Plasma Rock Melting Heat Shield Dynamic Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for introducing cavities in rock by thermal melting and gas conveyance struggle to achieve sufficient energy density and are hindered by rotating parts in the melting zone, preventing effective rock melting and vaporization.
Innovation Solution
A propulsion head with a heat shield covering the cavity front, except for a peripheral gap, creates a dynamic pressure space that is heated by a plasma generator, using a partial gas flow to melt and vaporize rock, which is then discharged through the gap into the main gas flow, eliminating the need for rotating parts in the melting zone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If rotating parts such as plasma torch carrier and support rollers are used in the melting zone, then the device can be constructed to transport the propulsion head, but the energy density required to melt the rock cannot be achieved due to interference from the pumped medium
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the rotating parts (plasma torch carrier, support rollers, bearings) from the melting zone by introducing a heat shield that creates a separated working chamber. The propulsion head is transported through this chamber without rotating components interfering with the plasma field, thereby achieving the required energy density for rock melting while eliminating mechanical complexity in the critical melting area.
2Productivity
If a heat shield is introduced to create a dynamic pressure space, then high energy density and temperature can be achieved, but the device complexity increases due to additional cooling systems and pressure control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses pneumatic principles by introducing a gaseous conveying medium that serves dual purposes: it creates the dynamic pressure space necessary for high-energy plasma operation and simultaneously cools the heat shield through controlled flow. This eliminates the need for separate complex cooling systems while maintaining productivity through efficient heat management and pressure control.
3Ease of operation
If the propulsion head is supplied with electrical energy and gaseous conveying agent via flexible cable, then the device can be operated remotely, but the reliability decreases due to potential cable failures and energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the operational parameters by creating a dynamic pressure space with controlled atmospheric conditions (pressure, temperature, gas composition) that protects the cable connections from extreme thermal and mechanical stresses. This parameter control environment maintains reliable energy and material transmission while enabling remote operation, as the cables operate in a stabilized zone rather than directly in the harsh melting environment.
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 achieves high energy density and temperature to efficiently melt and vaporize rock over the cavity surface, ensuring effective transport without moving parts in the melting zone, and stabilizes the cavity walls by vitrifying them.
Implementation Method 1
the gaseous pumping medium is heated with the aid of electrical plasma generators associated with a propulsion head located at the front of a supply device that can be inserted into the cavity
Implementation Method 2
the rock in front of the cavity is thermally melted
Implementation Method 3
evaporates it completely or partially
Implementation Method 4
discharged from the cavity with the aid of a gaseous conveying medium
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for sinking or introducing cavities in rock, wherein the face of the cavity (2) is melted using electrical plasma generators. In order in such a method to produce an energy density at the face of the cavity (2), said energy density being sufficient to completely or partially evaporate the in-situ stone, the invention proposes arranging a heat shield (4) immediately over the face of the cavity (2), said heat shield (4) forming with the face of the cavity (2) a dynamic pressure space (7) in which a temperature of more than 2000°C is established at a pressure of more than 2 bar by heating with plasma generators (8). This supply of energy is sufficient to melt the stone in-situ at the face of the cavity (2), to completely or partially gasify it and to remove it from the cavity (2).