OCEAN MINING SYSTEM

摘要

An ocean mining system for mining manganese nodules comprises a surface subsystem and an ocean bottom subsystem. The ocean bottom subsystem includes a mobile maneuverable, self-propelled, miner vehicle which picks up, handles, washes and crushes nodules while retaining nodule fines. The underwater subsystem also includes a buffer which functions to provide temporary storage for nodule material picked up and crushed by the miner vehicle. The buffer further serves to isolate the miner vehicle from the dynamics of a pipe string extending down from a surface ship. All equipment not needed for operation of the miner vehicle is located on the buffer to distribute the weight between the buffer and the miner vehicle in a way that provides maximum mobility of the miner vehicle. The underwater subsystem also includes a flexible linkage, extending between the miner vehicle and the buffer A flotation block holds the flexible linkage up and out of the way of the miner vehicle during operation of the vehicle. This flexible linkage permits operation of the miner vehicle within a boundary envelope beneath the buffer as determined by the flexible linkage. The surface subsystem includes a ship which provides all operational control and maintenance support for the bottom subsystem. The ocean mining system includes sensors and controls. The sensors sense the location of the miner vehicle within the permitted area of operation, display the topography of the ocean floor adjacent the miner vehicle and also display all aspects of the movement of the miner vehicle and pick-up and handling of the nodules. The controls provide active control of every component of the ocean bottom subsystem from the surface ship.