US2379902A - Floating dry dock and pumping apparatus - Google Patents

Description

July 10, 1945. F. R. HARRIS FLOATING DRY DOCK AND PUMPING APPARATUS 4 sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 9, 194a INV ENTOR FEEDER/C RJIARRIS ATTORNEY July 10, 1945. F. R. HARRIS 2,379,902:

FLOATING DRY DOCK AND PUMPING APPARATUS- ATTORNEY July 10, 1945.- F. R. HARRIS 2,379,902

FIIOATING DRY 'DOCK AND PUMPiNG APiARATUS I Filed April 9, 1943 4 Sheets-Sfieet 3 NWT p Fm 3.5.

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Patented July 10, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT search Hoom OFFICE FLOATING DRY DOCK AND PUTMPING APPARATUS 12 Claims.

This invention relates to floating dry docks, and particularly a floating dry dock which is made up of separate units assembled into a complete dock and operated as such. In a clock of this type, the individual units thereof may be called pontoons; although in the practice Of my invention such units are of ship form and are equipped with engines to enable them to travel independently under their own power to the site where the dock is to be assembled.

In a co-pending application Serial No. 482,376 entitled Multiple unit floating dry dock, filed of even date herewith, I havedescribed and claimed certain features of construction and operation of such dry docks. The present invention has to do with the flooding and pumping out of the pontoons, and an important object thereof is to provide for the suitable arrangement of motive power apparatus, pumping equipment and conduits, and the. control of the units thereby, when the assembled dock is in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

A preferred embodiment of the invention for purposes of illustration is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the outline of a single pontoon revealing part of the interior.

Figure 2 is a horizontal or top plan on a somewhat reduced scale, taken on the line 22 of Figure 1, giving a view of the pumping system.

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section through part of a pontoon showing details of the pumping system.

Figure 4 is a top plan of a scheme of water gauges, their positions and connections to suitable indicators at a central panel in the pontoon.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the central indicating panel of a pontoon; and connections therefrom to indicators in both the Dontoon and a master station on the dock.

Figure 6 is a plan diagram of the scheme shown in Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a top plan showing in outline the indicating and control connections for the assembled dock.

In the ensuing description the same numerals identify the same parts on all the views.

Referring to the drawings, the pontoon l comprises a hull, which is generally of ship form, with symmetrical bow and stem, the exact configuration of which need not be described in setting forth the present invention. The pontoon is provided with a plurality of transverse watertight bulkheads 2, 3, 4 and 5 of suitable construction, and is also provided with longitudinal watertight bulkheads 6, l, 8 and 9 extending from the bow and stem respectively to the central transverse bulkheads 3 and I. The pontoon and bulkheads appear in outline only. The central chamber l0 between the bulkheads 3 and 4 is here illustrated as extending across the full beam of the pontoon, i. without division by longitudinal bulkheads, but it may be divided horizontally by bulkheads or partitions into a deck I I and inner bottom and deck l2 (Figure 3). These bulkheads II and deck I2 need not be of water-tight construction. The chamber [0 may be further divided horizontally, or vertically as indicated in Figure 5. The said chamber l0, located at the waist of the pontoon, as shown, constitutes a buoyancy chamber, so called because it is not intended to be flooded at any time in the operation of the dock and always exerts a buoyant effect.

The compartments formed fore and aft of the buoyancy chamber by the transverse and longitudinal bulkheads, on the other hand, are intended to be flooded and pumped out during the operation of the dock The buoyancy chamber is divided horizontally, as shown, into three spaces, the lowermost space l3 between the inner and outer bottom being adapted for use as storage space and for fuel tanks, and the middle space It being used for machinery installations. The upper space l5 serves as living quarters for a screw to man the pontoon.

Suitable power generating apparatus l6 and H, which may, for example, be Diesel-driven generators, are installed in compartment I4; and such enerat rs p y he necessary motive power for the propulsion of the pontoon; being connected to a propeller or propellers (not shown) in the usual way; and for a pumping plant used for emptying the pontoon of water and other purposes.

In the embodiment illustrated, the plant comprises two pumps 20 and 20, mounted in the machinery room of the buoyancy chamber. If the generators l6 and I! produce electricity, motors will be geared to the pumps. The intake side of the pumps are connected to manifolds or header pipes 2|, 2| and the discharge sides to pipes or conduits 22, 22' terminating in discharge ports 23, 23' in one side of the pontoon. The conduits are provided near the outlet ports with check valves 24, 24, and gate valves 25, 25'. The manifolds 2|, 2| extend transversely of the pontoon and terminate in inlet ports 26, 26' in the other side of the pontoon. Near these ports are gate valves 21, 21'.

Connected to the manifolds 2|, 2| are branch pipes or conduits 28, 28', one for each of the compartments. The branch conduits are provided with gate valves 29, 29', one in each. A conduit 39 connects manifolds 2| and 2|, communication between them being controlled by a gate valve 3 I.

Each of the valves 25, 25, 21, 21', 29,29 and 3| has an electrical valve control device 32 located in the machinery room of the buoyancy chamber, said devices being united to the valves by suitable connections indicated at 33 which, in the case of valves 21, 21', 29, 29' and 3|, pass through the transverse water-tight bulkheads by way of suitable stufling boxes (not shown).

In the operation of the dock, when it is desired to flood the compartments, it is not necessary to operate the pumps 20, 20, and the valves 25, 25' are closed. Valves 21, 21 and valves 29, 29 are opened to permit water to flow in through ports 25, 26', and through manifolds 2 I, 2| and branch conduits 28, 28' into each compartment. Enough vents with or without valves will be provided in the deck to prevent air in the compartments from being trapped above the water and opposing its entrance. By proper manipulation of the valves 21, 21' and 29, 29' the flooding of any compartment or group of compartments may be controlled as desired to maintain any desired condition of balance or trim.

Similarly, when it is desired to pump out the compartments to restore buoyancy, valves 21, 21 are closed and valves 25, 25' are opened, and the pumps 29 and 28' operated. Again, by manipulation of the valves, the pumping of any individual compartment or group of compartments may be regulated in any way required.

Each of the compartments is provided with an inside water level gauge 34 connected, as illustrated diagrammatically in Figures 4 and 5, to a central panel 35 located in the machinery space of the buoyancy chamber. There are, for instance, twelve such gauges, one in each pontoon compartment. In addition, an outside water level or draft gauge 35 is located in each of the bow and stem middle compartments 33, to measure the depth between the keel and surface of the water outside, and these gauges are likewise connected to the central panel. By these instru- 7 ments and connections the flooding of each pontoon separately and its submergence, raising and trim can be more easily observed and managed. The gauges 36 have their bottom openings at the zero draft line.

One of the features of a dry dock embodying my invention resides in the hinged hollow wall sections 31 and 38, adapted to be folded down or lowered to lie upon the deck of the pontoon whenever the dock is not assembled, as shown by broken lines in Figure 1; and raised to upright position on the deck of the pontoon whenever th'e dock is made ready for use. The procedure in doing this involves a predetermined series of steps, all the more easily performed as the attendant watches the indicators on the panel 35. After the wall sections are Vertical, the units are arranged side by side, as in Figure 6 and secured together with the wall sections in line along both sides of the dock and rigidly connected to one another. This whole operation is fully explained in my separate application above mentioned.

Through openings 53 (Figure 1) the wall section 31, when erect, is connected to all three compartments in front of the bulkhead 2 at the bow; and the section 38 to all three compartments aft of the bulkhead 8 in the stern; these compartments being separated by .the longitudinal bulkheads 8 and 1 and 8 and 9 respectively. Each wing section also h'as its interior put into communication with the three adjacent compartments adjoining the buoyancy chamber I0 by elbow pipes 58. Air conduits 51 pass up through the tight decks 56 near the tops of the wall sections to connect the space in the sections below them to the atmosphere. The openings 53 are uncovered and the pipes 58 attached after the wall sections are lifted upright.

After assembling, there will be times in the regular use of the dock to receive or release a ship, when all the pontoons must be completely submerged simultaneously, leaving only the upper portions of the vertical wing or side walls above water; and the upper end of one of the wall sections, therefore, offers a convenient vantage point for observation for the up and down movements of the whole dock and a convenient location for a master station or control house 39. From this station th'e water level in each pontoon, and its outside draft can be observed by the dock master in sinking or raising the entire dock.

To this end suitable transmitting devices 40 are mounted in or adjacent to each panel 35 in the pontoons and connected by electric conductors 4| to indicating devices in the master control house 39. Each of the control panels 35 in the pontoon I carries a mercury indicating tube 42 for each of the gauges 34 and two more such tubes, one for each of the depth gauges 38, making fourteen tubes in all; th'e connections to each from the panel 35 being pneumatic conduits 43. (See Figure 5.)

Each of these conduits contain suitable pressure controlling means 44, so that the pressure in the tubes 42 will be lower than at the gauges, but proportional thereto; so that these tubes may be shortened to convenient length. With this equipment, the depth of water in each of the twelve compartments of each pontoon as well as th'e outside draft can be accurately given at central panel 35 therein. The tubes work on the same principle as the barometer.

As stated above, all of this apparatus is used in each pontoon, sinking and floating it to lower or raise the wall sections 31 and 38 thereof; but a great part is not needed after the wall sections have been raised and the dock has been assembled. As soon as the pontoons are arranged side by side (Figure 6) and the wall sections are aligned and secured to one another, all three compartments in the bow of each pontoon forward of the bulkhead 2 are put into communication with one another; by removing the covers 45 (Figures 2 and 3) so as to open manholes 48 in the fore parts of the partitions or bulkheads 8 and 1, which separate the different bow compartments. The same is done with the three compartments in the stern aft of the bulkhead 5 by uncovering openings 45 in the aft parts of bulkheads 8 and 9. The covers may be held in place by locking means (not shown). Also similar openings are uncovered in the bulkheads 8 and 1 between the bulkhead 2 and chamber l8; and in the bulkheads 8 and 9 between the chamber l0 and bulkhead 5. Thus, the compartments of each group of three adjacent the chamber Ill, fore and aft, will be in communication. The like openings in the bulkheads 2 and 5 are kept closed, and used to facilitate inspection, cleaning, repair, etc. In the deck are vent openings U4. SUNS,

5941 in pairs, connected by short pipes 59 in position to connect all the water compartments and prevent entrapment of air that would interfere with the flooding or emptying of the pontoons. All the openings 45 are at the bottom level.

For further work, a part of the gauges 34; two in each pontoon; the ones which are located in the two middle compartment 4! adjoining the buoyancy chamber I; and four gauges 36, in the Compartments 33 at bow and stem of each of the two end pontoons (Figure 6) of the assembled dock, are utilized.

The gauges 36 will now indicate the outside draft at the four end corners of the assembled dock; and the two gauges 34 in the compartments 4! will be sufficient to show the depth of the water in the hull of any pontoon, and any difference in level between the bow and stem thereof. Hence, the gauge 36 in each end pontoon only need be connected to the master control house 39. I, therefore, connect to the master station 39 the four instruments 40 in each end pontoon (Figure 7); that are in operative relation with the four mercury tubes 42 at the panel 35, belonging to the two gauges 34 in compartments 41 and the two gauges in compartments 33. I also connect to the master station two gauges 34 in the compartments 33 of each intermediate pontoon.

The transmitting instruments may be gauges, similar to a Bourdon gauge, responsive to pressure in the mercury tubes 42, and having movable parts connected to control electrical resistances arranged to vary the current through the conductors indicated at 4|. nections of this kind are well-known and there is believed to be no need for illustration of them here. These conductors will be suitably enclosed in protective tubing or sheathing 48 and led to junction boxes 49 on the top of one of the wall sections of the pontoon where they will always be above water. (See Figures 5 and 6.) Through these junction boxes the conductors 4| of all the pontoons will be joined to a panel 39a in the master control house 39 as shown in Figure 7.

Therefore, in the regular use of the dock, to repair and deliver a ship, the dock master in the control house 39 can tell at an moment what are the conditions in each separate pontoon unit. The operator in each pontoon can continue to read the indicators of the gauges in compartments 33 and 41.

Only four connections from one end pontoon to the panel 39a at the master control station are shown in Figure 7; but there are of course four such connectionsleading from the other end pontoon; and suitable measuring instruments at the panel 39a connected to each instrument 48; and connections to the master station from the two gauges 34 of each intermediate pontoon. There will also be at least two junction boxes 48 on each pontoon with cables 50 between them. The conductors 4| in each cable 48 will be properly spliced to the right conductors in the cables 58; and the junction boxes be joined from one pontoon to another by cables 5|. Thus connections from the indicating devices 48 of each pontoon to the master station can readily be completed. The panel 35 can be connected to either box 49 and the station 39 is connected in by a cable 52.

In the control house there will also be a microphone (not shown) connected to a loudspeaker (not shown) in the machinery room ll of each pontoon so that the dock master may call out his Devices and con- 1 Search Room orders to any part of the dock, and the flooding or pumping out of any one 01' the units can be managed accordingly; through the engines, pumps, and inlet and discharge ports above described. The wiring for the loudspeakers can also be encased in the cables 48, 58, 5| and 52.

When the dock as a whole is assembled, the buoyancy and flooding effect of the pontoons are enhanced by the hollow side walls. The depth to which the dock is submerged, therefore, is determined by the admission of water to the side walls to vary the total buoyancy of the dock. When the side walls are in vertical position, as is always the case when the dock is in use, communication is established between each wall and several of the compartments of each pontoon through the ports 53 and pipes 58 to admit water into the side walls from the compartments of the pontoons in submerging, and to drain from the walls to the compartments in surfacing. In this manner, the flooding and emptying of the side walls may be controlled by manipulation of the valves 25, 25', 21 and 21' only, through which the floodin and emptying of the compartments is accomplished, without providing the side walls with separate valves and pumps. In the wall sections passing through decks 56, the ducts 51 uniting the space below them to the atmosphere, facilitate these operations.

In practice the ports 53 in each pontoon deck and side wall section may be shut by a closure or blank plate welded or otherwise secured in place and removed from the wall sections first when the sections are to be raised; and from the pontoons later, as soon as the wall sections are raised upright. Other means also may be used to control the ports 53. This part of my construction is fully described and in my co-pending application Serial No. 482,375 filed of even date herewith and entitled Multiple unit for floating dry dock, but is not a part of the invention of the claims herein.

Inside the pontoons and the wall sections are connecting devices 54 and 55 of any suitable type to enable the cables 48 to be joined to the junction boxes 49 when the wall sections are raised and interrupted when the walls are lowered, as by conductors 5|a. Th wires 4| are led from the panels 35 in each pontoon by means of the cable 48 to the device 55, thence to the device '54 by conductor SM, and further by cable 48 to a box 49 on the wing wall to be continued to the master station 39 as shown in Figure 5.

The pipes 59 are arranged so as to connect each water compartment of a pontoon to every adjacent water compartment. The positions of these pipes is shown in Figure 2. Though this figure is primarily intended to illustrate the pumps, Water conduits, and controlling valves therefor, all below the level of the line 1-2 in Figure l; the air pipes 59; which are all above the deck, as clearly indicated in Figure 3, have been added. The purpose of the air connections 53 is to insure the same air pressure in all the water compartments of the pontoon.

The deck of each pontoon also has air escape openings 60, closed by one-way valves 8|. (Figure 3.) These valves are mounted in yokes 82, and have stems 63 passing freely through bearings in said yokes. Springs 84 hold the valves against their seats. The arrangement of these valves over each water compartment is also shown in Figure 2. These valves allow air to escape when the water compartments are flooded. They, of course, never admit air to the pontoons.

but only let it flow out. When the wall sections are down, the holes 59a and 60 are closed by plates which may be welded in place; such plates are moved for setting up the valves and attaching the pipes 59 when the dock is assembled and made ready for use.

The inner ends of the pipes 28 and 28' are of course close to the bottom of the pontoons, and may be surrounded by strainers 28a.

Having described my invention, What I believe to be new and desire to secure and protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a dry clock, a pontoon comprising a hull having an intake and a discharge port, said hull being divided into a group of compartments at each end and a buoyancy chamber between the groups, a header pipe and a pump in the line thereof at one side of said chamber connected to said ports, the hull having an additional pair of ports for intake and discharge, a second header pipe and pump in the line thereof at the other side of said chamber connected to said additional ports, branch pipes connecting one header to one group of said compartments and the other to the remainder, and valve means for controlling all of said pipes.

2. In a dry dock, the combination according to claim 1, having further a valved cross-pipe connecting said headers.

3. In a dry dock, a pontoon comprising a hull having an intake and a discharge port, means for flooding and emptying said hull through said ports, and a hinged wall adapted to lie horizontally on said pontoon and to be raised to a vertical position thereon, said wall having direct communication with said hull when in vertical position, so that it may be flooded and pumped out therethrough.

4. In a dry dock comprising pontoons, each of which has a hull with an intake and a discharge port, means connected to said ports for flooding and emptying said hull, gauges at selected points in the hull and indicators in each pontoon connected to said gauges, a master station outside the pontoon, indicators thereat, and transmission devices connecting-indicators in the pontoons to the indicators at the master station.

5. A dry dock including a pontoon having compartments, a water intake and a water discharge port, means connected to said ports to flood and empty the pontoon, gauges in the compartments, indicators connected to said gauges and means for putting said compartments into communication with one another so that a part of the indicators suflices for conditions in all said compartments.

6. A dry dock comprising pontoons, each of which has compartments and an intake and a discharge port, means connected to said ports to flood and empty the pontoons, gauges in the compartments and indicators outside of the compartments connected to the gauges, a master station outside the pontoon, other indicators thereat, transmission devices for connecting the indicators of the master station to some of the indicators of each pontoon, and means for putting the compartments of each pontoon into communication with one another so that the indicators thereof connected to the indicators of the master station will there reveal the condition of each pontoon.

'7. In a dry dock, comprising pontoons having water inlet and discharge ports, gauges at selected points in each pontoon and indicators in each pontoon connected to said gauges, a master station outside the pontoon, indicators thereat, and means by which indicators in the pontoons control the indicators at the master station.

8. A dry dock comprising pontoons having water inlet and discharge ports, each pontoon having compartments, means connected to flood and empty said compartments, gauges in the compartments and indicators outside of said compartments connected to the gauges, a master station outside the pontoons, other indicators thereat, means for connecting the indicators of the master station to indicators in each pontoon, so that the indicators of the master station will there reveal the condition of each pontoon.

9. In a dry dock, a pontoon comprising a hull having a deck, and interior water compartments below deck, air vent valves for ach compartment in said deck, said compartments having openings for communication below deck, and air pipes on the deck connecting each compartment to all the adjacent compartments.

10. In a dry dock, a pontoon comprising a hull having a deck and interior water compartments below deck, air vent valves for each compartment in said deck, said compartments having openings for communication among them, and air pipes connecting each compartment to all adjacent compartments.

11. In a dry dock comprising pontoons, gauges at selected points in each pontoons and indicators in each pontoon connected to said gauges, a master station outside the pontoon, indicators thereat, and means by which some of the indicators in the pontoons control the indicators at the master station.

12. A dry dock comprising pontoons, each of which has compartments, means connected to flood and empty said compartments, gauges in the compartments, and indicators connected to the gauges, a master station outside the pontoons, other indicators thereat, and means for connecting the indicators of the master station to some of the indicators in each pontoon, so that the indicators of the master station will there reveal the condition of each pontoon.

FREDERIC R. HARRIS.

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