Casting In Situ Hardenable Fluent Material Patents (Class 405/233)
  • Publication number: 20130004243
    Abstract: Assemblies for improving the installation of pilings into the ground are disclosed. The assemblies may include a modified pipe pile and a removable point inserted into the end of the pile. Methods of using the assemblies in the installation of pipe piling into the ground are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventor: Dave DEFRANG
  • Publication number: 20120328375
    Abstract: An anchoring system and method according to which a tubular member is positioned in a subterranean substrate and a conglomerate is formed within the subterranean substrate, the conglomerate including respective portions of the subterranean substrate and a chemical fastener in a cured state. The conglomerate is adhered to the tubular member. To form the conglomerate, the chemical fastener in a liquid state is injected into an internal passage defined by the tubular member so that the chemical fastener flows from the internal passage and into the subterranean substrate via at least a first radial opening formed in the first tubular member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: FALCON TECHNOLOGIES AND SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Larry L. Perkins, Jack Sheng
  • Publication number: 20120328374
    Abstract: A reinforced helical pile system suitable for use in seismically active areas incorporates steel fibers in the grout and a fiber reinforced polymer sleeve (casing). A low-friction driving assembly and low-friction sleeve couplings enable the sleeve to be drawn into the soil substantially without rotation, reducing power consumption and preserving the integrity of the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: HUBBELL INCORPORATED
    Inventors: M. Hesham El Naggar, Yasser Abdelghany, Mahmoud M. El Sharnouby, Roy Frater
  • Publication number: 20120308309
    Abstract: Manufacturing, driving and injection method of underwater piles that serve as a foundation for any structure or platform in which one starts with a pillar or pipe (4) to which, during manufacturing, a pile (5) has been inserted in its interior. The methods solve all the possible cases, independently of whether the ground has little resistance or that the load is very great since there are several solutions that the system may adopt to solve all the problems, which are: pile driving on the ground, central injection and by bulb, peripheral injection and radial injection. In addition it includes load tests and an embedding system of the pillar in the slab or structure that is going to support it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: Grupo De Ingenieria Oceanica S.L.
    Inventor: Cesar Del Campo y Ruiz de Almondovar
  • Patent number: 8322458
    Abstract: A drilling rig and a drilling method, in which the drilling element is caused to rotate and is displaced along a mast by means of a drilling drive, which drilling element has a continuous screw auger disposed below the drilling drive, and an extension, which is connected to the continuous screw auger and extends upwardly through the drilling drive. A displacement head is disposed between the continuous screw auger and the extension and is adapted to force earth material into the wall of a bore hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Bauer Maschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Emil Stoetzer, Werner Josef Harthauser
  • Publication number: 20120298004
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mining vehicle and method for its energy supply. The mining vehicle has a carriage, driving equipment for moving the carriage, and at least one mining work device. Further, the mining vehicle has at least one electric motor for operating a main function of the mining vehicle, and at least one electric motor for operating an auxiliary function of the mining vehicle. The mining vehicle further has a power-generating auxiliary unit. When necessary, the power-generating auxiliary unit supplies at least part of the power required by the electric motor operating the auxiliary function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Jukka Osara, Mikko Kouvo, Juha Piipponen
  • Publication number: 20120301227
    Abstract: A foundation pile includes a tubular wall, a top cap covering a top end of the tubular wall, a partition plate disposed transversely in the tubular wall below the top cap and dividing an inner space of the tubular wall into upper and lower spaces, two opposite fixing holes extending radially through the tubular wall and communicated with the upper space, and a plurality of pressure release holes extending radially through the tubular wall and communicated with the lower space. The partition plate prevents concrete slurry from flowing into the upper space. The pressure release holes allow the concrete to consolidate therein and to thereby increase transverse binding forces with the foundation pile. A method of installing the foundation pile is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: DEHAN INTELLECTUAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Wei-Ching Yu, Jen-Chieh Liang, Han-Tsung Huang, Hong-Gening Huang
  • Patent number: 8307716
    Abstract: An annular assembly, or ring cell, is provided for testing the load bearing capacity of piles. The ring cell walls of the annular assembly can be made of stamped material. The ring cell walls can be an outer ring wall and an inner ring wall. Alternately, the ring cell walls can have a ā€œUā€-type shape cross-section including an outer ring wall, an inner ring wall, and a top wall. Fluid can be provided to the annular assembly through fluid supply lines into an expansion zone. The expansion zone can be a space having a bladder for filling with fluid. In another embodiment, the expansion zone can be a space between a filler material capable of withstanding high pressure separated with a membrane. The pressure of the fluid in the expansion zone can be monitored during testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Loadtest, Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Hayes
  • Publication number: 20120155968
    Abstract: Disclosed is a construction method of a cellar for a building completed. The construction method includes fixing supporting structures to bottom concrete of the building; installing a press-in machine on the supporting structures; inserting posts for supporting the building into the foundation under the building by inserting hollow piles into the holes to then insert the piles into the underground using the press-in machine, stacking new piles on the inserted piles, and sequentially inserting the piles using the press-in machine; excavating a foundation under the bottom concrete of the building to prepare an underground space when the building is supported by the posts; and placing the concrete on the horizontal and vertical faces of the underground space prepared by the excavating the bottom concrete of the building.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Korea Engineering & Consultant Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hang Ryong Byun, Jun Seoung Kim
  • Patent number: 8128319
    Abstract: A tamper device includes a shaft for driving a tamper head. A tamper head is attached to the end of the shaft for tamping a lift of aggregate in a cavity formed in a ground surface. A shield extends upwardly a predetermined height from the tamper head an amount sufficient to prevent sidewalls of the cavity from failing and collapsing. Methods of constructing aggregate columns with thicker lifts are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Geopier Foundation Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Kord J. Wissmann
  • Publication number: 20120039671
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a column of compacted material in soil to increase load bearing capabilities and to provide drainage through a system having: a hopper, a stone chamber, a transition splitter pipe having at least two outlet chutes, a vibratory probe mechanism having a tip, a nosecone, and a control system; the vibratory probe mechanism has same number of chutes as the transition splitter pipe; the additional chutes are positioned along the side of the vibratory probe mechanism to increasing the flow rate of a material being discharged into a soil; the hopper is connected to the stone chamber which in turn is connected to the transition splitter pipe, the transition splitter pipe has chutes that are connected to the chutes of the vibratory probe mechanism, wherein the vibratory probe mechanism is connected to the nosecone; the control system constantly monitors the pressure of the air in the system to ensure that the chutes continuously and uniformly discharge the material; wherein the control system h
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Sean G. Callan, Juan I. Baez
  • Patent number: 8079163
    Abstract: A number of front working, trench filling face-compressing, inclinedly disposed sliders are arranged alternately with cutter bits on an endless chain of a trench-forming endless chain cutter on a transporting chassis, and driven with the chain by a drive means so that backward oriented, inclined facet portions of the sliders compress a filling in the trench toward and on a front working face of the wall being formed. An elongate, filling face-compressing shield is adapted to be extended down into the trench and supported with its underground portion on the underground portion of a guide post of the cutter or on the trench bottom for forward and backward oscillation by a drive means to compress the filling face adjacent to the shield. The compacted filling is in these ways being formed by horizontal pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventors: Vladimir Anatol Shreider, Natalia Shreider
  • Patent number: 8066452
    Abstract: An equipment for constructing micropiles in soil, includes a drilling rod with a bit with at least one nozzle jetting fluid forward, and at least one nozzle jetting fluid substantially orthogonal; an element pulling a protective tube, not adhering to the rod. A corresponding method includes drilling with a drilling rod jetting liquid in front of the bit until reaching stable soil strata; drilling and injecting high-pressure grout with one or more lateral nozzles, while the drilling rod rotates; pulling the protective tube, the tube being inserted to the area of grout injection; when the required depth is reached, the proximal end of the drilling rod is anchored to a plate; when the grout is consolidated, traction is applied to the drilling rod if necessary. Grout is injected into the protective tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventor: Cesare Melegari
  • Patent number: 8061065
    Abstract: A number of slot filling-compressing members are inserted from a framework into and across a slot-shaped excavation at ahead of a frontal face of a continuous, compacted slot filling being formed along the slot, and moved with a drive means connected to the members for intermittently forcing portions of the members against the filling to compress the filling adjacent to the members longitudinally against the face. The compacted filling is in this way formed by longitudinal pressure. The members can be mounted for forward or reciprocating movement in directions along and across the face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventors: Vladimir Anatol Shreider, Natalia Shreider
  • Patent number: 8056299
    Abstract: The installation of a foundation at a selected location enables a superstructure to be installed and supported in a desired attitude such as a vertical attitude at the foundation. An installation template is placed at the selected location and support sites on the installation template can be adjusted so that the installation template will support the foundation subassembly in a manner such that the superstructure can be supported in said desired attitude. The foundation subassembly is placed onto the installation template using a lifting subassembly that is secured to the foundation subassembly. The foundation subassembly is fixed in place by concrete or the like into which the foundation assembly is inserted. The superstructure can then be secured to the foundation subassembly. The superstructure and the foundation assembly can be elongated lengthwise relative to their lateral dimensions, and the superstructure can comprise a post adapted to hold a panel for deflecting road noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Mack Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Herbert Gregory Liskey
  • Patent number: 8033757
    Abstract: Disclosed in this specification is a method and apparatus for placing a helical pile in the soil with minimal disturbances to the soil. The helical pile has an elongated pipe with a central chamber. The pipe has a helical blade with an opening in the trailing edge of the blade where grout is extruded. The grout fills those portions of the soil which were disturbed by the blade. Advantageously, those portions of the soil which were not disturbed by the blade are not infused with grout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Ben Stroyer
  • Patent number: 7975438
    Abstract: A joining device (8) for hybrid wind turbine towers (5) intended for the fixation of a metal portion (6) of a wind turbine tower (5) to a concrete portion (7) of said wind turbine (1) which comprises a metal body (9) having a generally tubular configuration that is suitable to be fixed to the metal portion (6) of the tower (5) which in use is adjacent to the concrete portion (7), and suitable for being at least partially embedded into said concrete portion (7), said metal body (9) being provided with a number of anchoring openings (11) adapted such that the material of the concrete portion (7) passes therethrough. A hybrid wind turbine tower (5) comprises such a joining device (8) provided between one metal portion (6) and one concrete portion (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Ecotecnia Energias Renovables, S.L.
    Inventors: Jordi PuigcorbƩ Punzano, Enrique Elkoroberezibar Markiegi
  • Publication number: 20110135401
    Abstract: The grouted pile splice for pipe piles includes a lower pile section, and an upper pile section including an integral driving portion adapted to apply a driving force to the lower pile section. The upper pile section includes a stabbing portion sized to extend through a proximal end opening and into an inner bore of the lower pile section to form an annulus space between the upper pile section and the lower pile section to receive grout. The driving portion may include a wall thickness greater than a wall thickness of the stabbing portion, and an annular land positioned to contact a proximal end of the lower pile section. A grout distributor assembly may be mounted in the upper pile section to receive grout. A grout line assembly is inserted into the upper pile section and mated with the distributor assembly to supply pumped grout to the annulus space. A method and upper pile section are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: KEYSTONE ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Rudolph A. Hall
  • Patent number: 7931424
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for constructing soil columns in-situ in the ground are disclosed for the purpose of improving the structure supporting capability of surface soils to support loads from buildings and other structures. Some embodiments use a surcharge ring or load to apply a stress to soil surrounding a construction site for a soil column. Methods according to the present disclosure may reduce impact on the environment because they may be performed with only one piece of normal construction equipment. In addition, gravel, crushed stone, cement or chemicals may not be required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: GeoTech Goundation Companyā€”West
    Inventor: John Paul Martin, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20110070033
    Abstract: An equipment for constructing micropiles in soil, includes a drilling rod with a bit with at least one nozzle jetting fluid forward, and at least one nozzle jetting fluid substantially orthogonal; an element pulling a protective tube, not adhering to the rod. A corresponding method includes drilling with a drilling rod jetting liquid in front of the bit until reaching stable soil strata; drilling and injecting high-pressure grout with one or more lateral nozzles, while the drilling rod rotates; pulling the protective tube, the tube being inserted to the area of grout injection; when the required depth is reached, the proximal end of the drilling rod is anchored to a plate; when the grout is consolidated, traction is applied to the drilling rod if necessary. Grout is injected into the protective tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventor: Cesare MELEGARI
  • Publication number: 20110052330
    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 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. The system allows a support column including a cementitious inclusion on top of an expanded base to be built.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: GEOPIER FOUNDATION COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Kord J. Wissmann, Marc Plotkin
  • Patent number: 7883295
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming an in situ subterranean soil cement structure wherein a soil processing tool incorporates a novel cyclonic mixing region. The cyclonic mixing region is formed by deflecting a jetstream which initially moves away from a hollow Kelly and, after being deflected, the jetstream is redirected into a direction flowing towards the hollow Kelly. A contoured flight is provided having an exterior contoured surface extending upwardly from a central section of the contoured flight and bends through an angle greater than 110Ā° in order to deflect a jetstream which is directed outwardly from the hollow Kelly back towards the hollow Kelly. By preventing any of the high pressure jetstreams from impacting the side wall of the hole, higher jetstream velocities and pressures may be utilized. Two or more jetstreams may also be utilized to direct their jetstreams around a central horizontal axis to provide the cyclonic mixing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventor: Verne L. Schellhorn
  • Patent number: 7874766
    Abstract: The invention provides a jet-mixing method for casting a pile of predetermined diameter by thrusting or feeding into the ground a rod provided at its lower end with a first jet nozzle section for jetting ground improvement medium and a second jet nozzle section for jetting reactant in substantially the same direction as the jet direction of the first jet nozzle section, and provided above the first and second jet nozzle sections with a third jet nozzle section for mixing and jetting compressed air and water in a direction opposite the jet direction of the first and second jet nozzle sections, jetting compressed air and water within a predetermined range while simultaneously rotating and upwardly extracting the rod from the ground, thereby jet-cutting a ground improvement region into a cylindrical shape, discharging mud generated by the cutting operation to the ground surface through a bored hole, and jetting the reactant from the second jet nozzle section and jetting the ground improvement medium from the fir
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignees: Daiei Sangyo Co., Ltd., Fujijyuki Koji Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Yano
  • Patent number: 7866922
    Abstract: An equipment for constructing micropiles in soil, includes a drilling rod with a bit with at least one nozzle jetting fluid forward, and at least one nozzle jetting fluid substantially orthogonal; an element pulling a protective tube, not adhering to the rod. A corresponding method includes drilling with a drilling rod jetting liquid in front of the bit until reaching stable soil strata; drilling and injecting high-pressure grout with one or more lateral nozzles, while the drilling rod rotates; pulling the protective tube, the tube being inserted to the area of grout injection; when the required depth is reached, the proximal end of the drilling rod is anchored to a plate; when the grout is consolidated, traction is applied to the drilling rod if necessary. Grout is injected into the protective tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Inventor: Cesare Melegari
  • Publication number: 20100329797
    Abstract: In a vessel utilized for providing powdered materials, such as binder, for the construction of an in-situ piling, the vessel has a binder feeding system having a fluidization chamber, where the fluidization chamber receives air at a higher pressure than the substantial portion of the remainder of the vessel. This higher pressure enhances the fluidization of the powered materials as the materials are dispersed through an actuated valve at the bottom of the vessel. This system results in a decreased volume of air required for transporting the powdered materials through the feeder hose to the tool in the piling borehole, thereby reducing the creation of air pockets in the in-situ piling. This feeder system replaces the cell wheel currently used in binder feeder systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Johan Gunther, David Blomqvist, Henrik Persson
  • Patent number: 7854572
    Abstract: A piling machine with high-pressure jet spiral bit, including an underpan, a pile frame, a drill pipe, a drill bit having an upper leaf helix, a lower leaf helix and a middle leaf helix, a power system, a high-pressure concrete casting system and a high-pressure jet grouting system. The drill bit is disposed at the head of the drill pipe and has multiple nozzles disposed thereon, a diameter of the middle leaf helix is constant from the top to the bottom thereof, a diameter of each of the upper leaf helix and the lower leaf helix decreases from the top to the bottom thereof so that the drill bit with upper and lower tines is formed, the drill bit is spiral, the high-pressure jet grouting system is disposed in the drill bit, and the nozzles are disposed on the drill bit. A piling method is also taught herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Yuhua Lei
