Portable electrohydraulic mining drill
AssigneeTetra Corporation
InventorsWilliam M. Moeny, David M. Barrett
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electrohydraulic drilling system for drilling holes in material such as rock utilizing a drill stem connected to a flexible cable. The electrical spark or plasma that creates the electrohydraulic pressure wave is powered by an electrical pulse propagated down the cable from a pulse generator to the drill stem. An advance mechanism on a jackleg support is utilized to move the drill into the rock during the drilling process. The drill stem and cable combination enable holes to be drilled in the roof of tunnels where the floor to roof height is less than the depth of the hole to be drilled. The electrohydraulic process provides higher drilling efficiencies than conventional systems.
Claims71
A drill which utilizes a spark or plasma within a fluid for creating shock waves or pressure waves to crush or drill material comprising:
- a drill tip;
- an electrode assembly comprising means for creating a spark or plasma within a fluid at said drill tip and thereby creating a shock wave;
- a flexible cable for connecting said electrode assembly to a pulse generator;
- fluid flow means for providing flushing fluid to said drill tip;
- and
- a drill stem assembly for enclosing and supporting said electrode assembly and providing for directional control of said drill while drilling,
- wherein said flexible cable comprises a corrugated outer covering for advancing said drill into a hole when a drill hole depth exceeds that of said drill stem.
A method for drilling utilizing a spark or plasm within a fluid for creating shock waves or pressure waves to crush or drill material, the method comprising the following steps of:
- a) providing a drill comprising a drill tip, an electrode assembly, a cable connected to a pulse generator, and a drill stem assembly;
- b) providing fluid at the drill tip;
- c) creating a spark or plasma within fluid at the drill tip and thereby creating a shock wave;
- d) providing flushing fluid to the drill tip;
- e) providing directional control of the drill while drilling via the drill stem assembly;
- and
- f) reflecting shock and pressure waves in the drill stem assembly to enhance efficiency by returning pressure and shock energy to the material being drilled.
A drill which utilizes a spark or plasma within a fluid for creating shock waves or pressure waves to crush or drill material comprising:
- a drill tip;
- an electrode assembly comprising means for creating a spark or plasma within a fluid at said drill tip and thereby creating a shock wave;
- a cable for connecting said electrode assembly to a pulse generator;
- fluid flow means for providing flushing fluid to said drill tip;
- a drill stem assembly for enclosing and supporting said electrode assembly and providing for directional control of said drill while drilling;
- and
- shock and pressure wave reflectors in said drill stem assembly to enhance efficiency by returning pressure and shock energy to the material being drilled.
A drill which utilizes a spark or plasma within a fluid for creating shock waves or pressure waves to crush or drill material comprising:
- a drill tip;
- an electrode assembly comprising means for creating a spark or plasma within a fluid at said drill tip and thereby creating a shock wave;
- a cable for connecting said electrode assembly to a pulse generator;
- fluid flow means for providing flushing fluid to said drill tip;
- a drill stem assembly for enclosing and supporting said electrode assembly and providing for directional control of said drill while drilling;
- and
- a pressure switch in said drill stem assembly to inhibit operation of said drill unless adequate fluid is flowing through said drill stem assembly to provide adequate pressure for operation.
A drill which utilizes a spark or plasma within a fluid for creating shock waves or pressure waves to crush or drill material comprising:
- a drill tip;
- an electrode assembly comprising means for creating a spark or plasma within a fluid at said drill tip and thereby creating a shock wave;
- a cable for connecting said electrode assembly to a pulse generator;
- fluid flow means for providing flushing fluid to said drill tip;
- a drill stem assembly for enclosing and supporting said electrode assembly and providing for directional control of said drill while drilling;
- and
- a flexible boot at said drill tip to entrap the fluid and provide a medium for propagating the shock wave to the material during start-up of a drill hole and during the drilling process.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.