US4069760A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for driving a shaft with shaped charges
Assignee: ROBERT ECKELS FAMILY TRUST
•
Filing: 1976-03-01
•
Granted: 1978-01-24
•
Expires: 1996-03-01
Abstract
Abstract A method of driving a shaft, or tunnel into competent hard rock with shaped charges. An array of shaped charges to nearly conform with the bottom of the shaft, or face of the tunnel, is carried upon a framework which places the charges a proper distance from the bottom or face surface. Detonation causes the shaped charge jets to penetrate and break several feet into the rock to advance the shaft or tunnel. The loose rock may then be mucked out of the shaft, or tunnel, and the operation repeated. A shaft may be driven downwardly or upwardly by these operations.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E. Eckels
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:09
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42D; F42D1/00; F42D1/02; E; E21; E21D; E21D1/00; E21D9/00; E21D9/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for forming a shaft of a large cross-section of a variable predetermined shaped at any depth through earth material by incremental explosions, comprising the steps: a. placing an array of a plurality of individual, and separate from each other, shaped charges at a desired stand-off adjacent to and spaced from the surface of the to-be extended end of the shaft, said charges being positioned and variably spaced apart in a predetermined spaced array, so as to effect a predetermined size of breakage of the material essentially in the predetermined shaped cross-section, for depth of each explosion, b. essentially simultaneously detonating said spaced shaped charges, c. placing mucking equipment in position to muck the broken material, d. mucking the broken material to expose the surface of the end of the shaft, and e. repeating the steps until the desired depth of shaft is attained.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for forming a shaft of a large cross-section of a variable predetermined shaped at any depth through earth material by incremental explosions, comprising the steps: a. placing an array of a plurality of individual, and separate from each other, shaped charges at a desired stand-off adjacent to and spaced from the surface of the to-be extended end of the shaft, said charges being positioned and variably spaced apart in a predetermined spaced array, so as to effect a predetermined size of breakage of the material essentially in the predetermined shaped cross-section, for depth of each explosion, b. essentially simultaneously detonating said spaced shaped charges, c. placing mucking equipment in position to muck the broken material, d. mucking the broken material to expose the surface of the end of the shaft, and e. repeating the steps until the desired depth of shaft is attained.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein: said shaft is formed at an angle to the vertical.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein: said shaped charges are prepositioned in the array in a frame remote from the end of the shaft; and the array in the frame is positioned as a unit adjacent the end of the shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein: a pilot bore is formed at any position along the cross-sectional extent of the path and parallel to the axis of the shaft and broken material is removed by dropping it down the pilot shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein: forming said frame with standoff legs thereby supporting said charges at the desired standoff height.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein: said array and frame are preformed on the surface and lowered to the shaft end by a haul line.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein: forming said charges with a hollow bottom to provide the desired standoff and placing said charges to rest on the surface of the shaft end.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein: forming said charges with a hollow, water-proof bottom suitable for use in water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein: a pilot bore is formed along the path of the shaft; the shaft is formed from the bottom upwardly; and the shaped charge array and frame is held adjacent the upper end of the shaft by cable means extending through said pilot bore, whereby broken material falls down the formed shaft.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein: forming a lateral bore at the bottom of the shaft to permit mucking of the broken material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein: forming intermediate essentially horizontal bores to intercept the shaft providing space for workmen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 11, wherein: forming the bottom of the formed shaft with a converged bottom thereby forming a hopper for broken material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1502030A
Cited
GB698978A
Cited
US2823900A
Cited
US2897756A
Cited
US3348482A
Cited
US3441096A
Cited
US3486572A
Cited
US3695715A
Cited
US3659660A
Cited
US3741119A
Cited
US3905430A
Cited
US3975056A
Cited
US3972285A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-01-23 | 1981-07-25 | 1982-01-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-23 | 1985-07-25 | 1986-01-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-23 | 1989-07-25 | 1990-01-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |