Patent Application
20200308805
This application claims priority to the Singapore Application No. 10201902911Y, filed Apr. 1, 2019, now pending, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
The invention generally relates to an apparatus for collecting seabed resources wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of collecting devices configured to collect seabed resources along a predetermined mining path, and a method thereof.
It is known that exploration and exploitation of seabed resources, e.g. seabed nodules or ores, are essential to obtaining mineral resources to satisfy the gradually increasing demand for mineral resources. Despite the variety of apparatuses proposed for the seabed resources collection, the process of collecting seabed resources in deep oceans and transferring the collected resources from the seabed to a surface ship in an efficient manner remains difficult.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,685,742 A discloses an apparatus for extracting ores from the seabed. This apparatus includes a plurality of collecting devices for collecting seabed ores, and a relay unit configured to raise the collected seabed resources to a surface vessel through a raising conduit. However, with this apparatus, the efficiency of collecting seabed resources may be very low due to overlapping of working areas of different collecting devices and undesired obstacles on the relevant seabed.
Another apparatus for collecting seabed resources proposed in KR 1369830 B1 includes a plurality of collecting robots/devices for collecting seabed resources, and an area dividing device configured to generate signals to divide the relevant seabed, i.e. the seabed on which the apparatus is to collect seabed resources, into different working areas for different collecting robots/devices. In this solution, although different collecting robots/devices are assigned respective working areas, the efficiency of collecting seabed resources is still very low.
Other different system/apparatus for seabed resources collection are also described in patent publications, e.g. a system for recovering a deposit from the seabed disclosed in US20140230287A1 and a deep sea mining system disclosed in CN2016158747U.
It is therefore desirable to provide a solution for collecting seabed resources in a more efficient manner.
In order to provide a more efficient solution for seabed resources collection, embodiments of the invention discloses various systems and methods for collection and transfer of seabed resources.
According to one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for collecting seabed resources is provided. The apparatus comprises:
a main module and a plurality of seabed resources collecting devices releasably attached to the main module,
wherein the main module and the plurality of collecting devices are configured to be launched from a surface vessel towards a seabed;
wherein the main module includes a control module which is configured to determine a mining path for each of the collecting devices based on characteristics of the seabed, control each of the collecting devices to collect seabed resources along the determined mining path and control transfer of seabed resources collected by the collecting devices,
wherein each collecting device is configured to be released from the main module after the apparatus is launched, and to collect seabed resources along the mining path determined by the main module after being released.
In some embodiments of the invention, the apparatus including the main module together with the collecting devices is launched from the surface vessel and is positioned at a predetermined height above the seabed.
In some embodiments of the invention, the apparatus including the main module together with the collecting devices is launched from the surface vessel and landed on the seabed.
In some embodiments of the invention, the collecting devices are movably and communicably connected to the main module for power transfer from the main module to the collecting devices, resources transfer from the collecting devices to the main module and communication therebetween.
In some embodiments of the invention, after the collecting devices are released from the main module, the collecting devices are communicated with the main module in a wireless manner as there are no physical connections between the collecting devices and the main module.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method for collecting seabed resources is provided. The method comprises:
launching an apparatus for collecting seabed resources from a surface vessel towards a seabed, wherein the apparatus includes a main module and a plurality of collecting devices releasably attached to the main module;
determining, by the main module, a mining path for each of the plurality of collecting devices based on characteristics of the seabed;
releasing the plurality of collecting devices from the main module;
controlling, by the main module, each of the collecting devices to collect seabed resources along the mining path determined by the main module; and
controlling, by the main module, transfer of the seabed resources collected by the collecting devices.
With the apparatus and method provided in embodiments of the invention, the mining path of each of the plurality of collecting devices can be controlled by the main module of the apparatus according to the information relating to the characteristics of the relevant seabed. Further, the transfer of the seabed resources from the collecting devices to the main module and/or from the main module to the surface vessel is also controlled by the main module. Thus, the efficiency of the seabed resources collection can be significantly improved.
The invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various illustrative embodiments of the invention. It will be understood, however, to one skilled in the art, that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. It is understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to same or similar functionalities or features throughout the several views.
Embodiments described in the context of one of the methods or apparatuses are analogously valid for the other methods or apparatuses. Similarly, embodiments described in the context of a method are analogously valid for an apparatus, and vice versa.
Features that are described in the context of an embodiment may correspondingly be applicable to the same or similar features in the other embodiments. Features that are described in the context of an embodiment may correspondingly be applicable to the other embodiments, even if not explicitly described in these other embodiments. Furthermore, additions and/or combinations and/or alternatives as described for a feature in the context of an embodiment may correspondingly be applicable to the same or similar feature in the other embodiments.
As used herein, the articles “a”, “an” and “the” as used with regard to a feature or element include a reference to one or more of the features or elements.
As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.
As used herein, the term “each other” denotes a reciprocal relation between two or more objects, depending on the number of objects involved.
As used herein, the terms “pipe” and “hose” are mutually interchangeable and refer to a hollow body or conduit or passage for conveying substances including solid and/or fluid substances. These terms are not intended to impose rigidity or flexibility properties.
As used herein, the terms “fluidly connected to” refers to “be in fluid communication with”. For example, if a first module is fluidly connected to a second module, a mixture of liquid and/or solid seabed resources may be transferred from the first module to the second module, and/or vice versa.
Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for collecting seabed resources wherein the apparatus includes a main module and a plurality of seabed resources collecting devices. The collecting devices are releasably and attached/locked/latched to the main module. The main module, together with the attached collecting devices, is configured to be launched from a surface vessel towards a seabed to start seabed resources collection. After launch, the main module is connected to the surface vessel and remotely controlled by the surface vessel. The main module includes a control module which is configured to determine an exploitation/mining path for each of the collecting devices based on characteristics of the relevant seabed, e.g. bathymetry, geographical features of the relevant seabed (e.g. undulation on the seabed), intensity distribution and volume of the seabed resources on the relevant seabed (e.g. nodule abundance), and soil strength of the relevant seabed, etc. Here, the relevant seabed refers to the seabed or an area thereof on which the apparatus is to collect seabed resources.
Further, the main module is also configured to control each of the collecting devices to collect seabed resources along the determined mining path and control transfer of the collected seabed resources, e.g. the transfer of the collected seabed resources from the collecting devices to the main module and/or the transfer of the seabed resources away from the main module to a surface vessel.
Each of the collecting devices is configured to be released/unlatched from the main module, and collect seabed resources along the mining path determined by the main module after being released.
In some embodiments of the invention, each of the collecting devices is provided with at least one scanning means, e.g. sensor, to scan the seabed to collect information relating to the characteristics of the seabed and send the collected information to the main module. Accordingly, the main module is configured to determine the mining path for each of the collecting device based on the received information.
Some examples are provided below to further explain how the main module determines the mining path for each of the collecting devices and how the main module controls each of the collecting devices to collect seabed resources along the determined mining path.
The main module may be further configured to determine whether there is overlap between the mining paths of the collecting devices based on the received information, and adjust the mining path for at least one of the collecting devices if there is overlap.
In some examples, each of the collecting devices may be configured to scan the seabed to check the soil strength thereof and sends the information relating to the soil strength to the main module. Accordingly, the main module may be configured to analyse the received information to determine tractive force required for the collecting device and control the collecting device to adjust the tractive force.
In some examples, each of the collecting devices may be configured to scan the seabed to check nodule abundance thereof and send the information/data relating to the nodule abundance to the main module. Accordingly, the main module may be configured to send an instruction to the collecting device to prepare for collection if the nodule abundance satisfies a predetermined requirement.
In some examples, the main module may be configured to determine a collection rate for each of the collecting devices. The collection rate may be determined based on the information/data in relation to the characteristics of the seabed and a predetermined annual collection rate.
In some examples, the main module may be configured to update the mining path for each of the collecting devices based on real time information which relate to the characteristics of the seabed and is received from the collecting device. Thus, the mining path of each collecting device can be adjusted timely based on the information relating to the characteristics of the seabed to further improve the efficiency of seabed resources collection.
In some examples, each of the collecting devices may be configured to scan the seabed to check its undulation and send the information relating to the undulation to the main module. Accordingly, the main module may be configured to control the collecting device to stop or start seabed resources collection based on the information relating to the undulation, e.g. the slope or degree of the undulation. For example, if the slope of the undulation is greater than a predetermined degree, e.g. 10 degrees, the main module is configured to send an instruction to the collecting device to stop seabed resources collection. Further, the main module may be configured to determine the tractive force required for the collecting device based on the slope degree of the undulation and adjust the tractive force required for the collecting device accordingly.
In some examples, the main module may be configured to determine if a turning mechanism is required to be activated based on the real time information relating to characteristics of the seabed and received from the collecting devices, and control the collecting device to stop collection and activate the turning mechanism if necessary.
It should be noted that the examples mentioned above are for illustrative purpose only, not for limiting the scope of the invention. In other examples, the main module may determine the mining path for each of the collecting devices based on the characteristics of the seabed and control the collecting devices to collect seabed resources in other ways.
In some embodiments of the invention, the whole apparatus including the main module and the collecting devices may be landed on the seabed, while in other embodiments, at least part of the apparatus or even the whole apparatus may be positioned at a predetermined height above the seabed to minimise environment disturbances to the seabed caused by the process of seabed resources collection.
Referring to
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In the main module 110, the control module 111 is communicably connected to the surface vessel 10 and each of the collecting devices 120. The control module 111 is configured to determine a mining path for each of the collecting devices 120 based on the information relating to characteristics of the seabed and control each of the collecting devices 120 to collect seabed resources along the determined mining path. In this embodiment, the information relating to characteristics of the seabed may be collected by the collecting devices 120 using at least one sensor provided thereon. To further improve the efficiency of the seabed resource collection, the control module 111 may be further configured to determine non-overlapping mining paths for the collecting devices based on the received information.
The control module 111 may be fluidly connected to each of the collecting devices 120 and configured to control transfer of the collected seabed resources from the collecting devices 120 to the surface vessel 10.
The filtering module 112 is configured to at least partially remove the sediments, e.g. sand particles and/or slurry, from the collected seabed resources. Different types of filtering module 112 may be interchangeably used in the apparatus 100. Three different types of filtering modules, e.g. a filtering module including a centrifuge system or a water sprinkler system, will be further explained in detail later in this description. The apparatus 100 may include any one of the three different filtering modules which works alone or any combination of the different filtering modules, e.g. the apparatus 100 may include all of the three filtering modules which work together in series, i.e. one after another.
In some embodiments, the collected seabed resources may be first transferred to the control module 111 by a pump assembly provided in the main module 110 and then transferred to the filtering module 112 through an interface between the control module 111 and the filtering module 112.
The storage module 114 is configured to temporarily store the filtered seabed resources before the seabed resources are transferred away from the main module 110. The filtered seabed resources may be transferred to the storage module 114 through an interface between the filtering module 112 and the storage module 114.
The interface between the control module 111 and the filtering module 112 or the interface between the filtering module 112 and the storage module 114 may include at least one hose and a pump assembly. The hose may include a valve which only allows one-way flow transfer of the seabed resources.
It should be noted that in some other embodiments, the seabed resources may be transferred directly from the collecting devices 120 to the filtering module 112 for filtration. That is to say, in some embodiments, the apparatus may not include an interface between the control module 111 and the filtering module 112 for transferring seabed resources and the control module 111 is only used to control transfer of the seabed resources from the collecting devices 120 to the filtering module 112, e.g. by means of a valve arranged between a collecting device 120 and the filtering module 112.
As shown in
The propulsion means 120a is configured to enable the collecting device 120 to hover above the seabed or prevent the collecting device 120 from landing or sinking to the seabed. The at least one scanning means 120b may be at least one sensor or other scanning device which is configured to obtain information relating to characteristics of the seabed. The resource collecting means 120c is configured to collect seabed resources at least along the mining path determined by the main module 110.
The resource storage module 120d is configured to temporarily store the seabed resources collected by the resource collecting means 120c before the collected seabed resources are transferred away from the collecting device 120.
It is to be appreciated that the resource storage module 120d is an optional component, and in some embodiments of the invention, the collecting device may not include the resource storage module.
To more efficiently transfer the seabed resources from the main module 110 to the surface vessel 10, referring to
Specifically, the VTS 140 is configured to be launched/lowered from the surface vessel 10 to a position near the main module 110 by side launching using launching rope(s) and a deck crane or winch. After launch, the VTS 140 is configured to be engaged with/fluidly connected to the main module 110 to receive seabed resources from the main module 110. After at least partially filled with seabed resources, the VTS 140 is configured to be lifted up to the surface vessel 10, e.g. by a winch or deck crane on the surface vessel 10. Thus, the seabed resources stored in the main module 110 is transferred to the surface vessel 10 with assistance of the VTS 140.
In some embodiments, the VTS 140 may include a vectored thruster 140a, a storage container 140b and a connecting means 140c as shown in
In block 101, the apparatus 100 is launched, e.g. lowered, from the surface vessel 10 to a predetermined height above the seabed, i.e. an intermediate position between the seabed and the surface vessel or seawater surface, e.g. 100 meters above the seabed.
The height of the apparatus 100 may be determined by an altimeter provided on the apparatus 100.
In block 102, the plurality of collecting devices 120 are released from the main module 110, and each collecting device 120 hovers at a predetermined location above the seabed. At this time, apparatus 100 is in an extended position wherein at least some of the collecting devices 120 are unlatched from the main module 100 and spread out.
In this embodiment of the invention, the whole apparatus 100 is positioned at a predetermined height above the seabed to minimize environment disturbances to the seabed caused by the process of collecting seabed resources.
In block 103, each collecting device 120 collects, by the at least one scanning device, information relating to characteristics of the seabed and transfers the information to the main module 110.
In this embodiment, the characteristics of the relevant seabed may be selected from the group consisting of bathymetry, geographical features of the relevant seabed, intensity distribution and volume of seabed resources on the relevant seabed, and soil strength of the relevant seabed.
In block 104, the main module 110, particularly the control module 111, determines a mining path for each of the collecting devices 120 based on the received information relating to the characteristics of the seabed.
To further improve the efficiency of the resources collection, the control module 111 may further determine whether there is overlap between the mining paths for the collecting devices 120 based on the received information relating to the characteristics of the seabed, and adjusts the mining path for at least one collecting device 120 to avoid overlap of mining paths.
In block 105, the main module 110 controls each collecting device 120 to collect seabed resources along the mining path determined by the main module 110 and transfer the collected seabed resources to the main module 110.
The transfer of the seabed resources from the collecting devices 120 to the main module 110 is conducted by using a pump assembly provided at the main module 110 through the connection cord 121 between the collecting devices 120 and the main module 110.
In block 106, sediments, e.g. sand particles and/or slurry, are at least partially removed from the seabed resources by using the filtering module 112 provided at the main module 110.
In block 107, the filtered seabed resources are transferred to the storage module 114 in the main module 110 through an interface between the filtering module 112 and the storage module 114.
In block 108, seabed resources stored in the storage module 114 is transferred to a thruster assisted Vertical Transport System (VTS) 140.
The VTS 140 is launched from the surface vessel 10 and hovers a predetermined location near the main module 110. The VTS 140 is engaged with the main module 110 such that the seabed resources can be transferred from the main module 110 to the VTS 140.
In one embodiment, the VTS 140 is launched from a side of the surface vessel 10 using an A-shaped frame by a launching rope. When the VTS 140 reaches vicinity of the main module 110, the VTS 140 communicates with the main module 110 by means of transponders and sensors to initiate transfer of seabed resource from the main module 110 to the VTS 140.
In block 109, after the container 140b is full or at least partially filled with seabed resources, the transfer of seabed resources is stopped and the connection between the VTS 140 and the main module 110 is disengaged or released.
In block 110, the VTS 140 is lifted up to the surface vessel 10, e.g. by a winch, such that the seabed resources can be transferred to the surface vessel 10.
In block 111, the collecting devices 120 are withdrawn/retracted to the main module 110, and reattached to the main module 110. At this time, apparatus 100 is in a retracted position wherein the whole apparatus 100 is arranged in an unused or non-operational state and returned to the surface vessel 10.
As described above, in the first embodiment, each collecting device 120 is communicably connected to the main module 110 by the a hybrid flow hose 121, while, in some other embodiments, each of the collecting device may be remotely controlled by the main module in a wireless manner as shown in
In the second embodiment as shown in
However, the information/data communication between the main module 210 and the collecting devices 220 can still be performed in a wireless manner (sonar based communication), e.g. by a sensor suit provided on each collecting device 220. That is to say, after being released from the main module 110, each of the collecting devices 220 is configured to collect information relating to the characteristics of the seabed and transmit the collected information to the main module 210 in a wireless manner. Accordingly, the main module 210 is configured to determine the mining path for each of the collecting devices 220 based on the received information, control each of the collecting devices 220 to collect seabed resources along the determined mining path.
As there is no physical connection between the collecting devices 220 and the main module 210, each collecting device 220 is configured to store the collected seabed resources in a storage module 220d therein and return to the main module 220 once the storage module 220d is at least partially filled with seabed resources. Accordingly, the main module 210 is further configured to control the transfer of the seabed resources stored in the collecting device 220 from the collecting device 220 to the main module 210 after the collecting device 220 is reattached to the main module 210.
In a third embodiment of the invention, unlike the first and the second embodiments, the apparatus for collecting seabed resources is launched from a surface vessel and landed on the seabed.
As shown in
As shown in
The main module 310 may be connected to the surface vessel 30 and configured to be remotely controlled by a surface vessel 30. The main module 310 includes a control module (not shown in the Figures) which is configured to determine a mining path for each of the collecting devices 320 based on characteristics of the seabed, and to control the collecting devices 320 to collect seabed resources along the determined mining path and control transfer of the seabed resources from the collecting devices 320 to the surface vessel 30. Each of the collecting devices 320 is configured to be released from the main module 310 after the apparatus 300 is launched and landed on the seabed, and to collect seabed resources along the mining path determined by the main module 310 after being released from the main module 310.
In embodiments of the invention, characteristics of the relevant seabed may include bathymetry, geographical features of the relevant seabed, intensity distribution and volume of seabed resources on the relevant seabed, and soil strength of the relevant seabed, etc.
To more effectively and accurately determine the mining path for each of the collection devices 320, in some embodiments of the invention, each of the collecting devices 320 is provided with at least one sensor or other scanning device for collecting/gathering information relating to characteristics of the relevant seabed and the main module 310 is further configured to receive the information collected by each collecting device 320 and determine the mining path for each collecting device 320 based on the received information.
Referring to
Different types of filtering modules 312 may be interchangeably used in the apparatus 300. In some embodiments of the invention, the filtering module 312 may include at least one input/feed channel arranged to allow the collected seabed resources enter the filtering module 312; a filter arranged to at least partially remove the sand particles and/or slurry from the collected seabed resources; at least one output/filtrate channel arranged to allow the filtered seabed resources to be transported out of the filtering module 312, e.g. to the storage module 314; and at least one waste discharge channel arranged to discharge the sand particles and/or slurry from the main module 310.
In the first type of filtering module 312 shown in
In the second type of filtering module 312 shown in
In the third type of filtering module 312 shown in
To further improve efficiency of transferring seabed resources from the main module 310 to the surface vessel 30, in some embodiments of the invention, the apparatus 300 may be further provided with a conveying system including at least one pair of seabed sitting frame 350 and container 380 (indicated in
The seabed sitting frame 350 is configured to be launched from the surface vessel 30 and landed on the seabed, e.g. by an A-shaped frame using launching ropes 351 and 352 and guide rails. The container 380 is configured to be launched/lowered from the surface vessel 30 along a guide system formed by the seabed sitting frame 350 and the launching ropes 351 and 352 and positioned on the seabed sitting frame 350. After the container 380 is positioned on the seabed sitting frame 350, the container 380 is fluidly connected to the main module 310 and configured to receive seabed resources transferred from the main module 310 and be lifted up to the surface vessel 30 by a winch.
To efficiently control the transfer of the seabed resources from the main module to the container, the conveying system may further include an intervention Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) 330. The intervention ROV 330 is configured to assist with launching and landing of the seabed sitting frame 350 onto the seabed, and control a connection between the container 380 and the main module 310.
To assist with launching and landing of the seabed sitting frame 350 onto the seabed, the intervention ROV 330 may be configured to determine if there are obstacles or undulations on the seabed based on information relating to the characteristics of the seabed collected by at least one scanning device, to ensure the seabed sitting frame 350 is landed/sitting on a flat seabed. In addition, the ROV 330 may be further configured to determine a distance between the seabed sitting frame 350 and the main module 310, and adjust the distance therebetween if the determined distance is smaller than a predetermined value.
To control the connection between the container 380 and the main module 310, the intervention ROV 330 may be configured to enable a connection between the container 380 and the main module 310 to allow seabed resources to be transferred from the main module 310 to the container 380, e.g. attach a connecting hose from the main module 310 to the container 380. The intervention ROV 330 may be further configured to disable the connection between the container 380 and the main module 310 when the container 380 is filled up with seabed resources, e.g. detach the connecting hose from the container 380. Optionally, the intervention ROV 330 may be configured to provide a signal to the main module 310 to trigger opening or closing of a valve at the connecting hose between the container 380 and the main module 310. Thus, the main module 310 can control the transfer of the seabed resources from the main module 310 to the container 380.
In some embodiments of the invention, the main module 310 may be further provided with a depth transducer which is configured to ensure that the main module 310 is to be launched on a flat seabed such that the main module 310 can be firmly secured to the seabed through activating some suction actuators. Specifically, the depth transducer may be configured to collect information with respect to the seabed bathymetry and determine if the seabed is sufficiently flat for landing of the main module 310.
In some embodiments of the invention, the main module 310 may be further provided with a latching system which is configured to control release of the collecting devices 320 from the main module 110 after the apparatus 300 is launched; and further configured to reattach the collecting devices 320 to the main module 310 before the apparatus 300 is returned to the surface vessel 30, i.e. after the process of seabed resources is completed and the apparatus 300 is to be returned back to the surface vessel 30. In some embodiments, the latching system may be remotely actuated to release or reattach the collecting devices 320 to the main module 310. In one example, the latching system may include a pneumatic or a hydraulic system. Specifically, the latching system may be configured to release the collecting devices 320 attached to the main module 310 such that the collecting device 320 can start to collect seabed resources, and reattach the collecting devices 320 to the main module 310 upon completion of the seabed resources collection.
Embodiments of the invention also provide a method for collecting seabed resources using the apparatus 300. The method at least includes the following steps: the apparatus 300 is launched from a surface vessel 30 towards a seabed and remotely controlled by the surface vessel 30; the main module 310 determines a mining path for each of the plurality of collecting devices 320 based on characteristics of the seabed; each of collecting devices 320 is released from the main module 310 and starts to collect seabed resources along the mining path determined by the main module 310; and the main module 310 controls the collecting devices 320 to collect seabed resources along the determined mining paths and control transfer of the seabed resources from the collecting device 310 to the surface vessel 30.
In block 501, the apparatus 300 is launched, e.g. lowered, from a surface vessel 30 to the seabed.
In this embodiment, the whole apparatus 300 is lowered and positioned on the seabed.
In some embodiments of the invention, after the apparatus 300 is lowered to the seabed, the main module 310 is secured to the seabed through activating one or more actuators provided at the bottom of the main module 310. To firmly secure the main module 310 to the seabed using the suction actuators, the main module 300 must be positioned on a relatively flat seabed, which may be realized by using a depth transducer provided on the main module 310.
In some embodiments, the launching rope is a strong fibre or steel rope with sockets for supporting umbilical and power cables. The umbilical and power cables provide power and communication transfer from the surface vessel 30 to the main module 310.
In block 502, after the apparatus 300 is secured or fixed on the seabed, at least one intervention Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) 330 is released from the main module 310 of the apparatus 300.
Each intervention ROV 330 is used to assist with launching and landing of a seabed sitting frame 350 which is provided for positioning a container 380.
In block 503, at least one seabed sitting frame 350 is launched from the surface vessel 30 and landed on the seabed.
In some embodiments, a seabed sitting frame 350 may be launched from the surface vessel 30 by an A-shaped frame using launching ropes 351 and 352 and guide rails and the seabed sitting frame 350 may reach or land on the seabed due to its own weight.
Each seabed sitting frame 350 is provided for positioning a container 380 located outside the main module 310. The seabed sitting frame 350 together with the taut launching ropes 351 and 352 can provide a guide system between the surface vessel 30 to the seabed for controlled launching of a container 380.
Each intervention ROV 330 may be equipped with scanning devices/sensors, e.g. altimeter sensors, transponders, sonar sensors and cameras, which are used to collect information relating to characteristics of the seabed. The ROV 330 is used to determine if there are obstacles or undulations on the seabed based on the collected information to ensure the seabed sitting frame 350 is landed/sitting on a flat seabed. The scanning devices, e.g. sonar, transponders and cameras, may be also used to determine the distance between the main module 310 and the seabed sitting frame 350. In the event that the two bodies 310, 350 move too close to each other, the intervention ROV 330 is used to relocate, e.g. push/pull, the seabed sitting frame 350 to a desired location by using its manipulations and tools. Typically, the distance between the main module 310 and the seabed sitting frame 350 is 80 meters to 100 meters. Once the seabed sitting frame 350 sits on the seabed, the suction actuators are activated to firmly hold the seabed sitting frame 350 onto the seabed and at the same time, the launching ropes 351 and 352 are made taut and kept under constant tension, e.g. by using winches on the surface vessel 30.
It is to be appreciated by a skilled person in the art that more than one seabed sitting frame may be provided in some embodiments.
In block 504, at least one container 380 is launched from the surface vessel 30 and respectively positioned on a seabed sitting frame 350. Each intervention ROV 330 connects a container 380 to the main module 310 through a connecting hose/umbilical 332.
Each container 380 has permanent ballast and thereby can reach the seabed using its own weight. As shown in
Alternatively, in some embodiments of the invention, each seabed sitting frame 350 may be replaced with a self-propulsion system, e.g. water jet propulsion or thrusters or propellers, which is provided at the container 380 to resist the drag forces due to the seawater current.
In block 505, the collecting devices 320 are released from the main module 310 and respectively deployed spaced apart at various positions away from the main module 310.
As shown in
In block 506, each of the collecting devices 320 is controlled by the main module 310 to collect seabed resources along the mining path which has been determined by the main module 310 based on characteristics of the seabed. The collected resources are subsequently transferred to the main module 310.
In one example, the collection devices 320 may collect seabed resources by hydraulic suction which is provided by the pump assembly 315 provided in the main module 310. Also, using the pump assembly 315, the collected seabed resources are transferred to the main module 310.
In one example, the method may further include: each of the collecting device 320 collects information relating to characteristics of the seabed by using at least one scanning device, e.g. sensor, and sends the collected information to the main module 310; and the main module 310 determines a mining path for each collecting device 320 based on the received information.
In block 507, the main module 310 uses a filtering module 312 to at least partially remove the sand particles and/or slurry from the seabed resources.
In block 508, the filtered seabed resources are temporarily stored in the storage module 314 in the main module 310.
As mentioned above, the filtering module 312 may be any type of filtering module which can be used in the apparatus 300 to at least partially remove the sand particles and/or slurry from the seabed resources, for example, the filtering module 312 shown in any of
In block 509, the seabed resources stored in the storage module 314 are transferred to a container 380 through a connecting hose/umbilical 332 which is connected from the storage module 314 to the container 380 by the intervention ROV 330.
In one example, the intervention ROV 330 sends a signal to the main module 310 to trigger opening of a valve of/at the connecting hose such that the seabed resources can be transferred to the container 380 from the main module 310.
The pump assembly 315 provided in the main module 310 may be used to transfer the seabed resources from the storage module 314 to the container 380.
In block 510, after the container 380 is full or at least partially filled with seabed resources, the transfer of seabed resources from the main module 310 to the container 380 is stopped and the connecting hose/umbilical 332 is detached from the container 380 by the intervention ROV 330.
In one example, when the container 380 is full or at least partially filled with seabed resources, the intervention ROV 330 sends a signal to the main module 310 to trigger closing of a valve at the connecting hose/umbilical between the container 380 and the main module 310.
In block 511, the filled container 380 is lifted up by winches onto the surface vessel 30 and the seabed resources in the container 380 are subsequently transferred to a storage unit on/at the surface vessel 30. In one example, the seabed resources in the container 380 may be sucked by a hose and dumped to a storage bay on the surface vessel 30.
If more than one container 380 are launched and positioned on the seabed, then the steps 509 to 511 will be repeated for the remaining containers 380.
In block 512, after the collection process (including transfer to container 380) completes, the collecting devices 320 and the intervention ROV 330 are retracted and reattached to the main module 310. The whole apparatus 300 in retracted position, including the seabed sitting frame 350, is then returned to the surface vessel 30 either sequentially or simultaneously.
It should be noted that the method described above is only for illustrative purpose, and not used to limit the scope of the invention. The sequence of the steps for launching the main module, the at least one intervention ROV, the at least one seabed sitting frame, the at least one container and the collecting devices may be modified in other embodiments of the invention. For example, the steps 504 and 505 may be carried out at the same time as long as when the collected seabed resources need to be transferred from the main module 310 to the container 380, the installation of the container 380 and connection between the container 380 and the main module 310 have been completed.
With the apparatuses and methods for collecting seabed resources disclosed above, a plurality of collecting devices can be controlled by a main module to collect seabed resources simultaneously along the mining paths determined by the main module. Moreover, as the main module is configured to control transfer of the seabed resources from the collecting devices to the main module and/or from the main module to the container, the efficiency of transfer of the seabed resources will be significantly improved. Further, at least one container located on the seabed may be used to temporarily store the collected seabed resources before transferring the seabed resources to the surface vessel to further increase the efficiency of transfer of the seabed resources.
It is to be understood that the embodiments and features described above should be considered exemplary and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Furthermore, certain terminology has been used for the purposes of descriptive clarity, and not to limit the disclosed embodiments of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10201902911Y | Apr 2019 | SG | national |
