Method and apparatus for underwater pile excavating

Abstract

An encapsulated underwater excavation assembly for removing solid materials (such as mud, soil, vegetation or debris) from a water bottom including, without limitation, during pile driving or installation operations. The excavation assembly can be contained within a housing that beneficially fits within an inner bore of a piling or other tubular member. A rotary motor having a cutting blade mechanically cuts solid materials while a centrifugal pump moves cuttings away from the lower portion of the excavation assembly for facilitate efficient installation of a piling.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An excavation apparatus for excavating solid materials from an inner bore of a piling comprising:
 a) a drive motor;   b) a cutting blade connected to said drive motor adapted to contact said solid materials; and   c) a pump for pumping said solid materials away from said excavation apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . The excavation apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a hydraulic control system. 
     
     
         3 . The excavation apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an outer housing defining an internal chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The excavation apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said drive motor and pump are disposed in said internal chamber of said housing. 
     
     
         5 . The excavation apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said cutting blade is partially disposed within said internal chamber of said housing, and a portion of said blade protrudes from said housing. 
     
     
         6 . The excavation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said excavation apparatus can be selectively raised or lowered within said inner bore of said pile. 
     
     
         7 . An excavation apparatus for excavating solid materials from an inner bore of a piling comprising:
 a) an outer housing defining an internal chamber;   b) a drive motor disposed within said internal chamber;   c) a pump motor disposed within said internal chamber;   d) a pump for pumping said solid materials away from said excavation apparatus; and   e) a cutting blade connected to said drive motor, wherein said cutting blade is adapted to contact said solid materials.   
     
     
         8 . The excavation apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising a hydraulic control system for powering said drive motor and pump motor. 
     
     
         9 . The excavation apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said cutting blade is partially disposed within said internal chamber of said housing, and a portion of said blade protrudes from said housing. 
     
     
         10 . A method for removing solid materials from an inner bore of a piling comprising:
 a) lowering an excavation apparatus within said bore until said excavation assembly contacts said solid materials;   b) excavating said solid materials from said inner bore; and   c) pumping said excavated solid materials from said inner bore.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said excavation apparatus comprises:
 a) an outer housing defining an internal chamber;   b) a drive motor disposed within said internal chamber;   c) a pump motor disposed within said internal chamber;   d) a pump for pumping said solid materials away from said excavation apparatus; and   e) a cutting blade connected to said drive motor, wherein said cutting blade is adapted to contact said solid materials.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said excavation apparatus further comprises a hydraulic control system for powering said drive motor and pump motor. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said cutting blade is partially disposed within said internal chamber of said housing, and a portion of said blade protrudes from said housing. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said excavation apparatus is suspended from a lifting apparatus deployed on a floating vessel. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said lifting apparatus comprises a crane.