Removable Driving Tabs for Vibratory Caisson Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vibratory caissons with integral driving tabs are non-removable, leading to issues like material wastage, increased shipping costs, damage to the base plate, and lack of protection against slippage during installation, as they cannot be reused and lack a coarse gripping surface to prevent machine slippage.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of removable driving tabs with a flange and coarse gripping surface, secured by bolts and lock washers, which can be reused and prevent lateral and axial slippage of the vibrating machine, reducing material usage and protecting the base plate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If integral driving tabs are welded onto the base plate, then the caisson can be vibrated into the ground, but the driving tabs cannot be removed and reused, leading to material wastage and increased shipping costs
Solution Approach 1:
The driving tab is divided into separate components: a base plate with apertures and removable driving ears with bolts. This segmentation allows the driving ears to be detached and reused on multiple caissons, eliminating material wastage while maintaining installation reliability through the bolt-secured connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving ears are designed to be removable and recoverable after use. Instead of being permanently welded to each base plate, the driving ears can be detached from one caisson and reused on another, recovering valuable materials and reducing shipping costs for redundant components.
2Reliability
If integral driving tabs are welded onto the base plate, then the caisson can be vibrated into the ground, but the machine gripping mechanism can slip downward and scratch the base plate, causing damage and oxidation
Solution Approach 1:
The driving ear acts as an intermediary component between the vibratory machine and the base plate. The machine grips the driving ear rather than contacting the base plate directly, preventing slippage damage to the base plate while ensuring reliable vibration transmission for installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving ear with coarse gripping surface provides a protective interface before the machine contacts the base plate. This beforehand protection prevents direct contact and potential damage to the base plate during the gripping and vibration process.
3Reliability
If integral driving tabs are welded onto the base plate, then the caisson can be vibrated into the ground, but there is no coarse gripping surface to prevent slippage of the driving machine
Solution Approach 1:
The driving ear features a coarse gripping surface specifically on the portion contacted by the vibratory machine. This localized quality enhancement provides high friction and prevents slippage, while the rest of the component maintains its structural function for securing to the base plate.
4Reliability
If the base plate steel material is radially increased to accommodate driving tabs, then driving tabs can be welded onto the base plate, but material, structural weight and shipping costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The driving tab functionality is segmented into a separate removable component rather than being integrated into the base plate structure. This allows the base plate to maintain its original dimensions and weight, while the lightweight driving ear with bolt provides the necessary attachment function.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving tab material is extracted from the base plate and provided as a separate, reusable component. This extraction eliminates the need to radially increase the base plate dimensions, reducing material usage and weight while maintaining the driving function through the removable ear with bolt connection.
5Reliability
If integral driving tabs are welded onto the base plate, then the caisson can be vibrated into the ground, but the driving tabs are aesthetically displeasing and make it more difficult to install threaded bolts
Solution Approach 1:
The driving ear is segmented as a separate component that can be independently positioned and secured. This segmentation allows for cleaner integration with the base plate apertures, providing unobstructed access for bolt installation while maintaining secure attachment during vibration.
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
The removable driving tabs allow for efficient and damage-free installation of caissons, reducing material and shipping costs while providing a secure gripping mechanism to prevent slippage and damage, enabling multiple installations without compromising structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the removable driving tabs is gripped by a vibratory machine for vibrating each of the pair of removable driving tabs. When the machine vibrates the driving tabs, the vibration is transferred through the base plate and into the caisson, which is vibrated into the ground for installation.
Implementation Method 2
there is no coarse gripping surface to prevent slipping of the driving machine when gripping the ears of the driving tabs
Data Source
AI summary
A pair of removable driving tabs are provided for a base plate that has at least two opposing apertures disposed therein. Each of the removable driving tabs are gripped by a machine for vibrating each of the pair of removable driving tabs. The driving tabs are releasably secured to a base plate that is mounted on a caisson. When the driving tabs are vibrated by the machine, the vibration is transferred through the base plate and into the caisson, which is vibrated into the ground for installation.