Vibratory pile driving assembly

Abstract

Title: Vibratory pile driving assembly Abstract A vibratory pile driving assembly for driving a pile into the ground and / or extracting a pile out of the ground, the assembly comprising: - a base element having a first and a second surface; - a clamping device connected to a first surface of the base element, said clamping device arranged to clamp an end of a pile; - a vibrator device connected to the second surface of the base element, said vibrator device arranged to oscillate a pile clamped by the clamping device; - a lifting arm connected to the first and / or second surface of the base element via a vibration suppressor device.

Description

P 138095NL00 Title: Vibratory pile driving assembly The invention relates to a vibratory pile driving assembly for driving a pile into the ground and / or extracting a pile out ofthe ground. Moreover, the invention also relates to a method for driving a pile into the ground by using the vibratory pile driving assembly. Additionally, the invention relates to a method for extracting a pile out ofthe ground by means ofusing the vibratory pile driving assembly. Vibratory pile driving apparatus are Widely used in the construction industry to drive or extract piles, sheet piles, or other structural elements into or out ofthe ground through the application of vibrational forces. The vibratory mechanism generates high-frequency oscillations that signicantly reduce soil resistance around the pile, facilitating easier andmore efcient insertion or extraction ofthe pile compared to traditional methods like impact hammers, While the amount of noise is heavily reduced. In various vibratory pile driving apparatus designs, an upending arm is utilized to aid in the positioning ofpiles. Typically, piles are transported and initially laid out in a horizontal position, and the upending arm functions to rotate or pivot the pile from this horizontal orientation to a vertical one, Which is necessary for driving it into the ground. The lifting or upending arm is generally mounted to a base frame or support structure that houses the vibratory motor and associated components. An example of such an apparatus is disclosed in thePCT application W02023131623A1. This prior art document discloses a vibratory pile driving apparatus wherein the lifting arm is connected to the base frame. In such conguration, the lifting arm operates through hydraulic or mechanical actuation, allowing it to pivot or rotate piles into the correct orientation. While this system is effective, in some cases, the rigid connection ofthe lifting arm to the base frame often results in the transmission ofvibratory forces from the vibratory pile driving apparatus to the lifting arm and, consequently, to the crane. While the lifting arm ofthis prior art document comprises dampening means within the lifting arm, it has a drawback that the lifting arm is oflarge dimensions, while the dimensions ofthe whole vibratory pile driving apparatus make the entire structure ofan extremely heavy weight, which adds extra burden to the lifting weight that the crane has to take, when lifting the vibratory pile driving apparatus, andmore especially when upending the pile. Additionally, the lifting arm described in this prior art document needs to be ofa certain length and / or dimensions to be able to accommodate a number ofdampening elements to enable the dampening ofthe vibrations to become efcient. When this vibratory pile driving apparatus is connected to the crane, the wear on the cranes mechanical components increases significantly. The vibratory pile driving apparatus of this prior art documentmay result in inadequate dampening of the vibratory forces, which could lead to additional stress on both the upending arm and the overall structure ofthe base frame. Over time, these stresses can cause components to loosen or degrade, increasing the need for maintenance. The frequent maintenance requirements reduce operational uptime and increase the total cost ofownership for operators. It is also known to have a vibratory pile driving apparatus wherein the suppressor, comprising a number ofdampening elements, is mechanically connected to the vibrator block by being mounted on to it, while the lifting arm is then connected to the suppressor housing. This conguration, especially the mechanical connection between the vibrator block and the suppressor, makes the need ofhaving a large suppressor element to enable an efcient dampening effect ofthe vibrations towards the crane from which the vibratory pile driving apparatus is suspended. In other words, the size and therefore weight ofthe vibratory pile driving apparatus is, once again, quite extraordinary. The invention aims to counteract the above disadvantages, preferably while retaining the advantages. More specically, the invention aims to provide e a vibratory pile driving assembly that is able to overcome or reduce the above-mentionedproblems and to provide a vibratory pile driving assembly for effectively driving a pile into the ground and / or extracting a pile out ofthe ground. Therefore, the invention provides for a vibratory pile driving assembly, in particular a vibratory pile driving assembly according to claim 1, for driving a pile into the ground and / or extracting a pile out ofthe ground. The assembly comprises a base element having a rst and a second surface, and a clamping device connected to a rst surface ofthe base element, e.g. a top side, a bottom side or any other side ofthe base element. The clamping device is arranged to clamp an end of a pile. The assembly further comprises a vibrator device connected to the second surface ofthe base element. The vibrator device is arranged to oscillate a pile clamped by the clamping device, whichmay reduce soil resistance. The vibratory pile driving assembly further comprises a lifting arm connected to the rst and / or second surface ofthe base element via a vibration suppressor device. By providing the lifting arm such that it is only in connection with the base element through the vibration suppressor device may facilitate that the vibrations caused by the vibrator device are at least partially suppressed in the lifting arm. By physically separating, or isolating, the lifting arm from the vibration device, the construction is free from mechanical connections that may pass on vibrations onto the lifting arm. Therefore, the vibration suppressor device may work more efciently than commonly used vibration suppressor devices. As a result, itmay be possible to reduce the size ofthe vibration suppressor device ofthe disclosed invention, compared to known vibration suppressor device, in order to achieve the same effect. Thus an assembly has been provided which advantageously not only has the ability to reduce soil resistance and minimize noise and environmental impact, but also that is of a compact conguration, while it allows to have a lifting arm that is also ofreduced dimensions, when compared to the prior art lifting arms. Moreover, the transfer ofvibrations to the crane are substantially reduced because in the claimed conguration there is not a direct connection between the vibrator device and the lifting arm. Hence, a high efciency on the driving operation can be achieved, since the frequency and amplitude of the vibrations on the lifting arm can be easily dampened by the claimed conguration. In the context ofthe invention, it will be understood that clamping should be understood as any method ofreleasably and controllably connecting the pile to the clamping device. For example, clampingmay comprise grabbing the pile by at least partially circumventing the outer contour ofa pile on opposite ends ofthe circumference ofthe pile and providing an radially inward force such that the pile remains attached to the clamping device when the clamping device lifts the pile. Alternatively, in case the pile is a hollow pile having a circumferential wall, the clamping device may locally grab the circumferential wall on the outside and inside of the circumferential wall. Preferably, the clamping device may grab the circumferential wall at multiple locations ofthe circumferential wall such as to better spread the force applied by the pile when being lifted on both the clamping locations and on the clamping device As an even further example ofclamping, the clamping device may be inserted in a hollow pile and afterwards extending radially outward such that the clamping device exerts a radially outward force on the inside ofthe hollow pile, thereby releasably fixing the clamping device to the pile. Clamping the pile at an endmay allow for upending the pile and / or moving the pile around, for example by lifting the base element using a crane or lifting device. In an embodiment, the vibrator device and the vibration suppressor device can be provided substantially parallel, e.g. physically adjacent, to each other, when the vibrator device and the vibration suppressor device are connected to the second surface ofthe base element. Such a conguration is particularly compact while still sufciently dampening the frequency and amplitude ofvibrations transmitted to the lifting arm by the vibrator device. In order to facilitate controllable upending ofthe pile, the lifting arm ofthe assembly can be a rotatable lifting arm congured to move the assembly from a stabbing position, wherein the pile is in a horizontal position, into a vertical lifting position, wherein the pile is beingupended by lifting ofthe assembly. When a pile is being upended, this may be done by at least lifting the base element. Since the pile is releasably attached to the base element by a clamping device at an end ofthe pile, lifting the base element at the lifting arm causes the pile to upend. When upending by lifting the base element, the angle between the pile and the horizon, and thus also base element and the lifting device and / or a crane changes. By providing a rotatable lifting arm, to which the lifting device is connected, the forces causedby rotation actingupon the lifting device, e.g. friction, can be divertedfrom the rigid components ofthe lifting arm to the rotatable components ofthe lifting, that are specically designed to experience the forces causedby rotation. In an embodiment, the lifting arm can be rotatable around a lifting arm rotation point, said lifting arm rotation point can be a pivot axis, such that the lifting arm can be configured to rotate relative to the base element and / or the vibration suppressor device. By rotating the lifting arm about a pivot axis, e.g. when upending a pile, the base element can only move about one degree offreedom, as the other rotational and translational axis ofthe base element relative to the lifting arm are xed. This allows for a more controllable process when raising or lowering the vibration pile driving assembly to which a pile is attached, as there nowmay exist a direct mathematical relationship between raising and lowering the base element. Specifically, when a pile is being upended, the rotating arm will perform a rotation of90 degree relative to the pile, preferably around the pivot axis. When the vibratory pile driving assembly is raised, the pile starts to tilt from a horizontal position towards a vertical position such that the rotating arm will rotate over 90 degrees. Thus it can be easily determined from the height to which the vibratory pile driving assembly is raised by a crane or lifting device, what the expected angle is between the lifting arm and the longitudinal axis ofthe pile. The assembly can further comprise a lifting arm driving device for angular displacement ofthe lifting arm with respect to the base element and / or the vibration suppressor device. The lifting arm driving device can be a hydraulic piston, whichmay be remotely controlled to expand and contract. In an expanded position, the lifting arm may be in line with a pile during use. In other words, a longitudinal axis ofthe lifting arm may be parallel to a longitudinal axis of a pile. In a retracted position, the