Abstract: A geoexchange system is provided which includes a ground source heat exchanger positioned in the ground and a distribution system coupled to the ground source heat exchanger to circulate water through the ground source heat exchanger during operation. The distribution system may include a supply line, a return line and a circulation pump to circulate water through the internal fluid cavity of the ground source heat exchanger via the supply and return lines. The distribution system may further include a purge valve to release gas from the distribution system and a fill circuit that is configured to automatically replenish the internal fluid cavity of the ground source heat exchanger with water upon leakage of water from the ground source heat exchanger or conversion of water from the ground source heat exchanger to gas. Other geoexchange systems and related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A bearing cooling system for a vibratory pile driving system comprising at least one housing wall defining at least one bearing opening and at least one bearing assembly supported by the at least one housing wall in the at least one bearing opening. The bearing cooling system comprises a bearing cover plate, a bearing cover seal member, and at least one bearing bolt. The bearing cover plate defines an inner surface having a bearing cover plate seal recess. The bearing cover seal member adapted to be received at least partly within the bearing cover plate seal recess. The at least one bearing bolt is configured to secure the bearing cover plate relative to the at least one housing wall to form at least one contact location at which the bearing cover plate is in contact with at least a portion of the at least one bearing assembly.

Abstract: A grout plug assembly for use in forming a pipe pile system defining at least one pile assembly inner surface portion comprises a resiliently deformable plug body defining a plug outer surface, a plug inner surface, a first plug end surface, a second plug end surface. The plug inner surface defines a plug passageway. The plug outer surface is sized and dimensioned to engage the at least one pile assembly inner surface portion of the pipe pile system during formation of the pipe pile system.

Abstract: A wick drain shoe assembly adapted to be connected to a free end of a length of wick drain material and driven by a mandrel of a wick drain insertion system comprises a base portion, an extension portion secured to the base portion, and a wick drain shoe gasket. The wick drain material is connected to the wick drain shoe by securing the free end to the extension portion. The base portion is sized and dimensioned to engage the mandrel such that displacement of the mandrel in a first direction causes displacement of the wick drain shoe in the first direction. The wick drain shoe gasket is arranged between the mandrel and the base portion.

Abstract: A grout plug assembly for use in forming a pipe pile system defining at least one pile assembly inner surface portion comprises a resiliently deformable plug body and a substantially rigid plug cap. The resiliently deformable plug body defining a plug outer surface, a plug inner surface, a first plug end surface, a second plug end surface, where the plug inner surface defines a plug passageway. The substantially rigid plug cap defines a cap outer surface, a cap inner surface, a first cap end surface, and a second cap end surface. The second cap end surface is rigidly secured to the first plug end surface. The plug outer surface is sized and dimensioned to engage the at least one pile assembly inner surface portion of the pipe pile system during formation of the pipe pile system.

Abstract: A connecting system for connecting a pile to a structural member has a core portion, a first interface portion, and a second interface portion. The core portion defines a system axis. The first interface portion defines a reference plane and is adapted to be connected to the core portion and the structural member. The second interface portion is adapted to be connected to the core portion and the pile. The second interface portion fixes a position of the system axis relative to the pile. The core portion allows adjustment of a position of the reference plane relative to the system axis.

Abstract: A hydraulic impact hammer for striking a pile has a main housing, a ram supported, a coupler rod, a conversion housing, a hydraulic actuator, and a ram connector. The hydraulic actuator defines an actuator rod, a lifting head, and a lift connector. The lifting head defines an upper wall and a lower wall. The lift connector attaches the actuator rod to the upper wall of the lifting head. The ram connector attaches the coupler rod to the lower wall of the lifting head. Operation of the hydraulic actuator raises and lowers the ram to strike the pile.

Abstract: A drill string comprising a bit portion, a distal extension portion, a proximal extension portion, and a connecting portion. The bit portion is operatively connected to the distal extension portion and the connecting portion operatively connects the distal extension portion to the proximal extension portion to define supply path and a return path. The supply path extends through the distal proximal extension portion, the connecting portion, the distal extension portion, and the bit portion to a cutter region associated with the bit portion. The return path extends from the cutter region through the bit portion, the distal extension portion, the connector portion, and the proximal extension portion.

Abstract: A pile assembly to be driven into the ground comprises an elongate member, a drive member, and a plurality of flight members. The drive member is supported by the elongate member to facilitate axial rotation of the elongate member. The plurality of flight members is supported by the elongate member. Axial rotation of the elongate member causes the plurality of flight members to auger the elongate member into the ground. The flight members are arranged to balance the loads on the elongate member as the elongate member is driven into the ground.

Abstract: A guide system for allowing a diesel hammer to be supported by a plurality of support systems comprises a primary channel system and a pair of first and second channel adapter assemblies. The primary channel system rigidly connected to the diesel hammer to define a pair of primary channels and a primary spacing distance. Each first channel adapter assembly defines a first secondary channel. The guide system operates in a first configuration and a second configuration. In the second configuration, each of the first channel adapter assemblies is detachably attached to the primary channel system such that the first channel adapter assemblies define a first secondary spacing distance between the first secondary channels, the first secondary spacing distance is different from the primary spacing distance, and portions of a second support system of the plurality of support systems are received within the first secondary channels.

Abstract: A pile system for permafrost comprising a pilot hole, at least one pile, and frozen slurry. The pilot hole is formed to a pilot hole depth. The at least one pile is arranged at least partly within the pilot hole and extends to a pile string depth. The frozen slurry is within the pilot hole and is at least partly around the at least one pile.

Abstract: A pipe assembly may have one or more pipe segments that are coupled together or coupled to a drive socket by a coupler. The bottom-most segment may have a body with a central axis, an exterior surface an upper end connectable to the pile assembly, a digging end, the digging end facilitating the creation of a borehole, and ports through which fluid is emittable. The bottom-most segment is designed to receive fluid introduced through the pipe assembly so that the fluid can facilitate the creation of a borehole and may be emitted through the ports during the driving of the pipe assembly into soil.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A grouting assembly receives grout and delivers the grout to a pipe assembly for delivery to underground soil. The grouting assembly may have a drive shaft assembly with a rotary output shaft and a drive socket, a grout tube, a drivable coupler, and a grout plug assembly. The grout plug assembly inserts into the drivable coupler and accepts the grout tube in sealed engagement. The rotary output shaft, grout tube, and grout plug assembly define a conduit that provides an unobstructed flow path for the grout into the pipe assembly. The bottom-most pipe segment of the pipe assembly is designed to receive grout introduced through the pipe assembly so that the grout can be emitted through grout ports during the driving of the pile assembly into soil. The emitted grout forms a grout/soil mixture jacket within the disturbed soil along an exterior of the pipe pile assembly which adds appreciably to the overall stability, and particularly the lateral stability, of the pipe pile column created.

Abstract: A pipe assembly may have one or more pipe segments that are coupled together or coupled to a drive socket by a coupler. The bottom-most pipe segment being a bottom pile segment that may have a body with a central axis, an exterior surface an upper end connectable to the pipe pile assembly, and a bottom end, the bottom end inhibiting grout from passing through the bottom end, helical flights extending from the exterior surface of the body substantially perpendicular to the central axis, and grout ports through which the grout is emittable. The bottom pipe segment is designed to receive grout introduced through the pipe assembly so that the grout can be emitted the grout ports during the driving of the pile assembly into soil. The emitted grout forms a grout/soil mixture jacket within the disturbed soil along an exterior of the pipe pile assembly which adds appreciably to the overall stability, and particularly the lateral stability, of the pipe pile column created.

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.

Abstract: A pipe assembly may have one or more pipe segments that are coupled together or coupled to a drive socket by a coupler. The coupler may have a body with a generally tubular shape with an interior surface and an exterior surface. First and second flanges may extend outward from the exterior surface to engage the drive socket, thereby providing enhanced stability and coaxiality. The interior surface may have an upper receiving feature that can receive the bottom end of an overhead pipe segment, and a lower receiving feature that can receive the top end of a subtending pipe segment. The upper receiving feature may have an upper threaded bore with a lead-in portion that facilitates alignment of the overhead pipe segment with the upper threaded bore. The interior surface may also have a stop feature that prevents over-insertion of the top end and/or the bottom end into the coupler.

Abstract: An accessory mounting system a swivel assembly has a swivel member defining first and second swivel member connector portions, a swivel housing, and first and second bearings operatively arranged between the swivel member and the swivel housing. The accessory mounting system operatively connects a helical pile driving system having a rotational drive system and at least one clamp system to an accessory. The first swivel member connector portion is adapted to operatively connect the swivel member to the drive system. The second swivel member connector portion is adapted to operatively connect the swivel member to the accessory. The swivel housing is adapted to engage the at least one clamp system such that the clamp system may be operated to fix a position of the swivel housing relative to the drive system. The first and second bearings are configured to allow rotation of the swivel member relative to the swivel housing.