US4047580A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High-velocity jet digging method
Assignee: Kajima Corp
•
Filing: 1976-03-12
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Granted: 1977-09-13
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Expires: 1996-03-12
Abstract
Abstract The method of digging by piercing soil and rock with a jet of liquid discharged at high velocity from a nozzle together with high-velocity air jets discharged from another nozzle arranged concentrically around the liquid nozzle, characterized by the velocity of the air jets being at least half the velocity of sound.
Inventors
- 👤 Teruo Yahiro
- 👤 Hiroshi Yoshida
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:33
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B21/00; E21B21/12; E02; E02F; E02F3/00; E02F3/04; E02F3/88; E02F3/90; E21B7/00; E21B7/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of digging in the earth comprising the steps of moving a nozzle along a subterranean longitudinal path while directing a high velocity jet of liquid from the nozzle in a direction which is transverse to said path, surrounding the jet of liquid with a gaseous jet directed substantially parallel to the jet of liquid, reducing increases in the cross section of the jet of liquid and increasing and making more uniform its effective length by maintaining the velocity of the jet of gas at least about one-half the velocity of sound in the gas.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of digging in the earth comprising the steps of moving a nozzle along a subterranean longitudinal path while directing a high velocity jet of liquid from the nozzle in a direction which is transverse to said path, surrounding the jet of liquid with a gaseous jet directed substantially parallel to the jet of liquid, reducing increases in the cross section of the jet of liquid and increasing and making more uniform its effective length by maintaining the velocity of the jet of gas at least about one-half the velocity of sound in the gas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the velocity of the gaseous jet is at least about 165 meters per second.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein both the jet of liquid and the gaseous jet are directed into and pass through a body of water before striking the earth which is being dug.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the velocity of the gaseous jet is at least about 165 meters per second.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3572839A
Cited
DE2035934A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-09-12 | 1981-03-14 | 1981-09-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-09-12 | 1985-03-14 | 1985-09-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-09-12 | 1989-03-14 | 1989-09-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |