US3975841A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ship and pier for extraction of valuable materials from the sea bed
Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems GmbH
•
Filing: 1975-04-15
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Granted: 1976-08-24
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Expires: 1995-04-15
Abstract
Abstract Valuable materials, such as manganese, are extracted from the sea bed by pelling through the sea a buoyant body which floats on the sea and carries equipment for extracting the material from the sea bed. A pier connected to the body affords moorings for transport ships which receive the extracted material and conveyor devices associated with the pier deliver the material directly into the ships. The transport ship or ships provide part of the propulsion force for the buoyant body.
Inventors
- 👤 Heinz W. L. Steenken
- 👤 Detlef G. H. Luth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:29
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B21/00; B63B21/56; B63B35/00; B63B35/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for extracting valuable materials from the sea bed, comprising a body capable of floating on the sea and carrying equipment by which the material can be extracted from the sea bed during propulsion of the body thereover, a pier adjoining and unitarily connected to the body and arranged to permit the mooring thereto of transport ships to receive the material, and conveyor devices associated with the pier and arranged to convey the material from the body directly into a ship moored to the pier and body, said body being in the shape of a ship's hull, the pier being adjoined and connected to the hull, and the pier being disposed symmetrically to the axis of the body, the body and pier as viewed in plan having the general form of an arrow with the body forming the head of the arrow and the pier forming the shaft of the arrow.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for extracting valuable materials from the sea bed, comprising a body capable of floating on the sea and carrying equipment by which the material can be extracted from the sea bed during propulsion of the body thereover, a pier adjoining and unitarily connected to the body and arranged to permit the mooring thereto of transport ships to receive the material, and conveyor devices associated with the pier and arranged to convey the material from the body directly into a ship moored to the pier and body, said body being in the shape of a ship's hull, the pier being adjoined and connected to the hull, and the pier being disposed symmetrically to the axis of the body, the body and pier as viewed in plan having the general form of an arrow with the body forming the head of the arrow and the pier forming the shaft of the arrow.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, including abutments provided in a plurality of positions on said body for frictional connection to a transport ship.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the abutments are adjustable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the body tapers towards the pier and the abutments are formed on the tapering portions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2699321A
Cited
US3522670A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-08-24 | 1980-02-23 | 1980-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-24 | 1984-02-23 | 1984-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-24 | 1988-02-23 | 1988-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |