Modeling and simulation of ocean mining subsystem based on virtual prototyping technology

According to the virtual prototyping technology and the theory of dynamics of multi-rigid-body system, a virtual prototyping of ocean mining vehicle was constructed by using 3-dimensional entity modeling software ((Pro/E),) automatic dynamic analysis of mechanical systems(ADAMS) and advanced visual software(AVS). After 32 new modules were developed with C++ at AVS platform, the interface problems of the 3 types of software were solved effectively and a visual environment for ocean mining subsystem was constructed. Based on the similarity (theory) and similarity experiments, the validity and reliability of the virtual prototyping were verified. By using the (constructed) virtual prototyping, the relevant parameters, such as cutting depth, rotation speed of roller,marching speed of mining vehicle can be adjusted one by one. After repeatable virtual tests and analysis its corresponding dynamic characteristics, the structure parameter of mining vehicle and the parameter of mining process can be optimized fast and accurately. The experiment and simulation results show that, under the controlled mining parameters, 4 function expressions between the average force of single pick,average torque,average cutting power,energy consumption ratio and cutting depth are obtained. The maximum force of a single pick is less than (11090N) and the maximum torque of the roller is less than 3600N·m.

An Integrated Dynamic Model of Ocean Mining System and Fast Simulation of Its Longitudinal Reciprocating Motion

An integrated dynamic model of China＇s deep ocean mining system is developed and the fast simulation analysis of its longitudinal reciprocating motion operation processes is achieved. The seafloor tracked miner is built as a three-dimensional single-body model with six-degree-of-freedom. The track-terrain interaction is modeled by partitioning the track-terrain interface into a certain number of mesh elements with three mutually perpendicular forces, including the normal force, the longitudinal shear force and the lateral shear force, acting on the center point of each mesh element. The hydrodynamic force of the miner is considered and applied. By considering the operational safety and collection efficiency, two new mining paths for the miner on the seafloor are proposed, which can be simulated with the established single-body dynamic model of the miner. The pipeline subsystem is built as a three-dimensional multi-body discrete element model, which is divided into rigid elements linked by flexible connectors. The flexible connector without mass is represented by six spring-damper elements. The external hydrodynamic forces of the ocean current from the longitudinal and lateral directions are both considered and modeled based on the Morison formula and applied to the mass center of each corresponding discrete rigid element. The mining ship is simplified and represented by a general kinematic point, whose heave motion induced by the ocean waves and the longitudinal and lateral towing motions are considered and applied. By integrating the single-body dynamic model of the miner and the multi-body discrete element dynamic model of the pipeline, and defining the kinematic equations of the mining ship, the integrated dynamic model of the total deep ocean mining system is formed. The longitudinal reciprocating motion operation modes of the total mining system, which combine the active straight-line and turning motions of the miner and the ship, and the passive towed motions of the pipeline, are proposed and simulated with the developed 3D dynamic model. Some critical simulation results are obtained and analyzed, such as the motion trajectories of key subsystems, the velocities of the buoyancy modules and the interaction forces between subsystems, which in a way can provide important theoretical basis and useful technical reference for the practical deep ocean mining system analysis, operation and control.

Theoretical design and dynamic simulation of new mining paths of tracked miner on deep seafloor

With comprehensive considerations of the operational safety and collection efficiency for the tracked miner collecting the seafloor poly-metallic nodules, two new improved mining paths for the miner on the deep seafloor were proposed. Compared to the conventional mining path, the design principles and superiorities of the two new paths are that the miner turning with relative long radius should avoid large sinkage and high slip, so as to ensure its operational safety, while the space between its straight-line trajectories before and after the turning is optimum, which is designed as the total width of the miner, and collect nodules as more as possible, so as to ensure its collection efficiency. To realize the new mining paths, theoretical designs and quantitative calculations were carried out to determine the exact positions for the speed controls of the miner during its whole operation process. With the new dynamic model of the miner, and through regulations of the speeds of the left and right tracks of the miner on the exact motion positions according to the theoretical calculations, the two new improved mining paths for the miner on the seafloor were successfully simulated, thus the turning radius of the miner in the simulation is about 21.8 m, while the distance between the straight-line trajectories before and after the turning is about 5.2 m. The dynamic simulation results preliminarily prove the feasibility of these two new mining paths, and further can provide important theoretical guidance and useful technical reference for the practical tracked miner operation and control on the seafloor.

Some Unresolved Issues in Ocean Pipes Aspirating Fluid

This paper reviews the dynamics of ocean pipes aspirating fluid and presents a selective review of the research undertaken on it. It focuses on the equations of motion, fluid-solid interaction at the inlet of the free end of the pipe, the stability mechanism of pipes aspirating steady fluid, etc. In particular, some unresolved or partly resolved issues on these important aspects are discussed. Finally, the promising future development in this area is discussed.