WO2023107676A1

WO2023107676A1 - Submersible drag barge

Info

Publication number: WO2023107676A1
Application number: PCT/US2022/052361
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tim MANNERING; Jay Cashman; Steve Tobin; Kyle Reeves; Corey WILLINGHAM
Original assignee: Cashman Dredging And Marine Contracting, Co., Llc
Priority date: 2021-12-09
Filing date: 2022-12-09
Publication date: 2023-06-15
Also published as: US20230183939A1

Abstract

A dredging system 100 for removing material under a structure 101 may include a barge body 102 including a plurality of barge sections 104, each barge section 104 of the plurality of barge sections 104 configured to selectively be flooded to adjust a height of the barge body 102. A dredging system 100 for removing material under a structure may include a winch system 106 attached to the barge body 102 and including a cable 118. A dredging system 100 for removing material under a structure 101 may include a drag beam 108 coupled to the barge body 102 via the cable 118 and configured to vertically move via the winch system 106 between a deployed position and undeployed position.

Description

SUBMERSIBLE DRAG BARGE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/287,584, filed on December 9, 2021. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to dredging systems, and more particularly to a submersible drag barge for excavation and mining applications under water.

INTRODUCTION

[0003] This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

[0004] There are two primary types of dredging currently in use: mechanical dredging and hydraulic dredging. Mechanical dredging involves the use of an excavator or other heavy equipment situated on a floating barge to dig out the bed of a body of water and remove sediment. The sediment is placed in a dump scow, for example a split hull dump scow, and hauled away for disposal or reuse. Hydraulic dredging involves the use of suction to remove the sediment, which is transported through a pipe and deposited to another location to be disposed of or recycled.

[0005] Dredging under structures built partially or fully over a body of water for maintenance or to add depth is common. However, dredging under already built structures can be challenging due to the clearance between the structure’s platform and waterline. Lack of clearance can cause damage to the platform and supporting structures such as pilings. Furthermore, the material being removed may be at a location that is too far to reach for common dredging equipment.

[0006] There is a continuing need for a dredging system that can provide safe removal and access to material that is hard to reach due to the location or varying clearances between the platform and waterline. SUMMARY

[0007] In concordance with the instant disclosure, a dredging system that can provide safe removal and access to material that is hard to reach due to the location or varying clearances between the platform and waterline has surprisingly been discovered.

[0008] Dredging systems and ways of using such are provided for removing material under a structure. The dredging system can include a submersible drag barge including a barge body having a plurality of barge sections. Each barge section can be configured to be selectively flooded to adjust a height of the barge body. A winch system can be attached to the barge body, where the winch system can include a cable. A drag beam can be coupled to the barge body via the cable, where the drag beam can be configured to vertically move via the winch system between a deployed position and an undeployed position.

[0009] In one embodiment, a method of removing material from under a structure include providing a submersible drag barge. The dredging system can include a submersible drag barge including a barge body having a plurality of barge sections. Each barge section can be configured to be selectively flooded to adjust a height of the barge body. A winch system can be attached to the barge body, where the winch system can include cable. A drag beam can be coupled to the barge body via the cable, where the drag beam can be configured to vertically move via the winch system between a deployed position and an undeployed position. The barge body can be lowered by selectively flooding at least one of the plurality of barge sections. The boat can push the barge body under the structure. The drag beam can be lowered via the winch system. The barge body can be pulled from under the structure, thereby displacing material from under the structure.

[0010] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

[0011] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. [0012] FIG. 1 is top perspective view of a submersible drag barge system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 2 is top plan view of the submersible drag barge system, depicting a first arrangement of barge sections;

[0014] FIG. 3 is top plan view of the submersible drag barge system, depicting a second arrangement of barge sections;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the submersible drag barge system of FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the submersible drag barge system;

[0017] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a drag beam of the submersible drag barge system;

[0018] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the submersible drag barge system, depicted with a barge body pushed under a structure;

[0019] FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of submersible drag barge system, depicted with a barge body pushed under a structure;

[0020] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of submersible drag barge system, depicted with a barge body pushed under a structure where the barge body is being pulled out from under the structure, thereby dredging beneath the structure; and

[0021] FIG. 10 is a flow chart depicting a method of dredging underneath the structure, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The following description of technology is merely exemplary in nature of the subject matter, manufacture and use of one or more inventions, and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or uses of any specific invention claimed in this application or in such other applications as may be filed claiming priority to this application, or patents issuing therefrom. Regarding methods disclosed, the order of the steps presented is exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps can be different in various embodiments, including where certain steps can be simultaneously performed, unless expressly stated otherwise. “A” and “an” as used herein indicate “at least one” of the item is present; a plurality of such items may be present, when possible. Except where otherwise expressly indicated, all numerical quantities in this description are to be understood as modified by the word “about” and all geometric and spatial descriptors are to be understood as modified by the word “substantially” in describing the broadest scope of the technology. “About” when applied to numerical values indicates that the calculation or the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecision provided by “about” and/or “substantially” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” and/or “substantially” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or using such parameters.

[0023] Although the open-ended term “comprising,” as a synonym of non-restrictive terms such as including, containing, or having, is used herein to describe and claim embodiments of the present technology, embodiments may alternatively be described using more limiting terms such as “consisting of’ or “consisting essentially of.” Thus, for any given embodiment reciting materials, components, or process steps, the present technology also specifically includes embodiments consisting of, or consisting essentially of, such materials, components, or process steps excluding additional materials, components or processes (for consisting of) and excluding additional materials, components or processes affecting the significant properties of the embodiment (for consisting essentially of), even though such additional materials, components or processes are not explicitly recited in this application. For example, recitation of a composition or process reciting elements A, B and C specifically envisions embodiments consisting of, and consisting essentially of, A, B and C, excluding an element D that may be recited in the art, even though element D is not explicitly described as being excluded herein.

[0024] Disclosures of ranges are, unless specified otherwise, inclusive of endpoints and include all distinct values and further divided ranges within the entire range. Thus, for example, a range of “from A to B” or “from about A to about B” is inclusive of A and of B. Disclosure of values and ranges of values for specific parameters (such as amounts, weight percentages, etc.) are not exclusive of other values and ranges of values useful herein. It is envisioned that two or more specific exemplified values for a given parameter may define endpoints for a range of values that may be claimed for the parameter. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have value A and also exemplified to have value Z, it is envisioned that Parameter X may have a range of values from about A to about Z. Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges of values for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping or distinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value that might be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have values in the range of 1-10, or 2-9, or 3-8, it is also envisioned that Parameter X may have other ranges of values including 1-9, 1-8, 1-3, 1-2, 2-10, 2-8, 2-3, 3-10, 3-9, and so on.

[0025] When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0026] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0027] Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. [0028] Referring to FIGS. 1-9, a submersible drag barge system 100 for removing material beneath a platform of a structure 101 to add depth and/or clean the bed of a body of water is shown. The structure 101, as a non-limiting example, can be a dock, a building, or any other structure already constructed having a base or platform above a body of water. The submersible drag barge system 100 includes a barge body 102. The barge body 102 can be defined by a plurality of barge sections 104. The submersible drag barge system 100 can further include a winch system 106 and a drag beam 108. The drag beam 108 can be movably attached to at least one of the plurality of barge sections 104 via the winch system 106. The submersible drag barge system 100 can be configured such that the barge body 102 can be selectively submerged to lower a freeboard of the barge body 102 in order to be pushed under the platform of the structure 101 to a predetermined distance, where the drag beam 108 is lowered to the material to be removed, which is described in greater detail below. It should be appreciated that a vessel's freeboard is generally understood to be the distance from the waterline to the upper deck level, measured at the lowest point of sheer where water can enter the boat or ship.

[0029] Each one of the plurality of barge sections 104 can be submersible and/or semisubmersible. Accordingly, the barge body 102 can be configured to be fully submerged or partially submerged down below the water surface by selectively flooding the plurality of barge sections 104 in order to adjust the freeboard of the barge body 102. For example, each one of the plurality of barge sections 104 can be selectively submersed by pumping water into ballast tanks (not shown) causing the barge section 104 to submerse. Each barge section 104 can be fully or partially submersed depending on site and water conditions in order to accommodate varying distances between the waterline and the underside of the platform of the structure 101.

[0030] A boat 103, such as a push boat, skiff, tugboat, or towboat can be used to move the submersible drag barge system 100 in and out from under the structure 101. A support barge 105 can be utilized for lateral control of the submersible drag barge system 100 while pushing and pulling the submersible drag barge system 100 in and out from under the structure 101, as shown in FIG. 7. For example, the support barge 105 can be positioned alongside the submersible drag barge system 100 to maintain orientation by inhibiting the submersible drag barge system 100 from spinning due to upstream and downstream forces of current, and/or weather conditions (e.g., high winds) that may otherwise displace the submersible drag barge system 100. [0031] As best shown in FIGS. 2-3, the plurality of barge sections 104 can be configured to be secured together side-to-side (e.g., FIG. 3), end-to-end (e.g., FIG. 2), or end-to-side to form the submersible barge body 102. In certain embodiments, the individual barge sections 104 can be configured to be interlocked with other individual barge sections 104. The dimensions of the barge body 102 (e.g., length, width, height) can vary to permit the submersible drag barge system 100 to fit into a predetermined or allowable space between the structure and waterline and between any foundation pilings 107 of the structure 101. The length LI of the barge body 102 can vary based on the distance or how far the submersible drag barge system 100 is being pushed under the platform of the structure, which can be determined by the location of the material being removed. The width W1 of the barge body 102 can vary based on the location and distance between foundation supports or pilings 107 of the structure 101. For example, if a distance between opposing pilings 107 permit a clearance of 15 feet, the width W1 of the barge body 102 can be 15 feet to correspond to the piling clearance of the structure. Selectively adjusting the dimensions of the barge body 102 allows the barge body 102 to be moved in and out from under the structure 101 without contacting and/or damaging the structure, platform, and/or pilings 107.

[0032] In a non-limiting example embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of barge sections 104 can be arranged in a first column 109 of barge sections 104 staggeredly secured to a second column 111 of barge sections 104. Each one of the first and second columns 109, 111 can include four barge sections 104 secured together end-to-end, wherein three of the four barge sections 104 defines a length of about 30’ and one of the four barge sections 104 defines a length of about 15’. As such, each one of the first and second columns 109, 111 defines a length of about 105’. Each of the four barge sections 104 of the first and second columns 109, 111 define a width of about 7’6”. The first and second columns 109, 111 are configured to be secured to each other side-by-side such that the width W1 of the submersible drag barge system 100 is about 15’. The 15’ barge section 104 of the first column 109 is disposed at a front end 110 of the submersible drag barge system 100 and the 15’ barge section 104 of the second column 111 disposed at a rear end 112 of the submersible drag barge system 100 such that the barge sections 104 of the first column 109 are staggeredly arranged with respect to the barge sections 104 of the second column 111. It should be appreciated that a skilled artisan can employ any length or configuration of the barge body 102, as desired.

[0033] As further shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of barge sections 104 can be selectively flooded (indicated by shading), for example, to change a submerged extent of the barge body 102 and thereby adjust the height of the submersible drag barge system 100. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, two barge sections in the first column and two barge sections in the second column 30 can be selectively submerged to uniformly submerge the submersible drag barge system 100 such that the height around the perimeter of the submersible drag barge system 100 is substantially uniform. Alternatively, the barge sections 104 can be selectively submerged such that the submersible drag barge system 100 has a varying height from one end to the other end, or from one side to the other side, to conform to site conditions of the area being dredged.

[0034] In another example embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of barge sections 104 can include thirteen barge sections 104 secured together end-to-end. Each barge section 104 can define a length of about 7.5’ and a width of about 15’. In this example, the plurality of barge sections 104 forms one column. As such, the thirteen barge sections have a combined length of about 97.5’ when secured together. As further shown in FIG. 3, every other barge section 104 can be flooded (indicated by shading), for example, to change a submerged extent of the barge body 102 and thereby adjust the height of the submersible drag barge system 100.

[0035] The submersible drag barge system 100 can include a bumper extension and/or an extender bumper 114 for additional distance to allow full penetration under the structure 101. The extender bumper 114 can be engaged by a boat 103 having a propulsion system, where the boat 103 is able to push the submersible drag barge system 100 in and out under the structure 101. It should be noted that the boat 103 can be coupled to and/or engage the submersible drag barge system 100 other ways, including various direct and indirect ways.

[0036] It should be appreciated that one skilled in the art may scale the number, layout, and dimensions of the plurality of barge sections 104, as desired. Additionally, it should be appreciated that each of the barge sections 104 may be independently and selectively flooded, as desired, to conform the submerged extent of the barge body 102 to job specifications and site conditions.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the drag beam 108 can be disposed proximate the front end 110 of the barge body 102. An attachment assembly 116, as shown in FIG. 6, can connect the drag beam 108 to the barge body 102. In particular, the attachment assembly 116 can be configured to receive a cable 118 running from the front end 110 of the barge body 102. The drag beam 108 can be attached to the submersible barge body 102 such that the drag beam 108 is movable about a vertical axis Y between a deployed position and an undeployed position. More specifically, the winch system 106 can be adapted to facilitate vertical movement of the drag beam 108 relative to the submersible barge body 102 about a vertical axis Y. The vertical movement allows for the drag beam 108 to move between the deployed position (FIGS. 8-9) and the undeployed position (FIG. 1).

[0038] As best shown in FIG. 6, the drag beam 108 defines a shape configured to cut into and/or grab the material to be removed and drag the material out from underneath the structure. In one non-limiting example, the drag beam 108 can include an H-beam or an I-beam. The attachment assembly 116 can be disposed at an upper portion 134 of the drag beam 108 and can include a first pad eye 120 and a first shackle 122 configured to receive the cable 118. The pad eye 120 can be attached to the drag beam 108 by any method known in the art, such as welding. In one example, the shackle 122 can include a hole 124 configured to receive the cable 118.

[0039] The drag beam 108 can include a plate 126 to facilitate cutting into the material or earth, dragging, and/or pulling of the material to be removed from under the structure 101. The plate 126 can be attached to a side the drag beam 108 facing towards the rear end 112 of the barge body 102. In addition, the plate 126 advantageously facilitates digging deeper or cutting into the earth allowing for a greater amount of material to be removed thereby saving time. The plate 126 can be secured to the drag beam 108 via welding or any other joining method known in the art. The plate 126 can include a second pad eye 120' and a second shackle 122' configured to receive the cable 118. The second shackle 122' can include a second hole 124' configured to receive the cable 118.

[0040] The dimensions of the drag beam 108 can be selectively adjusted based on job specifications and site conditions. For example, the drag beam 108 can define a length L2 corresponding to a width of the barge body 102, as shown in FIG. 7. As discussed above, just as the width W1 of the barge body 102 can be selectively adjusted to correspond to the distance between support pilings 107, the drag beam 108 can define the length L2 corresponding to the width W1 of the barge body 102 to inhibit contact and/or damage to the structure 101, platform, and pilings 107 while the barge body 102 is moved in and out from under the structure. It should be appreciated that one skilled in the art can scale the dimensions of the drag beam 108, as desired.

[0041] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 4-9, the winch system 106 includes a winch drum 128 and can be disposed near the rear end 112 of the submersible drag barge system 100 and a guide system 130 can be disposed at the front end 110 of the submersible drag barge system 100. The winch drum 128 can be configured to wind the cable 118, which is guided by the guide system 130. The winch drum 128 can be powered manually by air, electricity, or hydraulics, wherein a motor (not shown) applies power on gears and thereby the winch drum 128 for lifting and lowering operations. In one example, the winch system 106 operates hydraulically through use of a powerpack attached to the winch system 106. The powerpack, controls for the winch system 106, and operator can be located on the boat 103 configured to move the submersible drag barge system 100 in and out from under the structure, which is described in greater detail below.

[0042] The guide system 130 can be a sheave assembly. The sheave assembly can have a housing and a sheave configured to be rotationally mounted in the housing. The sheave can be rotationally coupled to the winch drum 128 via the cable 118 and the drag beam 108 is configured to vertically move via the winch system 106 between the deployed position and the undeployed position. The guide system 130 can also be a fairlead device configured to guide the cable 118 running over a front edge of the barge body 102 to inhibit the cable 118 from moving laterally. The fairlead device can inhibit chafing of the cable 118 that may otherwise result from constant rubbing against the barge body 102. The fairlead device can include a ring, a hook, or a hole proximate the rear edge of the barge body.

[0043] The winch system 106 can include a guide pulley 136 disposed between the winch drum 128 and the guide system 130, as shown in FIG. 1. The guide pulley 136 can be rotationally mounted near the rear end 112 of the submersible drag barge system 100. In operation, a first end of the cable 118 can wound around the winch drum 128, runs over the guide pulley 136, and extends along a top side of the barge body 102 towards the front end 110. The cable 118 runs over the guide system 130 (e.g., the sheave of the sheave assembly and/or the fairlead device), extends over the front end 110 and downwards toward the drag beam 108. A second end of the cable 118 can be secured to the drag beam 108 via the attachment assembly 116 thereby permitting the drag beam 108 to move between the deployed position and undeployed position.

[0044] The submersible drag barge system 100 can have multiple winch systems 106 and cables 118, as needed to properly support the drag beam 108. Throughout the figures, the submersible drag barge system 100 is shown having two winch systems 106 configured to simultaneously facilitate vertical movement of the drag beam 108 relative to the barge body 102. Advantageously, the submersible drag barge system 100 having two winch systems 106 provides increased stabilization of the drag beam 108 during vertical movement and while grabbing and dragging the material to be removed. It should be appreciated that a skilled artisan can scale the number of winch systems 106 employed and the location of the components of the winch system 106, as desired.

[0045] With reference to FIGS. 4, 6, and 8-9, the submersible drag barge system 100 can include a support cable 140 (e.g., a stayback wire) configured to inhibit the drag beam 108 from pivoting undesirably in operation. More specifically, a first end of the support cable 140 is secured to the barge body 102 adjacent the winch system 106 and a second end of the support cable 140 is secured to a lower portion 132 of the drag beam 108 such that when the drag beam 108 is dragging or pulling the material out from under the structure, the drag beam 108 is inhibited from pivoting in a direction away from a center of the submersible drag barge system 100 (e.g., where the upper portion 134 of the drag beam 108 is not vertically aligned with the lower portion 132 of the drag beam 108).

[0046] The drag beam 108 can include a second one of the attachment assembly 116' disposed at the lower portion 132 of the drag beam 108 or the plate 126. The second attachment assembly 116' can include the second pad eye 120' and the second shackle 122' configured to receive the support cable 140. In one embodiment, the support cable 140 can have a Y shaped split, for example, as shown in FIG. 6. Accordingly, the support cable 140 can be attached to the first and second attachment assemblies 116, 116'. The configuration of the support cable 140 and the second one of the attachment assembly 116' is adapted to inhibit pivotal motion of the drag beam 108 in the first direction.

[0047] In operation, when the submersible drag barge system 100 is being pulled out from under the structure 101, the attached drag beam 108 catches and drags the material thereby removing the material from the target location. As the drag beam 108 is pulled via the submersible drag barge system 100, the material in contact with the drag beam 108 can exert force on or against the drag beam 108. The force exerted against the drag beam 108 can cause the drag beam 108 to pivot undesirably about the X axis (e.g., where the lower portion 132 of the drag beam 108 moves in a direction away from the center of the submersible drag barge system 100) thereby releasing the material caught by the drag beam 108. However, with the support cable 140 attached to the drag beam 108, the support cable 140 provides resistive force to inhibit the drag beam 108 from pivoting. This allows the drag beam 108 to maintain its hold on the material causing the material to be dragged away and removed from the target location while the submersible drag barge system 100 is pulled out from under the structure. The submersible drag barge system 100 can include any suitable number of support cables 140, as necessary to support the drag beam 108.

[0048] The submersible drag barge system 100 can include a sensor system 135, having sensors 138, a global positioning system (GPS) unit (not shown), a computer and display screen (not shown). As the drag beam 108 is raised or lowered, the back pressure of the water changes, which is measured by one or more sensors 138 mounted on at least the drag beam 108, the cable 118, and/or the barge body 102. In one example, the sensors 138 of the sensor system 135 can include a bubbler sensor mounted on the upper portion 134 of the drag beam 108 to provide the depth of the drag beam 108. The GPS unit can be mounted on the submersible drag barge system 100. The GPS unit and sensors can be configured to transmit GPS information and sensor information into the computer, which transmits the information to the display screen to be viewed by the operator. In one example, the computer includes software configured to facilitate monitoring dredging operations, such as DREDGEPACK® available from Xylem, Inc., in Rye Brook, New York.

[0049] In certain embodiments, fenders 142 can be utilized. The fenders 142 can run along the side of the pilings 107, as shown in FIG. 7, to protect the pilings 107 of the structure 101 in the event the submersible drag barge system 100 drifts over to the pilings 107. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, two long fenders 142 are utilized to run along the side of the pilings 107 on each side of the submersible drag barge system 100.

[0050] In operation, material removed from under the structure 101 can be removed via a dredging machine (not shown). In a non-limiting example, the dredging machinery includes a clamshell bucket dredge configured to remove as much material the clamshell bucket dredge can reach without damaging the platform or pilings 107. The dredging machine can be situated on a barge. In one example, the dredging machine can be situated on the support barge 105 or a separate barge. Once the clamshell bucket dredge has removed as much material it can safely reach under the structure 101, the submersible drag barge system 100 is pushed under the structure 101 via the boat 103 to remove material that the clamshell bucket dredge cannot reach.

[0051] The boat 103 attached to the rear end 112 of the submersible drag barge system 100 pushes the submersible drag barge system 100 under the platform of the structure 101 until the front end 110, and thus the drag beam 108, reaches a predetermined location corresponding to the location of the material to be removed. When the submersible drag barge system 100 reaches the predetermined location, the drag beam 108, disposed at the front end 110 of the barge body 102, is vertically lowered towards the material via the winch system 106 until the drag beam 108 reaches the material. When drag beam 108 reaches the material, the drag beam 108 digs into and catches the material such that the drag beam 108 is in the deployed position, as shown in FIGS. 8-9. In other words, when the drag beam 108 is in the deployed position, the drag beam 108 is engaged with and retains some or all of the material to be removed such that the drag beam 108 can drag the material along a dragging direction, in which the retained material is dragged from its start location to a predetermined second location.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 8-9, when the drag beam 108 is in the deployed position, the boat 103 pulls the submersible drag barge system 100 and thus the drag beam 108 along the dragging direction thereby dragging the retained material with it. As the drag beam 108 is pulled via the submersible drag barge system 100, the support cable 140 provides resistive force against force exerted by the retained material. This allows the drag beam 108 to maintain its hold on the retained material.

[0053] As discussed earlier, as the boat 103 pushes and pulls the submersible drag barge system 100 in and out from under the platform of the structure 101, the support barge 105 can be positioned alongside the submersible drag barge system 100 and provides lateral control against upstream and downstream forces of current and/or weather conditions that may cause the submersible drag barge system 100 to spin or be displaced.

[0054] The present disclosure further contemplates a method 200 for dredging under a structure, for example, as shown in FIG. 10. The method can include a step 202 of providing the submersible drag barge system 100 as described herein. The method 200 can include a step 204 of selectively lowering the barge body 102 by selectively flooding at least one of the plurality of barge sections 104. The method 200 can include a step 206 of pushing, with the boat 103, the barge body 102 under the structure 101. The method 200 can include a step 208 of lowering the drag beam 108 via the winch system 106. The method 200 can include a step of 210 pulling, via the boat 103, the barge body 102 from under the structure 101.

[0055] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well- known technologies are not described in detail. Equivalent changes, modifications and variations of some embodiments, materials, compositions and methods can be made within the scope of the present technology, with substantially similar results.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A dredging system for removing material under a structure, comprising: a submersible drag barge including: a barge body including a plurality of barge sections, each barge section of the plurality of barge sections configured to be selectively flooded to adjust a height of the barge body; a winch system attached to the barge body and including a cable; and a drag beam coupled to the barge body via the cable and configured to vertically move via the winch system between a deployed position and an undeployed position.

2. The dredging system of Claim 1, further comprising a boat configured to be attached to a rear end of the submersible drag barge and configured to push the submersible drag barge under the structure when the drag beam is in the undeployed position and pull the submersible drag barge when the drag beam is in the deployed position.

3. The dredging system of Claim 1, further comprising a support barge disposed adjacent to the submersible drag barge and configured to laterally support the submersible drag barge.

4. The dredging system of Claim 1, wherein the barge body includes a bumper extension.

5. The dredging system of Claim 1, wherein each barge section is attached to at least one adjacent barge section side-to-side, end-to-end, or end-to-side. The submersible drag barge of Claim 1, further comprising a support cable including a first end secured to the winch system and a second end secure to the drag beam. The submersible drag barge of Claim 1, wherein the drag beam includes a plate disposed at an angle towards a rear end of the barge body. The submersible drag barge of Claim 1, wherein the drag beam is disposed proximate to a front end of the barge body and the winch system is disposed at a rear end of the barge body. The submersible drag barge of Claim 8, further comprising a guide system disposed at the front end of the barge body and receiving the cable from the winch system. The submersible drag barge of Claim 9, wherein the guide system includes a sheave assembly. The submersible drag barge of Claim 1, wherein the drag beam has a length that is substantially the same as a width of the barge body. The submersible drag barge of Claim 1, wherein the cable is attached to the drag barge via an attachment assembly, the attachment assembly secured to the drag barge. The submersible drag barge of Claim 12, wherein the attachment assembly includes a pad eye and a shackle, and the cable is secured to the shackle. The submersible drag barge of Claim 1, further comprising a support cable including a first end secured to the winch system and a second end secure to the drag beam and the drag beam includes a plate disposed at an angle towards a rear end of the barge body. The submersible drag barge of Claim 14, wherein a first attachment assembly disposed on the drag beam receives the cable and a second attachment assembly disposed on the plate receives the support cable. The submersible drag barge of Claim 15, wherein the support cable has a Y-shaped split, and one end is disposed on the first attachment assembly and an other end is disposed on the second attachment assembly. The submersible drag barge of Claim 1, further comprising a sensor system configured to measure a depth of the drag beam. The submersible drag barge of Claim 17, wherein the sensor system includes at least one sensor disposed on the drag beam. The submersible drag barge of Claim 9, further comprising a guide pulley disposed between the winch system and the guide system, the guide pulley receiving the cable.

-17- A method of removing material from under a structure, comprising: providing a submersible drag barge including: a barge body including a plurality of barge sections, each barge section of the plurality of barge sections configured to be selectively flooded to adjust a height of the barge body; a winch system attached to the barge body and including a cable; and a drag beam coupled to the barge body via the cable and configured to vertically move via the winch system between a deployed position and an undeployed position; lowering the barge body by selectively flooding at least one of the plurality of barge sections; pushing, with the boat, the barge body under the structure; lowering the drag beam via the winch system; and pulling, via the boat, the barge body from under the structure, thereby displacing material from under the structure.

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