Low Propulsion Power Consumption Floating Deep-Sea Manganese Nodule Collector

Abstract

The present invention provides a low-propulsion-power floating deep-sea manganese nodule collector, which includes a floating body, a ore-water separation device, a ore suction pipe group and a collector head. The ore-water separation device is installed inside the floating body, and the drain pipe of the ore-water separation device extends from the tail of the floating body. The two ends of the ore suction pipe group are respectively communicated with the ore-water separation device and the collector head; horizontal rudders, vertical thruster groups, vertical rudders and horizontal thruster groups are arranged on both sides of the floating body; the ore suction pipe group includes ore suction risers and ore suction horizontal pipes; a slide plate thruster group is arranged on the collector head, and the slide plate thruster group pushes the collector head to move forward, and the floating body does not provide a towing force to the collector head. By arranging a slide plate thruster group on the collector head and using an ore suction pipe group with zero underwater weight, the present invention eliminates the force interference of the collector head on the navigation of the floating body and reduces the overall propulsion power consumption during ore collection navigation; by reasonably utilizing the drainage propulsion effect of the drain pipe, the propulsion power consumption of the collector is further reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of marine mining, and in particular to a low-propulsion power consumption floating deep-sea metal nodule collecting machine. Background Art

[0002] The deep seabed is rich in metal mineral resources, and the ones that are currently receiving widespread attention include polymetallic nodules, cobalt-rich crusts, polymetallic sulfides, deep-sea rare earth mud, etc. The mining of deep-sea metal mineral resources is a technical field that is currently receiving widespread attention.

[0003] The existing Chinese patent with publication number CN112127893A discloses a deep-sea self-propelled suspended mining machine, including a float, a collection device and a navigation and control system; the float is set as a self-propelled submersible; a collection device is provided under the float, and a navigation and control system for navigating and controlling the float and the collection device is provided on the float.

[0004] There are two types of floating ore collectors. One is fully suspended, and the ore collecting head does not touch the seabed. This concept is the best, but it requires precise control of the distance between the ore collecting head and the seabed (centimeters level accuracy), which is difficult to implement in engineering. The other type of floating ore collector is semi-suspended, and the ore collecting head falls on the seabed by its own weight. The ore collecting head is connected by a swing arm and a floating body. It does not need to precisely control the height of the ore collecting head from the seabed, but only needs to roughly control the height of the floating body from the seabed (meter level accuracy). The ore collecting head falls on the seabed and is subject to friction from the seabed when the ore collecting is moving. The point of friction is on the seabed and the direction is backward, which will cause the floating body towing the ore collecting head to receive a large head-down torque. In order to overcome the head-down torque, the floating body must start the vertical thruster to overcome the correction, resulting in additional power consumption. Whether deep-sea mining can be profitable depends on economic indicators. The energy consumed by collecting unit weight of deep-sea minerals is also an important factor in evaluating its economic indicators.

[0005] Therefore, the inventors believe that it is necessary to provide a low propulsion power consumption floating deep-sea metal nodule collector that can reduce the power consumption required of the collector head during operation and can reduce the propulsion power consumption of the collector itself. Summary of the invention

[0006] In view of the defects in the prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide a low propulsion power consumption floating deep-sea metal nodule collection machine.

[0007] A floating deep-sea manganese nodule collector with low propulsion power consumption according to the present invention includes: a floating body, a ore-water separation device, a ore suction pipe group, and a ore collection head. The ore-water separation device is installed inside the floating body, and the drain pipe of the ore-water separation device extends out from the tail of the floating body. Both ends of the ore suction pipe group are respectively communicated with the ore-water separation device and the ore collection head. Horizontal rudders, vertical thruster groups, vertical rudders, and horizontal thruster groups are arranged on both sides of the floating body. The ore suction pipe group includes an ore suction riser and an ore suction horizontal pipe. The ore suction riser is articulated and communicated with the ore-water separation inlet of the ore-water separation device, and a first angle sensor is installed at the articulated shaft of the two. The ore suction riser is articulated with the ore suction horizontal pipe, and a second angle sensor is installed at the articulated shaft of the two. A skate thruster group is arranged on the ore collection head, and the skate thruster group pushes the ore collection head to move forward, and the floating body does not provide a towing force to the ore collection head.

[0008] Preferably, the floating body includes a floating body main structure. The two horizontal rudders are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the front part of the floating body main structure. By adjusting the rudder angle of the horizontal rudders, the heave of the floating body can be adjusted.

[0009] Preferably, the two vertical thruster groups are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the middle part of the floating body main structure. The vertical thruster groups are used to assist in controlling the heave of the floating body.

[0010] Preferably, the two vertical rudders are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the tail part of the floating body main structure. By adjusting the rudder angle of the vertical rudders, the course of the floating body can be adjusted.

[0011] Preferably, the two horizontal thruster groups are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the rear part of the floating body main structure. The horizontal thruster groups are used to assist in controlling the heading of the floating body.

[0012] Preferably, both ends of the ore suction riser and the ore suction horizontal pipe are articulated interfaces, and transition hoses are arranged at the articulated interfaces.

[0013] Preferably, both the ore suction riser and the ore suction horizontal pipe include hard pipes with zero buoyancy in seawater.

[0014] Preferably, the cross-section of the ore suction riser includes a water droplet shape.

[0015] Preferably, the ore-water separation device includes an ore-water separation inlet, an ore-water separation chamber, a water pump, and the drain pipe that are sequentially communicated. A mineral outlet is arranged on the ore-water separation chamber, and the mineral outlet extends out from the top of the floating body.

[0016] Preferably, the ore-collecting head includes an ore-sucking cavity and a slide plate. The ore-sucking cavity is hingedly connected and communicated with the horizontal ore-sucking pipe, and the height of the ore-sucking cavity is higher than that of the slide plate.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0018] 1. By arranging a slide plate thruster group on the ore-collecting head and using an underwater zero-weight ore-sucking pipe group, the present invention eliminates the force interference of the ore-collecting head on the navigation of the floating body, reduces the overall propulsion power consumption during ore-collecting navigation; by reasonably utilizing the drainage propulsion effect of the drain pipe, the propulsion power consumption of the ore-collecting machine is further reduced; by using a horizontal rudder to control the height from the seabed and using a vertical thruster group to control the heave of the floating body under the condition where the rudder effect is not obvious at low navigation speeds, the power required for vertical height control is optimized; by using a vertical rudder to control the floating body to sail along a predetermined route and using a horizontal thruster group to control the heading of the floating body under the condition where the rudder effect is not obvious at low navigation speeds, the power required for route keeping is optimized.

[0019] 2. By dividing the ore-sucking pipe group into two sections and hinging them, the front and rear positions of the ore-collecting head and the height of the floating body from the seabed can be calculated through the rotation angles of the two hinge points, and the height of the floating body from the seabed can be obtained without using an altimeter.

[0020] 3. By using an ore-sucking riser pipe with a water-drop shape that has a small water resistance in cross-section, the present invention effectively reduces the navigation resistance of the ore-collecting machine and reduces the navigation power consumption. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] By reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, other features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent:

[0022] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a low-propulsion-power-consumption floating deep-sea manganese nodule collector mainly embodying the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 It is a front view of a low-propulsion-power-consumption floating deep-sea manganese nodule collector mainly embodying the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of a floating body mainly embodying the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ore-water separation device mainly embodying the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ore-sucking pipe group mainly embodying the present invention;

[0027] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ore-collecting head mainly embodying the present invention;

[0028] Figure 7 This is a schematic cross-sectional view mainly showing the ore suction riser of the present invention.

[0029] As shown in the figure: floating body 1; ore-water separation device 2; ore suction pipe group 3; ore collection head 4; main structure of the floating body 11; horizontal rudder 12; vertical thruster group 13; horizontal thruster group 14; vertical rudder 15; ore-water separation inlet 21; ore-water separation chamber 22; mineral outlet 23; water pump 24; drain pipe 25; ore suction riser 31; ore suction horizontal pipe 32; transition hose 33; articulated interface 34; ore suction cavity 41; slide plate 42; slide plate thruster group 43; second articulated interface 44. Specific embodiments

[0030] The present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with specific embodiments. The following embodiments will help those skilled in the art to further understand the present invention, but do not limit the present invention in any form. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the concept of the present invention, several changes and improvements can still be made. These all belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

[0031] As Figures 1-6 shown, a floating deep-sea metal nodule collector with low propulsion power consumption provided by the present invention includes: a floating body 1, an ore-water separation device 2, an ore suction pipe group 3, and an ore collection head 4. The ore-water separation device 2 is installed inside the floating body 1, and the drain pipe 25 of the ore-water separation device 2 extends out from the tail of the floating body 1, and the drainage direction is backward. The drainage of the drain pipe 25 can generate a propulsion effect, which helps to reduce the propulsion power required for navigation. The two ends of the ore suction pipe group 3 are respectively communicated with the ore-water separation device 2 and the ore collection head 4.

[0032] Horizontal rudders 12, vertical thruster groups 13, vertical rudders 15, and horizontal thruster groups 14 are arranged on both sides of the floating body 1; the ore suction pipe group 3 includes an ore suction riser 31 and an ore suction horizontal pipe 32. The ore suction riser 31 is articulated and communicated with the ore-water separation inlet 21 of the ore-water separation device 2, and a first angle sensor is installed at the articulated shaft of the two. The ore suction riser 31 is articulated with the ore suction horizontal pipe 32, and a second angle sensor is installed at the articulated shaft of the two. A slide plate thruster group 43 is arranged on the ore collection head 4. The slide plate thruster group 43 pushes the ore collection head 4 to move forward. The floating body 1 does not provide a towing force to the ore collection head 4, and there is no problem of longitudinal inclination and lowering of the head caused by towing the ore collection head 4, which optimizes the propulsion power consumption.

[0033] Through the feedback of the first angle sensor, it can be judged whether the movement of the ore collection head is ahead or behind, and it can be adjusted by adjusting the rotation speed of the slide plate thruster group 43; through the feedback of the second angle sensor, it can be judged whether the height of the floating body 1 from the bottom is appropriate.

[0034] The floating body 1 includes a main floating body structure 11. Two horizontal rudders 12 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the front part of the main floating body structure 11. During navigation, the heave of the floating body 1 can be adjusted by adjusting the rudder angle of the horizontal rudders 12. Two vertical thruster groups 13 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the middle part of the main floating body structure 11. During navigation, the vertical thruster groups 13 are used to control the heave of the floating body 1 under the condition that the rudder effect is not obvious at low ship speeds. When the collector is navigating at a fixed height from the seabed, the height from the seabed is controlled by the horizontal rudders 12. Compared with using vertical thrusters, the power required for vertical height control is optimized.

[0035] Two vertical rudders 15 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the tail of the main floating body structure 11. During navigation, the course of the floating body 1 can be adjusted by adjusting the rudder angle of the vertical rudders 15. Two horizontal thruster groups 14 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the rear part of the main floating body structure 11. During navigation, the horizontal thruster groups 14 are used to control the heading of the floating body 1 under the condition that the rudder effect is not obvious at low ship speeds. The floating body 1 is controlled to sail along a predetermined route by the vertical rudders 15. Compared with using lateral thrusters or differential steering of dual main thrusters, the power required for route keeping is optimized.

[0036] The ore-water separation device 2 includes an ore-water separation inlet 21, an ore-water separation chamber 22, a water pump 24, and a drain pipe 25 that are connected in sequence. A mineral outlet 23 is provided on the ore-water separation chamber 22, and the mineral outlet 23 extends out from the top of the floating body 1.

[0037] Both ends of the ore suction riser pipe 31 and the ore suction horizontal pipe 32 are hinged interfaces 34, and transition hoses 33 are provided at the hinged interfaces 34. The ore suction riser pipe 31 is hingedly connected to the ore-water separation inlet 21 through the hinged interface 34 and is connected through the transition hose 33, realizing the rotational freedom between the ore suction riser pipe 31 and the ore-water separation inlet 21. The ore suction riser pipe 31 is hingedly connected to the ore suction horizontal pipe 32 through the hinged interface 34 and is connected through the transition hose 33, realizing the rotational freedom between the ore suction riser pipe 31 and the ore suction horizontal pipe 32.

[0038] As Figure 7 shown, both the ore suction riser pipe 31 and the ore suction horizontal pipe 32 include rigid pipes with zero buoyancy in seawater. The cross-section of the ore suction riser pipe 31 is in the shape of a water droplet with low water resistance, effectively reducing the navigation resistance of the collector and reducing the navigation power consumption.

[0039] The ore collection head 4 includes an ore suction cavity 41 and a slide plate 42. The ore suction cavity 41 is hingedly connected and communicated with the ore suction horizontal pipe 32, and the height of the ore suction cavity 41 is higher than that of the slide plate 42. A second hinged interface 44 is provided at the top of the ore suction cavity 41. The second hinged interface 44 is connected to the hinged interface 34 and is connected through the transition hose 33 to realize the communication between the ore suction cavity 41 and the ore suction horizontal pipe 32, thereby realizing the rotational freedom between the ore collection head 4 and the ore suction horizontal pipe 32.

[0040] In this application, by arranging a skateboard thruster group 43 on the ore collector head 4 and using an underwater zero-weight ore suction pipe group 3, the force interference of the ore collector head 4 on the navigation of the floating body 1 is eliminated, and the overall propulsion power consumption during ore collection navigation is reduced. By reasonably utilizing the drainage propulsion effect of the drain pipe 25, the propulsion power consumption is further reduced. By dividing the ore suction pipe group 3 into two sections that are hinged, the front and rear positions of the ore collector head 4 and the height of the floating body 1 from the bottom can be calculated based on the rotation angles of the two hinge points, and the height of the floating body 1 from the seabed can be obtained without using an altimeter.

[0041] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation to this application.

[0042] The specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above specific embodiments, and those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications within the scope of the claims, which do not affect the essence of the present invention. Without conflict, the embodiments of this application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other arbitrarily.

Claims

1. A floating deep-sea manganese nodule collector with low propulsion power consumption, characterized in that, Including: A floating body (1), a mineral-water separation device (2), a mineral suction pipe group (3), and a mineral collection head (4). The mineral-water separation device (2) is installed inside the floating body (1), and the drain pipe (25) of the mineral-water separation device (2) extends out from the tail of the floating body (1). Both ends of the mineral suction pipe group (3) are communicated with the mineral-water separation device (2) and the mineral collection head (4) respectively; Horizontal rudders (12), vertical thruster groups (13), vertical rudders (15), and horizontal thruster groups (14) are arranged on both sides of the floating body (1); The mineral suction pipe group (3) includes a mineral suction riser pipe (31) and a mineral suction horizontal pipe (32). The mineral suction riser pipe (31) is hingedly communicated with the mineral-water separation inlet (21) of the mineral-water separation device (2), and a first angle sensor is installed at the hinge axis of the two. The mineral suction riser pipe (31) is hinged with the mineral suction horizontal pipe (32), and a second angle sensor is installed at the hinge axis of the two; A skate thruster group (43) is arranged on the mineral collection head (4). The skate thruster group (43) pushes the mineral collection head (4) to move forward, and the floating body (1) does not provide a towing force to the mineral collection head (4).

2. The low-propulsion-power floating deep-sea manganese nodule collector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The floating body (1) includes a floating body main structure (11). The two horizontal rudders (12) are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the front part of the floating body main structure (11). By adjusting the rudder angle of the horizontal rudders (12), the heaving of the floating body (1) can be adjusted.

3. The low-thrust-power floating deep-sea manganese nodule collector according to claim 2, wherein, The two vertical thruster groups (13) are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the middle part of the floating body main structure (11). The vertical thruster groups (13) are used to assist in controlling the heaving of the floating body (1).

4. The low-thrust-power floating deep-sea manganese nodule collector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The two vertical rudders (15) are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the tail of the floating body main structure (11). By adjusting the rudder angle of the vertical rudders (15), the course of the floating body (1) can be adjusted.

5. The low-thrust-power floating deep-sea manganese nodule collector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The two horizontal thruster groups (14) are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the rear part of the floating body main structure (11). The horizontal thruster groups (14) are used to assist in controlling the heading of the floating body (1).

6. The low-thrust-power floating deep-sea manganese nodule collector according to claim 1, wherein Both ends of the mineral suction riser pipe (31) and the mineral suction horizontal pipe (32) are hinge joints (34), and transition hoses (33) are arranged at the hinge joints (34).

7. The low propulsion power consumption floating deep-sea manganese nodule collector according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the mineral suction riser pipe (31) and the mineral suction horizontal pipe (32) include hard pipes with zero buoyancy in seawater.

8. The low-thrust-power floating deep-sea manganese nodule collector according to claim 1, wherein The cross section of the mineral suction riser pipe (31) includes a water droplet shape.

9. The low-thrust-power floating deep-sea manganese nodule collector according to claim 1, wherein The mineral-water separation device (2) includes the mineral-water separation inlet (21), a mineral-water separation chamber (22), a water pump (24), and the drain pipe (25) that are communicated in sequence. A mineral outlet (23) is arranged on the mineral-water separation chamber (22), and the mineral outlet (23) extends out from the top of the floating body (1).

10. The low-thrust-power floating deep-sea manganese nodule collector according to claim 1, wherein The mineral collection head (4) includes a mineral suction cavity (41) and a skate (42). The mineral suction cavity (41) is hingedly communicated with the mineral suction horizontal pipe (32), and the height of the mineral suction cavity (41) is higher than that of the skate (42).

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