DESIGN OF A PIPE ALIGNMENT ASSEMBLY FOR THE MECHANIZED WELL INSTALLATION PURDUE UTLITY PROJECT (PUP) VEHICLE

This research outlines the engineering design, fabrication, and testing processes used to design a manufacturable attachment to safely secure and accommodate water-well pipes, as they are driven into soil by the force of a driving ram on the well-driver utility vehicle. The Purdue Utility Project (PUP) Well-Driver Vehicle is an ongoing research project conducted by the Purdue University Agricultural & Biological Engineering Department. The well-driver machine does not feature a component to safely constrain water-well pipes, when being struck by the hydraulically lifted ram. After testing four prototype designs, the final solution was designed and fabricated. The pipe alignment assembly was secured at the base of the well driver frame using a heavy-duty pin mounting system that allows the assembly to be configured in either operational position or transport position by the removal and installation of one clevis-pin. The pipe alignment assembly increased well-pipe stabilization using a hinged locking jaw plate to clamp the pipe in position, while providing a simplistic method for the operator to load multiple pipe sections.