In a pile driving device for driving a pile particularly into a soil located beneath a body of water, said device mainly comprising a hammer, a guide frame for guiding said hammer and suspension means for suspending the guide frame to a lifting device, said guide frame comprising a base piece surrounding the pile with sliding fit and at least one guide stay fastened to said base for guiding the hammer, the suspension means engage the hanger of the lifing device in a vertical plane of suspension extending transversely of the guide frame and located near the center of gravity of the driving device. During the pile driving operation almost the whole weight of the driving device hangs upon the derrick, so that this weight does not expose the pile to bending forces. The danger of buckling of the pile is reduced as a result.
A pile is lofted to a vertical position over a driving location. At a distance above its lower end the pile is embraced within a guide on an extensible rack on the crane chasis. Over the upper end of the pile a vertically elongate socket on the lower end of a hammer carriage is fitted, and driving ensues until the pile is self-sustaining, or until the hammer carriage nears the rack. Then the rack is disengaged from the pile and withdrawn, and driving is completed.
A method for installing a pile anchor into the sea floor that enhances the holding capacity of the pile anchor. The pile anchor is installed at an inclined angle with respect to the sea floor, with the top of the anchor inclined in a direction opposite the lateral load applied to the anchor.
The invention is a bi-fluid actuator for precise bi-directional movement and positioning of a mechanical object or load. The bi-fluid actuator includes a pneumatic fluid container defining opposed first and second pneumatic fluid chambers, and having a first mechanical object secured between the chambers; a hydraulic fluid container defining opposed first and second hydraulic fluid chambers, and having a second mechanical object secured between the first and second hydraulic chambers; a pneumatic fluid controller; and, a hydraulic fluid controller. Directing pneumatic fluid into either the first or second pneumatic chambers, while controlling flow of hydraulic fluid between the first and second hydraulic chambers, controls movement and positioning of the mechanical objects which may be secured to a load.
