An undersea mining apparatus including a hydraulically operated ejector pump for submerged use to provide a reduced pressure adjacent the outlet of a lift pipe, to thereby induce flow of mineral nodules from the ocean floor through the pipe. The jet flow is provided by an annular jet defined between the outlet of the lift pipe and the inlet of a dredge pipe that includes a converging-diverging venturi therewithin. The venturi is movable relative to the outlet of the lift pipe to adjust the area of the annulus defined therebetween, and thereby permit variation of the rate of flow of pressurized water and of mineral nodules therethrough.

Deep sea mining apparatus

A variable valve timing control system of an internal combustion engine includes a hydraulically-operated phase converter disposed between a sprocket and a camshaft, and having a phase-advance hydraulic chamber and a phase-retard hydraulic chamber for changing an angular phase of the camshaft relative to the sprocket. An electric pump is provided to supply working fluid selectively to one of the hydraulic chambers via a directional control valve. Also provided is a check valve disposed in a discharge line of the pump for permitting flow in a direction that the working fluid flows from the pump to the directional control valve and preventing any flow in the opposite direction, so as to prevent a pulse pressure arising from alternating torque exerted on the camshaft from being transmitted from either one of the hydraulic chambers via the discharge line to a discharge port of the pump.

Variable valve timing control system of internal combustion engine

Sludge thickening apparatus comprising a vertical tank including sludge inlet and outlet pipes, and a discharge pipe weir; a vertical hopper within the tank having walls which diverge outwardly from a hopper bottom toward a top opening wherein the weir has openings communicating with the hopper interior; a cover plate closing the top opening and having a raised central portion with an opening; and a baffle plate spaced from the bottom opening and having an opening therethrough. A vertical airlift member is supported by the bottom of the tank and extends through the baffle opening, the bottom opening and communicates with the cover opening. An assembly including an air shut-off valve selectively controls air to the airlift member whereby the shut-off valve is closed when the outlet pipe is opened.

Sludge thickening apparatus

A hopper subjected to a suction effect of a vacuum source such as a vacuum pump is connected by a hose to a suction nozzle thrown into a container for grainy material and an ejector is provided to supply the suction nozzle with pressurized air, and thereby a smooth pneumatic conveyance of the grainy material is achieved. A cap laterally provided with openings is slidably put on an open end of the suction nozzle and a total opening area of the lateral openings is adjusted by axially sliding the cap on the open end of the suction nozzle.

Pneumatic conveyor for grainy material and suction nozzle for use in such conveyor

A method of recovering mineral nodules deposited on the ocean floor which comprises the steps of pumping a continuous flow of ocean water along a first confined path through an exchange position within the vicinity of the ocean floor where the mineral nodules to be recovered are deposited from an ocean water inlet position out of the aforesaid ocean vicinity and then upwardly to a discharge position on a surface vessel, confining ocean water within a second path within the aforesaid ocean vicinity, continuously flowing ocean water in the second path by pumping the same at a pumping position spaced down-stream from an exchange position therein, continuously moving from the ocean floor to a separating position within the aforesaid ocean vicinity a mixture containing deposited mineral nodules and smaller particles forming a part of the ocean floor on which the mineral nodules were deposited, continuously separating the mixture at the separating position so as to obtain a supply of separated mineral nodules within ocean water, continuously feeding the supply of separated mineral nodules to the second path at a feeding position upstream from the exchange position therein, and continuously exchanging between the exchange positions within the first and second paths successive incremental volumes of ocean water and mineral nodules from the second path to the first path with comparable successive incremental volumes of ocean water from the first path to the second path

Method and apparatus for recovering mineral nodules from the ocean floor

Air is withdrawn from an air lift hydraulic pipe to control turbulence and velocity of flow through the pipe. The air is withdrawn at a location substantially above the air injection station where the expanding air causes excessively high velocity and turbulence which cause nodule breakage and wear of the pipe. In one embodiment a sleeve valve is used to selectively open perforations communicating with the interior of the pipe. The body of the valve can be connected to a vacuum source at the surface to increase the amount of air removed from the pipe. In a second embodiment a perforated member is located within the pipe and flow of air to the outside of the pipe is controlled by valves. The valves also permit selectively connecting the perforated member to a vacuum source at the surface. Hydraulic control arrangements permit regulating the valves from the surface vessel to control the rate of removal of air or gas from the pipe.

Joseph G Santangelo

Papers

Process and apparatus for transporting mined deposits from the sea floor

Verfahren und vorrichtung zum foerdern von teilchenfoermigem gut durch ein rohr vom boden eines gewaessers zur wasseroberflaeche