| 摘要 |
The invention relates to devices for extracting polymetallic nodules 9 from the ocean bed. It comprises a boom 3 spraying over the sea bed a refrigerant which causes the freezing of a sheet (plate) 8 trapping the nodules 9 by means of the gel. By using a pipe 10, a thrust-producing gas will be injected beneath the sheet 8 trapping a lifting cable 6 by means of the gel, and by also using jacks 15 the sheet 8 enclosing the nodules 9 will be lifted up and brought to the surface of the ocean. It may also be possible to extract the nodules 9 by causing the sheet 8 to explode, 13 and 14, into fragments of ice lightened by the injection of gas, 10, and the fragments containing the nodules 9 will thus be able to be picked up by means of a trawl. In the near future, the invention may allow the cost-effective exploitation of polymetallic nodules, including those in subsea regions less well endowed with nodules. <IMAGE>
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