Method and casing for excavating a borehole
AssigneeThe Charles Machines Works, Inc.
InventorsKenneth W. Schuermann, James E. Franklin, Arthur D. Deken
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Abstract
A soft excavator (10, 90, 110, 130) is disclosed which utilizes a jet of high velocity fluid flow such as air or water flow, preferably supersonic, through a nozzle (48, 92, 112) to excavate a material, such as the ground. A second passage for air flow is provided which is directed by an evacuator skirt (52, 102) in a direction along the excavator generally opposite the direction of discharge of the high velocity excavating flow to entrain the material excavated for disposal.
Claims12
A casing for use in excavation of a borehole by an apparatus directing a high velocity fluid against the material to be excavated, the borehole having a predetermined diameter, comprising:
- a tubular portion of diameter to be moved within the borehole as it is excavated to maintain the diameter of the borehole, the tubular portion moved into the borehole as the borehole is excavated by the apparatus;
- a seal portion secured at an end of said tubular portion for passage of the apparatus for excavation within the tubular portion to direct the high velocity fluid at the excavation site, the apparatus moving relative to the casing as excavation is undertaken, a seal provided in said seal portion to seal against said apparatus as the apparatus moves relative to the casing during excavation;
- and
- a discharge portion to discharge material excavated by said apparatus from the site of excavation along the interior of the tubular portion for disposal.
A casing for use in excavation of a borehole by an apparatus directing a high velocity fluid against a material to be excavated, the borehole having a predetermined diameter, comprising:
- a tubular portion of diameter to be moved within the borehole as it is excavated to maintain the diameter of the borehole;
- a seal portion secured at an end of said tubular portion for passage of the apparatus for excavation within the tubular portion to direct the high velocity fluid at the excavation site, a seal provided in said seal portion to seal against said apparatus;
- a discharge portion to discharge material excavated by said apparatus from the site of said excavation along the interior of the tubular portion for disposal;
- and
- a handle for grasping by an operator to manipulate the casing within the borehole.
A method of excavating a borehole with an apparatus directing a high velocity fluid against the material to be excavated, the borehole having a predetermined diameter, comprising the steps of:
- inserting the apparatus through a seal portion of a casing, the casing further having a tubular portion of diameter corresponding to the predetermined diameter of the borehole;
- excavating the borehole with the apparatus while pushing the tubular portion of the casing into the borehole to maintain the diameter of the borehole;
- discharging the material excavated by the apparatus from the site of excavation along the interior of the tubular portion to a discharge portion of the casing for discharge.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.