Patent ID: 6041527
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: B63H,E02D,E02F

Abstract:
A bidirectional dredging apparatus comprising:a dredging vehicle operative to float on a body of water and having a pivoting unit and a guide unit, said guide unit in connection with and substantially following a path defined by a guide cable wherein said guide unit provides propulsion along said guide cable by frictional communication with said cable;said pivoting unit having a first rotational element fixed with respect to said guide unit, and a second rotational element fixed with respect to said dredging vehicle and rotational with respect to the first rotational element wherein said pivoting unit further comprises a pivot drive, said pivot drive effecting rotational movement of said second rotational surface with respect to said first rotational surface around a common axis through a shaft, said shaft further comprising a pair of shear plates in detachable coupling, said shear plates attached by at least one shear pin, said at least one shear pin having a predetermined severing point, wherein said pair of shear plates remain in fixed communication when said at least one shear pin is unsevered, and wherein said pair of shear plates are in rotational communication when said at least one shear pin is severed, and said pivoting unit is operable to pivot said dredging vehicle in a direction independent of said path defined by the guide cable.