Patent US3845631A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3845631A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dam building system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-09-15
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Granted: 1974-11-05
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Expires: 1992-09-15
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to the building of dams by floating a concrete mixing plant in the pool formed upstream by the dam itself, and then discharging the concrete from the plant to the dam in a closely coupled system. By so doing, the limitations of the classical cableway, such as its sway and variable sag, are overcome, and concrete can be discharged at a rapid rate without segregation of its components. Means is shown for stabilizing the discharge mechanism of the plant so that variations in loads, winds, and orientation, will not cause a hazard to the laborers. Furthermore, the material may be kept cooler, which is a substantial advantage in the building of dams, by storing it, instead of on the hot side of the canyon or the top of the rim, in the shadows of the canyon near the water, and supplying the floating plant by means of a floatable conveyor. The temperature of the materials may be lowered by many degrees, thereby saving substantially on refrigeration costs. Potentially, this may even permit the building of dams in continuous pours, rather than in blocks which must be grouted together.
Inventors
- 👤 G Malan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:31
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B7/00; E02B7/02; E02B7/04; E02B7/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A process for building a dam at a damsite across a stream of water comprising: forming a pool upstream of the damsite and adjacent thereto; placing water in the pool; floating a floating platform in said pool, said floating platform bearing a concrete mixing plant and a concrete conveyor means for the concrete mixed by the mixing plant; discharging concrete from said concrete conveyor means at a placement site on the damsite so as to build the dam and progressively increase its height, permitting the elevation of the surface of the pool to rise as the dam''s height increases, but maintaining the said height so that the surface of the pool is lower than the top of the dam and placing the floating platform in the pool so that the top of the dam is within the reach of the concrete conveyor means, whereby the concrete is mixed at a location relatively close to the placement site, and moving the platform from side to side in the pool so as to keep to a minimum the distance by which the concrete must be transported relative to the face of the dam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
A process for building a dam at a damsite across a stream of water comprising: forming a pool upstream of the damsite and adjacent thereto; placing water in the pool; floating a floating platform in said pool, said floating platform bearing a concrete mixing plant and a concrete conveyor means for the concrete mixed by the mixing plant; discharging concrete from said concrete conveyor means at a placement site on the damsite so as to build the dam and progressively increase its height, permitting the elevation of the surface of the pool to rise as the dam''s height increases, but maintaining the said height so that the surface of the pool is lower than the top of the dam and placing the floating platform in the pool so that the top of the dam is within the reach of the concrete conveyor means, whereby the concrete is mixed at a location relatively close to the placement site, and moving the platform from side to side in the pool so as to keep to a minimum the distance by which the concrete must be transported relative to the face of the dam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A process according to claim 1 in which the level of the pool is maintained so as to minimize the slope, if any, along which the concrete must be moved from the mixing plant to the placement site.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A process according to claim 1 in which the elevation of the mixing plant is varied relative to the surface of the pool to adjust the relative height of the mixing plant relative to the placement site independently of the elevation of the floating platform.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A process according to claim 1 in which a floatable materials conveyor is extended between the shoreline and the floating platform to supply materials to the concrete mixing plant, the elevation of floatable materials conveyor rising with the surface of the pool.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process according to claim 1 in which the floating platform is positioned by taking in and letting out positioning lines affixed to the platform and to stationary means spaced from the floating platform.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process according to claim 1 in which the floating platform is stabilized by stabilizing lines affixed to the platform above the waterline and to stationary means spaced from the floating platform.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process according to claim 6 in which the floating platform is positioned by taking in and letting out positioning lines affixed to the platform and to stationary means spaced from the floating platform.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 1 in which a cofferdam is placed upstream from the damsite, the floating platform is placed between the cofferdam and the damsite, and water is admitted between the cofferdam and the damsite, whereby initially to form said pool and initially to float said floating platform.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
123 words
In combination: a dam under construction; a pool contiguous to and upstream of the dam; a source of water for the pool whereby the elevation of the pool can rise by being trapped by the dam; a floating platform on the surface of said pool; a concrete mixing plant on said platform; concrete conveyor means carried by said floating platform for transporting the mixed concrete from the mixing plant to a placement site on the top of the dam, said concrete conveyor means having a free end disposed at the placement site to discharge concrete at the placement site; and positioning means connected to the floating platform and to stationary means spaced from the floating platform for locating the platform in the pool.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
123 words
In combination: a dam under construction; a pool contiguous to and upstream of the dam; a source of water for the pool whereby the elevation of the pool can rise by being trapped by the dam; a floating platform on the surface of said pool; a concrete mixing plant on said platform; concrete conveyor means carried by said floating platform for transporting the mixed concrete from the mixing plant to a placement site on the top of the dam, said concrete conveyor means having a free end disposed at the placement site to discharge concrete at the placement site; and positioning means connected to the floating platform and to stationary means spaced from the floating platform for locating the platform in the pool.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A combination according to claim 9 in which elevation adjustment means is provided for adjustably varying the elevation of the mixing plant relative to the surface of the pool independently of the elevation of the fLoating platform.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
A combination according to claim 9 in which elevation adjustment means is provided for adjustably varying the elevation of the mixing plant relative to the surface of the pool comprising flotation means of adjustable buoyancy supporting the floating platform.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A combination according to claim 10 in which the elevation adjustment means comprises jack means disposed between the platform and the mixing plant.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
A combination according to claim 9 in which a floatable materials conveyor is extended between the shoreline and the floating platform to supply materials to the concrete mixing plant, the elevation of the floatable materials conveyor rising with the surface of the pool.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A combination according to claim 9 in which the stabilizing means is provided to stabilize the said free end of the concrete conveyor means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
A combination according to claim 14 in which said stabilizing means comprises a steady-rest which is supported by the dam and which is movable from side to side along the dam and upon which the conveyor rests.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
A combination according to claim 15 in which a rail is laid atop the dam, and in which the steady-rest includes a wheel which rolls along the rail.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
60 words
A combination according to claim 14 in which said stabilizing means comprises a plurality of stabilizing lines attached to the floating platform at a substantial elevation above its waterline, and to stationary means at points spaced substantially away from the floating platform in plan view, whereby to exert a restraining torque to resist pitching and rolling of the floating platform.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
A combination according to claim 17 in which a mast extends vertically from the floating platform, the restraining lines being connected to the mast.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
A combination according to claim 18 in which the mast is telescopically extensible and retractible.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
A combination according to claim 9 in which the positioning means comprises lines attached to the floating platform and to stationary means spaced from the floating platform, which lines can be taken in or let out to move the platform.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
A combination according to claim 14 in which the positioning means comprises lines attached to the floating platform and to stationary means spaced from the floating platform, which lines can be taken in or let out to move the platform.
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) | 1977-11-04 | 1978-05-06 | 1978-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-04 | 1982-05-06 | 1982-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-04 | 1986-05-06 | 1986-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |