The present application relates to a suction dredger for use on an underwater hard soil layer and relates to the technical field of bridge construction equipment. The present suction dredger includes a mud suctioning mechanism, a mud-breaking mechanism, and a blockage-prevention assembly. The mud suctioning mechanism includes a pressurizing assembly and a suction dredging pipe. The suction dredging pipe passes through the pressurizing assembly and the two ends thereof at least partially extend past the pressurizing assembly. The side wall of the section of the suction dredging pipe located in the pressurizing assembly is provided with multiple pressurization holes that are inclined upward in the direction from the outer wall to the inner wall. The pressurizing assembly is used for, via the pressurization holes, forming low pressure in the suction dredging pipe. The mud-breaking mechanism includes at least two mud-breaking assemblies. The mud-breaking assemblies are provided on the bottom of the mud suctioning mechanism and are used for crushing the underwater hard soil layer to assist the suction dredging pipe in suctioning mud. The blockage-prevention assembly is provided on the bottom of the suction dredging pipe. The blockage-prevention assembly is used for preventing the suction dredging pipe from experiencing blockages during the suction process. The suction dredger for use on an underwater soil layer provided in the present application solves the problem in the prior art that when a suction dredger works on an underwater hard soil layer, suction results are poor and blockages are common.

An environmentally-friendly semi-closed loop deep-sea ore hydraulic lifting system, comprises a water injection pump, a water injection riser, a deep-sea multiple high-pressure silo feeding device, a lifting riser, a dewatering device and a pipeline. The water injection pump and the dewatering device are fixed on a mining ship. The water injection pump is connected to the deep-sea multiple high-pressure silo feeding device through the water injection riser. The deep-sea multiple high-pressure silo feeding device is connected to the dewatering device through the lifting riser. The water injection pump is connected to the dewatering device through the pipeline. Seawater is pumped into the water injection riser by the water injection pump, then ore is fed into a high-pressure hydraulic pipeline by the deep-sea multiple high-pressure silo feeding device to be mixed with the seawater, and an obtained ore and seawater mixture is lifted to the mining ship on the sea surface.

An environmentally-friendly semi-closed loop deep-sea ore hydraulic lifting system, comprises a water injection pump, a water injection riser, a deep-sea multiple high-pressure silo feeding device, a lifting riser, a dewatering device and a pipeline. The water injection pump and the dewatering device are fixed on a mining ship. The water injection pump is connected to the deep-sea multiple high-pressure silo feeding device through the water injection riser. The deep-sea multiple high-pressure silo feeding device is connected to the dewatering device through the lifting riser. The water injection pump is connected to the dewatering device through the pipeline. Seawater is pumped into the water injection riser by the water injection pump, then ore is fed into a high-pressure hydraulic pipeline by the deep-sea multiple high-pressure silo feeding device to be mixed with the seawater, and an obtained ore and seawater mixture is lifted to the mining ship on the sea surface.

Disclosed is a ball joint for connecting two floating pipes, the joint including an inner shell part, an outer shell part and a clamp with segments that are moveable in a common plane between an open position in which at least one of the shell parts is moveable into and out of the clamp, and a clamping position in which movement of both shell parts along the longitudinal centre lines is prevented. The ball joint is provided with a remote controlled actuator for driving movement of the segments between the open and closed position, without requiring nearby personnel to keep the shell parts aligned. Also disclosed is such a clamp and to a method of connecting such a ball joint to two pipes.

A vessel and vessel/barge systems for dredging underwater surfaces. The vessel includes a hull with a bottom, bow portion, stern portion, port side, and starboard side. The vessel also includes a deck supported by the hull and a pump system mounted within the hull. A drag arm pivotably couples to the pump system. The vessel additionally includes a void defined by contiguous watertight walls or bulkheads joined to and extending upward from the bottom of the hull. The contiguous watertight walls or bulkheads are (i) vertically extensive of a perimeters of an aperture in the bottom of the hull, (ii) outboard, astern, and forward the aperture, or (iii) some combination thereof. The barge is releasably coupled to the vessel. Moreover, the barge is in fluidic communication with the drag arm.

A vessel and vessel/barge systems for dredging underwater surfaces. The vessel includes a hull with a bottom, bow portion, stern portion, port side, and starboard side. The vessel also includes a deck supported by the hull and a pump system mounted within the hull. A drag arm pivotably couples to the pump system. The vessel additionally includes a void defined by contiguous watertight walls or bulkheads joined to and extending upward from the bottom of the hull. The contiguous watertight walls or bulkheads are (i) vertically extensive of a perimeters of an aperture in the bottom of the hull, (ii) outboard, astern, and forward the aperture, or (iii) some combination thereof. The barge is releasably coupled to the vessel. Moreover, the barge is in fluidic communication with the drag arm.

A protective sleeve configured to be circumferentially disposed around a portion of a dig wand on a hydrovac excavation system. The protective sleeve includes a body that is planar in manner and flexible. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the body includes a first layer, a second layer and a third layer. The first layer and third layer are manufactured from a synthetic rubber or polymer plastic. The second layer is intermediate the first layer and third layer and is manufactured from an impact absorbing material such as but not limited to silicone gel. A plurality of fasteners are integrally secured on the body and are arranged in a first set and a second set. The plurality of fasteners are mateable and are configured to surroundably secure the protective sleeve around a portion of a dig wand.

An elbow fitting for an excavating apparatus can include a curved cylindrical pipe that can include a first metal material. In an example, the fitting can be configured for coupling to a hose. The pipe can include an interior surface and an exterior surface. Optionally, a perimeter of the pipe does not exceed a diameter of a first end of the pipe. The fitting can include a cladding layer (e.g., a second metal material) that can be coupled to the first metal material within the interior surface of the pipe. The cladding layer can include an abrasion-resistant material. The cladding layer can be coupled to the pipe such as with a welding operation. The cladding layer can include one or more ridges. The cladding layer can corregate the interior surface of the fitting and exterior surfaces of the fitting which can come into contact with abrasive material.

An elbow fitting for an excavating apparatus can include a curved cylindrical pipe that can include a first metal material. In an example, the fitting can be configured for coupling to a hose. The pipe can include an interior surface and an exterior surface. Optionally, a perimeter of the pipe does not exceed a diameter of a first end of the pipe. The fitting can include a cladding layer (e.g., a second metal material) that can be coupled to the first metal material within the interior surface of the pipe. The cladding layer can include an abrasion-resistant material. The cladding layer can be coupled to the pipe such as with a welding operation. The cladding layer can include one or more ridges. The cladding layer can corregate the interior surface of the fitting and exterior surfaces of the fitting which can come into contact with abrasive material.

The hydro excavation remote dig system provides for a primary and secondary dig tube attachments that permit a vacuum truck to be used for a remote dig setup. Specifically, the attachments include various attachable handles, corrugated tubing that connects to a reinforcement bar device with releasable clamps to maintain the corrugated tubing in an elongated state during use, a debris box with an integrated safety valve, and a dig tip.