Apparatus for Forming and Preserving Water Channels.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Oct., 1897-Accepted, 29th Jan., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Forming and Preserving Water Channels.
We, JOSEPH KENNEDY HUDSON and EDWIN CRANE NICHOLS, both of Topeka,
County of Shawnee, Kansas, U.S.A., Manufacturers, 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:-
The invention has for its object, primarily, the removal of soil, debris, and the
formation of channels permanent in character by submarine blasts of compressed air.
In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the apparatus with the respective parts
in operative positions and the arched sluice removed. Fig. 2 a side view of the
apparatus. Fig. 3 a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line x-x of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 a longitudinal sectional view taken on line y-y of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 a front end
view of the apparatus. Fig. 6 a transverse sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 7 a side view of one of the channel pipes, shewing alternate means for changing the
direction of the air blasts. Fig. 8 a plan view of the compressed air distributing
channel forming pipe frame. Fig. 9 a broken detail view in perspective of one of the
longitudinal beams forming the hatchway, shewing the compressed air blast coffers in
position for the blast, the channel forming pipe frame, the sluice forming arched
cover to the frame partially removed, the compressed air conveying pipes connected
with the pipe frame, and the frame elevating windlass, shewing the compressed
air applied and the material dislodged and rising with the compressed air. Fig. 10 a
detail view in perspective of one of the air compressing cups. Fig. 11 a sectional
view of one of the hollow gear wheels and the axle and sleeve, also shewing in section
the hollow crank pin and the end of the connecting pipe.
A is the water carriage or barge, the top portion of which comprises a rectangular
shaped frame formed by the parallel side beams B B', the forward ends of which are
connected by the transverse beam B2 and the rear ends by the beam B³.
Beneath the beam B is a hollow air tight cylindrical case or receiver C, corresponding
in length with said beam, and which, besides holding compressed air, sustains the
frame above the surface of the water. Said case C is connected with the under side
portion of the beam B, at suitable points on the said beam, by means of the U shaped
braces c. Beneath the beam B₁ is a case C¹ for compressed air, precisely the same
in construction as the case C, and secured to the beam B1 in the same manner.
To the under side portion of the beam B is attached a wall or side c³, which extends
from one end of said beam to the other and downwardly a considerable distance below
said bean, and upon the inner side of the cylinder C. Upon the other side of the
water carriage is a side c', which is attached at the under side portion of the beam B¹
and corresponds in length and position to side and extends downwardly the same
described distance. Between the sides c3 c4 is the sluice c³.
To afford room for the storage tanks on the water carriage, a forward extension
of the beam B2 is provided as at b, which is the same thickness as said beam B² and
extends a short distance in opposite directions from a point on said beam equidistant
from beams B B¹. The beam b is supported at each end by the bars b¹ 62, extending
from the under side portion of the beam B². To one of said bars b₁ 62 at one end
of the beam B2 is connected a brace bar 63, the other end of which bar extends at

page_text: an angle to beam B and to the outer edge of said beam. The bar 62 is braced in
the same manner as bar¹ and prevents the binding of the journal bearings and
shafts. At the other end of the water carriage is an extension 64 of beam B³
rearwardly, which beam is comparatively short in length and supported in the same
manner as described of beam B². At a point on beam B2, a little more than one
third the described distance from the inner edge portion of beam B to the inner
edge portion of beam B¹, is connected rigidly one end of a beam B', the other end
of which beam is connected with the inner edge portion of beain B³. At a point on
the inner edge of beam B2, a little more than one third the described distance from
the inner edge of beam B¹ to the inner edge of beam B, is attached rigidly one end
of a beam B, the other end of which beam is connected with the inner edge portion
of beam B³ at the same described distance from beam B. Between the respective
beams B B is a longitudinal opening, or hatchway for the channel frame,
hereinafter described.
On the inner side portion of the beam B2, between the respective beams B B4, are
separate rearwardly extended jogs or supports 65 bº. Upon support 65 are journal
bearings dd, arranged a short distance apart in a transverse direction to the water
carriage and elevated a suitable height above the said support. In said journal bear-
ing is a hollow shaft D, comparatively short in length. Upon one end of shaft D is a
rigidly connected hollow compressed air conveying gear wheel D', which extends
below the level of the upper surface of the support 65 and in the space between the
beam B and the adjacent sides of the support 65. In shaft D, within the hollow
wheel D¹, are perforations or slots d². Upon the other end of shaft D is a hollow
gear wheel D², which is precisely the same as wheel and extends below the level
of the upper surface of support 65 and upon the other side of said support.
Upon the outer side portion of wheel D¹ near the periphery is a hollow crank
wrist d³, which is also perforated or slotted at d. In the shaft D, between the
respective wheels D¹ D2, are openings d³, at suitable distances apart, in the direction
of the circumference of said shaft. Upon said shaft D is a sleeve d³, extending over
the openings do and having a neck d', extending from the side of said sleeve.
the neck of d is connected one end of a pipe d³. The ends of the sleeve de are
smooth externally, and to each end is fitted, respectively, a flanged collar d³, between
which flange on said collar and the end of the sleeve is a packing d*. Crank wrist d³
within the wheel D¹ is slotted at d*. At the other end of the water carriage on
beam B³, between the beams B B4, are forwardly extended supports 67 68, which are
the same in width and in line with the respective supports 65 66 on beam B².
To
Upon the support 67 is journalled in elevated journal boxes the hollow gear
wheels E¹ E2, which are constructed and arranged upon a hollow shaft E in precisely
the same manner as wheels D¹ D², said shaft E also being provided with openings and
a loosely connected sleeve in the same manner as sleeve do. Upon the outer side
portion of each hollow wheel E¹ E2 is a perforated or slotted crank wrist el. Upon
the crank wrist d³ on wheel D1 is journalled one end f of a horizontal pipe F, which
is closed at both ends and also at a point fx between the opposite ends.
Said end f
of pipe F is also flattened in a slight degree and thus increased in width, and through
which end is a transverse opening f2, which receives the perforate crank wrist on
the hollow wheel D¹. The outer end portion of the crank wrist d³ is screw threaded
at do, and upon said end is fitted an internal screw threaded cap dº, between which
and the opening in pipe F is a packing d¹º. The other end f of pipe F is also
flattened in a slight degree and provided with a transverse opening and fitted upon
the crank wrist e¹ on the wheel Ê¹, the outer end of said crank wrist being screw
threaded and provided with a cap, fitted to said end of said crank-wrist, and a packing
between said cap and crank wrist in the same manner as described of the crank
wrist d³ and do (Fig. 11).
To the crank wrists on the respective opposite hollow wheels D2 and E2 are connected
the respective opposite ends of a pipe F¹ which is constructed and arranged upon the
said wheels in precisely the same manner as pipe F.
Upon the rearward extension 66 of beam B³ is journalled a hollow shaft D³, upon

page_text: which are the hollow wheels D* D5, and upon the forward extension 68 of the beam B³
is journalled a hollow shaft which is the same as shaft E, upon which are the hollow
wheels E³ E are connected, respectively, by the pipes F2 F3, said wheels and pipes
being constructed and arranged upon the respective extensions in precisely the same
manner as described of the wheels D¹ D² E¹ E² and pipes F F". Upon the other side
of the hatchway and between the respective beams B5 B₁ are separate rearward and
forward extensions of the respective beams B2 B3, upon which are journalled the
wheels D D7 D8 D° upon the extension of bean B2 and the wheels E E E E³ upon
the extensions of beain B³, and which wheels are connected with the pipes F4 F5 F6 F7,
extending from those upon one extension with those upon the other extension of said
beams, the details of construction being precisely the same as heretofore described of
the wheels D1 D2 E1 E2 and connecting pipes F F¹.
Upon beam B2 and extending the entire length of said beam is a line shaft G.
Said shaft is journalled in the respective journal bearings g g¹ at each end, which
bearings are elevated in position the corresponding height of the shaft D, carrying
the wheels D¹ D², said shaft being arranged a considerable distance forward of the
said shaft D and the shafts in line therewith. Upon shaft G, opposite the hollow,
gear wheel D, is a small spur gear g², and opposite the respective wheels D2 D* D³
D5 D6 D7 D8 Dº are spur gears of the same proportions as gear 92. Between the
gear g2 and the hollow gear D¹ and mounted at each end in the journal bearings h h¹
on the beam B2 is a shaft H, which is parallel with shaft G and extends nearly to the
hatchway in one direction and to a position in line with the outer side portion of
beam B in the other direction on said shaft H. Between the spur gear g² and the
wheel D is a gear H1, (see Fig. 2.) which is nearly twice the circumference of gear g²
and meshes with the said gear and the hollow gear wheel D¹. On shaft H are other
gears of the sume circumference as gear H' and meshing with the hollow
gears D D D and also with the small gear on shaft G.
Upon the other side of the hatchway in line with shaft H is a separate shaft H²,
upon which are gears of the same circumference as the gear H¹, which mesh with
the gears D D D D and also with the gear on shaft G in the same manner as
gear H¹.
Upon the rear beam B3 is a line shaft G¹, parallel with shaft G, upon which are
small gears which are the same circumference as the gear g². Between the
wheels E E2 E3 E and line shaft G is a shaft of the same length as shaft H, upon
which are gears of the same circumference as gear H¹, which meshes with the gear
on said shaft G¹.
Between the wheels E E E E and line shaft GI is a shaft which is the same
length as shaft H and pivoted with gear meshing with the gear on said line shaft
and with said wheels.
In placing in gear with the line shafts G G the series of hollow gear wheels the
crank shafts of the wheels D1, D2, E1, E2, are placed at the lowest point of depression,
the crank wrists of wheels D' D' E3 E' are placed in position one quarter of the circle
of rotation and the crank wrists on the wheels De D' E E° in a position to describe
a third quarter of a circle, and the crank wrists on the wheels DS D E E at a point
of the highest elevation, thereby alternating the position of each pair of wheels in the
series.
To the under side portion of the pipes F F in front of the closed point fx is
connected an inverted air compressing cup I. Said cup is nearly rectangular in
shape, with vertical sides 123 and ends it, its top portion i being nearly flat. To
the inner side portion of the pipe F, a short distance from the wheels D' D², is
connected by a pipe joint one end of a pipe f, the other end of which pipe is
connected with the inner side portion of pipe F¹. To the under side portion of the
pipe F is connected by a suitable joint one end of a short pipe or tube f³, the other
end of which tube is inserted within the top portion of the cup I. In said tube is a
back pressure check valve ¿º.
To the under side portion of the pipe F1 is connected, by a suitable joint, a
tube f, precisely the same in length as the tube f³, which is also inserted within the

page_text: top of the cup I and provided with a check valve fª. To the tube 2 is connected a
tube which is the same as check valve 2 in tube f³, which is also inserted within the
cup I and provided with a check valve. In the top of the cup I are openings
which are closed by the relief valves, which are upon the inner side of the top i.
Upon the front side of the cup I are forwardly extended V shaped wings 28. The
wing is made by extending the plates composing the ends formed a short distance
beyond the line of the front 2 of said cup, thence bent at an angle and connected
with the said front plate 2, thus forming a triangular projection. Upon each
cup 11 12 are also wings of the same description as the wings 8. The lower open
ends of the cup I extend within sluice c³ to suitable distance to be withdrawn from
the water.
I
In rear of the cup I is a cup I', arranged a short distance from said cup, and in
rear of cup I¹ is a cup 12, each connected with pipes F F and all constructed precisely
alike and connected with the said pipes at corresponding distances one from the other.
Upon the rear end of the horizontal pipes F F1, in rear of the point f*, is connected a
compressed air coffer K, which is constructed nearly the same as the inverted cup I,
with the exception of the front wings, the valves, and valve openings, there being
neither on the coffer K.
The sides and ends of the coffer K extend in a downward direction a considerable
distance below the line of the lower ends of the cup I 12-13, so as to reach material to
be operated upon, or to the depth at which the channel is required to be preserved
for the navigation of vessels and outgoing tides, the lower end of the coffer K¹
extending below the line of the bottom of the coffer K a short distance and the lower
end of the coffer K² a short distance below the level of the lower end of the coffer K'.
Upon the said pipes F2 F3 are connected cups 13 14 15 and coffers K3 K4 K³, which
are constructed in the same manner and arranged in series the same distance apart as
the cups III and coffers K K' K² on the pipes F F¹. Upon the horizontal pipes F4 F5,
which are the same in construction as pipes F F¹, are cups Iº 17 18 and compressed
air blast coffers K K K³, which are constructed and arranged in position in precisely
the same manner as the coffers K¹ on the pipes F2 F³. Upon the horizontal
pipes F F are inverted cups and coffers constructed and arranged in position in the
same manner as the cups I I I2 and coffers KK1 K2 on the pipes F FI
In the apparatus so far defined the series of inverted cups I I¹ on each pair of
horizontal pipes are designed to compress air, while the series of coffers are designed
to do the work upon the material by the action of blasts of compressed air discharged
within each coffer. For the purpose of strengthening the pipes carrying the inverted
cups I I¹ I² and coffers K K¹ K2 a truss frame N is connected with the pipe F,
extending the length of said pipe, from which the rods n n extend downwardly to
the respective portions of the pipes near each cup or coffer. Each pipe in the series
of pipes is trussed in the same manner. The cups are also laterally braced by
rods n¹.
Upon the beam B2 and upon the end portion of the extension b, near the hollow
wheels D2 D3, is a compressed air tank I, and near the other end of said extension is
a compressed air tank L. Upon the beam B³, are compressed air tanks L² L³,
located at either end of extension b of beam B³.
Upon the forward beam B2 is a longitudinal compressed air conveying pipe M,
arranged between the respective air tanks L L', and the gear on the main line
shaft G. One end of pipe M is connected with the pipe d³ on shaft D, and the other
end of said pipe is connected with the pipe on the shaft carrying the hollow gear DS Dº
on the other side of the water carriage. The branch pipes leading from the shaft
carrying gear D' D5 D6 D7 are also connected with pipe M in the same manner as
pipes. To the pipe M is also connected a branch pipe m, which connects said pipe
with the compressed air tank L. A pipe m' connects the pipe M with the tank 1 in
the same manner. In the pipe m is a check valve l. In pipe m is a check
valve l¹.
On the end of beam B2, in line with the beam B, is a duplex air compressor N2,
the piston rod of which is connected by eccentrics n² with one end of the main line

page_text: shaft G. At the other end of the beam B2 is a duplex air compressor N³, the piston
rod of which is connected by eccentrics with the other end of the main line
shaft G.
To the top of the tank L is connected one end of a pipe o¹, the other end of
said pipe being connected with the induction opening to the air compressor N².
To the top of tank I is connected one end of a pipe 0³, the other end being
connected with the induction opening to the air compressor N³. (See Fig. 5.) To
the induction opening of the air compressor N2 is connected one end of a pipe o, the
other end being connected with the compressed air receiver C beneath the beam B.
To the eduction opening of the air compressor N³ is connected one end of a pipe o²,
the other end being connected, with the receiver C beneath beam B¹. To the
tank L is connected one end of a pipe o³, the other end of which pipe is connected
with the induction opening in the air compressor N³.
On the beam B3 in line with beam B is an air compressor N+, the piston rod of
which is connected by an eccentric with the main line shaft G¹. To the rear end of
receiver C is connected one end of a pipe o*, the other end of which pipe is connected
with the induction opening of the air compressor N. To the eduction opening of
the compressor N2 is connected one end of a pipe o³, the other end of which pipe is
connected with the compressed air tank L². At the other end of the beam B3 is an
air compressor N³, which has a pipe connected with its induction opening and
receiver C, and a pipe connected with its induction opening and receiver C³, and
a pipe connected with the eduction opening and tank L2 in the same manner as
described of the compressor N. To the tank 12 is connected one end of a pipe M³,
the other end of which pipe is connected with the tank L³.
To the hollow shaft carrying the hollow wheels E' E2 is connected a sleeve which
is precisely the same as the sleeve d on shaft D, and to said sleeve is connected a
pipe p, which is connected with the tank L2 and in which pipe is a cut off valve p¹.
To the hollow shaft carrying the gear wheels E³ E is connected a pipe p2 in the
same manner as described of pipe p, which is connected with the pipe M and
provided with a cut off valve. A pipe of is connected with the hollow shaft of the
wheels E5 E and with the pipe M³, and a pipe 07 is connected with the hollow shaft
carrying the wheels E7 E³, each pipe being provided with a cut off valve, as described
of the pipes pp².
In the hatchway or longitudinal open space between the respective beams B4 B³
and the end beams B2 B is arranged a movable pipe frame or channel mat R, which
is raised and lowered in position by elevators or horizontal windlasses S on the
beams B B. Said pipe frame is rectangular and consists of short lengths of
pipe, connected together by two and four way pipe joints. On the sides of the
frame the short sections are connected together by the two way joints 24, and the end
pipes are connected with the side pipes by similar joints . Between the respective
sides and ends of the frames the short section of pipes are laid in squares and
detachably connected with each other for cleaning purposes by four way pipe joints 23,
the short sections extending toward the sides and end of the frame being connected
with the two way pipe joints 1. The diameter of the sections of the pipe in the
central portion of the frame R is decreased, the pipe fittings or joints being corre-
spondingly decreased in size. The underside portion of each section of the pipe in
the frame R is perforated, as at r*.
For the purpose of forming a submerged sluice over the frane R is extended a
horizontal plate or cover T. To the outer edge of one of the sides of plate T is
attached a downwardly extended side plate t. To the outer edge portion and opposite
side of plate T is attached a side t¹, which extends in a downward direction the same
distance as the side t.
Upon beam B, and extending in a longitudinal direction of said beam, is a shaft U,
which is journalled in suitable journal bearings. At one end of shaft U is a bevel
gear u, and in the main line shaft G is a sliding bevel gear u¹, which meshes with
the gear. The other end of shaft U is provided with a bevel gear u², which meshes

page_text: with a sliding bevel gear u³ on the main line shaft G¹, which gear is thrown in
and out of gear with gear u². On beam B5 is a longitudinal shaft U¹, which is
provided with bevel gear at each end and engages with bevel gear on the respective
line shafts G G¹ in the same manner as shaft U.
On the shaft U is a small pulley ut, and on the windlass S is a baad pulley a².
Over the pulley u' is placed one end of a band or belt u", the other end of which belt
is extended over the pulley and the two ends connected together in the usual manner.
The other windlass S on the beam B is connected with the shaft U in the same
manner as described of the pulleys u and us. To the frame R and one side of, said
frame is connected one end of a rope u8, the other end of which rope is connected
with and extends around the windlass S on beam B5. To the other side of frame R
is connected one end of a rope us, the other end of which rope is connected with and
extends around the windlass S on the beam B4.
Compressed air is admitted to the frame R by means of a flexible pipe V, (see
Fig. 4,) one end of which pipe is connected with a stop-cock on the tank L and the
other end with one of the sections of the pipe-frame R at v (Fig. 4).
Beneath the beam B5 is a longitudinal stationary compressed-air-conducting
pipe W, closed at its forward end, which is secured to the under side portion of said
beam. To said pipe, at a point opposite the position of the air compressing cup K¹,
when at its full depth in the water, is attached one end of a branch pipe w, the other
end of which pipe extends in a downward direction to a position adjacent to the lower
end of the inverted cup and the coffer K, and upon the lower end of said pipe is a
pipe joint having two upwardly extended necks ww. lu one of said necks is
inserted the lower end of the pipe w. In the other opening or neck is inserted one
end of a small pipe w¹, which is curved and the other end directed toward the rear of
the water carriage A. The outer end of the pipe w¹ is tapering as at w², and has a
jet opening in the said end.
To the pipe W is connected other downwardly extended pipes at points
corresponding to the several positions of the inverted cups and coffers and which
are provided with curved jet pipes, as described of the pipe w. Beneath the beam B'
is a horizontal stationary pipe W, closed at one end, from which extends downwardly
the pipes w, each pipe having a joint provided with necks and jet pipe as described
of the point wx.
To one of the stop cocks on the tank L is connected one end of a flexible pipe l²,
the other end of which pipe is connected with the end of pipe W₁. A separate
flexible pipe 3 is connected with another stop cock on tank L³ and with the pipe W
in like manner.
Upon the beam B³ is a stationary engine X of any well known type, the piston rod
of which is connected by a suitable eccentric with the main line shaft G¹. To the
outer edge portion of beam B2 and near the beam B is connected the upper end
portions of separate bars y y¹, the lower ends of which bars extend in a downward and
rearwardly inclined direction and are retained in a stationary position by brace rods
connected with side C2 on said beam B. On the upper end and outer side portion
are brackets *, in which are journalled sprocket wheels y. Upon the lower ends of
said bars are brackets carrying sprocket wheels y³. Over said wheels y² is extended
one end of a sprocket chain y4, which extends over the sprocket wheel y³ and the two
ends connected together in the usual manner. To the sprocket chain upon one bar y
is attached one end of an excavatory scoop Y, the other end of which scoop is
attached to the sprocket chain on the bar y'. Upon the journal of one of the sprocket
wheels 2 is a pulley yo, and upon the main line shaft G is a pulley y7. Over the
pulley is extended one end of a band ys, the other end of which band is extended
over the pulley y', on the shaft G and the two ends connected together in the usual
manner. Upon the other end of beam B³, near beam B¹, are excavator scoops Y¹
arranged in position upon bars and connected with the line shaft G in precisely the
same manner as the scoop Y.
For the removal of sand bars and other accretions in rivers, harbours, &c., so as to

page_text: obtain a channel navigable in depth, the water carriage A is so directed as to place
the excavator scoops Y Y' in a position to operate upon the material impeding a
forward movement of the water carriage.
The engine X on the rear beam B3 is set in motion and the power transmitted to
the line shaft G¹, which in turn conveys power to the hollow gear E¹ E²
E3 E4 E5 E6 E7 E8 and the horizontal pipes F F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F° F", which de-
scribe alternate reciprocating movements on the respective series of inverted air
compressing cups, and the air coffers are withdrawn from and submerged in the water
within certain intervals of time and in succession dependent upon the speed of the
engine, the length of each coffer being sufficient to reach and dislodge the material
to a depth suitable for channel purposes, beyond which the action of the compressed
air as one element upon the water and also the displacement of the material being
effected by the process which will be further considered.
It will be seen that the initial compressed air generated in the series of inverted
air cups passes through the forward portions of the respective pipes F F¹
F2 F3 F F F F from point fx to the hollow wheels D¹ D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 Dº and
through the branch pipes connected with the hollow shafts and thence to the pipe M
and through said pipe to each tank L L', the back pressure being checked by valves
on the respective tanks. From the tanks L L¹ the compressed air is admitted to the
pipes oo and thence to the air compressors N³ N2, where the air is further com-
pressed, and from said air compressors to the receivers C C¹ beneath the side beams of
the water carriage, and from the rear end of said receivers the compressed air is
admitted to pipes o2 and thence to the air compressors N2 N3 and again compressed
and thence to the storage tanks L2 L3, in which are suitable back pressure check
valves. The compressed air in tanks L2 L3 being thus available and the advance made
by the water carriage having dislodged the material on each side of the water carriage
and in the direction of movement of the receivers C C and the material in the line
of work of the inverted cups having been dislodged by the cutting of the lower edges
of the inverted cups upon the material and intermixed with the water the next step is
to loosen the material which momentarily is confined within the area covered by one
of the coffers.
In the rotation of the hollow wheels carrying the series of inverted cups and coffers,
and during the interval in which one series of coffers is in the lowest position
in the circle of rotation of the hollow wheels, the stop cock on tank 12, to which is
attached the pipe leading to the hollow shaft upon which the coffers are located,
is turned to liberate the compressed air, and the blast of compressed air is
instantaneously transmitted through the pipe, the hollow wheel, and the crank wrist
to the pipe carrying the coffer and thence upon the water within the coffer, the water
is expelled from the coffer, and the force of the air upon the water is communicated
to the water and thence to the material underlying the water, and this disturbance
causes the material discharged to rise at various lengths in the water, and should the
stream have a rapid current the material will be carried away with the power of the
water.
Where the outgoing tide is insufficient to carry away large masses of material
thrown up by the action of the inverted cups and the coffers through which the
blast is made of compressed air, and the movement is sluggish, the pipe frame R is
lowered in position and permitted to rest upon the incipient channel, the cover over
which, as the sides meet the bottom of the channel, extends a considerable height
above the said frame R and a submerged arched sluice is formed. During this
movement and as the material rises above the level of the arched sluice, the stop
cock on the tank 12, to which is attached the pipe leading to the pipe W, is open
and the compressed air is liberated through the jet pipes u', and a blast of the
compressed air is directed upon the mixed water and debris at a point a short
distance above the sluice, and the material held in suspension is forcibly expelled
toward the rear of the water carriage. Thus it will be perceived that in the

page_text: employment of a number of the water carriages an arched sluice may be formed of
great length and the power of the apparatus correspondingly increased.
The stop cock on the tank L, with which the pipe leading to the frame R is
connected, is opened and the compressed air emitted in blasts upon the material,
which is swept through the sluice with the water, and beyond the sluice the
material rises in proportion to its gravity and with the ascending currents of air.
During the agitation and movement of material in the sluice the inverted cups
and the coffers are in motion and cause the commingling of the material with the
water and a rapid flow of the water from the bottom of the submerged sluice to the
surface of the water.
In linear displacements in succession in harbours the work is effectively augmented
by a series of water carriages with the apparatus, as heretofore described, in a single
line and a short distance apart, in which arrangement a passage is forced through
a sand bar and the whole underlying debris set in motion, and while in suspension in
the water reinoved a long distance and beyond the action of the incoming tides. In
swift flowing water the cover T may be dispensed with, and the action of the
compressed air directed through the frame R will cause eddies in the water, and
with the rising compressed air the material passes upward and is carried along with
the stream.
Whenever the position of the water carriage is changed, the sliding gear on the
main line shaft are thrown into engagement with the gear on the shafts u¹ and
the frame R is elevated the proper height. The power is then transmitted from
the main line shaft to the windlass and each part of the frame moved at equal
degrees of speed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is
1. An apparatus for forming channels consisting of a water carriage having side
floats, a compressed air storage tank, and an air compressor, driving shafts at each
end of said carriage having cranks, a compressed air blast coffer having a pipe con-
nected therewith and said storage tank, and a support for said coffer having one end
thereof connected with one of said cranks at one end of said carriage and also with
the crank at the other end of said carriage, and means for operating said driving
shafts substantially as shewn, and described.
2. An apparatus for forming channels consisting of a water carriage having side
floats, a compressed air storage tank and an air compressor, driving shafts at each end
of said water carriage having cranks and connecting pipes having suitable crank con-
nections connecting respectively with the cranks at one end and also with the cranks
at the other end of said water carriage, a compressed air discharging coffer connected
with said pipes on said cranks having opening in both pipe and coffer registering with
each other, a flexible supply pipe connected with the storage tank for compressed air
and the pipes to which said coffers are connected, and an engine operating said driving
shafts and said air compressor, substantially as and for the purpose described.
3. An apparatus for forming channels comprising a source of compressed air and a
perforate pipe frame arranged beneath the water and upon the surface of the
material to be removed, an arched cover extending over said frame, a flexible pipe
connected with the source of supply for compressed air, and with one of the pipes in
said pipe frame substantially as shewn and described.
4. In a compressed air apparatus for sub-marine air blasting, a water carriage
having a sluice and suitable side compressed air receivers, compressed air tanks at
each end of said carriage, hollow wheels at each end of said water carriage having
hollow shafts and crank wrist pins and openings in said shaft and pin communicating
with said wheel, power conveying pipes having a closed portion between the ends of
each pipe connected with the respective wrist pins at each end of said carriage, and
air compressing cups on one portion of said power conveying pipes having suitable

page_text: connections for the compressed air and back pressure and relief valves and coffers on
the other end portions of said pipes, air compressors at each end of said water carriage,
means for operating said air compressors and conductors for the compressed air con-
nected with the air compressors and the said hollow shafts of said hollow wheels, and
also with the said air receivers, and the said air compressors and conductors of com-
pressed air connected with the said air tanks and said air compressors substantially
as shewn and described.
Dated this 23rd day of October 1807
THOMAS R. SHILLITO,
89, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicants.