The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 03, 1979
Filed:
Jan. 30, 1978
Jacques Deliege, Brussels, BE;
Michel Giot, Brussels, BE;
Vsevolod Obolensky, Brussels, BE;
Luc Deconinck, Ieper, BE;
Marc Lejeune, Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, BE;
Union Miniere S.A., Brussels, BE;
Abstract
Nodule dredge comprising one or more of the following: convergent wall device, e.g., 'horn member', for accelerating liquid flow through the apparatus; comb or grid-like collecting or lifting device that can lift nodules into accelerated flow without necessarily lifting an entire layer of silt, especially where silt is relatively loose; inclined surface to receive and raise nodules driven down stream by accelerated flow, while silt is removed; and collection chamber below nodule path defined by inclined surface, to receive nodules from inclined surface. Process comprising one or more of the following: accelerating a flow of water with a convergent wall device; mechanically lifting nodules into the accelerated flow; driving the nodules up an inclined surface and cleaning them, using the accelerated flow, while establishing the flow in a direction which will project water and dispersed silt upwardly and rearwardly downstream of the inclined surface; and introducing the nodules into a collection chamber having an entrance turned away from said direction of flow.