# US 2020/0400002 A1 · Novel Sliced and Elliptical Head Probe for Plasma Blast Applications > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2020/0400002 A1 - Document ID: US20200400002A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/011,471 - Filed: 2020-09-03 - Published: 2020-12-24 - Earliest claimed: 2020-09-03 - Assignees: Petram Technologies, Inc. - Applicants: Petram Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: Frank A. Magnotti, II; Brian Wells; Stevie R. Best - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200400002A1 ## CPC - E21B 43/247: in association with fracturing processes {or crevice forming processes} - E21B 43/2401: {by means of electricity} - E21C 37/18: by electricity - F42D 1/045: Arrangements for electric ignition (dynamo-electric generators H02K) - F42D 3/04: for rock blasting - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - E21C: MINING OR QUARRYING - F42D: BLASTING (fuses, e.g. fuse cords, C06C5/00; {for obtaining fluid from wells E21B43/00; for mining or quarrying E21C37/00; for making tunnels or galleries E21D9/006}; cartridges F42B3/00) ## Abstract A system and apparatus for plasma blasting comprises a borehole, with a novel blast probe, the probe comprising a high voltage electrode and a ground casing tube separated by a dielectric separator except for an evacuated area where the plasma blast occurs, wherein the opening in the ground casing and the dielectric separator constitute a sliced and elliptical probe shape. The sliced and elliptical shape of the opening focuses a plasma blast in a specific direction and contours, wherein at least a portion of the high voltage electrode and the ground electrode are submerged in the blast media. The blasting media comprises water alone or in combination with other materials. The sliced and elliptical blast probe permit directional aiming of the blast. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A blasting system comprising: a borehole; a blast probe positioned within the borehole, the blast probe comprising a high voltage electrode, a dielectric material surrounding the high voltage electrode, a ground casing tube surrounding the dielectric material, said ground casing tube connected to an electrical ground, and a single opening in the ground casing tube, said opening extending through the dielectric material to the high voltage electrode, such that the high voltage electrode is exposed; and a blast media comprising water or other incompressible fluid wherein the high voltage electrode and the ground casing tube are submerged in the blast media. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising a capacitor assembly electrically connected to the high voltage electrode through a high voltage wire within a transmission cable. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2 wherein a ground wire within the transmission is electrically connected between the capacitor assembly and the ground casing tube. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2 wherein the capacitor assembly is positioned within the borehole. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the single opening in the ground casing tube is positioned in the borehole at a location to focus a plasma blast. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the opening in the ground casing tube is elliptical. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the opening in the ground casing tube is circular. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7 wherein the opening is between 5 and 30 degrees wide. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the dielectric material is a G10 insulator. ### Claim 10 A blast probe apparatus comprising: a high voltage electrode; a dielectric material surrounding the high voltage electrode; a ground casing tube surrounding the dielectric material, said ground casing tube connected to an electrical ground; and a single opening in the ground casing tube, said opening extending through the dielectric material to the high voltage electrode, such that the high voltage electrode is exposed. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the high voltage electrode is brass. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the ground casing tube is steel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the dielectric material is a G10 insulator. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the G10 insulator is a high-pressure fiberglass laminate. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the opening in the ground casing tube is elliptical. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the opening in the ground casing tube is circular. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a bottom probe plate screwed into the ground casing tube. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a top probe plate screwed into the ground casing tube. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the top probe plate has a hole in a center. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising a steel tube screwed into the hole in the top probe plate.