Sand wand assembly
View Patent ↗An apparatus and method for removing sediment from a waterway using a high pressure water spray and a suction line ( 22 ) is disclosed. The high pressure water is directed through a pressure line ( 20 ) that may be mounted inside the suction line ( 22 ). The high pressure water helps to suspend sediment that has settled in the waterway. Water and suspended sediment is then vacuumed up by the suction line ( 22 ) and deposited outside the water for further treatment or disposal. The apparatus ( 12 ) is designed to be hand-held by an individual situated in the waterway, such that great control over which specific locations within the waterway are being treated.
1. An apparatus for collecting sediment from a waterway, said apparatus comprising:
a pressure line adapted for connection to an associated source of fluid pressure and having a first portion for providing pressurized fluid to an end, and a second portion adapted for connection at one end to the associated source of pressure and separately connected to a venturi;
a suction line adjacent to and parallel with said pressure line for receiving at a first end sediment and water from the waterway collected from adjacent the pressure line end, and the suction line connected at a second end to the venturi and directing the sediment and water thereto from the waterway.
2. An apparatus for collecting sediment from a waterway, said apparatus comprising:
a pressure line for providing pressurized fluid;
a suction line adjacent to and parallel with said pressure line for receiving sediment and water from the waterway;
a valve assembly operatively associated with said pressure line for regulating flow therethrough,
wherein said valve assembly further comprises a valve stem for connecting a hose to said pressure line, an outlet connector for connecting said suction line to an ejector, and a valve for controlling the rate at which fluid passes through said pressure line, and
wherein said valve is a variable flow valve allowing selective variable regulation of the pressure in the pressure line;
a nose mounted on an end of said suction line; and
wherein said pressure line is mounted in a coaxial arrangement within said suction line.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the pressure line projects through a central portion of the end.
4. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the end includes a plurality of orifices.
5. An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a handle extending from said suction line.
6. An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a counterweight for counterbalancing.
7. An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a shoulder strap attached thereto.
8. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a valve assembly operatively associated with said pressure line for regulating flow therethrough,
wherein said valve assembly further comprises a valve stem for connecting the pressure line first portion to the valve assembly, an outlet connector for connecting the suction line to the venturi, and a valve for controlling the rate at which fluid passes through said pressure line, and
wherein said valve is a variable flow valve allowing selective variable regulation of the pressure in the pressure line.
9. An apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein said suction line, pressure line end and valve assembly are formed of a rigid, non-corroding material.
10. A method for removing sediment from an associated waterway, said method including the steps of:
dispensing high pressure water from a pressure line mounted in a hand-held housing for providing a high pressure fluid flow against an associated sediment containing surface in an associated waterway to stir up sediment;
directing a portion of the high pressure fluid flow through a venturi;
applying a reduced pressure created by the high pressure fluid flow portion passing through the venturi to a suction line operatively associated with said housing to vacuum water and sediment stirred up by said high pressure water;
separating said water from said sediment; and
returning said separated water to said waterway.
11. A method according to claim 10 , wherein said water pumped through said venturi and said high pressure water dispensed through said pressure line is provided by a pump.
12. A method according to claim 10 , further comprising the step of manually controlling the amount of high pressure water dispensed through said pressure line by use of a valve.
13. A method according to claim 10 , further comprising the step of adjusting the rate at which water and sediment is vacuumed through said suction line by adjusting the pump speed.
14. A method according to claim 10 , wherein said housing is held and operated by an individual.
15. A method according to claim 10 , wherein said housing is held by an individual using a shoulder strap and a handle mounted on said housing.