Containment area process
AssigneeWilco Marsh Huggies & Draglines, Inc.
InventorsJohn M. Wilson, Sr., Dean R. Wilson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Effective techniques and equipment are described for maintaining and improving dredge disposal sites. In one aspect, the use of winching equipment is described to move a digging vehicle within a containment area for effective creation of ditching to permit substantial dewatering and drainage of the dredge spoil to dry it. Substantially dried spoil is removed from the containment area pit using amphibious scraper equipment. The substantially dried spoil may then be used to build up the berm surrounding the dredge pit.
Claims16
A process of dewatering dredge spoil in a dredge disposal area containment area by removal of water from the dredge disposal area, the process comprising:
- a. affixing a winch cable to a self-propelled ditcher as a tether;
- b. placing said ditcher on dredge spoil within the containment area;
- and
- c. operating said ditcher to dig within the dredge spoil;
- and
- d. substantially assisting movement of the ditcher across portions of the containment area through winching of said winch cable by a winch so that a ditch is constructed.
A process for maintaining a disposal area by removing water from spoil contained within the disposal area, comprising:
- a. operating a self-propelled ditcher within a disposal area to dig within spoil contained in said area;
- b. affixing said ditcher to a winch;
- and
- c. operating the winch to assist said ditcher across a portion of said disposal area so that a first ditch is dug by said ditcher.
The process of 3 further comprising said ditching machine is assisted along a line in a subsequent ditching pass to enlarge said first ditch.
A process to maintain a disposal area comprising:
- a. operating a first machine, comprising a self-propelled ditcher, within a disposal area to dig within spoil contained in said area;
- b. operating a winch to assist said ditcher across a portion of said disposal area so that at least one ditch is dug by said ditcher to substantially drain water from the spoil in the disposal area;
- and
- c. subsequently operating a second machine, comprising a scraper, within the disposal area to collect drained spoil within the disposal area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.