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US 5,311,682 AGranted
Hybrid dredge
OwnerCharles N. Sturdivantinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hybrid dredging apparatus uses a clamshell attached to a rigid boom to dig and remove material. The clamshell then deposits the material into the hopper of a positive displacement pump for discharge at low velocities and with minimal water content. Transducers are be used to determine and control the area of excavation.
Claims8
An apparatus for dredging material from a bottom of a fluid reservoir comprising:
- a. a floating platform;
- b. a rigid telescoping boom mounted to said platform;
- c. means to rotate said boom horizontally with respect to said platform;
- d. means to pivot said boom vertically with respect to said platform;
- e. a clamshell attached to said boom;
- and
- f. a positive displacement pump means for pumping said dredged material from said platform without the use of additional fluid for suspension of said material.
4 more elements
A method for dredging material from an area on a bottom of a reservoir, said method comprising the steps of:
- a. restricting movement of a platform floating on said reservoir proximate to said bottom area;
- b. rotating a rigid, telescoping boom in a horizontal plane in relation to said platform;
- c. pivoting said boom on a vertical plane in relation to said platform;
- d. extending a clamshell in an opened position to said bottom, said clamshell attached to said boom;
- e. penetrating said bottom with said extended clamshell;
- f. closing said clamshell;
- and
- g. retracting said closed clamshell;
- h. collecting said material from said clamshell in a hopper attached to said platform;
- and
- i. pumping said material from said platform using a positive displacement piston pump mounted on said platform.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.