UNIT FOR UNDERWATER MINERAL MINING Russian patent published in 2002 - IPC

FIELD: equipment for underwater mineral mining. SUBSTANCE: unit includes submersible excavation apparatus provided with detachable rigid column of metal pipes hydraulically connected with pipeline for delivery of material to base ship, ballast vessel and disperser which are connected by means of pipelines wit source of compressed air located on base ship. Unit is distinguished by the face that pipelines for delivery of pulp and supply of compressed air to disperser and ballast vessel are made in form of flexible hoses and connected with said components for detachment by means of quick-break connections. Fixed to ballast vessel are ends of flexible tie rods secured to pulling winch installed on base ship. Length of metal pipe column is smaller than difference between sea depth at operation site and height of ballast vessel. In addition, unit is provided with servo system of lowering of submersible excavating apparatus. Hole for supply of compressed air to ballast vessel has removable plugs. Axis of metal pipe column is coaxial to ballast vessel. Disperser is located coaxially with section of detachable column protruding above upper end of ballast vessel. Ballast vessel is given residual positive buoyancy whose reserve is less than weight of unit volume immersed into water. EFFECT: excluded sign- varying loads on metal pipe column under storm conditions, provided safety of mining complex under storm conditions. 5 cl, 2 dwg