Abstract
The invention is directed to a foundation pile (1) comprising a tubular housing (2) having an upper end (3) and an open lower end (4) and wherein at the upper end or near or at the open lower end (4) vibration means are present and wherein at the open lower end means (6) to discharge a fluid into the interior space (20) of the tubular housing and means (7) to discharge a fluid from the lower end (4) of the tubular housing (2) in a direction which has a downward directional component. The means (6) to discharge a fluid into the interior space (20) of the tubular housing have can fluidise the soil present in this interior space.
Claims
1. A detachable fluidisation device for use in a tubular foundation pile having a tubular housing with a lower end, the detachable fluidisation device comprising: a central element connected to radially extending and variable length actuators, the actuators connected at their radial ends with pressing elements each provided with a clamp suited to press the clamp to the lower end of the tubular foundation pile, wherein the pressing elements are provided means to discharge a fluid from the lower end of the tubular housing in a direction which has a downward directional component and means to discharge the fluid from the lower end of the tubular housing in a direction which has an upward directional component, and wherein the device is further provided with means to discharge the fluid into the interior space of the tubular housing of the tubular foundation pile.
2. A detachable fluidisation device according to claim 1, wherein the pressing element is further provided with vibration means, wherein the vibration means are rotating eccentric masses, wherein the axis of rotation of the eccentric masses are directed in a radial direction with respect to the tubular foundation pile, and wherein the axis of rotation are connected by axles to the central element such that the eccentric masses move in the same phase and frequency.
3. A detachable fluidisation device according to claim 1, wherein the means to discharge a fluid into the interior space of the tubular housing of the tubular foundation pile has a tangential directional component.
4. A detachable fluidisation device according to claim 1, wherein the pressing elements are further provided with vibration devices comprising of a motor connected to a rotating eccentric mass, and wherein the motor is an electric, pneumatic or hydraulic motor.
5. A detachable fluidisation device according to claim 1, wherein the number of pressing elements is four.
6. A detachable fluidisation device according to claim 1, wherein the pressing elements form a ring shaped element when the clamps of the pressing elements are pressed to the lower end of the tubular foundation pile.
7. A detachable fluidisation device according to claim 6, wherein the ring shaped element has a pointed inner surface and wherein the pointed inner surface is provided with outlet openings to discharge the fluid from the lower end of the tubular housing in a direction which has the downward directional component and a radial inward directional component.
8. A detachable fluidisation device according to claim 7, wherein at the downwardly pointed end of the ring shaped element additional outlet openings are present which direct the fluid in a downward direction.
9. A detachable fluidisation device according to claim 7, wherein the ring shaped element is provided with additional outlet openings at an outer surface of the ring shaped element to discharge a fluid from the lower end of the tubular housing in a direction which has a radial outward directional component.
10. A detachable fluidisation device according to claim 1, wherein a supply conduit is present for supplying the fluid to the pressing elements and wherein the supply conduit is provided with openings at its upper and lower end to discharge the fluid in a vertical direction.
11. A detachable fluidisation device for use with a fluid and a foundation pile having a tubular housing with an interior space and a lower end, the detachable fluidisation device comprising: a ring-shaped element having a plurality of first outlet openings configured to discharge the fluid into the interior space of the tubular housing, and a plurality of second and third outlet openings configured to discharge the fluid from the lower end of the tubular housing in directions that have downward and upward directional components, respectively; a plurality of pressing elements each including a clamp adapted to press the ring-shaped element to the lower end of the tubular housing; a plurality of radially extending and variable-length actuators each having a radially outward end connected to a respective one of the pressing elements; and a central element connected to the actuators, wherein in use the fluidisation device operates to discharge the fluid to move the foundation pile downwards into soil.
12. A detachable fluidisation device according to claim 11, wherein the pressing elements each further include a rotating eccentric mass that generates vibration, wherein each rotating eccentric mass rotates about an axle defining an axis of rotation directed in a radial direction with respect to the tubular housing, and wherein each axle is connected to the central element so that the eccentric masses move in the same phase and frequency.
13. A detachable fluidisation device according to claim 12, wherein the pressing elements each further include a motor connected to the rotating eccentric mass, wherein the motor is an electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic motor.
14. A detachable fluidisation device according to claim 11, wherein the number of pressing elements is four.
15. A detachable fluidisation device according to claim 11, wherein the first outlet openings have a tangential directional component.
16. A detachable fluidisation device according to claim 11, further comprising a supply conduit adapted to supply the fluid to the pressing elements, wherein the supply conduit includes upper and lower ends with openings to discharge the fluid in a vertical direction.
17. A detachable fluidisation device according to claim 11, wherein the pressing elements form the ring-shaped element when the clamps of the pressing elements are pressed to the lower end of the tubular housing.
18. A detachable fluidisation device according to claim 17, wherein the ring-shaped element includes a pointed inner surface forming fourth outlet openings configured to discharge the fluid from the lower end of the tubular housing in a direction that has the downward directional component and a radial inward directional component.
19. A detachable fluidisation device according to claim 18, wherein the ring-shaped element includes a downwardly pointed end forming fifth outlet openings configured to discharge the fluid in a downward direction.
20. A detachable fluidisation device according to claim 18, wherein the ring-shaped element includes an outer surface forming sixth outlet openings configured to discharge a fluid in a direction that has a radial outward directional component.
Description
(1) The above decommissioning process may suitably be performed using the detachable fluidisation device as described in this application and figures.
(2) The invention shall be described by the following non-limiting FIGS. 1-11.
(3) FIG. 1 shows a foundation pile (1) comprising a tubular housing (2) having an upper end (3) and an open lower end (4).
(4) FIG. 2 shows the open lower end (4) of the foundation pile of FIG. 1 in more detail. At this lower end (4) vibration means (5), means (6) to discharge a fluid into the interior space (20) of the tubular housing and means (7) to discharge a fluid from the lower end (4) of the tubular housing (2) in a direction which has a downward directional component. The individual vibrating devices (8) forming the vibration means (5) are present in a ring (12). The means (6) to discharge a fluid into the interior space (20) of the tubular housing are present in a ring (13) of an array outlet openings (29). The means (7) to discharge a fluid from the lower end (4) of the tubular housing (2) are outlet openings (16) as present in a ring shaped element (17). The outlet openings (16) are present in a pointed inner surface (22) which has the shape of a frusto conical shaped surface (27). Fluid discharged from openings (16) flow in a direction which has a downward directional component and a component in the direction of the axis (24) of the tubular housing (2).
(5) In FIG. 2 the ring (12) and ring (13) are part of the ring shaped element (17). Such a ring shaped element (17) may be detachably connected to the interior wall (9) of the tubular housing (2). Also shown are an array of outlet openings (23) located at the exterior of the ring shaped element. Further several conduits (28) are present running along the interior wall (9) to separately supply water to the vibration means (5), means (6) and means (7). In this way the different means can be supplied with water having a capacity and pressure optimised for the different means.
(6) FIG. 3 shows the ring shaped element (17) of FIG. 2 as a separate element. An array of outlet openings (29) are shown which are arranged in a ring (13) as the means (6) to discharge a fluid into the interior space (20) of the tubular housing (2). The outlet openings (29) are positioned in a frusto-conical shaped surface (25) such that any fluid being discharged from said openings have an upward and an inward directional component. Further an array of outlet openings (14) are shown at the upper end of the frusto-conical shaped surface (25) such that any fluid being discharged from said openings has an upward direction along the interior wall (9) of the tubular housing (2). FIG. 3 also shows an array of outlet openings (23) located at the exterior of the ring shaped element. Via these openings (23) a jet of fluid can be discharged sideways thereby further lowering the soil resistance. When the ring shaped element (17) has such external openings (23) it is preferred that the ring shaped element extends somewhat below the lower end of the tubular housing (2) such that these openings have a clear outflow space as shown in FIG. 2.
(7) FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of the ring shaped element (17) of FIG. 3. The gear wheel of eccentric mass (10a) of one device (8) is connected the gear wheel of eccentric mass (10b) of its neighbouring device (8). In this way the multiple rotating eccentric masses as present in the ring shaped element (17) are rotatably interconnected such to synchronise their motion.
(8) FIG. 5 shows the interior of a vibrating device (8). A bucket wheel (19) as the hydraulic motor (18) is seen. A flow of water will impact a wheel (19) of the hydraulic motor (18) tangentially resulting in a rotation. This rotation is transferred by means of a gearing wheel to a rotating eccentric mass (10a) which in turn transfers its rotation by means of a gearing wheel to a second eccentric mass (10b). use results in a vibration of the tubular housing (2). The eccentric masses (10a, 10b) rotate around their respective axis of rotation (11a, 11b). Because the vibration device is fixed to the tubular wall (2) of the foundation pile (1) a vibration of the foundation pile and especially the lower part and end of the foundation pile will result.
(9) The configuration as shown in FIG. 5 is placed in a housing (26) as shown in FIG. 6. This housing will also comprise the outflow openings (14) and (29) of the means (6) to discharge a fluid into the interior space (20) of the tubular housing (2) at an upper frusto conical surface (25) and openings (16) (not visible) of the means (7) to discharge a fluid from the lower end (4) of the tubular housing (2) at a lower frusto conical surface (27). When such a device (8) is placed in a ring the axis of rotation (11a, 11b) of the eccentric masses (10a, 10b) are directed in a radial direction with respect to the ring shaped element (17).
(10) FIG. 7 shows how ring shaped element (17) is connected to the lower end (4) of the tubular housing (2). Ring shaped element (17) extend somewhat below the lower end (4) to enable a jet of fluid (arrow indicating flow direction) to be discharged via outlet openings (23) sideways, i.e. in a radially outward direction. At the downwardly lower pointed end (21) of the ring shaped element (17) outlet openings (30) are present which direct the fluid in a downward direction as indicated by an arrow. In this Figure also the positions and flow directions of all the other openings (16,29,14) are shown and indicated by arrows. Also pointed end (21) is shown as a non-moving pointed end or arrangement. The only moving parts are the wheels (19) and eccentric masses (10a, 10b) of the individual vibrating devices (8).
(11) FIG. 8 shows a ring shaped element (39) which is detachably connected to the interior wall of the tubular housing. Ring shaped element (39) is provided with openings to discharge a fluid into the interior space (20) of the tubular housing as shown in FIG. 3 and openings to discharge a fluid from the lower end of the tubular housing in a direction which has a downward directional component as shown in FIG. 3. Hydraulic operated cross bars (40) are seen which press the ring shaped element (39) to the inner wall of the tubular housing from a central element (41). This central element (41) is connected to the upper end of the foundation pile with an umbilical (42) through which hydraulic fluid, water and/or air can be transported to the ring shaped element (39) via the cross-bars. The central element itself is also provided with openings (41a) to discharge water in a downward direction. The cross-bars are provided with outlet openings for a fluid in a downward and upward direction. FIG. 8 shows the eccentric masses (45) to vibrate the pile in axial and/or torsional direction. All the eccentric masses in the four pressing elements (43)) that hold the eccentric masses are connected via axles (47) that are connected in the central element (41). This enables that all the eccentric masses to rotate in the same phase and frequency, generating an uniform vibration.
(12) FIG. 9 shows the foundation pile of FIG. 8 as seen from below. Also a smaller diameter upper opening (48) of the foundation pile is shown.
(13) FIG. 10 shows the detachable ring formed element of FIG. 8 without showing the foundation pile. As can be seen the ring shaped element (39) is comprised of four pressing elements (43) each connected to the central element (41) via the one or more hydraulic bars (40). Each pressing element (43) is provided with a hydraulic clamp (46) to fix to the lower end of the pile. The hydraulic bars (40) force the pressing elements (43) to the inner wall of the foundation pile. Connecting elements (44) are present in between these four pressing elements. Both pressing elements (43) and connecting elements (44) are provided with downward and inwardly directed openings for discharge of a fluid as shown. The pressing elements are further provided with one or more vibration devices (45) in a cut out view. The vibration devices (45) may be as shown in FIG. 5.
(14) FIGS. 9 and 10 further show a supply conduit (49) for fluid having openings at its upper and lower end to discharge a fluid in a vertical direction. In a preferred embodiment also openings at one side of the supply conduit (49) are present to discharge the fluid in a horizontal and tangential direction as indicated by arrows (50) for one such opening on the supply conduit (49) for fluid. The connecting elements (44) of the ring shaped element (39) may also be provided with openings to discharge a fluid in a horizontal and tangential direction as indicated by arrows (52). Such a tangential discharge of fluid results in a vortex (51) having a direction indicated by arrow (51) in FIG. 9. The fluid is discharged in a substantial horizontal direction and will spirally flow in such a vortex in an upward direction. Excess water is discharged from the foundation pipe at a more elevated level. In an even more preferred embodiment the openings at the side of conduit (49) are designed such that more than 70% of the fluid being discharged from the openings on the supply conduit are discharged from the openings at one side and wherein the remaining fluid may be discharged from the optional openings at the upper and lower end of the supply conduit (49).
(15) FIG. 11 shows how the detachable ring (39) is collapsed to a more slimmer shape and removed through the smaller diameter opening at the upper end of the foundation pile. As can be seen only the pressing elements (43) are removed while the connecting parts (44) of the ring remain attached to the lower end of the foundation pile. In this way the more complex vibration means may be recovered after installing the foundation pile.
(16) The invention is thus also directed to a detachable vibration device for use in a tubular foundation pile comprising of a central element connected to radially extending and in length variable actuators, the actuators connected at their radial end with a pressing element provided with a clamp suited to press the clamp to the lower end of the tubular foundation pile, wherein the pressing elements are provided with vibration means and with means to discharge a fluid from the lower end of the tubular housing in a direction which has a downward and upward directional component and wherein the vibration device is further provided with means to discharge a fluid into the interior space of the tubular housing of the tubular foundation pile.
(17) Preferably the vibration means are rotating eccentric masses and wherein the axis of rotation of the eccentric masses are directed in a radial direction with respect to the tubular foundation pile and wherein the axis of rotation are connected by axles to the central element such that the movement of the eccentric masses move in the same phase and frequency.
