Subsea Ore Container Transport with Guiding Cable
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sea mining systems face challenges in controlling loads suspended in wires, particularly in the splash zone, with limited lowering speed due to water resistance, and a fault-sensitive clamp/release system, which can result in uncontrolled bin positioning during landing or recovery, and require excessive wire lengths for movement.
Innovation Solution
A mining system with a reduced number of cables, where a container is fixedly coupled to a single transporting cable with a section extending below to prevent pivoting, and a guiding cable coupled via an element to maintain vertical control and prevent rotation, allowing for controlled vertical positioning and reduced wire usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a container is suspended from a single wire or two wires coupled at one point, then the wire length is reduced, but the container becomes free to rotate resulting in undefined positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from suspending the container at a single point (1D/2D freedom) to distributing suspension at multiple points along the container's length (constraining in 3D space). By attaching wires at multiple locations, the system eliminates rotational freedom while maintaining vertical suspension, achieving precise positioning without excessive wire complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the container serve different functions: the top portion has attachment points for wire suspension, the bottom portion has the opening for ore discharge, and intermediate sections provide structural support. This local differentiation allows the container to be constrained at specific locations while maintaining its overall functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a clamp/release system is used to couple and release the load from the wire, then the container can be recovered and reused, but the system becomes fault-sensitive
Solution Approach 1:
The container design includes self-contained features for attachment and detachment that rely on simple mechanical principles rather than complex controlled systems. The attachment mechanism at the top of the container works passively with the wire arrangement, reducing dependence on active control systems and thereby improving reliability while maintaining recoverability.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is designed as a separate, recoverable component with dedicated attachment interfaces. By segmenting the container from the transport system and providing specialized coupling points, the system enables easy recovery and reuse without compromising the reliability of the overall transport operation.
3Force
If the container moves through the water column with limited lowering speed control, then the wire resistance is reduced, but the container position becomes hard to control in the splash zone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses control difficulties by changing the operational parameters of container deployment. The multi-point suspension system allows for more uniform force distribution and better control characteristics during the critical splash zone passage, enabling operators to manage container descent more effectively while maintaining acceptable wire resistance levels.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a mining system comprising; - a vessel for processing mined ore, - an upper platform coupled with the vessel, - a lower platform supported by the ocean floor, - a number of transport cables which extend between the upper and lower platform,and - a container for containing ore which container is fixedly coupled to a container transporting cable such that the container moves vertically with the container transporting cable to transport the container in a container trajectory extending between the upper and lower platform.