The Kaituo 2 (Pioneer 2), an engineering prototype of a heavy-duty deep-sea mining vehicle independently developed by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, has successfully completed sea trials, the first time a heavy-duty deep-sea mining vehicle in China has operated at a sea trial depth beyond 4,000 meters.
A deepwater heavy-load deployment and recovery winch developed by the 704 Research Institute of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) supported the full deployment and recovery operations for the Kaituo 2, providing technical support for a series of complex, record-setting deep-sea mining tests.
During the deepwater heavy-load deployment and recovery sea trials, the 704 Research Institute worked closely with Shanghai Jiao Tong University to overcome the technical challenges posed by deep deployment waters, heavy loads, complex sea conditions and demanding operational support requirements, completing deployment and recovery operations under high sea states and heavy loads, with a maximum deployment depth of 4,102.8 meters. Precise coordinated control of multiple actuators, together with tension control technology for paying out and hauling in large-diameter flexible cable over long distances, ensured that the entire deployment and recovery process remained efficient, reliable and smooth in complex sea conditions.
This was the first time China has completed heavy-duty deep-sea deployment and recovery of a sulfide mining vehicle in a 4,000 meter class deep-sea mining area, comprehensively verifying that the performance of the deployment and recovery system meets the demands of difficult deep-sea mining operations. The deepwater heavy-load winch developed by the 704 Research Institute is China’s first independently developed mobile, integrated traction winch and a key piece of core equipment for deep-sea mining. Working to the specific requirements of deep-sea mining, the institute carried out sustained specialized technology development and broke through a series of key technologies, including integrated overall design, long-distance spooling of large-diameter flexible cable, and integrated mobile mounting of the winch. Following this full-process trial, its performance indicators have reached an internationally advanced level.
The winch uses a variable-frequency drive, with a safe working load of 30 tonnes and a cable capacity of 6,500 meters. During development, the 704 Research Institute continuously optimized and iterated the winch system’s performance indicators and functional characteristics, with comprehensive upgrades in automation, electrification and reliability, giving the system high drive efficiency, strong load capacity and a high degree of automation. The winch also uses an integrated design that installs the traction, cable storage and spooling devices, together with the electrical control and hydraulic systems, within a single frame, allowing it to be carried on multiple platforms.
