US3797757A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermal breaking of rocks
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-07-12
•
Granted: 1974-03-19
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Expires: 1992-07-12
Abstract
Abstract Sudden heat shock (thermal shock) and cooling cycles are used to break large stones into fragments of predetermined size, without conventional heavy and bulky crushing equipment.
Inventors
- 👤 R Marshall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:29
CPC Classifications
B; B02; B02C; B02C19/00; B02C19/18; B02C19/186; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S241/00; Y10S241/37; Y10T; Y10T225/00; Y10T225/30; Y10T225/304
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
Process for thermal breaking of large stones comprising the steps of a. placing said stones in a chamber; b. applying a sudden heat shock to said stones in said chamber, said heat shock being sufficiently intense to crack at least the surfaces of said stones, but insufficient to melt said stones; c. cooling said heat-shocked stones in said chamber; d. vibrating said stones in said chamber at least intermittently; e. and repeating said heat-shocking, cooling and vibrating until said stones are broken into fragments of predetermined size.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
Process for thermal breaking of large stones comprising the steps of a. placing said stones in a chamber; b. applying a sudden heat shock to said stones in said chamber, said heat shock being sufficiently intense to crack at least the surfaces of said stones, but insufficient to melt said stones; c. cooling said heat-shocked stones in said chamber; d. vibrating said stones in said chamber at least intermittently; e. and repeating said heat-shocking, cooling and vibrating until said stones are broken into fragments of predetermined size.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
Process according to claim 1 wherein said large stones are precooled in said chamber before applying the first heat shock.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
178 words
Process for thermal breaking of large stones comprising the steps of a. placing said stones in a chamber; b. applying a sudden heat shock to said stones in said chamber, said heat shock being sufficiently intense to crack at least the surfaces of said stones, but insufficient to melt said stones; c. cooling said heat-shocked stones in said chamber, whereby a mixture of large and small stone fragments is obtained in said chamber; d. separating said small stone fragments from said large stone fragments; e. applying another sudden heat shock to said large stone fragments remaining in said chamber, said heat shock being sufficiently intense to crack at least the surfaces of said large stone fragments, but insufficient to melt said stone fragments; f. cooling said last-named heat-shocked stone fragments in said chamber, whereby a mixture of medium-size and small stone fragments is obtained in said chamber; g. separating said small stone fragments; h. and repeating said heat-shocking and cooling of the stone fragments remaining in said chamber until they are reduced to stone fragments of predetermined size.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
178 words
Process for thermal breaking of large stones comprising the steps of a. placing said stones in a chamber; b. applying a sudden heat shock to said stones in said chamber, said heat shock being sufficiently intense to crack at least the surfaces of said stones, but insufficient to melt said stones; c. cooling said heat-shocked stones in said chamber, whereby a mixture of large and small stone fragments is obtained in said chamber; d. separating said small stone fragments from said large stone fragments; e. applying another sudden heat shock to said large stone fragments remaining in said chamber, said heat shock being sufficiently intense to crack at least the surfaces of said large stone fragments, but insufficient to melt said stone fragments; f. cooling said last-named heat-shocked stone fragments in said chamber, whereby a mixture of medium-size and small stone fragments is obtained in said chamber; g. separating said small stone fragments; h. and repeating said heat-shocking and cooling of the stone fragments remaining in said chamber until they are reduced to stone fragments of predetermined size.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
Process according to claim 3 wherein said large stones are precooled in said chamber before applying the first heat shock.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
Process according to claim 1 wherein said heat shocks are applied in the form of hydrogen plasma.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
Process according to claim 3 wherein said heat shocks are applied in the form of hydrogen plasma.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
Process according to claim 1 wherein said cooling is effected by a cold gas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
Process according to claim 7 wherein said cold gas is cold air.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
Process according to claim 3 wherein said cooling is effected by a cold gas.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
Process according to claim 9 wherein said cold gas is cold air.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
83 words
Process for thermal breaking of large stones comprising the steps of a. placing said stones in a chamber; b. precooling said stones in said chamber; c. applying a sudden heat shock to said stones in said chamber, said heat shock being sufficiently intense to crack at least the surface of said stones, but insufficient to melt said stones; d. cooling said heat-shocked stones in said chamber; e. and repeating said heat-shocking and cooling until said stones are broken into fragments of predetermined size.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
83 words
Process for thermal breaking of large stones comprising the steps of a. placing said stones in a chamber; b. precooling said stones in said chamber; c. applying a sudden heat shock to said stones in said chamber, said heat shock being sufficiently intense to crack at least the surface of said stones, but insufficient to melt said stones; d. cooling said heat-shocked stones in said chamber; e. and repeating said heat-shocking and cooling until said stones are broken into fragments of predetermined size.
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) | 1977-03-18 | 1977-09-17 | 1978-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-18 | 1981-09-17 | 1982-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-18 | 1985-09-17 | 1986-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |