Profiler for installation of foundation screw anchors

Abstract

A profiler for use in the installation of a screw anchor for connecting to foundations and the like. The profiler provides a readout of torque being applied by a hydraulic motor which rotates the drill head and screw anchor. The profiler further provides a range sensor which indicates the distance traveled by the drill head and, hence, the distance traveled by the screw anchor into the ground formation. An orientation sensor for the screw anchor may conveniently also be used in the operation of the profiler.

1 . Profiler for installation of foundation supports such as screw anchors and screw piers, said profiler comprising a first sensor to measure inlet pressure to a hydraulic motor used to rotate said screw anchor, a second sensor to measure outlet pressure from said hydraulic motor, said first and second sensors being utilized to determine torque being applied to said screw anchor by said hydraulic motor, a third sensor to measure the distance traveled by said screw anchor in an earth formation and means for comparing said distance traveled by said screw anchor with said torque applied to said screw anchor over said distance.  
   
   
       2 . Profiler as in  claim 1  and further comprising an orientation sensor for determining the orientation of said foundation support.  
   
   
       3 . Profiler as in  claim 1  as in  claim 1  wherein said first and second sensors are hydraulic pressure transducers.  
   
   
       4 . Profiler as in  claim 2  wherein said orientation sensor is an axis sensor.  
   
   
       5 . Profiler as in  claim 4  wherein said axis sensor is a one axis sensor.  
   
   
       6 . Profiler as in  claim 4  wherein said axis sensor is a two axis sensor.  
   
   
       7 . Profiler as in  claim 1  wherein said distance sensor is an acoustic ranging sensor.  
   
   
       8 . Profiler as in  claim 1  wherein said distance sensor is an optical range sensor.  
   
   
       9 . Profiler as in  claim 1  wherein said pressure differential correlated with said hydraulic motor determines said torque.  
   
   
       10 . Method of installing a screw anchor comprising applying a torque to said screw anchor by a motor connected to a drill head, allowing said screw anchor to move into a ground formation under the influence of said torque, determining the value of said torque applied to said screw anchor while said screw anchor moves into said ground formation and comparing the torque applied to said screw anchor with the distance traveled by said screw anchor in said ground formation.  
   
   
       11 . Method as in  claim 10  wherein said motor is a hydraulic motor.  
   
   
       12 . Method as in  claim 11  wherein said motor is an electrical or pneumatic motor.  
   
   
       13 . Method as in  claim 11  wherein said torque from said hydraulic motor is determined by pressure sensors.  
   
   
       14 . Method as in  claim 10  and further comprising monitoring the orientation of said support with an orientation sensor during said application of said torque.  
   
   
       15 . Method as in  claim 10  wherein said comparison is done in real time.