Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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ANCHORING SYSTEM AND METHOD
Background
The present disclosure relates in general to anchors, and in particular to
anchoring
systems for securing equipment or structures to the ground, and/or stabilizing
sections of soil
within a subterranean substrate.
Frequent problems occur when high winds or other weather conditions cause the
undesired movement of pieces of equipment and structures such as, for example,
house
trailers, tents, temporary buildings, secondary containment structures, and
storage tanks
including above ground storage tanks (ASTs). To prevent or resist such
movement,
conventional ground anchors are sometimes used to secure the equipment and
structures to the
ground.
However, several problems can arise in connection with the use of conventional
ground
anchors. More particularly, conventional anchors are oftentimes pulled out of
the ground
because they exhibit low pull-out strength or resistance (i.e., resistance to
force(s) that act to
pull the anchors out of the ground). Additionally, a conventional ground
anchor is inconvenient
and usually involves the digging of a hole, injecting cement into the hole to
form a concrete
foundation, and placing an anchoring post in the hole. Concrete is
conventionally used as a
foundation for a ground anchor to increase the pull-out resistance of the
anchor. However,
concrete is extremely alkaline and can cause severe second and third-degree
burns when
contacted with skin. Concrete is heavy and cumbersome to prepare and the
setting of the
concrete is dependent on temperature and weather conditions. During curing,
the concrete
must be kept moist and at the correct temperature or it may crack and become
unsuitable as a
foundation. After the concrete has set, if the soil is moist or wet, the
concrete may heave more
during the freeze-thaw cycle, reducing pull-out resistance and possibly
causing cracking.
Importantly, concrete shrinks in size as it cures, which leaves open spaces in
the soil. As a
result, settling of the concrete in the open spaces may occur, thereby
increasing the risk that the
concrete will crack. A cracked concrete foundation reduces the pull-out
resistance of the
anchor.
Further, the pull-out resistance of a conventional ground anchor is related to
the
cohesion of the soil surrounding the hole. Fine grained soils such as clay are
considered
cohesive and have cohesive strength. Generally, cohesive soil does not crumble
and is plastic
when moist. Moreover, cohesive soil tends to be difficult to break up when
dry, and exhibits
significant cohesion when submerged. Cohesive soils include clay silt, sandy
clay, silty clay and
organic clay. In contrast, non-cohesive soils are loose and have a larger
particle size as
compared to cohesive soils. A non-cohesive soil such as gravel or sand
exhibits no plasticity,
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especially in a dry state. As a result, several conventional ground anchors
are necessary to
secure equipment or structures to non-cohesive and low or moderate cohesion
soils.
Still further, soil instability and displacement is present in many areas,
reducing the
ability of conventional ground anchors to sufficiently secure equipment and
structures to the
ground. Conventional methods for stabilizing soil typically involve the
construction of retaining
walls or other rigid or semi-rigid structural barriers. However, the
construction of such walls or
barriers is often expensive and time consuming.
Therefore, what is need is an anchoring system or method that addresses one or
more
of the above-described problems, among others.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure la is a partial elevational/partial diagrammatic view of an anchoring
system
according to an exemplary embodiment, the anchoring system including an anchor
and a
chemical fastener.
Figure lb is a sectional view of the anchor of Figure la taken along line 1 b-
1 b,
according to an exemplary embodiment.
Figure lc is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure lb, according to an
exemplary
embodiment.
Figure 2 is an elevational view of the anchor of Figures la-lc during the
installation
thereof into a subterranean substrate, according to an exemplary embodiment.
Figure 3 is a partial elevational/partial diagrammatic view of the anchoring
system of
Figure la during the installation thereof into the subterranean substrate, the
system including an
injection gun and a static mixer, according to an exemplary embodiment.
Figure 4 is a sectional view of the static mixer of Figure 2b, according to an
exemplary
embodiment.
Figure 5 is an elevational view of the anchoring system of Figures la-lc after
the
installation thereof into the subterranean substrate, according to an
exemplary embodiment.
Figure 6a is a partial perspective/partial diagrammatic view of an anchoring
system
according to another exemplary embodiment.
Figure 6b is an exploded view of the anchoring system of Figure 6a according
to an
exemplary embodiment.
Figures 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g and 6h are respective sectional views of the
components of the
anchoring system of Figures 6a and 6b, according to respective exemplary
embodiments.
Figures 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d are respective sectional views of the anchoring
system of
Figures 6a-6h during the installation thereof into a subterranean substrate,
according to an
exemplary embodiment.
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Figure 8 is an exploded view of an anchoring system according to yet another
exemplary
embodiment.
Figures 9a, 9b, 9c and 9d are diagrammatic views of the anchoring system of
Figure 8
during the installation thereof into a subterranean substrate, according to an
exemplary
embodiment.
Figure 10 is an exploded view of an anchoring system according to still yet
another
exemplary embodiment.
Detailed Description
In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figures la, lb and lc, an
anchoring
system is generally referred to by the reference numeral 10 and is adapted to
be installed into a
subterranean substrate. The anchoring system 10 includes an anchor 12 and a
liquid chemical
fastener 14. The chemical fastener 14 has liquid and cured states, and is
adapted to be
injected into, and flow out of, the anchor 12, under conditions to be
described below. The
anchor 12 includes a tubular member 16, which defines an internal passage 16a
and includes
opposing end portions 16b and 16c, and an internal threaded connection 16d at
the end portion
16c. An external flange 18 is connected to the end portion 16b of the tubular
member 16,
extending radially outwardly therefrom. In an exemplary embodiment, the flange
18 is welded to
the tubular member 16. A plurality of axially-spaced grooves 20 are formed in
the external
surface of the tubular member 16, with each groove 20 circumferentially
extending around the
tubular member 16. A surface portion 16e of the external surface of the
tubular member 16
extends from the end portion 16b to the grooves 20, and a surface portion 16f
extends from the
grooves 20 to the end portion 16c. Axially-spaced surface portions 16g of the
external surface
of the tubular member 16 are interposed between the grooves 20. The surface
portions 16e,
16f and 16g are textured to promote engagement with subterranean substrates.
In an
exemplary embodiment, the surface portions 16e, 16f and 16g are knurled. In an
exemplary
embodiment, the surface portions 16e, 16f and 16g are ribbed with a diamond
knurl so that the
anchor 12 is more suitable for a particular type of soil, such as a rocky-clay
type of soil. In
several exemplary embodiments, the amount and type of texturing applied to the
surface
portions 16e, 16f and 16g are based on the type(s) of soil(s) in the
subterranean substrate into
which the anchor 12 is to be installed, and conditions associated therewith.
A pointed tip 22 is connected to the tubular member 16 at the end portion 16c
thereof.
More particularly, the pointed tip 22 defines a point 22a, and includes an
external threaded
connection 22b, which is threadably engaged with the internal threaded
connection 16d of the
tubular member 16.
A plurality of radial openings, or radial outlets, 24 are formed in the
tubular member 16.
As shown in Figs. 1a and 1b, the plurality of outlets 24 includes, but is not
limited to, outlets 24a,
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24b, 24c and 24d, which are clustered together proximate the end portion 16c
of the tubular
member 16. The plurality of outlets 24 are circumferentially spaced around,
and axially spaced
along, the tubular member 16. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of
outlets 24 are
spirally disposed around the tubular member 16. In several exemplary
embodiments, the
quantity, locations and/or sizes of the outlets in the plurality of outlets 24
are varied.
A plurality of radial openings, or radial outlets, 26 are formed in the
tubular member 16.
As shown in Figs. la and lb, the plurality of outlets 26 includes, but is not
limited to, outlets 26a,
26b, 26c and 26d, which are clustered together and axially disposed between
the surface
portion 16e and the plurality of outlets 24. The plurality of outlets 26 are
circumferentially
spaced around, and axially spaced along, the tubular member 16. In
an exemplary
embodiment, the plurality of outlets 26 are spirally disposed around the
tubular member 16. In
several exemplary embodiments, the quantity, locations and/or sizes of the
outlets in the
plurality of outlets 26 are varied.
In several exemplary embodiments, additional pluralities of outlets, which may
be
substantially identical to the plurality of outlets 24 or 26, are formed in
the tubular member 16.
In an exemplary embodiment, one of the pluralities of outlets 24 or 26 is
omitted. In an
exemplary embodiment, the anchor 12 includes a single plurality of outlets
formed in the tubular
member 16, which outlets are distributed around, and along, the tubular member
16.
As shown in Figure 1 c, a check valve 28 is positioned at the end portion 16b
of the
tubular member 16. As viewed in Figs. la, lb and lc, the check valve 28 is
configured to
permit one-way fluid flow in a direction from above the flange 18 and into the
internal passage
16a, as indicated by an arrow 30. In an exemplary embodiment, the check valve
28 is, includes,
or is part of, a grease fitting, grease nipple or zerk fitting. In an
exemplary embodiment, the
check valve 28 is, includes, or is part of, a grease fitting, grease nipple,
or zerk fitting, and thus
includes a spring-loaded ball within a fluid passage, as well as an external
threaded connection,
which is threadably engaged with an internal threaded connection (not shown)
at the end
portion 16b of the tubular member 16. In an exemplary embodiment, at least a
portion of the
check valve 28 is positioned within the internal passage 16a at the end
portion 16b of the
tubular member 16. In an exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of the check
valve 28 is
positioned outside of the tubular member 16 and immediately above the end
portion 16b
thereof.
As noted above, the chemical fastener 14 has liquid and cured states, and is
adapted to
be injected into, and flow out of, the anchor 12. In an exemplary embodiment,
the chemical
fastener 14 is amorphous in nature and chemically inert. In an exemplary
embodiment, the
chemical fastener 14 is a liquid thermosetting polymeric system. In an
exemplary embodiment,
the chemical fastener 14 is a liquid two-component polymeric system. In an
exemplary
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embodiment, the chemical fastener 14 is a two-component polyurea elastomer. In
an
exemplary embodiment, the chemical fastener 14 is a two-component polyurea
elastomer
commercially available as VersaFlex SL/75, from VersaFlex Incorporated, Kansas
City, Kansas.
In an exemplary embodiment, the chemical fastener 14 has a gel time of at
least about
15 seconds. In an exemplary embodiment, the chemical fastener 14 has a gel
time of at least
about 30 seconds. In an exemplary embodiment, the chemical fastener 14 has a
gel time of
less than about 60 minutes. In an exemplary embodiment, the chemical fastener
14 has a gel
time that ranges from about 15 seconds to about 60 minutes. In an exemplary
embodiment, the
chemical fastener 14 has a gel time that ranges from about 30 seconds to about
60 minutes.
In an exemplary embodiment, the chemical fastener 14 has a pot life of less
than about
1 minute. In an exemplary embodiment, the chemical fastener 14 has a pot life
of at least about
30 seconds. In an exemplary embodiment, the chemical fastener 14 has a pot
life that ranges
from about 30 seconds to about 1 minute.
In an exemplary embodiment, the chemical fastener 14 has an initial cure time
of about
60 minutes. In an exemplary embodiment, the chemical fastener 14 has an
initial cure time that
ranges from about 15 minutes to about 120 minutes. In an exemplary embodiment,
the
chemical fastener 14 has an initial cure time that ranges from about 30
minutes to about 60
minutes.
In an exemplary embodiment, the chemical fastener 14 has a tack free time that
ranges
from about 1 minute to about 5 minutes. In an exemplary embodiment, the
chemical fastener
14 has a tack free time that ranges from about 2 minutes to about 3 minutes.
In an exemplary embodiment, the chemical fastener 14 in its cured state has a
tensile
strength of at least about 600 psi, and a tensile elongation of at least about
240%. In an
exemplary embodiment, the chemical fastener 14 in its cured state has a
tensile strength of at
least about 600 psi, and a tensile elongation of at least about 240%, as
measured using test
method ASTM D638. In an exemplary embodiment, the chemical fastener 14 in its
cured state
has a tensile strength that ranges from about 600 psi to about 1200 psi. In an
exemplary
embodiment, the chemical fastener 14 in its cured state has a tensile strength
that ranges from
about 600 psi to about 1200 psi, as measured using test method ASTM D638. In
an exemplary
embodiment, the chemical fastener in its cured state has a tensile elongation
that ranges from
about 240% to about 500%. In an exemplary embodiment, the chemical fastener 14
in its cured
state has a tensile elongation that ranges from about 240% to about 500%, as
measured using
test method ASTM D638. In an exemplary embodiment, the aforementioned tensile
strength
range and tensile elongation range of the chemical fastener 14 are measured
using test method
ASTM D638 after the chemical fastener 14 has cured and been maintained at
about 70 F to
about 77 F for about seven days.
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In an exemplary embodiment, the chemical fastener 14 is inert, does not shrink
upon
curing, and can be used in aqueous environments.
In an exemplary embodiment, the chemical fastener 14 is, or includes,
polyurethane,
polyimide, polyamide, polyamideimide, polyester, polycarbonate, polysulfone,
polyketone,
polyolefins, (meth)acrylates, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, styrene-
acrylonitrile, acrylonitrile-
stryrene-acrylate, diphenylmethane, diisocyanate, polypropylene glycol,
tripropylene glycol
diamine, glycerin, aminated propoxylated polybutanediols,
diethyltoluenediamine, amino
functional reactive resins, and combinations thereof. In several exemplary
embodiments, the
chemical fastener 14 includes polymers described in one or more of U.S. Patent
Nos.
6,797,789; 6,605,684; 6,399,736; 6,013,755; 5,962,618; 5,962,144; 5,759,695;
5,731,397;
5,616,677; 5,504,181; 5,480,955; 5,442,034; 5,317,076; 5,266,671; 5,218,005;
5,189,075;
5,189,073; 5,171,819; 5,162,388; 5,153,232; 5,124,426; 5,118,728; 5,082,917;
5,013,813; and
4,891,086, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by
reference to the extent the
incorporated disclosures are not inconsistent with the present disclosure.
In an exemplary embodiment, the chemical fastener 14 is, or includes, a
polyurea
elastomer system, a two-component aromatic and aliphatic polyurea elastomer
system, an
amorphous polymer system, and/or any combination thereof.
In several exemplary
embodiments, the chemical fastener 14 is a single component system such as,
but not limited
to, a polyurethane adhesive made from water, prepolymerized polyisocyanate
based on 4,4'-
diphenylmethane diisocyanate, polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate, diphenyl
methane
diisocyanate mixed isomer, toluene, phenyl isocyanate, and monochlorobenzene.
In an
exemplary embodiment, the chemical fastener 14 is not a crystalline polymer
such as, for
example, a polyurethane system. In an exemplary embodiment, the chemical
fastener 14
neither is a conventional concrete or stucco type of material, nor is made of
fly ash or limestone.
In an exemplary embodiment, the chemical fastener 14 is a two-component
polyurea system
that is similar to that of epoxy type systems except that the two-component
polyurea system
does not have a true-glass transition temperature.
In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 2 with continuing
reference to
Figures la-ic, to install the anchoring system 10, the anchor 12 is positioned
in a subterranean
substrate 32 so that the flange 18 engages or nearly engages a ground surface
34. In an
exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of the equipment or structure to be
anchored by the
anchoring system 10 may be connected to the tubular member 16 and/or the
flange 18,
disposed between the flange 18 and the ground surface 34, disposed between the
flange 18
and the subterranean substrate 32, and/or any combination thereof.
In an exemplary embodiment, to position the anchor 12 in the subterranean
substrate
32, the tubular member 16 is driven into the subterranean substrate 32 by
first penetrating the
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ground surface 34 with the pointed tip 22 and then pushing the tubular member
16 downward,
as viewed in Figure 2, until the flange 18 engages or nearly engages the
ground surface 34. In
an exemplary embodiment, to position the anchor 12 in the subterranean
substrate 32, a hole is
drilled and then the anchor 12 is positioned in the hole.
In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 with continuing
reference
to Figures la-2, before, during or after the anchor 12 has been positioned in
the subterranean
substrate 32, a static mixer 36 is connected to the check valve 28.
More particularly, the static mixer 36 includes tubular members 38 and 40,
which are
connected end-to-end via a coupling 42. In an exemplary embodiment, each of
the tubular
members 38 and 40 has an axial length of about 6 inches. The tubular members
38 and 40
define internal passages 38a and 40a, respectively, which are in fluid
communication with each
other via the coupling 42. A fitting 44 defining an inlet 44a is connected to
the end of the tubular
member 38 opposite the coupling 42. An injection gun 46, which includes a
mixing chamber
46a, is in fluid communication with the inlet 44a and thus with the internal
passages 38a and
40a. In an exemplary embodiment, the chemical fastener 14 is a two-component
polyurea
elastomer and the injection gun 46 is, includes, or is part of, a Reactor E-10
Plural-Component
Proportioner, which is available from Graco Inc. of Minneapolis, Minnesota. In
an exemplary
embodiment, the chemical fastener 14 is a two-component polyurea elastomer and
the injection
gun 46 is, includes, or is part of, a solvent or mechanical purge-type spray
gun, such as a
Series 450XT Snuff Back Valve, which is available from Nordson EFD, East
Providence, Rhode
Island. In several exemplary embodiments, the injection gun 46 is, includes,
or is part of,
embodiments disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,072,862; 4,538,920; 4,767,026;
6,135,631;
5,535,922; 5,875,928; 6,244,740; 3,166,221; 3,828,980; 6,601,782; and
7,815,384, the entire
disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference to the extent the
incorporated
disclosures are not inconsistent with the present disclosure. A line 48 is
connected to the fitting
44, and defines an internal passage 48a, which is in fluid communication with
the internal
passages 38a and 40a. A hydraulic connector 50 is connected to the end of the
tubular
member 40 opposite the coupling 42.
As shown in Figure 3, to connect the static mixer 36 to the check valve 28,
the hydraulic
connector 50 is engaged with the check valve 28. In an exemplary embodiment,
the hydraulic
connector 50 is a grease fitting coupler and the check valve 28 engaged
therewith is a grease
fitting, grease nipple or zerk fitting.
In an exemplary embodiment, with continuing reference to Figures 3 and 4,
before,
during or after the static mixer 36 has been connected to the check valve 28,
the chemical
fastener 14 is mixed in the mixing chamber 46a of the injection gun 46. After
this mixing and
the connection of the static mixer 36 to the check valve 28, the injection gun
46 pressurizes the
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mixed chemical fastener 14 and injects the chemical fastener 14 in its liquid
state into the inlet
44a. As a result, the pressurized chemical fastener 14 in its liquid state
flows through the
internal passages 38a and 40a, through the check valve 28, and into the
internal passage 16a
of the tubular member 16 of the anchor 12, as indicated by an arrow 52 in
Figure 3. The flow of
the mixed chemical fastener 14 through the internal passages 38a and 40a of
the static mixer
causes the chemical fastener 14 to be further mixed. The respective lengths of
the internal
passages 38a and 40a promote this further mixing of the chemical fastener 14.
In an exemplary
embodiment, the chemical fastener 14 is a two-component polyurea elastomer,
and the injection
gun 46 injects the polyurea elastomer into the inlet 44a at a fluid pressure
of at least about or
above 500 psi, up to about 40,000 psi, up to about 12,000 psi, from about 500
psi to about
12,000 psi, from above about 50 psi to about 5,000 psi, up to about 5,000 psi,
or at about 2,000
psi, with an inlet air pressure of about 80 psi to about 130 psi. Although the
check valve 28
permits the chemical fastener 14 in its liquid state to flow in the direction
indicated by the arrow
52, the check valve 28 prevents the chemical fastener 14, and/or any other
fluid, from flowing
back up and out of the internal passage 16a in a direction opposite to the
direction indicated by
the arrow 52.
As indicated by the arrow 52, the chemical fastener 14 flows downward in the
internal
passage 16a of the tubular member 16. The chemical fastener 14 then flows out
into the
subterranean substrate 32 via the plurality of outlets 24, as indicated by
arrows 54a and 54b,
and also via the plurality of outlets 26, as indicated by arrows 56a and 56b.
After exiting tubular
member 16 via the pluralities of outlets 24 and 26, the chemical fastener 14
continues to flow
into voids formed within the portion of the subterranean substrate 32 that
surrounds the tubular
member 16. In an exemplary embodiment, the voids are formed in the
subterranean substrate
32 because of natural fractures in the substrate 32, and/or because of
fractures that are formed
due to the pressurized injection of the chemical fastener 14 into the
substrate 32.
The gel time of the chemical fastener 14 is high enough to permit flow through
the
internal passages 38a and 40a for further mixing, through the internal passage
16a and out into
the subterranean substrate 32, and through portions of the subterranean
substrate 32, before
the chemical fastener 14 becomes too viscous to flow.
In an exemplary embodiment, the chemical fastener 14 is a two-component
polyurea
elastomer, and the two components are heated to a temperature of about 60 F to
about 200 F
before, during or after the components are mixed in the mixing chamber 46a. In
an exemplary
embodiment, the chemical fastener 14 is a two-component polyurea elastomer,
and the two
components are mixed in the mixing chamber 46a, and further mixed while
flowing through the
internal passages 38a and 40a of the static mixer 36. The gel time of the two-
component
polyurea elastomer is high enough to allow the polyurea elastomer to flow
through the internal
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passages 38a and 40a for further mixing, through the internal passage 16a and
out into the
subterranean substrate 32, and through portions of the subterranean substrate
32, before the
polyurea elastomer becomes too viscous to flow. After being injected into the
subterranean
substrate 32, the chemical fastener 14 eventually gels and thus stops flowing
through the
subterranean substrate 32. Additionally, any portion of the chemical fastener
14 remaining in
the internal passage 16a of the tubular member 16 also gels.
In several exemplary embodiments, the amount of the chemical fastener 14
injected
during installation of the anchoring system 10 depends on the anchoring
requirements and
properties of the subterranean substrate 32. In an exemplary embodiment, the
amount of the
chemical fastener 14 injected into the tubular member 16 is about 12 oz. In
several exemplary
embodiments, the amount of the chemical fastener 14 injected during
installation may range
from about 0.1 oz. to about 10 gallons, from about 0.2 oz. to about 1 gallon,
from about 0.2 oz.
to about 20 oz., from about 0.2 oz., to about 15 oz., or from about 0.5 oz to
about 24 oz.
In several exemplary embodiments, the amount of time during which the chemical
fastener 14 is injected during installation may range from about 1 second to
about 3 minutes,
about 1 second to about 2 minutes, about 1 second to about 1 minute, about 1
second to about
30 seconds, about 1 second to about 20 seconds, and about 1 second to about 10
seconds. In
an exemplary embodiment, the injection time takes less than about 60 seconds.
After a sufficient quantity of the chemical fastener 14 has been injected into
internal
passage 16a of the tubular member 16 and thus into the subterranean substrate
32, the
hydraulic connector 50 is disengaged from the check valve 28, and the static
mixer 36 and the
injection gun 46 can be removed from the location of the anchor 12. Before,
during or after the
injection of the chemical fastener 14 through the inlet 44a and the internal
passages 38a and
40a, the static mixer 36 can be cleaned using the internal passage 48a to
convey solvent(s) to
or from one or more of the inlet 44a and the internal passages 38a and 40a.
In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 5 with continuing
reference to
Figures la-4, after gelling, the chemical fastener 14 cures within the
subterranean substrate 32,
and adheres to the subterranean substrate 32 and at least the surface portion
16g of the
external surface of the tubular member 16. Additionally, any portion of the
chemical fastener 14
remaining in the internal passage 16a of the tubular member 16 also cures and
adheres to the
inside surface of the tubular member 16. As a result of the foregoing curing,
a conglomerate 58
is formed, the conglomerate 58 including the chemical fastener 14 and the
portion of the
subterranean substrate 32 adhered thereto. Via the cured chemical fastener 14,
the
conglomerate 58 is adhered to at least the surface portion 16g of the external
surface of the
tubular member 16, as well as to the internal surface of the tubular member
16.
