DREDGING HEAD AND ASSOCIATED METHOD FOR FORMING A TRENCH IN AN UNDERWATER BOTTOM

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a dredging head which is configured to form a trench in an underwater bottom. The invention likewise relates to a dredging device comprising the dredging head, and a method for forming a trench in an underwater bottom while making use of the dredging head.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The forming of a trench in an underwater bottom is for instance usual when arranging cables, conduits or other elongate objects in an underwater bottom. A known device for forming a trench in an underwater bottom is described for instance in WO 01/92650 A1. Described herein is a remotely operated vehicle, or ROV, which in use travels over an underwater bottom. A series of water jets arranged on an outward foldable arm fluidize the underwater bottom, whereby a trench is formed in which a cable or other elongate object can then be arranged. The known trench-forming vehicle can operate reasonably accurately, although production (or forward progress) is relatively slow, among other reasons because the vehicle moves over the underwater bottom and the supplied power is relatively low. Forming a trench in a sandy bottom with the known vehicle is in addition problematic. A trench formed in a sandy bottom has a gentle degree of natural slope, for instance about 1/3 (1 m in vertical direction and 3 m in horizontal direction). In order to form a trench of for instance 2 m deep with a bottom width of 0.5 m in sand the trench has to be 0.5 + 2*3*2 = 12.5 m wide on the upper side. Required for this purpose is a vehicle with a width which far exceeds 15 m (making allowance for the caterpillar tracks and a safe distance to the formed trench). Such a vehicle is not easy to make and operate.

[0003] Further also applied are ploughing devices which are pulled on a tow cable behind a vessel over an underwater bottom and form a V-shaped trench therein. Such devices are lacking in accuracy since the plough is generally a great distance away on the underwater bottom and route corrections therefore take effect slowly. Great power is in addition generally necessary because the plough must push the bottom material laterally and upward. A plough must also have considerable dimensions in the case of a sandy bottom with a gentle degree of natural slope. The plough cannot adapt sufficiently well in the case of varying types of ground. A device and method according to the prior art are disclosed in WO2013/174932A1.

[0004] Although the known devices are able to form a trench in an underwater bottom, they generally lack the necessary accuracy. For the purpose of laying cables and conduits in an underwater bottom it may well be important to be able to form a trench with a route which does not differ much from an intended optimal route. If there is indeed a difference, this can result in great losses. Because during forming of the trench bottom material is removed which must be subsequently redeposited into the trench - in any case when burying cables, conduits and the like - it may also be important to not remove too much bottom material during forming of the trench, since this reduces efficiency. It should finally also be noted that the above stated inaccuracy is a particular problem in the case of underwater bottoms with a relatively high cohesion, such as bottoms comprising clay.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention has for its object, among others, to provide a dredging head for forming a trench in an underwater bottom with an improved accuracy and efficiency compared to the known device, particularly also in bottoms comprising clay.
The dredging head according to the invention comprises for this purpose a dredging head according to claim 1. The dredging head for forming a trench in an underwater bottom comprises a connecting part for connecting to a suction-blow conduit of a dredging vessel to be moved in a dragging direction, and a visor for pivoting around a horizontal axis running transversely of the dragging direction with an opening facing toward the bottom for taking up bottom material dislodged by a lower edge of the visor, wherein the dredging head further comprises a discharge device for the dislodged bottom material, which discharge device comprises an inlet for the bottom material connecting to the opening of the visor and at least one outlet which is configured such that during movement in the dragging direction the bottom material can be discharged to at least one lateral side of the formed trench.

[0006] A dredging head according to the invention allows a trench to be formed in efficient manner in an underwater bottom. The invention provides for this purpose a method wherein the invented dredging head is connected to a suction-blow conduit of a dredging vessel, a dredge pump of the dredging vessel carries water through the suction-blow conduit in the direction of the dredging head and the dredging head is moved over the underwater bottom in a dragging direction along an intended route of the trench, wherein an opening of the visor of the dredging head facing toward the bottom takes up bottom material dislodged by a lower edge of the visor and, via the inlet of the discharge device connecting to the opening of the visor, discharges this material to the at least one outlet of the discharge device which is configured such that during movement in the dragging direction the bottom material is discharged to at least one lateral side of the formed trench. Discharge of the dislodged bottom material to one or both lateral sides is realized in that the suction-blow conduit of the dredging vessel blows water through the dredging head, wherein the dislodged bottom material is entrained in the water flow and via the discharge device comes to lie adjacently of the formed trench.

[0007] The dredging head according to the invention is accurate, among other reasons because steering adjustment can be made relatively quickly and, if desired, it can be (temporarily) removed from the bottom. Relatively little power is moreover required, among other reasons because the dislodged bottom material is immediately carried away from the dredging head. This reduces the ground resistance. The distance over which the dislodged bottom material is blown away can also be controlled by regulating the flow rate of the water flow through the suction-blow conduit, for instance from the bridge of the vessel. This makes the dredging head particularly suitable for use in varying types of ground because the dredging head itself need not be adapted. This makes forming of a trench much more flexible.

[0008] Because the bottom material removed by the trench forming is deposited on preferably both sides along the route, and so in the immediate vicinity of the formed trench, in an embodiment of the method according to the invention the formed trench can be filled in efficient manner by moving the bottom material discharged and heaped on at least one lateral side into the trench with an apparatus suitable for the purpose, such as a bulldozer. For the purpose of laying cables, conduits or other elongate objects, in another embodiment of the method the formed trench is provided with the object prior to filling thereof.

[0009] The dredging head is connected to a suction-blow conduit of a dredging vessel, for instance a trailing suction hopper dredger. The dredging head is provided in known manner with a visor which can be rotated between a lowered and a raised position around an axis running transversely of a dragging direction. The visor has a suction opening facing toward the bottom for suctioning up bottom material dislodged by a lower edge of the visor. During dredging of an underwater bottom the dredging head connected to the suction-blow conduit is lowered underwater and dragged in the lowered position in a dragging direction of the trailing suction hopper dredger over the bottom for dredging, wherein bottom material is dislodged. The dislodged bottom material is generally suctioned away with a quantity of water to a bin of the dredging vessel by the suction-blow conduit connected to a dredge pump. However, with proper use of the dredging head according to the invention the flow through the suction-blow conduit is switched from a suctioning position to a blowing position, wherein water is pumped through the suction-blow conduit in the direction of the dredging head. This can for instance take place with hydraulic controls in the suction-blow conduit.

[0010] An embodiment of the invented dredging head has the feature that the discharge device comprises two outlets which are configured such that during movement in the dragging direction the bottom material can be discharged on both lateral sides of the formed trench. The bottom material deposited on one or both lateral sides is preferably situated in the immediate vicinity of the formed trench. This is understood to mean a distance adjacently of the trench of a maximum of 20 times the trench width, more preferably a maximum of 15 times the trench width, still more preferably a maximum of 10 times the trench width and most preferably a maximum of 5 times the trench width.

[0011] Another embodiment according to the invention provides a dredging head wherein the discharge device is connected for pivoting around a horizontal axis running transversely of the dragging direction to the connecting part or the suction-blow conduit. This embodiment allows adjustment of the angular position of the discharge device, in particular the angular position of the at least one outlet of the discharge device, relative to the horizontal plane. It hereby becomes possible to determine the distance adjacently of the trench at which on average the excavated bottom material comes to lie during forming of the trench. It is also possible to connect the discharge device for pivoting around a horizontal axis running parallel to the dragging direction to the connecting part or the suction-blow conduit.

[0012] In a practical embodiment of the invented dredging head the discharge device is attached, preferably rigidly, to the visor or forms a part of the visor. The angular position of the discharge device can hereby be adjusted together with the angular position of the visor.

[0013] A further embodiment of the invention provides a dredging head wherein at least one of the connecting part, the visor and the discharge device is connected for pivoting around a vertical axis to the suction-blow conduit or the connecting part. Such a connection allows at least one of the connecting part, the visor and the discharge device to rotate in a horizontal plane during forming of the trench. This enhances the accuracy of the route being followed. Under the influence of current and waves a dredging vessel will generally follow a route which varies to some extent from a desired route. Because the dredging head is connected via the suction-blow conduit to the dredging vessel, the route followed by the dredging head depends on the route of the dredging vessel. The present embodiment allows, within limits, the route of the dredging head to be made independent of the route of the dredging vessel.

[0014] An embodiment which is useful in this respect is obtained with a dredging head wherein the at least one pivoting connection is controlled by an actuator. In another embodiment the connecting part is connected for pivoting around a vertical axis to the suction-blow conduit.

[0015] The actuators with which at least one of the connecting part, the visor and the discharge device can be pivoted around a vertical and/or a horizontal axis preferably comprise hydraulic cylinders, piston rods of which engage on a wall part of the respective component for controlling, and the cylinder housing of which engages on a fixed wall part, for instance of the suction-blow conduit. The wall part can be moved by extending or, conversely, retracting the movable cylinder rod. The connecting part for instance can thus be rotated in a horizontal plane by retracting a piston rod arranged on port side on an upper wall part of the connecting part (as seen in upstream direction) so that the dredging head is moved more to port side. It is for instance also possible to carry the discharge device to a raised position by retracting a piston rod arranged on an upper wall part of the discharge device, or to move it in the direction of a lowered position by extending the piston rod.

[0016] The route followed by the dredging head can further be set more precisely by providing a dredging head in an embodiment which further comprises a steering fin which extends in the dragging direction and which is configured to penetrate into the underwater bottom. Such a steering fin produces a reaction force in the underwater bottom with which the dredging head can be steered more effectively in a desired direction.

[0017] A practical embodiment of the dredging head is characterized in that an underside of the connecting part comprises one or more steering fins. Such steering fins can for instance comprise a number of plates welded to the underside of the connecting part, preferably parallel to each other.

[0018] Yet another embodiment according to the invention provides a dredging head wherein the lower edge of the visor comprises at least two series of cutting tools for penetrating into the bottom, wherein each series extends along a line transversely of the dragging direction, and wherein the cutting tools of a first series penetrate less deeply into the bottom than the cutting tools of a second series located downstream relative to the first series. Such a setup allows a relatively deep trench to be formed in the underwater bottom in one pass of the dredging head, wherein the first series of cutting tools forms a trench to a first depth, which first depth is further deepened to a greater second depth with the second series of cutting tools. The geometry of the cutting tools can for instance be adapted here to the ground condition. The depth to which the first and second series of cutting tools can be inserted can be selected within broad limits. Suitable excavating depths for each series depend on, among other factors, the ground condition and can amount for instance to between 10-80 cm, more preferably to between 20-70 cm and most preferably to between 30-50 cm.

[0019] The accuracy with which the dredging head can follow a desired route can be further improved by providing an embodiment wherein the connecting part comprises two lateral walls and the walls are provided with laterally extending blades. These blades preferably have a concave front surface, wherein the front surface faces in an upstream direction during forming of the trench. A side edge of the blades preferably runs obliquely upward, this such that the blades widen in upward direction. A trench is hereby obtained which widens a little from the bottom upwards. Such an upward widening trench section allows the suction-blow conduit to be placed at an angle in the trench, whereby the dredging head can better follow a desired route.

[0020] The discharge device can in principle take any form as long as it comprises an inlet for the bottom material connecting to the opening of the visor, and one or more outlets. A suitable embodiment comprises a box-like holder body, an end surface of which connects to the opening of the visor. On another side the holder body comprises one or more spout-like outlets which are oriented in lateral direction relative to the formed trench (or a vertical central plane of the dredging head).

[0021] The dredging head is particularly suitable for forming a relatively narrow trench. An embodiment of the dredging head is characterized for this purpose in that it has a width transversely of the dragging direction of a maximum of 3 m, more preferably a maximum of 2.5 m, still more preferably a maximum of 2 m and most preferably a maximum of 1 m.

[0022] The invention likewise relates to a dredging device for forming a trench in an underwater bottom, comprising a dredging vessel configured for movement in a dragging direction and a dredging head according to the invention connected to a suction-blow conduit of the dredging vessel.

[0023] An embodiment of the dredging device comprises control means for controlling the dredging head, in particular for controlling the position of the dredging head. The dredging head or components of the dredging head, such as the visor, the discharge device and/or the connecting part, are for this purpose preferably connected for pivoting around a horizontal and/or vertical axis running transversely of the dragging direction to a fixed component, for instance the suction-blow conduit. The pivoting connections are controlled in embodiments by an actuator, preferably a hydraulic cylinder, wherein the control means are configured to control the actuators. Such control means are per se known and are for instance used in the known trailing suction hopper dredger to adjust the angular position of the visor relative to the horizontal plane.

[0024] Provided in yet another aspect of the invention is a method for forming a trench in an underwater bottom with the dredging device. The dredging head is connected here to the suction-blow conduit of the dredging vessel, a dredge pump of the dredging vessel carries water through the suction-blow conduit in the direction of the dredging head and the dredging head is moved over the underwater bottom in a dragging direction along an intended route of the trench. An opening of the visor of the dredging head facing toward the bottom takes up bottom material dislodged by a lower edge of the visor and, via the inlet of the discharge device connecting to the opening of the visor, discharges this material to the at least one outlet of the discharge device which is configured such that during movement in the dragging direction the bottom material is discharged to at least one lateral side of the formed trench.

[0025] The method according to the invention is particularly suitable for forming a trench in a cohesive underwater bottom, preferably an underwater bottom comprising clay.

[0026] It is expressly stated that the embodiments of the invention described in this patent application can be combined in any possible combination of these embodiments, and that each embodiment can individually form the subject-matter of a divisional patent application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0027] The invention will now be further elucidated on the basis of the following figures and description of a preferred embodiment, without the invention otherwise being limited thereto. In the figures:

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a dredging device according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 2A-2C are schematic rear views of a dredging device according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective top view of a dredging head according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a schematic perspective side view of the dredging head shown in figure 3;

Figure 5 is a schematic perspective side view of the dredging head shown in figure 3; and

Figure 6 is finally a schematic rear of the dredging head shown in figure 3 during the forming of a trench in an underwater bottom.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Figure 1 shows a dredging vessel 1 which is provided with a motor, not shown in the drawing, for driving a propeller 2 via a propeller shaft for the purpose of propelling dredging vessel 1 in a dragging direction 7. Also present are devices, not shown in the drawings, for steering dredging vessel 1, such as a rudder and transversely placed propellers for facilitating manoeuvring.

[0029] A dredge pump, not shown in the drawings, is arranged in dredging vessel 1. Arranged against a side wall of the dredging vessel is a suction-blow conduit 3, one end of which is connected to the dredge pump. In the present embodiment the suction-blow conduit 3 comprises two members 3a and 3b which are connected to each other by means of a coupling 3c allowing some relative angular displacement. The connection between upper member 3a of suction-blow conduit 3 and the vessel also allows angular displacement in the vertical plane and about a substantially horizontal axis 3d. For support of the movable end of upper member 3a of suction-blow conduit 3 this member is connected to a cable 4a, the other end of which is connected to a winch 5a. For support of the movable end of lower member 3b of suction-blow conduit 3 this member is likewise connected to a cable 4b, the other end of which is connected to a winch 5b. It is thus possible using winches 5a, 5b to vary the height of suction-blow conduit 3. It will be apparent that, also subject to the depth of the underwater bottom, the number of members of suction-blow conduit 3 can be increased or decreased, with a corresponding adjustment of the number of cables 4 and winches 5. A dredging head 6 according to the invention is arranged on the free end of second member 3b of suction-blow conduit 3.

[0030] Referring to figure 3, an embodiment of dredging head 6 is shown. Dredging head 6 comprises a connecting part 8 which is connectable to suction-blow conduit 3 and which in the shown embodiment comprises a fixed connecting part 8a and a movable connecting part 8b connected for pivoting around vertical shaft 9 to fixed connecting part 8a. Fixed connecting part 8a can be attached fixedly to suction-blow conduit 3 with flange 10. Dredging head 6 further comprises a visor 12 which is rotatable relative to connecting part 8 around a shaft 11 running transversely of dragging direction 7 and which has an opening 13 facing toward the bottom for taking up dislodged bottom material 14. In the shown embodiment a lower edge of visor 12 comprises two series of cutting devices (15a, 15b) for penetrating into the bottom. Cutting devices (15a, 15b) are per se known and can comprise any type of tooth. Each series of cutting devices (15a, 15b) extends along a line transversely of dragging direction 7. Cutting devices 15a of the first series moreover penetrate less deeply into the bottom than cutting devices 15b of the second series of cutting devices 15b lying upstream relative to the first series. The cutting devices can for instance be mounted in usual manner on a toothed beam running transversely of dragging direction 7.

[0031] Dredging head 6 is further provided with a discharge device 16 for discharging the dislodged bottom material 14 laterally of the formed trench. In shown embodiment discharge device 16 comprises a box-like body comprising two side walls (16a, 16b), an upper wall 16c and a lower wall 16d. Discharge device 16 connects with a first end surface 17a to an opening (not shown) in a rear wall of visor 12. First end surface 17a thus forms an inlet for dislodged bottom material coming from visor opening 13. Discharge device 16 further comprises a second end surface 17b which is located opposite first end surface 17a and which connects to two spout-like parts (18a, 18b). Each part (18a, 18b) is provided with an outlet (19a, 19b) along which dislodged bottom material can escape. Spout-like parts (18a, 18b) form a throughfeed channel for the bottom material and both extend outward from a vertical plane of symmetry 20 of dredging head 6 at an oblique angle 21 to a horizontal plane 22, see for instance figure 4. As is made clear in figure 6, outlets (19a, 19b) are configured such that during the movement of dredging head 6 in dragging direction 7 the bottom material 14 is discharged to both lateral sides of the formed trench 23 and deposited there as according to arrows (24a, 24b). In order to form a relatively narrow trench 23 the shown dredging head 6 can have a width of a maximum of 2 m transversely of the dragging direction 7.

[0032] In the shown embodiment of dredging head 6 the discharge device 16 is attached fixedly to visor 12 via end surface 17a, for instance by means of a welded connection. Discharge device 16 can thus pivot, together with visor 12, around the horizontal shaft 11 running transversely of dragging direction 7. The angular position of visor 12 and discharge device 16 relative to the horizontal plane 22 can be adjusted by an actuator in the form of a hydraulic cylinder 25 which can be controlled from dredging vessel 1 with appropriate and per se known control means (not shown).

[0033] In the shown embodiment movable connecting part 8b is connected for pivoting around a vertical shaft 9 to fixed connecting part 8a, which is in turn fixedly connected to lower member 3b of suction-blow conduit 3. The angular position of movable connecting part 8a (and so also of visor 12 and discharge device 16) relative to the vertical central plane 20 can be adjusted by a second actuator in the form of a hydraulic cylinder 26 which engages on fixed connecting part 8a at a distance from the vertical central plane 20 and can be controlled from dredging vessel 1 with appropriate and per se known control means (not shown). Rotation shaft 9 lies here in the vertical central plane 20. By extending hydraulic cylinder 26 the dredging head 6 will be moved around rotation shaft 9 from port side BB to starboard side SB as according to arrow 27, see figure 3. By subsequently retracting the rod of hydraulic cylinder 26 the dredging head 6 will be moved around rotation shaft 9 from starboard side SB to port side BB as according to arrow 28, see figure 3. The control of dredging head 6 can be further improved by providing an underside of movable connecting part 8b with a number of steering fins 29 which extend in the dragging direction and which are configured to penetrate into the underwater bottom.

[0034] The above described control mechanism makes it possible to control dredging head 6 relative to the course of dredging vessel 1. This is illustrated in figures 2A-2C. Because of the effects of current and the like a dredging vessel 1 will not be able to follow a route precisely corresponding to the desired route of trench 23. In figure 2A dredging vessel 1 is located in a position wherein suction-blow conduit 3 extends substantially vertically downward and is situated directly above the desired route of trench 23. In figure 2B dredging vessel 1 has a position more toward the starboard side SB relative to the desired route. In order to nevertheless move dredging head 6 forward accurately along the route it is steered toward the port side BB. Finally, in figure 2C dredging vessel 1 has a position more toward the port side BB relative to the desired route. In order to nevertheless move dredging head 6 forward accurately along the route it is in this case steered toward the starboard side SB. A trench 23 can in this way be excavated in accurate manner along a predetermined desired route.

[0035] In order to ensure that side walls (23a, 23b) of the formed trench 23 widen upward to some extent (see figure 6) so that suction-blow conduit part 3b can move forward to some extent at an oblique angle in trench 23, side walls of movable connecting part 8b can be provided with laterally extending blades 30. Blades 30 preferably have a concave front surface 30a, wherein front surface 30a faces in an upstream direction during the forming of trench 23. A side edge 30b of blades 30 preferably runs obliquely upward, this such that blades 30 widen toward the top. A trench 23 is hereby obtained which widens a little from the bottom upward.

[0036] With the described dredging head 6 a trench 23 can be formed in accurate manner in an underwater bottom preferably comprising clay. Dredging head 6 is connected here to suction-blow conduit 3 of dredging vessel 1, and a dredge pump (not shown) of dredging vessel 1 carries water through suction-blow conduit 3 in the direction of dredging head 6 while dredging head 6 is moved over the underwater bottom in a dragging direction 7 along an intended route of trench 23. The opening 13 of visor 12 of dredging head 6 facing toward the bottom takes up bottom material dislodged by cutting devices (15a, 15b) and this material is discharged by the generated water flow via the inlet of discharge device 16 connecting to opening 13 to outlets (19a, 19b) of discharge device 16. During movement in dragging direction 7 the thus discharged bottom material is discharged via the outlets to the lateral sides of the formed trench 23 and deposited there.

[0037] If an object has to be buried in the formed trench 23, the formed trench 23 can if desired be filled by moving the bottom material discharged and heaped on the lateral sides into trench 23 with an implement suitable for the purpose, such as a plough, with the proviso that prior to filling thereof the formed trench 23 is provided with the object, for instance a cable or conduit.

[0038] The invention is not limited to the above described embodiment and also comprises modifications thereof, to the extent these fall within the scope of the claims appended below.

Claims

1. Dredging head for forming a trench in an underwater bottom, wherein the dredging head comprises a connecting part for connecting to a suction-blow conduit of a dredging vessel to be moved in a dragging direction, and wherein the dredging head comprises a visor for pivoting around a horizontal axis running transversely of the dragging direction with an opening facing toward the bottom for taking up bottom material dislodged by a lower edge of the visor, characterized in that the dredging head further comprises a discharge device for the dislodged bottom material, which discharge device comprises an inlet for the bottom material connecting to the opening of the visor and at least one outlet which is configured such that during movement in the dragging direction the bottom material can be discharged to at least one lateral side of the formed trench.

2. Dredging head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the discharge device comprises two outlets which are configured such that during movement in the dragging direction the bottom material can be discharged on both lateral sides of the formed trench.

3. Dredging head as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the discharge device is connected for pivoting around a horizontal axis running parallel to the dragging direction to the connecting part or the suction-blow conduit.

4. Dredging head as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the discharge device is attached to the visor or forms a part of the visor.

5. Dredging head as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein at least one of the connecting part, the visor and the discharge device is connected for pivoting around a vertical axis to the suction-blow conduit or the connecting part.

6. Dredging head as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one pivoting connection is controlled by an actuator, preferably a hydraulic cylinder.

7. Dredging head as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the connecting part is connected for pivoting around a vertical axis to the suction-blow conduit.

8. Dredging head as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, further comprising a steering fin which extends in the dragging direction and which is configured to penetrate into the underwater bottom.

9. Dredging head as claimed in claim 8, wherein an underside of the connecting part comprises one or more steering fins.

10. Dredging head as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the lower edge of the visor comprises at least two series of cutting tools for penetrating into the bottom, wherein each series extends along a line transversely of the dragging direction, and wherein the cutting tools of a first series penetrate less deeply into the bottom than the cutting tools of a second series located downstream relative to the first series.

11. Dredging head as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the connecting part comprises two lateral walls and the walls are provided with laterally extending blades.

12. Dredging device for forming a trench in an underwater bottom, comprising a dredging vessel configured for movement in a dragging direction and a dredging head as claimed in any of the claims 1-11 connected to a suction-blow conduit of the dredging vessel.

13. Dredging device as claimed in claim 12, further comprising control means for controlling the dredging head, wherein the at least one pivoting connection of the dredging head is controlled by an actuator, and the control means are configured to control the actuator.

14. Method for forming a trench in an underwater bottom with a dredging device as claimed in any one of the claims 12-13, wherein the dredging head is connected to the suction-blow conduit of the dredging vessel, a dredge pump of the dredging vessel carries water through the suction-blow conduit in the direction of the dredging head and the dredging head is moved over the underwater bottom in a dragging direction along an intended route of the trench, characterised in that an opening of the visor of the dredging head
facing toward the bottom takes up bottom material dislodged by a lower edge of the visor and, via the inlet of the discharge device connecting to the opening of the visor, discharges this material to the at least one outlet of the discharge device which is configured such that during movement in the dragging direction the bottom material is discharged to at least one lateral side of the formed trench.

15. Method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the formed trench is filled by moving the bottom material discharged and heaped on at least one lateral side into the trench with an implement suitable for the purpose, such as a plough, and wherein the formed trench is provided with an object, such as a cable or conduit, prior to filling thereof.

Ansprüche

1. Baggerkopf zum Bilden eines Grabens in einem Unterwasserboden, wobei der Baggerkopf ein Verbindungsteil zum Verbinden mit einer Saug-/Blasleitung eines in Schlepprichtung zu bewegenden Baggerschiffes aufweist und wobei der Baggerkopf eine Blende zum Drehen um eine horizontale Achse aufweist, die quer zur Schlepprichtung mit einer Öffnung verläuft, die zum Boden gerichtet ist, um Bodenmaterial aufzunehmen, das durch eine Unterkante der Blende gelöst wird, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Baggerkopf weiterhin eine Austrageinheit für das gelöste Bodenmaterial aufweist, wobei die Austrageinheit einen Einlass für das Bodenmaterial aufweist, der mit der Öffnung der Blende verbunden ist, und mindestens einen Auslass aufweist, der so konfiguriert ist, dass das Bodenmaterial während der Bewegung in Schlepprichtung auf mindestens einer seitlichen Seite des gebildeten Grabens ausgetragen werden kann.

2. Baggerkopf nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Austrageinheit zwei Auslässe aufweist, die so konfiguriert sind, dass das Bodenmaterial während der Bewegung in Schlepprichtung auf beiden seitlichen Seiten des gebildeten Grabens ausgetragen werden kann.

3. Baggerkopf nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Austrageinheit mit dem Verbindungsteil oder der Saug-/Blasleitung zum Drehen um eine horizontale Achse verbunden ist, die parallel zur Schlepprichtung verläuft.

4. Baggerkopf nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, wobei die Austrageinheit an der Blende angebracht ist oder einen Teil der Blende bildet.

5. Baggerkopf nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, wobei mindestens entweder das Verbindungsteil, die Blende oder die Austrageinheit mit der Saug-/Blasleitung oder dem Verbindungsteil zum Drehen um eine vertikale Achse verbunden ist.

6. Baggerkopf nach Anspruch 5, wobei die mindestens eine Drehverbindung durch ein Stellglied, vorzugsweise einen Hydraulikzylinder, gesteuert wird.

7. Baggerkopf nach Anspruch 5 oder 6, wobei das Verbindungsteil mit der Saug-/Blasleitung zum Drehen um eine vertikale Achse verbunden ist.

8. Baggerkopf nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, der weiterhin eine Lenkrippe aufweist, die sich in Schlepprichtung erstreckt und so konfiguriert ist, dass sie in den Unterwasserboden eindringt.

9. Baggerkopf nach Anspruch 8, wobei eine Unterseite des Verbindungsteils eine oder mehrere Lenkrippen aufweist.

10. Baggerkopf nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, wobei die Unterkante der Blende mindestens zwei Reihen von Schneidwerkzeugen zum Eindringen in den Boden aufweist, wobei sich jede Reihe entlang einer Linie quer zur Schlepprichtung erstreckt und wobei die Schneidwerkzeuge einer ersten Reihe weniger tief in den Boden eindringen als die Schneidwerkzeuge einer zweiten Reihe, die sich im Vergleich zur ersten Reihe nachgelagert befinden.

11. Baggerkopf nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, wobei das Verbindungsteil zwei Seitenwände aufweist und die Wände mit seitlich verlaufenden Flügeln versehen sind.

12. Baggereinheit zum Bilden eines Grabens in einem Unterwasserboden, die ein Baggerschiff aufweist, das so konfiguriert ist, dass es sich in eine Schlepprichtung bewegt, sowie ein Baggerkopf nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 11, der mit einer Saug-/Blasleitung des Baggerschiffes verbunden ist.

13. Baggereinheit nach Anspruch 12, die weiterhin Steuermittel zum Steuern des Baggerkopfes aufweist, wobei die mindestens eine Drehverbindung des Baggerkopfes von einem Stellglied gesteuert wird, und die Steuermittel so konfiguriert sind, dass sie das Stellglied steuern.

14. Verfahren zum Bilden eines Grabens in einem Unterwasserboden mit einer Baggereinheit nach einem der Ansprüche 12 bis 13, wobei der Baggerkopf mit der Saug-/Blasleitung des Baggerschiffes verbunden ist, eine Baggerpumpe des Baggerschiffes Wasser durch die Saug-/Blasleitung in Richtung des Baggerkopfes fördert und der Baggerkopf in Schlepprichtung entlang eines geplanten Weges des Grabens über den Unterwasserboden bewegt wird, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine Öffnung der Blende des Baggerkopfes, die zum Boden gerichtet ist, von einer Unterkante der Blende gelöstes Bodenmaterial aufnimmt und über einen Einlass der Austrageinheit, die mit der Öffnung der Blende verbunden ist, dieses Material zu mindestens einem Auslass der Austrageinheit austrägt, die so konfiguriert ist, dass das Bodenmaterial während der Bewegung in Schlepprichtung zu mindestens einer seitlichen Seite des gebildeten Grabens ausgetragen wird.

15. Verfahren nach Anspruch 14, wobei der gebildete Graben durch Bewegen des ausgetragenen Bodenmaterials gefüllt und auf mindestens einer seitlichen Seite mit einem geeigneten Gerät, wie beispielsweise einem Pflug, in den Graben gehäuft wird, und wobei der gebildete Graben vor dem Befüllen mit einem Objekt, wie beispielsweise einem Kabel oder einer Leitung, versehen ist.

Revendications

1. Tête de dragage servant à former une tranchée dans un fond subaquatique, étant entendu que la tête de dragage comprend un élément de raccordement destiné à être raccordé à une conduite d'aspiration-soufflage d'un navire de dragage à déplacer dans une direction de dragage et étant entendu que la tête de dragage comprend une visière destinée à pivoter autour d'un axe horizontal courant transversalement à la direction de dragage, une ouverture étant orientée vers le fond en vue d'absorber le matériau détaché du fond par un bord inférieur de la visière, caractérisé en ce que la tête de dragage comprend par ailleurs un dispositif pour décharger le matériau détaché du fond, lequel dispositif de décharge comprend une entrée pour le matériau du fond se raccordant à l'ouverture de la visière et au moins une sortie qui est configurée de telle sorte que, pendant le déplacement dans la direction de dragage, le matériau du fond peut être déchargé sur au moins un côté latéral de la tranchée formée.

2. Tête de dragage selon la revendication 1, étant entendu que le dispositif de décharge comprend deux sorties qui sont configurées de telle sorte que, pendant le déplacement dans la direction du dragage, le matériau du fond peut être déchargé sur les deux côtés latéraux de la tranchée formée.

3. Tête de dragage selon la revendication 1 ou 2, étant entendu que le dispositif de décharge est raccordé, en vue de pivoter autour d'un axe horizontal courant parallèlement à la direction de dragage, à l'élément de raccordement ou à la conduite d'aspiration-soufflage.

4. Tête de dragage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, étant entendu que le dispositif de décharge est attaché à la visière ou forme une partie de la visière.

5. Tête de dragage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, étant entendu qu'au moins l'élément de raccordement, la visière ou le dispositif de décharge est raccordé, en vue de pivoter autour d'un axe vertical, à la conduite d'aspiration-soufflage ou à l'élément de raccordement.

6. Tête de dragage selon la revendication 5, étant entendu que l'au moins un raccordement pivotant est commandé par un actionneur, de préférence un vérin hydraulique.

7. Tête de dragage selon la revendication 5 ou 6, étant entendu que l'élément de raccordement est raccordé, en vue de pivoter autour d'un axe vertical, à la conduite d'aspiration-soufflage.

8. Tête de dragage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant par ailleurs une ailette de guidage qui s'étend dans la direction de dragage et qui est configurée pour pénétrer dans le fond subaquatique.

9. Tête de dragage selon la revendication 8, étant entendu qu'une face inférieure de l'élément de raccordement comprend une ou plusieurs ailettes de guidage.

10. Tête de dragage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, étant entendu que le bord inférieur de la visière comprend au moins deux séries d'outils de coupe destinés à pénétrer dans le fond, étant entendu que chaque série s'étend le long d'une ligne transversale à la direction de dragage et étant entendu que les outils de coupe d'une première série pénètrent moins profondément dans le fond que les outils de coupe d'une seconde série située en aval par rapport à la première série.

11. Tête de dragage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, étant entendu que l'élément de raccordement comprend deux parois latérales et que les parois sont dotées de lames s'étendant latéralement.

12. Dispositif de dragage servant à former une tranchée dans un fond subaquatique, comprenant un navire de dragage configuré pour se déplacer dans une direction de dragage et une tête de dragage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1-11 raccordée à une conduite d'aspiration-soufflage du navire de dragage.

13. Dispositif de dragage selon la revendication 12, comprenant par ailleurs des moyens de commande pour commander la tête de dragage, étant entendu que l'au moins un raccord pivotant de la tête de dragage est commandé par un actionneur et que les moyens de commande sont configurés pour commander l'actionneur.

14. Procédé de formation d'une tranchée dans un fond subaquatique avec un dispositif de dragage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 12-13, étant entendu que la tête de dragage est raccordée à la conduite d'aspiration-soufflage du navire de dragage, qu'une pompe de dragage du navire de dragage transporte de l'eau dans la conduite d'aspiration-soufflage en direction de la tête de dragage et que la tête de dragage est déplacée sur le fond subaquatique dans une direction de dragage le long d'un tracé prévu de la tranchée, caractérisé en ce qu'une ouverture de la visière de la tête de dragage orientée vers le fond absorbe le matériau détaché du fond par un bord inférieur de la visière et, via l'entrée du dispositif de décharge se raccordant à l'ouverture de la visière, décharge ce matériau par l'au moins une sortie du dispositif de décharge qui est configurée de telle sorte que, pendant le déplacement dans la direction de dragage, le matériau du fond est déchargé sur au moins un côté latéral de la tranchée formée.

15. Procédé selon la revendication 14, étant entendu que l'on comble la tranchée formée en déplaçant dans la tranchée le matériau du fond déchargé et entassé sur au moins un côté latéral avec un instrument adapté à cette fin, tel qu'une charrue, et étant entendu que la tranchée formée est dotée d'un objet tel qu'un câble ou une conduite préalablement à son comblement.

Drawing