Modular draging unit for collecting solid bodies on an underwater bed
US4280288A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 9, 1980 |
| Grant date | Jul 28, 1981 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 9, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21C50/00
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A modular draging unit for collecting solid bodies such as polymetallic nodules on an underwater bed such as a sea floor comprises a plurality of collecting structures and a storage structure which are intended to be applied against the sea floor, means for displacing these structures along the sea floor, for collecting nodules and for transferring the nodules into the storage structure. The collecting structures are located side by side at a front edge of the unit and each collecting structure is coupled to the storage structure by means of at least one link-arm in such a manner as to permit of relative motion with at least two degrees of freedom and to maintain each collecting means in a predetermined position with respect to the sea floor during a nodule-collecting operation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.