US3583165A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for sealing off passageways
Assignee: Dow Chemical Co
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Filing: 1969-10-07
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Granted: 1971-06-08
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Expires: 1989-10-07
Abstract
Abstract A method is provided for sealing off underground passageways, e.g. mine tunnels, drifts and the like. A sufficient quantity of concrete and/or cement is introduced into the passageway through a shaft connecting the passageway with a work surface located above the passageway to substantially seal off the passageway. After the concrete and/or cement has set, the mass is internally fractured to provide fractures normal to the horizontal axis of the passageway and exposing a portion of the inner surface of the passageway. The fractures are then squeezed with an expanding cement.
Inventors
- 👤 Samuel R West
- 👤 Thomas A Sutton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 13:41
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02D; E02D3/00; E02D3/12; E21; E21F; E21F15/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for sealing off horizontal underground passageways which comprises: a. providing a shaft connecting said passageway with a work surface located above said passageway; b. introducing a sufficient quantity of concrete through the shaft to form a mass which substantially seals off the passageway at the location of the shaft; c. allowing the concrete to set; d. internally fracturing the mass to provide fractures therein which are normal to horizontal axis of the passageway and exposing a portion of the inner surfaces of the passageway to said fractures; e. squeezing said fractures with expanding cement; and f. allowing the expanding cement to set.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for sealing off horizontal underground passageways which comprises: a. providing a shaft connecting said passageway with a work surface located above said passageway; b. introducing a sufficient quantity of concrete through the shaft to form a mass which substantially seals off the passageway at the location of the shaft; c. allowing the concrete to set; d. internally fracturing the mass to provide fractures therein which are normal to horizontal axis of the passageway and exposing a portion of the inner surfaces of the passageway to said fractures; e. squeezing said fractures with expanding cement; and f. allowing the expanding cement to set.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein a coarse aggregate concrete is first introduced into said passageway and allowed to set and form a dam which partially seals off said passageway and then introducing a low mobility cement on top of said dam in a sufficient amount to substantially seal off said passageway.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method as defined in claim 2 wherein the set mass is internally fractured by drilling a substantially vertical shaft therein, and introducing an expanding cement therein under sufficient pressure to provide fractures therein which are normal to the horizontal axis of said passageway.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as defined in claim 2 wherein said passageway is a mine tunnel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the concrete comprises a low mobility concrete.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the set concrete mass is internally fractured by drilling a borehole therein and introducing a fracturing fluid therein under pressure sufficient to internally fracture said mass.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as defined in claim 6 wherein said fracturing fluid is removed from said borehole and fractures prior to squeezing them with said expanding cement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said passageway is a mine tunnel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
123 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein a. step (b) comprises first introducing a high aggregate containing concrete to partially seal off said passageway, allowing the aggregate concrete to set, and introducing a sufficient additional amount of a low mobility concrete therein to substantially seal off the passageway; and b. step (d) comprises drilling a substantially vertical shaft through said mass and introducing an expanding cement therein under sufficient pressure to produce fractures in said dam which are normal to the horizontal axis of said passageway to expose a portion of the inner surface of the passageway to said fractures and filling voids existing between the inner surfaces of said passageway and mass which communicate with said fractures with said expanding cement.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as defined in claim 9 wherein said work surface is the surface of the ground above said passageway.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as defined in claim 9 wherein said work surface is the floor of a second underground passageway located above said passageway to be sealed off.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-07 | 1974-12-07 | 1975-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-07 | 1978-12-07 | 1979-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-07 | 1982-12-07 | 1983-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |