Apparatus and method for reduction of sonic vibrations in a liquid

Abstract

An apparatus for reduction of sonic vibrations caused when driving a foundation member below the surface of a liquid has a tube structure which is lowered below the surface of the liquid, and which receives the foundation member. A seal is in contact with the tube structure and creates a contained volume around the foundation member, which may be pumped dry so as to minimize the communication of sonic vibrations into the liquid.

1 . An apparatus for reduction of sonic vibrations in a liquid when driving down a foundation member below the surface of the liquid so that one end is rooted in the bottom of the liquid, said apparatus comprising,
 a tube structure adapted for lowering a section of the tube structure below the surface of the liquid, said tube structure being operable for longitudinally positioning the foundation member within the tube structure,   sealing means in contact with the tube structure, said sealing means being operable to create a contained volume by contact between the section of the tube structure below the surface and the foundation member when the foundation member is positioned longitudinally within the tube structure for driving down the foundation member,   pumping means being operable to remove liquid from the contained volume when the foundation member is positioned longitudinally within the tube structure and the contained volume has been created.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a support structure comprising a plurality of pivotable legs connected to the tube structure, wherein the plurality of legs are operable to support the tube structure by positioning the plurality of legs on the bottom of the liquid. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to any of the preceding  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a support structure operable to hold the tube structure in a substantially vertical position. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing means are fixed to the tube structure. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing means comprises an expandable section operable to be expanded when the foundation member is positioned longitudinally within the tube structure hereby securing a tight seal. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the tube structure comprises telescopic sections operable to elongate or contract the tube structure. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the contained volume is open to the atmosphere. 
     
     
         8 . A system comprising a plurality of apparatuses according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of apparatuses are joined by at least one distance piece so as to ensure a predetermined position of said foundation members positioned in the tube structures in relation to each other. 
     
     
         9 . A method for reducing sonic vibrations in a liquid when driving down a foundation member below the surface of the liquid so that one end is rooted in the bottom of the liquid, said method comprising the steps of
 lowering a section of a tube structure below the surface of the liquid,   inserting a foundation member into the tube structure,   creating a contained volume between the foundation member and the tube structure with sealing means in sealing contact with the foundation member and the tube structure,   removing liquid from the contained volume, sequentially driving down the foundation member into the bottom of the liquid whereby sonic vibrations are reduced.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising the step of adjusting the inclination of the tube structure. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the step of adjusting the inclination of the tube structure is performed by use of a support structure comprising a plurality of legs with one end supporting the tube structure and the other resting on the bottom of the liquid. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein after the foundation member has been driven down in the bottom, the following step is performed: raising the tube structure above the foundation member and thereby removing the tube structure from the foundation member. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the tube structure is lowered to the bottom of the liquid. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the tube structure comprises telescopic members for elongation and contraction of the tube structure. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein lowering a section of a tube structure below the surface of the liquid is performed from a vessel adapted to float on the liquid. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the vessel comprises at least one pole which are lowered to the bottom of the liquid in order to support the vessel, and wherein the vessel is raised above the surface of the liquid while standing on the at least one pole. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein a plurality of tube structures, joined together by distance pieces, are used when driving down foundation member in a predefined pattern.