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Fall pipe
EP0668211A1
European Patent Office
- Other languages
German French - Inventor
Marcel Van Laer - Current Assignee
- Tideway BV
Worldwide applications
Application EP95200266A events
1995-08-23
1998-07-29
Application granted
1998-07-29
2015-02-06
Anticipated expiration
Status
Expired - Lifetime
Description
translated from
-
[0001] This invention concerns a fall pipe for dumping materials, in particular but not exclusively stones, onto a bottom situated under water. -
[0002] It is known to equip ships with a fall pipe and different structures have been suggested therefor. Dumping quarry stones at high depths (300 to 600 m) onto the seabottom is done regularly nowadays. The problems which arise upon dumping stones and similar materials at such depths and after all also at relatively small depths are i.a. the consequences of currents, movements of the ship upon violent wind etc. -
[0003] It has already been proposed to construct a fall pipe to be used for this object with water permeable elements, i.a. by using a steel network. Examples thereof are described in the following patents or published applications : NL 7904516 and NL 188938. -
[0004] Possibly, it could also be considered to use slightly conical elements sliding into one another for constructing the fall pipe. Finally, it has also been proposed to use a fall pipe consisting of elements having a specific weight equal to or less than that of the water. In this respect see Norwegian application 773352. -
[0005] All of these structures offer only partially a solution to the set requirements. Steel networks are easily damaged by the falling material and smaller material can be lost through these networks. -
[0006] The use of elements sliding into one another does not offer the desired solution either, i.a. namely since an uncontrolled water inflow in the fall pipe occurs between these elements. -
[0007] Light-weight fall pipes with a specific weight as mentioned hereinabove are difficult to reinforce when they reach large lengths. -
[0008] The invention has therefore as object to provide a new and original fall pipe, offering simultaneously the required strength and flexibility so that the stones can be dumped under good circumstances at the required place onto the bottom and at the desired depth. -
[0009] In order to enable this in conformity with the invention, the fall pipe according to the invention is mainly composed of a series of tubular elements piled up onto one another and supported by at least two cables, which elements are arranged at both ends to fit against a corresponding end of an adjacent tubular element of said series, and comprise at both ends a flange defining together with a flange of said adjacent tubular element an annular space wherein at least one resilient sealing ring is applied between said flanges. -
[0010] The sealing ring or rings between both flanges provide for a waterproof sealing between two successive tubular elements so that there is no uncontrolled water inflow in the fall pipe. Such an inflow can now, if desired, occur in a controllable way at the top of the fall pipe. Of course, in this way no fine material can further escape between two successive elements in the fall pipe according to the invention. The fall pipe according to the invention further also allows a limited flexion, which is required to permit the outlet of the fall pipe to be positioned correctly. -
[0011] Still according to the invention, said flanges are provided with at least one raised edge directed towards the adjacent tubular element, with said raised edges of the flanges which are situated at two ends fitting against one another, sliding fittingly into one another. -
[0012] These raised edges permit the different elements of the fall pipe to be put quickly and easily accurately onto one another and prevent these elements from displacing laterally with respect to each other. -
[0013] The invention further relates to a tubular element for constructing a fall pipe according to the invention and which shows more particularly the characteristics as indicated inclaim 12. -
[0014] Other details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a fall pipe according to the invention. This description is only given by way of example and does not limit the invention. The reference numerals relate to the figures annexed hereto. -
[0015] - Figure 1 is a longitudinal section in the area of the connection between two tubular elements.
- Figure 2 is a perspective view, on a smaller scale, of two elements and two cables pertaining thereto.
- Figure 3 is a top view, on a larger scale, of a tubular element.
- Figure 4 is a section according to line IV-IV in Figure 5 and shows a locking plate in top view.
- Figure 5 is a section according to line V-V in Figure 4.
- Figure 6 is a section according to line VI-VI in Figure 4.
- Figure 7 shows schematically the lower end of the fall pipe.
-
[0016] The fall pipe shown in these figures, is composed of a series of tubular, more particularlycylindrical elements 1 piled up onto one another and supported by two or possiblymore cables 2. Both ends of thecylindrical elements 1 are arranged to fit against a corresponding end of an adjacent cylindrical element 1'. -
[0017] Eachcylindrical element 1 shows at its two ends a outwardly directed flange. For the clarity of the description and supposing that the drawings show the fall pipe in vertical position, these flanges are represented asupper flange 3 andlower flange 4. -
[0018] In theannular space 5 which is defined by theflanges adjacent elements 1, 1', a resilient seal is provided which consists in the here represented example of threerubber rings 6 which are mutually separated bysteel rings 7 having a rectangular cross section. As a result thereof, themiddle rubber ring 6 is caught between twosteel rings 7 while the upper and thelower rubber rings 6 are each caught between asteel ring 7 and a portion of theflanges 3, respectively 4. -
[0019] Thesteel rings 7 show a rectangular cross section so that therubber rings 6 remain always in contact with the large flat side of thesesteel rings 7. -
[0020] In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, theflanges cylindrical element 1, l' are provided with a raisededge cylindrical element 1' and 1 respectively, and sliding fittingly into one another. Due to theseedges cylindrical elements 1, l' correctly with respect to one another and a mutual displacement of theseelements 1, 1' is further avoided. Theedges elements 1, 1'. -
[0021] When the fall pipe is flexed locally or over its entire length, the differentcylindrical elements 1 composing this fall pipe can each form two by two an angle, as shown by Figure 1. On one side therubber rings 6 will be compressed (at the left in Figure 1) and on the opposite side (at the right in the same figure) they will be released. -
[0022] In order to permit the differentcylindrical elements 1 to move in this way with respect to one another, at least one of the raisededges -
[0023] Due to the bevelled contact surfaces, the cylindrical elements (1, 1') will not be clamped at theirflanges edge 9 of theupper flange 3 of an element 1' which is situated at the bottom is bevelled, the same effect could be achieved by bevelling the outer surface of the raisededge 8 of alower flange 4. Vice versa, the raisededge 8 of thelower flange 4 could also be situated at the outer side of the raisededge 9 of theupper flange 3. -
[0024] Theupper flanges 3 are locally supported byknee pieces 20. -
[0025] The entire fall pipe structure is thus formed by differentcylindrical elements 1, 1'. These elements are caught over the entire length of the fall pipe between twocables 2, which are more particularly fixed to the lowermost element of the fall pipe. As a result of the own weight of the different elements, these elements lie onto one another so that heavy connections between the different elements are not required. -
[0026] -
[0027] Considered in top view, thelocking plates 11 show aninner rounding 12 having a radius adapted to the diameter of thecables 2. -
[0028] This ensures a correct and technically reliable positioning of the differentcylindrical elements 1 composing the fall pipe over the entire length of thesecables 2. -
[0029] As it appears from Figures 4, 5 and 6, thelocking plates 11 are provided withpins 13 which are applied inholes 14 provided in theupper flanges 3 for fixing theseplates 11 onto theupper flanges 3. In this way, applying such alocking plate 11 can be done easily and quickly, after thecable 2 has been pushed in thenotch 10. -
[0030] For blocking thepins 13, use could possibly be made of split pins. In the preferred embodiment according to the figures, this is however not required but thepins 13 are automatically blocked in theholes 14 by applying a furthercylindrical element 1. As it appears from Figure 6, thelocking plate 11 is more particularly blocked by the raisededge 8 of thelower flange 4 of theupper element 1. The shape of this raisededge 8 in the area of the lockingplate 11 is adapted to the shape of thisplate 11. -
[0031] Due to the own weight of the usually metalcylindrical elements 1, which clearly have a larger specific weight than water, no further mutual fixing of thedifferent elements 1, 1' is required. -
[0032] All of thecylindrical elements 1, 1' are internally provided with aprotective layer 15. This layer may consist of natural or synthetic rubber or a technically equivalent material. The thickness of the protective layer is nearly twice the thickness of the wall of the steelcylindrical elements 1, 1'. -
[0033] Preferably, theresilient lining layer 15 protrudes out of thecylindrical element 1 and fits resiliently against the corresponding lining layer of an adjacent element 1' whereby a bulge may be formed locally. In this way, a good connection is obtained between bothelements 1, 1'. -
[0034] The lowermost end of the fall pipe is shown in Figure 7, which end is more particularly provided with a so-called "remote operated vehicle". This remote controllable unit comprises a central shute which is mounted telescopically with respect to the lowermost elements of the fall pipe. By means of thecables 17, the heaving movements of the ship can be compensated for in such a manner that the device is situated at a constant distance from the bottom. -
[0035] On the unit are provided folding supportingarms 18 for all kinds of sensors and/or cameras. For the control of the unit, and thus for the correct positioning of the lowermost end of the fall pipe, thrusters are provided on the unit, as already known per se. -
[0036] From the description of the fall pipe according to the invention, it clearly appears that a fall pipe structure which is adaptable to all depths and working circumstances is made feasible. This fall pipe offers the required flexibility and from a lifting structure with winches for the cables mounted on the ship, cylindrical elements can be added to or removed from the fall pipe. -
[0037] The invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein by way of example and modifications could be applied hereto, provided they fall within the scope of the claims.
Claims (11)
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Claims (11)
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1. A fall pipe for dumping materials, in particular stones, onto a bottom situated under water, characterised in that it is mainly composed of a series of tubular elements piled up onto one another and supported by at least two cables (2), said elements (1) being arranged at both ends to fit against a corresponding end of an adjacent tubular element of said series, and comprise at both ends a flange (3, 4) defining together with a flange (4, 3) of said adjacent tubular element (1') an annular space (5) wherein at least one resilient sealing ring (6) is applied between said flanges (3, 4).
2. A fall pipe according to claim 1, characterised in that said flanges (3, 4) are provided with at least one raised edge (9, 8) directed towards the adjacent tubular element (1, 1'), with said raised edges (9, 8) of the flanges (3, 4) which are situated at two ends fitting against one another, sliding fittingly into one another.
3. A fall pipe according to claim 2, characterised in that at least one of the raised edges (8, 9) sliding fittingly into one another has a bevelled contact surface.
4. A fall pipe according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterised in that notches are provided in the flanges (3, 4) for said cables (2), with means (11) being provided on the flange (3) of each of said elements, which is situated at the top in the use position for locking the cables (2) in said notches (10). 5. A fall pipe according to claim 4, characterised in that said locking means comprise a locking plate (11) with pins (13) for fixing this plate (11) around the respective cable (2) on said upper flange (3).
6. A fall pipe according to claim 5, characterised in that said locking plate (11) is blocked between two adjacent flanges (3, 4) of two adjacent elements (1, 1'), in particular between said upper flange (3) and said raised edge (8) directed towards said upper flange (3) of a flange (4) of the adjacent tubular element (1) cooperating with this upper flange (3).
7. A fall pipe according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, characterised in that said tubular elements (1, 1') have an inner wall lined with a resilient protective material (15).
8. A fall pipe according to claim 7, characterised in that said resilient protective material (15) is natural or synthetic rubber.
9. A fall pipe according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that said lining (15) protrudes out of the tubular element (1) and fits resiliently against the corresponding lining (15) of an adjacent tubular element (1').
10. A fall pipe according to any one of the claims 1 to 9, characterised in that said tubular elements (1, 1') are mainly cylindrical.
11. A fall pipe according to any one of the claims 1 to 10, characterised in that it comprises at the bottom a remote controllable unit with a central shute (16) which is mounted telescopically with respect to the lower elements of the fall pipe.
12. A tubular element for a fall pipe according to any one of the claims 1 to 11, characterised in that it is arranged at both ends to fit against a corresponding end of a further tubular element (1') and comprises at both ends further a flange (3, 4) provided to define together with a flange (4, 3) of said further tubular element an annular space (5) wherein at least one sealing ring (6) is to be applied for sealing the connection between both elements (1, 1').