Method and apparatus for mining a material in an underground environment
US8899692B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 30, 2009 |
| Grant date | Dec 2, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 21, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21F13/00
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
The present disclosure provides a method for mining a material in an underground environment. The method comprises positioning a structure in an underground roadway and locating the structure so that the structure provides a reactive force when a cutting head is pushed against the material via a series of members coupled to the structure. The roadway is suitable for passage of people and transportation of machinery and removed material. The method also comprises coupling the cutting head to at least one of the members of the series of members and the series of members to the structure. Further, the method comprises forming a plurality of branch tunnel portions projecting from the roadway into the material using the cutting head and the series of members coupled to the structure, comprising repositioning the cutting head and the series of members between formation of the branch tunnel portions. At least one of the formed branch tunnel portions has a length of more than 50 m.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.