US824877A

US824877A - Air-lock for caissons.

Info

Publication number: US824877A
Application number: US28797005A
Authority: US
Inventors: Samuel Mattson; William M Torrance
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1905-11-18
Filing date: 1905-11-18
Publication date: 1906-07-03
Anticipated expiration: 1923-07-03

Description

PATENTED JU'LY 3, '1906.

INVENTUM: W MVM@ film/1 S; MATTSON (Ya W. M. TORRANGE. AIR LOCK FOR GAISSONS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.18,1905.

WITNESSES 1H: Nanms PETERS ca.. WASHINGTON. D. c.

No. 824,877. PATBNTED JULY 3.1906. s. MATTSON & W. M. TORRANGE. AIR LOOK FOR GAISSONS.l

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 18, 1905.

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PATENTED JULY 3 S. MATTSON d; W. M. TORRANGE.

AIR LOCK FOR CAISSONS. APPLICATION FILED Nmms, 1905.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL HATTSON, OF NEW YORK, AND WILLIAM M. TOR'RANOE, OF YONKERS, NEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 3, 1906.

Application iled November 1S, 1905. Serial No. 287,970.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, SAMUEL MATTSON, residing in the borough of Brooklyn, in the city of New York, and VILLIAM M. TOR- RANCE, residing in the city of Yonkers, in the county of l/Vestcliester, State of New York, citizens of the United States of America, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Air-Locks for Caissons.

This invention relates to air-locks constructed for the passing of hoisting-ropes with suspended buckets for the removal of material from caisson excavations or in any movement of tools or material into or out of caissons in which it is necessary to pass a hoisting-rope through a rope-passing door which clofies the caisson to enable the maintenance of a state of air-pressure different from normal free atmospheric pressure with more especial reference to the movement of excavation-buckets through such air-locks into and out of caissons.

The object of our invention is to construct an air-lock with a top rope-passing door of three or more valves extending from the sides to the center and so arranged that an opening for the passage of a rope through same is left at the center and in which the top opening is centered vertically over the bottom opening and over the vertical shaft reaching down to the caisson.

In the accompanying three sheets of drawings, which form a part of this application, Figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an air-lock embodying features of our invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan to a larger scale of the saine air-lock. Fig. 3 is a larger cross-sectional view showing the use of a stufling-box for the rope shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a side view showing mechanism for operating the top door. Fig. 5 is a largescale cross-sectional view of the grooved joint between two of the three or more valves of the top door. Fig. 6 is a vertical crosssectional view of an air-lock embodying additional features of our invention. Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view to a larger scale, showing the use of a novel stufling-box, which forms a part of our invention. Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view showing features of the stuffing-box shown in Fig. 7 and means for securing same to the door. Fig. 9 is a top plan of the central portion of the lock shown in Fig. 6, showing means of securing the stuffing-box to the door. Fig. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of amodification of our invention, showing a special bottom door.

The lock comprises a chamber 2 sufliciently large t0 contain a bucket or other tools or objects which it may be desired to pass through the lock into and out 0f the caisson and has an upper opening and a lower opening 4 in the same vertical line, the lower opening being in communicatron with the caisson and the upper openingin communication with the open air. The upper opening is closed by a rope-passing multiplevalve door, which embodies many of the specific features of our invention.

In the form of air-lock shown in Figs. 1 t0 5, inclusive, the rope-passing door consists of four valves 1 1` 1 1, each occupying a quadrant. These are so made that when the door is closed the under surface is convex, being an outside surface of a cone, and the airpressure being greater on this convex surface than on the upper concave surface acts to close tightly all ljoints. The oints between the different valves of the door are shown provided with gaskets of rubber or other suitable material h, and the circular joint between the doors and the seat 16 is shown provided with a circular gasket 17. At the center of the door a circular opening 19 is left for the passage of the rope 7, and to prevent leakage of air around the rope through this opening a stuffing-box is carried on the rope. This stuffing-box is made with aprojection all around at the bottom, on which a gasket of rubber or other suitable material 10 is carried. A packing of hemp or. other suitable inaterial 9 is held in place against the rope by an upper nut 8. When the door is closed and a greater pressure obtains on the under side of the door than on its upper side, leakage of air is prevented by the compression of the gasket 10, due to air-pressure on the lower end of the stuffing-box.

Each valve 1 of the door is shown as composed of one thickness of metal g, bent into conical shape and bound on the edges by strips of metal e e on the one edge and f f on the other for the purpose of leaving a groove on the one edge and a projecting tongue on the other for fitting into thecorresponding groove on the next adjacent valve 1 of the door. A gasket 7L is fitted into the root of the IOO IOS

groove between strips 'for aiding in prel venting leakage of air. lt is understood that each alternate valve 1 may be grooved on each of its edges, and the other parts may have the projection on. each edge. It is understood that our invention is not limited to this particular form of joint between adjacent valves, but that it includes any form of oint.

Each valve 1 of the door is shown hinged by hinges (L (L to a horizontal shaft 15. Bearing-blocks l) I) l) are attached to the valve 1 and the hinges e ((r are connected by pins (Z to these blocks through the holes c in the hinges (L (L. These holes may be slotted to allow possible necessary lateral motion of the valves 1 1 1 1 in compressing the gaskets 7i, 71 h, h, and 17 to make tight oints.

The hinge-shafts 1.5 15 15 15 are shown as mounted in the four corner castings 2O 2() 20 20 and geared together by two beveled gears 13 13 at each corner, so that they all turn together, insuring the simultaneous movement and closure of valves 1 1 1 1. A counterweight 12 is shown mounted on each shaft 15, and power is shown as applied by an air or steam cylinder 1.41, connected with the leverarm of weight 12. Power may also be applied by means of a lever, as shown.

it is understood that our invention is not limited to the means for applying the power shown on the drawings, but that any means for applying power to a shaft may be used.

Fig` 4 shows in full lines the position of a valve 1 and. of weight and lever 12 when door is closed. The dotted lines show the positions when door is opened. The movement is caused by admission of steam or compressed air below the piston in the cylinder 14. The piston-rod is shown connected with the arm of weight 12 in such manner that the movement thereof causes the cylinder to oscillate on. its bearing during the movement of the door. lt is obvious that the cylinder could be held rigidly and the piston-rod conneeted to the arm by a link motion. It is necessary if more than one cylinder is used on more than one of the arms 12 that steam or compressed air be admitted to all simultaneously so as to obtain joint action of i saine.

In the improved lock shown in Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, an improved stuffing-box 21 which forms a part of our invention, is shown instead of the stuffing-box 6 shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3. This stuffing-box 21 has a proj ection all around at the bottom in the under side of which a circular gasket 22 is attached. This projection carries a yoke 23 with projecting beveled lugs, so arranged that it may i be turned to engage with the beveled lugs 24 241, attached to the upper surface of the door. A suitable wrench 25 may be used to turn this yoke to position shown; but it is understood that we do not limit ourselves to this means 'for turning this yoke to position.. Afj ter the door is closed this stuffing-box 21 is lowered. to the top of the door with the beveled lugs in positions shown in dotted lines. The yoke 23 is then turned by means of the wrench 25 or otherwise, the beveled lugs of same engaging with the beveled lugs 24 24 and made tight thereby. This will compress the gasket 22 against the top of the door around the rope-opening 19, and same will be air-tight. This V[it will become still tighter when air-pressure is admitted to the lock. It is understood that there may be a greater number of lugs 24 than here shown, and a correspondingly greaternumber of lugs on yoke 23.

It is understood that the lower door 11 instead of being a single valve closing against the seat 25 and gasket 26, as shown in Fig. 1, may be made like the upper door, but with no rope-opening left at the center at the junetion of the valves. It is believed, however, that a better air-lock will be obtained by use of a single valve, as here shown.

The air-lock shown in Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, need not be so high as the air-lock shown in Figs. 1 to 5, as room does not have to be provided in the former for lowering the stuffing-box before the doors are opened, as in the latter case.

It is obvious that the main features of our invention are applicable to anyT number of valves for the upper door from three up. It is also obvious that the convex under surface instead of being conical, as shown, may be spherical or pyramidal and in any of these cases the greater air-pressure would make all joints tight by virtue of that pressure. It is understood that any of these forms or the use of any number of valves greater than two is included in our invention.

Tt is also understood that our invention includes the use of an air-lock, as described, for movement of rope and other material in a horizontal or inclined direction, as well as for vertical movements, as described and illustrated herewith.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by lietters Patent, isf 1. In an air-lock the combination with one of the openings thereto of a door composed of multiple valves, substantially as specified, the door having a surface convex toward the side on which the greater air-pressure will ob tain when the door is closed.

2. In an air-lock the combination with each of the openings thereto of a door composed of multiple valves, substantially as specified, the door having a surface convex toward the side on which the greater air-pressure will obtain when the door is closed.

3. In an air-lock the combination with one of the openings thereto of a door composed of multiple v alves, substantially as specified, each valve hinged from the side of the lock TOO IIS

ing and to interlock them with each other,

with adjustments in the hinges to allow all joints to come to a bearing.

5. In an air-lock the combination With one of the openings thereto of a door composed of multiple valves; substantially as specified, the door having a surface convex toward the side on which the greater air-pressure will obtain when the door is closed, and with a ropepassing hole in the center of the door when closed.

6. In an air-lock the combination with one of the openings thereto of a door composed of multiple valves, substantially as specified, each valve hinged from the side of the lock and the valves connected to each other by means of suitable mechanism to insure simultaneous movement in opening and closing and to interlock them with each other, with adjustments in the hinges to allow all joints to come to a bearing, and with a ropepassing hole in the center of the door when closed. i

7. In an air-lock the combination with one of the openings thereto of a door composed.

of multiple valves, substantially as specified, the door having a surface convex toward the side on which the greater air-pressure will obtain when the door is closed; a rope-passing hole in the center of the door when closed; a stuffing-box carried on the rope; and means for securing the stuffing-box to close the ropepassing hole around the rope.

S. In an air-lock the combination with one of the openings thereto of a door composed of multiple valves, substantially as specified, each valve hinged from the side of the lock and the valves connected to each other by means of suitable mechanism to insure simultaneous movement in opening and closing and to interlock them with each other, with adjustments in the hinges to allow all joints to come to a bearing; a rope-passing hole in the center of the door when closed; a stufing-box carried on the rope; and means for securing the stuffing-box to close the ropepassing hole around the rope.

9. ln an air-lock the combination with one of the openings thereto of a door composed of multiple valves, substantially as specified, the door having a surface convex toward the side on which the greater air-pressure will obn tain when the door is closed; a rope-passing hole in the center of the door when closed; and a stufling-box carried on the moving rope containing the combination of a projection; a yoke with projecting lugs carried on the projection; lugs attached to the door; and means for engaging the lugs of the yoke with the lugs on the door to secure an air-tight joint around. the ro pe in the rope-passing hole.

10. ln an air-lock the combination with one of the openings thereto ol' a door composed of multiple valves, substantially as specified, the door having a surface convex toward the side on which the greater airpressure will obtain when the door is closed; `a rope-passing hole in the center of the door when closed; and a stufling-box carried on the moving rope containing the combination of a projection; a yoke with projecting lugs carried on the projection; a gasket of compressible elastic material on the end of the stufhng-box; lugs attached to the door; and means for engaging the lugs of the yoke with the lugs on the door to secure an air-tight joint around the rope in the rope-passing hole.

1l. In an air-lock the combination with one of the openings thereto of a door composed of multiple valves, substantially as specified, each valve hinged from the side of the lock and the valves connected to each other by means of suitable mechanism to insure simultaneous movement in opening and closing to interlock them with each other, with adjustments in the hinges to allow all joints to come to a bearing; a rope-passing hole in the center of the door when closed; and a stufhng-box carried on the moving rope containing the combination of a projection; a yoke with projecting lugs carried on the projection; lugs attached to the door; and means for engaging the lugs of the yoke with the lugs on the door to secure an airtight joint around the rope in the rope-passing hole.

l2. In an air-lock the combination with one of the openings thereto of a door composed of multiple valves, substantially as specified, each valve hinged from the side of the lock and the valves connected to each other by means of suitable mechanism to insure simultaneous movement in opening and closing and to interlock them with each other, with adjustments in the hinges to allow all joints to come to a bearing; a ropepassing hole in the center of the door when closed; and a stuiing-box carried on the moving rope containing the combination of a projection; a yoke with projecting lugs carried on the projection; a gasket of compressible elastic material on the end of the stuffing-box; lugs attached to the door; and means for engaging the lugs of the yoke with the lugs on the door to secure an air-tight IOO IIO

jloilnt around the rope in the rope-passing 13. In an air-lock the combination with one of the openings thereto of a door composed of multiple valves substantially as specilied with a surface convex toward the side on which the greater air-pressure will obtain; a seat for the valves extending around the lock against which the valves abut when closed; gaskets of compressible elastic material attached to the adjoining edges of adjacent valves ol: the door g and a gasket of compressible elastic material to close the joint between the valves and the seat.

lli. In an air-lock the combination with each of the openings thereto of a door composed of multiple valves substantially as speciiied with a surface convex toward the side on which the greater air-pressure will obtain; a seat 'for the valves extending around the lock against which the valves abut when closed; gaskets of compressible elastic material attached to the adjoining edges of adjacent valves of the door g and a gasket of compressible elastic material to close the joint between the valves and the seat.

l5. In an air-lock the combination with one of the openings thereto of a door composed oi multiple valves, substantially as specified7 each valve hinged from the side of j the lock and. the valves connected. to each other by means of suitable mechanism to insure simultaneous movement in opening and closing and to interlock them with each other, with adjustments in the hinges to allow all joints to come to a bearing, the door having a surface convex toward the side on which the greater air-pressure will obtain when the door is closed 5 a seat for the valves extending around the lock against which the valves abut when closed; gaskets of compressible elastic material attached to the adjoining edges of adjacent valves of the door; a gasket of comj'nessible elastic material to close the joint between the valves andthe seat 3 a rope-passing hole in the center of the door when closed; and a stuffing-box carried on the moving rope containing the combination of a projection; a yoke with projecting lugs carried on the projection; a gasket of compressible elastic material on the end of the stuffing-box; lugs attached to the door; and means for engaging the lugs of the voke with the lugs on the door to secure an airtight joint around the rope in the rope-passing hole.

Signed by us at New York city, borough of Manhattan, on this 14th day of November,

SAMUEL MATTSON. WILLIAM M. TORRANCE. Iitnesses:

ARTHUR R. BArLIs, IRWIN WV. PIERCE.