US3631997A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of loading the hold of a vessel with dredging spoil
Assignee: Nv Ingenieursbureau Voor Systemen En Octrooien Spanstaa
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Filing: 1969-11-12
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Granted: 1972-01-04
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Expires: 1989-11-12
Abstract
Abstract In the conventional method of loading a hold of a vessel with dredging spoil, in which a suspension of water and dredging spoil is admitted into the hold after the hold overflows until the required amount of dredging spoil is situated in the hold. Much dredging spoil flows into the outboard water. A more efficient filling operation is obtained when the suspension is deposited in a tube which is so kept in the hold that it is surrounded by the hold on all sides, and which is kept at such a depth in the hold that the bottom of the tube always remains above the level of the settled part of the spoil, while the tube penetrates into the liquid.
Inventors
- 👤 Jan De Koning
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:10
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02F; E02F3/00; E02F3/04; E02F3/88; E02F3/90; E02F3/907; E02F7/00; E02F7/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A method of depositing and rapidly settling sand in the hold of a vessel from a suspension of sand in water directed into the hold as a stream, which comprises the steps of: a. filling the hold with the suspension until the hold contains a quantity of settled sand and an overlying level of water in substantially overflowing relation to the hold; b. at least after step (a ) discharging the suspension stream downwardly into the hold within the confines of a tube having an open lower end projecting below the overflow level of the hold and having an upper end in free communication with ambient atmosphere, and maintaining the lower end of the tube above but in sufficiently close proximity to the level of the settled sand that the level of material in said tube is significantly lower than the level of the overflowing water; and c. continuing the overflow filling of step (b) while raising the lower end of the tube to retain the aforesaid positioning thereof with respect to the rising level of settled sand until a selected quantity of sand has been settled in the hold.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
190 words
A method of depositing and rapidly settling sand in the hold of a vessel from a suspension of sand in water directed into the hold as a stream, which comprises the steps of: a. filling the hold with the suspension until the hold contains a quantity of settled sand and an overlying level of water in substantially overflowing relation to the hold; b. at least after step (a ) discharging the suspension stream downwardly into the hold within the confines of a tube having an open lower end projecting below the overflow level of the hold and having an upper end in free communication with ambient atmosphere, and maintaining the lower end of the tube above but in sufficiently close proximity to the level of the settled sand that the level of material in said tube is significantly lower than the level of the overflowing water; and c. continuing the overflow filling of step (b) while raising the lower end of the tube to retain the aforesaid positioning thereof with respect to the rising level of settled sand until a selected quantity of sand has been settled in the hold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 1 including the step of measuring the draught of the vessel and controlling the raising of the lower end of the tube in response to such measurement.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
153 words
The method of filling the hold of a vessel with sand settled from a suspension of sand in water after the hold has been filled to capacity with the suspension so that the hold contains a bed of settled sand below the overflow level of the hold and is overflowing predominantly with water from the hold, which comprises the steps of: a. discharging a stream of suspension into the hold at such a rate that sand tends to overflow the hold with the overflowing water; and b. forming a confined column of such stream from a level just above the level of the settled bed to a level below the overflow level of the hold by confining the discharge of such stream into tube means having an open lower end disposed and raised to maintain such level just above the settled sand and having an open upper end projecting above said overflow level.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
153 words
The method of filling the hold of a vessel with sand settled from a suspension of sand in water after the hold has been filled to capacity with the suspension so that the hold contains a bed of settled sand below the overflow level of the hold and is overflowing predominantly with water from the hold, which comprises the steps of: a. discharging a stream of suspension into the hold at such a rate that sand tends to overflow the hold with the overflowing water; and b. forming a confined column of such stream from a level just above the level of the settled bed to a level below the overflow level of the hold by confining the discharge of such stream into tube means having an open lower end disposed and raised to maintain such level just above the settled sand and having an open upper end projecting above said overflow level.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-03 | 1975-07-05 | 1976-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-03 | 1979-07-05 | 1980-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-03 | 1983-07-05 | 1984-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |