Enhanced endcap ram accelerator system
AssigneeHypersciences, Inc.
InventorMark C. Russell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
One or more ram accelerator devices may be used to form one or more holes in geologic or other material. These holes may be used for drilling, tunnel boring, excavation, and so forth. The ram accelerator devices propel projectiles which are accelerated by combustion of one or more combustible gasses in a ram effect to reach velocities exceeding 500 meters per second. An endcap may be deployed within a tube of the ram accelerator device to prevent incursion of formation pressure products such as oil, water, mud, gas, and so forth into a guide tube of the ram accelerator. During operation the projectile penetrates the endcap and at least a portion thereof impact a working face. In some implementations a purge gas may be used to form a ullage between the endcap and the working face.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- positioning a tube within a hole, wherein the tube has a first end proximate to a working face;
- at a first time, opening one or more separators within the tube to permit passage of an endcap;
- positioning the endcap within the tube;
- positioning a projectile within the tube, wherein the endcap is between the projectile and the working face;
- at a second time, opening the one or more separators to permit passage of the projectile;
- and
- accelerating the projectile toward the working face using one or more combustible gasses.
A system comprising:
- a tube within a hole, wherein the tube has a first end proximate to a working face;
- an endcap within the tube, wherein the tube includes one or more of a narrowed portion or a constricted portion that retains the endcap proximate to the first end of the tube;
- one or more combustible gasses within the tube;
- and
- a projectile within the tube, wherein the endcap is between the projectile and the working face, and the one or more combustible gasses accelerate the projectile toward the working face.
A method comprising:
- positioning an end of a tube proximate to a working face;
- positioning a projectile within the tube, wherein the tube is configured to accelerate the projectile toward the working face;
- positioning an endcap within the tube between the projectile and the working face;
- positioning a first portion of a separator across at least a portion of an interior of the tube to prevent passage of fluid between a first portion of the tube and a second portion of the tube;
- penetrating the first portion of the separator using the projectile;
- and
- moving the separator to position a second portion of the separator across the at least a portion of the interior of the tube.
A method comprising:
- positioning an end of a tube proximate to a working face;
- positioning an endcap at a position within the tube;
- positioning a pocket of gas within the tube between the working face and the position of the endcap, wherein the pocket of gas has a first pressure greater than a second pressure external to the tube;
- and
- positioning a projectile within the tube, wherein the tube is configured to accelerate the projectile toward the working face.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.