Abstract: A pile-driver assembly for driving a pile into the ground, preferably offshore, and a method of driving a pile into the ground using the pile-driver assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a casing defining a chamber, the chamber being configured to house a fluid. The assembly further includes a positioning element configured to position the casing at or on the pile, wherein at least a portion of the positioning element is positioned between the chamber and the pile. The assembly further includes actuating means, wherein actuation of the actuating means displaces the chamber relative to the positioning element, such that the chamber moves away from the pile, and wherein the actuating means is configured to release the chamber for displacement towards the pile such that a force is exerted by the chamber on the positioning member, to controllably drive the pile into the ground.

Abstract: A pile-driver assembly for driving a pile into the ground is disclosed. The assembly includes a casing defining a chamber configured to house a fluid; a positioning element configured to position the casing at or on the pile; and actuating means. Actuation of the actuating means displaces the chamber relative to the positioning element such that the chamber moves away from the pile to an elevated position. The actuating means is configured to release the chamber from the elevated position for displacement towards the pile such that a force is exerted by the chamber on the positioning member, to controllably drive the pile into the ground. The assembly further includes buffering means, the buffering means being configured to controllably buffer the force exerted by the chamber on the pile as the pile is driven into the ground. The buffering means is configured to rebound the chamber to a rebound position.

Abstract: A pile-driver assembly for driving a pile into the ground, preferably offshore, and a method of driving a pile into the ground using the pile-driver assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a casing defining a chamber, the chamber being configured to house a fluid. The assembly further includes a positioning element configured to position the casing at or on the pile, wherein at least a portion of the positioning element is positioned between the chamber and the pile. The assembly further includes actuating means, wherein actuation of the actuating means displaces the chamber relative to the positioning element, such that the chamber moves away from the pile, and wherein the actuating means is configured to release the chamber for displacement towards the pile such that a force is exerted by the chamber on the positioning member, to controllably drive the pile into the ground.

Abstract: A pile-driver assembly for driving a pile into the ground is disclosed. The assembly includes a casing defining a chamber configured to house a fluid; a positioning element configured to position the casing at or on the pile; and actuating means. Actuation of the actuating means displaces the chamber relative to the positioning element such that the chamber moves away from the pile to an elevated position. The actuating means is configured to release the chamber from the elevated position for displacement towards the pile such that a force is exerted by the chamber on the positioning member, to controllably drive the pile into the ground. The assembly further includes buffering means, the buffering means being configured to controllably buffer the force exerted by the chamber on the pile as the pile is driven into the ground. The buffering means is configured to rebound the chamber to a rebound position.

Abstract: A pile-driver assembly for driving a pile into the ground, preferably off- shore, and a method of driving a pile into the ground using the pile-driver assembly is dis- closed. The assembly includes a casing defining a chamber, the chamber being configured to house a fluid, the chamber comprising a channel extending at least partially therethrough. The assembly further includes a positioning element configured to position the casing at or on the pile, wherein at least a portion of the positioning element is positioned between the chamber and the pile, wherein the positioning element comprises a guide element, configured to extend at least partially through the channel of the chamber.

Abstract: A pile-driver is disclosed. The pile driver comprising a support member arranged in a transverse direction at or on a pile; a liquid chamber bounded on the underside by the support member and which further comprises one or more side walls and is configured to receive a liquid therein; one or more pressure build-up chambers, comprising: an upper part forming a combustion space; a lower part in fluid connection with the liquid chamber; an ignition mechanism configured to ignite a fuel present in the combustion space; and a fuel supply channel for carrying fuel into the combustion space; and a combustion product discharge channel for discharging combustion products after combustion; wherein the one or more pressure build-up chambers are arranged close to the side wall of the liquid chamber; and wherein the combustion product discharge channel is in fluid connection with a passage opening arranged in the side wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pile-driver, comprising a support member arranged or arrangeable in transverse direction at or on a pile, a liquid chamber which is bounded on the underside by the support member and which further comprises one or more side walls and is configured to receive a liquid therein, one or more pressure build-up chambers, an ignition mechanism configured to ignite a fuel present in the combustion space, and wherein the combustion space is configured to expand fuel present therein during combustion such that a pressure build-up takes place above the support member and the liquid present above the support member in the liquid chamber is displaced at least in upward direction away from the support member, whereby a downward force is exerted on the pile via the support member. The invention further relates to a method for driving a pile downward into the ground using such a pile-driver.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pile-driver, comprising a support member arranged or arrangeable in transverse direction at or on a pile, a liquid chamber which is bounded on the underside by the support member and which further comprises one or more side walls and is configured to receive a liquid therein, one or more pressure build-up chambers, an ignition mechanism configured to ignite a fuel present in the combustion space, and wherein the combustion space is configured to expand fuel present therein during combustion such that a pressure build-up takes place above the support member and the liquid present above the support member in the liquid chamber is displaced at least in upward direction away from the support member, whereby a downward force is exerted on the pile via the support member. The invention further relates to a method for driving a pile downward into the ground using such a pile-driver.

Abstract: A method and pile-driving device for driving a support into a ground surface. The device comprises a cylinder, an anvil which closes the lower side of the cylinder at least substantially, a ram which is movable as a piston above the anvil within the cylinder, and an injection device for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber between the anvil and the ram. The device has adjusting means for adjusting the moment of fuel injection and/or the amount of fuel to be injected. The method includes: causing the ram to move downward; injecting fuel into the combustion chamber; causing the fuel to combust for driving the ram upward, in such a manner that said combustion occurs before the ram strikes the anvil, wherein the moment of fuel injection and/or the amount of fuel to be injected is/are adjusted in dependence on at least one variable.

Abstract: A vibratory mechanism for a pile driver com-prises a static part and a dynamic part. The dynamic part is movable with respect to the static part. The static part is provided with a drivable crankshaft and the dynamic part comprises a housing and a vibration member. The vibration member is drivably coupled to the crankshaft through a connecting rod and linearly movable with respect to the housing in a direction of vibration. The housing is resiliently coupled to the vibration member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combustion-type pile-driving device, comprising a cylinder having a closed upper end and an open lower end, which cylinder is freely movable as a piston with respect to an anvil which seals the lower end of the cylinder, a ram which is freely movable as a piston with respect to the cylinder and the anvil in the cylinder, and an injection device for injecting a fuel into a combustion chamber formed between the ram and the anvil in the cylinder for driving the ram upward by combustion of the injected fuel, wherein a second injection device is provided for injecting fuel into a second combustion chamber formed in the cylinder between the ram and the closed upper end of the cylinder for driving the ram downward and driving the cylinder upward by combustion of the injected fuel. The invention further relates to a method for using such a pile-driving device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for driving a support into a ground surface by means of a pile-driving device comprising a cylinder, an anvil for transmitting a striking motion to the support, which anvil closes the lower side of the cylinder at least substantially, a ram which is movable as a piston above the anvil within the cylinder, and an injection device for injecting fuel under pressure into a combustion chamber between the anvil and the ram, comprising the steps of: a) causing the ram to move downward, b) injecting fuel into the combustion chamber, c) causing the fuel to combust for generating an elevated pressure in the combustion chamber for driving the ram upward as a result of said elevated pressure after the ram has struck the anvil, wherein step c) is carried out in such a manner that said combustion occurs before the ram strikes the anvil.