Sediment Suction Sink for River Navigation Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for sediment harvesting in rivers, such as traditional dredging and river sediment diversions, are costly, labor-intensive, and environmentally unsustainable, with significant negative impacts on coastal land loss and navigation, while existing technologies face challenges in efficiently capturing and transporting sediments for coastal restoration and navigational maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A platform-based sediment harvesting system that includes a sediment suction inlet or sink, a sediment pump, a venturi tube, an auger/propeller, water jets, and a flow control valve, integrated with a pipeline for efficient sediment removal and transport, utilizing sensors and a programmable logic controller for automated operation and minimizing water flow blockages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If traditional dredging methods are used to maintain water depth, then navigational depth is maintained, but navigation is restricted and operational efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater depthVSAvoidnavigation restriction

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the sediment removal operation from the navigational water body by using off-channel intake structures. Sediment is diverted through pipelines to disposal areas located away from the navigation channel, allowing continuous sediment removal without restricting vessel traffic in the main channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces pipelines as an intermediary medium to transport sediment from the channel to disposal areas. This intermediary transport system eliminates the need for dredges to operate within the navigation channel, thereby maintaining navigational access while achieving sediment removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If hydraulic suction dredges are used to remove sediment, then sediment can be transported via pipeline, but water flow blockages occur and system reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesediment transport efficiencyVSAvoidwater flow blockage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies different structural characteristics to different parts of the pipeline system. The intake structure uses a specific opening configuration optimized for sediment capture, while the pipeline diameter and slope are designed specifically to prevent blockages during transport, creating locally optimized conditions for each functional requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters such as water flow rate and sediment concentration to maintain optimal slurry flow conditions. By controlling the balance between water flow and sediment intake, the system adapts to varying sediment loads to prevent blockages while maximizing transport efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Quantity of substance

If sediment is deposited on-board floating vessels, then coastal land can be built, but operational costs and labor requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesediment volume for land buildingVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical bucket-and-spout system with a hydraulic suction and pipeline transport system. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical handling equipment on floating vessels and enables continuous, automated sediment transport directly to coastal restoration sites, reducing both operational complexity and labor requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The pipeline system enables continuous sediment transport from the channel to coastal restoration sites without the intermittent operations required by traditional dredging methods. The system can operate continuously as long as sediment is available, maximizing productivity while minimizing operational complexity through automated, uninterrupted flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 system enables cost-effective, labor-efficient, and environmentally cleaner sediment harvesting, reducing down-river shoaling and associated maintenance costs, while providing a sustainable method for coastal restoration and maintaining navigational depth.

Implementation Method 1

a venturi tube with a sediment inlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 2

water jets, and a flow control valve, integrated with a pipeline for efficient sediment removal and transport

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluidization: Fluidisation

Data Source

PatentUS10094091B1Sediment suction sink and method for sediment control in rivers, streams, and channels

Publication Date: 2018.10.09 TESVICH JOHN A

AI summary

The present invention relates to apparatuses, methods, and systems for removing sediment from waterway bottoms and pumping the sediment through pipelines. More particularly, the present invention relates to apparatuses, methods, and systems for sediment control and altering the average effective depth in a section of rivers, streams and channels for maintaining the navigability of waterways and coastal restoration. The apparatus and method of the present invention including a means for preventing and removing blockages of water flow in the pipelines.