US4409746A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vortex injection dredging apparatus and method
Assignee: Consolidation Coal Co
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Filing: 1981-02-05
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Granted: 1983-10-18
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Expires: 2001-02-05
Abstract
Abstract A dredging apparatus has a chamber with a substantially circular cross section. A first inlet and outlet is formed through the chamber with an axis of the inlet and outlet normal to a diameter of the chamber. A suction inlet is formed through the axis of the chamber along the axis of the vortex formed as the fluids leave the inlet and pass to a second outlet formed substantially coaxially with the vortex. Apparatus is provided for supporting the dredging apparatus in a position so that the suction inlet can remove material desired to be dredged.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey L. Beck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 05:36
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02F; E02F3/00; E02F3/04; E02F3/88; E02F3/90; B; B08; B08B; B08B9/00; B08B9/08; B08B9/093; B08B9/0933; E02F3/92; E21; E21C; E21C45/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A dredging apparatus for removing solid material from a body of fluid comprising: (a) a chamber having a substantially circular cross section and an axis normal to said cross section; (b) first inlet means through said chamber periphery, said inlet means axis normal to a diameter of said circular cross section; (c) first outlet means through said chamber periphery, said outlet means axis normal to a diameter of said circular cross section; (d) suction inlet means through said chamber substantially coaxially aligned with said chamber axis; (e) fluid outlet means through said chamber substantially coaxially aligned with said chamber axis; (f) support means for positioning said suction inlet in said body of fluid in a manner to move said fluid and said solid material to be dredged, into said suction inlet; (g) means for communicating a high pressure fluid to said first inlet; and (h) means for communicating fluid mixed with dredged material from said first outlet means, whereby said suction inlet means will pick up solid material and fluid and communicate same through said first outlet and communicating means to a remote location.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
A dredging apparatus for removing solid material from a body of fluid comprising: (a) a chamber having a substantially circular cross section and an axis normal to said cross section; (b) first inlet means through said chamber periphery, said inlet means axis normal to a diameter of said circular cross section; (c) first outlet means through said chamber periphery, said outlet means axis normal to a diameter of said circular cross section; (d) suction inlet means through said chamber substantially coaxially aligned with said chamber axis; (e) fluid outlet means through said chamber substantially coaxially aligned with said chamber axis; (f) support means for positioning said suction inlet in said body of fluid in a manner to move said fluid and said solid material to be dredged, into said suction inlet; (g) means for communicating a high pressure fluid to said first inlet; and (h) means for communicating fluid mixed with dredged material from said first outlet means, whereby said suction inlet means will pick up solid material and fluid and communicate same through said first outlet and communicating means to a remote location.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of dredging solid material from a body of fluid comprising: (a) injecting a high pressure fluid tangentially into a zone having a circular cross section; (b) removing a portion of said injected fluid along the axis of said zone to form a low pressure vortex in said zone; (c) positioning an intake to said zone over solid material in said body of fluid to be dredged; (d) transporting through said intake, fluids and solids with said low pressure vortex whereby said intake fluids and solids form a slurry with said high pressure fluid in said zone; and (e) separately removing said slurry from said zone tangentially through a high pressure outlet.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of dredging solid material from a body of fluid comprising: (a) injecting a high pressure fluid tangentially into a zone having a circular cross section; (b) removing a portion of said injected fluid along the axis of said zone to form a low pressure vortex in said zone; (c) positioning an intake to said zone over solid material in said body of fluid to be dredged; (d) transporting through said intake, fluids and solids with said low pressure vortex whereby said intake fluids and solids form a slurry with said high pressure fluid in said zone; and (e) separately removing said slurry from said zone tangentially through a high pressure outlet.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-10-17 | 1987-04-18 | 1987-10-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-10-17 | 1991-04-18 | 1991-10-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-10-17 | 1995-04-18 | 1995-10-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |