Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 31st July, 1894-Accepted, 20th Oct., 1894

page_text: 1 is the boat, within one end whereof is secured a series of vertical cages 2,
within which latter are the frames 3 which carry the digging clams 4.
These cages are all rigid together and with the boat, being in effect a part of
the boat. 5 are the automatically operated chutes, one to each digging device.
6 is a shed secured in any suitable manner so as to be fixed and extending
immediately beneath the chutes 5, on which shed the dumpings are received from
the chutes to be delivered to the conveying devices which I will describe.
Journalled within frames 7, bolted or otherwise secured to the deck of the
boat are a series of rollers 8, 9, oue set above the other, and at the outer ends of
these frames are journalled square pulleys 10. 11 are mud buckets, which are
pivotally connected together to form a chain, and are carried, after the manner of
an endless belt, by the square pulleys at the outer ends of these frames. 12 is a
spur wheel secured on the shaft 13 of one of these pulleys, and 14 is a pinion
suitably journalled and meshing with said spur, the shaft of which pinion is
operatively connected in any suitable and ordinary manner with an engine A.
Motion is therefore imparted to the chain of buckets by revolving the shaft 13
through the medium of the spur 12 and pinion 14.
15, 15, are the inner pulleys which have no function, except as hereinafter set
forth and are simply idle when the buckets are connected up in one continuous
series such as is necessary for the purpose of conveying the dumpings to any
suitable scow at the side of the dredging boat. This series of buckets extend
from one side of the boat to the other for the obvious purpose of delivering the
dumpings into scows at either side of the boat. This is a feature of considerable
advantage in that there need be no delay caused by the removal of a full scow
and the substitution of an empty one, since when one scow is full at one side of the
boat, the engine A is simply reversed, thereby carrying the buckets in the
opposite direction to deliver the dumpings into another scow on the opposite side
of the boat.
The under set of rollers 9 supports the buckets when they are carried in
inverted position, while the upper set of rollers 8 supports said buckets when they
are full. The dumpings slide down the shed 6 into the buckets, which latter are
moving continuously, so that there is an uninterrupted delivery of said dumpings
into the depository.
The various digging devices may be operated in pairs or singly, as may be
desired, but, since they are all operated independently of each other from a single
engine B, it is immaterial as to whether the digging devices perform their function
in sets or in sequence. In either event, there is in practice very little difference
in the actual amount of dumpings delivered.
In some instances it is not found necessary to use all of the digging devices,
and some of the latter may therefore remain idle, but the provision of so many of
such devices is of great importance and advantage, because, if one, or even two of
said devices should break down, or for any reason become inoperative, the capacity
of the apparatus will not thereby become seriously impaired, for even then it would
be of greater capacity than any apparatus heretofore known.
I will now describe my improved pump, and the manner in which I convey the
dumpings to the same, whereby they may be deposited at a remote point.
16 is a cylindrical casing, and 17 is a funnel leading upward therefrom. This
casing is supported within the bottom of the boat in any ordinary manner.
18 is a trough which extends beneath the series of buckets, at or about the
middle part thereof, and leads directly into said funnel.
19 is a screw which extends lengthwise within said trough and whose shank 20
is operatively connected with any suitable engine C so as to be capable of revolution.
In utilizing a pump, it becomes necessary to make certain changes in the
arrangement and operation of the buckets 11, and these changes I will now
describe.
Referring to Figures 3 and 8, and particularly to the latter, the upper and
lower buckets 21, 22, in the chain of buckets, at the middle part thereof, are

page_text: simply disconnected from the endless series at diagonally opposite points, and said
buckets are lapped around the inner pulleys 15, 15, and connected to opposite
buckets, thus affording two separate chains of backets, the inner terminals of which
chains are directly over the trough 18.
In this connection it becomes necessary that the upper buckets of each series
shall travel inwardly so as to deposit their contents within the trough, and this
may be effected in several simple and ordinary ways, as for instance by means of
two intermeshing spur wheels 23, 24, secured respectively on the shafts of the
pulleys 15 15, one of these shafts being suitably connected by ordinary gearing
(not shown) with the engine A.
..
As the screw revolves it will continuously draw the dumpings rearward through
the trough and deposit them within the funnel 17, which latter is the direct means
for supplying the pump.
25 is a pipe which leads from the reservoir R to a point directly over the
funnel 17, by means of which pipe water may be delivered within the funnel so as
to thin out the dumpings and make them of the consistency proper for the advan-
tageous working of the pump. 26 is a valve in said pipe, whereby the water supply
may be regulated or stopped altogether, if not required.
Heretofore, it has been common in connection with a dredging apparatus, to use
retary force pumps for the purpose of drawing the dredgings into and forcing them
through a line of pipe, but such pumps have been of the kind known as
'centrifugal pumps," in which the dredgings have been drawn into the center of a
revolving runner and then thrown out radially into the pipe beyond.
"
This style of pump last referred to requires great speed to be effective, and it is
not an economical device in that the actual amount of power lost is very great, and
moreover, such pump becomes readily clogged.
My present invention does not contemplate this style of pump, and my improved
pump is far more powerful and economical than any pump which has hitherto been
used in connection with dredging apparatus, and it is impossible for it to become
clogged.
58 is a journal box rigidly secured to the rear of the casing so as to entirely
enclose the same, and 59 is a shaft journalled within said box and also within an
ordinary journal box 60 in the rear of the first-named box. 61 is a pulley
mounted on said shaft and to which any suitable belt (not shown) is attached for
the purpose of revolving the shaft. The shaft projects beyond the inner end of
the box 58, and around this projecting part is rigidly secured the hub 62 of the
hollow drum 63. Extending laterally from the rear of this drum is a circum-
ferential circular flange 64 which is journalled within a rib or circular flange 65
which extends inward from the box 58 within the casing. The body of the
drun 63 is hollow, as seen at 66, and into this hollow body a central hub 67 from
the box 58 projects, so as to afford an extended bearing for the shaft 59. Projecting
from the outer surface of the drum 63 are spirally disposed wings 68 leading
forward toward the nose of the drum. In the drawings I have shown three of
these wings, as this number is sufficient for the purposes of my invention, but it is
evident that the number of such wings is immaterial and that my invention is not
limited in this respect. These wings extend out to the wall of the casing and
closely conform thereto in contour, as shown in Figure 9. The body of the drum
is immediately below the funnel 17, and the dredgings drop through the latter
directly upon such body, and as they fill up the space within the casing of the
pump so as to come within the field of operation of the wings 6S, the latter in
their revolution will seize upon such dredgings and will draw them forward into
the front part of the casing, and will thence force them continually into and
through the pipe conduit 69 which leads from the casing.
It will be observed that the nose of the drum is of a conical shape, and the
same is true of the forward part of the casing, and this is for the purpose of
getting the full benefit of the forcing action of the wings, which could not be
obtained were the nose cut off short at or about the point denoted by the section

page_text: line - in Figure 8. The speed at which this pump is run rarely exceeds
one hundred revolutions a minute as against four hundred to five hundred revolu-
tions of the ordinary centrifugal pump, and it will thus be seen that the power
which is actually lost in my improvement is reduced to a minimum.
A very important feature of my invention resides in the manner in which I
keep the journal boxes free from all grit or foreign substances such as would
otherwise tend to retard the rotary movements and to cut out the bearings, and I
will now describe this.
Within the box 58 is a recess or chamber 70, which surrounds the shaft 59,
and into this recess leads a port 71 through the box, with which port communicates
any suitable pipe 72 through which water is constantly introduced. A duet 73
leads from the recess 70 along the shaft 59 into a duct 74 which latter is between
the abutting faces of the hubs 62 and 67, and communicates with the surrounding
space 66.
It will thus be seen that when the drum revolves, the space 66 will after a while
become filled with water, which latter will not only continually wash the abutting
faces of the two hubs, but will also freely lubricate the bearings of the flange 64
in the box 65 so that no grit or foreign substance can clog the same.
The water introduced through the pipe 72 is not under pressure, but such pipe
simply leads from any suitable reservoir. In fact the main difficulty experienced
hitherto in the lubrication of bearings of this sort has been that the water must
be introduced at a pressure greater than that of the surrounding material which is
being forced through the pump, but my present invention provides a body of water
around the parts liable to become clogged, and as the drum revolves the water is
constantly agitated and thoroughly washed within the bearings, there being no
pressure whatsoever upon the water.
The extension of the wings 68 to the casing aids materially in concentrating
the force exerted by the action of the wings, so that there can be no back pressure
of the dredgings.
The central hub 67 of the box 58 extends far enough within the hollow drum so
that the latter is properly balanced on the shaft, thus contributing greatly to the
facility with which my improvement is operated.
I do not wish to be understood as claiming broadly the lubrication by water of
the bearings of a pump, of this description, since I am aware that this is a very
common expedient; but, in this respect, my invention resides in the idea of intro-
ducing water around the shaft bearing into the hollow chamber 66 which surrounds
the bearings of the drum in order to preserve a body of water in constant agitation
against said bearings.
In the operation of a dredging apparatus it becomes necessary from time to
time to change the field of operation of the digging devices, and this has
beretofore been done by swinging such devices bodily and independent of the
boat, but in my present improvement this is effected by the swinging of the boat
itself. This would be quite a difficult and tedious matter unless the boat were
equipped with some means for preventing any advancing and backing, which
would invariably prevent the location of the digging with any degree of accuracy.
I have provided means whereby the boat may be caused to swing in the arc of a
circle without any substantial lengthwise displacement, and I will now describe the
same.
Secured to the boat are keepers 27, 28, one above the other, which are formed
with open gates 29 30 at their rear ends. 31, 32, are bushings within said gates
and provided with annular recesses 33, 34, within which said keepers fit so as to
prevent vertical displacement of said bushings and allow them to revolve freely,
and 35, 36, are pins passed through eyes 37, 38, at the rear ends of the keepers
whereby the bushings are retained in position.
The spud stem is composed of four bars 39, rectangular in cross section and
bolted together, which stem extends vertically through the bushings 31, 32, the
latter embracing the stem so that there can be no side play of the latter, but at

page_text: the same time allowing it to have a free vertical movement. 40 is a ferrule secured
to the bottom of the stem and having ears 41 (only one being shown) between
which is pivoted at 42 the spud 43. This spud has a flat body curved upward at
the front part and has depending from its under side a center fin 44.
connecting the nose of this spud with the ferrule in order to prevent the displace-
inent of the spud during operation.
45 is a chain
Around the bushing 31 is rigidly secured a spur wheel 46 which meshes with a
worm 47 on a shaft 48, which latter is journalled within ears 49 rising from the
keeper 27.
The outer ends of this shaft 48 are provided with wrench holds 50
whereby the worin may be revolved by means of any suitable ratchet wrench, in
order to turn around the stem and the spud attached thereto. One or more of the
bars 39 has a recess 51 therein, and a groove 52 leading into said recess, whereby
a cable 53 secured to any suitable fastening 54 fixed in said recess may lead
upward over a pulley 55 mounted on an upright 56 rising from the deck. This
cable is secured to any suitable winding drum 57, which latter is operated from an
ordinary hoisting engine (not shown).
When the digging devices are to be operated in a straight line, as along the edge
of a channel, or any other defined limit, the spud, which is located at the rear of
the boat, is allowed to remain embedded in the mud and pointing in the direction
of the length of the boat, so that when the boat is driven forward to bring the
digging devices into a new field of operation, there can be no sidewise displacement
of the boat, since the spud will act as a guide to the same, after the manner of a
rudder, but with a more positive effect.
Whenever it is desired to bring the digging devices into a certain position by
swinging the boat, the stem or spud is turned around slowly, as hereinbefore set
forth, thereby causing the boat to swing in a true arc from a pivotal point. When
the service of the spud is not required it may be readily hoisted out of the mud by
means of the cable 53.
The spud stem is made from stout timber, and is formed in sections, owing to the
difficulty and expense of procuring a single piece of the required dimensions, and
for the further reason that the sectional stem is far stronger than a solid stem.
I do not wish to be limited to the specific construction and arrangement of the
mud buckets as herein shown and described, since these may vary without departing
from the spirit of my invention, the gist of which in this respect rests in the broad
idea of providing a means for receiving the mud from the shed and continuously
and automatically conveying the same to any suitable receptacle.
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. In a dredging apparatus, the combination of a series of vertically disposed
guide cages secured in alignment rigid with the end of the dredging boat, a series
of frames within such cages and capable of being independently elevated and
lowered, digging clams pivoted at the lower extremities of said frames, instrumen-
talities for conveying the dumpings to any suitable depository, means for receiving
the dumpings from the digging clams and for leading them to said instrumentalities,
substantially as set forth.
2. In a dredging apparatus, the combination of a series of frames carrying
pivoted digging clains and guided and operated within fixed and stationary cages,
the shed fixed in position, the independently operating chutes whereby the dumpings
are received from the digging devices and deposited on said shed, and the endless
series of buckets which receive the dumpings from the shed and carry them to any
suitable receptacle, substantially as set forth.
3. In a dredging apparatus, the combination of the endless series of buckets
which receive the dumpings from the digging devices, the pump having the funnel
extending upward therefrom, the trough below said buckets and leading into said

page_text: tunnel, and the screw capable of revolving within said trough and beneath the
buckets, substantially as shown and described.
4. Ina dredging apparatus, the combination of the digging devices, the
independently operated chutes and the shed, all arranged as described and all
incapable of any horizontal swinging movement independent of the dredging boat,
with instrumentalities below said shed for receiving the dumpings and conveying
them to any suitable depository, substantially as set forth.
5. In a dredging apparatus, the spud pivoted to the lower end of a rotary and
vertically movable stem secured in position at the rear of the dredging boat,
substantially as set forth.
6. In a dredging apparatus, the combination of suitable keepers secured to the
rear of the dredging boat, bushings within these keepers, the stem within said
bushings and capable of a vertical movement therein, the spud pivoted to the
lower end of said stem, and means for turning said stem axially, substantially as
set forth.
7. In a dredging apparatus, the vertical stationary cages secured to the end of
the boat, and the frames capable of being elevated and lowered within said cages,
each frame carrying a pair of pivoted digging clams, substantially as set forth.
8. In a rotary force pump for a dredging apparatus, the combination of a
cylindrical casing, a rotary drum journalled therein and having extending from its
circumference a series of spirally inclined wings whose outer extremities conform
closely to the inner wall of said casing, and a feeding funnel leading into the casing
at a point in the rear of said wings, substantially as set forth.
9. In a rotary force pump for a dredging apparatus, the combination of the
cylindrical casing having its forward end tapered inwardly to a point where it is
joined to the conduit pipe, and the rotary drum journalled within the casing and
having spirally inclined peripheral wings whose outer extremities conform closely
to the inner wall of said casing, said drum having a conical shaped nose which
projects within the tapered portion of the casing, substantially as set forth.
10. The combination of the cylindrical casing, the journal box secured to the
rear end thereof and having projecting from its inner wall an aunular bearing, the
shaft journalled within said box and projecting from the forward end thereof,
the hollow drum having an interior central hub rigidly mounted on said projecting
end of the shaft and having at its inner end a circumferential flange which is
journalled within the inner bearing of the journal box, and the spirally inclined
wings extending from the circumference of said drum and conforming closely at
their extremities to the inner wall of the casing, substantially as set forth.
11. The combination of the cylindrical casing, the journal box secured to the
rear thereof and having projecting from its inner face an annular bearing and with
its central portion extending outwardly to form a hub, the shaft journalled within
said box and projecting beyond said hub, the hollow drum enclosing said hub and
having an interior hub which is rigidly mounted on said projecting part of the shaft
in close proximity to the hub of the journal box, and provided at its inner end with
a circumferential flange which is journalled within said annular bearing, and the
spirally inclined wings extending from the circumference of said drum to the inner
wall of said casing, substantially as set forth.
12. The combination of the cylindrical casing, the journal box secured to the
rear end of said casing and having projecting from its inner face an annular bearing
and a central hub, the hollow drum having at its rear end a circumferential flange
journalled within said bearing and provided at its central portion with a hub which
abuts against the end of the hub of the journal box, both of said hubs extending
within the hollow drum, the shaft journalled within said box and secured to said
drum through the hub thereof, and lubricating channels for water leading within
said box along the shaft and between the abutting faces of said hubs into the hollow
drum, whereby the latter is kept full of water, substantially as set forth.
13. The combination of the cylindrical casing, the journal box secured to the

page_text: rear end thereof and having projecting from its inner face an annular bearing and
a central hub, the shaft journalled within said box and projecting beyond said
hub, the hollow drum baving a central interior hub secured to the projecting
end of the shaft and abutting against the hub of the journal box, and said drum
also provided at its rear end with a circumferential flange journalled within the
said annular bearing, means for revolving the drum, and means for constantly
supplying water to the interior of said drum whereby the bearings will be
constantly washed as the drum revolves, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 31st day of July 1801
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.