SBIR-STTR Award

The ELCAS(M) can be made operational significantly faster by implementing a superior technology for steel pile cut off The current practice uses manual cutting torches to cut the piles while being supported by a crane. Approximately 60 hours of valuable crane time are required to cut and remove more than 160 piles for a 3000 foot long causeway. A concept that improves the current steel pile cutting process with minimal impact the existing logistics support structure would meet the objectives of this task. One concept will use a modular multi-head, oxy-acetylene torch array (MOTA) to perform the cutoff operation. The Automated Plasma Arc (APA) Rapid Pipe Pile Cutter concept is similar in configuration to the MOTA concept. A plasma arc torch is substituted for the oxyacetylene torch array. A review of the ELCAS(M) assembly procedure lead to the development of a pile handling concept to eliminate the crane from the cutting operation entirely -- saving 60 hours or 2.5 days of crane time. The development of a simple, two-axis hydraulic pile gripper (BPG) allows a forklift type vehicle to support and handle the steel piles during and after the cutting procedure.

Keywords:
Portable Equipment Cutter Pile Handling Plasma Arc Causeway Oxyacetylene

The ELCAS(M) can be made operational sigificantly faster by implementing superior technologies for steel pile cut off and handling. The current practice uses manual cutting torches to cut the piles while being supported by a crane. Approximately 60 hours of valuable crane time are required to cut and remove more than 160 piles for a 3000 foot long causeway. The proposed technologies have been proven under Phase I to be more efficient than current cutting and handling methods with minimal impact the existing logistics support structure. The Rapid Pipe Pile Cutter (RPPC) uses state-of-the-art automated Plasma Arc technonlogy. Up to 60 hours or 2.5 days of crane time are saved when the steel piles are supported and handled using the forklift mounted hydrualic pile gripper (HPG). The deployment efficiency can be further increased by incorporating welding capability into the RPPC design. The technologies will be developed under Phase II for transition into military, commercial and international markets.

Keywords:
Plasma Arc, Cutter, Hydraulic Gripper, Portable Equipment, Pile, Handling Causeway