The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 19, 2002
Filed:
Apr. 18, 2000
Ronnie L. Satzler, Princeville, IL (US);
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
The depth of sediment material under a body of water having a minimum desirable consistency or strength for a dredging operation is determined by an arm assembly having one end portion pivotally connected to a substantially horizontal platform, and a plate member associated with the opposite end having a predetermined cross-sectional area for encountering a resistance force from the sediment material and causing the arm assembly to pivotally rotate relative to the horizontal member. A mechanism exerts a biasing force on the arm assembly which acts against the resistance force of the sediment material. The arm assembly achieves an equilibrium position determining the depth of the sediment material having a minimum desirable consistency or strength for a particular dredging operation.