Deep Water Pile Driver Coupling Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pile driving technologies are limited by the size and complexity of surface-powered hammering devices, which are expensive and restricted to shallow seawater depths, and methods like drilling or jetting require large ships and cause soil disturbance, reducing the holding capacity of objects in subsea soil.
Innovation Solution
A ramming apparatus with a hammer frame adapted for reciprocation in water, featuring a hydraulic system with a tuneable gas spring and a coupling mechanism that allows for a rigid lift connection and a non-rigid impact connection to prevent buckling, powered by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for deep water operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If surface-powered hammering devices are used, then driving force is sufficient, but deployment cost is very high and water depth is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the pile driving function into two parts: a compact underwater hammer unit that can be deployed independently, and a surface support vessel that provides minimal assistance. This segmentation allows the hammer to operate autonomously at depth while reducing the complexity and cost of surface equipment compared to traditional surface-powered systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary hydraulic power transmission system that connects the surface support vessel to the underwater hammer. This intermediary mechanism allows force to be transmitted to the hammer from the surface without requiring the entire system to be surface-powered, thus reducing surface equipment complexity while maintaining sufficient driving force.
2Length of moving object
If drilling or jetting methods are used, then objects can be installed in deep water, but soil disturbance occurs and holding capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical drilling or jetting processes with a hydraulic impactor system that delivers controlled hydraulic blows to drive objects into the seabed. This substitution eliminates the soil disturbance caused by drilling or jetting while maintaining the ability to install objects at deep water locations.
3Ease of operation
If objects are placed in drilled or jetted holes, then installation is possible, but object length must be increased to achieve equivalent holding capacity
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing drilling or jetting with hydraulic impactor driving, the patent achieves better soil-object contact and friction. This allows shorter objects to achieve the same holding capacity, as the impactor creates less soil disturbance and maintains higher soil density around the object compared to drilling or jetting methods.
4Length of moving object
If umbilical cables are used to power underwater equipment, then deep water operation is possible, but cables are prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power transmission system into modular hydraulic connections rather than relying on a single long umbilical cable. The hydraulic power pack can be positioned closer to the hammer, reducing cable length and the risk of cable damage during deployment and operation in deep water.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and cost-effective driving of objects into deep water soil with reduced soil disturbance, allowing for shorter objects with equivalent holding capacity, and can operate at depths beyond the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
A hydraulic fluid circuit is adapted to provide a lifting force for lifting the hammer
Implementation Method 2
The hydraulic fluid circuit includes a tuneable gas spring comprising a container in which a gas is stored, where the gas is compressed as the hammer is lifted, where the gas expands after the hammer is released
Implementation Method 3
allowing the hammer to fall by gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A pile driver is provided for use in deep water with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and a working ship for setting piles, pin piles and well conductors in subsea soil and for soil sampling in deep water and can be used for shallow water and land-based applications. A ram mass or hammer is received in an open frame and hydraulically reciprocated while in contact with water. A piston rod received in a piston cylinder is secured at one end to the hammer through a coupling mechanism, and an external source of hydraulic power is used with an on-board hydraulic circuit. Gas is compressed during an up-stroke to store energy, which is released during a down-stroke to push the hammer downwardly. The coupling mechanism provides a connection between the piston rod and the hammer that can move between an essentially rigid lift connection, an essentially rigid downward-push connection and an essentially non-rigid impact connection for preventing buckling of the piston rod when the hammer strikes at its lowermost point. One embodiment of the coupling mechanism includes a hollow body having opposing longitudinal slots, a rod slideably received in the hollow body that is pinned slideably at one end in the opposing slots and pinned fixedly at the other end to the hammer, with a spring in the hollow body providing a bias to push the rod toward the hammer.