Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for controlling the size, enlargement and configuration of a nuclear shot cavity so that it will be substantially cylindrical throughout its length from top to bottom which comprises placing into the formation in which the cavity is formed adjacent the upper portion at places surrounding the periphery of the cavity conventional explosive charges which can be detonated to cause collapse of the walls of said cavity when formed and detonating said charges.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for controlling the size, enlargement and configuration of a nuclear shot cavity so that it will be substantially cylindrical throughout its length from top to bottom which comprises placing into the formation in which the cavity is formed adjacent the upper portion at places surrounding the periphery of the cavity conventional explosive charges which can be detonated to cause collapse of the walls of said cavity when formed and detonating said charges.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 1 comprising placing the charges circumferentially at the upper portion of the cavity approximately at places which are near the largest circumference of the cavity projected upwardly after the nuclear shot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 2 comprising arranging and exploding the charges so as to move the portion of the formation which overlies about the largest cross section of the cavity at least in part substantially radially and horizontally into the cavity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 2 comprising placing the charges at several levels surrounding the upper portion of the cavity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 2 comprising exploding at least some of the charges after the nuclear shot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 2 comprising exploding at least some of the charges before the nuclear shot to provide a directional effect for the shock waves of the shot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 2 compriSing exploding at least some of the charges simultaneously with the nuclear shot.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 1 comprising drilling to different depth holes to receive intermediate auxiliary conventional explosives to produce the desired configuration of the nuclear cavity and placing the detonating explosives in said holes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method according to claim 1 comprising placing conventional explosives just outside the perimeter of what would be the upwardly extended walls of a substantially cylindrical or otherwise uniformly shaped cavity and causing the explosives by exploding them to horizontally displace into the cavity the portion of the formation encompassed within said walls.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 1 comprising placing the conventional explosive charges circumferentially at the upper portion of the cavity in substantially concentrically disposed series and exploding an inner series before exploding an outer series, thus moving the overburden sequentially into the cavity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 1 comprising scattering the shot holes over the cross section of the top of the nuclear cavity to assist in moving the walls thereof to accomplish better the substantially cylindrical configuration.