Multi-objective design optimization for manganese nodule pilot miner considering collecting performance and manoeuver of vehicle

Abstract

A pilot miner, which is designed to collect manganese nodules on the deep seabed, intends to collect manganese nodules while traveling on cohesive soft soil. When operating a pilot miner, one needs to maintain traffic-ability at low traction speed for manoeuver operation as well as operates the vehicle straight in order to increase collecting efficiency by keeping high traction speed. Thus, if a pilot miner is designed in one property, it will become superfluous design due to conflict of incompatible properties. In this paper, multi-objective design optimization considering both collecting and maneuver operation is proposed for optimization of a pilot miner. Copyright ？ 2013 by The International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers (ISOPE).