Patent classifications
E02D5/801
Devices, machines, and systems for automated truss assembly and crimping
An alignment and installation jig for a screw anchor driving machine. The alignment and installation jig includes a laser target that can be moved from an alignment position to a driving position. The jig may also include one or more automated crimping assemblies to form permanent connections between overlapping foundation components while the machine is correctly oriented.
VEHICLE FOR INSTALLING ANCHORS IN AN UNDERWATER SUBSTRATE
An anchor installation vehicle that includes a vehicle frame having a top end and bottom end, one or more rotational thrusters, and an anchor system configured to hold an anchor extending from the bottom end of the vehicle frame.
FIXATION DEVICE AND INSTALLATION METHOD
The invention relates to an elongate fixation device (1) for use in subsea anchoring, and a method for installation. The device (1) has a triple nested stem arrangement, the innermost stem (2) of which has a cutter (9) disposed at a distal end and a tapered section (8) located adjacent to and proximally behind the cutter (9). An intermediate stem (3) surrounds at least a central portion of the inner stem (2) and has one or more flareable cutting fingers (7) at its distal end. An outer stem (4) surrounds a proximal portion of the intermediate stem (3). The inner (2) and intermediate (3) stems are coupled by a first releasable coupling (17) which when released allows relative axial motion along a first distance. The outer and intermediate stems are coupled by a second releasable coupling (18) which when released allows relative axial motion along a second distance. The intermediate stem 3 is nested within the outer stem (4), in some cases for at least a majority of the outer stem (4). In some examples, the outer stem (4) has a rotationally driveable portion 10 and the inner stem 2 has a tensioning nut (12) for adjusting the relative axial positions of the inner (2) and outer 4 stems. The tensioning nut (12) and the driveable portion (10) are coupleable to a single rotational drive (23). The invention also relates a method for installation and to installation apparatus (21).
SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND MACHINES FOR DRIVING MULTIPLE FOUNDATION COMPONENTS AT ONCE
A machine for driving a pair of screw anchors at substantially the same time. An attachment supports a pair of independent drive assemblies. Each assembly consists of a rotary driver and tool driver that moves along respective driving arms to independently drive a pair of screw anchors into supporting ground at different angles. Each assembly may move with respect to the machine independently to drive anchors into the ground in overlapping time, or both may rotate at once to drive anchors into the ground sequentially.
Tie down ground anchor head
An anchor head mounted to or incorporated into the shaft of conventional tie down stakes and earth anchors. The anchor head eliminates the need to manually drive the earth anchor into the ground and allows the anchor to be placed and removed using conventional powered drill/drivers and hex sockets or wrenches. The anchor head has a hexagonal top section and a hexagonal bottom sectional separated by an integral, central annular shoulder. The top and bottom sections are each configured to have six equilateral side walls and dimensioned to receive two different sizes of wrench or hex socket. The bottom section of the anchor head has a threaded axial bore for receiving the threaded end of the anchor shaft. The bottom section also has a lateral “swage” bore through which a punch is inserted to swage or deform the threads of the shaft to permanently secure the anchor head to the shaft.
OPTIMIZED TRUSS FOUNDATIONS, ADAPTERS FOR OPTIMIZED TRUSS FOUNDATIONS, AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS
A universal adapter for enabling truss foundations to support conventional single-axis trackers. In some cases, the adapter has a main body with an upper portion that presents a standard I-beam interface with pre-drilled holes to interface to a specific single-axis tracker. A pair of connecting portions point down and away from the main body and enable upper leg sections to connect the adapter to a pair of driven screw anchors located below it. The connecting portions may orient the truss so that the rotational axis of the single-axis tracker is aligned with the work point of the truss foundation made from the adapter, upper legs, and driven screw anchors. This will enable to the truss to interface with many different trackers much like conventional plumb-driven H-pile foundations.
DEVICES AND METHODS FOR INSTALLING PILES INTO THE GROUND OR SEABED
The present invention relates to a support structure for supporting a top structure, in particular a wind turbine, above the ground or a seabed, the support structure comprising: one single support pile having a length and a first outer diameter, the one single support pile comprising an upper part configured and intended to extend above the ground or the seabed, wherein the upper part of the support pile is configured to be connected to the top structure; a lower part configured to be in contact with the ground or seabed, wherein the support pile is configured to exert an upward vertical force on the top structure in order to carry the top structure; a plurality of foundation guides connected to the lower part of the single support pile, each foundation guide having an opening extending in a direction of the support pile.
Post hole digger
A post hole digger couples to the power take-off (PTO) shaft of a tractor and uses rotation from the PTO shaft to rotate an auger. A top support arm rotatably coupled to the top pin of the tractor's three point hitch supports the gearbox that translates rotation to the auger. A support frame extends upwardly from the right and left lift arms of the three point hitch and inwardly to support the top support arm from beneath. The support frame is shaped generally as an inverted “U,” with space created between the right and left lift arms to prevent interference with the rotating shaft that translates rotation from the PTO shaft to the gearbox. A shield coupled to the gearbox covers the moving parts of the joint between the rotating shaft and the gearbox and protects users during use of the auger.
GROUND REINFORCING DEVICE
The disclosure relates to a device for reinforcing a ground on which is disposed a loading structure. Threaded inclusions are disposed vertically within the ground and reinforce said ground. The core diameter of threaded inclusions is between 250 mm and 450 mm and the external diameter is between 350 mm and 600 mm. A load transmitting layer is interposed between the ground and the loading structure disposed thereon, so as to transmit and distribute the load from the loading structure to both the ground and the plurality of inclusions. A ratio between a distance between axes of two adjacent inclusions and the internal diameter of said adjacent inclusions is between 4 and 14, and the inclusions are made from a material having a specified 28-day compressive strength between 5 MPa and 35 MPa.
SELF-BORING ANCHORING DEVICE AND METHOD OF INSTALLING SUCH AN ANCHORING DEVICE
A fixation device is described comprising a shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis with a first cutter at a first, distal end; a guide body on the shaft shaped to taper outwardly towards the first end of the shaft; an elongate sleeve disposed surroundingly about the shaft to be rotatable separately from the shaft and translatable in a longitudinal direction relative to the shaft; a flareable end formation at a first, distal end of the elongate sleeve comprising one or more second cutters; the guide body and flareable end formation being arranged so that urging the sleeve towards the first end over the guide body flares the end formation outward from the shaft; and a tensioning mechanism associated with a second end of the sleeve operable selectively to urge the shaft relative to the sleeve back towards the second end. A method of installing a fixation device into a substrate is also described, for example to serve as an anchor and pile, for example for a submerged or floating object.