Abstract:
A beach erosion abatement system includes positioning a primary shoal module proximately to a low tide water point and submersed in a depth of water to conceal a top portion of the shoal module. The shoal module includes a hollow internal compartment, a water access port in fluid communication with the internal compartment and an air access port in fluid communication with the internal compartment. A water pump is connected to the water access port and water is pumped into the internal compartment of the shoal module to flood or sink the shoal module. The shoal module may be refloated by coupling an air pump to the air access port and pumping air into the internal compartment of the shoal module to force the water out of the water access port. Further, the water may be pumped out of the internal compartment while air is vented into the internal compartment.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/487,675 entitled BEACH EROSION ABATEMENT, filed Jul. 17, 2006, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to coastal areas, and more particularly to beach erosion abatement.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     The ability of the shoreline or shorefront to withstand the force of the waves and the effects of currents, and therefore to withstand erosion, is important, particularly where there are homes, businesses and other structures present on the property or the property has an aesthetic appearance that needs to be maintained. Normally, such shorefront property is at a premium both in availability and cost. Erosion of shorefronts, as widely known, occurs because of storms and hurricanes, but, as less widely known, also occurs because of the daily, continuous effect of waves striking the shorefront, and the corresponding currents.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0004]     The present invention provides methods and apparatus for beach erosion abatement, and applies to various types of shoal modules that may stop beach erosion and, in ideal situations, accrete sand buildup. The shoal modules may be referred to as a “Beach Module” when put on or along a beach tidal zone, or a “Coastal Barrrier Shoal Module” when placed offshore, however, such designations are not meant to limit the scope of the invention.  
         [0005]     In general, in one aspect, the invention features a shoreline erosion abatement method including positioning a shoal module proximate to a low tide water point. The shoal module includes a hollow internal compartment, a water access port in fluid communication with the internal compartment and an air access port in fluid communication with the internal compartment. A water pump is coupled to the water access port and water is pumped into the internal compartment of the shoal module to flood, and in some cases sink, the shoal module. Air may be vented through the air access port.  
         [0006]     In embodiments, the shoreline erosion abatement method further includes coupling an air pump to the air access port and introducing air into the internal compartment of the shoal module to force the water out of the water access port, thereby dewatering the shoal module in order to float the shoal module or reposition the shoal module.  
         [0007]     In certain embodiments, water may be pumped out of the flooded shoal module through the water access port using water pumps attached to the water access ports. If the air access port is above the surface of the water, air may enter the internal compartment through the air access port to prevent a vacuum from building in the internal compartment. If the air access port is below the surface of the water, an air hose may be attached to the air access port to enable air to enter the internal compartment as the water is pumped out. The air hose may be open to the environment above the surface of the water, or it may be connected to an air pump to force air into the internal compartment.  
         [0008]     In various embodiments, the shoal module is constructed of steel or concrete.  
         [0009]     In embodiments, the water access port is covered after the shoal module is flooded. In certain embodiments, the water access port and air access port and are located towards a top of the shoal module, and the water access port also includes a pipe configured to terminate adjacent an internal bottom of the shoal module. In certain embodiments, the water access port also includes a one-way valve.  
         [0010]     In various embodiments, the shoal module also includes multiple hollow internal compartments. The shoal module may also include multiple water access ports or multiple air access ports, wherein each water access port and air access port is in fluid communication with one or more hollow internal compartments.  
         [0011]     In certain embodiments, the shoal module is sized to be completely submerged below the low tide water point. In other embodiments, the shoal module is sized to be submerged such that at least a portion of the shoal module is above the low tide water point. In still other embodiments, the shoal module is sized to be submerged such that at least a portion of the shoal module is above the high tide water point.  
         [0012]     In general, in another aspect, the invention features a shoal module including a hollow internal compartment, at least one water access port in fluid communication with the internal compartment, and at least one air access port in fluid communication with the internal compartment.  
         [0013]     In certain embodiments, the shoal module is constructed of steel or concrete. In various embodiments, the shoal module includes multiple hollow internal compartments. The at least one water access port may be a threaded coupling or a cam-lock coupling. In various embodiments, the at least one water access port also includes a pipe configured to terminate adjacent an internal bottom of the shoal module.  
         [0014]     In other embodiments, the shoal module also includes a coupling configured to enable a second shoal module to be coupled to the first.  
         [0015]     The invention can be implemented to realize one or more of the following advantages.  
         [0016]     Temporary, removable or permanent shoal modules are placed on the sea floor on beach areas or offshore in areas having erosion problems. These shoal modules may stop the down current transition of fluidized sand that is in solution by redirecting or interrupting shoreline currents. Additionally, shoal modules placed offshore may trip or break the seas or waves before they attack the beach, thereby preventing the fluidization of the sand, which is the cause of erosion.  
         [0017]     Shoal modules can be left in place once an effective pattern is established to curb or prevent beach erosion. With proper positioning, beach erosion maybe reversed and a buildup of beach may occur.  
         [0018]     The shoal modules can be constructed of various materials, such as steel, concrete, and so forth. Shoal modules can be constructed of different sizes and shapes. Shoal modules and the consequent sand built up around the shoal modules can trip waves and/or cause waves to crest and then break on the shoal module. This takes energy out of the waves that would normally attack the shoreline.  
         [0019]     The shoal modules may also be floated so that the shoal module can be placed without the use of land based cranes, and may be placed further offshore. Some shoal modules may be small and placed into position with a shore crane. Further, because the shoal modules are readily floatable, even after being sunk, the shoal modules may be more easily repositioned to optimize the desired effects. Also, the placement and repositioning of many of the shoal modules does not necessitate the use of heavy equipment because the shoal modules float and may be positioned using a tug boat. The shoal modules may also be anchored or otherwise secured to the seafloor or beach, depending on the prevailing coastal conditions.  
         [0020]     Other features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following description, and from the claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary cross section of a coastal area including an initial placement of a shoal module.  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is an exemplary subsequent cross section of the coastal area including a shoal module.  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is an exemplary aerial view of a placement of shoal modules.  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a front prospective view of an exemplary shoal module.  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is a front prospective view of another exemplary shoal module.  
         [0026]      FIG. 6  is a side cut-away view of another exemplary shoal module. 
     
    
       [0027]     Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0028]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , an exemplary cross section of a coastal area  10  includes an initial placement of a shoal module  12 . A placement position and/or orientation and/or size of the shoal module  12  are variable since the shoal module  12  is portable. Portability insures maximum affect as natural events materialize over time. The coastal area  10  includes portions that are immersed in water at times, as well as portions that remain relatively dry in typical climatic conditions. More particularly, in tidal regions, portions include a high tide point  14 , a low tide point  16  and a dry land portion  18  above the high tide point  14 . The coastal area  10  also includes a sea floor  20  and a water surface  22 .  
         [0029]     Waves  24  move towards the dry land portion  18 , generating water currents  26  along the sea floor  20 , away from the dry land portion  18 . Coastal erosion, e.g., loss/removal of earth/sand above the low tide point  16 , is caused by a combination of wave action against the earth/sand above the low tide point  16  and the currents  26  that these wave actions amplify and in some cases create. In any significant storm, these forces can work in synchronization with each other, i.e., the waves  24  crashing on a sandy beach actually pick up the sand and fluidize it, wherein a current running along and away from the water&#39;s edge is able to easily transport the sand down wind and down current. In some instances, sand travels in the current in the opposite direction of the seas to a point where the currents and or sea state change and it simply falls back to the sea floor  20 . Unfortunately in most instances the sand is transported offshore into non-beneficial water depths.  
         [0030]     Size, shape and placement of the shoal module  12 , which can be repositioned for optimization over time, may decrease this down current transition of fluidized sand that is in solution by redirecting or interrupting the currents  26 .  
         [0031]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , over time, after the initial placement of the shoal module  12 , wave action  24  and currents  26  cause sand build up to the prevailing predominant downwind/down current side of the shoal module  12 . Depending on the shoreline conditions, sand will build up in front of or on the current side  30  of the shoal module  12  and on the back or offshore side  32  of the shoal module  12 . Here the current side  30  refers to a side of the shoal module  12  facing the high water point  14 , the side facing a current flowing in a direction originating from dry land. The offshore side  32  is defined as the side of the shoal module  12  facing away from dry land.  
         [0032]     Sand build up starts almost immediately when the shoal module  12  is positioned and oriented on the sea floor  20 . Proper sizing, positioning and orientation of the shoal module  12 , along with a shape selected for the shoal module  12 , prevents sand from being jettisoned to the far outside or to the sea side of the shoal module  12  where it will be of no benefit. Therefore, having an initially moveable shoal module  12 , rather than a permanently secured module or breakwater, enables a designer or engineer to shift or change shoal module attitudes as weather/sea state patterns change and dictate. In a particular placement example, one or more shoal modules are positioned at a point where their heights are hidden from view, just below the surface of the water. In another placement example, one or more shoal modules are positioned at a point where their heights are hidden from view and at a depth enabling small boats to safely pass above top portions of the shoal modules. In still another placement position, one or more shoal modules are positioned so that portions of the shoal module are submersed and portions are not submersed. Shoal modules may be initially positioned using a fill of water and/or anchors to sink and secure them, for example, but not with an excessive amount of weight to cause the shoal module to sink in the sea floor.  
         [0033]     The shoal module  12  can be constructed from a variety of materials such as steel, concrete, and so forth, and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The shoal module  12  can enable a build up of sand on its current side  30  and offshore side  32 , as well as an ability to trip the waves or cause the waves to crest and then break on the shoal module  12 . This in turn takes the energy out of the waves that would normally attack the shoreline. In one particular example, the shoal module  12  includes a lid or cover, which can be removed to enable sand to enter for a more permanent long term beach erosion abatement system.  
         [0034]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , an aerial view  100  of the coastal area includes the high tide point  14 , the low tide point  16 , the dry land portion  18  above the high tide point  14 , and three differently shaped and sized shoal modules  102 ,  104 ,  106 , at different positions and orientations with respect to the low tide point  16 .  
         [0035]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , a prospective view of an exemplary shoal module  150  is illustrated. In one particular example, shoal modules are constructed of steel and may or may not have scalable covers. In other particular examples, shoal modules are constructed of other metal or non-metal materials, such as concrete.  
         [0036]     Shoal modules can be provided in a variety of sizes and shapes. Shoal modules can have access ports to enable water and/or other materials to fill the shoal modules. Here, as one particular example, shoal module  150  is generally rectangular in configuration. Other configurations are possible. Typical dimensions include 20 feet long by 10 feet wide and 5 ft to 7 feet high, and 40 ft long by 10 ft wide and 5 ft to 7 ft high. Shoal modules can be pinned together. Other shoal modules are 100 ft×25 feet to 30 ft as well as 195 ft by 35 ft by either 12 ft to 16 ft high. A larger barge unit can be 450 ft by 98 ft by 35 ft high.  
         [0037]     Other shoal modules can be purpose built on location of varying sizes for varying conditions. The small 20 ft and 40 ft shoal modules can be transported over the road to a desired location. Projects requiring larger than 50 ft long or bigger shoal modules can be towed with a small to mid-sized ocean tug.  
         [0038]     A shore crane can be used to handle the smaller shoal modules (e.g., 20 ft to 40 ft) at a beach launching area. A suitable crane barge capable of removing or repositioning any shoal modules totally full of sand or water can be readily deployable on scene to remove shoal modules that may get totally buried in sand or damaged, when simple re-floating will typically not recover such a shoal module. A small tug with a crane barge can be launched from the beach and used to set and shift both the floating small shoal modules and a recovery crane barge.  
         [0039]     On some projects, due to the small amount of equipment needed and the non-invasiveness to the environment of the equipment and project in general, all equipment including the crane barge components can be shore-based at an adjacent beach. When the equipment is not needed on the water to shift shoal modules it can be lifted or winched ashore, which enables a prompt response even in the winter during calm periods.  
         [0040]     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , another exemplary shoal module  112  includes water access ports  120  and  122  and an air access port  124 . The water access ports  120 ,  122  may include 3-inch couplings  126  connected to 3-inch pipes  128  within the shoal module  112 . The 3-inch pipes  128  may include elbows  130  that directs the 3-inch pipes  128  to terminate adjacent to an internal bottom  114  of the shoal module  112 . The shoal module  112  may be made of any suitable material, such as steel or concrete, and to any suitable size. For example, the shoal module may be made of steel and measure 20 feet long, by 10 feet wide by 5 feet high, which would weigh approximately 7 tons dry.  
         [0041]     In this example, the shoal module  112  may be floated out to a desired position with the aid of a tug boat  132 . Water pumps  134  are connected to the 3-inch couplings  126  of the water access ports  120 ,  122  and the shoal module  112  is quickly flooded with water, and the air is vented out of air access port  124  through a one-way air vent valve (not shown) or an air access line  136 , thereby sinking the shoal module  112 . Once the shoal module is settled on the sea floor  20 , the water pumps  134  are disconnected and the water access ports  120 ,  122  are capped to prevent sand or marine life from entering the shoal module  112 . If the shoal module  112  needs to be repositioned or removed, a high pressure air pump (not shown) may be connected to the air access port  124  and compressed air forced into the shoal module  112 . The compressed air will force the water up the 3-inch pipes and out the water access ports  120 ,  122 . During this process, the water access ports  120 ,  122  may be simply opened, or the 3-inch couplings may be covered with one-way valves that enable the water to exit the water access ports  120 ,  122  while preventing water from re-entering. As the compressed air fills the shoal module  112  forcing the water out, the shoal module  112  will float to the surface of the water  22 , where the shoal module  112  may be floated to a new position or removed. This exemplary shoal module  112  has the added benefit of being deployable at greater distances from shore because a land-based crane is not needed to position the shoal module  112 .  
         [0042]     In some instances where the shoal modules are of different construction, and air pressure dewatering is not practical, it may be necessary to pump the water out of the water access ports  120 ,  122 . An air vent is connected to the air access port  124  to enable air to replace the water being pumped out for refloating or repositioning of the shoal module  112 .  
         [0043]     It is to be understood that the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. For example, the shoal module may include any number of water access ports or air access ports. Further, the shoal module may include multiple internal compartments, each of which may include its own water access port and air access port.