An Improved Construction of Metallic Linings for Shafts or Pits.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Oct., 1889-Accepted, 9th Nov., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Construction of Metallic Linings for Shafts or Pits.
I, JOSEPH CHAUDRON, of Brussels, Belgium, 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:
-
This invention relates to an improved construction of metallic linings for shafts
or pits for rendering watertight those portions of the shaft which pass through water
bearing strata. For this purpose it has been customary to employ cylindrical metal
linings provided at the lower end with a moss packing and having temporarily attached
at one part of their length a diaphragm having a pipe passing through it for the
escape of water from below the diaphragm as the lining is lowered into the shaft,
while the space above the diaphragm was partially filled with water, thereby reducing
the buoyancy of the lining to the requisite degree for allowing it to sink down with a
moderate strain upon the lowering tackle. With this arrangement it was necessary
to carry the lining to the full height of the shaft, although perhaps only a small portion
of the lower part of the shaft required such a lining.
My present invention relates to an improved construction of such linings whereby
the carrying up thereof to the top of the shaft is obviated and the lining limited to the
extent of the water-bearing strata. It consists mainly in closing the top of the lining
with a cover through which the pipe for the escape of the water from below passes,
and which is provided with means for introducing the requisite charge of water into
the enclosed space between the diaphragm and the cover.
I will describe the improved construction of linings with reference to the accom-
panying drawings, which shew variously modified constructions of the same. In all
the Figures, a shews the metal lining rings or cylinders having strengthening ribs,
is the bottom diaphragm, c the cover, d the escape pipe, e the supply pipe for
charging the space between b and c, is the lowering tackle, and I is the moss
packing.
It will be seen that by forming the enclosed space over the diaphragm 6 by means
of the cover c, the lining can be sunk through the water while retaining the required
buoyancy to more or less balance the weight of the lining.
In the arrangements at Figs. 1 to 6 the cover c is fixed to the top flange of the
uppermost lining ring, the suspension rods or cords f for lowering the lining being
attached to an external flange or to lugs of the lining and passing up in the narrow
annular space between this and the sides of the sbaft; Fig. 7 shews a different
arrangement which will be explained later on.
In the arrangements shewn at Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7, a moss packing is employed
for forming the watertight joint, the arrangement at Fig. 6 is adapted for use without
the moss packing.
In the arrangement at Fig. 1 the diaphragm b has an escape pipe e passing through
the charging pipe e on the cover c. These two pipes are gradually extended in length
as the lining sinks down in the shaft, so as always to reach above the upper water
level, and thus allow of the necessary water ballast being introduced through the
pipe e.
At Fig. 2 the charging pipe e also passes up to above the water level, but the escape
pipe is led through the side of the lining, so as to establish a communication between
the space below the diaphragm 6 and the annular water space surrounding the lining,
so that no extension of this pipe is required.
At Fig. 3 the charging pipe e is dispensed with, and the weighting of the lining is
effected by means of rings . The escape pipe d passes through a stuffing box in the
cover c, and terminates immediately above the same.
At Fig. 4 the escape pipe is also dispensed with and is replaced by a valve d which

page_text: opens when the pressure below the diaphragm is greater than that corresponding to
the column of water in the shaft.
At Fig. 5 the escape pipe is also replaced by a valve d and a charging pipe e is
provided reaching up to the water level. In place of the self acting valve d might be
used a cock or other closing device which can be opened and closed by means of rods
or cords passing up through the pipe e.
In the arrangement at Fig. 6 where the moss packing is dispensed with, no water
ballast need be added in the enclosed chamber after the cover c has been fixed on, nor
need weights be added, as is required in the other constructions for putting pressure
on the moss packing. The charging pipe, as also the escape pipe or valve are therefore
dispensed with. At Fig. 7 the cover is not fixed on the top flange of the upper-
most lining ring, but to one of the strengthening ribs thereof, with the assistance of
an intermediate ring r, as shewn at Fig. 7.
With this arrangement, in case the concrete filling between the lining and the shaft
should not be perfectly watertight, it is possible to add some further lining rings and
concrete backing without removing the cover, after pumping out the water above
the latter, the cover being removed after the lining has been made watertight.
With this construction of the cover also, the lowering tackle can be secured to lugs
within the lining ring above the cover, which is a considerable advantage over the
arrangement with the external lowering tackle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invon-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In metal linings for shafts and the like, forming an enclosed space within the lining
by means of a cover such as c substantially as and for the purposes herein described
with reference to the drawings.
2. The construction of lining herein described, with reference to Fig. 1 wherein the
cover has a charging pipe e through which passes an escape pipe d extending up
from the diaphragm b.
is
3. The arrangement described with reference to Fig. 2, wherein the cover
provided with a charging pipe, while the escape pipe opens into the side of the
lining.
4. The arrangement described with reference to Fig. 3 wherein the escape pipe d
passes through a stuffing box in the cover and the loading of the lining is effected
by means of weights h.
5. The arrangement described with reference to Fig. 4 wherein the escape pipe is
replaced by a valve d that opens when the pressure below the diaphragm exceeds that
of the column of water in the shaft.
6. The combination of the valve described in the preceding claim with a charging
pipe e on the cover c, as described with reference to. Fig. 5.
7. The arrangement described with reference to Fig. 6, wherein the cover c and
diaphragm bare made without escape and charging pipes for cases where the moss
packing is dispensed with.
8. The arrangement described with reference to Fig. 7 wherein the cover e is fixed
within the lining ring by means of a ring r, and the lowering tackle f is also attached
within the ring, above the cover.
9. The use, in place of the self acting valve referred to in claim No. 5, of a cock
or equivalent closing device, that is opened from above by means of rods or cords,
substantially as described.
10. Regulating the descent of the lining by means of ropes or rods which are
connected to an external flange or to lugs at the lower part of the lining, substantially
as described, with reference to Figs. 1 to 6.
Datad' thi 2-1 love of
1000
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant..