Self-propelled undersea nodule mining system

A self-propelled undersea nodule mining system, comprising:

• a) a mining machine including an upper sub-chamber containing pressurized gas and a lower sub-chamber separated from said upper sub-chamber by a partition;
• b) said lower sub-chamber including conveyor means for conveying sea bed materials into said lower sub-chamber, said conveyor means including a first conveyor extending outside said machine through a wall opening thereof and at least one further conveyor within said lower sub-chamber and receiving said materials from said first conveyor;
• c) valve means in said partition for controlling fluid connection between said upper sub-chamber and lower sub-chamber;
• d) spraying means for spraying fluid on said materials as they are conveyed on said at least one further conveyor;
• e) motive means for moving said machine within a sea;
• and
• f) computer means for controlling operation of said conveyor means, said valve means, said spraying means and said motive means;
• g) whereby said computer means may control said valve means to control admission of gas to said lower sub-chamber to thereby adjust buoyancy of said machine, said admission of gas creating a gas bubble within said lower sub-chamber exposing at least a portion of said at least one further conveyor to said gas, said computer means controllably activating said spraying means so that sediment is cleaned from nodules, said buoyancy being adjusted to controllably suspend said machine slightly above a sea bed, said computer means controlling said conveyor means to cause said sea bed materials to be conveyed into said lower sub-chamber and to be sprayed therein, said computer means controlling said motive means to controllably adjust position and orientation of said machine with respect to said sea bed.