Abstract: A device comprising a body; at least one propulsion unit fixed to the body and configured for moving the device along a sea bed; a collection unit having an inlet opening and a fluid channel extending from the inlet opening; a transport pipe fluidly connected to the fluid channel; and a fluid conveyance unit arranged in connection with the fluid channel and/or the transport pipe and configured to generate a fluid flow from the inlet opening to the transport pipe. There is also provided a method for removing sea floor sediments below a fish farm and a method for sea bed harvesting.

Abstract: A method of pumping material from a sea floor to a vessel on a sea surface, including the steps of collecting material from the sea floor using a production tool, connecting the production tool to the vessel with a riser including a riser transfer pipe, and pumping the material from the production tool to the vessel using a subsea slurry lift pump positioned between the production tool and the vessel and attached to the production tool by the riser transfer pipe. The method further includes backflushing the riser transfer pipe by running seawater through the slurry lift pump into the riser transfer pipe toward the production tool.

Abstract: A tethered air intake snorkel for a vehicle includes a snorkel head comprising a head sidewall defining a head air conduit, an air intake comprising an intake opening into the head air conduit on an intake end, and a head attachment flange; a snorkel body comprising a body sidewall defining a body air conduit, an outer attachment flange configured for mating engagement with and attachment to the head attachment flange on an outer end, and an inner attachment flange on an inner end; and a flexible tether that extends between a head attachment end and a body attachment end and is configured to tether the snorkel head to the snorkel body, the head attachment end configured for disposition within the head air conduit and attachment to the head sidewall, the body attachment end configured for disposition within the body air conduit and attachment to the body sidewall.

Abstract: A system includes a first pump having a first outlet and a first inlet, and a controller. The first pump is configured to continuously receive a flow of a slurry into the first outlet at a first pressure and to continuously discharge the flow of the slurry from the first inlet at a second pressure less than the first pressure. The controller is configured to control a first speed of the first pump against the flow of the slurry based at least in part on the first pressure, wherein the first speed of the first pump is configured to resist a backflow of the slurry from the first outlet to the first inlet.

Abstract: A system for recovering immerged sediments from a seabed and discharging them. From a free sailing extraction ship a mixture of water and sediment is suctioned by a submerged pump unit through a flexible hose adapted to be rolled on a rotative reel positioned on the extraction ship, while the ship is sailing over the concession. The suctioned mixture is then immediately delivered to one of a series of free sailing carrier and transport units that sail alongside.

Abstract: The device of the disclosure comprises an assembly (22) for collecting material on the bed (12) of a body of water (14), a riser (48) for lifting the solid material, and a pump (90) for lifting the solid material collected by the collection assembly (22) in the riser (48) towards the surface facility (26). The device also comprises a separator (42) for generating a stream having a high content of solid material and a stream having a low content of solid material, the separator (42) including a lower outlet (76) for discharging the stream with high content of solid material. The device comprises an upstream hose (40) connecting the collection assembly (22) to the separator (42), and an intermediate pipe (44) connecting the or each discharge outlet (76) of the stream with high content of solid material to the riser (48), the delivery outlet (100) of the pump being tapped into the intermediate pipe (44).

Abstract: An automated variable speed control system for a cutter head of a dredging cutter has a cutter head and a pump. The pump pumps cuttings from the cutter head through a cuttings discharge line. A sensor monitors amperage draw of the pump. A controller controls speed of movement of the cutter head based upon data received from the sensor. The controller increases a speed of movement of the cutter head through the materials when the amperage draw of the pump falls below the determined amperage range and the controller decreases the speed of movement of the cutter head through the materials when the amperage draw of the pump exceeds the determined amperage range.

Abstract: Disclosed is a robot for mining a manganese nodule on a deep sea floor. The apparatus includes a plurality of moving apparatuses detachably disposed in parallel with each other; a mining apparatus installed to a front end of the moving apparatuses to mine a manganese nodule; a transferring apparatus installed to an upper portion of the moving apparatuses to crush the manganese nodule in a constant size or less such that the manganese nodule is transferred to an external; a power control measuring unit installed to an upper portion of the moving apparatuses for providing power to the moving apparatuses and controlling operations of the mining apparatus and the transferring apparatus; a structure frame for connecting the moving apparatuses to each other and for supporting the mining apparatus, the transferring apparatus and the power control measuring unit; and a buoyancy unit installed to a top end of the structure frame.

Abstract: A method of dredging a pond uses a submersible assembly, having a dredging cutter and submersible pump, which is submersed in the pond. The submersible assembly is moved along a bottom of the pond by winches. A controller receives signals from a global positioning system as to the position of the submersible assembly in the pond and moves the submersible assembly in a continuous dredging pattern through the coordinated operation of the winches.

Abstract: An underwater trenching apparatus comprising a soil cutting arrangement having a forwardly disposed cutting portion and a rearwardly disposed non-cutting portion, a soil removal device configured to remove soil from a location forward of the soil cutting arrangement and barrier device located and configured substantially to prevent passage of soil to the non-cutting portion of the soil cutting arrangement. The soil cutting arrangement is typically a rockwheel or chain cutter. The soil removal device is typically a dredge pump or eductor.

Abstract: A method of dredging a pond uses a submersible assembly, having a dredging cutter and submersible pump, which is submersed in the pond. The submersible assembly is moved along a bottom of the pond by winches. A controller receives signals from a global positioning system as to the position of the submersible assembly in the pond and moves the submersible assembly in a continuous dredging pattern through the coordinated operation of the winches.

Abstract: An automated variable speed control system for a cutter head of a dredging cutter has a cutter head and a pump. The pump pumps cuttings from the cutter head through a cuttings discharge line. A sensor monitors amperage draw of the pump. A controller controls speed of movement of the cutter head based upon data received from the sensor. The controller increases a speed of movement of the cutter head through the materials when the amperage draw of the pump falls below the determined amperage range and the controller decreases the speed of movement of the cutter head through the materials when the amperage draw of the pump exceeds the determined amperage range.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a velocity and concentration adjustable coupling pipe apparatus equipped between a lifting pipe and a collector. The apparatus includes a coupling pipe having a lower inlet and an upper outlet which are different in diameter from each other. A seawater inlet pipe passes through a side surface of the coupling pipe to permit inflow of seawater. A slurry flow control valve is provided in the coupling pipe to control the inflow of slurry. A seawater flow control valve is provided in the seawater inlet pipe to control the inflow of the seawater. A first sensor measures concentration of slurry discharged through the upper outlet. A second sensor measures velocity of the discharged slurry. A third sensor measures velocity of slurry introduced into the lower inlet. A control panel controls the opening ratio of each of the slurry and seawater flow control valves.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Applicants have created a method and system of deep sea mining comprising mining SMS deposits from the sea floor with a subsea miner, pumping the solids from the subsea miner through a jumper and pumping the solids from the jumper up a riser to a surface vessel. Further, applicants have created a method of deploying a deep sea mining system, comprising stacking a riser hangoff structure on top of a subsea pump module forming an assembly; picking up the assembly by a hanging mechanism, hanging the assembly on a moon pool, attaching a first riser joint; disconnecting the riser hangoff structure from the assembly; and attaching at least one second riser joint to form the riser.

Abstract: A cutoff device with a liquid bag includes a framed housing that supports a cover having a cutoff wall. The cutoff wall is opened at a lower end thereof with a liquid bag attached along the opened lower end of the cutoff wall. The housing includes telescopic columns, upper support frames coupled to the upper ends of the telescopic columns, and a lower support frame coupled to the lower ends of the telescopic columns. The upper end of the liquid bag may be fastened to the opened lower end of the cutoff wall using a zipper. The liquid bag contains liquid, such as water, therein, with a heavy substance, such as sand, soil and powdered or granulated metal, added to the liquid.

Abstract: A system for use in conjunction with an underwater dredging apparatus having a power shovel with a bucket connected to a power housing by two articulated manipulator arms. The articulation of the manipulator arms relative to each other as well as one manipulator arm relative to the power housing controls both the horizontal position of the bucket as well as the vertical depth of the bucket. The system includes a data processor, a depth sensor which is attached to one manipulator arm at a predetermined position, as well as angle sensors which provide output signals of the relative angle of the manipulator arms relative to each other as well as relative to the power housing. The data processor is programmed to calculate the vertical depth of the bucket as a function of the depth sensor as well as the angle sensors. Once the bucket depth is calculated, the processor displays the bucket depth on a video display.

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: The invention relates to a method for automatically profiling ground in waters, in particular in a gravel pit by means of a floating conveying device. The inventive method consists in producing a base map on the basis a water surface map, scanning the water surface by means of appropriate devices in order to determine a bottom profile, the position and direction of said conveying device, cyclically updating the real depth of the water body and in comparing said real depth with a specified depth profile. According to said invention, predefined parameters measured near the extraction unit of the conveying device during digging layers are transmitted to a control system and the position of the conveying device is modified in the case of difference with parameters.

Abstract: A marine backhoe dredge having a counterbalancing system that increases the hoisting capacity and hoisting speed of the backhoe. The device includes a backhoe mounted on a vessel and a counterbalancing system that includes an adjustable support structure, one or more cables operatively associated with the support structure and backhoe, and connected to a counterbalance such as a counterweight or a winch.

Abstract: A power diversion system for a hydraulic dredge diverts any or all available prime mover power to slurry production. An electronic control module (ECM) on the dredge continuously communicates with the prime mover ECM to determine the current available power of the dredge prime mover whether it is an internal combustion engine, electric motor, or other power supply. If the prime mover power supply is not being loaded to capacity the dredge ECM increases the speed of the centrifugal slurry pump to increase production to the point that the least of either the speed that the operator dictates up to 100% of the prime mover power capacity. The system also works in reverse in that if the prime mover is being overloaded, the dredge ECM will automatically reduce pump speed to a predetermined acceptable level.

Abstract: An improved hydraulic dredging apparatus for removing a sediment layer from an underlying substrate lying below a water surface includes a receptacle having an open-front portion through which is sediment is collected, means for attaching the dredging apparatus to the submersible end of a boom that extends from a surface vehicle, a hydraulic pump for pumping a sediment and water slurry to the water's surface.

Abstract: A locking device to hold an asphalt milling machine on a loader bucket to increase stability and accuracy of the milling machine and increase the speed at which the loader bucket can transition between directing the milling machine and picking up ground asphalt.

Abstract: In a method for treating the bed of a body of water by means of a directed water jet, which water jet is moved over the bed (5) in accordance with an elongated path, the water is pumped under pressure on board a vessel (1) and then discharged, via a pressure line (2) connected to said vessel (1), a small distance above, and directed towards the bed (5). With this procedure, a trench (6) can be formed in the bed.

Abstract: A steerable plow configured for towing in a direction along a seabed comprises a body and a soil cutting member slidingly connected to the body. The soil cutting member defines a cutting vane for cutting a trench in the seabed. The body includes two skids and a cross member spanning the two skids. The skids are spaced apart from each other and from the soil cutting member to stabilize the plow. A motive element is included to move the soil cutting member relative to the body, and a steering control receives commands from a remote location to control the motive element. At least one towing member is included to attach the plow to a tow cable.

Abstract: A dredging apparatus for dredging waterways containing sediment includes a hood having a passage for water and sediment to enter the hood under the influence of a submersible dredge pump apparatus. The dredge pump apparatus includes an inlet line having an inlet opening positioned in the passage of the hood, and an outlet line which communicates with the inlet line and extends exteriorly to a spoil collection area. A dredge pump draws water and sediment from within the passage into the inlet opening and through the inlet and outlet lines. To prevent clogging of the inlet line by sediment and ensure a continuous dredging operation, replacement water is introduced adjacent to the inlet opening from a water source in response to sensed pressure variations in the inlet line caused by the onset of clogging. A closed dredging circuit is created by using the spoil collection area as the source of replacement water.

Abstract: By utilizing two inlet pumps and one discharge pump, and controlling the speed of the discharge pump, the pressure in a slurry processing unit can be controlled to facilitate measurement and handling of compressible slurry. It has been found that multiple specific gravity measurements with water injection between the measuring stations can provide an accurate indicate of clear water to be added, even though the slurry is compressible and of varying composition, by allowing controlled undershooting of the required water at one or more injection stations, followed by accurate specific gravity measurement under closely controlled pressure and flow rate conditions, followed by a small final clear water addition.