Nodule dredging apparatus and process
US4147390A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 30, 1978 |
| Grant date | Apr 3, 1979 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 30, 1998 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE02F3/92
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Nodule dredge comprising one or more of the following: convergent wall device, e.g., "horn member", for accelerating liquid flow through the apparatus; comb or grid-like collecting or lifting device that can lift nodules into accelerated flow without necessarily lifting an entire layer of silt, especially where silt is relatively loose; inclined surface to receive and raise nodules driven down stream by accelerated flow, while silt is removed; and collection chamber below nodule path defined by inclined surface, to receive nodules from inclined surface. Process comprising one or more of the following: accelerating a flow of water with a convergent wall device; mechanically lifting nodules into the accelerated flow; driving the nodules up an inclined surface and cleaning them, using the accelerated flow, while establishing the flow in a direction which will project water and dispersed silt upwardly and rearwardly downstream of the inclined surface; and introducing the nodules into a collection chamber having an entrance turned away from said direction of flow.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.