US1831322A - Tube tunnel construction - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 10, 1931. G. F. PORTER ET AL- TUBE TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION Filed April 6, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 1931. j G. F. PORTER ET AL 1,

TUBE TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION Filed April 6, 1929 4 $heets-Sheet 2 'EOEGE f? P057213 and E055T R POETEE.

lizvenfara Nov. 10, 1931. G. F. PORTER ET AL TUBE TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 6. 1929 4620991157 6250565 F. POETEE an E0555? FORTE/E. W T- 7%e/r' Waraeya NOV. 10, 1931. I F PORTER ET AL 1 1,831,322

TUBE TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION Filed April 6, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inventors:

650665 f? FORTE-E W4 KOBE/6'7- R POETEE.

Patented Nov. 10, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT o i-" cr.

GEORGE IF. PORTER, 015' DETROIT, MICHIGAN, AND ROBERT P. PORTER, OF SPOKANE,

WASHINGTON; DETROIT TRUST COMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, EXECUTOB- 6F SAID enonen F. PORTER, DECEASED TUBE TUNNEL Application filed April 6,

This invention relates to tunnels and more particularly tube tunnels adapted to be constructed in sections, which sections are mounted bodily in positionand connected one with the other, and has for one of its objects the provisionof anovel coupling structure for connecting said sections whereby said sections may be readily coupled together.

Another object is to provide a coupling structure that will permit the sections to be shifted or swung into line after one side is coupled, thereby facilitating the coupling operation. v

In the drawings:

Figure 1., is an elevation showing two adjoining tunnel sections embodying this invention.

. Figure 2 is a sectional elevation taken on the line II-II of Figure 1. I

Figure 3'is an" enlarged fragmentary'ele vation showing the coupling castingsin detail.

Figure l is'a sectional View taken on the lineTVI-V of Figure 3.

Figures 5 and 6 are sectional plans taken on the lines V-V and VI-VI, respectively, of Figure 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numerals 2 and 3 designate a pair of adjoining tubular tunnel sections as a whole, each of which is composed of a steel shell 4 having outside diaphragms at spaced intervals. The interior of each shell is provided with a concrete lining 6 and roof and roadway portions 7 and 8, respectively; A covering of concrete 9 is provided on the out side of the shell 4 of a depth at least equal to the width of the diaphragnis 5.

The tunnel sections are in a large part fin-. ished before'placing, that is, the steel tube is built on shore, the major portion of the inner and outer concrete is placed, and as much work is done as possible. Suitable bulkheads or waterproof end walls. S m-e then built in position, .as indicated at 10, and the sections are then launched and floated to position. A trench is previously prepared to receive the sections, and when the sections are floated into position they are weighted so as to be sunk into the trench as near as pos- CONSTRUCTION 1929. Serial No. 353,185.

sible to the end of the previously mounted or placed sections.

In order to connect the sections together the novel coupling of this invention has been devised.

Each of the sections are provided with a flange 12 at one end which extends around the upper half off thecircuniference of the shell and projects outwardly therefrom" on a line parallel with the shell. The flange 12 is spaced from the shell 4; by a spacer plate 13 and is secured rigidly in position by rivets 14;. Coupling castings A are secured to the flange 12 adjacent each terminal end thereof and comprise a back portion 15 secured to the flange 12 by rivets 16 and an outwardly projecting coupling lug portion 17 apertured, as at 18, to provide-for the mounting of a coupling pin 19 therein. The pin 19 is adapted to be mounted in the apertures 18 and to be held in elevated position by a locking Wedge 20 inserted in an opening 21 adj acent the lower end of the pin and engaging the upper face of the coup-ling lug portion 17 of the casting.

The other end of each of the sections is provided with a flange 22 which extends around the lower half of the circumference of the shell and projects outwardly therefrom. on a line parallel with the shell. The flange 22 is spacedfrom the shell 4 by a spacer plate'23 and is secured rigidly in position by rivets 24. Coupling castings B are secured to the flanges 22 adjacent each terminal and comprise a back portion 25 secured 'to the flange 22 by rivets 26 and an outwardly projecting lug portion 27 provided "with an enlarged elongated aperture 28 to receive the coupling pin 19 carried by the lugs 17 of the adjacent section. v

The adjacent ends of theseveral sections of the tunnel are adaptedto abut each other,

and the lugs 17 areadapted to overlie the lugs-27, and the wedges 20 are adaptedto be withdrawn: so as to permit the pins 19 to drop through the apertures 18 and intothe apertures 28. The wedges 20 are adapted to be again inserted in the openings 21 after the pins 19have dropped. into the aperturesf 28to hold the'pins against displacement.

After the sections are coupled, a suitable sealing ring 29 is secured in position over the joint formed by the abutting ends of the tunnel sections and concrete is placed to complete the lining 6 and covering 9 over the joint.

In operation, assuming that the section 2 has been positioned in the trench on the river bottom, the section 3 will be floated out over the trench and will be weighted so as to compel it to sink. The section 3 will be guided during the sinking operation so as to position-the lugs 17, or at least one of said lugs, so that they overlie the lugs 27 on the section 2. Thepins 19 will then be freed to allow them to fall by gravity through the aperture 18 and into the aperture 28 in the lugs 27 so as to lock the sections together.

If, as is generally the case. only one of the lugs 17 is caused to overlie one of the lugs 27, the pin 19 carried by this lug 17 Willbe caused to enter and be locked in the aperture 28 of the lug 27 and the section 3 will be shifted or wiggled bodily to aline the other lug 17 with i he other lug 27 so that these lugs may also be locked together by the pin 29, and the free end of the section is then caused to rest on the bottom of the trench and is positioned ready to receive the next section.

\Vhile we have shown and described one specific embodiment of our invention, it will be understood that we do not wish to be limited thereto since various modifications may be made without departing from the scope thereof, as defined in the appended claims.

lVe claim: I

1. A tubular tunnel section comprising a steel shell and outside and inside layers of concrete terminating short of the ends of said section so as to leave the end portions of said shell exposed, coupling castings secured to the opposite sides of one of the exposed ends of said shell, pin receiving lugs formed integral with and projecting out wardly from said castings, other coupling castings secured tothe opposite sides. of the other exposed end of said shell, pin carrying lugs formed integral with and projecting outwardly from said last named castings, pins carriedby said last named lugs, means for releasably holding said pins above the bottom face of said pin carrying lugs, said pin carrying lugs being positioned above said pin receiving lugs so thatthe pin carrying lugs of one section will overlie the pin receiving lugs of the next adjacent section when the sections are arranged end: forend in assembling a tunnel, said pins being adapted to be released to engage in the pin receiving lugsof'the next ad acent section when the sections are assembled.

2. tubular tunnel-section comprising a steel shell and outs de and inside layers of the upper half of one of the exposed ends of said shell, 2. second flange extending around the lower half of the other exposed end of said shell, said flanges being secured to and extending outwardly parallel with said shell, coupling castings secured to the opposite sides of said first named flange, pin carrying lugs formed integral with and projecting outwardly from said castings, pins carried by said lugs, means for releasably holding said pins above the bottom faces of said pin carrying lugs, other coupling castings secured to the opposite sides of said second named flange, pin receiving lugs'formed integral with and projecting outwardly from said last named castings, said pin carrying lugs being positioned above said pin receiving lugs so that the pin carrying lugs of one section ,will overlie the pin receiving lugs of the next adjacent section when the sections are arranged end for end in assembling a tunnel, said pins being adapted to be released to engage in the pin receiving lugs of the next adjacent section when said sections are assembled.

3. In a tubular tunnel section, a steel shell,

coupling castings secured to.the opposite said pin carrying lugs, said'pin carrying lugs being positioned above said pin receiving lugs so that the pin carrying lugs of one sec tion will overlie the pin receiving lugs of the next adjacent section when the sections are arranged end for end in assembling a tunnel, said pins being adapted to be released to engage in the pin receiving lugs of the next adjacent section when the sections are assembled. a

4. In a tubular tunnelsection, a steel shall, a flange extending aroundthe upper half of one of the ends of said shell, a second flange extending around the lower half of the other end of said shell, said flanges being secured to and extending outwardly parallel with said shell, coupling castings secured to the opposite sides of said first named flange, pin carrying lugs projecting outwardly from said castings, pins carried by said lugs, means for releasably holding said pins above the bottom faces of said pin carrying lugs, other coupling castings secured to the opposite sides of said second named'fiange, pin receiving that the pin carrying lugs of one section will overlie the pin receiving lugs of the next adjacent section when the sections are are ranged end for end in assembling a tunnel, said pins being adapted to be released to engage in the pin receiving lugs of the next adjacent section when the sections are assembled.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our hands.

ROBERT P. PORTER. GEORGE F. PORTER.

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