Directly Applying Heat Or Vibration Patents (Class 299/14)
  • Patent number: 11852016
    Abstract: Mining apparatuses, systems and methods related to the use of a rocket engine's plume and a collection manifold to efficiently displace, collect, process and store frozen volatiles embedded within or below a surface is disclosed. The plume contacts and churns up the surface. The frozen volatiles are displaced and/or evaporated within a closed environment under a collection manifold. The collection manifold has related components for addressing these frozen or gaseous volatiles downstream. Various apparatuses and subsystems are also disclosed including a rover, processing plants, collection manifold, and vapor manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Astrobotic Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Kuhns
  • Patent number: 11598209
    Abstract: Systems to bore or tunnel through various geologies in an autonomous or substantially autonomous manner can include one or more non-contact boring elements that direct energy at the bore face to remove material from the bore face through fracture, spallation, and removal of the material. The systems can automatically execute methods to control a set of boring parameters that affect the flux of energy directed at the bore face. Systems can further automatically execute the methods to trigger an optical sensor to capture images at the bore face, generate temperature profiles, identify spall fragments and hot zones and/or adjust a set of boring controls. For example, the system can execute methods to adjust a standoff distance between the system and the bore face, and adjust power and/or gas supply to the non-contact boring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: ArcByt, Inc.
    Inventors: Kimberly Abrams, Shivani Torres, Kamyar Mosavat, Barzin Moridian, Artem Tkachenko, Matthew Strangeway, Molly Dicke, Arielle Dobrowolski, Randy Link, Nimit Baid
  • Patent number: 11299949
    Abstract: Embodiments comprise a method of removing material at a well, involving progressively jetting heat along a helical path to heat a target material for removal. Embodiments of the method comprise material removal from a downhole well element, involving running in a downhole assembly with a downhole heating device comprising a fuel towards a target location. For example, such embodiments provide an alternative method for the removal of wellbore tubulars, using a rapid oxidation process to significantly alter the physical state of the tubular well element and reduce it to an oxide deviate, thereby facilitating an area where a more conventional barrier can be installed in the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: CLEARWELL TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Bruce Cardno, Paul Ray
  • Patent number: 11203400
    Abstract: Foundation systems and methods using in-situ shaped pile-anchors that are particularly adapted for use in aquatic environments. The shaped pile-anchor of the invented foundation includes a concrete filled tubular metal casing, the bottom end of which is positioned at a predetermined depth in the ground (e.g., aquatic-floor soil) and the top end of which protrudes above the water or soil surface. Concrete fills the inside the metal casing, substantially all the way to the top end of the casing, forming an upper portion of a concrete column. The lower portion of the concrete column extends down below the bottom end of the metal casing and further into the ground. The lower portion is shaped to have a cross-section greater than the cross-section of the upper portion, which equals to the inner diameter of the tubular metal casing. A platform is coupled to one of more of the shaped pile-anchors to support a structure above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: General Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Igor Simon Alexandroff
  • Patent number: 11169034
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a concrete material comprising between 0.5% and 10% ferromagnetic fibres. Also disclosed herein is a method for measuring the strain state of a concrete material, the method comprising forming solid concrete containing between 0.5% and 10% ferromagnetic fibres in a random distribution throughout the concrete, applying an oscillating EM current to the concrete, and detecting the associated EM fields within the concrete. Also disclosed herein is the use of an oscillating EM current field to measure the strain state within a concrete material comprising between 0.5% and 10% ferromagnetic fibres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Lateral Logic Limited
    Inventor: Robin Young
  • Patent number: 11150059
    Abstract: A deep-sea mining device is sunk to a seabed mining area. A window of an exploding wire unit of a pulse exploding wire group is aligned to an exploding area. A strong pulse current is applied to an exploding wire of the exploding wire unit by an intense pulse power supply, and the exploding wire of the exploding wire unit and seawater in an exploding wires area are vaporized to generate shock waves, thereby breaking rocks through the impact of the seawater. The instantaneous high pressure causes the shock waves to crush the ore bed, and the pressure of the shock waves generated by the explosion of the exploding wire can be controlled by controlling the pulse voltage and current, so as to control the crushing head to crush rocks with different thicknesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Central South University
    Inventors: Qiong Hu, Liwen Deng, Xinpeng Yu, Jun Chen, Zhenfu Li
  • Patent number: 11085245
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multi-path combined high-low voltage plasma rock-breaking drill bit, drill bit apparatus and drilling method. The multi-path combined high-low voltage plasma rock-breaking drill bit comprises: a drill bit body, insulators, plasma generators, drilling fluid outlets, plasma integrated pipelines, a drilling fluid pipe; wherein a plurality of plasma generators are distributed on the same drill bit body; the axis of the plasma generator and the axis of the drill bit body form a certain included angle; each of the plasma generators is independently connected to the ground through its respective plasma integrated pipeline and operates independently; and drilling fluid flows out of the drilling fluid outlets, takes away the heat generated by the operation of the plasma generators, thereby cooling the plasma generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: China University of Petroleum (East China)
    Inventors: Yonghong Liu, Qiang Sun, Qingyun Li, Renjie Ji, Baoping Cai, Xiaopeng Li, Yancong Han, Peng Liu, Dege Li, Xinlei Wu, Fan Zhang
  • Patent number: 10767479
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for plasma blasting pavement comprises an apparatus having a set of diamond cutting tools for creating a boreholes, a diamond saw, and a set of blast probes comprising a high voltage electrode and a ground electrode separated by a dielectric separator, wherein the high voltage electrode and the dielectric separator constitute an adjustable probe tip, and an adjustment unit coupled to the adjustable probe tip, wherein the adjustment unit is configured to selectively extend or retract the adjustable probe tip relative to the ground electrode and a blasting media, wherein at least a portion of the high voltage electrode and the ground electrode are submerged in the blast media. The apparatus saws the pavement at the parameter of the area to be removed, drills holes in the pavement, and inserts blast probes in the holes. The plasma blast breaks up the pavement in between the saw cuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Petram Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank A. Magnotti, Igor S. Alexandrov
  • Patent number: 10648334
    Abstract: A laser-assisted tunnel boring machine and a rock fragmenting method thereof belong to the technical field of tunnel engineering. Two rock fragmenting modes exist: a laser-cutter rock fragmenting mode and a cutter rock fragmenting mode, wherein the two rock fragmenting modes are switched by an intelligent control system; and for the laser-assisted rock fragmenting mode, hot fragmenting is mainly performed using lasers which assisted by water spray systems, to achieve the purposes of auxiliary rock fragmenting by laser radiation for hot cracking and water spray for quick cooling, and mechanical rock fragmenting for excavation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: DALIAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Zhengzheng Wang, Yang Gao
  • Patent number: 10107087
    Abstract: A system and method for producing hydrocarbons from a subsurface hydrocarbon-bearing formation. The system includes a production well, at least part of the production well located in a portion of the hydrocarbon-bearing formation. A heating well is also provided, at least part of the heating well located in a portion of the hydrocarbon-bearing formation; wherein the heating well includes a main well and a plurality of smaller bore lateral wells extending into the hydrocarbon-bearing formation. The smaller bore lateral wells improve heat distribution within the formation, and so fewer heating wells are required to achieve the same effect as using heating wells without smaller bore lateral wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventors: Margrete Hånes Wesenberg, Håkon Høgstøl
  • Patent number: 9416658
    Abstract: A mining machine includes a frame, a first fluid tank, a second fluid tank, a valve, and a control system. The first fluid tank is supported on the frame proximate a first end, and the second fluid tank is supported on the frame proximate a second end. The valve permits fluid communication between the first and second fluid tanks when the valve is in a first position, and prevents fluid communication between the first and second fluid tanks when the valve is in a second position. The control system includes a first sensor detecting an amount of fluid in the first tank, a second sensor detecting an amount of fluid in the second tank, and a controller. The controller moves the valve to the first position when the difference between the amounts of fluid in the first and second tanks a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Melat, Jeff Ley
  • Publication number: 20150042145
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for sinking or introducing cavities in rock, wherein the face of the cavity (2) is melted using electrical plasma generators. In order in such a method to produce an energy density at the face of the cavity (2), the energy density being sufficient to completely or partially evaporate the in-situ stone, the invention proposes arranging a heat shield (4) immediately over the face of the cavity (2), the heat shield (4) forming with the face of the cavity (2) a dynamic pressure space (7) in which a temperature of more than 2000° C. is established at a pressure of more than 2 bar by heating with plasma generators (8). This supply of energy is sufficient to melt the stone in-situ at the face of the cavity (2), to completely or partially gasify it and to remove it from the cavity (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Josef GROTENDORST
  • Patent number: 8882204
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method of retrieving gas from a gas-containing subterranean formation, the method including digging a mine shaft to reach the subterranean formation; constructing a ventilated underground control center wherein the center includes a computerized control panel, wherein the computerized control panel controls the movements of a hot head device such as a plasma torch, an electro-chemical apparatus, a hydrogenating solvent or heated ceramic particles; a hollow drill pipe; a movable hydraulic shield; a movable resin roof bolting machine; and a movable waste extrusion device; providing mining personnel to the ventilated underground control center; and allowing the mining personnel to operate the computerized control panel wherein they perform the tasks of moving the hot head device into the subterranean formation, recovering the gas, and extruding waste material into a mined-out space of the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventors: George Anthony Aulisio, Leander Francis Aulisio
  • Publication number: 20140231398
    Abstract: There are provided high power laser and laser mechanical earth removing equipment, and operations using laser cutting tools having stand off distances. These equipment provide high power laser beams, greater than 1 kW to cut and volumetrically remove targeted materials and to remove laser affected material with gravity assistance, mechanical cutters, fluid jets, scrapers and wheels. There is also provided a method of using this equipment in mining, road resurfacing and other earth removing or working activities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: FORO ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Land, John F. Volkmar, Mark S. Zediker, Shararth Kolachalam, Ryan J. Norton, Brian O. Faircloth, Daryl L. Grubb, Ronald A. De Witt
  • Patent number: 8628146
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for plasma blasting comprises a solid object having a borehole, a blast probe comprising a high voltage electrode and a ground electrode separated by a dielectric separator, wherein the high voltage electrode and the dielectric separator constitute an adjustable probe tip, and an adjustment unit coupled to the adjustable probe tip, wherein the adjustment unit is configured to selectively extend or retract the adjustable probe tip relative to the ground electrode and a blasting media, wherein at least a portion of the high voltage electrode and the ground electrode are submerged in the blast media. The blasting media comprises a thixotropic or electro-rheological fluid. The adjustable tip permits fine-tuning of the blast. The property of instantaneous high viscosity of thixotropic and electro-rheological fluids is advantageously used to seal the cavity containing the blasting probe thereby increasing the blasting pressure making the whole system more efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Auburn University
    Inventors: Martin E. Baltazar-Lopez, Steve R. Best
  • Patent number: 8622479
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for horizon control in a mining operation where fresh product 3 is cut from a seam 1. The cutting exposes a fresh cut product face 25. The fresh cut product face 25 is observed at a position immediately adjacent a cutter 11. Any temperature contrast regions from an IR observation between an upper limit of observation and a lower limit of observation are noted. At least one height co-ordinate position of a temperature contrast region 33 is determined and an output signal provided of the determined height co-ordinate position so that the output signal can be used as a horizon datum for horizontal control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
    Inventors: Chad Owen Hargrave, David Charles Reid, David William Hainsworth, Jonathan Carey Ralston, Michael Shawn Kelly, Ronald John McPhee
  • Patent number: 8616302
    Abstract: The present invention provides for pulsed powered drilling apparatuses and methods. A drilling apparatus is provided comprising a bit having one or more sets of electrodes through which a pulsed voltage is passed through a mineral substrate to create a crushing or drilling action. The electrocrushing drilling process may have, but does not require, rotation of the bit. The electrocrushing drilling process is capable of excavating the hole out beyond the edges of the bit with or without the need of mechanical teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: SDG, LLC
    Inventor: William M. Moeny
  • Patent number: 8366917
    Abstract: A method of recovering minerals from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be contacted with an agent sufficient to remove minerals therefrom. The agent is typically a solution containing a solvent, leachant, chelating agent and the like via which minerals can be removed having value, toxic minerals, radioactive minerals and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Red Leaf Resources, Inc
    Inventors: Todd Dana, James W. Patten
  • Patent number: 8366918
