Draghead system for use in dredging or the like

Abstract

A draghead visor is configured to attach to an armature along a rotation axis. A biasing assembly attached to the draghead visor is configured for attachment to the armature such that the biasing assembly is positioned to apply a force on the visor in a manner such that a rotational force is applied to the visor around the rotation axis. The biasing assembly may include one or more spring subassemblies, wherein a spring subassembly may include one or more compression spring, extension spring, or torsion spring. The draghead visor may be part of a draghead pulled by a marine vessel.

1 . A draghead visor, comprising:
 a first attachment structure configured to attach the draghead visor to an armature along a rotation axis;   a second attachment structure; and   a spring assembly operatively connected to the second attachment structure and configured for attachment to the armature;   wherein the second attachment structure is configured such that, when the spring assembly is attached between the second attachment structure and the armature, the spring assembly is positioned to apply a force on the second attachment structure in a manner such that a rotational force is applied to the visor around the rotation axis.   
     
     
         2 . The draghead visor of  claim 1 , wherein the second attachment structure includes two mounting brackets configured to attach two compression spring subassemblies of the spring assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The draghead visor of  claim 1 , wherein the spring assembly includes at least one compression spring. 
     
     
         4 . The draghead visor of  claim 1 , wherein the spring assembly includes at least one extension spring. 
     
     
         5 . The draghead visor of  claim 1 , wherein the spring assembly includes at least one torsion spring. 
     
     
         6 . The draghead visor of  claim 1 , wherein the draghead visor is configured for use on a marine vessel. 
     
     
         7 . A utility head, comprising:
 a visor;   an engagement structure configured to forcibly engage an environment surface in a manner such that the environment surface will exert a rotational force against the utility head; and   a spring assembly attached to the visor, the spring assembly configured to exert a counterforce against an applied environmental surface rotational force;   whereby when the engagement structure comes into contact with the environment surface, the spring assembly responds to variable rotational forces from the environment surface against the utility head by exerting force on the visor, causing counter-rotational forces sufficient to counterbalance the variable rotational forces, and when contact between the engagement structure and the environment surface ends, the spring assembly positions the visor in a rest position.   
     
     
         8 . The utility head of  claim 7 , wherein the spring assembly is a compression spring assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The utility head of  claim 7 , wherein the spring assembly is an extension spring assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The utility head of  claim 7 , wherein the utility head is one of a single scoop and a clamshell-style scoop. 
     
     
         11 . The utility head of  claim 7 , wherein the spring mechanism is submersible. 
     
     
         12 . The utility head of  claim 7 , wherein the utility head is a draghead. 
     
     
         13 . The utility head of  claim 12 , wherein the engagement structure includes one row of teeth and there are no other rows of teeth on the engagement structure. 
     
     
         14 . The utility head of  claim 12 , wherein the engagement structure includes a suction mechanism. 
     
     
         15 . The utility head of  claim 12 , wherein the utility head is configured for attachment to a marine vessel. 
     
     
         16 . A marine vessel, comprising:
 a dredging structure attached to the marine vessel;   a draghead operatively connected to a distal segment of the dredging structure at a rotation axis, wherein the draghead includes a visor and one row of dredging teeth attached to the visor; and   a biasing assembly operatively connected between the draghead and the dredging structure and configured to at least selectively cause a rotational force on the draghead around the rotation axis, wherein the biasing assembly includes at least one spring assembly.   
     
     
         17 . The marine vessel of  claim 16 , wherein the spring assembly is a compression spring assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The marine vessel of  claim 16 , wherein the spring assembly is an extension spring assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The marine vessel of  claim 16 , wherein the biasing assembly is located towards the top of the draghead. 
     
     
         20 . The marine vessel of  claim 16 , wherein the biasing assembly is located towards the bottom of the draghead.