Patent ID: 6332401
Filing Date: 2001-12-25
Classification: F42D

Abstract:
A method for selecting one or more pressure wave suppression devices for use in a small-charge blast in which a material is broken by a pressurized working fluid released into or generated in a hole in the material and sealed in the hole by a sealing member positioned in the hole, the material being near an area that is subject to pressure wave restrictions, the method comprising:(a) determining a pressure wave level requirement at a selected distance from at least a portion of the material to be broken;(b) determining an unsuppressed pressure wave level at the selected distance produced by the small-charge blast in the absence of a pressure wave suppression device;(c) comparing the pressure wave level requirement with the unsuppressed pressure wave level to determine a desired degree of pressure wave suppression;(d) comparing the desired degree of pressure wave suppression with a degree of pressure wave suppression for each of a plurality of pressure wave suppression devices; and(e) selecting one or more pressure wave suppression devices from among the plurality of pressure wave suppression devices to produce a desired degree of pressure wave suppression.