Deep sea rare earth mineral collection system and collection method
By designing a rare earth mineral collection system, using electric gear sets and fixed piles to fix and multi-stage corrugated pipes, efficient and reliable deep-sea rare earth mineral mining is achieved, reducing environmental impact, improving collection efficiency and device stability.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510674771.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-23
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-08
- Estimated Expiration
- 2045-05-23
AI Technical Summary
The existing deep-sea rare earth mineral mining technology has problems such as low mining efficiency, poor equipment reliability and great environmental impact, and faces strict environmental supervision.
A rare earth mineral collection system is designed, including a water surface support platform, support arms, retractable pipelines and relay stations, which are fixed by electric gear sets and fixed piles, and are collected and conveyed by multi-stage corrugated pipes. The method of harvesting and filling is adopted, combining a fixed bidirectional conveying system and sorting device.
It improves the collection efficiency, expands the collection range, enhances the mobility of mining vehicles and the stability of the equipment, reduces environmental impact, reduces transportation costs, and has a simple structure, strong adaptability and convenient construction.
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Figure CN120444026A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of deep-sea mining engineering, and in particular relates to a deep-sea rare earth mineral collection system and collection method. Background Art
[0002] With the growing global demand for rare earth resources, the search for new sources of rare earth resources has become a focus of attention worldwide. The deep sea is considered a key potential source of rare earth resources, as its sediments are rich in rare earth elements, widely distributed, and possess large reserves. However, current deep-sea mining technologies primarily focus on the development of resources such as polymetallic nodules, cobalt-rich crusts, and polymetallic sulfides, while mining technologies for deep-sea rare earth minerals are still in the exploratory stage. Existing deep-sea mining systems suffer from low mining efficiency, poor equipment reliability, and significant environmental impacts. Furthermore, with increasing global attention to environmental protection, deep-sea mining activities face increasingly stringent environmental regulations.
[0003] Therefore, developing an efficient, reliable and environmentally friendly deep-sea rare earth mineral mining system is of great significance for meeting the market demand for rare earth resources, improving my country's competitiveness in the field of deep-sea mineral resource development, and protecting the deep-sea ecological environment. Summary of the Invention
[0004] In view of the above-mentioned shortcomings of the existing deep-sea mineral mining system, the present invention proposes a new rare earth mineral collection system and collection method.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the first aspect of the present invention provides a rare earth mineral collection system, comprising a water surface support platform, a support arm connected to the water surface support platform via a vertical lifting pipe, and a relay station connected to the support arm via a retractable pipe, wherein:
[0006] The water surface support platform is provided with a platform docking device and a sorting device;
[0007] The support arm includes a plurality of arms uniformly distributed in a radial shape around a vertical first central through hole, wherein the inner ends of the plurality of arms are connected to the first central through hole, and the outer ends are provided with vertical arm end through holes, and the hole walls of the arm end through holes are provided with a plurality of first vertical through grooves, and an electric gear set is provided with the aid of the groove walls of the first vertical through grooves, and a fixing pile is passed through the arm end through hole of each arm;
[0008] The relay station is roughly disc-shaped, with a hollow boss at the center. A connecting hole is opened in the center of the boss. A number of evenly distributed conveying pipes are arranged around the boss. The inner end of each conveying pipe is connected to the boss, and the outer end of the conveying pipe is provided with a mine car docking device.
[0009] According to the present invention, the electric gear set is composed of a plurality of first electric gears, which are arranged horizontally in the first vertical through slot, and the gear surfaces protrude from the wall surface of the arm end through hole.
[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer end of the support arm forms two upper and lower forks, and the end of each fork is provided with the vertical arm end through hole, the arm end through holes provided on the two forks of the same support arm are aligned in the vertical direction, and a fixing pile is passed through the upper and lower arm end through holes of the corresponding support arm.
[0011] Furthermore, the fixed pile includes an upper toothed section and a lower pile leg. A vertical vibration device is fixed to the top of the toothed section for rapid up and down vibration of the fixed pile. A limiter is provided at the junction of the toothed section and the pile leg for limiting excessive upward displacement of the fixed pile.
[0012] Among them, a plurality of tooth-shaped transverse ridge sections are provided on the tooth-shaped segment at intervals along the vertical direction, and the number of the tooth-shaped transverse ridge sections is the same as the first vertical groove provided in the arm end through hole, so that after the fixing pile is passed through the arm end through hole, the tooth-shaped transverse ridges of the tooth-shaped segment are engaged with the first electric gear in the arm end through hole.
[0013] According to the present invention, the telescopic pipe is composed of a multi-stage bellows connected in series in upper and lower positions, and the upper and lower ends of each stage of the bellows are respectively fixed with a first pipe connecting device and a second pipe connecting device, and the first pipe connecting device and the second pipe connecting device are penetrated by a plurality of racks.
[0014] According to the present invention, the first pipe connecting device includes a connecting device body having a second central through hole, and a plurality of side wings are evenly arranged on the outer wall of the connecting device body, each of which is provided with a second vertical through groove, and one or more second electric gears are provided in each second vertical through groove with the help of the groove wall; the second pipe connecting device is fixed to the lower end of the corrugated pipe, and includes a connecting device body having a second central through hole, and a plurality of side wings are evenly arranged on the outer wall of the connecting device body, and each of which is provided with a groove.
[0015] Furthermore, the bottom end of the rack is passed through and fixed in the groove of the second pipe connecting device, the upper end of the rack passes through the second vertical through groove of the first pipe connecting device, and the side of the rack in contact with the second electric gear is provided with tooth-shaped transverse grooves, and the tooth-shaped transverse grooves are engaged with the second electric gear, so that the rotation of the second electric gear can drive the first pipe connecting device to move up and down, thereby linking the extension and retraction of the retractable pipe.
[0016] Preferably, the first pipe connecting device and the second pipe connecting device of the multi-stage bellows are arranged in an interlaced manner, so that the whole can be adjusted in sections, with high flexibility and maneuverability.
[0017] According to the present invention, a plurality of limiting grooves are provided at the outer edge of the boss, the number of which is the same as the number of the delivery pipes, and the inner end of each delivery pipe is located in the corresponding limiting groove.
[0018] A second aspect of the present invention provides a method for collecting deep-sea rare earth minerals, using the rare earth mineral collection system described above, comprising the following steps:
[0019] Step 1, Deployment Phase: The rare earth mineral collection system is deployed to the designated location using a construction vessel. At the start of deployment, the fixed piles and retractable pipes are in their ultimate contraction state, and the electric gear set and the first electric gear are locked to ensure that all components are in a fixed state to ensure construction safety. The bottom surface of the relay station is made parallel to or coincide with the seabed by the construction vessel.
[0020] Step 2, Fixing Phase: After the rare earth mineral collection system is deployed to the designated location, the electric gear set is unlocked to allow the fixed pile to move up and down. The vertical vibratory device is activated to drive the fixed pile into the seabed to the limit. Once the pile is driven into the seabed, the electric gear set is relocked to secure the bottom end of the rare earth mineral collection system to the seabed.
[0021] Step 3, collection stage: After the rare earth mineral collection system is fixed, the second electric gears in the first pipe connecting device and the second pipe connecting device at the upper and lower ends of the lowest layer of bellows are unlocked. At this time, the bellows are extended downward by the gravity of the relay station until they are in full contact with the seabed. Then the mining operation is started. The minerals are collected in the relay station through the conveying pipeline and then transported to the surface support platform through the system for sorting. As the mining progresses, the seabed gradually drops. The bellows continue to extend downward by the gravity of the relay station until they reach the limit state. After reaching the limit state, the second electric gears in the first pipe connecting device and the second pipe connecting device of the bellows at this level are locked. Then the second electric gears in the penultimate first pipe connecting device and the second pipe connecting device are unlocked, allowing them to extend and continue to extend along the seabed until they reach the limit state. This process is repeated until all bellows are in the limit extension state, completing the collection of the first area.
[0022] Step 4, the shifting phase: After completing the collection of a site, the mining vehicle is retrieved to the surface. The second electric gears in the first and second pipe connecting devices are unlocked from top to bottom, and energized to rotate in the reverse direction. The bellows are retracted to their limit and then the second electric gears are locked. The electric gear set of the support arm is unlocked and energized to rotate in the reverse direction. The fixed pile is pulled out from the seabed and retracted to its limit. The lifting and collection system is moved to the next collection site by the surface construction vessel.
[0023] Repeat steps 1 to 4 above until all sites are collected.
[0024] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:
[0025] 1. The rare earth mineral collection system of the present invention is electrically independent, allowing multiple separate mining vehicles to mine simultaneously, thereby improving collection efficiency, expanding the collection range, and enhancing the maneuverability of the mining vehicles.
[0026] 2. The collection system has a fixed two-way transportation system that can collect, drain and supply electricity, improving the stability, transportation capacity, strength and ability to resist wind, waves and currents of the device.
[0027] 3. The mining and filling concept is more suitable for rare earth mineral mining and has low impact on the environment.
[0028] 4. The water surface support adopts platform processing, which has sorting function, reduces transportation costs and is more stable and reliable.
[0029] 5. The overall structure is simple, the adaptability is strong, the process flow is simple and the construction is convenient. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] Figure 1This is an overall schematic diagram of the deep-sea rare earth mineral collection system of the present invention.
[0031] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the water surface support platform.
[0032] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of the support arm.
[0033] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of the fixed pile.
[0034] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of the relay station.
[0035] Figure 6 for Figure 1 A partial enlarged schematic diagram of the retractable pipe part.
[0036] Figure 7 This is a structural perspective view of the first pipe connecting device.
[0037] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the structure of the second pipeline connecting device.
[0038] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of fixing the second pipe connecting device at the lower end of the corrugated pipe and passing a rack through it.
[0039] Figures 10A to 10D The steps of the deep-sea rare earth mineral collection method of the present invention are realized.
[0040] Description of the figure number:
[0041] 10-water surface support platform; 11-platform docking device; 12-sorting device; 20-support arm; 21-first central through hole; 22-support arm; 220-end; 221-bifurcation; 23-arm end through hole; 24-first vertical through slot; 25-first electric gear; 30-relay station; 31-boss; 32-connecting hole; 33-conveying pipeline; 34-mine car docking device; 35-limiting groove; 40-vertical lifting; 50-retractable pipeline; 51-corrugated pipe; 52-rack; 60-fixed pile; 61-toothed section; 62-pile leg 62; 63-vertical vibration device; 64-limiter; 70-first pipeline connecting device; 70′-second pipeline connecting device; 71-second central through hole; 72-main body; 73-side wing; 74-second vertical through slot; 75-groove; 76-second electric gear. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0042] The present invention will be further described in detail with reference to specific embodiments below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, the rare earth mineral collection system of the present invention includes a water surface support platform 10, a support arm 20 connected to the water surface support platform 10 via a vertical lifting pipe 40, and a relay station 30 connected to the support arm 20 via a retractable pipe 50, wherein:
[0044] like Figure 2 As shown, the surface support platform 10 is provided with a platform docking device 11 and a sorting device 12; the platform docking device 11 is preferably a pipeline interface for docking with a transport ship and for transporting electricity, materials, and minerals; the sorting device 12 is used for sorting rare earth minerals, and existing known sorting equipment, such as a jig, a magnetic separator, a leaching barrel, and other sorting equipment can be selected.
[0045] like Figure 3 As shown, the support arm 20 includes a plurality of arms 22 evenly distributed in a radial pattern around a vertical first central through hole 21. The inner ends of the plurality of arms 22 are connected to the first central through hole 21, while the outer ends 220 are provided with a vertical arm end through hole 23. The wall of the arm end through hole 23 is provided with a plurality of first vertical slots 24, and an electric gear set is provided along the walls of the first vertical slots 24. The number of the first vertical slots 24 is preferably four, evenly distributed along the wall of the arm end through hole 23. The electric gear set is composed of a plurality of first electric gears 25, which are horizontally arranged within the first vertical slots 24 (for example, with the ends of the axle of the first electric gear 25 mounted on two opposing walls of the first vertical slot 24), and the gear surface protrudes from the wall of the arm end through hole 23. Preferably, two first electric gears 25 are provided in each first vertical slot 24, one above the other.
[0046] Furthermore, the number of the arms 22 is preferably 3 to 6, and in this embodiment, 4, distributed in a cross shape. Preferably, the outer ends of the arms 22 form two upper and lower forks 221, and each end of the fork 221 is provided with a vertical arm end through-hole 23, and the arm end through-holes 23 provided on the two forks 221 of the same arm 22 are vertically aligned.
[0047] Combine Figure 1 and Figure 4Each arm 22 has a fixed pile 60 inserted into the through-hole 23 at the upper and lower forks 221. The fixed pile 60 is a hollow pile, comprising an upper toothed section 61 and a lower leg 62. The top of the toothed section 61 is provided with a vertical vibration device 63 for rapidly vibrating the fixed pile 60 up and down. A stopper 64 is provided at the junction of the toothed section 61 and the leg 62 to prevent excessive upward displacement of the fixed pile 60. The toothed segment 61 is vertically spaced apart with a plurality of toothed transverse ridges. The number of these ridges is the same as the number of the first vertical grooves 24 provided within the arm-end through-hole 23. This allows the fixing pile 60 to be inserted into the arm-end through-hole 23. Since the gear surface of the first electric gear 25 protrudes from the wall of the arm-end through-hole 23, the toothed transverse ridges of the toothed segment 61 can mesh with the first electric gear 25 within the arm-end through-hole 23, allowing the rotation of the first electric gear 25 to drive the fixing pile 60 up and down. In this embodiment, the number of these ridges and the number of the first vertical grooves 24 are both four, which helps maintain structural stability. The structural design of the two upper and lower forks 221 formed at the outer end of the support arm 22 also helps enhance the stability of the fixing pile 60.
[0048] like Figure 5 As shown, the relay station 30 is roughly disc-shaped, with a hollow boss 31 at its center. A connection hole 32 is provided at the center of the boss 31. Several delivery pipes 33 are evenly distributed in a radial pattern around the boss 31. The inner end of each delivery pipe 33 is connected to the boss 31, and the outer end of the delivery pipe 33 is provided with a mine car docking device 34. Furthermore, the outer edge of the boss 31 is provided with a plurality of retaining grooves 35, the same number as the delivery pipes 33, so that the inner end of each delivery pipe 33 is located within a corresponding retaining groove 35, thereby enhancing its stability. The mine car docking device 34 is fixed to the outer edge of the disc-shaped relay station 30 and is preferably a pipe interface.
[0049] like Figure 6 As shown in the partially enlarged schematic diagram, the telescopic pipe 50 is preferably composed of a multi-stage bellows 51 connected in series in upper and lower positions, and the upper and lower ends of each stage of the bellows 51 are respectively fixed with a first pipe connecting device 70 and a second pipe connecting device 70', and the first pipe connecting device 70 and the second pipe connecting device 70' are provided with a plurality of racks 52.
[0050] like Figure 7As shown, the first pipe connecting device 70 includes a connecting device body 72 having a second central through hole 71, and a plurality of side wings 73 are evenly arranged on the outer wall of the connecting device body 72. In this embodiment, the number of the side wings 73 is four. A second vertical through groove 74 is provided in each side wing 73, and one or more second electric gears 76 are provided in each second vertical through groove 74 with the help of the groove wall. Specifically, the two ends of the axle of the second electric gear 76 are installed on the two opposite groove walls of the second vertical through groove 74. In this embodiment, the number of the second electric gear 76 provided in the second vertical through groove 74 is one. The second pipe connecting device 70' is fixed to the lower end of the corrugated pipe 51, as shown Figure 8 As shown, its structure is basically the same as the first pipe connecting device 70, except that a groove 75 is provided in the side wing 73, and no electric gear is installed in the groove 75.
[0051] Combine Figure 9 As shown, the bottom end of the rack 52 is inserted into and fixed in the groove 75 of the second pipe connecting device 70', for example, by welding. The upper end of the rack 52 passes through the second vertical through slot 74 of the first pipe connecting device 70, and the side of the rack 52 that contacts the second electric gear 76 is provided with a tooth-shaped transverse groove 53. The tooth-shaped transverse groove 53 is engaged with the second electric gear 76, so that the rotation of the second electric gear 76 can drive the first pipe connecting device 70 to move up and down, thereby linking the extension and contraction of the telescopic pipe 50. Preferably, the first pipe connecting devices 70 and the second pipe connecting devices 70' of the multi-stage bellows 51 are arranged in an interlaced manner, so that the whole can achieve segmented adjustment, with high flexibility and maneuverability. Moreover, when a certain stage of the bellows 51 is structurally damaged and cannot be extended, it does not affect the extension and contraction adjustment of other bellows 51, thereby ensuring the stability of the overall layout.
[0052] Back to Figure 1 The upper end of the vertical lifting pipe 40 is connected to the bottom of the surface support platform 10, and the lower end is connected to the upper end of the first central through hole 21 of the support arm 20; the multi-stage bellows 51 of the telescopic pipe 50 are connected in series according to the upper and lower positions, the top of the uppermost stage bellows 51 is connected to the lower end of the first central through hole 21 of the support arm 20, and the bottom end of the lowermost stage bellows 51 is connected to the connection hole 32 in the center of the hollow boss 31 of the relay station 30, thereby realizing the connection from the relay station 30 to the surface support platform 10, and then realizing the transmission of materials and electrical energy between the surface platform and the seabed.
[0053] When using the above-mentioned rare earth mineral collection system to collect rare earth minerals, preliminary preparations must be made first: survey the thickness of the rare earth mineral layer, select the length and number of the bellows 51 based on the thickness of the rare earth mineral layer, and the number multiplied by the telescopic length should be equal to the thickness of the rare earth mineral layer. Select the size of the fixed piles 60 based on the thickness of the rare earth mineral layer, and the depth of the fixed piles 60 should be greater than the thickness of the rare earth mineral layer. Select the type and number of mining vehicles based on the range of mineral properties and the carrying capacity of the relay station 30.
[0054] like Figures 10A to 10D As shown, the deep-sea rare earth mineral collection method of the present invention comprises the following steps:
[0055] Step 1, deployment phase: deploy the rare earth mineral collection system to the designated location via a construction vessel, such as Figure 10A As shown, when the deployment begins, the fixed piles 60 and the retractable pipes 50 are both in an extreme contraction state, and the electric gear set and the first electric gear 25 are both in a locked state to ensure that all components are in a fixed state to ensure construction safety. The bottom surface of the relay station 30 is made parallel to or overlaps with the seabed through the construction vessel.
[0056] Step 2, fixing stage: After the rare earth mineral collection system is deployed to the designated location, the locking state of the electric gear set is unlocked to allow the fixed pile 60 to move up and down, and the vertical vibratory device 63 is started to drive the fixed pile 60 into the seabed to the limit position, such as Figure 10B As shown, after the driving is completed, the electric gear set is relocked to fix the bottom end of the rare earth mineral collection system on the seabed.
[0057] Step 3, Collection Phase: After the rare earth mineral collection system is fixed, unlock the second electric gear 76 in the first pipe connection device 70 and the second pipe connection device 70' at the upper and lower ends of the lowest layer of the bellows 51. At this time, the bellows 51 extends downward under the action of gravity of the relay station 30 until it is in full contact with the seabed, and then the mining operation can be started.
[0058] It should be noted that the mining vehicles are deployed via surface workboats. With the relay station 30 as the center point, they collect minerals along a circumference. Each mining vehicle is located in a fixed collection area and docking device 34, simultaneously performing mining and transportation. The mining vehicles are all electric, powered by batteries within the vehicles. This battery power is transmitted from the relay station 30 to the vehicles via the docking device 34. After collecting rare earth minerals, the vehicles store them in internal storage bins. Once the minerals have been stored to a predetermined location, they return to the relay station 30, where they are transported to the relay station 30 via the docking device 34, simultaneously charging the vehicles.
[0059] After the minerals are collected in the relay station 30 through the conveying pipeline 33, they are transported to the surface support platform 10 for sorting through the system. As mining progresses, the seabed will gradually drop. The bellows 51 will continue to extend downward under the gravity of the relay station 30 until it reaches the limit state. After reaching the limit state, the second electric gear 76 in the first pipe connecting device 70 and the second pipe connecting device 70' of the bellows 51 of this level will be locked, and then the second electric gear 76 in the second-to-last first pipe connecting device 70 and the second pipe connecting device 70' will be unlocked, so that it can extend and continue to extend along the seabed until it reaches the limit state; this process is repeated until all the bellows 51 are in the limit extension state, that is, the collection of the first area is completed, as shown in FIG. Figure 10C shown.
[0060] Step 4, Relocation: After completing the collection at a location, the mining vehicle is retrieved to the surface. During the recovery process, collisions with the lifting system must be avoided. The second electric gears 76 in the first and second pipe connecting devices 70 and 70' are unlocked, and powered on to reverse their rotation. The bellows 51 is retracted to its limit, and then the second electric gears 76 are locked. The electric gear set of the support arm 20 is unlocked and powered on to reverse its rotation. The fixed pile 60 is pulled from the seabed and retracted to its limit. The lifting and collection system is then moved to the next collection location using a surface construction vessel.
[0061] Repeat steps 1 to 4 above until all sites are collected.
[0062] During the mining process, a pipe is connected from the relay station 30 to the last point where the data was collected using tools such as ROV, so that the remaining soil after sorting can be backfilled into the mining pit during the mining operation to maintain the seabed state as much as possible.
[0063] It should be noted that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not constitute any form of limitation to the present invention. The technical features or combinations of technical features described in the embodiments of the present invention should not be considered in isolation; they can be combined with each other to achieve better technical effects. Technologies, methods, and devices known to those skilled in the relevant art will not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such technologies, methods, and devices should be considered part of the specification. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention fall within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.
Claims
1. A rare earth mineral collection system, characterized in that: The invention comprises a water surface support platform (10), a support arm (20) connected to the water surface support platform (10) via a vertical lifting pipe (40), and a relay station (30) connected to the support arm (20) via a telescopic pipe (50), wherein: The water surface support platform (10) is provided with a platform docking device (11) and a sorting device (12); The support arm (20) comprises a plurality of support arms (22) uniformly distributed in a radial shape around a vertical first central through hole (21), the inner ends of the plurality of support arms (22) are connected to the first central through hole (21), and the outer ends (220) are provided with vertical arm end through holes (23), and the hole walls of the arm end through holes (23) are provided with a plurality of first vertical through grooves (24), and an electric gear set is provided with the aid of the groove walls of the first vertical through grooves (24), and a fixing pile (60) is penetrated in the arm end through hole (23) of each support arm (22); The relay station (30) is roughly disc-shaped, with a hollow boss (31) at its center. A connecting hole (32) is opened at the center of the boss (31). A plurality of delivery pipes (33) are evenly distributed in a radial shape around the boss (31). The inner end of each delivery pipe (33) is connected to the boss (31), and the outer end of the delivery pipe (33) is provided with a mine car docking device (34).
2. The rare earth mineral collection system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electric gear set is composed of a plurality of first electric gears (25). The first electric gears (25) are arranged horizontally in the first vertical through slot (24), and the gear surfaces protrude from the wall surface of the arm end through hole (23).
3. The rare earth mineral collection system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer end of the support arm (22) forms two upper and lower forks (221), and the end of each fork (221) is provided with a vertical arm end through hole (23). The arm end through holes (23) provided on the two forks (221) of the same support arm (22) are aligned in the vertical direction, and a fixing pile (60) is passed through the arm end through holes (23) of the upper and lower forks (221) of the corresponding support arm (22).
4. The rare earth mineral collection system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The fixed pile (60) comprises an upper toothed section (61) and a lower pile leg (62). A vertical vibration device (63) is fixed to the top of the toothed section (61) for rapidly vibrating the fixed pile (60) up and down. A stopper (64) is provided at the junction of the toothed section (61) and the pile leg (62) for limiting excessive upward displacement of the fixed pile (60). The toothed section (61) is provided with a plurality of toothed transverse ridge sections at intervals along the vertical direction, and the number of the toothed transverse ridge sections is the same as the first vertical grooves (24) provided in the arm end through hole (23), so that after the fixing pile (60) is passed through the arm end through hole (23), the toothed transverse ridges of the toothed section (61) and the first electric gear (25) in the arm end through hole (23) are meshed with each other.
5. The rare earth mineral collection system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The telescopic pipe (50) is composed of multiple stages of bellows (51) connected in series at upper and lower positions. A first pipe connecting device (70) and a second pipe connecting device (70') are fixed to the upper and lower ends of each stage of the bellows (51), respectively. A plurality of racks (52) are provided on the first pipe connecting device (70) and the second pipe connecting device (70').
6. The rare earth mineral collection system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first pipe connecting device (70) comprises a connecting device body (72) having a second central through hole (71), a plurality of side wings (73) being evenly arranged on the outer wall of the connecting device body (72), a second vertical through groove (74) being formed in each side wing (73), and one or more second electric gears (76) being arranged in each second vertical through groove (74) by means of the groove wall; The second pipe connecting device (70') is fixed to the lower end of the corrugated pipe (51), and includes a connecting device body (72) having a second central through hole (71). A plurality of side wings (73) are evenly arranged on the outer wall of the connecting device body (72), and each side wing (73) is provided with a groove (75).
7. The rare earth mineral collection system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The bottom end of the rack (52) is fixed in the groove (75) of the second pipe connecting device (70'), and the upper end of the rack (52) passes through the second vertical through groove (74) of the first pipe connecting device (70), and the side of the rack (52) in contact with the second electric gear (76) is provided with a tooth-shaped transverse groove (53), and the tooth-shaped transverse groove (53) is engaged with the second electric gear (76), so that the rotation of the second electric gear (76) can drive the first pipe connecting device (70) to move up and down.
8. The rare earth mineral collection system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first pipe connecting device (70) and the second pipe connecting device (70') of the multi-stage corrugated pipe (51) are arranged alternately and spaced apart from each other.
9. The rare earth mineral collection system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of limiting grooves (35) are provided at the outer edge of the boss (31), the number of which is the same as the number of the delivery pipes (33), and the inner end of each delivery pipe (33) is located in the corresponding limiting groove (35).
10. A method for collecting deep-sea rare earth minerals, using the rare earth mineral collection system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The following steps are involved: Step 1, deployment phase: the rare earth mineral collection system is deployed to the designated location by a construction vessel. When the deployment begins, the fixed pile (60) and the retractable pipe (50) are both in an extreme contraction state, and the electric gear set and the first electric gear (25) are both in a locked state to ensure that all components are in a fixed state to ensure construction safety. The bottom surface of the relay station (30) is made parallel to or overlapped with the seabed by the construction vessel; Step 2, fixing stage: After the rare earth mineral collection system is deployed to the designated location, the locking state of the electric gear set is unlocked to allow the fixed pile (60) to move up and down, and the vertical vibratory device (63) is started to drive the fixed pile (60) into the seabed to the limit position. After the driving is completed, the electric gear set is relocked to fix the bottom end of the rare earth mineral collection system on the seabed; Step 3, collection phase: After the rare earth mineral collection system is fixed, the first pipe connecting device (70) and the second electric gear (76) in the second pipe connecting device (70′) at the upper and lower ends of the lowest layer of the bellows (51) are unlocked. At this time, the bellows (51) is extended downward by the gravity of the relay station (30) until it is in full contact with the seabed. Then, the mining operation is started. The minerals are collected into the relay station (30) through the conveying pipe (33) and then transported to the water surface support platform (10) through the system for sorting. As the mining progresses, the seabed gradually drops, and the bellows (51) After being acted upon by the gravity of the relay station (30), the bellows (51) continues to extend downward until reaching the limit state. After reaching the limit state, the first pipe connecting device (70) and the second pipe connecting device (70′) of the bellows (51) of the same level are locked, and then the second electric gear (76) in the penultimate first pipe connecting device (70) and the second pipe connecting device (70′) are unlocked, so that the bellows (51) can extend and continue to extend while descending along the seabed until reaching the limit state. This process is repeated until all the bellows (51) are in the limit extension state, and the collection of the first area is completed. Step 4, the shifting stage: after completing the collection of one site, the mining vehicle is recovered to the surface of the water, and the second electric gear (76) in the first pipe connecting device (70) and the second pipe connecting device (70′) are unlocked in sequence from top to bottom, and energized to rotate in reverse, and the second electric gear (76) is locked after the bellows (51) is contracted to the limit state in sequence; the electric gear set of the support arm (20) is unlocked, and energized to rotate in reverse, the fixed pile (60) is pulled out from the seabed and contracted to the limit state, and the lifting and collection system is moved to the next collection site by the sea surface construction ship; Repeat steps 1 to 4 above until all sites are collected.
Citation Information
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