US3747696A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Subterranean slurry mining apparatus
Assignee: FMC Corp
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Filing: 1971-06-01
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Granted: 1973-07-24
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Expires: 1991-06-01
Abstract
Abstract A bit attached to a tool string is used for drilling a hole from the ground surface into or through a subterranean deposit of granular ore. Within the tool string is a passage through which fluid flows to the bit while drilling. Valve means positioned within the passage are controllable from the ground surface for diverting the flow of fluid from the bit to an eductor located above the bit for mining operation. A nozzle in the tool string, located above the eductor, is controllable from the ground surface to discharge a jet stream of fluid radially outward from the tool string for breaking up the ore matrix. Then the eductor pumps a slurry mixture of fluid and granular ore through the tool string to the ground surface.
Inventors
- 👤 W Wenneborg
- 👤 B Payne
- 👤 P Bunnelle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:45
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/29; E21B21/00; E21B21/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for mining a subterranean deposit of granular ore comprising a bit, and a tool string attached to the bit for drilling a hole from the ground surface through a layer of overburden into said granular ore deposit; said tool string having a passage therein through which fluid flows to said bit during drilling operation, an eductor located in the tool string above said bit, hydraulic operated valve means located in said passage for closing off fluid flow to said bit and allowing fluid flow to said eductor for mining operation, and a slurry passage centrally situated within said tool string through which fluid and granular ore are conveyed from the eductor to the ground surface during mining operation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for mining a subterranean deposit of granular ore comprising a bit, and a tool string attached to the bit for drilling a hole from the ground surface through a layer of overburden into said granular ore deposit; said tool string having a passage therein through which fluid flows to said bit during drilling operation, an eductor located in the tool string above said bit, hydraulic operated valve means located in said passage for closing off fluid flow to said bit and allowing fluid flow to said eductor for mining operation, and a slurry passage centrally situated within said tool string through which fluid and granular ore are conveyed from the eductor to the ground surface during mining operation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus described in claim 1 including means for directing some fluid downward through the slurry passage during drilling operation to keep the passage clean.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus described in claim 1, wherein said bit has movable cutters extendable by applying torsional forces such that said bit opens a hole larger than the outside diameter of the tool string but retracts to less than the tool string diameter for withdrawal from the hole when the torsional forces are relieved.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus described in claim 1 including a nozzle located within the tool string above the eductor for directing a jet stream of fluid outward from the tool string during mining operation to break up a granular ore matrix thereabout and means for modulating the flow of fluid from said nozzle independent of the quantity of fluid supplied to said tool string passage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said hydraulic operated valve means, held in place by a deformable member, are actuated by deformation of the member in response to a predetermined fluid pressure developed by increasing fluid flow down the tool string passage towards the bit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
The apparatus defined in claim 5 wherein said eductor includes a nozzle and said hydraulic operated valve means for diverting fluid flow from said bit to said eductor includes a plug fitted across said eductor nozzle, a valve fitted within said fluid flow passage to said bit, and means interconnectinG said plug and valve to maintain the nozzle plugged and the valve open until said predetermined pressure is reached whereupon said interconnecting means separate to open the nozzle and seat the valve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus defined in claim 6 wherein said valve has a passage therein through which a small amount of fluid can flow to the bit during mining operation to maintain the material about the bit in a fluidized state until the bit is lifted.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
83 words
The apparatus defined in claim 6 wherein said plug and valve interconnecting means include a valve cage fitted across the fluid flow passage to the bit for retaining the valve therein, a guide tube connected to the valve and slidably fitted through the valve cage, a stem linked to the guide tube, and a shear pin fastening the plug to the stem whereby said valve is retained in an open position within the valve cage and said plug is held over the nozzle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
Subterranean mining apparatus as described in claim 1, including a nozzle located within said tool string above the eductor for directing a jet stream of fluid outward from the tool string to break up a granular ore matrix thereabout, and means for sensing pressure of the mixture of fluid and granular ore in the slurry passage near the nozzle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus described in claim 9 wherein said nozzle is rotatably mounted with rotating means such that it can be moved in a horizontal plane without rotating said tool string and bit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus described in claim 1 including means for actuating said hydraulic operated valve means independent of the fluid pressure in the tool string passage below the eductor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
97 words
The apparatus described in claim 11 wherein said eductor has a nozzle and said hydraulic operated valve means includes a hydraulic cylinder with a double end rod, a valve attached to one end of the rod and adapted to seat within the fluid flow passage to the bit, and a plug attached to the outer end of the rod and adapted to block a passage in the eductor nozzle, said hydraulic cylinder being operable to move the double end rod alternately opening the valve and plugging the nozzle or seating the valve and withdrawing the nozzle plug.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus described in claim 1 including a nozzle located within the tool string above the eductor for directing a jet stream of fluid outward from the tool string during mining operation to break up a granular ore matrix thereabout and means for blocking the nozzle during drilling operation to prevent discharging fluid therefrom and plugging of the nozzle with extraneous matter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus described in claim 13 wherein said nozzle has a longitudinal passage extending transversely of the tool string to an orifice at the discharge end of the nozzle, a valve stem slidably fitted for longitudinal movement within the longitudinal passage and adapted to block the orifice when positioned therein, and control means for slidably moving said valve stem between positions opening and blocking the orifice.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus described in claim 14 wherein said control means include hydraulic controls that regulate the hydraulic operated valve means simultaneously for drilling or mining operations.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
78 words
In subterranean mining apparatus, a tool string having an inner tube assembly and an outer tube assembly, said outer tube assembly having a plurality of radial ports spaced circumferentially thereabout at one level, said inner tube having a nozzle therein at the level of said radial ports for directing a jet stream of fluid therethrough, and means for rotating said inner tube assembly relative to said outer tube assembly and thereby indexing said nozzle with said radial ports.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
78 words
In subterranean mining apparatus, a tool string having an inner tube assembly and an outer tube assembly, said outer tube assembly having a plurality of radial ports spaced circumferentially thereabout at one level, said inner tube having a nozzle therein at the level of said radial ports for directing a jet stream of fluid therethrough, and means for rotating said inner tube assembly relative to said outer tube assembly and thereby indexing said nozzle with said radial ports.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
51 words
In subterranean mining apparatus as described in claim 16, means for locking said inner tube assembly with said outer tube assembly when the nozzle is positioned between two radial ports, said locking means being shearable by rotative force applied by said rotating means to index said nozzle with said radial ports.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus described in claim 16 wherein said nozzle is positioned in partial alignment with a port to reduce the fluid flow therethrough.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus described in claim 16 including ball bearings positioned between said inner and outer tube assemblies to hold the nozzle at the level of the radial ports and to reduce rotational friction between the inner and outer tube assemblies.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-23 | 1977-01-22 | 1977-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-23 | 1981-01-22 | 1981-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-23 | 1985-01-22 | 1985-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |