Seabed Sinkage Detection and Grouting Escape for Mining Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Deep-sea mining vehicles face issues with sinking, inclining, and getting trapped due to low bearing capacity and uneven seabed conditions, leading to operational interruptions and complex, environmentally sensitive escape devices.
Innovation Solution
An equipment and method for sinkage detection and active escape using intelligent steering and retractable grouting heads, combined with A-B mixed slurry grouting, to enhance the vehicle's adaptive driving capability on soft seabeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional escape devices are used, then the vehicle can escape from trapped conditions, but the device structure becomes complex and has high failure rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical state of the seabed by injecting grouting materials (resin, cement slurry, chemical grout) to transform soft sediment into hardened ground, providing a reliable escape mechanism without complex mechanical structures. This parameter change approach replaces traditional mechanical escape devices with a chemical stabilization method.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical escape devices with a chemical grouting system. Instead of using mechanical structures to physically extract or lift the vehicle from trapped conditions, the system uses chemical materials to stabilize the seabed and enable the vehicle to escape through improved ground bearing capacity.
2Productivity
If the vehicle operates on soft seabed, then mining operations can proceed, but the vehicle may sink and get trapped due to low bearing capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary detection of seabed conditions using sinkage detection devices that monitor vehicle stability in real-time. When potential sinkage is detected, the system prepares and deploys grouting materials proactively to prevent trapped conditions, ensuring continuous mining operations without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where sinkage detection devices continuously monitor vehicle position and seabed interaction. This real-time feedback triggers automatic grouting injection when abnormal sinkage is detected, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains vehicle stability and operational continuity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If grouting technology is combined with escape equipment, then adaptive driving capability is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single grouting system that can detect sinkage, inject stabilization materials, and enable vehicle escape. The grouting equipment serves universal purposes: stabilizing the seabed for normal operation, rescuing trapped vehicles, and adapting to various seabed conditions, thereby improving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
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 system automatically detects and warns of sinkage, enhances seabed bearing capacity through grouting, allowing vehicles to escape trapped or low-lying conditions, improving operational efficiency and adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
combining with the mature and efficient grouting technology and materials to achieve automatic escape after grouting
Implementation Method 2
the A-slurry tank and the B-slurry tank connect to the slurry inlet of the conveyor of A-B mixed slurry, and the intelligent steering and retractable grouting heads connect to the slurry outlet of the conveyor of A-B mixed slurry
Implementation Method 3
the device measures the distance from the bottom of the track to the device and monitors the contact condition of between the tracks and the sediment actively
Data Source
AI summary
An equipment and application method for sinkage detection and active escape of deep-sea mining vehicle, comprising: the sinkage detection and warning devices and the self-escape equipment. The sinkage detection and warning devices are installed on the left and right sides of each track of the deep-sea mining vehicle, and it monitors the contact conditions between the tracks and the sediment, and the distance from the bottom of the track to the device is measured. The self-escape equipment comprises the active interactive grouting system, which connects to intelligent steering and retractable grouting heads. The intelligent steering and retractable grouting heads are also located on the left and right sides of each track. This invention can detect the complex driving environment of the seafloor automatically and combine the existing grouting technology and materials to achieve active grouting escape in case of excessive sinkage.