US3900226A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydraulic mining method
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
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Filing: 1974-02-22
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Granted: 1975-08-19
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Expires: 1994-02-22
Abstract
Abstract This invention is a process for mining material, especially coal, from an underground seam, which method comprises digging at least two, preferably parallel, trenches which reach into the seam; drilling a dipping hole between the trenches through the seam; disintegrating material in the walls of the hole while contacting with water to form a slurry which flows downdip through the hole to one of the trenches; and lifting the slurry from the trench to the earth''s surface. Preferably the disintegrating step is done by hydraulic jetting.
Inventors
- 👤 Jong Lodewikus N J De
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:52
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21C; E21C25/00; E21C25/60; E21C41/00; E21C41/16; E21C41/18; E21C41/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A process of mining valuable materials from an underground seam, which method comprises digging at least two trenches in the earth surface, said trenches at least reaching into said seam; making at least one dipping passage extending between the trenches, said passage extending through at least the major part of the seam; disintegrating material in the side walls of said passage while simultaneously contacting the disintegrated material with a fluid so that a slurry of said disintegrated material and said fluid flows through the passage towards the lower end thereof into one of the trenches; and flowing this slurry out of the trench to the earth surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A process of mining valuable materials from an underground seam, which method comprises digging at least two trenches in the earth surface, said trenches at least reaching into said seam; making at least one dipping passage extending between the trenches, said passage extending through at least the major part of the seam; disintegrating material in the side walls of said passage while simultaneously contacting the disintegrated material with a fluid so that a slurry of said disintegrated material and said fluid flows through the passage towards the lower end thereof into one of the trenches; and flowing this slurry out of the trench to the earth surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said underground seam is a coal seam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said material is hydraulically disintegrated with water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the step of disintegrating the material is initiated at the lower end of said passage and progresses updip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process of claim 1 wherein several dipping passages are made and sufficient coal is removed from the sidewalls of said passages to form a thin-wall honeycomb structure in said seam having sufficient strength to support overburden above said seam.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2274431A
Cited
US3651872A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-18 | 1979-02-17 | 1979-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-18 | 1983-02-17 | 1983-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-18 | 1987-02-17 | 1987-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |