US4664557A — Method and apparatus for constructing an underwat…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 75 words

Apparatus for withdrawing water from an underwater fill, comprising: (a) a plurality of perforated conduits arranged in spaced, substantially parallel configuration; (b) pumping means for pumping water; and, (c) a closed conduit for water communication between said perforated conduits and said pumping means; whereby operation of said pumping means withdraws water from underwater fill surrounding said perforated conduits for passage through said perforated conduits and through said closed conduit and discharge from said pumping means.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 75 words

Apparatus for withdrawing water from an underwater fill, comprising: (a) a plurality of perforated conduits arranged in spaced, substantially parallel configuration; (b) pumping means for pumping water; and, (c) a closed conduit for water communication between said perforated conduits and said pumping means; whereby operation of said pumping means withdraws water from underwater fill surrounding said perforated conduits for passage through said perforated conduits and through said closed conduit and discharge from said pumping means.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 30 words

Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising, moveable sealing means for sealing a selected portion of each of said perforated conduits to prevent water communication through said selected portions.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 46 words

Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said perforated conduits are perforated over at least a portion of their respective lengths, and wherein said sealing means are moveable with respect to said perforated portions to permit pore water communication through selected portions of said perforated portions.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 29 words

Apparatus as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein perforations in said perforated conduits are selectably sized to prevent substantial passage of fill particles into said perforated conduits.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 23 words

Apparatus as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said closed conduit is flexible over at least a portion of its length.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 53 words

Apparatus as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said closed conduit is connected across adjacent ends of each of said perforated conduits and further comprising, at the opposite end of at least one of said perforated conduits, anchoring means for anchoring said opposite end at the site of said underwater fill.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 96 words

Apparatus as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said closed conduit is connected across adjacent ends of each of said perforated conduits and further comprising, at the opposite end of at least one of said perforated conduits: (a) anchoring means for anchoring said opposite end at the site of said underwater fill; and, (b) shearable connecting means for connecting said anchoring means to said opposite end; whereby said perforated conduits may be withdrawn from fill surrounding said perforated conduits by imposing a withdrawal force on said perforated conduits sufficient to shear said connecting means.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 30 words

Apparatus as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising remote manipulating means connected to each of said sealing means for remotely moving said sealing means into selected positions.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 39 words

Apparatus as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said closed conduit is connected across adjacent ends of each of said perforated conduits and further comprising a base plate connected across the opposite ends of said perforated conduits.

Claim 11

Independent Claim 123 words

A method of relieving water pressure in an underwater particulate fill comprising, during construction of said fill, the steps of: (a) spacing a plurality of upstanding, perforated conduits along the desired site of sloped sides of said fill and on the underwater base of said site; (b) interconnecting the uppermost ends of each of said perforated conduits with a closed conduit to facilitate water communication between said perforated conduits and said closed conduit; (c) connecting a water pumping means to said closed conduit; and, (d) operating said pumping means as fresh fill accumulates around said perforated conduits, thereby withdrawing water from fill surrounding said perforated conduits for passage through said perforated conduits and through said closed conduit and discharge from said pumping means.

Claim 12

Independent Claim 123 words

A method of relieving water pressure in an underwater particulate fill comprising, during construction of said fill, the steps of: (a) spacing a plurality of upstanding, perforated conduits along the desired site of sloped sides of said fill and on the underwater base of said site; (b) interconnecting the uppermost ends of each of said perforated conduits with a closed conduit to facilitate water communication between said perforated conduits and said closed conduit; (c) connecting a water pumping means to said closed conduit; and, (d) operating said pumping means as fresh fill accumulates around said perforated conduits, thereby withdrawing water from fill surrounding said perforated conduits for passage through said perforated conduits and through said closed conduit and discharge from said pumping means.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 31 words

A method as defined in claim 10, further comprising, before said operating step, sealing portions of said perforated conduits not covered by fill to prevent water communication through said non-covered portions.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 38 words

A method as defined in claim 10, further comprising sealing portions of said perforated conduits which are not covered with fill to a depth of about one to two meters to prevent water communication through said non-covered portions.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 48 words

A method as defined in claim 12, further comprising, after commencement of said operating step, and as additional fill accumulates around said perforated conduits, gradually unsealing said sealed portions to maintain a depth of about one to two meters of fill covering unsealed portions of said perforated conduits.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 54 words

A method as defined in claim 13, further comprising, after the perforated portions of said perforated conduits have been entirely unsealed, and as additional fill accumulates around said perforated conduits, gradually withdrawing said perforated conduits from said fill, while maintaining a depth of about one to two meters of fill covering said perforated portions.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 24 words

A method as defined in claim 10, 11 or 12 wherein adjacent ones of said perforated conduits are spaced at least 1.5 meters apart.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 38 words

A method as defined in claim 10, 11 or 12 wherein water withdrawn from fill surrounding said perforated conduits is discharged at a point remote from the point at which fresh fill is added to said underwater fill.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 52 words

A method of increasing the packing density of particles accumulated in a water saturated particulate mass, comprising: withdrawing pore water from within the body of said mass through a plurality of interconnected upstanding perforated conduits extending through said mass while applying a particle-compacting force to said mass as the water is withdrawn.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 52 words

A method of increasing the packing density of particles accumulated in a water saturated particulate mass, comprising: withdrawing pore water from within the body of said mass through a plurality of interconnected upstanding perforated conduits extending through said mass while applying a particle-compacting force to said mass as the water is withdrawn.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1990-05-11	1990-11-10	1991-05-12	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1994-05-11	1994-11-10	1995-05-12	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1998-05-11	1998-11-10	1999-05-12	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for constructing an underwater fill

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