US3674313A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for effecting directional nuclear fracturing
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-04-17
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Granted: 1972-07-04
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Expires: 1990-04-17
Abstract
Abstract A method for localizing and directing energy from an underground nuclear explosion which includes the steps of providing an acoustical blocking zone on at least one side of the contemplated explosion situs to limit transmission of elastic waves to the earth on the opposite sides of the acoustical blocking zone, then detonating the nuclear explosive at the situs. The acoustical blocking zone is a zone of material which is at variance in its acoustical characteristics with respect to the adjacent earth in which it is located.
Inventors
- 👤 Carroll F Knutson
- 👤 Charles Robert Boardman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 07:29
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/25; E21B43/26; E21B43/263; E21B43/2635
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of horizontally focusing energy in a subterrean formation comprising the steps of: a. drilling a bore hole from the surface of the earth downwardly through the formation in which the energy is to be focused; b. extending at least two vertically-spaced fractures radially and horizontally outwardly from the bore hole, each of said fractures extending radially outward therefrom a distance equal to at least twice the radius of the cavity formed by the subsequent detonation of the nuclear device as defined in step e) set forth hereafter; c. placing at least one material in each of the fractures which is different in its characteristic acoustic impedance from the characteristic acoustic impedance of the earth adjacent the fracTures to form an acoustical block at the location of the fractures; d. positioning a nuclear explosive device within said bore hole adjacent the two vertically spaced fractures; and, e. detonating said nuclear device to form a cavity in the subterranean formation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of horizontally focusing energy in a subterrean formation comprising the steps of: a. drilling a bore hole from the surface of the earth downwardly through the formation in which the energy is to be focused; b. extending at least two vertically-spaced fractures radially and horizontally outwardly from the bore hole, each of said fractures extending radially outward therefrom a distance equal to at least twice the radius of the cavity formed by the subsequent detonation of the nuclear device as defined in step e) set forth hereafter; c. placing at least one material in each of the fractures which is different in its characteristic acoustic impedance from the characteristic acoustic impedance of the earth adjacent the fracTures to form an acoustical block at the location of the fractures; d. positioning a nuclear explosive device within said bore hole adjacent the two vertically spaced fractures; and, e. detonating said nuclear device to form a cavity in the subterranean formation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method defined in claim 1 bearing each of said fractures extends a distance equal to at least three times the radius of said cavity formed by the detonation. 3. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the material of different characteristic acoustic impedance in said fractures has a thickness in said fractures of at least one-fourth inch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein the material placed in said fractures has a characteristic acoustic impedance not exceeding about 600,000 grams/cm2sec.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein the material placed in said fractures is at least partially a liquid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3464490A
Cited
US3533471A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-04 | 1976-01-03 | 1976-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-04 | 1980-01-03 | 1980-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-04 | 1984-01-03 | 1984-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |