Abstract: A pile guide for supporting a pile as it is driven into a substrate, comprises: a base frame having a planar substrate-engaging surface; and a pile guide member mounted on the base frame, the pile guide member being configured to guide a pile in a predetermined direction therethrough as it is driven into a substrate. The pile guide member is pivotally mounted on the base frame, with pivotal movement of the pile guide member varying the predetermined direction relative to the planar substrate-engaging surface of the base frame.

Abstract: A system for aligning a pile during pile driving, comprising: a pile (16) having a laterally protruding coupling (20) for a tether; and a pile guide (10) for supporting the pile as it is driven into a substrate, comprising a base frame (12) and a pile guide member (14) mounted on the base frame (12), the pile guide member (14) having in its periphery a slot (24) which is configured to allow the laterally protruding coupling (20) to pass therealong as the pile (16) passes through the pile guide; wherein the pile and pile guide member comprise two pairs of slidably interfitting profiles (52, 86) which are configured to resist gaping in the slot (24) of the pile guide member (14) as the pile (16) is driven therethrough into the substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for driving a pile into an underwater substrate, comprises a pile guide (11) having a base frame (12) with a guide member (14) mounted thereon, the guide member configured to guide a pile as it is driven into a substrate when the base frame is resting thereon. The base frame (12) defines a substantially rectangular platform (16) for carrying a device for driving a pile into a substrate, and a power supply for supplying power to drive the device, during deployment. Once deployed, a pile (50) is positioned in the guide member (14) and the device (2) is lifted onto the pile (50). The power supply (30) drives the device (2) as the pile (50) is driven into the substrate.

Abstract: A system for aligning a pile during pile driving, comprising: a pile (16) having a laterally protruding coupling (20) for a tether; and a pile guide (10) for supporting the pile as it is driven into a substrate, comprising a base frame (12) and a pile guide member (14) mounted on the base frame (12), the pile guide member (14) having in its periphery a slot (24) which is configured to allow the laterally protruding coupling (20) to pass therealong as the pile (16) passes through the pile guide; wherein the pile and pile guide member comprise two pairs of slidably interfitting profiles (52, 86) which are configured to resist gaping in the slot (24) of the pile guide member (14) as the pile (16) is driven therethrough into the substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for driving a pile into an underwater substrate, comprises a pile guide (11) having abase frame (12) with a guide member (14) mounted thereon, the guide member configured to guide a pile as it is driven into a substrate when the base frame is resting thereon. The base frame (12) defines a substantially rectangular platform (16) for carrying a device for driving a pile into a substrate, and a power supply for supplying power to drive the device, during deployment. Once deployed, a pile (50) is positioned in the guide member (14) and the device (2) is lifted onto the pile (50). The power supply (30) drives the device (2) as the pile (50) is driven into the substrate.

Abstract: A system for controlling pile orientation comprises a pile (14) and a pile guide (20) for supporting the pile as it is driven into a substrate, the pile guide comprising a base frame (10) and a pile guide member (22) mounted on the base frame. The pile (14) and the pile guide member (22) have slidaby interengaging profiles (30, 40) comprising first and second parts (32, 42), which are configured to axially rotate the pile to correct any misorientation relative to the pile guide as the parts slide past each other, and third and fourth parts (34, 44), which are configured to maintain a predetermined orientation of the pile relative to the pile guide once any misorientation has been corrected by interengagement of the first and second parts.

Abstract: A pile guide, for supporting a pile as it is driven into a substrate, has a base frame and a pile guide member mounted on the base frame. The base frame comprises one or more substrate-engaging supports, moveable between an inoperative position and an operative position, with movement of the or each substrate-engaging support into the operative position resulting in an increase in the area of the base frame which, in use, rests on the substrate.