Abstract: A dredging system operates entirely by siphon action and includes a completely sealed conduit system having the intake end disposed upstream or at an upper level from the outlet end which is disposed sufficiently below the inlet end to maintain a flow of water once started. A pump and bypass system is provided for starting the system in operation with the pump bypassed once the system begins this operation. The system is designed to operate continuously without the need for auxiliary power at dams and reservoirs and the like.

Abstract: A grab excavator of the kind having a fixed jib, a liftable grab supported by the jib and a chute articulated about a horizontal axis for pivoting between an operative position in which the chute is directed obliquely downwards to receive material released from the grab and an inoperative position in which the chute is positioned downwardly out of the path of the grab. When the chute is in its operative position the lower end communicates with a feed device which includes a sieve forming a downward extension from the lower end of the chute. The chute is pivoted into and out of its operative position by a hydraulic ram engaging the underside of the chute.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with methods of and apparatus for constructing cylindrical structures such as large-diameter pipes for the transport of materials in ocean mining and the like, whereby one or more rolls of previously prepared sheet materials are wound around a core in a cross-wise fashion and bonded and treated by chemical and physical processes from a special floating platform that enables such construction operation in situ on the high seas.

Abstract: Marine sediment contains organic matter which can be extracted to provide a source of energy, by extracting the organic matter from the marine sediment when in the form of a slurry, and separating the organic matter from the extracted material.

Abstract: Conveying apparatus for sand, gravel and the like comprises a conveying head at the lower end of a lower pipe portion sealed to and displaceable telescopically relative to an upper pipe portion which is not longitudinally displaceable. An annular interspace between the pipe portions is filled with a pressurized sealing medium. The upper end of the upper pipe portion discharges via an impingement head into a horizontal classifying drum.

Abstract: Apparatus for extracting mineral resources lying on the bottom of sea into a working ship floating on an ocean utilizing circulating current based on the difference of water levels. A hollow box shaped tank has its bottom opened and sunk liftably into the sea bottom through a rope from the working ship. The tank is equipped with a rotatory driving mechanism and trawled along the sea bottom while stirring it when the ship travels on the ocean. An elongated flexible coaxial pipe comprises an inner pipe and a coaxial outer pipe, each having at its lower end a fanwise shaped hopper mouth disposed within the tank through the upper wall thereof. The coaxial pipe passes through an internal seawater cistern in the bottom wall portion of the working ship and has its upper portion within an external seawater cistern mounted on the upper portion of the working ship. A suction pump is joined to the upper end of the coaxial inner pipe.

Abstract: This invention relates to placer mining and more particularly to a novel bit adapted for use in stream beds, dependably to break up and deliver to and through a sluice box a quantity of divided, water-borne gravel, sand, clay and ore for the conventional analysis and segregation of the precious metal or metals contained therein. There have been prior proposals of a generally similar nature but the material dislodging bits employed have been so poorly designed that they have been severely limited in capacity or have quickly become clogged by gravel, clay, etc. so that the ore digging operation has had to be frequently interrupted for the elimination of obstructing material. The present invention substantially eliminates this shortcoming.

Abstract: A deep sea mining apparatus and method for mining mineral nodules from the ocean floor, comprises at least one surface ship and preferably a plurality of nodule harvesting or mining machines supported from the surface ship and resting on the ocean floor for movement along the ocean floor and including nodule gathering devices to gather the mineral nodules as the machine passes over the ocean floor. The nodule harvesting machines include separable, nodule-containing crates which, when full, are lifted to the surface where they are recovered by a surface ship. The crates are emptied of their contents and subsequently returned to the machines on the ocean floor to be refilled. The placement and guidance of the harvesting machines on the ocean floor is controlled by sonar devices and television cameras and the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for discharging overboard the excess water from the hopper of a hopper suction dredger, barge or scow for removing the air bubbles contained in the discharged water and for preventing the air bubbles from being entrained into the discharged water in order to prevent the turbidity of the water in the dredging area.

Abstract: Dredging or suction of a soil suspension from the sea bottom is effected through a suction conduit connected with a suction head enclosure resting on the sea bottom, there concurrently being supplied to the suction head enclosure and through a separate conduit connected therewith a transport fluid under pressure. Transport fluid is separated from the soil suspension collected at the surface and recycled to the suction head enclosure. Thus the transport fluid flows in a substantially closed recirculating flow course and consequently pollution of the sea is lessened.

Abstract: Valuable materials, such as manganese, are extracted from the sea bed by pelling through the sea a buoyant body which floats on the sea and carries equipment for extracting the material from the sea bed. A pier connected to the body affords moorings for transport ships which receive the extracted material and conveyor devices associated with the pier deliver the material directly into the ships. The transport ship or ships provide part of the propulsion force for the buoyant body.

Abstract: An underwater mining or dredging apparatus having a supporting vessel and a continuous loop to which is attached a number of containers. In one embodiment, the loop is hollow and has a ballasted fluid in a lower portion while the descending portion is buoyant. This will reduce the likelihood of entanglement of the loop. In another embodiment, a weight sled is used to help gather the underwater aggregates and prevent wear of the loop. The loop may be designed to hydrodynamically resist entanglements and may be disposed laterally relative to the supporting vessel.

Abstract: An elevator apparatus for emptying a towed deep-sea particle harvesting sled is disclosed. The sled is towed over the bottom surface of a deep-sea ocean bed by a strip. The strip is connected at its lower end to the sled, at its upper end to the vessel, and is under tension between the sled and the vessel as the sled is towed over the ocean floor. The strip includes a first railway for passing downwardly sequentially conveyed buckets on an endless belt from the surface vessel to the sled, and a second railway for passing upwardly sequentially conveyed buckets from the sled to the vessel. At the sled, the buckets are reversed on a wheel. The buckets pass through an area wherein collected particles are accumulated with the result that the buckets capture the particles and elevate them along the strip to the surface. At the surface on the vessel a similar wheel reverses the path of the conveyed buckets, as well as emptying the buckets into a surface collection area which is preferably on the vessel.

Abstract: A dredge unit having a buoyant support carrying a sluice box suspended beneath, a water suction system connected to an outlet end on the box and a suction hose operatively connected to an inlet end thereof. The water suction system operates to draw water and material through the suction hose and into the sluice box where material of relatively high specific gravity is contained while the remainder and the water is discharged from the system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for underwater mining by inducing upwelling of water and entrained minerals or other materials through a conduit from an intake which may move within the body of water by unbalanced forces developed therein by such upwelling to a recovery field which may comprise a vessel floating on the water and which may also be moved by the upwelling water. The outlet of the conduit to the recovery field is positioned below sea level and the velocity of the upwelled water in the recovery field is gradually reduced to induce selective separation of the entrained minerals or other materials.