Patent US4252474A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4252474A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stabilization of rock formations
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-05-04
•
Granted: 1981-02-24
•
Expires: 1999-05-04
Abstract
Abstract A rock formation may be stabilized by introducing a settable stabilizing substance into boreholes around non-load bearing filler elements in the boreholes, and allowing the substance to set. The use of filler elements reduces the volume of a settable substance needed in the holes. Thereby the cost is reduced because the filler elements may be of a less expensive material than the settable substance. Different types of filler elements are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Vernon Jan Botes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 14:21
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21D; E21D21/00; E21D21/0026; E21D21/0046; E02; E02D; E02D3/00; E02D3/12; E21D20/00; E21D20/02; E21D20/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of stabilizing a rock formation, which method includes drilling a hole into the rock formation; inserting a filler element into the hole and leaving a clearance space of annular cross-section in the hole around the filler element; introducing a settable stabilizing fluid substance under pressure into the clearance space, so as to cause the substance to flow into any cracks for fissures in the rock formation and intersected by the hole; and thereupon allowing the stabilizing fluid substance to set; the introduction of the stabilizing fluid substance under pressure, into the clearance space taking place by means of a charging tube having a discharge end accommodated within the clearance space around the filler element and engaging sealingly with the inner periphery of the hole; and the charging tube being gradually withdrawn as the clearance space and as such intersected cracks and fissures as there may be, fill up with the settable stabilizing fluid substance.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of stabilizing a rock formation, which method includes drilling a hole into the rock formation; inserting a filler element into the hole and leaving a clearance space of annular cross-section in the hole around the filler element; introducing a settable stabilizing fluid substance under pressure into the clearance space, so as to cause the substance to flow into any cracks for fissures in the rock formation and intersected by the hole; and thereupon allowing the stabilizing fluid substance to set; the introduction of the stabilizing fluid substance under pressure, into the clearance space taking place by means of a charging tube having a discharge end accommodated within the clearance space around the filler element and engaging sealingly with the inner periphery of the hole; and the charging tube being gradually withdrawn as the clearance space and as such intersected cracks and fissures as there may be, fill up with the settable stabilizing fluid substance.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of stabilizing a rock formation, which method includes drilling a hole into the rock formation; inserting a filler element into the hole and leaving a clearance space of annular cross-section in the hole around the filler element; introducing a settable stabilizing fluid substance under pressure into the clearance space, so as to cause the substance to flow into any cracks or fissures in the rock formation and intersected by the hole; and thereupon allowing the stabilizing fluid substance to set; the filler element having a body portion and a head portion of larger cross-sectional dimensions than the body portion, the head portion engaging sealingly with the inner periphery of the hole; and the internal pressure in the settable stabilizing fluid substance urging the head portion of the filler element in a direction towards the inner end of the hole.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of stabilizing a rock formation, which method includes drilling a hole into the rock formation; inserting a filler element into the hole and leaving a clearance space of annular cross-section in the hole around the filler element; introducing a settable stabilizing fluid substance under pressure into the clearance space, so as to cause the substance to flow into any cracks or fissures in the rock formation and intersected by the hole; and thereupon allowing the stabilizing fluid substance to set; the filler element having a body portion and a head portion of larger cross-sectional dimensions than the body portion, the head portion engaging sealingly with the inner periphery of the hole; and the internal pressure in the settable stabilizing fluid substance urging the head portion of the filler element in a direction towards the inner end of the hole.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, in which the filler element is tubular, and in which the head portion is in the form of an upset end having a cupwasher-like shape.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of stabilizing a rock formation, which method includes drilling a hole into the rock formation; inserting a filler element into the hole and leaving a clearance space of annular cross-section in the hole around the filler element; introducing a settable stabilizing fluid substance under pressure into the clearance space, so as to cause the substance to flow into any cracks or fissures in the rock formation and intersected by the hole; and thereupon allowing the stabilizing fluid substance to set; the filler element having a body portion and a head portion having an interference fit with the inner periphery of the hole for supporting the filler element in the hole, and the head portion being removably detachable from the body portion, and the body portion being detached from the head portion and withdrawn from the hole after the settable stabilizing fluid substance has set.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of stabilizing a rock formation, which method includes drilling a hole into the rock formation; inserting a filler element into the hole and leaving a clearance space of annular cross-section in the hole around the filler element; introducing a settable stabilizing fluid substance under pressure into the clearance space, so as to cause the substance to flow into any cracks or fissures in the rock formation and intersected by the hole; and thereupon allowing the stabilizing fluid substance to set; the filler element having a body portion and a head portion having an interference fit with the inner periphery of the hole for supporting the filler element in the hole, and the head portion being removably detachable from the body portion, and the body portion being detached from the head portion and withdrawn from the hole after the settable stabilizing fluid substance has set.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
115 words
A charging tube adapted for use in introducing a settable stabilizing fluid substance under pressure, into a clearance space of annular cross-section around a filler element in a hole in a rock formation, the charging tube being adapted to receive the filler element within it, and having an inlet end adapted to admit the settable stabilizing fluid substance under pressure, the charging tube having also a discharge end adapted to enter into the clearance space around the filler element, the discharge end being adapted to engage sealingly with the inner periphery of the hole when the charging tube, in use, is gradually withdrawn from the hole while the filler element remains behind in the hole.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
115 words
A charging tube adapted for use in introducing a settable stabilizing fluid substance under pressure, into a clearance space of annular cross-section around a filler element in a hole in a rock formation, the charging tube being adapted to receive the filler element within it, and having an inlet end adapted to admit the settable stabilizing fluid substance under pressure, the charging tube having also a discharge end adapted to enter into the clearance space around the filler element, the discharge end being adapted to engage sealingly with the inner periphery of the hole when the charging tube, in use, is gradually withdrawn from the hole while the filler element remains behind in the hole.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
A charging tube as claimed in claim 5, which is of annular cross-section having concentric inner and outer walls, and which has an outlet opening of annular shape at the discharge end, and in which the inner wall is adapted to engage sealingly with the outer periphery of a filler element slidable within it.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
84 words
A filler element which is of cylindrical tubular shape, and which has a cylindrical body portion and a head portion adapted to provide a sealing interference fit with the inside of the hole the head portion being in the form of an upset end having a cupwasher-like shape, and the filler element being receivable into a hole drilled into a rock formation and into a charging tube adapted, in use, to discharge a settable fluent substance into the hole around the tubular filler element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
84 words
A filler element which is of cylindrical tubular shape, and which has a cylindrical body portion and a head portion adapted to provide a sealing interference fit with the inside of the hole the head portion being in the form of an upset end having a cupwasher-like shape, and the filler element being receivable into a hole drilled into a rock formation and into a charging tube adapted, in use, to discharge a settable fluent substance into the hole around the tubular filler element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
A filler element as claimed in claim 7, in which the cylindrical body portion is adapted in use to engage sealingly with the charging tube as the hole fills up with settable fluent substance and as the charging tube is withdrawn from the hole.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1987626A
Cited
US2080406A
Cited
US3055424A
Cited
US3379016A
Cited
US3754401A
Cited
US4067675A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-02-24 | 1984-08-25 | 1985-02-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-02-24 | 1988-08-25 | 1989-02-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-02-24 | 1992-08-25 | 1993-02-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |