Abstract: A seal support sensor includes a housing, an extension, a sensor and an electronic controller. The housing is configured to attach to a barrier fluid tank. The extension 64 has a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end being connected to the housing. The sensor is disposed at the distal end, configured to be disposed within the barrier fluid tank and configured to detect a parameter within the barrier fluid tank. The electronic controller is configured to determine whether the parameter within the barrier fluid tank is within a predetermined range perform a mitigation operation when the parameter is not within the predetermined range.

Abstract: A modular barge includes a first barge section and a section barge section. The first barge section is buoyant in water, and includes a first locking mechanism. The second barge section is buoyant in water, and includes a second locking mechanism. The first locking mechanism is attached to the first barge and includes a protrusion configured to couple to the second locking mechanism.

Abstract: A dredge system for attachment to a vehicle, the dredge system includes a hopper, a mixer and a pump. The hopper has an internal area and is configured to feed material into the internal area of the hopper. The mixer is coupled to the hopper and configured to shear the material in the internal area of the hopper. The pump is coupled to the hopper and is configured to pump the sheared material through a discharge outlet.

Abstract: A float apparatus includes a buoyant device that has an outer surface with a first end portion, a second end portion and an elongated portion. The elongated portion extends from the first end portion to the second end portion. The buoyant device is shaped and configured to attach to a conduit. The elongated portion of the outer surface has a concaved section that extends from the first end portion to the second end, portion. The concaved section has a shape that complements an cuter radius of the conduit with the buoyant device attached to the conduit.

Abstract: An eddy pump impeller includes a hub and a plurality of blades. The hub has a rear surface, and tapers from the rear surface to a front end. The plurality of blades extend from the hub. Each of the plurality of blades has an outer surface essentially parallel to the rotational axis of the hub, inversely tapering from the hub, such that each of the plurality of blades has a width adjacent the hub that is less than a width adjacent the outer surface, and has a front surface tapering in height, such that the plurality of blades is configured to cause an eddy current and cause a fluid stream to be forced to an outside of the impeller.

Abstract: A pump rotor includes a hub, a back plate and a plurality of blades extending from the hub and disposed on the back plate. Each of the plurality of blades has an outer surface essentially parallel to a rotational axis of the hub, and a first end adjacent the hub and a second end distal from the hub, the first end having a height from the planar surface that is less than a height from the planar surface of the second end. The plurality of blades is configured to cause a synchronized central column of flow.

Abstract: An eddy pump impeller includes a hub having a planar rear surface, the hub tapering from the planar rear surface to a conical front end, and a plurality of blades extending from the hub. Each of the plurality of blades has an outer surface essentially parallel to a rotational axis of the hub, inversely tapers from the hub, and has a front surface tapering in height from the front conical end, such that the plurality of blades is configured to cause an eddy current and cause a fluid stream to be forced to the outside of the impeller.

Abstract: For a pump that produces a negative pressure in a pump casing, a shaft seal system comprises a positive flow of air into the seal system to flow about shaft seals to counteract the negative pressure otherwise being communicated thereto from within the pump casing. The seals engage the rotating shaft and a lubrication passageway supplies lubricant to the shaft seals engaging the rotating shaft, which is driving the rotor. Preferably, no air flows through the seal system when the rotor shaft is stationary and a small air flow, e.g., 0.3 c.f.m. to 1 c.f.m., flows through the shaft seal when the shaft is rotating. This flow rate is preferably monitored.

Abstract: An apparatus for dredging using a pump which forms a highly pressurized, rotating stream of liquid which is directed down the inlet conduit to a discharge and the momentum and energy of the rotating stream is transferred to the solids and liquids, suspending the solids to agitate and separate the same to make the solids more easily suspended. The agitated solids and liquids flow upwardly in a counter-flowing outer annular stream around the downward flowing, rotating stream. The pump is very lightweight as compared to conventional centrifugal dredging pumps and is operated at high speeds, for examble 1,000-2,000 rpm to eliminate the usual speed reducers to prevent cavitation when using the centrifugal pumps.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pumping liquid includes a pump casing with a vortex generating member which generates a swirling column of liquid which swirls about a central axis and which is directed through the pump inlet to discharge into the ambient body of liquid at which its energy is quickly dissipated. The surrounding ambient liquid is drawn through the pump inlet in a counterflow to the vortex column flow and flows into the pump casing and then out through a pump discharge. The preferred vortex generating member has channels of decreasing size converging toward the axis of the vortex column with the streams of liquid increasing their respective velocities as they flow toward the axis at which the streams join and concentrate their energies to form the vortex column. Preferably, the vortex member is drive by a power source.

Abstract: A pump is provided within a vortex generator having a plurality of equally spaced blades which rotate in a pump casing to form a nucleus of fluid in the shape of an ellipsoid having an upper tapered end and a lower tapered end with a thicker central section at the blades. Fluid flows in a synchronized flow from the lowered tapered end of the nucleus in a rotating vortex column of fluid which initially flows out of the pump inlet to swirl the ambient fluid about the inlet and causes a low pressure area and a swirling of the ambient fluid to flow inwardly through the pump inlet in a direction counter to the vortex column flow. A belt of fluid rotates between the nucleus and the pump casing. The blades are curved to retain fluid in the nucleus and momentum energy is cumulatively applied to keep the swirling column of fluid swirling through the pump outlet. A tapered section on the pump between the pump inlet and pump outlet assists in flow therebetween.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pumping liquid includes a pump casing with a vortex generating member which generates a swirling column of liquid which swirls about a central axis and which is directed through the pump inlet to discharge into the ambient body of liquid at which its energy is quickly dissipated. The surrounding ambient liquid is drawn through the pump inlet in a counterflow to the vortex column flow and flows into the pump casing and then out through a pump discharge. The preferred vortex generating member was channels of decreasing size converging toward the axis of the vortex column with the streams of liquid increasing their respective velocities as they flow toward the axis at which the streams join and concentrate their energies to form the vortex column. Preferably, the vortex member is driven by a power source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pumping liquid includes a pump casing with a vortex generating member which generates a swirling column of liquid which swirls about a central axis and which is directed through the pump inlet to discharge into the ambient body of liquid at which its energy is quickly dissipated. The surrounding ambient liquid is drawn through the pump inlet in a counterflow to the vortex column flow and flows into the pump casing and then out through a pump discharge. The preferred vortex generating member has channels of decreasing size converging toward the axis of the vortex column with the streams of liquid increasing their respective velocities as they flow toward the axis at which the streams join and concentrate their energies to form the vortex column. Preferably, the vortex member is driven by a power source.