US3638338A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for deep sea dredging
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-11-04
•
Granted: 1972-02-01
•
Expires: 1989-11-04
Abstract
Abstract A pair of cutters and a dredge pump mounted to a lowermost pontoon is immersed to penetrate the floor of a body of water employing an indicator to limit the depth of cut for the pendulous traverse over a selected floor area. Anchors are selectively embedded into the floor remote to the dredged area to which wires are connected extending from powered winches mounted on the lowermost pontoon. The extended anchored wires are intermediately supported by a buoyed pendant so as to elevate those wires off the floor to avoid prolonged dragging and contaminating effect to them. Consequential with the catenary curve resulting from that elevation, a tension is developed creating an artificial demand of a slacked wire paid off one of a pair of identical winches at a greater rate than the opposite wire hauled-in to effect the pendulous swing established by a wire fixed to an anchor axially central with but remote to the selected area. Each pendulous swing is at a radius shortened by a winch oriented in mounting with the two identical winches so that all wires lead from the winch as tangent lines direct to the anchor. The anchors are relocated by towing on a surfaced conduit pendant extending to a lower buoy of adjustable support capacity secured by a cable pendant to the anchor whereby the buoy lift capacity is increased to free the embedded anchor off the floor. An articulative conduit in fluid communication between the pump and a delivery terminal on a surfaced service station is supported as a suspended tensioned array stabilized by immersed pontoons of selected and automatically adjusted support capacity responsive to changes encountered. An arrangement of hoists, structural provisions and utilization of pontoons common with the array facilitate the transfer of objects to and from the service station and the array to modify the dredging apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur J Nelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:47
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02F; E02F3/00; E02F3/04; E02F3/88; E02F3/90; E02F3/907; E02F3/92; E02F3/9212; E02F3/9225; E02F3/9231; E02F3/9293
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 66
Claim 1
Independent Claim
249 words
In an elongated array of objects stably disposed to selected elevations respective the floor of a body of water and contiguous with a buoyant service station subject to vagrancies of the surface of said water, an improved dredging apparatus comprising: a. dredging means powered to yield material procured stratawise from penetration of said floor; b. conduit means in fluid communication between said dredging means and a delivery terminal means adjustably mounted to said service station; c. a plurality of immersed buoyant chambers sectionally disposed to said array and adapted for each chamber to contribute partial support to only the dependent portion of said array in cooperation with supplementary support consequential from said floor establishing vertical stability of said array; d. an equalized tensioned wire system transmits to the uppermost of said chambers a deliberate deficiency of support by each lower chamber to avoid columnar compressive stress in said conduit; e. monitoring and control means to retain said stability responsive to changes in environment, assumed loads, surface elevation and floor elevation encountered by said array; f. maneuvering means adapted to effect the traverse of said dredging means over a selected area of said floor by an arrangement of winches and anchored wires, said arrangement entirely immersed in said water; and, g. the elongated array pivotally suspends at the upper end to and in fixed elevation with a substation formed to and above the uppermost of chambers having adjustable buoyant support controlled by an indicator selectively established to monitor said penetration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
249 words
In an elongated array of objects stably disposed to selected elevations respective the floor of a body of water and contiguous with a buoyant service station subject to vagrancies of the surface of said water, an improved dredging apparatus comprising: a. dredging means powered to yield material procured stratawise from penetration of said floor; b. conduit means in fluid communication between said dredging means and a delivery terminal means adjustably mounted to said service station; c. a plurality of immersed buoyant chambers sectionally disposed to said array and adapted for each chamber to contribute partial support to only the dependent portion of said array in cooperation with supplementary support consequential from said floor establishing vertical stability of said array; d. an equalized tensioned wire system transmits to the uppermost of said chambers a deliberate deficiency of support by each lower chamber to avoid columnar compressive stress in said conduit; e. monitoring and control means to retain said stability responsive to changes in environment, assumed loads, surface elevation and floor elevation encountered by said array; f. maneuvering means adapted to effect the traverse of said dredging means over a selected area of said floor by an arrangement of winches and anchored wires, said arrangement entirely immersed in said water; and, g. the elongated array pivotally suspends at the upper end to and in fixed elevation with a substation formed to and above the uppermost of chambers having adjustable buoyant support controlled by an indicator selectively established to monitor said penetration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
said wires have a constituent length corresponding approximately with the amount wound to a drum to effect a traverse terminating with a shackle and a nonwound constituent length extending to connect said shackle to the remotely disposed anchor;
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
said wires have a constituent length corresponding approximately with the amount wound to a drum to effect a traverse terminating with a shackle and a nonwound constituent length extending to connect said shackle to the remotely disposed anchor;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
a concentric passage extends through said substation in accommodation with the assembly, bracing and support of said conduit;
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
a concentric passage extends through said substation in accommodation with the assembly, bracing and support of said conduit;
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
a plurality of winches oriented in position on pontoon for a direct line wire connection to anchors selectively embedded in said floor; and,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
a plurality of winches oriented in position on pontoon for a direct line wire connection to anchors selectively embedded in said floor; and,
Claim 9
Independent Claim
393 words
A method of coordinating correlative apparatus to provide communication between the floor and surface of a body of water in contention with changes in elevation thereof during traverse of a selected area of said floor, said method comprising: a. submerging a vertical array of objects within the body of water and into a position supported in part by the floor thereof; b. controlling the array position by a floor penetration detector monitoring an uppermost of all buoyant chambers totally immersed and regulated to have a deficient support capacity for the weight imposed of sectionalized portion of the array depending from that chamber; c. transferring deficiencies in support to said uppermost chamber of a dominant station topping the array suspended therefrom; d. adapting a vessel buoyed at the surface to accommodate a correlative adjustable member extending said communication between the array and vessel; e. activating a utility station part of the array to supplement the support by the dominant station at instances in said contention with floor elevation changes; f. embedding anchors in the floor remote to said area, each anchor positioned respective the submerged winch fixed to the array for direct connection of extended wires therebetween, said wires deformed solely when wound to submerged said winches affixed to the array; g. effecting said traverse as a pendulous swing by alternately paying out and taking up on a pair of oppositely anchored said wires, each successive swing from a shortened length of another said wire anchored with an axis centrally positioned to said oppositely anchored wires; h. powering said oppositely anchored wires by identical winches effects one winch in accumulating wire hauled in to an increasing reeled diameter to the end of a traverse with the other identical winch at a minimum reeled diameter, said winches upon hauling in wire initiates an opposite swing at maximum torque capacity, said winches pays off wire at a rate differing from the rate of traverse; i. suspending each said extended wire by a buoyed wire pendant intermediately connected between anchor and winch to support off said floor the slacked wire paidoff a powered winch at a greater initial rate than the rate of haul-in wire establishing traverse; and, j. tensioning of the slacked wires consequential with that support of wire off said floor preserves undisturbed the remaining stored wire to be unreeled from the powered revolving winch.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
393 words
A method of coordinating correlative apparatus to provide communication between the floor and surface of a body of water in contention with changes in elevation thereof during traverse of a selected area of said floor, said method comprising: a. submerging a vertical array of objects within the body of water and into a position supported in part by the floor thereof; b. controlling the array position by a floor penetration detector monitoring an uppermost of all buoyant chambers totally immersed and regulated to have a deficient support capacity for the weight imposed of sectionalized portion of the array depending from that chamber; c. transferring deficiencies in support to said uppermost chamber of a dominant station topping the array suspended therefrom; d. adapting a vessel buoyed at the surface to accommodate a correlative adjustable member extending said communication between the array and vessel; e. activating a utility station part of the array to supplement the support by the dominant station at instances in said contention with floor elevation changes; f. embedding anchors in the floor remote to said area, each anchor positioned respective the submerged winch fixed to the array for direct connection of extended wires therebetween, said wires deformed solely when wound to submerged said winches affixed to the array; g. effecting said traverse as a pendulous swing by alternately paying out and taking up on a pair of oppositely anchored said wires, each successive swing from a shortened length of another said wire anchored with an axis centrally positioned to said oppositely anchored wires; h. powering said oppositely anchored wires by identical winches effects one winch in accumulating wire hauled in to an increasing reeled diameter to the end of a traverse with the other identical winch at a minimum reeled diameter, said winches upon hauling in wire initiates an opposite swing at maximum torque capacity, said winches pays off wire at a rate differing from the rate of traverse; i. suspending each said extended wire by a buoyed wire pendant intermediately connected between anchor and winch to support off said floor the slacked wire paidoff a powered winch at a greater initial rate than the rate of haul-in wire establishing traverse; and, j. tensioning of the slacked wires consequential with that support of wire off said floor preserves undisturbed the remaining stored wire to be unreeled from the powered revolving winch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
a concentric passage extends through said substation in accommodation with the assembly, bracing and support of said conduit;
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
a concentric passage extends through said substation in accommodation with the assembly, bracing and support of said conduit;
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
a concentric passage extending through said substation in accommodation with the assembly, bracing and support of said conduit;
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
a concentric passage extending through said substation in accommodation with the assembly, bracing and support of said conduit;
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
shoes pivotally mounted to the ends of said tilt beam are counterbalanced and expose broad bearing surfaces to diminish their self embedment upon contact with said floor;
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
shoes pivotally mounted to the ends of said tilt beam are counterbalanced and expose broad bearing surfaces to diminish their self embedment upon contact with said floor;
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
207 words
monitoring means to provide limiting movement of said shoes for activating said controls associated with said array relating cutter penetration with said floor; b. an articulative conduit means in fluid communication between said dredging means and a delivery terminal means adjustably mounted to said service station comprises a vertical constituent with the dredging means to define said elongated array and a trussed pivotal constituent with guide means accommodating the flexible connection of contiguous ends of the two constituents in contention with limited displacement of the service station relative the stable array; c. a substation having a platform mounted to and towering above an immersed uppermost pontoon confining as adjustable volume buoyant chamber monitored and controlled to effect a support capacity to maintain tension in said array suspended from said platform in accommodation with penetration of the floor; d. monitoring and control means responsive to changes in environmental conditions, assumed loads, water surface and floor elevations encountered, maintains said stable array relation with the service station; and, e. maneuvering means adapted to effect traverse of said dredging means over a selected area of said floor by an arrangement of winches and anchored wires restricted to an immersed condition with intermediate support means for wires between winches and anchors.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
207 words
monitoring means to provide limiting movement of said shoes for activating said controls associated with said array relating cutter penetration with said floor; b. an articulative conduit means in fluid communication between said dredging means and a delivery terminal means adjustably mounted to said service station comprises a vertical constituent with the dredging means to define said elongated array and a trussed pivotal constituent with guide means accommodating the flexible connection of contiguous ends of the two constituents in contention with limited displacement of the service station relative the stable array; c. a substation having a platform mounted to and towering above an immersed uppermost pontoon confining as adjustable volume buoyant chamber monitored and controlled to effect a support capacity to maintain tension in said array suspended from said platform in accommodation with penetration of the floor; d. monitoring and control means responsive to changes in environmental conditions, assumed loads, water surface and floor elevations encountered, maintains said stable array relation with the service station; and, e. maneuvering means adapted to effect traverse of said dredging means over a selected area of said floor by an arrangement of winches and anchored wires restricted to an immersed condition with intermediate support means for wires between winches and anchors.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
174 words
a substation mounted auxiliary clamp means to selectively support the assembled portion of said array with said dredgIng means disposed off said floor by a stabilizing means monitoring increased freeboard of the platform above water surface through increased volume of said adjustable buoyant chamber to supplant any floor support, said stabilizing means having: a. a float chamber with an adjustable aperture positioned on said substation to an elected mean water surface below said platform for an adjusted freeboard of the elongated array needed to clear the dredging means to a stable position off said floor; b. said float chamber contains a supply of water alternating in volume with its submergence in and exposure above said body of water response with restricted passage of water through said aperture; c. a loosely received float means contained in said float chamber responds with the retarded said supply of water to correspondingly actuate monitor means; associated with said array to increase said buoyant support with prolonged decrease of freeboard and diminish buoyant support with prolonged increase of freeboard;
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
174 words
a substation mounted auxiliary clamp means to selectively support the assembled portion of said array with said dredgIng means disposed off said floor by a stabilizing means monitoring increased freeboard of the platform above water surface through increased volume of said adjustable buoyant chamber to supplant any floor support, said stabilizing means having: a. a float chamber with an adjustable aperture positioned on said substation to an elected mean water surface below said platform for an adjusted freeboard of the elongated array needed to clear the dredging means to a stable position off said floor; b. said float chamber contains a supply of water alternating in volume with its submergence in and exposure above said body of water response with restricted passage of water through said aperture; c. a loosely received float means contained in said float chamber responds with the retarded said supply of water to correspondingly actuate monitor means; associated with said array to increase said buoyant support with prolonged decrease of freeboard and diminish buoyant support with prolonged increase of freeboard;
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
300 words
A vertical dredging apparatus to be assembled as a tensioned elongated array of objects stably disposed to selected elevations respective the floor of a body of water and contiguous with a buoyant service station restrictively subject to the vagrant water surface, having: a. a dredging means integral with a lowermost pontoon confining an adjustable volume buoyant chamber monitored and controlled to effect a deliberate insufficient support to the resultant aggregate weight of the dredge means adapted to a selected orientation relative the floor by an immersed arrangement of anchored wires; b. an articulative conduit means in fluid communication between said dredging means and a delivery terminal means adjustably mounted to said service station comprises a vertical constituent with the dredging means to define said elongated array and a trussed pivotal constituent with guide means accommodating the articulative connection of contiguous ends of the two constituents in contention with limited displacement of said buoyant service station relative the stable array; c. a substation having a platform rigidly mounted to and towering above an immersed uppermost pontoon confining an adjustable volume buoyant chamber monitored and controlled to effect a support capacity to maintain tension in said array pivotally suspended from said platform at selectively fixed space relationship above said dredging means; d. an equalized selectively adjusted wire system connected between pontoons and tensioned by said unsupported weight of the dredging means to minimize tension in said vertical constituent of the suspended array; e. monitoring and control means responsive to changes in environmental conditions, assumed loads and water surface encountered, maintains said stable array relation with the service station; f. maneuvering means adapted to position said dredging means over a selected area of said floor by an arrangement of winches and anchored wires restricted to an immersed condition; and, wherein the improvement comprises:
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
300 words
A vertical dredging apparatus to be assembled as a tensioned elongated array of objects stably disposed to selected elevations respective the floor of a body of water and contiguous with a buoyant service station restrictively subject to the vagrant water surface, having: a. a dredging means integral with a lowermost pontoon confining an adjustable volume buoyant chamber monitored and controlled to effect a deliberate insufficient support to the resultant aggregate weight of the dredge means adapted to a selected orientation relative the floor by an immersed arrangement of anchored wires; b. an articulative conduit means in fluid communication between said dredging means and a delivery terminal means adjustably mounted to said service station comprises a vertical constituent with the dredging means to define said elongated array and a trussed pivotal constituent with guide means accommodating the articulative connection of contiguous ends of the two constituents in contention with limited displacement of said buoyant service station relative the stable array; c. a substation having a platform rigidly mounted to and towering above an immersed uppermost pontoon confining an adjustable volume buoyant chamber monitored and controlled to effect a support capacity to maintain tension in said array pivotally suspended from said platform at selectively fixed space relationship above said dredging means; d. an equalized selectively adjusted wire system connected between pontoons and tensioned by said unsupported weight of the dredging means to minimize tension in said vertical constituent of the suspended array; e. monitoring and control means responsive to changes in environmental conditions, assumed loads and water surface encountered, maintains said stable array relation with the service station; f. maneuvering means adapted to position said dredging means over a selected area of said floor by an arrangement of winches and anchored wires restricted to an immersed condition; and, wherein the improvement comprises:
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
232 words
an indicator remotely controlled to establish Cutter penetration of the floor; b. an articulative conduit means in fluid communication between said dredging means and a delivery terminal means adjustably mounted to said service station comprises a vertical constituent with the dredging means to define said elongated array and a trussed pivotal constituent with guide means accommodating the articulative connection of contiguous ends of the two constituents in contention with limited displacement of the service station relative the stable array; c. a substation having a platform mounted to and towering above an immersed uppermost pontoon confining an adjustable volume buoyant chamber monitored and controlled to effect a support capacity to maintain tension in said array suspended from said platform in accommodation with penetration of the floor; d. an equalized selectively adjusted wire system connected between pontoons and tensioned by part of the consequential net unsupported said weight of the dredging means to minimize tension in the vertical constituent of the suspended array; e. monitoring and control means responsive to changes in environmental conditions, assumed loads, water surface and floor elevations encountered, maintains said stable array relation with the service station; and, f. maneuvering means adapted to effect traverse of said dredging means over a selected area of said floor by an arrangement of winches and anchored wires restricted to an immersed condition with intermediate suspension means for wires between winches and anchors, comprising:
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
232 words
an indicator remotely controlled to establish Cutter penetration of the floor; b. an articulative conduit means in fluid communication between said dredging means and a delivery terminal means adjustably mounted to said service station comprises a vertical constituent with the dredging means to define said elongated array and a trussed pivotal constituent with guide means accommodating the articulative connection of contiguous ends of the two constituents in contention with limited displacement of the service station relative the stable array; c. a substation having a platform mounted to and towering above an immersed uppermost pontoon confining an adjustable volume buoyant chamber monitored and controlled to effect a support capacity to maintain tension in said array suspended from said platform in accommodation with penetration of the floor; d. an equalized selectively adjusted wire system connected between pontoons and tensioned by part of the consequential net unsupported said weight of the dredging means to minimize tension in the vertical constituent of the suspended array; e. monitoring and control means responsive to changes in environmental conditions, assumed loads, water surface and floor elevations encountered, maintains said stable array relation with the service station; and, f. maneuvering means adapted to effect traverse of said dredging means over a selected area of said floor by an arrangement of winches and anchored wires restricted to an immersed condition with intermediate suspension means for wires between winches and anchors, comprising:
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
57 words
a substation mounted auxiliary clamp means selectively supports the assembled portion of said array when altering elevational position of the dredging means respective the service station, the dredging means then raised off said floor with the substation monitored and controlled for a selected freeboard with the water surface by stabilizing means fixed thereto at mean water level;
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
57 words
a substation mounted auxiliary clamp means selectively supports the assembled portion of said array when altering elevational position of the dredging means respective the service station, the dredging means then raised off said floor with the substation monitored and controlled for a selected freeboard with the water surface by stabilizing means fixed thereto at mean water level;
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
oppositely disposed drums effecting port and starboard swings conclude each traverse with opposite amounts of stored wire consequently differing the rate of payoff of wire with the rate of advance of said dredging means;
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
34 words
oppositely disposed drums effecting port and starboard swings conclude each traverse with opposite amounts of stored wire consequently differing the rate of payoff of wire with the rate of advance of said dredging means;
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
46 words
a clamp means to selectively support the assembly portion of said array with said dredging means disposed off said floor by a stabilizing means monitoring increased freeboard of the platform above water surface through volume control of said adjustable buoyant chamber to supplant said floor support;
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
46 words
a clamp means to selectively support the assembly portion of said array with said dredging means disposed off said floor by a stabilizing means monitoring increased freeboard of the platform above water surface through volume control of said adjustable buoyant chamber to supplant said floor support;
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
110 words
a cooPerative utility station of adjustable buoyant support with clamp means alternately supports and positions said assembled portion to adjusted elevation relative the substation when modifying the length of the inoperated array, with said utility station having: a. a pontoon with well extending through to accommodate passage of said conduit; b. gas charging and venting apparatus with piping for exchange of portions of gas volumes between said substation and said utility station consistent with said load transfer to retain the balanced buoyant support of said vertical array; c. a brake means associated with wires of said equalizer system to establish selective elevations of an essentially load balanced utility station; and,
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
110 words
a cooPerative utility station of adjustable buoyant support with clamp means alternately supports and positions said assembled portion to adjusted elevation relative the substation when modifying the length of the inoperated array, with said utility station having: a. a pontoon with well extending through to accommodate passage of said conduit; b. gas charging and venting apparatus with piping for exchange of portions of gas volumes between said substation and said utility station consistent with said load transfer to retain the balanced buoyant support of said vertical array; c. a brake means associated with wires of said equalizer system to establish selective elevations of an essentially load balanced utility station; and,
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
41 words
said shackle being suspended off said floor by a shackle buoy to be said intermediate suspension to effect a catenary curve of the slacked wire paidoff said drums with consequential tension establishing demand for wire responsive with supply by the drum;
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
41 words
said shackle being suspended off said floor by a shackle buoy to be said intermediate suspension to effect a catenary curve of the slacked wire paidoff said drums with consequential tension establishing demand for wire responsive with supply by the drum;
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
36 words
a cooperating utility station of adjustable buoyant support with clamp means, alternately with the substation supports and positions said assembled portion to adjusted elevation relative the substation when modifying the length of the inoperated array; and,
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
36 words
a cooperating utility station of adjustable buoyant support with clamp means, alternately with the substation supports and positions said assembled portion to adjusted elevation relative the substation when modifying the length of the inoperated array; and,
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
329 words
A vertical dredging apparatus assembled as a tensioned nonadjustable elongated array of objects stably disposed to selected elevations respective the floor of a body of water and contiguous with a buoyant service station restrictively subject to the vagrant water surface, the improvement comprises: a. a dredging means integral with a lowermost pontoon confining an adjustable volume buoyant chamber monitored and controlled to effect a deliberate insufficient support to the resultant aggregate weight of the dredging means supported in part by allowable floor reaction to penetration by the dredging means; b. an articulative conduit means in fluid communication between said dredging means and a delivery terminal means adjustably mounted to said service station comprises a vertical constituent with the dredging means to define said elongated array and a trussed pivotal constituent with guide means accommodating the articulative connection of contiguous ends of the two constituents in contention with limited displacement of the service station relative the stable array; c. a substation having a platform rigidly mounted to and towering above an immersed uppermost pontoon confining an adjustable volume buoyant chamber monitored and controlled to effect a support capacity to maintain tension in said array pivotally fixed to suspend from said platform, said support capacity supplementary with floor reactive upward force to the dredging means; d. an equalized selectively adjusted wire system connected between pontoons and tensioned by part of the consequential net unsupported said weight of the dredging means to minimize tension in said vertical constituent of the suspended array; e. monitoring and control means responsive to changes in environmental conditions, assumed loads, water surface and floor elevations encountered, maintains said stable array relation with the service station; and, f. maneuvering means adapted to effect traverse of said dredging means over a selected area of said floor by an arrangement of winches and anchored wires restricted to an immersed condition with attending support means connected to raise said anchored wire to generate an artificial demand of wire off said drum.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
329 words
A vertical dredging apparatus assembled as a tensioned nonadjustable elongated array of objects stably disposed to selected elevations respective the floor of a body of water and contiguous with a buoyant service station restrictively subject to the vagrant water surface, the improvement comprises: a. a dredging means integral with a lowermost pontoon confining an adjustable volume buoyant chamber monitored and controlled to effect a deliberate insufficient support to the resultant aggregate weight of the dredging means supported in part by allowable floor reaction to penetration by the dredging means; b. an articulative conduit means in fluid communication between said dredging means and a delivery terminal means adjustably mounted to said service station comprises a vertical constituent with the dredging means to define said elongated array and a trussed pivotal constituent with guide means accommodating the articulative connection of contiguous ends of the two constituents in contention with limited displacement of the service station relative the stable array; c. a substation having a platform rigidly mounted to and towering above an immersed uppermost pontoon confining an adjustable volume buoyant chamber monitored and controlled to effect a support capacity to maintain tension in said array pivotally fixed to suspend from said platform, said support capacity supplementary with floor reactive upward force to the dredging means; d. an equalized selectively adjusted wire system connected between pontoons and tensioned by part of the consequential net unsupported said weight of the dredging means to minimize tension in said vertical constituent of the suspended array; e. monitoring and control means responsive to changes in environmental conditions, assumed loads, water surface and floor elevations encountered, maintains said stable array relation with the service station; and, f. maneuvering means adapted to effect traverse of said dredging means over a selected area of said floor by an arrangement of winches and anchored wires restricted to an immersed condition with attending support means connected to raise said anchored wire to generate an artificial demand of wire off said drum.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
36 words
a cooperative utility station of adjustable buoyant support with clamp means alternately with the substation supports and positions said assembled portion to adjusted elevation relative the substation when modifying the length of the inoperated array; and,
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
36 words
a cooperative utility station of adjustable buoyant support with clamp means alternately with the substation supports and positions said assembled portion to adjusted elevation relative the substation when modifying the length of the inoperated array; and,
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
41 words
a plurality of hoist means disposed on said service station and said substation coordinate to effect or alter said assembled objects by the transfer of array components between the stable substation and the disturbed service station affected by said vagrant surface.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
41 words
a plurality of hoist means disposed on said service station and said substation coordinate to effect or alter said assembled objects by the transfer of array components between the stable substation and the disturbed service station affected by said vagrant surface.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
41 words
a plurality of hoist means disposed on said service station and said substation coordinate to effect or alter said assembled objects by the transfer of array components between the stable substation and the disturbed service station affected by said vagrant surface.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
41 words
a plurality of hoist means disposed on said service station and said substation coordinate to effect or alter said assembled objects by the transfer of array components between the stable substation and the disturbed service station affected by said vagrant surface.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
44 words
a plurality of hoist means disposed on said service station and said substation coordinate to effect or alter said assembled objects by the transfer of array components between the stable substation and in contention with the disturbed service station affected by said vagrant surface.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
44 words
a plurality of hoist means disposed on said service station and said substation coordinate to effect or alter said assembled objects by the transfer of array components between the stable substation and in contention with the disturbed service station affected by said vagrant surface.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
70 words
In an elongated array of objects according to claim 4, the improvement comprises: a. at least one intermediate pontoon interposed to contribute support of said vertical conduit to progressively retain the effect established by a lower pontoon of said deliberate insufficient support of the array aggregate weight suspending therefrom; and, b. monitor and control means alter the buoyant chamber volume of the intermediate pontoons responsive to environmental and load changes.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
38 words
said oppositely disposed winches are fitted with magnetic switches to monitor controls to reverse rotate the winches upon interception of a vane closing switch means mounted to said wire for termination of traverse and to activate return swing;
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
38 words
said oppositely disposed winches are fitted with magnetic switches to monitor controls to reverse rotate the winches upon interception of a vane closing switch means mounted to said wire for termination of traverse and to activate return swing;
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
25 words
an adjustable capacity anchor buoy secured above and to said anchors by a pendant fastened in opposition to the effect established by said winch wires;
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
25 words
an adjustable capacity anchor buoy secured above and to said anchors by a pendant fastened in opposition to the effect established by said winch wires;
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
90 words
A vertical dredging apparatus assembled as a tensioned nonadjustable elongated array of objects stably disposed to selected elevations respective the floor of a body of water and contiguous with a buoyant service station restrictively subject to the vagrant water surface, the improvement comprises: a. a dredging means integral with a lowermost pontoon confining an adjustable volume buoyant chamber monitored and controlled to effect a deliberate insufficient support to the resultant aggregate weight of the dredging means supported in part by allowable floor reaction to penetration by the dredging means, comprises:
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
90 words
A vertical dredging apparatus assembled as a tensioned nonadjustable elongated array of objects stably disposed to selected elevations respective the floor of a body of water and contiguous with a buoyant service station restrictively subject to the vagrant water surface, the improvement comprises: a. a dredging means integral with a lowermost pontoon confining an adjustable volume buoyant chamber monitored and controlled to effect a deliberate insufficient support to the resultant aggregate weight of the dredging means supported in part by allowable floor reaction to penetration by the dredging means, comprises:
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
26 words
said anchor buoys normally are controlled to provide a minimum of pendant tension by a buoyant conduit in fluid communication with a surfaced detector buoy; and,
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
26 words
said anchor buoys normally are controlled to provide a minimum of pendant tension by a buoyant conduit in fluid communication with a surfaced detector buoy; and,
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
96 words
A vertical dredging apparatus assembled as a tensioned elongated array of objects stably disposed to selected elevations respective the floor of a body of water and contiguous with a buoyant service station restrictively subject to the vagrant water surface, the improvement comprises: a. a dredging means integral with a lowermost pontoon confining an adjustable volume buoyant chamber monitored and controlled to effect a deliberate insufficient support to the resultant aggregate weight of the dredging means supported in part by allowable floor reaction to penetration by the dredging means with pEnetration regulated by an indicator means having:
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
96 words
A vertical dredging apparatus assembled as a tensioned elongated array of objects stably disposed to selected elevations respective the floor of a body of water and contiguous with a buoyant service station restrictively subject to the vagrant water surface, the improvement comprises: a. a dredging means integral with a lowermost pontoon confining an adjustable volume buoyant chamber monitored and controlled to effect a deliberate insufficient support to the resultant aggregate weight of the dredging means supported in part by allowable floor reaction to penetration by the dredging means with pEnetration regulated by an indicator means having:
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
239 words
A vertical dredging apparatus to be assembled as a tensioned elongated array of objects stably disposed to selected elevations respective the floor of a body of water and contiguous with a buoyant service station restrictively subject to the vagrant water surface, having: a. a dredging means integral with a lowermost pontoon confining an adjustable volume buoyant chamber monitored and controlled to effect a deliberate insufficient support to the resultant aggregate weight of the dredging means adapted to a selected orientation relative the floor by an immersed arrangement of anchored wires; b. an articulative conduit means in fluid communication between said dredging means and a delivery terminal means adjustably mounted to said service station comprises a vertical constituent with the dredging means to define said elongated array and a trussed pivotal constituent with guide means accommodating the articulative connection of contiguous ends of the two constituents in contention with limited displacement of the service station relative the stable array; c. a substation having a platform rigidly mounted to and towering above an immersed uppermost pontoon confining an adjustable volume buoyant chamber monitored and controlled to effect a support capacity to maintain tension in said array pivotally suspended from said platform at selectively fixed space relationship above said dredging means; d. monitoring and control means responsive to changes in environmental conditions, assumed loads and water surface encountered, maintains said stable array relation with the service station; and, wherein the improvement comprises:
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
239 words
A vertical dredging apparatus to be assembled as a tensioned elongated array of objects stably disposed to selected elevations respective the floor of a body of water and contiguous with a buoyant service station restrictively subject to the vagrant water surface, having: a. a dredging means integral with a lowermost pontoon confining an adjustable volume buoyant chamber monitored and controlled to effect a deliberate insufficient support to the resultant aggregate weight of the dredging means adapted to a selected orientation relative the floor by an immersed arrangement of anchored wires; b. an articulative conduit means in fluid communication between said dredging means and a delivery terminal means adjustably mounted to said service station comprises a vertical constituent with the dredging means to define said elongated array and a trussed pivotal constituent with guide means accommodating the articulative connection of contiguous ends of the two constituents in contention with limited displacement of the service station relative the stable array; c. a substation having a platform rigidly mounted to and towering above an immersed uppermost pontoon confining an adjustable volume buoyant chamber monitored and controlled to effect a support capacity to maintain tension in said array pivotally suspended from said platform at selectively fixed space relationship above said dredging means; d. monitoring and control means responsive to changes in environmental conditions, assumed loads and water surface encountered, maintains said stable array relation with the service station; and, wherein the improvement comprises:
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
35 words
said detector buoy is attended by auxiliary gas charging and venting means effecting said adjustable capacity to free said anchor from embedment in the floor and suspend same while in transit between positions for embedment.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
35 words
said detector buoy is attended by auxiliary gas charging and venting means effecting said adjustable capacity to free said anchor from embedment in the floor and suspend same while in transit between positions for embedment.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
269 words
A vertical dredging apparatus to be assembled as a tensioned elongated array of objects stably disposed to selected elevations respective the floor of a body of water and contiguous with a buoyant service station restrictively subject to the vagrant water surface, having: a. a dredging means integral with a lowermost pontoon confining an adjustable volume buoyant chamber monitored and controlled to effect a deliberate insufficient support to the resultant aggregate weight of the dredging means supported in part by allowable floor reaction to penetration by the dredging means; b. an articulative conduit means in fluid communication between said dredging means and a delivery terminal means adjustably mounted to said service station comprises a vertical constituent with the dredging means to define said elongated array and a trussed pivotal constituent with guide means accommodating the flexible connection of contiguous ends of the two constituents in contention with displacement of said movable service station relative the stable array; c. a substation having a platform mounted to and towering above an immersed uppermost pontoon confining an adjustable volume buoyant chamber monitored and controlled to effect a support capacity to maintain said tensioned array suspended from said platform in accommodation with penetration of the floor; d. an equalized selectively adjusted wire system connected between pontoons tensioned by part of the consequential net unsupported said weight of the dredging means to minimize tension in the vertical constituent of the suspended array; e. monitoring and control means responsive to changes in environmental conditions, assumed loads, water surface and floor elevations encountered, maintains said stable array relation with the service station; and, wherein the improvement comprises:
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
269 words
A vertical dredging apparatus to be assembled as a tensioned elongated array of objects stably disposed to selected elevations respective the floor of a body of water and contiguous with a buoyant service station restrictively subject to the vagrant water surface, having: a. a dredging means integral with a lowermost pontoon confining an adjustable volume buoyant chamber monitored and controlled to effect a deliberate insufficient support to the resultant aggregate weight of the dredging means supported in part by allowable floor reaction to penetration by the dredging means; b. an articulative conduit means in fluid communication between said dredging means and a delivery terminal means adjustably mounted to said service station comprises a vertical constituent with the dredging means to define said elongated array and a trussed pivotal constituent with guide means accommodating the flexible connection of contiguous ends of the two constituents in contention with displacement of said movable service station relative the stable array; c. a substation having a platform mounted to and towering above an immersed uppermost pontoon confining an adjustable volume buoyant chamber monitored and controlled to effect a support capacity to maintain said tensioned array suspended from said platform in accommodation with penetration of the floor; d. an equalized selectively adjusted wire system connected between pontoons tensioned by part of the consequential net unsupported said weight of the dredging means to minimize tension in the vertical constituent of the suspended array; e. monitoring and control means responsive to changes in environmental conditions, assumed loads, water surface and floor elevations encountered, maintains said stable array relation with the service station; and, wherein the improvement comprises:
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
300 words
An elongated dredging apparatus vertically disposed as a tensioned array of objects in a body of water, mainly supported by buoyant means, extends from a selected penetration of the water floor to an articulative portion of the apparatus contiguous with a water surfaced buoyant service station monitored and implemented to retain spaced relationship with said array stabilized consequential with said penetration and by monitoring and control means responding to changes in environment, loading and obstructions encountered during traverse of the dredging apparatus over a selected area of said floor, said traverse implemented by a method comprising: a. embedding anchors in the floor oriented with and remote to said area for direct connection of wires deformed solely when wound to drums of powered submerged winches affixed to dredging means disposed lowermost in said array; b. controlling the array elevation by a floor penetration detector integral with the dredging means supporting floor cutter means and pump from a lowermost pontoon having an adjustable buoyant chamber and said penetration detector monitors in immersed uppermost adjustable chamber in buoyant support of a substation from which the elongated apparatus suspends; c. effecting a port and starboard said traverse by alternately reversing rotation of identical winches oppositely disposed to dredge with a pendulous swing from a wire repetitiously shortened from each advance in the area by a bow winch; d. suspending the extended wires by a buoyed wire pendant intermediately connected between anchor and winch to generate catenary curves of the slacked wire paidoff a powered winch at a greater rate than the rate of haul-in wire establishing traverse; and, e. tensioning of the slacked wires consequential with catenary curves provides an artificial demand consistent with supply of wire paidoff to preserve undisturbed the remaining stored wire to be unreeled from the winch powered to revolve.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
300 words
An elongated dredging apparatus vertically disposed as a tensioned array of objects in a body of water, mainly supported by buoyant means, extends from a selected penetration of the water floor to an articulative portion of the apparatus contiguous with a water surfaced buoyant service station monitored and implemented to retain spaced relationship with said array stabilized consequential with said penetration and by monitoring and control means responding to changes in environment, loading and obstructions encountered during traverse of the dredging apparatus over a selected area of said floor, said traverse implemented by a method comprising: a. embedding anchors in the floor oriented with and remote to said area for direct connection of wires deformed solely when wound to drums of powered submerged winches affixed to dredging means disposed lowermost in said array; b. controlling the array elevation by a floor penetration detector integral with the dredging means supporting floor cutter means and pump from a lowermost pontoon having an adjustable buoyant chamber and said penetration detector monitors in immersed uppermost adjustable chamber in buoyant support of a substation from which the elongated apparatus suspends; c. effecting a port and starboard said traverse by alternately reversing rotation of identical winches oppositely disposed to dredge with a pendulous swing from a wire repetitiously shortened from each advance in the area by a bow winch; d. suspending the extended wires by a buoyed wire pendant intermediately connected between anchor and winch to generate catenary curves of the slacked wire paidoff a powered winch at a greater rate than the rate of haul-in wire establishing traverse; and, e. tensioning of the slacked wires consequential with catenary curves provides an artificial demand consistent with supply of wire paidoff to preserve undisturbed the remaining stored wire to be unreeled from the winch powered to revolve.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a dredging apparatus according to claim 10 additional equipment included to implement modifications to the array and shift anchors, employs a method comprising: a. arranging the array off said floor by a surfaced stabilizing means influenced by periodic immersion to control the support capacity of said buoyant means; b. transferring said objects between the stable array and movable service station by altering both location of support of the array and the support means, and exchanging objects by coordinating a plurality of hoist means disposed with accommodating passageways; c. imparting a lifting force to free the embedded anchor by means of a buoyant pendant extended to the water surface for towing to new location.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-31 | 1975-08-02 | 1976-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-31 | 1979-08-02 | 1980-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-31 | 1983-08-02 | 1984-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |