Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus that floats at the surface of a body of water over that waves pass. Passing waves, and/or the motions they impart to the apparatus as they pass, result in a net and/or effective propulsion of the apparatus in at least a first direction relative to the geometry and/or structure of the apparatus, and typically, at least in part, toward a direction from that waves approach the apparatus.

Abstract: An encapsulated underwater dredge assembly is operable at depths up to 1,200 feet or more. The underwater dredge assembly has multiple cutting assemblies, beneficially disposed around a centrally positioned dredge pump; each of the cutting assemblies can rotate in clockwise or counterclockwise directions, as desired. All components of the dredge assembly are hydraulically powered and operated.

Abstract: This invention is titled “Vibrating Agitator Attachment for Toyo Dredge Pumps” and is for use with Toyo submersible dredge pumps. The invention is for use in subsea dredging operations. The invention is easily attachable when needed and detachable when not needed. It uses vibrating technology to move an agitator unit, which touches the seafloor, in the X, Y and Z planes in a rapid and powerful motion. The agitator unit has “blades” with vertical surfaces and pointed at the bottom for easy penetration in hard clay. These “blades” are attached to the bottom of a jet ring that uses pressurized water spraying through jet nozzles aimed at the pointed edge of the vertical surface blades. The vibrating motion moves the horizontal column of water between the vertical blade surfaces agitating the seafloor material, and breaking it loose for removal by the Toyo dredge pump. The idea of using vibrating technology with a Toyo dredge pump is new.

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 cutter head for a cutter suction dredger to be mounted rotatably about a cutter head center axis with respect to a suction device for sucking up material cut loose by the cutter head from the bottom of a body of water, which cutter head includes a base ring, a boss spaced from the base ring in the direction of the center axis, and a plurality of arms which extend from the base ring to the boss and are distributed at regular intervals in the peripheral direction, each arm has a series of teeth located on the radially outermost parts of the arm and directed outwards at an angle with respect to the peripheral direction, the direction of rotation of the cutter head being set such that the teeth perform a cutting movement, with non-return mechanisms, preventing movement of cut material from the center axis to the exterior.

Abstract: An apparatus to gather and relocate benthic life and life supporting material for use in combination with a seabed or aquatic bed dredger, plough, mole or other seabed disturbing apparatus comprising a means of gathering the benthic life and life supporting material in, on or above the seabed in front of and in the path of the draghead or said seabed disturbing apparatus, thereby preventing entrainment or damage to the benthic life, and a means of releasing the benthic organisms and life supporting material via a directional exit duct, away from the work area.

Abstract: A remotely operated underwater dredging system that can excavate many hundreds of feet below the surface of a water body. By placing dredge pump at the bottom of the water body, the vacuum to lift water and dredged material to the pump is minimized. In addition, the mechanical advantage of the cutterhead can be greatly enhanced by mounting it directly to a submerged dredging chassis close to the pump.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for changing a suction mouth of a cutter suction dredge of a vessel with cutter ladder. In at least one embodiment, the device includes, comprising a work platform which, as seen in the transverse direction of the vessel, is provided substantially in the middle with an opening, wherein—a support structure is provided which can be fixedly connected to the work platform in a position substantially under the opening, which support structure is adapted to support a suction mouth; —and the work platform with support structure is tiltable around a first, substantially horizontal transverse axis between a substantially horizontal operating position and a high position in which the cutter ladder can be moved upward, which positions are such that the work platform with support structure is movable from its high position to its operating position when the cutter ladder is situated in a high raised position.

Abstract: Subsea excavation and suction device includes a suction head with an inlet opening at an outer, free end and an outlet opening connected to a suction hose arranged at a distance from the inlet opening. The suction head is mounted on a hydraulic controller arm and at the inlet opening is provided with mechanical and hydraulic devices to disintegrate solid material (sediment). The hydraulic device includes a number of jet nozzles, while the mechanical device includes bars. The cross-sectional area of the inlet opening is larger than the cross-sectional area of the outlet opening.

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: A sludge harvester for removing a concentrated nutrient sludge from a sludge pond includes a frame, one or more wheels or skids attached to the frame, means for gently breaking up at least a portion of the sludge layer adjacent to a dilute layer, and means for capturing at least a portion of the broken up sludge layer. The organic sludge product recovered by the harvester has a higher nutrient concentration as compared to alternative methods because of minimized mixing of the sludge and dilute layers during collection of the organic sludge product. The organic sludge product captured by the harvester can be applied directly to agricultural land or used in the production of a certifiable organic or other fertilizer.

Abstract: A deposit discharge system comprises: a discharge tube having a suction port opened so as to face a water bottom face of a water storing place on which deposits are deposited, a straight tube part extending upward from the suction port, and a discharge port communicating with the straight tube part and opened on the downstream side of the water storing place for draining the deposits together with water stream; a crane device suspending a whole main tube part of the discharge tube positioned in the water storing place in a state of being submerged and having a vertical moving mechanism vertically moving the suction port; and an air valve provided in the discharge tube for controlling introduction and exhaust of air from the discharge tube by opening and closing operation, wherein the discharge tube is installed so as to pass, when the deposits are discharged, through a dam banking in the water storing place routing a position lower than a water level of the water storing place.

Abstract: A driving or mining machine includes a pivotable cantilever arm that is hinged so as to be pivotable in the height direction to a pivoting mechanism capable of being pivoted about a substantially vertical axis and on its free end carries rotationally mounted excavation tools, in particular cutter heads. It further includes a traveling mechanism and a frame carrying the traveling mechanism, on which frame a haulage device and a suction device as well as anchor boring and setting devices are arranged. The frame carrying the traveling mechanism on its side facing away from the cantilever arm behind the pivoting mechanism is designed as a lowered platform. The anchor boring and setting device is arranged substantially in the longitudinal center of the frame above the platform and pivotally mounted on a rollover whose pivot axis crosses the vertical axis of the pivoting mechanism.

Abstract: A suction dredge for the planned taking up of suction material, particularly for excavating soil from underground pipes, has a pneumatic suction hose for taking up the suction material and at whose lower end is provided a suction stub. At its opposite, upper end the suction hose issues into a collecting tank. To simplify the handling of the suction stub, it is provided with a guide body fitted to the suction hose and a suction nozzle axially movable relative thereto and which by means of a drive mechanism can be retracted into and extended from the guide body. As a result the stroke frequency of the suction nozzle and/or its stroke length and/or the impact energy on the soil can be adjusted.

Abstract: An underwater mining machine includes a chassis mounted on a powered drive arrangement for driving the chassis on an underwater surface, the chassis having a front end and a rear end and being adapted to be manoeuvrable and driven in at least a forward direction, a rotatable cutting drum secured to a boom which is attached to a cradle mounted on the chassis, and material gathering arms adapted to gather material which has been excavated or broken up by the cutting drum.

Abstract: A dredge apparatus with an improved cutter includes a hull, a boom extending from the hull, and a cutter element rotatably mounted at the free end of the boom. The cutter element is positioned adjacent a suction line that is supported by the boom. The improved cutter element includes a plurality of rings having large open central portions for transmitting material to the suction. At least a pair of rings are spaced apart, one of the rings being supported using a rotary hub and spokes to a drive shaft. The external periphery of each of the rings carries three circumferentially spaced helical vanes. The helical vanes extend circumferentially and from ring to ring beginning at a front ring and ending at a rear ring which is adjacent the boom. Each of the vanes is "V-shaped" in transverse cross section providing a concave and a convex vane surface. The concave surface of each vane faces the suction line. The convex surface of each vane faces the front of the cutter element.

Abstract: A method of transferring material from the bottom of a body of water provides a first tank submerged at a predetermined depth above the bottom. A material source is provided at the bottom subject to ambient water pressure, and is fluidly connected with the first tank. Material is transferred from the material source to the first tank by reducing the pressure in the first tank below the ambient water pressure at the predetermined depth. The ambient water pressure at the bottom thus forces the material into the first tank. Material is transferred from the first tank to a second tank under the force of compressed air until the first tank is substantially empty of material and full of compressed air. The first tank is connected to a third tank and an air compressor, the material transfer from the first tank to the second tank taking place by the compressor transferring compressed air to the first tank from the third tank.