Abstract:
A system for collecting the flow of sand and sediment in a water current including a catch basin and a seawater pumping arrangement. The catch basin includes a basin and a transfer tube, the basin having a bottom and a plurality of angled sidewalls defining a basin. The bottom basin aperture therethrough aligned with an aperture formed in the transport tube affixed horizontally below the bottom. The transfer tube preferably includes a wedge-shaped flow-enhancing cavity immediately downstream of the aligned apertures which enhances the flow of the sand and sediment from the basin. A longitudinal catch plate extending within a midportion of the transfer tube below the apertures prevents the sand and sediment from clogging the transfer tube when water flow through the transfer tube is off.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to systems for controlling buildup of sand and sediment in seawater inlets and particularly to an apparatus for preventing the formation of sandbars caused by current or tidal flow at passages such as the inlets to harbors, basins and estuaries. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Sand and sediment tends to accumulate in locations such as the entrances to harbors due to the deposit of sand and sediment by tidal flow of water. The existence of sandbars can create serious environmental and navigational hazards. Such accumulations require at least periodic dredging at great expense and disruption of water traffic. 
     A number of U.S. patents have been devoted to the problem of preventing beach erosion and the like. U.S. Pat. No. 4,498,806 discloses a beach erosion jetty configuration wherein the jetties are curved to stop or prevent a vacuum effect which causes beach erosion. Swift currents running in or out of inlets create a Venturi effect that pulls sand-laden waters from nearby and sometimes distant shorelines. In accordance with one aspect of applicant&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 7,226,242, jetties are provided with curved ends that negate the loss of precious sand. Such curved jetties function as erosion control devices and actually stop and prevent erosion. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,369 discloses an apparatus and method carried out thereby for preventing formation of sand bars from sand or silt at the outlet of a body of water emptying from inland into another body of water, such as a lake or the sea and the like. At least one elongated gutter is provided at the outlet of a body of water from inland to another or receiving body of water, such as a lake or the sea. The gutter is disposed above the level of the water in the outlet and may or may not extend through the mouth of the outlet into the receiving body of water. Water is pumped into the gutter to an overflow condition so that it spills over the edges, and by gravity falls and creates a splash erosion condition. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,031,009 discloses a pre-cast reinforced concrete catch-basin of larger than conventional catch-basin dimensions, which includes a solid horizontal bottom wall with a solid, hollow, cylindrical side wall upstanding therefrom to about half the height of the catch-basin. The lower half thus forms a sealed, unapertured, undrained sump receptacle for collecting drain water and silt and allowing sand to settle out. The hollow, cylindrical, upper half contains leaching openings which extend through from the inside to the outside of the wall, from top to bottom, for discharging cleared water to the surrounding, stone-lined earth without plugging or clogging and without polluting nearby wells, brooks, etc. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,481,926 discloses a method and apparatus for land reclamation which includes utilizing groyne-like structures, including spaced stanchions to which are mounted porous screens and wherein the screens are vertically adjustable as material is deposited during the reclamation process. In some embodiments, the screens are carried by sleeves slidable on spaced stanchions. In other embodiments, the screens may be sectional and carried by multiple sleeves. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,681 discloses a permeable breakwater for submerged offshore or seawall retentive installation that includes a base and permeable opposed sides terminating at an upwardly projecting permeable wave wall. The breakwater is located offshore to cause moderate to heavy waves to break further offshore, thereby dissipating their energy before reaching the beach. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,888,020 discloses a sub-tidal platform adapted to be placed under water in front of a beach comprising a support structure having at least two upwardly extending, spaced-apart sidewalls extending along vertical planes. Each side wall has a bottom adapted to rest on a generally horizontal surface and a sloping, upwardly extending edge which is at an acute angle with respect to the bottom. A plurality of interconnecting members extends between the sidewalls for maintaining them in an upright position. The interconnecting members are positioned adjacent to the sloping edge of the sidewalls. A plurality of gates are pivotally connected to the interconnecting members of the support structure for controlling fluid flow through the space between the sidewalls. The gates open in response to incoming fluid flow through the gates and close in response to outgoing fluid flow in the opposite direction. The gates, when in their closed position, combine to form a sloping wall which substantially blocks the flow of fluid through the space between the sidewalls and deposits fluid-carried material in the space formed by the sidewalls and the sloped wall. 
     While there have been a number of prior art systems directed toward preventing beach erosion, there has not been a systems that adequately addresses the problem of preventing sand bar creation in inlets. There has not been a system that provides a simple, yet inventive basin which accumulates sand and sediment and efficiently removes such accumulations. 
     The present invention is directed to an improvement to a novel system which eliminates the accumulation of the sand or sediment that would normally be deposited on the bottom of an inlet, into a permanently deployed catch basin from which the sand/sediment can be continuously or periodically removed by water pumps capable of moving water and sand. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system which functions to prevent the accumulation of sediment in inlets and the like. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a system which permits the removal of sand and sediment accumulated into a catch basin by means of a pump and piping. 
     Still another object of this invention is to provide a system for the removal of sand and sediment buildup within a water inlet adjacent to a body of water which includes a catch basin having a uniquely configured transfer tube which facilitates the ongoing removal of sand and sediment which accumulates within a permanently installed catch basin. 
     The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to a system for collecting the flow of sand and sediment in a water current including a catch basin having a bottom and a plurality of angled sidewalls tapering and downwardly converging to the bottom. The bottom has an aperture leading to a vertically aligned aperture formed at a midpoint in a transfer tube connected below the bottom. The transfer tube preferably includes a flow-enhancing cavity formed immediately downstream of the aligned apertures which helps to smoothly draw the sand and sediment from the basin. A longitudinal catch plate extending within a midportion of the transfer tube below the apertures prevents the sand and sediment from clogging the transfer tube when water flow through the system is off. A pumping system delivers seawater into the transfer tube to remove the sediment and sand from the basin. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the invention is a system for collecting sand and sediment in a flowing water current comprising a catch basin having a bottom and a plurality of angled sidewalls, the bottom having at least one aperture formed therethrough, a transfer tube operably connected beneath the bottom and aperture and to a water pumping system to remove the sediment and sand from the basin. The transfer tube preferably includes a flow-enhancing cavity formed proximate to an aperture formed through the wall thereof in vertical alignment with the bottom aperture for assisting in drawing sand and sediment from the catch basin into the transfer tube for removal. 
     In a further embodiment, the invention is a system for collecting the flow of sand or sediment comprising a catch basin, further comprising a plurality of angled sidewalls which converge with a bottom wall, the catch basin being placed at a predetermined location within a waterway to collect sediment and sand, one or a plurality of apertures on the bottom wall of the catch basin to permit the removal of sediment and sand from the basin, a uniquely configured transfer tube, a pumping system affixed to the transfer tube beneath and in fluid communication with the bottom aperture to remove the sediment and sand from the catch basin. 
     The ultimate preferred embodiment of the invention includes a protective screen fitted over the upper open perimeter of the catch basin to prevent intrusion of sea life and larger debris which would be detrimental to the operation of the system and to also protect sea life in the area. The preferred mesh size of the screen is 1″ to 2″ square. 
     The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative and not limiting in scope. In various embodiments one or more of the above-described problems have been reduced or eliminated while other embodiments are directed to other improvements. In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following descriptions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         FIG. 1  is a pictorial section view of one embodiment of the invention deployed into the bed of a channel of flowing water. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the catch basin shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is another perspective view of the catch basin of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a longitudinal section view of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the transfer tube of the catch basin of  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 . 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged longitudinal section view of a portion of  FIG. 5  showing the accumulation of sand and silt when seawater is not flowing through the transfer tube. 
         FIG. 8  is a view of  FIG. 7  with seawater flowing through the transfer tube. 
         FIG. 9  is a transverse section view through the central lower portion of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the catch basin of the system. 
         FIG. 11  is a lower perspective view of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a longitudinal perspective view of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 13  is a side elevation view of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is a transverse section view of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIGS. 15 and 16  are perspective views of a third embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a longitudinal section view of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 18  is a side elevation view of  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 19  is a transverse section view of  FIG. 17 . 
         FIGS. 20 and 21  are longitudinal section views of two additional embodiments of the catch basin of the system. 
     
    
    
     Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in reference figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered to be illustrative rather than limiting. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, and firstly to  FIG. 1 , a sand and sediment removal and transfer system is shown deployed and in operation to prevent sand bar formation and includes a catch basin  10  which may be constructed from a pre-cast concrete or other composite material. The catch basin  10  is floated into position, or may be fabricated in sections and erected in the desired location. 
     The catch basin  10 , in accordance with this disclosure may be constructed to have a length substantially equal to the width of the stream of water which creates the sand bars. This may be freely adjusted according to the situation. Alternatively, one or more catch basins  10  may be placed end to end to form a continuous chain of catch basins for wider inlets in order to attract the greatest amount of current and sediment. 
     The catch basin  10  will typically have a basin  12  with a width of twenty or more feet at its top with the sidewalls all shown and referred to typically at numeral  28  tapering down and converging toward a horizontal bottom  32  at an included obtuse angle of at least about 135° with respect to the bottom. The converging walls  28  merge with the bottom  32 , which is approximately two feet wide. The overall depth of the catch basin  10  is preferably approximately ten feet. Both dimensions may be freely adjusted according to the need and usage. 
     It is to be appreciated that the inclination angles of the basin walls  28  in correlation to the basin bottom  32  are preferably determined by the volume of current and level sediment through the area being covered (inlet, estuary, etc.). This positioning (and angles) of walls, the size of the basin  12 , the depth of basin  12 , and physical anchoring position of basin  12  for usage are expected to be determined by professional engineers associated with each project. 
     The catch basin  10  can be constructed from metal, concrete reinforced with glass fiber mesh or other appropriate composite material. The catch basin  10  can be pre-cast in one unitary body and floated to its desired position for installation. Alternatively, the basin may be constructed from layers, in layers, or segments which may be positioned relative to each other and cemented into a permanent structure. Whether the catch basin  10  is formed as a unitary structure or of separate sections and cemented together, the location in the inlet would be below the desired bottom level of the inlet. For example, the depth could be at a depth of approximately ten feet below the mean water level to ensure that vessels with no more than that draft could make passageway in the inlet, flanges  30  preventing excessive sinking into a soft silt bottom. This may be adjusted according to need and usage. The catch basin  10  is preferably formed so that its interior walls  28  are preferably substantially smooth. This permits the movement of accumulated sand and sediment toward the bottom of the catch basin  10 . 
     With the basin  10  disposed as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the tidal flow would cross the catch basin  10  and the sand carried by the tidal water would tend to be deposited into the basin  12  rather than on the normal bottom of the channel. The sand and sediment, thus accumulated, can be periodically removed by pump  18  and pipes  22  and  24 , which are connected to transfer tube  14  in the bottom of the basin  10 . 
     Referring additionally to  FIGS. 2 to 9 , the preferred embodiment of the catch basin  10  as previously described, includes the basin  12  and an elongated sand and sediment transfer tube  14  having an open inlet end  42  and an open discharge end  44 . Positioned at a midpoint along the length of the transfer tube  14  is a short upstanding connecting tube  36  which defines an aperture  34  positioned centrally in the flat horizontally disposed bottom  32 . The connecting tube  36  being in fluid communication with the interior of the transfer tube  14  as best seen in  FIG. 9  also affixes the transfer tube  14  in close proximity below the bottom  32  of the catch basin  12 . 
     The transfer tube  14  also includes an elongated flat catch plate  38  which is oriented horizontally and extends transversely across the interior of the transfer tube  14  as best seen in  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  9 . Mating elongated horizontally aligned slots are formed into the sidewall of the transfer tube  14  after which the catch plate  38  is slid into the position shown in  FIG. 9  and cemented, mechanically attached or welded in place to become permanently affixed in the position shown. Importantly note that the leading edge  46  of the catch plate  38  is beveled at a 45° angle upwardly, while the trailing edge  48  is beveled at a 45° downwardly for enhanced water flow as will be described herebelow. 
     The transfer tube  14  further includes a flow-enhancing cavity  50  formed by an upwardly tapered plate  40  which extends at a shallow acute angle away from the longitudinal interior of the transfer tube  14 . This cavity  50  is positioned immediately downstream of, and in fluid communication with, the connecting tube  36  and the aperture  34  of the bottom  32 . As best seen in  FIG. 7 , when sand, silt and sediment have accumulated within the catch basin  12 , a portion thereof over the aperture  34  will drop down onto the upper surface of the catch plate  38  at A and accumulate sufficiently so as to stop further flow of the sand, silt, and sediment so as to avoid clogging the entire interior of the transfer tube  14  in the vicinity of aperture  34 . 
     Referring additionally to  FIG. 8 , when water flow is commenced by activating the pump  18  as previously described, the water begins flowing into the inlet end  42 , impinging on the tapered lead edge  46  and is split into two streams as shown by the arrows. The smaller water stream flows across the upper surface of catch plate  38  and begins washing the silt and sand and water mixture as a slurry shown at B just down from atop the catch plate  38 . The unslurried water passing beneath the catch plate  38  and the heavily slurried water mixture which passes above the catch plate  38  are combined into a diluted slurry at B to exit the transfer tube  14  in the direction of the arrow from the outlet end  44  to be carried through the discharge conduit  24  and the distal end  26  thereof for beach rebuilding and the like as previously described in  FIG. 1 . 
     Once the sand, silt, and sediment accumulation at A in  FIG. 7  is swept away by flowing water, additional sand and silt will be drawn downwardly in the direction of the arrow through the aperture  34  to be carried away and mixed into a slurry for removal and beach deposit. It should now be clear as to the benefit and efficiency which results from the cavity  50  which facilitates the smooth flow of silt and sand downwardly through the aperture  34  and smoothly blended with the water flowing atop the catch plate  38 . There is perhaps a negative pressure area  50  which is created to facilitate drawing the sand and silt downwardly for further enhanced removal efficiency of the sand and silt. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10 to 14 , and a second embodiment of the catch basin is there shown generally at numeral  60  and includes a basin  62  having sloping walls shown typically at  66  which are steeper in nature and represent a more severe sidewall angle within the scope of this disclosure. This sidewall angle is provided where the sand and silt has been determined to be less susceptible to the downward sliding movement by gravity down to the bottom  64  and into the transfer tube  14  as previously described. Flanges  62  extending along each distal edge of each of the side panels  66  add strength and also provide a level of vertical flotation when the catch basin assembly  60  is deployed to prevent excessive sinking of the catch basin  62  into the soil bottom. As best seen in  FIG. 13 , the longitudinal side panels are oriented at approximately 135° degrees included angle to the bottom  68 , while in  FIG. 14 , that included angle is approximately 120°. 
     Yet another embodiment of the invention is shown generally at numeral  80  as seen in  FIGS. 15 to 19 . In this embodiment  80 , the transfer tube  92  is as previously described having a horizontally extending catch plate  96  within the interior of the transfer tube  92 , directly below the aperture  88  which extends from the bottom  86  downwardly into the interior of the transfer tube  92 . The cavity  98  also functions as previously described. 
     The inlet and outlet conduits  90  and  94  extend diagonally along and within a tunnel at  100  and  104  affixed and extending longitudinally along the lower surfaces of the end side panels shown typically at  84 . These tunnels  100 ,  102  and  104  serve to affix the inlet conduit  90 , the transfer tube  92  and the outlet conduit  94  in protected position to facilitate deployment and interconnection to the remaining conduit structure and pump as previously described. The bottom  86  is a double bottom as best seen in  FIGS. 15 ,  17  and  19  so as to maintain a smooth flow of sand and silt from the sidewalls  84  into the aperture  88  as previously described. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 20 , yet another embodiment of the invention is there shown generally numeral  110  and includes a shallow angled basin  112  having very shallow side panels  104  tapering to flat bottom  106  as previously described. The bottom  106  has a centrally disposed aperture  108  leading downwardly into the interior of a transfer tube  110  constructed having a catch plate  114  and a tapered flow-enhancing cavity  116  as previously described. The transfer tube  110  is held securely against the bottom surface of bottom  106  by an encircling collar  112  and held so as to resist angular distortion by supports  118 . 
     Referring lastly to  FIG. 21 , still another embodiment of the invention is there shown generally at numeral  130  and includes a shall catch basin  132  with very shallow tapering side panels  134  descending downwardly to smoothly transition with bottom  136 . Aperture  138 , again, downwardly descends into the interior of an enlarged wall thickness transition tube  140  having conduit couplings  142  and  144  rigidly connected thereinto for interconnection to the inlet and outlet conduits as previously described. The wedge shaped flow-enhancing cavity  148  is formed into the interior wall structure of the transfer tube  140  for manufacturing economy. 
     It is anticipated that the catch basin  10  can be located in various locations such as the outlets of rivers or wherever sand bars tend to form so that the sand and sediment that otherwise would be deposited from the current to the bottom of the water is accumulated in a predetermined position from which it can be pumped to locations on the upland and permitted to dry. The transfer tube may be oriented at any convenient angle to the current flow and shoreline. 
     As noted, the apparatus of the invention includes the catch basin  10 , pump  18  accompanying conduits or pipes  20 ,  22  and  24  which remove the accumulated sand and sediment by the use of pumps  30  capable of transporting such materials. The function of this invention is the disposition of the catch basin  10  in the particular location that is subject to the formation of sand bars to that the flowing current carrying sand and sediment tends to deposit the sand or sediment into the catch basin rather than on to the bottom of the inlet or area where the sand bar typically forms. The accumulated sand can be removed periodically as the catch basin  10  fills as noted above. 
     The ultimate preferred embodiment of the invention includes a protective screen fitted over the upper open perimeter of the catch basin to prevent intrusion of sea life and larger debris which would be detrimental to the operation of the system and to also protect sea life in the area. The preferred mesh size of the screen is 1″ to 2″ square. 
     While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permeations and additions and subcombinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereinafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permeations, additions and subcombinations that are within their true spirit and scope.