IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR RAISING AND FORCING WATER OR AIR, AND FOR DREDGING MUD, Sand, and PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Wyman Woodford and Ethelbert Goorge
Woodford, both of Stormont Terrace, Lavendor Hill, in tho County
of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR
RAISING AND FORCING WATER OR AIR, AND FOR DREDGING MUD, Sand, and
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Wyman Woodford
and Ethelbert George Woodford at the Office of the Commissioners
of Patents, with their Petition, on the 26th April 1875.
We, JOHN WYMAN WOODFORD and EtuELBERT GEORGE WOODFORD,
both of Stormont Terrace, Lavender Hill, in the County of Middlesex,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN MACHINERY FOR RAISING AND FORCING WATER OR AIR, AND FOR DREDGING MUD,
SAND, AND DEPOSITS IN GENERAL FROM RIVER BEDS, DOCKS, AND HARBOURS," to
be as follows:-
TE

page_text: raising and forcing water, and for dredging mud, sand, and general
deposits from river beds, docks, and harbours.
For raising and forcing water and deposits of sand, mud, and such
like we employ a centrifugal pump constructed with a vertical shaft,
which near its lower end turns in bearings above a cylinder. This
bearing is formed by a number of collars on the shaft entering into
grooves in a wooden bearing contained in a casing above the cylinder.
The lower end of the shaft passes downwards through the cylinder, and
carries a ring from which spring two impelling arms or blades, which
extend outwards and nearly touch the side of the cylinder. The ring is
pierced immediately behind cach blade to allow water to flow in behind
it, which it is free to do, as the cylinder is open at the bottom. Around
the cylinder is an annular chamber, which we call the equalizing
chamber. This chamber communicates with the cylinder by openings
formed into it at an angle. From the equalizing chamber there are one,
two, or more outlets, with pipes rising from thom. The upper cover of
the cylinder is closed, except where the shaft passes through.
The bearings above the cylinder are adjustable for the purpose of
raising and lowering the ring and blades or arms within the cylinder.
As the shaft revolves, water is drawn into the cylinder through the
openings at the back of the blades, and is impelled outwards to the side
of the cylinder and through the angular passages formed in it to the
equalizing chamber, and thence through the delivery pipes.
The cylinders and bearings for the vertical shaft are supported by four
angle irons rising from the four corners of a base plate. The angle irons
aro braced and stayed together at intervals with diagonal and straight
iron braces, and to facilitate fixing and unfixing it is proferred to have
the angle iron frames in suitable lengths fastened together with bolts
and nuts.
In place of the angular openings in the side of the cylinder there may
be a narrow opening oxtonding round its circumforence for the escape of
the water into the equalizing chamber, and thence to the rising pipes
for delivery. In this case, in place of the ring at the lower end of the
vertical shaft being provided with two blades or arms, we surround it
with one or more circular plates having radial corrugations formed in
them, and form openings through the ring in a line with cach of the
corrugations for the inlet of water. The corrugated plate forces water

page_text: through the narrow opening into the equalizing chamber, and thence to
the delivery pipes.
For some purposes we place the shaft of the pump horizontally in
place of vertically. The internal arrangements of the pump remain the
same, but we employ a suction pipe branched at its upper end to come
up to the centre of but outside the cylinder to supply water to cither or
both of its ends, and this suction pipe may, if desired, be hinge-jointed
to the pump.
When the pump is to be used for pumping up mud, sand, and deposits
in general from river beds, harbours, and such like, we employ a vessel
in which is fixed a steam engine, with a propeller or paddle wheels for
moving from one place to another. The hold of the vessel we make
hopper-shaped, with hinged doors or flaps at the bottom or sides to close
and open by means of chains and winches or other mechanical appliances.
When the doors are closed the hoppers will hold cargo or dredged
material, and when opened the contents will pass out cither slowly or
quickly as may be desired, and when the doors are again closed the
vessel is ready for reloading.
An opening or well is formed within the vessel, in which is placed one
or more of the centrifugal pumps with either vertical or horizontal
shafts, and actuated by the propelling engine or by others direct or
indirect, by means of wire ropes acting upon grooved pulleys, or by
frictional gearing, toothed wheels, or by straps and pulleys, or otherwise.
Other constructions of centrifugal pumps may also similarly be cm-
ployed for pumping up deposits of mud and such like in combination
with a vessel arranged as above described.
When the pumps are placed at or near the surface of the water a pipe,
flexible or part flexible, is placed at the suction or inlet part of the
pump, and extends down to the bed of the river or place to be dredged.
The upper end of the pipe connects to the pump with a metal universal
joint to allow the pipe to be moved freely in all required directions. At
the lower end of the pipe is placed a jointed metal strainer or cullender,
to which is attached chains or ropes extending to the deck of the vessel
or float for moving the end of the pipe over the place to be dredged. At
the upper or discharge part of the pump is placed a metal or flexible
pipe to convey the dredged material into the hold or hopper part of the
vessel or float. When the vessel is sufficiently loaded the pipe is drawn
▲ 2

page_text: up and out of the water through the well by means of suitable tackle for
the purpose. The vessel or flat may then propel itself away to a place of
deposit, after which it may return and reload, as above described.
We prefer to place the pumps close down to the bed of the river or
place to be dredged. The suction pipe with universal joint and strainer
or cullender is in this case short, but of sufficient length to move freely
and trail over the place to be dredged as the vessel or float is moved for
the purpose.
The discharge pipe extends upwards, and discharges into the hold or
other place of deposit.
Either a pump with a vertical axis or with a horizontal axis may be
used. In the case of a vertical axis the axis is carried upwards along
the frame which carries the pump, and is driven from the upper end.
In the case of a pump with a horizontal axis it may be driven by an
endloss band, and the suction pipe of the pump may be hinged that it
may keep in a vertical line.
When the hold or hoppers are loaded, the pumps and pipes are raised
to or near the deck by tackle, and the vessel can propel itself to a place
of deposit and return to reload, as before described.
The pump and delivery pipe or pipes may be carried by ladder frames
placed at the sides or in the middle of a vessel, similar to the ordinary
dredger. The pump is placed on the lower end of the ladder frame. A
suction pipe may be jointed to it, or the suction pipe may be made bell
mouthed, and the pump shaft when vertical made to extend beyond tho
boll mouth, and carry a cross arm spiked or curved to act as a stirrer to
agitate the material to be dredged. The upper part of the shaft rests
upon the ladder framos on suitable bearings, and extends above the
deck to receive motion either from the propelling engine, when there is
one, or by any other placed for the purpose. The ladder frame and
pump is raised and lowered by rope or chain tackle attached to its
lower end, and when required is slided inboard clear of the side of the
vessel that it may be out of danger whilst the vessel is changing
position.
Existing dredging machines may readily be adapted to carry pumps
upon their ladder frames in the manner above described; or in place of {
employing a ladder frame to carry the pump with its driving shaft and

page_text: delivery pipes the delivery pipes may be tied and braced together to
form a strong and self-supporting frame. The upper end of this frame
may be suspended in a well by means of "gymbals" placed upon a
frame of wood or iron a little above the deck of the vessel, or any place
whore it is to be used for pumping or dredging, allowing the pump
frame to oscillate in all directions. Motion is communicated by means
of a horizontal shaft with a universal joint and gear wheels. The
driving power is taken from the propelling engine or any other placed
for the purpose, or also with a wire rope or pulleys and strap, as before
described. A frame of wood or metal is placed above, with raising and
lowering tackle connected to the pump frame for adjusting it to tho
height or depth required, and for lifting the pump and frame to the deck
of the vessel or above water into a place of safety when the vessel is
moving or changing position.
On one or both sides of the suction pipe a metal or flexible pipe may
be placed, through which a current of air or water, or both, can be forced
to agitate the material to be dredged.
The pumps may also be used upon land or upon staging for the
purpose of dredging foundations, sinking iron piers for bridges, or
cylinders of any description, and may be driven with steam engine
power direct or indirect, or by wire ropes (above or below water),
shafting gearing, or straps and pulleys, also with long or short pipes, and
with arrangements for raising and lowering, as before described.
In some cases in order to dredge up mud, sand, or such like deposit
from the bed of a river or harbour, or such like, we employ an ordinary
steam jib cranc, that is, a crane in which the bed plate which carries the
engine turns with the jib. On the jib is placed a double ring bolt free
to turn round in bearings. Through the double rings pass two long
spars, carrying at their lower end an iron skip or bucket having a hinged
bail and a hinged bottom in one or two parts, to open and close with
chains or iron rods. A chain is attached to the skip or bucket at the
hinged bottom, and passes through the centre of the bail and over the
sheave wheel at the end of the jib to the crane barrel for raising and
lowering. The skip or bucket is actuated by lowering it down on the
bed of the river or places to be dredged by unwinding the chain attached
as before described. The two spars slide down with the bucket or skip,
passing through the ring bolt guides. The skip is drawn backwards

page_text: from a vertical position by a rope or chain attached to the end of the
skip. The rope or chain extends to the dock, and is cither held firm by
hand or wound round a winch barrel. The skip being drawn back one
edge only touches the material to be dredged; the crane barrel being
set in motion the skip is drawn forward towards the jib and fills.
When the weight of the bucket and spars is not sufficient to cause
the skip to dig hard enough to fill, a rope or chain is attached to the
upper end of the spars or pieces of wood, and is held firm to a part of
the crane, which provents the bucket from rising in its forward move-
ment. The holding-down rope or chain being loosened, the skip rises
above the surface of the water, the long spars slide through the ring
bolt, the crano turns round to a place to open the hinged bottom, and
then discharges the material brought up by it.
In deep dredging an additional jib is attached to the main jib to
keep the lifting chain in the required position for dragging forward the
skip.
In place of the iron skip before described a bag and spoon, with onc
or two spars or pieces of wood to pass through the guides placed on the
jib, and actuated as described, excepting the bag is turned upside down
to discharge its contents.
In place of the spars carrying a skip at their lower end a single spar
of iron or wood may be used, pointed at its lower end so that its lower
end may sink into the material to be dredged, and a cross arm, having
buckets or hoops and bags jointed to its ends, may be mounted upon the
spar in such manner that it may slide up or down upon it. These cross
arms may also have stirrers or scrapers fixed to them. The upper end
of the spar may carry capstan bars, by which it may be turned, or other
provision may be made for turning the spar.
When capstan bars are used the men employed to work them may be
carried upon a platform supported in the same way as the jib of tho
crane, there being a slot in the platform for the spar to pass through.
The cross arm carrying the buckets or bags is lowered down to the placo
to be dredged, and the spar is then revolved.
When the buckets or bags are full they are raised, together with the
cross arm, by chains or ropes to bring them above the surface of the
water, and they are then emptied, either by turning them upside down

page_text: or through hinged bottoms. The cross arm with the bags attached is
then again lowered, and the operation repeated.
The crane may be mounted upon a vessel or flat, or upon wheels, so
that it may travel along a dock or other wall or staging.
In place of the spar and dredging buckets being carried by the jib of
a crane, as above described, they may be carried by a staging projecting
from the stern of a vessel, or from a dock wall, or such like, or carried
at the top of a caisson to remove earth from its interior.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Wyman Woodford and Ethelbert George
Woodford in the Great Scal Patent Office on the 26th October
1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, wc, JOHN
WYMAN WOODFord and Ethelbert George WOODFORD, both of Stor-
mont Terrace, Lavender Hill, in the County of Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-sixth day of April, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the thirty-
eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto us, the said John Wyman Woodford and Ethelbert
George Woodford, Her special license, that wc, the said John Wyman
Woodford and Ethelbert George Woodford, our executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as we, the said John Wyman Woodford and
Ethelbert George Woodford, our exccutors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at
all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and law-
fully might make, use, exercise, and vend within the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ircland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for “IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR Raising and FORCING WATER
OR AIR, AND FOR DREDGING MUD, SAND, AND DEPOSITS IN GENERAL PRO RIVER
BEDS, DOCKS, AND HARBOURS," upon the condition (amongst others) that
we, the said John Wyman Woodford and Ethelbert George Woodford,
our executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under our

page_text: or their hands and seals, or under the hand and seal of one of us or
them, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Wyman Woodford, on behalf
of myself and the said Ethelbert George Woodford, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, that is to say:—
This Invention has for its object improvements in machinery for
raising and forcing water and for dredging mud, sand, and general
deposits from river beds, docks and harbours.
For raising and forcing water and deposits of sand, mud, and such
like, we employ a centrifugal pump constructed with a vertical shaft,
which near its lower end turns in bearings above a cylinder. This
bearing is formed by a number of collars on the shaft entering into
grooves in a wooden bearing contained in a casing above the cylinder.
The wood of which the bearing is composed I prepare by boiling it in a
compound of tallow and wax. The lower end of the shaft passes
downwards through the cylinder and carries a ring from which spring
two impelling arms or blades which extend outwards and nearly touch
the side of the cylinder. The ring is pierced immediately behind each
blade to allow water to flow in behind it, which it is free to do as the 2
cylinder is open at the bottom. Around the cylinder is an annular
chamber which we call the equalizing chamber; this chamber com-
municates with the cylinder by openings formed into it at an angle.
From the equalizing chamber there are one, two, or more outlets with
pipes rising from them. The upper cover of the cylinder is closed, 8
except where the shaft passes through.
The bearings above the cylinder are adjustable for the purpose of
raising and lowering the ring and blades or arms within the cylinder.
As the shaft revolves water is drawn into the cylinder through the
openings at the back of the blades, and is impelled outwards to the side 8
of the cylinder and through the angular passages formed in it to the
equalizing chamber and thence through the delivery pipes.

page_text: The cylinders and bearings for the vertical shaft are supported by four
angle irons rising from the four corners of a base plate. The angle
irons are braced and stayed together at intervals with diagonal and
straight iron braces, and to facilitate fixing and unfixing it is preferred
to have the angle iron frames in suitable lengths fastened together
with bolts and nuts. A pump constructed and mounted as abovo
described is shewn at Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5 of the Drawings hereunto
annexed.
In place of the angular openings in the side of the cylinder, there may
be a narrow opening extending round its circumference for the escape of
the water into the equalizing chamber and thence to the rising pipes for
delivery, as shewn at Figures 6 and 7. In this case in place of the ring
at the lower end of the vertical shaft being provided with two blades or
arms we may surround it with one or more circular plates having radial
corrugations formed in them, and form openings through the ring in a
line with each of the corrugations for the inlet of water, as shewn at
Figure 3, the corrugated plate forces water through the narrow opening
into the equalizing chamber and thence to the delivery pipes. A similar
ring with surrounding corrugated plate or disc may also be used within
a casing similar to the ordinary casing of a centrifugal pump, as shown
at Figures 8 and 9.
For some purposes we place the shaft of the pump horizontally in
place of vertically. The internal arrangements of the pump remain the
same, but we employ a suction pipe branched at its upper end to come
up to the centre of but outside the cylinder to supply water to either or
both of its ends, as shown at Figures 6 and 7; this suction pipe may if
desired be hinge-jointed to the pump.
Figure 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, and 44, on Sheet 4, shew various arrange-
ments for driving pumps such as are above described.
Figures 10 and 11 shew pumps such as herein-before described used as
dredgers and carried by a staging supported upon piles.
When the pump is to be used for pumping up mud, sand, and deposits
in general from river beds, harbours, and such-like, we also employ a
vessel in which is fixed a steam engine with a propeller or paddle wheels
for moving from one place to another, as illustrated at Figures 12, 13,
14, 15, 10, 17, 21, 22, and 27. The hold of the vessel we make hopper

page_text: shaped with hinged doors or flaps at the bottom or sides to close and open
by means of chains and winches or other mechanical appliances. When
the doors are closed the hoppers will hold cargo or dredged material and
when opened the contents will pass out either slowly or quickly as may
be desired, and when the doors arc again closed the vessel is ready for
reloading.
An opening or well is formed within the vessel in which is placed one
or more of the contrifugal pumps with either vertical or horizontal
shafts, and actuated by the propelling engine or by others direct or in-
direct by means of wire ropes acting upon grooved pulleys, or by
frictional goaring as herein-after described, or by toothed wheels or by
straps and pulleys or otherwise.
Other constructions of centrifugal pumps may also similarly be cm-
ployed for pumping up deposits of mud and such like in combination
with a vessel arranged as above described.
When the pumps are placed at or near the surface of the water a pipe
flexible or part flexible is placed at the suction or inlet part of the pump
and extends down to the bed of the river or place to be dredged, tho
upper end of the pipe connects to the pump with a metal universal joint
to allow the pipe to be moved freely in all required directions. At the
lower end of the pipe is placed a jointed metal strainer or cullender, to
which is attached chains or ropes extending to the deck of the vessel or
float for moving the end of the pipe over the place to be dredged. At
the upper or discharge part of the pump is placed a metal or flexible
pipe, to convey the dredged material into the hold or hopper part of the
vessel or float. When the vessel is sufficiently loaded the pipe is drawn
up and out of the water through the well by means of suitable tackle for
the purpose, the vessel or float may then propel itself away to a place
of deposit, after which it may return and reload as above described.
We prefer to place the pumps close down to the bed of the river or
place to be dredged. The suction pipe with universal joint and strainer or
cullender is in this case short, but of sufficient length to move freely
and trail over the place to be dredged as the vessel or float is moved for
the purpose.
The discharge nine extends unwards and discharges into the hold or

page_text: Either a pump with a vertical axis or with a horizontal axis may be
used. In the case of a vertical axis, the axis is carried upwards along
the frame which carries the pump and is driven from the upper end.
In the case of a pump with a horizontal axis, it may be driven by an
endless band and the suction pipe of the pump may be hinged that it
may keep in a vertical line.
When the hold or hoppers are loaded the pumps and pipes are raised
to or near the deck by tacklo and the vessel can propel itself to a place
of deposit and return to reload as before described.
The pump and delivery pipe or pipes may be carried by ladder frames
placed at the sides or in the middle of a vessel similar to the ordinary
dredger. The pump is placed on the lower end of the ladder frame; a
suction pipe may be jointed to it; or the suction pipe may be made bell
mouthed and the pump shaft when vertical made to extend beyond the
bell mouth and carry a cross arm spiked or curved to act as a stirrer to
agitate the material to be dredged. The upper part of the shaft rests
upon the ladder frames on suitable bearings and extends above the deck
to receive motion either from the propelling engine when there is one, or
by any other placed for the purpose. The ladder frame and pump is
raised and lowered by rope or chain tackle attached to its lower end,
and when required is slided in board, clear of the side of the vessel, that
it may be out of danger whilst the vessel is changing position.
Existing dredging machines may readily be adapted to carry pumps
upon their ladder frames in the manner above described; or in place of
employing a ladder frame to carry the pump with its driving shaft and
delivery pipes the delivery pipes may be tied and braced together to
form a strong and self-supporting frame. The upper end of this frame
may be suspended in a well by means of " gymbals "placed upon a
frame of wood or iron a little above the deck of the vessel, or any place
where it is to be used for pumping or dredging, allowing the pump
frame to oscillate in all directions. Motion is communicated by means
of a horizontal shaft with a universal joint and gear wheels. The driving
power is taken from the propelling engine or any other placed for the
purpose, or also with a wire rope or pulleys and strap, as before described.
A frame of wood or metal is placed above, with raising and lowering
tackle connected to the pump frame for adjusting it to the height or
depth required, and for lifting the pump and frame to the deck of the

page_text: vessel, or above water into a place of safety when the vessel is moving or
changing position.
On one or both sides of the suction pipe a metal or flexible pipe may
be placed, through which a current of air or water or both can be forced
to agitate the material to be dredged.
The pumps may also be used upon land or upon staging for the
purpose of dredging foundations, sinking iron piers for bridges, or
cylinders of any description, and may be driven with steam engine
power direct or indirect, or by wire ropes above or below water, shafting
or gearing arranged as herein-after described, or straps and pulleys, also
with long or short pipes, and with arrangements for raising and lowering,
as before described.
In some cases, in order to dredge up mud, sand, or such like deposit
from the bed of a river or harbour, or such like, we employ an ordinary
stcam jib crane, that is, a crano in which the bed plate which carries the
engine turns with the jib, as shown at Figures 26, 27, and 38. On the
jib is placed a double ring bolt free to turn round in bearings. Through
the double rings pass two long spars carrying at their lower end an iron
skip or buckot having a hinged bail and a hinged bottom in one or two
parts to open and close with chains or iron rods. A chain is attached
to the skip or bucket at the hinged bottom, and passes through the
centre of the bail and over the sheave wheel at the end of the jib to the
crane barrel for raising and lowering. The skip or bucket is actuated
by lowering it down on the bed of the river or places to be dredged by
unwinding the chain attached, as before described. The two spars slido
down with the bucket or skip, passing through the ring bolt guides.
The skip is drawn backwards from a vertical position by a rope or chain
attached to the end of the skip; the rope or chain extends to the deck,
and is either held firm by hand or wound round a winch barrel; the skip
being drawn back one edge only touches the material to be dredged; ;
the crane barrel being set in motion the skip is drawn forward towards
the jib and fills.
When the weight of the bucket and spars is not sufficient to cause the
skip to dig hard enough to fill, a rope or chain is attached to the upper
end of the spars or pieces of wood, and is held firm to a part of the a
crane, which prevents the bucket from rising in its forward movement.
The holding down rope or chain being loosened the skip rises above the

page_text: surface of the water, the long spars slide through the ring bolt, the crane
turns round to a place to open the hinged bottom, and then discharges
the material brought up by it.
In deep dredging an additional jib is attached to the main jib to
keep the lifting chain in the required position for dragging forward the
skip.
In place of the iron skip before described a bag and spoon, with one
or two spars or pieces of wood to pass through the guides placed on the
jib, and actuated as described, exepting the bag is turned upsido down
to discharge its contents.
In place of the spars carrying a skip at their lower end a single spar
of iron or wood may be used, pointed at its lower end, so that its lower
end may sink into the material to be dredged, and a cross arm having
buckets or hoops and bags jointed to its ends may be mounted upon the
spar in such manner that it may slide up or down upon it, as shewn at
Figures 32, 33, 34, and 37; these cross arms may also have stirrers or
scrapers fixed to them. The upper end of the spar may carry capstan
bars, by which it may be turned, or other provision may be made for
turning the spar.
When capstan bars are used the men employed to work them may be
carried upon a platform supported in the same way as the jib of the
crane, thero being a slot in the platform for the spar to pass through.
The cross arm carrying the buckets or bags is lowered down to the place
to be dredged, and the spar is then revolved.
When the buckets or bags are full they are raised together with the
cross arm by chains or ropes to bring them above the surface of the
water, and they are then emptied either by turning them upside down,
or through hinged bottoms. The cross arm with the bags attached is
then again lowered, and the operation repeated.
The crane may be mounted upon a vessel or flat, or upon wheels, so
that it may travel along a dock or other wall or staging.
In place of the spar and dredging buckets being carried by the jib of
a cranc, as above described, they may be carried by a staging projecting
from the stern of a vessel, as shown at Figures 32 and 37, or from a

page_text: The nature of cach of the views shown by the Drawings is written
thercon; the samo letters of reference are used to indicate the same parts
in all the Figures.
a, Figures 1 and 2, are vertical shafts coupled together in lengths, as
may be required.
b, Figures 1, 2, and 3, are bearings fastened to angle iron and other
frames; these Figures show the system of wooden bearings placed in the
casing on the cylinder cover, and adjustable by moveable plates and
screws and nuts or otherwise.
c, Figures 3, 4, and 5, are cylinders having a central inlet in one end, :
and a square base plate for fastening on to iron or wood framing when
so required; the other end moveable, and fastened to the cylinder by
screw bolts and nuts.
d, Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, and 45, shews the central ring of the impellor
connected to and fastened to the vertical and horizontal shafts or axis.
c, Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, and 45, shows the blades or arms projecting
from the ring, and nearly touching the cylinder, but not quite. Tho
blades are hollowed or grooved on the face acting against the water,
or may be straight when so required, and bent back from the line of
rotation.
f, Figures 3, 5, and 7, shew the cylinders with chambers for equalizing
the force of the water to all parts of the cylinders, and upon the bearings
of the axis.
9, Figure 5, are the openings or inlets through the side of the cylinder
to the equalizing chamber f. We form them at an angle taking a line
between that of the impeller and the resisting side of the cylinder; we
also incline the opening to the side of the cylinder; also curve the
openings in the side of the cylinder the reverse to the curve in the face
of the blade of the impeller, so that the end of the impeller arm passes

page_text: the opening in a shearing line. The number and size of the openings
we vary to suit various purposes of pumping.
h, Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7 shews the outlet from the chambers passing
away in straight radial lines. There may be 1, 2, 3, or more outlets, so
that the rising or discharge pipe may be from several points at the same
time; if required the outlets may be set at an angle when necessary for
a special place.
i, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 shew frames of angle iron fastened to the
cylinders at each corner of its base plate. These frames are in con-
venient lengths to allow of their being placed one above another and
stayed and braced by diagonal and straight bars of iron, which cross
each other in the middle, and are rivetted together by a plate between
them, having a rivet in each corner; the ends of the cross bars j are
rivetted or bolted to the angle iron frames, these support the bearing
blocks and the vertical axis of the pump.
k, Figures 3 and 7 shews a narrow or thin opening in the side of tho
cylinder for the escape of water from the cylinder into the equalizing
chamber. This opening may be varied in width as required to suit
various purposes.
1, Figures 3, 8, and 9 shows a corrugated plate or disc surrounding
a central ring d to form an impeller. The corrugated plate is either
cast into the ring d or central part, or made of plate iron pressed in a
swage block, and either rivetted to the ring d or placed in a mould and
the metal ring & cast to it. There are holes through the ring d for water
to pass into the corrugations; the corrugated wheel or disc forces the
water through the openings in the side of the cylinder c into the
equalizing chamber f, and thence to the outlets / to the rising pipes /,
and worked cither vertically or horizontally.
In Figures 8 and 9 the corrugated wheel or disc is made as described
above, and being placed in an ordinary casing, as shewn, may be used to
force air and such like by contrifugal force.
Figures 6 and 7 shew the impeller made as above described, and with
horizontal axis m, the cylinders also being formed in the same manner,
excepting that the inlets may be at both ends of the cylinder, the axis
nassing through stuffing boxes in the usual way.

page_text: The gear wheels shewn at Figures 1 and 20 for actuating the centri-
fugal pumps may be of any ordinary construction.
When much compactness is required, in place of ordinary gear wheels
we employ, as shewn at Figures 42, 43, and 44, wheels having internal
cogs, that is, cogs that stand in from the rim or periphery; the pinion
or pump axis may by this means be brought in the same central line as
the axis of the driving internal wheel, and this axis may be the shaft of
a steam engine, either vertical or horizontal, actuating the pumping
machine, thus causing the pump axis to rotate faster than the engine
shaft which actuate it, as may be required.
r, Figures 1 and 6 shews grooved pulleys for actuating centrifugal
pumps by wire ropes; they may be used to drive pumps either above
water or when pumps are submerged. Small pulleys may be made of
wood built in courses together so as to give strength, and they may be
fastened to an iron centre part to fasten to the pump axis; or the pulley
may be made of metal and lined in the groove with wood or some soft
material; we however prefer to use wood.
The pumps may be actuated by ordinary band pulleys, either with
vertical axis or horizontal axis, as shewn at Figures 1, 2, and 8, they
may bo also worked for forcing air.
z, Figures 6, 39, 40, and 41 shews frictional gear wheels for actuating
centrifugal pumps; thoso frictional gear wheels may be of any ordinary
kind.
When compactness is required in place of ordinary frictional gear
wheels we construct and employ wheels having faces in contact, the one
much harder than the other; one may be of a soft metal, and the other
in contact with it of metal much softer; or one wheel may be of metal
and the one in contact with it of metal faced with a preparation of india-
rubber, or leather, or other soft material; but wo prefer to have one
face of iron, and the other engaged with it of wood. An ordinary &
shaped pulley may, as shown at Figure 6, bo faced with wood by
building the wood rim around it of segments, and fasten the wood with
screws through the metal.
The wooden rim may be placed internally, as shewn at Figures 40
and 41, or externally, as shewn at Figures 6 and 39, when space is not 3
so much an object to be obtained.

page_text: The wooden rim may be straight faced or slightly taper, so that by
sliding it upon the axis it may engage with the one actuating with it,
or it may be slightly hollow on the face, or grooved or concave, and the
one engaged with it convexed to fit to it, as shewn at Figure 6.
Wheels made as described may also be placed in a manner to act as
bevel gear wheels.
When the pumps have a vertical axis we for some purposes extend
the inlets of the pumps beyond the cylinder c, as shown at Figures 12,
13, 14, 15, and 16, and at their extreme lower end terminate them like
a bell mouth; to this part wo attach a shield or cross bar; the vertical
shaft extends down and takes a bearing in the lower part of the shield
or cross bar t. Above the bearing in the shield and near the bell mouth
of the inlet pipe we place upon the shaft a chopper or agitator to chop
weeds or rushes and loosen material so as to enter the pump. The
shield may carry fixed knives for the blades of the chopper or agitator
to work through, so that it may cut up weeds, or pent, or such like
material. The shield also may have spikes about the outside of the bars
to loosen the stuff and tear away roots. The upper part of the shield wo
close in with a plate of iron when requirod, as shewn at Figure 18, and
the cross bar & may be single or have 3 or 4 or more bars when necessary:
The chopper or agitator is made of different forms to suit the various
requirements.
In place of the agitator described we also have, as herein-before stated,
a small tube connected to the pumping machinery above to forco a
current of air or air and water down to the edge of the boll mouth to
move sand and such like when so required.
We will now proceed to describe more fully the sliding frame pumps
for dredgers.
o, Figures 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 are steam vessels having self-
propelling machinery and holds shaped like a hopper to hold cargo; and
p, Figures 1, 2, 13, are flap doors hinged at the bottoms of the hoppers
for the purpose of unloading or dropping the dredged material or cargo
when required, also a well q through the bottom. On such a vessel we
place centrifugal pumps having vertical axes with wood or iron frame
lowered into the well q by suitable hoisting and lowering tackle y
attached to a frame placed over the well for the
purpose; the upper cnd
B

page_text: of the pump frame is attached to a sliding frame which slides up and
down in the larger frame. Above the well the sliding frame carrics a
horizontal shaft with a bevel wheel which gears into the bevel wheel on
the pump shaft or axis; motion is given to the pulley on the end of the
horizontal shaft by a strap or a wire rope which passes over a system of
rollers, two on the sliding frame, one on the top of the large frame
above the well, and two fixed at the lower part of the same frame; the
strap or wire rope is actuated by the propelling engine, though another
engine may may be used if desired. The vessel o is moved over the place
to be dredged in the usual way as ordinary dredgers if required.
Description of Dredger Pump with Flexible Pipes and Universal
Joints.―o, a vessel having a hold for cargo or otherwise, or having a
well q extending down through the bottom or otherwise. We place a
pump with horizontal axis by suspending the pump from a frame placed
on deck at the side of the vessel, as shown at Figures 21, 22. The
frame carries a horizontal shaft having grooved pulloys for metal or
wire ropes, the horizontal axis of the pump is also fitted with grooved
pulleys for wire ropes; a wire rope is made endless and placed one on
each side of the pump cylinder into the grooves of the pulleys so that
the horizontal shaft which is driven by an engine gives motion to the
pump axis and pump below water.
The suction pipe is fitted with universal joint connections u to the
pump, see Figures 23, 24, 25, and a jointed trailer or nose piece is
similarly jointed to the pipe at the lowest end, thus allowing the trailing
piece to move freely in any required direction; the vessel is moved over
the place to be dredged in the usual way of moving dredgers, and the
material thus pumped is discharged through the rising pipe into the
vessels hold when there is one, or into any other place of deposit. The
same arrangement may be used on a staging or on a dock wall over a
place to be dredged. Pumps may be placed on short frames below:
water and actuated by wire ropes in a similar manner.
Description of Ladder Frame Pump Dredger.-o, Figures 1, 2, 13, the
steam vessels having self-propelling machinery and holds shaped like a
hopper to hold cargo, and flap doors p hinged at the bottom of the hoppers
for the purpose of unloading or dropping the cargo when required. On a
such a vessel we place a centrifugal pump having a vertical axis fitted
to a wood or iron ladder frame w extending from the connecting frame

page_text: on deck down to the bed of a river or place to be dredged; at the
lower end near or at the pump we connect the hoisting and lowering
tackle y which extends to the winding gear on deck which may be
actuated by hand or by engine power, and be operated similar to the
ladder frame of ordinary dredgers.
The pump is actuated by the existing engine which propels the vessel,
or may be by any other placed for the purpose, the horizontal shaft in
the connecting frame gears into the pump axis by bevel wheels n, the
horizontal shaft is driven by a pulley with a strap or wire rope from the
existing engine, but may be driven direct by an engine placed for
the purpose. The agitator at the bell mouth of the inlet pipe loosens the
material which enters the pump and is driven by centrifugal force up
the rising pipes into the holds of the vessels, or into other places of
deposit. The ladder frame to with pump is moved inboard by sliding
the frames on deck when the vessel is changing place to deposit cargo
or otherwise.
Description of Gymbal Frame Dredger.-o, Figure 17, the steam
vessels having self-propelling machinery and holds shaped like a hopper
to hold cargo, and flap doors hinged at the bottom of the hoppers for
the purpose of unloading or dropping the dredged material or cargo
when required. Also a well q through the bottom in a suitable part of
the vessel in which we place a centrifugal pump having a vertical axis,
with frames formed of the delivering pipes stayed and braced together to
form a strong frame and support the vertical shaft. This kind of pump
we propose to place in gymbals B, Figure 19, on a frame over the well
and raised and lowered by tackle from the upper part of the frame; the
pump to be actuated by a strap or wire rope from an engine that propels
the vessel, or other engine placed for the purpose, and drive the hori-
zontal shaft in the gymbal frame which drives by bevel wheels n the
vertical shaft of the pump. The agitator loosens the material, the
pump takes it in at the bell mouth, and discharges through the rising
pipes into the hold of the vessel, or other place of deposit. The pump
may be actuated in the same manner in any vessel or float or on a
staging, dock wall, or otherwise, or on a vessel without hoppers, and the
vessels moved over the ground to be dredged in the usual way of
moving ordinary dredgers, or otherwise.
Other pumps may be mounted and actuated in gymbals in a similar

page_text: Description of Pump or Ladder Frame on Land.-One of the most
useful arrangements of the dredging pumps to be used, not on a vessel,
is placing a pump having a vertical axis upon a wood or metal ladder
frame w, as shown at Figures 10 and 11, and connecting the upper end
of the ladder frame to a platform; the platform to have wheels for
the purpose of being moved from one place to another if required.
The lowering and rising tackle y, which is attached to the frame
or pump extends to the winding gear. At the other end of tho
same platform, or otherwise upon the platform wo place a steam engine
which may actuate the pump, direct or otherwise, by a wire rope or
strap by pulleys on the horizontal shaft which gears with the bevel
wheels n, Figures 10 and 11, on the vertical axis of the pump. Tho
pump being in motion material is drawn into the cylinder and discharged
up the rising pipe to a place of deposit, foundations for dock walls, or
sinking of foundations for piers in caissons, or otherwise, as may be
required.

page_text: crane, and thence to the winding gear and barrel driven by the
engine.
To actuate the scoop or shovel I the winding chain is lowered out from
the winding barrel. The scoop then goes down to the bottom, or to the
place to be dredged or dug up. The chain J at the back of the scoop
will bring the scoop back towards the engine, see Figure 26; the wind-
ing barrel is then turned by the engine, the scoop is taken forward and
upward, and when the scoop is raised high enough the crane F turns
round to the place where required for discharging.
To open the hinged door a hook is suspended from the end of the jib,
which is pushed by the attendant or engine driver under a part of the
scoop and takes the weight, at the same time the engine driver lowers
out the hoisting chain, which causes the hinged door to open, and the
material falls where required, the engine turns, and the operation
repeated.
We also place a latch at the back part of the hinged door, and a latch
fastening on the bottom of the scoop, the door fastens whon the scoop is
descending, and is unlatched by the driver by a hand line connected to
the latch when required.
When heavy dredging or digging is required the jib may be
strengthened or replaced with a stronger one of another form or material
and scoop worked in a similar way. The chain may be doubled and
pass through a sheave block attached to the bail, and the chain will pass
under the sheave and up to the jib of the crane.
When the engine is very high above the place to be dredged wo
employ an auxiliary jib L, see Figures 26, 27, to give a better line of
direction to the chain and scoop in the forward movement. The same
may be used on a staging or dock wall, or any place to be dredged, or if
the material to be dug is above water the scoop handle may be short in
proportion, and be lengthened as required.
In digging from a vessel the crane may turn round and deposit into
its own hold, or into the hold of any other vessel, or the jib may turn
round and deposit into wagons on the land, or the crane may be worked
on land and deposit into vessels or into wagons or elsewhere as may be
required. The object aimed at is to have a crane and scoop that will turn
completely round with the engine and winding gear on the same bed plate

page_text: Other forms of scoops
which carries the jib, and engine, and driver.
having other forms of handles may be actuated on a revolving crane, as
above described.
• Description of Vertical Shaft Dredger.-For dredging in particular
places we employ a vertical shaft made up of lengths of T bar iron
jointed together in lengths, and placed back to back, making a double
+bar M, as shown at Figures 32, 33, 34, and 35 (other forms of bar
may be used). This bar we place in a vertical line within a caisson or
cylinder or other place. A. cross bar N of wood or iron is made to slide
up and down the vertical bar, and raised and lowered by a windlass Q
above, see Figures 32, 33, 34, and 36. On the cross bar are placed
scoops P, scc Figures 32, 33, mado of iron, or iron and leather, of a
cylindrical form open at one end near the upper end. The scoops are
hinged to the cross bar N, so that they are free to turn over when
required. On the upper end of the vortical bar is placed a capstan, see
Figures 32, 33, 37, with bars for the purpose of rotating the bar and
bags.
To actuate the scoops the capstan bars are turned by men or other
power. This rotates the vertical shaft and the cross arm at the bottom
of the caisson; the scoops scraping against the bed of the river or place
to be dredged fills with the material, and is then raised above the water
by the winding gear Q overhead, see Figures 32, 33, and when high
enough is turned upside down and emptied; or if they have hinged
doors they are not turned over, but the latches drawn back and the
door opens and drops the material, the cross bar again lowered and
repeated.
Having thus described the nature of our Invention, and the manner
of performing the same, we would have it understood that we claim,-
First. The construction of centrifugal pumps with vertical shafts
having collar bearings above the cylinder, the collars on the shaft
entering grooves in a bearing which may be adjustable by screws or
otherwise, substantially as herein described.
Secondly. Constructing such blocks of wood, prepared for the purpose
by saturation, with a compound of tallow and wax or other such-like
compound.
Thirdly. The construction of centrifugal pumps with equalizing
chambers around the cylinder, and with angular or narrow inlets to the

page_text: equalizing chambers, and 1, 2, 3, or more outlets to the rising pipes, as
herein-before described.
Fourthly. Forming the impellers of centrifugal pumps of a ring,
having one, two, or more blades or arms with inlets through the ring at
the back of the blade, or otherwise conveniently placed; also forming
the impeller blades concave or hollow on the driving face as described.
Fifthly. Forming the impellers of centrifugal pumps of a corrugated
plate or plates surrounding a ring or otherwise, the corrugations radial
or curved back from the line of rotation with inlets through the ring in
line with each corrugation.
Sixthly. The constructions of centrifugal pumps substantially as
herein-before described and shown by the Drawings annexed.
Seventhly. Driving centrifugal pumps either in or out of water with
metal ropes working in grooved pulleys, as herein-before described.
Eighthly. Driving centrifugal pumps with internal gear or friction
wheels, so as to bring the pump and driving shafts near or in the same
line with each other as herein-before described.
Ninthly. The employment of frictional gear having either bevel or
straight faces together, or slightly concave and convexed together, for
driving centrifugal pumps as herein-before described.
Tenthly. The employment for driving centrifugal pumps of frictional
driving gear either internal or external, having the face of one wheel or
roller of harder material that the one engaged with it, such as hard and
soft metal, or metal and prepared rubber or leather, but metal and wood
preferred.
Eleventhly. The employment of pumps with universal joint pipe
attached to the inlet of the cylinder, and continued with semi-flexible
pipe extending to the material to be dredged, the extreme end of the
suction pipe being fitted with a hinge jointed nose picce as herein-before
described.
Twelfthly. Placing centrifugal pumps in wells formed in floating
vessels for dredging, such vessols having hopper shaped holds with
hinged doors for the purpose of holding and discharging dredged material
or cargo, and being provided with tacklo for taking the pumps on deck
when required, and with propelling machinery for the purpose of moving

page_text: in this Specification, and being placed either over or under water and
raised and lowered by tackle as herein described.
Twentiethly. The application of an iron or part iron scoop or shovel
to a steam jib crane, that is a cranc in which the bed plate which carries
the engine and winding gear revolves with the jib, converting an or-
dinary steam crane into an excavator to work either in or out of water
as herein described.
Twenty-firstly. The vertical rotating excavator consisting of vertical
shaft with sliding cross arms, carrying scoops for the purpose of re-
moving and raising material, such excavator to be actuated by manual
labor or otherwise, from a vessel or staging, or from a dock, harbour, or
river wall, or from over a caisson or such like, as hercin-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Wyman Woodford, have
hereunto set my hand and scal, this Twenty-sixth day of October,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
fivo.