HELICAL PILE ASSEMBLY
The present invention generally relates to a helical pile system for use in supporting a support structure used in the oil and gas industry. The helical pile assembly includes a tubular member having a first end and a second end. The helical pile assembly further includes a nose disposed at the first end of the tubular member. The helical pile assembly also includes a first helix disposed on an outer surface of the nose. The helical pile assembly further includes a support member coupled to the tubular member proximate to the second end of the tubular member. The support member is configured to support an external object.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/097,708, which was filed on Dec. 30, 2014, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUNDA helical pile is a screw-in piling used for foundational support. For example, helical piles have been used in the construction industry to support buildings, towers, and other permanent structures. Helical piles are now also being used in the oil and gas industry such as at a refinery, cracker plant sites, and foundation support for pumping units, production equipment, pipelines, related gas distribution systems, and protective structures. The oil and gas industry has different requirements for a foundation support as compared to a typical building construction foundation support. Thus, there is a need for a helical pile assembly that is configured to be used in the oil and gas industry.
SUMMARYThe present invention generally relates to a helical pile system for use in supporting a support structure used in the oil and gas industry. The helical pile assembly includes a tubular member having a first end and a second end. The helical pile assembly further includes a nose disposed at the first end of the tubular member. The helical pile assembly also includes a first helix disposed on an outer surface of the nose. The helical pile assembly further includes a support member coupled to the tubular member proximate to the second end of the tubular member. The support member is configured to support an external object.
In another aspect, a method for manufacturing a helical pile assembly is provided. The method includes the step of providing a tubular member having a first end and a second end. The method further includes the step of positioning a nose on the first end of the tubular member. The nose includes a first helix on an outer surface thereof. Additionally, the method includes the step of securing the nose to the first end of the tubular member.
In yet a further aspect, a method of placing a helical pile assembly into a ground is provided. The method includes the step of advancing a tubular member with a nose into the ground. The nose includes a first helix on an outer surface thereof. The method further includes the step of placing a lateral support device at least partially around the tubular member. The method further includes the step of advancing the lateral support device into the ground after the lateral support device has been placed at least partially around the tubular member. The method also includes the step of coupling a support member to an end of the tubular member opposing the nose. The support member is configured to support an external object.
In an additional aspect, a support device for use with a helical pile is provided. The support device includes a base having a first side and a second side. The support device further includes a coupling configured to engage the helical pile. The coupling is attached to the first side of the base. Additionally, the support device includes a plate configured to support an external object. The plate is attached to the second side of the base using at least one rod member, wherein the plate is movable relative to the base in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the present teachings, as claimed.
The accompanying figures, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present teachings and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present teachings. In the figures:
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present teachings, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing. In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used throughout to designate identical elements, where convenient. In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawing that forms a part thereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific exemplary embodiment in which the present teachings may be practiced. The following description is, therefore, merely exemplary.
Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the disclosure are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass any and all sub-ranges subsumed therein.
The helical pile assembly 100 may be configured to be advanced into the ground by a downward force, a rotational force, or a combination thereof. Thereafter, the helical pile assembly 100 may provide support to an external object, such as pipelines, related gas distribution systems, metal safe room, shelter, or other gas and oilfield equipment and structures. The nose 125 may be configured to reduce the resistance and guide the helical pile assembly 100 as the helical pile assembly 100 is pressed or rotated downward into the ground. The top plate 150 may be configured to support the external object. The lateral support device 225 may be configured to provide lateral support after the helical pile assembly 100 is in the ground.
As shown in
The lead 140 and the extension 145 may be connected together using connection members 190, such as bolts. In a similar manner, the top plate 150 may be connected to the extension using connections members 195, such as bolts.
In an alternative embodiment, the lead 140, the extension 145, and the lateral support device 225 may be advanced into the ground together as a single unit. In this embodiment, a bearing member (not shown) may be placed between the base 230 of the lateral support device 225 and the blades 245 of the lateral support device 225 which allows the base 230 to rotate relative to the blades 245. As such, the blades 245 remain rotationally fixed as the base 230 of the lateral support device 225 is rotated with the lead 140 and the extension 145 during advancement of the helical pile assembly 100 into the ground. In this manner, the lateral support device 225 may be pulled into the ground as the lead 140 and the extension 145 are advanced into the ground.
The plate assembly 175 may be movable relative to the body 170. The plate assembly 175 may include a plate 160 and a stem 155. The stem 155 may be attached directly to the plate 160 via a nut 180 as shown or via welding, epoxy, or the like. In one embodiment, the stem 155 may be a threaded member that is configured to engage internal threads in the body 170. In this embodiment, the plate assembly 175 may be rotated to move the plate assembly 175 relative to the body 170.
The nose 125 may also include the helix 120, as shown. In one embodiment, the helix 120 may be a metal bar that is welded to the tapered surface 115. In another embodiment, the nose 125 may be a molded object, and the helix 120 may be molded to the tapered surface 115. The helix 120 may have a start point 205 and an end point 210. The start point 205 of the helix 120 may be aligned with the start point of the helixes 130, 135 on the lead 125. The nose 125 may be made from a metallic material, such as steel. Additionally, the nose 125 and the helix 120 may be made using a forging process, a casting process, a machining process, or a combination thereof.
The helical pile assembly 300 may include the nose 125 and the lead 140. The helical pile assembly 300 may also include an underpinning device 325. The helical pile assembly 300 may also include an optional lateral support device (not shown) and the optional extension 145. The nose 125 may be configured to reduce the resistance and guide the helical pile assembly 300 into the ground. The lateral support device (not shown) may be used to provide lateral support after the helical pile assembly 300 is in the ground.
The helical pile assembly 300 may be configured to be advanced into the ground in a similar manner as discussed above. Thereafter, the helical pile assembly 300 may be used to provide support to an external object, such as a concrete or steel structure used in the oil and gas industry. The underpinning device 325 may be configured to support the external object.
While the present teachings have been illustrated with respect to one or more implementations, alterations and/or modifications may be made to the illustrated examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. In addition, while a particular feature of the present teachings may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular function. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “including,” “includes,” “having,” “has,” “with,” or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description and the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Further, in the discussion and claims herein, the term “about” indicates that the value listed may be somewhat altered, as long as the alteration does not result in nonconformance of the process or structure to the illustrated embodiment. Finally, “exemplary” indicates the description is used as an example, rather than implying that it is an ideal.
Other embodiments of the present teachings will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the present teachings disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the present teachings being indicated by the following claims.
Claims
1. A helical pile assembly, comprising:
- a tubular member having a first end and a second end;
- a nose disposed at the first end of the tubular member;
- a first helix disposed on an outer surface of the nose; and
- a support member coupled to the tubular member proximate to the second end of the tubular member, the support member being configured to support an external object.
2. The helical pile assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second helix disposed on an outer surface of the tubular member between the first helix and the second end of the tubular.
3. The helical pile assembly of claim 2, wherein a start point of the first helix is aligned with a start point of the second helix.
4. The helical pile assembly of claim 1, wherein the nose includes a base and a tapered surface, and wherein the first helix extends outward from the tapered surface.
5. The helical pile assembly of claim 4, wherein the tapered surface defines an inclination angle between 15 degrees and 45 degrees.
6. The helical pile assembly of claim 1, wherein the support member includes a plate and a base.
7. The helical pile assembly of claim 6, wherein the plate is adjustable in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction relative to the base.
8. The helical pile assembly of claim 1, further comprising a lateral support device that is coupled to the tubular member and configured to support the tubular member in a lateral direction.
9. The helical pile assembly of claim 8, wherein the lateral support device includes a base and a plurality of blades that are circumferentially-offset from one another.
10. The helical pile assembly of claim 9, wherein each blade of the lateral support device includes a tapered end.
11. A method for manufacturing a helical pile assembly, the method comprising:
- providing a tubular member having a first end and a second end;
- positioning a nose on the first end of the tubular member, the nose having a first helix on an outer surface thereof; and
- securing the nose to the first end of the tubular member.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the tubular member includes a second helix disposed on an outer surface of the tubular member between the first helix and the second end of the tubular.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein a start point of the first helix is aligned with a start point of the second helix.
14. The method of claim 11, further comprising attaching a support member to the second end of the tubular member, the support member being configured to support an external object.
15. A method of placing a helical pile assembly into a ground, comprising:
- advancing a tubular member with a nose into the ground, the nose having a first helix extending from an outer surface thereof;
- placing a lateral support device at least partially around the tubular member;
- advancing the lateral support device into the ground after the lateral support device has been placed at least partially around the tubular member; and
- coupling a support member to an end of the tubular member opposing the nose, wherein the support member is configured to support an external object.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the lateral support device is advanced into the ground independent of the tubular member.
17. The method of claim 15, further comprising adjusting a vertical position and the horizontal position of the support member relative to the tubular member.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein a start point of the first helix on the nose is aligned with a start point of a second helix extending from an outer surface of the tubular member.
19. The method of claim 15, wherein the tubular member is advanced into the ground by applying a rotational force to the tubular member, and the lateral support device is advanced into ground by applying an axial force to the lateral support device.
20. A support device for use with a helical pile, the support device comprising:
- a base having a first side and a second side;
- a coupling configured to engage the helical pile, the coupling being attached to the first side of the base; and
- a plate configured to support an external object, the plate being attached to the second side of the base using at least one rod member, wherein the plate is movable relative to the base in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 12, 2015
Publication Date: Jun 30, 2016
Inventors: Jimmy B. Tomchesson (Richmond, TX), Rex E. Hallman (Friendswood, TX), Lyle G. Love (Weatherford, OK)
Application Number: 14/738,528