  • Publication number: 20100247245
    Abstract: A foundation structure using a micro pile and a method of forming the same. A cover steel plate is disposed at an upper end of the micro pile, and has a micro pile hole. The micro pile is connected with others in series thanks to the use of two through eight protrusions formed on a lower end thereof. Grout or concrete is injected into a hollow channel of the micro pile, and enhances a conglomerating force between the micro pile and the ground abutting the micro pile to thereby strengthen the force supporting the ground in the vertical and horizontal directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventor: Sun Guen Lee
  • Patent number: 7785040
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for forming a mono pile foundation in soil for a wind turbine tower including drilling a plurality of holes into the soil, the plurality of holes being arranged along a curve having a contour corresponding to a cross-dimensional shape of the mono pile, and placing the mono pile in an annular cavity, the annular cavity being formed by the plurality of holes alone and/or by the mono pile breaking up intermediate soil walls between adjacent holes in the plurality of holes while being placed therein. A foundation in soil for a wind turbine tower, a wind turbine comprising such a foundation, and use of such a foundation in a wind turbine is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Jonas Kristensen
  • Patent number: 7748932
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for use in stabilizing different types of soils and/or creating anchorage and more particularly, to a system and method for injecting various types of solidifying material into a subsurface through a drilling apparatus during the drilling operation. The drilling apparatus may be removable and reusable used to create a micro or mini pile for soil stabilization, or alternatively it can be left in place to be used in conjunction with grout and similar materials for forming an anchor or load carry pier. A solidifying material swivel, a drive connector and a drilling apparatus, in combination are attached to a power drive unit. In one preferred embodiment, the drilling apparatus remains within the soil subsurface, encased in solidifying material. In another preferred embodiment, the drilling apparatus is removed leaving a homogenous pile of solidifying material behind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventor: Russell Lindsey
  • Patent number: 7748937
    Abstract: A fastener system for connecting a first member to a second member is described. The fastener system includes a flexible shell having therein a flexible reinforcement member in the form of a frame. The shell and frame can be placed through holes in the two members and filled with a filler material that hardens to form a rigid fastener in order to connect the first and second members together. The fastener system and method can be used even when the holes in the two members are misaligned or are of different sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventor: Nancy Kay Keech
  • Patent number: 7735273
    Abstract: A form system is provided for forming a structural column assembly of the type used for erecting building structures and the like, such as a concrete column or footing formed in situ in an earthen hole. The system includes a support system, including a wire support member and an associated base foam ring having an offset center hole corresponding to the centerline of the concrete footing, which is placed at the bottom of the earthen hole. A lower vertical form system, including multiple interlocking pieces, is assembled and joined at one end to an offset disk member. The disk member of the lower vertical form system is then placed onto the base foam ring in abutting engagement. The form system is then plumbed and positioned, e.g., in relation to one or more layout strings. Once the form system is in the correct position, the earthen hole is backfilled, e.g., with dirt or other material, thus holding the properly positioned form system in place. The lower vertical form system is then cut to grade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Morton Buildings
    Inventors: Wayne A. Knepp, David E. Laux, Kevin Potter
  • Patent number: 7726913
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and a method for casting a cementitious or stone pile into the ground. The present invention comprises an exterior driving casing and an interior mandrel acting in cooperation to hold and deliver the pile forming material. A retrievable driving driving shoe is also disclose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: David Sjogren
  • Patent number: 7713002
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drilling device for producing a drilling column in the soil comprising a mast, a drill drive arranged on a carriage, which is movably supported along the mast, a drilling tube which can be driven in a rotating manner by the drill drive and is movable along the mast in order to produce a drill hole, and a tube hopper that is connected to the drilling tube and comprises a storage space for filling material to fill the drill hole during the extraction of the drilling tube. In accordance with the invention provision is made for the tube hopper to be arranged in the drilling direction above the drill drive and to be connected to the drilling tube. The invention further relates to a method for producing a drilling column in the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Bauer Maschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Erwin Stoetzer
  • Patent number: 7707797
    Abstract: A circular concrete cap foundation poured in-situ within a perimeter forming corrugated metal pipe set atop or within an excavated pit and enclosing a series of circumferentially spaced pile anchors. The circular concrete cap foundation supports sets of inner and outer circumferentially spaced tower anchor bolts having their lower ends anchored to an embedded anchor ring and their upper ends projecting vertically and upwardly out the top of the circular foundation to engage the base flange of a supported tower. The pile anchors are formed with perimeter corrugated metal pipes set deep in subsurface soils with cementitious material surrounding and partially bonding to a centralized steel bolt or tendon which extends through the cap foundation. The tower anchor bolts and the pile anchor bolts are both partially encased in a PVC sleeve so that the bolts can be post-tensioned. The pile anchors are in tension only and serve to pull the cap foundation down to compress the underlying ground soils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Allan P. Henderson
  • Publication number: 20100054864
    Abstract: Disclosed in this specification is a method and apparatus for placing a helical pile in the soil with minimal disturbances to the soil. The helical pile has an elongated pipe with a central chamber. The pipe has a helical blade with an opening in the trailing edge of the blade where grout is extruded. The grout fills those portions of the soil which were disturbed by the blade. Advantageously, those portions of the soil which were not disturbed by the blade are not infused with grout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Ben Stroyer
  • Publication number: 20090317194
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drilling rig and a drilling method, in which the drilling element is caused to rotate and is displaced along a mast by means of a drilling drive, which drilling element has a continuous screw auger disposed below the drilling drive, and an extension, which is connected to the continuous screw auger and extends upwardly through the drilling drive. According to the present invention, a displacement head is disposed between the continuous screw auger and the extension and is adapted to force earth material into the wall of a bore hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Erwin Emil Stoetzer, Werner Josef Harthauser
  • Publication number: 20090279960
    Abstract: This invention deals with a device and a method for an improved concrete pile casting in swelling soils by substantially lowering or eliminating heave forces created in active soils from affecting said piles by surrounding selectable parts of the pile by an easily deformable material for lowering the horizontal and the vertical soil movement effect, and by providing a low friction surface for further lowering vertical forces effect. This inventive device and method further facilitates subsequent operations by permitting an easy and seamless casting of columns and by ensuring a clean and smooth pile surface for a better adhesion of new concrete to an old one, as well as preventing cement dough seepage to surrounding soil and concrete segregation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2007
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventor: Basem Hazzan
  • Publication number: 20090269146
    Abstract: Method for construction of piles or caissons, which consists of drilling i.e. augering a borehole, deformating are carried by means of a neoprene or rubber hose or by means of a head unit for expansion. When connected with the pressure generator (27) which generates air or water under pressure, valve (26) opens, and pressure performs plastic deformations in the borehole. The hose, which is made of neoprene or rubber at the end of which there is a vulcanized cover (13), and which is of a suitable length and width, and has different stiffnesses of its walls are being accomplished by putting on bandages i.e. rings (11), is put on over a plastic or metal pipe (12), by means of which it provides supply of appropriate medium under pressure. The head unit for expansion consisted of a supply pipe and a rubber or neoprene gland reinforcement is inserted into the borehole and it is inflated causing deformations on the walls of the borehole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventor: Bozidar Miljovski
  • Patent number: 7585136
    Abstract: Described herein is a method and equipment for making an impermeable diaphragm of secant piles, based upon the execution of parallel holes with constant distances between centres, said method and equipment being of the type that uses a drill rod (5) equipped, at the bottom end, with a bit (16) for making adjacent holes (1, 1?, 2) of substantially circular cross section, in which the equipment is constituted by a guide (6, 7), constrained to the drill rod (5), and made up of two elements shaped so as to press against the walls of two adjacent holes (1, 2); the two elements are connected to one another through a slider (20) passing through a vertical opening (21) made between the two holes (1, 2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Soilmec S.p.A.
    Inventors: Ezio Biserna, Maurizio Siepi
  • Publication number: 20090202307
    Abstract: A method of constructing a shallow pier foundation building that includes a) placing a plurality of insulating pier forms along a perimeter of the building; b) placing a plurality of insulating concrete forms between the insulating piers to form a continuous insulating surface to the surrounding soil and a continuous forming surface to provide a slab form; c) placing a concrete composition in the insulating piers and insulating concrete forms and allowing the concrete composition to cure and harden; and d) placing a concrete slab composition in the slab form and allowing the concrete composition to cure and harden.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: NOVA CHEMICALS INC.
    Inventors: Ginawati Au, Bret McLean, Leslie Molke, Frank Kovatch, Jeffrey Beaman, Robert Stoffa, Justin Rubb
  • Patent number: 7520697
    Abstract: A system and method for elevating a construction implement relative to a surface under construction includes erecting a support post having a generally hollow cavity on the surface under construction, such as a dam. A quantity of granular material is then dumped into the hollow cavity of the support post. The support post and, specifically, the construction implement, is then jacked to a desired height relative to the surface. A portion of the granular material is then permitted to disperse through and beneath the support post thereby creating a higher support structure on which the support post may then rest. This process may be repeated as the construction progresses and the surface is gradually raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Rotec Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert F. Oury
  • Patent number: 7500807
    Abstract: A method of construction using sheet piling sections that includes the steps of: (a) installing a sheet piling wall in the ground to enclose a first area and a second area; (b) excavating a plurality of holes in the first area; (c) excavating the second area; (d) installing a plurality of first area structural supports; (e) leveling the first area; (f) forming a first floor in the first area; (g) excavating the first area to form a first area chamber; (h) leveling the bottom surface of the first area chamber; (i) forming a first area chamber floor; (j) repeating steps (g) through (i); (k) installing a plurality of second area structural supports; (l) forming a bottom floor in the excavated second area; (m) forming a ceiling above the bottom floor to form a second area chamber; and (n) repeating step (m) until a plurality of second area chambers are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Arcelormittal Commercial s.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Alex Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20080253845
    Abstract: To provide building foundation structure formed with a soil improving body and raft foundation that can suppress weight increase of a soil improving body while achieving suppression of differential settlement and improvement of bearing capacity of the whole foundation and that can be applied to medium-rise buildings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Kinji Takeuchi, Haruyuki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7435038
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing and lifting subsided slabs, flatwork, foundations of buildings or other structures, and, in particular, to the slab pier and bracket which are used in the repair and support of said subsided slabs, flatwork, foundations of building or other structures. In a specific embodiment, the subject method and apparatus can include a bracket, top piece, and pier column. In this embodiment, the subject apparatus can use these components as the means for lifting the subsided slab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: James L. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20080232906
    Abstract: A circular concrete cap foundation poured in-situ within a perimeter forming corrugated metal pipe set atop or within an excavated pit and enclosing a series of circumferentially spaced pile anchors. The circular concrete cap foundation supports sets of inner and outer circumferentially spaced tower anchor bolts having their lower ends anchored to an embedded anchor ring and their upper ends projecting vertically and upwardly out the top of the circular foundation to engage the base flange of a supported tower. The pile anchors are formed with perimeter corrugated metal pipes set deep in subsurface soils with cementitious material surrounding and partially bonding to a centralized steel bolt or tendon which extends through the cap foundation. The tower anchor bolts and the pile anchor bolts are both partially encased in a PVC sleeve so that the bolts can be post-tensioned. The pile anchors are in tension only and serve to pull the cap foundation down to compress the underlying ground soils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Allan P. Henderson
  • Patent number: 7413385
    Abstract: In this invention, after a hole has been drilled or excavated, injection probe(s) are placed at appropriate depth(s), the excavated native materials are replaced with appropriately sized crushed rock or other natural or synthetic materials, and then a polymeric resin is injected through the probe(s) to encapsulate and bind the fill material, whereby upon curing the polymeric resin and fill material forms a foam friction pile. Such friction piles drilled or excavated adjacent to each other will form a foam sheet piling system. The foam piles can also be re-enforced using nylon, polypropylene, fiberglass, other synthetic or non-synthetic materials or combinations of these materials. The polymeric resin typically would comprise a high density closed cell, water resistant expanding two component polyurethane foam system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Inventor: Casey Moroschan
  • Patent number: 7390144
    Abstract: A method for installing a pre-cast/pre-stressed concrete and steel pile used in the construction of pile foundations and the resulting installed pile that has its distal end anchored to bedrock is disclosed. After the pile is located on bedrock, a first hole is drilled into bedrock that is of sufficient depth to accommodate a lower portion of the steel pipe that extends below the concrete pile and contains a plurality of orifices. A second hole is drilled into bedrock that is below and concentric to the first hole and has a diameter than that is usually less than that of the first hole. The second hole forms an anchoring socket to accommodate an anchoring anchor. Grout is injected into the steel pile and anchoring socket until the grout fills the voids in the interior of the steel pipe. Grout also seeps through the orifices in the lower end of said steel pipe and fills the second hole, and an annular space between the outer circumference of the steel pipe and the walls of the first hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Nova Group Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald M. Fedrick
  • Patent number: 7381010
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for removal of buried objects. According to one embodiment of the invention, a crane with a vibrator casing driver is used to lift and suspend a large diameter steel casing over the buried object. Then the casing is driven into the ground by the vibratory driver until the casing surrounds the buried object. Then the open bottom of the casing is sealed shut by injecting grout into the ground within the casing near its bottom. When the seal has cured and hardened, the top of the casing is lifted to retrieve the casing, with the buried object inside, from the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Worth Wind, Inc. (Assignee of the interest of Grams, Crass, and Riess)
    Inventors: Robert G. Alexander, Dennis Crass, William Grams, Steven J. Phillips, Mark Riess
  • Patent number: 7380462
    Abstract: An apparatus measures a supporting force of ferroconcrete piles by means of a bi-directional front end oil pressure loading apparatus using a high pressure loading system capable of measuring a supporting force, a sinking amount and an axis load distribution on the ferroconcrete piles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignees: G-Tech. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-Kyu Choi, Min-Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 7374369
    Abstract: A method for the earthwork of a foundation sunk for a wind energy facility, which has the following steps: an anchor cage is provided, consisting of an anchor plate and several anchoring bolts which are connected with the anchor plate, the free ends of the anchoring bolts are guided through bores in at least one load distribution plate the load distribution plate lays on at least three bolt nuts, which are screwed on the anchoring bolts, a reinforcement for the foundation sunk is mounted and the anchor cage is poured in with the reinforcement, the anchoring bolts protruding with the bolt nuts in this, upon subsequent tightening of the anchoring bolts between anchor plate and load distribution plate, the bolt nuts are stripped over the thread of the anchoring bolt and loose their supporting capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Nordex Energy GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Jakubowski, Joachim Nitzpon, Ralf Wederhake, Markus Marburger