Submarine pump to extract sand forom sea bed - iis mounted in bell housing raised or lowered by controlling air pressure in bell via valves

摘要

The submarine pumping unit is used to extract sand from the sea bed. The unit (1-5) is mounted inside a bell housing (10). Submersion of or raising of the unit from the sea bed is effected by controlling the volume of air inside the bell. The unit may be operated by remote control and deliver the sand to a barge or dry land. The bell has two sets of air controls. A valve (6) in the bell roof can be used to allow air to escape and the bell to submerge. Alternatively air can be directed (13) from gas bottles (11) to refill the bell and raise the unit. A sealed air cell (14) on the top of the bell (10) may be used to maintain the unit vertical.