Patents by Inventor Bruce B. Redpath

Bruce B. Redpath has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Method of uniform rubblization for limited void volume blasting
    Patent number: 4333684
    Abstract: There is provided a method of forming an in situ oil shale retort in a retort site within a subterranean formation containing oil shale. The in situ oil shale retort contains a fragmented permeable mass of formation particles. A first portion of formation is excavated from within the boundaries of the retort being formed to form at least one void. The surface of the formation defining such a void provides at least one free face extending through the formation. The second portion of formation is left within the boundaries of the retort being formed to be explosively expanded toward the void.At least two arrays of explosive charges are formed in the second portion of formation wherein the first array of explosive charges has a first burden distance and the second array of explosive charges has a second burden distance wherein the second burden distance is less than the first burden distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Assignee: Occidental Oil Shale Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Ricketts, Bruce B. Redpath