Moscow State Mining University, Moscow, Russia:

Yaltanets I. M., Professor, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, phone: +7 (499) 230-24-87

Bessonov E. A., Consultant, Doctor of Engineering Sciences

Nowadays, the extraction of mineral resources from bottoms of seas and oceans is held by methods of mechanical or hydraulic dragging. The following dredges are applicable for operations on the great deeps:

- rope bucket dredge by Japanese inventor Masuda;

- single-bucket clamshell dredge;

- hydraulic airlift dredge.

However, together with advantages, all existing dragging methods have a range of serious disadvantages. In connection with this, there is a necessity in creation of such an equipment, which could save and join the advantages of both dragging methods and minimize the disadvantages.

Authors of this article propose a feasible solution of this problem: a variant of rope-hydraulic complex, which represent the combination of floating clamshell unit (along with its tug) and airlift dredge.

An operation principle of the complex is that the airlift dredge is on a fixed position for a long time. The clamshell unit delivers the material to the suction cap of airlift dredge (see figure).