Abstract: A dredging apparatus is described for removing sediments from a bed of an expanse of water, comprising: a suction apparatus including a) a submersible pump including: a housing body provided with an inlet mouth and with a discharge opening and an impeller rotatably supported in the body between the inlet mouth and the discharge opening and rotatably driven by a respective driving device; and b) a suction head associated to the inlet mouth of the housing body of the pump and provided at the bottom with a suction opening of the sediments; wherein the suction opening of the head has a value of the cross-section area dimensioned to achieve in the working range of the pump a suction speed capable of removing the sediments by means of the fluid dynamics removal action carried out by the water sucked into the head. The invention also describes a dredging method which may be carried out by means of such an apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sediment/water separator used to dredge sediment from the bottom of lakes, rivers, harbors, lagoons, tanks, dykes, reservoirs and seashore. The invention, also named submergible densification cell, dredges sediment of various types at various depths. The sediment can vary as far as their consistency, contamination, stratigraphy, density, origin, concentration, granulometry and other aspects of its formation are concerned. The invention also relates to a sediment densification method which utilizes the submergible densification cell, resulting in an increase of 1.5 to 3 times (by weight) in the concentration of the dredged sediment, reducing the removed volume, the area necessary for deposition, and, as a result, accelerating the open-air drying process of the dredged sediment.

Abstract: Devices and methods for obtaining cores from a sea bed. A corer device includes one or more core barrels for retaining a cores and one or more pressure barrels. Fluid pressure within the pressure barrels is selectively varied to cause the corer device to be drawn into and released from the sea bed. The core barrels are provided with core catchers for retaining a core within.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for removing sludge from a liquid reservoir, the apparatus (10) comprising buoyant float means (12), a sludge pump (24) mounted via a support arm (17) and the apparatus (10) having an upper profile so as to allow it in use to operate beneath a membrane covering at least part of the reservoir. The support arm (17) may be oscillated to move the pump in a substantially vertical plane. The buoyancy of the float means (12) may be adjusted to vary the position of floating of the apparatus (10) in the liquid.

Abstract: This present invention is related to a method of collecting high-level radioactive contaminated uranium powder underwater. It utilizes a long rod fixed to the pipe of the sewage pump at bottom, and takes another end of the sewage pump to connect to the sediment bag to collect uranium powder which is dispersed and contaminates the pond. Inhaling the pond water contains uranium powder into the sediment bag by sewage pump that is joined to a collecting can under it and waiting for precipitation of the powder. When the uranium powder in the sediment bag is completely precipitated into the collecting can, operator can utilize submersible pump to drain the pond water from the sediment bag. Operator may hold the cable wire of the uranium powder collecting can manually to move it to the collecting shelf and repeat the process several times until the high-level radioactive uranium powder in the contaminated pond are all collected on the uranium powder collecting shelf.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sediment/water separator used to dredge sediment from the bottom of lakes, rivers, harbors, lagoons, tanks, dykes, reservoirs and seashore. The invention, also named submergible densification cell, dredges sediment of various types at various depths. Said sediment can vary as far as their consistency, contamination, stratigraphy, density, origin, concentration, granulometry and other aspects of its formation are concerned. The invention also relates to a sediment densification method which utilizes the submergible densification cell, resulting in an increase of 1.5 to 3 times (by weight) in the concentration of the dredged sediment, reducing the removed volume, the area necessary for deposition, and, as a result, accelerating the open-air drying process of the dredged sediment.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing solids such as sludge from a liquid reservoir comprising a float, a suction head assembly carrying a pump, and elongated guides interconnecting the suction head assembly and float. The float also carries a winch for raising and lowering the suction head assembly. The guides are slidably engaged with the float and serve to indicate the depth of operation of the suction head assembly.

Abstract: In embodiments of the invention, a dredging head assembly uses vacuum only, or a combination of vacuum and flexible PVC tines, rather than the harsh digging and/or scraping features of conventional dredging equipment. Embodiments of the invention also provide a dredging head assembly that may be used in very shallow water. An embodiment of the invention includes a hose and wand to enable vacuuming around obstacles. One variant of the dredging head assembly is adapted for skimming floating debris from the surface of a body of water.

Abstract: A suction tube device having a frame, a tube, a centrifugal pump which cooperates with the tube, and a cutter head at one end of the tube. The tube, centrifugal pump, and cutter head are supported by the frame. The centrifugal pump and the cutter head are each provided with a drive system, the drive systems of the centrifugal pump and of the cutter head each having at least one motor. A motor of the drive system of the cutter head and a motor of the drive system of the centrifugal pump are interchangeable with respect to each other.

Abstract: A vacuum container mounted on an inclined slope and having a liquid water storage container mounted beneath the incline of the vacuum container. The water storage container may support the vacuum container. The slope may be of sufficient angle to allow debris to be emptied from the vacuum container by gravity when the access door is opened. A filter housing may be mounted to and supported by the vacuum container. By flush mounting the clean out end of the filter housing with the clean out end of the vacuum container, a single access clean out door may be used to access both simultaneously.

Abstract: A dewatering apparatus for removing water from the interior volume of a closed, loaded clamshell dredging bucket. The dewatering system comprises at least one conduit adapted for support from a clamshell type dredging bucket. The conduit has a first end adapted for placement within the interior volume defined by a closed dredging bucket, and a lower second end disposed to allow communication between the space surrounding the exterior of the dredging bucket and the interior volume thereof. The conduit is positioned so that the first end thereof is disposed within an upper layer of retained water contained in the interior volume of a loaded clamshell dredging bucket when the same is moved to the closed position and lifted above the dredging area with a load of sediment and water therein. The upper layer of water is drained by gravity through the conduit and the lower end thereof for removal from the interior volume of the clamshell dredging bucket.

Abstract: A portable dredging apparatus comprising a cutter housing in communication with a hydraulic power supply and a discharge pump through lengths of tubing whereby said cutter housing is submersible. The cutter housing is comprised of a platform having walls depending therefrom with the cutter blade positioned therewithin and height adjustable wheels exteriorly located on opposing sides. Also extending between the walls proximate to the cutter blade is an angularly positioned wiper element designed to dislodge debris caught between the teeth of the cutter blade. Angularly depending screen situated between the wiper blade and discharge port located in the rear wall prevent objects larger than the screen mesh from discharge port passage. Releasably fastened to the exterior side of the discharge port is an appropriate length of flexible conduit terminating at a remote discharge pump with additional conduit extending from the discharge pump to a desired debris discharge location.

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 method for cleaning a water area including dredging, via a dredging apparatus, waste from the water area through a suction pipe into a sedimentation basin, generating a flow of the dredged waste from the water area to the sedimentation basin via siphonage and variations in heights of the suction pipe relative to a bottom of the water area, and converting energy caused by the flow of the dredged waste in the suction pipe into energy for driving the dredging apparatus.

Abstract: A method is described for containing dispersed particulate or soluble matter during contaminated sediment remediation operations in the marine environment. The preferred method comprises the use of a specially designed marine vessel that establishes a negative differential pressure gradient between a defined remediation control zone and the external ambient water environment, thereby preventing the release of contaminants dispersed during the remediation process. The preferred method also includes the use of marine vessels to remove contaminants contained within said control zone and to provide for the management of solids collected in the process.

Abstract: A suction excavator including an air pump for generating a flow of air and a nozzle through which air is drawn under the influence of the air pump, the nozzle being arranged when in use to suck up spoil from an excavation, and a mechanism for separating spoil from the air drawn through the nozzle. The excavator is provided with a fuel gas detector to detect for the presence of fuel gas in the flow of air drawn up through the nozzle. When fuel gas is detected a valve may be actuated to interrupt the flow of air up through the nozzle and instead to admit air from a substantially fuel gas free source to flush any fuel gas out of the system reducing the risk of an explosion.

Abstract: A portable gold mining dredge for use in collecting potentially gold containing aggregate from streambeds for subsequent classification and separation. The dredge has a receptacle, comprised of a drum with a water-tight lid, for receiving the aqueous dredged aggregate. The receptacle is of a size suitable for carrying. A self-priming pump having an inlet port and an outlet port is attached to the receptacle. A dip tube extends into the receptacle, the outer end of the dip tube being connected to the inlet port of the pump by a conduit. A suction tube communicates with the interior of the receptacle. Hoses are connected to the inlet of the suction tube and to the outlet port of the pump. During operation the suction hose is used to suck up aqueous aggregate from a streambed and the discharge hose is used to wash aggregate from cracks and crevices in rocks.

Abstract: A debris separator for a dredge pump includes a body portion having a top ll, a bottom wall, first and second side walls, and an aft end wall, the aft end wall defining a separator outlet for connection to the pump, a funnel portion having an entry end defining a separator inlet and a larger discharge end fixed to a forward inlet end of the body portion. The separator further includes a door hingedly mounted on the body portion first side wall and spring biased to a closed position overlying an opening in the first side wall, and a floor in the body portion slanted toward the bottom wall and toward the first side wall opening. Thus, upon stopping of the pump, back pressure is generated in the body by backflow of water into the separator. Backpressure causes the hinged side door to open. Heavy objects which have fallen to the slanted floor, due to the reduction of flow velocity through the separator, are flushed out of the separator with discharge water.

Abstract: A material is transported by suction through a transporting line (1,2) connected with a suction source (4) and communicating with atmosphere through a passage (8), and the area and shape of the passage is periodically changed by a power-drive operated element (10,11) during the transporting.

Abstract: A method of hydraulic dredging employing apparatus and a procedure for subsidence dredging for subsurface removal of sandy strata which results in subsidence, or drop in elevation of the bottom deposits of a body of water, wherein sand is mined laterally beneath the surface by a combination jetting/siphoning device and is transported from the site of dredging by pipeline apparatus connected to pumping apparatus to an adjacent beach location; and wherein the procedure employs removal of hydraulic pressure which results in subsidence or sinking of the upper layer of marine deposits where the amount of subsidence is directly related to the subsurface quantity of material removed and the removed material is used for beach nourishment with minimal damage to shellfish or finfish inasmuch as the surface beneath the deposits are left intact.

Abstract: A hybrid dredging apparatus uses a clamshell attached to a rigid boom to dig and remove material. The clamshell then deposits the material into the hopper of a positive displacement pump for discharge at low velocities and with minimal water content. Transducers are be used to determine and control the area of excavation.

Abstract: A pump for handling abrasive materials includes a housing having two chambers. A shaft mounts a high pressure impeller and a high volume impeller in respective chambers of the housing, each chamber having a separate and opposite inlet. A channel is provided to divert a portion of the flow generated by the high pressure impeller to a purge ring adjacent the primary inlet corresponding to the high volume impeller. The purge ring directs a flow of relatively abrasive-free liquid toward the inlet to reduce wear on the housing and high-volume impeller. Another part of the flow from the high pressure impeller is diverted through the housing to isolate portions of the housing and the high volume impeller from the abrasive material laden intake through the primary inlet.

Abstract: A suction transporting device for transporting a material has a suction unit, a transporting line connected with the suction unit and having an inlet for receiving a material to be transported and an outlet for discharging the material to be transported and a unit for modulating a suction force of a suction produced in the transporting line by the suction unit, the modulating unit including a passage adapted to communicate the interior of the transporting line with atmosphere, an adjusting element operative for adjusting an initial area and shape of a minimal cross-section of the passage, and a valve mechanism including a drive, a speed controller for controlling a speed of the drive, and a valve body connected with the drive and cooperating with the passage so that when the valve body is displaced by the drive, an initial area and shape of the minimal cross-section of the passage is periodically changed.

Abstract: Heavy media, which are heavier than the bulk density of nodules of raw deepsea mineral resources, are used to discharge the nodules on a marine ship through a lifting pipe from a sea floor U-tube connecting with a downstream pipe laid to the deepsea bottom, by operating a piston pump on the marine ship. The heavy media are fed through the downstream pipe, and when nodules mined at the deepsea floor, mainly manganese nodules and cobalt-rich crusts which contain useful heavy metal, are fed into the sea floor U-tube through feeding devices, the nodules are continuously lifted with the heavy media through the lifting pipe from the sea floor to the marine ship, by buoyant force yielding from the heavy medium. This method requires much smaller power consumption than any conventional method of lifting nodules.