B16

IHC Beaver
Instrumentation
and Automation

IHC SYSTEMS
 Basic Efficient Dredging
The IHC Beaver Basic package for medium and large standard dredgers contains all the items needed to optimise
the hydraulic dredging and transport process of an IHC Beaver viz. Vacuum and Pressure Indication and Production
Measurement System. With this instrumentation package “Efficient Dredging” is within reach of any operator.

Vacuum and Pressure Measurement

Dredging efficiency demands continuous information on
the values of parameters around the dredgepump of a
IHC Beaver. Certainly when dredging on greater depths
or in hard materials, data on the suction process are
decisive. Data on the delivery process are especially
important when long delivery pipelines are in use, or
when coarse material is to be transported. Also the
safety of installations is improved by adequate
information, especially with an eye on prevention of the
choking of pumps, plugging of pipelines and the
occurrence of waterhammer surges.

mixture, it contains no moving parts subjected to wear

and the compact unit fits easily in the limited space of an
IHC Beaver.

The signals emitted by the Concentration Indicator and

the Flowrate Indicator are processed by the Production
Calculator. With this information the dredgemaster can
take action to achieve the optimum concentration under
the prevailing circumstances. The Production Calculator
is designed as a stand-alone indicating system. It
calculates and displays the actual and cumulative
production by means of a LCD-display. The cumulative
production information can be used for shift performance
records.

For indication of all needed process- and/or calculated

To be sure about the working conditions of the
values, a wide range of remote indicators., such as cross
centrifugal dredge pump, the values of the vacuum and
needle yield indicators and paper recorders are
pressure must be known. With these data it is possible
available.
to determine whether the pump is fully charged or that
charging can be improved to boost production. The
vacuum and pressure sensors are designed to comply
with operating conditions, taking into account
phenomena such as vibration, humidity and wear, and
the possible occurrence of waterhammer effects.

Production Measurement System

In order to increase the yield of solids on a IHC Beaver it
is necessary to have enough information about the
volume of solids passing through the dredging system.
The flow and density of the dredged mixture is measured
by using an Integrated Concentration and Flowrate The Integrated Concentration and Flowrate Transmitters
Transmitter which is installed in the delivery pipe leading must be executed with an electrically insulated liner. The
from the dredgepump. The Integrated Concentration and standard liner is irathane. Depending on the materials to
Flowrate Transmitter boasts three major advantages: it be dredged also a special highly wear resistant liner
does not require direct mechanical contact with the material consisting of aluminiumoxide tiles are available.
 Advanced Accurate Dredging
The IHC Beaver Advanced package adds up the efficiency qualities of the IHC Beaver Basic package with a dose of
“Accurate Dredging” through the Dredged Profile Calculator or the Dredged Profile Monitor. This of course
contributes to an even higher efficiency of the IHC Beaver dredger. The choice between the calculator or monitor
type depends mainly on the type of IHC Beaver and the desired functionality.

Dredged Profile Calculator Ladder Winch Controller

Knowing exactly the position of cutter or wheel that
determines dredging depth and width is imperative for
efficient and accurate dredging with stationary equipment
such as IHC Beaver dredgers. The Dredged Profile
Calculator calculates and displays the position of the
cutter or wheel related to the set profile and the waterline
by means of an LCD-display. Automatic adapting
possibilities to the tide and the craft’s draught are
available.
The main efficiency factor for the production of a
sandwinning dredger of the plain suction, cutter or wheel
type is a constant suction process. The Ladder Winch
Controller is designed as a stand-alone system for
controlling the ladder winch in order to keep the vacuum
and density at the desired values.
Hydrographic Cutter Dredge
System
The system is based on an unique new developed
hydrographic dredge system which enables the cutter
dredge operator to see on-line the actual updates from
the cutter dredge on the bathymetric electronic chart in
absolute positions. The system is able to log all relevant
data and to present on distance on-line (remotely) the
same hydrographic dredge data and views.

Dredged Profile Monitor

The Dredged Profile Monitor DPM enables the dredging
master to verify and control the position of cutter or
wheel related to the channel’s centreline, the waterline
and the working depth- and profile setpoints. The DPM is
an independent system but can also be incorporated in
larger systems especially as a signal source for the
automation of the dredging process such as the
Automatic Cutter (or Wheel) Controller (see Supervisory
Dredging). The system can be equipped with automatic
profile/depth dredging, communication with survey
equipment and geographical positioning.

The Hydrographic Cutter Dredge System communicates

with:
– Positioning systems (D)GPS (LR/SR/RTK)
– Gyro compasses
– Echosounders
– Tidal receivers
– Dredge depth indicators (DPM/DPC)
– Automatic cutter controllers (ACC)
– Plotter/printers
 Excellence Supervisory Dredging
A dredger equipped with the IHC Beaver Excellence package combines the efficiency and accuracy characteristics of
the IHC Beaver Advanced package with state-of-the-art automation to relieve the dredgemaster of repetitive, low-
intelligence tasks, his role becoming one of supervision. To achieve this an Automatic Cutter Controller or an
Automatic Wheel Controller is installed.

Automatic Cutter/Wheel Controller Automatic Pump Controller

The Automatic Cutter/Wheel Controller, ACC/AWC, fully This stand-alone Controller maintains a constant mixture
automates the dredging process of a cutter or wheel velocity in the pipeline, just above the critical value. This
dredger. The core is a control system, added to a gives the best fuel and wear efficiency. The APC
Dredged Profile Monitor. The Automatic Cutter/Wheel smoothly regulates the dredgepump drivers, guided by
Controller regulates the dredging process and displays information from mixture velocity, vacuum and density
process data on a colour video screen. measurements.
The best production is obtained by setting the highest
possible swing rate at a given horizontal and vertical cut. Recently developed Operators
In most cases, this swing rate will be achieved when one
or more of the following process measures assume a Control Centre (OCC)
desired value:
– Cutter/wheel load
– Swing winch load
– Vacuum before the dredge pump
– Pressure between suction and delivery pumps
– Mixture concentration
– Mixture velocity

The Automatic Cutter/Wheel Controller was designed to

take over control of the swing winches, dredgepump,
vacuum relief valve, ladder winch and spudcarriage.
Communication with other systems such as survey,
positioning, integrated data recording and reporting or
other auxiliaries.

Automatic Cutter/Wheel Controller Performance within

the limits of the basic characteristics of the standard
dredger, automation requires adaptions to dredge’s
subsystems for compatibility between dredgers
equipment and ACC/AWC
The operator’s control centre is built on the basis of a
revolving adjustable standard operator’s chair,
equiped with joy-sticks and other components for
principal manual/automatic control of dredge functions
in the arm-supports. Inside of the OCC’s footing a
Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) acting as ACC
is mounted, providing serial on-line communication
between the OCC’s hardware and the dredge’s
subsystems.
 IHC HOLLAND

IHC Holland, member of the IHC Caland group of companies, designs, builds and supplies capital goods and services
for the dredging industry, the alluvial mining industry, on- and offshore piling companies, shipping companies,
shipbuilders, sand and gravel mining organisations and other civil engineering contractors. The construction of
thousands of specialist vessels and items of equipment over a period of more than 100 years has created an
enormous resource of experience and know-how.

IHC Systems IHC Holland Beaver Dredgers

Fully aware of the needs of the dredging industry, IHC
Systems has developed a range of instruments and
automatic controllers. These provide the information
necessary for a smooth, efficient dredging process,
relieve the dredging master of repetitive, low-
intelligence duties (his role becoming one of
supervision), and achieve maximum operational
efficiency of the vessel and its crew. The equipment
in this range fully meets the stringent requirements in
terms of resistance to vibration and protection from
humidity which a dredging environment imposes.
For the standard IHC Beaver cutter and wheel
dredgers IHC Systems now supply three standard
instrumentation and automation packages with
different levels of refinement viz. IHC Beaver Basic,
IHC Beaver Advanced and IHC Beaver Excellence.
These three packages will be explained in more
detail.
In order to provide a worldwide support to our
customers IHC Systems operates a dedicated
department for the supply of after sales service,
maintenance assistance, training and rapidly delivery
of spare parts. As a result of this ongoing process
IHC has gathered considerable information about
clients experiences which has lead into mature and
reliable products.
Since the introduction of the standard IHC Beaver
cutter and wheel dredgers in 1963 more than 800
units have been delivered. The design of the dredgers
has been continuously updated to take advantage of
the latest technological developments. And now once
more the design has undergone a revolutionary
update. The improvement in efficiency and savings in
fuel consumption is spectacular. The existing
relationship to installed power and type designation is
no longer valid. The installed power in the New
Generation series is significantly lower than before
while providing, however, the same or even higher
dredging output.
The complete range of demountable standard
dredgers comprises seven models of cutter as well as
wheel dredgers with delivery pipelines ranging in
diameter from 400 mm up to and including 750 mm.
The New Generation dredgers have a catamaran
shaped hull with the engine room located at deck
level. The dredgers are equipped with a single high
pressure submerged dredge pump mounted on the
ladder. This High Efficiency dredge pump is directly
driven by the diesel engine via the IHC Pivoting
Gearbox. The prime mover for the dredge pump is a
modern computer controlled diesel engine with low
fuel consumption, low NOx and soot emission.
 Efficient Dredging
Vacuum and Pressure Measurement
Production Measurement System

Basic

Accurate Dredging
Dredged Profile Calculator or
Dredged Profile Monitor
Ladder Winch Controller
Hydrographic Cutter Dredge System

Advanced

Supervisory Dredging
Automatic Cutter/Wheel Controller
Automatic Pump Controller
Operators Control Centre (OCC)

Excellence

IHC SYSTEMS

P.O. Box 41
3360 AA Sliedrecht - the Netherlands
Telephone ++31 184 431922
Fax ++31 184 431505

Internet:
E-mail productsales@ihcsystems.com
Internet www.ihcsystems.com

Copyright 1999 IHC Systems

Information in this document is subject to change without notice