US3851478A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods of controlling the flow of gases underground
Assignee: British Railways Board
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Filing: 1972-06-05
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Granted: 1974-12-03
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Expires: 1992-06-05
Abstract
Abstract A method of controlling the flow of gases underground, particularly in preventing the spread of subteranean combustion. The method is particularly concerned with cutting off the passage of air or other vapors through the ground and consists of constructing a boundary wall surrounding the source of the gases or vapours such as the seat of a fire by excavating a trench and filling the trench with a clay material in slurry form substantially impervious to the gases.
Inventors
- 👤 D Ayres
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 13:15
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02D; E02D1/00; E02D1/02; E02D1/027; E21; E21F; E21F5/00; E21F5/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF GASES UNDERGROUND WHICH COMPRISES EXCAVATING AT LEAST ONE TRENCH, APPLYING A CLAY SLURRY TO THE AREA EXCAVATED IN ORDER TO FORM A BOUNDARY WALL SURROUNDING AN UNDERGROUND FIRE OR SURROUNDING AN UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK; SAID SLURRY BEING A MIXTURE OF CLAY AND WATER IN WHICH THE WATER PREDOMINATES, PERMITTING SAID SLURRY TO IMPREGNATE LARGE VOIDS IN THE ADJACENT GROUND TO RENDER THE ADJACENT GROUND SUBSTANTIALLY IMPERMEABLE TO AIR AND THEREBY RETARDING THE FLOW OF AIR THROUGH THE GROUND; PLACING A SHEET OF FLAME OR CORROSION RESISTANT MATERIAL SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF SYNTHETIC PLASTIC MATERIAL, METAL, AND FABRICATED BOARD AGAINST AT LEAST ONE FACE OF SAID AT LEAST ONE TRENCH; AND DISPLACING CLAY SLURRY INTO SAID AT LEAST ONE TRENCH WITHOUT CEMENTING MATERIAL INTO SAID AT LEAST ONE TRENCH THROUGH THE CLAY SLURRY AND THEREBY FORMING A WALL OF AGGREGATE.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
148 words
A METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF GASES UNDERGROUND WHICH COMPRISES EXCAVATING AT LEAST ONE TRENCH, APPLYING A CLAY SLURRY TO THE AREA EXCAVATED IN ORDER TO FORM A BOUNDARY WALL SURROUNDING AN UNDERGROUND FIRE OR SURROUNDING AN UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK; SAID SLURRY BEING A MIXTURE OF CLAY AND WATER IN WHICH THE WATER PREDOMINATES, PERMITTING SAID SLURRY TO IMPREGNATE LARGE VOIDS IN THE ADJACENT GROUND TO RENDER THE ADJACENT GROUND SUBSTANTIALLY IMPERMEABLE TO AIR AND THEREBY RETARDING THE FLOW OF AIR THROUGH THE GROUND; PLACING A SHEET OF FLAME OR CORROSION RESISTANT MATERIAL SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF SYNTHETIC PLASTIC MATERIAL, METAL, AND FABRICATED BOARD AGAINST AT LEAST ONE FACE OF SAID AT LEAST ONE TRENCH; AND DISPLACING CLAY SLURRY INTO SAID AT LEAST ONE TRENCH WITHOUT CEMENTING MATERIAL INTO SAID AT LEAST ONE TRENCH THROUGH THE CLAY SLURRY AND THEREBY FORMING A WALL OF AGGREGATE.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein discrete cells bounded vertically by said at least one trench are formed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein a grout of a higher density than that of the slurry is supplied to the lower region of said at least one trench to displace the slurry.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
Method according to claim 3 wherein the grout contains material selected from the group consisting of calcium hydroxide, finely divided silica, powdered limestone, and pulverized fuel ash.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
Method according to claim 3 wherein the grout contains a hydraulic cement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
Method according to claim 3 wherein the grout contains inert ingredients the strength of which increases with temperature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
Method according to claim 3 wherein the grout includes a flocculating agent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein a gas-proof vertical sheet is introduced into the trench prior to the addition of an aggregate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein the aggregate expands upon heating.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
10 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein the aggregate is limestone.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein at least one trench is subjected to vibration whereby the lower region of the trench is effectively enlarged in volume.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
Method according to claim 11 wherein the vibration is used to induce the base of the trench to collapse and mix with the slurry.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein the slurry trench is produced by driving in steel joists with tubes attached for the introduction of slurry.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
Method according to claim 1 comprising excavating a slurry trench to a predetermined depth and driving tubular members below said depth through which tubular members the ground below the depth is injected.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-02 | 1978-06-03 | 1978-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-02 | 1982-06-03 | 1982-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-02 | 1986-06-03 | 1986-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |