Abstract: A harvester for plants and weeds, particularly aquatic plants, pulls the plants by winding them onto a rotating, endless cable. Tension in the cable is controlled, and an operative portion of the cable is positionable for varying its height and angle to the horizontal. The harvester is mountable on a boat having an adjustable freeboard and multiple, individually driven, retractable paddle wheels provide maximum maneuverability during use and compactness during transport.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting crayfish and similar crustaceans from ponds utilizing a hollow tube placed in the pond and provided with openings sized to allow crayfish to enter the hollow tube where they are pushed through the tube by the action of a plug being moved through the tube.

Abstract: A method of and rake for removal of aquatic plants; the method has the steps of pulling a rake over an underwater bottom, engaging aquatic plants with flexible, resilient teeth and a flexible, resilient filament strung between the teeth, pulling the plant out of the bottom with the filament and distributing stress among the teeth through the filament when the rake snags an immovable obstruction; the rake has a cross bar, a plurality of elongate flexible and resilient teeth attached to the bar, and a flexible and resilient high tensile strength filament strung to and between all of the teeth. The filament pulls out plants and distributes stress among the teeth. An improved rake tooth has structure for holding a transverse filament adjacent a tip of the tooth.

Abstract: A method and device for harvesting brine shrimp eggs, wherein the method comprises the steps of positioning a concentrating funnel slightly below the layer of brine shrimp eggs at the surface level of a body of salt water; moving the concentrating funnel forward with respect to the eggs to collect a portion of the layer and pumping the slurry mixture of eggs and salt water to a porous receiving container which passes the salt water and retains the collected brine shrimp eggs. A device for implementing this method includes a platform and attached channeling structure with a receiving end and a smaller, rearward feeding end. This channeling structure includes a height adjustment mechanism for selectively raising and lowering a forward leading edge of the channeling device to a depth just below the egg layer. Plumbing hardware is provided to transport the egg and salt water slurry to a container for receiving the eggs.

Abstract: A harvester for plants and weeds, particularly aquatic plants, pulls the plants by winding them onto a rotating, endless cable. Tension in the cable is controlled, and an operative portion of the cable is positionable for varying its height and angle to the horizontal. The harvester is mountable on a boat having an adjustable freeboard and multiple, individually driven, retractable paddle wheels provide maximum maneuverability during use and compactness during transport.

Abstract: A suction harvester for aquatic plants and animals comprising a variable rate centrifugal pump capable of handling solids mounted on a vessel and connected to a manoeuvrable nozzle. The operator can control the placement of the nozzle and degree of suction applied by the pump to selectively harvest weed or algal mats, etc. from the bed of the water body. A location or manoeuvring system for the vessel in shallow water is also described, comprising spiked wheels driven by independent motors on the end of adjustable arms, the spikes engaging the bed of the water body for accurate location and propulsion with minimum disturbance.

Abstract: The invention concerns a procedure for undermining underwater terrain (S) thus creating an upward rising current (Tj) able to lift items lying on the terrain (S) or half-buried in it, in order to collect them in a recovery net. The invention also covers devices to be used for harrowing and cleaning shell-fish beds or for dredge-fishing shell-fish.

Abstract: A submersible unit comprises a portable, open or closed bottomed pneumatic chamber mounted on flexible drive tracks controlled by personnel from the chamber for operation along the bottom of a body of water, on the surface, at intermediate levels, in the air and on land. A safety chamber, connected to the submersible unit by an extendable linkage, can limit the depth of submergence of the submersible unit, stores cargo and carries power. Flooded compartments in the submersible unit and the safety chamber are supplied with compressed air to control the supported load and depth of submergence. Various accessories carried by the underwater unit enable the performance of a number of different on and under the water and land based tasks. A special pneumatic circuit enables equipment and propulsion to be controlled by touch control panels. A majority of operations are contained within the machine to minimize contamination of surrounding areas.

Abstract: A system for harvesting and processing aquatic plants growing on the surface of a body of water includes a shore mounted harvesting apparatus which gathers the plants from the surface of the water and conveys them to a first chopper assembly which rips and shreds the plants to a first manageable size. The harvester assembly includes a first rotating drum positioned in the water which forces the plants upward and into engagement with a second rotating drum having a plurality of spiral wound vanes which engage the material and forces it along the passageway into further engagement with a third rotating drum which cooperates with a cutting bar to serrate and shred the material. The shredded material is thereafter transferred to a chopping assembly which comminutes the aquatic plants into very small pieces.

Abstract: A system for conditioning and removing aquatic plants growing on the surface of a body of water includes a water craft having at least one rotatable drum, the specific density of which is less than one. Conditioning ribs extend away from the outer peripheral surface of the drum and a prime mover is provided for moving the craft across an area of compacted aquatic plants. The drum is rotated to permit the ribs to separate and condition the plants for a relatively uniform distribution across the surface of the water. The craft has means, such as a rope, cable or pushing fork for drawing the aquatic plants into a conveyor for removal. The water craft is provided with a steering mechanism of rugged construction permitting relatively facile movement.

Abstract: A compactor and dual paddle wheel mechanism for an aquatic harvester which includes a carriage movably mounted by means of rollers on the deck of the aquatic harvester and characterized by a serpentine chain drive system for selectively moving the carriage forwardly and rearwardly on the deck, and a rake pivoted to the carriage for engaging, relocating, compacting and unloading aquatic growth harvested by the aquatic harvester and deposited on the harvester deck. Dual, independently driven paddle wheels, which include rotating drums shaped by multiple drum panels and spaced drum closure panels, with paddles extending radially from the drums and securely anchored by braces located inside the drums serve to drive and maneuver the aquatic harvester.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for retrieving lobsters or similar objects from the floor of a lobster pound or other shallow water body are described. An upward flow of water is established in a flexible conduit or passageway of size sufficient to accommodate the objects to be lifted. This is accomplished by a low pressure air lift particularly suited for non-traumatic handling of lobsters. Objects to be lifted are drawn into the upward flow as the flexible conduit is moved over the bottom. As objects rise to the surface they are guided or diverted by a transfer guide chamber or coupling onto a conveyor which carries the objects onto a deck or support platform floating above the water surface. The transfer chamber and conveyor shed water away from the lobsters or other objects. The transfer guide chamber, conveyor and a pivotable boom for supporting the flexible conduit in an "S" configuration are attached to a deck or support platform floating above the surface.

Abstract: A method of removing aquatic plants growing from the bed of a lake or other body of water includes the steps of moving a horizontally oriented bar through the plants beneath the surface of the water, permitting the plant stalks to wrap themselves around the bar. As the bar continues to move, the plant stalks are pulled and either broken at a point between the bar and the roots or are pulled out of the lake bottom by the roots. Once the plants have been broken off or pulled out of the bottom, the bar is moved to a desired position and the plant stalks severed to free them from the bar. An apparatus for carrying out the method provides a plant-engaging bar mounted on the free end of a boom pivotally mounted on a hull floating in the water. The boom can be lowered to place the bar beneath the surface of the water and the hull has a propulsion system to move it through the water, thereby moving the bar through the plant beds.

Abstract: A method of producing an algal turf for use as a scrubber of carbon dioxide, nutrients and pollutants as well as biomass production is disclosed. A growing surface for spores or benthic microalgae is provided on a water surface. The growing surface is subjected to periodic water surge action to promote metabolite cellular-ambient water exchange and light is provided, natural or artificial to promote growth. The growing turf is harvested before being overgrown by larger macroalgae.

Abstract: A harvester for harvesting only the blade or lamina from a mature kelp plant uses a plurality of harvester mechanisms for movement through a kelp bed adjacent the sea bottom. Each mechanism has a pair of helically formed spindles parallel to each other for relative counter-rotation, the helices being of opposite hand. A kelp stipe, encountering the spindles is moved upwardly thereby to bring the attached lamina into a channel forward of the spindles, adjacent which channel a cutter is positioned. When the lamina starts to engage the spindles they separate slightly and operate a linkage which in turn actuates the cutter to sever the lamina. The severed laminae are collected in a basket connected to the harvesting mechanisms. By harvesting only the lamina the plant can regenerate a new lamina and it is possible to have repeated harvests from a single plant.

Abstract: Apparatus for weed removal from a pond, the apparatus including a buoyant raft, a vacuum pickup hose, and a collecting means.

Abstract: A harvester for plants such as Irish moss is disclosed. The harvester may be towed along the sea bed by a surface vessel and provides for the continuous pumping of harvested plants to the vessel by way of an enclosed conduit. The harvester includes a plurality of axially spaced harvest rollers rotatably mounted in a frame. A plurality of guide rollers are pivotally mounted relative to the harvest rollers in advance thereof with each guide roller being longitudinally aligned with a corresponding space between adjacent harvest rollers. A continuous mesh-like harvest belt extends around the guide and harvest rollers with the lengthwise members thereof being entrained around the guide rollers and positioned in the spaces defined between the harvest rollers. The transverse members of the belt are flexible and extend between the endless members so as to be positioned, in the lower run thereof on the sea bed, and so as to engage and conform to the contour of the harvest rollers.

Abstract: Aquatic harvesting apparatus for removing waterborne vegetation from the water includes a harvesting barge with a pick-up conveyor, converging booms or pontoons pivotally connected to the barge to form a pick-up throat and a pump on the barge connected to a suction head adjacent the pick-up conveyor and in the throat to accelerate water and weed flow onto the pick-up conveyor. Discharge nozzles connected to the pump and supported adjacent the ends of the booms also induce water flow toward the pick-up throat.

Abstract: Aquatic harvesting apparatus employs a harvesting barge with vertical and horizontal weed cutters and a tunnel extending from the cutting throat through the entire length of the harvesting barge for discharge of the cut weeds into a collection container coupled to the stern. The cut vegetation is not elevated from the water during this procedure. The collection container is paneled with mesh and has a gate which can be opened to receive the weeds and closed to seal the container. The container can be towed to shore or elevated by a crane.

Abstract: A method of controlling, harvesting and handling large acreages of aquatic growths and other underwater products and materials through the use of satellite harvesters coupled to a land or water based transfer pumping station for delivery of the harvest to a remote spoil, storage or processing area.

Abstract: Apparatus for harvesting aquatic plants from a body of water includes transporting means, such as a trailer or a floating craft, adapted to move into the body of water. A centrifugal pump mounted on one end of the transported is adapted to be at least partially submerged in the body of water, the pump including a housing having an opening for transmitting water and aquatic plants therein into the housing. The centrifugal pump pumps water and the aquatic plants from the body of water. An envelope surrounds at least a portion of the opening in the housing and extends outward from the housing and the opening for restricting water flow into the opening.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting, de-rooting and harvesting of aquatic weed growth is disclosed. The apparatus is of modular construction for ease of land transportation and includes a cutting and de-rooting head assembly which is carried by extensible framing for proper positioning on the bed of a river or lake. The head assembly has weed severing means and scrubbing, polishing means in the form of vortex generators and may include lake bed scarifying means to assist in de-rooting weed growth. Cut weeds and weed fragments are contained in a vertically extensible curtain containment chamber from which they are loaded into a trailing hopper.

Abstract: An aquatic plant sampler which includes an aquatic craft characterized by a plurality of pontoons secured to a flat deck member and propelled and steered by a dual power system including an above water air propulsion system and an underwater, inboard, outboard or inboard-outboard propulsion system. The aquatic plant sampler is further characterized by a sampling bucket fitted with a chain driven cutter system, which bucket is capable of being lowered through a hole provided in the center of the barge to collect aquatic plant specimens and water bottom samples for analysis with a view toward controlling such aquatic vegetation in lakes, rivers and reservoirs.

Abstract: A dredge cutter head having mutually self-cleaning augers with a shrouded hood for nonstirring and nonclogging operation.