DREDGING APPARATUS

Abstract

Dredging apparatus systems and methods are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a dredging apparatus includes a float assembly, a support frame, and a suction head assembly. The float assembly is configured to float on the surface of a liquid. The support frame is connected to the float assembly. The suction head assembly is movably supported with respect to the float assembly by the support frame. The support frame is tiltable with respect to the float assembly between a first position and a second position.

Claims

1. A dredging apparatus comprising: a float assembly configured to float on a surface of a liquid; a support frame connected to the float assembly; and a suction head assembly movably supported with respect to the float assembly by the support frame, the support frame being tiltable with respect to the float assembly between a first position and a second position.

2. The dredging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the suction head assembly includes a pump and a hose having one end connected to the pump.

3. The dredging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the float assembly includes an opening dimensioned such that the suction head assembly can pass through the opening.

4. The dredging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support frame includes an elongated guide member and a hoist device configured to raise and lower the elongated guide member, and the suction head assembly is attached to one end of the elongated guide member such that the suction head assembly can be raised and lowered with respect to the float assembly by raising and lowering the elongated support member.

5. The dredging apparatus of claim 4, wherein the elongated guide member is oriented substantially vertically when the support frame is in the first position while the float assembly is floating on the surface of the liquid, and the elongated guide member is oriented substantially horizontally when the support frame is in the second position while the float assembly is floating on the surface of the liquid.

6. The dredging apparatus of claim 5, wherein the float assembly includes an opening through which the elongated guide member extends when the suction head assembly is lowered below the float assembly, and the opening is dimensioned such that the suction head assembly can pass through the opening.

7. The dredging apparatus of claim 6, wherein the support frame, the suction head assembly, and the opening are configured such that the support frame can be tilted from the first position to the second position without removing the suction head assembly when the elongated guide member is raised to a first height position or higher.

8. The dredging apparatus of claim 6, wherein the suction head assembly includes a pump and a hose having one end connected to the pump, the opening is a first opening, and the float assembly includes a second opening that communicates between an exterior of the float assembly and the first opening, the second opening being dimensioned to permit the hose to extend into the first opening via the second opening.

9. The dredging apparatus of claim 6, wherein the support frame, the suction head assembly, and the opening are configured such that the support frame can be tilted from the first position to a maximum tilt angle of 60 degrees toward the second position while the elongated guide member is positioned lower than a second height position.

10. The dredging apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second height position is a position where the suction head assembly is disposed below the float assembly while the float assembly is floating on the surface of the liquid.

11. The dredging apparatus of claim 1, comprising a pump, a suction hose having one end connected to a suction side of the pump and another end attached to the suction head assembly, and a discharge hose having one end connected to a discharge side of the pump.

12. The dredging apparatus of claim 11, comprising an auxiliary float assembly, the pump being arranged on the auxiliary float assembly.

13. The dredging apparatus of claim 12, wherein the auxiliary float assembly is configured to be attached to the float assembly.

14. The dredging apparatus of claim 11, comprising a land support assembly configured to be arranged on a shore of the liquid, the pump being arranged on the land support assembly.

15. The dredging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support frame includes at least one tilt member configured and arranged to tilt the support frame with respect to the float assembly.

16. The dredging apparatus of claim 15, comprising a pair of longitudinal base members arranged spaced apart in a widthwise direction of the float assembly and extending in a longitudinal direction of the float assembly, the pair of longitudinal base members being fixed with respect to the float assembly, and the at least one tilt member includes a first tilt member mounted to one of the pair of longitudinal base members and a second tilt member mounted to the other of the pair of longitudinal base members.

17. A dredging apparatus comprising: a float assembly configured to float on a surface of a liquid; a support frame connected to the float assembly; a suction head assembly movably supported with respect to the float assembly by the support frame; a suction hose having one end connected to a suction side of a pump and another end attached to the suction head assembly; and a discharge hose having one end connected to a discharge side of the pump.

18. The dredging apparatus of claim 17, comprising an auxiliary float assembly, the pump being arranged on the auxiliary float assembly.

19. The dredging apparatus of claim 18, wherein the auxiliary float assembly is configured to be attached to the float assembly.

20. The dredging apparatus of claim 17, comprising a land support assembly configured to be arranged on a shore of the liquid, the pump being arranged on the land support assembly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure:

[0028] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an example embodiment of a dredging apparatus floating on a liquid and being configured in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 2 is a side view of the dredging apparatus of FIG. 1 floating on a liquid;

[0030] FIG. 3 is another top perspective view of the dredging apparatus of FIG. 1 floating on a liquid;

[0031] FIG. 4 is another side view of the dredging apparatus of FIG. 1 floating on a liquid;

[0032] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the dredging apparatus of FIG. 1 floating on a liquid;

[0033] FIG. 6 is another front perspective view of the dredging apparatus of FIG. 1 floating on a liquid;

[0034] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the dredging apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0035] FIG. 8 is another side view of the dredging apparatus of FIG. 1 floating on a liquid;

[0036] FIG. 9 is another top plan view of the dredging apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0037] FIG. 10 is another side view of the dredging apparatus of FIG. 1 floating on a liquid;

[0038] FIG. 11 is a detailed view of certain parts of the dredging apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0039] FIG. 12 is another side view of the dredging apparatus of FIG. 1 floating on a liquid;

[0040] FIG. 13 is another front perspective view of the dredging apparatus of FIG. 1 floating on a liquid;

[0041] FIG. 14 is another detailed view of certain parts of the dredging apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0042] FIG. 15 is a detailed view of an example embodiment of a control unit included with the dredging apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0043] FIG. 16 is another top perspective view of the dredging apparatus of FIG. 1 floating on a liquid;

[0044] FIG. 17 is another top perspective view of the dredging apparatus of FIG. 1 floating on a liquid;

[0045] FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the dredging apparatus of FIG. 1 floating on a liquid;

[0046] FIG. 19 is another top perspective view of the dredging apparatus of FIG. 1 floating on a liquid;

[0047] FIG. 20 is another top perspective view of the dredging apparatus of FIG. 1 floating on a liquid; and

[0048] FIG. 21 is another top plan view of the dredging apparatus of FIG. 1 floating on a liquid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0050] FIGS. 1 to 21 illustrate an example embodiment of a dredging apparatus or dredge sled 10 (hereinafter dredging apparatus 10) configured in accordance with the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the dredging apparatus 10 includes a float assembly 12, a support frame 14 and a suction head assembly 16. The support frame 14 is configured to raise and lower the suction head assembly 16 while the float assembly 12 floats on a liquid. The liquid can be water in a pond, lagoon, canal, settling tank or other body of water, and can be water that contains slurry, sludge, or solids which are removed from the liquid by the suction head assembly 16.

[0051] In the illustrated embodiment, the float assembly 12 includes a pair of lateral float members or pontoons 20 (hereinafter lateral float members 20) and/or a middle float member 22. The lateral float members 20 and/or the middle float member can be made of plastic, fiberglass, metal or another suitable material with sufficient buoyancy to float on the liquid surface LS while supporting the support frame 14 and the suction head assembly 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral float members 20 are spaced apart from each other in a widthwise direction 12, and the middle float member 22 is located between the lateral float members 20 in the widthwise direction. As used herein, the widthwise direction of the float assembly 12 is the generally horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction in which the float assembly 12 is moved along the surface of the liquid during dredging work (e.g., up/down in FIG. 7), and the longitudinal direction of the float assembly 12 is the forward/reverse direction in which the float assembly 12 is moved along the surface of the liquid during dredging work (e.g., left/right in FIG. 7).

[0052] In an embodiment, each of the lateral float members 20 can have an annular hollow shape with a central hollow interior and can be sealed to contain air and act as a float. Alternatively, the lateral float members 20 can contain one or more buoyant bodies such as foam plastic members having a tubular configuration. In another embodiment, a buoyant material (such as foam plastic) can be injected into the hollow interior of the lateral float members 20. In an embodiment, each of the lateral float members 20 can include a plurality of float members stacked on one another in a vertical direction.

[0053] In the illustrated embodiment, the middle float member 22 includes a central or first opening 24 (hereinafter central opening 24) configured to receive the support frame 14. The middle float member 22 can have a generally closed shape surrounding the center opening 22. That is, from the top plan view, the middle section float member 22 can have a generally closed shape, such as a circle, an oval, or a rectangle with the central opening 24 in the middle. Alternatively, the middle float member 22 can be open at one or more side portion so as to have an open shape surrounding the central opening 24 from a top plan view, as seen for example in FIG. 7.

[0054] In the illustrated embodiment, the middle float member 22 has a U shape formed by a front portion 22a, a first side portion 22b and a second side portion 22c. The U shape creates the central opening 24 opening between the front portion 22a, the first side portion 22b and the second side portion 22c, and also creates a side or second opening 26 (hereinafter side opening 26) that enables liquid and/or equipment to be located between liquid surrounding the float assembly 12 and the central opening 24. Here, the side opening 26 is provided through a side wall of the middle float member 22. Preferably, the side opening 26 is provided on a side of the middle float member 22 where the lateral float members 20 are not provided, such as through a rear side of the middle float member 22 as seen in FIG. 7. The side opening 26 is dimensioned to permit a hose 62 to extend into the central opening 24. Thus, the width of the side opening 26 is preferably larger than a diameter of the hose 62 so that the hose 62 can float within the side opening 26 when the suction head assembly 16 is in a raised position with respect to the float assembly 12, as discussed in more detail below. By providing the side opening 26 on the rear side of the middle float member 22, the hose is pulled along with the dredging apparatus during use and does not interfere with other equipment.

[0055] Similar to the lateral members 20, the middle float member 22 can be constructed as a one-piece member or as a plurality of members fitted together. The central opening 24 is dimensioned such that the suction head assembly 16 passes through the central opening 24. As discussed in more detail below, the support frame 14 is configured to raise and lower the suction head assembly 16 through the central opening 24. The lateral float members 20 and the middle float member 22 are configured such that the lateral float members 20 can be easily attached and detached with respect to the middle float member 22. Preferably, the lateral float members 20 and the middle float member 22 are configured such that the work of attaching the lateral float members 20 can be easily accomplished by two workers before entering the water or other liquid where the dredging work is being done.

[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, the float assembly 12 has a flat upper surface 28 for mounting the support frame 14 and other equipment. More specifically, the middle float member 28 has a flat upper surface 28 for mounting the support frame 14 and other equipment, as discussed in more detail below. In an embodiment, the support frame 14 and other equipment can instead be mounted on the lateral support members 20 or to a combination of the lateral support members 20 and the middle support member 22.

[0057] The support frame 14 is configured to movably support the suction head assembly 16 relative to the float assembly 12. More specifically, the support frame 14 is configured to support the suction head assembly 16 such that the suction head assembly 16 can be lowered and raised with respect to the float assembly 12. When the dredging apparatus 10 is used, the suction head assembly 16 is lowered to a level where sludge, sediment, or other materials to be removed exist. Preferably, the support frame 14 is capable of supporting the suction head assembly 16 while the suction head assembly 16 is lowered to a bottom surface BS below the liquid, e.g., a bottom surface of the pond, lagoon, or other body of water where the dredging apparatus 10 is being used. The float assembly 12 and the support frame 14 can be configured appropriately in accordance of the depth of the liquid where the dredging apparatus 10 will be used. As seen for example in FIG. 5, the support frame 14 can have an A-frame like structure including two side members 32 and a cross member 34 spanning between the two side members 32.

[0058] In the illustrated embodiment, the support frame 14 includes one or more elongated guide members 36 and a hoist device 38. The hoist device 38 is configured to raise and lower the elongated guide members 36 with respect to the support frame 14. The suction head assembly 16 is attached to one end of the elongated guide members 36 such that the suction head assembly 16 is raised and lowered with respect to the float assembly 12 by raising and lowering the elongated guide members 36.

[0059] In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more elongated guide members 36 include a pair of elongated guide members 36 arranged spaced apart in the widthwise direction of the float assembly 12. The pair of elongated guide members 36 are preferably substantially parallel to each other and arranged to interconnect the suction head assembly 16 and float assembly 12. This configuration not only provides for vertical guided movement of the suction head assembly 16 relative to the float assembly 12, but also prevents twisting of the suction head assembly 16 relative to the float assembly 12. The length of the elongated guide members 36 is preferably sufficient to accommodate the deepest portion of the liquid body where dredging work will be conducted.

[0060] In the illustrated embodiment, the support frame 14 includes at least one outer support member 40 and at least one slide assembly 41 provided with respect to each of the elongated guide members 36. The outer support member 40 pivotally attaches a side member 32 to a tilt member 54, as discussed in more detail below. The slide assembly 41 is configured to support an elongated guide member 36 such that the elongated guide member 36 can be moved in a telescoping manner relative to the slide assembly 41 along a longitudinal direction of the elongated guide member 36.

[0061] In the illustrated embodiment, each of the slide assemblies 41 includes an opening through which an elongated guide member 36 is inserted and one or more rollers 42 configured to contact opposing surfaces of the elongated guide member 36 while the elongated guide member 36 moves within the opening. The rollers 42 can be made of rubber or other flexible material that can grip the surfaces of the elongated guide member 36 and provide for smooth movement. Alternatively, each of the slide assemblies 41 can include bearings such as a low-friction pad to allow for smooth sliding movement of the elongated guide member 36 Two or more slide assemblies 41 can be provided for each elongated guide member 36. In an embodiment, the slide assemblies 41 are fixed with respect to the support frame 14 and only permit movement of the elongated guide members 36 in one direction, such as a direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the elongated guide members 36 (e.g., up/down in FIG. 2).

[0062] In the illustrated embodiment, the hoist device 38 is provided on the support frame 14 to move the elongated guide members 36 with respect to the support frame 14. As seen for example in FIG. 5, the hoist device 38 includes at least one drive device 44 such as a hoist winch 44 that is mounted to the float assembly 12 or the support frame 14 and configured to move the suction head assembly 16 up and down together with the elongated guide members 36. The hoist device 38 can further include at least one pully 45 connected to the support frame 14 and at least one cable 46 connected to the suction head assembly 16. The hoist device 38 can raise and lower the suction head assembly 16 by reeling in and reeling out the cable 46. In the illustrated embodiment, the pulley 45 is fixed to the support frame 14 and disposed between the hoist winch 44 and the suction head assembly 16. The pulley 45 is also disposed between the pair of elongated support members 20 and above the suction head assembly 16. The pulley 45 can include two or more pulleys 45 located near each other or at separate locations.

[0063] In an embodiment, the drive device 38 can include a gear wheel configured to engage with gear teeth provided on the elongated guide member 36. The drive device 38 can include an electric motor, a hydraulic motor, or other drive source for driving the gear wheel. The drive device 38 can be provided separately from the slide assemblies 41 or incorporated into the slide assemblies 41. That is, one or more drive device 38 can be incorporated into one of the slide assemblies 41, or one or more drive device 38 can be incorporated into each of two or more of the slide assemblies 41. One or more drive devices 38 can also be provided with respect to each of the elongated guide members 36.

[0064] In an embodiment, the elongated guide members 36 are pivotally connected to the suction head assembly 16 In such an embodiment, the elongated guide members 36 are preferably pivotally connected to the suction head assembly 16 such that the suction bead assembly 16 can pivot about a substantially horizontal pivot axis. In an embodiment, the pivot axis extends in a direction parallel to a widthwise direction of the float assembly 12 A pair of elongated guide members 36 can also be pivotally connected to opposite ends of the suction head assembly 16.

[0065] In an embodiment, an elongated guide member 36 or each of the elongated guide members 36 can be configured with a visual indication of the operating depth of the suction head assembly 16. Thus, as the suction head assembly 16 is raised or lowered by operation of the hoist winch 44, the elongated guide member 36 simultaneously move up and down to guide and support the suction head assembly 16. The extent that the elongated guide member 36 is visible above the float assembly 12 indicates the operating depth of the suction head assembly 16. One or both of the elongated guide members 36 can have markings thereon to indicate depth of operation of the suction head assembly 14.

[0066] In the illustrated embodiment, the support frame 14 is tiltable with respect to the float assembly 12 between a first position and a second position. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the first position, while FIGS. 9 to 13 show the second position. The first position is a position of the support frame 14 with respect to the float assembly 12 in which the elongated guide member 36 is oriented substantially vertically when the float assembly 12 is floating on the liquid surface LS. In other words, the first position is a position in which the elongated guide member 36 is oriented substantially perpendicular with respect to the upper surface 28 of the float assembly 12. The second position is a position of the support frame 14 with respect to the float assembly 12 in which the elongated guide member 36 is oriented substantially horizontally when the float assembly 12 is floating on the liquid surface LS. In other words, the second position is a position in which the elongated guide member 36 is oriented substantially parallel to the upper surface 28 of the float assembly 12.

[0067] In the illustrated embodiment, the support frame 14 includes a pair of longitudinal base members 50 spaced apart in the widthwise direction of the float assembly 12 and extending in the longitudinal direction of the float assembly 12. The longitudinal base members 50 are connected to and/or support other parts of the dredging apparatus 10 such as parts of the support frame 14. The longitudinal base members 50 are fixedly attached to the float assembly 12, for example, by one or more fasteners, by welding, with an adhesive, or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal base members 50 are attached to the flat upper surface 28 of the float assembly 12. The longitudinal base members 50 can also be formed integrally with the float assembly 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal base members 50 are provided on the middle float member 22, but the longitudinal base members 50 can also be provided on the lateral side members 22.

[0068] The support frame 14 is preferably tiltable about a tilt axis that extends in the widthwise direction of the float assembly 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the support frame 14 includes a tilt shaft 53 and a tilt shaft support 52. Each tilt shaft support 52 is attached to a longitudinal base member 50 and thus fixed with respect to the float assembly 12, and each tilt shaft 53 is pivotally supported by and rotates within the tilt shaft support 52. The tilt shaft 53 is attached to a side member 32, such that the side member 32 and the tilt shaft rotate together around the center axis of the tilt shaft support 52 as suction head assembly 16 tilts between positions as discussed herein. In the illustrated embodiment, the support frame 14 includes a pair of tilt shaft supports 52 on opposite sides of the float assembly 12 and spaced apart in a widthwise direction of the float assembly 12. The tilt shaft 53 can be a single shaft that spans in the widthwise direction of the float assembly 12 between the pair of tilt shaft supports 52. Alternatively, the tilt shaft 53 can include two separate tilt shafts 53 on opposite sides of the support frame 14.

[0069] The support frame 14 also includes at least one tilt member 54 configured to tilt the support frame 14 with respect to the float assembly 12. More specifically, the tilt member 54 is configured to tilt the support frame 14 between the first position (e.g., FIGS. 1 and 2) and the second position (e.g., FIGS. 9 to 13). In the illustrated embodiment, the tilt member 54 includes an elongated inner cylinder and outer cylinder which telescope to extend and contract the overall length of the tilt member 54. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the tilt member 54 in its contracted state, and FIGS. 9 to 13 show the tilt member in its extended state. FIGS. 3 and 4 show the tilt member 54 in an intermediate extended state between the fully contracted and fully extended states. Thus, the tilt member 54 expands as the support frame 14 moves from the first position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to the second position shown in FIGS. 9 to 13, and contracts as the support frame 14 moves from the second position shown in FIGS. 9 to 13 to the first position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The tilt member 54 can include a hydraulic cylinder, an electric cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, or the like.

[0070] The tilt member 54 is configured to exert a force against the support frame 14 to tilt the support frame 14 with respect to the float assembly 12 about the tilt axis. As seen for example in FIGS. 2, 5 and 8, tilt member 54 has a first end 54a and a second end 54b. The first end 54a is pivotally connected to the support frame 14 and the second end 54b is pivotally connected to the float assembly 12. More specifically, the first end 54a is pivotally connected to the outer support member 40 and/or the side members 32, and the second end is pivotally connected to the longitudinal base member 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the tilt member 54 includes first tilt member 54 pivotally mounted to one of the longitudinal base members 50 and a second tilt member 54 pivotally mounted to the other of the longitudinal base members 50.

[0071] As discussed above, the middle float member 22 includes a central opening 24 (or first opening) dimensioned such that the suction head assembly 16 can pass therethrough. The elongated support member 36 extends downward through the central opening 24 when the suction head assembly 16 is lowered into the liquid below the float assembly 12. Preferably, the support frame 14, the suction head assembly 16, and the central opening 24 are configured such that the support frame 14 can be tilted from the first position to the second position without removing the suction head assembly 16 when the elongated guide member 36 is raised to a first height position or higher. There is a limit to how far the support frame 14 can be tilted from the first position when the suction head assembly 16 is submersed in the liquid below the float assembly 12 because the elongated guide member 36 will extend to a depth that is larger than a dimension of the central opening 24 in the longitudinal direction of the float assembly 12. However, when the suction head assembly 16 is raised to a first height position or higher, the suction head assembly 16 and the elongated guide members 36 are positioned either completely above the upper surface of the float assembly 12 or only slightly below the upper surface of the float assembly 12. Therefore, when the suction head assembly 16 is at or above the first height position, it is possible to tilt the support frame 14 fully to the second position without any interference between the float assembly 12 and the suction head assembly 16 and/or the elongated guide members 36. The tilting feature enables the height of the elongated guide members 36 and the support frame 14 to be greatly reduced. As a result, the clearance for passing under bridges and other low obstructions can be provided. Also, the dredging apparatus 10 can be placed in a container or on a truck more easily for storage and shipping. Tilting the support frame 14 can also provide access to the bottom of the suction head assembly 16 for maintenance purposes and clearing debris from the suction head assembly 16 or an agitation device 88 (described later) provided on the suction head assembly 16.

[0072] In the illustrated embodiment, the support frame 14, the suction head assembly 16, and the central opening 24 are configured such that the support frame 14 can be tilted from the first position to a maximum tilt angle of 60 degrees toward the second position even while the elongated guide member 36 is positioned lower than a second height position. The second height position is a position where the suction head assembly 16 is disposed below the float assembly 12 while the float assembly 12 is floating on the surface of the liquid. The dimension of the central opening 24 in the longitudinal direction of the float assembly 12 is large enough to permit tilting the support frame 14 to 60 degrees from the first position toward the second position without the elongated guide members 36 contacting the float assembly 12 while the suction head assembly 16 is submerged in the liquid below the float assembly 12. Alternatively, the dredging apparatus 10 can be configured to permit tilting the support frame 16 up to a smaller angle, e.g., 15, 30, or 45 degrees, from the first position toward the second position while the suction head assembly 16 is submerged in the liquid below the float assembly 12. In particular, if it is known that steep slopes will not be encountered during dredging work, then the longitudinal dimension of the central opening 24 can be reduced and the float assembly 12 can be made more compact by configuring the dredging apparatus 10 to accommodate a smaller angular tilt range when the suction head assembly 16 is submerged. Theoretically, any angular tilt range is possible, but the dimension of the central opening 24 in the longitudinal direction of the float assembly 12 may need to be impractically large to accommodate an angular tilt range larger than 60 degrees.

[0073] The dredging apparatus 10 further includes at least one pump 60 and at least one hose 62. In the illustrated embodiment, the pump 60 is mounted on the suction head assembly 16 and the hose 62 has one end connected to the pump 60. The hose 62 is a discharge hose connected to a discharge side of the pump 60. As discussed in more detail below, the pump 60 is configured to be submerged in the liquid together with a suction head 85 during dredging work. The hose 62 is flexible and moves up and down together with the pump 60 when the suction head assembly 16 is raised and lowered. Floats 66 can be attached to the hose 62 so that the hose 62 floats on the surface of the liquid, as seen for example in FIGS. 16 to 21.

[0074] As also seen for example in FIGS. 16 to 21, in an embodiment the dredging apparatus 10 includes both a suction hose 64 and a discharge hose 62 connected to the pump 60. Specifically, the suction hose 64 has one end connected to a suction side of a pump and another end attached to the suction head assembly 16. Meanwhile, the discharge hose 62 has one end connected to a discharge side of the pump 60 and another end arranged at a discharge area or end 63, such as at a container or an auxiliary pond provided for collected dredged material. With this arrangement, the pump 60 does not need to be attached directly to the suction head assembly 16. Instead, the pump 60 can be provided remotely with respect to the float assembly 12. In such a case, the suction hose 64 is connected to the suction head assembly 16 instead of the pump 60 and the suction hose 64 moves up and down when the suction head assembly 16 is raised and lowered. This configuration enables a larger pump to be used in some applications because it is not necessary to support the pump 60 on the suction head assembly 16 and raise and lower the pump 60 together with the suction head assembly 16. Also, it is not necessary for the central opening 24 to be large enough for the pump 60 to pass through when the suction head assembly 16 is raised in lowered.

[0075] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, the dredging apparatus 10 includes a land support assembly 71. The land support assembly 71 is configured to be arranged on a shore of the liquid (e.g., a perimeter or beach of a pond or lagoon) or some other land surface in the vicinity of the liquid. In this embodiment, the pump 60 can be arranged on the land support assembly 71. With this configuration, a longer suction hose 64 can be used to accommodate the movement of the float assembly 12 during the dredging work. On the other hand, a larger pump 60 can be accommodated because the pump is installed on dry land and does not need to be attached to the suction head assembly 16 or supported on an auxiliary float assembly 68 as discussed below. By using the land support assembly 71, a still larger capacity pump can be used as compared to a pump installed directly on the suction head assembly 16 or on an auxiliary float assembly 68. For example, up to a ten-inch self-priming eddy pump or an even larger pump can be used.

[0076] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the dredging apparatus 10 includes an auxiliary float assembly 68 and a pump 69 is arranged on the auxiliary float assembly 68. The auxiliary float assembly 68 can be a barge or other suitable float configured to support equipment while floating on the surface of the liquid body. The auxiliary float assembly 68 can be configured to be as large or small as necessary to support the size of pump 69 that is used. The auxiliary float assembly 68 can be configured to be attached to the float assembly 12. When attached, the auxiliary float assembly 68 can move together with the float assembly 12 during dredging work. This configuration permits a relatively short suction hose to be used between the pump 69 and the suction head assembly 16. One or both of the auxiliary float assembly 68 and the float assembly 12 can include fittings to enable the auxiliary float assembly 68 to be easily attached to and detached from the float assembly 12. By using the auxiliary float assembly 68, a larger capacity pump 69 can be used as compared to a pump 60 installed directly on the suction head assembly 16. For example, a six-inch self-priming eddy pump or larger pump can be used.

[0077] In an embodiment, the tilting feature of the support frame 14 can be omitted. For example, when the pump 60, 69 is arranged on an auxiliary float assembly 68 or a land support assembly 71, the features still provide an improvement over existing floating dredging apparatuses by enabling a larger pump to be used. Of course, it is also acceptable to use the tilting support frame feature together with the auxiliary float assembly 68 or the land support assembly 71. In short, these features can be used alone or in combination to obtain a floating type dredging apparatus 10 with improved scalability, usability, and storage convenience.

[0078] The pump 60, 69 can be a self-priming pump. One example of a self-priming pump that can be used in accordance with the present application is an eddy pump. The eddy pump can be a pump as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/176,495, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The eddy pump can include a drive motor, a volute or housing, and a rotor. The rotor is disposed within the housing such that fluid, liquids, materials, and slurries can enter the housing and be pumped by the rotor. The rotor is connected to the drive motor that is configured to drive or rotate the rotor to pump fluid, liquids, materials, and slurries from the inlet to the discharge. The motor can be any suitable motor known in the art that would be capable of driving the rotor at suitable rotational velocities for suctioning the sludge or other material through the suction hose. The eddy pump can be gasoline powered, diesel powered, electric powered, or the like.

[0079] In an embodiment, the auxiliary float assembly 68 or the land support assembly 71 a hydraulic power unit (HPU). In the embodiment in which the auxiliary float assembly 68 includes an HPU, the HPU can be a portable HPU that can be easily loaded onto and unloaded from an auxiliary float assembly 68 to power the pump 60, 69 and/or an agitation device 88. Alternatively, the HPU 71 can be a larger unit configured to be used from the land support assembly 71 at the shore. At least one hose and a control cable can be provided between the HPU and the suction head assembly 16 to power a hydraulic motor for driving the pump 60, 69, an agitation device 88, or other equipment. Three or more hoses can be used as needed. Floats 66 can be attached to the hoses and the control cable so that the hoses and the control cable float on the liquid surface LS of the liquid body.

[0080] In the illustrated embodiments, the dredging apparatus 10 also includes a traversing drive device 70 to move the float assembly 12 along the liquid surface LS of the liquid body. The traversing drive device 70 can include one or more of a cable 72, one or more tensioning winch 74, one or more land idler pulley 76, one or more vehicle idler pulley 78, and one or more traversing winch 80. The traversing which 80 includes at least one driven pulley or other means of driving the cable 72. In the illustrated embodiment, the traversing winch 80 is provided on the float assembly 12 and at least one land idler pulley 76 is provided on each of opposite sides of the liquid body, e.g., on opposite banks of the pond or other body of water being dredged as seen for example in FIG. 21. Both ends of the cable 72 are fixed to the float assembly 12 and intermediate portions of the cable are passed around the tensioning winch 74, the vehicle idler pulleys 78 and the traversing winch 80. When the traversing winch 80 is operated, the cable 72 moves in a circuitous manner and causes the float assembly 12 to move across the liquid body towards one or the other of the land pulleys 76 located on opposite sides of the liquid body depending on the direction the traversing winch 80 is driven. The traversing winch 80 can be driven by an electric motor or another suitable drive source configured to move the cable 72. The idler pulleys 76 can be moved along the opposing banks as the dredging work progresses to enable different portions of the bottom to be dredged. The tensioning winch 74 can be used to maintain tension in the cable and avoid excessive slack. Alternatively, the traversing drive winch 80 can be provided on one side of the body of liquid, i.e., onshore, and a pulley can be provided on the opposite side. The traversing winch 80 pulls the cable in one direction or the other from the shore to move the float assembly across the surface of the liquid.

[0081] In the illustrated embodiment, the float assembly 12 (e.g., at the longitudinal base members 20, the middle base member 22 or the longitudinal base members 50) includes one or more of the tensioning winch 74, the vehicle idler pulley 78, the traversing winch 80 and/or one or more fairleads or other guide structures for guiding the cable 72 with respect to the float assembly 12 and the support frame 14 during dredging work. These structures are preferably arranged on opposite sides of the float assembly 12 to keep the cable 72 away from a middle section of the float assembly 12. In particular, the guide structures can be arranged to prevent the cable 72 from migrating toward the support frame 14 and the center opening 24 and interfering with the support frame 14, the suction head assembly 16, the pump 60, or other elements of the dredging apparatus 10.

[0082] In the illustrated embodiment, the float assembly 12 includes one or more rail-like elongated skids 83 at the lower end thereof. The skids 83 are spaced apart in the widthwise direction of the float assembly 12 on opposite sides of the central opening 24. The skids 83 can be fixed to the middle float member 22 or the side float members 20. Each of the skids 83 is long enough to protrude beyond a front end and a rear end of the float assembly 12. Each of the skids 83 is also curved upward at both ends to ensure a smooth transition from a floating state to a state in which the skids contact the bottom surface of the shore or other shallow portion of the liquid. Each of the skids 83 can be a tubular member made of plastic, metal, or other suitable material.

[0083] In the illustrated embodiment, the suction head assembly 16 also includes elongated skids 84, along with a suction head 85 and an agitation device 86. The elongated skids 84 are configured to rest on the bottom surface BS of the pond or other liquid body. The suction head 85 is configured to receive the sludge or other material being removed from the bottom surface BS by the pump 60. The length of the suction head skids 84 is preferably longer than a longitudinal dimension of the suction head 85 and the agitation device 86, i.e., the dimension oriented in the longitudinal direction of the float assembly 12. The length of the skids 84 is preferably shorter than a longitudinal dimension of the central opening 24 so that the suction head 85 together with the skids 84 can fit through the central opening 24 when the suction head 86 is raised and lowered through the central opening 24.

[0084] In the illustrated embodiment, the agitation device 86 is configured to agitate or otherwise disturb the sludge or other material being removed from the bottom surface BS of the liquid body. As seen for example in FIGS. 11 and 13, the agitation device 86 can include a rotating auger 88 or other agitation device. The agitation device 88 can be provided in any suitable position on the suction head assembly 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotating auger 88 is disposed on a bottom portion of the suction head assembly 16 below a suction port of the pump 60. The suction head assembly 16 can also include a screen or other barrier arranged to prevent large solid materials from entering the suction port and clogging the pump 60 or otherwise blocking the flow of sludge material being removed.

[0085] Alternatively, the suction head assembly 16 can be configured as a bi-direction sled like that disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/109,100, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Specifically, the suction head assembly 16 can include a shroud assembly pivotably supported by a support structure provided on the suction head assembly 16 below the suction port of the pump 60. The shroud assembly is configured to pivot about an axis extending through the support structure between a first orientation and a second orientation. The shroud assembly can have a shroud with a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. When the float assembly 12 moves such that the support structure moves in a first direction relative to material to be dredged, friction between the shroud assembly and material to be dredged causes the shroud to pivot such that the first edge assumes a first orientation to contact material to be dredged. Conversely, when the float assembly 12 moves the shroud assembly in a second direction (opposite the first direction) relative to material to be dredged, the shroud and second edge are pivoted into a second orientation to contact material to be dredged. The auger 88 or other agitation device can be provided on or within the shroud. This configuration allows the shroud and the agitation device to assume an appropriate or optimal orientation with respect to the material being dredged depending on the direction in which the float assembly is being moved.

[0086] As seen in FIG. 15, the dredging apparatus 10 can include a control unit 90 for controlling the operations of the dredging apparatus 10. The control unit 90 can be provided on the float assembly 12 or onshore. The control unit 90 can include levers, buttons, switches, or the like for manually operating the dredging apparatus 10. For example, the control unit 90 can include dedicated levers for operating each of the agitation device, the tensioning winch, the traversing winch, the hoist winch, and the tilt members. In the illustrated embodiment, the control unit 90 includes an auger head lever 91, a tensioning winch lever 92, a traversing winch lever 93, a pump raising and lowering lever 94 and an A-frame rotation lever 95. The auger head lever 91 is configured to control the position and/or speed of the rotating auger 88. The tensioning winch lever 92 is configured to control the speed or rotation of the tensioning winch 74. The traversing winch lever 93 is configured to control the speed or rotation of the traversing winch 80. The pump raising and lowering lever 94 is configured to control the raising and lowering of the elongated guide members 36 and thus the suction head assembly 16. The A-frame rotation lever 95 is configured to control the tilting and/or rotation of the suction head assembly 16. In an embodiment, the control unit 90 is configured to automatically perform the functions of the levers 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, and the control unit 90 includes a manual override system 97 including the levers 91, 92, 93, 94, 95 to enable an operator to override the automatic control functions.

[0087] In the illustrated embodiment, the control unit 90 also includes an automated electrical can bus control system 98 including one or more of a receiver, a CAN bus, and an electronic controller configured to receive wired or wireless control signals from a remote operation device. The electronic controller can be a microcomputer or other computer including a processor and a memory. The remote operation device can be a cell phone or a tablet equipped with a software application programmed to control the dredging apparatus 10 by communicating with the electronic controller. Alternatively, the remote operation device can be a dedicated remote operation unit configured to communicate with the control unit 90.

[0088] In the illustrated embodiment, the control unit 90 further includes one or more control valves 96 configured to be used with the pump 60. For example, the control unit 90 can include a four-inch control valve and a six-inch control valve. Alternatively, the control valves 96 can be omitted if not necessary depending on the type of pump 60 used. For example, if an electronic or self-priming eddy pump is used, then the control valves 96 are not necessary.

[0089] In an embodiment, the control unit 90 is configured to execute an automated control of the suction head assembly 16. For example, based on map data prepared in advance or based on image data acquired from cameras, infrared sensors, or other sensing equipment, the control unit 90 is configured control the hoist device 36 to raise, lower and/or tilt the suction head assembly 16 as appropriate in accordance with the depth of the bottom surface BS of the liquid body below the float assembly 12. For example, as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the suction head assembly 16 is removing material from a bottom surface BS that slopes upward in the direction the float assembly 12 is moving, the control unit 90 can control the hoist winch 44 to gradually raise the suction head unit 16 such that contact between the suction head assembly 16 and the sloped bottom surface BS does not impede the movement of the float assembly 12 and the suction head assembly 16 in the working direction. Simultaneously, the control unit 90 can control the tilt members 54 and to tilt the support frame 14 to an appropriate angle such that the suction head assembly 16 is oriented with the skids 84 substantially parallel to the sloped bottom surface BS. The control unit 90 can also be configured such that operation of the manual control levers 91, 92, 93, 94, 95 overrides the automatic controls executed by the electronic controller.

[0090] The embodiments described herein provide dredging apparatuses 10 for use in a liquid body. These dredging apparatuses 10 are advantageous, for example, because they provide improved scalability, usability, storage convenience, and pumping capacity. It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the systems and methods described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art and can be made without diminishing the intended advantages.

General Interpretation of Terms

[0091] In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term comprising and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms, including, having and their derivatives. Also, the terms part, section, portion, member or element when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts. Also as used herein to describe the above embodiment(s), directional terms refer to those directions of a harvester configured to be mounted to a front end of a floating apparatus. Accordingly, these terms, as utilized to describe the present invention should be interpreted relative to the harvester.

[0092] The term configured as used herein to describe a component, section or part of a device or element includes hardware and/or software that is constructed and/or programmed to carry out the desired function.

[0093] The terms of degree such as generally, substantially, about and approximately as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed.

[0094] While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location or orientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/or desired. Components that are shown directly connected or contacting each other can have intermediate structures disposed between them. The functions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa. The structures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in another embodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in a particular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is unique from the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, also should be considered a separate description of further inventions by the applicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodied by such feature(s). Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.