Ships with Water Jet Appliances for Operating with a Scouring Action and for Propelling.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Aug., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 31st Aug., 1897--Accepted, 23rd Oct.,
1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Ships with Water Jet Appliances for Operating with a Scouring
Action and for Propelling.
I, FRANZ KRETZ, of Bernhardstrasse 17, Karlsruhe, Baden, Germany, Engineer.
lo hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Dredging machines with scouring action have been constructed which have at
the front end two tubular receptacles for water under pressure, placed at an angle
to each other and meeting with pointed ends, from which receptacles a considerable
number of nozzles extend outwards, being directed backwards at an angle.
The present invention has for its object an extended application of the above
mentioned device whereby it is made adaptable to other ships or vessels, in order
that these may on the one hand be made independent of dredgers of the above
described kind, by being enabled themselves to exercise the function of dredgers,
and on the other hand the ship is enabled to free itself when running aground.
In addition, a vessel so constructed can not only act as its own dredger, but
also as a dredger for releasing other vessels that are not provided with such an
arrangement.
Thus assuming another vessel to have run aground, it can be scoured free by
a vessel of the above described construction, which can then also scour a way
for itself and for the other vessel through existing sand or gravel banks.
Lastly, the improved construction can also be employed for propelling the
vessel, if only as an auxiliary means, in which case the device acts like a water
jet propeller. The water which for this or for either of the previous purposes is
forced through the nozzles need not in all cases be taken from the outside, but,
for example the water penetrating a leaky ship may be removed by this means,
so that such water at the same time serves to propel the ship.
The essential features by which the present invention differs from the scouring
dredgers above referred to, consist, firstly, in that the pressure-water supply tubes
provided with the discharge nozzles are fixed firmly to the bottom or lower parts
of the sides, or bilges of the ship, the said tubes and nozzles being provided
not only in the front part of the ship, or in front of the ship, as was the case
with the scouring dredgers, but extended more or less over the entire length of
the ship. The scouring tubes or pressure-water supply tubes need not necessarily
be arranged at the outside of the ship, but can also be situated inside. The
nozzles are, by preference, arranged in two rows, the nozzles of the one row being
made to open on the one side of the tube, while those of the other row open on the
other side, and the inner openings of the one row may be arranged intermediately
with those of the other row. These inner openings are provided either with
separate slides or with a slide common to all for cutting off or regulating the
discharge of water under pressure, whereby the discharge can be effected either
through the one row of nozzles, or through the other, or through both, as may
be required. Instead of arranging the inlet orifices of the nozzles in intermediate

page_text: positions, those of the slide or slides may be so arranged, and the orifices of the
nozzles be in line with those of the other row.
There may be only one or several such double rows of nozzles. If only one
row is employed, which is generally the case when water pressure exceeding
15 atmospheres can be employed, I arrange the said double row of nozzles in
the line of the keel, while when two such are employed they are arranged at the
bottom near the sides, or on the bilges, the two double rows being then made
to unite either at one end of the ship or at both ends, so that at such point of
union, the rows of nozzles or the water-pressure supply tubes form a point or angle.
On the accompanying drawing Figure 1 shews one arrangement of the above
described invention. A and A¹ are the two double rows of nozzles. The outer
nozzles of the row A open to the outside, the inner row open to the inside, and
the same with, the row A
Figure 2 shews the arrangement of a double row of nozzles A2 lying in the
line of the keel of the ship. In all cases the nozzles are made to slant backwards,
so that the water ejected under pressure will have the effect of propelling the
ship forward in consequence of the reaction of the jets.
As already stated, the water pressure supply tubes can be arranged within the
ship, and not outside under the bottom thereof. An example of such an arrange-
ment is shewn at Figure 3, in which B is the bottom or skin of the ship. Above
this bottom are arranged the water pressure supply reservoirs or conduits C while
underneath the bottom B is fixed a ridge-like body or bar D in which are formed
the nozzles E.
Figure 4 shews a part underneath plan of the ships bottom B with the nozzle
bar below it, the dotted lines shewing clearly that the nozzles E are slanted
backwards and also, that their discharge orifices are made somewhat oblong.
The discharge nozzles extend partly to the one side and partly to the other side.
In order that, according to requirements, either only the nozzles of the one
side or those of the other side, or those of both sides may receive the
water, there are arranged over the inlet orifices of the nozzles two slides F, which
pressure
can be moved either independently of each other or conjointly as may be required.
These slides are formed with openings which when brought over the inlet openings
of the nozzles admit the pressure water thereto.
Figure 4, the left hand slide has such a position that the pressure water can
In the position shewn at
enter the nozzles on the left hand side, while the other slide is in such a position
as to cut off the supply to the right hand nozzles from the reservoir C.
The guiding of the slides F is here shewn effected by means of rivet-like
heads G, but this may of course be arranged in various other ways.
It is advantageous to provide the discharge orifices of the nozzles with flap-
valves H Figure 3, which automatically close the nozzles and are readily opened
by the pressure water.
If now, for example, a ship provided with the above described appliance has
run aground, then if the arrangement is that shewn at Figure 1, pressure water
is only forced through the inward directed nozzles so as to effect the loosening
and scouring of the sand or gravel. At the same time in consequence of the
backward slanting position of the nozzles, the further effect will be obtained that
the loosened material will be scoured away in a backward direction, so
eventually to form a free water way.
as
If it be desired to free another ship that has not got the appliance and that
has run aground, the ship provided with the scouring appliance
the side of the grounded vessel, or at the part where it has run aground, and the
placed at
outer nozzles are then put in action in so far as they can operate upon the said
part.
It is advantageous to construct the pressure-water supply tubes of several
separate parts, each of which is supplied with pressure water through a separate
channel, so that each section of the supply tubes can be put in action indepen-
dently of the others, according as circumstances may require.

page_text: If for example the water way is obstructed by a sand or gravel bank, only
the front nozzles of the ship need be put in action, that is to say, the nozzles
extending from the bows of the ship to the point where the greatest width of
the ship is situated, so that a channel of the required width only is scoured by
the jets of the pressure-water.
Lastly, it may be observed that, as already stated, the appliance may be
employed as means of propelling the ship, such as when the screw propeller or
paddle wheels are disabled.
It will be already seen from the above that the above described appliance is
capable of a great variety of useful applications.
Dated this 26th day of August 1807
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.
Ships with Water Jet Appliances for Operating with a Scouring
Action and for Propelling.
I, FRANZ KRETZ, of Bernhardstrasse 17, Karlsruhe, Baden, Germany, 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 follow-
ing statement:-
Dredging machines with scouring action have been constructed which have at
the front end two tubular receptacles for water under pressure, placed at an angle
to each other and meeting with pointed ends, from which receptacles a considerable
number of nozzles extend outwards, being directed backwards at an angle.
The present invention has for its object an extended application of the above
mentioned device whereby it is made adaptable to other ships or vessels, in order
that these may on the one hand be made independent of dredgers of the above
described kind, by being enabled themselves to exercise the function of dredgers,
and on the other hand the ship is enabled to free itself when running aground.
In addition, a vessel so constructed can not only act as its own dredger, but
also as a dredger for releasing other vessels that are not provided with such an
arrangement.
Thus assuming another vessel to have run aground, it can be scoured free by
a vessel of the above described construction, which can then also scour a way
for itself and for the other vessel through existing sand or gravel banks.
Lastly, the improved construction can also be employed for propelling the
vessel, if only as an auxiliary means, in which case the device acts like a water
jet propeller. The water which for this or for either of the previous purposes is
forced through the nozzles need not in all cases be taken from the outside, but,
for example the water penetrating a leaky ship may be removed by this means,
so that such water at the same time serves to propel the ship.
The essential features by which the present invention differs from the scouring
dredgers above referred to, consist, firstly, in that the pressure-water supply tubes
provided with the discharge nozzles are fixed firmly to the bottom or lower parts
of the sides, or bilges of the ship, the said tubes and nozzles being provided
not only in the front part of the ship, or in front of the ship, as was the case
with the scouring dredgers, but extended more or less over the entire length of
the ship. The scouring tubes or pressure-water supply tubes need not necessarily
be arranged at the outside of the ship, but can also be situated inside. The
nozzles are, by preference, arranged in two rows, the nozzles of the one row being

page_text: made to open on the one side of the tube, while those of the other row open on the
other side, and the inner openings of the one row may be arranged intermediately
with those of the other row. These inner openings are provided either with
separate, slides or with a slide common to all for cutting off or regulating the
discharge of water under pressure, whereby the discharge can be effected either
through the one row of nozzles, or through the other, or through both, as may
be required. Instead of arranging the inlet orifices of the nozzles in intermediate
positions, those of the slide or slides may be so arranged, and the orifices of 'the
nozzles be in line with those of the other row.
'
There may be only one or several such double rows of nozzles. If only one
row is employed, which is generally the case when water pressure exceeding
15 atmospheres can be employed, I arrange the said double row of nozzles in
the line of the keel, while when two such are employed they are arranged at the
bottom near the sides, or on the bilges, the two double rows being then made
to unite either at one end of the ship or at both ends, so that at such point of
union, the rows of nozzles or the water-pressure supply tubes form a point or angle.
On the drawing accompanying my Provisional Specification Figure 1 shews
one arrangement of the above described invention. A and A' are the two double
rows of nozzles. The outer nozzles of the row A open to the outside, the inner
row open to the inside, and the same with the row A.
Figure 2 shews the arrangement of a double row of nozzles A2 lying in the
line of the keel of the ship. In all cases the nozzles are made to slant backwards,
so that the water ejected under pressure will have the effect of propelling the
ship forward in consequence of the reaction of the jets.
As already stated, the water pressure supply tubes can be arranged within the
ship, and not outside under the bottom thereof. An example of such an arrange-
ment is shewn at Figure 3, in which B is the bottom or skin of the ship. Above
this bottom are arranged the water pressure supply reservoirs or conduits C while
underneath the bottom B is fixed a ridge-like body or bar D in which are formed
the nozzles E.
Figure 4 shews a part underneath plan of the ships bottom B with the nozzle
bar below it, the dotted lines shewing clearly that the nozzles E are slanted
backwards and also, that their discharge orifices are made somewhat oblong.
The discharge nozzles extend partly to the one side and partly to the other side.
In order that, according to requirements, either only the nozzles of the one
side or those of the other side, or those of both sides may receive the pressure
water there are arranged over the inlet orifices of the nozzles two slides F, which
can be moved either independently of each other or conjointly as may be required.
These slides are formed with openings which when brought over the inlet openings
of the nozzles admit the pressure water thereto. In the position shewn at
Figure 4, the left hand slide has such a position that the pressure water can
enter the nozzles in the left hand side, while the other slide is in such a position
as to cut off the supply to the right hand nozzles from the reservoir C.
The guiding of the slides F is here shewn effected by means of rivet-like
heads G, but this may of course be arranged in various other ways.
It is advantageous to provide the discharge orifices of the nozzles with flap-
valves H Figure 3, which automatically close the nozzles and are readily opened
by the pressure water.
If now, for example, a ship provided with the above described appliance has
run aground, then if the arrangement is that shewn at Figure 1, pressure water
is only forced through the inward directed nozzles so as to effect the loosening
and scouring of the sand or gravel. At the same time in consequence of the
backward slanting position of the nozzles the further effect will be obtained that
the loosened material will be scoured away in a backward direction, so
eventually to form a free water way.
If it be desired to free another ship that has not got the appliance and tha
has run aground, the ship provided with the scouring appliance is placed a

page_text: the side of the grounded vessel, or at the part where it has run aground, and the
outer nozzles are then put in action in so far as they can operate upon the said
part.
It is advantageous to construct the pressure-water supply tubes of several
separate parts, each of which is supplied with pressure water through a separate
channel, so that each section of the supply tubes can be put in action, independ-
ently of the others, according as circumstances may require.
If for example the water way is obstructed by a sand or gravel bank, only
the front nozzles of the ship need be put in action, that is to say, the nozzles
extending from the bows of the ship to the point where the greatest width of
the ship is situated, so that a channel of the required width is scoured by
the jets of the pressure-water.
Lastly, it may be observed that, as already stated, the appliance may be
employed as means of propelling the ship, such as when the screw propeller or
paddle wheels are disabled.
It will be already seen from the above that the above described appliance is
capable of a great variety of useful applications.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. The construction of ships with scouring and propelling appliances consisting
of pressure-water supply tubes or reservoirs with scouring nozzles, fixed to the
bottom of the ship or on the ships sides or bilges, substantially as described.
2. In ships provided with scouring and propelling appliances such as referred
to in the first claim, arranging the pressure-water supply reservoirs or conduits
within the ship while the discharge or scouring nozzles are arranged outside the
ship, substantially as described.
3. In a ship provided with scouring and propelling appliances such as referred
to in the first and second claims, arranging each pressure water supply chamber
or conduit with two rows of scouring nozzles situated on opposite sides of the
conduit, substantially as described.
4. In pressure water supply conduits and nozzles for ships such as referred to
in the first second and third claims, providing shut off or regulating slides to the
Scouring nozzles substantially as described.
5. In pressure water supply conduits and nozzles such as are referred to in
the 3rd and 4th claims, providing each row of scouring nozzles with a separate
slide; so that they may be regulated independently of each other, substantially
as described.
6. In pressure water supply conduits and nozzles such as are referred to in
the 3rd and 4th claims, providing the two rows of nozzles with a single regulating
slide and arranging the openings thereof leading into the inlet orifices of the
one row intermediately of those leading into the other row, so that by one motion
of the slide the one row of nozzles can be thrown out of action, and the other
row put in action, substantially as described.
7. In pressure water supply conduits and nozzles such as are referred to in
Claims 1 to 6, providing the discharge openings of the nozzles with automatically
closing flap valves, that can be opened by the pressure water, substantially as
described.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.