Hydrojet for cutting plant growth from waterways

• US 6,910,319 B2
• Filed: 12/05/2002
• Issued: 06/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David Castleberry
• Original Assignee: David Castleberry
• Inventors: Castleberry, David
• Primary Examiner(s): PETRAVICK, MEREDITH C
• Application Number:
  US10/313,966
• Publication Number:
  US 20030154702A1
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: 373/22, 373/23, 373/44, 373/35, 56/8, 56/9, 563/07, 563/44, 569/08
• US Class Current: 56/8
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 44/00 Harvesting of underwater plants, e.g. harvesting of seaweed

Abstract

An apparatus and method for cutting plant growth from waterways to promote fluid passage through such waterway. Water under high pressure is forced through a nozzle orifice to cut, chop and/or pulverize the aquatic plant matter. The nozzle is on a spray-head assembly of the apparatus, which is positioned above or in the waterway by the boom of a vehicle such as, for example, a crane or backhoe. As the transport machinery and apparatus are advanced in the waterway, a path is cut through aquatic plant matter by the high pressure water from the nozzle, and, as a result, the waterway may be effectively cleared. In the preferred apparatus and method, wherein the nozzle directs the water vertically into the waterway, a steel plate may be submerged beneath the level of the nozzle and above the soil surface to protect the soil from disruption and erosion.

Claims

1. An apparatus for removing plant matter from a waterway, the apparatus comprising:

a vehicle on land alongside the waterway;

a spray-head assembly attached to the vehicle and extending over or into the waterway, the spray-head assembly containing a nozzle and being adapted for reciprocating motion of the nozzle; and

a water supply adapted to deliver water at high pressure from the vehicle to the nozzle of the spray-head so that water from the nozzle may cut plant matter in the waterway;

the apparatus further comprising a flywheel and a pitman linkage on the spray-head assembly, and said flywheel and pitman linkage provide said reciprocating motion of the nozzle.

2. An apparatus for removing plant matter from a waterway, the

apparatus comprising:

a vehicle on land alongside the waterway;

a spray-head assembly attached to the vehicle and extending over or into the waterway, the spray-head assembly containing a nozzle and being adapted for reciprocating motion of the nozzle; and

a water supply adapted to deliver water at high pressure from the vehicle to the nozzle of the spray-head so that water from the nozzle may cut plant matter in the waterway;

the apparatus further comprising a hydraulic ram on the spray-head assembly and said hydraulic ram provides said reciprocating motion of the nozzle.