US3714895A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for excavating by explosions
Assignee: Gulf Oil Corp
•
Filing: 1970-01-13
•
Granted: 1973-02-06
•
Expires: 1990-01-13
Abstract
Abstract A method for excavating by means of explosions is described wherein two or more explosive devices or charges are placed at selected depths and relative distances and are detonated with a predetermined time relationship. Various charge positions and detonation timing patterns are described for producing explosions in which the effects of one explosion are enhanced by the other in order to achieve excavations having desired configurations.
Inventors
- 👤 D Rawson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:34
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42D; F42D1/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for excavating by means of explosions, comprising: drilling a hole to a predetermined depth, enlarging a region at the terminus of said hole, placing a nuclear device in the enlarged region, filling the enlarged region with a solid or fluid, plugging the hole a distance above said enlarged region, placing an explosive chemical charge in the hole above the plug at a distance from the nuclear device no greater than would result in contiguous permeable zones after detonation, providing means for rendering said chemical explosive charge insensitive to shock resulting from explosion of the nuclear device, detonating the nuclear device to produce an explosion, and detonating the explosive chemical charge to produce an explosion after a delay time of between about one-tenth second and 1 second.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for excavating by means of explosions, comprising: drilling a hole to a predetermined depth, enlarging a region at the terminus of said hole, placing a nuclear device in the enlarged region, filling the enlarged region with a solid or fluid, plugging the hole a distance above said enlarged region, placing an explosive chemical charge in the hole above the plug at a distance from the nuclear device no greater than would result in contiguous permeable zones after detonation, providing means for rendering said chemical explosive charge insensitive to shock resulting from explosion of the nuclear device, detonating the nuclear device to produce an explosion, and detonating the explosive chemical charge to produce an explosion after a delay time of between about one-tenth second and 1 second.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for excavating by means of explosions, comprising: drilling a hole to a predetermined depth, enlarging a region at the terminus of said hole, placing a nuclear device in the enlarged region, filling the enlarged region with a solid or fluid, plugging the hole a distance above said enlarged region, placing an explosive chemical charge in the hole above the plug at a distance from the nuclear device no greater than would result in contiguous permeable zones after detonation, providing means for rendering said chemical explosive charge insensitive to shock resulting from explosion of the nuclear device, detonating the nuclear device to produce an explosion, and detonating the explosive chemical charge to produce an explosion after a delay time of between about one-tenth second and 1 second.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for excavating by means of explosions, comprising: drilling a hole to a predetermined depth, enlarging a region at the terminus of said hole, placing a nuclear device in the enlarged region, filling the enlarged region with a solid or fluid, plugging the hole a distance above said enlarged region, placing an explosive chemical charge in the hole above the plug at a distance from the nuclear device no greater than would result in contiguous permeable zones after detonation, providing means for rendering said chemical explosive charge insensitive to shock resulting from explosion of the nuclear device, detonating the nuclear device to produce an explosion, and detonating the explosive chemical charge to produce an explosion after a delay time of between about one-tenth second and 1 second.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said delay time is about one-half second.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method according to claim 1 for excavating wherein the later detonated explosioN producing means is positioned above the first detonated explosion producing means such that the second explosion forces material fractured by the first explosion downwardly toward the bottom of the void produced by the first explosion and in addition forces some of the material outwardly preventing it from falling back into the void.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the enlarged region is filled with water.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the fluid material is enclosed within a flexible membrane surrounding the nuclear device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein at least some of the material in the enlarged region is ammonium nitrate.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-06 | 1976-08-07 | 1977-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-06 | 1980-08-07 | 1981-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-06 | 1984-08-07 | 1985-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |