Title: Apparatus for excavation and earth removal from aquatic bottoms

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Claims: What is claimed is:

1. In a floatable apparatus having propulsion means and at least two jaws or grippers, suitable for use as a clamshell bucket or the like, articulated with respect to one another around at least two coaxial pivots, suspended from caisson means and operatively arranged so that in a closed position of said jaws, these jaws define means for transport of materials and in an open position these jaws constitute, when resting on top of material, instrumentalities for removal of at least a portion thereof, which jaws mutually approach one another upon execution of an appropriate command, the inprovement comprising in combination: principal, floatable, buoyant caisson means for permitting the apparatus to be placed alternatingly in a state of immersion and in a state of floatation, and floatation chamber means associated with each of said jaws constituted by at least one secondary caisson means formed in the hollow interior of said jaws and carrying at least one orifice and means for selective admission and evacuation of compressed air for said secondary caisson means independently of any air provided for said principal caisson means for achieving a net density of said jaws which is selectably greater than, equal to or less than that of water, said jaws being carried solely by said principal caisson means and being so connected that either of said jaws and its respective floatation chamber always move together, in the same direction, and on the same side of a vertical plane bisecting said coaxial pivots; and means for admitting compressed air to said principal and secondary caissons, and wherein said principal caisson means has at least one water-tight compartment intended to receive a compressed air charge, said water-tight compartment has an orifice at a lower portion thereof for permitting the passage of water to and from said principal caisson and said compartment is connected to said means for admitting compressed air whereby opening and closing of the jaws is effected by air and water fed selectively into the floatation chambers of said jaws, immersion is effected by water fed into said principal caisson and closing of the jaws is effected by water being let into said floatation chambers of said jaws while air is fed into said principal caisson means.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one secondary caisson means is constituted by at least two secondary caissons integral with one jaw of said jaws, of which one of said secondary caissons is disposed at an upper part of said one jaw and the other of said secondary caissons is disposed at a lower part of said one jaw adjacent to a working edge of said one jaw, the separating wall between said secondary caisson being substantially perpendicular to the outer walls thereof.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said principal caisson means comprises a principal caisson having a lower surface which lower surface, when said jaws are open to their maximum extent is substantially at the level of operative edges of said jaws.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said principal caisson means includes value means for admitting compressed air and is equipped with at least one removably stored container of compressed air and with connecting means connecting this container to said value means for admitting compressed air.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, in combination with a floating structure which carries means for supplying compressed air, and wherein said principal caisson means is connected by at least one suitable conduit to said floating structure which carries said means for supplying compressed air.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, further including a supply channel for compressed air and control means for controlling admission of compressed air thereto, and wherein said jaws are provided at their respective working edges with a plurality of nozzles connected to said supply channel for compressed air, said control means making it possible to effect controlled admission of compressed air to said nozzles.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, in which said buoyant caisson is provided with a plurality of symmetrically spaced pivotable jaws capable of being brought into engagement with a submerged perpendicularly disposed object to carry the same within a body of water.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 7, in which said buoyant caisson includes means defining a vertical opening which is equally spaced from the pivot point of the symmetrically disposed jaws.

Other info:

Inventors: Lespinasse, Pierre

Application Number: 759976
Filing Date: 1977-01-17
Publication_date: 1979-04-24
Assignee:
Primary Class(es): 37/309 37/313, 37/340, 114/53, 114/55, 414/23
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

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Other Refs: 175998111372584527 OF136188145268312712306046

Jul, 1971	DE
Jan, 1957	FR
, 1878	GB
Dec, 1919	GB
Jul, 1920	GB
Jun, 1929	GB
Aug, 1971	SU

Primary Examiner: Crowder, Clifford D.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: Greigg; Edwin E.