US1182446A - Combined coffer-dam and crib. - Google Patents

Description

W. D. BARBER.

COMBINED COFFER DAM AND CRIB.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 20. |9|4.

1,182,446. Patented May 9,1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

W. D. BARBER.

COMBINED COFFER DAM AND CRIB.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 20. 1914.

1, 182,446. Patented May 9, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- J a f WILLIAM D. BARBER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

COMBINED COFFEE-DAM AIID CRIB,

Specification of Letters Patent,

Patented May 9, 1916.

I Application filed May 20, 1914. Serial No. 839,690.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM D. BARBER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Coffer-Dams and'Cribs, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of my specification.

-My invention relates to a construction adapted for use either as a portable cofferdam or caisson in the construction of submarine work such as tunnels under lakes or other large bodies of water, foundations for light-houses, bulkheads, and other deep water foundation work; or as a permanent crib for use in connection with the water supply of a municipality, where the crib is to be situated at a distance from the shoreline and thewater supplied by gravity to the pumping station or stations located on shore.

The object of the invention is to provide a construction which may be floated to the predetermined point of location and there sunk into place for the purpose of constructing or preparing the necessary deepwater foundation work or tunnel-leads, at the conclusion whereof, the apparatus may again be floated and transportedto a second predetermined point and again sunk into place for the purpose of constructing connecting tunnel-leads, etc., after which the operation of again floating and transporting the apparatus may berepeated until the submarine work or tunneling has been completed, at which point the apparatus may be left in sunken position to constitute the foundation for a permanent cr'ib, supplied with the desired number of intakes or ports whereby the water may be drawn from divergent points near or at the bottom of the lake and conveyed by meansof the shaft of the crib through the connecting tunnel tothe pumping station or stations on shore.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction that will offer a minimum amount of resistance to ware-action in case of storms and possess the requisite strength necessary for an apparatus of this character; and at the same time provide a construction of proper proportions or capacity at the bottom, not only to give requisite stability to the apparatus but also permit of a suitable number of inlets and waterpassages and controlling means commensin rate with the requirements of a suitable water-crib.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction which, when sunk-into place, will firmly embed itself into the clay bottom or hard pan of the lake, or other body of water, to a predetermined extent and insure its permanent and water-tight setting.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction that is adapted for use as a temporary cofferdam or caisson,-

having provision for the housing of the necessary machinery, and shafts or passages for lifts, and the like, necessary in the construction of tunnels,'etc.; the whole being so constructed that, upon completion of the tunnels. or other submarine work, it may constitute the permanent crib structure, the shafts or passages being employed as passages or conduits for the water leading to the 'wellor inner compartment or shaft of the crib which connects with the intake-shaft or tunnel leading to shore.

The above enumerated objects, and other advantages inherent in the construction, will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the drawings, where- 1112- q Figure l is a vertical sectional view of my improved construction. Fig. 2 is a cross-section taken on the line a-a of Fig. 1, looking downwardly. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view partly in elevation and partly in section, disclosing the general adaptation of my invention.

In the particular exemplification of the invention, the construction is preferably shown cylindrical in general contour and comprises a plurality of concentricallyarranged metallic shells, each composed of a suitable number of separate sections or portions properly caulked and secured to gether by rivets or otherwise, so as to provide a water-tight formation of a height to extend sufiiciently'above the water-level and wave-action of a lake or other body, of water. The outer wall of the cofl'erdam or crib is formed by the steel or metallic shell 10. the upper end whereof, for a suitabledistance, being preferably formed of smaller circumference than the lower end,

which latter is shown flared or enlarged as very clearly seen at 10 in Fig. 1. The enlarged end is preferably secured by pro- -viding the sloping portion or section 'tion or section 10*.

i a cofferdam or caisson, and as the wall of the well or shaft connecting with the tunnel or'shaft leading to shore, when the apparatus is intended for permanent use as a crib.

The proper relative position of the inner shell 11 is maintained by the radially disposed partitions 12; of which any suitable number may be employed; and the space between the shells 10 and 11, is provided with a bottom 13, preferably secured by means of suitable angle irons 14 and 15, to the shells 10 and 11, as very clearly shown in Fig. 1. The bottom 13 may be made continuous throughout the circumferential space, or it may be formed of separate sections corresponding with the spaces intermediate of the outer and inner shells 10 and 11, and adjacent partitions 12, in which event the various bottom sections must be firmly secured to all of said elements or portions in order to provide water-tight compartments intermediate of the shells and the radially disposed partitions or walls.

The bottom 13 is secured some distance radially disposed walls 12, it is apparent that the apparatus is divided into a plurality of compartments, as very clearly disclosed in the sectional view, Fig. 2, which are preferably made water-tight so that any number of compartments may. be filled with Water for a predetermined distance while others may be empty for the purpose of carrying on necessary operations or re'pairs as the case may be.

At suitable points intermediate of the radial walls 12, each compartment is preferably provided with a verticallydisposed shaft or passage-way 16, of any desired shape in cross-section, being formed of any suitable material, as for example sheet metal suitably secured to the outer wall, as

shown in Fig. 2.- These shafts or passageways 16 extend from a point adjacent the bottom 13 to a point preferably somewhat above the lake or water level as disclosed in Fig. 1.

At points coincident with the lower ends of the'conduits 16, the outer wall or shell 10 is provided with suitable ports or openings indicated at the points 17, which are surrounded by suitable flanges, as at 18, bolted or otherwise secured to the outer shell 10; the flanges being adapted to receive 'the flanged ends of suitable intake pipes or conduits when the apparatus is employed as a permanent water crib. \Vhile the apparatus is used-as a cofferdam or caisson, and therefore before the pipes or conduits are secured to the flanges 18, the openings are closed by a removable cap or plate as shown at 19, so that water cannot enter the shafts or passage-ways 16 while the apparatus is being floated to place and while 7 it is, employed as a temporary structure.

At a suitable point intermediate of the outer shell 10, and the inner shell 11, and therefore concentrically in the particular exemplification shown, is an intermediate partition or wall 20, of sheet metal, extending from a point somewhat above the bottom 13 to a point coincident with the tops of the shafts or passage-ways 16, see Fig. 1; although, if desired, the wall 20 may be ex tended to the tops of shells or walls 10 and 11. The wall or shell 20 is preferably made of sections commensurate with the distance between adjacent walls 12, and suitably bolted or secured thereto as indicated at 21 in Fig. 2. Aside from dividing each radially disposed compartment into two cham cated at 22, see Fig. 1, whereby communication between each -shaft or passage-way 16 and the chambers intermediate of the intermediate wall 20 and the outer shell or wall 10 may be established; the valve being adapted to beoperable from the upper part of the apparatus above the water-level, by means of a suitable operating rod indicated at 23.

The intermediate wall 20 in each radially disposed chamber or compartment, is also provided with valve-controlled port or opening'as shown at 24, preferably at a point coincident with the valve-controlled port 22, whereby communication may be established between v the outer chamber or compartment and the inner chamber or compartment located intermediate of the intel-mediate wall 20 and the inner wall or shell 11; and the valve may be operable from the upper part of the apparatus, like the one previously described, by means of an operating rod 25.

The inner wall or shell 11 is also provided with valve-controlled ports 26, preferably at points coincident with the ports 22 and 24, whereby communication between the compartments and the shaft or interior of shell 11 may be had; the valves of the ports 26 being operable like the others by means of rod 27 It will be understood from the foregoing, that as many valve-controlled ports 22, 24, and 26 are provided as there are radially disposed chambers or compartments provided with the vertically.disposed shafts or passage-ways 16.

In addition to the flanged ports 17, the outer shell or wall 10 is also preferably provided with suitable valvecontrolled inlets as shown at 28, located at a suitable point beneath the normal water-level; the valves being controlled from above by suitable means 29.

The upper part of the apparatus may be provided with one or more galleries; for example it is shown provided with an extended or cantalivered top 30, shown surrounded with a suitable railing as indicated at 31, Fig. 1; the top not only providing a suitable covering for the various shafts, chambers or compartments, but also providing a suitable platform for the placing of necessary implements as well as space for the placing or housing of supplies, sleeping quarters, etc.; the platform or top 30 may be extended beyond and about the entire upper part of the structure.

Beneath the top 30, I illustrate the struei ture provided with a second platform 32, which may be supported by suitable angleirons as shown at 33; this second platform 32 being adapted to receive the necessary machinery, heating plant and other equipment for use in construction and operation.

The platform 32 is preferably provided with one or more manholes, normally closed, as shown at 34 Fig. 1, whereby access to the portion of the structure beneath the platform 32 may be had.

Extending from the top to and through the bottom 13, I provide one or more pipes or conduits 35, see Fig. 1. The conduits or pipes 35 extend through suitably packed apertures in the bottom plate 13; while the upper end of the tube or pipe 35 is provided with a proper valve as at 36.

In practice, the construction that has heretofore been described is built before the steel cofi'erdam or crib is towed out to the point where it is to be located, either temporarily or permanently; the shells or Walls having been provided with the ports previously described, which, of course, are suitably closed by caps or valves, so that the water can not enter the compartments or chambers intermediate of the outer wall or shell 10 and the inner wall or shell 11.

The apparatus, as has thus far been described, may be readily floated and towed out to the place where it is to be employed either as a cofl'erdam, or as a water-crib. WVhen the apparatus has reached the point in the lake or other body of water where it is to be located, the valve-controlled port or ports 28 are then opened to permit water to flow into chambers or compartments intermediate of the outer shell 10 and inner shell 11, which will induce the apparatus to gradually sink into place until the lower or cutting edges of walls or shells 10 and 11 rest on the bottom of the lake.

If the structure is to be used as a permanent water crib, the water beneath the bottom or floor 13 is then pumped from beneath the floor by means of the pipe or pipes 35, after which the lower edges 10 and 11 will cut into the clay bottom and become firmly embedded up to the bottom or floor 13.

It is also evident that if it is desired to again float the apparatus, this can readily be effected by closing the valve-openings or ports 28, pumping the water out of the respective chambers or compartments, and, if necessary, forcing air or water through pipe or pipes 35, beneath the floor.

In order that the outer Wall may be sufliciently reinforced and rigid, especially when the structure is to be permanently used as a water-crib, and after the apparatus has been properly placed, the inner side of wall or shell 10 may be lined with reinforced concrete as shown at 37, comprising steel I- beams and tie-rods or other steel shapes suitable to strengthen the walls of the apparatus; and in practice, it may also be desirable to provide the bottom 13 with a floor or covering of concrete as shown at 38 in Fig. 1. In some instances, it may also be desirable to line the interior of shell 11 in a similar manner, especially where the apparatus is employed as a water-crib.

In the use of my improved apparatus. as a water-crib, after the tunnel construction, intake shaft, etc. have all been completed,

and the inlet pipes or conduits have been se-,

cured to the flanges about the openings or ports 17, and the latter opened, the water flows into the different conduits or passageways 16 until it reaches the valve-controlled port 22, which, being opened, permits the water to flow into the. chamber or compartment between outer shell or wall 10 and the intermediate wall 20, and around the bottom of wall 20 into the chamber or compartment between partition 20 and inner shell 11, filling said chambers or compartments to the, le el of the Water in conduit orpassage-way 'shell or wall 11.

Where filtering material is employed in the manner just described, it would be desirable to provide a suitable grating or perforated plate above the filtering material which would prevent passage of said material. This arrangement would be especially desirable for use during storms when the water may have become roiled.

After the chambers or compartments have become filled to the water-level in the conduits or passage-ways 16, and there is no need of forcing the water through the filtering material, the port 24 may be opened, thereby allowing the water to pass directly into the chamber or compartment adjacent the inner shell.

It is evident from the construction shown and described that the various chambers or compartments formed by the radially disposed walls or partitions are independent of each other, so that one or more of the chambers may be emptied for the sake of repair, etc., without, however, necessitating the closing off of the remaining chambers, and thereby interfere with the water supply, during the use of the apparatus or structure as a water crib. -At the same time, one or more of the chambers or compartments might be used for the location of necessary machinery and the like.

By providing the structure or apparatus with an enlarged bottom, the structure is not only given greater stability, but may be readily floated in shallow water when the chambers or compartments are empty.

I have shown and described what I believe to be the simplest and best formof my invention, but it will be understood, of course, that the outer and inner shells or walls may be of any form, either circular, oblong, or rectangular, in cross-section, to meet the conditions; and I do not wish to be understood, therefore, as limiting myself to the exact construction shown and described.

\Vhat I claim is 1. A combined coiferdam and crib, comprising spaced shells arranged one within the other, the outer shell being flared or enlarged at the lower end thereof, means whereby the shells are maintained in proper spaced relation to each other, a bottom secured intermediate ofthe shells at a distance removed from the lower ends of said shell, the outer shell being provided with closed ports arranged in proximity to the bottom of the shell, conduits or passageways extending vertically along the inner side of the outer shell from points coincident with said closed ports, and means whereby communication may be established between said conduits or passage-ways and the interior of the inner shell.

2. A combined cofi'erdam and crib, comprising spaced metallic shells arranged one within the other, partitions arranged intermediate of said shells whereby said shells are maintained in properspaced relation and the intervening space divided into separate chambers or compartments, :1 bottom arranged beneath said partitions or walls intermediate of.the shells so as to provide water-tight compartments, the lower ends of the shells being provided with cutting edges extending beneath the bottom of the compartments, the lower portion of the outer shell being flared or enlarged and provided with closed ports at points adapted to communicate with the compartments or chambers formed by the partitions or walls intermediate of the inner shell and outer shell, a conduit or passage-way vertically disposed along the inner surface of the outer shell in each compartment or chamber and registering with the closed ports, the upper ends of said conduits or passage-ways being provided with valvecontrolled openings, and valve-controlled openings arranged in the inner shell whereby communication between the interior thereof and the compartments intermediate of the inner and outer shells may be established.

3. A combined cofi'erdam and crib composed of an inner shell and an outer shell, means whereby the shells are maintained in proper spaced relation and the space intervening divided into separate chambers or compartments, the lower portion of the outer shell being flared or enlarged and provided with ports in proximity to the bottom of the shell, a bottom secured intermediate of the inner shell and outer shell a distance removed from the lower edges thereof and adapted to form water-tight inclosures between the inner shell and outer shell, vertically disposed baflle means arranged intermediate of the inner shell and outer shell, a conduit or passage-way vertically disposed in each chamber or compartment and communicating with the ports arranged in the lower portion of the outer shell, a valve-controlled port arranged in each conduit or passage-way whereby com munication between said conduit or passage-way and its respective compartment or chamber may be effected, and means whereby communication between the respective compartments or chambers and the interior of the inner shell may be had.

4. A combined cotferdam and crib. comprising a pair of cylindrical metallic shells. the lower portion of the outer shell being flared or enlarged and provided with a se ries of ports. a series of radially disposed partitions arranged intermediate of the inner shell and the outer shell whereby said shells are maintained in proper spaced relation to each other and the intervening space divided into separatecompartmentsor chambers. a bottom arranged intermediate of the inner shell and the outer shell at a distance removed from the lower ends thereof. each of said compartmentsorchambers being provided with a vertically disposed conduit comnmnicating with one of said ports. the upper end of each conduit being provided with a valve-controlled port or opening whereby communication bet-ween the conduit and the chamber or compartment may be controlled, vertically disposed lnans arranged intermediate of the inner shell and the outer shell arranged concentrically therewith whereby the flow of water in each of said compartments or chambers may be affected. and a series of valve-controlled ports arrangedin said inner shell whereby theflow of water into the inner shell may be controlled.

5. A combined cotferdam and crib, comprising a plurality of metallic walls spaced apart. the inner wall providing a vertically disposed shaft or chamber open at. its lower end. a bottom arranged between said walls so as to provide a water-tight inclosure between the inner and outer walls. said bottom being arranged at a distance removed from the bottom edges of both walls so as to provide cutting edges. means communicating with the space beneath the bottom whereby water may be withdrawn from said space to permit the device to settle into place. and whereby water-or air may be forced into the space in order to force said device upward.controllable means arranged in the outer wall whereby water will be permitted to flow into the inclosure between the inner and outer walls. and one or more platforms arranged at the upper ends of the inner and outer walls.

(3. A combined colferdam and crib. comprising inner and outer metallic walls, the inner wall providing a vertically disposed shaft or chamber open at the lower end thereof. a bottom secured between the inner wall and the outer wall a distance removed from the bottoms thereof. means whereby the. walls are. maintained in proper spaced relation to one another and a series of watertight compartments or chambers provided intermediate of the. inner wall and the outer wall. controllable means whereby water will be permitted to flow into a predetermined number of compartments or chambers, controllable means whereby water will be permitted to flow into the vertically disposed shaft or chamber formed by the inner wall, and means whereby the water may be made to flow through a circuitous path within said chambers or compartments.

7. combined cotferdam and crib. comprising a plurality of metallic walls spaced apart so as to provide intervening chambers or compartments. the outer wall being enlarged or flared at the bottom thereof while the inner wall is formed to provide a vertically disposed shaft or compartment open at the lower end thereof. a bottom secured between the inner wall and the outer wall at a distance removed from the lower ends thereof. means whereby the water beneath the bottom may be extracted or air forced thereunder. a seriesof controllable ports or openings arranged in the outer wall and the inner wall whereby water may be allowed to flow from points adjacent to the bottom of the outer wall and into the vertically disposed shaft or compartment within the inner wall. and means arranged between the ports in the outer wall and the ports in the inner wall whereby the path of the water may be controlled.

8. A combined cotferdam and crib, comprising a plurality of metallic walls spaced apart so as to provide intervening chambers or compartments. :1 bottom secured between the inner wall and the outer wall. the outer wall being enlarged or flared at the bottom portion thereof while the inner wall is formed to provide a vtrtically disposed shaft or chamber. a cantalivered platform secured to the upper ends of said walls. the outer wall being provided with a series of flanged ports disposed about the lower portion thereof. a series of vertically disposed conduits arranged at points coincident with said ports and along the inner side of the outer wall. and a series of ports arranged in the inner wall whereby commlinication between the vertically disposed shaft or chamber and the intervening chambers or compartments may be established.

9. A combined cotferdam and crib. comprising an outer metallic shell and an inner metallic shell spaced apart so as to provide an intervening inclosure. the inner shell be ing formed to provide a vertically disposed shaft or chamber open at the lower end thereof. a bottom secured between the shells at a distance removed from the lower ends thereof. means whereby the water beneath the bottom may be extracted. a vertically disposed metallic partition .s't't'lll'ttl between the outer shell and inner shell. said partition being arr.-inged so as to provide. a pas sage at the bottom thereof. a series of ports arranged in the outer shell and in the inner shell at predetermined points so as to compel the water to flow in a circuitous manner through sald inclosure and into the vert1 eallv disposed shaft or chamber, and a second series of ports arranged in the outer shell.

10. A combined cofl'erdain and crib, composed of a pair of metallic walls arranged one within the other and spacedapart so as to provide an intervening, inclosure. while the inner wall provides a vertically disposed bottomless shaft or chamber, the space between the inner wall and the outer wall being provided with a floor so as to provide a water-tight inclosure between the walls, the upper portion of the outer wall being provided with a platform or landing, while the lower portion of the outer wall is provided with ports adapted to receive the ends of water-inlets or conduits, the inner wall being provided with valve-controlled ports for effecting counnunication with the vertically disposed shaft or chamber, and means whereby water may be admitted to the intervening inclosure for the purpose of sinking or settling the structure into place.

'ILLIAM D. BARBER.

\Yitnesses:

GEORGE Hicnmlxx, R. E. \Yiou'rolv.

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