Foundation Element with Internal Pressure Chamber for Vibratory Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vibrating systems for inserting foundation elements into the ground require significant power due to ground resistance, leading to potential hydraulic system overload, increased costs, and longer insertion times.

Innovation Solution

A vibrating system with a motor-driven hydraulic pump and a pressure chamber within the foundation element, using eccentrics to generate vibrations, allows for optimized power use by adjusting drive force and frequency, and includes a closing means to create overpressure or underpressure for enhanced penetration and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a conventional vibrating system with hydraulic pump and motor is used to insert foundation elements, then the foundation element can be vibrated into the ground, but great power is required due to ground resistance, leading to potential hydraulic system overload and increased costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower required for insertionVSAvoidhydraulic system overload risk
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure chamber is activated before and during the insertion process to pre-pressurize the ground surrounding the foundation element. This preliminary action reduces the ground resistance that the hydraulic system must overcome during vibration, thereby reducing the required power and preventing hydraulic system overload.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure chamber acts as an intermediary between the foundation element and the surrounding ground. By controlling the pressure in this intermediate chamber, the system can modify the ground resistance characteristics, making insertion easier and reducing the power demands on the hydraulic system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If conventional vibrating systems are used without pressure chamber, then the system structure is simpler, but insertion time increases due to great ground resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion timeVSAvoidsystem structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure chamber is activated before and during the insertion process to pre-pressurize the ground surrounding the foundation element. This preliminary action reduces the ground resistance that the hydraulic system must overcome during vibration, thereby reducing the required power and preventing hydraulic system overload.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure chamber acts as an intermediary between the foundation element and the surrounding ground. By controlling the pressure in this intermediate chamber, the system can modify the ground resistance characteristics, making insertion easier and reducing the power demands on the hydraulic system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If great power is provided to overcome ground resistance, then insertion can be achieved, but energy consumption increases and costs rise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure chamber is activated before and during the insertion process to pre-pressurize the ground surrounding the foundation element. This preliminary action reduces the ground resistance that the hydraulic system must overcome during vibration, thereby reducing the required power and preventing hydraulic system overload.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure chamber acts as an intermediary between the foundation element and the surrounding ground. By controlling the pressure in this intermediate chamber, the system can modify the ground resistance characteristics, making insertion easier and reducing the power demands on the hydraulic system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This approach reduces the power required for insertion, decreases insertion time, minimizes energy consumption, and provides sound reduction, while also facilitating easier decommissioning and buoyancy for transport, allowing for more efficient and effective foundation element placement and retrieval.

Implementation Method 1

a pump, in a currently preferred embodiment comprising a hydraulic pump. This produces a quantity of hydraulic fluid which determines the frequency of the vibrating device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic fluid flow: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

a vibrating device; a drive operatively connected to the vibrating device and comprising a motor... Providing the vibrating device, also referred to as vibrator block, with a number of eccentrics in particular enables a vibration to be exerted on a foundation element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 3

a closing means arranged in the interior of the foundation element for realizing a pressure chamber in the interior of the foundation element... An overpressure can be provided in the pressure chamber during insertion into the ground of the foundation element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 4

a drive operatively connected to the vibrating device and comprising a motor... in a currently preferred embodiment comprising a hydraulic motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic motor: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP3445916B1Foundation element
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 CAPE HOLLAND HLDG
  • EP3445916B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a vibrating system for installing a foundation element in the ground or decommissioning it therefrom, and method therefor. The vibrating system according to the invention comprises: a vibrating device; a drive operatively connected to the vibrating device and comprising a motor; and a foundation element to be installed or decommissioned, comprising a closing means arranged in the interior of the foundation element for realizing a pressure chamber in the interior of the foundation element.