Deep-sea mining laying and recycling system and method

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of deep-sea mining engineering, and particularly discloses a deep-sea mining laying and recycling system and method.A first pulling and connecting piece is connected between a first winch and a mining operation vehicle, a second guide rail is fixedly connected to a workbench, a guide frame is slidably connected to the second guide rail, and the guide frame is detachably connected to the mining operation vehicle; the second winch is arranged on the workbench and used for retracting and releasing the second pulling and connecting piece, one end of the second pulling and connecting piece is connected to the second winch, the other end of the second pulling and connecting piece is connected to the guide frame, and the driving piece can push the mining operation vehicle out of the outboard and drive the second guide rail to be in butt joint with the first guide rail to form a guide sliding rail extending in the vertical direction. In the laying and recycling process of the mining operation vehicle, the mining operation vehicle can stably descend and ascend along the guide sliding rail along with the guide frame all the time, the situation that the mining operation vehicle swings and collides with the main ship body due to the influence of stormy waves is further avoided, and the running stability and reliability of the mining operation vehicle are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of deep sea mining engineering, and in particular to a deep sea mining deployment and recovery system and method. Background Art

[0002] Mineral resources are the material basis for the development of the national economy. At present, mineral resources discovered in the deep sea include polymetallic nodules, cobalt-rich crusts and polymetallic sulfides. Under the dual effects of the continuous depletion of land resources and technological progress, the ocean will become a source of power for the economic development of human society, and the development of deep-sea mineral resources will become an emerging field of marine resource development.

[0003] Most of the existing deep-sea mineral resource mining usually involves collecting the minerals using mining vehicles first, and then transporting them to mining ships using lifting systems. Specifically, the mining vehicles are deployed and recovered through winches or lifting equipment on the side of the mining ship. However, the mining areas where the mining vehicles operate are mostly in deep-sea areas with strong winds and waves. Under the influence of wind and waves at sea, the ship and the sea surface are prone to relative movement, which causes the mining vehicles to sway and shake significantly when entering and exiting the water, and the direction of the swaying cannot be controlled, resulting in multiple collisions with the main hull, thereby causing significant damage to the mining vehicles and the main hull, posing a safety hazard to a certain extent.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a deep-sea mining deployment and recovery system and method to solve the above problems. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a deep-sea mining deployment and recovery system and method, which can effectively improve the stability and reliability of the operation of a mining vehicle during deep-sea mining operations.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] In one aspect, the present invention provides a deep-sea mining deployment and recovery system, comprising:

[0008] Mining vehicles;

[0009] A mining ship, the mining ship comprising a main hull, a main deck and a first guide rail, the main deck is arranged on the main hull, and the first guide rail is arranged on the side of the main hull;

[0010] a first winch and a first connecting member, wherein the first winch is disposed on the main deck and is used to retract and release the first connecting member, one end of the first connecting member is connected to the first winch, and the other end of the first connecting member is connected to the mining operation vehicle;

[0011] A workbench and a gantry, wherein the gantry is hinged between the main deck and the workbench;

[0012] a second guide rail, the second guide rail being fixedly connected to the workbench;

[0013] A guide frame, the guide frame is slidably connected to the second guide rail, and the guide frame is detachably connected to the mining operation vehicle;

[0014] A second winch and a second connecting member, wherein the second winch is disposed on the workbench and is used to retract and release the second connecting member, one end of the second connecting member is connected to the second winch, and the other end of the second connecting member is connected to the guide frame;

[0015] A driving member is configured to drive the gantry to rotate and drive the workbench to move, so as to dock the second guide rail with the first guide rail to form a guide slide rail extending in a vertical direction, and can push the mining operation vehicle to the outside of the side of the main hull.

[0016] As an optimal technical solution of the above-mentioned deep-sea mining deployment and recovery system, the deep-sea mining deployment and recovery system also includes a guide wheel, which is arranged on the workbench, and the other end of the first pulling member bypasses the guide wheel and is connected to the mining operation vehicle.

[0017] As a preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned deep-sea mining deployment and recovery system, the deep-sea mining deployment and recovery system also includes a support frame, the support frame is installed on the main deck, and the first winch is fixedly connected to the support frame.

[0018] As a preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned deep-sea mining deployment and recovery system, the driving member has an output end and a rotating end along its own length direction, the rotating end is hinged to the support frame, and the output end is hinged to the gantry.

[0019] As a preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned deep-sea mining deployment and recovery system, the gantry includes a first rotating rod and a second rotating rod, one end of the first rotating rod is hinged to the workbench, the other end of the first rotating rod is hinged to the main deck, one end of the second rotating rod is hinged to the workbench, and the other end of the second rotating rod is hinged to the main deck.

[0020] As a preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned deep-sea mining deployment and recovery system, the workbench is extended in the horizontal direction, and the workbench has a first free end and a second free end along its own length direction, the second free end is closer to the side of the main hull than the first free end, the hinge point between the first rotating rod and the workbench is the first hinge point, the hinge point between the second rotating rod and the workbench is the second hinge point, the first hinge point is located at the first free end, and the second hinge point is located between the first free end and the second free end.

[0021] As a preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned deep-sea mining deployment and recovery system, the driving member is a telescopic hydraulic cylinder.

[0022] As a preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned deep-sea mining deployment and recovery system, the first pulling member is an umbilical cable.

[0023] As a preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned deep-sea mining deployment and recovery system, the cross-section of the guide frame is triangular.

[0024] On the other hand, the present invention further provides a deep-sea mining deployment and recovery method, which is applied to the deep-sea mining deployment and recovery system in any of the above schemes, and the deep-sea mining deployment and recovery method comprises:

[0025] S100: the driving member drives the gantry to rotate, so as to push the mining vehicle out to the outside of the side of the main hull, and make the second guide rail dock with the first guide rail to form a guide slide rail;

[0026] S200: the first winch releases the first connecting piece, the second winch releases the second connecting piece, and the guide frame drives the mining vehicle to be put into water along the guide rail and reach the bottom of the main hull;

[0027] S300: the guide frame is separated from the mining operation vehicle, and the second winch retracts the second pull-connecting member to drive the guide frame to rise out of the water along the guide slide rail;

[0028] S400: the first winch continues to release the first connecting member to allow the mining vehicle to continue to be lowered to reach the seabed for mining;

[0029] S500: the first winch retracts the first connecting piece to drive the mining vehicle to rise, and the second winch continues to release the second connecting piece, so that the guide frame is put into water along the guide rail and is reconnected and fixed to the mining vehicle;

[0030] S600: The first winch retracts the first connecting member, and the second winch retracts the second connecting member, so that the guide frame drives the mining vehicle to ascend and be recovered along the guide rail.

[0031] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0032] The present invention provides a deep-sea mining deployment and recovery system and method. The deep-sea mining deployment and recovery system comprises: a mining operation vehicle, a mining ship, a first winch, a first pull-connecting member, a workbench, a gantry, a second guide rail, a guide frame, a second winch, a second pull-connecting member and a driving member. The mining ship comprises a main hull, a main deck and a first guide rail. The main deck is arranged on the main hull, the first guide rail is arranged on the side of the main hull, the first winch is arranged on the main deck, and the first winch is used to retract and release the first pull-connecting member. One end of the first pull-connecting member is connected to the first winch, and the other end of the first pull-connecting member is connected to the mining operation vehicle. The gantry is hinged between the main deck and the workbench, the second guide rail is fixedly connected to the workbench, the guide frame is slidably connected to the second guide rail, and the guide frame is detachably connected to the mining vehicle, the second winch is arranged on the workbench, and the second winch is used to retract and release the second pulling member, one end of the second pulling member is connected to the second winch, and the other end of the second pulling member is connected to the guide frame, the driving member is configured to drive the gantry to rotate and drive the workbench to move, so as to connect the second guide rail with the first guide rail to form a guide slide rail extending in a vertical direction, and the mining vehicle can be pushed out to the outside of the side of the main hull. With such an arrangement, the driving member can push the mining vehicle to the outside of the side of the main hull, and drive the second guide rail to dock with the first guide rail to form a guide slide rail extending in the vertical direction. During deep-sea mining operations, the mining vehicle can always follow the guide frame and stably lower and rise along the guide slide rail during the deployment and recovery process, which further prevents the mining vehicle from swaying due to the influence of wind and waves and colliding with the main hull, effectively improving the stability and reliability of the mining vehicle during the deployment and recovery process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the deep-sea mining deployment and recovery system provided by the present invention Figure 1 ;

[0034] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the deep-sea mining deployment and recovery system provided by the present invention Figure 2 ;

[0035] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of the deep-sea mining deployment and recovery system provided by the present invention Figure 3 ;

[0036] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of the deep-sea mining deployment and recovery system provided by the present invention Figure 4 ;

[0037] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of the deep-sea mining deployment and recovery system provided by the present invention Figure 5 .

