ROVING SUBMERSIBLE PUMP

Abstract

A roving submersible pump arrangement for movement in a body of fluid is presented. The pump arrangement includes a submersible pump having an inlet and a discharge outlet and a buoyant transport device connected to the submersible pump. The buoyant transport device is operable to position the inlet of the submersible pump at a selected distance from a surface containing the body of fluid.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates in general to submersible industrial pumps and, in particular, to roving submersible pumps that are structured to remove particulate from the bodies of fluid.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

In many industries, but most prevalently in the mining industry, large ponds are used to control the run-off from mine sites. These containment ponds contain mining debris, silt and other detritus which result from the mining operation and from water run-off. Containment ponds are frequently established on benches or in areas of the mine site that prevent the water from draining into the mine. These ponds fill with silt and other material over time and lose the volumetric capacity to contain the fluid, thereby leading to overflow of the ponds. Accordingly, it is necessary to remove the silt and solid materials from the pond to avoid overflow conditions.

Currently, the conventional means for removing silt and other materials from containment ponds is to (i) dredge the pond or (ii) drain the pond and use bulldozers, excavators, loaders and dump trucks to scoop and carry out the silt and other material. These removal means are costly and result in the diversion of equipment, which are intended for use in everyday mining operations.

Thus, it would be beneficial to provide compact devices that may be strictly dedicated to maintenance of the containment ponds and can be easily transferred pond to pond, rather than diverting large pieces of equipment from the mining process itself. It would be further beneficial to provide such devices that can be operated with little or no human operational effort and that require less fuel than other, larger pieces of equipment.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect of the disclosure, a roving submersible pump arrangement for movement in a body of fluid includes a submersible pump, having an inlet and a discharge outlet, and a buoyant transport device connected to the submersible pump. The buoyant transport device is operable to position the inlet of the submersible pump at a selected distance from a surface containing the body of fluid.

In certain embodiments, the roving submersible pump further includes a directional control system for directing the movement of the buoyant transport device along the surface containing the body of fluid.

In other certain embodiments, the roving submersible pump further includes a remote control device structured for operation at a distance from the submersible pump and a driver control device communicatively coupled to the buoyant transport device for receiving commands to move the transport device.

In yet another embodiment, the directional control system includes a maneuvering device communicatively coupled to the buoyant transport device and a programmable control unit for receiving data relating to dimensional, geographical and/or topographical features of the body of fluid.

In still another embodiment, the programmable control unit is pre-programmed with data relating to known dimensional, geographical or topographical features of the body of fluid. The known dimensional, geographical or topographical data provide boundaries within which the roving submersible pump is directed to move.

In certain embodiments, the directional control system further includes a maneuvering device communicatively coupled to the buoyant transport device. The maneuvering device includes a global positioning system unit communicatively coupled to a global positioning system to facilitate maneuvering the roving submersible pump through the body of fluid.

In other certain embodiments, the roving submersible pump arrangement further includes sensors to sense the presence of objects in the body of fluid. The sensors are communicatively coupled to the buoyant transport device and the directional control system for effecting a diversionary movement of the buoyant transport device.

In yet another embodiment, the buoyant transport device comprises at least two buoyant wheel units connected to the submersible pump, such that the buoyant wheel units are adjustable to position the inlet of the submersible pump at the selected distance from the surface.

In still another embodiment, the wheel units are aligned on a central wheel axis and the submersible pump is positioned such that a center of gravity of the submersible pump is below the central wheel axis.

In certain embodiments, the submersible pump is retained between the two spaced apart wheel units.

In other certain embodiments, the buoyancy of each wheel unit is dynamically adjustable to selectively position the inlet of the submersible pump at the selected distance from the surface.

In yet another embodiment, the dynamic adjustment of each wheel unit is effected by a self-adjusting buoyancy apparatus positioned relative to each wheel unit.

In still another embodiment, the buoyant transport device includes a carriage supporting the submersible pump with at least two wheel units attached to the carriage.

In certain embodiments, the at least two wheel units dynamically adjust to selectively position the inlet of the submersible pump at the selected distance relative to the surface.

In other certain embodiments, the submersible pump is a slurry pump.

In yet another embodiment, the roving submersible pump arrangement further includes an agitator operable to agitate sediment on the surface.

In a second aspect, a mobile, submersible pump system for removing solids from a body of fluid includes a submersible pump, having an inlet and a discharge outlet, and a buoyant transport device connected to the submersible pump operable to dynamically adjust the position of the inlet. The pump system further includes an agitator operable to engage a surface containing the body of fluid to create turbidity in the body of fluid.

In certain embodiments, the buoyant transport device comprises at least two buoyant wheel units such that the buoyant wheel units are adjustable to adjust the position the inlet of the submersible pump.

In other certain embodiments, the wheel units are aligned on a central wheel axis and the submersible pump is positioned such that a center of gravity of the submersible pump is below the central wheel axis.

In yet another embodiment, the submersible pump is retained between the two spaced apart wheel units.

In a third aspect, a method for removing silt or other debris and fluid from a containment pond includes the step of providing a roving pump system having a submersible pump with a suction inlet, a buoyant transport device connected to the submersible pump and a directional control system for directing the movement of the buoyant transport device through the containment pond. The method further includes the steps of selectively adjusting the buoyant transport device to position the suction inlet at a selected distance from the bottom of the containment pond and activating the submersible pump to remove the silt containment pond.

In certain embodiments, the method further includes the step of moving the roving pump system in the containment system based on dimensional, geographical and/or topographical features of the containment pond.

Other aspects, features, and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this disclosure and which illustrate, by way of example, principles of the inventions disclosed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings facilitate an understanding of the various embodiments:

FIG. 1 is an illustration a roving submersible pump arrangement shown submerged in a body of fluid.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the roving submersible pump arrangement of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a roving submersible pump arrangement supported by two wheel units.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a roving submersible pump arrangement supported by a wheeled carriage device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts a high-level view, according to a non-limiting embodiment, of a roving submersible pump arrangement 10 submerged in a body of fluid 38. As illustrated, the roving submersible pump arrangement 10 includes a submersible pump 12, a buoyant transport device 18 connected to the submersible pump 10 and a directional control system 20 for directing the movement of the buoyant transport device 18 along or near a surface 36 of the body of fluid. The roving submersible pump arrangement 10 functions to move through the body of fluid 38 along or near the surface 36 to remove sediment, silt or other types of solid particulates 28 that have accumulated and otherwise settled in the body of fluid 38. The roving submersible pump arrangement 10 is further operable to remove solids-entrained fluids or slurry 42, which includes suspended solid particulates and sediment 28, from the body of fluid 38. The surface 36 generally refers to the surface of the settled sediment 28 adjacent the body of fluid 38 and may be described as containing the body of fluid 38.

In some aspects, the body of fluid 38 is a containment pond, tailing ponds or other similar type of pond that collects sediment or other particulates 28, for example, created from mining operations, to include the mining of oil sands. It is commonly understood that these containment ponds can be man-made or positioned to take advantage of local topography. In some instances, the ponds can be as large as sixty square miles. In other instances, the ponds can be smaller than or even larger than sixty square miles. The body of fluid 38 can vary in depth, d1, due to a number of different factors to include the topography of the pond, of which rocks, trees and other natural debris contributes. It should be appreciated that the topography of the pond will change over time as the pond collects particulates 28 or other byproducts from mining operations. The collection of particulates 28 decreases the volumetric capacity of the body of fluid 38. The particulates 28 that are denser than the body of fluid 38 eventually separate from the body of fluid 38 and collect toward the bottom of the body of fluid 38 such as, but not limited to, a foundation 34 of the pond or the surface 36 of the sediment 28. As used herein, the foundation 34 generally refers to the bottom-most surface of the body of fluid 38 before sediment and other particulates 28 have started to build-up. The depth, d1, of the body of fluid 38 is measured between the top surface of the body of fluid 38 and the bottom surface of the body of fluid 38, whether the bottom surface of the fluid 38 is the foundation 34 or the surface 36 of the sediment 28. From a practical standpoint, the depth, d1, of the body of fluid 38 will generally be measured from the surface 36 of the particulates 28 as the pump arrangement 10 will generally be deployed to remove the particulates 28.

