Patent ID: 9027263
Filing Date: 2015-05-12
Classification: E02F

Abstract:
1. A method of automated variable speed control of a cutter head of a dredging cutter, comprising: determining a current range that a pump operates at when pumping cuttings produced by the cutter head with a discharge stream of a desired proportion of cuttings and water in soil conditions existing in a body of water; and creating a control loop in which sensor data concerning a current draw of the pump is fed to a computer controller, the computer controller increasing a speed of lateral movement of the cutter head through material when the current draw of the pump falls below the determined current range and the computer controller decreasing the speed of lateral movement of the cutter head through the material when the current draw of the pump exceeds the determined current range, wherein the speed of the cutter head is controlled by controlling the operation of winches attached to the dredging cutter.