Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A suction device for a dredging craft comprising: a first tube affixed to said craft for receiving dredging discharge; a second tube having an upper end and a lower end, said second tube being positionable in a dredging position in which said tube extends along a side of the ship for inserting the lower end thereof in the water, said second tube having a dredging pump connected in the portion thereof that is immersed in the water when said second tube is in the dredging position; and a displaceable tube element having an outboard end coupled to said second tube and an inboard end coupleable to said first tube, said tube element being displaceably mounted on the craft for coupling and disconnection movement generally transversely of the side of the craft between a first position in which said inboard end is coupled to said first tube for delivering dredging discharge and a second position in which said inboard end is disconnected from said first tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
A suction device for a dredging craft comprising: a first tube affixed to said craft for receiving dredging discharge; a second tube having an upper end and a lower end, said second tube being positionable in a dredging position in which said tube extends along a side of the ship for inserting the lower end thereof in the water, said second tube having a dredging pump connected in the portion thereof that is immersed in the water when said second tube is in the dredging position; and a displaceable tube element having an outboard end coupled to said second tube and an inboard end coupleable to said first tube, said tube element being displaceably mounted on the craft for coupling and disconnection movement generally transversely of the side of the craft between a first position in which said inboard end is coupled to said first tube for delivering dredging discharge and a second position in which said inboard end is disconnected from said first tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A suction device according to claim 1 further including a guide track fixedly arranged on the deck of the craft transverse to the side, said guide track having a slide thereon mounting said displaceable tube element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A suction device according to claim 2 wherein said guide track and slide are arranged in proximity to said first tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A suction device according to claim 2 further including hydraulic motor means coupled to said slide for providing the generally transverse coupling and disconnection movement to said displaceable tube element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A suction device according to claim 2 including a suction mouth and wherein said second tube includes a universal joint at the lower end thereof between the suction intake of said dredging pump and said suction mouth.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A suction device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said displaceable tube element is C-shaped, carrying at its inboard end a coupling element adapted for connection to a mating coupling element on said first tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A suction device according to claim 6 wherein the coupling elements on said displaceable tube element and first tube are arranged at an angle of about 30° with respect to the transverse direction of movement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A suction device according to claim 1 wherein said outboard end of said displaceable tube element is coupled to said second tube through a universal joint including a flexible hose element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A suction device according to claim 1 wherein said displaceable tube element is arranged at an end of the hold of the craft receiving the dredging discharge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The suction device according to claim 1 wherein said dredging pump includes a drive means, said drive means being connected with a support tube fastened to said second tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The suction device according to claim 10 wherein said drive means comprises at least one of electric and hydraulic motor means.