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In several exemplary embodiments, the conglomerate 58 forms a root-like
pattern, an
abstract annular shape, a prismatic shape, a spiral pattern, and/or any
combination thereof. In
several exemplary embodiments, the pattern or shape of the conglomerate 58 is
based on the
type(s) of soil in the subterranean substrate 32, as well as other conditions
including, but not
limited to, environmental conditions and soil properties. In several exemplary
embodiments, the
conglomerate 58 adapts to the cohesion properties of the soil(s) in the
subterranean substrate
32. More particularly, by flowing into the voids within the subterranean
substrate 32, the
chemical fastener 14 and thus the conglomerate 58 formed therefrom adjust and
adapt to the
cohesion properties of the soil(s) in the substrate 32, forming patterns
and/or shapes based on
the properties of the soil(s).
In an exemplary embodiment, after installation and in operation, the anchoring
system
10 anchors to the ground surface 34 the equipment or structure connected to,
or otherwise
engaged with, the anchor 12. The anchor 12 resists any movement of such
equipment or
structure due to external forces acting thereupon and caused by, for example,
high winds or
inclement weather. To resist such movement, the anchoring system 10 as a whole
resists the
pull-out of the anchor 12 from the subterranean substrate 32. In an exemplary
embodiment, the
pull-out resistance of the anchoring system 10 is due at least in part to the
increased external
surface area defined by the conglomerate 58, which increased surface area
contacts the
remainder of the subterranean substrate 32 that is not part of the
conglomerate 58. In an
exemplary embodiment, the pull-out resistance of the anchoring system 10 is
due at least in part
to the ability of the conglomerate 58 to form pattern(s) and/or shape(s) based
on the type(s) of
soil in the subterranean substrate 32. In an exemplary embodiment, the pull-
out resistance of
the anchoring system 10 is due at least in part to the tensile strength and
tensile elongation of
the chemical fastener 14, as well as the gel time of the chemical fastener 14,
particularly in view
of the ability of the chemical fastener 14 to flow into the voids in the
subterranean substrate 32
surrounding the tubular member 16.
In an exemplary embodiment, after installation and in operation, the anchoring
system
10 stabilizes the soil(s) within the subterranean substrate 32. In an
exemplary embodiment,
during operation, the anchoring system 10 stabilizes non-cohesive and low or
moderate
cohesion soils within the subterranean substrate 32. In an exemplary
embodiment, during
operation, the anchoring system 10 reduces the likelihood that the soil(s)
within the
subterranean substrate 32 will shift or otherwise undergo displacement.
In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 6a and 6b with
continuing
reference to Figures la-5, an anchoring system is generally referred to by the
reference
numeral 60 and includes the chemical fastener 14 and an anchor 62. The anchor
62 includes
an outer tubular member or casing 64, a pointed tip 66, a wedge 68, an inner
tubular member or
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sleeve 70, a plurality of tubular members or rods 72, a tubular rod support
74, and a tubular
member 76.
In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 6a, 6b and 6c with
continuing
reference to Figures la-5, the outer tubular casing 64 defines an internal
passage 64a and
includes opposing end portions 64b and 64c. An internal threaded connection
64d is formed at
the end portion 64c. Diametrically-opposite radial openings, or radial
outlets, 78a and 78b are
formed in the outer tubular casing 64. In an exemplary embodiment, the outlets
78a and 78b
are formed in the outer tubular casing 64 at a downwardly-directed angle,
which angle is defined
from the longitudinal center axis of the outer tubular casing 64, and is
directed from the center
axis and towards the end portion 64c.
In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 6d with continuing
reference to
Figures la-6c, the pointed tip 66 defines a tip 66a at one end, and includes
an external
threaded connection 66b at the other end.
In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 6b and 6e with
continuing
reference to Figures la-6a, the inner sleeve 70 defines an internal passage
70a and includes
opposing end portions 70b and 70c. Internal threaded connections 70d and 70e
are formed at
the end portions 70b and 70c, respectively. Diametrically-opposite radial
openings, or radial
outlets, 80a and 80b are formed in the inner sleeve 70. In an exemplary
embodiment, the
outlets 80a and 80b are formed in the inner sleeve 70 at a downwardly-directed
angle, which
angle is defined from the longitudinal center axis of the inner sleeve 70, and
is directed from the
center axis and towards the end portion 70c.
In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 6b and 6f with
continuing
reference to Figures 1a-6a, the wedge 68 includes a cylindrical body 68a in
which an external
threaded connection 68b is formed. Wedge surfaces 68c and 68d extend from the
cylindrical
body 68a and towards a splitting edge 68e, at which the surfaces 68c and 68d
converge or
nearly converge. In an exemplary embodiment, a guide groove 68f (Figure 6b) is
formed in the
wedge surface 68c, extending from the edge 68e to the body 68a. Although not
shown, another
guide groove that is substantially identical to the guide groove 68f is formed
in the wedge
surface 68d, and extends from the edge 68e to the body 68a. In an exemplary
embodiment,
instead of, or in addition to, the guide groove 68f and the guide groove
substantially identical
thereto that is formed in the surface 68d, respective guide ribs extend along
the wedge surfaces
68c and 68d, from the edge 68e to the body 68a.
In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 6b and 6g with
continuing
reference to Figures la-6a, the tubular rod support 74 defines an internal
passage 74a and
includes opposing end portions 74b and 74c. A cap 82 is part of, or is
connected to, the
longitudinal extent of the end portion 74c of the tubular rod support 74. In
contrast, the end
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portion 74b is not capped and thus an inlet 74d into the internal passage 74a
is defined at the
end portion 74b.
The plurality of rods 72, which includes rods 72a and 72b, are connected to
the cap 82
and extend axially away from the tubular rod support 74. The rods 72a and 72b
are
substantially identical. More particularly, the rods 72a and 72b define
internal passages 72aa
and 72ba, respectively, each of which is in fluid communication with the
internal passage 74a of
the tubular rod support 74. The rods 72a and 72b include pointed tips 72ab and
72bb, which
oppose the cap 82. A plurality of radial openings, or radial outlets, 84 are
formed in the rod 72a.
As shown in Figures 6b and 6g, the plurality of outlets 84 includes, but is
not limited to, outlets
84a, 84b and 84c, which are clustered together proximate the pointed tip 72ab
of the rod 72a.
The plurality of outlets 84 are circumferentially spaced around, and axially
spaced along, the rod
72a. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of outlets 84 are spirally
disposed around the
rod 72a. In several exemplary embodiments, the quantity, locations and/or
sizes of the outlets
in the plurality of outlets 84 are varied. A plurality of radial openings, or
radial outlets, 86 are
formed in the rod 72b. The outlets 86 are substantially identical to the
outlets 84 and therefore
will not be described in further detail. In several exemplary embodiments,
additional pluralities
of outlets, which may be substantially identical to the plurality of outlets
84 or 86, are formed in
the rod 72a and/or 72b. In an exemplary embodiment, one of the plurality of
outlets 84 or 86 is
omitted.
In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 6a, 6b and 6h with
continuing
reference to Figures la-5, the tubular member 76 defines an internal passage
76a and includes
opposing end portions 76b and 76c, and an enlarged outer diameter portion 76d
at the end
portion 76c. An end face 76e of the tubular member 76 is defined by the
enlarged outer
diameter portion 76d. The end face 76e of the tubular member 76 is adapted to
engage and
apply a force against the extent of the end portion 74b of the tubular rod
support 74, under
conditions to be described below. An external threaded connection 76f is
formed in the
enlarged outer diameter portion 76d. A check valve 88 is positioned at the end
portion 76b of
the tubular member 76. As viewed in Figure 6h, the check valve 88 is
configured to permit one-
way fluid flow in a direction from above the end portion 76b and down into the
internal passage
76a, as indicated by an arrow 90. In an exemplary embodiment, the check valve
88 is, includes,
or is part of, a grease fitting, grease nipple or zerk fitting.
In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 7a with continuing
reference to
Figures la-6h, to install the anchoring system 60, the pointed tip 66 is
connected to the outer
tubular casing 64 by threadably engaging the external threaded connection 66b
with the internal
threaded connection 64d. The outer tubular casing 64 is then positioned in the
subterranean
substrate 32 so that the pointed tip 66 opposes the ground surface 34. In an
exemplary
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embodiment, to position the outer tubular casing 64 in the subterranean
substrate 32, the outer
tubular casing 64 is driven into the subterranean substrate 32 by first
penetrating the ground
surface 34 with the pointed tip 66 and then driving the outer tubular casing
64 downward, as
viewed in Figure 7a. In an exemplary embodiment, to position the outer tubular
casing 64 in the
subterranean substrate 32, a hole is drilled and then the outer tubular casing
64 is positioned in
the hole, with or without the pointed tip 66.
In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 7b with continuing
reference to
Figures la-7a, during or after the outer tubular casing 64 is positioned in
the subterranean
substrate 32, the plurality of rods 72 are positioned in the subterranean
substrate 32. To so
position the rods 72a and 72b, the wedge 68 is positioned inside the inner
sleeve 70 by
threadably engaging the external threaded connection 68b with the internal
threaded connection
70e so that the wedge surfaces 68c and 68d extend from the body 68a and
towards the end
portion 70b of the inner sleeve 70. In several exemplary embodiments, instead
of a threaded
engagement, the wedge 68 is positioned in the inner sleeve 70 using one or
more fasteners
such as set screws, an interference fit between the body 68a and the inside
surface of the inner
sleeve 70, a shape fit between the body 68a and the inside surface of the
inner sleeve 70,
and/or any combination thereof.
The inner sleeve 70 is inserted into the internal passage 64a of the outer
tubular casing
64 so that the outlets 80a and 80b in the inner sleeve 70 are radially aligned
with the outlets 78a
and 78b, respectively, in the outer tubular casing 64. In an exemplary
embodiment, the inner
sleeve 70 and/or the outer tubular casing 64 include one or more keys, guide
slots, guide fins,
and/or any combination thereof, in order to guide the inner sleeve 70 as it is
inserted into the
outer tubular casing 64, and to prevent relative rotation therebetween,
thereby ensuring that the
outlets 80a and 80b are radially aligned with the outlets 78a and 78b,
respectively.
The rods 72a and 72b and the tubular rod support 74 connected thereto are then
inserted into the inner sleeve 70 so that the pointed tips 72ab and 72bb
contact, or nearly
contact, the wedge surfaces 68c and 68d, respectively, and so that the edge
68e is positioned
between the rods 72a and 72b. The external threaded connection 76f of the
tubular member 76
is then threadably engaged with the internal threaded connection 70d of the
inner sleeve 70,
causing the tubular member 76 to move downward, as viewed in Figure 7b and
indicated by an
arrow 92. As the tubular member 76 continues to be threadably engaged with the
inner sleeve
70 and thus continues to move in the direction of the arrow 92, the end face
76e of the tubular
member 76 contacts the extent of the end portion 74b of the tubular rod
support 74. Continued
threaded engagement causes the end face 76e to bear against the extent of the
end portion
74b, thereby causing the tubular rod support 74 and thus the rods 72a and 72b
to move
downward as indicated by the arrow 92.
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In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 7c with continuing
reference to
Figures la-7b, in response to the downward movement of the tubular rod support
74, the rods
72a and 72b ride against the wedge surfaces 68c and 68d, respectively, causing
the rods 72a
and 72b to bend outwardly away from the longitudinal center axis of the
internal passage 70a of
the inner sleeve 70. In an exemplary embodiment, the guide groove 68f guides
the rod 72a as it
bends, and the guide groove that is formed in the wedge surface 68d and is
substantially
identical to the guide groove 68f guides the rod 72b as it bends. The
foregoing movement is
continued, thereby causing the rods 72a and 72b to bend further, the pointed
tip 72ab of the rod
72a to pass through the radially-aligned outlets 80a and 78a and penetrate
into the
subterranean substrate 32, and the pointed tip 72bb of the rod 72b to pass
through the radially-
aligned outlets 80b and 78b and penetrate into the subterranean substrate 32.
In an exemplary
embodiment, the foregoing movement is stopped either before or at the point
when the external
threaded connection 76f can no longer be further threadably engaged with the
internal threaded
connection 70d.
In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 7c with continuing
reference to
Figures la-7b, during or after the rods 72a and 72b are positioned in the
subterranean substrate
32, the chemical fastener 14 is injected in its liquid state into the
subterranean substrate 32.
More particularly, the chemical fastener 14 is injected through the check
valve 88 as indicated
by an arrow 94, through the internal passage 76a of the tubular member 76,
through the internal
passage 74a of the tubular rod support 74, through the respective internal
passages 72aa and
72ba of the rods 72a and 72b and thus through the radially-aligned outlets 80a
and 78a and the
radially-aligned outlets 80b and 78b, through the pluralities of outlets 84
and 86, respectively,
and thus into the subterranean substrate 32 as indicated by arrows 96, 98, 100
and 102. The
chemical fastener 14 flows into voids present in the subterranean substrate 32
and surrounding
the outer tubular casing 64 and the rods 72a and 72b. In an exemplary
embodiment, the voids
are formed in the subterranean substrate 32 because of natural fractures in
the substrate 32,
and/or because of fractures that are formed due to the pressurized injection
of the chemical
fastener 14 into the substrate 32.
In an exemplary embodiment, to inject the chemical fastener 14 into the
subterranean
substrate 32 via the anchor 62, the static mixer 36 is connected to the check
valve 88 and thus
the anchor 62 in a manner substantially identical to the manner described
above in which the
static mixer 36 is connected to the check valve 28 and thus the anchor 12. And
the injection
gun 46 injects the chemical fastener 14 into and through the anchor 62, and
into the
subterranean substrate 32 in a manner substantially identical to the manner
described above in
which the injection gun 46 injects the chemical fastener 14 into and through
the anchor 12, and
into the subterranean substrate 32. Although the check valve 88 permits the
chemical fastener
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14 in its liquid state to flow in the direction indicated by the arrow 94, the
check valve 88
prevents the chemical fastener 14, and/or any other fluid, from flowing back
up and out from the
internal passage 76a in a direction opposite to the direction indicated by the
arrow 94.
In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 7d with continuing
reference to
Figures la-7c, before, during or after injection, the chemical fastener 14
gels and then cures
within the subterranean substrate 32, and adheres to the subterranean
substrate 32 and at least
portions of the respective external surfaces of the outer tubular casing 64
and the rods 72a and
72b. Additionally, any portion of the chemical fastener 14 remaining in the
internal passage 76a
of the tubular member 16 cures and adheres to the inside surface of the
tubular member 76,
any portion of the chemical fastener 14 remaining in the internal passage 74a
of the tubular rod
support 74 cures and adheres to the inside surface of the tubular rod support
74, any portion of
the chemical fastener 14 remaining in the internal passage 72aa of the rod 72
cures and
adheres to the inside surface of the rod 72a, and any portion of the chemical
fastener 14
remaining in the internal passage 72ba of the rod 72 cures and adheres to the
inside surface of
the rod 72b.
As a result of the curing of the chemical fastener 14, a conglomerate 104 is
formed, the
conglomerate 104 including the chemical fastener 14 and the portion of the
subterranean
substrate 32 adhered thereto. Via the cured chemical fastener 14, the
conglomerate 104 is
adhered to at least portions of the respective external surfaces of the outer
tubular casing 64
and the rods 72a and72b.
In several exemplary embodiments, the conglomerate 104 forms a root-like
pattern, an
abstract annular shape, a prismatic shape, a spiral pattern, and/or any
combination thereof. In
several exemplary embodiments, the pattern or shape of the conglomerate 104 is
based on the
type(s) of soil in the subterranean substrate 32, as well as other conditions
including, but not
limited to, environmental conditions and soil properties. In several exemplary
embodiments, the
conglomerate 104 adapts to the cohesion properties of the soil(s) in the
subterranean substrate
32. More particularly, by flowing into the voids within the subterranean
substrate 32, the
chemical fastener 14 and thus the conglomerate 104 formed therefrom adjust and
adapt to the
cohesion properties of the soil(s) in the substrate 32, forming patterns
and/or shapes based on
the properties of the soil(s).
In an exemplary embodiment, after installation and in operation, the anchoring
system
60 anchors to the ground surface 34 any equipment or structure(s) connected
to, or otherwise
engaged with, the anchor 62. The anchor 62 resists any movement of such
equipment or
structure due to external forces acting thereupon and caused by, for example,
high winds or
inclement weather. To resist such movement, the anchoring system 60 as a whole
resists the
pull-out of the anchor 62 from the subterranean substrate 32. In an exemplary
embodiment, the
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pull-out resistance of the anchoring system 60 is due at least in part to the
increased external
surface area defined by the conglomerate 104, which increased surface area
contacts the
remainder of the subterranean substrate 32 that is not part of the
conglomerate 104. In several
exemplary embodiments, due at least in part to the use of the rods 72a and
72b, the external
surface area defined by the conglomerate 104 is greater than the external
surface area defined
by the conglomerate 58 (shown in Figure 5) and, as a result, the pull-out
strength or resistance
of the anchoring system 60 is greater than that of the anchoring system 10. In
an exemplary
embodiment, the pull-out resistance of the anchoring system 60 is due at least
in part to the
ability of the conglomerate 104 to form pattern(s) and/or shape(s) based on
the type(s) of soil in
the subterranean substrate 32. In an exemplary embodiment, the pull-out
resistance of the
anchoring system 60 is due at least in part to the tensile strength and
tensile elongation of the
chemical fastener 14, as well as the gel time of the chemical fastener 14,
particularly in view of
the ability of the chemical fastener 14 to flow into the voids in the
subterranean substrate 32
surrounding the outer tubular casing 64 and the rods 72a and 72b.
In an exemplary embodiment, after installation and in operation, the anchoring
system
60 stabilizes the soil(s) within the subterranean substrate 32. In an
exemplary embodiment,
during operation, the anchoring system 60 stabilizes non-cohesive and low or
moderate
cohesion soils within the subterranean substrate 32. In an exemplary
embodiment, during
operation, the anchoring system 60 reduces the likelihood that the soil(s)
within the
subterranean substrate 32 will shift or otherwise undergo displacement.
In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 8 with continuing
reference to
Figures la-7d, an anchoring system is generally referred to by the reference
numeral 106 and
includes the chemical fastener 14 and an anchor 108. The anchor 108 includes
several
components of the anchor 62 of the anchoring system 60, which components are
given the
same reference numerals. As shown in Figure 8, the pointed tip 66 is omitted
in favor of a drill
bit 110, which is removably engaged with the outer tubular casing 64 at the
end portion 64c
thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the drill bit 110 is first inserted into
the internal passage
64a at the end portion 64b of the outer tubular casing 64, and is then
inserted through the
internal passage 64a until the drill bit 110 extends out from the end portion
64c, as shown in
Figure 8. In an exemplary embodiment, the drill bit 110 is retractable so that
it may be retracted
up through the internal passage 64a and out of the outer tubular casing 64, in
a direction from
the end portion 64c to the end portion 64b. In an exemplary embodiment, the
drill bit 110 is
collapsible and retractable so that it may be collapsed so as to have a
smaller outside diameter
or dimension, and then retracted up through the internal passage 64a and out
of the outer
tubular casing 64, in a direction from the end portion 64c to the end portion
64b.
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The remainder of the anchor 108 is substantially identical to the anchor 62
and thus will
not be described in further detail.
In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 9a with continuing
reference to
Figures la-8, to install the anchoring system 106, the outer tubular casing 64
is positioned in the
subterranean substrate 32. To so position the outer tubular casing 64, the
drill bit 110
penetrates the ground surface 34 and drills into the subterranean substrate
32. In an exemplary
embodiment, the outer tubular casing 64 is pulled downward, as viewed in
Figure 9a, as the drill
bit 110 drills into the subterranean substrate 32. In an exemplary embodiment,
the outer tubular
casing 64 is driven downward, as viewed in Figure 9a, as the drill bit 110
drills into the
subterranean substrate 32.
In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 9b with continuing
reference to
Figures la-9a, the drill bit 110 continues to drill into the subterranean
substrate 32, and the
outer tubular casing 64 continues to move downward as viewed in Figure 9b,
until the outer
tubular casing 64 is positioned at a desired location in the subterranean
substrate 32, relative to
the ground surface 34.
In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 9c with continuing
reference to
Figures la-9b, after the outer tubular casing 64 has been positioned at the
desired location in
the subterranean substrate 32, the drill bit 110 is removed from the anchoring
system 106. In
an exemplary embodiment, the drill bit 110 is retracted up through the
internal passage 64a and
out of the outer tubular casing 64, in a direction from the end portion 64c to
the end portion 64b.
In an exemplary embodiment, the drill bit 110 is collapsed so as to have a
smaller outside
diameter or dimension, and then retracted up through the internal passage 64a
and out of the
outer tubular casing 64, in a direction from the end portion 64c to the end
portion 64b.
In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 9d and 9e with
continuing
reference to Figures la-9c, during or after the outer tubular casing 64 of the
anchor 108 is
positioned in the subterranean substrate 32, the plurality of rods 72 of the
anchor 108 is
positioned in the subterranean substrate 32 by moving the tubular member 76
downward, as
indicated by an arrow 111 in Figure 9d. In an exemplary embodiment, the
plurality of rods 72 of
the anchor 108 is positioned in the subterranean substrate 32 in a manner
substantially identical
to the above-described manner in which the plurality of rods 72 of the anchor
62 is positioned in
the subterranean substrate 32.
In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 9e with continuing
reference to
Figures la-9d, during or after the rods 72a and 72b are positioned in the
subterranean substrate
32, the chemical fastener 14 of the anchoring system 106 in its liquid state
is injected into the
subterranean substrate 32. In an exemplary embodiment, the chemical fastener
14 of the
anchoring system 106 is injected into the subterranean substrate 32 in a
manner substantially
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identical to the above-described manner in which the chemical fastener 14 of
the anchoring
system 60 is injected into the subterranean substrate 32, with the chemical
fastener 14 of the
anchoring system 106 being injected through the check valve 88 as indicated by
an arrow 112,
and subsequently out of the rods 72a and 72b and into the subterranean
substrate 32, as
indicated by arrows 114, 116, 118 and 120.
In an exemplary embodiment, the anchoring system 106 forms a conglomerate (not
shown) in a manner substantially identical to the above-described manner in
which the
conglomerate 104 is formed. In an exemplary embodiment, the anchoring system
106 operates
in a manner substantially identical to the above-described manner in which the
anchoring
system 60 operates.
In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 10 with continuing
reference to
Figures la-9e, an anchoring system is generally referred to by the reference
numeral 122 and
includes the chemical fastener 14 and an anchor 124. The anchor 124 includes
several
components of the anchor 62 of the anchoring system 60, which components are
given the
same reference numerals. As shown in Figure 10, in addition to the outlets 78a
and 78b, the
plurality of outlets 78 further includes a radial outlet 78c that extends
radially through the outer
tubular casing 64 and another radial outlet (not shown) that extends radially
through the outer
tubular casing 64 and is diametrically opposed to the outlet 78c, resulting in
a total of four
outlets in the plurality of outlets 78. Correspondingly, in addition to the
outlets 80a and 80b, the
plurality of outlets 80 further includes a radial outlet 80c that extends
radially through the inner
sleeve 70 and another radial outlet (not shown) that extends radially through
the inner sleeve
70. And, in addition to the rods 72a and 72b, the plurality of rods 72
includes rods 72c and 72d,
which are connected to, and extend axially away from, the cap 82 of the
tubular rod support 74.
Each of the rods 72c and 72d is substantially identical to the rod 72a and
thus also to the rod
72b; therefore, each of the rods 72c and 72d includes a plurality of radial
openings, or radial
outlets, which are formed in the rod and are clustered together proximate the
respective pointed
tip of the rod. In several exemplary embodiments, the quantity of rods in the
plurality of rods 72
may be increased or decreased.
Instead of the wedge 68 of the anchor 62, the anchor 124 includes a wedge 126,
which
includes a cylindrical body 126a and an external threaded connection 126b.
Channels 126c
and 126d are formed in the cylindrical body 126a, thereby defining an edge
126e and an edge
126f perpendicular thereto. Each of the edges 126e and 126f is perpendicular
to the axial
extension of the cylindrical body 126a. The channel 126c defines wedge
surfaces 126g and
126h, and the channel 126d defines wedge surfaces 126i and 126j. The surfaces
126g and
126i extend axially away from the external threaded connection 126b and
towards the edge
126e. The surfaces 126h and 126j extend axially away from the external
threaded connection
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126b and converge at the edge 126f. Although not shown, two additional
channels are formed
in the body 126a, and are identical to the channels 126c and 126d,
respectively. The channels
126c and 126d are symmetric, about the edge 126e, to the two additional
channels. The
channel 126c and one of the two additional channels are symmetric, about the
edge 126f, to the
The remainder of the anchor 124 is substantially identical to the anchor 62
and thus will
not be described in further detail.
In an exemplary embodiment, the anchoring system 122 is installed in the
subterranean
substrate 32 in a manner that is substantially identical to the above-
described manner in which
the anchoring system 60 is installed in the subterranean substrate 32, except
that, in the
anchoring system 122, the rods 72c and 72d are positioned in the subterranean
substrate 32
along with the rods 72a and 72b, and the chemical fastener 14 is injected into
the subterranean
substrate 32 via the rods 72c and 72d, as well as the rods 72a and 72b. More
particularly,
during installation, the rods 72a and 72c extend within the channels 126c and
126d,
25 detail.
In an exemplary embodiment, the anchoring system 122 operates in a manner
substantially identical to the above-described manner in which the anchoring
system 60
operates. Therefore, the operation of the anchoring system 122 will not be
described in further
detail.
30 In an exemplary experimental embodiment, testing was conducted using an
experimental embodiment of the anchoring system 10. The experimental tubular
member 16
had an outside diameter of about 0.5 inches, and an inside diameter of about
0.3 inches. The
experimental chemical fastener 14 was a two-component polyurea elastomer
commercially
available as VersaFlex SL/75, from VersaFlex Incorporated, Kansas City,
Kansas. The
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spiral pattern, with each of the outlets 24 having a diameter of about 0.16
inches. Likewise, the
experimental plurality of outlets 26 included six outlets 26 arranged in a
spiral pattern, with each
of the outlets 26 having a diameter of about 0.16 inches. The experimental
plurality of outlets
24 was located about 2 inches above the experimental pointed tip 22, and the
experimental
plurality of outlets 26 was located about 3.5 inches above the experimental
pointed tip 22. The
experimental injection gun 46 included a Reactor E-10 Plural-Component
Proportioner, which is
available from Graco Inc. of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and a Series 450XT Snuff
Back Valve,
which is available from Nordson EFD, East Providence, Rhode Island. The
experimental
hydraulic connector 50 was a grease gun tip. The experimental testing was
conducted in an
experimental subterranean substrate 32 that had a top layer of rocky soil and
an under layer of
rocky clay soil that was slightly damp. An experimental 1/2 -inch diameter
hole was drilled into
the soil. The experimental tubular member 16 was manually forced into the
predrilled hole. The
experimental tubular member 16 was positioned in the soil so that the flange
18 was flush with
the ground surface 34. Before injecting the chemical fastener 14 into the
internal passage 16a
of the tubular member 16, the chemical fastener 14 was heated to a temperature
of about 100 F
to about 120 F in the experimental injection gun 46. After heating, the
chemical fastener 14
was injected into the internal passage 16a at a fluid pressure of about 2,000
psi for about 10
seconds. The volume of the chemical fastener 14 injected into the internal
passage 16a ranged
from about 12 oz. to about 24 oz. Three experimental embodiments of the
anchoring system 10
were tested, in accordance with the foregoing. The three experimental
embodiments of the
anchor system 10 were tested for vertical pull strength at least about 72
hours after the injection
of the chemical fastener 14. The experimental vertical pull strength was
determined by a
hoisting the flange 18 upward with a flatbed crane. The load was recorded with
a Chatillon
DFS-R-ND Dynamometer and a SLC-10000 load cell. Testing using the first
experimental
embodiment of the anchoring system 10 indicated a vertical pull strength of
about 4,045 lbs.
This was a surprising and unexpected result. Testing using the second
experimental
embodiment of the anchoring system 10 indicated a vertical pull strength of
about 4,750 lbs.
This was a surprising and unexpected result. Testing using the third
experimental embodiment
of the anchoring system 10 indicated a vertical pull strength of over 6,000
lbs. This was a
surprising and unexpected result.
In an exemplary embodiment, the anchoring system 10 may achieve a minimum
vertical
pull strength of at least about 500 lbs in a rocky-clay soil when the tubular
member 16 is about
16 inches in length and about 0.5 inches in outer diameter, the chemical
fastener 14 is a two-
component polyurea elastomer, and about 12 oz. of the chemical fastener 14 is
injected into the
tubular member 16.
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An anchoring method has been described that includes positioning a first
tubular
member in a subterranean substrate, the first tubular member defining a first
internal passage;
and forming, within the subterranean substrate, a conglomerate that is adhered
to the first
tubular member; wherein the conglomerate includes respective portions of the
subterranean
substrate and a chemical fastener in a cured state; and wherein forming the
conglomerate
includes injecting the chemical fastener in a liquid state into the first
internal passage so that the
chemical fastener in the liquid state flows from the first internal passage
and into the
subterranean substrate via at least a first radial opening formed in the first
tubular member. In
an exemplary embodiment, the chemical fastener has a gel time of at least
about 15 seconds, a
tensile strength of at least about 600 psi in the cured state, and a tensile
elongation of at least
about 240% in the cured state. In an exemplary embodiment, the chemical
fastener is a two-
component polyurea elastomer. In an exemplary embodiment, the chemical
fastener in the
liquid state is injected into the first internal passage at a pressure
sufficient to cause the
chemical fastener to flow through, and fracture, at least a portion of the
subterranean substrate.
In an exemplary embodiment, the chemical fastener in the liquid state is
injected into the first
internal passage in a first direction; and wherein forming the conglomerate
further includes
preventing the chemical fastener in the liquid state from flowing out of the
first internal passage
in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. In an exemplary
embodiment,
injecting the chemical fastener in the liquid state into the first internal
passage includes mixing
the chemical fastener in at least one mixing chamber; and after mixing the
chemical fastener in
the at least one mixing chamber, injecting the chemical fastener in the liquid
state into a second
internal passage so that the chemical fastener flows into the first internal
passage via at least
the second internal passage; wherein the chemical fastener is further mixed in
the second
internal passage as the chemical fastener flows therethrough. In an exemplary
embodiment,
positioning the first tubular member in the subterranean substrate includes
driving the first
tubular member into the subterranean substrate. In an exemplary embodiment,
positioning the
first tubular member in the subterranean substrate includes positioning a
second tubular
member in the subterranean substrate, the second tubular member defining a
second internal
passage; inserting the first tubular member into the second internal passage;
and bending the
first tubular member so that at least a portion thereof passes through a
second radial opening
formed in the second tubular member and penetrates the subterranean substrate;
wherein the
first radial opening is formed in the portion of the first tubular member and
thus passes through
the second radial opening. In an exemplary embodiment, positioning the first
tubular member in
the subterranean substrate further includes inserting a third tubular member
into the second
internal passage, the third tubular member defining a third internal passage;
wherein the first
tubular member is inserted into the third internal passage and thus into the
second internal
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passage; and wherein, before passing through the second radial opening, the
portion of the first
tubular member passes through a third radial opening formed in the third
tubular member, the
third radial opening being radially aligned with the second radial opening. In
an exemplary
embodiment, the chemical fastener is a two-component polyurea elastomer;
wherein injecting
the chemical fastener in the liquid state into the first internal passage
includes mixing the
chemical fastener in at least one mixing chamber; and after mixing the
chemical fastener in the
at least one mixing chamber, injecting the chemical fastener in the liquid
state into a second
internal passage so that the chemical fastener flows into the first internal
passage via at least
the second internal passage, wherein the chemical fastener is further mixed in
the second
internal passage as the chemical fastener flows therethrough; wherein the
chemical fastener in
the liquid state is injected into the first internal passage in a first
direction at a pressure sufficient
to cause the chemical fastener to flow through, and fracture, at least a
portion of the
subterranean substrate; and wherein forming the conglomerate further includes
preventing the
chemical fastener in the liquid state from flowing out of the first internal
passage in a second
direction that is opposite to the first direction.
An anchoring system has been described that includes a first tubular member
adapted to
be positioned in a subterranean substrate, the first tubular member defining a
first internal
passage; a first radial opening formed in the first tubular member; a chemical
fastener having
liquid and cured states; a first configuration in which the first tubular
member is positioned in the
subterranean substrate, the chemical fastener is in the liquid state, and the
chemical fastener is
permitted to flow from the first internal passage and into the subterranean
substrate via the first
radial opening; and a second configuration in which the first tubular member
is positioned in the
subterranean substrate, the chemical fastener is in the cured state, and the
anchoring system
further includes a conglomerate adhered to the first tubular member, the
conglomerate including
respective portions of the subterranean substrate and the chemical fastener in
the cured state.
In an exemplary embodiment, the chemical fastener has a gel time of at least
about 15 seconds,
a tensile strength of at least about 600 psi in the cured state, and a tensile
elongation of at least
about 240% in the cured state. In an exemplary embodiment, the chemical
fastener is a two-
component polyurea elastomer. In an exemplary embodiment, the anchoring system
includes a
valve in fluid communication with the first internal passage; wherein the
valve permits the
chemical fastener in the liquid state to flow in a first direction into the
first internal passage; and
wherein the valve prevents the chemical fastener in the liquid state from
flowing out of the first
internal passage in a second direction that is opposite to the first
direction. In an exemplary
embodiment, the anchoring system includes a second tubular member, the second
tubular
member defining a second internal passage adapted to be in fluid communication
with the first
internal passage via at least the valve; and a mixing chamber adapted to be in
fluid
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communication with the second internal passage; wherein, when the anchoring
system is in the
first configuration, the chemical fastener is permitted to be mixed in the
mixing chamber, to flow
from the mixing chamber and into the first internal passage via at least the
second internal
passage and the valve, and to be further mixed during its flow through the
second internal
passage. In an exemplary embodiment, the anchoring system includes a second
tubular
member adapted to be positioned in the subterranean substrate, the second
tubular member
defining a second internal passage in which a first portion of the first
tubular member is adapted
to extend; and a second radial opening formed in the second tubular member
through which a
second portion of the first tubular member is adapted to extend; wherein, when
the second
portion of the tubular member extends through the second radial opening, the
first radial
opening is located outside of the second tubular member. In an exemplary
embodiment, the
anchoring system includes a third tubular member adapted to extend within the
second internal
passage, the third tubular member defining a third internal passage in which
the first portion of
the first tubular member is adapted to extend and thus also extend in the
second internal
passage; a third radial opening formed in the third tubular member and adapted
to be radially
aligned with the second radial opening; wherein the second portion of the
first tubular member is
adapted to extend through the second and third radial openings when the second
and third
radial openings are radially aligned. In an exemplary embodiment, the
anchoring system
includes a tubular support connected to the first tubular member and adapted
to extend within
the third internal passage; wherein the tubular support and the first tubular
member are movable
within the third internal passage. In an exemplary embodiment, the first
tubular member is
movable within the third internal passage; and wherein the anchoring system
further includes a
wedge adapted to be connected to the third tubular member, the wedge defining
a surface
against which the first tubular member is adapted to contact to thereby cause
the second
portion of the first tubular member to bend and extend through the second and
third radial
openings when the second and third radial openings are radially aligned. In an
exemplary
embodiment, the anchoring system includes a valve in fluid communication with
the first internal
passage, wherein the valve permits the chemical fastener in the liquid state
to flow in a first
direction into the first internal passage, and wherein the valve prevents the
chemical fastener in
the liquid state from flowing out of the first internal passage in a second
direction that is opposite
to the first direction; a second tubular member, the second tubular member
defining a second
internal passage adapted to be in fluid communication with the first internal
passage via at least
the valve; and a mixing chamber adapted to be in fluid communication with the
second internal
passage, wherein, when the anchoring system is in the first configuration, the
chemical fastener
in the liquid state is permitted to be mixed in the mixing chamber, to flow
from the mixing
chamber and into the first internal passage via at least the second internal
passage and the
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valve, and to be further mixed during its flow through the second internal
passage; a third
tubular member adapted to be positioned in the subterranean substrate, the
third tubular
member defining a third internal passage in which a first portion of the first
tubular member is
adapted to extend; a second radial opening formed in the third tubular member
through which a
second portion of the first tubular member is adapted to extend, wherein, when
the second
portion of the tubular member extends through the second radial opening, the
first radial
opening is located outside of the third tubular member; a fourth tubular
member adapted to
extend within the third internal passage, the fourth tubular member defining a
fourth internal
passage in which the first portion of the first tubular member is adapted to
extend and thus also
extend in the third internal passage; a third radial opening formed in the
fourth tubular member
and adapted to be radially aligned with the second radial opening, wherein the
second portion of
the first tubular member is adapted to extend through the second and third
radial openings
when the second and third radial openings are radially aligned; and a wedge
adapted to be
connected to the fourth tubular member, the wedge defining a surface against
which the first
tubular member is adapted to contact to thereby cause the second portion of
the first tubular
member to bend and extend through the second and third radial openings when
the second and
third radial openings are radially aligned.
It is understood that variations may be made in the foregoing without
departing from the
scope of the disclosure.
In several exemplary embodiments, the elements and teachings of the various
illustrative
exemplary embodiments may be combined in whole or in part in some or all of
the illustrative
exemplary embodiments. In addition, one or more of the elements and teachings
of the various
illustrative exemplary embodiments may be omitted, at least in part, and/or
combined, at least in
part, with one or more of the other elements and teachings of the various
illustrative
embodiments.
Any spatial references such as, for example,
"upper," "lower," "above," "below,"
"between," "bottom," "vertical," "horizontal," "angular," "upward,"
"downward," "side-to-side," "left-
to-right," "left," "right," "right-to-left," "top-to-bottom," "bottom-to-top,"
"top," "bottom," "bottom-up,"
"top-down," etc., are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit
the specific orientation or
location of the structure described above.
In several exemplary embodiments, while different steps, processes, and
procedures are
described as appearing as distinct acts, one or more of the steps, one or more
of the processes,
and/or one or more of the procedures may also be performed in different
orders, simultaneously
and/or sequentially. In several exemplary embodiments, the steps, processes
and/or procedures
may be merged into one or more steps, processes and/or procedures. In several
exemplary
embodiments, one or more of the operational steps in each embodiment may be
omitted.
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Moreover, in some instances, some features of the present disclosure may be
employed without a
corresponding use of the other features. Moreover, one or more of the above-
described
embodiments and/or variations may be combined in whole or in part with any one
or more of the
other above-described embodiments and/or variations.
Although several exemplary embodiments have been described in detail above,
the
embodiments described are exemplary only and are not limiting, and those
skilled in the art will
readily appreciate that many other modifications, changes and/or substitutions
are possible in the
exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings
and advantages of
the present disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications, changes and/or
substitutions are
intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the
following claims. In
the claims, any means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the
structures described herein
as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but
also equivalent
structures.