    Abstract: A method of preventing egress of a vapor from an encapsulated volume can include forming a substantially impermeable vapor barrier along an inner surface of the encapsulated volume. The encapsulated volume includes a permeable body of comminuted hydro carbonaceous material. Further, the vapor barrier can include an insulating layer capable of maintaining a temperature gradient of at least 400° F. across the insulating layer. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to liberate hydrocarbons therefrom and the hydrocarbons can be collected from the permeable body. The vapor barrier layer can be a single or multiple layer construction, depending on the specific materials chosen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Red Leaf Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Dana, James W. Patten
  • Patent number: 8365478
    Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A mined hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. Hydrocarbon products can be collected from intermediate locations within the permeable body. Advantageously, an intermediate fluid collection system can be used to draw a hydrocarbon product from the permeable body at preselected locations. Such intermediate collection can provide hydrocarbon product fractions which can reduce or eliminate the need for full-scale distillation of a hydrocarbon product having a full range of products such as that typically found in crude oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Red Leaf Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Dana, James W. Patten
  • Patent number: 8349171
    Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. During heating and removal of hydrocarbons and subsequent thereto a positive pressure can be maintained within the encapsulated volume by means of a non-oxidizing gas to expedite flushing of hydrocarbonaceous material, inhibit unwanted entry of oxygen into the encapsulated volume and remove recoverable hydrocarbons following the heating process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Red Leaf Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Dana, James W. Patten
  • Patent number: 8267481
    Abstract: A constructed permeability control infrastructure can include a permeability control impoundment, which defines a substantially encapsulated volume. The infrastructure can also include a comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material within the encapsulated volume. The comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The infrastructure can further include at least one convection driving conduit oriented in a lower portion of the permeable body to generate bulk convective flow patterns throughout the permeable body. An associated method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure, which defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Red Leaf Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Dana, James W. Patten
  • Patent number: 8256530
    Abstract: An object is to provide a method capable of boring a borehole even when quartz glass or silicon dioxide is deposited as molten dross by laser irradiation. A laser irradiation position of a workpiece is irradiated with a laser having wavelength of 1.2 ?m or longer and a high factor of absorption into liquid, for example, a CO2 laser, from a laser oscillator through liquid. By high pressure generated in an advancing microbubble flow occurring in the liquid, molten dross is scattered. Thus, the processing, such as boring, of the rock is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignees: Japan Drilling Co., Ltd., Tohoku University, Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Kobayashi, Kazuyoshi Takayama, Kiyonobu Ohtani, Satoru Umezu
  • Patent number: 8109047
    Abstract: A constructed permeability control infrastructure can include a permeability control impoundment defining a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted water-containing hydrocarbonaceous material can form a permeable body within the encapsulated volume. The impoundment includes a water vapor outlet for removing water vapor from the encapsulated volume. A heating device is also embedded within the permeable body to provide convective heating thereof. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to initially remove water therefrom as a water vapor. The water vapor can be removed from the infrastructure via the outlet which can be controlled or shut off when the permeable body is sufficiently dewatered. The dewatered permeable body can then be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. During heating the hydrocarbonaceous material is substantially stationary as the constructed infrastructure is a fixed structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Red Leaf Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Dana, James W. Patten
  • Patent number: 8079647
    Abstract: A continuous mining method includes operating a vibratory milling machine having a milling head, a base, and a milling tool to oscillate the milling head in a substantially linear reciprocating fashion relative to the base to move the milling tool along a milling axis; and advancing the vibratory milling machine in a work piece in a cutting direction and wherein milling axis is oriented at an attack angle relative to the cutting direction, the attack angle being between about 0 and about 40 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Longyear TM, Inc.
    Inventors: Jing James Yao, Robert Eugene Able, Thomas J. Oothoudt
  • Publication number: 20110227395
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for plasma blasting comprises a solid object having a borehole, a blast probe comprising a high voltage electrode and a ground electrode separated by a dielectric separator, wherein the high voltage electrode and the dielectric separator constitute an adjustable probe tip, and an adjustment unit coupled to the adjustable probe tip, wherein the adjustment unit is configured to selectively extend or retract the adjustable probe tip relative to the ground electrode and a blasting media, wherein at least a portion of the high voltage electrode and the ground electrode are submerged in the blast media. The blasting media comprises a thixotropic or electro-rheological fluid. The adjustable tip permits fine-tuning of the blast. The property of instantaneous high viscosity of thixotropic and electro-rheological fluids is advantageously used to seal the cavity containing the blasting probe thereby increasing the blasting pressure making the whole system more efficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: AUBURN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Martin E. Baltazar-Lopez, Steve R. Best
  • Patent number: 7934776
    Abstract: A mining machine includes a cutting mechanism with an arm, and a substantial weight of more than a thousand pounds attached to the arm. The mining machine also includes a first disc cutter adapted to engage the material to be mined and mounted on a first disc cutter assembly for eccentrically driving the first disc cutter, the first disc cutter assembly being mounted within the substantial weight. The mining machine also includes at least a second disc cutter spaced apart from the first disc cutter assembly and adapted to engage the material to be mined, and mounted on a second disc cutter assembly for eccentrically driving the second disc cutter, the second disc cutter assembly being mounted within the substantial weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Freire de Andrade, Charl Christo Veldman, Arthur Kenneth Möller, Joaquim Antonio Soares de Sousa, Theuns Fichardt Skea
  • Patent number: 7896443
    Abstract: A process for extracting ore from a vein (10) comprises drilling spaced-apart boreholes (16) directly in the vein (10). The boreholes (16) are enlarged using thermal fragmentation generally up to the boundaries between the vein and surrounding waste. A blasthole (18) is then drilled in the vein between the thermally enlarged boreholes (17) for placement of explosive. The explosive is fired to break the ore between the enlarged boreholes (17). The enlarged boreholes (17) act as weakening regions to direct the blasting effect and minimize dilution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Rocmec International Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Brisebois
  • Patent number: 7828393
    Abstract: A vibratory milling machine has a vibratory housing confined to substantially linear reciprocating motion relative to a base, causing a tool carried by the housing to impact a mineral formation or other work piece substantially in a primary milling direction. The vibratory motion may be generated by two or more eccentrically-weighted rotors rotated by a common drive mechanism. The rotors may be arranged in pairs with the rotors of each pair rotating in opposite directions about parallel axes so that lateral oscillations cancel and longitudinal vibrations in the milling direction reinforce one another. In one embodiment, a hydrostatic fluid bearing is provided between the outer surface of each rotor and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Boart Longyear Inc.
    Inventors: Jing James Yao, Robert Eugene Able, Louis E. Silay
  • Patent number: 7802384
    Abstract: An excavation technique for a stratum capable of excavating a submerged stratum such as a layer containing an underground resource by using laser irradiation in liquid is provided. In this technique, a laser beam transmitted through laser transmission means 20 is irradiated in liquid 90 in form of a laser beam having a wavelength with high absorptance of the liquid 90 by laser-induced bubble generation means 35, generating a bubble flow 36, thus excavation of a submerged stratum may be carried out by using a laser-induced destruction effect. Moreover, a laser beam 41 having low absorptance of the liquid 90 is irradiated by laser irradiation means 39 and passed through the bubble flow 36, thereby applying a thermal effect to a stratum to destroy rock and excavate the stratum. The destruction effect and the thermal effect also may be cooperatively worked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignees: Japan Drilling Co., Ltd., Tohoku University, National University Corporation the University of Electro-Communications
    Inventors: Toshio Kobayashi, Kazuyoshi Takayama, Ken-ichi Ueda, Kazuhisa Otomo, Shigehito Uetake
  • Patent number: 7669937
    Abstract: A method for extracting minerals from a narrow-vein deposit by thermal fragmentation is provided. The method includes locating the vein and determining the extent thereof to form the boundaries of a stope. Access to the stope is prepared by forming a panel having an upper drift and a lower drift. Equipment for thermal fragmentation, including a burner, is installed from the upper drift. The burner moves along the panel surface in a sweeping motion, while rock chips spalled from the rock panel surface are collected. Multiple panels for processing can be realised, with lower panels being processed before upper panels, by excavating a sub-level to separate the lower and upper panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignees: Hydro-Quebec, Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Natural Resources
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Fecteau, Sylvie Poirier, Marcel Laflamme, Gill Champoux
  • Publication number: 20090184563
    Abstract: A method for fracturing a solid material is disclosed. The method comprises boring at least one bore hole in the solid material, the bore hole having a bottom and an open top. Reactive materials capable of an exothermic reaction to produce a liquid and a gas are introduced into the bore hole. The bore hole is then sealed at the open top. The exothermic reaction is then initiated to produce the liquid and the gas. The pressures generated by the liquid and gas in the bore hole result in fracturing of the solid material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas A. Morrison
  • Patent number: 7559368
    Abstract: A method for treating an oil shale formation comprising nahcolite is disclosed. The method includes providing a first fluid to a portion of the formation through at least two injection wells. A second fluid is produced from the portion through at least one injection well until at least two injection wells are interconnected such that fluid can flow between the two injection wells. The second fluid includes at least some nahcolite dissolved in the first fluid. The first fluid is injected through one of the interconnected injection wells. The second fluid is produced from at least one of the interconnected injection wells. Heat is provided from one or more heaters to the formation to heat the formation. Hydrocarbon fluids are produced from the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Lanny Gene Schoeling
  • Patent number: 7556096
    Abstract: A method for treating an oil shale formation comprising dawsonite includes assessing a dawsonite composition of one or more zones in the formation. Heat from one or more heaters is provided to the formation such that different amounts of heat are provided to zones with different dawsonite compositions. The provided heat is allowed to transfer from the heaters to the formation. Fluids are produced from the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Xueying Xie, David Scott Miller
  • Patent number: 7556095
    Abstract: A method for treating an oil shale formation comprising dawsonite includes providing heat from one or more heaters to the formation to heat the formation. Hydrocarbon fluids are produced from the formation. At least some dawsonite in the formation is decomposed with the provided heat. A chelating agent is provided to the formation to dissolve at least some dawsonite decomposition products. The dissolved dawsonite decomposition products are produced from the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Harold J. Vinegar
  • Patent number: 7549470
    Abstract: A method for treating an oil shale formation comprising nahcolite includes providing a first fluid to a portion of the formation. A second fluid is produced from the portion. The second fluid includes at least some nahcolite dissolved in the first fluid. A controlled amount of oxidant is provided to the portion of the formation. Hydrocarbon fluids are produced from the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, George Leo Stegemeier
  • Publication number: 20090079255
    Abstract: A method of extraction of fuels and elements from coal, shale, peat and landfill seams is described which cuts the earth with only a main shaft which could measure half a meter diameter and with auxiliary narrow drillings of, say 10 centimeter diameter, widely spaced from the shaft. The coal, shale or peat seam is heated to the highest temperature of the hydrocarbon fraction desired to be extracted and the evaporated hydrocarbons are carried out of the shaft by Nitrogen gas. To enhance the extraction rate of the evaporated hydrocarbons, tonal input from two or more organ pipes vibrates the seam structure freeing the evaporated hydrocarbons allowing their escape into the shaft. As the extraction continues requiring inclusion of a greater area of the seam structure, narrow drillings are made and Liquid Nitrogen is inserted in the drillings reaching seam levels as Nitrogen gas which seeps into the seam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: Denyse Claire DuBrucq
  • Publication number: 20080265654
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are extracted from a target formation, such as oil shale, tar sands, heavy oil and petroleum reservoirs, by apparatus and methods which cause fracturing of the containment rock and liquification or volatization of the hydrocarbons by microwave energy directed by a radiating antenna in the target formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Peter M. Kearl, Donald L. Ensley
  • Patent number: 7434890
    Abstract: A vibratory milling machine has a vibratory housing confined to substantially linear reciprocating motion relative to a base, causing a tool carried by the housing to impact a mineral formation or other workpiece substantially in a primary milling direction. The vibratory motion may be generated by two or more eccentrically-weighted rotors rotated by a common drive mechanism. The rotors may be arranged in pairs with the rotors of each pair rotating in opposite directions about parallel axes so that lateral oscillations cancel and longitudinal vibrations in the milling direction reinforce one another. In one embodiment, a hydrostatic fluid bearing is provided between the outer surface of each rotor and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Boart Longyear Inc.
    Inventors: Jing James Yao, Robert Eugene Able, Louis E. Silay
  • Publication number: 20080224527
    Abstract: A method for extracting minerals from a narrow-vein deposit by thermal fragmentation is provided. The method includes locating the vein and determining the extent thereof to form the boundaries of a stope. Access to the stope is prepared by forming a panel having an upper drift and a lower drift. Equipment for thermal fragmentation, including a burner, is installed from the upper drift. The burner moves along the panel surface in a sweeping motion, while rock chips spalled from the rock panel surface are collected. Multiple panels for processing can be realised, with lower panels being processed before upper panels, by excavating a sub-level to separate the lower and upper panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Fecteau, Sylvie Poirier, Marcel Laflamme, Gill Champoux
  • Patent number: 7416258
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of using lasers are provided for spalling and drilling holes into rocks. A rock removal process is provided that utilizes a combination of laser-induced thermal stress and laser induced superheated steam explosions just below the surface of the laser/rock interaction to spall the rock into small fragments that can then be easily removed by a purging flow. Single laser beams of given irradiance spall rock and create holes having diameter and depth approximately equal to the beam spot size. A group of the single laser beams are steered in a controllable manner by an electro-optic laser beam switch to locations on the surface of the rock, creating multiple overlapping spalled holes thereby removing a layer of rock of a desired diameter. Drilling of a deep hole is achieved by spalling consecutive layers with an intermittent feed motion of the laser head perpendicular to the rock surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Uchicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: Claude B. Reed, Zhiyue Xu, Richard A. Parker, Ramona M. Graves, Thomas W. Stone
  • Patent number: 7377593
    Abstract: A method for extracting minerals from a narrow-vein deposit by thermal fragmentation is provided. The method includes locating the vein and determining the extent thereof to form the boundaries of a stope. Access to the stope is prepared by forming a panel having an upper drift and a lower drift. Equipment for thermal fragmentation, including a burner, is installed from the upper drift. The burner moves along the panel surface in a sweeping motion, while rock chips spalled from the rock panel surface are collected. Multiple panels for processing can be realised, with lower panels being processed before upper panels, by excavating a sub-level to separate the lower and upper panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignees: Her Majesty the Queen in the right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Natural Resources, Hydro Quebec
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Fecteau, Sylvie Poirier, Marcel Laflamme, Gill Champoux
  • Patent number: 7195320
    Abstract: A free-blast method for extracting ore from an ore vein deposit wherein the vein is extracted by causing the ore comprised between the rock walls bordering the vein to spall into fragments. The ore fragments are recuperated as by aspiration and subsequently processed to retrieve the precious mineral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Rocmec International Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Brisebois
  • Patent number: 7147064
    Abstract: A drilling apparatus for well-boring having a drill bit assembly which includes a laser cutting assembly and a vacuum assembly. The vacuum assembly is adapted to intake vapors generated by the laser cutting assembly proximate the drill bit assembly during operation of the drilling apparatus. The collected vapors may then be processed by a chromatographic analyzer to determine the characteristics of the rock formation being drilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Samih Batarseh, Kent Perry, Brian C. Gahan
  • Patent number: 7100994
    Abstract: A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation is provided. In one embodiment, heat from one or more heaters may be provided to at least a portion of the formation. Heat may be allowed to transfer from the one or more heaters to at least a part of the formation. In certain embodiments, the heat from the one or more heaters may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons within the formation. In an embodiment, a first fluid may be introduced into at least a portion of the formation. The portion may have previously undergone an in situ conversion process. A mixture of the first fluid and a second fluid (or a second compound) may be produced from the formation. In some embodiments, a first fluid may be provided to the formation prior to pyrolyzing hydrocarbons in the formation, and a second fluid (or a second compound) may be produced prior to pyrolyzing hydrocarbons in the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Kevin Albert Maher, Lanny Gene Schoeling, Scott Lee Wellington
  • Patent number: 6978837
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing methane gas from a hydrate formation. A column of modified material substantially filling a wellbore extending into the hydrate formation. The column of modified material is permeable to gases. A heat source extends into the column of modified material and is operable to provide heat to the hydrate formation so as to release methane gas from the hydrate formation. Methane gas flow through the column of modified material to a gas collector, which regulates the flow of gas to a production system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventor: Charles R. Yemington
  • Patent number: 6969123
    Abstract: A method for treating a coal formation to alter properties of coal in the formation is provided. In one embodiment, heat from one or more heaters may be provided to at least a portion of the formation. Heat may be allowed to transfer from the one or more heaters to a part of the formation. In certain embodiments, the heat from the one or more heaters may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons within the part of the formation. The method may include producing a fluid from the formation. In some embodiments, the produced fluid may include at least some pyrolyzed hydrocarbons from the formation. In an embodiment, after at least some coal has been treated at least a portion of such coal may be produced from the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Kevin Albert Maher, Scott Lee Wellington
  • Patent number: 6957869
    Abstract: A bucket razor body has a coupling end and a scraping end facing away from the bucket. The coupling end has an upper and lower wall with a slot between the walls. The upper wall has threaded apertures with associated bolts for releasably coupling to front end loader equipment. The scraping end of the bucket razor body has an upper and lower. A slot is formed between the surfaces. Laterally aligned threaded apertures with seven associated bolts extending through the apertures. A scraping blade is formed with an interior end. The interior end is positionable within the slot. An exterior razor-like end extends from the slit to an elevation below the lower surface and lower wall to scrape road markings from a hard surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Inventor: Randy R. Sawtelle
  • Patent number: 6935702
    Abstract: An electrode for a crusher and a crusher capable of increasing energy utilized for crushing are obtained. The electrode 1 for a crusher comprises a central conductor (12, 17) extending along a central axis and having an outer peripheral surface, an insulating member (13, 18) arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the central conductor (12, 17) and a peripheral conductor (15) arranged to enclose the insulating member (13, 18). The peripheral conductor (15) includes a first conductor (14a) and a second conductor (14b) arranged at a space from the first conductor (14a) in the extensional direction of the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignees: Kumagai Gumi Co., Ltd., Okumura Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Okazaki, Koji Urano
  • Patent number: 6913320
    Abstract: A free-blast method for extracting ore from an ore vein deposit wherein the vein is extracted by causing the ore comprised between the rock walls bordering the vein to spall into fragments. The ore fragments are recuperated as by aspiration and subsequently processed to retrieve the precious mineral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Rocmec International Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Brisebois