Pile Driving Device Using Dynamic Bridge Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for driving piles into the ground or seabed, such as hydraulic hammering, generate excessive noise and damage electronic equipment, and existing silent alternatives are either costly or inefficient, especially for offshore applications where regular tubular piles cannot be interlocked.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a bridge assembly with actuators and pile connection assemblies that push four piles into the seabed in a square or diamond configuration, allowing for controlled force distribution and measurement, enabling silent and accurate installation of regular tubular piles without interlocking, while maintaining the ability to measure pile positions and orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hydraulic hammering is used to drive piles into the seabed, then piles can be installed effectively, but excessive noise is generated and electronic equipment is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic hammering system with a pushing system that uses actuators (hydraulic or electric) to slowly push piles into the seabed. This substitution eliminates impact forces and associated noise while maintaining pile installation capability. The pushing system applies continuous controlled force through actuator extension, contrasting with the impulsive mechanical action of hammering.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes hydraulic actuators to provide the pushing force for driving piles into the seabed. The hydraulic system enables controlled, gradual application of force without impact, replacing the hydraulic hammer's impact mechanism with a hydraulic pushing mechanism that maintains force application while eliminating shockwaves and noise.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If bubble curtains are deployed to reduce noise, then sound levels are reduced, but the operation becomes expensive with large carbon footprint and requires multiple compressors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the bubble curtain system entirely by adopting a pushing method that inherently generates no noise. This extraction eliminates the need for compressors, air supply systems, and associated infrastructure, thereby removing the complexity and environmental burden of operating multiple compressors while achieving the same noise reduction goal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful impact-based installation method into a beneficial silent pushing method. By using actuators to gradually push piles into the seabed, the system transforms the previously harmful shockwaves and noise into a controlled, silent process that eliminates the need for noise mitigation measures like bubble curtains.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If piles are installed in a row configuration, then silent installation is achieved, but the distance from outermost pile to jacket becomes too large for offshore applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic bridge assembly that can pivot and adjust its configuration as piles are installed in a square or diamond pattern. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain optimal geometry for force distribution while installing piles in multiple directions from the jacket, achieving both silence and appropriate spacing without the limitations of a fixed row configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional row configuration to a two-dimensional square or diamond configuration of piles around the jacket. This dimensional change allows piles to be positioned closer to the jacket in all directions while maintaining silent installation, effectively utilizing spatial arrangement to solve the distance problem.
4Device complexity
If force is distributed evenly among all actuators, then system simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision and controlled force distribution are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensors monitor pile position, orientation, and actuator forces in real-time. This feedback is fed to the control system, which adjusts individual actuator forces to achieve precise pile installation while maintaining overall system balance. The feedback loop enables accurate measurement and controlled force distribution without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the control system to perform multiple functions: it manages force distribution across actuators, monitors pile position and orientation, and adjusts parameters in real-time. This multi-functional approach achieves precise measurement and control without requiring separate complex subsystems, thereby maintaining relative system simplicity while enhancing measurement precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for pushing four piles into the ground or into a seabed in a square configuration or in a diamond configuration, the device comprising: - a bridge assembly which defines a first, second, third and fourth connecting location arranged in a square or diamond configuration, - four connection assemblies via which in use each of the four piles is connected to the bridge assembly, wherein each pile connection assembly comprises: o an actuator comprising an upper actuator part and a lower actuator part, wherein the actuator is configured to extend, o a pile connector connected to the lower actuator part, o a control device configured for alternately letting each of the actuators extend, and configured for letting the pile which is pushed into the ground or seabed receive a greater force than the opposite pile of the square or diamond configuration, wherein the exerted push force is transferred into the bridge assembly and transferred at least partially from the bridge assembly as a tension force and a bending moment into the two adjoining piles via the two adjoining pile connection assemblies.