Abstract: Harvester systems and methods for use in liquid environments are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a harvester includes a cutter assembly and a frame. The cutter assembly is configured to remove solid material from a liquid environment and includes a cutter housing, one or more cutting blades for cutting the solid material, and a hose connector configured for connection to a hose for pumping the solid material out of the cutter housing. The frame is configured to attach the cutter assembly to a plurality of different vehicles configured to operate in the liquid environment and includes a first adjustment assembly adjustable for removable attachment to the plurality of different vehicles and a second adjustment assembly adjustable to raise the cutter assembly above a surface of the liquid environment and to lower the cutter assembly at least partially into the liquid environment.

Abstract: A locking system includes a first locking mechanism, a second locking mechanism and a handle. The first locking mechanism includes a base and an attachment structure movable relative to the base, the base of the first locking mechanism removably attachable to a first structure, The second locking mechanism includes an opening to receive the attachment structure of the first locking mechanism, the second locking mechanism to be attached to the first attachment structure upon movement of the attachment structure of the first locking mechanism relative to the base of the first locking mechanism. The second locking mechanism is attachable to a second structure. The handle is operable to move the attachment structure movable relative to the base to attach the first attachment structure to the second attachment structure.

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 bi-directional sled includes a support structure and a shroud assembly. The shroud assembly is supported to the support structure for pivotal movement about an axis extending through the support structure between a first orientation and a second orientation. The shroud assembly has a shroud with a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. With the support structure moving the shroud assembly in the first direction relative to material to be dredged friction between the shroud assembly and material to be dredged pivots the shroud and the first edge into a first orientation to contact material to be dredged. With the support structure moving the shroud assembly in the second direction relative to material to be dredged the shroud and second edge are pivoted into a second orientation to contact material to be dredged.

Abstract: A float includes a body portion having a first side surface and a second side surface, an inner surface and an outer surface, the first and second side surfaces being generally planar and forming an acute angle therebetween, the inner and outer surfaces being non-planar, and the body portion configured such that when positioned laterally adjacent an inverted second float and vertically adjacent a third float, the first side surface of the float abuts a surface of the inverted second float, and the inner surface of the float engages an outer surface of the third float.

Abstract: A power transfer switch suitable as a bypass switch connecting a utility feed to a load comprises a bi-stable actuator selectively driven by a compression means charged by a handle. A latch retains the actuator until suitable power source conditions are detected to allow the transfer to proceed. The controller releases the latch and the actuator abuts breakers in sequence to effect a reliable make-before-break or break-before-make transfer.

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: A dredge system includes a dredger, a conduit and a self-priming pump. The dredger has an internal area and an outlet, and is configured to feed material into the internal area of the dredger. The conduit is coupled to the dredger adjacent the outlet and configured to transport the material from the internal area of the dredger to a receptacle. The self-priming pump is coupled to the conduit and is configured to pump the material from the outlet to the receptacle.

Abstract: A slurry transporting riser assembly 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 slurry pipe. 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 outer radius of the slurry pipe with the buoyant device attached to the slurry pipe.

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 outer radius of the conduit with the buoyant device attached to the conduit.

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 second locking mechanism is attached to the second barge and includes a protrusion configured to couple to the first locking mechanism.

Abstract: A slurry removal system includes a tank, an eddy pump, and a pipe system. The tank is configured to receive a mixture of solid material and liquid. The eddy pump has a pump inlet connected to the tank and a pump outlet. The pipe system is connected to the pump outlet and including a discharge line and a recirculation line. The eddy pump is configured to pump the mixture of solid material and liquid from the tank through the pump inlet to the recirculation line to form an essentially homogeneous mixture, and configured to pump the essentially homogeneous mixture from the tank through the pump inlet to the discharge line to remove the homogeneous mixture from the tank.

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 power transfer switch suitable as a bypass switch connecting a utility feed to a load comprises a bi-stable actuator selectively driven by a compression means charged by a handle. A latch retains the actuator until suitable power source conditions are detected to allow the transfer to proceed. The controller releases the latch and the actuator abuts breakers in sequence to effect a reliable make-before-break or break-before-make transfer.

Abstract: A system usable for dredging may include a suction bypass system for automatically maintaining a sufficiently high, liquid flow velocity. Preferably, a flow sensor monitors flow velocity and when the monitor flow decreases to an extent that plugging may occur, a liquid bypass valve is opened and an intake line valve is closed until the flow velocity increases whereupon the valves are returned to their original positions. An automatic level cut removes a relatively constant layer of material from a contoured bottom. The illustrated automatic level cut process comprises adjusting the force with which the suction head engages the bottom, moving the suction head in a direction opposite to the direction of the swing of the boom to keep the suction head pointing straight ahead, and maintaining the suction head to stay substantially level with the bottom even though the angle of the boom increases to the surface of the water body.