Buffer system for mining deep seafloor mineral resource
US9334625B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 13, 2014 |
| Grant date | May 10, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 13, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21C50/00
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Disclosed is a buffer system for mining a deep seafloor mineral resource. The buffer system includes a hopper part that introduces and stores a crushed mineral resource to discharge the crushed mineral resource upward, a first pipe that communicates with an upper portion of the hopper part to introduce the mineral resource, a feeder part provided under the hopper part to discharge the mineral resources upward, a second pipe that communicates with the feeder part and lifts the mineral resource, a hydraulic part provided under the hopper part to convert power received from a surface boat into hydraulic power to operate at least one actuator and a driving motor to introduce the mineral resource into the first pipe, and a structure frame coupled to a lifting pipe to transmit an external load applied to the buffer system, and constituting an external frame of the buffer system to protect internal units.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.