Method and apparatus for auxilary seafloor mining

摘要

A seafloor auxiliary mining tool for use in a seafloor mining system. The seafloor auxiliary mining tool has a seafloor locomotion system enabling traversal of the seafloor. Umbilical connections receive power and control signals from a surface source. A boom mounted auxiliary cutting tool is configured to cut extremities of a seafloor deposit. Cuttings produced by the auxiliary cutting tool are sized by sizing means, to ensure such cuttings are no greater than a desired size.

主权项

1. A seafloor auxiliary mining tool for use in a seafloor mining system, the seafloor auxiliary mining tool comprising:
a seafloor locomotion system enabling traversal of the seafloor; umbilical connections for receiving power and control signals from a surface source; a boom mounted auxiliary cutting tool for cutting extremities of a seafloor deposit; and means for sizing cuttings produced by the auxiliary cutting tool to ensure such cuttings are no greater than a desired size, wherein the means for sizing cuttings comprises at least one pair of cutting heads which form the auxiliary cutting tool, the cutting heads being configured to draw cuttings between the pair of cutting heads, and the pair of cutting heads being spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the desired cutting size.