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.
Claims21
1-20. (canceled)
A method comprising:
- positioning a tube within a hole, wherein the tube has a first end and a second end proximate to a working face;
- positioning an endcap within the tube;
- positioning a projectile within the tube, wherein the endcap is between the projectile and the working face;
- 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 and a second end proximate to a working face;
- an endcap within 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 a tube such that an end of the tube is proximate to a working face;
- positioning a projectile within the tube, wherein the tube is configured to accelerate the projectile toward the working face;
- and
- positioning an endcap within the tube between the projectile and the working face.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.