Deep-Sea Nodule Collection Robot Piston Pump Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current deep-sea polymetallic nodule collection technologies are inefficient, costly, polluting, and difficult to adapt to complex deep-sea environments, lacking a mature, environmentally friendly method for commercial exploitation.

Innovation Solution

A deep-sea polymetallic nodule collection robot utilizing a suspension walking mode, hollow collecting frame, and high-speed water flow to separate nodules from muddy sand, with a piston pump and airfoil floating cabin for efficient and low-pollution collection, mimicking bionic designs for compatibility with the deep-sea environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional collection methods are used, then collection capability is achieved, but pollution to deep-sea environment increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepollution to deep-sea environmentVSAvoidcollection efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The collection system is divided into multiple independent collecting tubes with individual piston pumps, allowing selective operation and reducing overall environmental impact while maintaining collection efficiency through parallel operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical dredging systems with a suction-based system using piston pumps to create negative pressure, reducing direct mechanical contact and pollution to the seabed environment while maintaining collection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional collection equipment is used, then collection function is provided, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing cost and complexityVSAvoidadaptability to complex deep-sea terrain

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The robot platform integrates multiple functions including navigation, suspension walking adaptation to complex terrain, and polymetallic nodule collection in a single system, reducing the need for separate specialized equipment while maintaining reliability across varied deep-sea environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses adjustable piston pump parameters and flexible collecting tube configurations to adapt to varying deep-sea terrain conditions, providing reliability across different environments without requiring completely different equipment for each condition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If high-speed water flow is used for separation, then collection efficiency improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollection efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The piston pump operates in periodic reciprocating cycles, creating intermittent high-speed water flow for separation rather than continuous flow, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective separation during active phases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the natural density difference between polymetallic nodules and muddy sand, allowing high-speed water flow to automatically separate materials without additional energy-intensive processing mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The robot achieves high efficiency, low pollution, and low cost collection of polymetallic nodules while minimizing damage to the seabed environment, enabling sustainable resource development by using pressure difference for suction and a bionic-inspired design for compatibility with deep-sea conditions.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing a suspension walking mode, hollow collecting frame, and high-speed water flow to separate nodules from muddy sand, with a piston pump and airfoil floating cabin for efficient and low-pollution collection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

uses pressure difference for suction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 3

uses high-speed water flow to separate polymetallic nodules and muddy sand to a certain extent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHigh-speed water flow separation: Hydraulic Jump

Implementation Method 4

A robot for collecting deep-sea polymetallic nodules, including an underwater moving carrier and a collecting module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS11255071B2Robot and collecting method for collecting polymetallic nodules in deep-sea

Publication Date: 2022.02.22 WUHAN UNIV OF TECH

AI summary

A robot and a collecting method for collecting polymetallic nodules in deep-sea are provided. The robot includes an underwater moving carrier and a collecting module, and the collecting module is fixedly mounted on the underwater moving carrier. The collecting module includes a collecting frame, a collecting pump, a rack and a collecting tube, the collecting frame is installed at the bottom of the rack, and the collecting pump is a piston pump, which includes a piston and a cylinder with open lower-end. The upper part of the cylinder is a collecting area, the lower part is a piston stroke area, the collecting tube is connected to the cylinder of the collecting area, and a check valve is arranged in the middle of the piston.