Systems and methods for handling piles

Abstract

A pile driving system adapted to be supported by a movable arm assembly to drive a pile comprises an engaging system, a suspension system, a vibratory system, a first clamp assembly, and a second clamp assembly. The engaging system operates in a first mode in which the first clamp assembly rigidly connects the secondary housing to the pile, a second mode in which the second clamp assembly rigidly connects the secondary housing to the pile, a third mode in which the second clamp to assembly rigidly connects the secondary housing to the side portion of the pile, and a fourth mode in which the tip portion of the at least one pick member engages at least one sheet pile of a substantially horizontal stack of sheet piles to remove the at least one sheet pile from the stack of sheet piles.

1 . A pile driving system adapted to be supported by a movable arm assembly to drive a pile comprising:
 an engaging system comprising a primary housing and a secondary housing, where the primary housing is adapted to be connected to the arm assembly such that the engaging system rotates may rotate relative to the arm assembly;   a suspension system configured to resiliently oppose movement of the secondary housing within a limited range of movement relative to the primary housing;   a vibratory system rigidly connected to the secondary housing;   a first clamp assembly supported by the secondary housing, where the first clamp assembly comprises
 first and second grip members configured to define a first clamp plane, 
 at least one pick member extending laterally relative to at least one of the grip members in a direction substantially parallel to the first clamp plane, where each pick member defines a tip portion; and 
   a second clamp assembly supported by the secondary housing;   whereby   the engaging system operates in
 a first mode in which the first clamp assembly rigidly connects the secondary housing to the pile; and 
 a second mode in which the second clamp assembly rigidly connects the secondary housing to the pile; 
 a third mode in which the second clamp assembly rigidly connects the secondary housing to the side portion of the pile; and 
 a fourth mode in which the tip portion of the at least one pick member engages at least one sheet pile of a substantially horizontal stack of sheet piles to remove the at least one sheet pile from the stack of sheet piles; and 
   the pile driving system drives the pile in at least one of the first and second modes using at least one of
 a driving force applied to the primary housing, and 
 a vibrational force generated by the vibratory system. 
   
     
     
         2 . A pile driving system as recited in  claim 1 , in which:
 the first clamp assembly is optimized to grip a side edge of the pile; and   the second clamp assembly is optimized to grip an end of the pile.   
     
     
         3 . A pile driving system as recited in  claim 1 , in which:
 the first clamp assembly defines first and second clamp locations;   the second clamp assembly defines a third clamp location; and   the third clamp location is spaced from the first and second clamp locations.   
     
     
         4 . A pile driving system as recited in  claim 2 , in which:
 the first clamp assembly defines first and second clamp locations arranged in the first clamp plane;   the second clamp assembly defines a third clamp location arranged in a second clamp plane.   
     
     
         5 . A pile driving system as recited in  claim 4 , in which the third clamp location is spaced from the first and second clamp locations. 
     
     
         6 . A pile driving system as recited in  claim 1 , in which the engaging system is supported by the support system such that movement of the support system displaces the engaging system. 
     
     
         7 . A pile driving system as recited in  claim 1 , in which the first clamp assembly comprises a plurality of pick members, where at least one pick member is fixed relative to the secondary housing and at least one pick member is movable relative to the secondary housing. 
     
     
         8 . A pile driving system as recited in  claim 1 , in which the suspension system comprises:
 a plurality of mounting locations; and   a plurality of resilient members extending between the primary and secondary housings at least some of the mounting locations.   
     
     
         9 . A method of driving a pile comprising the steps of:
 providing an engaging system comprising a primary housing and a secondary housing;   configuring a suspension system to resiliently oppose movement of the secondary housing within a limited range of movement relative to the primary housing;   rigidly connecting a vibratory system to the secondary housing;   supporting a first clamp assembly from the secondary housing, where the first clamp member comprises first and second grip members configured to define a first clamp plane;   supporting least one pick member such that the at least one pick member extends laterally relative to at least one of the grip members in a direction substantially parallel to the first clamp plane, where each pick member defines a tip portion;   supporting a second clamp assembly from the secondary housing;   operating the first clamp assembly in a first mode to rigidly connect the secondary housing to a side of the pile; and   operating the second clamp assembly in a second mode to rigidly connect the secondary housing to an end of the pile;   operating the second clamp assembly in a third mode to rigidly connect the secondary housing to the side of the pile;   operating the second clamp assembly in a fourth mode in which the tip member of the at least one pick member engages at least one sheet pile of a substantially horizontal stack of sheet piles to remove the at least one sheet pile from the stack of sheet piles; and   driving the pile in at least one of the first and second modes using at least one of
 a driving force applied to the primary housing, and 
 a vibrational force generated by the vibratory system. 
   
     
     
         10 . A method as recited in  claim 9 , in which:
 the second clamp assembly defines a second clamp plane; and   the first and second clamp planes are substantially perpendicular to each other.   
     
     
         11 . A method as recited in  claim 9 , in which:
 the first clamp assembly defines first and second clamp locations; and   the second clamp assembly defines a third clamp location;   further comprising the step of spacing the third clamp location from the first and second clamp locations.   
     
     
         12 . A method as recited in  claim 11 , in which:
 the second clamp assembly defines a second clamp plane;   further comprising the step of arranging the first and second clamp assemblies such that the first and second clamp planes are substantially perpendicular to each other.   
     
     
         13 . A method as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising the steps of:
 providing the first clamp means with a first pick member that is fixed relative to the secondary housing; and   providing the first clamp means with a second pick member that is movable relative to the secondary housing.   
     
     
         14 . A method as recited in  claim 9 , in which the step of providing the suspension system comprises the steps of:
 defining a plurality of mounting locations; and   connecting at least one resilient member between the primary and secondary housings at least one of the mounting locations.