US2740347A - Systems for ventilating tunnels and the like - Google Patents

Systems for ventilating tunnels and the like Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US2740347A
US2740347A US221233A US22123351A US2740347A US 2740347 A US2740347 A US 2740347A US 221233 A US221233 A US 221233A US 22123351 A US22123351 A US 22123351A US 2740347 A US2740347 A US 2740347A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
air
tunnel
shaft
tunnels
ventilating
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US221233A
Inventor
William J Caldwell
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US221233A priority Critical patent/US2740347A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US2740347A publication Critical patent/US2740347A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21F—SAFETY DEVICES, TRANSPORT, FILLING-UP, RESCUE, VENTILATION, OR DRAINING IN OR OF MINES OR TUNNELS
    • E21F1/00—Ventilation of mines or tunnels; Distribution of ventilating currents
    • E21F1/003—Ventilation of traffic tunnels

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to improvements in tunnel Ventilating systems being particularly adapted to tunnels now in existence which do not have suicient clearance to permit installation of conventional duct type systems.
  • Ventilation problems in railroad tunnels frequently require the delay and expense of changing from steam and diesel to electric traction power at the entrance to the tunnel.
  • the Ventilating problem has been changed from combating smoke to that of carbon monoxide'.
  • a system has been provided for existing tunnels which makes it entirely practical to ventilate long tunnels with such eieiency that both steam and diesel engines, may operate with complete safety with the elimination of all discomforts and annoyances to both crew and passengers.
  • This has' been accomplished by moving a large volume of air by the aspirator action of high Velocityair nozzles assisted by the piston action of the moving vehicle itself.
  • all Ventilating air is moved in the same direction as the movement of the vehicle in the tunnel and at a suiciently greater rate to prevent the build-up of obnoxious smokes and gases in the ambient air in which the vehicle is moving.
  • operation under forced draft should be reduced to a minimum in traversing the tunnel.
  • an object of the invention is to provide an improved system of tunnel ventilation in which the air is unidirectional with the vehicle movement.
  • Another object is to provide an improved system of tunnel ventilation, and the like, in which the air is moved through the tunnel by the aspirator action of high velocity air nozzles.
  • Another object is to provide an improved system of tunnel ventilation in which the air movement is provided by high velocity jet type directional nozzles.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide an effective system for Ventilating tunnels now in service without material structural alteration.
  • Fig. I is a longitudinally vertical cross-sectional view of a tunnel structure embodying the system of ventilation of the present invention
  • Fig. Il is a cross-sectional view taken on line II-II of Fig. I, and
  • Fig. HI is a horizontal section taken on line III-III of Fig. ll.
  • the tunnel structure has tubes or passages 12 and 14 shown provided with railroad tracks 16 for carrying the vehicles through the tunnel structure. It will be understood, however, that the principles of the present invention have equal application to all forms of vehicular tunnels of similar structure.
  • the tunnel structure ltlextends under the river 18 with the Ventilating fan housings 20 with air inlets 21 being located on opposite banks 22.
  • the housings 20 are disposed above the vertical structure shafts 24 which open into the roof of the passages l2 and 14 of the tunnel structure 10 through the air shafts 26 through which a large volume of air is directed by supply fans 28 and moved downwardly at relatively low velocity in view of the large cross-sectional area of the shafts 26 and which enters the tunnel from above with minimum directional effects longitudinally of the tunnel.
  • an air shaft 3l)l in the form of a duct and located within the shaft 26 through which air is delivered at high velocity to the nozzles 32 and 34 bythe high pressure fan 36 and which directs the air into the tunnel with positive directional effects.
  • minimum and maximum directional effects mentioned aforesaid are intended to describe the phenomena that takes place when a confined stream of air at high velocities causes unidirectional flow of the velocity stream as well as that of the ambient air immediately surrounding the stream.
  • Minimum directional effects result from low velocity discharge of air normal to the axis of the tunnel while the maximum unidirectional effects are experienced when the high velocity stream of air is directed longitudinally of the tunnel.
  • the nozzles 32 may conveniently be of a fin type construction and located in the end of the rigid ductsl 3S forking off the lower end of each shaft 30.
  • the nozzles' 34 are preferably of a jet type with the connection to each shaft 30 being conveniently provided by iiexible ducts 40.
  • Each shaft 30, as more clearly shown in Fig. I, is provided with two sets of ducts 38 and 40 for directing the high velocity air in opposite directions longitudinally of the tubes or passages l2 and 14 of the tunnel structure l0.
  • Dampers 42 shown in their neutral position, are located in each shaft 30 to direct the air through one set of nozzles or the other, depending upon the direction of movement of the vehicle through the tunnel structure.
  • Electric eyes 44 may be employed to start the fans 28 and 36 as the vehicle enters the tunnel and to actuate the dampers 42, depending upon the direction of vehicle movement. Upon leaving the tunnel, the fans 28 and 36 may be conveniently turned off through the employment of one of the electric eyes 44.
  • the piston action 3 of the vehicle assists the aspirator action of the nozzles 32 and 34 upon the air Ycarried bythe shafts 26.
  • a first air shaft dis charging into said tunnel, air fan structure having a relatively small discharge as compared to the cross-sectional area of said first air shaft for directing a relatively large volume of air into said shaft to produce an air movement therein of relatively low velocity
  • a second air shaft discharging into said tunnel and having a relatively small crossesectional area as compared to said First air shaft
  • structure having a discharge conforming in cross-sectional area substantially to the area of said second shaft for directing a relatively large volume of air into said second shaft to produce therein a relatively high velocity air movement
  • nozzle structure at the tunnel end of said second air shaft and extending into the tunnel for directing air at high velocity into said tunnel longitudinally thereof, said nozzle structure being located in aspirator relationship to the air discharged into said tunnel by said first air shaft.
  • a tunnel Ventilating system comprising a passage for the movement of vehicles longitudinally thereof, an air shaft of relatively large cross-sectional area opening into said passage through a wall thereof through which a relatively large volume of air at relatively low velocity may flow into said passage, a high velocity air duct of relatively small cross-sectional area as compared to said lair shaft having nozzle structure for directing air at relatively high velocity longitudinally of said passage, means for forcing air with high velocity through said duct and out through said nozzle structure, said nozzle structure being positioned in aspirator relationship with said air shaft where it opens into said passage and being directed along said passage whereby the total air mass of said passage is moved longitudinally thereof at relatively high velocity by air supplied jointly by said air shaft and said air duct.
  • a system of Ventilating air delivery and handling for tunnels and the like comprising the delivery of a relatively large volume of air at relatively low velocity and of minimum directional eiects into the tunnel, and imparting relatively high velocity and positive directional clects to the entire air mass of the tunnel by the kaspirator action of a relatively large volume of relatively high velocity air under thev direction of nozzle structure acting longitudinally of the tunnel and located in the stream of said low velocity air.
  • said nozzles being arranged in two sets disposed in opposite directions of said tunnel, means for regulating the ow of high velocity air through said nozzle sets uni-directional with the movef ment of a vehicle through said tunnel, said last means inv cludiug la damper in said second shaft for selectively directing air through either' of said sets.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Ventilation (AREA)

Description

2 sheets-sheet 1 -ENEL VN.
24x. if. 7.. )f1/z April 3, 1956 w. J. CALDWELL SYSTEMS FOR VENTILATING TUNNELS AND THE LIKE Filed April 1e, 1951 www.
om I om @m om INVENT'OR WILLIAM J CALDWELL BY Q/-Mudcww ATTORNEY April 3, 1956 W, J, CALDWELL 2,740,347
SYSTEMS FOR VENTILATING TUNNELS AND THE LIKE Filed April 16, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4' INVENTOR FIL-F- ll WILLIAM J CALDWELL BY 24mm 57AM,
ATTORNEY nited States Patent O SYSTEMS FOR VENTIIATING TUNNELS AND THE LIKE William J. Caldwell, Independence, Mo. Application April 16, 1951, Serial No. 221,233
s claims. (ci. 98-49) The present invention relates to improvements in tunnel Ventilating systems being particularly adapted to tunnels now in existence which do not have suicient clearance to permit installation of conventional duct type systems.
Ventilation problems in railroad tunnels frequently require the delay and expense of changing from steam and diesel to electric traction power at the entrance to the tunnel. With the general adoption of diesel engines the Ventilating problem has been changed from combating smoke to that of carbon monoxide'.
According to the present invention a system has been provided for existing tunnels which makes it entirely practical to ventilate long tunnels with such eieiency that both steam and diesel engines, may operate with complete safety with the elimination of all discomforts and annoyances to both crew and passengers. This has' been accomplished by moving a large volume of air by the aspirator action of high Velocityair nozzles assisted by the piston action of the moving vehicle itself. With my improved system all Ventilating air is moved in the same direction as the movement of the vehicle in the tunnel and at a suiciently greater rate to prevent the build-up of obnoxious smokes and gases in the ambient air in which the vehicle is moving. ln the case of steam locomotives, to be practical, operation under forced draft should be reduced to a minimum in traversing the tunnel.
Thus, an object of the invention is to provide an improved system of tunnel ventilation in which the air is unidirectional with the vehicle movement.
Another object is to provide an improved system of tunnel ventilation, and the like, in which the air is moved through the tunnel by the aspirator action of high velocity air nozzles.
Another object is to provide an improved system of tunnel ventilation in which the air movement is provided by high velocity jet type directional nozzles.
A further object of the invention is to provide an effective system for Ventilating tunnels now in service without material structural alteration.
These and other objects and advantages residing in the combination, construction and steps for carrying out the system herein disclosed will more fully appear from the following specification and the appended claims.
In the drawings,
Fig. I is a longitudinally vertical cross-sectional view of a tunnel structure embodying the system of ventilation of the present invention,
Fig. Il is a cross-sectional view taken on line II-II of Fig. I, and
Fig. HI is a horizontal section taken on line III-III of Fig. ll.
Referring to the illustrated form of the invention, the tunnel structure has tubes or passages 12 and 14 shown provided with railroad tracks 16 for carrying the vehicles through the tunnel structure. It will be understood, however, that the principles of the present invention have equal application to all forms of vehicular tunnels of similar structure. Y
As shown in Fig. I the tunnel structure ltlextends under the river 18 with the Ventilating fan housings 20 with air inlets 21 being located on opposite banks 22.
The housings 20 are disposed above the vertical structure shafts 24 which open into the roof of the passages l2 and 14 of the tunnel structure 10 through the air shafts 26 through which a large volume of air is directed by supply fans 28 and moved downwardly at relatively low velocity in view of the large cross-sectional area of the shafts 26 and which enters the tunnel from above with minimum directional effects longitudinally of the tunnel. Also associated with each air shaft 26 is an air shaft 3l)l in the form of a duct and located within the shaft 26 through which air is delivered at high velocity to the nozzles 32 and 34 bythe high pressure fan 36 and which directs the air into the tunnel with positive directional effects. In reference to minimum and maximum directional effects mentioned aforesaid, such terms are intended to describe the phenomena that takes place when a confined stream of air at high velocities causes unidirectional flow of the velocity stream as well as that of the ambient air immediately surrounding the stream. Minimum directional effects result from low velocity discharge of air normal to the axis of the tunnel while the maximum unidirectional effects are experienced when the high velocity stream of air is directed longitudinally of the tunnel. f
As shown, the nozzles 32, because` of clearance prob` lems, may conveniently be of a fin type construction and located in the end of the rigid ductsl 3S forking off the lower end of each shaft 30. The nozzles' 34 are preferably of a jet type with the connection to each shaft 30 being conveniently provided by iiexible ducts 40. Each shaft 30, as more clearly shown in Fig. I, is provided with two sets of ducts 38 and 40 for directing the high velocity air in opposite directions longitudinally of the tubes or passages l2 and 14 of the tunnel structure l0. Dampers 42, shown in their neutral position, are located in each shaft 30 to direct the air through one set of nozzles or the other, depending upon the direction of movement of the vehicle through the tunnel structure. Electric eyes 44 may be employed to start the fans 28 and 36 as the vehicle enters the tunnel and to actuate the dampers 42, depending upon the direction of vehicle movement. Upon leaving the tunnel, the fans 28 and 36 may be conveniently turned off through the employment of one of the electric eyes 44.
It will be understood that in tunnels now in service there is very little clearance between the vehicle and the walls of the tunnel passages. This fact accounts for the arrangement of the ducts 3b and 40.' Also, the advantage of directing a large portion of Ventilating air directly into the passages 12 and 14 through structure of the character of the air shafts 26 should be readily appreciated as all longitudinally extending duct work in the passages 12 and 14 is avoided. The low velocity air flowing down the air shafts 26 through the large openings 45 in the ceiling of the passages 12 and 14 is picked up by the aspirator action of the nozzles 32 and 34 with the result that the total air mass of the passages 12 and 14 moves along the tunnel structure in either direction (depending upon the position of the dampers 42) at a rate in excess of the permitted rate of travel of the vehicle through the tunnel. In this manner there is no possibility of a build-up of objectionable concentration of obnoxious gases and smoke around the vehicle because of the thorough dilution that is taking place within the air being moved forward of the vehcle.
As the movement of the air mass is unidirectional in the passages 12 and 14 with the vehicle, the piston action 3 of the vehicle assists the aspirator action of the nozzles 32 and 34 upon the air Ycarried bythe shafts 26.
I claim:
1. In combination witha tunnel, a first air shaft dis charging into said tunnel, air fan structure having a relatively small discharge as compared to the cross-sectional area of said first air shaft for directing a relatively large volume of air into said shaft to produce an air movement therein of relatively low velocity, a second air shaft discharging into said tunnel and having a relatively small crossesectional area as compared to said First air shaft, structure having a discharge conforming in cross-sectional area substantially to the area of said second shaft for directing a relatively large volume of air into said second shaft to produce therein a relatively high velocity air movement, nozzle structure at the tunnel end of said second air shaft and extending into the tunnel for directing air at high velocity into said tunnel longitudinally thereof, said nozzle structure being located in aspirator relationship to the air discharged into said tunnel by said first air shaft.
2. A tunnel Ventilating system comprising a passage for the movement of vehicles longitudinally thereof, an air shaft of relatively large cross-sectional area opening into said passage through a wall thereof through which a relatively large volume of air at relatively low velocity may flow into said passage, a high velocity air duct of relatively small cross-sectional area as compared to said lair shaft having nozzle structure for directing air at relatively high velocity longitudinally of said passage, means for forcing air with high velocity through said duct and out through said nozzle structure, said nozzle structure being positioned in aspirator relationship with said air shaft where it opens into said passage and being directed along said passage whereby the total air mass of said passage is moved longitudinally thereof at relatively high velocity by air supplied jointly by said air shaft and said air duct.
3. A tunnel Ventilating system as deiined in claim 2,
means controlling the delivery of high velocity air to said nozzle structure, and means controlling said first means under the regulation of a vehicle traversing said passage to provide the total air mass with movement unidirectional with that of the vehicle.
4. A system of Ventilating air delivery and handling for tunnels and the like comprising the delivery of a relatively large volume of air at relatively low velocity and of minimum directional eiects into the tunnel, and imparting relatively high velocity and positive directional clects to the entire air mass of the tunnel by the kaspirator action of a relatively large volume of relatively high velocity air under thev direction of nozzle structure acting longitudinally of the tunnel and located in the stream of said low velocity air.
5. In the combination of claim 1, said nozzles being arranged in two sets disposed in opposite directions of said tunnel, means for regulating the ow of high velocity air through said nozzle sets uni-directional with the movef ment of a vehicle through said tunnel, said last means inv cludiug la damper in said second shaft for selectively directing air through either' of said sets.
References Cited in thele of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 18,567 Wensley et al Aug. 9, 1932 536,932 Lord Apr. 2, 1895 671,264 Churchill et al Apr. 2, 1901 869,297 Davidson Oct. 29, 1907 975,248 Johnson Nov. 8, 1910 1,185,453 Walker May 30, 1916 1,280,254 Lide Oct. 1, 1918` 1,418,980 Seymour lune 6, 1922 2,032,692 Foss Mar. 3, 1936 2,131,725 Chester Oct. 4, 1938 v FOREIGN PATENTS g v Great Britain Jan. 16, 1931
US221233A 1951-04-16 1951-04-16 Systems for ventilating tunnels and the like Expired - Lifetime US2740347A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US221233A US2740347A (en) 1951-04-16 1951-04-16 Systems for ventilating tunnels and the like

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US221233A US2740347A (en) 1951-04-16 1951-04-16 Systems for ventilating tunnels and the like

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US2740347A true US2740347A (en) 1956-04-03

Family

ID=22826959

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US221233A Expired - Lifetime US2740347A (en) 1951-04-16 1951-04-16 Systems for ventilating tunnels and the like

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US2740347A (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3099097A (en) * 1961-05-15 1963-07-30 Richard G Simmons Snow blower apparatus
US4986170A (en) * 1989-09-21 1991-01-22 M & I Heat Transfer Products Ltd. Air handling system
AT411919B (en) * 2002-06-07 2004-07-26 Pischinger Rudolf Dipl Ing Dr METHOD FOR INFLUENCING THE TUNNEL LENGTH FLOW OF A ACCESSIBLE TUNNEL TUBE WITH CROSS VENTILATION FOR IMPROVING THE SMOKE EXTRACTION
US20130137356A1 (en) * 2010-07-27 2013-05-30 Ivor Pavetic Method And System For Tunnel Ventilation In Normal Conditions And In Conditions Of Fire

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US536932A (en) * 1895-04-02 Air-forcing device
US671264A (en) * 1900-11-10 1901-04-02 Charles S Churchill Means for ventilating tunnels.
US869297A (en) * 1904-01-27 1907-10-29 Samuel Cleland Davidson Ventilation of tunnels.
US975248A (en) * 1910-07-25 1910-11-08 Thomas H Johnson Apparatus for ventilating tunnels.
US1185453A (en) * 1912-04-26 1916-05-30 John L Walker Ventilating apparatus for subways.
US1280254A (en) * 1915-04-26 1918-10-01 Martin J Lide Mine ventilation.
US1418980A (en) * 1921-01-20 1922-06-06 James M Seymour Method and means for ventilating vehicular tunnels
GB341460A (en) * 1929-08-06 1931-01-16 Henri Frederic Osmin Sabarthez
USRE18567E (en) * 1932-08-09 Traffic supervisor
US2032692A (en) * 1935-03-23 1936-03-03 B F Sturtevant Company Inc Heat exchange unit
US2131725A (en) * 1932-10-04 1938-10-04 Auditorium Conditioning Corp Method and system for treating air or other fluids

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US536932A (en) * 1895-04-02 Air-forcing device
USRE18567E (en) * 1932-08-09 Traffic supervisor
US671264A (en) * 1900-11-10 1901-04-02 Charles S Churchill Means for ventilating tunnels.
US869297A (en) * 1904-01-27 1907-10-29 Samuel Cleland Davidson Ventilation of tunnels.
US975248A (en) * 1910-07-25 1910-11-08 Thomas H Johnson Apparatus for ventilating tunnels.
US1185453A (en) * 1912-04-26 1916-05-30 John L Walker Ventilating apparatus for subways.
US1280254A (en) * 1915-04-26 1918-10-01 Martin J Lide Mine ventilation.
US1418980A (en) * 1921-01-20 1922-06-06 James M Seymour Method and means for ventilating vehicular tunnels
GB341460A (en) * 1929-08-06 1931-01-16 Henri Frederic Osmin Sabarthez
US2131725A (en) * 1932-10-04 1938-10-04 Auditorium Conditioning Corp Method and system for treating air or other fluids
US2032692A (en) * 1935-03-23 1936-03-03 B F Sturtevant Company Inc Heat exchange unit

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3099097A (en) * 1961-05-15 1963-07-30 Richard G Simmons Snow blower apparatus
US4986170A (en) * 1989-09-21 1991-01-22 M & I Heat Transfer Products Ltd. Air handling system
AT411919B (en) * 2002-06-07 2004-07-26 Pischinger Rudolf Dipl Ing Dr METHOD FOR INFLUENCING THE TUNNEL LENGTH FLOW OF A ACCESSIBLE TUNNEL TUBE WITH CROSS VENTILATION FOR IMPROVING THE SMOKE EXTRACTION
US20130137356A1 (en) * 2010-07-27 2013-05-30 Ivor Pavetic Method And System For Tunnel Ventilation In Normal Conditions And In Conditions Of Fire
US9752436B2 (en) * 2010-07-27 2017-09-05 Ivor Pavetic Method and system for tunnel ventilation in normal conditions and in conditions of fire

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3591229A (en) Installation for reducing the soiling of rear lights or the like at motor vehicle bodies
US2171622A (en) Vehicle ventilating system
CN105971626A (en) Double-track tunnel provided with vertical shaft smoke discharge and ventilation combined and complemented system
US3695679A (en) Motor vehicle body
US2740347A (en) Systems for ventilating tunnels and the like
US2422560A (en) Cold air and recirculated air mixing and distributing means in an overhead air conditioning duct system
US3777648A (en) Motor vehicle ventilating system
US2215901A (en) Heating and ventilating means for vehicles
GB1083465A (en) Improvements in air-conditioning of vehicles
US2496862A (en) Ventilation system
US2470799A (en) Ventilator
US2531733A (en) Air outlet device
JPS5568415A (en) Air conditioning duct for vehicle
US2198229A (en) Cooling means for aircraft engine exhaust stacks
JP2000120399A (en) Ventilating system of huge tunnel
US2756664A (en) Air conditioning and ventilating system for automobiles
FR2401038A2 (en) AUTOMOTIVE INTERIOR VENTILATOR
JPH0624934B2 (en) Control method for railroad vehicle ventilation system
US735823A (en) Ventilating apparatus.
US1145868A (en) Car-ventilating system.
Tabarra et al. Optimizing jet fan performance in longitudinally ventilated rectangular tunnels
CN108798743A (en) A kind of railway tunnel hole Rescue Station smoke controlling ventilating system
US1989270A (en) Spray coating exhaust system
US841049A (en) Ventilating apparatus.
JPH06144222A (en) Ventilating device for high-speed vehicle