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Pulsed electric rock drilling apparatus

  • US 7,416,032 B2
  • Filed: 08/19/2005
  • Issued: 08/26/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A pulsed power drilling apparatus for passing a pulsed electrical current through a substrate, the apparatus comprising:

  • a drill bit;

    at least one set of at least two electrodes disposed on said drill bit defining therebetween at least one electrode gap, said electrodes of each said set oriented substantially along a face of said drill bit to pass current through the substrate;

    a high-voltage pulsed power generator linked to said drill bit, delivering a pulsed current between said electrodes and through the substrate;

    an electrical power source powering said pulsed power generator;

    an electrical conduction conduit sending high-voltage pulses from said high-voltage pulse generator to said drill bit; and

    an insulating drilling fluid having a dielectric strength of at least 300 kV/cm (1 μ

    sec).

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