Patent ID: 6578294
Filing Date: 2003-06-17
Classification: E02F

Abstract:
A dredge cutterhead comprising:(a) a hub, a ring, and a plurality of helical arms interconnecting said hub and said ring; (b) each of said helical arms having a leading edge for attachment of cutting teeth, a trailing edge, and a trough portion located between said leading and trailing edges and extending along said helical arm toward said ring, said trough portion being substantially free from structures obstructing movement of material along said helical arm toward said ring; and (c) each of said helical arms being shaped such that said leading edge of a part of a respective helical arm near said ring trails behind said leading edge of a part of said respective helical arm near said hub as said cutterhead is rotated about a rotational axis thereof, and a net force exerted on dredged material in said trough portion pushes said material toward said ring generally along the center of said trough portion as said cutterhead is rotated.