The depth, d1, of the body of fluid 38, in a non-limiting, illustrative embodiment, is forty feet before mining operations commence. The depth, d1, could be more or less than forty feet. In an illustrative example, after mining operations commence, the depth, d1, may decrease to twenty feet. Consequently, in this example, a sediment depth, d2, measured between the foundation 34 and the surface 36 of the sediment 28, is twenty feet. In this example, if the sediment depth, d2, was decreased by removing the sediment 28 using the pump arrangement 10, the depth, d1, of the body of fluid 38 would increase, thereby increasing the volumetric capacity of the body of fluid 38. It should be appreciated that adding the depth, d1, of the body of fluid and the sediment depth, d2, should result in the depth of the body of fluid 38 prior to the commencement of mining operations.

In exemplary operation, the roving submersible pump arrangement 10 is configured to transverse the body of fluid 38 using a number of means, either alone or in combination, which will be described in more detail below. Briefly, however, the pump arrangement 10 is structured to move through the body of fluid 38 and across the surface 36 using (i) surface traction, e.g., wheels or tracks contacting the surface 36, (ii) paddles or other fluid propulsion mechanisms and (iii) mechanisms for changing the buoyancy of the pump arrangement 10.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2-3, but with reference to FIG. 4, an aspect of the roving submersible pump arrangement 10 is presented. The pump arrangement 10 includes the submersible pump 12, the buoyant transport device 18 and, optionally, the directional control system 20. It will be understood that the directional control system 20 is an optional component as there are alternative methods available for directing the pump arrangement 10 such as, for example, by manually or physically altering the direction of the pump arrangement 10.

The submersible pump 12 is connected to or carried by the buoyant transport device 18 for movement through the body of fluid 38. The submersible pump 12 includes an inlet 14, which may be referred to as a suction inlet, for receiving the slurry 42 and a discharge outlet 16 (shown in FIG. 4). As illustrated, the submersible pump 12 is a slurry pump that is capable of processing the solids-entrained fluids or slurry 42 encountered in the body of fluid 38. In one embodiment, slurry pump is the WARMAN® SHW submersible pump owned by Weir Minerals Australia Ltd. The submersible pump 12 includes a pump casing 22 which, in known fashion, is structured to house an impeller (not shown). The submersible pump 12 also comprises a bearing housing 24 that is attached to the pump casing 22, by known means, and a motor housing 26 that contains a motor with a drive shaft that is operatively connected to the impeller for rotating the impeller. The motor contained in the motor housing 26 can be a conventional motor such as, but not limited to, a hydraulic motor, an electric motor or a compressed air motor. In one aspect, the motor is connected to a surface power source via hoses or conduits. In some embodiments, the hoses or conduits include floating devices and/or are constructed of floating materials or layers so that the hoses do not obstruct the movement of the pump arrangement 10. In another aspect, the power source is self-contained on the roving submersible pump arrangement 10. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment using a hydraulic motor, a hydraulic reservoir configured to contain hydraulic fluid is positioned on the roving submersible pump arrangement 10 and is in fluid communication with the hydraulic motor.

The discharge outlet 16 (FIG. 4) on the pump 12, in an exemplary aspect, is a centerline discharge. In another aspect, the discharge outlet may be tangentially formed along the pump casing 22. The discharge outlet 16 is structured for attachment to a conduit 30 that transports the pumped slurry 42 to a location separate from the body of fluid 38. The pumped slurry 42, in one embodiment, is moved to a location where the fluid can separate from the particulates 28 so that the fluid and the particulates 28 can be treated as needed, per any governmental requirements or to address any environmental concerns. In one aspect, the inlet 14 of the submersible pump 12 is structured with a strainer collar 32 that surrounds the inlet 14 of the pump 12. The strainer collar 32 operates to limit the size of the particulates or solids 28 in the slurry 42 that enter the inlet 14, via suction, to a size manageable by the pump 12. In one embodiment, the strainer collar 32 is formed with holes that act as a barrier to the particulates 28 that are too large for the pump 12 to routinely process.

The submersible pump 12 is secured to the buoyant transport device 18 such that the buoyant transport device 18 is operable to station the submersible pump 12 at a selected distance, H, above the surface 36. The buoyant transport device 18 is operable to maintain the submersible pump 12 at the selected distance, H, or move the submersible pump 12 to a different distance above the surface 36. According to embodiments disclosed herein, the buoyant transport device 18 is any structure that is capable of maintaining the elevation, distance or height of the submersible pump 12 above the surface 36, but is depicted in FIG. 3 as being a pair of buoyant wheel units 40 that are each capable of being dynamically inflatable with a gas, either individually or separately. In one embodiment, the gas is added or removed from either wheel to adjust the buoyancy of each wheel individually. In operation, a sufficient amount of gas may be added or removed from each wheel in the pair of buoyant wheel units 40, as dictated by the fluid pressures from the body of fluid 38 acting on the pump arrangement 10, to raise or lower the pump arrangement 10 relative to the surface 36, while keeping the pump arrangement 10 level. The buoyancy of the pump arrangement 10 may be varied depending on the desired depth of the pump arrangement 10. For example, the buoyancy of the pump arrangement 10 may be varied so that the pump arrangement 10 touches the surface 36, is maintained one, two, three feet or more from the surface 36, is floating on the top surface of the body of fluid 38 or is maintaining the inlet 14 at the desired distance, H, above the surface 36. In another embodiment, only one of the wheels in the pair of buoyant wheel units 40 is varied, causing the pump arrangement 10 to tilt or roll to the side relative to the longitudinal axis of the pump 12. In a non-limiting example, varying the buoyancy of only one wheel may be used if the pump arrangement 10 is following an embankment or one side of the pump arrangement 10 encounters an obstacle, such as a rock or a tree stump. The tilt or roll of the pump arrangement 10 may be monitored so that the pump 12 does not tilt more than ten to fifteen degrees. In one embodiment, the pump 12 is limited to a tilt or roll of five degrees.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, each wheel unit 40 is generally hemispherical in shape, having a circumferential surface 44 structured for contacting the surface 36 of the body of fluid 38. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, for example, the circumferential surface 44 is formed with tread-like formations 46 that facilitate movement of the wheel units 40, e.g., via traction, along the surface 36 of the body of fluid 38 when the wheel units 40 are in contact with the surface 36. The formations 46 may further act to facilitate movement of the wheel units 40 on the top surface of the body of fluid 38 by principles of surface traction. In some embodiments, the wheel units 40 are structured with an extensions or paddle-like devices 47 that facilitate movement of the submersible pump 12 through the body of fluid 38 when the wheel units 40 or the buoyant transport device 18 cause the wheel units 40 to be elevated above the surface 36. In one aspect, the paddle-like devices 47 act as a propulsion system.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the roving submersible pump arrangement 10 is structured with two wheel units 40 that are coaxially aligned and spaced apart. The submersible pump 12 is retained between the two spaced-apart wheel units 40 by pivoting attachment to axles 48 of the wheel units 40. As shown, the bearing housing 24 is pivotally secured to the axles 48, which define a central wheel axis 50 of the wheel units 40. Although not specifically shown, certain aspects include a suspension system that allows the wheel units 40 to move relative the axles 48 or the central wheel axis 50. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, the wheels are four to five feet in diameter and the pump is approximately six feet high.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the wheel units 40, as previously discussed, are buoyant and are connected to the submersible pump 12 in a manner that maintains the inlet 14 of the submersible pump 12 at the selected distance, H, above the surface 36 of the body of fluid 38. Additionally, the submersible pump 12 is positioned on the arrangement 10 in a position relative to the wheel units 40 such that a center of gravity 68 of the submersible pump 12 is below the central wheel axis 50 of the wheel units 40 to facilitate keeping the arrangement 10, and in particular, the submersible pump 12, oriented in an operating position.

The wheel units 40 are each operatively connected to a motor device that causes each wheel unit 40 to rotate about the central wheel axis 50 so that the roving submersible pump arrangement 10 is capable of maneuvering about the surface 36 of the body of fluid 38 even when the surface 36 includes obstacles and uneven terrain. The motor device may be any suitable motorized element. For example, the axles 48 of the wheel units 40 may be operatively connected to a motor that is housed within the interior of each wheel unit, thereby shielding the motor. Alternatively, each wheel axle 48 may be operatively connected to the drive motor housed within the motor housing 26 of the pump 12 such that the axles 48 are caused to rotate as the impeller of the pump 12 is caused to rotate. Other motorizing mechanisms are equally suitable.

The buoyancy of each wheel unit 40 is, in certain embodiments, dynamically adjustable to selectively position the inlet 14 of the submersible pump 12 at the selected distance or height, H, relative to the surface 36. In one aspect, each wheel unit 40 is structured with a buoyancy control unit 52 that is operable to add or remove a buoyancy fluid, such as air or other type of gas, from the wheel unit 40. The buoyancy fluid is not limited to gas. In one embodiment, the buoyancy of each wheel unit 40 may be dynamically changed by a remote device 54 that, from a distance, can be operated to signal a receiver device 56 on the buoyancy control unit 52 to adjust the amount of buoyancy fluid in the wheel unit 40.

Other means of dynamically adjusting the buoyancy of each of the wheel units 40 are possible. For example, each of the wheel units 40 may be structured with a self-adjusting buoyancy apparatus 62 in communication with the buoyancy control unit 52. In one illustrative embodiment, the buoyancy control unit 52 or the self-adjusting buoyancy apparatus 62 receives data from sensors, such as sensors 58 associated with the buoyant transport device 18, the sensors 86 positioned on the roving pump arrangement 10 or other sensors positioned in or near the body of fluid 38 (not shown). The sensors, collectively, are configured to sense environmental conditions such as depth, turbidity, fluid density, forces acting on the buoyant transport device 18 due to forces created by the pump 12 operation, and other conditions present in the body of the fluid 38, such as location or perimeter, or forces acting on the buoyant transport device 18. Using the received data, the self-adjusting buoyancy apparatus 62 determines whether to effect a change in the buoyancy of each wheel unit 40. In exemplary operation, the self-adjusting buoyancy apparatus 62 adjusts the buoyancy in the wheel unit 40 in order to (i) maintain the inlet 14 of the submersible pump 12 at the desired distance, H, above the surface 36 of the body of fluid 38, (ii) maintain the center of gravity 68 of the submersible pump 12 below the central wheel axis 50 and (iii) to otherwise facilitate the movement of the roving submersible pump arrangement 10 through the body of fluid 38.

It should be understood that, in addition to, or in lieu of the self-adjusting buoyancy apparatus 62 adjusting the wheel units 40 to maintain the inlet 14 at the desired distance H, the submersible pump 12 may be supported on a variably positionable frame that is capable of raising and lowering the submersible pump and/or inlet 14 to the desired distance, H.

The roving submersible pump arrangement 10 further comprises the directional control system 20 that is communicatively coupled to the buoyant transport device 18 to maneuver the submersible pump 12 about the body of fluid 38. The directional control system 20 generally comprises a mechanism by which the buoyant transport device 18 can be made to move in a given direction to maneuver the roving submersible pump arrangement 10 along the surface 36 of the body of fluid 38. In one illustrative embodiment, the directional control system 20 receives data from sensors, such as sensors 58 associated with the buoyant transport device 18, the sensors 86 positioned on the roving pump arrangement 10 or other sensors positioned in or near the body of fluid 38 (not shown). In one aspect, the sensors may include cameras, sensors associated with a staking system related to pond depth and position, sonar, electronic eye systems using a photodetector for detecting obstruction of a light beam, and sensors indicating the pump arrangement 10 has hit an obstacle. The sensors, collectively, are configured to sense environmental conditions such as depth, obstacles, location or perimeter. Using the received data, the directional control system 20 can maneuver the roving submersible pump arrangement 10 along the surface 36.

In one embodiment, the directional control system 20 comprises a driver control device 64 in communication with a remote control device 60, for operation at a distance from the submersible pump 12, the remote control device 60 being operable by human or machine control, such as a programmable computer. The remote control device 60 is in communication with the buoyant transport device 18 or, more specifically, the driver control device 64 for controlling the movement of the buoyant transport device 18. The driver control device 64 has a transceiver 66 for communicating with the remote control device 60.

In yet another embodiment, the directional control system 20 includes a maneuvering device 70 communicatively couple to the buoyant transport device 18, the maneuvering device 70 having a programmable control unit 72 for receiving and storing data relating to dimensional, geographical and/or topographical features of the body of fluid 38. Thus, in use, the maneuvering device 70, which has been pre-programmed with data relating to, for example, the size and depth of the body of fluid, and its topographical profile, operates to move the roving submersible pump arrangement 10 about the body of fluid responsive to the pre-programmed data points. In still another embodiment, the maneuvering device 70 may be structured with a global positioning system unit (GPS) 74 for receiving and transmitting positional data from a GPS 80 to thereby maneuver the roving submersible pump 10 over the body of fluid 38.

In operation, it should be appreciated that the directional control system 20, the buoyant transport device 18 or both, are in communication with various sensors. The diversionary movement of the roving submersible pump arrangement 10 through the body of fluid 38, which may or may not necessitate contact with the surface 36, is facilitated by human control, automation or a synergistic combination of both.

A second aspect of the roving submersible pump arrangement 10 is depicted in FIG. 4 where like elements are shown with the same reference numerals as noted previously. In the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 4, the buoyant transport device 18 includes a carriage 90 for supporting the submersible pump 12. The carriage includes a frame 92 that is structured to support the submersible pump 12 and to provide attachment of wheel units 40 thereto. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, four wheel units are coupled to and support the frame 92; however, it should be understood that a greater or fewer number of wheel units 40 may be utilized. For example, in some embodiments, three wheel units may be utilized (a forward wheel unit 40 and a two rearward wheel units 40, or alternatively, two forward wheels and a rearward wheel) having a tricycle type configuration. In such a configuration, the forward wheel unit 40 (or the rearward wheel unit) may be a pivoting wheel unit 40 for steering the pump arrangement 10 and the two rearward wheel units 40 (or two forward wheels) are used to support the arrangement 40. The wheel units 40 of the embodiment of FIG. 4 are buoyant and are attached to the carriage by wheel axles 48.

The directional control system 20 in the second aspect of the roving submersible pump arrangement 10 may include any number of suitable devices as previously described, including the driver control device 64 that is in communication with the buoyant transport device 18 for remotely controlling the movement of the buoyant transport device 18. The directional control system 20 in the second aspect includes the maneuvering device 70 operatively having the programmable control unit 72 for receiving and storing data relating to dimensional, geographical and/or topographical features of the body of fluid 38. Further included is the GPS unit 74 structured for receiving and transmitting data from the GPS 80.

FIG. 4 further illustrates, for example purposes only, an agitator mechanism 94 operable to engage the surface 36 to create turbidity in the body of fluid 38. In certain aspects, the agitator mechanism 94 functions to rake, till, or otherwise stir-up the sediment or particulates 28 in order to re-suspend the particulates 28. The agitator mechanism 94 is positioned adjacent to and/or otherwise near the input 14 and, for example, may be attached adjacent the strainer collar 32. In certain aspects, the agitator mechanism 94 includes teeth that may or may not rotate about an axis, operable to dig into the surface 36 to till and/or otherwise stir and agitate the surface 36 so that, as discussed in greater detail below, the particulates are suspended to enable collection through the pump intake 14. In other embodiments, one or more wheel units 40 may act or otherwise function as an agitator mechanism 94. For example, in the tricycle type arrangement discussed above in which a forward wheel unit 40 is utilized, the forward wheel unit 40 is positioned in front of the input 14. Thus, in operation, as the forward wheel unit 40, and thus, the arrangement 10, traverses along the surface 36, the wheel unit 40 stirs the sediment/particulates 28 to suspend the particulates 28 to enable the suspended particulate to enter the intake 14, which is disposed rearward from the forward wheel unit 40. After entering the intake 14, the particulates exit the discharge 16 of the submersible pump. In FIG. 4, for example, the discharge 16 is structured with a flange to couple to and receive additional conduit 30, as shown in FIG. 3. In operation, the conduit 30 carries the pumped fluid and solids away from the body of fluid 38, typically to a place where the fluid can be separated from the solids so that the solids can eventually be returned to the earth.

The buoyant transport device 18 may be driven by hydraulic means connected the buoyant transport device 18 as is depicted in FIG. 4 with a hydraulic line 96 connected to one or each of the wheel axles 48. Alternatively, the buoyant transport device 18 may be driven by electrical means connected the buoyant transport device 18. As previously described, the electrical means may be, in one embodiment, the drive motor in the drive housing 26 which provides power to rotate the impeller of the pump 12. Other electrical motor means may be provided directly to each wheel unit 40 or supported elsewhere on the frame 92.

In a third aspect of the disclosure, a method for pumping fluid and solids from the body of fluid 38, such as a containment pond or settling pool, utilizes the roving submersible pump arrangement 10 comprising the submersible pump 12, having the inlet 14 and the discharge outlet 16, the buoyant transport device 18 connected to the submersible pump 12 and the directional control system 20 for directing the movement of the buoyant transport device 18 along the surface 36 of the body of fluid 38. The method includes the steps of selectively adjusting the buoyant transport device 18 of the roving submersible pump arrangement 10 to position the inlet 14 of the submersible pump 12 at the selected distance, H, from the surface 36 containing the body of fluid 38. The directional control system 20 of the roving submersible pump arrangement 10 is activated for maneuvering the roving submersible pump arrangement 10 through the body of fluid 38. The submersible pump 12, when activated, functions to remove the slurry 42 from the body of fluid 38 and direct the slurry 42 away from the body of fluid 38.

The roving submersible pump arrangement 10 has been described as operating while submerged, however, it will be appreciated that roving submersible pump arrangement 10 can also operate in conditions where the pump arrangement 10 is not submerged.

In the foregoing description of certain embodiments, specific terminology has been resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes other technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as “left” and right”, “front” and “rear”, “above” and “below” and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

In this specification, the word “comprising” is to be understood in its “open” sense, that is, in the sense of “including”, and thus not limited to its “closed” sense, that is the sense of “consisting only of”. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words “comprise”, “comprised” and “comprises” where they appear.

In addition, the foregoing describes only some embodiments of the invention(s), and alterations, modifications, additions and/or changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosed embodiments, the embodiments being illustrative and not restrictive.

Furthermore, invention(s) have described in connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the invention(s). Also, the various embodiments described above may be implemented in conjunction with other embodiments, e.g., aspects of one embodiment may be combined with aspects of another embodiment to realize yet other embodiments. Further, each independent feature or component of any given assembly may constitute an additional embodiment.

Claims

1. A roving submersible pump arrangement for movement in a body of fluid, comprising:

a submersible pump having an inlet and a discharge outlet;

a buoyant transport device connected to the submersible pump; and

wherein the buoyant transport device is operable to position the inlet of the submersible pump at a selected distance from a surface containing the body of fluid.

2. The roving submersible pump arrangement of claim 1 further comprising a directional control system for directing the movement of the buoyant transport device along the surface containing the body of fluid.

3. The roving submersible pump arrangement of claim 2 further comprising:

a remote control device structured for operation at a distance from the submersible pump; and

a driver control device communicatively coupled to the buoyant transport device for receiving commands to move the transport device.

4. The directional control system of claim 2, further comprising a maneuvering device communicatively coupled to the buoyant transport device and including a programmable control unit for receiving data relating to dimensional, geographical and/or topographical features of the body of fluid.

5. The roving submersible pump arrangement of claim 4, wherein the programmable control unit is pre-programmed with data relating to known dimensional, geographical or topographical features of the body of fluid, the known dimensional, geographical or topographical data providing boundaries within which the roving submersible pump is directed to move.

6. The directional control system of claim 2, further comprising a maneuvering device communicatively coupled to the buoyant transport device, the maneuvering device including a global positioning system unit communicatively coupled to a global positioning system to facilitate maneuvering the roving submersible pump through the body of fluid.

7. The roving submersible pump arrangement of claim 2 further comprising sensors to sense the presence of objects in the body of fluid, the sensors communicatively coupled to the buoyant transport device and the directional control system for effecting a diversionary movement of the buoyant transport device.

8. The roving submersible pump arrangement of claim 1, wherein the buoyant transport device comprises at least two buoyant wheel units connected to the submersible pump, the buoyant wheel units adjustable to position the inlet of the submersible pump at the selected distance from the surface.

9. The roving submersible pump arrangement of claim 8, wherein the wheel units are aligned on a central wheel axis and the submersible pump is positioned such that a center of gravity of the submersible pump is below the central wheel axis.

10. The roving submersible pump arrangement of claim 9, wherein the submersible pump is retained between the two spaced apart wheel units.

11. The roving submersible pump arrangement of claim 8, wherein the buoyancy of each wheel unit is dynamically adjustable to selectively position the inlet of the submersible pump at the selected distance.

12. The roving submersible pump arrangement of claim 10, wherein the dynamic adjustment of each wheel unit is effected by a self-adjusting buoyancy apparatus positioned relative to each wheel unit.

13. The roving submersible pump arrangement of claim 1, wherein the buoyant transport device includes a carriage, the carriage supporting the submersible pump and at least two wheel units attached to the carriage.

14. The roving submersible pump arrangement of claim 13, wherein the at least two wheel units dynamically adjust to selectively position the inlet of the submersible pump at the selected distance relative to the surface.

15. The roving submersible pump arrangement of claim 1, wherein the submersible pump is a slurry pump.

16. The roving submersible pump arrangement of claim 1 further comprising an agitator operable to agitate sediment on the surface.

17. A mobile, submersible pump system for removing solids from a body of fluid, comprising:

a submersible pump having an inlet and a discharge outlet;

a buoyant transport device connected to the submersible pump operable to dynamically adjust the position of the inlet; and

an agitator operable to engage a surface containing the body of fluid to create turbidity in the body of fluid.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the buoyant transport device comprises at least two buoyant wheel units, the buoyant wheel units adjustable to adjust the position the inlet of the submersible pump.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the wheel units are aligned on a central wheel axis and the submersible pump is positioned such that a center of gravity of the submersible pump is below the central wheel axis.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the submersible pump is retained between the two spaced apart wheel units.

21. A method for removing silt or other debris and fluid from a containment pond, comprising:

providing a roving pump system including a submersible pump having a suction inlet, a buoyant transport device connected to the submersible pump, and a directional control system for directing the movement of the buoyant transport device through the containment pond;

selectively adjusting the buoyant transport device to position the suction inlet at a selected distance from the bottom of the containment pond; and

activating the submersible pump to remove the silt containment pond.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising moving the roving pump system in the containment system based on dimensional, geographical and/or topographical features of the containment pond.