IMPROVEMENTS IN DREDGING MACHINES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, &
Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN DREDGING MACHINES." A. communication from abroad by
Daniel Moor, of Waterville, Maine, United States of America, Mechanic.
Sealed the 16th November 1877, and dated the 28th May 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th May 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN DREDGING MACHINES." [A
communication from abroad by Daniel Moor, of Waterville, Maine, United States
of America, Mechanic.]
This Invention relates to that class of dredging machines which are operated by
steam, and consists in a novel construction and arrangement of the parts as herein-
after more fully set forth, by which a more effective machine is produced than
heretofore.
In practising the said Invention I provide a suitable boat or float, on which the
working parts are mounted or supported. These parts include a steam boiler or
generator, a cold water tank or reservoir, a receiver or exhaust chamber, and other
parts herein described.
The receiver is connected to the water tank and to the steam boiler or its dome
by flexible pipes provided with stop-cocks, which may, if preferred, be arranged
near the receiver. A valve is disposed in the lower end of the said receiver, and so
hung and secured as to open either inwardly or outwardly, as required, a spring
preventing its being caught and not closing when the receiver is raised, and a
spring catch assisted by two similar catches holding the valve in position to retain
the contents of the receiver and prevent the undue discharge of the same. This
valve is provided with an auxiliary valve or lip which is hinged to the main valve,
and is designed to keep the valve from being wedged or caught by stones, sticks,
and the like, as it closes. There is also an outwardly opening valve and a. series
of valves provided with stop-cocks, and also with means for closing the same
D...

page_text: automatically. A weighted air valve is also arranged in the upper end of the
receiver. The said receiver is supported in a vertical position and is raised and
lowered by a chain passing over sheaves or pulleys in a derrick and mast on the
boat, and thence around a wheel of the hoisting engine connected with the boiler.
The receiver is preferably of sufficient length not to be entirely submerged in
use. But if the said receiver is to be entirely submerged, the valves are so con-
structed as to open outwardly only under considerable pressure, and to close
automatically or by means of springs.
The valve in the lower end of the receiver should be so constructed and arranged
as to remain closed while the receiver is being lowered, but to open readily when
the vacuum is formed, as described.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th
November 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT. LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN DREDGING MACHINES." A
communication from abroad by Daniel Moor, of Waterville, Maine, United States
of America, Mechanic.
My Invention relates to that class of dredging machines which are operated by
steam, and consists in a novel construction and arrangement of the parts as herein-
after more fully set forth, by which a more effective machine is produced than is
now in ordinary use.
.
In the accompanying Drawing. I have shown a machine constructed according
to this Invention..
A represents a section or portion of the boat or float, on which the working parts
of the machine are mounted or supported; B is the steam boiler or generator; C is
the cold water tank or reservoir; and H is the receiver or exhaust chamber..
The receiver is connected to the water tank by the pipe D, and to the steam
boiler or its dome by the pipe E. These pipes are flexible and are provided with
stop-cocks G, F, which may, if preferred, be arranged nearer the receiver, A
valve M is arranged in the lower end of the receiver H, and so hung and secured as
to open either inwardly or outwardly, as required; a spring P prevents its being.
caught and kept from closing when the receiver is raised, and a spring catch O
assisted by two similar catches (not shown), holds the said valve in position to
retain the contents of the receiver, and prevent the improper or premature discharge
of the same. This valve is provided with an auxiliary valve or lip X, which is
hinged to the main valve at Z, and is designed to keep the valve from being
wedged or caught by stones, sticks, or the like, as it closes. There is also an
outwardly opening valve L and a series of valves K provided with stop-cocks, and
also with means for closing the same automatically. A weighted air valve J is
also arranged in the upper end of the receiver. The said receiver is supported in
a vertical position, and is raised and lowered by means of a chain passing over.
sheaves or pulleys in a derrick and mast on the boat A, and thence around a wheel
of the hoisting engine connected with the boiler B, as shown.
In the use of this Invention all the valves of the receiver are closed, and it is let

page_text: down by means of the chain until its lower end rests upon the bed of the river or
ground to be dredged. The valve F and upper valve K are then opened and steam
is admitted through the pipe E, forcing the air from the receiver through the
valves J, L, and also through the upper valve K, the lower valve K being closed.
After the air is expelled and the receiver filled with steam the cock F is closed and
the cock G opened, admitting a stream of cold water into the receiver through a
spray nozzle (not shown), and thereby condensing the steam and closing the
valves J and upper valve K. A vacuum being thus produced and all ingress to
the receiver closed except through its lower end, the atmospheric pressure acting
upon the water will force the valve M inwardly, and partially fill the receiver with
mud, gravel, and sucli substances as constitute the water bed. The said receiver
is then raised by the chain and engine, the pipes D, E, yielding sufficiently to
enable this to be readily performed. As the receiver rises the valve M is closed by
the weight of the contents pressing on the same, but is opened to discharge these
contents when the receiver is fully raised and moved by the derrick into a proper
position.
To facilitate the discharge of the contents of the receiver the valve J may be
raised to admit the air, or steam may be admitted through the pipe E.
The purpose of the valve L is to discharge the water contained in the receiver
above its solid contents, and thus obviate the necessity of raising the same.
The aforesaid receiver is preferably constructed of such a length that it will not
be entirely submerged in use. When the said receiver is to be entirely submerged
the valves J, K, and L are so constructed and arranged as to open outwardly only
under considerable pressure, and to close automatically or by means of springs.
The valve M should be so constructed and arranged as to remain closed while
the receiver is being lowered, but to open readily when the vacuum is formed.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
First. In a dredging machine, the receiver, provided with the valves and pipes,
as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
Second. In a dredging machine, the receiver, provided with the valves, in combi-
nation with the pipes, the steam generator, and the tank, as above set forth and
for the purposes specified.
Third. In a dredging machine, the valve M, provided with the lip, as above set
forth and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
W. ROB, LAKE. (L.S.)