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 underwater trenching apparatus and pumping apparatus includes: first and second pumps and a trench-cutting jetting tool with first and second sections, the first pump having an inlet for fluid connection with a source of water and an outlet fluidly connected to the first section of the jetting tool, the second pump having an inlet for fluid connection with a source of water and an outlet fluidly connected to the second section of the jetting tool, wherein the outlet of the first pump is fluidly connected to the inlet of the second pump by valve means that is operable to divert at least a portion of an outlet flow of the first pump to the inlet of the second pump.

There is disclosed an excavation apparatus (5), such as an underwater excavation apparatus, having means for producing, in use, at least one vortex, spiral or turbulent flow in a laminar flow of fluid, e.g. water. The excavation apparatus (5) comprises a rotor (10) having a rotor rotation axis (A), wherein, in use, flow of fluid passed or across the rotor (10) is at a first angle (a) from the axis of rotation (A). The excavation apparatus (5) comprises the rotor (10) and means or an arrangement for dampening reactive torque on the apparatus (5) caused by rotation of the rotor (10), in use. The turbulent flow is provided within, such as within a (transverse) cross-section, of the laminar flow.

A hydraulic excavation apparatus may be used for providing access to a pipeline buried under shallow water or in wetland locations, for example, in order to install an electro-mechanical clamp on the pipeline. This clamp can then be used for connecting externals anodes to the pipeline, for monitoring the level of corrosion protection of the pipeline, or for any other purpose.

A method of producing a pulsatile jet flow from a substantially constant flow primary jet in a way that is mechanically efficient, easy to implement, and allows direct control over pulse duration and pulsing frequency is disclosed herein. The invention includes at least two components: (a) a constant flow fluid jet produced by any normal method (e.g., propeller) that can be directionally vectored fluidically, mechanically, or electromagnetically and (b) a nozzle with multiple outlets (orifices) through which the vectored jet may be directed. By alternately vectoring the jet through different outlets, a transient (pulsatile) flow at an outlet is obtained even with a substantially constant primary jet flow. Additionally, the nozzle outlets may be oriented in different directions to provide thrust vectoring, making the invention useful for maneuvering, directional control, etc.

A plug device for covering a cavity excavated in the ground. The plug device includes a head defined by a plate having a planar upper surface and a planar lower surface, wherein the plate has a size that corresponds to a size of the excavated cavity. The plug device also includes a plurality of anchor members extending axially away from the planar lower surface, and that are configured to secure the plug device to the cavity.

A method of producing a pulsatile jet flow from a substantially constant flow primary jet in a way that is mechanically efficient, easy to implement, and allows direct control over pulse duration and pulsing frequency is disclosed herein. The invention includes at least two components: (a) a constant flow fluid jet produced by any normal method (e.g., propeller) that can be directionally vectored fluidically, mechanically, or electromagnetically and (b) a nozzle with multiple outlets (orifices) through which the vectored jet may be directed. By alternately vectoring the jet through different outlets, a transient (pulsatile) flow at an outlet is obtained even with a substantially constant primary jet flow. Additionally, the nozzle outlets may be oriented in different directions to provide thrust vectoring, making the invention useful for maneuvering, directional control, etc.

An adjustable grasping handle which may be used, for example with a supersonic air knife having a compressor and a barrel and nozzle, wherein the adjustable grasping handle assembly forms a barrel handle comprising i) a pair of clasping elements, each clasping element having two gripping surfaces configured to engage the barrel at a point of engagement, with one point of engagement on each side of a first centerline of the barrel; ii) a pivot pin coupling the two clasping elements together on one side of the centerline of the barrel; and iii) A handle with a threaded element engaging the pair of clasping elements configured to draw the clasping elements together around the barrel.

The present invention provides an improved pipeline burying apparatus that uses specially configured jetting nozzles that intake sea water surrounding the nozzle. The apparatus provides a frame supporting spaced apart left and right inclined pipe sections that are configured to be placed on opposing sides of the pipeline to be buried. Each inclined pipe section is fitted with a plurality of jetting nozzles that are positioned on one of the inclined pipe sections, in vertically spaced apart positions and in horizontally spaced apart positions. At least some of said jetting nozzles include a nozzle body having an outer surface and a main, central longitudinal fluid flow channel with a central channel axis. A fluid inlet end portion of the nozzle body has an externally threaded portion that enables connection to an internally threaded portion of a selected one of the inclined pipe sections. A discharge end portion of the nozzle body extends outwardly from an inclined pipe and the threaded portion. A plurality of lateral channels each intersect the main channel at an acute angle. In one embodiment, the main central longitudinal channel has an inlet section with an inlet section diameter, a discharge section having an outlet section diameter and a connecting section that is in between the inlet section and the outlet section.

A hydraulic excavation apparatus may be used for providing access to a pipeline buried under shallow water or in wetland locations, for example, in order to install an electro-mechanical clamp on the pipeline. This clamp can then be used for connecting externals anodes to the pipeline, for monitoring the level of corrosion protection of the pipeline, or for any other purpose.