Wick Drain Shoe Gasket Prevents Mandrel Contamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for inserting wick drain material into the earth often result in soil and debris entering the mandrel, which can compromise the effectiveness of the wick drain system.

Innovation Solution

A wick drain shoe assembly with a base portion, extension portion, and wick drain shoe gasket is used, where the wick drain material is secured to the extension portion, and the gasket is positioned between the mandrel and base portion to prevent soil and debris from entering the mandrel during insertion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the mandrel drives the wick drain shoe into the ground, then the wick drain material is inserted into the earth, but soil and debris enter the mandrel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewick drain material insertion efficiencyVSAvoidsoil and debris intrusion into mandrel
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A gasket is introduced as an intermediary component between the mandrel and the wick drain shoe. The gasket creates a barrier that prevents soil and debris from entering the mandrel while still allowing the mandrel to transmit driving forces to the wick drain shoe assembly, thus resolving the contradiction between insertion efficiency and contamination prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The gasket functions as a flexible barrier that conforms to the interface between the mandrel and wick drain shoe. This flexible film structure effectively seals the interface to prevent harmful factors (soil and debris) from entering the mandrel during the driving process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS11352759B2Wick drain shoe assemblies, systems, and methods
Publication Date: 2022.06.07 AMERICAN PILEDRIVING EQUIPMENT INC
  • US11352759B2 patent drawing
  • US11352759B2 patent drawing
  • US11352759B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A wick drain shoe assembly adapted to be connected to a free end of a length of wick drain material and driven by a mandrel of a wick drain insertion system comprises a base portion, an extension portion secured to the base portion, and a wick drain shoe gasket. The wick drain material is connected to the wick drain shoe by securing the free end to the extension portion. The base portion is sized and dimensioned to engage the mandrel such that displacement of the mandrel in a first direction causes displacement of the wick drain shoe in the first direction. The wick drain shoe gasket is arranged between the mandrel and the base portion.