Commissariat a L'energie Atomique

Pierre L Balligand

Jean Vertut

Paul Marchal

Pierre Lemercier

Yves Corfa

Pierre Biancale

Michel Rommens

Jean-Paul Jacquemin

Polymetallic nodules are collected by means of a plurality of self-propelled vehicles which move upwards and downwards between the sea floor and a surface platform under the action of excess ballast which is partially and progressively released as the vehicle approaches the bottom. The vehicles are propelled along the sea floor by means of at least two supporting units each having at least one helical propulsion fin, the remainder of the ballast being released in order to return the vehicles upwards for docking, unloading and energy-recharging in the surface platform.

Apparatus for mining nodules beneath the sea

Method and apparatus for mining nodules from beneath the sea

The end of at least one cable is connected to a float and the other end exerts a tractive effort on one or a number of collecting vehicles which land on the bottom at predetermined points with respect to the point of landing of the ballast which is provided with a pile, anchored in the sea bed, then freed from the float and the vehicle. Means initially secured to the ballast and then detached therefrom serve to convert the upward motion of the float to a displacement of the collecting vehicle along the sea floor.

Independent unit for the collection and upward transfer of nodules which

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Sceaux, France

Pierre L Balligand