Importance

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Abstract

The vibrational output of a sonic oscillator is coupled to a compliant member which may comprise a steel stem member. The frequency of the oscillator is adjusted so as to effect resonant standing wave vibration of the compliant member. The resonant vibratory energy is coupled from the compliant member to the pile or other object to be driven by means of a coupler clamp which provides limited bidirectional freedom of motion along the axis of the pile. The coupler clamp further has a guide member which may comprise a partial skirt which controls the angular orientation between the pile and the compliant resonator member. This keeps the sonic energy concentrated along the axis of the pile and prevents significant lateral vibrational modes in the pile. The oscillator resonator member and pile are suspended from an appropriate structure, such as a boom, such that the downward bias weight at the coupler clamp can be controlled. In view of the limited freedom of motion provided in the coupler clamp, i.e., between the resonator member and the pile, and by means of the above-mentioned bias control, the portion of the vibratory energy cycle which is coupled to the pile can be controlled as desired to effect optimum driving of the pile.

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First Claim