US3800548A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water hammer pile driving with condensable vapor reset
Assignee: ORB Inc
•
Filing: 1972-06-30
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Granted: 1974-04-02
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Expires: 1992-06-30
Abstract
Abstract Driving long piles with a liquid ram or spear generated in an evacuated tube using a condensable vapor reset. In one embodiment, the pile itself is used as at least a portion of the working chamber for generating water hammer.
Inventors
- 👤 S Wisotsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 23:06
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02D; E02D7/00; E02D7/28; E02D7/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A method of driving a pile having its tip embedded in the ground, an evacuatable enclosure with side walls and a lower barrier being effectively coupled with the tip of the pile for transmitting driving forces exerted upon said barrier to said tip, said method comprising: at least partially filling said enclosure with water, providing a hydrostatic head in said water bearing upon said barrier; evacuating said chamber by releasing condensable vapor in said chamber under sufficient pressure for displacing water along the longitudinal axis of the chamber away from the barrier and rapidly condensing said vapor to liquid to leave said chamber in an at least partially evacuated condition; accelerating a mass of water along the axis of the chamber towards said barrier under the influence of the hydrostatic head, said mass of water moving substantially independent of said pile; suddenly decelerating said mass against said barrier, thereby converting hydraulic kinetic energy to a water hammer driving pulse for driving said pile into the ground; and repetitively evacuating, accelerating, decelerating and driving as aforesaid.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
175 words
A method of driving a pile having its tip embedded in the ground, an evacuatable enclosure with side walls and a lower barrier being effectively coupled with the tip of the pile for transmitting driving forces exerted upon said barrier to said tip, said method comprising: at least partially filling said enclosure with water, providing a hydrostatic head in said water bearing upon said barrier; evacuating said chamber by releasing condensable vapor in said chamber under sufficient pressure for displacing water along the longitudinal axis of the chamber away from the barrier and rapidly condensing said vapor to liquid to leave said chamber in an at least partially evacuated condition; accelerating a mass of water along the axis of the chamber towards said barrier under the influence of the hydrostatic head, said mass of water moving substantially independent of said pile; suddenly decelerating said mass against said barrier, thereby converting hydraulic kinetic energy to a water hammer driving pulse for driving said pile into the ground; and repetitively evacuating, accelerating, decelerating and driving as aforesaid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the tip of said pile is embedded in the subsoil of a body of water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein said evacuatable chamber is beneath the surface of said water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein driving force is transmitted from said barrier to said pile through a coupling which is located below the top of said pile.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method in accordance with claim 4 wherein the driving force is transmitted through said coupling, said coupling being at a point closer to the sub-soil than to the top of said pile.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said condensable vapor is released beneath a free piston which pushes upward on said water to evacuate said chamber, said piston accelerating downwardly with said mass of water, and said mass of water contacting said barrier indirectly through said piston.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
Method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said condensable vapor is steam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
Method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said condensable vapor is water of combustion in combustion gases used to evacuate said chamber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3604519A
Cited
US3646598A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-04-01 | 1977-10-01 | 1978-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-01 | 1981-10-01 | 1982-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-01 | 1985-10-01 | 1986-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |