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:
Aug. 05, 2014
Filed:
Jul. 17, 2009
Applicants:
Robert James Howard, Clifton, VA (US);
John W. Rapp, Manassas, VA (US);
Inventors:
Robert James Howard, Clifton, VA (US);
John W. Rapp, Manassas, VA (US);
Assignee:
Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, MD (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
E21C 45/00 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract
Systems and methods for recovering manganese nodules from the seabed are disclosed. A buoyant body is generated by freezing water, forming a clathrate ice, or using a liquid that is less dense than seawater. Nodules that have been collected from the seabed are incorporated into or otherwise coupled to the buoyant body. The buoyant body is then released to make a free or tethered ascent to the surface.