U.S. patent number 3,916,634 [Application Number 05/453,255] was granted by the patent office on 1975-11-04 for method for forming holes in earth and setting subterranean structures therein.
Invention is credited to Roy J. Woodruff.
United States Patent |
3,916,634 |
Woodruff |
November 4, 1975 |
Method for forming holes in earth and setting subterranean
structures therein
Abstract
A method of forming a hole in earth and of installing a
subterranean structure, wherein a rigid open-ended tube is lowered
into the earth and simultaneously air under pressure is discharged
into the lower end of the tube to displace and discharge soil. The
subterranean structure is inserted in the tube at desired position
and the tube is withdrawn while the structure remains in position.
The apparatus employed to practice the method includes means
carried by the tube providing a gas pressure passage with an inlet
at one end of the tube and an outlet into the opposite end of the
tube, and means by which the tube may be supported at the end
adjacent the inlet. The supported end of the tube may mount a
shiftable deflector for soil being discharged.
Inventors: |
Woodruff; Roy J. (Michigan
City, IN) |
Family
ID: |
26992026 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/453,255 |
Filed: |
March 21, 1974 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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340238 |
Mar 12, 1973 |
3825082 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
405/248; 175/205;
175/67 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02F
3/963 (20130101); E21B 21/015 (20130101); E21B
21/01 (20130101); E21B 21/12 (20130101); E02D
7/24 (20130101); E21B 7/18 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E02D
7/24 (20060101); E02D 7/00 (20060101); E21B
7/18 (20060101); E21B 21/00 (20060101); E21B
21/01 (20060101); E02F 3/04 (20060101); E02F
3/96 (20060101); E21B 21/12 (20060101); E21B
21/015 (20060101); E02D 007/24 () |
Field of
Search: |
;61/11,53.74,53.5,53.64,53.66,63 ;175/205,67,69,212,422 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Shapiro; Jacob
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Oltsch & Knoblock
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This is a Division of my U.S. application Ser. No. 340,238, filed
Mar. 12, 1973 and now Pat. No. 3,825,082.
Claims
What I claim is:
1. The method of installing a subterranean structure in the earth
consisting of the steps of
lowering an open-ended rigid tube endwise into the earth
discharging gas under a pressure of at least 75 psi substantially
uniformly around and below the lower end of the tube for flow into
the lower end of the tube while lowering the tube to thereby
displace soil and discharge displaced soil and gas upwardly through
the tube until the tube is lowered to selected depth,
lowering a subterranean structure into the tube at said selected
depth, and
withdrawing the tube while said subterranean structure remains at
selected depth.
2. The method defined in claim 1, wherein filler material is
introduced into said tube around said subterranean structure befor
withdrawal of said tube.
3. The method defined in claim 1, wherein a quantity of filler
material is introduced into said tube before said subterranean
structure is lowered therein and a further quantity of filler
material is introduced into said tube around said subterranean
structure at its lowered position in said tube before withdrawal of
said tube.
Description
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming holes
in earth and setting subterranean structures therein, such as well
points, submersible pumps and structural members.
In many types of construction work, such as laying sewers,
installing building foundations, and building bridges, conditions
are encountered which entrail high water content of subsurface soil
or sandy soil, or other conditions which render subsurface soil
unstable and make the desired construction work difficult. In such
cases, it is common to install well points or submersible pumps
adjacent to the area in which the work is to be performed to permit
withdrawal of water from the soil around the area in which the work
is to be performed and thereby stabilize and solidify the soil as
required for acceptable working conditions of the construction
area. The installation of well points, submersible pumps or other
structural elements under subterranean water conditions or sandy or
mucky soil conditions is frequently quite difficult and time
consuming. Thus, if a drill or other means is used to form a hole
to receive the well point or any other subsurface installation, its
use may be ineffective because no means exists to maintain a
desired hole at a subsurface level at which subsurface water exists
or at which loose sand or muck exists and fills the hole with
water-laden dirt or sand as the drill or digging tool is removed.
Such conditions are encountered frequently so that the installation
of a well point or other subterranean unit to the desired depth
cannot be accomplished easily or rapidly.
It is the primary object of this invention to provide a method and
apparatus which enables a well point or other subterranean
structure to be installed at desired location and at desired depth,
rapidly and with minimum risk of failure, regardless of the
existence of subsurface water, sand, muck, or other conditions
which have heretofore been difficult to overcome by prior methods
and the use of previously known apparatus.
A further object is to provide a novel, simple and rapid method of
forming a hole in earth.
A further object is to provide a method by means of which a rigid
open-ended tube is progressively lowered endwise into soil while
gas under pressure is discharged into the lowermost end of the
tube, as a means to progressively displace and discharge soil
upwardly through the tube as the tube descends.
A further object is to provide a method of this character by which
a tube is lowered endwise into soil and the soil and its contents
penetrated thereby are simultaneously ejected through the tube
until a selected depth is reached, whereupon a well point or other
subterranean structure is inserted in the tube, following which the
tube is withdrawn to leave the well point or other structure in
place in the soil.
A further object is to provide a method of this character by means
of which a tube is progressively lowered into the soil while
simultaneously removing the soil and its content from the tube as
it is lowered, followed by insertion into the tube of a well point
or other object having a clearance fit within the tube, the filling
of the clearance space between the well point and the tube with
granular or other packing material, and then withdrawal of the tube
while the installed well point and packing material are retained in
selected position within the soil.
A further object is to provide apparatus for installing a
subterranean structure or unit wherein a rigid open-ended tube is
provided with a longitudinal passage which discharges into the
lower end of the tube and which communicates at the opposite end of
the tube with a source of air under pressure.
A further object is to provide apparatus of this character provided
with means at one end of a rigid tube for supporting and
manipulating the tube, means for discharging air under pressure
into the lowermost end of the tube, and means for guiding or
directing the discharge of soil and effluent from the upper end of
the tube as the tube is lowered endwise and through soil and
subsurface or subterranean materials.
A further object is to provide apparatus including a tube with
means at its upper end by which the tube may be elevated and
lowered, means at its lower end for discharging therein air under
pressure, and means at its upper end for deflecting materials
discharged from the tube, which deflecting means are shiftable to
afford access for the insertion of articles and materials into the
tube through its upper end when installed within the earth.
Other objects will be apparent from the following
specification.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating apparatus for the
practice of the method.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view, with parts broken away, illustrating
one embodiment of apparatus used in the practice of the method.
FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the direction of discharge of soil
and effluent in the practice of the method by the use of one
embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the apparatus
taken on line 4--4 of FIG. 5.
FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 5--5 of FIG.
4.
FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 6--6 of FIG.
4.
FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 7--7 of FIG.
4.
FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a step in the practice of the method
of installing a well point or other subterranean structure.
FIG. 9 is a view illustrating another step in the practice of the
method by the use of the apparatus.
FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a well point or other structure
installed upon completion of practice of the method.
My new method contemplates the lowering of a rigid open-ended
tubular member endwise into the soil while simultaneously
discharging into the lower end of the tube air or gas under
pressure sufficient to displace and expel soil through the tube as
the tube is lowered to provide a hole of selected depth. A well
point or other subterranean structure having a clearance fit within
the tube is received within the tube, following which the tube is
withdrawn while the well point or other structure to be installed
remains in place. The method may entail the introduction of filler
material between the well point or other unit being installed and
the tubular casing prior to or incident to withdrawal of the casing
so as to be retained in a subsurface location surrounding the well
point or other installed item.
The tubular member is provided at its upper end with inlet means
for connection with a source of air or gas under pressure, and a
passage discharging gas into the lower end of the tubular member.
Means to facilitate and direct lowering and elevation of the
tubular member are provided at the upper end thereof. Releasable or
shiftable means is selectively positionable to direct the discharge
of soil and effluent material from the tube or open the upper end
to afford access to the tube for introduction therein of articles
to be located in a submerged or subterranean position upon
elevating withdrawal of the tube.
One embodiment of the apparatus suitable for utilization in the
practice of the method is illustrated herein. Such apparatus, as
illustrated in FIG. 1, includes power actuated mechanism 20 adapted
to raise and lower an object. The mechanism 20 may be a crane, a
backhoe, or the like, which is preferably of mobile character and
of sufficient size, strength and utility to serve the required
purpose. In the case of a backhoe, a power actuated mechanism
supports a rigid, pivoted, elongated arm 22 whose vertical angular
position may be selectively varied, a rigid extension arm 24 is
pivoted to the upper end of the arm 22 under the control of
suitable power actuated mechanism capable of swinging arm 24 to
selected vertical angular position on arm 22, and a bucket or
shovel 26 pivoted at the free end of the rigid arm 24 and
adjustable upon arm 24 by power actuated means as the arm 24 or the
arm 22 or both arms 22 and 24 are shifted. The bucket 26, as shown
in FIG. 1, or the free movable terminal portion of any other power
driven hoist mechanism for raising and lowering articles, is
provided with means such as hooks, clamps, jaws, or the like (not
shown), at which may be releasably connected one end of an
elongated tubular unit 28. The apparatus also utilizes an air
compressor 30, preferably portable, connected by a flexible tube 32
to the tubular unit 28 to supply air under pressure to tube 28
adjacent to the supported end of the tubular unit 28.
