Piledriver modules, adaptive pile driver system and corresponding method

Abstract

An adaptive pile driver system for driving a pile at a worksite. The system comprises a pile driver comprising a motor, an electrical power unit, a drill rod with a first end and a second end. The system further comprises a vibrating module, a hammering module, a drilling module, and a rock drilling module. The pile driver is adaptable to the worksite where the pile is to be driven, by connecting one or more of pile driver modules to the drill rod.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . An adaptive pile driver system for driving a pile ( 3 ) along a first axis (R 1 ) at a worksite comprising:
 a pile driver comprising:   a motor for providing a rotational force,   an electrical power unit that provides power to said motor,   a drill rod extending longitudinally along the first axis (R 1 ) with a first end and a second end, the drill rod being adapted for extending within the pile in parallel with the pile, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the drill rod around the first axis,   the system further comprising one or more of the following modules: a vibrating module, a hammering module, a drilling module, and a rock drilling module,   wherein the vibrating module is configured to drive the pile by vibrating the pile, said vibrating module is connectable to the drill rod, wherein said vibrating module is drivable by rotation of the drill rod when connected to the drill rod,   wherein the hammering module is configured to drive the pile by hammering the pile, said hammering module is connectable to the drill rod, wherein said hammering module is drivable by rotation of the drill rod when connected to the drill rod, and   wherein the drilling module is configured to drive the pile by drilling, said drilling module is connectable to the drill rod, wherein said drilling module is drivable by rotation of the drill rod when connected to the drill rod,   wherein the rock drilling module is configured to drive the pile by drilling, said rock drilling module is connectable to the drill rod, wherein said rock drilling module is drivable by rotation of the drill rod when connected to the drill rod,   wherein the pile driver is adaptable to the worksite where the pile is to be driven, by connecting one or more of the modules to the drill rod, and wherein the pile driver is a hand-held and/or hand actuated pile driver.   
     
     
         20 . Adaptive pile driver system according to  claim 19 , wherein the pile driver comprises a footrest, allowing a user of the adaptive pile driver system to deliver a pressure for driving the pile. 
     
     
         21 . Adaptive pile driver system according to any of  claim 19 , wherein the motor of the pile driver is configured to provide a vibrational and/or a hammering force for driving the pile. 
     
     
         22 . Adaptive pile driver system according any of  claim 19 , wherein the motor is an electric motor. 
     
     
         23 . Adaptive pile driver system according any of  claim 19 , wherein the drill rod is an auger. 
     
     
         24 . A drilling module for use in a system according to  claim 19 , wherein the drilling module is connectable to a drill rod and comprises:
 a drill bit configured to drive the pile along the first axis (R 1 ), wherein the drill bit is configured to rotate with the drill rod when the drilling module is connected to the drill rod, wherein the drill bit comprises a first cutter configured for drilling along the first axis (R 1 ), wherein the first cutter is rotatable between a drilling position and a collapsed position, wherein in the drilling position a width of the drill bit in a plane perpendicular to the first axis (R 1 ) corresponds to or exceeds a width of the pile in the plane perpendicular to the first axis (R 1 ), and wherein in the collapsed position the width of the drill bit in a plane perpendicular to the first axis is less than the width of the pile in a plane perpendicular to the first axis.   
     
     
         25 . A drilling module according to  claim 24 , wherein the first cutter is rotatable around an axis parallel to the first axis (R 1 ). 
     
     
         26 . A drilling module according to  claim 25 , wherein the first cutter is rotatable from the collapsed position to the drilling position by rotating the drill bit around the first axis (R 1 ) in a first direction, and wherein the first cutter is rotatable from the drilling position to the collapsed position by counter-rotating the drill bit around the first axis (R 1 ) in a second direction. 
     
     
         27 . A drilling module according to  claim 24 , wherein the first cutter is rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the first axis (R 1 ). 
     
     
         28 . A drilling module according to  claim 27 , wherein the first cutter is rotatable from the drilling position to the collapsed position by moving the drill bit towards the pile being driven by the drill bit. 
     
     
         29 . A drilling module according to  claim 24 , wherein the drilling module comprises a pilot drill configured to guide driving of the pile along the first axis, wherein the pilot drill extends longitudinally along the first axis. 
     
     
         30 . A rock drilling module for use in a system according to  claim 19 , wherein the rock drilling module comprises:
 an outer rock drill bit configured to drill an outer annular hole through rock with a diameter corresponding to or exceeding the pile in a plane perpendicular to the first axis (R 1 ), wherein the outer rock drill bit is connectable to the drill rod, wherein the outer rock drill bit is configured to rotate with the drill rod when connected to the drill rod,   an inner rock drill bit configured to drill an inner cylindrical hole through rock within the outer annular hole, wherein the inner rock drill bit is connectable to the drill rod, wherein the inner rock drill bit is configured to rotate with the drill rod when connected to the drill rod,   a rock cracking wedge configured to be inserted into the inner cylindrical hole to crack the rock in-between the inner cylindrical hole and the outer annular hole.   
     
     
         31 . A vibrating module for use in a system according to  claim 19 , where the vibrating module comprises:
 a vibration device comprising:   a drill rod part being connectable to the drill rod, the drill rod part being configured to rotate with the drill rod when connected to the drill rod,   an eccentric mass connected to the drill rod part,   a transfer member connected to the drill rod part,   where the eccentric mass is configured to be in-between the drill rod and the pile, wherein the eccentric mass is configured to generate vibration when the drill rod rotates, wherein the transfer member is configured to transfer the generated vibrations to the pile.   
     
     
         32 . A hammering module for use in a system according to  claim 19 , wherein the hammering module comprises:
 a drill rod part being connectable to the drill rod, the drill rod part being configured to rotate with the drill rod,   a hammer element comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface forms one or more bottom ledges,   a force device connected to the top surface of the hammer element, said force device being configured to store and release mechanical energy,   a stationary element with a top surface forming one or more top ledges complementary to the bottom ledges of the hammer element, and wherein the top surface of the stationary element is engaged with the bottom surface of the hammer element, and   wherein the hammer element is configured to rotate relative to the stationary element, wherein rotation of the hammer element relative to the stationary element moves the hammer element along the one or more top ledges, wherein the movement of the hammer element along the one or more top ledges stores mechanical energy in the force device, wherein the stored mechanical energy is released when the hammer element rotates past the one or more top ledges, wherein the released mechanical energy is configured for being delivered to drive the pile.   
     
     
         33 . A method for adapting a pile driver at a work site, the method comprising the steps of:
 assessing the work site;   providing a pile driver system according to  claim 19 ; and
 dependent on the assessment of the work site, adapting the pile driver by connecting either a vibrating module, a hammering module, a drilling module, a rock drilling module, or a combination of these to the pile driver.