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.

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 past or across the rotor (10) is at a first angle (a) from the axis of rotation (A). The excavation apparatus (5) comprises the rotor (5) 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 microtrencher having a vacuum system configured to clean spoil from a microtrench having a rotating brush. A method of using the microtrencher to cut a microtrench in a roadway and using the vacuum system to clean spoil from the roadway and microtrench.

In order to meet the objective of providing a device (10) and a method for a sediment transfer in waters (80, 81, 90) that works efficiently, a device (10) comprising at least one suction line (12) and at least one receiving means (16) for receiving sediment (70), and furthermore, having at least one pressure line (14) for transferring the received sediment (70) is proposed. Following the at least one receiving means (16), at least one pump device (18) and at least one measuring device (20) for determining a sediment concentration of the received sediment (70) are arranged. The device (10) further comprises a control unit (22) having a first interface (25) for inputting target values (24) and a second interface (26) for the at least one measuring device (20), and determines a sediment concentration in the at least one suction line (12) and/or in the at least one pressure line (14). Depending on the sediment concentration, a power of the pumping device (18) is adjustable.

An excavation apparatus comprises a controlled flow underwater excavation apparatus. A housing thereof comprises at least one inlet and at least one outlet. The at least one inlet is provided on or at a side of the housing. A fluid flow path extends from the/each at least one inlet to the outlet. The fluid flow path comprises a first portion provided at or adjacent the/each at least one inlet. The first portion is included at a non-300 angle, e.g. is substantially perpendicular, to or converges towards a longitudinal axis of the housing and substantially straight. A second portion extends or continues from the first portion. A third portion extends or continues from the second portion. The third portion is substantially straight, contains at least part of a rotor, and is divergent away from the longitudinal axis of the housing in a flow direction from the inlet to the outlet.

In order to meet the objective of providing a device (10) and a method for a sediment transfer in waters (80, 81, 90) that works efficiently, a device (10) comprising at least one suction line (12) and at least one receiving means (16) for receiving sediment (70), and furthermore, having at least one pressure line (14) for transferring the received sediment (70) is proposed. Following the at least one receiving means (16), at least one pump device (18) and at least one measuring device (20) for determining a sediment concentration of the received sediment (70) are arranged. The device (10) further comprises a control unit (22) having a first interface (25) for inputting target values (24) and a second interface (26) for the at least one measuring device (20), and determines a sediment concentration in the at least one suction line (12) and/or in the at least one pressure line (14). Depending on the sediment concentration, a power of the pumping device (18) is adjustable.

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 microtrencher having a vacuum system configured to clean spoil from a microtrench having a rotating brush. A method of using the microtrencher to cut a microtrench in a roadway and using the vacuum system to clean spoil from the roadway and microtrench.

A system for dredging a seabed includes a trailing suction hopper dredger. The trailing suction hopper dredger includes a hull, a rail coupled to the hull, and a dredge arm coupled to the rail. The dredge arm includes an upper suction pipe coupled to a lower suction pipe. A pump is coupled to the upper suction pipe and is configured to draw material toward the upper suction pipe from the seabed. A visual marine life deterrent is coupled to the dredge arm and is configured to direct light toward the sea floor where marine life may be located. Another visual marine life deterrent includes a silhouette of a marine life predator. The visual marine life deterrents are configured to be observable by the marine life and cause marine life to move away from the dredge arm.

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.