Deep sea mining method and apparatus
Abstract
Abstract APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MINING MATERIAL FROM AN OCEAN FLOOR. A MINING VEHICLE TRAVERSES A PREDETERMINED PATH ON THE OCEAN FLOOR WHILE A MOTHER VESSEL ON THE OCEAN SURFACE POSITIONS ITSELF OVER THE MINING VEHICLE. THE MATERIAL IS COLLECTED BY THE VEHICLE ALONG THE PATH OF TRAVEL, CRUSHED, AND CLASSIFIED TO FORM A MIXTURE HAVING A PREDETERMINED SOLID/FLUID RATIO RANGE. THE MIXTURE IS PUMPED TO THE VESSEL THROUGH A FLUID TRANSPORT SYSTEM INCLUDING A FLEXIBLE CONDUIT EXTENDING FROM THE VEHICLE AND DISCHARGING INTO A RELEASABLE CONNECTION WITH THE LOWER END OF A RISER CONDUIT SUSPENDED FROM THE VESSEL. THE RELEASABLE CONNECTION IS ADAPTED TO PROVIDE RE-ENTRY CAPABILITIES TO RE-ESTABLISH FLUID COMMUNICATION IN THE TRANSPORT SYSTEM AND PERMIT THE VEHICLE TO BE EASILY RAISED AND LOWERED FROM THE MOTHER VESSEL.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward P Johnson
Bibliographic Details
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-27 | 1975-12-27 | 1976-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-27 | 1979-12-27 | 1980-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-27 | 1983-12-27 | 1984-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |