Drag Head for a Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger and Method for Dredging Using This Drag Head
AssigneeDredging International N.V.
InventorBruno Tack
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to a drag head (1) of a trailing suction hopper dredger, comprising a visor (2) which is dragged over the bottom in a dragging direction and herein loosens soil, and a suction conduit (5) which connects to the visor (2) and which discharges the loosened soil. The drag head is provided with cutting bodies for loosening the soil, with the proviso that the cutting bodies comprise bits (20). Harder soil can also be dredged with the drag head by applying bits (20). The invention also relates to a method for dredging at least partially hard bottoms under water with a trailing suction hopper dredger equipped with the drag head.
Claims15
Drag head (1) of a trailing suction hopper dredger, comprising a visor (2) which is dragged over the bottom in a dragging direction and herein loosens soil, and a suction conduit (3) which connects to the visor (2) and which discharges the loosened soil, wherein the drag head (1) is further provided with cutting bodies for loosening the soil, with the proviso that the cutting bodies comprise bits (20).
Drag head as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the bits (20) form at least one series which extends or extend along a straight line (11, 12) substantially perpendicularly of the dragging direction.
Drag head as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that it is provided with a series of teeth which extend substantially transversely of the dragging direction and which during use engage on the bottom downstream of the bits.
Drag head as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the drag head is provided with support means (8) which during use engage on the bottom upstream of the bits (20).
Drag head as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the drag head (1) is provided with closing means which substantially close the opening between the visor (2) and bottom.
Drag head as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the drag head comprises at least one series of jet pipes for injecting water under high pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.