Apparatus for removing a layer of sediment which has settled on the bottom of a large water body
AssigneeJoseph E. Kovarik
InventorJoseph E. Kovarik
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for removing a layer of sediment which has settled on the bottom of a large water body includes using a structural frame configured to contain a bottom water flow and for containing liquid and suspended particles dispersed during removal of bottom sediment in a suctioning area that is at least about 3 square feet, up to and including 8 square feet, that has support elements and/or silt containing elements, with a plurality of supporting wheels. A sediment removing vacuum unit is operably associated with the structural frame to conduct suctioned bottom water flow through suction lines to a filtering station outside of the water body, such that the water can then be returned to the large water body.
Claims18
A method of removing a layer of sediment which has settled on a bottom of a large body of water, the method comprising, providing an apparatus that comprises, a structural frame configured to contain a bottom water flow and avoid a re-suspension of sediment outside a vicinity of the structural frame, said structural frame configured to contain liquid and suspended particles dispersed during removal of bottom sediment in a suctioning area that is at least 3 square feet, said structural frame having at least 4 wheels configured to facilitate conveyance across the bottom of the large water body when the structural frame is submerged in the large water body;
- said structural frame operably connecting to at least one suction line that is at least about 8 feet in length and has a diameter of at least about 2 inches and configured to conduct a suctioned bottom water flow through said suction line;
- said apparatus having a silt constraining enclosure that surrounds the suctioning area that is at least about 3 square feet and that assists in isolating an area of suctioning;
- said structural frame having one or more sections that direct silt laden water to an at least one sediment removing vacuum unit;
- suctioning sediment-containing water from the bottom of the large body of water using the apparatus;
- and filtering the suctioned bottom water outside of the large body of water through a filter that is permeable to water to trap debris.
A method of removing a layer of sediment which has settled on a bottom of a large body of water, the method comprising, providing an apparatus that comprises, a structural frame configured to contain a bottom water flow and avoid a re-suspension of sediment outside a vicinity of the structural frame, said structural frame configured to contain liquid and suspended particles dispersed during removal of bottom sediment in a suctioning area that is at least 3 square feet, said structural frame having at least 4 wheels configured to facilitate conveyance across the bottom of the large water body when the structural frame is submerged in the large water body;
- said structural frame operably connecting to at least one suction line that is at least about 8 feet in length and has a diameter of at least about 2 inches and configured to conduct a suctioned bottom water flow through said suction line;
- said structural frame having one or more sections that direct silt laden water to an at least one sediment removing vacuum unit;
- suctioning sediment-containing water from the bottom of the large body of water using the apparatus in a controlled manner to achieve removal of debris from the bottom of the large body of water by confining turbidity to a specified area around the suction device;
- and filtering the suctioned bottom water outside of the large body of water through a filter that is permeable to water to trap debris, and providing a motorized, electrically powered mechanism to move the apparatus along the bottom of the large body of water.
A method of removing a layer of sediment which has settled on a bottom of a large body of water, the method comprising, providing an apparatus that comprises, a structural frame configured to contain a bottom water flow and avoid a re-suspension of sediment outside a vicinity of the structural frame, said structural frame configured to contain liquid and suspended particles dispersed during removal of bottom sediment in a suctioning area that is at least 3 square feet, said structural frame having at least 4 wheels configured to facilitate conveyance across the bottom of the large water body when the structural frame is submerged in the large water body;
- said structural frame operably connecting to at least one suction line that is at least about 8 feet in length and has a diameter of at least about 2 inches and configured to conduct a suctioned bottom water flow through said suction line;
- said structural frame having one or more sections that direct silt laden water to an at least one sediment removing vacuum unit;
- suctioning sediment-containing water from the bottom of the large body of water using the apparatus;
- and filtering the suctioned bottom water outside of the large body of water through a filter that is permeable to water to trap debris, wherein said apparatus further comprises a silt constraining enclosure that surrounds the suctioning area that is at least about 3 square feet and that assists in isolating an area of suctioning.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.