Importance

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Abstract

A method of transferring material from the bottom of a body of water provides a first tank submerged at a predetermined depth above the bottom. A material source is provided at the bottom subject to ambient water pressure, and is fluidly connected with the first tank. Material is transferred from the material source to the first tank by reducing the pressure in the first tank below the ambient water pressure at the predetermined depth. The ambient water pressure at the bottom thus forces the material into the first tank. Material is transferred from the first tank to a second tank under the force of compressed air until the first tank is substantially empty of material and full of compressed air. The first tank is connected to a third tank and an air compressor, the material transfer from the first tank to the second tank taking place by the compressor transferring compressed air to the first tank from the third tank. The material from the material source is transferred by having the compressed air in the first tank transferred to the third tank in order to reduce the pressure in the first tank. These steps can be carried out sequentially to continuously transfer material. A fourth tank can be provided with compressed gas to provide additional compressed air for transfer as well as a source of air for stirring the material in the first tank.

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First Claim