Aggregate Slinger for Mine Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stabilizing abandoned mines to allow surface development is challenging due to safety, flooding, or closure of access portals, requiring expensive grouting processes with large volumes of grout.
Innovation Solution
A mine stabilization system comprising a rotary machine with an aggregate slinger, which forms a radially enlarged support column by spreading aggregate in the mine using dispersing members and a waterjet system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If grout is pumped into mines through holes drilled from the surface, then mines can be stabilized, but large volumes of grout are required making the process expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state and distribution parameters of the stabilizing material. Instead of pumping fluid grout that requires large volumes, the system uses a rotary machine to distribute aggregate material that forms a radially enlarged support column. This parameter change from fluid to particulate material, and from uniform distribution to radial concentration, reduces the quantity of material needed while maintaining stabilization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from one-dimensional vertical grout injection to three-dimensional radial aggregate distribution. The rotary machine with dispersing members creates a radially enlarged support column that extends outward in multiple directions from the central axis, utilizing spatial dimensionality to achieve more effective stabilization with less material.
2Reliability
If support points are created in the center of mine rooms, then mine stability increases, but the process requires access to the mine which may be closed or inaccessible
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a ground hole as an intermediary access point that connects the surface to the mine interior. The rotary machine is lowered through this intermediary hole to deliver aggregate material directly to the mine room, eliminating the need for personnel or equipment to physically enter through closed or inaccessible mine portals while still achieving internal stabilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the stabilization function from the context of direct mine room access. By delivering aggregate material through a surface hole rather than requiring entry into the mine, the system separates the stabilization operation from the need for accessible mine entrances, allowing operation in previously inaccessible conditions.
3Quantity of substance
If aggregate is spread to form a radially enlarged support column, then the volume of material needed is reduced, but the device complexity increases with rotary machine and dispersing members
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs mechanical vibration through the rotary machine to achieve radial distribution of aggregate material. The rotation and vibration of the dispersing members creates dynamic forces that spread aggregate outward radially, forming an enlarged support column. This mechanical action replaces what would otherwise require large volumes of material to achieve the same stabilizing effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses dynamic rotational motion to transform stationary aggregate material into a radially distributed configuration. The dispersing members rotate and move dynamically within the mine room, using centrifugal and vibrational forces to spread aggregate material efficiently. This dynamic approach creates a larger, more effective support structure from a smaller quantity of material compared to static placement methods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively stabilizes mines by forming a dense, radially enlarged support column, reducing the need for large volumes of grout and lowering costs while ensuring mine stability.
Implementation Method 1
The bearing aligns and supports the vertically extending shaft in the ground hole
Implementation Method 2
The radially oriented ribs are configured to urge aggregate radially outward as the vertically extending shaft rotates. The horizontal distance the aggregate can be distributed can be varied with the rotation speed of the aggregate slinger
Implementation Method 3
A waterjet system integrated with the vibroflotation tool also disperses water into the aggregate
Implementation Method 4
The vibration of the vibroflotation head and the water then spreads the aggregate outward but also pack the aggregate to form a dense, radially enlarged support column
Data Source
AI summary
An aggregate slinger for an underground void stabilization system, the aggregate slinger comprising a vertically extending shaft and a number of dispersing members. The vertically extending shaft is inserted through a ground hole into an underground void and rotated about a vertical axis in the ground hole. The dispersing members are configured to extend radially from a lower end of the vertically extending shaft in the underground void so that the dispersing members radially spread aggregate descending into the underground void from the ground hole to form a radially enlarged support column of aggregate in the underground void.