Abstract

A system and method are described for excavation of gravel from a gravel formation including an elongated cylindrical casing surrounding and supporting a rotating auger extending a chosen distance beyond an open end of the casing, and having openings through its upper surface for permitting gravel to enter the casing in addition to entering through the open end thereof, a source of vibration for vibrating the casing, a conveyor for removing material excavated by the system through an opening in the bottom surface of the casing, and a tracked excavator or other suitable vehicle for preventing the casing from rotating and for pushing the casing in a chosen horizontal direction into the gravel formation.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21C 27/22 - Mineral freed by means not involving slitting by rotary drills with breaking-down means, e.g. wedge-shaped drills
• E02F 3/06 - DredgersSoil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging screws
• E21C 29/22 - Propulsion of machines for slitting or completely freeing the mineral from the seam by wheels, endless tracks, or the like
• E21C 31/04 - Driving means incorporated in machines for slitting or completely freeing the mineral from the seam for cutting or breaking-down devices imparting both a rotary and reciprocating motion
• E21C 41/00 - Methods of underground or surface miningLayouts therefor

Abstract

A system and method are described for excavation of gravel from a gravel formation including an elongated cylindrical casing surrounding and supporting a rotating auger extending a chosen distance beyond an open end of the casing, and having openings through its upper surface for permitting gravel to enter the casing in addition to entering through the open end thereof, a source of vibration for vibrating the casing, a conveyor for removing material excavated by the system through an opening in the bottom surface of the casing, and a tracked excavator or other suitable vehicle for preventing the casing from rotating and for pushing the casing in a chosen horizontal direction into the gravel formation.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21C 41/16 - Methods of underground miningLayouts therefor
• E21C 31/04 - Driving means incorporated in machines for slitting or completely freeing the mineral from the seam for cutting or breaking-down devices imparting both a rotary and reciprocating motion
• E21C 29/22 - Propulsion of machines for slitting or completely freeing the mineral from the seam by wheels, endless tracks, or the like

Abstract

A system and method are described for excavation of gravel from a gravel formation including an elongated cylindrical casing surrounding and supporting a rotating auger extending a chosen distance beyond an open end of the casing, and having openings through its upper surface for permitting gravel to enter the casing in addition to entering through the open end thereof, a source of vibration for vibrating the casing, a conveyor for removing material excavated by the system through an opening in the bottom surface of the casing, and a tracked excavator or other suitable vehicle for preventing the casing from rotating and for pushing the casing in a chosen horizontal direction into the gravel formation.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 7/00 - Special methods or apparatus for drilling
• E21B 10/00 - Drill bits
• E21B 7/20 - Driving or forcing casings or pipes into boreholes, e.g. sinkingSimultaneously drilling and casing boreholes
• E21B 19/00 - Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrickApparatus for feeding the rods or cables
• E21B 19/08 - Apparatus for feeding the rods or cablesApparatus for increasing or decreasing the pressure on the drilling toolApparatus for counterbalancing the weight of the rods
• E21B 7/04 - Directional drilling