Abstract: The present invention relates to a sand disturbing system which includes a sand disturbance boat, wherein the sand disturbance boat includes: at least one floating body floating on water current; and at least one baffle disposed on the floating body, and inserted into the water current when disturbing sand, wherein a spacing is present between an edge of the baffle and a riverbed, and the baffle is adapted to disturbing sediment on the riverbed when the water current flows through the spacing. The sand disturbance method can be executed by the sand disturbance system according the invention. The present invention can enhance disturb sand effect and completely control inundation, and the implementing method is simple and easy to be promoted in the Yellow River and a variety of river water areas.

Abstract: A bridge includes a bridge includes a pier, and a hooked collar at least formed on upstream surface of the pier. The anti-scour structure includes at least one hook extending upwardly. The hook configured for guiding water flow or downflow to move upwardly thereby protect river bed from being scoured.

Abstract: A scour platform to prevent scour of a moving body of water is constructed by placing an excavation adjacent to the body of water. The excavation is spaced laterally from the body of water and extends up or downstream a desired length. A stabilizing sheet material covers the bottom of the excavation. Aggregate is placed within the excavation over the sheet material, and a free end of the sheet material is then folded back over the upper surface of the emplaced aggregate. Any remaining gaps between the excavation and the sheet material may be backfilled and compacted as necessary. The scour platform is completed once the free end of the sheet material is folded back over the aggregate. For additional prevention of scour, micropiles may be emplaced between the scour platform and the body of water.

Abstract: A optical scour sensor monitors scour, including deposition and ablation, in bodies of water that may be too lossy to enable use of electrical signals. A specially configured optical fiber is inserted into the sediment and the interface between the sediment and water thereby monitored using a top-mounted control box to pulse light down the cable and capture reflected signals. The optical fiber may be armored by a soft plastic concentric shield and incorporate a micro-bend inducer for detecting minute indentations in the fiber. The presence of a non-liquid, e.g., sediment, against the cable is detected because the sediment impinges on the fiber causing an indentation therein. At each indentation a reflection is sent back to the source. Using principles of optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR), the location of the indentiation is determined. The data are fed to a remote system for processing, analysis and display.

Abstract: A net includes a bag body, an endless suspension rope, and a top closing rope. The bag body prevents scour of an underwater structure, and is formed into a mesh by a knitted fabric. The endless suspension rope is inserted through the mesh adjacent to an opening portion of the bag body. The top closing rope closes the opening of the bag body, and is inserted through a mesh adjacent to the mesh through which the suspension rope is inserted.

Abstract: A device for creating a localized water jet within a body of water allows for the displacement of material from the floor of the body of water. The device includes two powered screws within a jet pipe. The screws are arranged coaxially and their direction of rotation, pitch, and speed of rotation are arranged such that the torque produced by one of the screws tends to counteract the torque produced by the other, allowing for improved control of the device.

Abstract: A wireless communications system comprising a first transponder having a plurality of selectable antennas, and having a stack including locations holding data representing antennas, the stack defining an order in which antennas will be used to attempt communication; a second transponder configured to communicate with the first transponder, wherein the first transponder uses an antenna defined by data in one location of the stack for communication with the second transponder, and, if successful communication with the second transponder is not established, the transponder uses an antenna defined by data in another location of the stack.

Abstract: A system for alleviating scouring damage at the base of a structure anchored in the bed of a body of liquid flowing at a velocity relative to the structure, such as a bridge pier in a river bed, comprises a plurality of hollow vehicle tires surrounding the structure in a matrix of plural stacks of tires connected together with their toroidal axes substantially aligned. Each stack comprises a predetermined number of tires so that the top surface of the matrix forms a predetermined angle relative to horizontal.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for remediating ponds and other water sites containing sludge and other waste materials by a dredging and dewatering process which is economical and efficient, uses relatively low cost equipment and provides for high remediation rates. The preferred process dredges the site to produce a sludge which is screened to remove oversize material. The screened sludge is then thickened and the thickened sludge dredged and fed as a uniform thickened sludge mixture to a filter press to dewater the sludge producing a final sludge product having a high solids content. A coagulant is preferably added to the sludge and a polymer and/or coagulant added to the thickened sludge filter press feed.

Abstract: A modular scour monitoring device which employs magnets located within a weighted descending collar is designed for placement about bridge piers, abutments and the like, such that the occurrence of scour causes descent of the collar. This descent is carefully monitored against the initial reference point using one of two systems: a magnetic detecting probe unit or a magnetic switch array. The probe unit utilizes a graduated cable with a magnet detector mounted at one end and a signalling device at the other. The switch array system employs electrical components which are selectively activated with the descent of the collar, permitting periodic readings of the arrays various electrical properties to reveal the new depth. A wide variety of accessory systems may be used in conjunction with the present invention to permit remote monitoring, visual, audible or other warning signals, and data storage and control.

Abstract: An improved material movement system for use in a body of water for moving bottom materials. The system includes a vessel from which at least one propulsion unit is suspended and which has the ability to provide flow therefrom directed at a preselected angle toward the bottom. Deflector means are used with the propulsion units to control the direction of flow from the propulsion unit and to create pressure fluctuations in the flow from the propulsion which fluctuations are both low frequency and higher frequency. The pressure fluctuations, the deflection of the propulsion flow and other features are controlled by a central controlling computer. It is preferred that the high frequency fluctuations in the propulsion flow be controlled so that the frequency is adjusted to cause a maximum of excitation or movement of the bottom materials. This is done by propeller selection, speed of rotation and other factors under the control of the operator.

Abstract: Coastal stabilization with multiple flow control of water to and from foraminous pipes and adjacent subsoil. Offshore underwater subsoil is fluidized by injection of water via underlying foraminous piping, thereby increasing the concentration of subsoil suspended in the overlying water during its onrush onto the shore. Under normal conditions beach subsoil is dewatered by withdrawing water therefrom via adjacent foraminous piping, and under stormy conditions subsoil further onshore is dewatered via foraminous piping adjacent thereto, inducing deposition of the suspended subsoil onto the adjacent land. Water collected by such dewatering can be stored temporarily and be discharged by use in such fluidization or be discharged to the sea.

Abstract: A system for rebuilding beaches which are subject to erosion of sand comprises a sheet of flexible impermeable material placed in the ocean near the shore and anchored to the water bottom with a plurality of landward tethers and a plurality of seaward tethers. A shoreward edge of the sheet parallel to the shoreline is weighted down. A seaward edge of the sheet, also parallel to the shoreline, may be provided with a float device to tend to raise the edge. As waves travel from the ocean toward the beach, the water is deflected under the sheet by the raised seaward edge, and into contact with sand and soil under the sheet, causing the sand and soil to move toward the beach. However, during the backwash of the wave, the weighted beachward edge of the sheet rests on the water bottom, deflecting the water over the sheet and out of contact with the sand and soil under the sheet, preventing movement of sand and soil away from the beach.

Abstract: A submersible thrust producing implement for use in combination with an excavator, the excavator being of the type having a boom and a stick with an attachment end on the stick for attaching the implement, which boom and stick can be extended and retracted to selectively submerge the attachment end to a predetermined location in a body of water, and having a hydraulic power system for actuating the boom, the stick, and the implement.

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: Beach stabilization with multiple flow control of water to and from foraminous pipes and adjacent subsoil. Offshore underwater subsoil is fluidized by injection of water via underlying foraminous piping, thereby increasing the concentration of subsoil suspended in the overlying water during its onrush onto the shore. Under normal conditions beach subsoil is dewatered by withdrawing water therefrom via adjacent foraminous piping, and under stormy conditions subsoil further onshore is dewatered via foraminous piping adjacent thereto, inducing deposition of the suspended subsoil onto the adjacent land. Water collected by such dewatering can be used in such fluidization.

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: 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: 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: Device and process for the displacement of sediment under water by means of water jets which liquify the sediment so that it flows away under water without polluting the surface water, the improvement being that the device has laterally directed outflow openings, which reach areas out of reach of the downwardly directed jets and by means of which soil accumulations such as ridges can be leveled.

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 underwater backfilling apparatus which can be used by undersea divers provides a sediment intake which is randomly movable by a diver over the ocean floor for removing sediment material from the seabed which is to be used in underwater backfilling. A handheld discharge dispenses the sediment material into a selected void space to be backfilled with the sediment which is removed by the intake from the seabed. A conduit connects the intake and the discharge with a bore so that sediment can be transmitted from the intake to the outlet. A fluid drive is positioned in the conduit between the inlet and the outlet for moving a mixture of sediment and seawater through the conduit.