US318860A - bowers - Google Patents

Description

Tu e e h S e e h S 2 SM R w O DD B Am m. d o M 0 W ART OP DREDG-ING.

C Patented May 26, 1885.

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N. PETERS. Pnnmvutnognphnr. wnhington. ILC.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets- Sheet 2.

A. B. BOWERS.

ART 0E DREDGING. N0. 318,860. Patented May 26, 1885.

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ALPHONZO B. BOVERS, F SAN FRANCISCO, CALFORNIA.

ART OF DREDGING.

Application iilcd Api-i121, 1835.

To all whom z5 may concern:

Be it known that I, ALPHoNZo B. BowEns, civil engineer, residing at San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of Cali iornia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Art of Dredging, of which the following is a specification, thisapplication being a division of my application tiled December 9, 1876, renewed Aprill, 1879.

This invention relates to dredging; and it consists in certain improvements in the art of dredging by which the dredge-boatniay be conveniently moved int-o operative position, and worked to advantage in such position, my said art of dredging also including methods by which the excavated material is raised and conveyed to a distance; also, in methods by which the excavated material may be forced to a vcry'considerahle distance andthe eonduit prevented from choking, these steps, constituting my improvement, being hereinafter pointed out in the claims.

1 do not herein claim the apparatus described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, nor the method ofraising submerged pipes, the same being claimed in other divisions of my original application, hereinbefore referred to; but this apparatus can be conveniently used to carry my improvements, herein set forth, into operation.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan oi' a portion ot' my dredging apparatus. Fig. 2 is a vertical fore-and-aft section of a portion ofthe hull through the well, in which rotates the turn -table with a side view of the turntable, vertical anchors, and hoist-ing apparatus. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section of a portion of the hull through the counter-balance cylinder and longitudinal well, showing, also, an end view of the bucket-wheel and the arrangement ot' the counter-balance and hoisting apparatus. Fig. 4C is a view of the inner chamber or shield, around which the bucketwheel usually revolves. Fig. 5 is alongitudinal section through the discal ends of the bucket-wheel in the line s s, Fig. 8, showing, also, where the shaft It is secured to the hub of the cutting-wheel, and the outlines of two of the buckets i. connecting the discal ends Between these buckets is shown a longitudinal section of the inner chamber, T. and shaftlt and bearingof this shaft It. Fig. G

isvafside view of the bucket-wheel excavator. Fig. 7 is a cross-section ofthe bucket-wheel,

'l IICATEON {en ing pari'. of Letters Patent No. 318,860, dated lVIay 26, 1885.

(No model with'its buoys 4 4, submerged discharge-pipefn,

5, resting upon the bottom, (over which a vessel is represented as passing) and guys 6 6 for holding the discharge-pipe in proper position. Fig. 10 is a plan of the dredging and transporti ng apparatus, showing, also, a representation of a vessel passing over the discharge pipe, and of the cut made by the dredger as it swings from sido to side. Fig. 1l is an en larged crosssection of the discharge pipeC' and hollow floats 1?. Fig. 12 is a view of the under part of a section of the discharge-pipe,

showing numerous openings therein for the escape of the heavier and eoarser material,

while the water and lighter material are propelled onward to a further point of discharge. l do not confine myself to any peculiar form or arrangement of openings, one or more of' which may be placed anywhere along said conduit where it may he desirable to dischargea portion of the spoil. Fig. 13 is an enlarged side and part sectional view of the mud-receiver, with its pipes, valves, and relay-pump, showing how the charging and discharging of a large receiver may be facilitated by the duplication ofthe branches and valves Y Z. Fig. 1a is an enlarged cross-section of the mud-receiver X.

In all these gures like letters indicate like parts.

A is a floating vessel, that carries the en gines, boilers, and dredging machinery. It is shown in this instance with an elongated longitudinal well for the reception of the swinging portion of the suction-pipe.

B is a large pump, that draws the spoils from the bucket-s of the excavator up the suction-pipe and forces them through the dis charge-pipe to a place of deposit.

B, Fig. 13, is a relay-pump or other auXil iary discharging apparatus, sometimes used in connection with a primary transporting appa ratus to carry the spoils to a greater distance than could conveniently be done bythe original agent, power, or pump, or than would be practicable without subjecting the apparatus to a pressure that might endanger some of the parts, or without the use of heavier or more expensive apparatus than would be desirable for ordinary purposes. It may also be used for discharging the receiver X, and for ex hausting water from pipe C, (when said pipe is submerged,) for the purpose of raising it preparatory to floating it into a new position. As many of these pumps may be used as are necessary to transportthe spoil to the required distance.

C is a suction-pipe connecting the excavator with the pump B. The swinging portion of this pipe is mounted at the inner end of the well upon strong trunnions, one of which forms an elbow of the pipe, and passes through a stuffing-box or other suitable connection into the suction-pipe of the pump B. Through the other trunnion passes ashaft that actuates the gears ,that drive the shaft R and bucketwheel E, andl upon these trunnions t-he shaft R, suction-pipe, and excavator swing as the cutter is raised or lowered to suit the depth at which the work is progressing.

C is a discharge-pipe. It is provided with a strong flexible section, D, or other suitable joint or mounting at or near the turn-table F or other pivot or center of oscillation of the dredging-machine or excavating apparatus, and is constructed and arranged to permit said apparatus or machine to swing horizontally upon said pivot or pivots without materially changing the position of said dischargepipe beyond said mounting, flexible connection, pivot, or pivots. Vhen this pipeis several hundred feet in length, I usually support the inner portion by long narrow hollow tloats,in which case it consists of two parts-an inner oscillating or swinging section (generally composedl of several short sections iiexibl y joined to each other and to the dredge-boat) and an outer stationary or non-oscillating sectioniiexibly joined to said inner section. This permits the boat to feed forward, and the os cillating section to swing (with the advancing boat) on the j oint connecting the oscillating and non-oscillating sections. The discharge-pipe is provided with the pressure-gage 7, to give notice of overpressure and danger of choking of pipe from any sudden change in character of spoil. Vhen pipe C is above deck and extends but a short'distance from the mounting D for discharging alongside, it requires supporting, and is usually suspended from a mast, the claim for which is reserved for another application, now on file.

C is a pipe passing through the receiverX to the exhausting apparatus of said receiver. When used in connection with the pipe C, it may be regarded as the prolongation of said pipe.

C2 is an auxiliary discharge-pipe used in connection with any suitable auxiliary transporting apparatus, and extends from said auxiliary to another auxiliary transporting agent or apparatus, or to a place of deposit.

C3, Fig. 10, is a discharge-pipe extending from a second relay discharge apparatus to a place of deposit. W'hen a iioating dischargepipe would impede navigation, the greater portion niaylie upon the bottom 5, Fig. 9, and when the water is too deep for this lit may be suspended from the buoys 4 4, Fig. 9, and guys and anchors 6 may, if necessary, be used to prevent the discharge-pipe from being disturbed by winds, waves, or currents. When the pipe is to be submerged, it may be advisable to constructit of thin metallic plates, uniting the several sections with ball-andsocket or other strong iiexible connections. In other cases it may be made of wood or metal,accordin g to the preferences of the user.

E is a rotary bucket-wheel excavator, having radiating bottomless buckets 7c, Figs. l, 5, 6, 7, firmly secured at each end to the discal ends b Z) of said excavator. These buckets may be stiffened, strengthened, and protected by rings or screens d, passing around, secured to, and preferably projecting beyond the edges of said buckets, Figs. l, 5, 6, 7, 8. These rings may be sharp to cut like the revolving disk colters of plows, and serve to divide the material entering the buckets and to exclude substances too hard to be cut and too coarse to pass through the pipe and pump. They serve also as fenders, to enable the cutter to ride over obstructions without catching and breaking. The edges of the buckets are sharp and may be provided with detachable steel knives or cutters S, Fig. 6, for working in hard material.

The outer discal end, Figs. l, 3, 6, 8, may be provided with cutting-edges, lips, or scoop c, to obviate the danger of breakage from jan1 ming against a hard bank as the dredger heaves in the swell of the sea. In making the necessary openings in the discal end to admit the silt from said scoops said end plate becomes changed to the form ofaspider o'r series of arms, which may be strengthened by thel lower ring, d, which may in turn be regarded .as forming a series of braces extending between the said arms at or near their outer parts. The several parts of .this excavator may be made separate and detachable, or it may be east in a single piece. I do not confine myself to the precise mode described of mounting this excavator-wheel or of freeing it of its contents. It may be of any desiredsize and proportion of parts, and may discharge its contents inward through itself into any suitable conduit or receiver. The rings d may be omitted in soft mud free from substances too coarse to pass through the pipe and pump, though always at the risk o f the projecting buckets catching upon obstructions and get ting broken.

F, Figs. 1, 2, 10, is asmall cylindrical turntable rotating in a circula'.1 well or frame. It is provided with a strong iange or othersuit- IOC) IIO

able bearing, and is rotated in any convenient manner. Two or more vertical apertures, e e, pass through the turn-table from top to bottom on opposite sides, as shown.

G G2, Figs.'2, 9, are vertical anchors passing loosely through the apertures c c in the turntable into the mud below. They are raised by blocks and tackle attached to the mastf, or in any other usual manner.

H is a counter-balance cylinder connected with the suction-pipe, excavator, and hoisting apparatus to obviate the danger of breakage from pounding upon the bottom in a heavy swell. It is provided with a piston, pistonrod, and gland like a steam-engine. Steam or compressed air is admitted to the upper side of the piston, the area of'which is sufficient very nearly to balance under the given pressure the weight of the suction-pipe and exeavator. To the upper end of the piston is attached the hawser L, passing over suitable sheaves in the frame K, thence through the block J', Fig. 3, whence it passes over other sheaves in said frame to the windlass J, by which means the excavator can be raised or lowered by said windlass without interrupting the action of the counter-balance. When the drcdger rises on a swell, the excavator rises also, and as the dredger sinksin the trough of the sea the excavator falls upon the bot-tom, not with the full weight of the excavator and suction-pipe, but with the unbalanced weight only, strikingso lightly as not to endangerthe safety ofthe wheel. This device is necessary only when dredging ahard bottom in aheavy swell. iVhen not required for this purpose, the cylinder H maybe utilized as a 'steam or hydraulic hoist, or be dispensed with altogether.

I is a variable winding device, of which there are many suitable forms. I prefer ordinary winding-drums driven by a separate engine, though `for simplicity of illustration I have shown tapering dru insh 1,loosel y mounted on a shaft and driven (through V- shaped friction-couplings and suitable connect-ions) by the main engine. The disengaged drum gives out one warping line as the engaged drum takes in the other. The ofiice of this device is to vary the speed of the side feed for the purpose of regulating the percentages of earth and water delivered to the pump, (without affecting the speed of other parts of the machine.) This speed (with the device shown) is dependent upon the diameter upon which the warping lines wind, and is varied by shifting the sliding guide-sheaves i i toward or from the larger ends of the drums by means of the hand wheels and screws, as shown.

J is awindlass for raising and lowering the excavator.

K is a frame from which the suction-pipe and excavator are suspended.

L is a line or chain for raising, lowering, and counterbalancing the excavator.

M M are warping lines passing from the hold to the winding-drums 7L h., around which they make a sutcicnt number of turns to prei vent slipping, whence they pass around suitable guide-sheaves to and through the anchored blocks U U to the outer end of the suctionpipe to which they are secured, so that the working side strain falls mostly upon the outer end of the suction-pipe, (or of the ladder supporting said suction-pipe,if such be used,) and but lightly upon the joints or trunnions supporting the inner ends of said pipe or ladder. As the outer ends of these lines wind upon the drums in the device shown, the inner ends unwind and descend to the hold. The office of these lines is to swing the excavating apparatus or the dredger from side to side in the process of dredging, and firmly to anchor the excavator end of the dredger when it is not at work, which latter is accomplished by simply engaging both d ruins 7L h in theirfriction-couplings.

N is a-foree and suction pump. It is used to exhaust the water from the discharge-pipe for the purpose of raising the submerged portion to dilute the spoils, so that they will spread over a large area of land, or to enable them to be transported through long pipes without the aid of a relay-pump to clear the pipes when accidentally choked, should this ever occur, and to prime the pump B, the latter or its suction-pipe being provided with the usual valve or valves for this purpose. Like most steam-pumps, it is provided with two suctionorices on opposite sides of the water-chamber and a discharge directly over each suction. To the suction and discharge on one side is connected the branch pipe O, leading into the pipe C. Each branch is provided with valves in the usual manner of arranging a branch pipe to serve for suction and discharge. The discharge branch only is shown, the suction being directly under it. To the suction on the other side of the water-chamber is secured a valve and pipe communicating with any suitable supply of water (usually that in which the drcdger iioats) and sometimes by a branch pipe and valve with thehold of the vessel for discharging leakage, and by another branch and valve with pump B for priming said pump by suction. To the discharge above this suction is connected a pipe or hose, that may also be used for priming the pump B by discharging into it, and for all the various purposes of an ordinary ship-pump. When O is used as a suction-pipe to draw from pipe C, the valve on the discharge branch is closed, the suction branch valve is opened, and the discharge is through the pipe or hose on the opposite side. XVhen O is used as a dischargepipe to force into pipe C, the suction branch valve is closed, the discharge branch valve is opened, and the suction is through the opposite suction-pi pe. iVhen the suction is through the pipe opposite the suction branch of pipe O, the discharge may be through the pipe or hose above it or through the discharge branch of O into pipe C', as regulated by the valves to suit the purposes of the user. O is a pipe with branches. and valves con- IOO IIC

necting both suction and discharge on one side of the pump N with pipe G, and is either a suction or discharge pipe, as regulated by its valves.

P P are long narrow hollow floats, preferably extending longitudinallyalong each side of the short sections of the discharge-pipe for supporting them on t-he water. They maybe made of wood or metal, and be secured together and to the discharge-pipe by pieces of scantling passing crosswise over and under the pipe and floats, and fastened with rods passing each side of the pipe and floats, as shown in Fig. l1, though I do not confine myself to this form of construction.

Q is a pulley or gear for actuating the gears c' and excavator E. It maybe connected with its shaft by a friction-'coupling.

R is the driving-shaft of the bucket-wheel. It is keyed or otherwise secured to the hub of the wheel, whence it passes through suitable bearings in the inner chamber up the suctionpipe and through a stufiing-box to the gears 27, by which it is actuated.

S is a strong detachable steel knife, sometimes used on the edges of the buckets when working in hard material. It may be serrated, chisel-toothed, or straight-edged, according to the character of the materials to be cut, a straight edge being preferable for ordinary work.

T is an inner chamber or shield, around which the bucket-wheel revolves and into which it discharges. This chamber is provided with a strong iiange, by which it is secured to a similar flange on the end of the suctionpipe. It is also provided with a large opening, u, Figs. 4, T, through which the spoils enter from the buckets,and through this opening, Fig. et, is seen a portion of the drivingshaft R and the bearing of said shaft in the end of said chamber. This chamber orshield forms a bottom for the buckets 7i until they reach the opening a, as shown in the crosssection of the wheel and chamber, Fig. 7. As the buckets pass this opening, they discharge mud and water into the chamber, as indicated by the inner arrows, the outer arrow showing the direction of rotation. The office in part of this chamber or shield is to prevent too large a percentage of water from entering with the mud; but when the spoils are of a character to require a large percentage of water to carrythem up the suction-pipe or to send them through the dischargepipe, as may sometimes be the case, the chamber may be cut away until only enough remains to support the excavator and shaft B.

U U are blocks anchored at suitable points on each side of the dredger through which pass the warping lines 3 M, for the purpose of swinging the dredger or the excavating apparatus from side to side. They are usually placed from three hundred to sixhundred feet apart and a little in advance of the ends of the first cuts made by the excavator to allow a wide swing and avoid the necessity for too frequent change of place as the work progresses.

V is a branch pipe and valve,through which samples of the spoils are drawn from the discharge-pipe to enable the operator properly to regulate the speed of the side feed. It is preferably placed about one-third the diameter of the discharge-pipe from the lower side of said pipe, in order to secure a fair average sample.

XV is a small tank resting upon scales. It is provided with a discharge pipe and valve. It is filled with spoils drawn from the dis'- charge-pipe through the branch and valve V, and the speed of the side feed is increased or diminished according to the weight of the spoils.

X is a floating mud-receiver carrying the relay-pump or other auxiliary discharging apparatus, B, and its actuating machinery. The main purpose of this receiver' is to permit the excavator to run continuously, although the relay-pump be stopped for a little while, the receiver affording a receptacle for the spoils in the meantime. Longitudinally through this receiver passes the pipe C to the auxiliary discharging apparatus B, whence' the pipe C2 extends to another auxiliary discharging apparatus or to a place of deposit.

Y is a valve on the pipe C within the receiver X. This valve is adjusted to open automatically outward with slight pressure, and serves asa relief-valve in case of stoppage ofthe pump B while the pump B is running. It

' serves also as a guide to regulate the speed of pump B', which .should be increased beyond that necessary for preventing the opening of this valve, in order to aid by suction as well as forcing. This valve may be set wide open for the purpose of filling the receiver, and may be securely closed when the pump B is used to force the material into the pump B', for the purpose of increasing the efciencyof thelatter. Itis also opened to admit air into the discharge-pipe when the water is to be withdrawn therefrom by pump N.

Z is a branch and valve through which mud is drawn from the receiver to be discharged through the pipe C2.

Z' is a branch and valve foradmitting water to wash outthe pipe C2 after the mud has been discharged from the receiver.

Z2 is a valve for closing the pipe G" while the mud-receiver is being discharged, r when said receiver is disconnected from the pipe C', and takes the mud directly from the dumping or dredging apparatus.

Z: is a pipe and valve used rfor admitting water through the bottom of the receiver for the purpose of diluting the mud when it is too stiff to pass freely up the branch Z. It may have branch-pipes, with numerous small openings, for the more thorough dilution of the spoils. This receiver may be used in connection with any dredging apparatus for continnous transportation of the spoils through pipes as the work progresses; or it may be filled,

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towed to the place of deposit, and there be connected with a discharge-pipe for putt-ing the spoils on shore.

The operation of dredging is as follows: The vertical anchors and excavator being raised to allow freedom of motion, the dredger is placed in position with the turn-table in line with the longitudinal axis of the proposed cut. The turn-table is then rotated until the vertical anchors are also in line with said axis, and both anchors are then dropped into the mud. The discharge-pipe is placed in position, the blocks U U anchored at suitable points for swinging the machine, and the dredger swung round until the excavator reaches the side of the proposed eut, as shown in Fie'. l0. The lines M M are drawn taut, and the excavator lowered below the surface of the water. The pump B is then primed, started, and the excavator set in motion and lowered its entire diameter into the mud. The proper windingdrum is then engaged,and the dredger, swinging on the turn-table as a pivot or center of oscillation, rapidly cuts its way to the opposite side. To secure a steady side feed, the frictioncoupling of the unwinding-drum may be adj usted to keep the unwinding-line sufiiciently taut to prevent voering of the dredger with wind or tide. Upon reaching the opposite side, the winding-drum is disengaged, the excavator again lowered its full diameter, the side feed reversed, and the dredger cuts back again. This process is repeated until the proper depth is obtained. The excavator is then raised above the bank in front, the anchor Gr raised, as shown in Fie. 2, and the turn-table rotated upon the anchor G2 until G is squarely in front of G2 in line with the longitudinal axis of the proposed excavation, as indicated by the broken-lined outline G', Fig. 2. G is then dropped into the mud, 'and the worl; proceeds as before, the dredger having been fed forward the distance between the centers of the vertical anchors, which is fixed to correspond with the cut capable of being made by the excavator. This arrangement for feeding forward keeps the center of oscillation of the dredger coincident with that from which the are to be cut by the excavator should be cilitate its discharge, which consists in forcdescribed.

A less perfect forward feed is secured by placing the dredger so that the excavator is at Lthe side and the turn-table in line with the longitudinal axis of the proposed excavation. The turn-table is then rotated until the vertical anchors are in aline parallel with the transverse axis of the dredger, where it is made stationary. This leaves one anchor diagonally in advance of the other, the dredger lying diagonally across one half of the line of the proposed excavation. The forward anchor is now dropped into the mud to form a pivot upon which the dredger swings as it cuts to the opposite side. The dredger then lies diagonally across the other half of the line of the proposed excavation, the swing having brought the rear anchor to the front.

This anchor in its turn is dropped to form a new pivot, and tne other anchor is then raised. The dredgcr swings first upon one and then upon the other anchor, these anchors being alternately raised and lowered for this purpose. swinging alternately upon two different pivots gives a wedge-shaped out requiring two full swings to make one full cut, it is equivalent to a loss of one-half of the time, and is used only to prevent stoppage of work when the apparatus -for rotating the turn-table is stopped for repairs or other cause, in which case it becomes valuable.

Vhat I claim in this division of my application :s-

l. The improvement inthe art of dredging, which consists in oscillating the dredge-boat on a center, thereby continuously removing the spoil from an arc-shaped surface, conveying the sameinto the boat, and forcing itthence through a closed conduit by a series of iinpulses, diluting the spoils in its passage to facilitate discharge.

2. The improvementin the art of dredging, which consists in successively oscillating a dredge-boat about a contained center, thereby removing successive arc-shaped layers while swinging sidewise, substantially as described.

3. The improvement in the art of dredging, which consists in oscillating the boat on a contained center, thereby making an arcshaped eut during the side movement of the boat, substantially as described.

fl. The described method of dredging, which consists in oscillating the dredge-boat on a contained center, and by such oscillation forcing the excavator continuously sidewise, and so making an arc-shaped cut and eontinu ously bringing the excavated material inward, substantially as described.

5. The described method of dredging, which consists in oscillating the dredge-boat on a center, and by such oscillation forcing an excavator continuously sidewise, thus making an arc-shaped cut and drawing the excavated material inboard by suction.

6. The method of diluting the spoils to faing the same through a closed conveyor, and forcing a supplementary diluting substance into said closed conveyor.

7. The method of conveying mud from a dredger, which consists in forcing it continuously through a closed conduit by a succession of forward impulses, as set forth.

8. The process of transporting mud and semi-liquid material, consisting in forcing the same through a succession of coaetlng pumps and pipes to a place of deposit.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALPHONZO B. BOYVERS.

W'itnesses:

W. A. B inrnnin PHILIP Manno.

As this mode of feeding by l ICO IIC

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