Patent Description:
The collection of matter from a submerged surface may be desired for many reasons. For example in natural environments, such as the subsea environment, the build-up of sand, silt or sediment in some areas may be undesirable. In some other scenarios, for example in situations relating to environmental conservation, it may be desirable to remove larger matter such as sea urchins, or other water-dwelling pests, from a submerged surface or location.

In situations where subsea development (such as subsea construction) is required, the presence of an abundance of particulate matter such as sand may increase the difficulty of performing the desired developments. Therefore, the removal of this particulate matter is highly desirable.

The act of removing submerged matter, or dredging, may be performed by any appropriate means. For example, in the case of dredging, particulate matter may be physically scooped or pushed away from an area where development is required. This type of method may require the use of a crane and/or other heavy machinery, in order to scoop up or move the particulate matter. While such methods may achieve the goal of moving particulate matter away from a site of interest, the requirement for heavy machinery may result in this process being very expensive. It may be more difficult to use such heavy machinery with a high degree of precision, which may require the dredging process to be repeated multiple times before a site of interest is sufficiently free of particulate matter. In addition, the use of heavy machinery may cause damage to the surrounding environment, which can increase the difficulty associated with any subsequent subsea developments, and it does not allow the user an opportunity to collect particulate matter, should this be desired.

Another method of dredging is to use suction to remove particulate matter. This method generally involves attaching a suction pipe to a vessel and pumping fluid with particulate matter entrained therein to the vessel, and depositing the fluid and matter in a separate location. Due to the high level of suction required, this method may be imprecise, and may also cause damage to the surrounding environment. While this method permits the removal and collection of particulate matter, it also produces a large volume of water and particulate matter, which then must be disposed of. Therefore, there exists a need for a device that enables more precise removal and optional collection of submerged matter, without the need for heavy equipment.

<CIT> and <CIT> exemplify state of the art relevant to the present invention.

It is an object of the present disclosure to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies and disadvantages in the prior art and solve at least the above-mentioned problem.

The present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given below. The detailed description and specific examples disclose preferred embodiments of the disclosure by way of illustration only. Those skilled in the art understand from guidance in the detailed description that changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims.

The present description provides an improved suction generation device for the removal of matter from submerged surface, operation apparatus for the suction generation device and method for the removal of matter from submerged surface. According to an example embodiment there is provided a suction generation device for the removal of matter from a submerged surface, comprising: a housing comprising a fluid inlet, a suction inlet, an expulsion outlet, and defining a cavity therein; the fluid inlet being configurable to direct a supply of fluid into the cavity and to establish a flowpath from the fluid inlet to the expulsion outlet, the flowpath extending through the cavity, and fluid flow in the flowpath generating a reduction in pressure at the suction inlet so as to generate a flow of fluid therethrough and into the flowpath; wherein the fluid inlet comprises an array of a plurality of inlet fluid ports.

In use, the suction generation device may provide a degree of suction while being connected to a fluid supply at the fluid inlet. The fluid inlet is configurable to receive a supply of fluid, and direct the supplied fluid towards the expulsion outlet, thereby defining a flow path between the fluid inlet and expulsion outlet. The flow path passes by the suction inlet, causing suction at the suction inlet, thereby drawing a fluid through the suction inlet and into the flow path. Having an array of a plurality of fluid ports assists to allow an evenly distributed flow of fluid in the flowpath, thereby providing an evenly distributed suction across the area of the suction inlet. The suction generation device may be positioned on or above the submerged surface, and a fluid suppled at the fluid inlet so as to produce a suction at the suction port. The suction produced at the suction port is then able to remove, and may dislodge, matter from the submerged surface.

<FIG> illustrate various perspective views of an example of a suction generation device <NUM>. The suction generation device <NUM> comprising a fluid inlet comprising an array of a plurality of inlet fluid ports <NUM>, and a suction inlet <NUM>. The suction inlet <NUM> is defined by a housing <NUM>, and the array of fluid ports <NUM> is located on a surface of the housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> comprises a cavity <NUM> therein. Here, the housing comprises both an exterior surface and an inner surface, with the interior surface defining the shape of the cavity <NUM> located inside the housing <NUM>. Here, the array of inlet fluid ports <NUM> is located on the interior surface of the housing. Having array of inlet fluid ports <NUM> located on an interior surface of the housing may reduce the likelihood of any of the inlet fluid ports <NUM> becoming blocked, for example by particulate matter such as that which the suction generation device <NUM> is designed to remove from a submerged surface. In addition, having the inlet fluid ports <NUM> located on an interior surface of the housing may reduce the likelihood of any of the inlet fluid ports <NUM> sustaining impact damage as a result of being in close proximity with the submerged surface. This may be particularly relevant in scenarios where the submerged surface is uneven and/or comprises sharp/hard surfaces.

In this example, the suction inlet <NUM> is elongate and rectangular in shape, and spans the entire length of the housing <NUM>. However, it should be understood that other shapes of suction inlet are also possible, some of which may not span the entire length of the housing <NUM>. For instance, the suction inlet <NUM> may have the shape of an elongate oval. In another example, the suction inlet <NUM> may not be one continuous opening in the housing, buy may be discontinuous (e.g. formed from a plurality of openings). Such a plurality of openings may be any desired shape such as rectangular, polygonal or round/oval shaped.

The suction inlet <NUM> additionally comprises a lip <NUM> in this example, which protrudes from the exterior surface of the housing <NUM>. The lip may assist to stir up or dislodge particulate matter that is located on a submerged surface, thereby increasing the ability of the suction generation device <NUM> to remove particulate matter from a surface. In addition the lip <NUM> may provide the effect of guiding a fluid from a location external to the suction generation device <NUM>, additionally increasing the ability of the suction generation device <NUM> to remove particulate matter from a surface.

As is clearly illustrated in <FIG>, inside the cavity <NUM> is located the plurality of fluid inlet ports <NUM>, and in this example each comprises a nozzle. The nozzle allows each of the plurality of inlet ports <NUM> to direct a flow of fluid into the cavity, permitting each nozzle to function as an ejector nozzle. The nozzles are positioned on each of the inlet ports <NUM> such that the fluid flow from each is parallelly directed. Having multiple inlet ports <NUM>, each directing a parallel stream of fluid, may increase the ejector effect of the nozzles by decreasing the pressure reduction at the suction inlet <NUM>. Furthermore, having a plurality of parallelly directed nozzles may have a synergistic effect, thereby more efficiently using a fluid source to produce a reduction in pressure at the suction inlet <NUM>.

Each of the inlet ports <NUM> in <FIG> are evenly spaced, which may produce an even reduction in pressure across the suction inlet <NUM>. However, in some examples the inlet ports <NUM> may have a grouped arrangement (e.g. arranged in evenly spaced groups of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or more ports <NUM>), which may be produce a more desirable pressure profile in cases where the suction inlet <NUM> is comprised of multiple ports.

The inlet ports <NUM> shown in <FIG> are illustrated in a linear array, which may assist to provide an even pressure profile (e.g. a reduction in pressure) across the suction inlet <NUM>. However, in another example, the inlet ports <NUM> may be in the form of a rectangular array, e.g. there may be a second row of inlet ports <NUM> located adjacent the row illustrated to form a rectangular array of inlet ports <NUM>. In some examples, a rectangular array of inlet ports <NUM> may comprise three or more rows. Having a rectangular array of inlet ports may provide benefits to the level of suction that is able to be generated at the suction inlet <NUM>, and may additionally reduce the risk of the suction generation device <NUM> becoming inoperable due to blockages of individual inlet ports <NUM>.

To provide a flow of fluid to the inlet ports <NUM>, the suction generation device <NUM> comprises an inlet flow connector <NUM>. In some examples, the inlet flow connector <NUM> may be considered to form part of the suction generation device <NUM>. The inlet flow connector <NUM> may assist to guide a fluid from a source to the fluid inlet ports <NUM>. The inlet flow connector <NUM> may assist to guide a flow of fluid to the inlet ports <NUM> such that the flow is evenly distributed between each of the inlet ports <NUM>. At least part of the inlet flow connector <NUM> may be in the form of a conduit. In some examples, the inlet flow connector <NUM> may have a circular cross-section at one end, and transition to a rectangular cross-section at the other end. In other examples, the inlet flow connector <NUM> may have a uniform circular cross-section. In this example the inlet flow connector <NUM> is coupled to the housing <NUM>. In some examples, the inlet flow connector <NUM> is coupled to one or more surfaces (e.g. exterior surfaces) of the housing <NUM>. In the illustrated example of <FIG>, the inlet flow connector <NUM> comprises a conduit connection point <NUM> for permitting connection of the inlet flow connector <NUM> to a source of fluid. The conduit connection point <NUM> may be considered to be located at or towards a proximal end <NUM> of the suction generation device <NUM>, while the inlet ports <NUM> may be considered to be located towards a distal end of the suction generation device <NUM>. In this example, the inlet flow connector <NUM> extends from the proximal end <NUM> to the distal end, and connects to the suction generation device <NUM> at the distal end. In some examples, the inlet flow connector <NUM> may connect to an exterior surface of the suction generation device <NUM> on which the fluid ports <NUM> are located. The inlet flow connector <NUM> may optionally connect to further exterior surfaces of the housing <NUM> in order to provide greater stability to the suction generation device <NUM>.

At the proximal end of the suction generation device <NUM> is located an expulsion outlet <NUM>. A flow path is defined in the housing <NUM> between the fluid inlet ports <NUM> and the expulsion outlet <NUM>. In use, a fluid may flow from the fluid inlet ports <NUM>, and from the suction inlet <NUM>, and into the flowpath in the direction of the expulsion outlet <NUM>. The expulsion outlet <NUM> comprises an aperture, which defined by the walls of the housing. In some examples, the expulsion outlet <NUM> may comprise one single aperture in the housing <NUM>, while in other examples the expulsion outlet may comprise a plurality of outlets. The expulsion outlet <NUM> may permit a fluid with particulate matter entrained therein, and which has flowed through the flowpath in the cavity <NUM>, to exit the suction generation device <NUM>. In some examples, the fluid may simply exit the suction generation device <NUM> and be deposited immediately thereafter. In other examples, a connection arrangement, such as a connection conduit, may be connected to the expulsion outlet <NUM>, and may direct an expelled fluid from the expulsion outlet to a desired location, which may be on an offshore vessel, for example. The size of the expulsion outlet may vary depending on the size of the desired matter to be collected. For example, where the particulate matter to be collected is granular, such as sand, the expulsion outlet <NUM> may not be required to be as wide as for other situations, for example where the matter to be collected is sea urchins or other sea pests.

Further detail of the interior of the distal end <NUM> of the suction generation device <NUM> are illustrated in <FIG>. Here, a sectional view is provided to permit further detail of the interior of the suction generation device <NUM> to be illustrated. In this example, the inlet flow connector <NUM> comprises a uniform circular cross-section, and may be considered to be in the form of a section of conduit. The inlet flow connector <NUM> comprises a linkage <NUM> to an exterior surface (in use, an upper exterior surface) of the housing <NUM>, which may assist to hold the inlet flow connector <NUM> in a desired position in use. Positioned at the fluid inlet, and defined by the housing <NUM>, is an inlet manifold <NUM>. In this example, the inlet manifold <NUM> is configured to engage with the inlet flow connector <NUM>, to permit fluid communication between the inlet flow connector <NUM> and the inlet manifold <NUM>. In operation, the inlet manifold received a flow of fluid from the inlet flow connector <NUM>, and directs the flow of fluid to the inlet fluid ports <NUM>. In some other examples, the inlet flow connector <NUM> may connect directly to the inlet fluid ports <NUM>, or may itself comprise a manifold for distributing a flow of fluid to the inlet fluid ports <NUM>. In these examples, a manifold may not be required to be located in the housing <NUM> of the suction generation device <NUM> itself, but may be located on the inlet flow connector <NUM>.

In the cross-sectional example of <FIG>, more detail of the cavity <NUM> is visible. As is visible, the height and cross-sectional area of the cavity <NUM> increases from the distal end <NUM> of the cavity to the proximal end <NUM>. The cavity <NUM> may therefore be shaped to encourage the pressure of a flow of fluid to increase and the velocity to decrease as the fluid travels form the distal end <NUM> to the proximal end <NUM> of the cavity (as the fluid is directed from the distal end to the proximal end by the nozzles at each fluid inlet port <NUM>). As such, the geometry of the cavity <NUM> may assist to maximise the effect of the suction at the suction inlet <NUM> as the suction generation device <NUM> is operated.

As can be most clearly seen in <FIG>, the fluid inlet <NUM> is configured to direct a fluid from the fluid inlet <NUM> located at the distal end <NUM> of the device <NUM> towards an expulsion outlet <NUM>, which is located at the proximal end <NUM> of the device <NUM>. The suction inlet <NUM> is located on a lower surface of the device <NUM>, which in this example is located obliquely relative to the surface on which the fluid inlet <NUM> is located (e.g. at an angle of between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees). The nozzles on each of the fluid inlet ports are configured to direct a flow of fluid in a direction away from the suction inlet <NUM> and into the cavity <NUM>. As such, the fluid flowing from the nozzles will flow past the suction inlet <NUM> at an oblique angle, and will assist to cause a reduction in pressure at the suction inlet <NUM> while preventing or restricting fluid flow from the fluid inlets <NUM> flowing out of the suction inlet <NUM>.

According to an example embodiment there is provided an operation apparatus for the suction generation device of the first aspect, comprising: a connection profile for connecting the suction generation device thereto; a fluid supply conduit for supplying a fluid to the suction generation device; a drive arrangement for engaging a submerged surface and propelling the operation apparatus along the submerged surface; wherein the suction generation device is connected to the operation apparatus such that the suction inlet is positioned adjacent the submerged surface, and is configurable to remove matter from the submerged surface through the suction inlet as the drive arrangement propels the operation apparatus along the submerged surface.

<FIG> illustrates an example of an operation apparatus <NUM> for a suction generation device <NUM>. Some features described in relation to this example are similar to those described in relation to the examples in <FIG>, and <FIG>. As such, alike features have been given alike reference numerals, increased by <NUM>.

According to this example, the operation apparatus <NUM> is in the form of a robotic device. The operation apparatus <NUM> comprises drive means, which in this example is in the form of a motor <NUM> with an associated drive mechanism for driving an endless belt <NUM>. The drive mechanism comprises a plurality of rollers <NUM>, which may support the endless belt <NUM> as it is driven by the motor <NUM> to propel the operation apparatus <NUM> along a submerged surface. In some examples, the operation apparatus <NUM> may comprise more than one set of an endless belt <NUM> and plurality of rollers <NUM> that may, for example, be arranged with the endless belts <NUM> of each extending in a parallel configuration (e.g. such that each endless belt is arranged parallel to each other endless belt).

The rollers <NUM> may be simple rollers, in that they do not have any drive capability of their own, and instead are moved by virtue of their contact with the endless belt <NUM>, as it is driven by the motor <NUM>. In some other examples, the rollers <NUM> may have additional drive, or braking capabilities. As can be seen in <FIG>, the rollers are aligned such that an outer circumference of each of the rollers lies approximately in the same plane, which may be a horizontally oriented plane in operation. As such, when the drive endless belt <NUM> contacts the rollers <NUM>, a flat surface is formed (e.g. a flat horizontal surface) between each of the rollers, as well as between a first and a last of the rollers <NUM> (e.g. the first of the rollers may be that located leftmost as in <FIG>, while a last of the rollers may be that located rightmost in <FIG>).

In order to improve grip on a surface, the endless belt <NUM> may comprise a tread on a surface intended to come into contact with a submerged surface, for example, the ground or the seabed. This surface may be considered to be the outer surface of the endless belt <NUM>.

Here, the motor <NUM>, rollers <NUM> and endless belt <NUM> are supported by a frame <NUM>. The frame additionally supports a guard housing <NUM>. The guard housing <NUM> may function to protect and/or shield the apparatus <NUM> from submerged debris, which may fall on the apparatus <NUM>, or parts thereof such as the motor <NUM>, frame, or endless belt <NUM>. The guard housing <NUM> may be located to as to cover an upper portion of the apparatus <NUM>. A portion, which may be a lower portion, of the apparatus <NUM> may be free of the guard housing <NUM>, allowing the rollers <NUM>, or at least a part thereof, and at least a portion of the endless belt <NUM> to extend from the housing, so as to permit contact with a submerged surface.

With the operation apparatus <NUM> in the orientation in which it is to be used, each of the rollers <NUM> are aligned such that the endless belt <NUM> is engaged between each of the rollers <NUM> and a submerged surface. The motor <NUM> is configurable to engage the endless belt <NUM> and drive the endless belt <NUM> to propel the operation apparatus <NUM> along a submerged surface, while the operation apparatus <NUM> is supported on the submerged surface by the rollers <NUM>. Having an endless belt may permit the operation apparatus <NUM> to be propelled over a large variety of surface types, such as uneven surfaces, an unstable surface, a sandy or silty surface, or the like.

Coupled to the operation apparatus <NUM> is a suction generation device <NUM>, as described in relation to the previous Figures. In the orientation in which the operation apparatus <NUM> is intended to be used, and as is illustrated in <FIG>, the suction inlet <NUM> of the suction generation device <NUM> is located such that the area of the suction inlet <NUM> is configured to be adjacent to (e.g. parallel to, or at an angle of less than <NUM> degrees relative to) a submerged surface when the apparatus <NUM> is in operation. The suction inlet <NUM> may be located such that no part of the operation apparatus is located between the suction inlet <NUM> and the submerged surface. For example, the suction inlet <NUM> may be arranged to be offset from the endless belt <NUM> (e.g. laterally offset) such that the positioning of the endless belt <NUM> does not interfere, or minimally interferes, with the operation of the suction generation apparatus <NUM>, or the suction inlet <NUM> may be arranged such that it is located at a part of the apparatus <NUM> that is free of the guard housing <NUM> (e.g. a lower portion), such that the suction inlet <NUM> is able to protrude from the housing <NUM>, thereby permitting the apparatus <NUM> to provide more effective suction.

Claim 1:
A suction generation device (<NUM>) for the removal of matter from a submerged surface, characterized by:
- a housing (<NUM>) comprising an array of a plurality of fluid inlet ports (<NUM>), a suction inlet (<NUM>), an expulsion outlet (<NUM>),
- the housing having an interior surface defining the shape of a cavity (<NUM>) therein;
- the plurality of fluid inlet ports (<NUM>) being located on said interior surface of the housing and configurable to direct a supply of fluid into the cavity (<NUM>) and to establish a flowpath from the fluid inlet ports (<NUM>) to the expulsion outlet (<NUM>),
- the flowpath extending through the cavity (<NUM>), and fluid flow in the flowpath generating a reduction in pressure at the suction inlet so as to generate a flow of fluid therethrough and into the flowpath.