Underwater load-carrier
US8997678B2 · kind B2 · utility
2Cited by
24References
9Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 10, 2012 |
| Grant date | Apr 7, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 10, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE02F7/005
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An underwater load-carrier is disclosed that includes an underwater-balloon detachably attached to a container that is loaded with ballast. The underwater load-carrier is lowered into the water of an ocean and allowed to descend to the ocean bottom and there connected a mining-vehicle. The mining-vehicle loads mined nodules into the container while the container ejects ballast to maintain the container at a specified altitude above the ocean bottom. When nodule loading is complete, nodules and/or ballast is ejected to allow underwater load-carrier to rise to the ocean surface where mined nodules is unloaded from the container.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.