The construction of the unit 28 may be of the character best
illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7. The construction utilizes an
elongated rigid open-ended tube 40, preferably formed of metal, and
of selected length and of substantially uniform bore diameter
throughout its length. At one end thereof the tube 40 mounts
members defining a chamber 42 which preferably encircles the tube.
The chamber 42 preferably includes a top wall 44 having an opening
therein to receive the end of the tube 40, and is preferably
continuously welded at said opening around the circumference of the
tube 40. A lower wall 46 spaced below top wall 44 also has a
central opening into which the tube 40 fits and around which the
tube 40 is welded continuously circumferentially, except at one or
more notches 48, as best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 for purposes
to be described. The chamber 42 is completed by outer walls 50
which span the space between the plates 44 and 46, and which are
sealingly secured to the margins of the plates 44 and 46, as by
welding or any other means, so as to provide a chamber 42 which is
substantially pressure-tight. The chamber walls 50 may provide a
substantially square chamber encircling tube 40, as illustrated in
FIG. 5, or may be of any other shape found suitable. The chamber 42
is provided with an inlet fitting 52 of any suitable type adapted
for connection with a cooperating outlet fitting 54 carried by the
end of air conduit 32 and preferably including a swivel.
One or more passage-defining members are secured to the tube 40 to
extend lengthwise thereof from the chamber-defining structure. As
here illustrated, these passage-defining members constitute channel
member 60 whose legs bear upon and are continuously welded at 62 to
the outer surface of the tube 40 and whose upper ends are welded at
64 to the bottom wall 46 around the notches 48. The lower end of
the tube 40 is encircled by a rigid, short tube 66 of greater inner
diameter than the outer diameter of tube 40. The tubes 66 and 40
are fixedly anchored together in concentric relation by means of
spacers 68, as best seen in FIG. 7. The lower end portion 70 of
tube 66 projects slightly beyond the adjacent end of the tube 40.
Tube 66 is of a length short compared to the length of tube 40 and
extends to the lower ends of the channels 60 which are welded
thereto at 72 in a manner to provide open communication between the
passages provided by the channel members 60 and the clearance space
between the tubes 66 and 40. The upper portion of the tube 66 not
connected to the channels 70 is closed at 74, as by welding the
circumference of the tube 66 to the circumference of the tube 40
continuously between channels 60, in cases where more than one
channel 60 is provided. It is preferred that two or more channels
60 be provided and that the same be substantially equi-spaced
circumferentially of the tube 40.
At the upper end of the apparatus, as at the upper end of one side
wall 50, are provided lugs or ears 80 to which are pivotally
connected ears 82 of a deflector. The deflector preferably includes
a curved hood or deflector plate 86 having depending side walls 88
adapted in one position, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, to bear
upon the margins of the plate top wall 44 of the chamber 42 in
outwardly spaced relation to the tube 40. The deflector plate 86 is
spaced above the upper end of tube 40 in its operative position and
its free end preferably projects from the chamber-defining
structure at the side opposite the pivot 84. The deflector provides
clearance space for and directs laterally the discharge of material
ejected from the upper end of the tube in the manner illustrated in
FIGS. 3 and 4 and at an outlet opening 90.
The upper end structure of the rigid tubular unit 28 is completed
by any suitable means which may be engaged by hooks, clamps, jaws
or the like carried by the actuating or hoisting mechanism 20.
Thus, as here illustrated, a structure may be secured to the
chamber unit 42 of a nature to provide spaced lugs or ears 92
projecting from one of the walls 50 and interconnected by a cross
bar 94 with which a hook or jaw or clamp is engageable. The cross
bar 94 will preferably be positioned laterally of, between and
clear of the inlet fitting 52 and the discharge opening 90.
In the practice of the method by the use of the apparatus, the
hoisting mechanism 20 and compressor 30 are located adjacent the
point at which the well point or other subterranean structure is to
be installed. The conduit 32 of the compressor is connected with
the inlet fitting 50 of the elongated rigid tubular unit 28, and
the hoisting mechanism is connected to the elongated rigid tubular
unit at cross bar 94. The hoisting mechanism 20 is then operated to
position the elongated rigid tubular unit 28 vertically at the
point at which the well point or other member is to be installed.
The hoisting mechanism 20 is then operated to lower the tubular
elongated unit 28 endwise, while in substantially vertical
position, into contact with the ground at the lower end of the tube
portion 70 thereof. When such contact of the tube unit 28 with the
ground occurs pressure is exerted to force the tube into the ground
and the line or conduit 32 from the compressor 30 is opened to
supply compressed air to the chamber 42. The pressure will
preferably be in the range from 75 psi to 125 psi or more at the
compressor or supply outlet. Compressed air flows from line 32
through chamber 42, the channels 60, and the annular chamber
between lower tube part 66 and tube 40, and thence inwardly into
the tube 40, and discharges upwardly through the open upper end of
the tube 40. The flow of compressed air in this path coincident
with the lowering of the rigid tubular unit 28 forces the unit 28
into the soil, displaces the soil within the lower end of the unit
and discharges the displaced soil upwardly through the tube 40. The
displaced material is discharged laterally in selected direction or
location determined by the deflector 86 as illustrated in FIGS. 3
and 4. Lowering of the tube continues until it reaches the selected
depth in the soil, as at a position as illustrated in FIG. 9. The
material discharged will include dirt, sand, water and stones. Thus
stones as large as five inches have been discharged in use of the
apparatus.
After the tubular unit 28 is installed to desired depth the well
point, submersible pump or other subterranean structure 100 to be
installed in the subterranean position is lowered into the tube 40,
as in the manner partially illustrated in FIG. 8, and as
accommodated by pivotal movement of the deflector 86 to a lateral
open position, as shown in FIG. 8, which provides clear vertical
access to the upper end of the tube 40, as seen in FIG. 8. The well
point or other structure 100 may be of any suitable character, and,
as here shown, includes the usual screen structure 102 at its lower
end and a Tee or other fitting 104 at its upper end. The well point
or other unit 100 will be of a cross sectional size for free and
clearance fit thereof within the tube 40. The tube 40 may be of any
selected diameter, such as diameters ranging from 6 inches to 14
inches or more, and of a selected length, as from 12 feet to 30
feet or more, to accommodate the reception of the unit 100. The
unit 100 is lowered into contact with the soil 108 at the lower end
of the tube 40, or into contact with filler material, such as sand
or gravel 106, which is introduced into the lower part of the tube
before the insertion of the unit 100. The desired amount of filler
material 106 is then introduced in tube 40 to surround the lower
portion of the well point or other subterranean unit 100. After the
unit 100 has been placed in selected position the hoisting
mechanism 20 is actuated to withdraw the tubular unit 28
vertically. In usual practice, the amount of fill material 106
introduced will not exceed that which can conveniently be shoveled
into the upper end of the tube unit 28 by workmen incident to the
withdrawal thereof.
As the tubular unit 28 is withdrawn, the soil surrounding the bore
which had been formed by and within the tube unit is free to
compact around the filler material 106 and around the installed
unit 100, thereby holding the installed unit 100 in the desired
subterranean position. Upon withdrawal of the tube unit 28, the
fitting 104 of the well point or other structure 100 may be
connected by conduit means 110 with a water delivery system (not
shown), as by connecting a group of well points to means to pump
subterranean water from the soil. The withdrawal of water by the
installed units 100 serves to solidify the soil at the working area
at which construction is to take place.
From the foregoing it will be seen that my improved method entails
the formation of a hole in the earth by lowering a rigid open-ended
tube into the earth and simultaneously discharging gas under
pressure into the lowermost end of the tube to displace soil and
discharge soil upwardly through the tube. The method entails the
further step of placing a well point or other subterranean
structure within the tube at selected subterranean position, the
introduction of filler material into the tube around the lower part
of the inserted structure, and finally the withdrawal of the tube
while leaving the subterranean structure in desired location within
the earth.
The method is useful in a wide range of operating conditions and
with most subsoil conditions encountered. As subsoil strata of
different types are encountered the apparatus permits successful
practice of the method in most instances. Even a stratum of clay
can be penetrated by alternately raising and lowering the tube
until the stratum is broken to form a hole which will receive the
tube and the broken pieces of which will pass through and be
discharged from the tube by the air under pressure. Only the
presence of a rock stratum or contact of the lower end of the tube
with subsurface rocks or rigid obstacles of large size will
normally prevent successful practice of the method.
While the construction of the apparatus and the steps of the method
herein described are preferred, it will be understood that changes
may be made within the scope of the appended claims without
departing from the spirit of the invention.
* * * * *