US371686A - howell - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

@No Model.)

-B. G. HOWELL.

HYDRAULIC DREDGING MACHINE.

Patented Oct. 18, 1887 WT/YESSES N. PETER$ PholQLiilmgnphor. Washington. n.c.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets8heet 2.

B. o. HOWELL.

HYDRAULIC DREDGING MACHINE.

No. 371,686. Patented Oct. 18, 1887.

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Nrrn STATES ATENT OFFICE.

BYRON C. HOW'ELL, OF NE? YORK, N. Y.

HYDRAULIC DRE-DGlNG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 371,686, dated. October 18, 1887.

Application filed January 12, 1887. Serial No. 224,147. (No model.)

2'0 ail who-In it may concern:

Be it known that I, BYRON C. HOWELL, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hydraulic DredgingMaohines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification.

The invention consistsin combining with the lower end ofa suction-pipe connected with any suitable dredging-pump a self-adjusting drag, 13, provided with an adjustable WkltBl-V2L1V6,G, and chamber 0, which delivers the water with atmospheric pressure upon or against the material to be removed in the dredging process, disturbing and diluting said material with the water-jet caused by said pressure to such an extent as will cause it to be held in such a state of solution as will enable the pump to take it up and pass it through the delivery-pipes to the point desired most easily and speedily.

The second part ofmy invention consists in providing the lower end of the suction-pipeA with a universal or ball joint of any approved design or make, mounted on wheels E E, to ease the draft on the suction-pipe A and its connection with the pump and dredge-boat,as well as to enable the drag B to accommodate itself to thelateral or steering movements of the dredge-boat when veered from its true course on the dredge-cut by tidal cross-currents or quartering winds, or to uneven surfaces to be operated upon, and'to allow itself to sink into the space caused by the material it has removed, so that there shall be no cessation of the dredging process for want of material to be operated upon, and, finally, to allow the said drag B to remain on or near the surface to be dredged when the dredge-boat rises on the swells of a rough sea so much that the hoisting and lowering chains F F raise the wheels E E from the material to be dredged.

These inventions relate more particularly to a moving hydraulic dredging-boat operating upon sand or gravel bars at the entrance to ocean harbors orin rivers orotherinland navigable waters; but they may be applied to any hydraulic dredge engaged in the process of deepening navigable water-ways.

In the drawings, Figure l is a longitudinal elevation in perspective, showing the drag B connected with the ball or universal joint D,

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same. Fig. 4 is a plan showing a bottom view of the drag B,with a portion of the plate 0 removed to show the outside form or lines of the drag. Fig. 5 is a view showing a transverse section through the'center of the ball or universal joint D as mounted on the wheels E E by means of the axle e e and secured thereto by the hoop e e.

The wheels E E and ball or universal joint D and flanges to same I construct of cast-iron of suitable dimensions and form, substantially as shown on the drawings. and the shell of the drag B, the guide-plate G, water-chamber O, and adjustable valve G, I construct of boilerplate, of iron or steel, of suitable thickness and strength and in the form substantially as shown in the drawings; but this may be constructed ofcast-iron or any other suitable material and varied in form, if desired or circumstances require it. The remaining pieces or parts I construct by forging iron or steel of suitable size and strength, and in the forms, shapes, and dimensions required and substantially as shown on the drawings.

Across the suction entrance or mouth of the drag B, Figs. 8 and 4, I place bars of iron or steel, 00 c, of the form and fastened to the outside shell of the drag B and water-chamber O, in the manner shown on the drawings, and these serve the purpose of runners to support the drag B and as guards to prevent rocks or other insoluble material too large to pass through the suction-pipe, pump, or deliverypipe from passing into the drag, and thereby obstructing the free passage of the dredged spoils.

The valve G is constructed so as to close itself automatically by the pivots (Z d, Figs. 2 and 4, being secured to it forward of a true center of the valve, so that when the opening line or rod 9 9, Figs. land 3, is slack the force of the current of water passing into the cham her 0 will cause it to close itself.

On the under side of the drag B, I secure a guide-plate, C, Figs. 3 and 4, of a width equal to and of the shape of said drag, which serves the double purpose of confining and giving direction to the suction-current, so that it will enter the mouth of the drag B with a force sufficient to take up dredged spoils with it, as

,well as to prevent the hooked portion of the drag B from becoming fouled with partiallysanded wrecks or other submerged obstructions of a character likely to damage or break the suction outfit.

Thewhole apparatus of suction-pipe and.

drag I provide with hoisting and lowering lines or chains, safety or guy lines, or chains of suitable size and strength, of any known system or device.

In operating these inventions or appliances, by a reference to the drawings, Figs. 1, 3, and 4, it may be seen that the entrance or mouth of the drag is liable to become choked by an times accessible to the surrounding water and free from liability of obstruction or choking by dredging spoils, and a reliable and effieient source of relief in case the forward entrance to said drag B becomes choked by reason of an inflow of an excess of dredged spoils. On

the other hand, should the headway of the dredge-boat be retarded from any cause, so that the suction force of the dredging-pump will take up the material to be dredged more rapidly than the speed or motion of the dredgeboat would bring it against the said material at an ordinary depth of cut, the depth of cut and inflow of dredged spoils can be regulated bythe operator at the pump by opening or clos ing of the valve G and the contributory action of the universal or ball joint D, as hereinbefore described.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent--- 7 1. The combination of the dragB and waterchamber 0 with'an adjustable valve, G, and operating line or rod 9' g',attached to the rear of the drag B, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination of a self-adj usting drag, B, having the water-chamber 0, adjustable valve G, and operating line or rod 9 g, with a suction-pipe, to which it is attached by a universal or ball joint, D, mounted on wheels E E, substantially as shown on the drawings and set forth in the specification.

3. The combination of the scraper and suction-pipe with the universal or ball joint D at the lower end of the suction-pipe A, and the wheels E E, bow-axle, and hoop e, for carryingand holding the same, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

BYRON O. HOWELL.

Witnesses.

A. A. BIRNEY, W. WILLOUGHBY.

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