Abstract

A foot pad removably attachable to a machine and that supports the machine for operation in a fluid. The foot pad includes a support frame, a skirt coupled to the support frame, a bellows coupled to the skirt, a plenum arranged to move within the skirt, a seal between the plenum and the skirt, and a flexible bellows that allows the foot pad to be secured to, or within, a substrate. The skirt includes an edge that can be embedded in a penetrable substrate. The plenum is configured to pump the fluid into or out of a volume formed by a space below the plenum, the interior of the skirt, and the substrate, thus compressing or decompressing the fluid in the space inside the skirt. The foot pad may also include a rolling, flexible diaphragm to seal the space between the plenum and the skirt, wherein the rolling diaphragm minimized the wear compared to other seal mechanisms. The flexible bellows may include a set of radial ridges that aid in sealing the footpad to the substrate.

IPC Classes  ?

• B63B 21/27 - Anchors securing to bed by suction
• E02B 17/00 - Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legsConstruction methods therefor
• E02D 27/52 - Submerged foundations

IPC Classes  ?

• E02D 1/02 - Investigation of foundation soil in situ before construction work
• G01N 3/24 - Investigating strength properties of solid materials by application of mechanical stress by applying steady shearing forces
• G01N 3/42 - Investigating hardness or rebound hardness by performing impressions under a steady load by indentors, e.g. sphere, pyramid
• G01N 11/12 - Investigating flow properties of materials, e.g. viscosity or plasticityAnalysing materials by determining flow properties by moving a body within the material by measuring rising or falling speed of the bodyInvestigating flow properties of materials, e.g. viscosity or plasticityAnalysing materials by determining flow properties by moving a body within the material by measuring penetration of wedged gauges
• G01N 33/24 - Earth materials

Abstract

The present invention is a helical penetrometer used to measure properties of sediment and soils. The device is inserted vertically into the sediment or soil and rotated such that a helical plate screws into the soil. The helical plate is equipped with various instruments including sensors such as pressure sensors, electrical sensors, strain gauges, and other instruments. The instruments of the present invention are used to measure compression, tension, shear forces, and hydraulic pressure in sediments and soils, all of which can be used to evaluate material properties.

IPC Classes  ?

• E02D 1/02 - Investigation of foundation soil in situ before construction work
• G01N 3/42 - Investigating hardness or rebound hardness by performing impressions under a steady load by indentors, e.g. sphere, pyramid
• G01N 3/24 - Investigating strength properties of solid materials by application of mechanical stress by applying steady shearing forces
• G01N 33/24 - Earth materials
• G01N 19/00 - Investigating materials by mechanical methods
• G01N 11/12 - Investigating flow properties of materials, e.g. viscosity or plasticityAnalysing materials by determining flow properties by moving a body within the material by measuring rising or falling speed of the bodyInvestigating flow properties of materials, e.g. viscosity or plasticityAnalysing materials by determining flow properties by moving a body within the material by measuring penetration of wedged gauges

Abstract

A foot pad removably attachable to a machine and that supports the machine for operation in a fluid. The foot pad includes a support frame, a skirt coupled to the support frame, a bellows coupled to the skirt, a plenum arranged to move within the skirt, a seal between the plenum and the skirt, and a flexible bellows that allows the foot pad to be secured to, or within, a substrate. The skirt includes an edge that can be embedded in a penetrable substrate. The plenum is configured to pump the fluid into or out of a volume formed by a space below the plenum, the interior of the skirt, and the substrate, thus compressing or decompressing the fluid in the space inside the skirt. The foot pad may also include a rolling, flexible diaphragm to seal the space between the plenum and the skirt, wherein the rolling diaphragm minimized the wear compared to other seal mechanisms. The flexible bellows may include a set of radial ridges that aid in sealing the footpad to the substrate.

IPC Classes  ?

• B63B 21/26 - Anchors securing to bed
• B63B 21/27 - Anchors securing to bed by suction
• E02D 27/50 - Anchored foundations
• E02D 27/52 - Submerged foundations

Abstract

A foot pad removably attachable to a machine and that supports the machine for operation in a fluid. The foot pad includes a support frame, a skirt coupled to the support frame, a bellows coupled to the skirt, a plenum arranged to move within the skirt, a seal between the plenum and the skirt, and a flexible bellows that allows the foot pad to be secured to, or within, a substrate. The skirt includes an edge that can be embedded in a penetrable substrate. The plenum is configured to pump the fluid into or out of a volume formed by a space below the plenum, the interior of the skirt, and the substrate, thus compressing or decompressing the fluid in the space inside the skirt. The foot pad may also include a rolling, flexible diaphragm to seal the space between the plenum and the skirt, wherein the rolling diaphragm minimized the wear compared to other seal mechanisms. The flexible bellows may include a set of radial ridges that aid in sealing the footpad to the substrate.

IPC Classes  ?

• B63B 21/27 - Anchors securing to bed by suction
• B63B 21/26 - Anchors securing to bed
• B63B 21/24 - Anchors
• E02D 27/50 - Anchored foundations
• E02D 27/52 - Submerged foundations
• B63B 21/00 - Tying-upShifting, towing, or pushing equipmentAnchoring