Device and method for mining solid materials from the sea bed

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for mining solids, especially minerals or metalliferous rocks on the seabed 8. For this purpose, the device is equipped with an above-surface facility 2 on the water surface 4 and a mining unit 6 with means for mining the solids within a mining area on the seabed 8. The device according to the invention further has a reconnaissance vehicle 20 with means for controlling the mining unit 6 and means for monitoring the mining area. The invention also concerns a corresponding method for mining solids from the seabed via the invented device.

1 . Device for mining solids, especially minerals or metalliferous rocks on the seabed, which is composed of an above-surface facility at the water surface and a mining unit within a mining area on the seabed, whereby the above-surface facility is connected to the mining unit via one or more of fastening devices, data lines and feed lines
 comprising   a reconnaissance vehicle controlling the mining unit and sensor for monitoring the mining area.   
     
     
         2 . Device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein   the reconnaissance vehicle is an unmanned underwater vehicle that can be controlled via a control device according to predetermined control information and can be either controlled in an autonomous mode or a remote-controlled operating mode.   
     
     
         3 . Device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein   the reconnaissance vehicle includes at least one sonar system, for collecting surface data on the seabed.   
     
     
         4 . Device according to  claim 3 ,
 comprising   neuro-processor for classifying the seabed based on the collected surface data.   
     
     
         5 . Device according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein position data and route data of the mining unit are determined based on the collected surface data.   
     
     
         6 . Device according to  claim 1 ,
 comprising   a docking device on the mining unit and the reconnaissance vehicle which is configured in such a way to permit coupling and uncoupling of the reconnaissance vehicle to and from the mining unit under water.   
     
     
         7 . Device according to  claim 6 ,
 wherein   the docking device includes a data transfer interface and an energy transfer interface.   
     
     
         8 . Device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein   the reconnaissance vehicle and the mining unit are equipped with a navigation system for generating navigation data.   
     
     
         9 . Device according to  claim 8 ,
 wherein the navigation data of the mining unit and the reconnaissance vehicle are synchronized in case both the mining unit and the reconnaissance vehicle are equipped with their own navigation systems.   
     
     
         10 . Device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein   the mining unit is equipped with its own drive and a vehicle that can be driven on the seabed or floats above the seabed.   
     
     
         11 . Method for mining solids, especially minerals or metalliferous rocks on the seabed, using an above-surface facility at the water surface and a mining unit on the seabed that mines the solids within a mining area, whereby the above-surface facility is connected to the mining unit via fastening devices, data lines and feed lines,
 comprising controlling the mining unit by a reconnaissance vehicle; and   monitoring the mining area is by the reconnaissance vehicle.   
     
     
         12 . Method according to  claim 11 ,
 wherein,   for monitoring the mining area, a first sensor of the reconnaissance vehicle senses the mining area not yet processed and a second sensor of the reconnaissance vehicle senses the mining area already processed.   
     
     
         13 . Method according to  claim 11 ,
 wherein   a new exploration for determining new position data and route data of a subsequent mining area is carried out by the reconnaissance vehicle during an ongoing mining operation.   
     
     
         14 . Method according to  claim 11 ,
 wherein   the above-surface facility is guided indirectly by the reconnaissance vehicle, in that the mining unit is guided by the reconnaissance vehicle and current location position data of the mining unit are transmitted to the above-surface facility.   
     
     
         15 . Method according to  claim 11 ,
 wherein   the reconnaissance vehicle is coupled to and from the mining unit via a docking device to exchange data, receive power and control the mining unit.