A geothermal pile for harvesting electricity from a gradient of temperature between ambient air and an underground area is provided. The geothermal pile includes an elongated thermally-conductive body, a thermoelectric cell and an electrical output. The elongated thermally-conductive body has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The second end is configured to be introduced, in use, into an underground area. The thermoelectric cell is provided at the first end so as to be exposed to ambient air when the second end is introduced into the underground area. The thermoelectric cell is in thermal contact with the second end of the elongated thermally-conductive body and is configured to generate electricity from a gradient of temperature between a first temperature of the ambient air and a second temperature of the underground area. The electrical output is electrically connected to the thermoelectric cell.

A vibration-ram arrangement for introducing a material to be rammed into a ground may include a hydraulic apparatus for generating hydraulic pressure. The hydraulic apparatus may include an internal-combustion motor and a hydraulic pump that is drivable by the internal-combustion motor. The arrangement may further include an exciter arrangement, which is configured to be spatially separate from the hydraulic apparatus and which by way of a hydraulic line is connected to the hydraulic apparatus. The exciter arrangement may have a hydraulic motor and a rotatably mounted unbalanced mass. For driving the unbalanced mass, hydraulic liquid may be guided in a circuit comprising the hydraulic apparatus, the hydraulic line, and the hydraulic motor. The unbalanced mass is drivable by the hydraulic motor to generate vibration movements of the exciter arrangement. The arrangement may also include a support device on which the hydraulic apparatus and the exciter arrangement are disposed. The present disclosure also relates to methods for operating vibration-ram arrangements and to component sets for assembling such vibration-ram arrangements.”

A system for joining two separate spun piles by interlocking together a top end plate located at a bottom end of a first spun pile to a bottom end plate located at a top end of a second spun pile, wherein the end plates each have a plurality of segments comprising an equal number of segmental protrusions and segmental recesses.

An axial reinforcement system is disclosed that provides a shell (i.e., a form or jacket) that protects a weight-bearing member (e.g., a cement column) from a corrosive environment and which also substantially increases the structural capacity of the weight-bearing member. The shell is integrated with “positioners” and reinforcing elements, the combination of which offers several advantages over conventional shells. The positioner is attached directly to the shell and the positioner is, in turn, secured to a reinforcing element, which can be a reinforced steel, such as rebar, or a carbon fiber reinforced polymer material. The axial reinforcement system has been found to substantially increase the structural rigidity of the weight-bearing member, while at the same time protecting the weight-bearing member from corrosion and is also simple to install.

A pile is comprised of a pipe, i.e., a tube or hollow cylinder of annular cross-section, with a coextensive internal reinforcement comprised of a plurality of intersecting walls forming a plurality of vertices. Each vertex intersects the pipe. Adjacent intersections are evenly spaced around the annular cross-section. The pile is comprised of a blend of PVC and 20 to 50% (pbw) chopped strand glass fibers. A groove is cut into the pile adjacent to an end for frictional retention in a sea bed.

A pile is comprised of a pipe, i.e., a hollow tube or hollow cylinder, with a coextensive internal reinforcement comprised of a plurality of intersecting walls. The pile is comprised of a blend of a thermoplastic and 20 to 50% (pbw) pelletized chopped strand glass fibers. The outer surface includes a co-extruded cap stock that is relatively smooth and exhibits a relatively low coefficient of friction. The internal structures exhibit roughness, bumpiness and a relatively high coefficient of friction for an extruded plastic. A groove may be formed in the pile adjacent to an end for resistance to uplift.

A pile segment for building supports to level foundations, e.g., slabs, has a generally cylindrical body made of concrete, the outer vertical surface of the cylindrical body being comprised of alternating spaced crests and troughs.

A pile is comprised of a pipe, i.e., a hollow tube or hollow cylinder, with a coextensive internal reinforcement comprised of a plurality of intersecting walls. The pile is comprised of a blend of a thermoplastic and 20 to 50% (pbw) pelletized chopped strand glass fibers. The outer surface includes a co-extruded cap stock that is relatively smooth and exhibits a relatively low coefficient of friction. The internal structures exhibit roughness, bumpiness and a relatively high coefficient of friction for an extruded plastic. A groove may be formed in the pile adjacent to an end for resistance to uplift.

A post sleeve provides a substantially permanent base for supporting a post for a fence or sign, and from which one post can be removed and replaced with another post. The sleeve includes a concrete body that is poured on site, using a sleeve core prepositioned in the post hole, and around which wet concrete is poured. After the concrete is cured, the core is removed, leaving a post sleeve cavity configured to receive a post. The core can be rigid, or can include a flexible shell and stiffener. A preformed post sleeve top can be attached to the sleeve core and positioned therewith in the post hole, to become a permanent part of the post sleeve, once the concrete cures. A drain is attached to the core, and remains in the sleeve when the core is removed, and can be a percolation chamber, or passage extending below the sleeve.

A vibration-ram arrangement for introducing a material to be rammed into a ground may include a hydraulic apparatus for generating hydraulic pressure. The hydraulic apparatus may include an internal-combustion motor and a hydraulic pump that is drivable by the internal-combustion motor. The arrangement may further include an exciter arrangement, which is configured to be spatially separate from the hydraulic apparatus and which by way of a hydraulic line is connected to the hydraulic apparatus. The exciter arrangement may have a hydraulic motor and a rotatably mounted unbalanced mass. For driving the unbalanced mass, hydraulic liquid may be guided in a circuit comprising the hydraulic apparatus, the hydraulic line, and the hydraulic motor. The unbalanced mass is drivable by the hydraulic motor to generate vibration movements of the exciter arrangement. The arrangement may also include a support device on which the hydraulic apparatus and the exciter arrangement are disposed. The present disclosure also relates to methods for operating vibration-ram arrangements and to component sets for assembling such vibration-ram arrangements.