Patent GB-190401893-A (GB)
Title: Improved Method and Machinery for Excavating Dredging and Transporting Earth and other Materials.
Inventor: DUNLOP GEORGE HENRY
Filed: 1904-01-25
Granted: 1904-06-16
Abstract: 1893. Dunlop, G. H. Jan. 25. Loading; skips and tipbuckets.-Consists in the method of and machinery for excavating, dredging, and transporting earth and other materials. These e operations are effected by means of a scoop which is controlled and moved by ropes from a main power station at one end of its line of movement and an outhaul station at the other end, these two stations being movable to suit the progress of the work and being either separate or combined in one structure. Fig. 4 shows an example of the former arrangement, and Fig. 1 one of the latter. The scoop S, which has an open front and top and closed sides, bottom, and back, is hauled forwards to excavate and fill by a rope R<3> attached low down near the cutting-edge. When full, it is hauled to the dumping point, either forwards as in Fig. 4 or backwards as in Fig. 1, and is emptied by tilting it either forwards or backwards. All these movements are effected by three ropes R', R<2>, R', wound respectively on three drums on the frame or power station M, the direction of movement and the inclination and tipping of the scoop being determined by the differential driving and braking of the three drums. In a modification of the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, there is a second boom 0 on the other side of the engine M, so that the scoop can excavate and dump on both sides of the frame M, being drawn from one side to the other through a passage under the engine fitted with guide-rollers. Other modifications of both arrangements shown are described, adapted to suit various relative positions of the excavation, dumping embankment, and engine M. In certain cases the auxiliary inhaul rope R<1> is dispensed with, the rope R<3> being then attached rather higher up on the scoop. The power station M comprises an engine E for the drum D<3>, an engine E<1> for the two other drums, and, in some cases, an upper platform on deck F<1> for the operator, high enough to enable him to have the scoop always in sight. The outhaul frame 0, Fig. 4, may be traversed by gearing driven from the pulley p<2>, or it may have its own motor and carry some of the winding-machinery. In a further modification, the frame M is provided with an incline up which the scoop is drawn so that it can dump into a cart &c. placed beneath or an endless conveyer band &c. The scoop, of which Figs. 8<a> and 13<a> show two forms, is fitted on the top with a bracket A, usually highest towards the rear, to which the chains R', R<2> are attached. In some cases the rope R<3> is attached to a forwardlyprojecting bracket J, Fig. 8, and to facilitate tilting the chains R', R<2> are connected to the bracket A by means of links L, Fig. 10. For dredging purposes the scoop is closed in at the top, and the bracket A is extended upwards so as to project above the surface of the water to show the movement of the scoop. The bottom of the scoop is fitted with runners and guides, and when extra wide is strengthened by a central rib C, Fig. 13<a>, in which case the rope R<3> may be connected to this rib as well as to the sides. Means may be provided, either by controlling the tilt of the scoop or by modified construction of the scoop, to deposit the earth in a layer of given thickness. The scoop may in some cases run on wheels.