Patents Assigned to Dredging International N.V.
-
Patent number: 9476181Abstract: A drag head of a trailing suction hopper dredger, comprises a visor which is dragged over the bottom in a dragging direction and herein loosens soil, and a suction conduit which connects to the visor and which discharges the loosened soil. The drag head is provided with cutting bodies for loosening the soil, with the proviso that the cutting bodies comprise conical bits. Harder soil can be dredged efficiently with a trailing suction hopper dredger equipped with the drag head.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2009Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Dredging International N.V.Inventor: Bruno Tack
-
Patent number: 9115480Abstract: A cutter head for dredging ground under water is disclosed. The cutter head is suitable for attachment to the ladder of a cutter suction dredger and for being moved through the ground therewith in a lateral sweeping movement. The cutter head includes a rotation-symmetrical revolving body which is rotatable around its rotation axis by means of drive means and which is provided along its peripheral surface with a number of cutting tools for penetrating into the ground, wherein the rotation axis of the cutter head runs substantially perpendicularly of the longitudinal direction of the ladder and substantially tangentially to the direction of the sweeping movement. Likewise, a method for breaking ground underwater, making use of the cutter head is shown.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2009Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: Dredging International N.V.Inventor: Bruno Tack
-
Patent number: 8732991Abstract: The invention relates to a cutter head (10) for dredging ground under water, this cutter head being suitable for attachment rotatably around a central axis to the ladder (2) of a cutter suction dredger (1) and for being moved through the ground (9) therewith in a lateral sweeping movement, the cutter head comprising a base ring (13), a hub (14) situated at a distance in the direction of the central axis from the base ring, and a plurality of arms (15) extending from the base ring to the hub, wherein a passage opening (16) is located between arms and wherein the arms are provided with a first series of cutting tools on a leading part (15a) relative to the direction of rotation of the cutter head, and wherein at least one arm is provided with a second series of cutting tools on a part of the arm (15b) facing away from the central axis.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2009Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignees: Dredging International N. V., Vosta LMG B.V.Inventors: Stijn Claessens, Klaas Geert Wijma
-
Patent number: 8555531Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2008Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Dredging International N.V.Inventors: Luk Verstraelen, Lucien Halleux, Stefaan Vandycke
-
Publication number: 20120272552Abstract: A cutter head according to the invention is particularly suitable for breaking relatively hard ground, is self-sharpening and has an extended service life.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2010Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: DREDGING INTERNATIONAL N.V.Inventor: Bruno Tack
-
Patent number: 8286375Abstract: A drag head of a trailing suction hopper dredger. The drag head comprises a rotatable visor connected to a suction pipe for discharging soil via the suction opening of the visor, wherein the visor is provided with a catching construction for undesirable objects. The catching construction closes the suction opening except for passage openings, wherein at least a number of passage openings have a variable passage area. A method for breaking up and/or dredging at least partially hard grounds under water using a trailing suction hopper dredger equipped with a drag head.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2008Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Dredging International N.V.Inventor: Bruno Tack
-
Patent number: 8146274Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for optimizing the dredging of an area by a dredge equipped with a cutter suction head (4) comprising the steps of: obtaining conventional soil information of the area to be dredged; measuring local soil parameters in and around the position of the cutter head during dredging; calculating dredging parameters for a current and subsequent cutter head position based on the combination of conventional and local soil parameters to optimize yield and cutter wear; and adjusting the dredging parameters so giving optimum efficiency at a current and subsequent cutter head position. It also relates to a system that implements the method.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2008Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Dredging International N.V.Inventors: Luk Verstraelen, Lucien Halleux
-
Publication number: 20110271561Abstract: A cutter head for dredging ground under water is disclosed. The cutter head is suitable for attachment to the ladder of a cutter suction dredger and for being moved through the ground therewith in a lateral sweeping movement. The cutter head includes a rotation-symmetrical revolving body which is rotatable around its rotation axis by means of drive means and which is provided along its peripheral surface with a number of cutting tools for penetrating into the ground, wherein the rotation axis of the cutter head runs substantially perpendicularly of the longitudinal direction of the ladder and substantially tangentially to the direction of the sweeping movement. Likewise, a method for breaking ground underwater, making use of the cutter head is shown.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2009Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicant: DREDGING INTERNATIONAL N.V.Inventor: Bruno Tack
-
Publication number: 20110239493Abstract: The invention relates to a drag head of a trailing suction hopper dredger. The drag head comprises a visor which is dragged over the bottom and herein loosens soil, and a suction pipe which is connected to the visor and which discharges the loosened soil. The visor comprises at least two individually movable pressure elements transversely of the dragging direction which comprise a number of substantially disc-shaped penetrating bodies. The penetrating bodies transmit forces to the bottom via their peripheral edge under the influence of the weight of the pressure element in which they are received, whereby the bottom is broken. The drag head has an improved efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2009Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: Dredging International N.V.Inventor: Bruno Tack
-
Patent number: 7900381Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is disclosed for accommodating a substantially vertical spud of a dredging vessel with a longitudinal direction, including a spud carriage which is mounted for limited rotation around a horizontal transverse axis, wherein at least a first and a second spring device is arranged under bias between vessel and spud in the longitudinal direction for the purpose of absorbing a moment on the spud carriage, which first and second spring devices compensate each other in the non-loaded situation of the spud; and at least one spring device is provided with a spring force limiting device for limiting the tension in the spring element from a determined maximum moment on the spud carriage.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2006Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Dredging International N.V.Inventor: Etienne Clymans
-
Publication number: 20100299971Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for optimizing the dredging of an area by a dredge equipped with a cutter suction head (4) comprising the steps of: obtaining conventional soil information of the area to be dredged; measuring local soil parameters in and around the position of the cutter head during dredging; calculating dredging parameters for a current and subsequent cutter head position based on the combination of conventional and local soil parameters to optimize yield and cutter wear; and adjusting the dredging parameters so giving optimum efficiency at a current and subsequent cutter head position. It also relates to a system that implements the method.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2008Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: DREDGING INTERNATIONAL N.V.Inventors: Luk Verstraelen, Lucien Halleux
-
Publication number: 20100299970Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2008Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: Dredging International N.V.Inventors: Luk Verstraelen, Lucien Halleux, Stefaan Vandyke
-
Patent number: 7793441Abstract: A device is disclosed for changing a suction mouth of a cutter suction dredge of a vessel with cutter ladder. In at least one embodiment, the device includes, comprising a work platform which, as seen in the transverse direction of the vessel, is provided substantially in the middle with an opening, wherein—a support structure is provided which can be fixedly connected to the work platform in a position substantially under the opening, which support structure is adapted to support a suction mouth;—and the work platform with support structure is tiltable around a first, substantially horizontal transverse axis between a substantially horizontal operating position and a high position in which the cutter ladder can be moved upward, which positions are such that the work platform with support structure is movable from its high position to its operating position when the cutter ladder is situated in a high raised position.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2006Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Dredging International N.V.Inventor: Etienne Clymans
-
Patent number: 7694441Abstract: Device for dislodging and recovering dredging material of varying nature, comprising a bearing housing (25), a drive shaft (11) mounted therein for rotatingly driving with a determined torque a cutter head (10, 10?) with a support ring (15, 15?), which cutter head is mountable on the drive shaft via a hub (9), and a suction pipe (13) which can be connected to a suction mouth (14, 14?) which is surrounded by a fixed cutter shield (21, 21?) which fills the space between the rotating support ring on the one side and the suction mouth and the bearing housing on the other, wherein a number of cutter heads with a different support ring diameter can be mounted on the drive shaft, wherein the support ring diameter is determined by the torque and the nature of the dredging material to be recovered.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2004Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Dredging International N.V.Inventor: Etienne Clymans
-
Publication number: 20090126237Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is disclosed for accommodating a substantially vertical spud of a dredging vessel with a longitudinal direction, including a spud carriage which is mounted for limited rotation around a horizontal transverse axis, wherein at least a first and a second spring device is arranged under bias between vessel and spud in the longitudinal direction for the purpose of absorbing a moment on the spud carriage, which first and second spring devices compensate each other in the non-loaded situation of the spud; and at least one spring device is provided with a spring force limiting device for limiting the tension in the spring element from a determined maximum moment on the spud carriage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2006Publication date: May 21, 2009Applicant: DREDGING INTERNATIONAL N.V.Inventor: Etienne Clymans
-
Publication number: 20090113769Abstract: A device is disclosed for changing a suction mouth of a cutter suction dredge of a vessel with cutter ladder. In at least one embodiment, the device includes, comprising a work platform which, as seen in the transverse direction of the vessel, is provided substantially in the middle with an opening, wherein—a support structure is provided which can be fixedly connected to the work platform in a position substantially under the opening, which support structure is adapted to support a suction mouth; —and the work platform with support structure is tiltable around a first, substantially horizontal transverse axis between a substantially horizontal operating position and a high position in which the cutter ladder can be moved upward, which positions are such that the work platform with support structure is movable from its high position to its operating position when the cutter ladder is situated in a high raised position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2006Publication date: May 7, 2009Applicant: DREDGING INTERNATIONAL N.V.Inventor: Etienne Clymans
-
Publication number: 20060236566Abstract: Device for dislodging and recovering dredging material of varying nature, comprising a bearing housing (25), a drive shaft (11) mounted therein for rotatingly driving with a determined torque a cutter head (10, 10?) with a support ring (15, 15?), which cutter head is mountable on the drive shaft via a hub (9), and a suction pipe (13) which can be connected to a suction mouth (14, 14?) which is surrounded by a fixed cutter shield (21, 21?) which fills the space between the rotating support ring on the one side and the suction mouth and the bearing housing on the other, wherein a number of cutter heads with a different support ring diameter can be mounted on the drive shaft, wherein the support ring diameter is determined by the torque and the nature of the dredging material to be recovered.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2004Publication date: October 26, 2006Applicant: DREDGING INTERNATIONAL N.V.Inventor: Etienne Clymans
-
Patent number: 5915885Abstract: A method for the displacement of mass A underneath the earth's surface and underneath a soil mass C to site B where the first step optionally treats mass A by known methods such that the composition of mass A is physically altered, mass A is then inserted underneath the earth's surface and soil mass C, displacing soil mass C vertically upwards, and optionally displacing a soil mass D, positioned under site B, vertically downwards.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1997Date of Patent: June 29, 1999Assignee: Dredging International N.V.Inventors: Philip L. Hermans, Ronald W. Van Oostrum