System and method for undersea micropile deployment

Abstract

A system for deploying an undersea anchor is provided, where the system includes a controller programmed and configured to monitor the drilling and grouting of micropiles in real-time and compare the metrics detected by such monitoring against pre-determined design criteria to substantially ensure micropile deployment meets the design criteria upon completion of the drilling and grouting process during micropile deployment. The system may also include means for pre-tensioning the micropiles after deployment, where the controller is programmed and configured to determine whether the pre-tensioning process conforms to design criteria.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for more effectively deploying an undersea anchor, the system comprising a controller programmed and configured to monitor the drilling and grouting of micropiles in real-time and compare the metrics detected by such monitoring against pre-determined design criteria to substantially ensure micropile deployment meets the design criteria upon completion of the drilling and grouting process during micropile deployment. 
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a means for pre-tensioning the micropiles after deployment, where the controller is programmed and configured to determine whether the pre-tensioning process conforms to design criteria. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising drilling means for deploying the micropile into a seabed floor, and a grouting system for delivering thin grout during the drilling process and rich grout following micropile deployment. 
     
     
         4 . A method for more effectively deploying an undersea anchor, the method comprising employing a controller to monitor the drilling and grouting of micropiles in real-time and compare the metrics detected by such monitoring against pre-determined design criteria to substantially ensure micropile deployment meets the design criteria upon completion of the drilling and grouting process during micropile deployment. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein monitoring comprises detecting the torque applied, the linear advancement, the load and the rotation of the micropile during deployment. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein monitoring comprises detecting the flow rate and pressure of the grout during delivery.