Abstract: The present invention relates to a subsea pipeline and method utilizing the pipeline wherein the loss of pipeline contents resulting from a break in the pipeline is reduced. The loss of pipeline contents is reduced by providing a plurality of traps in the pipeline. The traps each comprise at least two elevation changes in alternating directions. Any water entering the pipeline through a breach will only displace pipeline contents from the breach to the adjacent lower trap.

Abstract: A machine tool coolant collection flume system (10) for communicating machine tool coolant from machine tools to a filtration system includes a main trough (12) and a tributary trough (14) intersecting the main trough wherein each trough (12,14) slopes downwardly in the direction of machine tool coolant flow and the main trough (12) has a greater cross-sectional area at the downstream side of its intersection with the tributary trough (14) to smoothly accommodate the additional flow of machine tool coolant from the tributary through (14) without affecting upstream flow. A single large diameter flush nozzle (20) provides a low velocity high volume forced coolant flow in the main trough (12) upstream of the intersection by the tributary trough (14) to minimize the creation of mist and turbulence downstream.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in conjunction with a silt collecting pond to prevent silt from being washed from adjacent land by rainwater comprises a base adapted to rest on the bottom of the pond and a cylindrical cage defining an upwardly open interior volume extending upwardly from the base. A conduit communicates between the interior volume of the cage and the exterior of the pond. Silt cloth is mounted about the cage and a floatable safety lid is adapted to cover the upper opening of the cage. In operation, silt bearing rainwater enters the pond and rises about the apparatus. Water passes through the silt cloth at a predetermined rate such that the water stands in the pond a sufficient time to allow silt to precipitate therefrom. When the pond has been filled with silt, a sleeve is slipped into the cage and a grated lid placed atop the sleeve so that the device thereafter provides for drainage of surface rainwater from the land.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for removing grit from sewage comprising passing sewage containing grit along a channel, the sewage passing initially through a straight elongate portion of constant width and of length sufficient to stablize the flow and subsequently passing the sewage around a bend portion having an angle of at least 10 degrees from the straight portion and, downstream of the bend, removing the grit from the flow via a port situated at the inside of the bend at the base of the channel via a grit hopper coupled to the port and coupled to a draw-off point to remove the grit for disposal.

Abstract: Horizontal foraminous piping is placed in non-cohesive subsoil by means of an upright engaged disengageably at its bottom end to the top end of an open-ended hollow upright stanchion. Fluid jetted into the top end of the placement pipe and out of the bottom end of the stanchion to fluidize subjacent subsoil enables the pipe to be pressed downward until the stanchion reaches a desired depth. With an end of the cable attached thereto, winding up of the cable draws the foraminous piping to the stanchion, while fluid jetted from the horizontal foraminous piping downward onto and into subjacent subsoil to fluidize it enables the piping to move down into and laterally within the subsoil, for attachment to the stanchion. The placement pipe is disengaged and removed--but may be reattached to facilitate subsequent removal of the stanchion and the piping, usually with fluidizing flow from the piping into adjacent subsoil.

Abstract: Monitoring fluidized flow of underwater non-cohesive subsoil. Fluid is jetted, as from a horizontal array of foraminous piping, into subjacent subsoil to fluidize it and preferably to transport it in an overhead lateral direction. Sensors at sites throughout the array monitor flows intercepted by vanes on stems upstanding from the array and transmit resulting data to a control system adapted to render the jetting intermittent, sequential, and of given durations.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing sedimentation in ship berths including one or m modules, spanning the entrance of a ship berth and providing a continuous, homogeneous, impervious barrier, each module including a base located on the sea floor, an accordion type curtain extendable in the vertical direction and attached on its bottom side to the base, a float attached to the curtain on the top side, a primary operating system for raising and lowering the curtain and a secondary operating system for raising the entire apparatus to the sea surface for repair or removal.

Abstract: Sand and gravel material conveyed from a floating dredger is fed to a treatment installation where silt is separated. The silt arising in the process may be fed over a floating pipe line and swingable pipe so arranged as to feed silt to an under-water diffuser which deposits the material for sealing-off on the lake bottom or its side. The diffuser may be arranged by a floating station.

Abstract: Segmented fluidization of underwater subsoils in a manner resembling peristalsis. An array of underwater locations is selected, and water is injected into the subsoil, preferably in a pattern of sequence and duration to generate lateral flow of fluidized subsoil. Apparatus for practicing such method includes a water supply pipe, multiple water-jetting branch tubes interconnected to respective segments of the supply pipe, each such branch tube being individually valved at its junction thereto. Valve-control apparatus is provided to open and close the respective valves at given times and for given durations, as by pre-programming, or optionally controlled according to resulting flow and/or pressure monitored by nearby sensors.

Abstract: Fluidization-assisted beach stabilization. Water is collected from beach-underlying subsoil, and is used to fluidize adjacent off-shore subsoil. More particularly, a first foraminous pipe is buried in beach-underlying subsoil, a second foraminous pipe is buried in adjacent offshore subsoil, such pipes are interconnected, water is collected from the beach subsoil in the first pipe, is transported through the interconnecting pipe to the second pipe, and is jetted from the latter pipe to fluidize the offshore subsoil therewith. Such apparatus and method make more wave-suspended subsoil particles available for deposition onto the beach and for retention thereon.

Abstract: Placement of foraminous dual piping in non-cohesive subsoil, and use in beach stabilization or use in fluidization as navigation channel maintenance. Air, water, or mixed fluid medium is jetted from the foraminous piping downward onto and into such subsoil so as to fluidize it, while the piping is pressed downward, as by earth anchors, into the fluidized subsoil until it is below the level of adjacent subsoil located apart from the fluidization vicinity. A zigzag arrangement of flanking earth anchors as viewed from above and interconnected by tie bars from earth anchor to adjacent earth anchor in the pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing the strength of the nearbottom offsh directed current inside the surfzone thereby promoting and sand accretion on the beach. An arrangement of pipes is placed in the surfzone and operates to sequester a portion of surfzone fluid. The sequestered surfzone fluid is conveyed out to sea by way of the piping system thereby reducing the velocity and quantity of surfzone fluid reducing sand erosion.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for controlling precipitation in evaporation ponds containing brine is provided wherein brine to be concentrated is introduced into a pond at at least one brine entrance, this brine being mixed in the vicinity of the entrance with bine present in the pond by enhanced brine mixing apparatus such that precipitation of salts occurs and salt deposits form in the vicinity of the entrance. This salt deposits collect in a collection basin at the floor of the pond. Brine present in the pond can be close to saturation or even saturated with respect to at least one of the salts contained therein. Deposits present in the collection basin can be removed to a location external to the pond by removal apparatus preferably including a mechanical scapper and conveying or transporting apparatus. A submerged source of compressed air producing bubbles or a motorized propellor mixer may be used to enhance the mixing of the brines near the brine entrance.

Abstract: Sediment barrier for reducing the erosive energy of water flow through on a watercourse such as a surface, a rill or similar channel, and for increasing the deposition of sediments therein. The sediment barrier includes a plurality of individual strands emanating outwardly from a foundation common to all the strands, and forming a structured flow-permeable array having a certain shape to extend outwardly from the watercourse on which the barrier is placed. The individual strands preferably are crimped or otherwise distorted in external configuration so as to provide fiber-to-fiber cohesion which helps maintain the overall array of the barrier. The sediment barrier is anchored in place on a surface or within a rill or gully, so as to maintain the strands in upright relation to the watercourse.

Abstract: A device for cleaning a swimming pool has a pair of spaced parallel and aligned wings connected at their ends by bridge members to define a mouth, a bag fast with the wings at their trailing edges, a hinged draw-bar centrally connected to the front sides of the bridge members, triangular fins extending from outer surfaces of the wings, and a connecting component for connection to a hose which supplied water under pressure, the connecting component being connected to the draw bar by a ball-and-socket joint and having two jets angled towards the draw-bar. The device is heavier than water and is such that when it sinks in water the wings pivot about the hinge of the draw bar so that their trailing edges are above their leading edges.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the transport of sand or silt underlying or adjoining a body of water using a submerged fluid induction device is disclosed. The device includes an open bottom and comprises an enclosure which is submerged below the top surface of the sand. One or more apertured pipes, supplied with a pressurized fluidizing medium such as seawater, are positioned below the enclosure. The apertured pipe(s) fluidize the sand underlying the enclosure to induce it up into the enclosure and out an opening at one end of the enclosure. A sump enclosure receives the fluidized sand discharged from the enclosure, and a jet pump within the sump enclosure, having its own associated fluidizing pipe, pumps the fluidized sand through a transport pipe to a remote discharge point. The device as described prevents the build up of sand in the region overlying the enclosure.

Abstract: Dredging apparatus comprises a modular, submersible, vertically positionable crater sink mechanism operable to form a crater in a bed of material beneath a body of water. The crater sink mechanism comprises an elongated tubular housing closed at its upper end and having a dredged material intake opening at its lower end. An auger mounted within the housing is rotatable by a reversible hydraulic drive motor and is axially positionable by a linear hydraulic motor. The inner end of the auger cooperates with the closed end of the tubular housing to define a mixing chamber. A clear water inlet port and a mixture outlet port on opposite sides of the tubular housing each communicate with the mixing chamber. The auger is rotatable in one direction to dig into and ingest material (fluidized by ambient water) through the material intake opening and transport it into the mixing chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing sedimentation buildup in waterways having a current, the apparatus being submergible at a location proximate the edge of the waterway and adapted to produce a scour pattern of predetermined configuration. The apparatus includes an elongated, substantially vertical tubular member having an inlet assembly connected proximate the upper end of the tubular member; a turbine fan unit mounted interiorly of the inlet assembly for controllably drawing water into the apparatus; and a discharge assembly connected to the tubular member proximate its lower end for directing the flow of water outwardly from the tubular member in generally horizontal direction at an optimum flow rate.

Abstract: An arrangement for removing toxic sedimentary material (101) from a large dy of water (102) by forming a large number of core holes (100) in at least the sediment layer (101); inserting sediment trap receptacles (200) in the core holes (100); allowing the sediment trap receptacle (200) to fill up with toxic sediment (101); and then withdrawing, emptying and reinserting the trap receptacles (200) within the core holes (100) to effect the removal of the toxic sediment (101) from the body of water (102).

Abstract: A method of beach/inlet stabilization, based upon a beach/inlet stabilization system for bypassing the littoral drift to cross an inlet, is provided. The beach/inlet stabilization system consists of a well system, a diffuser system, a flow guiding system, a sediment trapping system, a dune drainage system and a water surface elevation sensor.

Abstract: An arrangement for opposing the formation of eddies and diminishing the deposition of sediment at the junction of a branch channel with a main, water carrying channel. The upstream corner of the intersection of the channels is provided with a deflector to divert some of the main channel water into the branch channel. The deflector is in the form of a curved, vertically disposed wall extending the full depth of the water.

Abstract: An anti-scour apparatus and method for preventing, reducing or repairing scour in the vicinity of a structure extending vertically from the floor beneath a body of moving water. The anti-scour apparatus comprises one or more deflectors, a spacer for maintaining the positional relationship of the deflectors and for maintaining the positional relationship of the deflectors and the floor beneath the body of water, and a plurality of hydraulic trips operatively associated with the structure. The method for preventing scour including the steps of deflecting a downwash at a location adjacent the structure and above the floor, deflecting a downwash at a location adjacent the structure and adjacent the floor, inducing the turbulent flow of water adjacent the structure, and capturing the suspended sediment for filling prior scour.

Abstract: A flow-training structure for use in rivers and streams to minimize bank erosion, and to control bed degradation and aggradation. The structure consists of single vanes or arrays of vanes of a particular double-curved design. The vanes are installed in the river bed in designed arrays to produce changes in the local directions of the near-bed velocity, without changing the sediment-transport or flow-conveyance capacities of the channel.

Abstract: A hydrologic discharge control assembly and method is disclosed for automatically withdrawing bottom water from a body of water comprising a housing for forming a reservoir to receive bottom water for automatic gravitational discharge relative to the height of the top surface of the body of water, the reservoir having a discharge overflow edge portion adapted for operational connection to the discharge drain passageway of the body of water and being disposed for overflow discharge of water within the reservoir in excess of a predetermined level, and an inlet connector fluidly connecting the housing to the bottom water portion of the body of water and being dimensioned and configured relative to the housing for conduction of bottom water into the reservoir relative to the height of the top surface of the body of water.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting adjacent the bottom of a waterway having a current for impeding the deposition of suspended sediments upon the bottom of the waterway. A buoyant wing member having leading and trailing edges with substantially flat top and bottom surfaces includes a flap member spanning the wing member and extends at a predetermined upward angle away from the top surface towards the leading edge. The apparatus is mounted with the flap member facing the bottom of the waterway wherein the fluid in the wake is accelerated upwards away from the waterway bottom so as to resuspend fine sediments. When the wing member is mounted with the flap member directed away from the waterway bottom the wake is directed downwards against the bottom causing scouring of the waterway bottom.

Abstract: In a sea, lake or other body of water, sedimentation of sedimentary solid material may be obtained in desired areas by reducing the hydraulic pressure in the sea floor or lake bottom layer in the respective area. Such reduction of the hydraulic pressure causes water to flow from the lake or sea into the porous bottom or floor layer whereby material suspended in the water or transported along the bed settles on the floor or bottom. The reduction of the hydraulic pressure is obtained by pumping water from underground drain tubes or other drainage devices extending along and adjacent to the coastline. The method may be used for coast protection and reclamation of land.

Abstract: A permanently-installed system of intakes and conduits for removing accumulated sediment from the bottom of a watercourse includes a pattern of spaced slurry intakes of flared shape, connected by a conduit network to suction pumps. The intakes have sides sloping toward an opening at an angle at least as great as an angle at which the sediment will slide, whereby the sediment is caused to accumulate, between intermittent operations of the system, at a lowermost portion of the intake. A quantity of sediment is thereby concentrated in the flow path for removal. A cowling and anti-vortex fin structure supports a movable valve plug to permit sequential operation of individual intakes. The cowling and sloping sides, together with the anti-vortex fins cause a horizontal flow of water across the bottom to sweep sediment toward the intakes. A plurality of spaced rods protect the intakes from clogging due to entry of large pieces of debris.

Abstract: A process and a stationary dredging apparatus for periodically removing marine or river sediment of relatively high density from the bottom of an arm of the sea, a channel or a harbor basin by means of a stationary dredging means consisting of a substantially horizontal intake duct, which may be positioned at the bottom of a mud trap, an individual riser pipe operating either on the principle of an air-lift pump, or by aspiration of a mechanical pump, optionally according to a preestablished programme by regulating the air-arrival or the opening of the valves of the riser pipes, and a delivery pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for working on a submerged object comprising a work platform having jetting means carried thereby for excavating the floor beneath the body of water and around the object.

Abstract: In-place underwater dredging apparatus for dredging solid material from an underwater area by pumping a mixture of water and solids from the area and discharging the mixture at a remote location to thereby clear and deepen the area. The apparatus includes an upstanding pipe having at its upper end a hydraulically driven pump with a discharge conduit for conducting said mixture to a remote location, auger screws extending generally laterally outwardly from the lower end of said upstanding pipe and delivering material at a selected rate to the upstanding pipe, and a variable speed hydraulic motor connected with and for rotating said auger screws. Thus the percentage of solids to water which is delivered is variable depending on variable conditions and circumstances. The pump draws the mixture from the auger screws and through the upstanding pipe and discharges it at a remote location.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of cleaning sediment from the bottom of a large storage container of clean water comprising sanitizing a cleaning person and a suction pump to remove the majority of skin viruses, germs, bacteria and dirt from the surface of his skin and/or apparel and the suction pump; the cleaning person going underwater and slowly submerging; the cleaning person turning on the suction pump before reaching the bottom of the container; the cleaning person removing sediment from a spot on the bottom of the container before any part of his body disturbs the sediment; the cleaning person attaining footing in the clean spot; and the cleaning person removing the remainder of the sediment on the bottom of the container.

Abstract: A buoyant high aspect ratio delta wing having an inverted airfoil shape for producing a downward lift force is anchored at a negative angle of attack adjacent the bottom of a waterway having a current. The net vertical deflection and turbulent trailing wake generated as the water flows past the wing prevents sediments from depositing on the bottom of the waterway for a predetermined distance downstream of the wing. Cascading arrays of such wings may be anchored in succession along the waterway to resuspend sediments and thereby maintain sufficient water depth for navigation while avoiding the cost and environmental drawbacks of dredging.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing intrusion of sediments into quiet water berthing areas which is particularly adapted for use in berthing areas of the type having spaced apart fixed structures extending downwardly to the floor of the water body and defining an opening to the berthing area of a size sufficient to permit the ingress and egress of transiting vessels. The apparatus includes a spar curtain barrier made up of a plurality of flexible sections each of which comprises a ballasted spar buoy to which a length of flexible curtain fabric is attached. The sections are secured together to form an integrated structure adapted, in its closed position, to extend between the spaced apart fixed structures defining the berthing area. The spar curtain depends downwardly to a level proximate the floor of the berthing area and can be opened by a single workman in a short period of time to permit the entry or exit of the transiting vessels.

Abstract: A continuous belt traverses a river through channels on the river bed and carries intercepted material to the river banks for separation of precious metals and gemstones therefrom. Method and apparatus claimed.

Abstract: A submersible water clarifier for use in a flowing stream is disclosed which has at least one longitudinally elongated conduit which has an open end which opens in a downstream direction in use and a settling chamber extending inwardly from the open end. The settling chamber has a floor toward which sediment settles in use and the improvement of the present invention is in the provision of a sediment removal passage opening through the floor through which sediment may be removed from the chamber.

Abstract: An improved system for removing sludge from dam reservoir comprises a suction port, a delivery pipe, a float, a tug boat, several universal joints connected in the delivery pipe, a concentration alarming indicator, a boosting pipe, an ejector and a sludge consolidating means. The water of high static pressure is led through a boosting pipe into nozzles of an ejector so as to suck the air or muddy water near the bottom of a dam reservoir through the delivery pipe so that the sludge or sand existing deeply in the reservoir will be automatically discharged outside the dam without consuming electric or oil energy as driving a conventional pump.

Abstract: A dredging system operates entirely by siphon action and includes a completely sealed conduit system having the intake end disposed upstream or at an upper level from the outlet end which is disposed sufficiently below the inlet end to maintain a flow of water once started. A pump and bypass system is provided for starting the system in operation with the pump bypassed once the system begins this operation. The system is designed to operate continuously without the need for auxiliary power at dams and reservoirs and the like.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the liquid level of overflow ponds and the like. It comprises a vertical standpipe having a polymer feed inlet near its bottom, a valve for controlling flow of polymer to the polymer feed inlet, at least 1 fluid discharge inlet near the bottom of the vertical standpipe. A flexible hose connects the fluid discharge inlet to a corresponding opening located in a horizontal plate which is adapted to ride up and down on the standpipe. The horizontal plate is fitted with a float, filter and a valve shut off plunger.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process and apparatus for maintaining a waterway at a desired depth, the bottom of which is subject to accumulation of sediment such as sand. The process comprises the placement of a plurality of jet pumps on a vertically movable support together with the step of fluidizing the sediment immediately beneath the pumps so that they sink by gravity at least to the desired depth of the waterway. The process further comprises supplying injection water to the sediment covered pumps and removing the sediment-water slurry from the pump. The apparatus disclosed is a support member spanning substantially the width of the waterway with such support being mounted for vertical movement relative to the bottom of the waterway. A plurality of jet pumps is mounted on the support member so that the entire array may be lowered at least to the desired depth of the waterway.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for depositing and protecting sediments on the floor of a body of water by utilizing a pair of rigid cast sheets of heavy material which are hinged together to form an arch-shaped device with the weight thereof being utilized to maintain the device in bridging relationship to a pipe or like installation resting on the floor of the body of water. The arch-shaped device has a generally central apex portion and opposite leg portions with respective upper convex and lower concave surfaces which diverge away from each other in a direction away from the apex portion.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system for depositing and protecting sediment on the floor of a body of water by means of an elongated plate-like structure which includes a pair of opposite longitudinally extending side portions and a center portion therebetween with upper surfaces of the longitudinally extending side portions being in diverging relationship to each other in a direction toward the floor of a body of water, and means are provided for at least partially overlying the longitudinally extending side portions and projecting laterally therebeyond for protecting the same from damage due to dragging ship's anchors, fishing gear, and the like.

Abstract: A generally horizontal pipe extends across the bottom of a waterway to be dredged and, in some embodiments is connected to a suction pump at or below the low water level. Lateral passageways are distributed along the length of the horizontal pipe with a number of smaller orifices located along the pipe's length between the passageways. Any sediment build-up above a passageway and several nearby smaller orifices, which may be due to a passageway being clogged with a large object, is cleared by a manually operated source of high pressure fluid where fluid jet streams are directed against the build-up of sediment in a manner so as to churn or break up the sediment build-up and permit the sediment to be drawn into adjacent passageways and orifices.