Underwater Excavation Rotor With Vortex Flow for Defined Trenching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underwater mass flow excavators require multiple passes to excavate effectively due to low pressure and speed, resulting in wide and shallow trenches with limited material removal capability, and are inadequate for controlled excavation and suction operations.
Innovation Solution
A controlled flow excavation apparatus with a single rotor and stator, utilizing vortex generating means and non-axial fluid flow, capable of operating at higher pressures (35 to 120 KPa) and volumes (1 to 8 m³/S) to create defined excavation profiles and facilitate both excavation and suction modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mass flow excavation is used with low pressure fluid flow, then the apparatus can operate with simple design and low energy consumption, but the excavation requires many passes and produces wide but shallow trenches with uncontrolled profiles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fluid flow parameters from low pressure/high volume to high pressure/low volume regime. The jet pump generates fluid pressures exceeding 500 kPa (compared to typical mass flow pressures of less than 25 kPa), enabling deep penetration in a single pass while maintaining controlled excavation profiles through the focused high-pressure jet.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a vortex flow generator that creates a vortex (swirling) flow pattern in the fluid discharged from the jet pump. This vortex flow concentrates the erosive action along a more focused path, improving penetration depth and enabling better control of the excavation profile compared to conventional diffuse mass flow patterns.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mass flow excavation apparatus is used, then the apparatus can disturb seabed material effectively, but the apparatus requires separate tools for material collection and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the excavation function and material removal function into a single integrated apparatus. The jet pump serves dual purposes: it disturbs seabed material through high-pressure fluid discharge and simultaneously collects the disturbed material through its suction inlet, eliminating the need for separate centrifugal pumps or collection equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The jet pump is designed to perform multiple functions within a single device: it generates high-pressure fluid flow for seabed disturbance, creates vortex flow for enhanced penetration, and acts as a suction device for material collection and removal. This multi-functionality reduces the overall system complexity compared to conventional mass flow excavation systems.
3Reliability
If multiple passes are used for effective excavation, then the apparatus can achieve adequate material removal, but the excavation process becomes time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters from low-pressure multi-pass excavation to high-pressure single-pass excavation. The jet pump generates pressures exceeding 500 kPa, enabling deep penetration and effective material removal in a single pass, thereby dramatically reducing the time required compared to conventional mass flow excavation that requires multiple passes.
Solution Approach 2:
The vortex flow generator creates a pre-swirling flow pattern that concentrates the erosive action before the fluid reaches the seabed. This preliminary vortex formation enhances the cutting and penetration capability, allowing deep and effective excavation in a single pass rather than requiring multiple sequential passes.
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 apparatus enables rapid, controlled seabed excavation with well-defined profiles and efficient material removal, overcoming the limitations of traditional mass flow excavators by combining high pressure and volume flow rates with vortex generation for improved efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The excavation apparatus may comprise at least one rotor or impeller, and preferably may comprise a (i.e. a single) rotor.
Implementation Method 2
an excavation apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an excavation apparatus, such as an underwater excavation apparatus, having means or an arrangement for producing, in use, at least one vortex or spiral in a flow of fluid, e.g. water
Data Source
Figure 1~2(b)
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
There is disclosed an excavation apparatus (5), such as an underwater excavation apparatus, having means for producing, in use, at least one vortex, spiral or turbulent flow in a laminar flow of fluid, e.g. water. The excavation apparatus (5) comprises a rotor (10) having a rotor rotation axis (A), wherein, in use, flow of fluid passed or across the rotor (10) is at a first angle (α) from the axis of rotation (A). The excavation apparatus (5) comprises the rotor (5) and means or an arrangement for dampening reactive torque on the apparatus (5) caused by rotation of the rotor (10), in use. The turbulent flow is provided within, such as within a (transverse) cross-section, of the laminar flow.