US3863723A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hole drill and debris clearance method and means
Assignee: Physics International Co
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Filing: 1974-01-23
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Granted: 1975-02-04
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Expires: 1994-01-23
Abstract
Abstract In a method and means of rock fracturing and excavating holes using a cannon to fire hypervelocity projectiles at the rock, the debris created in the course of such excavation is removed by releasing the propellant gases created in the firing of the projectiles in the hole in a manner to blow the debris out of the hole.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles S Godfrey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:38
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B7/00; E21B7/14; E21C; E21C37/00; E21C37/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
In a system wherein a hole is excavated using a cannon which fires a frangible projectile by means of propellant gases into said hole, the method of removing debris from the bottom of said hole, comprising emitting gases including propellant gases from said cannon near to the bottom of said hole whereby said gases carry the debris upward out of said hole through the annular space between the walls of said hole and the barrel of said cannon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
In a system wherein a hole is excavated using a cannon which fires a frangible projectile by means of propellant gases into said hole, the method of removing debris from the bottom of said hole, comprising emitting gases including propellant gases from said cannon near to the bottom of said hole whereby said gases carry the debris upward out of said hole through the annular space between the walls of said hole and the barrel of said cannon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
In a system as recited in claim 1 wherein said step of emitting gases including propellant gases near to the bottom of said hole includes the step of adding extensions to the barrel of said cannon as said hole gets deeper to maintain said propellant gases substantially confined until they are emitted adjacent to the bottom of said hole.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
46 words
A method of excavating a hole in rock and removing debris from said hole comprising projecting toward the bottom of said hole a frangible projectile with propellant gases from a cannon, confining said propellant gases until they are emitted near to the bottom of said hole.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
46 words
A method of excavating a hole in rock and removing debris from said hole comprising projecting toward the bottom of said hole a frangible projectile with propellant gases from a cannon, confining said propellant gases until they are emitted near to the bottom of said hole.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method as recited in claim 3 wherein said step of confining said propellant gases until they are emitted near to the bottom of said hole includes adding extensions to the barrel of said cannon as said hole gets deeper to maintain said propellant gases confined until they are emitted adjacent the bottom of said hole.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as recited in claim 3, wherein said cannon, from which said frangible projectile is projected with propellant gases, comprises a multiplicity of cannons simultaneously projecting frangible projectiles with propellant gases.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
93 words
In a system for excavating a hole in rock wherein a cannon fires a frangible projectile by means of propellant gases into said hole, means for removing debris from the bottom of said hole, comprising means for supporting said cannon with the end of its barrel aimed at the bottom of said hole for emitting propellant gases at said bottom of said hole, and means for lengthening the barrel of said cannon as said hole gets deeper to keep said propellant gases confined until they are emitted near the bottom of said hole.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
93 words
In a system for excavating a hole in rock wherein a cannon fires a frangible projectile by means of propellant gases into said hole, means for removing debris from the bottom of said hole, comprising means for supporting said cannon with the end of its barrel aimed at the bottom of said hole for emitting propellant gases at said bottom of said hole, and means for lengthening the barrel of said cannon as said hole gets deeper to keep said propellant gases confined until they are emitted near the bottom of said hole.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of excavating a hole in rock and removing debris from said hole comprises loading a plurality of cannons with a plurality of frangible projectiles and propellant powder, aiming said plurality of cannons at the bottom of said hole, simultaneously firing said plurality of cannons to propel said plurality of projectiles with propellant gases at the bottom of said hole, and confining said propellant gases until they are emitted near the bottom of said hole.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of excavating a hole in rock and removing debris from said hole comprises loading a plurality of cannons with a plurality of frangible projectiles and propellant powder, aiming said plurality of cannons at the bottom of said hole, simultaneously firing said plurality of cannons to propel said plurality of projectiles with propellant gases at the bottom of said hole, and confining said propellant gases until they are emitted near the bottom of said hole.
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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) | 1978-02-03 | 1978-08-05 | 1979-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-03 | 1982-08-05 | 1983-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-03 | 1986-08-05 | 1987-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |