METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR UNDERWATER PILE EXCAVATING

• US 20150007463A1
• Filed: 07/08/2014
• Published: 01/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tusk Subsea Services, LLC
• Original Assignee: Tusk Subsea Services, LLC
• Inventors: SOUTHERLAND, HUNTER, SPISAK, TIM
• Application Number:
  US14/325,749
• Publication Number:
  US 20150007463A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 37/317
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/46 with reciprocating digging or scraping elements moved by cables or hoisting ropes ; Drives or control devices therefor E02F3/205, E02F3/905 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/8858 Submerged units self propelled units for burying conduits or cables in trenches under water E02F5/105
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/9281 with axis of rotation in horizontal and transverse direction of the suction pipe
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/226 Safety arrangements, e.g. hydraulic driven fans, preventing cavitation, leakage, overheating

Abstract

An encapsulated underwater excavation assembly for removing solid materials (such as mud, soil, vegetation or debris) from a water bottom including, without limitation, during pile driving or installation operations. The excavation assembly can be contained within a housing that beneficially fits within an inner bore of a piling or other tubular member. A rotary motor having a cutting blade mechanically cuts solid materials while a centrifugal pump moves cuttings away from the lower portion of the excavation assembly for facilitate efficient installation of a piling.

Claims

1. An excavation apparatus for excavating solid materials from an inner bore of a piling comprising:

a) a drive motor;

b) a cutting blade connected to said drive motor adapted to contact said solid materials; and

c) a pump for pumping said solid materials away from said excavation apparatus.

2. The excavation apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a hydraulic control system.

3. The excavation apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an outer housing defining an internal chamber.

4. The excavation apparatus of claim 3, wherein said drive motor and pump are disposed in said internal chamber of said housing.

5. The excavation apparatus of claim 4, wherein said cutting blade is partially disposed within said internal chamber of said housing, and a portion of said blade protrudes from said housing.

6. The excavation apparatus of claim 1, wherein said excavation apparatus can be selectively raised or lowered within said inner bore of said pile.

7. An excavation apparatus for excavating solid materials from an inner bore of a piling comprising:

a) an outer housing defining an internal chamber;

b) a drive motor disposed within said internal chamber;

c) a pump motor disposed within said internal chamber;

d) a pump for pumping said solid materials away from said excavation apparatus; and

e) a cutting blade connected to said drive motor, wherein said cutting blade is adapted to contact said solid materials.

8. The excavation apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a hydraulic control system for powering said drive motor and pump motor.

9. The excavation apparatus of claim 7, wherein said cutting blade is partially disposed within said internal chamber of said housing, and a portion of said blade protrudes from said housing.

10. A method for removing solid materials from an inner bore of a piling comprising:

a) lowering an excavation apparatus within said bore until said excavation assembly contacts said solid materials;

b) excavating said solid materials from said inner bore; and

c) pumping said excavated solid materials from said inner bore.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said excavation apparatus comprises:

a) an outer housing defining an internal chamber;

b) a drive motor disposed within said internal chamber;

c) a pump motor disposed within said internal chamber;

d) a pump for pumping said solid materials away from said excavation apparatus; and

e) a cutting blade connected to said drive motor, wherein said cutting blade is adapted to contact said solid materials.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said excavation apparatus further comprises a hydraulic control system for powering said drive motor and pump motor.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said cutting blade is partially disposed within said internal chamber of said housing, and a portion of said blade protrudes from said housing.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said excavation apparatus is suspended from a lifting apparatus deployed on a floating vessel.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein said lifting apparatus comprises a crane.