# US 8,770,893 B2 · Apparatus, system and method for recovery of artifacts and eradication of invasive species in aquatic environments

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- Number: US 8,770,893 B2
- Document ID: US8770893B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/041,840
- Filed: 2011-03-07
- Published: 2011-06-30
- Granted: 2014-07-08
- Earliest claimed: 2006-03-20
- Applicants: Thomas J. Kryzak
- Inventors: Thomas J. Kryzak
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770893B2

## CPC

- A01D 44/00: Harvesting of underwater plants, e.g. harvesting of seaweed
- A01G 31/00: Soilless cultivation, e.g. hydroponics (growth substrates therefor A01G24/00; cultivation of seaweed A01G33/00)
- A01M 19/00: Apparatus for the destruction of noxious animals, other than insects, by hot water, steam, hot air, or electricity {(electric traps A01M23/38)}
- A01M 21/00: Apparatus for the destruction of unwanted vegetation, e.g. weeds (control of undesirable vegetation on roads or permanent ways of railways E01H11/00)
- A01M 21/043: {by chemicals}
- B25J 15/00: Gripping heads {and other end effectors (grippers used in machine tools B23Q7/04; gripping members fitted on cranes B66C1/42, B66C1/44; gripping means used for mounting electrical components H05K13/04; gripping means used in the manufacture of semiconductors H10P72/7602)}
- B63C 7/00: Salvaging of disabled, stranded, or sunken vessels; Salvaging of vessel parts or furnishings, e.g. of safes; Salvaging of other underwater objects (means for searching for underwater objects B63C11/48)
- B63C 7/16: Apparatus engaging vessels or objects {(B63C7/006 takes precedence)}
- B63C 7/20: using grabs {(cable grapnels with grabs B63C11/50)}
- B63C 11/48: Means for searching for underwater objects (means for indicating the location of sunken objects B63C7/26; locating by use of the reflection or reradiation of radio or other waves G01S {; mountings of acoustic transducers in underwater equipment G10K11/006})
- B63C 11/52: Tools specially adapted for working underwater, not otherwise provided for
- C02F 1/685: {Devices for dosing the additives}
- C02F 1/686: {Devices for dosing liquid additives}
- C02F 2101/20: Heavy metals or heavy metal compounds
- C02F 2101/206: {Manganese or manganese compounds}
- C02F 2101/22: Chromium or chromium compounds, e.g. chromates
- C02F 2101/322: {Volatile compounds, e.g. benzene}
- C02F 2101/36: containing halogen
- C02F 2101/363: {PCB's; PCP's}
- C02F 2101/366: {Dioxine; Furan}
- C02F 2103/007: {Contaminated open waterways, rivers, lakes or ponds}
- C02F 2201/002: Construction details of the apparatus
- C02F 2303/04: Disinfection
- Y02A 90/40: Monitoring or fighting invasive species
- Y10S 901/31: Gripping jaw
- A01D: HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12)
- A01M: CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS (appliances for catching swarms or drone-catching A01K57/00; fishing A01K69/00 - {A01K99/00}; biocides, pest repellants or attractants A01N); APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS
- B25J: MANIPULATORS; CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES ({manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery A61B34/70; manipulators used in cleaning hollow articles B08B9/04}; manipulators associated with rolling mills B21B39/20; manipulators associated with forging machines B21J13/10; {manipulators associated with picking-up and placing mechanisms B23P19/007}; means for holding wheels or parts thereof B60B30/00; {vehicles with ground-engaging propulsion means, e.g. walking members B62D57/02, B62D57/032; devices for picking-up and depositing articles or materials between conveyors B65G47/90, B65G47/91; manipulators with gripping or holding means for transferring packages B65H67/065}; cranes B66C; {manipulators used in the protection or supervision of pipe-line installations F17D5/00; walking equipment adapted for nuclear steam-generators F22B37/006}; manipulators specially adapted for, or associated with, nuclear reactors G21C; {apparatus used for handling wafers during manufacture or treatment of semiconductor H10P72/50})
- B63C: LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS (floating nets, floating slipways, or the like for recovering aircraft from the water B63B35/52)
- C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes)
- Y02A: TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

An apparatus, system and method for recovery of artifacts and eradication of invasive species in aquatic environments. The structure may comprise an elongate flexible bladder blanket divider having first and second ends. The structure may have an open bore vertical support operably coupled to the first and second ends. Each end extends into the open bore vertical support and rests on at least one apron bladder of an apron bladder bundle. The at least one apron bladder is contained in the open bore vertical support and at least one apron bladder is between the end of the vertical support and the bottom of the body of water. A method of using the apparatus, comprising providing an apparatus having variable volume first and second compartments separated by a flexible bladder blanket divider; and introducing agents through openings in the bladder to control the growth of or kill the invasive organisms.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus for recovering historical artifacts, eradicating invasive species, or restoring plant life in contaminated bottoms of a body of water, comprising:
an elongate flexible bladder blanket divider having first and second ends; and an open bore vertical support operably coupled to the first and second ends,
wherein each end extends into the open bore vertical support, and rests on at least one apron bladder of an apron bladder bundle, and
a releasable seal between the at least one bladder and the bottom of the body of water.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a recovery device, a eradicating device, or a revegetation device selected from the group consisting of GPS, lights, sonar, radar, cameras, chemical injectors, robotic calipers, agitating devices, augers, drill heads, suction devices, video monitoring devices, and nozzles, inserted through the elongate flexible bladder blanket.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the chemical injectors are ports for introducing chemical additives such as chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, accelerators, decelerators, for feeding, starving, precluding light or suffocating agents to control the growth of or kill the invasive species.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one apron bladder contains an intercommunicating fluid that is denser than the fluid of the outside environment so that the apron bladders sink to the bottom of the body of water and conform to the contours of the bottom of the body of water.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the fluid is a slurry mix having a density greater than the fluid of the body of water so that transferring the slurry mix into the apron bladders causes the bladder bundles to become heavier than the fluid of the body of water so the bladder bundles rest on the bottom of the body of water.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the video monitoring device visualizes the contours of a bottom of a body of water, wherein the contours are created by objects selected from the group consisting of historical artifacts, metal drums, rocks, debris, wherein said visualization of the contours of the bottom of the body of water enables an operator of the apparatus to lower the elongate flexible bladder blanket divider to a distance within from about 1 inch or greater of the objects without touching the object.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a sample site inserted through the flexible blanket divider.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, comprising an air/water agitation device through the flexible blanket divider.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interior of the elongate flexible bladder blanket divider comprises an interlinking network of reinforcing bundles.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the interlinking network of reinforcing bundles have a shape selected from the group consisting of polygon, cubic, cylindrical, spherical, pyramidal, rhomboid, and conical.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongate flexible bladder blanket divider is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane polymers, silicone polymers, polyester polymers, polystyrene polymers, natural or synthetic rubber, high or low density polyethylene, high or low density polypropylene, and polyamide polymers.

### Claim 12 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the eradicating device is at least one chemical injector for controlling the growth of the invasive species in the body of water selected from the group consisting of invasive plant species, zebra mussels and combinations thereof.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the invasive species are selected from the group consisting of toxic caulerpa taxifolia, loosestrife, milfoil, ruffe, hydrilla, and combinations thereof.

### Claim 14 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the recovery device is a robotic caliper for removing the historical artifact from the body of water.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the robotic caliper comprises an electrode for carbon arc gouging, an underwater torch, an underwater heat cauterizer for ballistically heating to destroy underwater vegetation, a shovel, a drill, core maker, a lazer for precision cutting metal, artifacts, vegetation, glass, stone, a chipper blade attachment, a saw, a vibrator for cleaning fine debris off artifacts, a light, a camera, a sonar transmitter/receiver, x-ray or magnetic metal detector, a screen for segregating and isolating small objects having diameters from about 0.1 mm and greater from smaller objects.

### Claim 16 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the revegetation device is a nozzle for planting a growth packet in the bottom of the body of water.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a recirculating/heating/cooling tube bundle.

### Claim 18

A system for recovering historical artifacts, eradicating invasive species, or restoring plant life in contaminated bottoms of a body of water, comprising:
a water craft; and
an apparatus, comprising:
an elongate flexible bladder blanket divider having first and second ends, and
an open bore vertical support operably coupled to the first and second ends,
wherein each end extends into the open bore vertical support, and rests on at least one apron bladder of an apron bladder bundle, and
wherein the at least one bladder is contained in the open bore vertical support and at least one apron bladder is between the end of the vertical support and the bottom of the body of water.

### Claim 19

An apparatus for releasably sealing to a bottom of a body of water, comprising:
an elongate flexible bladder blanket divider 749 having an interior 635 and first and second ends 750, 755,
wherein the interior 635 of the elongate flexible bladder blanket divider 49, 749 comprises an interlinking network of reinforcing bundles 640;
wherein each end rests on at least one apron bladder 704 of an apron bladder bundle 706, 707,
so that an apron bladder 104 is between the respective end of the elongate flexible bladder blanket divider 749 and the bottom 780 of a body of water 783; and
a releasable seal 82 between the apron bladder and the bottom 80 of the body of water.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the at least one apron bladder contains a liquid having a density greater than the fluid in the body of water so that transferring the fluid into the apron bladders through intercommunicating tubes 610 causes the apron bladder bundles 706, 707 to become heavier than the fluid of the body of water 83 so the bladder bundles 706, 707 rest on the bottom 780 of the body of water 783.

### Claim 21 (depends on 19)

The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the at least one apron bladder is configured into Frame Apron Bladder Bundles (FABBs), adapted for “soft touching” the bottom of the body of water.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the Frame Apron Bladder Bundles (FABBs) are selected from the group consisting of High Rise apron bladder bundles, A-Frame apron bladder bundles, A-Frame Mixed apron bladder bundles, V-Framed apron bladder bundles, and M-Framed apron bladder bundles.

### Claim 23 (depends on 19)

The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the at least one apron bladder is made of flexible material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane polymers, silicone polymers, polyester polymers, polystyrene polymers, natural or synthetic rubber, high or low density polyethylene, high or low density polypropylene, and polyamide polymers.

### Claim 24 (depends on 19)

The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the at least one apron bladder has a geometric shape selected from the group consisting of a polygon shape, a cubic shape, a cylindrical shape, a spherical shape, a pyramidal shape, a rhomboid shape, and a conical shape.

### Claim 25 (depends on 19)

The apparatus of claim 19, comprising intercommunicating tubes, so that the pressure within the apron bladders is self-equalizing, thereby enabling “soft touching” the bottom of the body of water.

### Claim 26 (depends on 19)

The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the reinforcing bundles are solid tubular structures that form a honeycomb reinforcing structure.

### Claim 27 (depends on 19)

The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the reinforcing bundles are hollow tubes.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the hollow tubes form concentric rings.

### Claim 29 (depends on 27)

The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the hollow tubes are hollowed out by selective oxidation.

### Claim 30

A method of recovering historical artifacts, eradicating invasive species, or revegetating plant life in contaminated bottoms of a body of water, comprising:
providing an apparatus comprising:
an elongate flexible bladder blanket divider having first and second ends,
wherein each end rests on at least one apron bladder of an apron bladder bundle, and
wherein each apron bladder is between the respective end of the elongate flexible bladder blanket divider and the bottom of a body of water; and
releasably sealing the at least one apron bladder to the bottom of the body of water.

### Claim 31 (depends on 30)

The method of claim 30, comprising:
resuspending contaminated sediment inside the apparatus; and
removing the resuspended contaminated sediment, resulting in lowering the elongate flexible bladder blanket divider so that the artifact may be extracted with a robotic arm, chemicals may be introduced using chemical injectors to eradicate the invasive species, or growth packets may be introduced using nozzles to revegetate the bottom of the body of water.

### Claim 32 (depends on 30)

The method of claim 30, comprising: video monitoring the lowering of the elongate flexible bladder blanket divider so that the video monitoring device visualizes the contours of a bottom of a body of water, wherein the contours are created by objects selected from the group consisting of historical artifacts, metal drums, rocks, debris, wherein said visualization of the contours of the bottom of the body of water enables an operator of the apparatus to lower the elongate flexible bladder blanket divider to a distance within from about 1 inch or greater of the objects without touching the object.

### Claim 33 (depends on 30)

The method of claim 30, wherein removing the resuspended contaminated sediment results in greater than 95 percent by weight removal of the chemical contamination or greater than 95 percent by weight eradication of the invasive species.

### Claim 34 (depends on 30)

The method of claim 30, wherein introducing chemicals, accelerators, decelerators, feeding, starving, precluding light or suffocating agents through openings in the bladder controls the growth of or kills the invasive species.

### Claim 35 (depends on 30)

The method of claim 30, comprising providing a sample site for taking samples for analysis of the level of contamination of the contained water and suspended sediment and for inserting growth packets for revegetation.

### Claim 36 (depends on 30)

The method of claim 30, comprising providing a water/air supply for supplying water/air to agitation devices via pipes that have been inserted through the elongate flexible bladder blanket divider.

### Claim 37 (depends on 30)

The method of claim 30, comprising:
raising or lowering the apparatus using a mechanical device of the water craft.