Driver for and method of installing foundation elements and a kit of parts for assembling a driver

Abstract

The invention pertains to a driver ( 1 ) for installing foundation elements, such as anchors or piles, in a ground formation and preferably in submerged condition, comprising a housing for accommodating and guiding a weight, an element for mounting the driver ( 1 ) on or in the foundation element, one or more chambers for holding a charge or one or more connectors for connecting the driver ( 1 ) to a source of a high pressure gas, and corresponding conduits allowing a high pressure gas to flow from the chamber(s) or connector(s) to below the weight. The housing is adapted to allow a stroke of the weight having a length such that, during upward movement of the weight the pressure of the gas drops to a value, which will cause the weight to decelerate.

1 . Driver ( 1 ) for installing foundation elements, such as anchors ( 7 ) or piles ( 20 ), in a ground formation and preferably in submerged condition, comprising a housing ( 3 ) for accommodating and guiding a weight ( 18 ), an element ( 6 ) for mounting the driver ( 1 ) on or in a foundation element ( 7 ;  20 ), one or more chambers ( 12 ) for holding a charge ( 13 ) or one or more connectors for connecting the driver ( 1 ) to a source of a high pressure gas, and corresponding conduits ( 16 ,  17 ) allowing a high pressure gas to flow from the chamber(s) ( 12 ) or connector(s) to below the weight ( 18 ), characterized in that, the housing ( 3 ) is adapted to allow a stroke of the weight ( 18 ) having a length such that, during upward movement of the weight ( 18 ), the pressure of the gas drops to a value, which will cause the weight ( 18 ) to decelerate. 
   
   
       2 . Driver ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing ( 3 ) is adapted to allow a stroke of the weight ( 18 ) of at least 2 meters, preferably at least 5 meters, more preferably at least 10 meters. 
   
   
       3 . Driver ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein the housing comprises a tube ( 3 ) or tube-like body for accommodating and guiding the weight ( 18 ). 
   
   
       4 . Driver ( 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing ( 3 ) comprises two or more mutually detachable segments ( 8 ), with which the length of the housing ( 3 ) can be varied. 
   
   
       5 . Driver ( 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chambers ( 12 ) for holding a charge ( 13 ) extend in the axial direction of the driver ( 1 ) and are located within the wall of the housing ( 3 ). 
   
   
       6 . Driver ( 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the end of the housing ( 3 ) remote from the element ( 6 ) for mounting the driver ( 1 ) on or in a foundation element ( 7 ;  20 ) is in fluid communication with the surroundings of the driver ( 1 ). 
   
   
       7 . Driver ( 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing ( 3 ) contains a solid impact weight ( 18 ) capable of reciprocating movement within the housing ( 3 ). 
   
   
       8 . Driver ( 1 ) according to  claim 7  when dependent on any one of  claims 1 - 5 , comprising a sealed compartment ( 21 ) between the impact weight ( 18 ) and the end of the housing ( 3 ) remote from the said element ( 6 ). 
   
   
       9 . Driver according to  claim 8 , wherein the weight ( 18 ) and/or the wall of the housing ( 3 ) is provided with one or more through-holes, channels and/or non-return valves. 
   
   
       10 . Driver ( 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure of the gas drops to a value, which will cause the weight ( 18 ) to decelerate by at least 1, preferably at least 2 additional Gs. 
   
   
       11 . Kit of parts for assembling a driver ( 1 ) for installing foundation elements, such as anchors ( 7 ) or piles ( 20 ), in a ground formation and preferably in submerged condition, comprising two or more segments ( 8 ) for assembling a housing ( 3 ) of a selectable length for accommodating and guiding a weight ( 18 ), an element ( 6 ) for mounting the assembled driver ( 1 ) on or in a foundation element ( 7 ;  20 ), and a section ( 5 ) comprising one or more chambers ( 12 ) for holding a charge ( 13 ) and/or one or more connectors for connecting the driver ( 1 ) to a source of a high pressure gas, and corresponding conduits ( 16 ,  17 ) allowing a high pressure gas to flow from the chamber(s) ( 12 ) or connector(s) to below the weight ( 18 ). 
   
   
       12 . Kit according to  claim 11 , wherein the total length of the segments ( 8 ) is at least 2 meters, preferably at least 5 meters, more preferably at least 10 meters. 
   
   
       13 . Method of installing foundation elements, such as anchors ( 7 ) or piles ( 20 ), in a ground formation and preferably in submerged condition, by means of a driver ( 1 ) comprising a housing ( 3 ) for accommodating and guiding a weight ( 18 ), an element ( 6 ) for mounting the driver ( 1 ) on or in a foundation element ( 7 ;  20 ), and a source ( 12 ) for supplying a high pressure gas, which method comprises the steps of
 mounting the driver ( 1 ) on or in a foundation element ( 7 ;  20 ),   arranging a weight ( 18 ) in the housing ( 3 ),   releasing high pressure from the source ( 12 ) to below the weight ( 18 ),   allowing the weight ( 18 ) to rise and the gas to expand to such an extent that the gas causes the weight ( 18 ) to decelerate, preferably to expand to a pressure at which the force exerted by the gas below the weight ( 18 ) is lower than the sum of the weight and the downward force exerted on the weight ( 18 ) by the medium present above the weight ( 18 ).   
   
   
       14 . Method according to  claim 13 , which is carried out in submerged condition and wherein the housing ( 3 ) is at least partially filled with water and this water serves as the weight. 
   
   
       15 . Method according to  claim 13  or  14 , wherein the pressure of the gas drops to a value, which will cause the weight ( 18 ) to decelerate by at least 1, preferably at least 2 additional Gs.