Subsea container transport system for deep-sea mining

Abstract

A mining system includes: a vessel for processing mined ore, an upper platform coupled with the vessel, a lower platform supported by the ocean floor, a number of transport cables which extend between the upper and lower platform, and a container for containing ore which container is fixedly coupled to a container transporting cable such that the container moves vertically with the container transporting cable to transport the container in a container trajectory extending between the upper and lower platform.

Claims

1. Mining system comprising; a vessel for processing mined ore, an upper platform coupled with the vessel, a lower platform supported by an ocean floor, a plurality of transport cables which extend between the upper and lower platform, a container for containing ore, the container being fixedly coupled to one of the plurality of transporting cables such that the container moves vertically with the one of the transporting cables to transport the container in a container trajectory extending between the upper and lower platform, wherein a container transporting cable section of the one of the plurality of transporting cables extends below the container, and in use pulls the container downwards for preventing pivoting of the container with respect to the one of the plurality of transporting cables, wherein a coupling element directly couples the container with a neighbouring container guiding cable which is moving in an opposite direction than the one of the transporting cables and prevents pivoting of the container with respect to the one of the plurality of transporting cables during vertical transport of the container, and wherein the coupling element is configured such that the container is directly coupled with the neighbouring container guiding cable in a sliding or rolling manner to enable opposite movement.

2. Mining system according to claim 1, wherein the container is fixedly coupled with the one of the plurality of transporting cables extending in the entire container trajectory between the upper and lower platform.

3. Mining system according to claim 2, wherein the container is rotatably supported with respect to the one of the plurality of transporting cables for rotating the container around a container rotation axis between a transport position and an ore release position wherein the container is emptied.

4. Mining system according to claim 3, wherein the container rotation axis extends transverse with respect to the one of the plurality of transporting cables.

5. Mining system according to claim 2, wherein the one of the plurality of transporting cables extends centrally with respect to a portion of the container for containing ore.

6. Mining system according to claim 2, wherein the one of the plurality of transporting cables is tensioned in the entire container trajectory between the upper and lower platform during transport of the container.

7. Mining system according to claim 1, wherein the container guiding cable extends alongside the entire container trajectory.

8. Mining system according to claim 7, wherein the container guiding cable is tensioned alongside the entire container trajectory for preventing pivoting of the container.

9. Mining system according to claim 1, wherein the one of the plurality of transporting cables is coupled with the lower platform such that the one of the plurality of transporting cables turns and continues towards the upper platform.

10. Mining system according to claim 1, wherein the one of the plurality of transporting cables changes into the container guiding cable when turning at the lower platform.

11. Mining system according to claim 1, wherein, during transport of the container, the container guiding cable and the one of the plurality of transporting cables run in opposite direction.

12. Mining system according to claim 1, wherein the one of the plurality of transporting cables and the container guiding cable run substantially parallel to each other.

13. Mining system according to claim 1, wherein the coupling element is configured such that the coupling element moves with the container.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be further elucidated referring to an preferred embodiment shown in the drawing wherein shown in:

(2) FIG. 1 a schematic side view of a first embodiment of a mining system according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 a schematic side view of a second embodiment of a mining system according to the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 a schematic side view of a third embodiment of a mining system according to the invention.

(5) In the figures schematic side view of a three embodiments of a mining system according to the invention is shown. The first embodiment in FIG. 1 will be described in detail. The differences of the other embodiments will be described with respect to the first embodiment.

(6) The mining system of FIG. 1 comprises a vessel 1 for processing mined ore. An upper platform 2 is fixedly coupled with the vessel 1. Here, the upper platform 2 is entirely above the water surface 23. A lower platform 3 is supported by the ocean floor 12. A number of transport cables 4, 5, 6, 7, extend between the upper 2 and lower platform 3. A container 8 for containing ore is fixedly coupled to a single container transporting cable 6 such that the container moves vertically with the container transporting cable 6 to transport the container in a container trajectory 22 extending between the upper 2 and lower platform 3. The single container transporting cable 6 extends in the entire container trajectory 22 between the upper and lower platform. The one container transporting cable 6 is tensioned in the entire container trajectory 22 between the upper and lower platform during transport of the container 8. The one container transporting cable 6 extends centrally with respect to the container 8. A container transporting cable section 10 of the container transporting cable 6 extends below the container 8 and, in use, pulls the container downwards for preventing pivoting of the container 8. From point of view of the transporting cable 6, the cable is split by the container 8 in an upper part in FIG. 1 denoted with reference number 6 and a lower part denoted with reference number 10. The container 8 is coupled with a neighbouring container guiding cable 4 via a coupling element 9 for preventing pivoting of the container 8 during vertical transport of the container 8. The container guiding cable 4 extends alongside the entire container trajectory 22. During transport of the container 8, the container guiding cable 4 and the container transporting cable 6 run in opposite direction.

(7) The container 8 is rotatably supported with respect to the one container transporting cable 6 for rotating the container around a container rotation axis between a transport position and an ore release position. The container rotation axis extends perpendicular with respect to the transporting cable 6. The coupling element 9 is configured such that the container 8 is coupled with the neighbouring container guiding cable 4 in a sliding or rolling manner.

(8) The container transporting cable 6 is coupled with the lower platform 3 such that the container transporting cable 6 turns and continues towards the upper platform 2 as a guiding cable 4. The container guiding cable 4 is coupled with the bottom of the container 8 and connected with the lower platform 3 via a return pulley 11, in this case two adjacent pulleys 11. The container transporting cable 6 is therefore coupled with the lower platform 3 via a return pulley 11, in this case two adjacent pulleys 11. The cables 6, 4 are coupled with the upper platform 2, each with a respective winch 14. The winches 14 serve also for lowering and lifting the lower platform 3 via the cables 4, 6, as desired.

(9) The embodiment of FIG. 2 differs with the first embodiment in that the lower platform 3 is provided with respective winches 14b, 14c. Respective transporting cables 20, 21 extend between respectively the winch 14a of the upper platform and winch 14b, and cable 21 between the winch 14d of the upper platform and winch 14c. The winches 14a, 14d, 14e, 14f serve for lowering and lifting the lower platform 3 via the cables 18, 19 in conjunction with the pulleys 11a-d as desired.

(10) The embodiment of FIG. 3 differs with the first embodiment in that the lower platform 3 is provided with pulleys 11b in connection with the transportation of the containers 8, and pulleys 11a in connection with the lowering and lifting of the lower platform 3 via the cable 15. Respective transporting cables 16, 17 extend between respectively the winch 14a of the upper platform and a pulley 11b, and cable 17 between the winch 14b of the upper platform and another pulley 11b. The winches 14c and 14d serve for lowering and lifting the lower platform 3 via the cable 15 in conjunction with the pulleys 11a desired.

(11) It will also be obvious after the above description and drawings are included to illustrate some embodiments of the invention, and not to limit the scope of protection. Starting from this disclosure, many more embodiments will be evident to a skilled person which are within the scope of protection and the essence of this invention and which are obvious combinations of prior art techniques and the disclosure of this patent.