Hydraulic Pile Lifting Apparatus with Gravity Vice
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for lifting and repairing foundation piles are costly, visually unappealing, and inefficient, as they often require extensive excavation and visible support structures, and may not effectively address sinking foundations due to insufficient soil support or damaged piles.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method for lifting a pile embedded in strata, featuring a support structure with a hydraulically actuated lifting device and a gravity-operated lift head with gripping plates that engage and support the pile, allowing for controlled lifting and stabilization without extensive excavation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prior techniques involve jacking up the foundation and positioning pilings below foundation for support, then the sinking foundation can be raised, but the pilings are not in contact with solid strata so additional foundation sinking can still occur and the repair components are visible after repair work
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting apparatus is inserted through a hole in the foundation slab and positioned within the foundation structure. The support structure with gripping plates engages the pile from within, allowing the lifting mechanism to operate inside the foundation rather than from external pilings, thus eliminating visible repair components while maintaining contact with solid strata
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus uses a support structure with gripping plates that engage the pile as an intermediary mechanism. This intermediary device transfers the lifting force from the hydraulic cylinder to the pile, ensuring stable support contact with solid strata while remaining concealed within the foundation structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If extensive excavation and drilling are performed to reach interior areas from the exterior of the structure, then support can be provided to interior foundation areas, but the cost becomes prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of accessing the foundation from the exterior through extensive excavation and drilling to reach interior areas, the apparatus inverts the approach by inserting the support structure through a hole in the foundation slab from the interior or accessible side, allowing direct access to interior foundation areas without costly exterior excavation
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is divided into separable components including a support structure, gripping plates, and a lifting mechanism that can be inserted through a hole in the foundation. This segmentation allows the device to be assembled and inserted through a small opening rather than requiring extensive excavation to access interior foundation areas
3Extent of automation
If a lifting apparatus with gripping plates and hydraulic actuation is used, then controlled lifting and automatic grab-release can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping plates are designed to automatically engage the pile when the apparatus is inserted and positioned, and automatically release when the lifting cycle is complete. The hydraulic actuation system self-regulates the gripping and releasing actions based on the lifting cycle, reducing the need for complex external control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting apparatus uses hydraulic actuation to control the gripping plates and lifting mechanism. The hydraulic system provides controlled, automated operation of the gripping and releasing actions, as well as the lifting motion, simplifying the control architecture while achieving automatic operation
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for lifting and supporting a pile is provided. The apparatus includes a support structure coupled to the pile and a lifting device coupled to the support structure. Gripping plates of a lift head engage and lift the pile during extension of the lifting device. During retraction of the lifting device, gripping plates of a gravity vice engage the pile to support the pile in the lifted position. The extension and retraction of the lifting device is alternately repeated to lift the pile in steps to a desired height.