[0038] in:

[0039] 1. Mining vehicle; 2. Main hull; 3. Main deck; 4. First guide rail; 5. First winch; 6. First pull connector; 7. Workbench;

[0040] 8. door frame; 81. first rotating rod; 82. second rotating rod;

[0041] 9. Second guide rail; 10. Guide frame; 11. Second winch; 12. Second pulling member; 13. Driving member; 14. Guide wheel; 15. Support frame; 16. Release device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to be used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0043] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "up", "down", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside", "outside" and the like indicate positions or positional relationships based on the positions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention 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 cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. Among them, the terms "first position" and "second position" are two different positions.

[0044] Unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection or a detachable connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0045] Unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include the first feature being in direct contact with the second feature, or may include the first feature being in contact with the second feature through another feature between them instead of being in direct contact. Moreover, a first feature being "above", "above" and "above" a second feature includes the first feature being directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below", "below" and "below" a second feature includes the first feature being directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0046] The technical solution of the present invention is further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and through specific implementation methods.

[0047] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, this embodiment provides a deep-sea mining deployment and recovery system, which includes: a mining operation vehicle 1, a mining ship, a first winch 5, a first pull-connecting member 6, a workbench 7, a gantry 8, a second guide rail 9, a guide frame 10, a second winch 11, a second pull-connecting member 12 and a driving member 13. The mining ship includes a main hull 2, a main deck 3 and a first guide rail 4. The main deck 3 is arranged on the main hull 2, the first guide rail 4 is arranged on the side of the main hull 2, the first winch 5 is arranged on the main deck 3, and the first winch 5 is used to retract and release the first pull-connecting member 6, one end of the first pull-connecting member 6 is connected to the first winch 5, and the other end of the first pull-connecting member 6 is connected to the mining operation vehicle 1, and the gantry 8 is connected to the second guide rail 9, and the second winch 11 is connected to the second guide rail 4. The gantry 8 is hinged between the main deck 3 and the workbench 7, the second guide rail 9 is fixedly connected to the workbench 7, the guide frame 10 is slidably connected to the second guide rail 9, and the guide frame 10 is detachably connected to the mining vehicle 1, the second winch 11 is arranged on the workbench 7, and the second winch 11 is used to retract the second pull member 12, one end of the second pull member 12 is connected to the second winch 11, and the other end of the second pull member 12 is connected to the guide frame 10, and the driving member 13 is configured to drive the gantry 8 to rotate and drive the workbench 7 to move, so as to dock the second guide rail 9 with the first guide rail 4 to form a guide slide rail extending in the vertical direction, and the mining vehicle 1 can be pushed out to the outside of the side of the main hull 2. Specifically, the driving member 13 is a telescopic hydraulic cylinder. With such arrangement, the driving member 13 can push the mining vehicle 1 to the outside of the side of the main hull 2, and drive the second guide rail 9 to dock with the first guide rail 4 to form a guide rail extending in the vertical direction. During deep-sea mining operations, the mining vehicle 1 can always follow the guide frame 10 to stably lower and rise along the guide rail during the deployment and recovery process, which further prevents the mining vehicle 1 from swaying due to the influence of wind and waves and colliding with the main hull 2, effectively improving the stability and reliability of the operation of the mining vehicle 1 during the deployment and recovery process. It should be noted that Figure 1 The L shown in corresponds to the sea level.

[0048] In this embodiment, the deep-sea mining deployment and recovery system also includes a release device 16, which is connected to the bottom of the guide frame 10, and the release device 16 is used to fix or release the mining vehicle 1 to facilitate the disassembly and assembly of the mining vehicle 1 on the bottom of the ship.

[0049] Optionally, the first pulling member 6 is an umbilical cable. With such an arrangement, after the mining vehicle 1 reaches the seabed, the umbilical cable can provide power and control for the mining vehicle 1. At the same time, the mining vehicle 1 can transmit a series of signals such as positioning to the mining ship through the umbilical cable. It should be noted that, considering the huge difference between the weight of the mining vehicle 1 in the air and in the water, the heavy winch for deploying and recovering the mining vehicle 1 in the air and the winch for deploying the umbilical cable in the water are separately arranged, which can effectively control the main size and cost of the winch and facilitate deep-water operations.

[0050] Optionally, in order to further improve the reliability of the operation of the mining vehicle 1 during the deep-sea mining operation, the deep-sea mining deployment and recovery system further includes a guide wheel 14, which is arranged on the workbench 7, and the other end of the first pull-connector 6 passes through the guide wheel 14 and is connected to the mining vehicle 1. In this way, the guide wheel 14 provides a guiding function for the first pull-connector 6, ensuring that the pulling force of the first pull-connector 6 on the mining vehicle 1 during deployment and recovery is stable and controllable.

[0051] In this embodiment, the deep-sea mining deployment and recovery system further includes a support frame 15, which is installed on the main deck 3, the first winch 5 is fixedly connected to the support frame 15, and the driving member 13 has an output end and a rotation end along its length direction, the rotation end is hinged to the support frame 15, and the output end is hinged to the gantry 8. In this way, on the one hand, the support frame 15 serves as a placement platform for the first winch 5 and the driving member 13 to ensure the stability of its support, and on the other hand, it also provides a channel for the transportation and maintenance of the mining operation vehicle 1.

[0052] Specifically, the following scheme is exemplarily given in this embodiment: the gantry 8 includes a first rotating rod 81 and a second rotating rod 82, one end of the first rotating rod 81 is hinged to the workbench 7, the other end of the first rotating rod 81 is hinged to the main deck 3, one end of the second rotating rod 82 is hinged to the workbench 7, and the other end of the second rotating rod 82 is hinged to the main deck 3.

[0053] Furthermore, the workbench 7 is extended in the horizontal direction, and has a first free end and a second free end along its own length direction. The second free end is closer to the side of the main hull 2 ​​than the first free end. The hinge point between the first rotating rod 81 and the workbench 7 is the first hinge point, and the hinge point between the second rotating rod 82 and the workbench 7 is the second hinge point. The first hinge point is located at the first free end, and the second hinge point is located between the first free end and the second free end.

[0054] Optionally, in order to further improve the supporting stability of the guide frame 10 for the mining vehicle 1 , the cross section of the guide frame 10 is triangular.

[0055] This embodiment also provides a deep-sea mining deployment and recovery method, which is applied to the deep-sea mining deployment and recovery system in the above scheme. The deep-sea mining deployment and recovery method includes:

[0056] S100: The driving member 13 drives the gantry 8 to rotate around the fixed hinge point, and pushes the mining vehicle 1, the workbench 7, the second winch 11, the guide wheel 14, the guide frame 10 and the release device 16 to the outside of the side of the main hull 2. At the same time, the second guide rail 9 moves synchronously with the workbench 7, so that the second guide rail 9 is connected with the first guide rail 4 to form a guide slide rail;

[0057] S200: The driving member 13 is locked, the first winch 5 starts to rotate and slowly releases the first connecting member 6, the second winch 11 starts to rotate and slowly releases the second connecting member 12, and the guide frame 10 drives the mining vehicle 1 to be put into the water along the guide rail through the release device 16 and reaches the bottom of the main hull 2;

[0058] S300: When the guide frame 10 and the mining vehicle 1 move synchronously to the bottom of the main hull 2, the release device 16 will disengage and release the mining vehicle 1. At this time, the second winch 11 retracts the second pull-connecting member 12 to drive the guide frame 10 to rise out of the water along the guide rail;

[0059] S400: the first winch 5 continues to release the first pulling member 6 to allow the mining vehicle 1 to continue to be lowered to reach the seabed for mining;

[0060] S500: When the mining vehicle 1 completes the mining work and needs to be recovered, the first winch 5 retracts the first pull-connecting member 6 to drive the mining vehicle 1 to rise, and at the same time the second winch 11 continues to release the second pull-connecting member 12, so that the guide frame 10 is put into the water along the guide rail, and the release device 16 is reconnected and fixed to the mining vehicle 1;

[0061] S600: The first winch 5 retracts the first connecting member 6, and the second winch 11 retracts the second connecting member 12, so that the guide frame 10 drives the mining vehicle 1 to rise and be recovered along the guide rail through the release device 16. When the specified height is reached, the driving member 13 drives the gantry 8 to rotate around the fixed hinge point, and the mining vehicle 1, the workbench 7, the second winch 11, the guide wheel 14, the guide frame 10 and the release device 16 are retracted into the main hull 2.

[0062] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other different forms of changes or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is not necessary and impossible to list all the embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A deep sea mining deployment and recovery system, characterized in that: include: Mining vehicles (1); A mining ship, the mining ship comprising a main hull (2), a main deck (3) and a first guide rail (4), the main deck (3) being arranged on the main hull (2), and the first guide rail (4) being arranged on the side of the main hull (2); a first winch (5) and a first connecting member (6), wherein the first winch (5) is arranged on the main deck (3), and the first winch (5) is used to retract and release the first connecting member (6), one end of the first connecting member (6) is connected to the first winch (5), and the other end of the first connecting member (6) is connected to the mining operation vehicle (1); A workbench (7) and a gantry (8), wherein the gantry (8) is hinged between the main deck (3) and the workbench (7); A second guide rail (9), the second guide rail (9) being fixedly connected to the workbench (7); A guide frame (10), wherein the guide frame (10) is slidably connected to the second guide rail (9), and the mining vehicle (1) is detachably connected to the guide frame (10); a second winch (11) and a second connecting member (12), wherein the second winch (11) is arranged on the workbench (7), and the second winch (11) is used to retract and release the second connecting member (12), one end of the second connecting member (12) is connected to the second winch (11), and the other end of the second connecting member (12) is connected to the guide frame (10); A driving member (13) is configured to drive the gantry (8) to rotate and drive the workbench (7) to move, so as to dock the second guide rail (9) with the first guide rail (4) to form a guide slide rail extending in a vertical direction, and to be able to push the mining operation vehicle (1) to the outside of the side of the main hull (2).

2. The deep sea mining deployment and recovery system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The deep-sea mining deployment and recovery system also includes a guide wheel (14), wherein the guide wheel (14) is arranged on the workbench (7), and the other end of the first pulling member (6) passes around the guide wheel (14) and is connected to the mining operation vehicle (1).

3. The deep sea mining deployment and recovery system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The deep-sea mining deployment and recovery system further comprises a support frame (15), wherein the support frame (15) is installed on the main deck (3), and the first winch (5) is fixedly connected to the support frame (15).

4. The deep sea mining deployment and recovery system according to claim 3 is characterized in that: The driving member (13) has an output end and a rotation end along its length direction, the rotation end is hinged to the support frame (15), and the output end is hinged to the door frame (8).

5. The deep sea mining deployment and recovery system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The door frame (8) includes a first rotating rod (81) and a second rotating rod (82), one end of the first rotating rod (81) is hinged to the workbench (7), the other end of the first rotating rod (81) is hinged to the main deck (3), one end of the second rotating rod (82) is hinged to the workbench (7), and the other end of the second rotating rod (82) is hinged to the main deck (3).

6. The deep sea mining deployment and recovery system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The workbench (7) is extended in the horizontal direction, and has a first free end and a second free end along its length direction. The second free end is closer to the side of the main hull (2) than the first free end. The hinge point between the first rotating rod (81) and the workbench (7) is the first hinge point, and the hinge point between the second rotating rod (82) and the workbench (7) is the second hinge point. The first hinge point is located at the first free end, and the second hinge point is located between the first free end and the second free end.

7. The deep sea mining deployment and recovery system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The driving member (13) is a telescopic hydraulic cylinder.

8. The deep sea mining deployment and recovery system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The first pulling member (6) is an umbilical cable.

9. The deep sea mining deployment and recovery system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The cross section of the guide frame (10) is triangular.

10. A deep sea mining deployment and recovery method, characterized in that: The deep-sea mining deployment and recovery system applied to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the deep-sea mining deployment and recovery method comprises: S100: The driving member (13) drives the gantry (8) to rotate, thereby pushing the mining vehicle (1) out to the outside of the side of the main hull (2), and making the second guide rail (9) dock with the first guide rail (4) to form a guide slide rail; S200: the first winch (5) releases the first pull-connecting member (6), the second winch (11) releases the second pull-connecting member (12), and the guide frame (10) drives the mining operation vehicle (1) to be placed into the water along the guide rail and reach the bottom of the main hull (2); S300: the guide frame (10) is separated from the mining operation vehicle (1), and the second winch (11) retracts the second pulling member (12) to drive the guide frame (10) to rise out of the water along the guide slide rail; S400: the first winch (5) continues to release the first pulling member (6) so that the mining vehicle (1) continues to be lowered to reach the seabed for mining; S500: the first winch (5) retracts the first connecting member (6) to drive the mining vehicle (1) to rise, and at the same time the second winch (11) continues to release the second connecting member (12), so that the guide frame (10) is placed in water under the guide rail and is reconnected and fixed to the mining vehicle (1); S600: The first winch (5) retracts the first connecting member (6), and the second winch (11) retracts the second connecting member (12), so that the guide frame (10) drives the mining vehicle (1) to rise and be retracted along the guide rail.

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