Abstract: A system is provided for automatically removing deceased fish from an aquaculture cage. The system may include an underwater robotic vehicle configured to traverse the aquaculture cage to collect mortalities. The mortalities, once collected, may be brought to a system dock and then removed from the cage.

Abstract: A method for controlling the movement of an articulated hose mount having at least n>2 members, wherein a change in angle can be induced between neighboring members with the help of a respective drive includes: a) determining the starting position of the n members with the help of sensors; b) input of a direction vector and a velocity parameter; c) determining a target position, which should be taken by a suction crown, on the free end of the last member; d) determining n angle changes which must be carried out on the n members in order to reach the target position while maintaining the following condition: d.i. the suction crown moves into the target position along a straight path of movement; e) controlling the drives associated with the n members in order to perform the predetermined angle change on the n members; and f) cyclically repeating the aforementioned method steps until the direction vector and/or the velocity parameter are zero.

Abstract: The invention relates to equipment comprising an underwater robot (1) and a device (2) for the remote control of the robot, which can communicate with each other, wherein: the robot comprises means for underwater movement and an image-capturing device; and the control device comprises 3D glasses designed so that a user wearing the glasses views the underwater environment of the robot in three dimensions on the basis of the images captured by the robot, and means for remotely guiding the movement of the robot on the basis of the three-dimensional underwater environment viewed.

Abstract: Apparatus for extended-reach remediation of a pond by removal of pumpable materials such as deposited sediment has a base and a rotatable multi-articulated boom to which a pump is connected at the distal end. The boom has a reach which exceeds the reach of conventional remediation apparatus and may be as long as 50 m or greater for reaching over obstacles between the base and the pond. The base can be stationary or it can be mobile or self-propelled for repositioning the apparatus about the perimeter of the water body or to platforms which are built within the pond and accessible by accessways when the pond is filled with water. The pump is lightweight so as not to affect the overall apparatus stability when the boom is fully extended. Geo-locating apparatus assists with mapping the remediation operation.

Abstract: A suction mouth (10) for mounting on the front of a subsea mining tool and to be pushed into sediment. The suction mouth comprises a hollow body (12) having an entrance opening (14) and an exit opening (16), wherein the body converges from the entrance opening towards the exit opening. The entrance opening has a lower lip (20) and an upper lip (22), and the upper lip comprises an extension (22a) projecting forwardly and upwardly relative to the lower lip to form a canopy over the entrance opening. The suction mouth (10) may include a valve (30) on the body downstream of the entrance opening which is operable to selectively provide a further entrance opening into the body. Where such a valve is present, the consistency of the material sucked in can be regulated.

Abstract: A BAS plow creates a V-trench along the linear route of a pipeline path and an instrumented bottle moving with the BAS plow collects BAS data indicative of the pitch, roll, heading, yaw, three dimensional positioning, speed and depth of the chassis, the shearing force applied to the seabed material and the applied tow force. The bottle can be swapped to collect the acquired data or an umbilical can be used to provide a real time stream of data. The Bas plow can simultaneously backfill the created trench, leaving an undisrupted seabed, or the pipeline can be laid in the BAS trench, which can also be made deeper and wider by additional trench cutting passes, significantly reducing the total time required for combined BAS and pipeline laying processes. The BAS plow can be released and retrieved over-the-stem of a towing vessel.

Abstract: A system for optimizing the dredging of an area by a vessel (25) equipped with a cutter head (4), including an apparatus to measure local seismic velocity in front of the vessel (25), said apparatus including a set of seismic receivers (11, 11?, 11?, 11??) supported by a frame (10) configured for attachment to and projection from the bow end of the vessel, which frame aligns the seismic receivers (11, 11?, 11?, 11??) above and in front of the cutter head (4). A method for optimizing dredging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for optimizing the dredging of an area by a vessel (25) equipped with a cutter head (4), comprising a means to measure local seismic velocity in front of the vessel (25), said means comprising a set of seismic receivers (11, 11?, 11?, 11??) supported by a frame (10) configured for attachment to and projection from the bow end of the vessel, which frame aligns the seismic receivers (11, 11?, 11?, 11??) above and in front of the cutter head (4). It also relates to a method for optimizing dredging.

Abstract: Contaminated fine sediment is removed from surfaces beneath a body of water by a shrouded, self-cleaning, wheel-guided, open suction attachment for a swinging ladder suction dredge with articulating capabilities. The attachment comprises a wheel-guided, suction assembly in which the slurry is contained in a shroud. The shroud is attached to a head plate, and is designed to both enclose the solid particles suspended as a result of the removal operation, and to direct the suspended material to the mouth of the suction pipe. Inside the area surrounded by the shroud is a gatling plate rotated by a hydraulic motor mounted just above the shroud and head plate.

Abstract: An underwater excavation apparatus having means for moving the underwater excavation apparatus that are provided on or adjacent to the apparatus. The means for moving the underwater excavation apparatus provide for orienting, positioning, rotating, counteracting reactive torque and/or steering the apparatus. The apparatus has a pair of horizontally opposed or symmetrically disposed inlets communicating with a single outlet that is disposed vertically downwards.

Abstract: A hydraulic excavator includes: an oil-pressure cut valve 41 for suspending pressure oil supply to a PPC valve; a lock switch for operating the oil-pressure valve 41; a control device 43 for controlling a switching of the oil-pressure cut valve 41. The control device 43 includes: a lock-state judging means 51 for judging a lock state by the lock switch; a traveling-state judging means 56 for judging a traveling state of the hydraulic excavator; an alert-issuing controlling means 57 for issuing an alert urging a locking of a working equipment; and a relay control means for actuating the oil-pressure cut valve 41 to suspend the pressure oil. The alert-issuing controlling means 57 issues the alert and the relay control means 52 actuates the oil pressure cut valve 41 when the hydraulic excavator 10 is judged to be traveling and the working equipment is judged to be not in the lock state.

Abstract: A grab bucket, in particular motor-driven underwater grab bucket, has first and second half-scoops. The scoops can be moved relative to on another from an open position into a closed position by a hydraulic cylinder. The opening angle of the half-scoops is monitored by a sensor which is connected to a control and monitoring device. The sensor is integrated in the hydraulic cylinder and generates an actuating-travel signal which corresponds to the actuating travel of the hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: A screening device including a screen having a first side for presentation to material to be screened and a second side, a plurality of screen openings in the screen extending between the first and second side thereof, a plurality of tines mounted on a support device disposed on the second side of the screen, each tine being moveable in a first direction along a path at least part of which includes one of the screen openings whereby the tine is receivable in and moveable along the screen opening, the tine extending beyond the first side of the screen for at least part of the movement thereof along the screen opening, the tines being moveably mounted on the support device for deflection away from said first direction while continuing to move in said first direction upon encountering an obstruction.

Abstract: A monitoring device for motor-driven underwater grab bucket dredges contains a bucket gear suspended on a cable. The device ensures reliable monitoring and controlling of the operating condition of the bucket gear 4. There is at least one sensor connected to the grab bucket gear for sensing a measured value. There is a computer connected to the sensor for representing the measured value detected by the sensor.

Abstract: A screening device including a screen includes a first side for presentation to a body of material to be screened and a second side. A plurality of elongate screen openings are formed in the screen extending between the first and second sides thereof. A plurality of tines mounted on support means disposed on the second side of the screen. Each tine is movable along a cyclical path at least part of which includes one of the elongate screen openings whereby the tine is receivable in and movable along the elongate screen opening. The tine extends beyond the first side of the screen for at least part of the movement thereof along the screen opening. The screening device may be incorporated in various machines including a recovery head for an underground mining apparatus.