Abstract: A method and apparatus for horizontal channeling into a mountain of granite automatically have been developed in which a water jet nozzle contained in a rigid lance assembly advances in and out of the mountain to the depth of the lance in a horizontal plane along a line of cut predetermined by the setup of the apparatus and the original drilled hole. The jet oscillates back and forth in a transverse fashion, cleaving the crystal formation of the granite through the application of high pressure water pulsing at the appropriate angle of penetration to achieve the correct spalling of the granite surface in slightly upward direction such that the channel remains free of chips and grit for easy movement of the feed system. The machine advances incrementally just prior to the lance entering the channel, maintaining standoff distances to properly erode channel corners.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting rock materials has been devised in which a series of jets are produced by a nozzle assembly, the nozzle assembly being constructed and arranged to advance along the surface of the rock material and to form a channel or line of cut of predetermined width and depth therein. As the nozzle assembly makes each pass along the intended line of cut, the assembly is oscillated in a direction transversely of its path of travel along the intended line of cut in order to better erode the material, form a clearly defined channel with a minimum of interference which may otherwise result from spalling or collection of liquid in the channel.

Abstract: A high pressure fluidic medium is passed through a multiplicity of concentrating nozzles. The nozzles are rigidly retained within a frame or housing which directs the high velocity fluid flow columns therefrom against the surface of the material to be cut so that the area of impingement for each column is spaced from the others. The nozzle housing assembly preferably is held fixed for each channel cut pass but can be oscillated in a direction normal to the material surface while being moved along a line spaced from but parallel to the surface of the material to be cut. The areas of impingement of the fluid flow columns from the nozzle are arranged to erode cutting lines or kerfs along the material parallel to each other so as to define a total cut slightly greater than the width of the nozzle housing assembly.