Method and apparatus for fracturing brittle materials by thermal stressing
US6608967B1 · kind B1 · utility
10Cited by
21References
3Claims
0Family size
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 19, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 1, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T225/304
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method of fracturing or breaking rock includes the step of directing high intensity white light at the rock to induce thermal stress sufficient to fracture the rock. An approach for generating high intensity white light includes an elongate arc chamber and an elongate concave reflector. The arc chamber and reflector may be shielded from airborne particulate matter by an air shield or a rotating or reciprocating translucent shield.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.