US3589351A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cutting of rocks, glass and the like
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1970-03-16
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Granted: 1971-06-29
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Expires: 1990-03-16
Abstract
Abstract A method is disclosed for drilling holes, or cutting of rock or glass with a corpuscular beam, of electrons or ions of high energy density, typically exceeding about 106 watts per square centimeter. The beam is projected into the atmosphere from the chamber in which it is generated. The surface being impinged by the beam may advantageously be under water. The particles of the beam may also have very high energy (accelerating voltage 1 million to 100 million volts) to produce a blasting effect under the surface of the material being disrupted.
Inventors
- 👤 William E Shoupp
- 👤 Berthold W Schumacher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:14
CPC Classifications
B; B28; B28D; B28D1/00; B28D1/22; B28D1/221; C; C03; C03B; C03B33/00; C03B33/08; C03B33/082; E; E21; E21C; E21C37/00; E21C37/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
The method of cutting a sheet like rock body having a pair of spaced surface portions between which the cut is to be made which comprises the steps of placing a water layer against said surface portions, of directing a corpuscular beam of high energy content per unit area at one of said pair of surface portions, said energy content being of sufficient magnitude to form a slot in said body extending between said surface portions, and of relatively moving said body and said beam to elongate said slot.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
89 words
The method of cutting a sheet like rock body having a pair of spaced surface portions between which the cut is to be made which comprises the steps of placing a water layer against said surface portions, of directing a corpuscular beam of high energy content per unit area at one of said pair of surface portions, said energy content being of sufficient magnitude to form a slot in said body extending between said surface portions, and of relatively moving said body and said beam to elongate said slot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 which includes the step of blowing a jet of fluid against said one surface portion and into said slot to remove the material heated by said beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 in which said body comprises a pane of glass, said beam having an energy concentrations of about 106 watts per square centimeter, and the relative speed of the pane and beam is about 10 to 60 inches per minute.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
78 words
The method of cutting a glass pane which comprises submerging said pane under water, setting apparatus for producing a corpuscular beam having a high energy content per unit area in beam-impingement relationship with the surface of said pane while said pane is submerged, energizing said apparatus to produce said beam, projecting said beam on said surface, and while said beam impinges on said surface moving said pane and beam one relative to the other to cut said pane.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
78 words
The method of cutting a glass pane which comprises submerging said pane under water, setting apparatus for producing a corpuscular beam having a high energy content per unit area in beam-impingement relationship with the surface of said pane while said pane is submerged, energizing said apparatus to produce said beam, projecting said beam on said surface, and while said beam impinges on said surface moving said pane and beam one relative to the other to cut said pane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the beam is an electron beam having an energy concentration of about 106 watts per square centimeter, the beam outlet nozzle of the apparatus is held about one-eighth inch to 1 inch from the surface, and the relative speed of the pane and beam is about 10 to 60 inches per minute.
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) | 1974-06-28 | 1974-12-28 | 1975-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-28 | 1978-12-28 | 1979-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-28 | 1982-12-28 | 1983-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |