Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
21~709
System for the exploration for and extraction of raw
materials, minerals and the like in an underwater bottom.
The invention relates to a system f or the
exploration for or extraction of raw materials, minerals or
the like in a soft underwater botto~ near land, a first
cable being stretched between at least one f ixed location
situated in the water or on the land, and another fixed
location, situated at a distance therefrom in the water or
on the land, a second cable being stretched between a point
on the f irst cable and a movable location on the land,
which location is situated at a distance from said point,
which second cable, with the aid of second cable drive
means, can be moved, under tension, in the longitudinal
direction of the second cable, between the point on the
first cable and the movable location, the first and the
second cable being oriented at an angle with respect to one
another, exploration means or extraction means being
attached to a f ixed point on the second cable . Such a
system i8 known from GB-A-779 706, in which a scraper is
drawn with the above-described cable aLLaJI, r-t along a
straight line over a land or underwater bottom.
Exploration and extraction t~rhn;qll~s are also, for
example, carried out by divers who search an underwater
bottom more or less systematically and, on the basis of
their observations, decide to remove the bottom material at
certain locations, for the purpose of extracting the raw
materials, minerals or the like present therein. While this
rather primitive method is effective as such, it is very
labour intensive. Moreover, divers can only be used in
relatively shallow water, such as a surf zone, if the
weather is favourable, the water ~ _Lcl~uLa is favourable
and the surf or current is not excessive, in order to limit
the weighted belts they have to carry with them.
Another manner of extraction in an undersea bottom,
as employed in this context, is the so-called tidal or
alluvial extraction, which involves forming dams in the
sea, which offer sufficient protection against the tidal
ra~ge to permit extraction. A 1LC~ of this method is
A~ .O SH~L:~
~ 2175709
the necessity of forming - depending on the prevailing
weather and sea conditions - very high, wide and/or long
dams which essentially can be accomplished only during the
low water period. ~loreuvt L, tidal extraction is only
5 applicable in areas where the underwater bottom near the
coast is relatively flat and mainly consists of sand, which
sand is used for forming the dams.
In deeper water, extraction takes place by use of
dredging techniques from ships. These clrc:dy~L~c can,
10 however, only be used in specific favourable weather
conditions and outside surf zones, because of the required
stability of the ships.
An ob j ect of the invention is to provide a system
for the exploration for and extraction of raw materials,
15 minerals or the like, which system can be set up and
operated rapidly, with very simple means and requiring
little labour, covers large areas and ~unctions reliably
even under extreme weather and water conditions.
Another object of the invention is to provide a
20 system by means of which the extraction can be carried out
very selectively.
To these ends, the system according to the inven-
tion is characterized in that the f irst cable with the aid
of first cable drive means, can be moved, under tension,
25 between the fixed locations, in the longitudinal direction
of the first cable, the point on the first cable being
fixed, and means for det~rm;nlng the position of the
exploration or extraction means are provided. In an area
that is essentially def ined by the position of the
3 0 locations and the course of the coastline or shoreline it
is thus psssihte, first of all, to carry out a systematic
exploration of the underwater bottom, it being possible to
link meac,u. ~ L results to the position of the exploration
means, a~ter which, by means of a similar system, the
35 extraction can be carried out selectively by positioning
the extraction means at the deposits, ~t~-rm; n~d on the
basis of the exploration mea=-~L~ l. results, of the raw
materials, minerals or the like. It is observed here that
means for det~ nin~ the position of exploration or
AMEND~D SI I~ET
! . - 2a - 2~5~9
extraction means are known per se from GB-A-1 533 822.
Exploration means may use geophysical methods, such as
seismological~ radiation, sonar, rad~lr and elec~rical
measurements, underground visualisation techniques, or
s physical methods, such as taking ground samples and
carrying o t core dri llng :nd borehole ~e~surements.
AMEI~OED SltEFr
/o 9S/1Z715 _ 3 _ PCTINL94100269
In a simple preferred embodiment, the first cable
runs from a cable drive I~Leans at a first location to a
cable drive means at a second location. These locations can
each be situated both on the land and in the water. For
5 covering a larger exploration and extraction area, the
first cable preferably runs from a cable drive means at a
f irst location, via one or more def lection devices at
subsequent locations in the water, to a cable drive means
at a last location.
The movable location for the second cable is
advantageously formed by a vehicle which can be propelled
on the land, as a result of which the exploration and
extraction means can be moved with a minimum loss of time.
Expediently, the second cable drive means are situated on
lS the vehicle.
Preference i5 given to cable drive means which
consist of winches having a rotatable drum onto which one
end of the cable is wound. Such winches can be set up and
provided with energy both on the land and in the water on
20 heads situated therein; such winches may also be set up in
a movable manner, for example with the aid of vehicles.
A preferred embodiment of a system for the
exploration for raw materials, minerals or the like is
constructed in such a way that a return idler is attached
25 to the f ixed point of the f irst cable, the second cable, to
which exploration means are attached, running from the
movable location via the return idler back to the movable
or to a f ixed location .
A preferred embodiment of a system for the
30 extraction of raw materials, minerals or the like is
constructed in such a way that a return idler is attached
to the fixed point of the first cable, the second cable, to
which extraction means are attached, running from the
movable or a f ixed location on the land via the return
35 idler to the extraction means which extend as far as the
movable location.
More detailed preferred embodiments of the
exploration or extraction system according to the invention
are specified in the subclaims.
Wo 95~12715 2 1 7 ~ PCT/N194/00269
The invention il: explained with reference to the
drawi ng, i n wh i ch:
Figure 1 schematically shows a plan view of the
main - r,n~ntS of a system for the exploration for raw
5 materials, minerals or the like;
Figure 2 schematically shows a plan view of another
o~l;r~llt of a system similar to that of Figure l;
Figures 2a, 2b and 2c schematically shows a plan
view of yet other embodiments of a system similar to that
lO of Figure 1 or 2;
Figure 3 schematically shows a plan view of a
vehicle having means for assembling and disassembling a
double pipe string, and also having a winch;
Figure 4 schematically shows a plan view of a
15 suction head for extracting raw materials and minerals;
Figure 5 schematically shows a plan view of the
main components of a system for the extraction of minerals
and raw materials; and
Figure 6 schematically shows a plan view of a
20 detail of Figure 5 on a larger scale, as well as additional
system parts to illustrate the operation of the system
according to Figure 5.
In the figures, identical reference numerals relate
to identical components or~ to components having similar
25 functions. In Figures 1, 2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 5 and 6, some of
the components shown are depicted disproportionally, for
the sake of clarity.
Figure 1 shows an area of a coast or shore, such as
a surf zone or a river delta area, the line 2 indicating
30 the transition between land 4 and water 6. In the water 6
there have been placed on the water bottom, at a distance
from the land 4, two heads 8a and 8b, for example sunk
tanks, or piles driven into the water bottom. The heads 8a
and 8b are provided with deflection devices lOa and lOb,
35 respectively, for deflecting a cable. The deflection device
lOa guides a cable 12a, which at one end is connected to a
connection element 14 and at the other end is wcund onto
the drum of a winch 16a set up on the land 4. The
deflection device lob guides a cable 12b, which at one end
~0 95/12715 2 1 7 ~ 7 0 9 PCT~94/00269
is connected to the connection element 14 and at the other
end is wound onto the drum of a winch 16b set up on the
land 4 . The cables 12a and 12b are provided with f loats, so
that they do not or virtually do not come in contact with
5 the water bottom, and f loat or are suspended in the water,
as far as possible outside the sphere of influence of surf
and/or current. The cable may also be made of a material
such as perlon, having a specific mass which is
approximately equal to that of the water, in order to
10 achieve the same effect. The connection element 14
consists, for example, of a ring to which the cables 12a
and 12b are attached. Obviously, the cables 12a and 12b may
also form one whole, the element 14 having a suitable
dif ferent shape. Attached to the connection element 14, by
15 means of a cable 18, there is a return idler 20. A cable 22
is guided over the return idler 20, one end of which cable
is wound onto a drum of a winch 24a, and the other end is
wound onto a drum of a winch 24b. The winches 24a and 24b
are attached to a vehicle 25 which can be propelled in the
20 directions of the double arrow 26. Attached to the cable 22
there is a measuring probe 28 which, so as to stabilize its
position, is provided with arms 30 which, at the ends
facing away from the measuring probe 28, are coupled to the
cable 22 so as to be slidable in the longitudinal
25 direction. Connected to the connection element 14, by means
of suitable length of cable 32, there is a buoy 34, for
example made of metal. In a similar manner, a buoy 38 is
connected to the measuring probe 28 via a cable 36. The
cables 12a, 12b and 22 will generally be below the surface
30 of the water, the buoys 34 and 38 marking the position of
the connection element 14 and the measuring probe 28,
respectively, above the surface of the water. The relative
position of the buoys 34 and 38 with respect to marker
points on the land 4 can be determined with the aid of
35 radio stations 40a and 40b which are able to detect the
buoys. Similarly it is possible, in this manner, to
determine precisely the position of heads 8a and 8b and the
position of the buoys 34 and 38 with respect to the heads.
It is obviously also possible to determine the absolute
Wo 95/12~15 PCr~L94/00269
~17~9 6-
position of the measuririg probe 28 with the aid o~ a
satellite positioning system.
The measuring probe 28 can be moved between the
return idler 20 and the separation line 2 by winding up the
5 cable 22 with the aid of the winch 24b and simultaneously
unwinding the cable 22 with the aid of the winch 24a, or in
the opposite direction if the direction of rotation of the
winches 24a and 24b is reversed. In addition it is possible
to move the measuring probe 28 transversely to the
lo direction of the cable 22 in the direction of cable 12b by
moving the vehicle 25 in the direction of the winch 16b and
essentially simultaneously unwinding the cable 12a from the
drum of winch 16a, and winding the cable 12b onto the drum
of winch 16b. For the purpose of moving the measuring probe
15 28 in the opposite direction, the direction of movement of
the vehicle 25 and the directions of rotation of the
winches 16a and 16b are reversed. Thus, with the aid of the
stationary winches 16a and 16b and the movable winches 24a
and 24b, the measuring probe 28 can reach any point within
20 the exploration area bounded by the cables 12a and 12b.
By means of the system according to Figure 1 it is
possible to carry out in a simple manner, with the aid of
the measuring probe 28, systematic investigations of the
water bottom for the presence of raw materials, minerals or
25 the like. To this end, the measuring probe 28 is connected,
with the aid of a measuring cable, to measurement
processing means set up on the land 4, for example on the
vehicle 25. By establishing the position of the measuring
probe at each measuring pint, a detailed insight into the
30 local nature of the bottom within the exploration area can
be obtained. The explo~ation area can, for example, be
covered by bringing the measuring probe 28 into the
vicinity of the return idler 20, bringing the connection
element 14 near the def lection device lOa by means of a
35 corresponding displacement of the vehicle 25, then moving
the measuring probe 28, while measurements are carried out,
in the direction of the cable 22 as far as the s~paration
line 2, then moving the connection element 14 over a
predetermined distance in the direction of the def lection
~O 95/~271~ ~ 1 7 ~ ~ o ~ PCrlNL94100269
device lOb with a corresponding displacement of the vehicle
25, then moving the measuring probe 28 from the separation
line 2 as far as the return idler 20, and so forth, so that
a meandrous measuring path is gone through.
S The heads 8a and 8b may be set up in the water 6 up
to a few kilometres from the land 4, the distance between
the heads 8a and 8b being 1 km, for example.
Figure 2 shows an ~mho~ nt of the system
according to the invention, where use is made of only one
head 8c with def lection device 10c. Otherwise, the
construction and the use of the system is the same as
specif ied with ref erence to Figure 1.
Figure 2a shows an embodiment of the system
according to Figure 2, where winches 16a and 16b are
positioned next to one another, as the result of which a
more compact system is obtained having shorter power supply
and control cables than in the situation shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2b shows an embodiment of the system
according to the invention, where winches 16c and 16d for
winding and unwinding the cables 12a and 12b have been
positioned on the heads 8a and 8b, as a result of which
said cables 12a and 12b can be very considerably shorter
than in the arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2. For the
purpose of supplying power to the winches 16c and 16d and
controlling them, electricity cables can be laid across the
underwater bottom to the heads 8a and 8b. It will be
obvious that the two winches 16c and 16d can also be
positioned on one of the two heads 8a or 8b, a return idler
being arranged on the other head for guiding the cable back
to the head with the winches.
Figure 2c shows an ~mhr~ nt of the system
according to the invention, where winches 16e and 16f for
winding and unwinding the cables 12a and 12b are set up on
the land 4 on either side of a river mouth.
After the exploration has been rounded off and it
has therefore become known at what locations of the
explored area deposits of raw materials, minerals or the
like are located, a selective extraction or production of
the traced raw materials, minerals or the like can be
Wo 95/12715 PCT~IL94/00269
21757~g
-- 8 --
carried out. An important aid in this is a vehicle 50,
shown in Figure 3. The vehicle 50 comprises a chassis and a
superstructure, of which only the superstructure 52 is
visible in Figure 3. The chassis is provided with
5 caterpillar tracks 54 for propelling the vehicle 50. The
superstructure 52 is rotatable about a vertical axis with
respect to the chassi~, so that in the orientation shown of
the superstructure 52, the vehicle 50 can move both in the
longitudinal directiom of the superstructure and in an
10 arbitrary other direction, such as a transverse direction.
The superstructure 52 is provided with a winch of which
only the drum 56 is sllown. On both sides of the vehicle
there are pivotable hoist devices 58, by means of which
pipes 60 can be moved from and to a store to and from,
15 respectively, the vehicle 50. On the vehicle 50, the pipes
60 can be connected, at their ends, by means of a screw
connection, with other pipes 6C, in such a way that two
pipe strings 62a and 62b are formed. For the purpose of
performing the connection operation between the pipes 60,
20 one end thereof can be clamped by a clamping device 64.
After clamping, a pipe 60 can be screwed onto or unscrewed
from the pipe string 62a and 62b, respectively, with the
aid of a rotary device 66. :The rotary devices 66 are
mounted on guides 68 in a movable manner and can be
25 displaced across these with the aid of hydraulic cylinders
70 in the directions indicated by double arrows 72.
Although the vehicle 50 advantageously comprises a number
of mutually interacting devices, these devices may
obviously also be intl~rPndPt-t, and each may, for example,
30 be mounted on a separate vehicle.
Figure 4 shows those ends of the pipe strings 62a
and 62b which face away from the vehicle 50. At this point,
the pipes 60 are coupled, by means of a screw connection,
to a pipe 74 which is essentially curved in the form of a
35 semicircle and whose two ends and the central section are
mounted in a T-shaped support construction 76 which, by
means of a ring 78, is coupled to a cable 80. The curved
pipe 74 is provided, in line with pipe string 62a, with a
tubular suction head 82 having orifices 84, and is in open
1~10 95112715 2 1 ~ ~ ~ 0 9
g
communication therewith. Further, the curved pipe 74 i5
provided, near the suction head 82, with a number of spray
nipples 86, whose spray orifices 88 are in open
communication with the interior of the curved pipe 74 and
5 are directed towards the region of the orif ices 84 of the
- suction head 82.
As Figure 5 illustrates, the extraction system
according to the invention is similar to the exploration
system depicted in Figure 1. Although the extraction system
10 can be set up independently of the exploration system, use
can advantageously be made of the same heads 8a and 8b,
deflection devices lOa and lob or loc, cables 12a, 12b and
18, connection element 14, winches 16a and 16b, or 16c and
16d, or 16e and 16f, return idler 20, cable 32, buoy 34 and
15 radio stations 40a and 40b. Specifically for the extraction
of raw materials, minerals or the like, the vehicle 50 is
positioned on the land 4. As has already been discussed
with ref erence to Figure 3, double pipe strings 62a and 62b
can be assembled or disassem~led on the vehicle 50. The
20 cable 80 which is linked to the curved pipe 74 is guided
around the return idler 20 and wound onto the drum 56 of
the vehicle 50. Thus it is possible to move the pipe
strings 62a and 62b and thus the suction head 82 in the
direction of the arrow go, by pushing the pipe strings 62a
25 and 62b away from the vehicle with the aid of the cylinders
70 and, if required, additionally applying traction thereto
via the cable 80 and the drum 56 by means of the winch of
the vehicle 50. A movement of the pipe strings 62a and 62~
and the suction head 82 in the opposite direction 92 takes
30 place by paying out the cable 80 and pulling the pipe
strings 62a and 62b towards the vehicle 50 with the aid of
the cylinders 70. A movement of the pipe strings 62a and
62b in the direction transverse thereto, according to the
directions of the double arrow 84, is effected by moving
35 the vehicle 50 in the transverse direction and moving the
attachment point 14 in a corresponding direction by
suitably driving the winches 16a and 16b.
With reference to Figure 6, the extraction of
minerals and raw materials with the ai~ of the system shown
, .. . . .. . . .. . . _
WO 95/12715 PCT/NL94/00269 1
~ 7570g
-- 10 --
in Figures 3-5 is illustrated. The exploration measurements
have already shown at what locations extraction should take
place. The suction head 82 can be positioned effectively on
the desired location with the aid of the set of radio
5 stations 40a and 40b, the position of the heads 8a and 8b
and/or the buoy 34 and a buoy 88 fastened to the support
construction 76 with the aid of a cable 86. The pipe string
62b is then coupled to a conduit system 90, incorporated in
which there is a high-pressure pump 92 which draws in sea
10 water or river water through an intake 94 and forces it
into the pipe string 62b. The f low direction of the water
in the pipe systems is indicated by arrows. That end of the
pipe string 62a, which faces away from the curved pipe 74
is coupled to a separation installation 96, indicated only
15 schematically. The water forced into the pipe string 62b by
the high-pressure pump 92 will thus flow through the curved
pipe 74 and the pipe string 62a to the separation
installation 96, the water flow at the point of the suction
head 82 ensuring such a pressure differential with respect
20 to ambient pressure that material from the bottom on which
or in which the suction head 82 is located is sucked
through the orif ices 84 in the suction head and is
entrained by the f low of water through the pipe string 62a
towards the separation installations 96 for separating the
25 sought raw materials, minerals or the like from the flow of
water. Water spraying from the nozzles 86 ensures, during
extraction, additional turbulence in the vicinity of the
suction head 82 and thus improved extraction, while it is
also possible, in this manner, for the suction head 82 to
30 be detached from the bottom if during the extraction it has
become embedded therein.
