Load-Bearing Clamp With Irregular Surfaces for Shaft Load Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional deep foundations and helical piles face challenges in transferring loads, especially in remote locations with limited access, where equipment is unavailable, and the quality of field welds is variable, potentially compromising corrosion protection.
Innovation Solution
A load bearing clamp system with semi-annular clamping surfaces and irregular surfaces that deform to provide a friction and mechanical connection to shafts, allowing for the transfer of both tension and compression loads without welding or drilling, using bolts and nuts for tensioning, and a grillage system for attaching to piles to distribute loads efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If field welding or drilling is used to connect adapters to helical piles, then structural connection is achieved, but corrosion protection is compromised and installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a clamp as an intermediary device that connects the tower to the helical pile without direct welding or drilling to the pile shaft. The clamp acts as a mediator that transfers loads through friction and mechanical deformation of the pile surface, eliminating the need for harmful field welding or drilling operations while preserving the corrosion protection coating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional welding or drilling mechanical system with a clamp-based friction system. Instead of permanently altering the pile through thermal or mechanical removal of material, the clamp uses friction forces and surface deformation to create a secure connection, substituting a less invasive mechanical approach.
2Strength
If conventional deep foundations or driven piles are used, then load bearing capacity is achieved, but installation equipment requirements increase and installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the load-bearing function from complex conventional foundation systems and concentrates it into a simplified helical pile-clamp assembly. The helical pile itself provides the load-bearing capacity through its screw-driven installation and helical plate geometry, while the clamp provides the connection function, separating these functions from the need for large specialized installation equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the installation parameters from those required by conventional foundations (large equipment, heavy machinery) to a manual or light-equipment installation process. The helical pile can be installed by hand or with minimal equipment, fundamentally changing the equipment requirements while maintaining load-bearing capacity.
3Strength
If irregular clamp surfaces are used to deform shafts for secure connection, then mechanical connection strength increases, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating deformation only at specific contact points between the clamp and shaft, rather than requiring uniform precision across the entire clamp surface. The irregular surfaces concentrate deformation forces at localized areas, achieving strong mechanical connection through focused stress application rather than uniform precision manufacturing.
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 reliable transfer of axial loads to helical piles, facilitating structure erection in remote areas without damaging corrosion protection, using a clamp system that crimps and deforms shafts for secure mechanical connection.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the first semi-annular clamp surface and the second semi-annular clamp surface includes at least one irregular surface that deforms at least a portion of a shaft clamped between the first and second clamp members
Implementation Method 2
at least one irregular surface that deforms at least a portion of a shaft clamped between the first and second clamp members
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a load bearing clamp including a first clamp member, the first clamp member including a first semi-annular clamping surface, a second clamp member, the second clamp member including a second semi-annular clamping surface, the second semi-annular clamping surface opposing the first semi-annular clamping surface and at least one member for drawing the first clamp member and the second clamp member toward each other, wherein at least one of the first semi-annular clamp surface and the second semi-annular clamp surface includes at least one irregular surface that deforms at least a portion of a shaft clamped between the first and second clamp members.