Abstract
The invention relates to a pile installation system for providing a pile in the ground, comprising; an elongate pile installation tool for forming a bore hole and having a distal end, an end member for coupling to the distal end of the pile installation tool, and an electromagnetic device for releasable magnetically coupling the end member to the pile installation tool.
Claims
1. A pile installation system comprising: an elongate pile installation tool for forming a bore hole and having a distal end, an end member for coupling to the distal end of the pile installation tool, an electromagnetic device for releasable magnetic coupling of the end member to the pile installation tool, wherein the electromagnetic device comprises an annular coil that wraps fully around an outer circumference of the elongate pile installation tool, and wherein the pile installation tool is able to move through the electromagnetic device.
2. The pile installation system according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic device is configured to be remoteably operateable to be activated and/or deactivated.
3. The pile installation system according to claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the end member is the same as an outer diameter of the pile installation tool.
4. The pile installation system according to claim 1, comprising a filling system for introducing filling material into the bore hole after the pile installation tool has been driven into the ground.
5. The pile installation system according to claim 4, wherein the distal end of the pile installation tool is open and in fluid communication with the filling system and the end member is configured to close at least partially the open end.
6. The pile installation system according to claim 1, comprising a drive apparatus to drive the pile installation tool into the ground.
7. The pile installation system of claim 6, wherein the pile installation tool is a rotary drilling tool having an axis of rotation, and the drive apparatus comprises a rotary drive to drive the rotary drilling tool into the ground.
8. The pile installation system of claim 7, wherein the rotary drilling tool is a rotatable auger having an external blade or blades so shaped that upon rotation the blade or blades draws or draw the auger into the ground.
9. The pile installation system of claim 7, wherein the rotary drive apparatus comprises a rotor coupled with the pile installation tool and a stator coupled with the electromagnetic device, wherein the pile installation tool is slideably arranged with respect to the electromagnetic device to slide through the annular coil.
10. The pile installation system of claim 6, wherein the pile installation tool comprises a hollow tubular element and the drive apparatus uses a hammering or vibration to drive the hollow tubular element into the ground.
11. The pile installation system according to claim 1, wherein the end member is configured such that loosened soil is directed towards the axis of rotation upon driving the drilling tool.
12. The pile installation system according to claim 1, wherein the end member comprises a cutting element at a leading side of the end member.
13. The pile installation system of claim 12, wherein the cutting element extends beyond an outer circumference of the end member.
14. The pile installation system according to claim 1, comprising alignment means to align the end member with respect to the open distal end of the pile installation tool.
15. The pile installation system according to claim 1, wherein the pile installation tool and the end member are at least partially made of a magnetisable material in order to, in conjunction, form a magnetic circuit.
16. The pile installation system according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic device comprises a control unit to adjust a magnetic force between the pile installation tool and the end member.
17. The pile installation system according to claim 1, comprising an end member feeding system for supplying the end member to the pile installation tool.
18. The pile installation system according to claim 17, wherein the end member feeding system is coupled to the pile installation tool and arranged radially offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the pile installation tool.
19. The pile installation system according to claim 18, wherein the end member feeding system is swivelably coupled to the pile installation tool.
20. The pile installation system according to claim 1, and further comprising a handling system comprising a first handling unit for moving an end member in a radial direction with respect to the pile installation tool, and a second handling unit for moving an end member in an axial direction with respect to the pile installation tool.
21. A method comprising: providing a pile installation tool having a distal end, and an end member for coupling to the distal end of the pile installation tool, and activating an electromagnetic device comprising an annular coil wrapping fully around an outer circumference of the elongate pile installation tool, wherein the activating causes the end member to magnetically couple to the distal end of the pile installation tool, wherein the pile installation tool is able to move through the electromagnetic device.
22. The method according to claim 21, and further comprising: at least partly forming a bore hole with the end member coupled to the pile installation tool; an deactivating the electromagnetic device to release the end member from the pile installation tool after at least partly forming a bore hole.
23. The method according to claim 21, wherein the electromagnetic device comprises a control system, and the method comprises activating the electromagnetic device based on a height position of the pile installation tool.
Description
SHORT DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
(1) The present invention will be discussed in more detail below, with reference to the attached drawings, in which
(2) FIG. 1 shows a pile installation system according to the invention in side view;
(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing in side view of a detail of the pile installation system of FIG. 1;
(4) FIGS. 3 and 4 show different type of pile installation tools;
(5) FIG. 5 shows an end member 12 in side view;
(6) FIGS. 6A-D show subsequent steps of a method for providing a pile in the ground using a pile installation system of FIG. 1;
(7) FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the pile installation system having an end member feeding system in perspective view;
(8) FIG. 8A-8C show a cross sectional side view of the end member feeding system in different positions; and
(9) FIG. 9 is a top view of the end member feeding system in the position shown in FIG. 8C.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
(10) FIG. 1 shows a pile installation system 1 in side view. The pile installation system 1 provides a foundation pile 2 in the ground 3. The pile installation system 1 comprises a pile installation tool 4. The pile installation tool 4 is elongate for forming a hole 5. The pile installation system 1 comprises a rotary drive apparatus 7 to drive pile installation tool 4, in this case an auger which is an example of a rotary drilling tool. Such a rotatable auger known per se, has an external blade or blades so shaped that upon rotation the blade or blades draws or draw the auger into the ground. The pile installation tool 4 has an axis of rotation 11 which is the longitudinal axis of the pile installation tool 4. The rotary drive apparatus 7, also referred to as a high torque turntable, is mounted to a mast rig 6. The rotary drive apparatus 7 is mounted to the mast rig 6 in a translatable manner such that the mast rig 6 guides the rotary drive apparatus 7 along a longitudinal axis 8 of the mast rig 6. The rotary drive apparatus 7 comprises a rotor 9 coupled with the pile installation tool 4. The rotary drive apparatus 7 comprises a stator 10 coupled with mast rig 6.
(11) Where FIG. 1 shows a rotary drive apparatus 7, it will be clear that the pile installation tool 4 can be driven into the ground by any suitable drive apparatus such as a hydraulic hammer, a vibration hammer, et cetera. The suitable drive apparatus may depend on the type of pile installation tool 4. Thus, the pile installation tool 4 can be moved in a downward direction by drive apparatus in a non-rotational manner. This enables the installation of the pile to be done in a controlled manner depending on the specifics characteristics of the soil. Moreover, the driving apparatus can be provided directly onto the top edge of the pile installation tool 4 or onto a cushioning element (not shown), such as an anvil or the like. The cushioning element can be made of any suitable impact material comprising metallic material, a metal alloy or might also comprise polymeric material.
(12) The pile installation system 1 comprises an end member 12. The end member 12 is configured for coupling to a distal end 13 of the pile installation tool 4. The end member is also referred to as lost shoe, end plate, and forming tip. The end member 12 has for its purpose to assist in forming the bore hole 5 and/or to temporarily close off an open end 18 of the pile installation tool 4.
(13) The pile installation system 1 comprises an electromagnetic device 14. The electromagnetic device 14 is configured for releasable magnetically coupling the end member 12 to the pile installation tool 4. The end member 12 is shown in a released state. The electromagnetic device comprises an annular coil 15. The annular coil 15 extends around the pile installation tool 4. The pile installation tool 4 is moveably arranged with respect to the electromagnetic device 12. Here, the pile installation tool can slide through the annular coil 15, in particular through a centre 16 of the annular coil 15.
(14) It will be clear that the pile installation tool 4 and the end member 12 are at least partially made of a magnetisable material, in this case steel, in order to, in conjunction, form a magnetic circuit that can be activated by the electromagnetic device 14.
(15) The pile installation system 1 comprises a filling system 17. The filling system is configured to introduce filling material, like concrete, into the bore hole 5 after the pile installation tool 4 has been driven into the ground 3. The filling system 17 is known per se and is not described in detail.
(16) FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing in side view of a detail of the pile installation system 1 of FIG. 1. The end member 12 is positioned below the pile installation tool 4 at a position on the ground 3 about or near where a bore hole 5 and thus foundation pile is planned. The electromagnetic device 14 is mounted with a stationary body part 22 of the pile installation system 1. The electromagnetic device 14 provides a controllable magnetic attraction force between the pile installation tool 4 and the end member 12. As long as the electromagnetic device 14 is energized, the end member 12 will stick to the pile installation tool. The pile installation tool 4 can move freely in axial direction in relation to the electromagnetic device 14. The electromagnetic device 14 will be activated when needed. Therefore, undesired attraction of the end member 12 and other steel parts is avoided as much as possible. This way it is possible to position the end member 12 from the side without hinder of any magnetic attraction force. The electromagnetic device 14 comprises a control system 20. Here, the control system 20 is configured to activate the electromagnetic device 14 with a degree depending on a height position of the pile installation tool 4. The control system 14 comprises a connection means 21 like an antenna as shown, to enable remote operation of the electromagnetic device 14. Thus, the electromagnetic device 14 is configured to be remoteably operateable to be activated and/or deactivated.
(17) The end member 12 is shown in a position opposite the distal end 13 of the pile installation tool 4. When the electromagnetic device 14 is activated, the end member 12 is attracted to the pile installation tool 4 and, here, then closes off an open end 18 of the pile installation tool 4. When the bore hole is formed, the internal hollow space 19 of the cylindrical pile installation tool 4 can be filled with a filling material, normally concrete. Here, the filling material is supplied through a filling mouth 23 that is, in this case, arranged at the top of the pile installation tool 4. The filling mouth 23 is part of the filling system 17.
(18) FIGS. 3 and 4 show different type of pile installation tools 4 that can connect to the end member 12. The end member 12 is positioned below the pile installation tool 4 at a position on the ground 3 where a bore hole 5 and thus foundation pile is planned. The end member 12 can be manually or automatically positioned below the pile installation tool 4, when the pile installation tool 4 is still above the soil. When the end member 12 is positioned below the pile installation tool 4 in the right way and/or predetermined position, the electromagnetic device 14 will be activated, so that the end member 12 connects to the pile installation tool 4. The end member 12 is shown in a position opposite the distal end 13 of the pile installation tool 4. The pile installation tool 4 of FIG. 3 is a hollow cylindrical steel pile having an open end 18. The pile installation tool 4 of FIG. 4 is a hollow auger having an open end 18. The auger is provided with a blade 24.
(19) FIG. 5 shows an end member 12 in side view. The end member 12 is configured such that loosened soil is directed towards the axis of rotation 28 upon driving the pile installation tool. Therefore, blades 25 can be connected to the end member 12.
(20) The end member 12 comprises a cutting element 27. The cutting element(s) 27 is arranged at a leading side of the end member 12. In this case, the cutting element 27 extends to about an outer circumference of the end member 12. It is however conceivable that the cutting element 27 extends beyond the outer circumference of the end member 12.
(21) The end member 12 is configured to couple to the distal end of the pile installation tool 4. The end member 12 therefore comprises alignment means 26. The alignment means 26 are configured to align the end member 12 with respect to the open distal end 13, 18 of the pile installation tool 4.
(22) The FIGS. 6A-D show subsequent steps of a method for providing a pile 2 in the ground 3 using a pile installation system 1 of FIG. 1. In the FIGS. 6A-D, the shown pile installation tool 4 of FIG. 3 is a hollow cylindrical steel pile. It will be clear that any suitable pile installation tool 4 can be used.
(23) In FIG. 6A the end member 12 has been arranged at a predetermined position on the ground 3 before coupling the end member 12 to the distal end of the pile installation tool 4. Thus, the end member 12 is positioned below the pile installation tool 4 at a position on the ground 3 where a bore hole 5 and thus foundation pile 2 is planned.
(24) In FIG. 6B the electromagnetic device 14 of FIGS. 1 and 2 (not shown here) has been activated and the end member 12 is magnetically coupled to the distal end of the pile installation tool 4.
(25) In FIG. 6C the pile installation tool 4 is introduced into the ground 3. The formed bore hole is ready to receive a filing material.
(26) In FIG. 6D the electromagnetic device has been deactivated and the end member 12 is released from the pile installation tool 4. The pile 2 has been formed and the pile installation tool 4 is removed out of the ground 3. The deactivation of the electromagnetic device is a condition to allow the end member 12 to release from the pile installation tool 4. The actual deactivation of the electromagnetic device may be done as soon as the end member touches the soil. The soil resistance makes sure that the end member stays connected to the pile installation tool.
(27) FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the pile installation system 1 having an end member feeding system 29 in perspective view. The end member feeding system 29 is connected to the pile installation tool. In this case, the end member feeding system 29 is releasably connected to the pile installation tool. Here, the end member feeding system 29 is coupled to the pile installation tool through a lower guide frame 30 that guides the pile installation tool 4 (not shown here) in a slideable manner. The lower guide frame 30 may contain the annular coil 15 of FIGS. 1 and 2, however the annular coil 15 is not shown here. The end member feeding system 29 is arranged radially offset with respect to the longitudinal axis 11 of the pile installation tool 4. The end member feeding system 29 is swivelably coupled to the pile installation tool 4. In this case, the end member feeding system is swivelably around a swivel axis 31 that extends in parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis 11 of the pile installation tool 4.
(28) FIG. 8A-8C show a cross sectional side view of the end member feeding system 29 in different positions. Different positions is to say that an end member that is fed to the pile installation tool 4 is shown in different consecutive positions. The end member feeding system 29 positions the end member 12 below the pile installation tool 4 from the side. The end member feeding system 29 comprises a storage 32. The storage 32 is configured for storing a number of end members 12. Here, the storage 32 contains a stack of a number of end members 12. In this case, the storage 32 extends in parallel to the pile installation tool 4. The storage 32 can be arranged in a slanted way with respect to the vertical pile installation tool 4, as shown.
(29) Referring to FIG. 8A, the end member feeding system 29 comprises a handling system 33. The handling system 33 is configured for moving an end member 12 from the storage 32 to the pile installation tool 4. Here, the end member 12 moves over a slide 37 from the storage 32 to the handling system 33 once the end member 12 is released from the storage 32.
(30) The end member feeding system 29 comprises a cleaning system 39. The cleaning system 39 jets water for cleaning the distal end of the pile installation tool 4.
(31) Referring to FIG. 8B, the handling system 33 comprises a first handling unit 34. The first handling unit 34 is configured for moving an end member in a radial direction with respect to the pile installation tool 4. Therefore, the first handling unit 34 comprises any suitable linear actuator. In FIG. 8B the first handling unit is shown in the extended position. In FIG. 8A the first handling unit 34 is shown in the retracted position. The handling system 33 comprises a second handling unit 35. The second handling unit 35 is configured for moving an end member 12 in an axial direction with respect to the pile installation tool 4. The first 34 and second 35 handling unit are mechanically series coupled. The second handling unit 35 comprises rotary action around a rotation axis 38. Therefore, the second handling unit 35 comprises any suitable actuator. It is of course conceivable that the second handling unit 35 effects movement of the end member 12 in an axial direction only with respect to the pile installation tool 4. Here, the second handling unit 35 of the handling system 33 comprises a parallel guide system 36. In FIG. 8B the second handling unit 35 is shown in the axial downward position.
(32) In FIG. 8C the second handling unit 35 is shown in the axial upward position. The end member 12 contacts the distal end of the pile installation tool 4.
(33) FIG. 9 is a top view of the end member feeding system 29 wherein the handling system 33 is shown in the position of FIG. 8C, wherein the end member 12 is positioned below the pile installation tool 4 before the pile installation tool 4 is driven into the ground.
(34) The present invention has been described above with reference to a number of exemplary embodiments as shown in the drawings. Modifications and alternative implementations of some parts or elements are possible, and are included in the scope of protection as defined in the appended claims.
