Seafloor haulage system
AssigneeNautilus Minerals Singapore Pte Ltd
InventorsJohn Michael Parianos, Roland Gunter Berndt, Sean Michael Plunkett
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A seafloor haulage system (10), for lifting seafloor materials from the seafloor to the surface, that has a line member (150), preferably synthetic rope, that extends at least partially between the seafloor and the surface and a container (400), preferably a plurality of containers, capable of carrying a load connected to the line member (150). The containers have a steerable element (410), such as a rudder, that enables the container to manoeuvre as it is propelled, typically towed by the line member, through the water.
Claims44
A seafloor haulage system for lifting seafloor materials from the seafloor to the surface, the seafloor haulage system comprising:
- at least one line member that extends at least partially between the seafloor and the surface;
- at least one container capable of carrying a load, the container being connected to the line member;
- and
- a buffer located at or near a deep sea location wherein the buffer has:
- a storage compartment for storing gathered seafloor materials;
- at least one inlet connected to an inlet pipe for receiving gathered seafloor materials;
- and at least one outlet comprising a chute to selectively release seafloor materials when actuated for dispensing gathered seafloor materials from the buffer, wherein the storage compartment is connected to the inlet pipe and the chute;
- wherein the container has a steerable element that enables the container to maneuver as it is propelled through the water,
- wherein the steerable element comprises at least one adjustable surface, and
- wherein the container comprises a position determination system adapted to provide a position estimate.
A method of hauling seafloor materials from the seafloor to the surface, the method comprising the steps of:
- gathering seafloor material;
- transferring gathered seafloor material to at least one container located at or near the seafloor;
- guiding the container from at or near the seafloor to at or near the surface using at least one steerable element;
- and
- unloading the container to a surface vessel, wherein the container comprises a position determination system adapted to provide a position estimate;
- wherein the at least one steerable element comprises at least one adjustable surface;
- and
- wherein the step of transferring gathered seafloor material to at least one container located at or near the seafloor further comprises the step of transferring the gathered seafloor material to a buffer located at or near the seafloor and then dispensing gathered seafloor material from the buffer to the at least one container, wherein the buffer has:
- a storage compartment for storing gathered seafloor materials;
- at least one inlet connected to an inlet pipe for receiving gathered seafloor materials;
- and at least one outlet comprising a chute selectively release seafloor materials when actuated for dispensing gathered seafloor materials from the buffer, wherein the storage compartment is connected to the inlet pipe and the chute.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.