Method and apparatus for fracturing brittle materials by thermal stressing
US6912356B2 · kind B2 · utility
2Cited by
25References
7Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 22, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jun 28, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 22, 2023 |
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 (radiation) at the rock to induce thermal stress sufficient to fracture the rock. The intensity of the energy source may be varied to control the manner in which the rock fractures. 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.