Reusable Plasma Blast Probe for Directional Pavement Fracturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for removing pavement structures, such as jackhammering and mechanical grinding, are inefficient, loud, and cause physical damage to operators, and existing plasma blasting techniques lack control over plasma spark dynamics and reusability, making them ineffective for precise and directional excavation.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that involves cutting slits in the pavement, drilling boreholes, filling them with incompressible fluid, inserting plasma blast probes to focus the blast horizontally, and using a controlled plasma spark to fracture the pavement, allowing for efficient removal using conventional methods like grinding or shoveling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional jackhammering is used to remove pavement structures, then the pavement can be broken up, but the process is inefficient, loud, and causes physical damage to operators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical jackhammering system with a plasma-based system. A plasma blast probe delivers high-energy plasma bursts to fracture pavement, substituting mechanical impact with thermal and pressure effects from plasma expansion, thereby eliminating noise and physical damage to operators while improving removal efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and energy parameters by using plasma (ionized gas) at extremely high temperatures and pressures to fracture pavement. The plasma blast probe delivers controlled bursts of plasma energy, transforming the removal mechanism from mechanical force to thermal and pressure-induced fracturing
2Reliability
If existing plasma blasting techniques are used, then pavement can be fractured, but there is lack of control over plasma spark dynamics and reusability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a reusable plasma blast probe with adjustable electrode spacing. The electrodes can be dynamically repositioned along the probe length to control plasma spark dynamics and blast direction, allowing adaptation to different pavement conditions and enabling precise control over the fracturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The plasma blast probe is segmented into multiple electrode pairs positioned at different locations along its length. This segmentation allows selective activation of different electrode pairs to control plasma spark dynamics and direct blasts in specific directions, improving reliability and control
3Productivity
If plasma blast probes are designed for single use, then simplicity is maintained, but reusability and efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The plasma blast probe incorporates movable electrodes that can be repositioned along the probe body. This dynamic design allows the same probe to be reused multiple times with adjusted electrode spacing optimized for different blast requirements, significantly improving productivity without requiring multiple disposable probes
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable plasma blast probe is designed to perform multiple functions: it can fracture different types of pavement (concrete, asphalt), control blast direction through electrode positioning, and adapt to varying depth requirements. This multi-functionality increases productivity while the probe design complexity is managed through modular construction
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
This approach provides better control over the plasma blasting process, enabling more precise and directional fracturing of pavement structures, reducing operator risk, and increasing efficiency and safety by allowing for the use of reusable plasma blast probes.
Implementation Method 1
initiating a plasma blast in the plasma blast probe by creating a plasma spark between the electrodes
Implementation Method 2
The electrical energy stored in the capacitor bank is discharged at a very high rate of speed into the blasting probe... creating a shock wave that fractures the solid
Implementation Method 3
The fluid media is in direct or indirect contact with the pavement to be fractured... focusing the blast horizontally and slightly upwards
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system and apparatus for plasma blasting pavement comprises an apparatus having a set of diamond cutting tools for creating a boreholes, a diamond saw, and a set of blast probes comprising a high voltage electrode and a ground electrode separated by a dielectric separator, wherein the high voltage electrode and the dielectric separator constitute an adjustable probe tip, and an adjustment unit coupled to the adjustable probe tip, wherein the adjustment unit is configured to selectively extend or retract the adjustable probe tip relative to the ground electrode and a blasting media, wherein at least a portion of the high voltage electrode and the ground electrode are submerged in the blast media. The apparatus saws the pavement at the parameter of the area to be removed, drills holes in the pavement, and inserts blast probes in the holes. The plasma blast breaks up the pavement in between the saw cuts.