US20210062457A1 - Dredging apparatus, system, and method with adjustable turbidity curtain and bubble tube frame - Google Patents
Dredging apparatus, system, and method with adjustable turbidity curtain and bubble tube frame Download PDFInfo
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- US20210062457A1 US20210062457A1 US17/012,205 US202017012205A US2021062457A1 US 20210062457 A1 US20210062457 A1 US 20210062457A1 US 202017012205 A US202017012205 A US 202017012205A US 2021062457 A1 US2021062457 A1 US 2021062457A1
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Images
Classifications
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
- E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
- E02F3/28—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets
- E02F3/36—Component parts
- E02F3/40—Dippers; Buckets ; Grab devices, e.g. manufacturing processes for buckets, form, geometry or material of buckets
- E02F3/413—Dippers; Buckets ; Grab devices, e.g. manufacturing processes for buckets, form, geometry or material of buckets with grabbing device
- E02F3/4131—Dippers; Buckets ; Grab devices, e.g. manufacturing processes for buckets, form, geometry or material of buckets with grabbing device mounted on a floating substructure
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
- E02D17/00—Excavations; Bordering of excavations; Making embankments
- E02D17/02—Foundation pits
- E02D17/04—Bordering surfacing or stiffening the sides of foundation pits
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
- E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
- E02F3/88—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with arrangements acting by a sucking or forcing effect, e.g. suction dredgers
- E02F3/8833—Floating installations
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
- E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
- E02F3/88—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with arrangements acting by a sucking or forcing effect, e.g. suction dredgers
- E02F3/8833—Floating installations
- E02F3/8841—Floating installations wherein at least a part of the soil-shifting equipment is mounted on a ladder or boom
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F9/00—Component parts of dredgers or soil-shifting machines, not restricted to one of the kinds covered by groups E02F3/00 - E02F7/00
- E02F9/06—Floating substructures as supports
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
- E02D19/00—Keeping dry foundation sites or other areas in the ground
- E02D19/06—Restraining of underground water
- E02D19/12—Restraining of underground water by damming or interrupting the passage of underground water
- E02D19/18—Restraining of underground water by damming or interrupting the passage of underground water by making use of sealing aprons, e.g. diaphragms made from bituminous or clay material
Definitions
- Embodiments of the disclosure pertain to equipment and methods for dredging. More specifically, embodiments of the disclosure provide a dredging apparatus, method, and system with an adjustable turbidity curtain and bubble tube frame.
- Removing of sediment from beneath the surface of water, or “dredging,” is a common environmental engineering process that may be undertaken for a variety of purposes. Successful dredging operations require compliance with several environmental regulations, which may increase the time and costs associated with a dredging operation.
- Conventional dredging uses one of several special-purpose dredging apparatuses adapted for use in a particular type of dredge site (e.g., a submerged river or ocean bed) with a particular depth and located in a particular ecosystem. Further complications may arise when endangered species, or other protected animals, are present at a dredge site. The types of endangered species at a dredge site may limit the type of dredging apparatus available to complete a dredging project.
- dredging apparatuses are suitable for multiple dredge sites and/or ecosystems, differences between each dredge site may prevent any one dredging apparatus from being usable in multiple situations. The need for environmental specialists to monitor certain dredge sites may further limit the usefulness of some dredging apparatuses.
- An aspect of the disclosure provides dredging apparatus, including: a buoyant platform having an upper surface, a lower surface configured to float on a body of water, and an opening having a horizontal cross-sectional area and extending from the upper surface through the lower surface; a set of supports mechanically coupled to the buoyant platform, wherein the set of supports is configured to maintain a position of the buoyant platform above a dredge site at a bottom of the body of water; a turbidity curtain coupled to the buoyant platform using a plurality of telescoping members, wherein the turbidity curtain surrounds at least the horizontal cross-sectional area of the opening; and a bubble tube frame coupled to the turbidity curtain and extending outwardly therefrom to surround the turbidity curtain, the bubble tube frame including a plurality of outlets configured to emit bubbles into the body of water around a perimeter of the dredge site.
- a dredging system including: a buoyant platform having an upper surface, a lower surface configured to float on a body of water, and an opening having a horizontal cross-sectional area and extending from the upper surface through the lower surface; a set of supports mechanically coupled to the buoyant platform, wherein the set of supports is configured maintain a position of the buoyant platform above a dredge site at a bottom of the body of water; a turbidity curtain coupled to the buoyant platform using a plurality of telescoping members, the turbidity curtain surrounds at least the horizontal cross-sectional area of the opening; a bubble tube frame coupled to the turbidity curtain and extending outwardly therefrom to surround the turbidity curtain, the bubble tube frame including a plurality of outlets configured to emit bubbles into the body of water around a perimeter of the dredge site; a wildlife detector mounted on the buoyant platform, and configured to monitor a body of water, wherein the wildlife detector is configured to detect wildlife and
- Another aspect of the disclosure provides a method including: positioning a buoyant platform above a dredge site within a body of water, the buoyant platform having an upper surface, a lower surface configured to float on the body of water, and an opening having a horizontal cross-sectional area over the dredge site and extending from the upper surface through the lower surface; monitoring the body of water with a wildlife detector configured to detect wildlife within the body of water, and a distance of the wildlife from the dredge site; selectively emitting bubbles around a perimeter of the dredge site using a bubble tube frame of a turbidity curtain coupled to the buoyant platform, in response to the detected wildlife including a targeted species, and the targeted species being within a threshold distance from the dredge site; and conducting a dredge operation on the dredge site after positioning the buoyant platform above the dredge site, and during the monitoring of the body of water.
- FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a dredging apparatus according to embodiments of the disclosure.
- FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the dredging apparatus with bubbles being emitted from a bubble tube frame according to embodiments of the disclosure.
- FIG. 3 shows a partial perspective view of a turbidity curtain and a portion of a buoyant platform according to embodiments of the disclosure.
- FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a turbidity curtain of a dredging apparatus according to embodiments of the disclosure.
- FIG. 5 shows a side view of a turbidity curtain of a dredging apparatus according to embodiments of the disclosure.
- FIG. 6 shows a plan view of a turbidity curtain and bubble tube frame of a dredging apparatus on a bottom of a body of water according to embodiments of the disclosure.
- FIG. 7 shows a side view of a turbidity curtain and bubble tube frame of a dredging apparatus according to embodiments of the disclosure.
- FIG. 8 shows an expanded partial side view of a telescoping member and winch in a dredging apparatus according to embodiments of the disclosure.
- FIG. 9 shows a side view of a dredge apparatus in an expanded position for high water depths, according to embodiments of the disclosure.
- FIG. 10 shows a side view of a dredge apparatus in a less-expanded position for reduced water depths, according to embodiments of the disclosure.
- Embodiments of the disclosure provide a dredging apparatus, system, and method, with an adjustable turbidity curtain and bubble tube frame. Additional features may identify protected wildlife in the vicinity of a dredge site, to selectively emit bubbles from the bubble tube frame to deter the wildlife from the dredge site.
- Embodiments of the disclosure can provide a buoyant platform including an upper surface, lower surface for floating on a body of water, and an opening having a horizontal cross-sectional area and extended from the upper surface through the lower surface.
- the buoyant platform may be coupled to a set of supports for maintaining a position of the buoyant platform above a dredge site at a bottom of a body of water.
- a turbidity curtain may be coupled to the buoyant platform via one or more telescoping members, and the turbidity curtain may surround at least the horizontal cross-sectional area of the opening.
- a bubble tube frame may be coupled to the turbidity curtain, and may extend outwardly therefrom to surround the turbidity curtain.
- outlets may emit bubbles into the body of water around a perimeter of the dredge site.
- Embodiments of the disclosure are capable of being mounted on or attached to barges, sectional platforms, etc.
- Various embodiments discussed herein are capable of being transported and reused at multiple locations to allow dredging operations under a variety of conditions and/or at multiple locations.
- the apparatus can be used in a variety of additional applications, e.g., underwater demolition, pile driving, drilling, subaqueous in situ sediment stabilization, etc.
- Apparatus 100 may form part of, and/or may be used together with, system 102 for conducting dredge operations, e.g., in methods according to embodiments of the disclosure.
- apparatus 100 may be operatively coupled to additional dredging equipment (e.g., a barge, sectional platform, etc.), such elements are omitted from the accompanying FIGS. solely for clarity of illustration.
- Apparatus 100 may include a buoyant platform 104 , optionally subdivided into a first portion 104 a and a second portion 104 b .
- Portions 104 a , 104 b may be mechanically coupled together by any currently known or later developed type of mechanical fastener and/or coupling component.
- First portions 104 a , 104 b may be distinguishable from each other, e.g., based on the components and/or subcomponents included thereon.
- Buoyant platform 104 may have an exterior formed of one or more metal, plastic, and/or composite materials, but in any case may have a substantially hollow interior and/or sets of air pockets having a volume sufficient for buoyant platform 104 to float on a body of water 106 , at approximately its upper surface WL (i.e., some portions of buoyant platform 104 may be partially submerged below upper surface WL).
- Body of water 106 may represent, e.g., part of a river, ocean, lake, reservoir, and/or other marine environment.
- Buoyant platform 104 may include an upper surface A, a lower surface B configured (e.g., by its shape and/or composition) to float on upper surface WL of body of water 106 , and an opening 108 extending from upper surface A through lower surface B (i.e., completely through buoyant platform 104 ). Opening 108 may have a cross-sectional area that is sized for placement over a dredge site 110 located at a bottom T of body of water 106 . In an example, bottom T may be approximately forty feet beneath upper surface WL of body of water 106 , but it is understood that apparatus 100 and several of its components can accommodate a variety of depths.
- Apparatus 100 and system 102 is shown to be positioned over bottom T of body of water 106 , where a dredging operation is to be implemented.
- Buoyant platform 104 may be dimensioned and/or otherwise structured to support dredging equipment such as an excavator 113 for physically operating on dredge site 110 .
- Excavator 113 may be operationally independent of apparatus 100 , and may take the form of any currently known or later developed instrument for moving sediment from one location to another (e.g., from beneath body of water 106 to a receptacle on buoyant platform 104 or elsewhere).
- Opening 108 may extend from upper surface A through to lower surface B to allow excavator 113 to access dredge site 110 during a dredge operation.
- apparatus 100 may include a set of supports 112 mechanically coupled to buoyant platform 104 .
- buoyant platform 104 may be slidably mounted on support(s) 112 .
- each support 112 may be slidably coupled to buoyant platform 104 through a slidable coupling, bearing, and/or other device allowing one element (e.g., buoyant platform 104 ) relative to another element (e.g., one or more supports 112 ).
- Supports 112 are shown by example to hold buoyant platform 104 in place above dredge site 110 by being mounted on bottom T of body of water 106 . It is understood, however, that buoyant platform 104 may be coupled to another structure (e.g., a barge, another platform, etc.) through one or more additional couplings. Since buoyant platform 104 floats on body of water 106 , supports 112 may be located on only certain portions of the perimeter of buoyant platform 104 and/or may only be located at predetermined positions, to prevent buoyant platform 104 from drifting with the flow of body of water 106 . The slidable couplings between buoyant platform 104 and supports 112 may allow the apparatus 100 and/or system 102 to be adjusted when moving to different locations, and/or in response to changing water depths, dredging conditions, etc.
- buoyant platform 104 can move vertically with respect to support(s) 112 while maintaining its position over dredge site 110 .
- Supports 112 can be mounted on bottom T of body of water 106 , e.g., by extending into the earth beneath body of water 106 .
- Support(s) 112 thus can removably mount buoyant platform 104 on a selected portion of bottom T of body of water 106 .
- Support(s) 112 can be located on multiple locations of buoyant platform 104 (e.g., two shown in FIG. 1 ) to align opening 108 with dredge site 110 .
- apparatus 100 and/or system 102 can also include a turbidity curtain 114 coupled to buoyant platform 104 through several telescoping members 116 .
- Telescoping members 116 which may take the form of vertically-extending telescoping pipes, provide a rigid cage to support enclosing dredge site 110 by a turbidity curtain 114 , discussed herein.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of apparatus 100 with buoyant platform 104 included, and FIGS. 3-5 respectively provide an expanded perspective, plan, and side view of turbidity curtain 114 and telescoping members 116 with respect to a portion of buoyant platform 104 .
- Turbidity curtain 114 may be embodied as any currently known or later developed flexible, impermeable barrier for trapping sediment within body of water 106 .
- Turbidity curtain 114 may include a continuous sheet of impermeable material extending from buoyant platform 104 to bottom T of body of water 106 .
- the texture of turbidity curtain 114 is not visible in perspective views (e.g., those in FIGS. 1 and 5 ) solely to better illustrate position of other elements.
- Turbidity curtain 114 may be formed of any currently known or later developed material capable of blocking the passage of all fluids (e.g., water and oil) or may be formed of a semi-permeable material which allows selected fluids (e.g., water) to pass therethrough.
- the semi-permeable material of turbidity curtain 114 may block passage of suspended particles, the size of which may be dictated by the type of semi-permeable turbidity curtain used, from exiting dredge site 110 .
- Turbidity curtain 114 may also prevent such particles from entering dredge site 110 as well.
- turbidity curtain 114 blocks all suspended particles and fluids (i.e. water, oil, other contaminants contained in the sediment) from passing therethrough.
- Turbidity curtain 114 may be coupled to, or otherwise may include, one or more floating “absorbent booms” (not shown) positioned at various locations around the interior and exterior perimeters of dredge site 110 to prevent the release of oil/sheen at upper surface WL of body of water 106 water from leaving the active dredging area.
- floating booms not shown
- Such sheens can be generated by the release of contaminants in the sediment being dredged, or incidentally by excavator 113 , and/or by portions of apparatus 100 itself.
- turbidity curtain 114 may be shaped to enclose a cross-sectional area that is at least as large as opening 108 through buoyant platform 104 . In this manner, turbidity curtain 114 may prevent passage of objects into, or out of, dredge site 110 beneath opening 108 .
- Telescoping members 116 may be mounted on buoyant platform 104 (e.g., on first portion 104 a ) and more particularly may be arranged about opening 108 . Telescoping members 116 may have adjustable lengths, such that the position of turbidity curtain 114 may be adjusted to accommodate changes to the position of upper surface WL of body of water 106 .
- Turbidity curtain 114 and telescoping members 116 can surround at least the cross-sectional area of opening 108 , thereby allowing turbidity curtain 114 to horizontally surround dredge site 110 .
- turbidity curtain 114 may be positioned vertically above bottom T of body of water 106 , before being repositioned to a desired depth via telescoping members 116 .
- telescoping members 116 may allow apparatus 100 and/or system 102 to be used at varying depths, e.g., between ten and forty feet.
- embodiments of the disclosure allow turbidity curtain 114 to extend through over, for example, forty feet of water, while remaining operable when deployed in shallower depths. This variability may prevent mismatch between some types of machines and dredge configurations, while retaining sufficient clearance for shallow and/or deep dredging without fundamentally modifying buoyant platform 104 .
- embodiments of apparatus 100 and/or system 102 can also include a bubble tube frame 120 mechanically coupled to buoyant platform 104 and/or turbidity curtain 114 .
- Bubble tube frame 120 may be structured to include several fluid outlets for emitting bubbles into body of water 106 , e.g., around a perimeter of dredge site 110 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2 ).
- FIGS. 1 and 2 depict bubble tube frame 120 in non-active and active states, respectively.
- FIG. 6 depicts turbidity curtain 114 and bubble tube frame 120 on bottom T ( FIGS. 1, 2 ) of body of water 106 , while FIG.
- Bubble tube frame 120 may be mechanically coupled to at least a portion of turbidity curtain 114 , as shown, but it is also understood that bubble tube frame 120 may be coupled to buoyant platform independently of turbidity curtain 114 . Bubble tube frame 120 may be adjustably or non-adjustably coupled to buoyant platform 104 , directly or through any desired number of intermediate elements. Bubble tube frame 120 may enclose the cross-sectional areas of turbidity curtain 114 and opening 108 through buoyant platform 104 .
- Bubble tube frame 120 may be mechanically coupled to a lowermost surface of turbidity curtain 114 at a selected location, such that bubble frame 120 may rest on bottom T of body of water 106 at substantially the same depth as turbidity curtain 114 . Before being deployed, bubble tube frame 120 may be located above bottom T, before further elements of apparatus 100 and/or system 102 move bubble tube frame 120 to a desired position, as discussed herein.
- a plurality of winches 122 , 123 may be mounted on buoyant platform 104 (e.g., on upper surface A and on first portion 104 a ).
- Winches 122 may be positioned on the horizontal exterior of platform 104 for positioning bubble tube frame 120 .
- Winches 123 may be positioned on the horizontal interior of platform 104 (e.g., adjacent opening 108 ) to control telescoping members 116 . It is understood that the difference in numbering is solely for clarity of explanation, and that winches 122 , 123 may be identical to each other in some implementations.
- Winches 122 may be structured to control a vertical position of bubble tube frame 120 with respect to lower surface B of buoyant platform 104 , and/or upper surface WL of body of water 106 , e.g., by direct adjustment and/or automated control.
- Winches 123 may be operatively coupled to telescoping members 116 , similarly to control a height and/or vertical position of turbidity curtain 114 relative to body of water 106 .
- fourteen winches 122 may be on platform 104 to control bubble tube frame 120
- sixteen winches 123 may control telescoping members 116 .
- Winches 122 , 123 may be mounted on buoyant platform 104 at respective positions, with a cable portion of each winch 122 , 123 being mechanically coupled to respective portion of bubble tube frame 120 or telescoping member(s) 116 .
- custom mounting and/or frameworks may allow different winch configurations to be used with apparatus 100 and/or system 102 , while still performing substantially the same functions.
- buoyant platform 104 may include customized framework to support more or fewer winches 122 , 123 and accompanying electrical lines to operate winches 122 , 123 , i.e., motorized spool portions thereof.
- Similar modifications may also be applied to the mounting of telescoping members 116 on buoyant platform 104 , e.g., such that an operator may adjust the position of turbidity curtain 114 and/or bubble tube frame 120 together or independently of each other.
- standoff connections between winches 122 , 123 and/or between the frame of telescoping members 116 for turbidity curtain 114 , and for bubble tube frame 120 can be implemented for stability and synchronized operation.
- bubble tube frame 120 can be fluidically coupled to a fluid supply 124 for compressing and/or storing compressed air for transmission to bubble tube frame 120 .
- Bubble tube frame 120 may be coupled to fluid supply 124 via any currently known or later developed fluid delivery system, e.g., air conduits embedded within telescoping members 116 and/or other portions of apparatus 100 and/or system 102 .
- Fluid supply 124 alternatively may be coupled to bubble tube frame 120 through one or more dedicated fluid connections.
- air supply 124 could potentially be fluidly connected to bubble tube frame 120 and/or other portions of apparatus 100 through telescoping member(s) 116 , and/or in any other number of ways or within any other forms of conduit like protection.
- the fluid connection between fluid supply 124 and bubble tube frame 120 may be operational regardless of where turbidity curtain 114 and/or bubble tube frame 120 are positioned relative to buoyant platform 104 .
- Bubble tube frame 120 itself may include a set of embedded fluid pipes configured to route a fluid, e.g., compressed air from fluid supply 124 , to various outlets distributed throughout the exterior of turbidity curtain 114 .
- Bubble tube frame 120 may emit a barrier F ( FIG.
- Bubble tube frame 120 can thereby prevent one or more protected species 130 ( FIG. 2 ) within body of water 106 from coming into contact with turbidity curtain 114 , dredge site 110 , and/or any pieces of equipment included on and/or connected to excavator 113 .
- apparatus 100 and/or system 102 may include further components for automatic control of when bubble tube frame 120 will emit barrier F. Such components may conserve air and energy, while reducing or preventing the effect that dredging operations have on wildlife within body of water 106 .
- System 102 thus may include a wildlife detector 140 , e.g., mounted on first portion 104 a of buoyant platform 104 .
- Wildlife detector 140 may be any device, system, etc., for monitoring and detecting wildlife in an environment such as body of water 106 .
- Wildlife detector 140 thus may include, e.g., various types of acoustic imaging devices, thermal imaging devices, audio-visual cameras, and/or other devices capable of evaluating whether animals are present within body of water 106 .
- Wildlife detector 140 may be capable of identifying various forms of wildlife (including, e.g., protected species 130 ), and/or calculating a distance of the identified wildlife from dredge site 110 .
- Various implementations for providing such features are discussed herein, and may include additional components included within and/or coupled to wildlife detector 140 .
- wildlife detector 140 may include a sonar transceiver 142 configured to send sound waves into body of water 106 , and receive sound waves that are reflected back to sonar transceiver 142 .
- Wildlife detector 140 and/or sonar detector 142 can interpret the incoming sound waves to generate a “visual signature” of various elements in body of water 106 .
- the term “visual signature” may include, e.g., an acoustic map of body of water 106 and/or other elements near dredge site 110 .
- sonar transceiver 142 can indicate to wildlife detector 140 whether any wildlife is within a threshold distance S of dredge site 110 , and/or the type(s) of wildlife within body of water 106 .
- a controller 144 may be coupled to wildlife detector 140 and may distinguish between protected species 130 and other species within body of water 106 . Controller 144 may be communicatively coupled to wildlife detector 140 and fluid supply 124 , thereby controlling the operation of fluid supply 124 based on signals received and/or interpreted by wildlife detector 140 . Controller 144 moreover may cause bubble tube frame 120 to emit barrier F only when sensitive species 130 is within threshold distance S of dredge site 110 .
- controller 144 may selectively enable or disable a flow of air from fluid supply 124 to bubble tube frame 120 when wildlife detector 140 identifies the presence or absence of sensitive species 130 within threshold distance S of dredge site 110 , based on the visual signatures generated via wildlife detector 140 and/or sonar transceiver 142 .
- Sonar transceiver 142 of wildlife detector 140 may be any currently known or later developed acoustic monitoring system for analysis of body of water 106 near dredge site 110 . Sonar transceiver 142 may be preferred for use with wildlife detector 140 for its ability to contextualize incoming sound by generating a visual signature based on detected sound waves. In this case, sonar transceiver 142 may include adaptive resolution imaging sonar and/or dual-frequency identification sonar. To process and interpret the incoming sound waves, controller 144 and/or wildlife detector 140 may implement one or more acoustic analysis techniques (e.g., attack-sustain-decay-release (ASDR) analysis) to distinguish between various types of incoming sound waves.
- Wildlife detector 140 thus may be capable of identifying wildlife within or near the dredge site to evaluate the risk of interfering with various types of protected species 130 (e.g., endangered fish).
- ASDR attack-sustain-decay-release
- sonar transceiver 142 and/or controller 144 on buoyant platform 104 to monitor for protected species 130 is a departure from conventional dredging apparatuses.
- Conventional systems typically rely on personnel (e.g., divers) and/or an independent monitoring system, as compared to using a sensor for automatic detection of wildlife at higher depths and/or low visibility regions.
- sonar transceiver 142 , and/or buoyant platform 104 itself may include an acoustic disruptor sub-system in addition to bubble tube frame 120 to deter further protected species 130 from entering dredge site 110 .
- the acoustic disruptor sub-system may emit sounds that cause some protected species 130 to move away from dredge site 110 without approaching turbidity curtain 114 , further reducing the risk of damage to protected species 130 in a sensitive area.
- the acoustic disruptor sub-system of sonar transceiver 142 may operate independently of bubble tube frame 120 and/or in tandem with bubble tube frame 120 .
- wildlife detector 140 may be coupled to both bubble tube frame 120 and/or any acoustic disruption sub-systems of sonar transceiver 142 such that acoustic interference is emitted only in response to when sonar transceiver 142 detecting sound waves are indicative of sensitive species 130 .
- Apparatus 100 and/or system 102 in some cases may include a network transceiver 150 for exchanging various types of data with a monitoring system 152 at a location 154 distal to buoyant platform 104 .
- network transceiver 150 may be coupled to wildlife detector 140 , and may be configured to exchange various forms of data with a monitoring system 152 located at a remote location 154 .
- the inclusion of network transceiver 150 may allow individuals to monitor one or more sites remotely without being physically present on buoyant platform 104 .
- Network transceiver 150 may include any currently known or later developed communication system for exchanging data with interconnected systems, e.g., satellite based, radio based, and/or communication line-based communication infrastructure(s).
- Network transceiver 150 itself may take a variety of forms including, e.g., a stationary (i.e., non-moveable) transceiver device, an aerial transceiver device, a vehicle-based transceiver, etc.
- Network transceiver 150 may represent a single communications node of a distributed communication network (e.g., including multiple instances of apparatus 100 and/or system 102 , and/or other related devices) capable of communicating with other network transceivers 150 and/or other monitoring systems 152 , as noted herein.
- Network transceiver 150 in one example may be configured for remote communication via wireless radio frequency (RF), and/or other types of communication systems.
- RF radio frequency
- Network transceiver 150 may include wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), hardware for enabling communication with and/or between local area network (LAN) devices within a single LAN area.
- Wi-Fi infrastructure may be particularly suitable for creating a LAN area because Wi-Fi offers a mid-sized network area (i.e., up to approximately three hundred-foot radius) for interconnecting multiple network transceivers 150 .
- Embodiments of the disclosure may integrate a first type of network infrastructure (e.g., Wi-Fi as noted above) with a second, distinct type of network infrastructure configured to allow communication over larger distances (e.g., several miles as compared to several-hundred feet).
- network transceiver 150 may act as a short-range transceiver for permitting communication between embodiments of apparatus 100 and/or system 102 in nearby locations.
- network transceiver 150 may include an RF antenna, and/or any conceivable long-range transmission components (including RF hardware and/or other types of communication infrastructure) for transmitting data packets between interconnected devices.
- network transceiver 150 may be part of, or may provide, a low-power wide-area network (LPWAN).
- the LPWAN may be provided via the LoRaWANTM specification or other proprietary, commercially-available technology for wireless data communication.
- Network transceiver 150 may allow a user to access various forms of data (e.g., information pertaining to the embodiment where body of water 106 is located, relevant information from ongoing related dredging operations, etc.), from another apparatus and/or from monitoring system 152 .
- Network transceiver 150 may also provide an access point to external networking technology within and/or coupled to monitoring system 152 , thereby providing a mechanism for exchanging information such as software updates and/or instructions to various components of apparatus 100 and/or system 102 (e.g., controller 144 discussed herein). It is possible for other users, systems, etc., to access components of apparatus 100 and/or monitoring system 152 via additional devices (e.g., personal computers, phones, tablets, etc.), that are included on the same communications network.
- additional devices e.g., personal computers, phones, tablets, etc.
- monitoring system 152 may access, monitor, and/or control the functions of apparatus 100 and/or system 102 , e.g., through network transceiver 150 .
- These features moreover may allow monitoring system 152 to immediately enable or disable wildlife deterrents (e.g., disable fluid flow from fluid supply 124 ) without visual inspection or intervention at the site of buoyant platform 104 and/or body of water 106 .
- Network transceiver 150 may include and/or otherwise be coupled to one or more power sources 160 for enabling operation of its functions without reliance on a conventional power grid or similar infrastructure.
- power source(s) 160 may include or otherwise be coupled to a generator, battery, solar panel, wind turbine, and/or other power source for providing electrical energy on command.
- network transceiver 150 may offer smaller size and/or limited portability by changing the type of applicable power source.
- network transceiver(s) 150 may be configured to operate over at least one day without sunlight, or alternatively for multiple days in presence of continued sunlight.
- Power source 160 itself may also be coupled to other components of apparatus 100 and/or system 102 described herein, e.g., telescoping members 116 , winches 122 , 123 , and/or wildlife detector 140 to drive the various physical and/or electrical operations described herein.
- a hydraulic adjustment system 170 may be mounted on an upper surface of buoyant platform 104 (e.g., on second portion 104 b thereof). Hydraulic adjustment system 170 may include, or otherwise be coupled to, a source of energy such as power source 160 described herein. Hydraulic adjustment system 170 may include a hydraulic pump 172 for driving a hydraulic actuator 174 of, e.g., supports 112 and/or other mechanically actuated components such as telescoping members 116 with respect to buoyant platform 104 .
- each hydraulic actuator 174 may be mechanically integrated within support(s) 112 , or alternatively other components such as telescoping members 116 , to enable adjustment of the various components with respect to buoyant platform 104 .
- Hydraulic pump 172 thus may mechanically drive various functions such as, e.g., mounting of support(s) 112 within bottom T of body of water 106 to maintain a position of buoyant platform 104 .
- other types of actuator assemblies e.g., hybrid hydraulic-electrical and/or other hybrid actuator system
- non-hydraulic actuators may be mounted on buoyant platform 104 , used together with and/or in substitution for hydraulic adjustment system 170 , to control various mechanical functions of apparatus 100 and/or system 102 .
- FIGS. 9 and 10 embodiments of apparatus 100 and system 102 can be used in methods according to the disclosure.
- FIG. 9 depicts apparatus 100 and system 102 in an expanded position with barrier F being emitted
- FIG. 10 depicts apparatus 100 and system 102 in an at least partially-retracted position without barrier F being emitted from bubble tube frame 120 .
- Methods according to the disclosure may include positioning buoyant platform 104 within body of water 106 , such that opening 108 is above dredge site 110 .
- excavator 113 may be used to conduct a dredging operation on dredge site 110 .
- the method may include further processes to protect outside interference with dredge site 110 , and/or to prevent protected species 130 from being hurt or killed by the dredging hardware of apparatus 100 .
- Methods according to the disclosure may include using wildlife detector 140 to detect various types of wildlife within body of water 106 , and calculate the distance of any detected wildlife from dredge site 110 .
- the monitoring of wildlife may be implemented, e.g., with sonar transceiver 142 coupled to wildlife detector 140 , and/or any other type of hardware capable of monitoring body of water 106 for wildlife.
- wildlife detector 140 may signal controller 144 (or alternatively, may signal fluid supply 124 ( FIGS. 1, 2 ) directly) to emit barrier F ( FIG. 9 only) from bubble tube frame 120 .
- bubble tube frame 120 may remain inactive to conserve fluid, energy, etc.
- Methods according to the disclosure may further include other actions to adjust the position of turbidity curtain 114 and/or bubble tube frame 120 relative to buoyant platform 104 .
- methods according to the disclosure can include adjusting telescoping members 116 and/or winches 122 , 123 (e.g., with energy from power source 160 ) to accommodate the changing water depths and/or position of buoyant platform 104 .
- Such adjustment may not interfere with the operation of bubble tube frame 120 in implementations where bubble tube frame 120 is fluidly coupled to fluid supply 124 ( FIGS. 1, 2 ) through telescoping members 116 .
- Further adjusting of buoyant platform 104 may include using hydraulic adjustment system 170 and hydraulic pump 172 to mount support(s) 112 on bottom T of body of water 106 .
- the adjusting of support(s) 112 with hydraulic adjustment system 170 may be operationally independent of telescoping members 116 and/or winches 122 , 123 .
- the various adjustments to apparatus 100 and/or system 102 may occur before, at the same time, and/or after a dredging operation with excavator 113 and/or monitoring of body of water 106 for protected species 130 .
- Embodiments of the disclosure provide various technical and commercial advantages, some of which are discussed herein as examples.
- Embodiments of apparatus 100 and/or system 102 can provide a single movable platform for operating on dredge site 110 , while also preventing significant harm to protected species 130 that otherwise may approach dredge site 110 and/or interfere with ongoing dredge operations.
- the inclusion of turbidity curtain 114 and bubble tube frame 120 may allow real-time adjustment of these components of apparatus 100 and system 102 to accommodate changes in body of water 106 , and/or the re-use of apparatus 100 and/or system 102 at other dredge sites 110 without significant alterations to apparatus 100 or system 102 .
- structures and methods according to embodiments of the disclosure integrate several distinct functions (e.g., positioning, wildlife deterrence, access for excavator 113 , etc.) onto a single buoyant platform 104 with mobile capabilities.
- apparatus 100 and/or system 102 each have the ability to be tailored to a variety of environmental dredging project conditions and requirements, using all or any combination of the features described herein, thereby allowing for flexible implementation and associated costs.
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Abstract
Embodiments of the disclosure provide a dredging apparatus, including a buoyant platform having an upper surface, a lower surface configured to float on a body of water, and an opening having a horizontal cross-sectional area and extending from the upper surface through the lower surface. A set of supports, mechanically coupled to the platform, is configured to maintain a position of the buoyant platform above a dredge site at a bottom of the body of water. A turbidity curtain, coupled to the platform using a plurality of telescoping members, surrounds at least the horizontal cross-sectional area of the opening. A bubble tube frame, coupled to the turbidity curtain and extending outwardly therefrom to surround the turbidity curtain, includes a plurality of outlets configured to emit bubbles into the body of water around a perimeter of the dredge site.
Description
- Embodiments of the disclosure pertain to equipment and methods for dredging. More specifically, embodiments of the disclosure provide a dredging apparatus, method, and system with an adjustable turbidity curtain and bubble tube frame.
- Removing of sediment from beneath the surface of water, or “dredging,” is a common environmental engineering process that may be undertaken for a variety of purposes. Successful dredging operations require compliance with several environmental regulations, which may increase the time and costs associated with a dredging operation. Conventional dredging uses one of several special-purpose dredging apparatuses adapted for use in a particular type of dredge site (e.g., a submerged river or ocean bed) with a particular depth and located in a particular ecosystem. Further complications may arise when endangered species, or other protected animals, are present at a dredge site. The types of endangered species at a dredge site may limit the type of dredging apparatus available to complete a dredging project. Although some dredging apparatuses are suitable for multiple dredge sites and/or ecosystems, differences between each dredge site may prevent any one dredging apparatus from being usable in multiple situations. The need for environmental specialists to monitor certain dredge sites may further limit the usefulness of some dredging apparatuses.
- The illustrative aspects of the present disclosure are designed to solve the problems herein described and/or other problems not discussed.
- An aspect of the disclosure provides dredging apparatus, including: a buoyant platform having an upper surface, a lower surface configured to float on a body of water, and an opening having a horizontal cross-sectional area and extending from the upper surface through the lower surface; a set of supports mechanically coupled to the buoyant platform, wherein the set of supports is configured to maintain a position of the buoyant platform above a dredge site at a bottom of the body of water; a turbidity curtain coupled to the buoyant platform using a plurality of telescoping members, wherein the turbidity curtain surrounds at least the horizontal cross-sectional area of the opening; and a bubble tube frame coupled to the turbidity curtain and extending outwardly therefrom to surround the turbidity curtain, the bubble tube frame including a plurality of outlets configured to emit bubbles into the body of water around a perimeter of the dredge site.
- Further aspects of the disclosure provide a dredging system, including: a buoyant platform having an upper surface, a lower surface configured to float on a body of water, and an opening having a horizontal cross-sectional area and extending from the upper surface through the lower surface; a set of supports mechanically coupled to the buoyant platform, wherein the set of supports is configured maintain a position of the buoyant platform above a dredge site at a bottom of the body of water; a turbidity curtain coupled to the buoyant platform using a plurality of telescoping members, the turbidity curtain surrounds at least the horizontal cross-sectional area of the opening; a bubble tube frame coupled to the turbidity curtain and extending outwardly therefrom to surround the turbidity curtain, the bubble tube frame including a plurality of outlets configured to emit bubbles into the body of water around a perimeter of the dredge site; a wildlife detector mounted on the buoyant platform, and configured to monitor a body of water, wherein the wildlife detector is configured to detect wildlife and a distance of the wildlife from the dredge site; and a controller operatively coupled to the wildlife detector and a fluid supply to the bubble tube frame, wherein the controller is configured to selectively enable a flow of fluid to the bubble tube frame in response to the detected wildlife including a protected species, and the protected species being within a threshold distance from the dredge site.
- Another aspect of the disclosure provides a method including: positioning a buoyant platform above a dredge site within a body of water, the buoyant platform having an upper surface, a lower surface configured to float on the body of water, and an opening having a horizontal cross-sectional area over the dredge site and extending from the upper surface through the lower surface; monitoring the body of water with a wildlife detector configured to detect wildlife within the body of water, and a distance of the wildlife from the dredge site; selectively emitting bubbles around a perimeter of the dredge site using a bubble tube frame of a turbidity curtain coupled to the buoyant platform, in response to the detected wildlife including a targeted species, and the targeted species being within a threshold distance from the dredge site; and conducting a dredge operation on the dredge site after positioning the buoyant platform above the dredge site, and during the monitoring of the body of water.
- These and other features of this disclosure will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that depict various embodiments of the disclosure, in which:
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FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a dredging apparatus according to embodiments of the disclosure. -
FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the dredging apparatus with bubbles being emitted from a bubble tube frame according to embodiments of the disclosure. -
FIG. 3 shows a partial perspective view of a turbidity curtain and a portion of a buoyant platform according to embodiments of the disclosure. -
FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a turbidity curtain of a dredging apparatus according to embodiments of the disclosure. -
FIG. 5 shows a side view of a turbidity curtain of a dredging apparatus according to embodiments of the disclosure. -
FIG. 6 shows a plan view of a turbidity curtain and bubble tube frame of a dredging apparatus on a bottom of a body of water according to embodiments of the disclosure. -
FIG. 7 shows a side view of a turbidity curtain and bubble tube frame of a dredging apparatus according to embodiments of the disclosure. -
FIG. 8 shows an expanded partial side view of a telescoping member and winch in a dredging apparatus according to embodiments of the disclosure. -
FIG. 9 shows a side view of a dredge apparatus in an expanded position for high water depths, according to embodiments of the disclosure. -
FIG. 10 shows a side view of a dredge apparatus in a less-expanded position for reduced water depths, according to embodiments of the disclosure. - It is noted that the drawings of the disclosure are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the disclosure, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the disclosure. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements between the drawings.
- The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
- Embodiments of the disclosure provide a dredging apparatus, system, and method, with an adjustable turbidity curtain and bubble tube frame. Additional features may identify protected wildlife in the vicinity of a dredge site, to selectively emit bubbles from the bubble tube frame to deter the wildlife from the dredge site. Embodiments of the disclosure can provide a buoyant platform including an upper surface, lower surface for floating on a body of water, and an opening having a horizontal cross-sectional area and extended from the upper surface through the lower surface. The buoyant platform may be coupled to a set of supports for maintaining a position of the buoyant platform above a dredge site at a bottom of a body of water. A turbidity curtain may be coupled to the buoyant platform via one or more telescoping members, and the turbidity curtain may surround at least the horizontal cross-sectional area of the opening. A bubble tube frame may be coupled to the turbidity curtain, and may extend outwardly therefrom to surround the turbidity curtain. Several outlets may emit bubbles into the body of water around a perimeter of the dredge site. Embodiments of the disclosure are capable of being mounted on or attached to barges, sectional platforms, etc. Various embodiments discussed herein are capable of being transported and reused at multiple locations to allow dredging operations under a variety of conditions and/or at multiple locations. The apparatus can be used in a variety of additional applications, e.g., underwater demolition, pile driving, drilling, subaqueous in situ sediment stabilization, etc.
- Referring to
FIG. 1 , a perspective view of anapparatus 100 andsystem 102 are shown according to embodiments of the disclosure.Apparatus 100 may form part of, and/or may be used together with,system 102 for conducting dredge operations, e.g., in methods according to embodiments of the disclosure. Althoughapparatus 100 may be operatively coupled to additional dredging equipment (e.g., a barge, sectional platform, etc.), such elements are omitted from the accompanying FIGS. solely for clarity of illustration.Apparatus 100 may include abuoyant platform 104, optionally subdivided into afirst portion 104 a and asecond portion 104 b.Portions First portions Buoyant platform 104 may have an exterior formed of one or more metal, plastic, and/or composite materials, but in any case may have a substantially hollow interior and/or sets of air pockets having a volume sufficient forbuoyant platform 104 to float on a body ofwater 106, at approximately its upper surface WL (i.e., some portions ofbuoyant platform 104 may be partially submerged below upper surface WL). Body ofwater 106 may represent, e.g., part of a river, ocean, lake, reservoir, and/or other marine environment. -
Buoyant platform 104 may include an upper surface A, a lower surface B configured (e.g., by its shape and/or composition) to float on upper surface WL of body ofwater 106, and anopening 108 extending from upper surface A through lower surface B (i.e., completely through buoyant platform 104).Opening 108 may have a cross-sectional area that is sized for placement over adredge site 110 located at a bottom T of body ofwater 106. In an example, bottom T may be approximately forty feet beneath upper surface WL of body ofwater 106, but it is understood thatapparatus 100 and several of its components can accommodate a variety of depths.Apparatus 100 andsystem 102 is shown to be positioned over bottom T of body ofwater 106, where a dredging operation is to be implemented. Buoyantplatform 104 may be dimensioned and/or otherwise structured to support dredging equipment such as anexcavator 113 for physically operating ondredge site 110.Excavator 113 may be operationally independent ofapparatus 100, and may take the form of any currently known or later developed instrument for moving sediment from one location to another (e.g., from beneath body ofwater 106 to a receptacle onbuoyant platform 104 or elsewhere).Opening 108 may extend from upper surface A through to lower surface B to allowexcavator 113 to accessdredge site 110 during a dredge operation. - Further components of
apparatus 100 and/orsystem 102 may be configured to maintain the position ofbuoyant platform 104 overdredge site 110, adjust the position of further elements relative to upper surface WL of body ofwater 106, and/or provide further control over a dredging operation. For instance,apparatus 100 may include a set ofsupports 112 mechanically coupled tobuoyant platform 104. In one implementation,buoyant platform 104 may be slidably mounted on support(s) 112. For example, eachsupport 112 may be slidably coupled tobuoyant platform 104 through a slidable coupling, bearing, and/or other device allowing one element (e.g., buoyant platform 104) relative to another element (e.g., one or more supports 112).Supports 112 are shown by example to holdbuoyant platform 104 in place above dredgesite 110 by being mounted on bottom T of body ofwater 106. It is understood, however, thatbuoyant platform 104 may be coupled to another structure (e.g., a barge, another platform, etc.) through one or more additional couplings. Sincebuoyant platform 104 floats on body ofwater 106, supports 112 may be located on only certain portions of the perimeter ofbuoyant platform 104 and/or may only be located at predetermined positions, to preventbuoyant platform 104 from drifting with the flow of body ofwater 106. The slidable couplings betweenbuoyant platform 104 and supports 112 may allow theapparatus 100 and/orsystem 102 to be adjusted when moving to different locations, and/or in response to changing water depths, dredging conditions, etc. - In cases where upper surface WL changes with time (e.g., rising and falling tides, seasonal water levels in a river, estuary, etc.),
buoyant platform 104 can move vertically with respect to support(s) 112 while maintaining its position over dredgesite 110.Supports 112 can be mounted on bottom T of body ofwater 106, e.g., by extending into the earth beneath body ofwater 106. Support(s) 112 thus can removably mountbuoyant platform 104 on a selected portion of bottom T of body ofwater 106. Support(s) 112 can be located on multiple locations of buoyant platform 104 (e.g., two shown inFIG. 1 ) to align opening 108 with dredgesite 110. - Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 3-5 together,apparatus 100 and/orsystem 102 can also include aturbidity curtain 114 coupled tobuoyant platform 104 throughseveral telescoping members 116. Telescopingmembers 116, which may take the form of vertically-extending telescoping pipes, provide a rigid cage to support enclosing dredgesite 110 by aturbidity curtain 114, discussed herein.FIG. 1 is a perspective view ofapparatus 100 withbuoyant platform 104 included, andFIGS. 3-5 respectively provide an expanded perspective, plan, and side view ofturbidity curtain 114 andtelescoping members 116 with respect to a portion ofbuoyant platform 104.Turbidity curtain 114, alternatively known as a “turbidity barrier,” may be embodied as any currently known or later developed flexible, impermeable barrier for trapping sediment within body ofwater 106.Turbidity curtain 114 may include a continuous sheet of impermeable material extending frombuoyant platform 104 to bottom T of body ofwater 106. The texture ofturbidity curtain 114 is not visible in perspective views (e.g., those inFIGS. 1 and 5 ) solely to better illustrate position of other elements. -
Turbidity curtain 114 may be formed of any currently known or later developed material capable of blocking the passage of all fluids (e.g., water and oil) or may be formed of a semi-permeable material which allows selected fluids (e.g., water) to pass therethrough. The semi-permeable material ofturbidity curtain 114 may block passage of suspended particles, the size of which may be dictated by the type of semi-permeable turbidity curtain used, from exiting dredgesite 110.Turbidity curtain 114 may also prevent such particles from entering dredgesite 110 as well. However embodied,turbidity curtain 114 blocks all suspended particles and fluids (i.e. water, oil, other contaminants contained in the sediment) from passing therethrough.Turbidity curtain 114 may be coupled to, or otherwise may include, one or more floating “absorbent booms” (not shown) positioned at various locations around the interior and exterior perimeters of dredgesite 110 to prevent the release of oil/sheen at upper surface WL of body ofwater 106 water from leaving the active dredging area. Such sheens can be generated by the release of contaminants in the sediment being dredged, or incidentally byexcavator 113, and/or by portions ofapparatus 100 itself. - However embodied,
turbidity curtain 114 may be shaped to enclose a cross-sectional area that is at least as large asopening 108 throughbuoyant platform 104. In this manner,turbidity curtain 114 may prevent passage of objects into, or out of, dredgesite 110 beneathopening 108. Telescopingmembers 116 may be mounted on buoyant platform 104 (e.g., onfirst portion 104 a) and more particularly may be arranged about opening 108. Telescopingmembers 116 may have adjustable lengths, such that the position ofturbidity curtain 114 may be adjusted to accommodate changes to the position of upper surface WL of body ofwater 106.Turbidity curtain 114 andtelescoping members 116 can surround at least the cross-sectional area ofopening 108, thereby allowingturbidity curtain 114 to horizontally surround dredgesite 110. Before use,turbidity curtain 114 may be positioned vertically above bottom T of body ofwater 106, before being repositioned to a desired depth viatelescoping members 116. In an example embodiment,telescoping members 116 may allowapparatus 100 and/orsystem 102 to be used at varying depths, e.g., between ten and forty feet. Thus, embodiments of the disclosure allowturbidity curtain 114 to extend through over, for example, forty feet of water, while remaining operable when deployed in shallower depths. This variability may prevent mismatch between some types of machines and dredge configurations, while retaining sufficient clearance for shallow and/or deep dredging without fundamentally modifyingbuoyant platform 104. - Referring now to
FIGS. 1, 2, 6, and 7 , embodiments ofapparatus 100 and/orsystem 102 can also include abubble tube frame 120 mechanically coupled tobuoyant platform 104 and/orturbidity curtain 114.Bubble tube frame 120 may be structured to include several fluid outlets for emitting bubbles into body ofwater 106, e.g., around a perimeter of dredge site 110 (e.g., as shown inFIG. 2 ).FIGS. 1 and 2 depictbubble tube frame 120 in non-active and active states, respectively.FIG. 6 depictsturbidity curtain 114 andbubble tube frame 120 on bottom T (FIGS. 1, 2 ) of body ofwater 106, whileFIG. 7 provides a side view of mechanical couplings betweenbubble tube frame 120 and other portions ofapparatus 100 and/orsystem 102.Bubble tube frame 120 may be mechanically coupled to at least a portion ofturbidity curtain 114, as shown, but it is also understood thatbubble tube frame 120 may be coupled to buoyant platform independently ofturbidity curtain 114.Bubble tube frame 120 may be adjustably or non-adjustably coupled tobuoyant platform 104, directly or through any desired number of intermediate elements.Bubble tube frame 120 may enclose the cross-sectional areas ofturbidity curtain 114 andopening 108 throughbuoyant platform 104.Bubble tube frame 120 may be mechanically coupled to a lowermost surface ofturbidity curtain 114 at a selected location, such thatbubble frame 120 may rest on bottom T of body ofwater 106 at substantially the same depth asturbidity curtain 114. Before being deployed,bubble tube frame 120 may be located above bottom T, before further elements ofapparatus 100 and/orsystem 102 movebubble tube frame 120 to a desired position, as discussed herein. - In some implementations, a plurality of
winches first portion 104 a).Winches 122 may be positioned on the horizontal exterior ofplatform 104 for positioningbubble tube frame 120.Winches 123 may be positioned on the horizontal interior of platform 104 (e.g., adjacent opening 108) to controltelescoping members 116. It is understood that the difference in numbering is solely for clarity of explanation, and thatwinches Winches 122 may be structured to control a vertical position ofbubble tube frame 120 with respect to lower surface B ofbuoyant platform 104, and/or upper surface WL of body ofwater 106, e.g., by direct adjustment and/or automated control.Winches 123 may be operatively coupled totelescoping members 116, similarly to control a height and/or vertical position ofturbidity curtain 114 relative to body ofwater 106. According to one example, fourteenwinches 122 may be onplatform 104 to controlbubble tube frame 120, while sixteenwinches 123 may controltelescoping members 116.Winches buoyant platform 104 at respective positions, with a cable portion of eachwinch bubble tube frame 120 or telescoping member(s) 116. According to further embodiments, custom mounting and/or frameworks may allow different winch configurations to be used withapparatus 100 and/orsystem 102, while still performing substantially the same functions. In further implementations,buoyant platform 104 may include customized framework to support more orfewer winches winches telescoping members 116 onbuoyant platform 104, e.g., such that an operator may adjust the position ofturbidity curtain 114 and/orbubble tube frame 120 together or independently of each other. In such cases, standoff connections betweenwinches telescoping members 116 forturbidity curtain 114, and forbubble tube frame 120, can be implemented for stability and synchronized operation. - Referring briefly to
FIG. 8 , a partial side view ofbuoyant platform 104,telescoping member 116,bubble tube frame 120, andwinch 122, is shown according to some implementations. As shown,bubble tube frame 120 can be fluidically coupled to afluid supply 124 for compressing and/or storing compressed air for transmission tobubble tube frame 120.Bubble tube frame 120 may be coupled tofluid supply 124 via any currently known or later developed fluid delivery system, e.g., air conduits embedded withintelescoping members 116 and/or other portions ofapparatus 100 and/orsystem 102.Fluid supply 124 alternatively may be coupled tobubble tube frame 120 through one or more dedicated fluid connections. Thus,air supply 124 could potentially be fluidly connected tobubble tube frame 120 and/or other portions ofapparatus 100 through telescoping member(s) 116, and/or in any other number of ways or within any other forms of conduit like protection. Thus, the fluid connection betweenfluid supply 124 andbubble tube frame 120 may be operational regardless of whereturbidity curtain 114 and/orbubble tube frame 120 are positioned relative tobuoyant platform 104.Bubble tube frame 120 itself may include a set of embedded fluid pipes configured to route a fluid, e.g., compressed air fromfluid supply 124, to various outlets distributed throughout the exterior ofturbidity curtain 114.Bubble tube frame 120 may emit a barrier F (FIG. 2 ) of bubbles through such outlets into body ofwater 106 to deter various forms of wildlife in body ofwater 106 from entering dredgesite 110.Bubble tube frame 120 can thereby prevent one or more protected species 130 (FIG. 2 ) within body ofwater 106 from coming into contact withturbidity curtain 114, dredgesite 110, and/or any pieces of equipment included on and/or connected toexcavator 113. - Referring to
FIGS. 1, 2, and 7 apparatus 100 and/orsystem 102 may include further components for automatic control of whenbubble tube frame 120 will emit barrier F. Such components may conserve air and energy, while reducing or preventing the effect that dredging operations have on wildlife within body ofwater 106.System 102 thus may include awildlife detector 140, e.g., mounted onfirst portion 104 a ofbuoyant platform 104.Wildlife detector 140 may be any device, system, etc., for monitoring and detecting wildlife in an environment such as body ofwater 106.Wildlife detector 140 thus may include, e.g., various types of acoustic imaging devices, thermal imaging devices, audio-visual cameras, and/or other devices capable of evaluating whether animals are present within body ofwater 106.Wildlife detector 140 may be capable of identifying various forms of wildlife (including, e.g., protected species 130), and/or calculating a distance of the identified wildlife from dredgesite 110. Various implementations for providing such features are discussed herein, and may include additional components included within and/or coupled towildlife detector 140. - In some implementations,
wildlife detector 140 may include asonar transceiver 142 configured to send sound waves into body ofwater 106, and receive sound waves that are reflected back tosonar transceiver 142.Wildlife detector 140 and/orsonar detector 142 can interpret the incoming sound waves to generate a “visual signature” of various elements in body ofwater 106. The term “visual signature” may include, e.g., an acoustic map of body ofwater 106 and/or other elements near dredgesite 110. In this case,sonar transceiver 142 can indicate towildlife detector 140 whether any wildlife is within a threshold distance S of dredgesite 110, and/or the type(s) of wildlife within body ofwater 106. In cases where only some types of wildlife are protected and/or vulnerable to the presence ofapparatus 100 and/orsystem 102, acontroller 144 may be coupled towildlife detector 140 and may distinguish between protectedspecies 130 and other species within body ofwater 106.Controller 144 may be communicatively coupled towildlife detector 140 andfluid supply 124, thereby controlling the operation offluid supply 124 based on signals received and/or interpreted bywildlife detector 140.Controller 144 moreover may causebubble tube frame 120 to emit barrier F only whensensitive species 130 is within threshold distance S of dredgesite 110. In this case,controller 144 may selectively enable or disable a flow of air fromfluid supply 124 tobubble tube frame 120 whenwildlife detector 140 identifies the presence or absence ofsensitive species 130 within threshold distance S of dredgesite 110, based on the visual signatures generated viawildlife detector 140 and/orsonar transceiver 142. -
Sonar transceiver 142 ofwildlife detector 140 may be any currently known or later developed acoustic monitoring system for analysis of body ofwater 106 near dredgesite 110.Sonar transceiver 142 may be preferred for use withwildlife detector 140 for its ability to contextualize incoming sound by generating a visual signature based on detected sound waves. In this case,sonar transceiver 142 may include adaptive resolution imaging sonar and/or dual-frequency identification sonar. To process and interpret the incoming sound waves,controller 144 and/orwildlife detector 140 may implement one or more acoustic analysis techniques (e.g., attack-sustain-decay-release (ASDR) analysis) to distinguish between various types of incoming sound waves.Wildlife detector 140 thus may be capable of identifying wildlife within or near the dredge site to evaluate the risk of interfering with various types of protected species 130 (e.g., endangered fish). - The use of
wildlife detector 140,sonar transceiver 142, and/orcontroller 144 onbuoyant platform 104 to monitor for protectedspecies 130 is a departure from conventional dredging apparatuses. Conventional systems typically rely on personnel (e.g., divers) and/or an independent monitoring system, as compared to using a sensor for automatic detection of wildlife at higher depths and/or low visibility regions. In still further embodiments,sonar transceiver 142, and/orbuoyant platform 104 itself, may include an acoustic disruptor sub-system in addition tobubble tube frame 120 to deter further protectedspecies 130 from entering dredgesite 110. In this case, the acoustic disruptor sub-system may emit sounds that cause some protectedspecies 130 to move away from dredgesite 110 without approachingturbidity curtain 114, further reducing the risk of damage to protectedspecies 130 in a sensitive area. Where applicable, the acoustic disruptor sub-system ofsonar transceiver 142 may operate independently ofbubble tube frame 120 and/or in tandem withbubble tube frame 120. In some cases,wildlife detector 140 may be coupled to bothbubble tube frame 120 and/or any acoustic disruption sub-systems ofsonar transceiver 142 such that acoustic interference is emitted only in response to whensonar transceiver 142 detecting sound waves are indicative ofsensitive species 130. -
Apparatus 100 and/orsystem 102 in some cases may include anetwork transceiver 150 for exchanging various types of data with amonitoring system 152 at alocation 154 distal tobuoyant platform 104. To allow remote monitoring and/or control of a dredging operation,network transceiver 150 may be coupled towildlife detector 140, and may be configured to exchange various forms of data with amonitoring system 152 located at aremote location 154. The inclusion ofnetwork transceiver 150 may allow individuals to monitor one or more sites remotely without being physically present onbuoyant platform 104.Network transceiver 150 may include any currently known or later developed communication system for exchanging data with interconnected systems, e.g., satellite based, radio based, and/or communication line-based communication infrastructure(s).Network transceiver 150 itself may take a variety of forms including, e.g., a stationary (i.e., non-moveable) transceiver device, an aerial transceiver device, a vehicle-based transceiver, etc.Network transceiver 150 may represent a single communications node of a distributed communication network (e.g., including multiple instances ofapparatus 100 and/orsystem 102, and/or other related devices) capable of communicating withother network transceivers 150 and/orother monitoring systems 152, as noted herein.Network transceiver 150 in one example may be configured for remote communication via wireless radio frequency (RF), and/or other types of communication systems. -
Network transceiver 150 may include wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), hardware for enabling communication with and/or between local area network (LAN) devices within a single LAN area. Wi-Fi infrastructure may be particularly suitable for creating a LAN area because Wi-Fi offers a mid-sized network area (i.e., up to approximately three hundred-foot radius) for interconnectingmultiple network transceivers 150. Embodiments of the disclosure may integrate a first type of network infrastructure (e.g., Wi-Fi as noted above) with a second, distinct type of network infrastructure configured to allow communication over larger distances (e.g., several miles as compared to several-hundred feet). In some cases,network transceiver 150 may act as a short-range transceiver for permitting communication between embodiments ofapparatus 100 and/orsystem 102 in nearby locations. In any case,network transceiver 150 may include an RF antenna, and/or any conceivable long-range transmission components (including RF hardware and/or other types of communication infrastructure) for transmitting data packets between interconnected devices. In further implementations,network transceiver 150 may be part of, or may provide, a low-power wide-area network (LPWAN). According to one example, the LPWAN may be provided via the LoRaWAN™ specification or other proprietary, commercially-available technology for wireless data communication. -
Network transceiver 150 may allow a user to access various forms of data (e.g., information pertaining to the embodiment where body ofwater 106 is located, relevant information from ongoing related dredging operations, etc.), from another apparatus and/or frommonitoring system 152.Network transceiver 150 may also provide an access point to external networking technology within and/or coupled tomonitoring system 152, thereby providing a mechanism for exchanging information such as software updates and/or instructions to various components ofapparatus 100 and/or system 102 (e.g.,controller 144 discussed herein). It is possible for other users, systems, etc., to access components ofapparatus 100 and/ormonitoring system 152 via additional devices (e.g., personal computers, phones, tablets, etc.), that are included on the same communications network. Thus, it is possible for a user ofmonitoring system 152 and/or other types of hardware that is not physically present onbuoyant platform 104 to access, monitor, and/or control the functions ofapparatus 100 and/orsystem 102, e.g., throughnetwork transceiver 150. These features moreover may allowmonitoring system 152 to immediately enable or disable wildlife deterrents (e.g., disable fluid flow from fluid supply 124) without visual inspection or intervention at the site ofbuoyant platform 104 and/or body ofwater 106. -
Network transceiver 150 may include and/or otherwise be coupled to one ormore power sources 160 for enabling operation of its functions without reliance on a conventional power grid or similar infrastructure. In various implementations, power source(s) 160 may include or otherwise be coupled to a generator, battery, solar panel, wind turbine, and/or other power source for providing electrical energy on command. Where only temporary network accessibility is required (e.g., only a few minutes or hours),network transceiver 150 may offer smaller size and/or limited portability by changing the type of applicable power source. In one example, network transceiver(s) 150 may be configured to operate over at least one day without sunlight, or alternatively for multiple days in presence of continued sunlight.Power source 160 itself may also be coupled to other components ofapparatus 100 and/orsystem 102 described herein, e.g., telescopingmembers 116, winches 122, 123, and/orwildlife detector 140 to drive the various physical and/or electrical operations described herein. - To mechanically drive various operations of
apparatus 100 and/orsystem 102, ahydraulic adjustment system 170 may be mounted on an upper surface of buoyant platform 104 (e.g., onsecond portion 104 b thereof).Hydraulic adjustment system 170 may include, or otherwise be coupled to, a source of energy such aspower source 160 described herein.Hydraulic adjustment system 170 may include ahydraulic pump 172 for driving ahydraulic actuator 174 of, e.g., supports 112 and/or other mechanically actuated components such astelescoping members 116 with respect tobuoyant platform 104. Where applicable, eachhydraulic actuator 174 may be mechanically integrated within support(s) 112, or alternatively other components such astelescoping members 116, to enable adjustment of the various components with respect tobuoyant platform 104.Hydraulic pump 172 thus may mechanically drive various functions such as, e.g., mounting of support(s) 112 within bottom T of body ofwater 106 to maintain a position ofbuoyant platform 104. In further embodiments, other types of actuator assemblies (e.g., hybrid hydraulic-electrical and/or other hybrid actuator system) and/or non-hydraulic actuators may be mounted onbuoyant platform 104, used together with and/or in substitution forhydraulic adjustment system 170, to control various mechanical functions ofapparatus 100 and/orsystem 102. - Referring to
FIGS. 9 and 10 , embodiments ofapparatus 100 andsystem 102 can be used in methods according to the disclosure.FIG. 9 depictsapparatus 100 andsystem 102 in an expanded position with barrier F being emitted, whileFIG. 10 depictsapparatus 100 andsystem 102 in an at least partially-retracted position without barrier F being emitted frombubble tube frame 120. Methods according to the disclosure may include positioningbuoyant platform 104 within body ofwater 106, such thatopening 108 is above dredgesite 110. At this point,excavator 113 may be used to conduct a dredging operation on dredgesite 110. The method may include further processes to protect outside interference with dredgesite 110, and/or to prevent protectedspecies 130 from being hurt or killed by the dredging hardware ofapparatus 100. - Methods according to the disclosure may include using
wildlife detector 140 to detect various types of wildlife within body ofwater 106, and calculate the distance of any detected wildlife from dredgesite 110. The monitoring of wildlife may be implemented, e.g., withsonar transceiver 142 coupled towildlife detector 140, and/or any other type of hardware capable of monitoring body ofwater 106 for wildlife. In the event that protected specie(s) 130 come within threshold distance S of dredgesite 110,wildlife detector 140 may signal controller 144 (or alternatively, may signal fluid supply 124 (FIGS. 1, 2 ) directly) to emit barrier F (FIG. 9 only) frombubble tube frame 120. When protected specie(s) 130 is not within threshold distance S,bubble tube frame 120 may remain inactive to conserve fluid, energy, etc. - Methods according to the disclosure may further include other actions to adjust the position of
turbidity curtain 114 and/orbubble tube frame 120 relative tobuoyant platform 104. In cases where upper surface WL of body ofwater 106 changes with time and/or environmental conditions, methods according to the disclosure can include adjustingtelescoping members 116 and/or winches 122, 123 (e.g., with energy from power source 160) to accommodate the changing water depths and/or position ofbuoyant platform 104. Such adjustment may not interfere with the operation ofbubble tube frame 120 in implementations wherebubble tube frame 120 is fluidly coupled to fluid supply 124 (FIGS. 1, 2 ) throughtelescoping members 116. Further adjusting ofbuoyant platform 104, before, during, and/or after the conducting of a dredging operation, may include usinghydraulic adjustment system 170 andhydraulic pump 172 to mount support(s) 112 on bottom T of body ofwater 106. The adjusting of support(s) 112 withhydraulic adjustment system 170 may be operationally independent oftelescoping members 116 and/or winches 122, 123. The various adjustments toapparatus 100 and/orsystem 102 may occur before, at the same time, and/or after a dredging operation withexcavator 113 and/or monitoring of body ofwater 106 for protectedspecies 130. - Embodiments of the disclosure provide various technical and commercial advantages, some of which are discussed herein as examples. Embodiments of
apparatus 100 and/orsystem 102 can provide a single movable platform for operating on dredgesite 110, while also preventing significant harm to protectedspecies 130 that otherwise may approach dredgesite 110 and/or interfere with ongoing dredge operations. The inclusion ofturbidity curtain 114 andbubble tube frame 120, moreover, may allow real-time adjustment of these components ofapparatus 100 andsystem 102 to accommodate changes in body ofwater 106, and/or the re-use ofapparatus 100 and/orsystem 102 at other dredgesites 110 without significant alterations toapparatus 100 orsystem 102. Thus, structures and methods according to embodiments of the disclosure integrate several distinct functions (e.g., positioning, wildlife deterrence, access forexcavator 113, etc.) onto a singlebuoyant platform 104 with mobile capabilities. In any case,apparatus 100 and/orsystem 102 each have the ability to be tailored to a variety of environmental dredging project conditions and requirements, using all or any combination of the features described herein, thereby allowing for flexible implementation and associated costs. - The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Claims (20)
1. A dredging apparatus, comprising:
a buoyant platform having an upper surface, a lower surface configured to float on a body of water, and an opening having a horizontal cross-sectional area and extending from the upper surface through the lower surface;
a set of supports mechanically coupled to the buoyant platform, wherein the set of supports is configured to maintain a position of the buoyant platform above a dredge site at a bottom of the body of water;
a turbidity curtain coupled to the buoyant platform using a plurality of telescoping members, wherein the turbidity curtain surrounds at least the horizontal cross-sectional area of the opening; and
a bubble tube frame coupled to the turbidity curtain and extending outwardly therefrom to surround the turbidity curtain, the bubble tube frame including a plurality of outlets configured to emit bubbles into the body of water around a perimeter of the dredge site.
2. The dredging apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the set of supports removably mount the buoyant platform on a selected portion of the bottom of the body of water.
3. The dredging apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of outlets of the bubble tube frame are fluidically coupled to a fluid supply through the telescoping members of the turbidity curtain.
4. The dredging apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of winches mounted on the buoyant platform and coupled to the plurality of telescoping members wherein the plurality of winches adjusts a vertical position of the bubble tube frame relative to the buoyant platform by adjusting a length of the plurality of telescoping members.
5. The dredging apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a wildlife detector mounted on the buoyant platform, and configured to monitor the body of water, wherein the wildlife detector is configured to detect wildlife and a distance of the wildlife from the dredge site.
6. The dredging apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising a controller coupled between the wildlife detector and a fluid supply for the bubble tube frame, wherein the controller is configured to selectively enable a flow of fluid to the bubble tube frame in response to the detected wildlife including a protected species, and the protected species being within a threshold distance from the dredge site.
7. The dredging apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the wildlife detector includes a sonar transceiver configured to generate a visual signature of the detected wildlife, and wherein the controller is configured to process the visual signature to identify a protected species and calculate a distance of the protected species from the dredge site.
8. The dredging apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising a network transceiver coupled to the wildlife detector, and configured to exchange data with a monitoring system that is distal to the buoyant platform.
9. The dredging apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a hydraulic adjustment system mounted on the upper surface of the buoyant platform, the hydraulic adjustment system including a hydraulic pump operably connected to a hydraulic actuator operably coupled to the set of supports to mount the set of supports on the bottom of the body of water.
10. The dredging apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the buoyant platform is dimensioned to support an excavator on the upper surface thereof, the excavator being operationally independent of the dredging apparatus.
11. A dredging system, comprising:
a buoyant platform having an upper surface, a lower surface configured to float on a body of water, and an opening having a horizontal cross-sectional area and extending from the upper surface through the lower surface;
a set of supports mechanically coupled to the buoyant platform, wherein the set of supports is configured maintain a position of the buoyant platform above a dredge site at a bottom of the body of water;
a turbidity curtain coupled to the buoyant platform using a plurality of telescoping members, the turbidity curtain surrounds at least the horizontal cross-sectional area of the opening;
a bubble tube frame coupled to the turbidity curtain and extending outwardly therefrom to surround the turbidity curtain, the bubble tube frame including a plurality of outlets configured to emit bubbles into the body of water around a perimeter of the dredge site;
a wildlife detector mounted on the buoyant platform, and configured to monitor the body of water, wherein the wildlife detector is configured to detect wildlife and a distance of the wildlife from the dredge site; and
a controller operatively coupled to the wildlife detector and a fluid supply to the bubble tube frame, wherein the controller is configured to selectively enable a flow of fluid to the bubble tube frame in response to the detected wildlife including a protected species, and the protected species being within a threshold distance from the dredge site.
12. The dredging system of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of outlets of the bubble tube frame are fluidically coupled to the fluid supply through the telescoping members of the turbidity curtain.
13. The dredging system of claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of winches mounted on the buoyant platform and coupled to the plurality of telescoping members, wherein the plurality of winches adjusts a vertical position of the bubble tube frame relative to the buoyant platform by adjusting a length of the plurality of telescoping members.
14. The dredging system of claim 13 , wherein the controller is coupled to the plurality of winches and further configured to adjust the vertical position of the bubble tube frame relative to the buoyant platform based on a condition of the body of water.
15. The dredging system of claim 11 , wherein the wildlife detector includes a sonar transceiver configured to generate a visual signature of the detected wildlife, and wherein the controller is configured to process the visual signature to identify a protected species and calculate a distance of the protected species from the dredge site.
16. The dredging system of claim 11 , further comprising a network transceiver coupling the controller to the wildlife detector and the fluid supply, wherein the controller is included in a monitoring system at a location distal to the buoyant platform.
17. A method, comprising:
positioning a buoyant platform above a dredge site within a body of water, the buoyant platform having an upper surface, a lower surface configured to float on the body of water, and an opening having a horizontal cross-sectional area over the dredge site and extending from the upper surface through the lower surface;
monitoring the body of water with a wildlife detector configured to detect wildlife within the body of water, and a distance of the wildlife from the dredge site;
selectively emitting bubbles around a perimeter of the dredge site using a bubble tube frame of a turbidity curtain coupled to the buoyant platform, in response to the detected wildlife including a targeted species, and the targeted species being within a threshold distance from the dredge site; and
conducting a dredge operation on the dredge site after positioning the buoyant platform above the dredge site, and during the monitoring of the body of water.
18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising adjusting a vertical position of the bubble tube frame of the turbidity curtain relative to the buoyant platform with a plurality of telescoping members coupled between the buoyant platform and the turbidity curtain, wherein the plurality of telescoping members fluidically couples the turbidity curtain to a fluid supply.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein positioning the buoyant platform includes causing a hydraulic actuator coupled to a set of supports of the buoyant platform to mount the at least one adjustable support on a bottom of the body of water, wherein the hydraulic actuator is operationally independent of the plurality of telescoping members.
20. The method of claim 18 , wherein adjusting the position of the bubble tube frame of the turbidity curtain further includes actuating a set of winches mechanically coupled to the plurality of telescoping members.
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US17/012,205 US20210062457A1 (en) | 2019-09-04 | 2020-09-04 | Dredging apparatus, system, and method with adjustable turbidity curtain and bubble tube frame |
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US201962895761P | 2019-09-04 | 2019-09-04 | |
US17/012,205 US20210062457A1 (en) | 2019-09-04 | 2020-09-04 | Dredging apparatus, system, and method with adjustable turbidity curtain and bubble tube frame |
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