Underwater Jetting and a Jet/Dredge Tool for Diver Use.

摘要

Underwater jetting and dredging components were tested to determine their hydrodynamic characteristics. The components were combined to form a three-way combination system of a single jet, a single dredge, and a combination jet-dredge system. The operational characteristics of these three configurations were then determined by testing their ability to excavate the sandy sediments in the waters off Panama City, Florida. The single jet system rapidly fluidized the sand, but did not tranport it effectively; the single dredge system transported the sand effectively but required constant attention to prevent clogging the suction. The combination jet-dredge system gave the best overall excavation rate and required less work from the diver than either single component system. The combination is also a force-balanced system requiring little diver effort to handle the device. Correlation between soil properties and stagnation pressure were successful in establishing preliminary guidelines for choosing a nozzle, if the characteristics of the bottom material are known. (Author)