Abstract: Mineral aggregates or nodules dispersed on the floor of an ocean are harvested and conveyed to a surface vessel, which tows a submerged harvesting apparatus. This apparatus is suspended from the vessel by a string of dual concentric pipes, which contains pressurized water for hydraulically conveying the aggregates to the surface. Pumps on the surface vessel force water down an annular passage between inner and outer pipes of the string. A portion of the downward flow is distributed to a feeder mechanism which collects crushed aggregates and feeds them into the return fluid flowing up the inner pipe. An inclined channel collects the aggregates from the underwater floor with water jets which dislodge and push the aggregates up the channel, where they are crushed by rollers. A portion of the downward flow of water from the surface is converted to lower pressure and higher volume downhole by using a dual piston converter to supply water to the water jets.

Abstract: An improved excavating bucket having special excavating teeth thereon for use with a backhoe type digging machine. The teeth are affixed in spaced relation to a leading edge of the bucket, with there being a central and a lowermost tooth; opposed, intermediate digging teeth; and, opposed outermost digging teeth.The intermediate teeth are located rearwardly and below the outermost teeth, and forwardly and above the central tooth. The interior of the bucket is of a special configuration which enhances the dumping of excavated material therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting shellfish and the like at the bottom of a body of water comprising a rake having a number of inclined tines or teeth adapted to scrape the bed of the body of water, sliding boxes or runners for holding the tines at a substantially constant angle relative to the bed and a bag net rearwardly of the rake for collecting the shellfish dug up or scooped up by the tines. The apparatus is towed or dragged by a boat or by a rope to be wound by a winch on a boat to collect the shellfish effectively without devastating the water bed and without collecting infant shellfish falling down between the tines, with the result that the resources at the bed of the water are preserved.

Abstract: A method and a control system for controlling the height level position and horizontal movement of a suction device which is vertically movably suspended from a horizontally movable supporting device according to variations of the inclination, or angular velocity, of a flexible suspending element in relation to the vertical, on which element the suction device is suspended.

Abstract: An underpinning excavator which comprises a crane having a horizontal beam and a boom extending angularly upwardly and outwardly above the beam and a digging assembly which includes a vertical rod suspended from the boom and a clamshell digger affixed to the bottom of the rod, the rod being engaged by means on the horizontal beam to move the rod inwardly or outwardly along the beam and to rotate the rod about its own axis to effect the excavation of an opening contiguous to and at least partially under the wall to a sufficient depth to permit underpinning to be installed.

Abstract: Railroad bed scarifying apparatus employing a digging or scooping action along the direction of the rails is provided. A movable frame mounted on a vehicle which travels along the rails has three digging plates pivotally mounted thereon. A first digging plate extends between the rails, while the other two digging plates each extend outwardly from an associated one of the rails to the end of the ties. Each of the digging plates has a digging ridge located on the end thereof, the digging ridge being located at an obtuse angle with respect to the front surface of the digging plate. By appropriate control of suitable driving arrangements, the digging ridges and digging plates form a trench of the appropriate dimensions to receive a tie and place the removed ballast on an adjacent tie for return after insertion of the new tie.

Abstract: The specification discloses a snowplow for vehicles including a central, generally vertically extending hinge having blade sections on either side allowing the plow to be positioned in a forwardly projecting V shape, a recessed cupped shape, or angled to either side or laterally across the width of the vehicle. The hinge and blade sections are supported by a vertically extending hinge support member secured to and tapering toward the support frame from above and below the support frame. Means on the rear of the blade sections provide contacts or stops limiting rearward pivoting of the blades. Apparatus for laterally extending the blades as well as for horizontally hinging the vertically hinged blade to avoid obstacles during plowing is included. Also disclosed are a kit and method for converting a rigid, elongated snowplow to the said hinged snowplow.

Abstract: Minerals or other bodies are lifted hydraulically from a region below the surface of a free fluid medium, such as the ocean. An at least partly gas-filled chamber with an elongated conduit extending therefrom is at least partially submerged in the fluid medium so that the conduit extends to the region from which the bodies are to be lifted. The fluid level in the chamber is maintained sufficiently lower than that of the surrounding fluid medium, as by a suction pump exhausting into the medium, such that the fluid pressure corresponding to the difference between the fluid level in the chamber and the level of the medium is at least substantially equal to the sum of the frictional pressure drop of fluid through the conduit and the pressure drop due to the lifting of the bodies in the fluid medium through the conduit. The velocity of fluid flow through the conduit is maintained larger than the steady state sinking velocity of the bodies.

Abstract: A machine for distributing padding material within a previously dug ditch so that a pipe placed within the ditch is protected from objectional objects which may otherwise cause damage thereto.The padding machine comprises an earth moving vehicle having a laterally arranged conveyor means connected thereto, so that padding material can be transported laterally away from the vehicle and into a ditch while the machine travels along a parallel path respective to the ditch.

Abstract: A time saving automatic hydraulic control for that sequence in operations in which a grab excursioning out of sight of the operator, is sequentially lowered open to engage work material, closed to pick up a load, and then hoisted with its load and emptied. A logic circuit is activated to stop the lowering within an adjustable timed period after initial work engagement to provide desired penetration of the work material by the grab followed by a minimal time for grab closing to provide an adjustable constancy of loads and a positive sequential control for the lowering and hoisting modes.

Abstract: A system for gathering solids disposed on the ocean floor by dragging a collecting apparatus along the ocean floor so as to deposit the solids in an extended pile, the collecting apparatus having a relatively large inlet opening and a relatively small exit opening. The solids are brought to the surface by conveying apparatus that draws the solids from the pile and drives them up to the surface, the conveying apparatus being independent of the collecting apparatus.

Abstract: A dredging system for excavating difficult-to-dig material wherein a cutterhead is supported on a boom mounted on a floatable vessel and a suction conduit communicating with a suction developing mechanism leads to the cutterhead housing. The cutterhead housing is mounted for pivotal movement about a generally longitudinal axis on the longitudinally extending boom and has a vertically disposed rotary disc supported in the cutterhead housing forwardly of a material collecting compartment for rotation about a transverse axis. At least one opening is provided through the disc and a knife is mounted on the outer face of the disc in a position to cut material and to propel it through the opening to the material receiving compartment from which it is moved into the suction conduit and removed to a remote location.

Abstract: Apparatus for extracting mineral resources lying on the bottom of sea into a working ship floating on an ocean utilizing circulating current based on the difference of water levels. A hollow box shaped tank has its bottom opened and sunk liftably into the sea bottom through a rope from the working ship. The tank is equipped with a rotatory driving mechanism and trawled along the sea bottom while stirring it when the ship travels on the ocean. An elongated flexible coaxial pipe comprises an inner pipe and a coaxial outer pipe, each having at its lower end a fanwise shaped hopper mouth disposed within the tank through the upper wall thereof. The coaxial pipe passes through an internal seawater cistern in the bottom wall portion of the working ship and has its upper portion within an external seawater cistern mounted on the upper portion of the working ship. A suction pump is joined to the upper end of the coaxial inner pipe.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an apparatus comprising a suction device having at least one nozzle for sucking suspendible material as a suspension from a bed of said material, means for producing suction in the nozzle and means for moving the nozzle horizontally and vertically in relation to said bed, and the invention relates more particularly to a method of controlling the horizontal and vertical movements of the suction device by utilizing as control signals the variations of the solids concentration and volume of suspension sucked through the nozzle per unit of time, and the invention also comprises an apparatus having means for carrying the method into effect.

Abstract: This disclosure is concerned with the hydraulic lifting or conveying of fluids and any bodies carried therewith, such as solid minerals in ocean mining and the like, from depths far greater than the maximum suction heights of pumps and the like, by a partially gas-filled submerged chamber suspended from a stable surface platform and connected to the open environment by means of pipes connected to a buoy, equipped with pumps, and connected to pipes of smaller cross-section extending to the required depth, with the fluid level in the submerged chamber so deep under the ocean surface that the pressure difference between the inside of the chamber and the surrounding water is greater than the pressure drop caused by the transport of fluid and solid material through the pipe from its lower end to the chamber, and with the materials subsequently transported in nearly neutrally buoyant containers, guided by a paravane.

Abstract: A compaction roller is provided for attachment to a backhoe or similar boom device mounted on a tractor for compacting loose fill dirt. The roller includes a closed cylinder mounted on a free wheeling axle having a plurality of radially extending teeth spaced about its circumference. A U-shaped attachment member is connected to both ends of the axle and is provided with two comb assemblies extending across the cylinder width having teeth spaced to clean the cylinder teeth as the cylinder rotates. The attachment member extends in a tapering U-shape to form a scraper blade integral with the attachment member for scraping fill dirt into a trench for compaction. Downward pressure is provided by the backhoe hydraulic piston assembly and the partial weight of the tractor at the backhoe is rotated over a section of fill dirt in the trench.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for reclaiming strip-mined land. The apparatus generally comprises a leading tractor and a trailing tractor and an elongated adjustable side casting blade angularly disposed between and connected to the tractors. Control of both tractors and blade adjustment is carried out by an operator on the leading tractor. The method generally comprises the steps of driving the apparatus along a spoil bank crest near one side thereof in one direction to make one pass to effect side casting of material down one repose slope of the spoil bank and then driving the apparatus along the spoil bank crest near the other side thereof in the opposite direction to make another pass to effect side casting of material down the other repose slope of the spoil bank. Two such passes constitute one complete cycle and blade angle; blade tilt and depth of cut are changed for each pass.

Abstract: Soil, particularly water saturated sand, is loosened by means of at least one cutting blade and thereafter is sucked up. An auxiliary fluid is supplied at the position of the slip failure plane due to movement of each moving cutting blade in the soil.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for reclaiming strip mined land. The apparatus generally comprises a leading tractor and a trailing tractor and an elongated adjustable side casting blade angularly disposed between and connected to the tractors. Control of both tractors and blade adjustment is carried out by an operator on the leading tractor. The method generally comprises the steps of driving the apparatus along a spoil bank crest near one side thereof in one direction to make one pass to effect side casting of material down one repose slope of the spoil bank and then driving the apparatus along the spoil bank crest near the other side thereof in the opposite direction to make another pass to effect side casting of material down the other repose slope of the spoil bank. Two such passes constitute one complete cycle and blade angle; blade tilt and depth of cut are changed for each pass.

Abstract: A method of obtaining geological specimens is disclosed along with methods of producing a geological or geochemical map and apparatus for accomplishing the method. A fixed wing or other airborne vehicle, such as a light plane or a helicopter, is operated at relatively low absolute altitude over a region of the surface of the earth from which specimens are to be obtained. A sampling device is extended from the vehicle and caused to contact the surface of the earth while the vehicle is maintained airborne. The sampling device is then returned to the vehicle and the sample thus obtained is removed therefrom and the operation is repeated at various selected points in the region. The apparatus includes various sampling devices including tubular bodies having stabilizing fins or the like to direct the bodies at the surface of the earth in a desired manner.

Abstract: Dredging or suction of a soil suspension from the sea bottom is effected through a suction conduit connected with a suction head enclosure resting on the sea bottom, there concurrently being supplied to the suction head enclosure and through a separate conduit connected therewith a transport fluid under pressure. Transport fluid is separated from the soil suspension collected at the surface and recycled to the suction head enclosure. Thus the transport fluid flows in a substantially closed recirculating flow course and consequently pollution of the sea is lessened.

Abstract: A dewatering process for the separation and recovery of sludge from water reservoirs, such as, lakes, ponds, lagoons, rivers and the like is provided. The process includes the steps of dredging the reservoir, thickening the suspended matter in the water, dewatering the thickened matter and, then, recovering the sludge therefrom. The process further contemplates the addition of a flocculant to the dredged material between the dredging and thickening steps and/or between the thickening and dewatering steps.

Abstract: In a first step, a mixture of nodular sediments and sea water is collected by dredging along the sea bed and lifted into the separation compartment of an underwater control and storage station connected by tubing to a carrier ship. A volume of air corresponding to the pressure of the compartment at the immersion depth is sucked from the mixture and re-injected into the dredging tube by means of a booster compressor. In a second step, the nodules separated from the air are sucked to the surface and then collected.

Abstract: A method of freeing a coating of ice, snow or frost frozen on to the surface of a manufactured material, such as a metal partition, a masonry or painted structure, or a paved roadway or runway, by concentrating an intense beam of visible light on to the interface between the coating and the surface adequate to raise the temperature at the interfacial zone to the melting point so as to free the coating from the surface, and apparatus for carrying out this method. The apparatus preferably includes structure for immediately breaking and removing the coating.

Abstract: A novel method of removing material from the bed of a pond, lake or like body of water utilizing a floating hull having a bow and stern by drawing water from the body of water at a point closely adjacent the hull, forming the drawn water into a plurality of generally parallel pressurized streams inclined to the horizontal directed rearwardly from the stern, releasing the pressurized streams in the body of water at points substantially removed and generally equidistant from the hull and adjacent the material thereby creating a material-water admixture and simultaneously propelling the hull in a forward bow leading direction, withdrawing the material-water admixture from the body of water, and additionally forming the drawn water into two additional pressurized streams which are selectively released in the body of water at points sidewise removed from the hull adjacent the bow and below the water surface for steering the hull during its forward stern-leading motion.

Abstract: A cutter head, or excavating bucket; having a forward edge formed for penetrating earth formations, and which may be in the form of teeth; for earth working operations, especially for dredging operations, and the like, and having a vibrator mechanism associated therewith for enhancing the penetrating action of the forward edge of the cutter into an earth formation. Associated with the cutter is a crushing structure which crushes large boulders taken by the cutter down to smaller sizes. The material taken by the cutter, including the crushed boulders, can be removed from the cutter and crusher by water which is drawn therethrough with he material being delivered to a refuse place or to a further processing station.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for harvesting deep-sea particles, such as nodules, from a substantially planar deep-sea bottom is disclosed. A vessel on the surface tows a heavier than water sled along the ocean bottom. Towing occurs through a single towing strip connected to the sled at the lower end, connected to the vessel at the upper end, and extending angularly downward from the vessel to the sled. The towing strip includes an integral elevator mechanism comprising in the preferred embodiment a series of buckets having perforated sides conveyed by and on an endless belt traveling on the towing strip. The series of buckets on the endless belt empties a concentrator collector having the accumulated and harvested particles in the towed sled. The buckets ride upwardly from the sled to the surface vessel on a first track on the towed strip. The bucket contents are then emptied at the surface typically within the vessel, and thereafter are reconveyed to the sled on a second and separate track on the towing strip.

Abstract: A rooted plant with a ball may be excavated from the surrounding soil by means of an apparatus the form of which comprises a plurality of spades cooperatively associated so as to independently pierce the earth about the plant forming a hollow enclosure for a generally frusto-conical ball of earth. After the earth has been pierced and enclosed a separate undercutting element is swung beneath the enclosure generating a somewhat hemispherical bottom beneath the enclosed ball such that the apparatus, the plant and retained ball may be lifted from the surrounding soil and the plant and ball may be easily removed from the apparatus. The resulting ball may be wrapped to form a unique plant package.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for excavating and removing a settled body of discrete mineral solids (e.g., a tailings pond from a mining operation) by procedures which progress downwardly from the surface of the body. High pressure streams of liquid are traversed along a path in a pulping zone lowermost in first region of the body. The liquid forms a pumpable slurry with the mineral solids in the zone, and the slurry is then pumped from the zone leaving an undercut cavity sufficient to cause collapse of the overburden of solids. The collapsed overburden is then formed into additional pumpable slurry which is removed by pumping. Successive stages of excavation are carried out by moving the streams of liquid downwardly to a second region where the foregoing steps are repeated. In the apparatus a caisson is disposed vertically in the body and stabilized by means of a plurality of circumferentially positioned pilings.