Pile Perpendicularity Measurement Decoupling Shock Loads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing measuring systems for controlling pile perpendicularity during driving, especially offshore piles, face challenges due to severe accelerations that limit the suitability and choice of detectors, necessitating a solution that allows for accurate measurement without exposing the detector to harsh conditions.

Innovation Solution

A measuring system comprising a mounting frame and a moveable measuring frame with a pretensioning system, allowing the measuring device to decouple from the pile during driving, enabling independent measurement of pile and pile driving system perpendicularity, and using an inclinometer for precise angle measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the measuring device is coupled with the pile during driving, then the perpendicularity can be measured, but the measuring device is exposed to severe accelerations exceeding 2000g

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperpendicularity measurementVSAvoidacceleration exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring system is divided into separate functional components: the measuring device remains stationary on the vessel while the measuring frame moves with the pile. This segmentation allows the sensitive measuring device to be isolated from the harsh acceleration environment while still enabling accurate measurement of the pile's perpendicularity through the moving frame's position changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The measuring frame acts as an intermediary between the stationary measuring device and the moving pile. It transfers the motion information from the pile to the measuring device without directly coupling the sensitive detector to the pile, thereby filtering out the harmful acceleration effects while preserving measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the measuring device is coupled with the pile, then perpendicularity measurement is enabled, but the choice of detectors is limited due to severe acceleration conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperpendicularity measurementVSAvoiddetector selection

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the measuring device from the pile through the moving measuring frame, the system allows use of standard, sensitive detectors that would otherwise be unsuitable for high-acceleration environments. The measuring frame absorbs the motion dynamics, enabling the measuring device to operate in a relatively stable reference frame.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces direct mechanical coupling of the detector to the pile with an optical or electronic measurement approach. The measuring device measures the position and orientation of the measuring frame rather than directly sensing the pile, substituting a mechanical connection with a non-contact measurement method that is tolerant of acceleration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If manual measurement at deck level is performed, then perpendicularity can be assessed, but the process is time-consuming and less accurate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperpendicularity measurementVSAvoidmeasurement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring system automatically performs the measurement process without requiring manual intervention at deck level. The measuring frame moves with the pile and automatically captures position data, which is then processed by the measuring device to determine perpendicularity, eliminating manual measurement operations and associated time losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The measuring system operates continuously throughout the pile driving process, providing real-time perpendicularity measurements without interruption. This continuous measurement approach eliminates the need for periodic manual checks and provides uninterrupted data collection for accurate assessment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 repeatable and reproducible measurement of pile and pile driving system perpendicularity, reducing the impact of shock loads on the measuring device and eliminating the need for manual deck-level measurements, thereby improving measurement accuracy and system efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a measuring device for measuring perpendicularity, wherein the measuring device is an inclinometer for measuring angles of slope, also tilt, of an object with respect to gravity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2691577B1Measuring system for a pile

Publication Date: 2015.07.22 IHC HOLLAND IE BV

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AI summary

The invention relates to a measuring system (1) for controlling perpendicularity of a pile (11) during driving of the pile, wherein the measurement system comprises; a mounting frame (2) for coupling the measuring system with a pile driving system (10), a measuring frame (3) provided with at least one measuring device (4a, 4b) for measuring perpendicularity of the pile.