GB2491570A

GB2491570A - Suction dredging head with water jets

Info

Publication number: GB2491570A
Application number: GB201109150A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Simon Blight
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-05-28
Filing date: 2011-05-28
Publication date: 2012-12-12
Also published as: GB201109150D0

Abstract

Suction dredging head 1 has a container 10 having an open face 11 at one end and a closed end 12. Aperture 13 at the closed end is connectable to an extractor 14. At least one first water outlet 20 connectable to a supply of water under pressure directs water below the container. In use water from the or each first water nozzle 20 is directed onto a water bed to disturb particulate material of the water bed whereby it mixes with ambient water and is drawn into the container and out through the aperture by the vacuum 14. There may be a second arrangement of water outlets 30A/30B

Description

TitteHea4f...r.1..rdging The present invention relates to a head for dredging.

My UK patent application 0B2454729 describes a dredging vessel which supports a head which delivers water under pressure from outlets to distutb particulate material on a water bet The disturbed particulate material is mixed with ambient water and ejected from the rear of the vessel where it can be taken to a remote location by the tide or a flowing river.

This method is very efficient in rivers or tidal waters, but is not always ideal for use in still water locations such as In lakes or canals where there is no appreciable natural flow of water.

The invention seeks to provide a dredging head which may be used, inter aiia, with a vessel for dredging in still water locations.

According to the present invention there is provided a head for dredging comprising: a) a container having an open face at one end and closed end, b) an aperture at the closed end for connection to an extractor, c) at least one first water outlet connectable to a supply of water under pressure and to direct water below the container, In use water from the or each first water outlet being directed onto a water bed to disturb particulate material of the water bed whereby it mixes with ambient water and is drawn into the container and out through the aperture by said extractor.

Preferably the or each first water outlet directs water below the container below and forward of the container away from said closed end.

Preferably a control valve is provided to control flow of water to the or each first water outlet Preferably pairs of first water outlets are provided to provide jets of water in the form "V".

Preferably the head further comprises at least one second water outlet connectable to a supply of water under pressure and to direct water towards the container open end to disturb particular material in the ambient water prior to being drawn into the container.

Preferably the or each second water outlet is provided by a bar with an array of nozzles thereon.

Preferably a control valve is provIded to control flow of water to the or each second water outlet.

The bar may be spaced from the open face.

S

Preferably the first and second water outlets are supplied with water under pressure from a common source.

Preferably a control valve is provided to control flow of water to the first water outlet Preferably container has a rectangular open face, upper and lower triangular-shaped walls and trapezium-shaped side walls, the apex of the upper and lower wall and side walls leading to said aperture. Preferably the side walls are angled towards the aperture at an angle of between 25 to degrees, e.g. 33.3 degrees.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing showing a schematic perspective view.

Referring to the drawing there is shown a head I for dredging.

Head I has a container 10 having a rectangular open face 11 at one end and closed end 12.

An aperture 13 is provided at the closed end for connection to an extractor 14 such a high powered water extractor pump. a

At least one first water outlet is provided in the form of a bar 20 with an array of pairs of water jet nozzles 21 A,21B, 22A,22B, 23A,23B and 24A,24R Bar 20 is connectable to a supply of water under pressure through pipe 25 and control valve 2.6 connected to master water pipe 27.

Control valve 26 controls the amount of water delivered to the nozzles 21A,21B, 22A,22B,23A,2.3B, and 24A,248. Water under pressure may be provided from a water pump (not shown). Pairs of water jet nozzles direct water in the form of a "V" forward and below the container away from the closed end.

In use water from each nozzle 21A,2lB, 22A,22B,23A.,23B, and 24A,248 is directed onto a water bed to disturb particulate material of the water bed whereby it mixes with ambient water and is drawn into the container and out through the aperture by said extractor.

Container 10 has upper and lower trapezium-shaped walls IOA,IOB and trapezium-shaped side walls lOC,1OD. The apex of the upper and lower wall and side walls lead to the aperture 13.

Preferably the side walls are angled towards the aperture at an angle of between 25 to 40 degrees, e.g. 33.3 degrees, At least one second water outlet is provided in the form of bars 30A,30B spaced from the container open face II. Each bar 30A,30B has an array of water jet nozzles 3 1,32. Bars 30A,30B are connected to a supply of water under pressure through pipe 35 and. control valve 36

S

connected to master water pipe 27. Control valve 36 controls the amount of water delivered to the nozzles 31,32. Water under pressure may be provided from a water pump (not shown).

In use nozzles 31,32 direct water towards the container open end to disturb and break up particular material in the ambient water prior to being drawn into the container 10.

Dredging head I can be used to dredge the bottom of lakes and canals with no or limited moving water. Particulate material drawn into container 10 and extracted by extractor pump 14 can be directed. from the pump onto adjacent land where the: water can drain back into the lake or river leaving particulate material settled out of the water on the land.

Head I can be mounted on a vehicle (e.g. a diger) arm and lowered into the water to be dredged. Alternatively head I could be mounted under a vessel e.g. of the type shown in my UK patent application 2454729. In such a case the head could be supported on arms 1OA,IOB shown in this patent application. Water under pressure could be delivered down one arm 1OA and connected to the head I through valves 26,36. Extractor pump 14 could be located on the vessel and water with particulate material from aperture 13 could be directed up arm lOB to the extractor pump.

The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention

Claims

CLAIMS1. A head for dredging comprising: a) a container having an open face at one end and closed end, b) an aperture at the closed end for connection to an extractor, c) at least one first water outlet connectable to a supply of water under pressure and to direct water below the container, in use water from the or each first water outlet being directed onto a water bed to disturb particulate material of the water bed whereby it mixes with ambient water and is drawn into the container and out through the aperture by said extractor.
2. A head for dredging according to claim 1, wherein the or each first water outlet directs water below the container and forward of the container away from said closed end.
3. A head for dredging according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a control valve is provided to control flow of water to the or each first water outlet.
4. A head for dredging according to any preceding claim, wherein pairs of first water outlets are provided to provide jets of water in the form "V".
5. A head for dredging according to any preceding claim, wherein the head further comprises at least one second water outlet connectable to a supply of water under pressure and to direct water towards the container open end to disturb particular material in the ambient water prior to being drawn into the container.
6. A head for dredging according to claims, wherein the or each second water outlet is provided by a bar with an array of nozzles thereon.
7. A bead for dredging according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a control valve is provided to control flow of water to the or each second water outlet.
8. A head for dredging according to claim 5, 6, or 7, wherein the or each second water outlet is provided by a bar with an array of nozzles thereon.
9. A head for dredging according to claim 8, wherein the bar is spaced from the open face.
10. A head for dredging according to any of claims 5 to 9, wherein the first and second water outlets are supplied with water under pressure from a common source.
11. A head for dredging according to any preceding claim, wherein the container has a rectangular open face, upper and lower triangular-shaped walls and trapezium-shaped side walls, the apex of the upper and lower wall and side walls leading to said aperture.
12. A head for dredging according to claim 11, wherein the side walls are angled towards the aperture at an angle of between 25 to 40 degrees, e.g. 33.3 degrees.
13. A head for dredging substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.