill plate and an extended configuration urging the sill plate upwardly. In a method of using the foundation system, the lifting devices may be actuated to lift an entire foundation upwardly from the piers, the security sliding upwardly along an associated sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventor: Russell E. Benet
  • Patent number: 8926226
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for manufacturing a foundation for a mass located at height, such as the jacket of a wind turbine or a jetty, wherein the foundation comprises a quantity of piles driven into an underwater bottom in a geometric pattern. The device comprises a positioning framework of a number of mutually connected guide tubes arranged in a geometric pattern and adapted to receive and guide a pile to be driven into the underwater bottom, wherein the guide tubes comprise a mechanism with which at least an internal wall part of the guide tubes is displaceable in the radial direction of the guide tubes from a radially inward support position for the pile to a radially more outward position in which the internal wall part substantially releases the pile. The invention also relates to a method and an assembly of a jack-up platform and the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: GeoSea N.V.
    Inventors: Luc Vandenbulcke, Koen Vanderbeke
  • Patent number: 8926227
    Abstract: A method of raising a building structure (1) with respect to the ground (2); the method including the steps of: forming a mat (7) having a number of through holes (12), each surrounded by a number of upward-projecting ties (16); inserting a foundation pile (9) through each hole (12); attaching to each foundation pile (9) a lifting device (11), which on one side rests on the top end of the foundation pile (9), and on the other side is secured to the corresponding ties (16) which act as reaction members; exerting thrust on the foundation piles (9) by means of the lifting devices (11) to lift the building structure (1) with respect to the ground (2); dividing lift of the building structure (1) into a succession of lift steps; establishing a predetermined lift value for each lift step; and, at each lift step, operating each lifting device (11) to expand the lifting device (11) by exactly the predetermined lift step value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignees: SO.L.E.S.—Societa' Lavori Edili E Serbatoi S.p.A., Mattioli S.p.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Zago, Lamberto Zambianchi, Gioacchino Marabello, Stefano Scuttari
  • Patent number: 8888413
    Abstract: An improved transition coupling for a helical soil pile assembly transfers a compression load between two coupled shaft segments with little or no compression loading on the bolts that fasten the parts together. The coupling body has a shaft-receiving socket that extends axially into the body from one end to a socket bottom that axially abuts the end of one of the shafts. The body also has at least one shoulder between its ends that extends laterally outward and faces toward the end remote from the socket. A cylindrical portion of the body, which fits closely within the hollow end of the other shaft, extends axially toward the socket end up to the shoulder, which is adapted to abut the end of that shaft. At least one pair of aligned transverse holes in the body is adapted to receive a fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Gary L. Seider, Shawn D. Downey, Jacob C. Atchley, Kelly S. Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20140321923
    Abstract: The invention relates to a piling apparatus for pile assembly comprises at least one walled pipe (26), a clamping frame (29) having a clamping mechanism to link to a walled pipe (26) which has been inserted into the earth, a pressing stand (24) linked to the clamping frame (29), pressing cylinders (35) having one end linked to the base of pressing stand (24), another end linked to a holding clamp (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventor: Thanh Minh Vo
  • Publication number: 20140321922
    Abstract: The invention allows anchoring of a support structure (2) for solar collectors to the ground (1) in a fast, accurate and cost-effective manner, simply and cleanly. The device comprises: at least one pile (3) having a first end (4) adapted for insertion into the ground (1) and a second end (5) projecting from the ground (1); joining means for joining the pile (3) to the structure (2) which comprise a bolt (7) or a plug (30). The method comprises: introducing the first end (4) of the pile (3) in the ground, leaving the second end (5) above the ground (1); fixing the bolt (7) to the pile (3); and fixing the structure (2) to the bolt (7) or to the plug (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: ABENGOA SOLAR NEW TECHNOLOGIES, S.A.
    Inventors: Elena Herrera Del Toro, Teodoro Lopez Del Cerro
  • Patent number: 8845236
    Abstract: A cutting device for use with installation of helical ground anchors designed to cut through rock. The invention has carbide steel cutting tips attached to the distal end of a shaft extending below the end in order to make a first cut through rock along the axis of rotation of the shaft. Helically shaped plates are attached to the shaft at a distance above the shaft set of cutting tips. Attached along the outer edge of the helix are additional carbide steel cutting tips that extend below the bottom surface of the helix and cut along the axis of rotation of the shaft. The present invention allows for the installation of helical ground anchor supports at proper depths without deviation, in situations where the path is obstructed by rock or other hard materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: FixDirt, LLC
    Inventors: Samuel S. Dosdourian, Patricia A. Dosdourian
  • Patent number: 8845235
    Abstract: A method of installing a structure on a bed of a sea, estuary or river from a floating installation vessel is described. In such a method a plurality of attachment piles and corresponding installation rigs are attached to the structure prior to deployment of the structure. In addition, respective umbilical control cables are connected to the installation rigs prior to deployment of the structure. The structure is deployed from a floating vessel to a bed of a sea, estuary or river, such that, when the structure is located on the bed, the umbilical control cables do not support the structure or installation rigs. A single installation operation for each attachment pile is performed, in which operation an installation rig is activated so as to install fully the corresponding attachment pile in the bed, without removal of the umbilical control cable or the installation rig therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Tidal Generation Limited
    Inventor: George James Gibberd
  • Patent number: 8821074
    Abstract: A load bearing pile arrangement comprising a plurality of load bearing construction pile assemblies. Each comprises a pile provided with a support manifold at an upper end thereof. Each pile includes an outer tube and an inner tube between which, when the assembly is in use, provides a pathway for fluid pumped from above and down through the inner tube to a vortex manifold where the fluid swirls before passing upwards between the inner tube and the outer tube. The fluid also swirls as it passes upwards between the tubes and by at least one collar comprising an annular ring fixedly mounted on the tube the ring having helices, which cause the fluid to continue swirling as it passes upwards between the tubes and. In use, the load bearing pile arrangement can be used to recover heat from the surrounding ground; store heat in the surrounding ground; or, to store coolth, especially in a desert locality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventors: Stephen James Reid, Nicholas James Wincott
  • Publication number: 20140212223
    Abstract: A foundation repair system comprising a starter pile, a cable, a stop, and at least one piling segment. The starter pile includes an elongate housing and a base with an opening therethrough. The cable extends from the elongate housing, through the base and through the piling segments. The piling segments include a first portion with a first cross-sectional area and a second portion with a second-smaller cross-sectional area, the second portion of one piling segment resting atop the first portion of the lower piling segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Hill
  • Patent number: 8790043
    Abstract: A foundation for structures, with a combination of pile-like support elements (11) and a load distribution layer (12) which is arranged above the support elements and has an incorporated three-dimensional honeycomb structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Soiltec GmbH
    Inventor: Kai Tietjen
  • Patent number: 8782978
    Abstract: A post footing device facilitates replacement of broken posts. The device includes a tube having an upper end, a lower end, and a perimeter wall extending between the upper end and the lower end. A sleeve has a top end, a bottom end, and a peripheral wall extending between the top end and the bottom end. The sleeve is insertable into the tube and configured for receiving and laterally supporting a post. Each of a plurality of alignment bars extends between the tube and the sleeve wherein the sleeve is held in position within the tube. The alignment bars are spaced around the sleeve such that the alignment bars align the sleeve in the tube. A support is positioned in the sleeve between the top end and the bottom end wherein the support is configured for supporting the post in the sleeve above the bottom end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Inventors: Gerry Frenette, Richard Frenette
  • Patent number: 8726589
    Abstract: A wind turbine installation comprises anchor bolts having a sheath or sleeve which extends above the cement foundation and the overlying grout layer. If desired, the sleeve may partially extend inside the base flange of the wind turbine tower. The sleeve may be manufactured from polypropylene, polyethylene or other materials having satisfactory mechanical properties, primarily that the material be capable of withstanding sufficient plastic deformation to cause the material to conform to the shape of the threads of the anchor bolts without the material failing. This swaging operation results in a crimped end which forms an interference fit with the threads of the anchor bolt thereby preventing or limiting the intrusion of water or other liquids into the bolt-sleeve annulus during the installation of the turbine foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Norman L. Tooman
  • Patent number: 8714881
    Abstract: Low environmental impact, surface installed, multiple pile foundation locking systems providing stable connection between above ground structures and the earth, having a plurality of driving holes in an engineered component through which piles may be driven into the surrounding soil and locked in a predetermined position to create, in differing configurations, the necessary resistances to any combination or relative proportions of bearing, uplift and lateral loads associated with such structures. The piles are driven at predetermined angles relative to the supported structure, consistent with its loading characteristics, and are locked in the driving holes through which they pass, further binding in their configuration under load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: Richard J. Gagliano
  • Publication number: 20140119838
    Abstract: An elevated equipment assembly includes operating equipment situated atop a platform above grade. Piles are installed into the ground with free ends thereof extending above grade, and pile caps are coupled to the free ends of the piles. Each pile cap includes a cap plate disposed in a generally horizontal orientation. A platform is situated atop the pile caps and includes two longitudinally-extending structural beams and cross beams spanning between the two structural beams. Attachment members are secured to and extend outwardly from the outboard side of each structural beam. Each attachment member includes a generally flat attachment plate disposed in a generally horizontal orientation and secured to a cap plate of a pile cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: MAGNUM PIERING, INC.
    Inventor: Howard A. Perko
  • Publication number: 20140093317
    Abstract: A system and method for securely cradling a subsea pipeline is claimed that lands on one side of the pipeline, is embedded into the sea floor, reaches under the pipeline, positions the cradling structure, and then lifts the pipeline. The system typically comprises a gravity driven pile based device, comprising a pile tower, a roller carriage assembly, and a jacking assembly that engages the roller carriage assembly and pile tower rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Oceaneering International, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Gregory Restivo, Nikunj Patel, Kinton Lowell Lawler, Donald C. Nelson, Jason Ray Pollick
  • Publication number: 20140086693
    Abstract: A pile with a low effective Poisson's ratio is disclosed, which greatly reduces the sound coupling to the water and sediment or other ground when driving piles. In some embodiments the pile includes geometric features that reduce the radial amplitude of the compression wave generated during hammering by providing a space for circumferential expansion along the length of the pile. The geometric features may comprise slots and/or grooves. In an embodiment, a driving shoe has a perimeter that extends beyond the pile tube such that the sediment produces less of a binding force on the pile. The pile may be formed as a double-shelled pile with either or both shells having effective low Poisson's ratio properties. A bubble generating plenum may be attached to the shoe to further reduce friction during installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: University of Washington through its Center for Commercialization
    Inventors: Per G. Reinhall, Peter H. Dahl, John Timothy Dardis, II
  • Patent number: 8662206
    Abstract: An apparatus for making a second borehole in the ground, a cross section of which second borehole partially intersects a cross section of an existing first borehole, includes a boring device and a guide device operatively connected to the boring device. The guide device includes at least a first guide element configured to interact with a wall of the existing first borehole and a direction-influencing device configured to influence a direction of the second borehole while the second borehole is being made. The guide device is configured to guide the boring device relative to the existing first borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Aker Wirth GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Josef Von Wirth, Peter Heinrichs
  • Publication number: 20140030029
    Abstract: A piling structure is provided. The piling structure includes a first piling section and a second piling section. At least one of the first and second piling sections has a tapered portion. An end of one of the first and second piling structures fits inside an end of the other of the first and second piling sections to form an overlap region where the first and second piling sections are coupled. In operation, the first piling section may be driven partially into strata. The second piling section may be coupled to the first piling section, and the combined piling structure may be driven further into the strata. The piling structure may be used to support a raised foundation structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Gregory Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven D. Gregory, Joe McCullar, David C. Logan
  • Publication number: 20140023443
    Abstract: A drill assembly for forming in ground granular columns without the need for vibratory compaction, said drill assembly includes a first drill (10) and a second drill (11), where the first drill is a tube (7), and the second drill includes a drill flight (26), wherein said first and second drills are concentric, and the second drill (11) is configured to lie at least partially within the first drill (10); such that the drill assembly is configured to form the granular column with primarily vertical compaction; when the drill assembly arrives at the required depth, the second drill (11) is used to feed an aggregate to a lower terminal end of the drill assembly, thus forming the granular column as the drill assembly is withdrawn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: Jaron Lyell Mcmillan
  • Patent number: 8632276
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing underwater beds includes a plurality of polygonal hollow pipes arranged side by side, the upper ends of which form a horizontal, substantially flat working platform. Each hollow pipe has a horizontal projection with a flange extending vertically and a corresponding flange insertion aperture with a slot immediately above it running vertically and extending as far as the upper end of the hollow pipe, the aperture being further away from the upper end of the hollow pipe than the projection with the flange and having a greater horizontal dimension than the slot. Neighboring hollow pipes engage one another via a respective projection with a corresponding slot. The hollow pipes cannot be moved relative to one another horizontally. Individual pipes can only be pulled out individually in an upward direction at the platform outer edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Matthai Bauunternehmen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Juergen Fischer
  • Publication number: 20130309023
    Abstract: This depression-provided steel pipe has plural depressions on an outer peripheral surface, the depressions being formed so as to form a line along an axial direction of the steel pipe, in which each of the depressed portions has, inside thereof, a columnar groove portion extending along the axial direction of the steel pipe and depressed deeper than a bottom surface of these depressed portions; 0.95?HA/HB?1.05 is satisfied, where HA is an average Vickers hardness in each of the depressed portions, and HB is a Vickers hardness at a portion between the depressed portions adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the steel pipe; and the outer peripheral surface is covered with a mill scale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Masahide Takagi, Shinji Taenaka, Tetsu Satoh, Yuki Motegi, Takashi Oosawa
  • Publication number: 20130272798
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the installation of pipe pilings into the ground for use as structural building foundations, geothermal piles, or both, are disclosed. In addition to specialized fittings for pipe pile assemblies, the inventions include specialized drive mechanisms used in conjunction with rotary or vibratory motors. Methods of installing pipe pilings are further improved with the disclosure of methods of adding grout or similar materials during or after installation of the piles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventor: Suver Paul
  • Publication number: 20130272802
    Abstract: Low environmental impact, surface installed, multiple pile foundation locking systems providing stable connection between above ground structures and the earth, having a plurality of driving holes in an engineered component through which piles may be driven into the surrounding soil and locked in a predetermined position to create, in differing configurations, the necessary resistances to any combination or relative proportions of bearing, uplift and lateral loads associated with such structures. The piles are driven at predetermined angles relative to the supported structure, consistent with its loading characteristics, and are locked in the driving holes through which they pass, further binding in their configuration under load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventor: Richard J. Gagliano
  • Publication number: 20130272800
    Abstract: A ground mounting assembly, system and methods for ground mounting a structure include one or a plurality of posts, each of which are attached to at least one stabilizing plate. The posts may be at least partially positioned underground, with the stabilizing plates being buried to a depth of, for example, about 1 foot. Posts in a front portion of the mounting assembly optionally may be connected to an adjacent one of posts in a back portion of the assembly by a cross member. A ground mounted post that is driven them lifted to deploy uplift members. A ground mounting system based on a double pounder pile driven mono pole is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventor: Stephen Kelleher
  • Patent number: 8511021
    Abstract: The disclosure describes, in part, techniques for designing, fabricating and installing structural caps with a core and composite sleeves to be coupled to structural members of a foundation, such as an installed radial array of batter angled micropiles. These structural caps with sleeves are lightweight and, thus, more portable to difficult-access sites. Once at the sites, operators may fixedly couple these caps to the micropiles or other structural members to form a foundation for a structure to be installed at the difficult-access site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Crux Subsurface, Inc.
    Inventors: Nickolas G. Salisbury, Kenneth R. Edmonds
  • Patent number: 8506206
    Abstract: A composite pile is comprised of two or more rigid hollow tubes interconnected together end-to-end by a pile connector. A boring head is secured to a leading lower end of a lowermost one of the tubes. A force transmitting member is removably connectable to a top end of an uppermost one of the rigid hollow tubes to receive a driving force for driving each of the two or more rigid hollow tubes into the ground. The pile connector has opposed axially aligned projecting pile connecting members extending from opposed parallel faces of a transverse impact transfer disc and extend a predetermined distance in adjacent open ends of the tubes to maintain the tubes in alignment with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: 9267-9075 Quebec Inc.
    Inventor: Alain Desmeules
  • Patent number: 8500371
    Abstract: An arrangement for fixing two concentric tubes (1, 2) together by means of one or more pressure inducing members, preferably each formed as a pad (6); the member acts to press the tubes together; a support (3), preferably formed as a collar fixed inside the outer tube (1), is provided opposite the or each location of the or each member. The support is designed to maintain the circularity of the inner tube so that it can be readily withdrawn from the outer tube without jamming. This is useful for off-shore installations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Britannia Engineering (Isle of Man) Limited
    Inventor: Peter James Curry
  • Patent number: 8500368
    Abstract: An underpinning pile assembly for supporting a structure upon the earth has at least one steel pipe with an interior passageway, a concrete pile segment positioned above the steel pipe, and a cable extending through an interior passageway of the steel pipe and through the interior passageway of the concrete pile segment. A locking assembly is connected to the cable and affixed within the steel pipe. This locking assembly includes a collar having an outer surface affixed to an interior wall of the lowermost pipe. The cable is affixed within an interior of the collar. A pair of wedges secure the cable within the interior of the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Patents of Tomball, LLC
    Inventors: Henry L. Deshazer, Michael W. Orchard
  • Publication number: 20130175017
    Abstract: A purpose of the invention is to provide a spiral piece of steel having high mechanical strength and being capable of easily making smaller the pitch intervals of twisted portions (spiral blade portions) even without changing the twist angle, and also to provide an application product thereof and a method for manufacturing the spiral piece of steel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventor: Tsuneo Goto