Hopper valve module for hopper dredge

Abstract

A hopper valve module is adapted to be removably mounted in the well of a hopper of a hopper dredge vessel for opening and closing the hopper outlet, the module being attached to the vessel only adjacent to the hopper outlet so that the module may be removed as a unit. An annular ring is secured around the top of the hopper well with support arms extending upwardly therefrom to support a vertically extending cylindrical housing having a hydraulic drive cylinder mounted therein with a piston rod connected to a valve member which closes against a valve seat to provide a watertight seal. In a first embodiment of the invention a conical valve member is coupled by a universal joint to the piston rod and has a replaceable resilient covering for sealing against the valve seat at the bottom of the hopper well. A watertight enclosure is provided for the drive means. In a second embodiment, a cylindrical valve member is telescopically received in the housing and is coupled by a movable joint to the piston rod, the valve seat being at the top of the hopper well.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a hopper dredge vessel having a hopper with .Iadd.side walls and .Iaddend.an outlet at the bottom thereof, a removable hopper valve module comprising housing means removably mountable on the associated hopper adjacent to the outlet thereof .Iadd.with no portion of said housing extending laterally underneath any portion of the side walls of the associated hopper .Iaddend.a .Iadd.single .Iaddend.valve member movable in use .Iadd.substantially axially of the hopper outlet .Iaddend.between a closed position closing the hopper outlet and an open position opening the hopper outlet, and drive means carried substantially solely by said housing means and coupled to said valve member for effecting movement thereof between the open and closed positions thereof, said valve module being connected to the associated vessel only adjacent to the hopper outlet and adaptably mounted so as to be readily attached .[.and removed.]. as a unit .[.from.]. .Iadd.to .Iaddend.the hopper .Iadd.and removed as a unit from the hopper upwardly therethrough in either the open or closed position of said valve member.Iaddend. . 
     
     
       2. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 1, and further including threaded fastening means removably securing said housing means to the associated hopper. 
     
     
       3. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 1, wherein the associated hopper includes inverted U-shaped dog members extending upwardly therefrom at spaced-apart points around the periphery thereof, said housing means including a base member having apertures therein, said housing means being disposed in use with said dog members respectively extending upwardly through said apertures a predetermined distance above said base member, and wedge members respectively received through said dog members above said base member and cooperating therewith removably to secure said housing means to the associated hopper. 
     
     
       4. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 1, wherein said valve member is moved substantially vertically between the open and closed positions thereof. 
     
     
       5. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 1, wherein said drive means comprises a hydraulically operated drive cylinder. 
     
     
       6. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 1, wherein said housing means includes means providing a watertight enclosure for said drive means. 
     
     
       7. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 1, wherein said valve member is movable in use beneath the bottom of the associated vessel. 
     
     
       8. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 1, wherein said valve member is at all times disposed above the bottom of the associated vessel. 
     
     
       9. In a hopper dredge vessel having a hopper with .Iadd.side walls and .Iaddend.an outlet at the bottom thereof, a removable hopper valve module comprising support means removably mountable on the associated hopper adjacent to the outlet thereof, a hollow cylindrical housing carried by said support means and disposed in use substantially vertically adjacent to the hopper outlet .Iadd.with no portion of said support means or said housing extending laterally underneath any portion of the side walls of the associated hopper.Iaddend., a valve member movable in use between a closed position closing the hopper outlet and an open position opening the hopper outlet, and drive means mounted substantially totally within said cylindrical housing and coupled to said valve member for effecting movement thereof between the .[.opening.]. .Iadd.open .Iaddend.and closed positions thereof, said valve module being connected to the associated vessel only adjacent to the hopper outlet and adaptably mounted so as to be readily attached .[.and removed.]. as a unit .[.from.]. .Iadd.to .Iaddend.the hopper .Iadd.and removed as a unit from the hopper upwardly therethrough in either the open or closed position of said valve member. .Iaddend. 
     
     
       10. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 9, wherein said drive means comprises a fluid-actuated drive cylinder. 
     
     
       11. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 9, wherein said support means includes a plurality of spaced-apart support members connected to said cylindrical housing and positioning said cylindrical housing in use substantially coaxially with the hopper outlet. 
     
     
       12. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 9, wherein said support means includes a plurality of spaced-apart hollow tubular support members connected to said cylindrical housing and positioning said housing in use substantially coaxially with the hopper outlet, at least one of said tubular support members communicating with the interior of said housing for accommodating passage of control connections for said drive means through said one tubular support member and into said housing. 
     
     
       13. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 9, wherein the hopper outlet and said cylindrical housing are substantially circular in transverse cross section. 
     
     
       14. In a hopper dredge vessel having a hopper with .Iadd.side walls and .Iaddend.an outlet at the bottom thereof, a removable hopper valve module comprising housing means removably mountable on the associated hopper adjacent to the outlet thereof .Iadd.with no portion of said housing extending laterally underneath any portion of the side walls of the associated hopper.Iaddend., a valve seat coupled to said housing means and disposed adjacent to the hopper outlet, a .Iadd.single .Iaddend.valve member movable in use .Iadd.substantially axially of the hopper outlet .Iaddend.between a closed position disposed against said valve seat and cooperating therewith and with said housing means for closing and watertight sealing the hopper outlet and an open position spaced from said valve seat for opening the hopper outlet, and drive means carried substantially solely by said housing means and coupled to said valve member for effecting movement thereof between the open and closed positions thereof, said valve module being connected to the associated vessel only adjacent to the hopper outlet and adaptably mounted so as to be readily attached .[.and removed.]. as a unit .[.from.]. .Iadd.to .Iaddend.the hopper .Iadd.and removed as a unit from the hopper upwardly therethrough in either the open or closed position of said valve member. .Iaddend. 
     
     
       15. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 14, wherein said valve seat is annular in shape, said valve member having a frustoconical surface which engages said valve seat in the closed position of said valve member. 
     
     
       16. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 14, wherein said valve seat is rigid, said valve member having a resilient portion which engages said valve seat in the closed position of said valve member. 
     
     
       17. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 14, wherein said valve seat is formed of hard rigid corrosion-resistant metal, said valve member having a resilient portion formed of rubber which engages said valve seat in the closed position of said valve member. 
     
     
       18. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 14, wherein said valve seat is formed of hard rigid corrosion-resistant metal, said valve member having a resilient portion replaceably mounted thereon, said resilient portion engaging said valve seat in the closed position of said valve member. 
     
     
       19. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 14, wherein the hopper has a cylindrical well at the bottom thereof forming the outlet, said valve seat being disposed adjacent to the bottom of the well. 
     
     
       20. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 14, wherein the hopper has a cylindrical well at the bottom thereof forming the outlet, said valve seat being disposed adjacent to the top of the well. 
     
     
       21. In a hopper dredge vessel having a hopper with an outlet at the bottom thereof, a removable hopper valve module comprising housing means removably mountable on the associated hopper adjacent to the outlet thereof, a valve seat coupled to said housing means and disposed adjacent to the hopper outlet, a valve member movable in use between a closed position disposed against said valve seat and cooperating therewith and with said housing means for closing and watertight sealing the hopper outlet and an open position spaced from said valve seat for opening the hopper outlet, and drive means carried substantially solely by said housing means and including a movable joint coupled to said valve member for effecting movement thereof between the open and closed positions thereof, said movable joint accomodating lateral movement of said valve member into snug engagement against said valve seat to provide a watertight seal therebetween, said valve module being connected to the associated vessel only adjacent to the hopper outlet and adaptably mounted so as to be readily attached and removed as a unit from the hopper. 
     
     
       22. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 21, wherein said drive means includes a hydraulically operated drive cylinder having a piston rod connected to said movable joint. 
     
     
       23. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 21, wherein said movable joint is a universal joint. 
     
     
       24. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 21, wherein said movable joint is a single pivot joint. 
     
     
       25. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 21, wherein said housing means includes seal means cooperating with said valve member to form a watertight enclosure for said drive means. 
     
     
       26. In a hopper dredge vessel having a hopper with an outlet at the bottom thereof, a removable hopper valve module comprising support means removably mountable on the associated hopper adjacent to the outlet thereof, a hollow cylindrical housing carried by said support means and disposed in use substantially vertically adjacent to the hopper outlet, a valve member movable in use between a closed position closing the hopper outlet and an open position opening the hopper outlet, drive means mounted substantially totally within said cylindrical housing and coupled to said valve member for effecting movement thereof between the open and closed positions thereof, a cylindrical sleeve disposed telescopically within said housing and in surrounding relationship with said drive means, said sleeve being coupled at the lower end thereof to said valve member for movement therewith between the open and closed positions thereof, and seal means coupled to said housing and to said sleeve for sealing the lower ends thereof and rendering them substantially watertight, said valve module being connected to the associated vessel only adjacent to the hopper outlet and adaptably mounted so as to be readily attached and removed as a unit from the hopper. 
     
     
       27. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 26, wherein said seal means includes an annular seal ring mounted on said housing at the lower end thereof, said seal ring having a resilient annular seal member disposed in use against the outer surface of said cylindrical sleeve for providing a watertight seal between said sleeve and said housing while accommodating relative axial movement therebetween. 
     
     
       28. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 26, wherein said seal means includes an annular seal ring mounted on said housing at the lower end thereof, said seal having a resilient annular seal member disposed in use against the outer surface of said cylindrical sleeve for providing a watertight seal between said sleeve and said housing while accommodating relative axial movement therebetween, and an annular scraper carried by said seal ring and having a scraping disposed in use closely adjacent to the outer surface of said sleeve for scraping foreign material therefrom as said sleeve moves with respect to said housing. 
     
     
       29. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 26, and further including a flexible collar attached to said valve member and extending upwardly therefrom the surrounding relationship with the lower end of said sleeve and secured thereto for cooperation therewith to enclose said drive means. 
     
     
       30. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 26, and further including a cap closing the upper end of said housing and providing a watertight seal therefor. 
     
     
       31. In a hopper dredge vessel having a hopper with .Iadd.side walls and .Iaddend.an outlet at the bottom thereof, a removable hopper valve module comprising housing means removably mountable on the associated hopper adjacent to the outlet thereof .Iadd.with no portion of said housing extending laterally underneath any portion of the side walls of the associated hopper .Iaddend., a discharge nozzle having an inverted frustoconical inner surface and being carried by said housing means and communicating with the hopper outlet for discharge of the hopper contents through said nozzle, a .Iadd.single .Iaddend.valve member movable .[.in.]. .Iadd.is .Iaddend.use .Iadd.substantially axially of the hopper outlet .Iaddend.between a closed position closing said nozzle and an open position opening said nozzle, and drive means carried substantially solely by said housing means and coupled to said valve member for effecting movement thereof between the open and closed positions thereof, said valve module being connected to the associated vessel only adjacent to the hopper outlet and adaptably mounted so as to be readily attached .[.and removed.].  as a unit .[.from.]. .Iadd.to .Iaddend.the hopper .Iadd.and removed as a unit from the hopper upwardly therethrough in either the open or closed position of said valve member. .Iaddend. 
     
     
       32. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 31, wherein said drive means extends in use axially through said discharge nozzle. 
     
     
       33. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 31, wherein the hopper has a cylindrical well at the bottom thereof forming the outlet, said discharge nozzle being disposed within the well coaxial therewith. 
     
     
       34. The hopper valve module set for in claim 31, wherein the hopper has a cylindrical well at the bottom thereof forming the outlet, said discharge nozzle being disposed within the well coaxial therewith, and further including an annular seal member carried by said discharge nozzle and disposed in use in engagement with the surrounding well for sealing the space between the well and said discharge nozzle. 
     
     
       35. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 31, wherein the hopper has a cylindrical well at the bottom thereof forming the outlet, said discharge nozzle being disposed within the well coaxial therewith, said discharge nozzle being provided with an annular attachment flange at the upper end thereof extending radially outwardly therefrom for attachment to the associated hopper at the upper end of the well in surrounding relationship therewith, said housing means including an annular mounting ring overlying and attached to said attachment flange, and means connected to said mounting ring for supporting and enclosing said drive means substantially axially of said nozzle. 
     
     
       36. In a hopper dredge vessel having a hopper with a cylindrical substantially vertically extending well at the bottom thereof forming an outlet, a removable hopper valve module comprising support means removably mountable on the associated hopper adjacent to the well thereof, a discharge nozzle carried by said support means and disposed within the well coaxial therewith, said discharge nozzle having an inverted frustoconical inner surface and communicating with the interior of the hopper for discharge of the contents thereof through said nozzle, a hollow cylindrical housing carried by said support means and extending in use axially into said nozzle, a valve seat carried by said nozzle and extending peripherally thereof at the outer end thereof, a valve member movable in use between a closed position disposed against said valve seat and cooperating therewith for closing and sealing the hopper outlet and an open position spaced from said valve seat for opening the hopper outlet, drive means mounted substantially totally within said cylindrical housing and including a movable joint coupled to said valve member for effecting movement thereof between the open and closed positions thereof, said movable joint accommodating movement of said valve member into snug engagement against said valve seat to provide a watertight seal therebetween, a cylindrical sleeve disposed telescopically within said housing and in surrounding relationship with said drive means, said sleeve being coupled at the lower end thereof to said valve member for movement therewith between the open and closed positions thereof, and seal means coupled to said housing and to said sleeve for sealing the lower ends thereof and rendering them substantially watertight, said valve module being connected to the associated vessel only adjacent to the hopper outlet and adaptably mounted so as to be readily attached and removed as a unit from the hopper. 
     
     
       37. In a hopper dredge vessel having a hopper with an outlet at the bottom thereof, a removable hopper valve module comprising support means removably mountable on the associated hopper adjacent to the outlet thereof, a hollow cylindrical housing carried by said support means and disposed in use substantially vertically above the hopper outlet, said housing having a closed top and having an open bottom disposed in use a predetermined distance above the hopper bottom and cooperating therewith to define a passage accommodating free flow of dredged material beneath said housing and to the outlet, a cylindrical valve member disposed in use coaxially with said housing and movable between a closed position closing said passage to prevent the flow of dredged material to the outlet and an open position opening said passage, and drive means mounted substantially totally within said housing and coupled to said valve member for effecting movement thereof between the open and closed positions thereof, said valve module being connected to the associated vessel only adjacent to the hopper outlet and adaptably mounted so as to be readily attached and removed as a unit from the hopper. 
     
     
       38. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 37, wherein said valve member is telescopically received within said housing for movement coaxially thereof between the open and closed positions of said valve member. 
     
     
       39. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 37, and further including first guide means carried by said support means, and second guide means carried by said valve member for engagement with said first guide means to guide the movement of said valve member between the open and closed positions thereof. 
     
     
       40. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 37, wherein said housing includes bracing means for evenly distributing lateral forces applied against said housing by the dredged cargo. 
     
     
       41. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 37, wherein said drive means includes a movable joint, and laterally extending means coupling said movable joint to said valve member. 
     
     
       42. In a hopper dredge vessel having a hopper with an outlet at the bottom thereof, a removable hopper valve module comprising support means removably mountable on the associated hopper adjacent to the outlet thereof, a hollow cylindrical housing carried by said support means and disposed in use substantially vertically above the hopper outlet, said housing having a closed top and having an open bottom disposed in use a predetermined distance above the hopper bottom and cooperating therewith to define a passage accommodating free flow of dredged material beneath said housing and to the outlet, a valve seat coupled to said support means and disposed adjacent to the hopper outlet, a cylindrical valve member disposed in use coaxially with said housing and movable between a closed position disposed against said valve seat and cooperating therewith and with said housing for closing said passage to prevent the flow of dredged material to the outlet and an open position spaced from said valve seat for opening said passage, and drive means mounted substantially totally within said housing and coupled to said valve member for effecting movement thereof between the open and closed positions thereof, said valve module being connected to the associated vessel only adjacent to the hopper outlet and adaptably mounted so as to be readily attached and removed as a unit from the hopper. 
     
     
       43. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 42, and further including annular seal means carried by said cylindrical housing adjacent to the bottom thereof, said annular seal means being disposed in use in sliding engagement with the outer surface of said cylindrical valve member for providing a watertight seal between said housing and said valve member. 
     
     
       44. The hopper valve module set forth in claim 42, wherein said valve seat includes an annular frustoconical seal surface, said hopper valve module further including annular resilient seal means removably mounted on said valve member and extending about the periphery thereof adjacent to the bottom thereof, said seal means having a frustoconical surface disposable in mating engagement with the frustoconical seal surface of said valve seat for cooperation therewith to provide a watertight seal between said valve member and said valve seat.