US662329A - Dredger. - Google Patents

Description

'. No. 662,329. vPatented Nov.'20, I900. 8. A. WEST.

DREDGEB.

(Lpplicltion filed Doc. 18, 1899.)

(lo Model.) asham shm I.

Tu: Noam PETEVIS co PnoTo-umo, WASHINGTON, 0. c4

'No. 662,329. Patented Nov. 20, I900. S. A. WEST. DBEDGEB.

6 Sheets-Sheet 2.

No. 662,329. Patented Nov. 20, i900. s. A. WEST.

DBEDGER.

(Application filed Dec. 18, 1899.)

(No Model.)

6 Sheets-Sheet 3.

fi i'dnesses: [7206226021- "(L-662,329. Patented Nov. 20, I900.

s. A. wast. DREDGEB.

(llo Iodol.)

6 Sheets-Sheet 4.

w: Noams PETERS co.

Patented Nov. 20, 1900. S. A. WEST. DREDGER.

(Application filed Dec. 18, 1899.)

( No Model.)

6 Sheets-Sheet 5.

WzZnesses,

Tu: NORNS PETERS co. Puma mun, WASHINGTON. o. c. v

Patented" Nov. 20, I900.

S..A. WEST,

D R E D G E R.

(Application filed Dec. 18, 1899.)

6 Shady- Sheet 6.

(No Model THE mums PETERS co, PHOTO-LUNG, wAsMmoTcN. n. cy

' Uwrrnn Frames PATENT FFlCEr SAMUEL A. VEST, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO .BERTIN A. WEYL, OF SAME PLACE.

DREDGER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 662,329, dated November 20, 1900.

Application filed December 18, 1899. serial No. 740,799. (No model) To all whom it may concern:

Be'it known that I, SAMUELA. WEST, acitizen of the United States, residing at No. 158 First street, in the city and county of San Francisco, in the State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dredgers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of said invention, such as will enable IO others skilled in the art to which it most nearly appertains to make, use, and practice the same.

This invention relates to improvements in dredgers, and more particularly to dredgers for gold mining.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of one of the floats or barges, the caisson, sluice-boxes, and amalgamators, the barge nearer being removed to show the lower end of the caisson. Fig. lsliis a continuation of Fig. 1 from the lines of separation X X and shows the endless-belt bucket elevator and the mounting for the same. Fig.

2 is a front elevation of the dredger floats and framing, together with the controlling mechanism by which it is swung from side to side,

the caisson and its operative mechanism and the sluice-boxes being removed. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the dredger, the elevator be- 0 ing removed and showing in dotted lines the sluice-boxes. Fig. 4 is a plan View of the boom for carrying the bucket elevator and the mechanism by which it is shifted sidewise about its pivot, two positions being in- 5 dicated by the broken lines Y Y, extending from the center of the pivot. Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the caisson, its operative mechanism, and mounting. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the caisson and its operative and control- 0 ling mechanisms.

The present invention has for its particular objects the production of a machine which will lift the bulk or rough material from the bed of the river, stream, or lake in which it 5 is operated toclear the same for the descent of a caisson or bell in which a miner may work upon the finer material left on the bedrock and in the fissures of the same.

A further object is to provide a construction by which the caisson may be shifted over a certain path without necessitating the complete raising of the caisson or the shifting of the floats or barges on which it is carried.

A further object is to provide means whereby the material gathered in the caisson will be delivered therefrom to a system of sluiceboxes in all positions of the caisson sidewise or raised or lowered.

A further object is to provide means for raising and lowering the caisson positively and with force and to maintain it so lowered, and a further object is to regulate automatically the air-pressure in the said caisson.

The machine shown in the drawings is divisable into three separate mechanisms. The floats, the staging and trackways erected on the same, and the sluice-boxes and amalgama tors constitute one division. The endlessbelt bucket elevator and mechanism foroperating and controlling the same constitute a second division, while the caisson and its shifting mechanisms and the forced air and forced water systems operating on the caisson constitute the third division. To facilitate the description of the invention, we will describe each division in the order named.

Of the first division the floats 1 l are constructed of any suitable material and size calculated to carry the total Weight of the parts of the machine. These floats are separated a distance amply sufficient to permit the caisson to pass between them. They are connected by suitable bracing passing across the ends of the open space between. Upon the decks of these floats are mounted the various engines and boilers needed to operate the mechanisms for operating and controlling the elevator and caisson, and also the tracks 2 2, the sluice-boxes 3, and the platform 4., carrying the amalgamator 5, astairway (1' lead- 0 ing from the deck to the platform. The tracks 2 2 consist of suitable metal rails and extend from the cross-brace 7 in the front to the overhanging cross-brace 8 in the rear of the machine. The platform lis provided with a suit- 5 able roof 9. (See Fig. 2.) The sluice-boxes are of any suitable construction, provided with the usual riffles and grizzlies and are extended from either side of the center of the machine and at approximately the same height at the ends to receive the flow from the pump leading from the caisson in every position of the caisson on its track. By a system of boxes leading the one into the other the material is finally delivered to the amalgamator, as shown in Fig. 1 of drawings. The debris and large stone or gravel which is carried past the grizzlies or perforated bottom of the sluice-box is carried out over the rear end of the machine, as is the fine debris and water which passes through the amalgamators. The forward ends of the sluice-boxes 3 extend across the space between the floats 1 1 to receive the contents from the buckets of the elevator. (See Figs. 11} and 3ofdrawings.)

Of the second of the above-mentioned divisions the endless chain 10 is constructed to operate over the sprockets 11 11 and has secured at suitable intervals the buckets 12 12, of which a few only are shown in Fig. 1% of drawings. These buckets are of any desired construction, designed to dig as a scoop as they pass around the lower sprocket and deliver their load or contents as they pass over the upper sprocket, which in this instance is delivered into the sluice-box The chain is carried on a frame 13, which is pivotally hung from the upper end of a pivotal standard 14: and is raised and lowered by the tackle consisting of the pulleys 15 15 and line 16, which leads back and is wound on the winch 17, which may be hand or power driven. By this construction the end of the elevator may be raised or lowered. The pulleys 15 are supported from the boom 18, between the parallel arms of which the elevator rises. This boom is secured and braced upon the pivotal standard 14. At the outer end, secured to eyelets, are guy-ropes 19, which lead to and pass about pulleys 2O at either extremity of the cross-beam of the end framing of the machine. From these pulleys each extension of the guy-rope is led to and wound on a winch 21 in such manner that one extension is wound off as the other is wound on the said winch. By this means the boom 18 and the elevator are swung about the pivotal center 22 of the standard 14, causing the elevator to raise the rough material ofi the bed-rock or to wear the bed-rock in the path of the caisson as the machine is moved forward. As the heavy materialfrom the elevator is deposited in the sluicebox 3 a stream of water is thrown by the centrifugal or other pump 23 through the pipe 24: into the sluice-box'to wash the material down and prevent the stoppage or lodgment at that point. This mixed stream of water and heavier material is carried down the inclined sluice-boxes and separated by the grizzly, the heavier debris and large gravel and stone passing from the sluice over the rear end of the machine, While the finer sand and light dirt are carried through the amalgamators 5 and there denuded of the gold carried by them.

This invention is based on the known fact that in the sediment of any deposits of the streams containing gold the gold is heavier and sinks through the lighter material and lies on or near the bed-rock in largest percentages, and also that the fissures or raised edges of the bed-rock, as well as sharp depressions therein, serve as resting-places for the gold, where it remains unaffected by the floods, which may wash the upper and lighter material away. It is impossible for the dredger of the usual construction to get at or raise the gold from these places. It is with special reference to the accomplishment of this object that I have designed the present machine, employing the caisson, which may be lowered to bed-rock and the water forced from it by pneumatic pressure, permitting a man to descend to and operate on the bedrock, to scrape the gold or heavy sand containing gold off the surface of the rock and from the depressions and fissures in the same.

Of the third of the divisions above mentioned the caisson 25 is the element operated on. It consists of a cylinder of suitable metal calculated to withstand any crushing strain to which the use described might subject it. The bottom is open and unobstructed. The top is closed, having set in the metal a-heavy plate-glass 26, to furnish light and serve as an observation-point to observe the operations of the operator, and thus guard against accident to him. Through the top is provided a manhole or entrance which is closed by a door 27, which may be locked in position. Through this top is also introduced the flexible air-duct 28, which is connected by suitable valves 29 29 to the pipes 30, extended parallel with the track of the caisson and provided with the said valves 29 at intervals to provide for connections for the pipe 28 in convenient locations. The pipe 30 is connected by the pipe 31 to an air-compressor 32, located on the deck of the float. The air thus employed serves the triple purpose of forcing the water from the caisson, providing air for the operator to breathe, and to raise the caisson. To lower the caisson, there are provided the hydraulic rams 33 33, which consist of hollow cylinders secured to the guide-frame 34, in which the caisson operates. In these cylinders are fitted the rams 35, which are rigidly mounted on the brackets 36, set out from the side of the caisson near the lower edge thereof. The frame 34 is strengthened by the vertical tie-rods 37. (See Fig. tiofthe drawings.) Into the upper end of the cylinders are introduced the pipes 38, and these are fed from the pipe 39, which is connected by a flexible section to a valve 41 on the pipe 42, which extends parallel to the tracks 2. By the pipe 43 the before-mentioned pipes are connected to a hydraulic force-pump (not shown in the drawings) of any suitable construction. It will be seen that as the water is pumped into the cylinders above the rams these are forced down, carrying the caisson until the same rests firmly on the bed-rock; also, by permitting the water to flow from the cylinders above the rams the caisson will be raised by the air in the same. For this purpose the pipes 39 and 40 are provided with the valves side of the caisson.

46 and 45. WVhen it is thus desired to raise the caisson, the valve 45 is closed and the valve 46 is opened, permitting the water to flow down the pipe 39 and escape from the same. This flow may be regulated by the valve to permit the rise of the caisson to be controlled by the operator. This permits the caisson to be raised a short distance from the bed-rock, so that the same maybe shifted on the tracks 2 2 without raising the caisson more than is absolutely needed to pass any obstruction on the bed-rock. In thus shifting the caisson it may become necessary to connect the pipe 40 to another of the valves 41, and it is to permit this while holding the caisson down that the valve 44 is placed on the pipe 39, above the connection of the pipe 40, so that by the closing of the valve 44 the water-pressure is maintained on the caisson While the pipe 40 is disconnected from one valve 41 and attached to another. "When the connection is made, the valve 44 may be opened to allow added pressure to be placed on the caisson or a diminution of the same through the valve 46, as described. The frame 34 is raised on the truck 47, which is mounted on the wheels 48 on the tracks 2 2. Upon opposite sides of the truck are secured the ends of an endless line 49, which is led forward and aft around the pulleys 50 50 at the forward and rear ends of the path of the caisson and wound on the drum 51, mounted on the side of the truck. This drum isrotated by a suitable crank and gear turned by hand-power. By connecting the ends of the line 49 on the one side of the truck and drum 51 on the opposite side the moving strain is equalized on the truck. As the inaterial is gathered at the bedrock by the miner in the caisson it is thrown within the infiuence of a pump 52, which is secured to the (See Fig. 5 of the drawings.) This pump is of any suited construction adapted to raise the heavy material thus delivered to it upward through the pipes 53 54 and deliver it into the top sluice-box 3 through the horizontal extension 55. The pipes 53 54 are of different diameters and arranged to telescope, the upper extension 54 being mounted siationarily on the frame 34 and held in guides 56 to the side of the caisson. The lower extension 53 is mounted stationarily on the side of the caisson to move with the same. By this arrangement the delivery end of the pump is maintained in po sition to deliver the material, as raised, to the sluice-boXes independently of the depth to which the caisson is sunk. The pump 52 is in the present. instance operated by a stream of water delivered to it by the flexible pipe 57, which is connected by the pipes 58 and 59 to the centrifugal or other force-pit m p 60, which is driven by the same engine operating the force-pump for the rains for sinking the caisson. (See Fig. 3, in which the broken lines terminating in the arrow-heads indicate belting connecting the pulleys of the driving mechanism.)

The machine is anchored by any suitable means which will permit of its being shifted from time to time in eithera forward or sidewise position.

In the operation of the general machine the elevator 10 is employed to raise the bulk of the sediment on the river-bed and conveyit into the sluice-box 3, where it is washed down and through the amalgamator 5 to save any gold which maybe carried by it. As itis operated it is swung about its pivot 22 and the machine moved slowly forward. This operation is continued until the end of the elevator has passed over and cleared as much of the bed as is covered by the space between the tracks 2 2. The caisson is then shifted'back to the rear end of the tracks by the line 49 and drum 50, Where it is lowered by the hydraulic rams 33, as described. hen the caisson is in position on the bed-rock, the miner enters through the door 27, and the air-pressure is turned on, with the effect that the water in the lower end of the caisson is gradually forced out of the same until it is cleared,when

the miner may descend by a ladder provided to the bedrock and pursue his operations, as described. As the space covered by the caisson is cleared the same may be partly raised off the bottom (the water being maintained out by the air-pressure) and shifted forward by the line 49 and drum 50 for the distance of its diameter, Where it is again lowered. This operation is continued until the caisson is drawn forward to the forward end of the tracks 2 2 and the whole stretch of the bedrock has been cleaned up. The machine is now slowly shifted forward, the elevator 10 operating as described, and the caisson remaining stationary until ready to be shifted forward. The operation of the-elevator is much more rapid than the caisson, so that the forward movement of the elevator and floats is greater and more constant than the move ments of the caisson. This results in the caisson, though moving forward from time to time, coming ultimately to the rear of the tracks 2 2. Here the forward movement of the elevator and floats is arrested until the caisson has been again moved to the forward end of the tracks, as described, when the elevator and floats are again moved. This operation is contin nous.

To prevent accident by reason of overpressure of air in the caisson, the pipe 30 is provided at the one end with valve 51, which opens at a fixed pressure. The same provision is made in the employment of a pressurevalve 62 on the pipe '58 to regulate the force of the water operating the pump 52.

While I have described the simple .means of introducing the miner through the door 27 prior to admitting the air-pressure, it will be understood a construction of an inner compartment with two doors of the ordinary construction could be employed, which would admit the miner to and from the caisson at all times.

As an adjunct to the raising and lowering apparatus I have shown at Fig. 1 a mechanical device consisting of the line 63 and pulleys 64. This line is operated by a drum or winch power or hand driven. It is intended to supplement the action herein described. This tackle is also used in connection with a brake 65 to control the descent of the caisson.

Having thus described this invention, it is claimed- 1. In a dredger of the character specified, the combination with a barge having an open ing to receive a caisson; of a caisson open at the lower end and having a top closed by a door; two hydraulic rams located on opposite sides of the caisson; suitable machinery for forcing water into the said rams to lower the caisson; and a forced-air system to fill the said caisson with air to force the water therefrom; substantially as described.

2. In a device of the nature indicated,a supporting structure,a caisson movable thereon, a ram having sliding movement in a tube, said ram and tube extending in the direction of the before-mentioned movement of the caisson and being attached one to the supporting structure and the other to the caisson, means for supplying a fluid to the said tube to act upon the ram to cause movement of the caisson, and means for discharging said fluid from the tube; substantially as described.

3. In a device of the nature indicated,a supporting structure, a caisson movable thereon, and having an attached part in a chamber adapted to receive a fluid to bear. upon said attached part to cause movement of the said caisson,a pipe communicating with said chamber and provided with a discharge-valve, and a supply-pipe communicating with said firstmentioned pipe at a point between the discharge-valve and the point of communication between the said first-mentioned pipe and the chamber; substantially as described.

4. In a device of the nature indicated,a movable caisson arranged with a chamber adapted to receive fluid to cause movement of the caisson, a supply-pipe communicating with said chamber, said supply pipe having detachable connection with its source of supply, and a valve in said pipe between its source of supply and the point at which it communicates with said chamber; substantially as described.

5. In a device of the nature indicated,a movable caisson arranged with acham ber adapted to receive fluid to cause movement of the caisson, a pipe comm nnicating with said chamber and adapted to supply the fluid for causing movement of the caisson, two valves in said pipe, a supply-pipe communicating with said first-mentioned pipe at a point between said valves, said supply-pipe having detachable connection with its source of supply, and a valve in said supply-pipe; substantially as described.

6. In a device of the nature indicated,a supporting structure, a caisson or the like having movement thereon, a supply-pipe upon said structure and extending in substantially the direction of movement of the caisson,a plurality of valves upon said pipe, and asecond pipe communicating with said caisson and adapted to be connected to the various valves on the firstmentioned pipe; substantially as described.

7. In a dredger of the character specified, the combination with a barge consisting in two floats separated to receive a caisson between and having parallel tracks mounted one on each float; a caisson mounted on Wheels on the said tracks and open at the bottom and closed at the top by a door; suitable means for moving the caisson on the said tracks; two hydraulic rams located on opposite sides of the caisson; suitable machinery for forcing water into the said rams to lower the caisson and having a delivery-pipe parallel with the said tracks provided with connection-valves at suitable intervals; a connecting-pipe to connect one of the said valves on the delivery-pipe and the said rams and adapted to be extended to varying lengths to form the connection independently of the location of the valves and rams; and a forced-air system to fill the said caisson with air to force the water therefrom; substantially as described.

8. In a dredger of the character specified the combination with a barge consisting in two floats separated to receive a caisson between and having parallel tracks mounted one on each float; a caisson mounted on wheels on the said tracks and open at the bottom and closed at the top by a door; suitable means for moving the caisson on the said tracks; two hydraulic rams located on opposite sides of the caisson; suitable machinery for forcing Water into the said rams to lower the caisson, and having a delivery-pipe parallel with the said tracks provided with connection-valves at suitable intervals; a connecting-pipe to connect one of the said valves on the delivery-pipe and the said rams and adapted to be extended to varying lengths to form the connection independently of the location of the valves and rams; and a forced-air system to fill the said'caisson with air to force the water therefrom and comprising a pipe extended parallel with the said tracks and having con nection-valves at suited intervals, and a flexible pipe connecting the said caisson and valves; substantially as described.

9. In a device of the nature indicated, a float, a caisson movable along said float, a sluice-box upon said float and extending substantially parallel with the direction of said movement of the caisson, and a discharging apparatus carried by said caisson and adapted to discharge into said sluice-box; substantially as described.

10. In a dredger of the character specified the combination with a barge consisting in two floats separated to receive a caisson between and having parallel tracks mounted one on each float; a caisson mounted on Wheels on the said tracks, and provided with suitable means for being moved thereon; a hydranlic pump located at the lower end of the said caisson and provided with a telescopic delivery-pipe the upper end of which is secured to remain constantly at the same height; a sluice-box stationarily arranged on one of the said floats to receive the delivery from the said telescopic pipe, and extended parallel to the said tracks, substantially as described.

11. In a dredger of the character specified the combination with an endless bucket elevator adapted to raise the earthy sediment from near the bed-rock a barge consisting of two parallel floats separated to receive a caisson between and having parallel tracks mounted one on each float; a caisson mounted on the said tracks and provided with suitable means for being moved lengthwise the same; a hydraulic pump located on the lower end of the said caisson to move with the same and provided with a telescopic delivery-pipe the upper end of which is stationarily fixed to remain at the same height; and a sluiceboX stationarily arranged on the said float to receive and deliver from the said bucket elevator and the said delivery-pipe and extended lengthwise on the said tracks, substantially as described.

12. In a dredger of the character specified the combination with a barge having an opening to receive a caisson; of a caisson open at the lower end and having a top closed by a door; two hydraulic rams located on opposite sides of the caisson to lower the same and provided with suitable forcing machinery; a forced-air system to fill the said caisson with air and float the same as the water is drawn from the said rams and a suitable mechanical hoisting apparatus connected to the said caisson and comprising a brake to prevent the fall of the said caisson, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 24th day of November, 1899.

SAMUEL A. EST.

IVitnesses:

MAIER. A. OAHN, FRANKLIN L. RATHBUN.

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