UNIT FOR DEEP-SEA MINERAL MINING Russian patent published in 2002 - IPC

FIELD: mining of ferromanganesian concretions. SUBSTANCE: unit for deep-sea mineral mining includes submersible apparatus mounted on wheel pair and connected with craft by means of pipeline and provided with catching mechanism and airlift device. Unit is distinguished by the fact that catching mechanism is made in form of rope-block unit including reversible air-driven multidrum winch installed on bottom plate of submersible apparatus, lead blocks installed on bottom plate of submersible apparatus symmetrical to its longitudinal axis and equidistant from its vertical axis, system of ropes located horizontally and parallel to one another in vertical plane; each of rope is secured with its one end to winch drum embracing lead blocks, and rope other end is secured to the last block. In this case, ropes are passed through holes in cross-pieces made in form of balls and through holes in cross-pieces made in form of cylinder. In addition, unit has system of pulling ropes whose one ends are secured to air drive and installed for reversible rotation round lower end part of airlift pipe of single-drum winch, the other ends are connected by means of slings with adjacent cylindrical cross-pieces located on both sides of each lead blocks. Wheel pair of submersible apparatus ahs air drive. Besides, airlift device is made in form of two successively installed air lifts of same efficiency. Diameter of airlift pipe for lifting of ferromanagnesian concretions is determined by maximum size of rock piece. Diameter of airlift pipe for supply of ground material is determined by precavitation velocity of slurry. Working agent used as working agent in airlifts is working agent of air motors of submersible apparatus. EFFECT: reduced power consumption for extraction and lifting of mineral to surface. 2 cl, 6 dwg