US3601448A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for fracturing concrete and other materials with microwave energy
Assignee: GAS DEV CORP
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Filing: 1969-04-21
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Granted: 1971-08-24
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Expires: 1989-04-21
Abstract
Abstract A low-noise method and apparatus for fracturing concrete and other solid materials by coupling microwave energy into the material in a fashion such as to generate independent heat patterns using at least two or more microwave applicator horns that are spaced apart from each other. The power density of the microwave energy coupled into the solid material is established and maintained below a predetermined threshold level above which violent and explosive type reactions occur. The spaced heat patterns or zones produced cause the heated material to expand, so as to place high tensile forces or stresses on the unheated material between the heat patterns. These forces or stresses cause failure to occur between the heat patterns, and ultimately across the heat patterns themselves.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanford C Stone
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:14
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21C; E21C37/00; E21C37/20; E01; E01C; E01C23/00; E01C23/06; E01C23/12; E21C37/18; H; H05; H05B; H05B6/00; H05B6/64; H05B6/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A low-noise method employing microwave energy for fracturing in a known and predictable manner solid material such as concrete, rock or other compounded or coalesced material which is electrically and/or dielectrically lossy in nature comprising the steps of: generating microwave energy; coupling said microwave energy into said solid material by passing it through a plurality of spaced-apart applicators; controlling and maintaining the power density of the microwave energy coupled into said solid material to below a predetermined threshold level above which violent and explosive type reactions occur, said threshold level being dependent upon the composition of said solid material and the number of applicators being used to couple said microwave energy into said solid material; heating said solid material with said microwave energy to create at least two spaced-apart heating patterns at a temperature such as to create stresses with the solid material at least between said heat patterns that exceed the strength of and thereby cause failure of said solid material; and thereafter terminating the application of said microwave energy.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A low-noise method employing microwave energy for fracturing in a known and predictable manner solid material such as concrete, rock or other compounded or coalesced material which is electrically and/or dielectrically lossy in nature comprising the steps of: generating microwave energy; coupling said microwave energy into said solid material by passing it through a plurality of spaced-apart applicators; controlling and maintaining the power density of the microwave energy coupled into said solid material to below a predetermined threshold level above which violent and explosive type reactions occur, said threshold level being dependent upon the composition of said solid material and the number of applicators being used to couple said microwave energy into said solid material; heating said solid material with said microwave energy to create at least two spaced-apart heating patterns at a temperature such as to create stresses with the solid material at least between said heat patterns that exceed the strength of and thereby cause failure of said solid material; and thereafter terminating the application of said microwave energy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The low-noise method of claim 1, wherein the spacing between said applicators and hence said heat patterns is established in accordance with the thickness and composition of the solid material to be fractured.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said applicators and hence said heat patterns created within the solid material are linEarly aligned, and the failure of the solid material is in the nature of a crack extending between and across said heat patterns in substantially a straight line.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3430021A
Cited
US3443051A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-23 | 1975-02-22 | 1975-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-23 | 1979-02-22 | 1979-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-23 | 1983-02-22 | 1983-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |