Dredging and scouring

Abstract

The present invention relates to dredging and scouring. In particular, we will describe dredging and scouring apparatus for removing sand, silt, clay and like materials from sea or river beds. There is described an apparatus comprising a body having a bottom face and comprising an outlet flow path in which is mounted thrust means to direct, in use, a wash of water downwards towards an area of sea or river bed or the like, orientation means to connect said apparatus, in use, to a support means to orientate said apparatus with respect to the sea or river bed, and at least one inlet flow path through which water is supplied, in use, to the thrust means; characterised in that the inlet and outlet flow paths are provided with respective openings in the bottom face of the body. In the preferred embodiments, the inlet and outlet flow paths are parallel, but of opposite directions,

1 . An apparatus comprising a body having a bottom face and comprising an outlet flow path in which is mounted thrust means to direct, in use, a wash of water downwards towards an area of sea or river bed or the like, orientation means to connect said apparatus, in use, to a support means to orientate said apparatus with respect to the sea or river bed, and at least one inlet flow path through which water is supplied, in use, to the thrust means; characterised in that the inlet flow path and outlet flow path are provided with respective openings in the bottom face of the body.  
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the inlet and outlet flow paths are parallel, but of opposite directions.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the outlet flow path comprises a duct formed with an outlet in the undersurface of a central section of the body.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the outlet flow path comprises a duct formed with an outlet in the undersurface of a central section of the body.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the thrust means comprises at least one impeller assembly comprising an impeller mounted within the duct or within a housing in fluid communication with the duct.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein an adjustable flow director is provided adjacent the outlet of the outlet flow path, the director being adapted to adjust the direction of flow of the water wash from the outlet.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the flow director comprises a louvre assembly.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the director is mounted internally of the outlet from the undersurface of the body.  9 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the body is in the form of a wing having an angled face at at least one of the leading and trailing edges thereof.