Abstract: Method of operating earth-boring tools may involve activating a selectively activatable hydraulic fracturing device secured to the earth-boring tool to impact an underlying earth formation with a fluid from the selectively activatable hydraulic fracturing device. A crack may be at least one of initiated or propagated in a portion of the underlying earth formation utilizing the fluid in response to activation of the selectively activatable hydraulic fracturing device. The selectively activatable hydraulic fracturing device may be subsequently deactivated. Earth-boring tools may include a selectively activatable hydraulic fracturing device configured to transition between an activated state in which fluid is permitted to flow through the selectively activatable hydraulic fracturing device to engage with an underlying earth formation and a deactivated state in which fluid does not flow through the selectively activatable hydraulic fracturing device.

Abstract: A method for removing sulfide from an aqueous alkali solution in which hydrogen peroxide is introduced into a sulfide-containing aqueous alkali solution associated with an alkali mineral recovery operation. The method is particularly useful for the processing of sulfide-containing aqueous alkali solutions containing NaHCO3 and Na2CO3, where bicarbonate in the sulfide-depleted alkali solution is decomposed to form Na2CO3, with concurrent evolution of gaseous carbon dioxide byproduct but without formation of gaseous H2S as a pollutant, and where Na2CO3 values are subsequently recovered from the sulfide-depleted carbonate-rich alkali solution via a crystallization operation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a facet cutter used with hydro-demolition equipment in cutting openings in structural surfaces. The facet cutter includes a nozzle head with one or more nozzles. The nozzle head can be placed adjacent a side of the opening where the facet is to be cut. The nozzle head is oriented so that the axes of the nozzles are substantially perpendicular to the desire plane of the face of the facet. High-pressure fluid is applied to the nozzle and the nozzle head is moved over the plane of the facet, thereby cutting the facet. Various axial and rectilinear motions of the nozzle head may be effectuated by various drivers and rotators, at least some of which are controlled remotely by a remote control device.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention disclosed herein is a hydro-demolition device and a top-down method for deconstructing structural surfaces. The device includes a rigid support frame mounted above a work-face on the structural surface being deconstructed. The rigid frame supports a cutting nozzles that move up and down along the structural surface. The nozzles may be mounted on a carriage that is movably connected to the rigid frame. The carriage may swing about a swing axis so that the nozzles move axially toward and away from the carriage. The nozzles may be movable toward and away from the work-face. The various movements of the nozzles are effectuated by rotators and drivers.

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.

Abstract: A tool for use in initiating a hydraulic fracture in a bore hole comprises an elongate cylindrical bore hole packer structure (11) having an inner longitudinal passage (12), a mid-portion (13) provided with ports (14) extending outwardly from passage (12) to the exterior periphery of the packer structure (11) and expandable circumferential well portions (15A) surrounding the inner longitudinal passage (12) to each side of the mid-portion (13). In use of the tool the circumferential wall portions (15A) can be expanded by injection of hydraulic fracturing fluid into passage 12) and exit of the injected fluid through the ports (14) to produce a pressure difference between the inside of the packer structure and the outside of the packer structure as the fluid passes through the ports (14) such that the hydraulic fluid exiting the packer structure can initiate a fracture.

Abstract: A method of transporting heavy hydrocarbons can include blending a kerogen oil with a bitumen to form a blended oil sufficient to render the blended oil transportable through an extended pipeline. The blended oil can be substantially free of additional diluents or viscosity modifiers and can be readily pumped through the extended pipeline from a source location to a destination location.

Abstract: A gas generator device (3) is used for breaking or splitting natural and artificial objects when inserted in a drilled hole and ignited to start a burning reaction in a deflagration or non-detonation mode. The gas generator comprises a first part (11) having a first main cavity (12) and a second part (13) having a second main cavity (14). An oxidant and a combustible compound are contained in the first part. A liquid such as water is contained in the second main cavity for distributing the pressure obtained from gases generated in the burning reaction. The first and second main cavities are separated from each other by a bottom plate (21) of the first part that e.g. can be set at a level to adapt the volume of the first space and the amount of oxidant contained therein. The gas generator device is particularly well suited for use in horizontal drilled holes.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for the preparation of syngas from two sources with different hydrogen: carbon ratios, the first source having a low hydrogen:carbon ratio including any one or a combination of coal, brown coal, peat, bitumen and tar sands, and the second source having a high hydrogen:carbon ratio including any one or a combination of natural gas, associated gas and coal bed methane. The sources are converted to syngas and then combined to provide syngas with an optimum hydrogen:carbon monoxide ratio for use in a Fischer-Tropsch process.

Abstract: Coal burning waste gases, notably carbon dioxide (CO2), can be removed or sequestered, and the distribution and utilization of coal as a safe, efficient, and convenient heat source can be improved. Carbon dioxide, a waste gas as from a coal burning process, can be sequestered within freshly fractured rock particles, such as Oligocene rock serpentine, using an adapted version of a rotary collider to fracture down hens-egg sized incoming rocks in a pressurized waste gas. The process sorts the small, fractured rocks and coats them after CO2 sequestration with a cementitious coating for use as a component of building material. In order to improve the transport and delivery of mined coal it is an advantage to fracture the coal and coat the particles with an aqueous liquid. The methods and apparatus deal with the improved delivery of said liquid-coated coal particles for current and new customers who become interested in using coal as an economical heating fuel.

Abstract: Embodiments of a sulfur extraction process comprise treating mined sulfur ore with a disulfide oil to dissolve the sulfur in the ore. The process occurs at a temperature less than a temperature sufficient to melt sulfur. The sulfur crystals may be isolated by cooling the dissolved sulfur to a temperature sufficient to crystallize the sulfur. An apparatus for extracting sulfur from sulfur ore comprises a first receptacle for contacting a disulfide oil with mined sulfur ore at an elevated temperature sufficient to dissolve sulfur, a second receptacle coupled to the first receptacle for cooling dissolved sulfur such that sulfur crystals form, and a filtration apparatus coupled to the second receptacle for isolating the sulfur crystals. Solvents used in the apparatus may be recycled.

Abstract: A relatively warm mineral deposit is solution mined by injecting fluid through a well drilled into the deposit and dissolving the mineral to form a production brine. Warm production brine is cooled at the surface using a heat exchanger as a crystallizer to precipitate the mineral in the exchanger and form a slurry. Crystals of the mineral in the slurry are recovered in a separation plant leaving a relatively cool, dilute or depleted brine, which is conveyed through the heat exchanger for cooling the production brine and then injected into the mineral deposit to dissolve more mineral thereby providing a continuous process. A pipe-in-pipe heat exchanger is preferably used and in a manner so that the heat exchanger also serves as a primary means for conveying the production fluid and/or slurry from the well to the separation plant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fluid containment and control for in-situ mining, particularly to a method of uranium mining.

Abstract: A plasma-hydraulic excavation system suitable for use in connection with mining operations is provided. According to the system, one or more groups of plasma-hydraulic projectors that include a reflector and a pair of electrodes are used to break an area of rock. The projectors include a connection box within which high voltage connections between the electrodes of the projector and a power supply cable may be made. Groups of projectors and supporting componentry may be housed within a common frame, to form an excavation module. Electrode insulators interconnected to the projector reflector in compression are also disclosed. A trigger circuit providing a voltage transformer for each projector in a group of projectors is utilized in connection with a series connected current source circuit to provide for the ignition of the projectors. According to an embodiment of the invention, multiple groups of projectors may be operated using a single current control switch.

Abstract: A Borehole Mining method comprising driving a borehole, into a production zone under a low-degree angle &agr; (0<&agr;<35°), installation in said borehole a mining device with a hydromonitor and eductor, water-jet cutting of rock, pumping-out a slurry, and creating a cavity. Said tool is positioned such that the hydromonitor is oriented at an angle &bgr; to the horizontal plane. The projection on said plane of the water-jet equals to the desired span of the driven cavity. The borehole may be driven sinking or raising. The BHM tool is inserted/removed from the borehole while mining without rotation, extending said cavity along the borehole. Said borehole can be driven from a land or water surface trough the mother-well drilled vertically and then deviated. It also may be driven straight from an underground mine or open pit floor. After a creation of said cavity, it may back-filled with a waste or hardening material.

Abstract: Apparatus 10 for fracturing a hard material 24 includes a loading head 12 provided with a guide tube 14 for receiving a cartridge 16 containing a charge of energetic material. A flexible elongated conduit 26 is advanced and retracted through the tube 14 via a reel 88. The conduit 26 is also in communication with a stemming loader 30 which holds a supply of particulate stemming material. Tube 14 is supported by a carriage 70 which is able to slide along a member 52 by operation of a rod 76 and cylinder 78. A motor 60 is also coupled to the member 52 to effect rotation of the member 52 and thus tube 14 about an axis A which is parallel to a hole 18 drilled in the material 24. By appropriate operation of the motor 60 and rod 76, the tube 14 can be moved into and out of alignment with the hole 18. When the tube 14 is moved into alignment with the hole 18, cartridge 16 is loaded into the tube 14 and pushed through the tube 14 into the hole 18 by advancing the conduit 26.

Abstract: Breaking hard compact materials, such as rock and concrete, is based upon a controlled-fracturing process. A high-pressure foam is used to pressurize a predrilled hole of appropriate geometry. The high-pressure foam is delivered to the bottom of the drilled hole by a barrel inserted into the hole. The barrel includes a seal near the bottom of the hole. By restricting and controlling the pressure of the high-pressure foam to the bottom of the hole, a controlled fracturing is achieved which results in the fracturing and removing of a large volume of material at a low expenditure of energy. The foam-injection method produces almost no fly rock or airblast. The foam-injection method may be used to fracture, remove and/or excavate any hard material such as rock or concrete. The method may be used in either dry or water filled holes and the holes may be in any orientation. The foam injection apparatus is carried on a boom mounted on a carrier.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for breaking rock and other hard materials using small-charged blasting techniques followed by a mechanical impact breaker. In small-charge blasting techniques, a gas is released into the bottom of a sealed hole located at a free surface of the hard material. The gas pressure rises rapidly in the hole until the gas pressure causes the hard material to fracture. In one embodiment, the a deeper hole is drilled and/or a small amount of blasting agent is used to cause the formation of a network of subsurface fractures while either not removing any of the rock or removing the rock with very low energy flyrock. In another embodiment, only the central portion of the face is broken and/or removed by blasting. The impact breaker is then used to complete fracturing and removal of the material.

Abstract: A method comprising a step to form a hole (2) for charging a breaking substance (4) into an object to be fractured (1), a step to insert a pair of electrodes (6) having a thin metal wire (5) connected between ends thereof into the hole (2), a step to dispose the breaking substance (4) and the thin metal wire (5) into a bag-like container (22) made of rubber at a stage to supply electric energy accumulated in a capacitor to the electrodes (6) for fusing and vaporizing the thin metal wire (5), thereby swelling a volume of the breaking substance (4) and breaking the object to be fractured (1), and a step to fit the bag-like container (22) into the hole (2). This method assures secure transmission of an expansion force to the object to be fractured even when the hole formed in the object to be fractured is deformed.

Abstract: A method of mining that makes use of hydraulic fracturing. The method comprises fracturing an ore body hydraulically by introducing fluid rapidly into a bore or fissure in the ore body such that pressure in the bore or fissure builds up rapidly and it fractures the surrounding ore body. This enables the surrounding ore body to cave into a suitable space such as an undercut from which the ore can then be recovered. The method is particularly useful in block caving as a replacement for explosives.

Abstract: Breaking hard compact materials, such as rock and concrete, is based upon a controlled-fracturing process wherein a high-pressure foam is used to pressurize a pre-drilled hole of appropriate geometry. The high-pressure foam is delivered to the bottom of the drilled hole by a barrel inserted into the hole. The barrel includes an end seal for sealing near the bottom of the hole. By restricting and controlling the pressure of the high-pressure foam to the bottom of the hole, a controlled fracturing is achieved which results in the fracturing and removing of a large volume of material at a low expenditure of energy. The foam-injection method produces almost no fly rock nor airblast. The foam-injection method may be used to fracture, remove and/or excavate any hard material such as rock or concrete. The method may be used in either dry or water filled holes and the holes may be in any orientation. The foam injection apparatus is carried on a boom mounted on a carrier.

Abstract: In the drive system according to the invention for a cutting machine which can be moved along a chain conveyor and has a pin drive chain arranged in a chain receptacle of the chain conveyor, the pin drive chain is attached at each of its two ends to a hydraulic tensioning cylinder device, with the aid of which the chain slackness which forms in the pin drive chain can be compensated. At the same time, holding devices, such as end stops, are provided in the region of the tensioning cylinder devices, which holding devices support or fix the chain section of the pin drive chain which is respectively under tensile loading.

Abstract: A method for completing a well penetrating a solid carbonaceous subterranean formation by positioning a perforating gun in an uncased portion of a wellbore penetrating the solid carbonaceous subterranean formation; perforating the coal formation; and, producing fluids and particulate coal from the coal formation through the well to form a cavity in the coal formation surrounding the well.

Abstract: A non-explosive rock breaking method is disclosed. The method is accomplished by first drilling a hole into a rock. A charging system is then positioned adjacent the hole and a propellant cartridge is inserted within the charging system. The propellant cartridge contains a propellant and means for igniting the propellant. Finally, the propellant cartridge is forced through the charging system and into the hole to ignite the propellant. A cartridge and apparatus for performing the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mining machine especially for seam mining as in the mining of coal has a sensor for incipient sag of the plow pass of the continuously driven endless chain and a computer to which the sensor is connected and which controls the conveyor drive at the upstream end of the plow pass and the downstream end of a conveyor pass to reduce the speed of this drive until the plow pass is retensioned and any sag is accumulated at the conveyor pass. This arrangement eliminates problems with dislocation of the mining plow or of the conveyor flights as they are guided by guide devices onto the plow trough at the upstream end of the plow pass.

Abstract: A long-wall mining machine has an operating chain entraining conveyor flights or mining tools and displaceable in a trough which can be provided with rows of sensors of an inductive proximity type responding to the chain and the tools and generating measurement pulse trains which are compared with setpoint pulse trains to signal functional parameters of chain operation. The sag of the chain is determined by a row of sensors and in response to the sag a chain-tension unit can be controlled.

Abstract: A non-explosive rock breaking method. The method is accomplished by first drilling a hole into a rock. A charging system is then positioned adjacent the hole and a propellant cartridge is inserted within the charging hosing. The propellant cartridge contains a propellant and means for igniting the propellant. Finally, the propellant cartridge is forced through the charging hose and into the hole to ignite the propellant. A cartridge and apparatus for performing the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: According to the invention, automatic adjustment of the cutting horizon of a cutter installation or other mining installation is effected with the aid of recognition sensors which detect the footwall rock interface and which are disposed distributed over the length of the cutter or machine guide, wherein the measuring signals from the recognition sensors are acquired by an electronic evaluation and control unit and are utilized in the sense of automatically controlling the adjusting cylinders.

Abstract: A drive system for driving a flexible elongate member such as a haulage chain for a mineral mining machine or scraper-chain assembly of a scraper-chain conveyor of a mineral mining installation employs main and auxiliary drive units each equipped with an electric asynchronous motor drivably connected through a gearing assembly to a sprocket around which the chain or scraper-chain assembly is entrained. The gearing assemblies each employ a multi-disc clutch which is subjected to variable loading pressure and slippage by means of a valve actuated by electrical signals provided by an electronic controller. Each clutch acts through gears on a ring gear of planetary gearing and the ring gear wheel is subjected to a controlled supportive torque. The electronic controller is designed to actuate the associated valves to adjust the clutches to balance loading on the motors of the units.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for increasing the methane recovery rate through a wellbore which penetrates a coal seam. The invention utilizes the cavitation of the coal seam surrounding the wellbore after a substantial percentage of the original methane-in-place which is available for recovery from the wellbore has been recovered from the coal seam.

Abstract: An improved method for stimulating coal degasification wells comprising the injection of a foam into a coal seam which contains natural or induced fractures. Thereafter, high pressure gas is injected into the coal seam and suddenly released to cause disintegration of coal surrounding the borehole.

Abstract: A rock breaker uses shotgun cartridges or other firearm ammunition as the explosive charge at the bottom of a drilled borehole. The breaker includes a heavy steel rod or bar, a gun with a firing chamber for the ammunition which screws onto the rod, a long firing pin running through a central passage in the rod, and a firing trigger mechanism at the external end of the bar which strikes the firing pin to fire the cartridge within the borehole. A tubular sleeve surround the main body of the rod and includes slits the end to allow it to expand. The rod has a conical taper at the internal end against which the end of the sleeve expands when the sleeve is forced along the rod toward the taper by a nut threaded onto the external end of the rod. As the sleeve end expands, it pushes against the borehole and holds the explosive gasses within, and also prevents the breaker from flying out of the borehole.

Abstract: Methane gas recovery from wells extending into subterranean coal seams is stimulated by treatment of near-wellbore coal seam with cryogenic liquid.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for increasing the methane recovery rate through a wellbore which penetrates a coal seam. The invention utilizes the cavitation of the coal seam surrounding the wellbore after a substantial percentage of the original methane-in-place which is available for recovery from the wellbore has been recovered from the coal seam.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a pile produces a predetermined pile diameter in a cast-in-place pile. The apparatus includes an agitating arrangement which includes a pipe extending longitudinally into the ground, a plurality of agitating blades supported by the pipe for agitating a settable mixture, and a plurality of nozzles respectively disposed on and supported by respective ones of the agitating blades. Each of the plurality of nozzles produces a directional jet flow of liquid. Also, an arrangement is provided for supplying liquid under pressure to each of the plurality of nozzles.

Abstract: A method of excavating an underground area liable to flooding or collapsing during excavation, wherein the area is susceptible to disaggregation by high pressure water jet and is located above rock of strength suitable for drifting a gallery comprises drifting a gallery in the rock beneath the area, freezing at least a perimeter of the area to form a frozen perimeter, and excavating material from within the frozen perimeter using a high pressure water jet and one or more boreholes between the gallery and the area. Preferably the whole area is frozen for excavation.

Abstract: Rock and other hard materials, such as concrete, are broken by a controlled-fracturing process referred to as penetrating-cone fracture. The fracturing process is accomplished by pressurizing the bottom of a drill hole in such a way as to initiate and propagate a controlled fracture from the sharp hole-bottom corner while not crushing the surrounding rock. A cartridge containing a propellant charge is inserted at the bottom of a short hole drilled in the rock. The cartridge is stemmed by a massive bar. A firing pin in the stemming bar strikes a primer which then ignites the propellant in the cartridge. The cartridge incorporates a relief volume designed to control propellant burning rates and pressures and thus the pressure at the hole bottom. The cartridge is designed with a tapered wall, which is thicker nearer the stemming bar, and with a large radius of the inside surface of the cartridge base, which reduce the possibility for premature cartridge rupture and loss of propellant generated gases.

Abstract: The hot-weak-rock process for overcoming the technical limitation inherent to the Hot-Dry-Rock Process, of not being able to overcome the shear strength of the rock beyond a certain depth in order to create heating surfaces through HYDRAFRAC. The hot-weak-rock process creates a heating zone in an area of the continental lithosphere in which the shear strength of the hot rock suddenly decreases with increasing overburden and the HYDRFRAC necessary to create heating surfaces is effectuated under the hydrostatic pressure of a water column in a correspondingly deep and lined boring. A technically easily generated additional pressure component is applied to the water column in the boring to create the initial cracks in the lower, unlined section of the boring.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the degrees of roll of the body of a longwall shearing machine and providing signals proportional to the roll angle which are used to control drum cutting positions for controlling roof and floor horizons of a coal tunnel.

Abstract: An improved method for stimulating coal degasification wells comprising the use of a coal comminuting solvent to weaken the cleat structure of a coal seam immediately prior to use of high pressure gas in a gas cavitation process. A solvent such as ammonia is injected into the coal seam and allowed to dissolve materials from the cleat structure for a period of time sufficient to weaken that structure. Thereafter, high pressure gas is injected into the coal seam and suddenly released to cause disintegration of coal surrounding the borehole.

Abstract: A method of steering a double-ended ranging drum type mining machine. The method includes the steps of positioning a first current cut follower at or substantially adjacent the center of the machine. A second previous cut follower is positioned at or substantially adjacent the center of the machine. A tilt measurer determines machine tilt and an estimator estimates mineral thickness and generates algorithms whereby height differences between a current and a previous cut roof can be calculated to control and steer the leading cutting drum; the algorithms are generated in such a manner that cumulative errors along or towards a mine face are minimized or eliminated.

Abstract: A cavity induced stimulation method for improving the initial production of fluids, e.g. methane, from a coal seam. A well is drilled and completed into the seam. A tubing string is run into the hole and liquid CO.sub.2 is pumped down tubing while a backpressure is maintained on the well annulus. Pumping is stopped and the pressure is allowed to build until it reaches a desired elevated pressure (e.g. 1500 to 2000 psia). The pressure is then quickly released. The sudden release of pressure plus other factors cause the coal to fail and fragment into particles. The particles are removed to form a cavity in the seam. The above steps may be repeated until the desired cavitation is achieved.

Abstract: A method for remotely monitoring conditions such as carbon monoxide or methane gas concentration, longwall roof support pressure, machine parameters or uncut coal, trona or potash layer thickness in a natural resource mining system such as a longwall or continuous mine system. The method utilizes a plurality of sensors connected to low magnetic moment transmitters, e.g. 0.1 ATM.sup.2, or high magnetic moment transmitters, e.g. 2.5 ATM.sup.2, that transmit collected data during multiple short burst transmission periods. Prior to transmission, the data is converted to a digital word format. An algorithm in the transmitter microcomputer ensures that random time intervals exist between data transmission bursts thus preventing a data transmission clash at the central receiver. A microcomputer algorithm in the central receiver protects against data contention caused by simultaneous transmission from several sensors.

Abstract: A method of steering a double-ended ranging drum mining machine including the steps of positioning a first current cut roof follower at or adjacent the center of the machine and measuring the machine tilt by a second sensor. The coal thickness is estimated by using a third sensor and the data gathered is used in generating algorithms therefrom whereby the height differences between points on the current cut roof can be calculated to control and steer the leading and trailing cutting drums. The algorithms are generated in such a manner that cumulative errors along or towards the face are minimized or eliminated.

Abstract: A method for breaking coal and other mineral matter from a bed thereof provided with a bore hole consists of the steps of applying a flushing medium to a drill bit, loosening the mineral matter upon completing the drilling by conveying the compressed air to a plurality of blow slots and sealing a mouth of the bore before loosening the mineral matter.

Abstract: Hard compact materials, such as rock, concrete, et cetera, are broken by igniting an appropriately designed explosive or propellant charge placed within the hole or carried in a special charge-containing device with a short barrel which is inserted and sealed into a pre-drilled hole of particular geometry. One or more approximately cylindrical holes are drilled into the material to be broken by conventional drilling, such as used in the mining and construction industries. The holes have a relatively short depth to diameter ratio, being in the range of about 2:1 to 6:1, and preferably about 3:1 to 5:1. The holes are percussively drilled with microfractures in and around hole bottoms to provide fracture initiation sites at the hole bottoms so as to provide preferred fracture initiation roughly parallel to a free surface of material being excavated.

Abstract: An inlet chamber receives fluid from a small high pressure pump, such fluid flowing through a flow restrictor and one-way valve into an accumulator, until very high pressure is established in the accumulator. At the same time, a sealed poppet is pushed against a poppet seat by the high pressure within the inlet chamber to prevent fluid flow into an output chamber coupled to a bore hole. When the high pressure fluid in the accumulator is to be discharged into the output chamber, the inlet chamber is vented to the atmosphere to rapidly separate the poppet from the poppet seat. The poppet has an end portion having an area greater than the sealing area occupied by the poppet seat which permits the fluid under high pressure within the accumulator to rapidly separate the poppet from the valve seat so that a very large fraction of the energy in the accumulator is discharged through the outlet portion of the apparatus, to be injected into a bore hole for the purpose of fragmenting rock or the like.

Abstract: Providing a fluid pressure pulse generator having a fluid inlet chamber communicating with an accumulator via a movable ball positioned within the inlet chamber, a narrow fluid passageway bypassing the ball, an outlet chamber coupled to a valve seat for preventing communication between the outlet chamber and the accumulator when the movable ball assumes a first position against the valve seat and for permitting the outlet chamber to communicate with the accumulator when the ball is separated from the valve seat in a second position, introducing fluid within the fluid inlet chamber causing the ball to assume the first position and for causing the fluid to flow through the passageway into the accumulator until fluid pressure is very high; and thereafter rapidly reducing fluid pressure within the inlet chamber to cause the ball to assume the second position for in turn causing high impulse ejection of fluid from the accumulator into the outlet chamber.

Abstract: A liquid cutting head for removing material with a high velocity jet of working liquid supplied by an ultra-high pressure pump includes a nozzle having an outlet for forming and directing a thin high velocity stream of liquid to impact against a workpiece to remove material therefrom. A suction hood surrounds the nozzle having an edge adjacent the workpiece and a liquid curtain extends between the edge of the hood and the workpiece for entrapping and wetting workpiece material removed by the liquid stream for pick up by the suction hood.

Abstract: This is a method to connect two or more drill holes, such as drill holes at distances of 2,000 to 5,000 feet or more apart, for the purpose of producing soluble ores, such as sylvanite or carnallite, from thick, deep ore bodies or from thin, shallow ore bodies. The drill holes are connected utilizing a signal-sending device in an initial drill hole and a sigal-receiving device in a subsequent drill hole. A fluid is injected down one of the holes forcing the effluent from the other hole thus forming a mined-out corridor between the two holes. This procedure can then be repeated with subsequent, offset drill holes.