WO2017164730A1 - Submersible dredging device for dredging by water injection - Google Patents

Submersible dredging device for dredging by water injection Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017164730A1
WO2017164730A1 PCT/NL2017/050172 NL2017050172W WO2017164730A1 WO 2017164730 A1 WO2017164730 A1 WO 2017164730A1 NL 2017050172 W NL2017050172 W NL 2017050172W WO 2017164730 A1 WO2017164730 A1 WO 2017164730A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
dredging
dredged
algorithm
water
jet nozzles
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NL2017/050172
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Cornelis VAN RHEE
Bart VAN DER SCHRIECK
Robertus Nicolaas SWART
Jan Kollen
Original Assignee
Technische Universiteit Delft
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Technische Universiteit Delft filed Critical Technische Universiteit Delft
Publication of WO2017164730A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017164730A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02FDREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
    • E02F3/00Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
    • E02F3/04Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
    • E02F3/88Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with arrangements acting by a sucking or forcing effect, e.g. suction dredgers
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63GOFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
    • B63G8/00Underwater vessels, e.g. submarines; Equipment specially adapted therefor
    • B63G8/001Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02BHYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B3/00Engineering works in connection with control or use of streams, rivers, coasts, or other marine sites; Sealings or joints for engineering works in general
    • E02B3/02Stream regulation, e.g. breaking up subaqueous rock, cleaning the beds of waterways, directing the water flow
    • E02B3/023Removing sediments
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02FDREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
    • E02F3/00Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
    • E02F3/04Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
    • E02F3/88Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with arrangements acting by a sucking or forcing effect, e.g. suction dredgers
    • E02F3/8858Submerged units
    • E02F3/8866Submerged units self propelled
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02FDREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
    • E02F3/00Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
    • E02F3/04Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
    • E02F3/88Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with arrangements acting by a sucking or forcing effect, e.g. suction dredgers
    • E02F3/90Component parts, e.g. arrangement or adaptation of pumps
    • E02F3/92Digging elements, e.g. suction heads
    • E02F3/9212Mechanical digging means, e.g. suction wheels, i.e. wheel with a suction inlet attached behind the wheel
    • E02F3/9218Mechanical digging means, e.g. suction wheels, i.e. wheel with a suction inlet attached behind the wheel with jets
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02FDREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
    • E02F3/00Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
    • E02F3/04Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
    • E02F3/88Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with arrangements acting by a sucking or forcing effect, e.g. suction dredgers
    • E02F3/90Component parts, e.g. arrangement or adaptation of pumps
    • E02F3/92Digging elements, e.g. suction heads
    • E02F3/9256Active suction heads; Suction heads with cutting elements, i.e. the cutting elements are mounted within the housing of the suction head
    • E02F3/9262Active suction heads; Suction heads with cutting elements, i.e. the cutting elements are mounted within the housing of the suction head with jets
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02FDREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
    • E02F5/00Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes
    • E02F5/28Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes for cleaning watercourses or other ways
    • E02F5/287Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes for cleaning watercourses or other ways with jet nozzles
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02ATECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A10/00TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE at coastal zones; at river basins

Abstract

Submersible dredging device (1) for dredging by water injection, comprising fluidization means to fluidize and/or dilute sediment on a bottom of a waterbody which is to be dredged, and means (6) to transport the device (1) along and above the sediment to be dredged, wherein the device (1) is an independently and autonomously movable submersible vehicle equipped with piping (2) with first water jet nozzles (3) and at least a pump (4) to supply the piping (2) with water under pressure, and wherein the device (1) has a sensor (9) for measuring a distance of the device (1) to the bottom to be dredged, wherein the device (1) is computer-controlled with a computer (8) mounted in the device (1) that is provided with an algorithm which is arranged to execute the dredging according to a pre-established scheme, and wherein the algorithm is arranged to manoeuver the device in dependence of a signal from the sensor (9).

Description

Submersible dredging device for dredging by water injection
The invention relates to a dredging device for dredg¬ ing by water injection, comprising fluidization means to flu- idize sediment on a bottom of a waterbody which is to be dredged, and means to transport the device along and above the sediment to be dredged. The waterbody may be of any type such as a river or sea, a harbour basin, a reservoir, etc.
Such a device is known from EP-A-0 119 653 and from EP-A-0 243 994. The known device comprises piping with first water jet nozzles to fluidize or dilute sediment on a bottom of a waterbody which is to be dredged, at least a pump to sup- ply the piping with water under pressure, and means to transport the device and its piping with the water jet nozzles along and above the sediment to be dredged. In the known de- vice a vessel is used from which the piping with the downward- ly directed water jet nozzles are lowered by means of a tackle or otherwise. The piping with the nozzles is tracked along the bottom of the river or sea by the moving vessel. Water is sup- plied to the piping from the vessel by appropriate pressure means .
There are a number of disadvantages or problems that associate with this known device.
In the first place it requires a lot of manpower and therefore costs to operate the device.
Secondly dredging with the device of the prior art is sensitive to waves. The waves cause that the level of the pip- ing and the water jet nozzles varies, due to which effective dredging cannot always be guaranteed.
A third problem is that there is a maximum depth at which dredging can be carried out because the dimensions of the construction below the vessel are not without limitations. With larger depths the underwater construction becomes bulkier and heavier, whereas the vessel must accordingly be upscaled. Both factors contribute to increased costs and impose limita- tions on the maximum water depth at which the dredging can be carried out.
A fourth problem is that although dredging by water injection is much more energy-efficient than other known means of dredging, still the operation of the vessel places a high C02 burden on the environment, which problem becomes larger when dredging must be performed under more difficult circum- stances such as larger water depth.
A fifth problem is that the prior art manner of dredging provides hindrance for the other water traffic.
Ά sixth problem is that moored vessels and pontoons prevent effective dredging below such vessels and pontoons.
It is therefore an object of the invention to address or at least alleviate these problems.
WO99/50508 discloses a submersible dredging device for dredging by water injection, comprising fluidization means embodied as jet pumps to fluidize and/or dilute sediment on a bottom of a waterbody which is to be dredged, and means to transport the device along and above the sediment to be dredged.
The submersible dredging device according to WO99/50508 only partly addresses the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. Notably the first problem, the third prob- lem, the fourth problem, the fifth problem and the sixth prob- lem still exist with the submersible dredging device according to WO99/50508.
According to a first aspect of the invention the sub- mersible dredging device is an independently and autonomously movable submersible vehicle equipped with piping with first water jet nozzles and at least a pump to supply the piping and the water jet nozzles with water under pressure to fluidize and/or dilute the sediment on a bottom of a waterbody which is to be dredged, which device comprises means to transport the device along and above the sediment to be dredged, wherein the device has a sensor for measuring a distance of the device to the bottom to be dredged, and wherein the device is computer- controlled with a computer mounted in the device that is pro- vided with an algorithm which is arranged to execute the dredging according to a pre-established scheme, and wherein the algorithm is arranged to manoeuver the device in depend- ence of a signal from the sensor.
The feature that the device has a sensor for measur- ing a distance of the vehicle to the bottom to be dredged, wherein the algorithm is arranged to manoeuver the device in dependence of a signal from the sensor, enables amongst others that an optimum height of the nozzles with respect to the sed- iment to be dredged can be maintained. This improves the effi- ciency of the dredging operation. The sensor may be functional according to several principles, for instance acoustic or oth- erwise.
It is remarked that EP 2 423 102 discloses a submers- ible vehicle equipped with a memory and sensors that in one of the disclosed embodiments is autonomously movable underwater. This vehicle is however an inspection vehicle which may occa- sionally be used for repair of pipelines, and which is there- fore outside the scope of a skilled person looking for im- provement or modification of a submersible dredging device. Accordingly the document is silent on dredging and does not disclose anything that relates to improving the efficiency of the dredging.
The autonomously movable submersible dredging vehicle of the invention provides several further beneficial features; the vehicle being autonomous reduces the amount of manpower involved for its operation, and further the fact that it is submersible and fully autonomously movable means that it can operate independently below the water level and be therefore insensitive to the effect of waves. A further important fea- ture is that it is possible with the device of the invention to perform dredging at larger depths than is possible accord- ing to the prior art.
Beneficially the algorithm is arranged to adapt the pre-established scheme to meet predefined requirements. The scheme therefore needs not to be stationary but can automati- cally adjust to circumstances underwater where the dredging occurs .
The propulsion of the device of the invention can suitably be performed with a conventional screw propulsion. In a preferred embodiment or desirably in combination with the other features of the device of the invention it is preferable however that the device has second water jet nozzles for providing propulsion to the device. This effectively uses parts of the device that are anyway required for performing dredging by water injection. Apart from being effective this therefore also saves on costs. In case second water jet noz- zles are used for propulsion, these water jet nozzles are preferably aligned approximately horizontally during use.
Beneficially the device has energy storage on board.
The energy storage may for instance be a battery pack, or oth- er suitable means such as a pneumatic storage of compressed air, or a fuel-cell. The energy from the energy storage may be used for driving the water pump which may thus have the water expel from the first water jets for dredging, and -if present- from the second horizontal water jets to provide propulsive forces to the device.
Advantageously in case the device is provided with a battery pack, the above-mentioned algorithm is arranged to re- turn the device to a docking station at water level when the charge level of the battery pack runs low.
It is further preferable that the battery pack is chargeable with photovoltaic cells provided on top of the de- vice and/or forming part of the docking station, or with other suitable sources of green energy at or through the docking station to save on the C02 impact on the environment.
The invention will hereinafter be further elucidated with reference to the drawing of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention that is not limiting as to the appended claims.
In the drawing:
-figure 1 shows a device according to the invention in an isometric view from above; and
-figure 2 shows the device of figure 1 in an isomet- ric view from below.
Whenever in the figures the same reference numerals are applied, these numerals refer to the same parts.
With reference both to figure 1 and figure 2 for clarity purposes a "translucent" principle scheme of a dredg- ing device 1 according to the invention is shown which may be used for dredging by water injection. The device 1 comprises piping 2, wherein figure 2 shows that said piping 2 is provid- ed with first water jet nozzles 3 which may be used to fluid- ize or dilute sediment on a bottom of a waterbody which is to be dredged.
Both figure 1 and figure 2 also show a pump 4 and an electric pump drive 5 to supply the piping 2 with water under pressure to be expelled through the first waterjet nozzles 3. The water is obtained through an inlet (not shown) that is provided on a superficial area of the device 1.
Figure 1 and figure 2 also show means to transport the device 1 and its piping 2 with the water jet nozzles 3 in the form of second water jet nozzles 6 for providing propul- sive forces to the device. It is however within the scope of the invention to provide other means of propulsion to the de- vice, such as a conventional screw propulsion. As the figures show during use the second water jet nozzles 6 are aligned horizontally. The earlier mentioned pump 4 can be used for providing the propulsive energy to the device 1.
As figure 1 and figure 2 show the device 1 is not me- chanically linked to any other device or apparatus, which un- derlines that the device 1 is an autonomous submersible vehi- cle. The device 1 can be remotely operable through a wireless connection, however it is preferred that the device 1 is com- puter-controlled with a computer 8 mounted in the device 1 which is provided with an algorithm that is arranged to exe- cute the dredging according to a pre-established scheme. It is also possible that this pre-established scheme is adaptable to meet certain circumstances underwater where the dredging oc- curs and which are not anticipated by said scheme at the start of the dredging. Figure 2 shows that it has sensors 9 (one sensor can suffice) for measuring a distance of the device 1 to the bottom to be dredged, wherein the algorithm is arranged to manoeuver the device in dependence of a signal from the sensors 9. The sensors 9 which can be used for measuring depth and distance are connected to the on board computer 8.
To support the autonomous character of the device 1 of the invention it has an energy storage, in this embodiment a battery pack 7 on board. The just mentioned algorithm is preferably arranged to return the device 1 to a docking sta- tion (not shown) above water level when the charge level of the battery pack 7 runs low. Preferably the battery pack 7 is chargeable with photovoltaic cells provided on top of the de- vice 1 and/or forming part of the docking station. It is also possible to provide in using green energy which is made avail- able at or through the docking station. The way how this can be implemented is completely clear to the skilled person, so that an explanation with reference to the drawing can be dis- pensed with.
Although the invention has been discussed in the foregoing with reference to an exemplary embodiment of the ap- paratus of the invention, the invention is not restricted to this particular embodiment which can be varied in many ways without departing from the invention. The discussed exemplary embodiment shall therefore not be used to construe the append- ed claims strictly in accordance therewith. On the contrary the embodiment is merely intended to explain the wording of the appended claims without intent to limit the claims to this exemplary embodiment. The scope of protection of the invention shall therefore be construed in accordance with the appended claims only, wherein a possible ambiguity in the wording of the claims shall be resolved using this exemplary embodiment.

Claims

1. Submersible dredging device (1) for dredging by water injection, comprising fluidization means to fluidize and/or dilute sediment on a bottom of a waterbody which is to be dredged, and means (6) to transport the device (1) along and above the sediment to be dredged, characterized In that the device (1) is an independently and autonomously movable submersible vehicle equipped with piping (2) with first water jet nozzles (3) and at least a pump (4) to supply the piping (2) and said water jet nozzles (3) with water under pressure to fluidize and/or dilute said sediment, wherein the device (1) has a sensor (9) for measuring a distance of the device (1) to the bottom to be dredged, wherein the device (1) is computer-controlled with a computer (8) mounted in the device (1) that is provided with an algorithm which is arranged to execute the dredging according to a pre-established scheme, and wherein the algorithm is arranged to manoeuver the device in dependence of a signal from the sensor (9) .
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the algorithm is arranged to adapt the pre-established scheme to meet predefined requirements.
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has an energy storage (7) on board.
4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the algorithm is arranged to return the device (1) to a dock- ing station at water level when the charge level of the energy storage (7) runs low.
5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the energy storage (7) is a battery pack which is charge- able with photovoltaic cells provided on top of the device (1) and/or forming part of the docking station or with other suit- able sources of green energy at or through the docking sta- tion.
6. Device according to any one of claims 1 - 5, char- acterized in that it has second water jet nozzles (6) for providing propulsive forces to the device (1) .
7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that during use the second water jet nozzles ( 6) are aligned ap- proximately horizontally.
PCT/NL2017/050172 2016-03-22 2017-03-20 Submersible dredging device for dredging by water injection WO2017164730A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL2016470A NL2016470B1 (en) 2016-03-22 2016-03-22 Device for dredging by water injection.
NL2016470 2016-03-22

Publications (1)

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WO2017164730A1 true WO2017164730A1 (en) 2017-09-28

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WO (1) WO2017164730A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN114875993A (en) * 2019-11-18 2022-08-09 哈里奇港务局 Dredging method and device

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3672725A (en) * 1970-06-15 1972-06-27 Earl & Wright Ltd Deep sea mining method and apparatus
US4231171A (en) * 1977-01-18 1980-11-04 Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Method and apparatus for mining nodules from beneath the sea
EP0119653A1 (en) 1983-03-18 1984-09-26 Reijer Nicolaas Van Weezenbeek Method for removing sludge or mud from the bottom of a water area
EP0243994A1 (en) 1986-04-14 1987-11-04 Reijer Nicolaas Van Weezenbeek Device for the displacement of sediment under water and process for the use of such a device
WO1999050508A1 (en) 1998-04-01 1999-10-07 Seabed Impeller Levelling And Trenching Limited Dredging apparatus
EP2423102A1 (en) 2010-08-31 2012-02-29 ATLAS Elektronik GmbH Unmanned submarine and method for operating an unmanned submarine
US20130151061A1 (en) * 2010-08-20 2013-06-13 Korea Institute Of Robot & Convergence Cleaning robot and underwater sediment cleaning apparatus and method
US20140238924A1 (en) * 2011-10-20 2014-08-28 Nagaoka Corporation Cleaning apparatus for filtration layer in seawater infiltration intake
US20140290554A1 (en) * 2012-12-17 2014-10-02 Cgg Services Sa Self-burying autonomous underwater vehicle and method for marine seismic surveys
WO2015119685A2 (en) * 2013-11-12 2015-08-13 Conocophillips Company Unmanned underwater vehicles, locations of their docking stations, and their programmed routes

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3672725A (en) * 1970-06-15 1972-06-27 Earl & Wright Ltd Deep sea mining method and apparatus
US4231171A (en) * 1977-01-18 1980-11-04 Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Method and apparatus for mining nodules from beneath the sea
EP0119653A1 (en) 1983-03-18 1984-09-26 Reijer Nicolaas Van Weezenbeek Method for removing sludge or mud from the bottom of a water area
EP0243994A1 (en) 1986-04-14 1987-11-04 Reijer Nicolaas Van Weezenbeek Device for the displacement of sediment under water and process for the use of such a device
WO1999050508A1 (en) 1998-04-01 1999-10-07 Seabed Impeller Levelling And Trenching Limited Dredging apparatus
US20130151061A1 (en) * 2010-08-20 2013-06-13 Korea Institute Of Robot & Convergence Cleaning robot and underwater sediment cleaning apparatus and method
EP2423102A1 (en) 2010-08-31 2012-02-29 ATLAS Elektronik GmbH Unmanned submarine and method for operating an unmanned submarine
US20140238924A1 (en) * 2011-10-20 2014-08-28 Nagaoka Corporation Cleaning apparatus for filtration layer in seawater infiltration intake
US20140290554A1 (en) * 2012-12-17 2014-10-02 Cgg Services Sa Self-burying autonomous underwater vehicle and method for marine seismic surveys
WO2015119685A2 (en) * 2013-11-12 2015-08-13 Conocophillips Company Unmanned underwater vehicles, locations of their docking stations, and their programmed routes

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN114875993A (en) * 2019-11-18 2022-08-09 哈里奇港务局 Dredging method and device

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