US3759575A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mining and tunneling apparatus involving alternated application of thermal and mechanical energy and process thereof
Assignee: Copper Range Co
•
Filing: 1970-12-21
•
Granted: 1973-09-18
•
Expires: 1990-12-21
Abstract
Abstract A mining or tunneling apparatus is provided for continuous underground excavation through rock of relatively high to relatively low hardness. The apparatus comprises impactors and heaters having alternately operative and inoperative modes which are selected in reference to the condition of the excavation face. Functional relationships between the applied thermal and mechanical energy are given. Optional separation of ore and gangue at the mining face is outlined.
Inventors
- 👤 J Boyd
- 👤 L Garfield
- 👤 C Hanninen
- 👤 E Maki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:11
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21C; E21C37/00; E21C37/16; E21C27/00; E21C27/20; E21C27/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
An excavation apparatus for continuously excavating rock from successively exposed excavation faces, said excavation apparatus comprising a heating means constrained for movement between an operative mode and an inoperative mode, and an impacting means constrained for movement between an operative mode and an inoperative mode, said heating Means when in its operative mode being contiguous with one of said successively exposed excavation faces in order to apply thermal energy to selected positions thereof, said heating means when in its inoperative mode being remote from said one of said successively exposed excavation faces, said impacting means when in its operative mode passing between said one of said excavation faces and said heating means in order to apply mechanical energy to all portions thereof, said heating means including a bank of infrared emitting tubes, reflectors rearwardly of and respectively associated with said tubes for focusing radiation therefrom toward said excavation face, an infrared transparent sheet forwardly of said bank, and screen means forwardly of said infrared transparent sheet for protection against rock fragmented from said excavation face.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
An excavation apparatus for continuously excavating rock from successively exposed excavation faces, said excavation apparatus comprising a heating means constrained for movement between an operative mode and an inoperative mode, and an impacting means constrained for movement between an operative mode and an inoperative mode, said heating Means when in its operative mode being contiguous with one of said successively exposed excavation faces in order to apply thermal energy to selected positions thereof, said heating means when in its inoperative mode being remote from said one of said successively exposed excavation faces, said impacting means when in its operative mode passing between said one of said excavation faces and said heating means in order to apply mechanical energy to all portions thereof, said heating means including a bank of infrared emitting tubes, reflectors rearwardly of and respectively associated with said tubes for focusing radiation therefrom toward said excavation face, an infrared transparent sheet forwardly of said bank, and screen means forwardly of said infrared transparent sheet for protection against rock fragmented from said excavation face.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The excavation apparatus of claim 1 wherein said impacting means includes a plurality of impacting elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The excavation apparatus of claim 1 wherein said impacting elements are carried on a single mount.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The excavation apparatus of claim 1 wherein said infrared emitting tubes are disposed along a line approximately midway between the floor and the roof bounding said one of said excavation faces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The excavation apparatus of claim 1 wherein said impacting means includes a first plurality of impacting elements at one edge thereof and a second plurality of impacting elements at the opposite edge thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
180 words
A mining apparatus for continuously excavating successively exposed mine wall faces, said mining apparatus comprising a plurality of heating means serially disposed along said mine wall, each of said heating means being individually constrained for reciprocal motion between a operative position contiguous with said mine wall and an inoperative position remote to said mine wall, each of said heating means when in said operative position being focused along a line that is transverse with respect to said excavation direction in order to cause spallation of a kerf, and an impacting means constrained for movement between said mine wall and said heating means, each of said heating means being retracted to its inoperative position when said impacting means is interposed between it and said mine wall and being capable of extending to its operative position when said impacting means is not interposed between it and said mine wall, each of said heating means when in its operative position being adapted to transmit thermal energy to said mine wall, said impacting means being adapted to apply mechanical energy to said mine wall.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
180 words
A mining apparatus for continuously excavating successively exposed mine wall faces, said mining apparatus comprising a plurality of heating means serially disposed along said mine wall, each of said heating means being individually constrained for reciprocal motion between a operative position contiguous with said mine wall and an inoperative position remote to said mine wall, each of said heating means when in said operative position being focused along a line that is transverse with respect to said excavation direction in order to cause spallation of a kerf, and an impacting means constrained for movement between said mine wall and said heating means, each of said heating means being retracted to its inoperative position when said impacting means is interposed between it and said mine wall and being capable of extending to its operative position when said impacting means is not interposed between it and said mine wall, each of said heating means when in its operative position being adapted to transmit thermal energy to said mine wall, said impacting means being adapted to apply mechanical energy to said mine wall.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The mining apparatus of claim 6 wherein each of said heating means is an infrared generator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US910500A
Cited
US1284398A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-17 | 1977-03-19 | 1977-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-17 | 1981-03-19 | 1981-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-17 | 1985-03-19 | 1985-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |