US3582138A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toroid excavation system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-04-24
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Granted: 1971-06-01
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Expires: 1989-04-24
Abstract
Abstract A system for excavating space deep in the earth in the form of a doughnut-shaped generally cylindrical annulus or toroid having a core of substantial diameter within which there is usually at least one central shaft for access to the workings and removal of rock from the excavation. The generally circular configuration of the excavation minimizes distances for access of men and equipment to the workings and removal of the rock and introduces efficiencies and cost savings resulting from minimum preparation, minimum travel distances, loading from a single station at the bottom of the shaft and is conducive to excellent working conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L Loofbourow
- 👤 William Vaananen
- 👤 William G Wood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:08
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03F; E03F9/00; E21; E21C; E21C41/00; E21C41/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A system of excavation deep in the earth which comprises the steps of: A. providing an entranceway at least to the lowermost level of the excavation, B. providing a shaft lying generally near the vertical axis of the excavation, C. developing haulageways extending generally radially from said shaft adjacent the bottom of the excavation, D. providing a rock-loading station at the bottom of said entranceway, E. developing at least one generally circular drill drive around but spaced from said shaft and accessible from said shaft, F. developing at least one vertical slot raise from said drill drive and connecting with one of said haulageways, G. blasting rings of long holes toward said slot and drawing the resulting broken rock from the haulageway from the bottom of said slot, and H. advancing the excavation in a generally circular pattern by continued blasting and withdrawal of rock to form a toroidal excavation spaced from sand surrounding said axis.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
156 words
A system of excavation deep in the earth which comprises the steps of: A. providing an entranceway at least to the lowermost level of the excavation, B. providing a shaft lying generally near the vertical axis of the excavation, C. developing haulageways extending generally radially from said shaft adjacent the bottom of the excavation, D. providing a rock-loading station at the bottom of said entranceway, E. developing at least one generally circular drill drive around but spaced from said shaft and accessible from said shaft, F. developing at least one vertical slot raise from said drill drive and connecting with one of said haulageways, G. blasting rings of long holes toward said slot and drawing the resulting broken rock from the haulageway from the bottom of said slot, and H. advancing the excavation in a generally circular pattern by continued blasting and withdrawal of rock to form a toroidal excavation spaced from sand surrounding said axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system according to claim 1 further characterized in that said entranceway includes a first shaft utilized as a hoisting shaft and a second smaller diameter man shaft is sunk generally parallel to the first and spaced therefrom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 2 further characterized in that air is forced down said smaller shaft past working places on each level and returned to the surface through said hoisting shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system according to claim 1 further characterized in that a haulageway is developed at the bottom of the excavation connecting with the generally radial haulageways and extending in a generally circular ring around but spaced from said shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system according to claim 4 further characterized in that a pair of concentric circular inner and outer drill drives are developed at each drill level, each connected by generally radial accessways to said shaft, said accessways being spaced upwardly from said haulageways.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 5 further characterized in that at least two vertically spaced apart drill levels are established.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 5 further characterized in that passways are developed from said accessways to the loading station for removal of rock from preparatory workings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 1 further characterized in that crushing means are provided in said haulageways adjacent the production area for subsurface crushing of rock before delivery to said loading point.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 1 further characterized in that the excavation is advanced by progressively drilling and blasting on both sides of said slot.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
113 words
A system according to claim 1 further characterized in that upon substantial completion of the excavation: A. interconnecting accessways and haulageways are prepared extending from the first excavation to a nearby site for a second excavation, B. accessways, drill drives and haulageways are developed for said second excavation, C. at least one vertical slot raise is developed from said drill drives and connecting with one of said haulageways of said second excavation, and D. excavation of the second excavation is advanced by progressively drilling and blasting adjacent said slot, drawing the broken rock from the bottom of the slot through the haulageways to the loading station at the bottom of the first excavation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 10 further characterized in that said second excavation is formed concentric with the first excavation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-31 | 1974-11-30 | 1975-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-31 | 1978-11-30 | 1979-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-31 | 1982-11-30 | 1983-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |