Improvements in Sand Pumps and their connections in Dredging Vessels.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Apr., 1989
Complete Specification Left, 15th Jan., 1890-Accepted, 15th Feb., 1890
PROVISIONAL DIMITTUATION.
Improvements in Sand Pumps and their connections in Dredging
Vessels.
I, ANDREW BROWN of London Works, Renfrew, in the County of Renfrew, Ship-
builder and Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention to be as
follows:-
:
My invention has for its object First. The construction and arrangement of the
suction pipe of the sand pump in a dredging vessel, in such manner that the whole
of it can be brought entirely inboard and housed on deck, and thus form no impedi-
ment to the vessel when steaming. This arrangement also facilitates the manipulation
of the lower end of the suction pipe, when dredging in material that is likely to
choke it up, besides it minimizes the risk of damage to the suction pipe and its
connections, should its lower end come suddenly in contact with boulders stones or
other such material. In carrying the invention into effect, three or other suitable
number of swivel joints are provided at that part of the suction pipe connections,
that takes the deck and reaches overboard. By means of these swivel joints the
snction pipe can be moved in any direction.
Second'y. An arrangement for filling the discharge and suction pipes with water
to the sea level, to enable the pump to commence work without delay. This is effected
by a stop valve, with connections drawing from the sea or otherwise, being fitted to
the suction pipe in the lower part of the vessel, and below the sea level or otherwise.
Other means are provided in addition to the said stop valve, namely an air pipe which
is led into the uppermost part of the suction pipe for the purpose of exhausting air
from same and consequently raising the water and filling up the suction pipe, and
thus enabling the pump to be started. This same air pipe can also be used to
destroy the vacuum in the suction pipe when the engines are stopped, thus
preventing the water in the pipe, between the uppermost bend and the pump, from
leaving it.
Thirdly. The construction and arrangement of hoisting appliances for raising,
lowering, and otherwise controlling the suction pipe; this part of the invention is
carried into effect by means of a hoisting crab, having a chain barrel driven by
friction gear, in combination with a derrick crane on deck.
DL: 15th day of Anvil 1880
AMBROSE MYALL,
21, Cockspur Street, London, S.W., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Sand Pumps and their connections in Dredging
Vessels.
I, ANDREW BROWN, of London Works, Renfrew, in the County of Renfrew,
Engineer and Shipbuilder 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 :-
My invention has for its object First:-The construction and arrangement of the
suction pipe of the sand pump in a dredging vessel, in such manner that the
whole of it can be brought entirely inboard and housed on deck, and thus form no
impediment to the vessel when steaming. This arrangement also facilitates the
manipulation of the lower end of the suction pipe when dredging in material that is
likely to choke it up, besides it minimizes the risk of damage to the suction pipe and

page_text: its connections, should its lower end come suddenly in contact with boulders, stones,
or other obstinate material.
:-
Secondly An arrangement for filling the discharge and suction pipes with water
to the sea level, to enable the pump to commence work without delay; also an arrange-
ment for exhausting air from the uppermost part of the suction pipe, and consequently
raising the water and filling up the suction pipe, and thus enabling the pump to be
started at once; and an arrangement for admitting air into the uppermost part of
the suction pipe to prevent the water and sand brought up while dredging being
syphoned out of the suction pipe and pump, when the latter is stopped.
Thirdly The construction and arrangement of hoisting appliances for raising
lowering and otherwise controlling the suction pipe.
In the accompanying sheet of drawings, Fig. 1 is a part longitudinal sectional
elevation, Fig. 2 is a part plan, and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional elevation of a
vessel shewing my aforesaid improvements applied thereto.
Similar letters of reference denote similar parts throughout the drawings.
A A are the centifugal sand pumps, B B, the suction pipes. and CC, the discharge
pipes, D is the engine, driving one of the said pumps, and E the engine condenser and
air-pump.
Three, or other suitable number of swivel joints B' B2 B3 are provided in that part
of the suction pipe connections that takes the deck and reaches overboard. By
means of these swivel joints, it is obvious that the suction pipes can be moved in
any direction that may be required. The drawings illustrate the suction pipes in
various different positions.
F is a stop-valve connected to the pumps by the pipes F¹, below the sea level,
thus enabling the pumps to draw directly from the sea, and fill the discharge and
suction pipes with water to the sea level, for the purpose of preventing any dolay
in starting the pumps. To further assist in this object, a connection is formed
between the tops of the suction pipes and the engine condensers by the pipes G ;
by this means the air is exhausted from the suction pipes and the water raised
therein till they are filled. This same air pipe G can also be used to destroy the
vacuum in the suction pipes, when the engines are stopped, thus preventing the
water and sand brought up while dredging being syphoned out of the suction pipes
and pamps. H is a stop-valve or cock provided in the pipe G to open or close the
communication with the condenser, when required. Jis a specially arranged
vessel forming a trap to catch any sand or other solid material, that may be drawn
by the pipe G from the suction pipe and prevent it passing into the condenser,
or air pump; and K is a cock provided for cleaning out the vessel J, and also for
admitting air to the top of the suction pipes, for the purpose above mentioned.
L is a crane or derrick for supporting, raising, lowering, or otherwise controlling
and moving the outer end of the suction pipe. M is a semi-circular track or
railway fixed on the deck concentrically around the vertical part of the suction pipe,
and N is a trolly or carriage running upon the said track and supporting the suction
pipe. Each side of the said track M may be set at different elevations to suit the
varying resistances met with in dredging material of varying hardness, and this
arrangement also enables the pipe at top to work at a lower, and consequently
at a more advantageous level, and also permits the whole of the said pipe being
entirely housed inboard over the bulwarks or rails. O represents any suitable form of
crab, winch or other hoisting gear, operating the suction pipe through the medium of
the crane L.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The construction of the suction pipes of the sand pumps of dredging vessels, with
an arrangement of three or more swivel joints B', B2, B3, for the purposes and in the
manuer, substantially as herein set forth.

page_text: 2. In the sand pump of a dredging vessel, the connection between the inlet side
of the pump and the sea, consisting of pipes F¹ and stop-valve F, for the purposes
substantially as herein set forth.
3. In the sand pump of a dredging vessel, the connection between the top of the
suction pipe, and the engine condenser, consisting of a pipe G with stop-valve H,
trap J, and cock K; for the purposes substantially as herein set forth.
4. The combination of the crane or derrick L, track M, trolly N and hoisting gear O,
for the purposes substantially as herein set forth.
5. The construction of the sand pumps, in a dredging vessel, and their connections,
substantially as herein described and shewn with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 15th day of January 1890
AMBROSE MYALL,
21, Cockspur Street, London, S. W., Agent for the Applicant.