Patent ID: 6289613
Filing Date: 2001-09-18
Classification: E02F,Y10S

Abstract:
An ejector mechanism (20) adapted for use on a dredging apparatus (10) to remove silt from under the surface of a body of water, the dredging apparatus including an excavating wheel assembly (16) having a plurality of silt retaining chambers (40) defined therein, the excavating wheel assembly being rotatably mounted to a wheel frame assembly (24), the ejector mechanism comprising:a crankshaft member (56) rotatably mounted to the wheel frame assembly (24, 62, 64) and having an eccentric arm portion (58) associated therewith, said crankshaft member being operatively coupled to the excavating wheel assembly (16) and being operative to rotate in proportion to the rotation of the excavating wheel assembly; andan ejector member (70) coupled to the eccentric arm portion (58) of said crankshaft member, said eccentric arm portion being oriented such that the ejector member (70) is moved into each of the silt retaining chambers (40) during one revolution of the excavating wheel assembly (16).