lifting arm forms an angle with the pile during use, for example an angle of90 degrees. In other words, the longitudinal axis ofthe lifting arm is not parallel to the longitudinal axis ofthe pile. By having the lifting arm driving device control the angle between the lifting arm and the base element, it may be prevented that external forces acting upon the lifting arm and / or the base element determine the angle. Additionally, this may allow for determination ofan expected angle between the lifting arm and the base element and / or as a way ofdetermining faulty operation. For example, if a pile to be raised is stuck in a horizontal position and a lifting device is attempting to lift said pile using the assembly, the resulting forces of simultaneously raising the assembly while the pile is stuck prevents the lifting arm driving device from manipulating the angular displacement. Thus, such an embodiment may improve controllability and accuracy when upending and / or extracting a pile. The vibration suppressor device can comprise a housing element arranged to connect the vibration suppressor device to the lifting arm and / or to the base element. Preferably, the vibration suppressor device comprises a housing element arranged to connect the vibration suppressor device to the lifting arm, Such a housingmay prevent damage to the vibration suppressor device andmay allow for the lifting arm and / or the base element to be conveniently attached to the vibration suppressor device. Preferably, when the suppressor device comprises a housing element arranged to connect the vibration suppressor device to both the lifting arm and the base element, the housing element comprises two separate components, e .g. a rst housing part connected to the lifting arm and a secondhousing part connected to the base element, that are not in physical connection with each other. Thismay prevent vibrations causedby the vibrator device to be transferred to the lifting arm and bypassing the vibration suppressor device. The lifting arm can be connected to the housing element ofthe vibration suppressor device when the housing element is at least arranged to connect the vibration suppressor device to the lifting arm, such that the lifting arm can be firmly and durably connected to the vibration suppressor device. The vibration suppressor device can comprise a dampening element which can be congured to deform to at least reduce transmission ofvibrations to a lifting arm. Additionally or alternatively, the dampening element can comprise a shock absorbing material, preferably an elastomeric shock absorbing material, congured to deform when the assembly is in use. Since the vibration suppressor device is directly connected to the base element, and the lifting arm rotates relative to the base element and the vibration suppressor device when a pile is upended, the dampening element does not rotate relative to the base element. As a result, the dampening element is only loaded in the axial direction ofthe pile and does not experience signicant, or any, transversal or shear loading. This may be in particular advantageous in case the shock absorbing material is an elastomeric shock absorbing material, as such a materialmay prove to cope with axial loading well. The vibration suppressor device can comprise a suppressor actuator arranged to be controllably activated. The suppressor actuator can be arranged to expand and retract to dampen vibrations such as to actively and controllably at least partially reduce the transmission ofvibrations causedby the vibrator device to the lifting arm. This may be done by setting the suppressor actuator to a predetermined dampening position, such that a known amount ofvibrations is dampened. Alternatively, the suppressor actuatormay automatically adjust the amount ofdampening provided, based on vibration data fed to the suppressor actuator. This datamay be fed directly from the vibrator device ormay be fed to by a sensor provided on the assembly. Using a sensor, a feedback loop may be used such that when the amounts ofvibrations caused by the vibrator device increases, this is measured using the sensor and the suppressor actuator in response increases its dampening capacity and vice versa. Such a vibration suppressor device may be used to control the amount ofsuppression provided by selectively engaging each of a plurality ofvibration suppressing components, e.g. an elastomeric shock absorbing material. In an expanded state, a minimal amount ofvibration suppression is provided. However, when the suppressor actuator is adjusts to a retracted state, the shock absorbing capacity increases incrementally as more vibration suppressing components are used to dampen the vibration. In the retracted state, the maximum amount ofvibration suppressing components is engaged, resulting in amaximum amount ofvibration suppression provided by the suppressor actuator. The assembly can further comprise a lifting actuator connected to the base element and the vibration suppressor device. The lifting actuator can be arranged to provide an adjustable connection between the base element and the vibration suppressor device. The lifting actuator can further be arranged to adjust between an upending position, in which the lifting actuator is in a retracted state for protecting the vibration suppressor device, and a suppressor position, in which the lifting actuator is in an expanded state for allowing the vibration suppressor device to at least partially reduce the transmission ofvibrations causedby the vibrator device to the lifting arm. For example, in a retracted state the lifting actuator may cover or shield the vibration suppressor device such that it is protected from outside elements, specifically impact from external elements. Alternatively, the lifting actuatormay compress the vibration suppressor device, in case the vibration suppressor device comprises an elastomeric component, such that the vibration suppressor device is contained within a cover or shielding element, e.g. a housing. The clamping device can be movably connected to the rst surface ofthe base element. The clamping device may be moveable connected in a lateral direction, e.g. the clamping device may move in a direction substantially parallel to the rst and / or second surface ofthe base element. This may facilitate clamping piles ofvarious sizes, e.g. having different radiuses, and / ormay facilitate the act ofclamping itself. For example, when the clamping device moves away from a clamped pile, the pile may be released. Additionally or alternatively, the clamping device may move in a direction away from the base element, such that a pile may be gripped at different locations along its longitudinal axis. The clamping device can comprise a pair ofclamping elements moveable between an open conguration and a closed conguration, such that in the closed configuration the pile is securely connected, e.g. clamped, to the assembly. The clamping elements ofthe pair ofclamping elements may be provided opposite ofeach other, e.g. radially opposed, on both sides of a pile. In an embodiment, a plurality ofpair ofclamping elements are provided, allowing the clamping device more securely connect the pile to the assembly. The pair ofclamping elements may be arranged to clamp anged andunanged piles, i.e. piles without a ange. As an alternative, the clamping device can comprise housing to accommodate a wedge assembly. The wedge assembly can be congured to move from a retracted position to an extended position. In the extended position the wedge assembly is substantially outside a contour ofthe housing. Such a clamping device may be inserted into a pile, e.g. a tubular pile or a pile being hollow at at least one end thereof. Once the housing ofthe clamping device has been inserted into the pile, facilitated by the contour ofthe housing being dimensioned such that it fits in the pile, the wedge assemblymay extend such that the clamping device expands such that wedges ofthe wedge assembly are forced against the inner wall ofthe pile, thereby clamping the pile from the inside. Such a clamping device may be advantageous when the direct surrounding ofpile has limited space, e.g. when there are physical obstructions around the pile. The assembly can comprise a sensor arranged to measure the angular position ofthe base element relative to the lifting arm. Such a sensormay be used to, but not limited to, monitor the upending process, the driving process or the removal process. Any abnormalities, e.g. an unexpected angular position ofthe base element relative to the lifting arm, may be detected using said sensor such that appropriate action, e.g. corrective action, may be taken. In case the assembly comprises a lifting arm driving device, such a device may be used as a sensor or the sensormay be integrated into the lifting arm driving device. Additionally or alternatively, the assembly can further comprise an inclination sensor arranged to measure the assembly and / or the pile inclination when the assembly is in use. Comparable to the sensor arranged to measure the angular position ofthe base element relative to the lifting arm, said inclination sensormay be used to detect abnormalities during use ofthe assembly, e.g. the inclination ofthe pile. The lifting arm can comprise a hoisting element to connect the assembly to a crane or a lifting device. For example, a ringmay be provided on the lifting arm to which a hook can be attached. The hoisting element may advantageously facilitate a relatively convenient releasable connection between the assembly and a crane or lifting device. In a second aspect ofthe invention, there is provided for a method of driving a pile into the ground comprising the steps of: - providing a vibratory pile driving assembly, preferably the pile driving assembly according to any ofthe preceding claims, comprising a clamping device connected to a lifting arm via a vibration suppressor device; - centering the vibratory pile driving assembly with respect to the pile; - connecting the clamping device to an open end ofthe pile, when the pile is in horizontal position, while controlling the angular position of the clamping device with respect to the lifting arm; - upending the pile at a lift point on the lifting arm; - lifting the pile; and - vibratory driving the pile into the soil. Between lifting the pile and vibratory driving the pile into the soil, the method can further comprise positioning the pile at a target location. In a third aspect ofthe invention, there is provided for a method of extracting a pile out ofthe ground comprising the steps of: - providing a vibratory pile driving assembly, preferably the pile driving assembly according to any ofthe preceding claims, comprising a clamping device connected to a lifting arm via a vibration suppressor device; - centering the pile upending device with respect to the pile to be extracted out ofthe ground, - connecting the at least one clamping device to an open end ofthe pile, - vibrating the pile, such that the pile becomes loose and can be extracted. After the pile becomes loose and is extracted, the method can further comprise down-ending the pile, such that the pile is changedfrom a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation. Using a vibratory pile driving assembly as disclosed in the second and third aspect ofthe invention is advantageous, as for both driving and extracting the pile can be done with a vibratory pile driving assembly that has a relatively small size, compared to the vibratory pile driving assemblies according to the prior art, while still remaining sufciently effective in driving / extracting and sufciently quiet by dampening the vibrations transferred to the crane or lifting device. Using a smaller vibratory pile driving assemblymay be advantageous as a wider range ofcranes and / or lifting devices may be used, since the height and weight ofthe vibratory pile driving assembly is less restrictive. Further advantageous aspects ofthe invention are set out in the description and appended claims. The technical features described in the paragraphs and sentences above can be isolatedfrom the context, and the isolated technical features from the different paragraphs and sentences can be combined. Such combinations are herewith specifically disclosed in this description. The invention will further be elucidated on the basis ofexemplary embodiments which are represented in the drawings. The exemplary embodiments are given by way ofnon-limitative illustration ofthe invention. In the drawings: Figs. 1A and 1B show schematic examples oftwo variations ofa pile driving assembly according to the invention; Figs. 2A and 2B show a schematic side view of a further example of a pile driving assembly, in a stabbing position and in an vertical lifting position respectively; Fig. 8 shows a schematic side view ofanother example of a pile driving assembly; Fig. 4 shows a schematic side view ofa further example ofa pile driving assembly; and Figs. 5A and 5B show a schematic side view ofan even further example ofa pile driving assembly in which a clamping device is in a retracted position and an extended position respectively. In this description embodiments ofthe invention will be described with reference to the drawings by way ofexample only. These embodiments should by no means be understood as limiting the scope ofthe disclosure. At least all combinations of aspects, elements and features ofthe embodiments shown and discussed are also considered to have been disclosed herein. In this description the same or similar elements and features will be referred to by the same or similar reference signs. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and can show exaggerations in order to more clearly show features ofthe claimed invention. Figs. 1A and 1B show two schematic examples ofthe pile driving assembly 1 for driving a pile 2 into the ground and / or extracting a pile 2 out ofthe ground. In the examples, the ground has not been depicted. The pile driving assembly 1 comprises a base element 8 having a first 4 and second surface 5. In the shown example, the first surface 4 faces the pile 2 and the second surface 5 the surface faces away from the pile 2. In addition, the assembly 1 comprises a clamping device 6 connected to the first surface 4 ofthe base element 3. The clamping device 6 is arranged to clamp an end 7 of a pile 2. In the shown example, the pile 2 is a hollow pile 2 and more specically a tubular shaped pile 2 ofwhich the circumferential wall is relatively thin compared to the hollow inside ofthe pile 2. The clamping device 6 comprises a pair ofclamping elements 16 movable between an open conguration and a closed configuration, such that in the closed conguration the pile 2 is securely connected to the assembly 1. In the open position, the clamping device 6 can be positioned such that the circumferential wall ofthe pile 2 is provided between a pair ofclamping elements 16. When the clamping elements move to a closed conguration, e.g. using an actuator, the clamping elements 16 move towards each other such that the wall ofthe pile 2 at the end ofthe pile 7 gets clamped between corresponding clamping elements 16. In the example only two pair of clamping elements 16 have been depicted, but it will be clear to the skilled person that a plurality ofpairs ofclamping elements 16 may be used. The assembly 1 further comprises a plurality vibrator devices 8, in the shown example four vibrator devices 8, connected to the second surface 5 ofthe base element 3. The vibrator device 8 is arranged to oscillate the pile 2 clamped by the clamping device 6. Advantageously, in the example the vibrator devices 8 are provided on the base element 3 such that, when clamping the pile 2, the vibrator devices 8 are in proximity ofthe circumferential wall ofthe pile 2. This conguration may reduce the moment in the base element, reducing the stress the base element 3 is exposed to. Additionally, thismay transfer the vibrations causedby the vibrator devices 8 in alignment with the wall ofthe pile 2, whichmay result in a more direct, and thus efcient, transfer ofvibrations. The assembly 1 further comprises a lifting arm 9 connected to a surface 4, 5 ofthe base element 2 via a vibration suppressor device 10. Two examples have been shown in Figs. 1A and 1B, wherein the lifting arm 9 is connected to the first surface 4 and second surface 5 respectively. While both examples may be used for driving a pile 2 into the ground and for extracting a pile 2 out ofthe ground, itmay be advantageous to use the conguration depicted in Fig. 1A when extracting a pile 2 out ofthe ground. When extracting a pile, an upward force may be applied such that the vibration suppressor device 10 experiences a force that presses the device 10 against the base element 3. Conversely, the configuration depicted in Fig. 1B may be in particular suitable for driving a pile 2 into the ground. When driving a pile 2 into the ground, a downward force is applied resulting in a force acting upon the vibration suppressor device 10 such that it is pressed to the base element 3. In the example, the lifting arm 9 comprises a hoisting element 18 to connect the assembly 1 to a crane or a lifting device. The hoisting element 18 is arranged to form a releasable connection with a crane or a lifting device (not depicted) such that the assembly 1 can be safely and efciently be lifted and loweredwhen clamping a pile 2. In the shown example, the hoisting element 18 is depicted as half ofa mechanical couple, ofwhich the other half is part of a lifting device. The hoisting element 18 can be mechanically locked, or coupled, to the other half ofthe mechanical couple that is part ofthe lifting device. Turning to Fig. 2A and 2B a schematic example ofa vibratory pile driving assembly 1 is depicted in a stabbing position and in a vertical lifting position respectively. The lifting arm 9 is a rotatable lifting arm 9 congured to move the assembly 1 from a stabbing position, depicted in Fig. 2A and wherein, during use, the pile (not depicted) is in a horizontal position, in a vertical lifting position, depicted in Fig. 2B and wherein the pile (not depicted), during use, is being upendedby the assembly 1. During use ofthe vibratory pile driving assembly 1, e.g. when upended a pile, a pile may be transported, e.g. by cargo ship, in a horizontal position to a location where it will be driven into the ground. Next, when the pile is upended, the vibratory pile driving assembly 1 is clamped at an end to the pile and the vibratory pile driving assembly 1 is in the stabbing position as depicted in Fig. 2A. During upending, andwhen the pile is movedfrom a horizontal position to a vertical position, the vibratory pile driving assembly 1 is moved, or rotated, to the vertical lifting position as depicted in Fig. 2B over a 90 degree angle. As can be seen, the lifting arm 9 remains in a vertical direction while the base element 3, and components attached to said base element 3, rotate. As shown in the example, the lifting arm 9 is rotatable around a lifting arm rotation point 15, the lifting arm rotation point 15 being a pivot axis, such that the lifting arm 9 is congured to rotate relative to the base element 3 and, in the shown example, the vibration suppressor device 10. Since the lifting arm 9 itselfis a rigid component, all degrees of freedom except rotation about the pivot axis are limited or prevented. In the shown example, the vibratory pile driving assembly 1 comprises a lifting arm driving device 17 for angular displacement ofthe lifting arm 9 with respect to the base element 2 and the vibration suppressor device 10. Such a lifting arm driving device 17 is depicted as an hydraulic piston arranged to controllably extend and retract, thus facilitating movement ofthe lifting arm 9 such that the assembly 1 can assume a vertical fJiting position from the stabbing position and vice versa.A single driving device 17 may be provided, as shown in the figure, however it will be clear multiple driving devices 17 may be provided. This may allow the lifting arm 9 to be supportedfrom various locations, improving stability and strength. As an example, the assembly 1 comprises a sensor arranged to measure the angular position ofthe base element 2 relative to the lifting arm 9. In the shown example, this sensor is an encoder provided on the driving device 17, however itmay be clear that other sensors may be used as well. Furthermore, the assembly 1 comprises an inclination sensor (not depicted) arranged to measure the assembly 1 and / or the pile inclination when the assembly 1 is in use. Data from the sensors may be provided to an operator driving or extracting a pile, such that the operatormay verify correct and safe operation. Alternatively, the data providedby the sensors may be used for controlling the operation itself, e.g. as input for the lifting arm driving device 17 or the lifting actuators 20. In the shown example, the vibratory pile driving assembly 1 comprises a lifting actuator 20 connected to the base element 3 and the vibration suppressor device 10. The lifting actuator 20 is arranged to provide an adjustable connected between the base element 3 and the vibration suppressor device 10 and is arranged to adjust between an upending position, in which the lifting actuator 20 is in a retracted state to protect the vibration suppressor device 10 as shown in Fig. 2A, and a suppressor position, in which the lifting actuator 20 is in an expanded state, as shown in Fig. 2B, for allowing the vibration suppressor device 10 to at least partially reduce the transmission ofvibrations caused by the vibrator device 8 to the lifting arm 9. In the upending position shown in Fig. 2A the lifting actuator 20, depicted as an example as a plurality ofhydraulic pistons 20, are in a retracted state such that the vibration suppressor device 10 is compressed, and thus protected against external forces, e.g. shear stress. In the suppressor position, depicted in Fig. 2B the lifting actuators 20 are in an expanded position such that the vibration suppressor device 10 is no longer compressed and able to reduce vibrations transmittedby the vibrator device to the lifting arm 9. The previously discussed sensors may for example be used to determine ifthe pile is in the upending position, i.e. in a vertical position, and if this is conrmed by the sensors, the lifting actuators 20 may go from the upending position ofFig. 2A to the suppressor position of Fig. 2B. Referring to Fig. 3, a schematic view ofa further example ofa vibratory pile driving assembly 1 is shown. In the example, vibration suppressor device 10 comprises a dampening element 12 which is congured to deform to at least reduce transmission ofvibrations to the lifting arm 9. In the shown example, the dampening element 12 comprises a shock absorbing material, specifically an elastomeric shock absorbing material, which is congured to deform when the assembly 1 is in use. In the shown example, the vibrator device 8 and the vibration suppressor device 10 are provided substantially parallel to each other, i.e. next to each other on the base element 3 on the same side of said base element 3, resulting in a compact and relatively small design. The vibrator device 8 and the vibration suppressor device 10 are connected to the second surface 5 ofthe base element 8. As an example, the clamping device 6 is movably connected to the first surface 4 ofthe base element 3 to allow movement ofthe clamping device 6 such as to accommodate piles 2 ofvarious diameters. The clamping device 6 may also move perpendicular to the base element 3 such as to extend or retract in a direction perpendicular to the first surface 4. This may facilitate grabbing piles at different locations along its longitudinal axis. For example, ifa pile is a anged pile a different clamping position may be preferred compared to an unanged pile. In the example, the vibration suppressor device 1 comprises a housing element 14 arranged to connect the vibration suppressor device 10 to the lifting arm 9 and to the base element 3, specifically the lifting arm 9 is connected to the housing element 14 ofthe vibration suppressor device 10. From the gure, it can be seen that the housing element 14 comprises oftwo parts, an top part connecting the vibration suppressor device 10 to the lifting arm 9 and a bottom part connecting the vibration suppressor device to the base element 3. Separating the housing element 14 in two parts, e.g. a first housing element 14 connected to the lifting arm 9 and a second housing element 14 connected to the base element 3, may prevent vibrations caused by the vibrator device 8 to be transmitted to the lifting arm 9 via the housing element 14. The housing element 14may be made of a single material such as to enclose the complete vibration suppressor device 10, as long as a physical gap in the housing element 14 exists such that the vibrations transmittedby the vibrator devices 8 can only pass through the vibration suppressor device 10 when reaching the lifting arm 9. Turning to Fig. 4, a schematic view ofan even further example ofa vibratory pile driving assembly 1 is shown. In this conguration, the vibrator devices 8 are provided towards the center ofthe base element 3, while the vibration suppressor devices 10, comprising a damping element 12, e.g. a shock absorbing material, are provided towards the outer edges of the base element 3 such that the vibration suppressor devices 10 and the vibrator devices 8 are provided substantially parallel to each other. The vibrations caused by the vibrator devices 8 in this example are at or near the center ofthe base element 3, whichmay facilitate a homogenous distribution ofthe vibrations towards the pile 2. Additionally, the lifting arm 9 is connected to the base element 3, through the vibration suppressor devices 10, at lateral ends ofthe base element 3 which may facilitate better control ofthe clamped pile 2 when driving and / or extracting the pile 2 from the ground, e.g. when upending. The better controlmay be facilitatedby having the lifting arm 9 connected to the base element 3 at more than one location, in the shown example two locations, and in particular near the outer edge ofthe base element 3. In the shown example, the vibration suppressor devices 10 each comprise a housing element 14, saidhousing element 14 comprising a rst housing part 14 connecting the vibration suppressor device 10 to the lifting arm 9 and a second housing part 14 connecting the vibration suppressor device 10 to the base element 3. The first housing part 14 and the secondhousing part 14 are physically separated, such that they do not come in to direct physical contact with each other during driving and extracting ofthe pile 2. Turning to Figs. 5A and 5B a further example of a vibratory pile driving assembly 1 has been schematically depicted. In the shown example, an alternative example of a vibration suppressor device 10 is depicted. The vibration suppressor device 10 comprises a suppressor actuator 13 arranged to be actively and controllably activated and wherein the suppressor actuator 13 is arranged to expand and retract such as to at least partially reduce transmission ofvibrations caused by the vibrator device 8 to the lifting arm 9. The suppressor actuator 13 is arranged to automatically adjust the amount ofdampening provided, based on vibration data fed to the suppressor actuator 13. In the example, this data is fed directly from the vibrator device 8. Additionally, the suppressor actuator 13 comprises a sensor such that a feedback loop may be used to control the amount of dampening provided. The vibration suppressor device 18 is arranged to selectively engage each of a plurality ofvibration suppressing components 19, e.g. an elastomeric shock absorbing material. In an expanded state, a minimal amount ofvibration suppression is provided. However, when the suppressor actuator 13 is adjusts to a retracted state, the shock absorbing capacity increases incrementally as more vibration suppressing components are used to dampen the vibration. In the retracted state, the maximum amount ofvibration suppressing components 19, in the shown example three, are engaged which results in amaximum amount ofvibration suppression provided by the suppressor actuator 13. In the shown example, the clamping device 6 comprises a housing 20 to accommodate a wedge assembly 17. The wedge assembly 17 is congured to move from a retracted position to an extended position, wherein in the extended position the wedge assembly 17 is substantially outside a contour ofthe housing 20. During use, the clamping device 6 is inserted into a pile that is at least partially hollow at at least one end ofsaid pile. The housing 20 has a contour that is dimensioned such that it can be inserted into a pile. In the shown example, this wouldmean that the radius or length and width ofthe base housing 20 is less than a corresponding dimension ofthe inside ofthe pile. For example, in case ofa roundhousing 20 and a tubular shaped pile, the radius ofthe roundhousing 20 is less than that ofthe inner radius ofthe pile. Once at least the housing 20 ofthe clamping device has been inserted into the pile, the wedges 18 ofthe wedge assembly 17 may extend such that the clamping device 6 expands such that wedges 18 are forced against the inner wall ofthe pile, thereby clamping the pile from the inside. In the shown Fig. 5A the wedges 18 are in the retracted position such that the housing 20 can be inserted into a pile. Turning to Fig. 5B, the wedges 18 have rotated outwardly such as to move to an extended position. In the extended position ofFig. 5B, the wedge assembly 17 and specically the wedges 18 ofthe wedge assembly extend outside the contour ofthe housing 20, in the shown example being the radius ofthe housing 20. In the shown example, the wedges 18 are rotated outwardly however it will be clear that a linear non-rotational movement may also be used, e.g. a lateral movement. These and other such alternatives are considered to fall within the 5 scope ofthe appending claims.

Claims

1. A vibrating pile driver assembly for driving into the ground and / or to draw the ground from a pole, comprising the assembly: - a basic element with a first and a second surface; - a clamping device connected to the first surface of the basic element, where the clamping device is designed to clamp an end of a to clamp pole; - a vibrating device connected to the second surface of the basic element, where the vibration device is designed to a by the to vibrate clamping device clamped pile; - a lever arm connected to the first and / or second surface of the base element via a vibration damping device.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, where the lever arm is rotatable a lifting arm is one that is configured to move the assembly of a insertion position, in which the pole is in a horizontal position, to a vertical hoisting position, in which the pile is set upright by the assembly.

3. The combination according to claim 1 or 2, where the vibration damper device comprises a housing element that is designed to the to connect vibration damping device to the base element.

4. The combination according to one of the preceding claims, whereby the vibration damper device comprises a housing element that is designed to the to connect a vibration damping device to the lifting arm, preferably whereby the lifting arm is connected to the housing element of the vibration damping device.

5. The assembly according to claim 3 or 4, where the housing element a first housing part that comprises the vibration damping device with the connects the lifting arm and a second housing part that the vibration damping device connects with the base element, and where the first housing part and the second housing part be physically separated from each other.

6. The combination according to one of the preceding claims, whereby the vibration damper device comprises a damping element that is configured to deform to at least the transfer of vibrations to the lifting arm reduce.

7. The combination according to claim 6, where the damping element is shock-absorbing material comprises, preferably, an elastomer shock-absorbing material, that is configured to deform when the assembly is in use.

8. The combination according to one of the preceding claims, whereby the vibration damper device comprises a damper actuator that is designed to actively and to be activated in a controllable manner, and where the damper actuator is designed to expand and contract to dampen vibrations, such that the transmission of vibrations caused by the vibrating device to the lifting arm is reduced at least partially.

9. The combination according to one of the preceding claims, whereby the The assembly further comprises a lifting device connected to the base element. and the vibration damping device, and where the lifting factor is designed to a adjustable connection between the base element and the vibration damping device to offer and is designed to adjust between an upright position, in which the lifting device is in a retracted state to the to protect the vibration damping device, and a damper position, in which the the lifting factor is in an expanded state to the to enable vibration damping device to at least partially the transfer of vibrations caused by the vibrating device to the lifting arm reduce.

10. The assembly according to one of the preceding claims, where the lever arm is rotatable around a pivot point of the lifting arm, where this pivot point of the lifting arm is a pivot axis, such that the lifting arm is configured to rotate relative to the base element and / or the vibration damping device.

11. The combination according to one of the preceding claims, whereby the clamping device is movably connected to the first surface of the basic element 12. The combination according to one of the preceding claims, whereby the clamping device comprises a pair of clamping elements that are movable between a open configuration and a closed configuration, such that in the closed configuration the post is firmly connected to the assembly.

13. The combination according to one of the preceding claims, whereby the clamping device comprises a housing to accommodate a wedge assembly, where the wedge assembly is configured to move from a retracted position position to an extended position, where the wedge assembly in the extended position lies mainly outside a perimeter of the housing.

14. The combination according to one of the preceding claims, whereby the the assembly further comprises a lever arm drive mechanism for angular displacement of the lifting arm relative to the base element and / or the vibration damping device.

15. The combination according to one of the preceding claims, whereby the assembly comprises a sensor that is configured to measure the angular position of the to measure the base element relative to the lifting arm.

16. The combination according to one of the preceding claims, whereby the The assembly further includes a tilt sensor configured to the assembly and / or to measure the slope of the post when the assembly is in use.

17. The assembly according to one of the preceding claims, where the lever arm includes a lifting element to lift the assembly with a crane or with a to connect the direction.

18. The combination according to one of the preceding claims, whereby the vibration device and the vibration damper device essentially parallel to each other are provided, when the vibration device and the vibration damping device are connected to the second surface of the base element.

19. Method for driving a pile into the ground, comprising the steps of: - equipped with a vibrating pile driver assembly, preferably the piling rig assembly according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a clamping device connected to a lifting arm via a vibration damping device; - centering the vibrating pile driver assembly relative to the pole; - connecting the clamping device to an open end of the post, when the pole is in a horizontal position, while the angular position of the clamping device relative to the lifting arm is checked; - straightening the pole at a hoisting point on the lifting arm; - lifting the pole; and - driving the pile into the ground by vibrating.

20. The method according to claim 19, whereby between lifting the pile and driving the pile into the ground by vibration the method the positioning of the post in a goal position. 2 1. Method for pulling a pile out of the ground, comprising the steps of: - equipped with a vibrating pile driver assembly, preferably the piling rig assembly according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a clamping device connected to a lifting arm via a vibration damping device; - centering the post uprighting device relative to the post which must be pulled out of the ground; - connecting at least one clamping device with an open end of the pole; - vibrating the pile in such a way that the pile comes loose and can be pulled out.

22. The method according to conclusion 2 1, whereby the method further the step includes: - laying down the post in such a way that the post moves from a vertical to a horizontal orientation is introduced.

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