US4123860A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible connections for suction dredger pipes
Assignee: Ballast Nedam NV
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Filing: 1977-08-08
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Granted: 1978-11-07
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Expires: 1997-08-08
Abstract
Abstract Rigid pipe sections of a dredger are pivotally connected to allow universal movement therebetween and a flexible, elastic bellows communicates the adjacent ends of the pipe sections. The bellows in its free state is prestressed so as to be under compression and is further compressed when in place between the ends of the pipe sections.
Inventors
- 👤 Jan DE Koning
- 👤 Theodorus van den Brink
- 👤 Tjako A. Wolters
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:31
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L39/00; F16L39/04; E; E02; E02F; E02F3/00; E02F3/04; E02F3/88; E02F3/90; E02F3/905; F16L27/00; F16L27/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S138/00; Y10S138/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A suction dredger comprising a pipe system for sucking up earth from a bottom beneath the water, said pipe system comprising a plurality of rigid pipe sections pivoted to one another by means of universal joints with hinge parts and communicating with one another through flexible, elastic bellows, two of said bellows being arranged side by side and one of said universal joints being disposed between the two adjacent bellows, wherein the axial directions of the two bellows ends rigidly secured to the same hinge part diverge in a direction towards the universal joint.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A suction dredger comprising a pipe system for sucking up earth from a bottom beneath the water, said pipe system comprising a plurality of rigid pipe sections pivoted to one another by means of universal joints with hinge parts and communicating with one another through flexible, elastic bellows, two of said bellows being arranged side by side and one of said universal joints being disposed between the two adjacent bellows, wherein the axial directions of the two bellows ends rigidly secured to the same hinge part diverge in a direction towards the universal joint.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A suction dredger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the axial direction of each bellows end forms an acute angle with the plane passing through the center lines of the two rigid pipe sections rigidly secured to the same hinge part as the bellows end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A suction dredger as claimed in claim 2, wherein each bellows is arranged in an axial direction in a compressed state between the pipe sections.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A suction dredger as claimed in claim 1, wherein each bellows is arranged in an axial direction in a compressed state between the pipe sections.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
138 words
In a suction dredger having at least two rigid pipe sections presenting adjacent ends disposed in spaced apart relation and means pivotally connecting said pipe sections for allowing them to assume relative angular positions with respect to each other, the combination of a flexible pipe portion connected to and extending between said ends of the pipe sections, said flexible pipe portion comprising a tubular body of elastic material and reinforcing means in said body for establishing a predetermined amount of compression of said body when the pipe portion is in a free state unconnected to said pipe sections, and the length of said pipe portion in such free state being greater than the spacing between said ends of the pipe sections whereby the pipe portion is subjected to further compression in its connected state between said pipe sections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
138 words
In a suction dredger having at least two rigid pipe sections presenting adjacent ends disposed in spaced apart relation and means pivotally connecting said pipe sections for allowing them to assume relative angular positions with respect to each other, the combination of a flexible pipe portion connected to and extending between said ends of the pipe sections, said flexible pipe portion comprising a tubular body of elastic material and reinforcing means in said body for establishing a predetermined amount of compression of said body when the pipe portion is in a free state unconnected to said pipe sections, and the length of said pipe portion in such free state being greater than the spacing between said ends of the pipe sections whereby the pipe portion is subjected to further compression in its connected state between said pipe sections.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3828451A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-11-06 | 1982-05-08 | 1982-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-11-06 | 1986-05-08 | 1986-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-11-06 | 1990-05-08 | 1990-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |