GB2180578A - Submerged transportation tube - Google Patents

Abstract

A tube (A) for carrying traffic comprises interconnected prefabricated reinforced concrete sections (C). Each section (C) comprises a flood chamber (F, Fig. 3), whereby its buoyancy and thus submerged depth can be controlled, and adjustable coupling devices (D, Fig. 3) whereby it may be coupled to an adjacent section and the resultant joint tightened to make it water tight. The sections (C) may be manoeuvred during assembly by a reusable, split submarine vessel (G, J) housable within the sections and having a front control section (G) and rear propulsion unit (J). When the section containing the vessel (G, J) has been joined to an adjacent, laid section, the front section (G) is moved back to join the rear section (J) bringing with it the portable bulkhead (H) which as the vessel (G, J) withdraws, is then positioned at the end of the newly laid section (C) to allow work eg. installation of lighting and air conditioning to be carried out while a new section (C) is added. The vessel (G, J) can then be introduced into a new section (C) and the process repeated. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Submersible transportation tube This invention relates to a Submersible Transportation Tube.

Methods of moving land traffic across relatively narrow waterways are well known, being tunnels, bridges or boats.

The commonest fixed cross-water passages, tunnels and bridges both have limitations in certain applications. Specifically, the English Channel and similar straits carrying dense shipping traffic would be severely restricted by the construction of a bridge to carry land traffic across.

The cost and work involved in tunnelling and the time taken along with the attendant risk of collapse and flooding makes this method enormously expensive.

According to the present invention, there is provided a means of carrying road and rail traffic across obstructing water-ways combining the advantages of bridges and tunnels without the disadvantages of either.

A submersible buoyant tube wherein are contained carriageways for roads and railways, constructed in prefabricated concrete sections is proposed.

Specific embodiments will now be discussed by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the assembled tube under water.

Figure 2 shows partially constructed tube with a new section being positioned for coupling to the tube.

Figure 3a shows an isometric view of a tube section marking all the salient points.

Figure 3b gives a sectional view of a tube section with the Control and Power Units in position for manoeuvring.

Referring to the drawing (Fig 1). The tube comprises of prefabricated reinforced concrete sections with built in steel coupling collars at each end and having a flood chamber whose capacity is sufficient to cause submersion of the tube when filled with water.

Inflatable seals are affixed to the coupling collars at each end of the tube sections.

Housed within a tube section and situate at each end thereof is a mobile steel vessel, suitably shaped to fit neatly within the desired section.(Fig 3b) These vessels are equipped with an inflatable seal around the perimeter of the vessel which fits flush-faced with the end of the tube section.

The vessel at one end of the tube section is equipped with a power unit and a propelling device and is hereafter referred to as the Driving Unit.

The vessel at the other end of the tube section is equipped with appropriate controls and is hereafter referred to as the Control Unit.

The Control Unit additionally has a porthole in its face and in the first instance carries a detatchable flat member of suitable profile to neatly fit into the desired tube section. This detatchable member is in fact a portable bulkhead and is also equipped with inflatable perimeter seals.

Construction or Erection of the tube is as follows: The concrete tube section (C) with the Control and Driving Units (G) & (J) in place at each end and with the seals inflated is transported to the desired position by tugs or by specially constructed ship and correctly orientated.

The flood chamber (F) of the tube section (C) is flooded to cause the section to sink.

When the section (C) reaches the sea-bed or its alternative pre-determined depth, buoyancy is restored sufficient to hold the section at the desired level. This is effected by an operator within the Control Unit controlling the operation of pumps or compressed air ejection into the flood chamber.

The operator then activates the motor in the Driving Unit (J) such as to drive the whole tube section toward the end of the partially constructed tube (A), to which it is to be attatched or coupled by means of the coupling devices contained within the coupling collars (D).(Fig 2).

When coupling is achieved, the inter-section face seals (L) are inflated and the coupling tightened.

After deflating the perimeter seals (K), the Control Unit (G) is driven back down the tube section until it reaches the Driving Unit (J), to which it couples itself.

The perimeter seal(K) of this Unit is then also deflated and the combined Unit manoeuvred out of the tube by use of the selfcontained power unit and propelling device.

Flood chambers within this submarine vessel would be flooded as necessary to maintain stable buoyancy.

When the detatchable bulkhead (H) on the front of the Control Unit (G) reaches a position in the tube section (C) bringing its face flush with the end surface of the tube section, the perimeter seal (K) is inflated and this member detatched from the main Unit, which then moves away and surfaces in the normal manner of a submarine.

The detatched portable bulkhead (H), sealed into the end of the submerged tube (A) remains in position until the next tube section is positioned in the manner just described, when it is moved to the end of the newly attatched tube section.

The removable split submarine vessel, made up of the Control and Driving Units (G) & (J) is re-usable and is inserted into the next tube section after regaining the surface.

Claims (8)

1. A submersible transportation tube comprising of prefabricated sections with means for coupling together and incorporating flood and buoyancy chambers for stabilising the position of the tube and section at any desired depth of water.

2. Submersible tube sections as claimed in Claim 1 wherein temporary self-propelled equipments are incorporated for the purpose of providing removable bulkheads against incursion of water.

3. Submersible tube sections as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein temporary selfcontained equipment is contained for the purpose of driving, steering and manoeuvring the tube section to the required position.

4. Submersible tube sections as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein are incorporated means at-each end of the sections for coupling the sections together to provide a continuous transportation tube.

5. Submersible tube sections as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein means are incorporated to provide seals against incursion of water at all points of coupling, connecting or joining between sections or between sections and terminal blocks.

6. Submersible tube sections as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3 or Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein the coupling means between sections may be operated, regulated or otherwise physically manipulated or worked to provide a positive adjustable connection between sections as desired.

7. Submersible tube sections substantially as described herein and with reference to the drawings (Figs 2 & 3).

8. A Submersible Transportation Tube substantially as described herein and with reference to the drawing (Fig 1).