Back to results
US 9,649,780 B1Granted
Shape memory alloy rock splitters (SMARS)
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorsOthmane Benafan, Ronald D. Noebe
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Shape memory alloys (SMAs) may be used for static rock splitting. The SMAs may be used as high-energy multifunctional materials, which have a unique ability to recover large deformations and generate high stresses in response to thermal loads.
Claims19
An apparatus for splitting rock, comprising:
- one or more shape memory alloy expanding elements comprising nickel titanium hafnium (NiTiHf), nickel titanium zirconium (NiTiZr), or nickel titanium hafnium zirconium (NiTiHfZr), wherein
- when the one or more shape memory alloy expanding elements reach a predefined temperature within a predefined borehole of the rock, the one or more shape memory alloy expanding elements are configured to exert force on walls of the borehole for splitting the rock;
- and
- adjustable end tips configured to enhance cracking of the rock and compensate for irregularity in a borehole diameter.
1 more element
A process for training shape memory alloy material, comprising:
- determining a deformation mode of the shape memory alloy material;
- and
- based on the deformation mode, isothermally training the shape memory alloy material to a predefined strain level required to obtain a desired stress and displacement, isobaric training the shape memory alloy material to the predefined stress level, or cyclic training the shape memory alloy material to the predefined stress levels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.