American Piledriving Equipment, Inc.

Other

John L White

Kingsley S Evarts

David A Yingling

A shock absorbing apparatus (suppressor) for a vibratory pile driver includes three suppressor sections, including a first section adapted and arranged to absorb a load up to a selected amount. A second suppressor section is adapted to absorb a load above the first shock-absorbing section, with a third suppressor system providing a transition between first and second suppressor action as load increases.

Multi-stage suppressor for vibrating pile driver

The lubrication system includes a hydraulic cylinder pump which receives oil from the pile driver gearbox and an actuating mechanism connected to the pump to move oil therein through an exit line to a spray mechanism in the gearbox housing, providing lubrication to the gearbox bearings before the gearbox elements begin to operate.

Lubrication system for a vibratory pile driver

An inertia pump is connected to and actuated by the vibration of a vibratory device to pump lubricant to lubricate internal components of the vibratory device. The inertia pump has a bottom end cap with an inlet in fluid communication with the vibratory device, a top end cap with an outlet for delivering the lubricant to lubricate components of the vibratory device, a tube disposed between and sealingly engaging the bottom end cap and the top end cap, and a piston having a lubricant passageway. The piston is slidably disposed within the tube downstream of the bottom end cap and upstream of the top end cap. Vibration of the vibration device causes the piston to oscillate within the tube to draw lubricant from the vibration device which passes through the lubricant passageway in the piston, and delivers lubricant to lubricate internal components of the vibration device. Upstream of the top end cap a heat exchanger and/or a filter can be used to cool and/or remove debris from the lubricant before lubricating the internal components.

Inertia pump for vibratory equipment

A pile driving system for driving a pile. The pile driving system comprises a housing assembly, a hammer, a helmet member, and a lifting system. The housing assembly defines at least one vent opening is arranged at a first vent location along the drive axis, and at least one vent opening is arranged at a second vent location along the drive axis. When the hammer drops and is above the first vent location, ambient air flows from the main chamber through the vent openings formed at the first and second vent locations. When the hammer is below the first vent location and above the second vent location, ambient air flows from the main chamber through the vent openings formed at the second vent location. When the hammer is below the second vent location, air within the main chamber is compressed to preload the helmet member.

Pile driving systems and methods employing preloaded drop hammer

A drop hammer for driving a pile comprising a ram member supported within a housing chamber for movement relative to the housing member between the lower position and the upper position and a lifting system for moving the ram member from the lower position to the upper position. When the lifting system raises the ram member above a preload position, ambient air substantially freely flows into and out of the housing chamber through a vent port. When the ram member falls below the preload position, fluid is prevented from flowing through the vent port such that ambient air within a preload chamber portion of the housing chamber compresses to create a preload force that is transmitted to the pile. When the ram member moves into the lower position, an impact force generated by the ram member is transmitted to the pile.

Preloaded drop hammer for driving piles

A clamp system includes a frame, a plurality of clamp members, an actuator collar, and an actuator system. The frame includes an attachment member and a stop ring defining a stop cam surface. The clamp members each define first and second cam surfaces. The actuator collar defines an actuator cam surface. The actuator system displaces the actuator collar. The frame supports the actuator collar and the plurality of clamp members such that the first cam surfaces engage the actuator cam surface and the second cam surfaces engage the stop cam surface. Operation of the actuator system displaces the actuator collar towards the stop ring. As the actuator collar moves towards the stop ring, the actuator cam surface acts on the first cam surfaces and the stop cam surface acts on the second cam surfaces such that the clamp members place the clamp system in an engaged configuration.

Internal pipe clamp

A clamp system for an elongate member, comprising first and second clamp members, an actuator member, and an actuator system. The actuator member defines an actuator cam surface and is supported for movement between first and second actuator positions. The second clamp member defines a clamp cam surface and is supported for movement between first and second clamp positions. The actuator system displaces the actuator member between first and second actuator positions. As the actuator member moves from the first actuator position to the second actuator position, the actuator cam surface engages the clamp cam surface to cause the second clamp member to move towards the first clamp member, thereby clamping a portion of the elongate member between the first and second clamp members.

Clamping systems and methods for piledriving

A drop hammer for driving a pile. The drop hammer of the present invention comprises a housing member, a ram member, a helmet member, and a lifting system. The housing member defines a housing chamber and a vent port defining a preload position. The ram member is supported for movement within the housing chamber. When the lifting system raises the ram member above the preload position, ambient air substantially freely flows into and out of the housing chamber through the vent port. When the ram member falls below the preload position, ambient air within a preload chamber portion of the housing chamber compresses to apply a preload force on the inner portion of the helmet member. When the ram member moves into the lower position, the ram member impacts the helmet member to force the helmet member from the rest position to the impact position, thereby driving the pile.

A pile driving system for driving a pile comprising a support system comprising an arm assembly, an engaging system comprising a primary housing and a secondary housing, a suspension system, a vibratory system, and first and second clamp assemblies. The first clamp assembly rigidly connects the secondary housing to the pile. The second clamp assembly rigidly connects the secondary housing to the pile. The second clamp assembly rigidly connects the secondary housing to the side portion of the pile. The tip portion of the at least one pick member engages at least one sheet pile of a substantially horizontal stack of sheet piles to remove the at least one sheet pile from the stack of sheet piles. The pile driving system drives the pile using at least one of a driving force generated by the support system and a vibrational force generated by the vibratory system.

Systems and methods for handling piles

A cordless vibratory pile driver ('vibro') may use one or more batteries to provide the requisite power. The cordless vibro may sit in a stand that also recharges the unit while it is in the stand when the device is not in use. The replaceable batteries are mounted as part of the suppressor housing on top of the housing that contains the eccentrics. The batteries are balanced on both sides to distribute the weight evenly. A small battery powered electric hydraulic pump sits in the suppressor housing to provide oil to open and close the jaws. A digital hand held remote control sends the necessary signals to the machine to open and close the jaw and to start and stop the vibration.

Battery operated cordless vibratory pile driver

A clamp system for operatively connecting a vibratory device to a plurality of caissons defining at least first and second diameters comprises a structural member, first and second clamps comprising first and second lock systems, respectively, and a clamp displacement system. The first and second clamps are supported by the structural member. The first and second lock systems fix the first and second clamps relative to the structural member. The clamp displacement system comprises at least one clamp displacement motor supported by the structural member and a mechanical link assembly connected between the at least one clamp displacement motor and the first and second clamps. Operation of the at least one clamp displacement motor allows the first and second clamps to be remotely displaced relative to the structural member such that the first and second clamps are spaced along the structural member as appropriate for either of the first and second diameters. Operation of the first and second locks systems fixes the first and second clamps relative to the structural member.

Automatically adjustable caisson clamp

A clamp assembly for securing a vibratory device to a pile comprising a frame, first and second clamp members, and an actuator. The frame is adapted to be secured to the vibratory device. The first clamp member is supported by the frame and comprises a first engaging surface defined by a first surface layer formed of carbide alloy material. The second clamp member is also supported by the frame and comprises a second engaging surface defined by a second surface layer formed of carbide alloy material. The actuator is arranged to displace at least one of the first and second clamp members such that first and second engaging surfaces engage the pile such that the pile is gripped by between first and second clamp members.

Clamp systems and methods for pile drivers and extractors

A drop hammer for driving piles. The drop hammer of the present invention comprises a housing member and a ram member. The housing member defines a housing chamber. The ram member is supported within the housing chamber for movement relative to the housing member between an upper position and a lower position. When the ram member moves into the lower position, the impact of the ram member drives the pile. When the ram member falls below a preload position between the lower and upper positions, fluid within a preload chamber portion of the housing chamber compresses as the ram member moves into the lower position.

A drive system for driving and/or extracting an elongate member. The drive system comprises a piston drive assembly, a hydraulic system, and a vibration drive assembly. The piston drive assembly comprises a piston member, and the piston member engages the elongate member. The hydraulic system is operatively connected to the piston drive assembly to apply a drive force to the piston member. The vibration drive assembly generates a vibratory force. The vibration drive assembly is operatively connected to the piston drive assembly. The drive system operates in a first mode in which the drive force and the vibratory force are applied to the piston member along a drive axis.

Vibratory pile driving systems and methods

A diesel hammer system for driving a pile, comprising a housing, an anvil member supported by the housing, a clamp assembly adapted to connect the anvil member to the pile, and a ram member disposed within the housing. A fuel pump system injects fuel into a combustion chamber defined by the housing, anvil member, and the ram member. A coupling system detachably engages the ram member to raise the ram member from an impact position to an upper position, the coupling system comprising a trigger member that, when engaged, causes the coupling system to release the ram member. A trigger projection mounted is on the housing to engage the trigger member to cause the coupling system to release the ram member at the upper position. The diesel hammer further comprises a pre-trigger system comprising a pre-trigger member movable between an extended position and a retracted position.

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Kent, WA, United States of America

John L White