FR2786867A1 - Loading gauge for suction dredger with floating output pipe, comprises body which contains float mounted on shaft connected mechanically to pulley with sensor able to transmit float position data - Google Patents

Abstract

A body (8) contains a float (5) which is attached to a shaft (4) able to move within guides (3). The body (8) is clipped to the floating output pipe of a suction dredger and the water enters the float chamber through the bottom (9). Float movement in response to output pipe loading is transmitted by a cable (7) to a pulley (6) and sensor (16) which transmits the displacement to an operator's cabin.

Description

-1 - The present invention relates to a device for controlling the charge

transported by the

  discharge pipe of a suction dredge in operation on water.

  The charge control is traditionally carried out using pressure gauges

  pressure and vacuum, which have their grip on the discharge pipe and the suction pipe.

  This device has the disadvantage of being faulty on the one hand, by the obstruction of the suction pipe during landslides underwater, and on the other hand, by the obstruction of the conduits

  ensuring the proper functioning of the pressure gauges, which take care of mud and sand.

  There is the charge gauge from M. Seguin, patent published under number 2,627,859, which defines the difference in density between the water and the materials transported. It is fitted with a float which rests on the water and which indicates the level of charge of the discharge pipe on a

  panel, thanks to a needle flail system.

  It works well on calm water, but as soon as the water level is agitated, the reading of the panel becomes almost impossible because the indicator beam continues to go up and down; Similarly, the visibility of the sign is zero in foggy weather. The charge gauge does have an electrical system with an indicator, but it does not provide a linear measurement. After various tests of brakes on the metal rod by friction on the various protection guides around the float as well as the ballast attached to it, the significant improvement was still not sufficient. The significant improvement came from a new system which removes the flail and the needle, replaced by a pulley driven by a cable fixed on the metal rod supporting the float. Thanks to this system, the displacement becomes linear. Thus modified, the entire device has become more compact, hence the idea of enclosing it inside a tube fixed to the chassis. This tube initially allows to protect, using a plug placed on the upper part, the electronic sensor fixed on the pulley as well as the electrical connections, but above all, it allows to protect the float from waves, channel the water, thanks to the pierced plug fixed on its lower part, and to obtain a

perfectly smoothed movement.

  The device according to the invention overcomes the main difficulties of

  control encountered on suction dredgers.

  The basic principle results from a visual and physical observation: the suction dredge

  in operation on water is connected to the storage basin by its discharge pipes.

  The discharge pipes are supported above the water by floating frames (15).

  -2- Under the effect of the load circulating in the discharge pipes (14), the floating frames (15) sink more or less into the water. These phenomena, intrinsic application of the Archimedes principle (all bodies placed in water undergoes a thrust equal to the volume of water displaced), had the disadvantage of not being large enough to be used precisely by the operator on cruising. The present innovation resides in the determination and amplification of the translational movement in rotational movement by a cable-pulley device connected to a metal rod. The present invention relates to a device for controlling the load of a suction pipe dredge with floating discharge, characterized in that it comprises a float (5) bearing on the water, fixed on a metal rod (4) , on which is fixed a steel cable (7) which drives a pulley (6). This device is characterized in that, on the pulley (6), is fixed an electronic angular sensor (1 6) which transmits by a linear signal the depression of the floating frames (15) carrying the discharge pipes, (14) towards a

  analog or digital display placed in the operator's cabin.

  Without limitation, Figures I to 3 show an embodiment of the invention. More precisely:

  Figure 1 schematically shows a section of an embodiment of the device.

  FIG. 2 shows the device for fixing the device.

  And Figure 3 shows an overview of the device attached to the discharge pipe, worn

  by floating frames on the water.

  With reference to these drawings, the device according to the invention consists of a frame (1) provided with two supports (2) on which are fixed two guides (3) which allow the free translation of the metal rod (4). This metal rod (4) on which is fixed a float

  (5), has a variable length depending on the type of installation.

  A pulley (6) is fixed on the upper support (2). It turns freely on its axis and its

  diameter varies depending on the installation and the desired precision.

  A steel cable (7) is wound on the pulley (6) and is fixed on the upper parts

  and lower of the metal rod (4) using an elastic connection which keeps it taut.

  The entire device is threaded into a tube (P.V.C. for example) (8), the ends of which are closed by plugs (9). On the lower cap, holes allow the passage of water; on the intermediate part of the wall of the tube (8), vent holes (10) -3 allow the free passage of air. The tube (8) is screwed onto the frame (1) and is fixed perpendicular to the delivery pipe (14) of the suction dredger using collars: a first collar (11) tightened on the tube (8), and a second collar (12) tightened on the delivery pipe. The two collars have a welded outer support which allows them to be screwed together using bolts (13). The collar (II) tightened on the tube (8) allows the adjustment in

  height of the device in relation to the suction pipe of the suction dredge.

  The height of the device thus installed is adjusted when the delivery pipe is full of water, so as to put the float (5) in contact with the water (reading the zero point). When the delivery pipe is loaded with sand or pebbles, the floating frames, pipe supports (15) sink into the water; the height between the discharge pipes and the water level decreases. The float (5) fixed on the metal rod (4) remains in contact with the water. The frame (1) integral with the delivery pipe descends, driving the pulley (6) in rotation by

through the cable (7).

  On the pulley (6), an electronic angular sensor (16) transmits the rotational movement to an analog or digital display in the operator's cabin. The display can

  be portable or mounted on the dashboard.

  The device according to the invention is particularly intended for controlling the charge in

  materials transported by the delivery pipe of a suction suction dredge with floating delivery.

-4 -

Claims (4)

  1- Device for controlling the charge of a discharge pipe (14) of a suction suction dredge with floating discharge, characterized in that it comprises a float (5) bearing on the water, fixed on a metal rod (4) , on which is fixed a steel cable (7) which drives a pulley (6).   2- Device according to claim 1 characterized in that on the pulley (6) is fixed an electronic angular sensor (16), which transmits by a linear signal the depression of the floating frames (15) carrying the discharge pipes (14) to an analog display or   digital placed in the operator cabin.   3- Device according to claim I characterized in that the device is threaded into a tube (8) whose wall has vent holes (10), and whose ends are closed by plugs (9).   4- Device according to claim 3 characterized in that the lower plug (9)   has holes for the passage of water.   - Device according to claim 3 characterized in that the tube (8) is fixed to the   delivery pipe (14) using clamps (I I and 12).