Underwater Drag Head Transverse Flow Deposition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for depositing material onto an underwater bottom are imprecise, with an efficiency of no more than 50%, leading to unnecessary dredging and potential erosion of the filling, which is costly and undesirable.

Innovation Solution

A device and method utilizing a dredging vessel with a drag head that maintains a transverse flow from an inlet opening to an outlet opening, allowing precise deposition of material onto the underwater bottom by adjusting the speed of the dredging vessel, flow rate, and path of the drag head, ensuring accurate placement and contour matching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If existing methods for depositing material onto an underwater bottom are used, then material can be deposited, but the precision and efficiency are low (maximum 50% efficiency)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of material depositionVSAvoidefficiency of material deposition

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The drag head is used to prepare the bottom surface by dislodging material before the actual deposition process. This preliminary action creates optimal conditions for precise material placement, ensuring both high precision and efficiency in the subsequent deposition steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A flow of water is introduced as an intermediary medium to transport material precisely to the desired location. The water flow carries material from the inlet opening through the drag head to the outlet opening, enabling accurate deposition while improving overall efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If existing deposition methods are used, then material can be deposited, but unnecessary additional dredging is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamount of material depositedVSAvoidtime for additional dredging

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The drag head serves multiple functions simultaneously: it prepares the bottom surface, transports material precisely, and deposits material in the correct quantity and location. This self-service capability eliminates the need for separate dredging operations, saving time and reducing the total amount of material handling required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If existing deposition methods are used, then material can be deposited, but erosion of the filling may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontour accuracy of deposited materialVSAvoiderosion risk of deposited material

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical drag head system replaces imprecise deposition methods with controlled water flow transport. This substitution enables accurate contour matching of the deposited material to the desired shape, preventing erosion by ensuring proper placement and compaction of the filling material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution significantly improves the precision and efficiency of material deposition, ensuring that the desired contour is achieved in the shortest time with minimal material usage, reducing the risk of erosion and operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

The pump is configured to maintain a transverse flow in the drag head from the inlet opening to the outlet opening of the drag head, in which flow the material for depositing is entrained and is deposited

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow transport:

Implementation Method 2

the outlet opening is provided in the second side wall of the drag head... the material for depositing is entrained and is deposited, preferably via the outlet opening, onto the underwater bottom

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSedimentation: Sedimentation

Data Source

PatentEP3260605B1Device and method for depositing material onto an underwater bottom

Publication Date: 2019.04.03 BAGGERWERKEN DECLOEDT & ZN

Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

Described is a device for depositing material onto an underwater bottom. The device comprises a dredging vessel and a pump placed on the dredging vessel and connected via a throughfeed conduit to an inlet opening of a drag head movable over the underwater bottom. The drag head is bounded in a direction running transversely of the direction of movement by a first and a second outer side wall, wherein the inlet opening is situated closer to the first side wall than the centre between the side walls, and wherein the outlet opening is provided in the second side wall of the drag head. The pump can maintain a transverse flow in the drag head from the inlet opening to the outlet opening of the drag head and to the underwater bottom. Material for depositing is entrained in the flow and deposited, preferably via the outlet opening, onto the underwater bottom in efficient manner.