System, Method and Apparatus for Servicing Support Poles

Abstract

An annulus excavation tool that would surround the decayed pole or pile and hydraulically excavate the annulus around the pole down to −2.0′ via a jetting manifold. A vacuum/tremie manifold is selectively coupled to a vacuum source to remove the soil and decayed material and creating a bonding surface for the mortar. The annulus tool would then be coupled to the mortar source and raised while a UHPC mortar would be tremied into the tool for delivery into the annulus. When the tool reaches ground level the rest of the pour is done using a Sonotube or other temporary form. This mortar encasement not only makes up for the structural deficiencies but also isolates the pole from both air and water which then kills the existing fungi and insects while also preventing any future invasion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for servicing a support pole installation, comprising:
 an annulus excavation tool having a plurality of jets oriented to direct a pressurized fluid source to dislodge a backfill material retaining the support pole in a ground surface, a plurality of vacuum/tremie ports to selectively evacuate the dislodged backfill material to define a void around the support pole communicate a liquid mortar to fill the void,   a reservoir containing a volume of the fluid;   a pressure delivery pump in communication with the reservoir; and   a suction pump in selective communication with the plurality of vacuum/tremie ports and a decant unit to contain a quantity of the evacuated backfill material.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a mixing unit configured to mix a predetermined quantity of the liquid mortar and;   a tremie pump in communication with the mixing unit to selectively deliver the liquid mortar to the vacuum/tremie ports.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a materials container configured to communicate a predetermined quantity of a dry mortar mix to the mixing unit.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a storage unit for storing the annulus excavation tool; and   a generator for powering one or more of the pressure delivery pump, the suction pump, the tremie pump, and the mixing unit.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a control station having a plurality of controls for operating one or more of the generator, the pressure delivery pump, the suction pump, the tremie pump, and the mixing unit.