Vibrating agitator attachment for Toyo dredge pumps

Abstract

This invention is titled “Vibrating Agitator Attachment for Toyo Dredge Pumps” and is for use with Toyo submersible dredge pumps. The invention is for use in subsea dredging operations. The invention is easily attachable when needed and detachable when not needed. It uses vibrating technology to move an agitator unit, which touches the seafloor, in the X, Y and Z planes in a rapid and powerful motion. The agitator unit has “blades” with vertical surfaces and pointed at the bottom for easy penetration in hard clay. These “blades” are attached to the bottom of a jet ring that uses pressurized water spraying through jet nozzles aimed at the pointed edge of the vertical surface blades. The vibrating motion moves the horizontal column of water between the vertical blade surfaces agitating the seafloor material, and breaking it loose for removal by the Toyo dredge pump. The idea of using vibrating technology with a Toyo dredge pump is new. The idea of using vertical vibrating surfaces with pointed bottom ends and water spraying at the bottom of them to break up a hard clay seabed is new.

1 . This invention can easily be manufactured to fit any size submersible dredge pump. 
     
     
         2 . This invention uses vibrating vertical “blades” to move the horizontal water column between these blades causing the sea floor to break up for removal by the dredge pump. 
     
     
         3 . This invention uses a pressurized water jetting system, with the jet nozzles specifically aimed at and in conjunction with vibrating vertical blades increasing productivity in subsea dredging operations where hard clay has slowed production because conventional jetting systems have proven ineffective.