US3741119A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remote rock breaking method apparatus therefor
Assignee: ROBERT ECKELS FAMILY TRUST
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Filing: 1971-02-22
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Granted: 1973-06-26
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Expires: 1991-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A method of remotely breaking rock, or the making of predetermined size holes in the earth, in a precise position, suspends an assembly of prepositioned shaped charges in a pendulum array between a distance line of sight signal generator and receiver for such signal for accuately positioning the charges in a predetermined location. The pendulum array may be precisely laterally aligned along the predetermined line, and longitudinally along the line in accordance with predetermined mappings. The method provides a means of explosively forming trenches along the bottom of bodies of deep water, the precision breaking of underwater rocky barriers, etc., using an optimum spacial arrangement of a plurality of charges. The spacial arrangement being determined by testing on similar rock. The apparatus for such method includes articulated sinking rafts supporting such spacially arranged charges which are arranged for lateral and longitudinal leveling.
Inventors
- 👤 R Eckels
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 14:24
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42D; F42D3/00; F42D3/04; F42D1/00; F42D1/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of remotely breaking target material comprising forming an explosive charge array of a framework of a predetermined size; suspending said array in a generally horizontal position by at least one haul rope in a pendulum-type suspension; lowering said array to approximately the location of desired break of target material, and supporting said array in close proximity to and spaced from the surface of said target material; suspending said array in horizontal position with said haul rope in vertical position; aligning said vertical haul rope from remote points above the desired target material; placing said array on the surface of said target material by lowering said array to said target material; releasing said haul rope; and then detonating said explosive charge array.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of remotely breaking target material comprising forming an explosive charge array of a framework of a predetermined size; suspending said array in a generally horizontal position by at least one haul rope in a pendulum-type suspension; lowering said array to approximately the location of desired break of target material, and supporting said array in close proximity to and spaced from the surface of said target material; suspending said array in horizontal position with said haul rope in vertical position; aligning said vertical haul rope from remote points above the desired target material; placing said array on the surface of said target material by lowering said array to said target material; releasing said haul rope; and then detonating said explosive charge array.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein a laser beam is extended from a remote point along a proposed ditch line, and said haul rope is aligned in said laser beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said target material is under water and said remote points are on shore.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said target material is under water and said remote points are fixed sonar generators in predetermined positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said array is a plurality of shaped charges mounted in a structure in a predetermined pattern.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of explosively forming in sloping mounds a ditch which is generally levelled in relation to the surface of such target material through which the ditch is cut, comprising forming an array of shaped explosive charges in a predetermined pattern and in a predetermined spaced arrangement; suspending said array in a generally horizontal position by at least one essentially vertical haul rope adjacent to and above the surface of the target material; placing said array of charges substantially level on said target material whereby charges in contact with the surface or said target material break said material deeper than charges spaced above said surface thereby forming a levelled ditch; and detonating said charges.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of explosively forming in sloping mounds a ditch which is generally levelled in relation to the surface of such target material through which the ditch is cut, comprising forming an array of shaped explosive charges in a predetermined pattern and in a predetermined spaced arrangement; suspending said array in a generally horizontal position by at least one essentially vertical haul rope adjacent to and above the surface of the target material; placing said array of charges substantially level on said target material whereby charges in contact with the surface or said target material break said material deeper than charges spaced above said surface thereby forming a levelled ditch; and detonating said charges.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein said array is formed in a modular structure which is essentially rigid, and leveling legs on said structure positions said structure on the target material with said structure substantially level.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein said target material includes sloping mounds and gullies and said array is formed of articulate modules, and said articulated modules rest on the surface of said such mounds of target material so that such mounds are cut deeper than the gullies on said surface, forming a generally levelled ditch.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of determining optimum breakage of target material with shaped charges of predetermined characteristics, comprising arranging a series of at least about four similar shaped charges along a line in material of a character similar to said target material; each said charge in said series being spaced a different distance from its neighboring charges, with the second charge spaced from the first charge And subsequent charges being spaced from its immediate front neighbor a progressively greater distance; simultaneously detonating said charges, and then visually inspecting the resultant breakage of target material to determine optimum breakage.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of determining optimum breakage of target material with shaped charges of predetermined characteristics, comprising arranging a series of at least about four similar shaped charges along a line in material of a character similar to said target material; each said charge in said series being spaced a different distance from its neighboring charges, with the second charge spaced from the first charge And subsequent charges being spaced from its immediate front neighbor a progressively greater distance; simultaneously detonating said charges, and then visually inspecting the resultant breakage of target material to determine optimum breakage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein said charges are spaced progressively at two, three and four charge diameters apart.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein at least five charges are placed in a line and each being progressively further from its immediate front neighbor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein the distance apart of said charges ranges from 1.4 to twelve charge diameters apart.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |