US1264257A - Apparatus for raising sunken vessels. - Google Patents

Description

w. c. BECKWITH.

APPARATUS FOR RAISING SUNKEN VESSELS. APPLICATION nusu SEPT. 1 1. 1911.

Patented Apr. 30, 1918.

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Finn.

WALTER BECKWITI-I, or nos roiara, OHIO.

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Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Apr, 340, 191%.

Application filed. September 11, 1917; Serial No. 190,763.

being had tothe accompanying drawings,

and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form apart of this specification.

My invention relates to and its object is to provide an apparatus for raisingsunken boats or ships, and consists of thedevices and mechanisms hereinafter described, and

shown and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which I Figure 1 is a top-plan view,diagrammatic in pa rt,of three units of my apparatus, operatively arranged above a submerged vessel; Fig. 2, an end-view of oneof said units; Fig. 3, a transverse sectional elevation of a controllingvalve hereinafter referred to, and Fig. 4, a cross-sectional elevation of one of the floats hereinafter referred to, together with the check-valves with which said float is provided.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the drawings.

In the drawings, 1-1 are pontoons arranged in pairs, which, while they may be of any suitable shape, are preferably of elongated cylindrical form. These pontoons have, respectively, an axial shaft 2 upon the projecting ends of which are supported the uprights 3 of a stout framework which includes an elevated platform 4, forming a deck of such extent and stability as to support the necessary workmen and machinery. The distance between the pontoons should be greater than thewidth of the vessel to be raised. Mounted upon the shaft 2 of each of the pontoons is a Windlass or winch 5 upon which is wound a chain or cable 6 leading down to and engaged with the vessel to be raised. 7 is a long powerful'arm or lever one end of which is pivoted upon the shaft 2 the other or outer end of the lever being connected with. a float 8. Ratchets 9 on the drums ofthe windlasses 5 are engaged and turned by pawls 10 on the levers 7 during the upward movement of the levers.

The unwinding movement of the drums is prevented by pawls 11 secured to the frame of the device and which engage the teeth of the ratchet 9 during the descent of the floats. These floats are intended to be filled and emptied whereby the floats will alternately sink and float and will powerfully actuate the windlasses to wind upon them the chains i or cables 6. This is accomplished by means of, mechanisms now to be described.

Upon the platform iis an air compressor 12. Leading from the compressor are pipes 13 through which the compressed air is driven and in which, respectively, is a twoway valve 14:. r The pipes 13,. through a flexible hose or suitable pipe-connection .15,

lead into thefloats 8, as at 16. In the floats are check-valves 17 and 18, the former opening inwardly, the latter opening outwardly. Thus far I have described one of the units of my apparatus. It will be understood that as many of these units may be employed in the raising of a vessel as may be required by the length of the vessel and as will furnish buoyancy superior to the weight of the submerged vessel.

The operation of my device is as follows: The pontoons 1 being disposed above and at opposite sides of the vessel to be raised and the chains or cables 6 being attached to or connected with the submerged vessel, the valves 14 are placed in such position that the air may flow back through pipes 13 and escape from the floats 8. Now thewater is permitted to fill the floats through the inwardly opening check-valves 17, causing the floats to fill and to sink; The air compressor being now set in motion and the valve 1 1 being set for the passage of compressed air into the floats, the water is expelled from the floats through valve 18. By their buoyancy the floats now swing to the surface of the water, causing the windlasses to turn and to wind upon them the chains or cables 6. It will be seen that the valves 141 may be positioned to close all of its ports and to re tain the air in the floats under such compression as to exclude water even when the air compressor is not operating.

Thus, by the repeated action of the floats the chains or cables are gradually wound upon the drums of the windlasses, and the sunken vessel is slowly lifted to the surface of the water for such further treatment or maneuvering as circumstances may require.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Pat- .to be raised levers in oaerative relation to the Windlasses, floats connected to the levers and means for alternately filling and emptying the floats.

2. In an apparatus for raising sunken vessels, a pair of pontoons, a framework including a platform carried by-said pontoons, windlasses mounted coaXially with the pontoons, a cable upon the windlasses adapted for engagement with the body to be raised. levers which cooperate With the windlasses, floats connected with said levers, means for filling and emptying the-floats whereby the floats are lowered and raised and whereby the Windlasses are actuated.

3. In an apparatus for raising sunken vessels, a pair of pontoons, a framework carried by and connecting said pontoons, a deck upon the framework, w-indlasses supported Copies of this patent may be obtained for by the pontoons, levers adapted by their rise and fall to actuate said windlasses, floats carried by the levers, an air compressor con- 4. In a device of the described cha actor a Windlass, a lever, a float connected to the lever, means for filling and emptying the float whereby the float alternately sinks and floats and means for ope-ratively connecting the lever with the Windlass during the ascent of the float, and means for holding the the Windlass against turning during the descent of the float.

5. In an apparatus for raising sunken Vessels, a Windlass, a lever adapted and arranged to actuate the Windlass, a float attached to the lever and devices for alternately filling and emptying the float.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WALTER C. BECKlVITl-l.

Witnesses:

E. R. HINKLEY, G. H. Goss.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G." l

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