Patent US3792906A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3792906A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Excavation or earth removal by landsliding same on a fluid lubricant
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-07-24
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Granted: 1974-02-19
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Expires: 1992-07-24
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to the excavation or removal of large masses of earth situated on a downslope by means of landsliding the same on a layer or cushion of gaseous lubricant which is preferably generated or produced in situ. The plane of shear is determined and thereupon the subterranean rock is fractured by conventional hydrofracturing technique to produce a plane of shear substantially along the bottom of the earth mass. After the desired plane has been formed, a substantial quantity of liquid type explosive is forced into the fracture forming the shear plane and is thereupon detonated to produce a large quantity of gas which lifts the mass and serves as a lubricant so that its speed down slope accelerates very rapidly. Provision may be made for supplementing the gaseous lubricant layer as the mass moves toward the desired area of disposal. This may be accomplished by explosive charges located down stream and which are detonated while the mass is over them.
Inventors
- 👤 D Kuck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:07
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21C; E21C41/00; E21C41/26; E21C37/00; E21C37/06; E21C37/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
The method of removing a mass of earth situated on a downslope which comprises applying a fracturing force to the subterranean rock structure associated with said mass so as to produce a plane of shear extending substantially along the bottom of said earth mass, forcing an explosive into a substantial portion of said shear plane fracture in amount sufficient so that when detonated the gas produced thereby will lift said earth mass and provide a gaseous layer on which it may slide down said slope, and detonating said explosive whereby said earth mass moves rapidly down said slope while supported by the resulting gaseous layer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
105 words
The method of removing a mass of earth situated on a downslope which comprises applying a fracturing force to the subterranean rock structure associated with said mass so as to produce a plane of shear extending substantially along the bottom of said earth mass, forcing an explosive into a substantial portion of said shear plane fracture in amount sufficient so that when detonated the gas produced thereby will lift said earth mass and provide a gaseous layer on which it may slide down said slope, and detonating said explosive whereby said earth mass moves rapidly down said slope while supported by the resulting gaseous layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a plurality of spaced holes are drilled from the surface of said earth mass to a depth sufficient to intersect the desired plane of shear, and forcing a viscous liquid into said holes under pressure sufficient to cause the same to flow laterally with respect thereto into said subterranean rock structure to fracture the same and form the desired plane of shear.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 2 wherein an explosive is detonated in said holes so as to rupture said rock structure in the vicinity of the desired plane of shear, and thereafter introducing said viscous liquid under pressure so as to produce the desired plane of shear.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the following the hydrofracturing step with pressurized viscous liquid a liquid of substantially lower viscosity is forced into said fracture at the plane of shear under such pressure and in such amount as to cause said earth mass to move slowly downslope to a limited degree, thereupon releasing the pressure on such liquid, removing the same and thereafter injecting the liquid explosive into said plane of shear.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 1 wherein additional gas is added to the underlying gaseous layer when the earth mass is downstream of the slope and while the said gaseous layer is still supporting said earth mass, the gas so added being in amount sufficient to maintain said gaseous layer until said mass substantially reaches the area of disposal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said additional gas is supplied by explosive charges which are detonated as the earth mass is passing over them.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 wherein additional gas is added to the underlying gaseous layer by providing a notch in the downslope extending substantially transverse to the direction of flow of the earth mass whereby substantial amounts of air will be entrapped under the rapidly moving mass.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
112 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the direction of flow of the rapidly moving earth mass is changed by providing a series of trenches in the surface of the ground at the point where such change in direction of flow is desired, said trenches being substantially parallel and extending into the normal path of said moving mass, such trench extensions being progressively greater in a direction corresponding to the normal downstream path of said mass, whereby gases under said mass adjacent the outer portion thereof escape through said trenches and cause such portion to be grounded until a substantial ridge is formed which diverts the flow of following portions of said mass.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1208178A
Cited
US3274783A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-18 | 1977-08-20 | 1978-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-18 | 1981-08-20 | 1982-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-18 | 1985-08-20 | 1986-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |