Soil stabilization and anchorage system
First Claim
1. A soil stabilization and anchorage system comprising:
- a solidifying material swivel having a first end for operatively receiving a power drive unit, a second end for operatively receiving a hollow drive connector, and a swivel casing therebetween having a solidifying material intake port for stationaryly receiving a supply of solidifying material during a drill insertion process, wherein a swivel drive shaft extends beyond the swivel casing to form the swivel second end;
the hollow drive connector having a first end operatively connected to the solidifying material swivel and a second end for operatively receiving a drilling apparatus; and
a hollow drilling apparatus having at least one orifice fabricated into a shaft for expressing a solidifying material during the drill insertion process.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention relates to a system and method for use in stabilizing different types of soils and/or creating anchorage and more particularly, to a system and method for injecting various types of solidifying material into a subsurface through a drilling apparatus during the drilling operation. The drilling apparatus may be removable and reusable used to create a micro or mini pile for soil stabilization, or alternatively it can be left in place to be used in conjunction with grout and similar materials for forming an anchor or load carry pier. A solidifying material swivel, a drive connector and a drilling apparatus, in combination are attached to a power drive unit. In one preferred embodiment, the drilling apparatus remains within the soil subsurface, encased in solidifying material. In another preferred embodiment, the drilling apparatus is removed leaving a homogenous pile of solidifying material behind.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A soil stabilization and anchorage system comprising:
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a solidifying material swivel having a first end for operatively receiving a power drive unit, a second end for operatively receiving a hollow drive connector, and a swivel casing therebetween having a solidifying material intake port for stationaryly receiving a supply of solidifying material during a drill insertion process, wherein a swivel drive shaft extends beyond the swivel casing to form the swivel second end; the hollow drive connector having a first end operatively connected to the solidifying material swivel and a second end for operatively receiving a drilling apparatus; and a hollow drilling apparatus having at least one orifice fabricated into a shaft for expressing a solidifying material during the drill insertion process. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A soil stabilization and anchorage system comprising:
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a solidifying material swivel having a first end for operatively receiving a power drive unit, a second end for operatively receiving a drilling apparatus, and a swivel casing therebetween having a solidifying material intake port for stationaryly receiving a supply of solidifying material during a drill insertion process, wherein a swivel drive shaft extends beyond the swivel casing to form the swivel second end; and a hollow drilling apparatus having at least one orifice fabricated into a shaft for expressing a solidifying material during the drill insertion process; wherein the drilling apparatus is an apparatus selected from the group consisting of a composite pier, a conventional helical pier, and a drilling tool;
the solidifying material is a material selected from the group consisting of grout, concrete and polymer; and
the at least one orifice is located directly behind a helice trailing edge in combination with a compaction fin;
the helice and compaction fin being attached to the drilling apparatus shaft. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of placing a soil stabilization and anchorage system comprising the steps of:
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a. operatively attaching a power drive unit to a solidifying material swivel; b. operatively attaching the solidifying material swivel to a hollow drilling apparatus, wherein; the solidifying material swivel includes a first end for operatively receiving the power drive unit, a second end for operatively receiving the drilling apparatus, and a swivel casing therebetween having a solidifying material intake port for stationaryly receiving a supply of solidifying material during a drill insertion process, wherein a swivel drive shaft extends beyond the swivel casing to form the swivel second end; and the hollow drilling apparatus includes at least one orifice fabricated into a shaft for expressing a solidifying material during the drill insertion process; b. inserting the drilling apparatus into a ground substrate; c. feeding a pressurized supply of solidifying material through the stationary intake port during the drill insertion process such that the solidifying material is pumped during the drill insertion process and expressed through the at least one orifice to create a substantially voidless column of solidifying material encasing the shaft; and d. disengaging the solidifying material swivel from the drilling apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A method of placing a soil stabilization and anchorage system comprising the steps of:
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a. operatively attaching a power drive unit to a solidifying material swivel; b. operatively attaching the solidifying material swivel to a hollow drive connector; c. operatively attaching the hollow drive connector to a hollow drilling apparatus, wherein; the solidifying material swivel includes a first end for operatively receiving the power drive unit, a second end for operatively receiving the hollow drive connector, and a swivel casing therebetween having a solidifying material intake port for stationaryly receiving a supply of solidifying material during a drill insertion process, wherein a swivel drive shaft extends beyond the swivel casing to form the swivel second end; the hollow drive connector includes a first end operatively connected to the solidifying material swivel and a second end for operatively receiving the drilling apparatus; and the hollow drilling apparatus includes at least one orifice fabricated into a shaft for expressing a solidifying material during the drill insertion process; d. inserting the drilling apparatus into a ground substrate; e. feeding a pressurized supply of solidifying material through the stationary intake port during the drill insertion process such that the solidifying material is pumped during the drill insertion process and expressed through the at least one orifice to create a substantially voidless column of solidifying material encasing the shaft; and f. disengaging the solidifying material swivel from the drilling apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification