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: The present invention relates to a method for automatically configuring network addresses of mobile nodes participating in a mobile multi-hop network. The method of the present invention includes a first step of, if a first mobile node belonging to a first network moves into and participates in a second network, detecting that the first mobile node has moved; a second step of securing a route from the first mobile node to a gateway of the second network and requesting network configuration information; and a third step of receiving an available network address allocated by the gateway and changing the network configuration information of the first mobile node.

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 non-hydraulic dredge comprised of a vaned conveyor/traction/drive assembly. A bi-directional embodiment is disclosed. An elevation adjustment and obstruction override embodiment as disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method of operation for collection of material by an underwater vehicle makes use of a number of arms extending outward from a body of the vehicle. The ends of the arms form an aperture for passing material into the body of the vehicle. One or more of the arms each includes a belt coupled to a drive mechanism for driving at least some portion of the belt generally toward the aperture. When driven, the belts form a current flowing into the vehicle propelling material for collection into the vehicle as well as mechanically force the material into the body. A spring-loaded mechanism can be used to force the arms together permitting retrieval of large object without jamming the retrieval mechanism.

Abstract: A multi-purpose vessel for use when recovering material from a bottom surface of a body of water. The vessel includes a hull and a dredge assembly mounted to the hull. The dredge assembly is adapted to recover the material from the bottom surface. A conveyor system is provided, with the conveyor system including a first portion adapted to receive the material from the dredge assembly, a moveable second portion, and a distribution portion. The second portion is moveable to a first position in which the second portion is adapted to receive the material from the first portion and to convey the material to a first desired location disposed a first distance away from the hull. The second portion is further moveable to a second position in which the second portion is adapted to convey the material to the distribution portion. The distribution portion is adapted to convey the material a second distance greater than the first distance away from the hull.

Abstract: A system for transporting material recovered in a dredging operation performed by a dredge is disclosed. The system includes a water-borne material distribution vessel including a conveyor system for receiving and depositing the recovered material. It also includes at least one water-borne material transportation vessel for transporting recovered material from the dredge to the material distribution vessel. The water-borne material distribution vessel can deposit the material into the waterway to form an island (which may be a levy), into another water-borne vessel, or into an on-shore station such as a wheeled transportation vehicle.

Abstract: Bucket dredger, comprising: a swivelling ladder connected to a vessel, a driven upper wheel at the top end and a polygonal lower wheel (7) at the lower end of the ladder, one or more endless chains (6) which are guided along both wheels, and buckets (9) connected to the shackles (8) of these chains (6). For receiving the lateral force exerted on a bucket the bottom wall (12) of each bucket (9) is provided with two ribs (15) extending downwardly, which extend substantially parallel to the side walls (14) of the bucket and which, in the assembled state of the bucket, extend adjacent the chains (6) and between the chains and upright edges (16) placed on the lower wheel (7). The ribs (15) can extend along the length of two shackles (8).

Abstract: A silt removal apparatus is provided for removing silt from under a body of water. The silt removing apparatus includes a silt removing wheel rotatably mounted on a floatation arrangement. The silt removing wheel has a plurality of silt retaining chambers defined by a plurality of vanes. Once the silt has been retained in the silt retaining chambers a shield mechanism shields the silt from the water as the silt retaining chambers rotates through the body of water. Once the respective silt retaining chambers of the silt removing wheel reaches an upper most position, an ejector mechanism aids in the removal of the silt from the silt retaining chambers. A conveyor arrangement transports the silt to a storage site. In the event an object is wedged between the shield mechanism and the silt removing wheel, a release mechanism trips and the silt removing wheel is stopped in order to remove the object. The subject silt removing apparatus is an effective apparatus to remove silt from under a body of water.

Abstract: A carry scraper ship having a tug lighter for towing, a device for scraping and lifting earth and sand accumulated on ground under water, a bucket conveyor for conveying earth and sand scraped and lifted from ground under water to an atmospheric environment above water, a belt conveyor lighter for discharging earth and sand conveyed from under water to the atmospheric environment onto earth carriers, and a structure for linking the tug lighter, the device for scraping and lifting, the bucket conveyor and the belt conveyor light together in operative relationship.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a dredging assembly which includes a vessel having at least one opening therein. A dredging pole of a predetermined length is positioned in and extends through the opening and is positioned substantially perpendicular to the vessel when in the dredging position. A dredging wheel is positioned at the lower end of the dredging pole with a vertically movable tension wheel at an upper end of the dredging pole and a reversing wheel spaced horizontally from the dredging pole. An endless cable is mounted on the dredging pole extending around the tensioning wheel, dredging wheel and reversing wheel and a plurality of the scoops are mounted on the endless cable, wherein the scoops are turned upside down by the reversing wheel for dumping the material carried therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for clearing water creepers, including a base, a crashing machine fixed on the base and a conveyor having a conveying belt surrounding a head shaft, a tail shaft and multiple intermediate shafts. The base is adapted to be located on a boat or a truck and the crashing machine includes a housing, a head portion formed with an entrance and a neck portion 180 degrees rotatably supporting the head portion. A set of twisting rollers and a set of mashing rollers are disposed in the housing for mashing the creepers. An exhausting funnel is disposed under the housing for discharging mashed creepers. A pair of fixing seats are disposed in front of the entrance for rotatably supporting the head shaft of the conveying belt. The conveying belt is disposed with multiple mesh-like taking spoons on a surface thereof and two propeller-like knife means are respectively disposed on two sides of the tail shaft of the conveying belt for previously cutting tangling creepers into small pieces.

Abstract: A floating grab installation for recovery of sand and gravel is disclosed. The installation includes a catamaran-type float or pontoon having a gripper and gripper support thereon. The gripper transfers the sand and gravel to an underwater tank having an endless bucket dredge which plunges to its lowest point.