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US 2026/0185446 A1Published application
Subsea mining
AssigneeMhwirth AS
InventorsROMAN JANSEN, TORSTEN KLEINEN
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A collection unit for collecting resources located at, in or adjacent to a sea floor. The collection unit includes a unit frame, at least one collection tool, and a suspension connector which is arranged on the unit frame. The suspension connector suspends the collection unit via a suspension line. The unit frame has a longitudinal axis which is substantially parallel to the sea floor during an operation of the collection unit. The suspension connector is arranged to be movable on the unit frame in a direction of the longitudinal axis.
Claims18
1-17. (canceled)
18:
- A collection unit for collecting resources located at, in or adjacent to a sea floor, the collection unit comprising:
- a unit frame;
- at least one collection tool;
- and
- a suspension connector which is arranged on the unit frame, the suspension connector being configured to suspend the collection unit via a suspension line,
- wherein,
- the unit frame comprises a longitudinal axis which is substantially parallel to the sea floor during an operation of the collection unit, and
- the suspension connector is arranged to be movable on the unit frame in a direction of the longitudinal axis.
5 more elements
19:
- The collection unit as recited in claim 18, wherein the suspension connector is further arranged above a centre of gravity of the collection unit.
20:
- The collection unit as recited in claim 18, further comprising:
- an actuator which is configured to move the suspension connector on the unit frame.
21:
- The collection unit as recited in claim 18, further comprising:
- at least one thruster which is configured to rotate the collection unit about a vertical axis.
22:
- The collection unit as recited in claim 18, further comprising:
- a plurality of support legs which are configured to support the collection unit on the sea floor while collecting the resources.
23:
- The collection unit as recited in claim 22, wherein the plurality of support legs are height-adjustable.
24:
- The collection unit as recited in claim 18, wherein the unit frame comprises a perimeter, and the collection unit further comprises:
- a first collection tool which is arranged outside of the perimeter of the unit frame;
- and
- a second collection tool which is arranged inside the perimeter of the unit frame.
1 more element
25:
- The collection unit as recited in claim 24, further comprising:
- a hose;
- and
- a suction inlet which is arranged in a fluid connection with the hose to transport away from the collection unit the resources which have been mined.
1 more element
26:
- The collection unit as recited in claim 25, wherein the suction inlet is arranged inside of the perimeter of the unit frame.
27:
- The collection unit as recited in claim 25, wherein the unit frame further comprises a skirt which is arranged to extend downwardly from the unit frame so as to at least partly encompass a volume below the suction inlet.
28:
- The collection unit as recited in claim 24, wherein the at least one collection tool comprises a first digging member which is configured to be movable relative to the unit frame.
29:
- The collection unit as recited in claim 28, wherein the first digging member is configured to be movable relative to the unit frame in a direction which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the unit frame.
30:
- The collection unit as recited in claim 28, wherein the first digging member is arranged inside the perimeter of the unit frame.
31:
- The collection unit as recited in claim 30, further comprising:
- a second digging member which is arranged inside the perimeter of the unit frame.
32:
- The collection unit as recited in claim 31, wherein the first digging member and the second digging member are configured to be movable towards each other during an operation of the collection unit.
33:
- The collection unit as recited in claim 31, wherein at least one of the first digging member and the second digging member are/are a drum cutter.
34:
- The collection unit as recited in claim 18, wherein the suspension line comprises a tilt mechanism which is configured to tilt the collection unit about the longitudinal axis of the unit frame.