IHC Hydraulic Hammers

Offshore Energy Services, Inc. (OES) has been operating the S-90 and S-150 IHC Hydraulic Hammers since the year 2000.

Since that time, we have installed several hundred well conductors and caissons. The IHC Hydro Hammer has proven to be very safe and efficient during these operations. The quicker cycle of the ram movement is the key component for its efficiency. The ram can strike the pile more than 50 times per minute which reduces the soil setup time around the pile. With less resistance from the soil, the pile advances to a deeper depth as opposed to that of the conventional diesel hammers. The other distinct advantage over the diesel hammer is its safety features. The IHC Hydro Hammer can be turned off at the push of a button. It will even shut itself off in the event that the pile free falls from below the hammer. The hammer’s sensors detect the hammer is no longer on the pile and, in this instance, it immediately shuts itself off. The hammer is also very safe to the environment. It produces less noise than diesel hammers and does not give off waste gases (smoke or steam) as associated with other pile hammers. The hydraulic system itself is  totally enclosed and uses environmentally friendly hydraulic oil.

The IHC Hydro Hammer can even be operated under water with the properly configured ballast weights and purging air system.

Operating Cycle of the IHC Hydro Hammer:

The operating cycle begins with an upward movement involving the lifting of the ram (incorporating the ram, the ram point and the piston rod). Valve P in the pressure line is open and valve R in the return line is closed. Once the preset stroke has been reached, valve P closes and valve R opens allowing the ram to start its downward movement. The ram is accelerated by a pressurized gas buffer above the main pistons giving the ram an acceleration of up to 2g. This reduces the actual stroke distance required and increases the blow rate of the hammers.

The ram is guided by upper and lower oil or grease lubricated bearings. This eliminates nearly all wear on the ram and allows the hammer to work at all inclinations, even horizontally with the proper configuration.

At impact, the ram strikes a solid steel anvil that rests on top of the steel pipe pile. There are no cushion materials between the ram and the anvil which allows for nearly 100% of the energy to be transferred into the pile.

Manufactured in Kinderdijk, Holland, the IHC Hydro Hammer B.V. designs, builds and supplies hydraulic piling hammers, for on- and offshore use and is known throughout the world for its innovative approach.