Improvements in Apparatus for Dredging and Pumping on the Suction System.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Sept., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 6th July, 1891-Accepted, 5th Sept., 1891
PROVISIONAL SIMULTA
Improvements in Apparatus for Dredging and Pumping on the
Suction System.
We, JOSEPH ARMYTAGE WADE, of Hornsea, in the East Riding of the
County of York, Timber Merchant, and JOHN CHERRY, of Hornsea, aforesaid,
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
Our invention relates to improved means adapted for use in dredging and
pumping; and operating on the suction system. In carrying the same into effect
we employ a tank which may be an air-tight compartment in a barge, lighter or
other craft, or may be a tank independent of any such craft. By means of an air-
pump and engine, which may be carried in the same vessel, the tank or air-tight
compartment is exhausted and as near an approach to a vacuum as may be created.
From the tank, tubes branch (in the case of a floating dredger, over or through the
sides or ends of the craft, or through the bottom thereof) into the river,
sea or other other place to be dredged. The extremities of the tubes descend to,
or nearly to, the sand, shingle debris or other material to be dredged; or, if it be a
wreck to be emptied or raised, as nearly as may be to the point to be operated
upon. The vacuum created in the tank operates to draw the solid matters into it,
the action of the air-pumps assisting and maintaining the suction. In order to
preserve the vacuum, the tubes are sealed by valves; these being placed as close as
may be to the material to be removed.
The invention may also be used to take the place of an ordinary pump, the
vacuum tank being placed in any convenient position. In order to enable the tank
to be charged as far as possible with solid matter, the accompanying water may be
drawn off by means of a pump. The tank may be emptied through manholes and
with the aid of shoots or otherwise as may be found convenient.
A telescopic or any other pipe may be used as the suction pipe, and may be
arranged to serve the purpose of a harrow, plough or drag for breaking up or
loosening the matter to be dredged. Or flexible hose or fixed piping may be used,
and the appliances for getting hold of the material to be dredged may be fixed
on the bottom or ends or sides of the craft, or hung therefrom independently of the
tubes.
L
L
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Dredging and Pumping on the
Suction System.
We, JOSEPH ARMYTAGE WADE, of Hornsea, in the East Riding of the
County of York, Timber Merchant, and JOHN CHERRY, of Hornsea aforesaid,
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
Our invention relates to improved means adapted for use in dredging and
pumping; such means operating on the suction system.
The way in which we prefer to carry out our invention is represented in the
accompanying drawings, whereof

page_text: scale.
ig is a side elevation; ga. 2 to 4 being detail views drawn to a larger
We employ a tank A, which may be an air-tight compartment in a barge,
lighter or other craft. It is preferably mounted, as shewn, to turn on hollow
trunnions working in bearings in the brackets A By means of a pump B and
engine C, which may be carried in the same vessel, the tank or air-tight com-
partment A is exhausted and as near an approach to a vacuum as may be created
therein. The pump is connected to one of the trunnions of the tank A. by a
pipe B furnished with a stuffing-box B. From the tank, a tube D or tubes
branch (in the case of a floating dredger, over or through the sides or ends of
the craft, or through the bottom thereof) into the river, sea or other place to
he dredged. The tube D is provided with a ball-and-socket joint D' and with
a valve E. A hand-wheel F serves to turn a worm F¹, which gears with a worm-
wheel mounted on one of the trunnions of the tank. The rotation of the
hand-wheel F brings the tank into position for being emptied; that is, with the
manhole or cover downwards. The extremities of the tubes descend to, or nearly
to, the sand, shingle, debris or other material to be dredged; or, if it be a wreck
to be emptied or raised, as nearly as may he to the point to be operated upon.
The vacuum created in the tank A serves to draw the solid matters into it; the
action of the air or other pump assisting and maintaining the suction. The
trunnion to which the pipe B' is connected is extended and bent upwards inside
the tank. It reaches nearly to the top of the tank, so as to prevent solid matter
or water from being drawn into the pump. In order to preserve the vacuum,
the tube D or tubes is or are sealed by a valve or valves. The tube or each tube
may have two valves, one placed close to the material to be removed and the other
at or near the receiving tank.
The tank A, instead of being carried by a barge or lighter, may be a tank
independent of any such craft. Instead of being mounted to turn on trunnions,
it may be fixed.
The invention may also be used to take the place of an ordinary pump; the
vaenum-tank being placed in any convenient position. In order to enable the
tank to be charged as far as possible with solid matter, any water therein may
be drawn off by means of a pump. The tank may be emptied through a
manhole A, and with the aid of a shoot or otherwise as may be found
convenient.
A telescopic or any other pipe, with or without a ball-and-socket joint, may be
used as the suction pipe. It may be furnished with a month-piece Dx having a
harrow G, plough or drag (see Fig. 2) for breaking up or loosening the matter
to he dredged. Revolving harrows, such as ((Figs. 3 and 4), may, however,
be substituted for the fixed harrow (i. Independent hurrows, ploughs or drags
(that is, harrows, ploughs or drags not attached to the suction-pipes) may be
employed.
Or Hexible hose or fixed piping may be used, and the appliances for getting hold
of the material to be dredged may be fixed on the bottom or sides of the craft,
or hung therefrom independently of the tubes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, we claim :-
1. The improved apparatus, for dredging and pumping on the suction system,
constructed, arranged and operating substantially as described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
2. The herein-described apparatus for dredging or pumping on the suction
system; the same comprising a tank A, an exhaust pump connected to the tank,
and a tube D provided with a valve or valves.
3. In apparatus for dredging or pumping on the suction system, the employment
of a tube, such as D, having an extremity, such as Dr, furnished with a harrow G
or revolving harrows (³, substantially as herein described.

page_text: 4. In apparatus for dredging or pumping on the suction system, the combination,
with the tank A, of the pipe D furnished with a ball-and-socket joint D', substantially
as and for the purpose herein set forth.
5. In apparatus for dredging or pumping on the suction system, the combination,
with the tank A, of the pipe D having a ball-and-socket joint D₁, and a valve E,
substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.
6. In apparatus for dredging or pumping on the suction system, the combination,
with a tank A, of a pipe D, a pump B, a pipe B' and a stuffing-box B³, substantially
as and for the purpose herein set forth.
7. In apparatus for dredging or pumping on the suction system, the employment
of a harrow G or harrows Gattached to the extremity of a suction pipe, substantially
as herein described.
Dated this 6th day of July 1801
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicants.